January 1996

Dean POV

Stepping through large wooden doors, Dean enters the Sioux Falls institute for the first time. It'll be his new home for the time being. The doors close behind him with a soft click and he swirls around. There are strange moving parts on the door which move around. Is this a lock? If so then they do more than keep people out. Most likely also keeping the monsters out. It's most likely the reason for runes which cover the door. From what he's read, these places are a refuge and thus protected by many glamours. Some of which keep mundanes away. He frowns. Mundanes? Since when's he using their terms.

He turns around as his eyes roam over the entrance hall. So this is where these people seek safety and also study. He doesn't want to admit it but it's impressive. Stone stairs are on his left side. A door's in front of him while a large window is located above it. The ceiling is covered in decorated circles. At all times two circles are connected by lines from the inner to the outer circle. It almost looks like the interior of a castle or some other ancient building.

Footsteps come from the stairs and he turns around. Benjamin's moving down the stairs at a leisure pace. From behind the window, a few faces can be seen momentarily. These people quickly walk on towards whatever destination they've got to reach. Are these some of the trainees who study here? They can't be all who study here. There must be more of them but he's got no idea where they're now. Despite all his thoughts, he doesn't lose sight of Benjamin.

"Dean?"

"Yes, Benjamin."

He fidgets with his feet. He knew Benjamin would be here but hoped he had changed his mind. Or at least leave him alone. He didn't like it when she told him he'd be here. It'll make everything more difficult than it's meant to be. Nevertheless, he smiles at Benjamin. Benjamin mentions with his hands and turns to the side.

"Come along, I'll introduce you to the other trainees who live here."

He nods and follows Benjamin up the stairs. They move to the left once they reach the top. He follows Benjamin as they pass the hallway. Multiple doors are located along the walls at different intervals. He's got no idea what's behind these doors but intends to find out. It might prove to be rooms he can use either to plan, escape to, or hide things in.

"Is there anything you'd like to know?"

"What's behind these doors?"

"Dorms mostly. A few lead to classrooms or an occasional conference room."

"And mine?"

"It's a floor higher. These rooms are mostly for the eldest trainees. Those who've nearly finished their training or finished recently. A few travelers also reside here."

"And how many higher floors are there?"

"Multiple, around five. The next two floors are for trainees. The fourth floor is for those who have just started their training and are young. The third is for all the other trainees. Your room's on the third floor."

"Why? Didn't I start also?"

"That you did but you're older than them. We all agreed it would be better for you to be around children your age."

"Who is we?"

"My family, Immy and me."

He nods. It's as he expected. Not that he's much surprised. And he does appreciate it because he's sure he can learn more from them than from the 'young' trainees. They'll hopefully be more distracted from him than the 'young' ones. Even though he wouldn't mind being around them. He can at least look after them. The younger ones are also more likely to tell them what's going on than the older ones.

"Do I get my room or will I be sharing?"

"You'll get your room just like everyone else. Unfortunately, it means it won't be as large as you're used to."

"You mean like when I stayed with Imogen?"

"Yes. Through here."

Benjamin moves him through two large wooden doors. They're smaller than the entrance doors but also covered in runes. He crooks his head. Do these also have those strange locks? Maybe. Benjamin looks at him questionably so he shrugs and moves through the door.

Bright light hits his eyes and he clenches them shut. Opening them again, he sees a more modern appeal and heaves a sigh. The room has tables which glow as well as cabinets which do the same. The panels seem to be touch-oriented. Highly modern. Where did they get these? And how?

He shakes his head focusing once more on the panels. On them, he can find multiple diagrams and whatnot. He's not sure what it all means. It's something to figure out. Later. Around the room, multiple stained glass panels are visible. On the ground, square light shines. He looks up to see square glass panels in the ceiling. Not one piece of glass is next to the other. Always one stone square is in between at all sides.

Murmuring reaches his ear. He looks around and sees a large group of teenagers gathered near a table in the back of the room. Benjamin's moving towards them. He's quick to follow after him. Are these all the trainees in this institute? He hopes so because he'll know then who all he'll be dealing with. At least from the side of the trainees. The adults are a different matter but he doesn't mind it too much. They'll most likely have other things to pay attention to than him. Upon reaching the group, Benjamin turns towards him and smiles. Then he turns back to the group.

"Everyone, this is Dean. He'll be joining you here for training."

The group nods and turns towards him. A few wide eyes from the younger trainees catch his eyes. He smiles reassuringly at them and receives a few hesitant smiles in return. He turns his eyes towards the rest of the group and receives mostly pleasing smiles in return. One teenager looks at him with narrowed eyes while more than a few are frowning at him. Well at least, he's made a good impression. That's something. He can work with it.

"Dean will need to pass a few tests before he can join you in the field. So I hope you're all welcoming towards him and help him settle. As well as preparing for his test. Also, it is important to realize that he doesn't come from our society so he'll need someone to mentor him. At least for the beginning."

He bites his lips as his fists clench hard. Why? Don't enough people already keep an eye on him? So far he plans to contact Bobby. It'll be impossible. Or at least near impossible. He bites back a sigh. He doesn't like it but has no choice but to back out of it. He's to follow through with all this training for the sake of his family. Even though he also doesn't understand the need. What can they even help him with? He's got no idea. He'll have to figure everything out by himself and not with the aid of anyone else.

Noah POV

Noah looks around the room waiting for someone to volunteer. Even though he hopes none will take the risk. His eyes land on Dean once more and narrow. He saw how everyone looked at him. Admiration and trust. He's got no idea where it came from. They don't know him. He's a stranger. But could his feelings explain it; he felt deep inside him he could trust Dean. It's something he doesn't believe to be true. It's deceiving. He's sure of it.

He turns his head and wonders about the words he just heard. Grandfather was quite fond of Dean and tried to get people to like him. Dean doesn't have anyone here but maybe his grandfather. It's obvious. And the words were as if grandfather knows Dean quite well. And it's clear as day that Dean comes from the mundane world. An ascendant then. It's the only logical conclusion he can make. He can't be a child of someone who left.

All this also explains the need for a mentor. It's not something he'll volunteer for. He bites back a smile. Dean also wasn't happy about the request for a mentor. And there was something behind his eyes. Dean's up to something and he'll figure it out. Even if it's the last thing he'll do. It'll show everyone they can't trust him. He frowns. Maybe he should volunteer then? He can keep a closer eye on Dean then and will know about any plot as soon as it begins to unfold itself. And even if he won't be the mentor then he'll keep a close eye on him.

He looks over the group wondering who else will volunteer. Many heads are turned away from grandfather. So none are happy to volunteer. It's to be expected and will make his plan go even smoother but he won't show his hand just yet. Let them wait a moment longer. It'll be suspicious otherwise. They know he doesn't want to have anything to do with his age mates. And he can't use the suspicion now. He'll be able to with deflecting and waiting.

Isobel POV

Isobel feels her grandfather's eyes burning into her skull but refuses to look up from where she's looking at her feet. She knows he's waiting for someone to volunteer and also knows she's already given him an impression she'll do it. Nevertheless, she hasn't promised anything yet. At least in her opinion, she hasn't.

Her head moves up without her noticing and before she's even aware of it her eyes land on Dean. He isn't looking happy at this time. Earlier when he entered the room, he was impressed. At least, she thinks so. His eyes were wide and he was looking all around the room. He hasn't fought whatever he dislikes yet which she considers being something in his favor. He might not be as bad as she thought he'd be. She might be able to handle mentoring him without too many problems.

And grandfather. Well, he's been trying to get others to also volunteer so he'll get to make a decision. Something she knows what it'll be. It won't be a surprise at all considering his words. Grandfather tried to paint a benevolent picture of him. As if he wants others to like him. As if he wants Dean to have friends here. She glances around.

All around her people are looking away from her grandfather. They're looking at everything but grandfather and Dean. The ceiling. The floor. The walls. Their fingers. Their boots. Anything but to experience grandfather's look. She glances at her grandfather to determine his direction. He sees the way he's staring at everyone. His eyes narrow from time to time when he looks at someone. He wants someone to volunteer and nobody does.

She looks again at the group and tilts her head. She knows what everyone is doing; all they can to prevent being appointed. Everyone but Noah. He's staring at Dean and narrowing his eyes. His lips move up and down in a sneer from time to time. She recognizes it and doesn't want anyone to experience what she suspects he's planning. It won't be nice. And also doesn't want him to get in the inevitable trouble it'll give him. She clenches her hands as the decision has already been made. Even if she's not willing to play along with it.

"I'll do it, grandfather."

"I'm also willing."

A sigh goes over the group as both Noah and she volunteer. At least, they're relieved. Good for them. Grandfather looks between them with a thoughtful look. She can easily imagine what goes through his head. Especially, as she's sure he made his decision long before this meeting.

"Then Isobel, you'll mentor Dean outside of the time you need for your duties."

"Of course."

Dean looks at her with outright suspicion and glances repeatedly at Noah. He sees the family resemblance and isn't comfortable with it at all. She follows his eyes and sees the calm look on Noah's face. A deceiving look because he's fuming considering the fire he tries to hide behind his eyes. She looks back at Dean and smiles reassuringly at him. She won't be causing him any problems so long as he doesn't interfere with her duties. Maybe, she'll even have his back with whatever schemes Noah's planning. Time will tell.