Chapter Text
As she felt the sun peak over the hill of the Crowley orchids, the window began to flood the room with sunlight, Lorna opened her eyes as the sun’s rays reached her face. Her eyes quickly opened wide as she knew today was the day she returned to Dalaran Academy for her senior year. Wasting no time, she sprang from her bed into the bathroom and took a quick shower before brushing her hair. She went back into her room with a small duffle bag and gathered up some clothes she had since her first day at the academy. One was a green tunic with dark brown pants. A run around outfit she had for after classes and something to run outside in. Her other set was a light leather armor with the most of it being the regular tan color, while the belt was dyed dark forest green. This was a standard outfit for hunters to use while doing their training. Her last thing was a dagger that had been passed down generation to generation. The blade was a silver blade with an ebony handle made of obsidian, with a faint dark brown swirl detail inside to make it not completely black. After packing her clothes, she tossed in some makeup she liked along with a comb she had made the year before, which was made out of a stag’s antler she caught her first year in tracking and hunting. Finally, she put her favorite Sapphire earrings and matching silver necklace she made in gem crafting class.
After finishing all her packing, she took her duffle bag and went down the hall to the kitchen. Her Father was working frantically in the kitchen to give Lorna proper sendoff. “There’s my little hunter!!!” he said hoisting her from the floor, almost putting her through the roof. “Dad ! put me down! I almost became a light fixture.” She said as giggling with excitement. Her father sat her down at the table giving out a thunderous laugh to her comment before he walked over to the counter where what could be simply explained as a feast, was prepared. He reached for an apple on the table and took a large bite before quickly gathering up a plate and loading it up food for Lorna. Carrying the plate over to the table, Darius grinned, “What would you like to drink?” Lorna was too busy staring at the enormous plate of food that was before her. She then looked at her father with a smile. “An apple cider would be most appropriate for this time of year, don’t you think father?” She asked, smiling. She then noticed a veggie Omelet loaded with green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions and smothered in a thick sauce. Some hash browns a small bowl of mixed fruit salad, three slices of wheat toast with butter and honey, and a large slice of ham with a brown sugar glazing on it. Her father sat the glass of cider beside her meal looking as if he would have forgotten something. Once he was happy that all was in order, he slapped Lorna’s back with a chuckle. “Eat up Kiddo! There’s nothing better than a home cooked meal!”. She nodded, smiling at him and began to eat. “So I can see you are excited to be going back to school.” Lorna took a bite of some ham before answering. “Indeed, I am! But, I must admit I will miss your cooking.” she smiled at him.Taking a large bite out of his ham he let out a chuckle and after a few moments of silence so they could eat their meals he looked over and asked. “Maybe if it’s not too embarrassing, I can bring you and your friends some meals through the school year.” He offered with a smile. Lorna laughed and took a sip of her cider and brushed a strand of black hair behind her ear. “I like that and I’m sure my friends would enjoy it also”. With a look of surprise, he erupted in a house shaking a laugh, he wiped a tear of joy away from his amber brown eyes. “Maybe for Wintervale Feast I’ll bring my famous wild boar and stuffing for you and your friends to try.” She looked at him with a puzzled look and thought for a moment before speaking. “But I come home then, dad?” he nodded a bit and said, “Yea could but I was thinking last night that you said you have two friends that don’t have to go home right?” he was referring to Anatasia and Willow, both of whom had very different family lives than Lorna. Willow’s family was not pleased at all with her becoming a Paladin and even more so that she did not try to transfer to the mage class. Not much was known about Anatasia but ever since she was raised as an undead elf, her family had nothing to do with her so she had nothing to go home to either. “Yeah,it is sad, but there are several students that stay home for the holidays and they have no real reason to go home”. He stood up with his chest puffed out and a touch of anger in his eyes “I hope I never meet them. Who would treat their child like that?” Quickly, a smile came to him as he finished his statement “That is why I will come to the Academy and we will all have Wintervale Feast there if they’ll let me in the kitchen” He let out another laugh.
Eventually, a horse drawn coach had arrived in front of the home. It was a Victorian style coach with a natural wood clear coat and had trimmed and carvings painted in a bright blue with flecks of gold in the center of the blue. Waving to her Father as she climbs in and waving again as they rode off. Once the house was out of sight she settled in and made herself comfortable and looking around to see who else was with her, she saw a few new faces and could tell by the look they had they were Freshman and this was their first time away from home. “Hello, ” she gave a smile and a friendly nod. “Hello” they stutter to say at the same time. She noticed they were holding each other's hand and were shaking. “Are you two okay?” she asked one the girl to look out the window and the other pats her shoulder and turns to Lorna and smiles saying. “Yes, this is my sister and I’s first year, leaving home and she is rather shy and worried” his sister only nodded to confirm his statement. “You will miss your home, but it is a lot of fun at the academy and you can write to your folks and they will write to you too” Lorna smiled softly to them. Seeing their nerves where calmed, they looked around to see who else was on. She saw a few old classmates and they exchanged greetings and talked about what they did over their break. After chatting with them, she looked around and saw another girl who was sitting just looking out the window. She didn’t look like she was interested in talking to anyone. Lorna didn’t attempt to talk with her since it was clear she didn’t want to talk. She did know her, however, seeing how she was a senior also here name was Tess, but she couldn’t remember her last name she didn’t talk to her anyways so she wasn’t too worried about it. As she felt the talking was over, she looked out her window and saw all the creatures as they drew near the academy. Seeing the two younger students reminded Lorna of how excited she was when she first went. It was like stepping into a book and if you could think it would be there. She still always enjoyed seeing them and the forest because she knew what awaited them on the other side.
As they drew closer she caught out of the corner of her eye, Tess had broken her staring out the window to glance at her; she wasn’t sure why seeing how they never talk at all. She shook it off as maybe it was something outside in her direction. After a few more minutes they were at the gates to Dalaran and there was a group of students already standing outside. The coach stopped and the driver hopped off and opened the door for passengers making sure they all got down and got the right luggage if they had any. As she walked to find her friends she felt a tug on her sleeve. She looked to see it was the girl from the coach and she had her brother's hand dragging him along. Looking at her she asked “Yes? what is it?” The girl looks as if she was searching for what to say. Finally finding what she was going to say she said “My name is Jennifer but everyone calls me Jenny and this Timothy but he goes by Timmy.” Acting like she just lifted a rock from her chest she smiled at Lorna. “Nice to meet you Jenny and Timmy, my name is Lorna.” She smiled and nodded. After a brief talk, Jenny grabbed Timmy's arms and darted away, waving and laughing as they vanished into the crowd.
“Lorna!!” she heard from her side and was soon on the ground with Minnah sitting on her “what you doing down there? You’re a hunter! yYou should know where I was coming from!” she said as she giggled at her. Lorna got up from under her and she brushed herself off while shaking her head and trying not to laugh. “Well, normally, if I'm being hunted by a monster, it doesn’t scream my name.” she held a serious face as long as she could until her and Minnah burst into laughter. She asked how she was and what all she did for her Summer Break. Minnah began to tell her about her and the family took a trip over to meet Aye and her family for a large party their town held for Summerfest. Of course, she and her father ate way too much and got a stomach ache. “You always eat too much food don’t you? I see where you get it now”