Spruceville

Ashley is in a noticably better mood in the days to follow. Even though the future is uncertain, she's allowing herself to be hopeful again. As she explains over a stack of pancakes one day, it's not about STU itself. Even if she has to turn down that offer, she can apply to other colleges. One of them is bound to accept her, even if she has to move across the country to find it.

You love how determined she is now. "You know I'm with you wherever that journey takes you. I can study engineering anywhere."

Tibby agrees enthusiastically, at least you assume so. It's hard to tell what the cat is saying with her mouth stuffed full of syrupy goodness.

"Thanks guys. I didn't think I'd have to go alone but I really appreciate hearing it," Ashley says. "With any luck it won't be necessary though, we'd be leaving too many friends behind."

"That'd be a bummer," you agree. "But there's no reason to worry about that until after this meeting."

"Then let's go!" Tibby exclaims after scarfing down the last of her pancakes. "All aboard the Bogwarts Express!"

"I said I'm not that kind of rabbit, Tibs," Ashley says sternly. "No magicians for me!"

"Aww, but you'd make such a cute familiar," you tease her. "You're telling me you wouldn't be my assistant if I learned magic?"

"Tricks are more my department," Tibby reminds you while Ashley crosses her arms.

Laughing, you all stand up to get ready. Ashley dresses up again, though not as formally as she did for the Baleview hearing. Just a nice skirt and blouse combo, with a strappy pair of heels and a matching purse. Her hair is pulled into a single braid down her back and she's wearing the headband with the floppy bunny ears. You and Tibby are both dressed more casually in sneakers and jeans. While you throw a jacket over your polo shirt to protect against the cool air of early spring, the cat stays in her plain white t-shirt and only rolls a pink pair of arm warmers up past her elbows, using them as a pair of detached sleeves.

Though it's only a short ride, the train trip feels like the start of an adventure. A new city, a new school promising new experiences... so what if you've only traveled a couple of miles instead of deep into the magical highlands? When you disembark in Spruceville Central, it's with hope in your hearts and the sun shining directly into your eyes. Ow that hurts.

Once your vision has returned you look at the map on your phone to figure out where you need to go. To your surprise, Ashley puts her hand over the screen to get your attention. "Hey dummy. We don't need that, there's a sign right there."

Sure enough, when you look up you see a big signpost with arrows pointing every which way. The main administrative building of the Spruceville-Tyler University is only a few blocks away, and the path there is clearly marked. "Oh. Onward then!"

Your phone back in your pocket, you take her and Tibby's hands and follow the path. However, Tibby soon starts complaining. "Why didn't anyone tell me it was going to be so cold?"

Ashley rolls her eyes. "We both told you before we left. And we saw you shivering on the way to the station, so don't pretend you didn't know."

"I thought it would be warmer by the time we got here!"

You shake your head at your pet's antics. "Only one way to solve this dilemma. Tibby in the middle!"

Tibby laughs, and Ashley lets go of your hand so she can walk on the other side of the group. You all get closer to each other too so the malaised kitty can warm up between you.

"It's not that far anyway," you say when you come up on the street the admin building is on. "It won't be cold inside, and when we leave it won't be cold outside anymore either."