Chapter 1
A young man named Daniel Miller was riding in a crowded third-class personnel vehicle, filled with all sorts of poor people as it got towards West Fenia. He was a commoner, but had the highest marks in the school at Cork, the community in Bravia he was from that was also called "the city of plants." The people around him were a mix between itinerant salesmen, prostitutes, and poor folk like him looking for a new chance in the city. His new shot was a scholarship at the Imperial School, since he was one of the fifteen smartest young men in all of the Empire. According to his guidance counselor, he was ranked fifteenth out of the guys, due to the poor quality of the school he was from. Still, it was enough to get him a full ride in the most elite baccalaureate program in the Empire.
He said farewell to the cab driver after paying his fare. The cab driver waved at him as he drove away. Overburdened with bags, Daniel did not look dangerous. However, he looked like riff-raff to the guard. Despite the fact that the bone-skinny, slightly hunchbacked young man with freckles, pale skin, hazel eyes, big ugly spectacles, and disheveled red-blond hair was probably not a threat to anyone, the guard still would not let him into the palace.
"No commoners allowed in without a pass," the guard said.
"I am here to check in for the Imperial School," Daniel replied wearily. "I have just come from central Bravia in a crowded cab, and would like to put down my bags and rest."
"As I said before, no commoners allowed in without a pass," the guard said.
"Well, could you at least go in and get the Directrix so he can show you that I really belong here?" Daniel said.
"That I can do. Now you stay here," the guard said to Daniel.
The guard went inside and went over to where Natonito was sitting. Seeing the guard, Natonito asked him what his business was, and the guard said that there was a raggedy commoner outside who said he was part of the Imperial School. Natonito grabbed the roster sheet for the school and went outside, where he saw the skinny boy in near-rags.
"What is your name, son?" Natonito said politely.
"My name is Daniel Miller. I am the student from Cork who got a scholarship to come here to the Imperial Schools," he replied.
"Ah yes, I see your name here. Why did you come today? Normal check-in is not until tomorrow," Natonito responded.
"I would have come tomorrow, but my parents could not afford the private cab fares, and the third-class cab only comes on Tuesdays," Daniel replied.
"I am sorry my guard here thought you were some kind of riff-raff. Come inside, dinner will be served shortly and you will be fitted for your school uniform," Natonito replied.
"Thank you very much, Directrix," Daniel respectfully replied.
"Do not worry about the formalities here, just call me Natonito," the Directrix smilingly said.
The two of them walked inside, where they saw Henry and Cherie. Henry and Cherie looked at the young man questioningly, for they wondered why he was here. Nonetheless, he seemed like a nice fellow, so they were nice to him. After all, who knows when one may need a friend, even one dressed in shabby second hand clothing from what looked like a rural town. After he was fitted for his uniform, which would be ready tomorrow, they all sat down for dinner. Unlike the usual fare of chicken, it was a good pot roast. While eating, they chatted as well.
"Who are you?" Cherie asked Daniel.
"I am Daniel Miller, and I come from the area of Cork. I got a scholarship to come here after graduating first in my class in primary school. Who are you guys?"
"I am Cherie Longbert," Cherie replied, "and I am the sister of the wife of the Directrix."
"Okay," Daniel replied.
"Yes, I remember picking strawberries from one of your family's estates while I was in primary school," Daniel responded.
"Our family loves to have the primary school kids from Cork come over and pick strawberries during the late winter. It is a surprise to see someone from Cork here among the top 15 students of the empire though, either male or female. I always thought Cork was full of stupid rednecks myself," Henry replied.
"Well, Cork is mostly full of stupid rednecks, but I have always read books on my own, history and science, and so I would suppose I am smarter than anyone you have ever seen from Cork. Not that it has done me much good in my social life thus far," Daniel replied.
"It is time for you to see your room. While I cannot be sure that the students here will be any different than the ones you have known, for though they are rich, they may not be nice. Come, Daniel, let Henry and I show you your room," Natonito replied.
The three of them walked over to the freshmen dormitory and Daniel put his bags down. Natonito pointed out the various features of the rooms, and Daniel put his books and writing materials on his desk. Then Natonito left to go to Bathsheba, and Henry and Daniel began talking and trying to get to know each other.
"Well, I see you are a smart and earnest fellow," Henry said. "I would be glad to be your friend while we are here. Probably most of the people here will be aristocratic snobs anyway."
"I figured that, but I have my books and my journal to give me some solace. I am glad you would like me to be your friend. You look busy, though. Does it have something to do with that beautiful brunette we ate dinner with?" Daniel said.
"For someone who has probably never had a girlfriend, you are very perceptive. That is my girlfriend, and, well, tonight we are planning on having sex for the first time. Neither of us has ever done it before, and I thought no one was going to be here until tomorrow," Henry replied rather honestly.
"Don't worry about me. Go and do your business. I would love to have a girlfriend as beautiful and sweet as she is," Daniel sad.
"Someday you will find out how it feels yourself," Henry replied.
"I hope so," Daniel said rather gloomily.
[ Chapter 2 ]
| Jump to: |
Quick Links: Bobby's Stories | Nathan's Stories | Government | Map | Main