INSTITUTION

Emma had been informed beforehand of her departure.

She would be working as a maidservant to Professors Morvan and Loth. Hooray.

To be scrutinized every ticking minute of the clock and overlooked as nothing but a lowly staff member or hired help unworthy of notice or incapable of anything seemed the worst possible punishment to Emma. Everyone liked to be given attention and notice.

"—to Morvan & Loth Special Institution and Programming," Manfred declared. Having been notified earlier, his announcement struck Emma as a thing of the past.

She recalled the frantic looks on Paton and Julia's faces as they spilled the news. She had been absolutely horrified at first, but Emma knew that no amount of pleading or crying would help the matter. The Bloors would never change their mind.

But she could.

From that moment, Emma had made up her mind to accept the fact that she would be leaving the city for temporary needs. Of course, the term temporary helped to relieve her of panic at times.

At times like this.

Once again, Emma felt uncontrollably woeful. Sorrow and remorse welled up inside her, and Emma knew she would miss everything she knew and loved, even hated, during her momentary absence from the town.

She would miss seeing the Cathedral from her window every morning as she awoke to the sound of squawking Nancy the Duck. She would miss hugging her Aunt Julia and cordially greeting Mr Yewbeam each time she returned from the Academy for the weekend.

But overall, Emma knew the largest factor of her life which she would miss.

Her endowment.

Just possessing the mere realization and recognition of her affinity was enough. But as she entered the life of a staff member on campus of a notorious institution, Emma knew she was practically shoving her talent beneath lock and key.

Not that her talent was much of a talent at all. Love—sure, she knew plenty about it, now. And she was vulnerable to it. But that didn't give her any sense of control over her endowment such as Olivia or Tancred had.

Overall, the institution wasn't only a campus of well-known persons and professors, but it was one of prestige and respect. Emma would be nothing but a misfit, not coming from a prestigious family at all.

"—Emma Tolly, and Billy Raven," Manfred finished smugly. "Your departure date has been debated. It's decided that you will all leave after the Scarlet Cotillion."

Emma jerked at the sound of her name, but her attention was caught by the departure date. It was set for after the dance. Why?

She noticed, from the corner of her eye, the potted bonsai tree in the corner vanish for a fraction of second—and then reappear, nearly two sizes larger.

Luckily, she was the only one who spotted the strange occurrence.

As everyone left the room, including Manfred, Emma darted over to the bonsai.

"Seth!"

The tree morphed into her foster-cousin.

"Seth, you nearly gave yourself away, when you blinked. Not to mention you widened your eyes!"

"I couldn't help it," Seth grinned. "Manfred's announcement came as a shock. I can't believe he's stalling."

"Not by much," Emma hesitantly muttered. "The Scarlet Cotillion is tomorrow."

"Have you got a date?" Seth asked eagerly.

Emma shook her head. "More than enough. Six boys have already asked me."

Seth glanced up at his cousin.

Pretty Emma—her straight-ironed, golden-blond hair, warm to the touch and impossibly sleek. Her eyes, enticing and bright, her smile was picture-perfect and genuine.

"I turned them all down. I've decided not to go."

"Why?" Seth asked frantically. "Emma, what can I do to convince you to go? Come on, I mean—it's your last chance to do something fun before you leave."

The bleak thought of leaving the city reoccurred to Emma. Right then and there she made up her mind.

"Right," she told Seth, smiling. "I'll go find Karsen and tell him I'm going."

"Who's this Karsen?" Seth frowned.

"Only the cutest boy I've ever met."

Flashing lights and a polished floor.

The Scarlet Cotillion was the romantic daydream of every preteen girl. Including Olivia Vertigo.

Tancred Torsson watched Olivia and Fidelio swing onto the floor, giggling. He turned back to his date, a skinny snob named Wilhelmina Holmes—nicknamed Wilma.

But he wasn't paying much attention at all to Wilma Holmes. He was scanning the pack of swirling, twirling figures for a pretty blond girl.

He found her with another boy. The boy was cute, sure. Something Emma would certainly go after.

Tancred knew the boy well. His name was Karsen, a second-former. He was naught but a month older than Emma herself.

He had dark brown hair, the slightest bit shaggy; it flicked outward, revealing his ears. It was what all girls labelled helmet hair, usually found on skaters or hockey players; after sporting a helmet after awhile, it would imprint upon your hair.

Tancred could read from the way Emma smiled up at Karsen that she thought his grin was adorable. Sure, he was boyishly cute, and Tancred could obviously see what Emma liked about him. But that irresistible surge of jealousy and envy coursed through him again.

Emma caught his eye and her smile faltered at his hard expression.

He excused himself from Wilma Holmes, who was gossiping with Liz Thornton. He weaved his way through the crowd toward Emma and Karsen, but when he could see past the shoulders and faces, he had lost them.

He found Emma and Karsen again by the buffet. Emma was giggling, popping bright red berries into Karsen's mouth. Tancred could feel the rain and snow swirling in his body.

He forced down his anger as he pretended to pour himself punch. Emma, across Karsen's shoulder, shot him an annoyed glance. What was that all about? she mouthed silently.

Tancred beckoned with a finger under his glass. Emma hurriedly excused herself from Karsen.

"What was that?" Emma fumed.

"Nothing, if that's what you want," Tancred said calmly.

"Nothing?" Emma frowned. "Is that what I heard?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because that sure isn't what I saw." Her hands were on her hips.

"Emma, don't—be like this. Just … don't."

Emma shrugged and turned away, but Tancred caught her shoulder.

"I know we got off to a rougher start," he elaborated, avoiding her eye, "but that's changed now. You're one of my best friends, Em."

Emma nodded thoughtfully. "That means quite a lot."

"I want it to mean a lot." Tancred's smile wasn't completely friendly. There was something more behind his cheeriness, but Emma didn't question this verbally. She merely returned the smile, though half-heartedly, and returned to Karsen.

Tancred watched from afar. In mere moments, the boy had turned her frown upright.

He just couldn't win.

Professors Morvan and Loth were both tall, paunchy and bearded.

They were certainly much more than simply middle-aged men devoted to their area of science. They possessed a knowledge far beyond their years. Emma could feel that neither felt love for one another. From one perspective, the stern Morvan loved his studies. From another outlook, the Professor cared only for his son, who was now Loth's stepson. However, no love from any viewpoint could be found directed for Professor Loth.

Emma could feel that the institute was a bleak and gloomy place. None of the students felt any love toward each other or anyone outside of the campus. At times, Emma wished she had been gifted with a different sixth sense, and not one of love. The decrease of love and affection from the city to Morvan & Loth's was depressing.

She felt a nudge. Looking over her shoulder, she caught a supportive grin from Tancred from behind Dorcas Loom. She returned the smile.

"Students of Bloor's Academy," Morvan rumbled, his voice viscous and thick. "You will all be housed separately. Here at the gifted institute we believe in independence, self-reliance and individuality."

No wonder the affection was less here.

"And," he continued, "We have the map here, in Loth's hands. He shall take over my imaginary podium now, and I ask that you give him your full and undivided attention."

Professor Loth stepped forward, his eyes directed toward the sky. Emma knew the gesture well. It was one she recognized everywhere. The man was making his speech purely from memory.

"Our campus is wide. There is plenty of room for five more. The orphan, Billy Raven, will house with Thor in the Staff Lodgings. You will share the room with him, and won't object."

"Yes, sir," Billy obeyed meekly, allowing Morvan to lead him away to the Staff Lodgings.

"Next, Tancred Torsson will stay in the gatehouse with our caretaker, Pa Rodney. The gatehouse, Torsson, is by the edge of the woods."

Tancred didn't seem too pleased with living in a wooden cabin by a forest.

"Dorcas Loom will also stay in the Staffing Lodges, with Ana Pinalli, our between-maid. Here comes Morvan now—he'll redirect you to the Staff Lodgings."

Morvan returned, irritated at being asked to lead yet another student to where he had just come from.

"Emma Tolly—you will be staying at the school, working as a teacher's assistant. In fact, you will be Instructor Perez's helping hand. His classroom is number six. During the nighttime, you will sleep and keep your possessions in your very own student dorm."

Leave it up to Emma to score the luxury, Lysander smirked, glad that rag-clad Emma was once able to land a nice life, even if it was only momentary.

"And Lysander Sage, please report to the main office. I think we can use your efforts as well. An intern—you'll fetch coffee, organize papers and run errands for myself and Dr Loth. You'll also help our other intern, Peter, with registration files and such. Off you go."

It felt awkward, Lysander decided, not having the Headmaster's blowing DISPERSE roared in your face. He slunk off to the main office, following the signs and notices along the way. He found it soon enough without hassle.

"Hi."

Lysander looked down. The speaker of the juvenile, squeaky voice was a tiny boy who couldn't have been much taller than three feet.

"Who are you?" Lysander knew he must sound unkind and crude, but the boy's grin merely widened.

"I'm Peter, the registration intern. I was told you're to work with me. That is, if you're Lysander Sage?"

Lysander nodded. "You can't be much older than ten. I expected the intern to be somewhat my age, if not older."

"They depend on children to run services and such," Peter explained. "It helps build character, that's what Dr Loth says. They call me Millimetre-Peter."

Lysander laughed. "Alright, then. Show me what I've got to do, Millimetre-Peter."

Tancred slumped against the closed door, exhausted. Who knew hauling three bags of luggage across campus could be such tiring work? Fatigued, he didn't bother to turn on the lights.

The gatehouse in question was small and wooden. A puny window looked to the school, and the next room held several skylights.

"Are you Tancred?"

The voice was low yet cheerful. A boy, perhaps four feet and a full head shorter than Tancred himself, entered the room.

Tancred nodded. "Who are you?"

The boy had blond hair, though it was far darker than Tancred's. It was pure gold, shiny and short. His eyes were wide and chocolate brown, and sat above a sprinkling of golden freckles.

He grinned widely. "I'm Kenny Korner, the caretaker of this institute."

"You're so young." Tancred had been expecting to be told that Kenny was the caretaker's son.

"Yeah, Dr Loth says that when you're given early work, you build character. I mean, early as in young."

Tancred nodded again, hesitantly. "So Kenny, show me where I'm supposed to sleep."

"You're going to sleep with me. I know you have beds in the city, but we're nothing but lowly caretakers. We sleep on blanket layers. If you'd like, you can use one of the blankets as a quilt, but that means less padding for you. I prefer to sleep in my tweed coat."

Tancred immediately felt sorry for this boy.

"How old, exactly, are you?" Kenny couldn't have been much older than nine.

"I'm fifteen; I'll be sixteen in eight months."

Kenny was older than Tancred by a year and a half, at estimation.

"Alright, then. You'll be the older brother I never had."

Grinning, Kenny assisted Tancred with his bags as they strode further into the gatehouse, chatting as though they hadn't just met two minutes earlier.

Emma wasn't sure she'd like it here.

She couldn't stand seeing Tancred struggle in a wooden gatehouse, or Billy in the Staff Lodgings with the other damper servants. What a depressive bunch these gifted students were. As she passed by the dormitories, searching for number 31, the other girls and boys fixed her with curious eyes.

Some pairs of eyes held no curiosity; only contempt and smugness.

Worst of all, she was expected to work beneath an instructor. She had been given the highest task above Tancred's, Lysander's, Billy's, and Dorcas's. She felt horrible.

At least her dorm had a window. She didn't know how she'd survive without a view of the outdoor world. Suddenly, a stray cat prowled into her dorm.

She understood instantly, giggling. "Ohmygoodness, SETH?"

The boy was before her eyes in an instant. "Watch it, cousin."

For Emma was squeezing Seth in a vice-tight bear hug, unable to stop laughing.

"Seth, you've got to promise me to come everyday."

Seth grinned. He was glad to feel wanted. He really loved his new foster family. They had wanted him then, and they wanted him now. The only problem was that if his Dad found out he was sneaking to the institute to visit Emma, his Aunt Grizelda would freak.

Oh, well. He could deal with Paton later. This was for Emma.

"Sure, I promise."

Jacky: Ahw, I love their new family. Julia + Paton = Emma & Seth!

You: Only Emma isn't their daughter, and Seth isn't blood kin.

Jacky: Yeah. Only.

: ( If only they were . . .