Tales from the Academy Entry One

I was dressing for the day when a knock was heard at my door.
"Miss, your father requests your presence in his office. I've been sent to fetch you."

"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.
It was hard, but that was expected at Rivendale.

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.
"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."

"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.
"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.

"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.
"Yes Miss, and a fine establishment it is, if you don't mind my saying."

"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.
I was issued a uniform, and then the Dean began her speech.

"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.
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.

"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.