School Reds and Blues by CE Dalton

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CHAPTER SEVEN.

Nicholas DeMonthracian walked into the school and shook his head. "Someone needs to get onto the cleaning crew again," he muttered as he headed for where he could hear shouting. He walked into the office, dropping his bag on the way past the secretary's desk. "Morning, Syvette. Having a good day so far? I'll need some coffee soon. Dreadful flight over." He walked into his new office and slammed the door. "Shut it, now," he ordered calmly. The mayor and his sister-in-law looked at him. "I am Nicholas DeMonthracian. I am the new Headmaster by our Mother's decree and the Order has so decided."

"Are you qualified?" the mayor sneered.

"Why don't you ask my bosses at Yale?" he retorted calmly. "Or the ones at Oxford. I'm one of the top Classic's people in the world and I have been teaching now for going on fifteen years. Get out of my office. You have no say over this school and you wouldn't be trying this petty crap if my mother were still here. Out, now." The man huffed but left. "Now then," he said, looking at his sister-in-law. "You needed help, Marilyn?" She sat down, staring at him. "Very well then. I'm here. I have until the beginning of next fall. We'll find out what to do then if nothing's changed. As of right now, go deal with next year's crop and let me deal with this boring administrative stuff." The secretary walked in, handing him his coffee. "Thank you, Syvette. You're a peach, dear. Could you pull up all the problematic things for me to look over?" She nodded, smiling at him. "Thank you. Expect some things to be sent from Yale soon as well."

The secretary left and Marilyn stood up so he could have his desk seat. "She's a normal." He nodded as he sat down. "The biggest problem is Tyler's bonded," she told him.

"I heard she's a fantasy novel buff. It's an ingenious approach."

"She's found those conspiracy people's site on the web."

"Again, she likes dragons. It's only natural." He shrugged. "I'm sure Mother wasn't pleased but I'm also sure she needs to know at the moment if they're involved." He took a delicate sip and smiled. "Just perfect. She remembered." He looked at her. "I'm sure we'll be fine, Marilyn. Some of us are still quite skilled in this political dance we're doing now. We can handle it. Please though, find someone for William."

"Oh, you didn't hear? She's the whole group's bonded one. The whole of the Scruffy Ones." He looked impressed. "That's about half the problem. Some of the other girls are making up stories."

"Of course they are," he agreed. There must be something very special if she was bonded to all of them at once. He would have to talk with the girl sometime soon. "In case you don't remember, girls are always like that. I'm sure they'll find something more interesting closer to the holidays as presents are exposed and trips are planned." He took another sip of his coffee. "How are next year's applicants shaping up?"

"Horrible. I've only found three worthy people, all males, out of over five hundred applicants. Unless we lower the standards by a lot we'll have a very small incoming class."

"It's happened in the past. It's usually a sign that things are going to need tended to outside the school. The last one was the French Revolution. We ended up doing a lot of political dancing then." He took another sip. "Make a list, dear, and let me settle in." She nodded, leaving him alone finally. He put his feet up and looked around the small room. "I'll have to take over her real office as well," he decided. "There's not enough room in here to put all my books."

***

Catherine walked into the Headmaster's office hesitantly. "I was summoned?"

"It's nothing horrible," the secretary said with a smile. "Nicholas wanted to meet the close friend of his brothers and sister."

"Oh, that's fine then. A big relief, but good enough. I didn't want to take my calculus test today anyway," she admitted with a grin. "May I?" she asked, pointing at the door. The older woman nodded so she tapped on the door and walked in. "Hi. You summoned so I wouldn't have to take a Calc. test?"

He snorted. "That's what makeups are for," he pointed out dryly, looking her over. Odd shade of red hair, one long tail off to the side. Short everywhere else. Strong body, but not overly fit. Fairly modern looking woman all told. "How have you been settling in? Close the door, dear. I don't bite humans." She closed the door and walked in to sit across from him. "Any problems?"

"Only from some of the other girls. Marna and her sister have been finding whole new and unusual rumors to spread about me."

"Hmm. Heard some of that earlier and gave her a detention for daring to say that the horses didn't like you because you were improper with them. She was not amused when I called her mother either to report her horrible gossipmongering." He drank another sip of his coffee. "Any other problems?"

"Not that I can think of. I'm hoping my gym class won't be with the horses since they all hate me, but otherwise I can't think of anything."

"Good." He smiled at her. "Relax. I told you I don't eat humans." She laughed, relaxing. "How are you getting on with my brothers and sister?"

"We're good. They don't like to explain things to me sometimes but eventually I get stubborn and demanding. Then Tyler or Robbie steps in and takes over." He nodded, looking like he understood. "Are my books going to cause you more problems?"

"Probably not," he said with a smirk. "Going to change out your collection when you get home?"

"Oh, yes. I got a nice note from my mother that my sister was buying me a few new books after she got fussy and tore them up."

"Toddlers often do rip things up," he agreed, staring at the picture on the wall next to the window. "God knows Tyler tore up enough books trying to learn to read by himself."

"Oh, she's not a toddler. She's fourteen," she said smartly. He stared, looking shocked and horrified. "She's a beauty queen. She wants my room for herself and her wardrobe. She ripped them up after an early dismissal in a local pageant. It's puberty."

"Oh, no." He shuddered. "Women like that make me have hives. I'm glad that I don't have to deal with her. How are the studies going? Learning anything interesting?"

"I'm still having problems in mechanical physics, but no worse than I expected. I talked to the teacher, I still should average out a 'C' so I won't have any problems. He said I won't have to take any higher maths after this one, unless your brothers think it necessary and then I'd have a special one and it won't be mechanical but the things I already did well in."

"Good," he agreed happily. "We do encourage most of us to take that."

"Yes, but I'm a theory person, Nicholas. I like business things and I was raised on Social theories. My father taught in a mixed department so he had to teach sociology and anthropology now and then. I learned both from a very young age."

"Which is wonderful," he agreed. "You and Tyler probably have a few long talks."

"No, he's never asked my opinion on anything," she admitted. "I don't think he's ready for that yet. Right now, I'm like an odd kid sister he thinks he knows. Soon he'll be perfectly shocked I'm sure," she said with a touch of innocence on her face, which dissolved into a wicked grin. "Then again, he might not need to ask. It's not like he's ever told me if he's telepathic."

"No, he's not," Nicholas said with a smile of his own. "I'd say you were more than worthy to be with my brothers and sisters. There's been very few chosen I couldn't stand and fortunately you're not one of them." He put his cup down. "All right, back to the business stuff."

"I adore my business classes."

"That's good to know but I was talking about the student things. Anything you've seen that needs improvement?"

"The uniforms are *really* itchy." He nodded. "Can't we have them made in a different material?"

"You could but it'll be cold this winter."

"Yes, but that's what cashmere's for," she pointed out gently, like she would to a young child. "Cashmere is soft and warm and cuddly. So is chenille. For that matter, silk can be pretty warm too."

He waved a hand. "After your first year you get a bit more leeway in your attire. Cashmere is nice but I prefer virgin wool."

"Is that before or after you sheer them?" she teased. He burst out laughing. "Well, you said you didn't eat *humans* so I supposed you probably ate some sort of farm animal."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Touche, my dear. You got me. I prefer to wear wool, I tend to prefer cows to eat. They make less noise. Sheep are horribly noisy creatures with very little sense." She nodded. "That's fine. As long as you can find something that's respectable, I'll trust you not to get too cold this winter. Any luck finding a boyfriend?"

"As I've told others," she said, waving her hand about, "I'm not ready for that sort of relationship yet. It will only get in the way of my studies. I'd rather be smart than have to beat a boyfriend over the head when he does dumb things. Yes, I know most of them don't do many dumb things, but I'm basing it off my step-father and my sister's boyfriends, who are all dumb jocks." She heard the bell go off. "Oops, I should get to accounting."

"Go," he said fondly, watching as she left. Then he burst out laughing again. "Oh, Tyler has *no* idea what he got them in for," he chuckled. "That girl will be the best chosen we've had in a while if only because she'll stand up to them." He got up to make himself some more coffee. This school was chilly and he hated being cold.

***

Catherine opened the email from her mother during her lunch break, reading it quickly at the public terminals available in the library. Then she sighed and answered it shortly, noting she'd finish writing later, when she had time. She did put that she'd pass physics, barely, with a lot of help, maybe that would cheer her mother up. Then she turned and found her nemesis standing behind her. "Nothing good in the caf today?" she asked as she walked around her. She checked to make sure her email was closed out and that nothing was going to come up when the next person opened the browser, then she left the library.

"Writing love notes?" Marna called after her. "Won't your *friends* be upset?"

Catherine stuck her head back in. "I doubt they'll be upset that I just wrote my mother back about my sister's beauty pageant problems," she retorted coolly. "But I'll be sure to tell them you said hello." She left again, going to grab something to eat before her next class. She found her physics instructor in the hall and shrugged at him. "My mother's having conniptions about my sister's beauty pageant problems and her new acne problem."

"I don't think those would go together," he agreed dryly. "Do you have a moment?"

"Sure. What's wrong, Professor? Can we chat and walk? I do need to grab something official for lunch. I'll get snapped at if I'm found to have only eaten an apple."

"Probably," he agreed dryly. He walked with her. "Do you want to take the special science class? I ask because there won't be any mechanicals but there will be aerodynamics, water, and power flows, which you weren't brilliant at on your last test."

"I tried," she pointed out. "Would it help me?"

"It would help with the theoretical you'll be dealing with during your summer classes."

"I'm taking summer classes? Does my mother know this? She planned on a great family reunion this year. Every last one of the unknown cousins is showing up." He snickered. "You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. I have second and third cousins I have no idea who they are. Come to think of it, I have a few first cousins like that as well," she said, scrunching up her face to think. "Are summer classes mandatory?"

"No, not in the least, Catherine," he assured her quietly, glancing around. "We're worried about your safety, dear." Marna was coming up the hall so he stopped. "You know your father occasionally found some...delicate matters. We think one of them might be coming back," he said honestly. She raised a brow and he nodded. "Seriously. One of his old digs is coming open again and everyone thinks he hid something very important from it. They think they need that important something to figure out the site." Marna passed by them. "So we're worried about your security and safety. I've heard someone say that you probably have it at your house."

"Father's things were all packed up and put into a storage building," she admitted, fingering a button on her jacket. "I don't know what it could be. What dig?"

"One of the ones in Syria. The government is claiming some stolen old intelligence was taken by him."

"My father? My father barely knew what a modern person sounded like. He loathed modern people. His only interest was ancient peoples."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean someone didn't use him as a courier," he said gently. "Now, this holiday, we're sending one of the boys back with you. Just as a precaution. Your mother does know and she does know that we're letting you bring home a friend. It's safer for them and you if you're both away from here for the holidays."

"That's fine, Professor. I'm sure she won't mind much as long as she's had some warning."

"I told Nicholas to write her a letter, I'm assuming he has." He smirked at her. "He can be quite charming when it comes to fund-raising and sweet-talking parents out of a rage about their precious, stupid children's grades." She snickered at that. "You'd be surprised. Some of those children at Yale are fascinatingly dumb. We even did a small study on them when I was there, using it in psychology and other humanity classes. It got us quite good marks." He patted her on the arm. "Is it a yes on the special science?"

"I suppose I wouldn't mind," she agreed. "Will it take up much of my time?"

"Probably not more than physics is now."

"Well, that is taking up a large chunk of my time studying. So much so that I nearly forgot all about my calculus test."

"That happens," he admitted. "Next semester will be easier. Two more classes but one's gym and the other's an art or a literature elective."

"I thought I was taking a beginning language."

"You might be," he agreed. "Some do, especially those in the business track." He smiled again. "I'll put you down for my special sessions of hell on power flows. Trust me, you'll get it quite well." He tapped the fantasy novel on top of her other books. "Quite well." He strolled off, heading to the office to check with Nicholas. Just in case he had forgotten when the French authorities came around. He noticed the secretary was shifting. "Bad timing on my part?"

"They're in there, but nothing that horrible," she admitted. "It might break up the blustering." She handed over a piece of paper and a pen. "Here, make it a note. I'll deliver it." He nodded, writing it out and handing it back. "Thanks, Professor. How is that one girl doing? She was quite something, made him laugh the other day."

"She's doing well enough. Mechanicals are not her area of expertise. It's brought down her grade a bit but overall it's going well enough. She did excellently in some other areas so she'll pass."

She nodded, getting up and tapping on the door so she could deliver the note. "Sir, from the physics instructor," she said quietly, glancing at the hard man across the desk from her beloved friend. She withdrew immediately since he was frowning.

Nicholas opened the note. "Oh, good, he has decided to run a special science class next year. It's always an exciting projects class." He put the note under his desk protector and looked at the official again. "You've seen everything in our records, meticulously kept as always. You've sat in on our classes. Do you have any other concerns?"

"I haven't seen your dorms."

"That's fine. Do you want to look at our girls, our boys, or our two mixed floors?" The official looked stunned. "I assure you, only the most choice students are put on there. They're mostly overflow rooms. We have two of them, they have very strong locks, and the monitor is only two doors up from their room. Plus, the girls who are intermixed are often those who are more boyish anyway and those who aren't looking for relationships at this point. Right now, one of my younger sibling's is protecting one of the first years who's like that. If you wanted, I could have her called out of lunch."

"No, that's fine. I would like to see these mixed floors." He stood up. "And the cafeteria."

"That's fine." Nicholas stood up and grabbed some keys, leading the way out of the office. "Heading for the four west via the caf," he told Syvette.

"Yes, sir."

"She's a wonderful woman. Knew me when I was a student. Absolutely marvelous." He walked around the corner and Catherine had to duck out of the way. "There you are. Having a quick snack instead of lunch?"

"I've just been told I've got a package in the post office," she said with a shrug. "I was going to take it upstairs."

"That's fine, young lady. We'll be looking over a few of the rooms soon. Where are you?"

"Four west."

"We'll be checking on your room. Tell your roommate please? I know she's one to throw dirty laundry around."

They shared a look and she took off at a run to get her things, then headed upstairs. She leaned against the door. "Celia?" She moaned. "We're getting inspected soon." Another moan. She dropped her things on the couch and went to pound on her roomie's door. "The new headmaster and a French official are on their way up here," she called when the moaning stopped.

"Hell," Tyler said from the other side of the door.

"Like I care, but you're going to be caught." She took her things into her room, switching out her books and leaving her package locked in her closet. She came back and unlocked it, looking at the new outfit in it. Black velvet? Her? She shook her head and shut it, locking it again. She even had to jiggle the key a bit, as usual. She jogged back down to her next class, barely making it. It must be nice to have a free period after lunch. She sat down, looking quite calm and composed when the teacher looked at her. It was someone she didn't know so she supposed it was a visiting teacher. They had a few of those now and then, mostly talking about their areas of expertise in the business world. This was business theory so she had to assume that. She pulled out a pen and paper, looking attentive.

***

Catherine walked into her room, finding her roomie sipping a glass of something tea-looking. "They interrupt?"

"No. Thanks for the warning, Catherine. Are you pissed?"

"No! Tyler's quite cute, but I know I'm not ready for such things. I have no problem letting him have other friends. I'm not possessive." She walked into her room and found her closet door open. "Celia, we've got a problem," she called. Her roommate walked in and looked at her. "I locked that." She pointed at the open door. "That thing's got a fussy lock but it was locked."

"I'll get Mr. Rayne," she agreed, heading out to do that. One of the boys leered at her so she pushed him out of her way. "Mr. Rayne?" she called as she walked. He came out of another boy's room. "Catherine just walked in and found her closet unlocked and swinging open."

"Really?" he asked, coming out of that room. "Her bedroom one?" She nodded. "Well." He followed her back into her room, locking the door behind him. "Remember not to yell her name down the halls," he muttered as he walked past the older girl. She should know better. He walked in and looked in the closet. "Black velvet?"

"It was in there when I tossed my mother's package in during lunch," she said with a shrug. "I have no clue. I thought it was like the red one."

"Not that I'm aware of. Maybe one of the boys." He picked up the package, looking it over. "It's got the right markings. Care to open it?" She shrugged again and sat on her bed to open it. "You're sure you locked it?"

"I have a stiff lock so I have to jiggle it. I did, I remember quite clearly because my key stuck a bit this time. I need to get something for that actually." She opened the package carefully and stopped at the box. "This is not from my mother," she said with a blush, handing it over. "My mother would never send me lingerie."

He took the package carefully, looking in the open side, then he blushed. "I'd hope not." He looked around. "Let's call her and find out what was supposed to be in it, hmm?" She nodded, grabbing her phone and dialing her home. He took the phone from her. "Hello, Mrs. CeBrelliay? This is Mr. Rayne, the floor monitor on your daughter's floor. She just opened a package from you that had ...questionable things inside it and I was wondering if it was another prank on her or not? She found her closet opened when she came in." He listened to her say what had been in the package. "No, that's not what's in here. Um, how to put this delicately?" he asked, looking at the package.

"Someone sent me flimsy naughties, mother," she called. She took the phone. "What did you send?" She smiled. "Then I'm going to kick someone's bum for taking my books," she assured her. "And my chocolate cookies. They're as good as out a window if I find them." She smiled. "Thanks, mom. Oh, did anyone call about the holidays? I was told something about security things and my friends might need to come home with me? No, only one probably. That okay?" She grinned. "Thanks. Nah, they can sleep in the library. Lovies." She hung up and looked at him. "I'll be right back." She walked out her door and whistled shrilly, getting some attention. "Whoever took my chocolate chip cookies from my mother and my fantasy novels is in for a butt-kicking," she called. "My books are more precious to me than my life, especially since two of those were *signed*. If it was one of you guys, give them back and I won't get mad."

Tyler came out of his room. "Signed?" he asked with a smirk.

"Yes, signed editions. As in I waited for hours on end to meet with the authors, pay a small fee, and chat a few words while they signed their names. My books are precious to me, Tyler, the same as yours are."

Mr. Rayne came out with the package. "I doubt it was one of the boys. Right, boys?" he called.

"Symphanee was up here," a tenor voice called, breaking on the middle of the name. "She had a box." He peeked his head out the door. "You'd really hurt us?"

"Over a first edition of that one? Yes!" She nodded. "I paid an exorbitant amount for it last year."

"Oooh," another boy called. "Now we know why you don't like us."

"Because authors write more believable boys than some of you? Certainly," she agreed, making most of them laugh. She looked at her hall monitor. "Can I go hurt her?"

"No, I'll tell Pasha to check her room for you," he said patiently. "Go wait. I'm sure the cookies are gone but the books should be fine or they'll be replacing them, autographs and all." He headed down the stairs, locking the floor door behind him so none of his boys could bother the other floors without him hearing them sneaking out. The other teacher was coming off her floor as he made it to that level. "I believe Symphanee might have misplaced her underthings," he said, handing it over. "She was reported in Celia's room with a box? Now Celia's roommate is missing a lot of books and some cookies."

"I had wondered where they got the cookies. Let's stop the poor thing. I want to know who's blackmailing her this year." They went to the girl's room and found the culprit reading one of the books, looking quite confused. "It's high space," she said gently. "Who told you to break into another student's room?"

"It was my roommate, I only carried the box," she said quietly, glancing toward the other room. "I didn't want give up my underthings."

"Thankfully, she's giving them back in exchange for any leftover cookies and her books. Her specially sent books. The ones she paid her mother to send."

"I don't understand them anyway," she said, getting up to give them the small stack. "These are the ones Estinia gave me."

"That's fine. Is she in there?" Pasha asked. Symphanee nodded. "Thank you, dear. Come have tea with me tonight." She smiled as she walked over and kicked the door in, disturbing the girl in the process of ripping the cover off a book. "If that's not yours, you're in very bad trouble, young lady."

"How dare you enter my room that way!" the girl said coldly, standing up. "It's none of your business what I do in here."

"Bull," Mr. Rayne said quietly, walking in to pick up the books that hadn't been destroyed. "Well, you're going to be paying for a new one at least. Are those ashes from cigarettes or from another of her books?"

"They're trash anyway," she sneered.

Pasha calmed herself. "That is not your decision to make. Report to the office, now," she said firmly.

"No." She sat down on her bed. "My mother knows all about you."

"Yes, and she's going to love it when you come home tomorrow," Mr. Rayne assured her. "Office, now." She didn't budge so he sighed and handed over the books, then grabbed her and walked her off. "Come along, Estinia. If you make me drag you, everyone will know within minutes." He walked her down the stairs and gave her a shove in the right direction. "Head that way."

"No! My mother said I don't have to listen to *you*."

"That's nice, then you can go home knowing that that's why you got expelled," he said fondly. "That and your habit of playing pranks." He grabbed another teacher on the way, not the one he wanted but she would do. It took two teachers and the headmaster to kick a student out. He walked her into the office, past the secretary, who was putting on her jacket. "Don't worry about it. We can do this paperwork ourselves," he said with a smile. He tapped on the door and walked her inside. "Estinia just stole someone's package from home, destroyed some of her books, and ate her cookies. This isn't her first prank this year. She's the only one who might be able to send a fake placement letter to a first year."

"The same girl?" Nicholas asked without looking up, writing something.

"Indeed. Catherine actually."

Nicholas handed over the paper he had been writing on. "Unless you have some objection?" he asked the other teacher. She shook her head quickly. "None at all?"

"No, sir. She's horrible in her studies, is always lagging behind, and one of those girls who spreads around the most *wretched* filth about the other students. She and her sister cooked up that whole 'horse' story earlier. I know they concocted that story about marrying you children as well. I suggest we send them both home."

"The other girl will have to be watched. We don't have enough disciplinary materials on her yet," Nicholas sighed. "Unfortunately."

"I don't have any either."

He turned his chair around and grabbed a file from a nearby filing cabinet, then put it on the desk with a pat. "That's yours, young lady. It's a good three inches thick and you're only a fourth year. You were saying?" She sneered at him. "That's fine. I can call your mother myself. Have her packed. She can wait in a sterile room tonight."

"We were wondering something," Mr. Rayne admitted. "Catherine found a black velvet dress in her closet and she didn't put it there. Any ideas?"

Nicholas coughed. "I think you'll find that William decided to do some shopping," he said smugly. "It was her birthday present. A bit late but he liked it."

"Hmm. I'll assure her it's not got itching powder or anything then." He walked the girl away, taking her to a 'sterile' room. One in which she couldn't steal anything, destroy anything, and she couldn't interact with any of the other students no matter how hard her sister tried. Then he nearly danced up the stairs at having gotten rid of such a horrible student. He spotted Catherine peeking out her door. "Did you get them?" She nodded. "How many are missing?" She handed over a list. "Thank you, dear. Oh, the dress is from William. A belated birthday present Nicholas thinks." She blushed and went back to her room. "I'll tell him you said thanks." He went to tell Tyler about this, then went to celebrate in his room.

***

Marna stormed into the office the next morning. "Where is my sister?" she demanded of the secretary. "She's been missing and no one told me *anything*," she spat.

"Your sister is in a sterile room waiting on your parents," Nicholas called from his office. He walked out and looked down at her. "She's fine and well, just expelled. As you will be if you ever talk to any of my staff that way again. Do we understand?" She snorted but nodded for appearance's sake. "Thank you. If you wish to see them when they arrive, around ten or so, then you may. You may also go with them if you find this school is not suitable to your liking," he said firmly. "Your sister's bad habits had to be removed for the comfort of many students."

"Don't you mean that one?"

"No, I mean many of them. She broke into a double room yesterday. She's been playing pranks on a great number of the younger women, and I won't stand for it. Nor will I stand her attitude toward any of the younger women. Your purpose here isn't to stab someone in the back, it's to make important contacts that will last you throughout your life, Marna. People that you meet here may well make or break your future wealth or business interests. The same as they could your spouse's if you get married. We try to mold you all into exceptional young women, but sometimes we fail because the material is not ready for us. If you wish to stay, I'd shape up. You already have enough materials in your folder to be put on notice." She looked outraged. "We teachers and staff hear everything you students do. Each mean thing you say, each rumor you start, each taunt and prank you hand out. We note it all. Your folder is thinner than your sister's was by this time, but not by that much. Remember that." He looked at Syvette. "Did you pick up coffee on the way in?" he pleaded.

The secretary smiled as she handed over the bag. "Here you go, even ground like you wanted."

"Thank you, you're a lifesaver, Syvette. Show the poor girl to the room where her sister, or better yet, to the meeting room please." He smiled and went to make himself some of his favorite substance. "Why didn't mother update the heating ducts," he complained. "Even in the middle of summer it's perpetually cold in here."

Syvette stood up. "Do you want to finish dressing before you meet your parents? I can wait to show you." The girl looked down at herself, then at the secretary, adopting another haughty look. "If it were my mother and she was like yours, I'd be in hose, flats, and had my hair done as well as possible," she pointed out. The girl flattened her braid, then jogged off to fix it. Her mother would not be pleased seeing her in such a state. Syvette walked into the office with her own cup, giving him a smile in return for the coffee. "She's putting on real clothes."

"Hmm. Good. Perhaps a bra too. It was really noticeable under that white shirt." He sipped his coffee. "This is what I hate about being cold blooded."

"I'm sure you do," she said, giving him a pat on the head. "You relax. Winter's coming and it'll only get worse when we get snow."

"True," he agreed, smiling at her as she left. The girl had come back and was more properly attired. Too bad she wasn't like that most of the time. He took another drink and turned up his space heater another notch.

***

Marna looked at her mother as she walked in. "Mother." She hugged her. "I'm not in trouble."

"Good," her father told her. "What's been going on?"

"One of the charity cases is best friends with the former headmistress' children," she said bitterly. "She's been whining about a minor bit of picking on her for her odd appearance."

"I know the girl you're talking about. I met her father at a car show," her father admitted, sitting across from her.

"No, that's her step-father," she said coolly, sneering at him. "Her actual father is dead. Some sort of scholar." She flicked a piece of hair back over her shoulder. "Probably one of those academics who never did anything but teach."

"Actually, her father was well known among the community," her mother said coolly. "I remember reading an article in a *real* magazine about him once. I looked him up when I heard who you were having troubles with."

"Yes, and now they're arranging for her security. Apparently her father was some sort of spy? She's also getting *special* classes."

"We'll see about that," her father said firmly.

The headmaster brought in the other daughter. "Here she is. Her things are being brought down. I hope you had a good trunk on your car, she's got three trunks with her." He looked at the father. "The girl in question is a scarlet." Her mother gasped. "She's taking special science courses in her area of interest. Even though she can't build a robot to save her life, she is quite good with water and air theories." He tipped his chin up. "That is at the discretion of the teacher, not of myself or anyone else. Then again, until this last test, she had quite good grades in there. Unlike your daughters who barely make the minimum acceptable score. The girl in question is quite studious."

"Yes, and she reads trash," Estinia snapped. "Science fiction and such nastiness."

"Yes, well, not all of us want to read the great literature people each day," Nicholas said firmly. "I have in six languages and I know sometimes I prefer to pick up something lighter too." She backed away from him. "As you can see, her attitude has gotten horrendous this year." He put two files down on the table in front of Marna. "Their disciplinary records. Marna's is the smaller one. She's on notice already." The mother glared at her daughter. "For helping her sister mostly. We're hoping that once she's around more congenial people she'll straighten up. I know *you* weren't like that as a student." He looked at the mother and she swallowed, backing away from him. She had come in during his fourth year. She remembered him apparently, how charming. "I've released Marna from her classes this morning if you needed her. I do need to note that she's having uniform issues so you might want to take her shopping over the holidays. Some of her skirts seem to have shrunk a bit." He left them there, going back to his office. The girl wouldn't cause any trouble with her mother there. The mother was an alumnus and knew how the system worked. He went back to his space heater and his coffee, hoping to stay a bit warmer. He smiled when he heard the shouting start. "Good. Maybe it'll change some things," he said snidely, sipping his newest cup.

***

Catherine listened to the gossip as she ate her lunch, keeping her laughs inside that the rumors were giving her. Marna's sister had been expelled for propositioning the new headmaster? Not likely, but it was a good thing someone else had said it and not her. Not that she would say anything. Her mother was finding her new copies of her books and sending them as soon as she could, along with more cookies, so her life was good. William sat across from her, blushing. She pinched him on the arm. "That's for scaring me with a dress." He grinned at her. "The same day as my closet was broken into. I nearly got upset because I thought it was covered in itching powder."

"No, I'm not going to do that to you," he said shyly, grinning up at her. "You didn't mind?"

"Well, it's a bit big but I can deal with that. With the way I've been eating this week, I might be gaining weight anyway." She smiled at him. "It was very thoughtful, William, thank you."

"You're welcome. You look good in black and I always liked velvet." He grinned shyly again. "You're sure it's okay? I can take it back if it's really the wrong size."

"Chill, it's fine," she promised. "I have a belt to wear with it anyway and this way it won't bind." She shuddered. "Remind me to tell you about the too-small holiday dress I had when I was five because mother forgot about pictures that year." She shuddered again. "I spent the whole day feeling like I was choking." He giggled and stood up to hug her. "Thank you. Now eat, otherwise you'll never get taller than your big brothers."

"Nah, I'll get much bigger," he said happily. "My dad was huge!" He dug in anyway, eating quickly. "Are you looking forward to next semester and gym class?"

"I am as long as there's no horses involved," she said happily, nipping off a bite of her broccoli. "I hear I might get something else instead."

"Maybe," he agreed, smiling as his brothers joined them. "She liked the dress I got her."

"I still say it's too big," Alexi noted.

"Not too-too big," she offered. "Just right for a belt. I tried it on last night." She smiled at William. "It was a very thoughtful move, but I still don't need presents. We're friends."

"I know," William said, giving her a long look. "But it seemed right so I bought it." He nudged Tyler, who was reading Niche still. "Aren't you done with him yet?"

"Nope," he said from behind his book.

"If I can't read during the meals, you can't," she told him firmly. He lowered his book to look at her over the top of it. "Seriously. It's bad manners. My mother said so when she stole mine from me for the first ten years I could read." He chuckled as he put the book away, shaking his head a bit. "Thank you. Now that we can see you instead of the boring philosopher, do I have any other surprises coming? Things along the lines of... oh, say, the holidays?"

Tyler blushed. "Yeah. We're not sure who's going where yet though." He grinned at her. "Your mother mind?"

"I warned her I might have to bring home someone, she said that was fine. You can sleep in the library, just watch out for the floor, there's been some water damage in the last few years." She ate another bite of her mixed vegetables, then some of her meatloaf. "Don't expect anything this decent at home unless mother's decided to hire a cook. Mom's biggest meal has been 'open the package and add milk' sort of things."

"That's fine, I can cook," Robbie assured her. "I thought it might be me so we don't scare your mother." She laughed at that. "Or would she mind me more?"

"No, she'd be happy that I knew some decent people. She said my goth friends at home needed therapy and a good shopping trip. She likes my half-sister because she loves to shop. We have to clean out her room each year before school and give a lot to charity so she can buy more stuff. It's her daddy's way of not buying her a car until she graduates. He spends just as much on her clothes and pageant stuff each year. Her extra room has trophies and crowns."

"Wonderful," Tyler said. "We'll be sure to bring repellant with us."

William nodded. "Wouldn't want any sisters stuck to us," he agreed. "Especially not shopping ones. We're not exactly that sort of men."

"I've noticed. Didn't get the mustard off your collar?"

William sighed and looked at it, then rolled his eyes. "I had hopes," he sighed wistfully. "Mom hates how often I go through shirts."

"Yeah, I hate that about myself too," she admitted. "At home I've got about six drawers of t-shirts that should be tossed out because they're stained, but they're comfortable."

"Six drawers?" Tyler asked.

"I only have eight, but all my pants are hanging up," she admitted. "I hate shopping. I went for school and it took me ten minutes to walk into the shop they suggested, order my things, pay for them, then leave. We did the fittings with a seamstress that wasn't near the shop so I wouldn't have to be bugged by other students." Her eyes went wide. "Oh, no. I'll have to do some when I get home." She groaned and hung her head, shaking it. "Maybe mom can do it for me," she said hopefully.

"What did you need to get?" Robbie asked.

"Holiday outfit for pictures. Mother insists on red."

"Wear a uniform."

"Red and nearly formal. That one dress might work," she said hopefully. "I looked good in it."

"You did," Tyler agreed. "You won't be wearing it again anyway." William got up and ran over to talk to someone in one of his classes. "That was only for that event."

"That's fine with me," she sighed. "My sister does the same thing."

"Your older or younger one?" Alexi asked. She frowned at him. "Sorry." He ate a bite of his lunch. "We asked."

"You snuck into my application," she corrected. "You could have asked."

"True, but then you'd try to get around it," Tyler reminded her. "Probably because you don't like her much, but we understand that. We have some sisters that we loathe with everything in us."

She nodded. "It's that way most of the time I suppose. My sister considers me a waste of space, air, and our mother's time. She's like mother without the happy marriage and I'm more like our father. Then the first step-father came and died, then the second came and he's still there with his daughter. Crystal." They all shuddered. "She's decent enough, but she's a bit...shallow at times," she admitted. "She throws fits about my books because they're not clothes. She said they're too expensive. I pointed out that I can buy my whole library for what last year's pageant budget was for her. She huffed off. I'm assuming she'll grow up someday soon. Or at least I hope so."

"She'll have to. Even if she becomes Miss America, she'll still have to work for a living."

"No, she's not like that at work. Mother made sure of it because all those pageants want you to do charity and volunteer work so she's been doing it since she was ten. She works with a pet shelter, an elder care home, and some after school program, and then she comes home and lets all that caring and concern out her ears as she walks across the threshold and turns back into the beauty queen." She ate another bite of meatloaf, then groaned as the bell rang. "I'm off yet again." She shoveled a few more bites into her mouth then put her tray into the window before rushing off. She had to come back for her books, but Tyler met her halfway with them and Alexi and Robbie followed her to her business classes. "I swear, I'm channeling her."

"No, you were too concerned with eating," Robbie assured her. "It's normal." He sat next to her and looked at the temporary teacher, giving him a grin. "Back again?"

"We weren't finished the last time," he said firmly. "Move away from her."

"We're friends, mate. Don't worry that I'm going to do inappropriate stuff."

"I'm not. I'm more worried that you're going to distract her again."

"Some of us aren't dating," she said coolly. "The same as some of us are in here because we want to be in here. Now, can you please go back over that monetary exchange system again? I didn't quite get where all the gold went. I know my father said it was all exchanged for drugs and technology, but I'm sure the base of everyone's economy can't be *gone*."

The teacher looked at her. "You want to do this for a living?" She shrugged and nodded. "Then don't ever marry, never date, and become a dowdy old woman."

"I believe that a woman's looks aren't a matter of her skill." The teacher laughed. "Remember, time moves forward, even the Japanese accept women in business relationships now. They've had to thanks to stubborn American women like me." She smirked at him. "I can be as dowdy as I want, but it won't affect my brains nor how often I use them. My body and my mind are two *different* things and all those old men who made all those stupid rules are soon retiring. Their children have been raised by them, but they were exposed by people like my father to the real world, where women have minds. We'll see." He looked stunned. "As I said, we'll see. Now, have our leaders really snorted all our gold standard base to the economy or sold it?"

"Mostly, they've sold it in exchange for technology," he admitted. "You're very strong willed."

"That's one way of putting it," she said with a smirk.

"True, keep that trait. It'll help you climb the bloody ladder of bodies to the CEO's office." He turned to the board. "Did anyone else have any problems with the monetary standards?" A few others nodded. "That's fine, I'll go into more depth about that first, then we'll move on." He turned to the board, drawing a large diagram on it, labeling each box as a different country, with the Swiss just left of center.

***

The next Saturday was a town day for Catherine's class so she happily went to tramp around town. Surprisingly she was only escorted by Mr. Rayne and Tyler. They were both needing more paper and pens so it wasn't exactly a flimsy reason to follow her around, but Tyler was very careful about which stores they went into. "Really, I've been in the grocery store twice now, they like me there," she assured him before she went inside, no matter what Tyler said.

Tyler groaned. "Will that girl never learn caution?"

"She does have it, she simply doesn't understand the worries that you have," Philip assured him, giving him a pat on the arm. "Now, what is she wearing to the ball?"

"Oh, crud," he muttered, groaning and banging his head against the stones. "I don't know." He paused. "Blue?"

"Blue is good. There's a few blue and silver things in the closet right now."

"Blue and silver?"

"I think William was playing in it again," Philip admitted tolerantly, like any good big brother would. "It's quite pretty. It should do all right with her and we can always change it to a gold and blue."

"Hmm. Silver might work better. She seems to wear a lot of silver jewelry." He glanced in the store as his 'mascot' chatted with the cashier about something, then she was escorted back to the snack aisle. "Apparently she's got the munchies again."

"Not unheard of while you're studying for your tests," Philip reminded him. "You ate nothing but french fries for nearly a month during your first set of tests."

"And I had the skin to prove it," Tyler agreed. "Blue and silver?" He nodded. "She'll need new shoes."

"It's three weeks until then, she could probably pick up something today."

"Remember, no heels," Celia called as she walked past them. She was on monitoring duty. "Or don't you remember last year's?"

"Mother promised to tan butts if another two benches broke and left us all standing for three hours," Tyler said dryly. "We can remind her of them though." His chosen came out with two large bags. "Stocking up?"

"I owe a few people things for notes," she admitted. "Plus, treats equal favors."

"That's good prison thinking," Tyler joked. "Come on, we have to go shoe shopping."

"Why?" She let him take one of the bags. Half of it was for him anyway. "I thought I had shoes."

"You do, but we're having a ball for those like us at the end of the semester," Philip told her. She groaned. "Since you're apparently wearing blue according to William, who's been playing in the supply closet again, you need shoes."

"You won't want heels," Tyler suggested. "Last year we had a few benches break. We stood for three hours, but mother promised to fix that if it happened again." She looked up at him. "You're right, she's not here, but Valerian will be," he promised. "She's a persnickety person too. It won't happen this year or she'll kill everyone. You might want to do some dancing though."

"I suck at it."

"You can learn, you've got three weeks," Philip assured her.

"Mr. Rayne, a wise woman is one who knows her limits and doesn't expect miracles. I took ballet. I broke my leg in two places." He winced. "I suck at it."

Tyler gave her a gentle squeeze. "Formal dancing isn't like that. It's more moving in a set pattern. Nothing at all like ballet."

"I tripped over the string on my shoes."

"Sorry. We'll work on it later tonight. Maybe this won't be so bad," he offered. "Robbie's an excellent teacher. He got Sasha and one of our older, hopeless sisters able to dance last year."

"I'll try," she relented.

"That's my kitten," he said happily. "Now, blue? Midnight blue, Philip, or medium?"

"French Royalty blue. Just like a Musketeer." She gave him a funny look. "I saw the movie last night."

"You saw the movie?"

"It was on A&E." He shrugged. "I liked that version." He held the door for the shoe shop, noticing the woman behind the counter quickly looking away from him. "Another case of not enough shoes."

"No, that's her half-sister," Tyler offered. "She's a beauty queen."

"Don't say that around my mother or father. They hate the half and step stuff. Or make fun of her beauty pageants. She thinks she's set for life and she'll pout," she pleaded. "Please."

"We won't. We don't want to cause any stress," Tyler assured her. He patted her on the back. "She'll need shoes for a formal event. Something to dine and dance most of the night away in. I'm the tallest of the guys who'll be around her, but the shortest is still her height and growing and the next one up is about four inches above him."

The saleswoman walked over. "Color?"

"Blue. Or so I'm told," Catherine said, looking at her floor monitor. He nodded. "Blue. Medium, French Royal blue." The woman gave her a funny look. "His baby brother enjoys that stuff and I just have to wear it."

"That's fine," she said stiffly. She looked at the meager selection. "We don't really have anything in that color. We have a few in navy."

Catherine looked up, silently praying for patience. Then she looked at the woman again. "Anything dyeable, like among the wedding stuff?"

"We have to special order that," she admitted, not even bothering to look at them.

"Then I suppose it'd be about as fast to order shoes online."

"I'd never order shoes online, how would you know if they fit?" Tyler asked.

"Easy, I have my mother do it. We wear the same size shoes." She frowned and pulled out her cellphone, checking for a signal. "Hey, there's a tower here." She called home quickly. "Mom, having an event, need medium, Musketeer blue shoes for a formal gown. Do we have anything? No, she's got bigger feet, mom. Yeah, that. Thanks." She hung up. "Roaming charges are nasty," she shared. "If she can't find anything, I'll find it and send down a message next weekend. Could you order it for me?" The woman nodded. "Thank you." She let the guys lead her out. "Okay, what's that about?"

"The Mayor hates us," Tyler offered. "Hates us, hates the school, hates everything we stand for. That's why his family built a village next to our school."

"So he spreads rumors," Philip finished. "Many rumors about us doing things like virgin sacrifices, horrible scenes in the dungeons, and things of that nature. The only one I haven't heard is baby eating."

"We have dungeons?"

Tyler chuckled. "Only one or two. You'll have swimming down there."

"What a charming thought. No sharks?"

"No, no sharks, kitten," he said, giving her a fond smile. "Where else did we need to go?"

"Um, chocolates, candles, paper, pens, socks, hose, and some new CD's for my computer."

"Hmm." Philip checked his watch. "We'll do the pens and paper. You get hose and those things. We'll meet up for the last store?" She handed over a few bills and trotted off. Philip looked at his little brother. "She's very energetic."

"Very, but it's nice. She made me put down my book the other day at lunch. Said she couldn't so I couldn't."

"Interesting. You like her," he said with a grin.

"Perhaps, but she's very young and not ready for that. Just ask her."

"Good. You let her decide that and we'll be fine." He patted his baby brother on the back. "Come on, I really do need another journal and a few new marking pens."

"I could use some too. I'm teaching Lit next semester. She'll be in Japanese. I've already got everything but my red pen."

"We'll look over it later to make sure of that," Philip promised. "I know you get lost sometimes. Remember to read in your classroom instead of your room. That way you make it to your class."

"I'm not that bad!"

"You are so. You forgot to go to sleep last night for reading some of her books."

"Well, yeah, but it was interesting," he defended. "Besides, it's Saturday, they're meant for naps."

"If you say so."

"I do," Tyler said firmly, grinning at him. "And maybe for goofing off some more. We'll go over it tomorrow." He held the door for his brother, letting him go in first. "Age before beauty and all that."

"Only if you get a haircut and quit wearing such loose clothes," Philip quipped.

Tyler sighed, shaking his head. "How many times do I have to tell you that you should be thankful that I'm wearing anything. I am a nudist, Philip." The salesboy gave him an odd look. "I never impose it on anyone else," he defended with a smirk. "I simply hate clothes."

"Try switching brands, that usually helps, or go to boy's clothes," he suggested, nodding at the bags he was carrying."

"I'm the packmule for a friend," he said happily. "She's getting socks."

"If you say so." He waved a hand. "What sort did you two gentlemen need now?"

"Marking pens," Philip told him. "To start."

Across town, a dark-haired man pulled aside one of the other first year girls. "Who was that with those good-looking men? She looked so young but somehow familiar," he said with a charming smile.

She snorted. "That's Catherine. She's a hotshot in the business classes."

"Oh, let me tell you about her," Marna said bitterly. "She's got some sort of influence up there for not being the right sort of people. She's got the former Headmistress' children wrapped around her fingers and they expelled my sister for playing some simple, harmless pranks."

The man took her arm and nodded politely at the first girl. "Thank you. Dear, tell me more," he encouraged, walking her off.

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