Lili followed the headmistress silently for the rest of the tour until they final reached the Hall of Attainment, the student dormitory.

"This is the Hall of Attainment," the Breton woman said with a tired sigh. It was the last stop on the college tour and Lili could relate to the headmistress's eagerness for it to be over. "Like I said earlier, it will be your living quarters."

They entered the circular wing and Lili felt the warm air paired with the scent of dampness and mold wash over her. The large, stone door shut behind them, sealing out the cold. The cloying smell made her stomach turn. Inhaling slowly through her mouth, she fought the sickening aroma the best she could.

"Your room will be on the second floor," she continued, leading Lili up the dark, winding stairs, "You have a single, as requested, but know that you are free to change or pair up with any female student, if you feel it is necessary."

"Thank you, but it won't be." Lili replied quietly, eyes firmly set on the back of the headmistresses head so she would not make eye contact with anymore lingering students.

"Here we are!" Headmistress Ervine said with finality, a new chirpy air entering her voice. "Room 206. I assume you have all the required books and schedules for your courses?"

Lili looked at her hands, which only held the robes the enchanter had forcefully given her. She glanced into the bedroom and saw a neatly wrapped parcel lying on the rickety bed. "Yes, it appears my parents have handled everything." She said with a small sigh. "And I'll begin my research on alteration first thing tomorrow."

"Alteration?" Ervine restated, slightly taken aback. "You performed destruction so well, I thought—"

"I've already mastered that school." Lili said, glancing longingly at the private room. "I figured if I'm stuck here I might as master another. And uncle told me the college was in need of an alteration master."

"We have one," she snapped quickly, eager to defend her colleague and the college's reputation. "Professor Tolfdir, you met him when you arrived. He's our oldest professor and most renowned researcher. And as for mastering destruction, your definition of mastery is quite different than ours. Claiming the master title means you have contributed new research to that school of magic, not the number of spells you can cast."

"Oh," Lili replied, mind racing back to the eccentric nord who looked like he had just woken from a nap, "my apologies. And my uncle meant the college no insult, I'm sure."

"Hmph!" Ervine breathed with an eye roll, expressing her disbelief.

"Thank you for the tour, headmistress," Lili said with a head bow, ready for the conversation to end.

"Yeah, yeah," the Breton woman replied immaturely, turning away and waving her hand. "Try your best not to get lost. And if the other students direct you to a place called the Midden…just don't. The college does not need Acano's niece dying down there."

Finally free, Lili stepped into the small, hastily prepared room. She shut the warped door and let the tears she'd been holding back since her arrival fall down her face.

XXX

Lili looked up at the sound of knocking at her door. For a moment she debated whether or not she should ignore them. It could be that rude nord and his followers here to harass her more, or worse, her uncle. But it was her first day, so it could very well be a professor or advisor with more college information. She quickly wiped her face then glided to the door. Her hand rested on the cold nob for a moment before she finally pulled it open.

"Hello!" A tall, young woman with golden skin and a severe widow's peak was at the door. She was a high elf as well and had very long angular features, and she spoke with the familiar haughty, flowery drawl Lili's entire family insisted on using. Her long yellow hair fell in waves down her back and her neon yellow eyes squinted amiably.

Lili could immediately tell there was no true warmth in them.

"My name is Nirya!" the other elf said, sauntering into the small room and sitting on the bed. "I heard we had a new student on this floor. Lilidaale Loreoth was it? I'm an adept and I'm researching alteration."

"What a coincidence," Lili said, feeling suddenly hostile. "I am too."

"Oh, well good for you!" Nirya said with false encouragement, gingerly crossing her long legs. "I heard a rumor you just became an adept? That's impressive. Mommy and daddy homeschool you? Hah! Don't look so sour, I'm only joking with you. I myself have been an adept for a year now, so don't feel too bad if you're behind me in all of our classes. But I'll always be willing to help you if need be."

"I think I'll manage," Lili replied crossing her arms. The girl was way too comfortable in Lili's room and was eyeing her unopened luggage and belongings. "And you can drop the act. I know this isn't a social visit."

The phony smile on Nirya's face faltered and formed into a more natural smirk. "Perceptive," she sang, standing up and brushing her robes, as if Lili's bed had dirtied them. "Let's just say I heard a rumor a 'new, talented, gorgeous' altmer had enrolled. I just had to see if you were prettier than me."

"Well, I hope you found your answer," Lili said, grabbing the door and gesturing for the intruder to leave. "Have a nice day."

"Oh, piss off," Nirya scoffed with a wave of her hand, making it clear she intended to stay. "We're going to see a lot of each other, so might as well get acquainted now. I heard you're actually from Summerset Isles."

"Yes, my family lived in Alinor." Lili replied flatly, crossing her arms. She had the feeling this girl had illicitly read her admittance papers.

"Oooo the city of rainbows!" Nirya replied dreamily. "I read the capital is made completely of glass towers that bend light like prisms! It must be beautiful. Why would you ever leave?"

The words cut into Lili like a knife. She wasn't completely sure this Nirya wanted to hurt her, but she was positive Nirya was curious to see her reaction. "It wasn't my decision," she replied tightly, "My family is high up in the Third Aldmeri Dominion and serves as representatives for Summerset. With all the heresy in Skyrim, the dominion were called to the embassy to restore order."

"Sooo you're a thalmor?" Nirya replied, judging Lili's black and gold robes. "I heard a rumor about that, too."

"Of course you did." Lili replied, unable to hide her exasperation. "I seem to be very popular."

"But what I don't know," Nirya added carefully, "is how you ended up here. Were you dying to study magic at a professional institution? Are you a sort of spy? Or perhaps political reasons?"

Lili gave an undignified shrug. "Uncle Acano convinced my parents to enroll me here. He thinks thalmor influence will strengthen the college and its reputation."

"Uncle Acano!" Nirya said, snapping her fingers as if she just remembered. "I heard a rumor about that too! Let me just say your uncle is really hot."

"Did I hear that pompous elf's name paired with the word 'hot'?" A cheery male voice said from around the door. A young man jumped into the doorway, his face bright and eager and pointed directly at Niyra. "Nirya! You should be ashamed." Then turning to Lili and offering a handshake, "Hello, my name is Rennis. It's a pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance. Nirya's told me so much about you." The boy was silver haired Breton with electric blue eyes, but he was a little taller for his race. Lili guessed the elf in his blood was probably altmer. He spoke with an accent different than the people of Skyrim.

"Rennis!" Nirya hissed, slapping the short man's head hard, but in a playful manner.

"I must apologize," he continued, staring earnestly at the still bewildered Lili, "But your uncle is sort of a jerk. But I'm sure you'll turn out to be perfectly sweet. And it's my fault Nirya's been pestering you. I commented on your incomparable beauty as you walked by and she just had to go see for herself. After she ran off, I charged myself with coming to your rescue. You know what they say about gossipy people."

Lili felt a smile flicker on her lips, "They're weak minded. My name is Lilidaale Loreoth. However," glaring pointedly at Nirya, "You probably already knew that. But lucky for you there's one piece of information you don't know about me yet." She paused dramatically, as if she were about to reveal her darkest secret. "I prefer to go by Lili. Now if you two excuse me, I am going to retire for the night."

"See what you did, Rennis?" Nirya pouted, sashaying to the door. "Your forwardness scared her off. Don't mind him Lili, he's a shameless flirt."

"My forwardness?!" Rennis scoffed in mock offense. "It was a pleasure to meet you miss Lili. Perhaps we could talk more again sometime. I hear you are exceptionally talented, and I've been looking for someone to help me with a small project."

"Thank you for the compliment, but no thank you on the offer." She replied, starting to shut the door. "I will be much too busy with my own research."

"Oh, don't be like that!" Rennis whined, stopping the door. "We foreigners have to stick together!"

"Foreigners?" Lili said abruptly. His words took her off-guard as she'd just been longing to return home. The sun shined warmly every day in the summery Isles. She'd be lucky to see it once a month on top of this forsaken mountain. "I noticed your accent but was not sure where to place it. Where are you from?"

"He's exaggerating," Nirya said, cutting him off. "He's lived in Skyrim for years, and has been an adept student for five of them. Hah! He's nearly thirty years old. I'd say you're a citizen of Skyrim now."

"You wound my patriotism, woman! And I happen to be seven and twenty," He said with a wink. "I am from Dunlain. A trained augur, actually. But don't worry, my esteemed thalmor. I've never tried to interpret the will of Talos."

And with that, Lili shut her door.