Rule 4: All students must report to their assigned dorm room by the curfew bell.

A long groan escapes Meredeth's lips as she enters the girl's dormitory, nearly an hour after the last bell had sounded. Rubbing the beginnings of tears from her eyes, she sighs to herself, “I made a total fool of myself back there didn't I? Couldn't have started off much worse, I guess.”

“Don't be silly,” Professor Oma replies, stepping past her into her office, “It always could've been worse.”

Meredeth frowns, wondering if that was meant to cheer her up. Tori returns briskly, the class C registrar in hand, pointing down the hall, “I believe room 27 should be fine. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything else, if I'm not teaching I'm usually here in my office.”

“Where do you sleep?” Meredeth asks, crinkling her face and heading toward her new room.

Tori laughs musically in response, “My dear, there is a bedroom attached to my office of course. Best of luck getting yourself situated.”

Meredeth nods back and enters into a small but pleasant room with two empty beds, a large window with a great view of the clock tower and crescent moon, and, as if by magic, all her belongings waiting for her on her bed. Slipping into a nightgown, she murmurs to herself, “Guess it's just me. Seems like a waste of a second bed...”

Why hello there! an indistinct voice echoes through her head. I don't remember seeing you at the entrance ceremony... Oh! You missed your transfer. How unfortunate.

Meredeth's eyes shoot open and she quickly scans the room for anyone she might have missed. A cold chill runs down her back and she fidgets nervously with the curls in her hair, unable to locate the voice's source. Umm... h-hello? W-who..? How did you...?

Please, there is no reason to be afraid. I too am a student here, lying in an empty dorm nearby, the voice replies calmingly, now distinctly feminine. I sensed that you were also feeling lonely and homesick, so I thought to say hi.

Meredeth swallows hard and closes her eyes, drawing her legs up in front of her and hugging them tightly. Her face hidden between them, she mumbles through a quick prayer, fear giving way to panic. In God's name what are you? And h-how are you doing this?

Oh dear! I certainly was not meaning to frighten you! the voice responds, hurriedly trying to calm the other girl. I possess psychic abilities, that is how I can communicate with you like this. I know that is very unusual where you come from, but I assure you I am harmless.

Psy-psychic? I thought all that was just myths and folktales! How do I know I haven't just gone crazy and I'm hearing voices in my head? Meredeth wonders, her desperation slowly passing, gradually giving way to curiosity. Her grip on her knees loosens and she notices she was grasping them so tightly her skin had whitened and her nails had left little red dashes.

I'm quite sure that isn't the case, the voice replies, giggles echoing around her words. Perhaps this will help. I am going to project an image of my dorm room, please do not be startled.

A short squeal escapes Meredeth's lips as her vision is replaced with a blurry view of a dark room with strange robes littering the ground and strange creatures floating in green vials. Excitedly, Meredeth replies loudly, How did you do that? Who are you?! What were those things? That was totally awesome!

It was nothing, really. It is as easy for me as speaking is to you. It's pleasing that you are impressed though, I'm glad I could make you happy, the voice yawns, which Meredeth finds very odd “hearing” in her mind. However, today has been very long, I think I have to sleep for now.

Thinking about it, Meredeth realizes that she too is completely exhausted. Yeah, it's been a really long day. It was nice speaking to you though, I'd be happy to talk again sometime soon.

She waits in silence for a long moment before realizing no response was forthcoming. Instead, her door creaks open and the dark elf she'd met in the gardens stands behind it. She stumbles loudly into the room, panting, and drops her suitcase on the hardwood floor with a loud thump.

Her eyes then run across Meredeth and widen. “Oh! Umm... excuse me. Isn't this a weird coincidence? I just got into the dorms and Professor Oma assigned be to this room. I hope that won't be a problem.”

“P-problem?” Meredeth stutters, her cheeks reigniting. “No umm, no problem at all. It was Zig', umm... Zig'rel, right? Look, I'm sorry for how I acted today in the gardens.”

“Hey, don't sweat it,” Zig'rel laughs, dragging her suitcase to the empty bed and sitting down. “We all make mistakes an' stuff. If you really feel bad, I'd apologize to Etapalli instead.”

“Yeah, I'll do that,” Meredeth murmurs, looking away as Zig'rel begins to strip off her clothes. “Well I'm going to go to bed. Sleep well.”

Zig'rel nods, pulling a sketchbook out of her bag and beginning to draw, “You do that.”

As the hours passed Meredeth's breaths grew slow and regular and the night sky grew dark with clouds. Yet, even as the clock tower tolled midnight, Zig'rel still couldn't capture the unearthly dread the statue had resonated in her soul.