Chapter 7

 "You look familiar, do I know you? Your accent is Sulanish"

"What do you know about Seneca?" "He's the president's son, silly."

~*~ 

Delia blinked the sleep away from her eyes, looking at the shirtless guy sitting next to her. He had a tan complexion and ruffled dark hair. It looked soft. 

He was talking to Yuzuki, and she looked like she wanted to stand a bit further away from him. She was looking everywhere but at the guy, probably embarrassed that he wasn’t wearing a shirt. Besides Yuzuki and Kaoru, Yuzuki’s family tended to be bodily conservative. Even then, they didn’t put their bodies on display, they just wore different clothing. 

They obviously hadn’t grown up in the rural areas where everyone’s dad didn’t wear a shirt to bed because it was just too hot. Or while mowing the lawn. Or while riding a bike. Shirts were pretty much optional during the summer for men where she grew up.

Then the guy turned his face, and Delia’s breath caught in her throat. He was gorgeous. In an imperfect way, with a slightly bumped nose and thick eyebrows. His eyes were the color of dark amber. 

He turned his head to her and a small smile showed on his face. “Hi, I’m Seneca. Who’re you?” 

“I’m- I’m-” she stammered. She’d forgotten how to say her own name in the 10 seconds she’d known him.

“She’s Delia. Art major. She’s from the edge of New Crest, which I’m sure she’d say if she remembered how to talk,” Yuzuki gave a nervous smile, standing from her stool. “I’m going to get ready for class, I’m sure I’ll talk to you later,” she said rather formally, Delia noticed. 

“Is that the time?” Delia asked in a small voice. “I should go too. Nice to meet you!” She hopped off her stool and went with Yuzuki up the stairs. Yuzuki raised her eyebrow at her, clearly wondering why she had lost her ability to form complete sentences.

Yuzuki turned into her room, and Delia followed her, much to her surprise. “Delia, what’re you doing?” 

Delia sat down on her bed, thinking of the words she should say. There were a ton of questions swirling around her head, which ones should she ask? 

“What do you know about Seneca?” she chose.

“He’s the president’s son. Didn’t you get the memo?” Yuzuki asked, and Delia shook her head. “You didn’t think the vetting for getting into this house was a bit extensive? I would have passed on the house if it weren’t so close to school.”

“The president’s son?! Should I have bowed or something?” 

“Not while he’s not wearing a shirt, I don’t see why you would. Don’t you follow the news? Read the tabloid headlines? He isn’t very much into politics, he lives in the Bay with his girlfriend and cat. Once in a while you’ll see a picture of him at an airport or something, but he’s pretty private.”

“In the Bay… Huh. What’s he in school for?” Delia asked.

“I didn’t get that far, I have to go to class. I’ll talk to you later, don’t mess up my room.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m leaving.”

~*~

Maria and Arhun were quiet as the group was herded by Miranda into the dining room Most of the students were, Alex noticed. Aquila hadn’t put down her painting yet, and in the past few days he’d known her he’d seen that she didn’t like to have her concentration broken. She would stop painting when she felt like it, she would stop reading when she finished a section or scene, and she’d stop gardening when she wanted to. She was late to dinner often.

Timothy had made his famous macaroni and cheese for dinner with broccoli as a side. The cheese was probably locally made, and the noodles were probably organic. 

“Finally some real food,” Alex bumped Ashton in the shoulder. “I’m tired of eating frozen vegetables from a bag with spam fried in a pan. I need to ask Duncan how he cooks so well!” 

“You could start by not using frozen vegetables. Or spam.” Ashton answered back in his soft Windenburg voice.

“You know bartending doesn’t pay all my bills. My neighborhood is full of stingy people who don’t tip well. The elderly and middle aged rarely do.”

They say down where they had sat for the past three years, with their backs to the wall and facing out into the kitchen. The dining room wasn’t large, just big enough to house the table and chairs. It was nicely decorated to reflect a natural and synthetic balance, with a large window to let in natural light. It felt like home to Alex.

“Aquila, come and sit down for dinner!” Miranda called, and Alex saw the girl hold up a finger. She’d be late for sure then.

Gloria, the new girl, sat down next to Alex, trying to fit in so that there was enough space for everyone to sit. He hadn’t expected her to sit so near to him though, he’d thought she’d maybe sit on the other side of the table. “Hi, I’m Gloria. You’re Alex? There were a lot of names and I’m bad with names.”

“I am,” he said. “You look familiar, do I know you?” 

She raised an eyebrow, thinking. “No, I don’t think so. Have you been to Brindleton Bay lately?” 

“No, though I hear they have a good bar scene. I bet your area tips well.”

Ashton joined the chat, “Alex is a bartender when he isn’t playing farmer. He was just griping about how elderly and middle aged folks don’t tip very well.”

”Oh, then you wouldn’t like my area either. Lots of old folks unfortunately. But they have good gardens and the sea is wonderful.” Gloria added. “It’s just my type of climate.”

Alex looked at her, formulating. “You grew up in Sulani, didn’t you?”

She looked a surprise. “How did you know?” she asked.

“Your accent is just faintly Sulianish, I’m guessing your parents immigrated there, then you came back to the mainland. Am I right?” 

“Startlingly so.” Gloria looked at him with wide eyes.

“You talk to a lot of people in the bartending business,” he said, taking a drink from his glass.

Aquila finally made her way into the dining room, brushing her hands on her skirt, taking a seat next to Maria, who had taken a seat next to Gloria. Arhun sat next to Ashton, looking like he wanted to be one of the boys. Poor guy had to share a room with a girl. If Alex’s last relationship taught him anything it was that girls were better kept at arms’ length, only let in for a good time once in a while. 

Miranda sat down next to Aquila, making the table feel very sorted by sexes. The table usually was the first few weeks before everyone began to get to know each other. He’s seen it all before.

Timothy came in carrying the macaroni and cheese, setting it down in the middle of the table. “Alright kids, some of you have heard this before, but most of you are new here, so I need to tell you about meal rules. Breakfast is a fend for yourself affair except on Sundays. We eat together on Sunday mornings. Lunches are usually light and we, Miranda and I, make bag lunches. Dinner is eaten together here, usually around six. Part of your learning is cooking, so on rotation you’ll all be joining me in the kitchen.”

Alex leaned over to Gloria, “He’s a big softee, they both are. Welcome to the house.” 

“Thanks,” she said, smiling. 

~*~

“I’m Seneca,” he said, breaking the silence after the girls had left the room.

Kaoru looked him over. “I know,” he said, taking his coffee and leaving the room. He could hear Seneca over his shoulder grumbling.

“*Hi, nice to meet you! My name is blank. Welcome to the house! I’m sure we’ll get along well. Really? That’s good to know!*” 

Kaoru couldn’t help but snort. The prince was looking for validation in others, something he would have never assumed being the son of the president. 

Prince? I think that nickname would fit him well. He does seem like a prince enough. His mother acts like she’s queen, Kaoru thought.

Speaking of his mother, she had her new son! All that and more in this chapter's bloopers! (Boy, are there a lot of them)

^When they stood up for dinner, I thought it was kinda cool I could get so many of them in one shot.

^Some extra pictures from dinner.

^Strike that pose, Gloria! 

^Miranda jumps into mom mode, talking to Gloria so she's not lonely.

^ Aquilla is actually pretty popular! I wasn't expecting that. Arhun wouldn't talk to anyone else! And just about everyone else wanted to chat her ear off in whims. 

^ Ashton broke up with Katarina (I don't remember her name...). She's the mother of her son, but she's also married and Ashton doesn't think he has space in his life with the fellowship and moving forward in life. She took it well.

^ Aquila, I know you feel like you have to look over your shoulder while on technology while in the house, but this can't be comfortable...

^ Gloria has the curse of Awkward Hugs so she hugs A LOT of people. And it's kinda funny! I don't mind the curse. Kinda fits her personality.

^ No one told me the sky in the new world was this pretty! It's gorgeous!

Bit of a spoiler, but nothing major vvv

^ Rosa and J had a baby boy Gunnar! I think it's spelled that way, it's been a few days since I played that part. I'll check for the future and it'll be right then, in future chapters. 

^ You guys are all going to watch Hagrid eat human food? It is kinda funny,,,

^ Some extra pictures from Delia and Yuzuki's conversation in her room.

That'll do it for me for now, thankyou so much for reading!