Crane meandered slowly through the halls of the royal barracks in the heart of Chrysanthos City, her small bag of things shuffling around on her side. So close to the very core of Pouflon society, her mind echoed visceral thoughts reminding her that she was a stranger here. Even the carpet below her claws felt strange and unnatural to her- it was tamped and flat, accommodating the hooves characteristic of Pouflons, unlike the flocked rugs in her Strata’s tower, hiding the minor damage that their claws did over time. Staring down, she could already see the tiny indents marking where she had walked.
Absorbed in her own thoughts, Crane ran headfirst into another recruit. Dazed, she stepped backwards and shook her head to clear it. The other recruit stood tall before her, a brown and cream Ursuki whose body bisected at the middle with a golden coil. He looked down at her with a scowl that quickly lifted into a slight smile.
“Oh you’re rather lost! This is Chrysanthos City’s Royal Academy, I’ll show you the door-'' his chipper statement got caught off as she snorted, venting out a huff of her pink pneumir.
“I’m not lost!” Crane growled, pulling up to her full height, her mountain-rugged muscles flexing to show off her physique. “I’m a transfer student. From Banelaire.”
“Oh, well-” the Ursuki said, stepping back to get a better look at her. “... is this the best Banelaire can send? You’re hardly a challenge for Sir Bearington, the best Knight of the lands!”
“You’re not much more than a scrap yourself!” Crane rebuked, though she could feel agitation building up in her throat. A fleeting thought raced through her mind, reminding her of when Celia taught her how to count to ten to calm herself down.
A fleeting thought, indeed, as Bearington raised his training sword, she stretched out her claws and narrowed her eyes at him.
“Bearington!”
A sharp, commanding voice sliced through the tension like a hot knife through butter, and both recruits jumped, ruffled fur quickly smoothing out. A much taller Pouflon walked between them both, her coat adorned with muted browns, grays and whites. Underneath impressive antler-esque horns, her eyes glared down at Bearington, piercing through him. He shuffled uncomfortably in place, sheathing his sword.
“Don’t you have drills to attend, Bearington?” the Pouflon asked, prompting the Ursuki to nod and immediately bolt in the other direction. Crane stuck her tongue out at him as he retreated, but quickly withdrew it when the Pouflon turned towards her.
“Don’t mind Bearington, his experience hasn’t caught up to his ego yet,” she said with a chuckle. “My name is Marleau, what’s yours?”
“Crane,” she responded, letting the tension in her muscles melt away.
“You said you’re a transfer student, right? Someone told me that there was a new initiative to swap students between Chrysanthos City and Banelaire.”
Crane nodded.
“Then I think you’ve got an initiation ceremony to attend to! Let me show you the way.”
