Tales
from the Academy Entry One I was dressing for the day when
a knock was heard at my door. "Thank you Mary, I'll be right down." I smoothed my
dress, which was a Victorian styled gown, with a hoop skirt and a
small waist. It was sapphire blue silk that fell in gorgeous waves to
the floor. I thought it was a bit much for a ten year old girl, but
my father insisted, so I had to comply with his demands. I
wondered what he could want. I had just this last week completed my
training at the Rivendale School for Little Ladies, and thought I
handled myself with decorum and grace. I finished dressing,
and then made sure my hair was correctly pinned. Well, not pinned,
but flowing down my shoulders in glorious ebony ringlets. I
left my room and descended the stairs, careful to keep my back
straight and my eyes straight ahead. So, I reached my father's office, and
he and my mother were both there, sitting in their leather chairs
behind his desk. I curtsied my hello's, and then took a seat
where my father indicated. "But Father, I just
finished the other school! Do you hate me so much that you have to
ship me off every time I'm home for more than two days?" I was
outraged-this always happened. "You will watch your
mouth, Watanuki!" My mother admonished, the first thing she had
said since I had entered the room. "I was under the impression
that you had LEARNED something at that school." Her cold,
uncaring voice made me freeze- that tone meant that Mother was ANGRY,
no doubt about that. "As I was saying, Watanuki, you
will be leaving tomorrow for Dur'Em, and the servant John Reilly will
be escorting you there, as will Mary Engel. She will stay with you at
the school to be your Lady's maid. If I were you, I would begin
packing now. You are dismissed." I got up, turned
sharply on my heel and flounced out of the room. "Begging your pardon, Miss, but I was instructed to
pack your gowns for your stay at the Academy." She curtsied as
she spoke, and then returned to my wardrobe for more of my outfits to
pack. She was a pretty girl, about twelve years old, with a
long braid of brown hair and a smattering of freckles over her nose.
She was petitely built, and wearing the serving uniform for our
house, a black dress that reached to her ankles with pleats in the
skirt and a loose fitting bodice. "So you are coming to
this Academy with me, Mary?" She appeared startled at
being directly addressed by an employer such as myself, and then
timidly responded. "No, you may
speak your mind when in my presence. Carry on with your duties then."
And I left in a swirl of cloth.
The next day
I waved goodbye to my parents from the inside of our finest
Horse-Drawn Carriage. I was sitting next to Mary and across from
John, and it was a bumpy ride. We arrived at the Academy two
days later. It was a tall red-brick building with a large
open driveway. It wasn't really IN Dur'Em, but it was close- there
was a road leading from Dur'Em to it, about a half mile long or so.
When we reached the school, John, Mary, and I were met at the
door and escorted to the Dean's office. My things were
whisked away by the coachman The dean made me sign some
papers, and then sent Mary off to her quarters and John was
dismissed. I believe he went back to my Parents. "Now, Miss
San, at this Academy, we have five Divisions that the students are
divided into. You will have a bed in the Dormitory for your Grade in
your Division. "No Ma'am." I
replied, placing my hands in my lap. "Well then, I have
placed you in the Marlin Division, and you were given a White blouse
as a part of your uniform. Your blouse serves to show which Division
you are in. I will explain more later, but you are free to get
settled in now. Your girl Mary will have her bed in the same room as
yours, and she has already been sent there." And with that, she
called a servant in to lead me to my Dormitory. I was a student at
The Sir Isaac Horton Academy for The Brighter Female Mind.
"Miss, your father requests
your presence in his office. I've been sent to fetch you."
It was hard, but that was
expected at Rivendale.
"Ah, Watanuki. I'm glad you are
here. Your mother and I have some good news for you." He rumbled
in his deep booming voice. "You have been accepted to a very
prestigious school in the city of Dur'Em. It is called The Sir Isaac
Horton Academy for the Brighter Female Minds, and is run by an
associate of mine, a Mrs. Annika Walker. It's all arranged, you will
leave for Dur'Em tomorrow, with John as your escort. You will start
your studies there next week."
"At least
I'll be getting out of here." I thought to myself as I ascended
the stairs and entered my room to find Mary Engel, chamber maid that
fetched me for the 'meeting' with my father and the girl who would be
coming to the school with me, packing a large trunk that stood on my
bed.
"Yes Miss, and a fine establishment it
is, if you don't mind my saying."
I was issued a
uniform, and then the Dean began her speech.
The five Divisions are named after famous Musical
Composers and have an assigned color.
The Divisions are:
The
Bach Division, Blue
The Mozart Division, Green
The
Beethoven Division, Red
The Marlin Division, White
and
The Jaquilin Division Black Any questions so far?" She asked,
pushing her glasses up on her nose.
