Awkward Introductions (Open to All)

[Zaide Manokai]

Thoughts and loose predictions were swirling in Zaide's head as he came within sight of the Institute. He grimaced slightly, looking up towards the large brick buildings in front of him. He didn't want to admit it, but the anxiety of being in a new place with... whoever... was driving him up a wall. Despite that, he gritted his teeth and took the first few steps inside the grounds, heading directly towards the main building.

Once inside, he made an immediate detour towards the main office. It seemed more like a hospital waiting room than an office... or maybe it was just him. He rang the bell that was sitting on the empty desk before he retreated towards an empty chair, sitting down quietly as he set his luggage on the floor beside him.

Now that he was actually in Vermont and that much closer to his new life, it really got him thinking. What would it be like? Who else would be around? Would they treat him the same as others usually did? Would he even make one friend? He paused as he noticed that he was, literally, twitching in his seat. He shifted nervously and then got into his luggage, picking up a book he had been reading on the bus and continued reading chapter 47 in silence.

[Inessa Unkovsky]

Inessa bit her lip as she looked at herself in the mirror of the airport bathroom in Vermont. There was a security officer from the Hammel institute waiting outside the door for her, and she could practically hear his impatience through the door. Still shaking slightly from the second flight of her life she dipped her head and splashed cold water over her face, pressing her fingers firmly against her eyes as she tried to catch her breath. She had thrown up three times on the plan and during any instance of turbulence it had taken all of her will power and military training to keep her from screaming. Reaching for a towel to dry her face she blotted at her pale skin as she looked herself over.

Her long dark hair that had been pulled back in a bun for so long was now down in an inky black curtain around her waist. Dressing in civilian clothes felt weird, but at least the black tee-shirt and black denim jeans didn't show as much dirt as her uniform had. Shivering slightly she straightened up the charcoal line surrounding her eyes and glanced at the door once more. Now that she was here she was terrified to actually take the final steps towards entering her new home. Stomping her feet in her thick camo boots she glared at herself.

"Come on Inessa, straighten up, there is nothing to be afraid of. You are safe here and you are being ridiculous.... Just get it over with."

She said to herself as she leaned forward on the sink before giving herself a nod. Taking advantage of the fleeting courage she quickly grabbed her bags and marched out the door, years of training making her movements straight and sure, regardless of what she felt inside. Giving a sharp nod to the security guard she let him take one of her bags and she followed him out to the cab that would take them to the Institute.

Not paying the journey much notice after the stress of the plane ride, she was surprised at how fast the academy came into view. Noting the similarities and the differences between this school and the one back in Russia she let out a sigh. Strangely enough this place seemed more welcoming to her. Stepping out as they reached the front office she grabbed her things and thanked the security officer for seeing her there safely and waved as he rode off to do what ever it was security officers did once they finished a task. Probably to take a nap she thought to herself with a soft laugh.

Pushing open the door she straightening her back she made her way into the office. Thankful for the stark surroundings she blinked slightly when she realized that the only other person in the room was not an official but another student like her self. Steadying her breathing she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her hair and hit the bell before siting a chair away from the boy in the room. Biting her lip she tapped her foot a moment, before glancing around and running nervous fingers through thick black hair. People were hard.

"Privet, zdravstvuyte kak dela?... er oh i mean, Hi.. my name is Inessa... Do you know how this works?"

She asked, her words coming out quickly as she cursed herself for not remembering to speak english here. Even in English her accent was a little thick and after one last glance at the boy her eyes went straight down and she started picking at her already red fingers, trying in vain to remove all the dirt. Letting out a huff she resigned herself to glancing at him every few seconds from beneath dark lashes as she rubbed at the pebbles on her jeans.