|| Dining room || With Lenore ||
As the sun rose on the morning of the annual Hidden Wonders Scavenger Hunt, Kairo awoke with a mix of excitement and anticipation bubbling within him. He jumped in for a quick shower and got dressed, opting for a more comfortable attire suitable for a day of exploration and adventure. He grabbed a quick bite from the snack stash he kept in his room, he still couldn’t fathom starting his day without some sustenance, even if a proper breakfast was awaiting him.
It had been a month since Kai’s first day at Ninth House, and let me tell you that even in that relatively short span of time, he had already come a long way since that initial, nerve wracking first day. Though a mere month had passed, it felt like a lifetime of experiences had been packed into those weeks. The campus, which had once seemed so vast and mysterious, was now starting to feel familiar. While there were still plenty of secrets and hidden corners he had yet to uncover, certain parts of the academy had become comforting in their familiarity. He had met new friends, learned about the place, went to classes, and discovered a great deal about himself as well.
Stepping out into the crisp morning air, Kairo made his way to the Grand Hall for the assembly. The campus was already buzzing with energy, students were chatting excitedly, some exchanging tips and strategies for the scavenger hunt. The Grand Hall, where the headmaster’s lil speech would take place, was already filling up by the time Kairo arrived. He found a spot near the middle, offering a good view of the podium while still being close enough to his friends to exchange the occasional comment. The annual Hidden Wonders Scavenger Hunt was a legendary event, and he had been looking forward to it ever since he heard about it. No school he has ever been to would have done something like that and Kai was absolutely loving it. A scavenger hunt sounded like a brilliant way to blend the thrill of discovery with the challenge of magic, as well as the fact that a fun activity out of class is usually a good thing, is it not?
As the headmaster began his speech, Kairo’s mind started to drift. The Grand Hall, with its high ceilings and ornate chandeliers, was an awe-inspiring sight, but it couldn’t hold his attention today. Instead, he found himself reminiscing about his first day at Ninth House. The memory of that initial assembly was still vivid, a day filled with uncertainty and wonder as he stepped into the unknown. He remembered feeling like a small fish in a vast, enchanted sea, unsure of where to swim. Everything had felt so overwhelming then, from the grandeur of the building to the sheer number of new faces.
Kairo’s gaze wandered around the hall, observing the faces of his fellow students. Some were animated, whispering excitedly about the scavenger hunt, some listened intently to the headmaster, while some didn’t care or listen at all. His gaze landed on Aurora, sitting at the front, her bright red hair a beacon among the crowd. A subtle smile tugged at his lips as he recalled their first encounter. Her cheerful demeanor and helpful nature had made that overwhelming first day much more bearable. It was hard to believe that only a month had passed since then, so much had changed, yet some things felt timeless.
As the speech concluded and the students were directed to the Dining Hall for a buffet breakfast, the aroma of freshly cooked food hit as soon as he entered the room. Kairo’s stomach grumbled in anticipation (or perhaps it was just hunger), grabbing a plate, Kairo loaded up with a bit of everything—a croissant here, some scrambled eggs there, some fruit, and of course, a generous helping of bacon, because who doesn’t love bacon?.
Kairo’s eyes scanned the sea of students, he spotted Lenore sitting alone at a table, her attention focused on her plate of food, quietly enjoying her breakfast. With a mischievous smile, Kairo grabbed a cupcake from the dessert selection nearby, a sweet bribe in hand. Balancing his plate of breakfast goodies, he strolled over to Lenore’s table with an easy stride, exuding a laid-back charm.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Lenore Farrell,” he quipped with a playful lilt in his voice, delighting in the accidental rhyme. “Mind if I crash your solo breakfast party? I come bearing bribes,” he added, holding up a particularly enticing pastry as if it were a grand prize. “Freshly baked and ready to rock your taste buds,” he added, setting the pastry down between them with a flourish. Kairo slid into the seat opposite her, his grin widening as he leaned back comfortably.
@astxrism Aurora mentioned