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- Edward and Workner, Year 1 Regarden Academy
“I’m Workner Norgram, your new roommate,” a tallish teen with a pony-tail said. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Edward gave the pony-tail guy an unimpressed look. “Serfence. Edward. Pleasure.” Edward said in clipped tones. Pony-tail– Norgram– looked around the room. Edward knew what the other teen was seeing. Two beds, decent-sized, on opposite sides of the room. Basic bedding, standard issue for the Academy. He also knew Norgram would be seeing Edward’s own belongings, covering his bed and desk: Books, some basic clothing items, several sets of student uniform capes and pants. Parchment and ink.
Edward winced internally. He had hoped he could organize things before his new roommate arrived. Edward had hoped to set an example of a neat, orderly dwelling for his new roommate; it represented how he planned to go on, and hopefully pressure the said new roommate into a similar state.
“I hope you don’t mind, I chose my side first,” Edward offered stiffly. Norgram waved a hand. “Oh! I don’t mind.” He hefted a large, leather rucksack over his right shoulder. Norgram strode over to the vacant bed, and placed his bag on the floor. He began to unpack his things without another word, and Edward turned to his own organizing.
It was refreshing, having an action-oriented roommate. Edward had always heard that roommates were nosey, talkative, and liked to take more than their share of space. Edward took stock of the other mage’s belongings out of the corner of his eye, and frowned a little.
Did anyone really need so much leather and non-academy clothing? Sure, there was the expected black slacks and capes, but mixed in was a disturbing amount of brown-shaded pants and vests; several leather boots, various belts, and arm braces. Even more pairs of variously covered gloves, and a few goggles. Some alchemy goggles, but Norgram also laid a case for riding goggles on the bed with some care.
“What-” Edward began, then clicked his mouth shut. A subtle wind had risen with a few mumbled words from Norgram, and all of Norgram’s belongings began to float to various areas around the room.
Wind mage.
“Neat, huh?” Norgram said with a grin. “My mom taught me last year. I practiced for months on the control, but it’s completely worth it. See?” Still grinning, Norgram fell back on his empty bed. Edward watched silently as Norgram’s belongings sailed neatly onto the currently unclaimed desk and settled inside the wardrobe Edward had left open, leaving everything conspicuously neat and tidy. Lastly, the case of riding goggles landed gently in pride of place on top of the wardrobe with a gentle thud.
Edward had to admit, it was impressive. More importantly, the room was clean. Edward allowed a small smile to cross his face. “Yes, fairly impressive,” Edward agreed. He continued his unpacking, pausing when Norgram’s voice came from behind him.
“Shame dark magic can’t do that, huh?” The pony-tailed teen said lightly. Edward stiffened, then relaxed. He put the magic tome in his hand on his own desk, then turned to face the smiling mage.
“You know I’m aiming for the dark faction,” he stated rather than questioned. Norgram nodded. “I asked around. Wanted to make sure I wasn’t getting paired with some sort of slob or social fiend.”
Edward couldn’t fault the guy for that.
“And?” He asked, brow arched. Norgram’s smile widened.
“I didn’t hear much. You have a dark magic affinity, an allergy to fun, and most important of all…” Norgram looked at Edward’s organized desk. “You’re tidy,” Norgram finished.
Edward’s eyes met Norgram’s, and he couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing. To his relief, Norgram also burst into laughter.
“Do I want to know where you got all that information?” Edward said finally, when they had calmed. He sat on his bed, tidying suspended for now. Norgram sat up and shook his head.
“Probably not, though nobody said anything in a mean way,” Norgram answered. Edward scoffed. “I doubt that,” he drawled. Norgram shrugged a shoulder.
“Eh. Some snark, but even I could tell a lot of it was envy. Besides, nobody’s perfect. Even the Magia Vander make mistakes sometimes.”
Edward nodded slowly. “Well, I can confirm I don’t like mess. Though I’m not ‘allergic to fun.’ I just have better things to do with my time.” He gave Norgram a meaningful glance. The other teen raised his hands in surrender.
“Hey, put the glare away. I don’t do the social scene, either. I’m going for the wind faction, but I want to specialize in Magizoology. Most of my upcoming classes outside of core classes have some component of field study. Not much time for socializing,” Norgram explained.
Ah. Magizoology. That explained the goggles and the plethora of leather. Edward nodded in understanding. “Hard to ride a Sky Dragon with no sleep, huh?” He asked wryly. Norgram grinned.
“It’s easier than you’d expect, but not recommended. My mount at home wouldn’t let me fall and kill myself, but he wasn’t adverse to letting me fall and make a fool of myself.” Norgram admitted. Edward nodded.
“Makes sense. Fair warning, you may not see much of me. If I’m not in the library, I’m in the practice rooms. I mainly use my room as place for sleep,” Edward emphasized “sleep” a bit, but he wasn’t too worried. Norgram seemed more sensible than half the students Edward had met so far. Norgram nodded in understanding.
“I totally get it. I’m the same, to be honest, though I usually spend my time in the stables or field.” This seemed completely fine to Edward. “Excellent,” Edward said. He rose to his feet, and walked over to Norgram. Edward extended a hand to the mage.
“Here’s to a good collaboration, Norgram.” Norgram took Edward’s hand in his own warm grip, and shook it.
“Likewise, Serfence. Likewise.”