V5 Incline 22: Osibindah Nin

"Aaaaah. Good. You are now here." Frihdeicalkbr says to me as I painfully pop out of that gauntlet of abuse I used to simply be able to call 'outside.' The door thuds away behind me, so many sounds coming in after me even with it all being closed up. My eyes dash across the entranceway, a grand old thing with dozens of residents in mind. Pebbles, sticks and more are all over the floor... Their little scratches fading without much reason to it.

I turn around slightly, my thoughts lingering on the doorstep to this brick building. The crowd out there is massive and is single-mindedly obsessed with making me miserable. To think I was almost elated when the building came into view. Outright happy as I took the first step up the steps and in through the doorway... Even the guards finally started taking their jobs seriously and took up their posts.

They dispersed the crowds a little, minding what could perhaps be my roommates and the like. Perhaps even just the Academy's personal property, like this building. At least, at least though... The attacks have stopped so long as I am inside of this building, under this roof. Here is an escape from the misery of the crowd outside.

This building alone is all that stands between me and them. It's all that is keeping me safe. And... And I can't even say it's because they're done with me. It is just because this building is in the way. It... It hurts to think about that prospect...

A brick building. A dormitory. A block of flats and apartments and... A building is treated with more respect than an individual who can comprehend and process all that is going on, and it...

"The guards aren't coming in?" I ask as I see a visage go past the opaque glassed windows at the front. I'm so relieved right now that it will all stay out there, and I don't want to say goodbye to that sentiment. Outright gladness over no longer being in their maliciously incompetent hands for the time being is so... So... So comforting.

"No, no they are not. As long as you are within the dorms, a lecture or an arcane development facility, then they are not allowed in. The compromise we were able to come to regarding their deployment on our grounds. The government of Thrurstradtur itself refuses to let it slide, you being here. Most of what you have seen right now is not of our own numbers." Frihdeicalkbr explains, his clarification about who belongs to who not exactly filling me with joy.

Is there anything different about the two security forces? They're both going to try and shoot me. That's not questionable in any way. They will try and kill me, I'm certain of it.

A soft whine builds in my throat, breaking apart into chitters, "Is there going to be an issue with me running?"

I follow Frihdeicalkbr into what seems to be the kitchen. A well-stocked and clean place that lacks all of the mess it should have. Is the building entirely empty or...? I spot a window, clear-glassed and fully see-throughable.

I make the mistake of looking outside, and I can't get my eyes away from it...

"Running?" he questions, a rising brow no doubt on his face with that tone of his. My eyes light up with so many emotions, and only one finds the strength to take a name for itself. Fear. A kind of fear I don't think I ever had even at the harshest moments of my life. Even the osibindah hive never made me feel this way, not even when I escaped and found my right arm the way it was...

There're so many of them, so many hateful people who can hurt me. There's no one out there to help me. At least in the hive I knew they were literally monsters. These are all people... People!

"As in running to the dorm, to lectures, to the facilities and so on. You saw how it was out there! YOU KNOW!" I explain to him, finding myself unable to choke back the sudden urge to shout. I jab my dominant claw at the window, pointing out such a clear, direct view of the horde out there.

A flash of light.

I twitch away, watching someone rush away from that same window holding something. A device and a flash... A c-camera perhaps? That makes sense. No damage at all to the building or me. It just came from nowhere... Right after I snap out in anger, claw raised as if I'm about to strike...

Gods above.

"Yes, you'd be able to run. But, you'd likely have to avoid any guards, which would likely be impossible." Frihdeicalkbr explains as matter-of-factly as possible. His clarification is good to hear, even if it is so double-ended in its meaning.

"I see..." I let out as I consider the overbearing reality of it.

"Anywho, I am here to show you around the dorm you will be staying at. This one right here for clarification purposes. We'll get to your room specifically later. I'll lead you to the various means you will have to get familiar with and into, but for now, I will just be showing you around and explaining certain features of the building. You'll find that the pride of Suhurlodst Academy of Arcane Learning and Understanding applies everywhere. Even a building with an osibindah living in it," he explains, moving to the other side of the kitchen to tap a decorative piece of brass metal or something.

I focus on the panel, the telltale signs of magic glowing their usual soft blue glow.

"Am I on my own here?" I dare to ask, focusing too much on his last few words.

"Surprisingly not," he answers, his choice of starting word being so perfect for his tone and expression. My eyes widen a little, and some thoughts go through my head.

"What is surprising about it...? Wouldn't my friends want to share a dorm with me?" or perhaps delusions...

"And they are, what is surprising is that..." he says, counting away with his fingers and muttering numbers, "Six, I think? Other students decided to stay here rather than request a dorm transfer upon hearing of your stay here-"

"Oh," I let out, even though this should be no surprise at all. No wonder it's all so clean. Everyone was probably rushing to get out of this dorm building.

"An oxfuine, another aelenvar and her son, two Ibenorrocons who are currently in a bit of a limbo with Thrurstradtur's Ibenorrocon district, Ipannicano. Oh, there's also an Errakurd and a Mogolwali. The latter of which I believe recently had a cultural excursion/hunting trip request filed," the senior academic explains as he looks through what might be an unrelated tablet thing.

"Oxfuine and an aelenvari with a son?" I go, repeating his words, as that sounds awfully familiar as a grouping.

"An aelenvar." Frihdeicalkbr snaps gently.

"Huh?" I go, confused as my thoughts were elsewhere.

"You keep using the plural for the aelenvari race when speaking about lone ones. Yet, funnily enough, you know your oxfuine from your oxfuinei." he huffs as I 'ah' in understanding, a deeper fear awakening inside of me as I realise I'm now in a place that will push me to my limits in regards to my knowledge. It's such a silly thing to think about and yet... Here I am, knowing full well someone is going to target me because of it.

Still... I guess there's something to perk up about as that means some of my roommates might be Vadei and Thistle'lhia. No, no, Dandel'lhia, that's right... Whatever her name was... My mind is busy enough as is, and now I'm worried about the confusion brought on by Rose-sweerui's involvement.

"You mention seven but say six?" I question Frihdeicalkbr with, not helping my state of confusion at all.

"She came with a seed, and it hatched, sprouted, whatever, during her time here," he clarifies, leaving me with a little smile as it sounds even more like Dandel'lhia.

"I am a little surprised kids are allowed to stay..." I want to chuckle were it not for my tremendously foul mood.

"Oh, speaking of kids, you aren't allowed near any of our childcare facilities. But, I'll explain where they are later with the map I have prepared for you." Frihdeicalkbr spontaneously goes, leaving me with no want at all to chuckle. It's like an awkward cut into the mood of a conversation by someone with no regard at all to what's going on. And it's not something you can ignore either.

"Right..." I go, quietly as a sigh catches in my mouth.