I: Dolphin and Dove

[Ninel: Approx. 3 Years Ago]

"Another university rejected you again, Ninel?" my mother wondered.

I looked down at the rejection letter I received from the university. It was the sixth time a university denied my application. At first, I didn't know why were colleges and universities doing that until I received my fifth rejection letter. The university I applied to explained that they do not have the proper accommodations for a student like myself. In general, I did everything right, and I wrote several great essays in the process. My CSAT scores were excellent, and I had a solid GPA.

So what were the proper accommodations I need so I could go to a university or college? After I showed my mother that specific letter, she told me about a time when no universities and colleges in Russia accepted her. She was about my age, and she was a good student like myself. Why did those colleges reject my mother in the first place?

Well, all colleges she applied to found out that one of her birthmarks isn't a natural birthmark. She revealed her birthmark to me, and it was on the back of her left shoulder. It was in the shape of Piscis Austrinus, the Southern Fish constellation. My mother also explained that it also obtained her water powers when she was around my age. She also revealed that I also have one, but it was on my right thigh.

Unlike my mother's, mine was in the shape of Delphinus, the Dolphin constellation. As for my elemental abilities, there were non-existent, but it was normal apparently. Because of that and my potential ability, no university or college was going to accept me. Not even a 2-year institution will take in a misfit like me.

I asked, "Do I have any education options, or not?"

"You do, and it's called Celeste University," replied my mother.

I wondered, "What's Celeste University, mom?"

"It's a 6-year private university that concentrates on providing an inclusive education for extraordinary people with unusual abilities. And yes, I'm a Celeste University alumnus," she told me.

Celeste University, huh? I had no idea that there was a university that allowed people with unique abilities to have a proper education. That and I didn't know my mom used to go to that university when she was younger. She knew I didn't have many options, to begin with, but then again, I was a regular human being until now. I was able to go to elementary, junior high school, and high school without any problems. Now I have to apply to a specialized school because no other school would accept me.

[Present Day]

With today being the first day of classes, Ninel wasn't in a rush to get her first class of the day. Unlike her previous schedules in the past three years, the 20 year old junior didn't have any early morning classes. The Eurasian student looked straight at her phone screen, and it was only 8:30 AM. With 1 1/2 hours to spare before her first class, she took her towel and headed to the bathroom.

It took her 15 minutes to shower and another 30 minutes to get ready. Ninel saw her reflection in the bedroom mirror. Her bright reddish-brown hair was tied in a high ponytail. The female university student had on a yellow-colored off the shoulder crop top with light purple floral prints. She also donned a pair of light wash denim skinny jeans and a pair of fawn-colored ankle high heel boots.

Around her neck, Ninel has on a rose gold floral statement necklace. The 20 year old picked up her dorm keys and grabbed her navy blue messenger bag. Now, she was ready to go to her first day of classes. As the Aestas House student walked out of her dorm, her brownish-gold eyes focused on the student approaching their door. She shared a dorm with Felicity, a junior who bore the mark of Corona Australis, the Southern Crown.

Felicity saw Ninel and said, "You're lucky that you have a late morning class today, Ninel."

"I know, but I still have two classes after that one. So, see you later," replied Ninel.

Ninel nodded before she continued walking around the dorm. Walking through the bright blue and green halls of the Aestas House, the upperclassman thought about the new semester. It has been three years since she arrived here. Like many of the students here, they had similar marks, and they weren't accepted because they were part of a group of individuals known as Marked People.

Celeste University was the only institution that accepted Marked People like herself. She didn't have a problem since the university also has a college major she liked. The 20 year old wanted a career in international relations, which made her decide to major in that particular field. Even though most of her classes were challenging, Ninel was able to pull through until the end.

"Hey there, Ninel," said a masculine voice.

Her amber-colored perked up, and she saw a light brown-skinned young man near the staircase. Ever since she lived in the Aestas House, George was one of the first friends she made at Celeste University. She met the German young man in her Elementary Chinese I class during her freshman year. During their first conversation, they learned that they were under the same dorm. George had the mark of Capricornus, the Goat, which was also summer constellation.

Ninel responded, "Hi George. How was your summer vacation?"

"It was good. I heard you flew in earlier this month for Freshman Orientation," he replied.

She replied, "Yes because they chose me to be the orientation leader for our dorm."

"How did that go?" he asked.

Ninel replied, "Surprisingly, it went well. How was your summer vacation, by the way?"

"I was able to spend some quality time with my family back home in Germany," said George.

The older German business major has been busy ever since he arrived at the university. He recently became a grad student right after finishing his Bachelor's program. Like the undergrads, the graduate students lived the same house based on their birthmarks. He's an Aestas student just like the Eurasian junior standing right next to him.

Both students said their goodbyes, and Ninel continued her walk downstairs. The 20 year old junior didn't want to waste more time before her first class. She still needed to get her breakfast in at the Star Lounge. Despite being pricey, they've got good food and beverage options she loved. As the university student took the first steps outside the Aestas House, her amber eyes focused on the students walking around the campus. Ninel didn't know if they were heading to class, or they finished for the day.

The Russian-Myanma young lady walked into a large building across from the Aestas House. Towards her right, there was a medium-sized deli-like shop. A few students were finding and getting their breakfast. Ninel approached the coffee and tea station, and she saw the hot beverage choices. The 20 year old picked up one of the small white tea envelopes from the box and medium-sized cup.

While Ninel was making her tea, another student entered the Star Lounge. This time, it's a pale tan-skinned young man with long black hair and green eyes. His attire consisted of a deep red sleeveless top with a white jacket wrapped around his waist, a pair of white jeans, and dark blue-colored boots. He also carried a dark red colored school bag around his shoulder.

Da Xiang was getting ready to leave for his first class of the morning. The 22 year old health and physical education major looked over at the breakfast choices. Even though he would cook something for breakfast every morning, it wasn't an option for the Hiems student today. There was barely any food in his dorm's fridge. But at least he could go grocery shopping sometime after class.

He grabbed a whole wheat blueberry muffin from one of the baskets. Da Xiang noticed a familiar auburn-haired student standing there with a light blue cup in her hands. He smiled towards the young woman, which made the other lightly blush immediately.

He said, "Good morning, Ninel."

"Good morning, Da Xiang," said Ninel, "I'm guessing you have a 10:15 class too."

"I do. My first class of the day is Nutrition in Health, and I 've got two other courses to take in the afternoon," replied Da Xiang.

Ninel wondered, "Are you okay with a lunch date at the new Chinese restaurant near the university?"

"That is perfect since my Individual/Dual Sport class is at 1:45," he said.

Ninel responded, "That's perfect because I have free time around noon, and we can have lunch then.

She picked up a multi-grain bagel with scallion-flavored cream cheese from the basket. After their short conversation and paying for her breakfast, the two university students walked their separate ways.

[Dalia: Approx. 2 Years Ago]

With today being the first day of orientation, I didn't know what to expect. I knew right off the bat that Celeste University was my only school choice. With the ongoing issues between both UOs and MPs, secondary education options were limited. I had no problem going to a specialized institution. My mother always told me to prepare for anything.

That was true once my wind powers began to awake not long ago. Now, I was lounging around the dorm room they put me in. From the looks of things, my orientation roommate wasn't here yet. I laid on the semi-comfortable twin bed, and I began to stare at the famous midnight blue ceiling of the Hiems Dorm. There wasn't much to do, but to wait for her.

About 3 minutes later, I heard a knock, and I sprung out the twin bed quickly. I opened the door, and I saw a dark-haired girl walking into the dorm. She had this stern expression on her face, which startled me a bit. Her ice-blue eyes shifted towards my direction, and her eyes began to turn softer.

"Did I scare you?" she asked me.

I replied, "Yes... I guess."

"Please forgive me and my resting bitch face. I didn't mean to intimidate you," she answered, "I'm Jessica Rios, by the way."

I just said, "Dalia... My name is Dalia Puente."

[Present Day]

It has been 2 years since their first and only encounter. After freshman orientation, Dalia never saw Jessica in the Hiems Dorm again. It bugged the 19 year old sophomore. No one who was a freshman at the time recalled knowing Jessica Rios from their dorm. The Commerical Music major tried her best to let it go, and it did work for a while. But once she returned to the Hiems Dorm a few days ago, apparently the same thing happened again.

Dalia received an anonymous note about five missing new freshmen that were here for orientation not long ago. Each missing freshmen was from one of the five dorms. The anonymous note writer also said the same happened in the past years. At least he or she believes that she wasn't paranoid. She also received a similar note year during her first semester, which mentioned Jessica's disappearance along with five others.

Right now, the 19 year old sophomore was heading to her second class of the day. The Argentine-Greek university was heading to her Music Theory III class. While she was walking, her dark brown eyes focused on the familiar pale-skinned, light blue-haired university student right across from her. A small smile formed from her face, and she approached the well-known young woman.

"Dalia! You look amazing!" exclaimed the blue haired young woman.

Referring to her appearance, Dalia had on a cute light blue long-sleeved casual bodycon dress that reached an inch above her knees. She paired her dress with a pair of black ankle boots. Her dark honey blonde hair was straight, and she donned a basic light white and black checkered headband bandana. The 19 year old student also carried a light blue and white messenger bag.

Sophie, a 21 year old junior, approached the Argentine-Greek student, and she kissed Dalia on the cheek. The Archelogy major was currently one of the two Celeste University students who have the same Constellation Mark and element as another student here. Her boyfriend, Wells, a junior at university, who too had an identical Constellation Mark and element. Both of them bore the Water Mark of Cetus. MPs with the same Constellation Mark and element is a phenomenon amongst people in their community.

Amongst the people who knew about the mysterious notes, Dalia disclosed this information to Sophie, Wells, George, Julius, Da Xiang, and Ninel. So far, no one was able to figure out what it all meant, but they promised to keep in contact if something came up.

"How are things are going between you and George?" questioned Sophie.

Dalia replied, "We're taking it steady with this whole relationship to make things less awkward. It was never problematic, but we needed to set up certain boundaries either way."

"At least you look much happier than before," she complimented her friend.

The Argentine-Greek student said, "Yeah, and I'll talk to you later, Sophie."

"I have to get to my next class too. Let's meet up for lunch or something like that," responded Sophie.

Both female students walked away from each other and said their goodbyes. Dalia thought about what challenges are ahead for her sophomore year. Aside from her university classes and clubs, the Celeste Unversity sophomore needed to figure out who the unidentified note writer was first. She needed to know what happened to Jessica and the other missing freshmen.

"Who are you, and why are you sending me these notes?" said Dalia.

This ends the first chapter of Celestial Society finally. I was supposed to finish this chapter a week ago, but I was busy that week. At least, I decided to post something before Valentine's Day. It's not exactly a romantic chapter, but oh well... I will begin to introduce a few OCs in the next 2-3 chapters. I will also go in full details of the notes Dalia in the next chapter as well. Like I always say, for now, read and review.