Prefect Ish gives an orientation for Golondrina and her suite-mates

"I suppose that's about it, Prefect," you say, concluding your introduction.

"Thank you, Redmoor!" Prefect Ish says, looking up at you and nodding. Ishtar Stellaris is a short, quick-moving young woman with a head of dark curls wearing a Leontes prefect badge at her shoulder. "Next, that would be you, Honeybee?"

Next in line is a young woman who wears her new Leontes robes like a shapeless sack. She's wearing glasses and has her black hair gathered in a braid down her back. She tugs at her collar to straighten things but that pulls a sleeve out of line.

"I'm Rebecca Honeybee," she starts. "Ah, em. Well. They wanted me for Minerval but well, they were a little frightening. Tutor said I'd be more at home here, well." When she mentions Preston Sharper, the Tutor, she straightens up and looks more confident. "Said I was fast."

There's a titter of laughter. Rebecca's cheeks flush bright pink.

"Fast with your wand?" Prefect Ish says. "Is he going to set you up with dueling lessons?" Prefect Ish asks.

Rebecca nods vigorously. Her glasses slip down her nose and she pushes them back up. She swallows and clears her throat. "Yes, yes," Rebecca says.

"Thank you, Honeybee," the Prefect says. "I'm sure Minerval's loss will be our gain, and yours. Next, that would be Saltire?"

A stout young man nods, his long brown hair moving in waves. He's wearing a modified Leontes robe whose lower half is a wrap-around red and gold plaid skirt going down to his knees -- kilts. In front he wears a round leather pouch with three dangling tassels, the side tassels short and round, the center tassel long and thick.

Well, that's some advertisement, you think.

"Prefect," the young man says. "Andrew Saltire. My gran was with the Lions. Mum and Da were only a little magic, but I have the touch again." His fingers twitch, like he's clutching at his wand.

Prefect Ish nods, her curls bouncing. "Yes, Saltire, the Tutor told me," she says. "Please confine your creative experiments to class assignments or supervised work. You'll have a chance to try all that out in a year or two. Very good. Next, Crisp?"

Crisp is a skinny redhead in patched robes with an uncertain look on his face.

"Yes, Prefect, ma'am?" he says. "Peter Crisp. My sis is fourth year in Minerval. Minerva Crisp, that is. I thought I was for Beavertail, but Tutor pulled me into Leontes straightaway." Like Rebecca Honeybee, his posture straightens up.

"Very good, Crisp," Prefect Ish says. "I'm sure you'll find Leontes brings out the best in you. Now, Madeline?"

"Marina Madeline, Prefect," she says. She reminds you of a mermaid, long golden hair and soft curves. Her accent seems to be from somewhere across the Atlantic. She laughs. "Was I the only one who enjoyed the Tarn?"

There are mutters and sounds of disbelief from the other first-years, and a "Brrr!" from Peter Crisp.

"Well well, Madeline," the Prefect says. "I'm sure you'll fit right in. Now, the five of you have a suite together, with a study table, library shelf, the whole thing. Honeybee and Madeline, you're sharing a room. Crisp and Saltire, you as well, Redmoor, well..." The Prefect looks up at you. You're clearly tallest and possibly broadest of shoulder among the group. "...we needed to move some furniture around to fit a bed for you, you're by yourself. Oh, well, with your familiar, I suppose."

Sapienta has lifted her head from a pocket of your robes, flicking her forked tongue to taste the air. Crisp seems both fascinated and horrified. Saltire blinks in curiosity. Honeybee and Madeline are looking at the Prefect.

"Does anyone else have a familiar?" the Prefect asks. "No? Well, that's easier to start. Some of you may acquire one, second term. Now, let's get you settled in."

The first evening in your suite finds you at the study table with Crisp and Honeybee, poring over the syllabus pages for your first-term courses.

"Where's Saltire?" you ask. "Wasn't he asking something about Conjurations? I mean, I think it's pretty clear here." You point to one of the description lines.

"Um, he's having a wank," Crisp says, nodding to the closed door of their shared room. "Second time today."

Honeybee's cheeks color. "Same for Madeline," she says. "Second time today. Ah, actually third."

You laugh. "Wonder if we should put them together."

Honeybee and Crisp giggle.

"Ah...ahhhh!" you hear from behind Crisp and Saltire's door, followed by "Uhhh, huh huh huh ahhh!" from behind Honeybee and Madeline's.

Your companions grin at you, matching your broad smile.

"Well, back to it," you say. "Where were we?"

Fergus Firetail, Dorothy the Porter, and Nurse Wormwood are your FRIENDS and each will freely grant one FAVOR. Sapienta also counts as a FRIEND with a FAVOR.

What's your next move?

• Move ahead with your plan. ENCOUNTER Miss Wormwood to ask for a GOAL in learning magical healing and potions (+3 BRAVERY, +2 FRIEND; maxes out at +4).
• Get to know your suitemates. Practice magical exercises and technique with them. CUSTOM MOVE on DILIGENCE (+0). On a 10+, gain +1 XP and +1 Forward or describe a successful ENCOUNTER with one of them; on a 7-9, gain +1 XP and fumble; either you take a CONSEQUENCE, have to GET OUT OF TROUBLE, or make an ENEMY of one of your suitemates. On a MISS, it's the same as a 7-9 (fumble or exhaust yourself in practice), but no XP gain.
• Use your FAVOR with Housemaster Firetail to join Rebecca's dueling lessons. Roll a CUSTOM MOVE as above, using CUNNING (+1). For a 7-9, Rebecca becomes your eager follower, a HANGER-ON instead of an ENEMY.
• You would be pleased to have a warm-spirited wanking companion in the suite. Go to Marina Madeline, Andrew Saltire, or both and to ask to HAVE SEX. Roll +BRAVERY(+3) for the ENCOUNTER, or +BRAVERY-1(+2) for both, then HAVE SEX (x 2 if for both) if successful in the ENCOUNTER.