Without missing a beat, Esmeralda smiled warmly before opening her mouth. "Thank you so much for your insightful observation on my personality and view of responsibility based on a barely five-minute acquaintance. I can assure you, I have no desire whatsoever to spend any time in your company in future. I will even go out of my way to avoid you on campus. Have a wonderfully vapid day, pessimist."

Thanion's shock was evident on his face as Es jumped down to the ground and sauntered away toward the dryad training building.

What gave him any right to judge her, she fumed. He knew nothing about her or her past. Her personality was her shield against the world, keeping everyone removed from her and gave her the privacy she needed to keep sane. In her anger, Es failed to notice the beautifully manicured lawn and clear walkways as she stormed through the grass in the quickest route towards the woods by the dryad training building.

Turning around the corner of the distinguished brick building, Es spied the dryad she had met her first day at the school. The girl was playing with three other young dryads in a hopscotch-type game. The girl's long brown hair swirled in the breeze as she twirled through the game and she laughed with a smaller girl with short pink hair pulled back away from her face as her blue eyes twinkled with merriment.

Watching the young dryads, Esmeralda felt her anger drain away and she relaxed fully before the gathering noticed her. The girl twirled toward Es as the game demanded and froze instantly. Her face lit up with happiness upon seeing Es and she dashes forward to hug Es around the waist. She raised her smiling face to meet Es' gaze with a tinkling laugh.

One of the girls in the group moved forward as the brunette steps back from Es' person. "My cousin doesn't talk much, but her name is Cildes Galalynnellyn and this is her sister, Esgalwen." The girl pointed to the pink-haired girl Es had noticed earlier and turns her white-haired countenance to observe Esmeralda once more.

"I am Elwen Isililoththor and this is my sister, Faervel. We are very happy to meet you. Cildes spoke of you most fondly," Elwen pronounced tightly. Esmeralda did not react outwardly, but she could tell the white-haired dryad was snobby and cynical all at the same time.

"I am thrilled to meet you all as well. But please, call me Es. I prefer it over Esmeralda," she warmheartedly replied. Es glanced among the young group of dryads, pausing on Elwen.

Her large red eyes flashed apathy, quickly hidden behind joy when her family glances at her. Her short white hair ruffled in the breeze as she meets Es' stare, knowing the witch can see her true nature. Tearing her scrutiny from Elwen, Es shifted her attention to Faevral. The girl was just as adorable as Esgalwen, with straight blonde hair that fell past her knees and large golden eyes.

The girl was obviously the youngest of her family members, but Esgalwen surpassed her in naïveté. The way she covertly slanted looks at her sister illustrated her knowledge of Elwen's cruel personality. Faevral was obviously afraid of her sister, but Es knew there was nothing she could do to help the small dryad.

Dryads were fiercely loyal to their own, especially family members, and until the others discovered the truth about the atypical dryad, there was no talking to them. Once they made the determination on their own, they would deal with the girl so that she could not harm herself or others.

Esgalwen innocently interrupted Es' reflection by running forward and grabbing her hand to pull her toward the hopscotch field. "Come play with us. It will be great fun!" Her joy was obvious to anyone who heard her, as well as her trust in those around her.

Esmeralda smiled kindly and softly agreed to play their games with them for a short while. All but Elwen were delighted with her answer and danced back to the game, starting a new one to include Es.

A few hours pass as Es entertains the dryads in their games before she declares she needs to move along, much to their dismay. Esmeralda awarded them with a tinkling laugh and promised to play with them again soon. Before turning away, she reminded them to get to bed shortly so they will not be weary the next day. With a wave, Es entered the forest adjoining the lush lawn.

One week later

Esmeralda had been steadily been making her way through the forest every evening once classes have ended. She has failed in every attempt to make friends within the school, aside from the three dryads who occasionally cavorts with her.

She was not sure, but suspected Elwen spread rumors about her. Making her seem like an undesirable person to befriend reduced the competition among the school's popularity ranking. Sighing, Es swooped down and grabbed a pebbling, throwing it along the path before it disappeared through the foliage. Hearing the rock hit a wooden surface with a thud, Es decided to investigate, only to discover a rundown, abandoned cabin.

The decrepit building leaned to one side, appearing ready to tip over. Weeds grew over on the pathway leading to the doorway, the windowpanes were broken and the glass was falling out, and the door hanged oddly in the frame.

With a shrug, Es wandered into the cabin, seeing dust covered furniture and a sagging cot. Making her way over to the cot, Es pulled out a worn picture of a smiling couple and plopped down onto the mattress. When she did, a cloud of dust billowed up, forcing Es to cough. Scrubbing the dust out of her eyes, Es glanced down at the picture, faded along the folded lines, and stroking her thumb along the couple's faces.