Chapter 2
Sophia
I find my new flat and take a deep breath before letting myself inside.
It's surreal to think that I'm going to be living with other people, especially when I've only ever lived in my own space before, but I'm looking forward to it.
This is part of the proper university experience, and that means making the most of it.
Voices come from the kitchen, and I head towards them. A deathly-pale woman with long purple hair leans against the counter, while a gorgon is making them both drinks in travel mugs.
"Hi," the purple-haired woman says, flicking her hair over her shoulder. She looks a bit like a banshee, just without the silver hair I'd expect.
"Hi," I respond. "I'm Sophia."
"Anja," she replies. "And this is Nati." She gestures to the gorgon, who turns to wave while one of the snakes slides out of her hair and hisses.
"Oh shh," she mutters, I think to the snake.
"It's nice to meet you," I say.
"Likewise. We're about to head on a tour of the castle if you want to join us?" Anja says.
"I think I'll settle in first and catch one of the later ones," I respond, wanting a chance to take a look at the flat without other people here before I start checking out the rest of the academy.
"Sure." Anja smiles and takes one of the mugs from Nati. "We'll catch you later." She waves and the two of them head out of the door.
I look around the kitchen, spotting a note on the table.
A quick scan of it reveals that our fourth flatmate is called Charlotte, but other than that, it doesn't tell me much.
I put it back down and check out the rest of the flat, including my new room.
There's nothing particularly special about it, but it is a private space that I can call my own, and I'm glad to have that.
All of my belongings are already neatly put away, and frustration grows within me because I know this is likely my parents' doing.
I take a deep breath before I accidentally set something on fire. It'll be a simple case of rearranging things to my liking now that I am here.
But first, I need a cup of tea.
I head back to the kitchen and start making it, opening one of the drawers with my tail in order to find a spoon I can stir it with.
The door creaks and I turn around to see a fairy with dark brown wings jutting out from her shoulders, and antennae bouncing over her eyes, enter the room.
"Hi," I say brightly.
"Hi," she responds with a hint of nervousness in her voice.
I try to smile in the friendliest way that I can. "You must be Charlotte."
"Yes. How did you know?" she asks.
"There's a welcome note. And I've already met Anja and Nati." I gesture to where the note is sitting on the table ready for her to read.
"Ah. Well, yes. I normally go by Lottie," she says.
"I'm Sophia," I respond. "Are you going to the welcome evening tonight?" I hope she says yes, partly because it's a safe topic for the two of us to talk about when we don't know one another yet.
"I figured I should. Though I have no idea what to wear," she responds.
That brightens me up considerably. If there's one thing I can talk about, it's fashion. "I can help you choose." I take her measure. "And if it comes to it, I have a dress that will look great on you."
"Erm, the wings might make that hard." She makes an apologetic face.
"Not really." I let out a laugh and let my own wings unfurl from my back.
They're large and unwieldy, which is why I don't like getting them out very often, but they should be a good icebreaker.
"Most of my dresses allow for wings. And I have an extensive wardrobe.
You're welcome to borrow what you want, just don't touch my shoes. "
"Your shoes?"
"They're sacred," I joke. Though in reality, I'd probably let a friend borrow them so long as they promised to take good care of them.
"Fair enough."
"So, what are you studying?" I set down the spoon and use my tail to move the mug to my hand without looking away from Lottie.
"I'm taking general courses this year, but I'm hoping to specialise in law," she says.
"Interesting," I respond. "I've got a general course load this year too, and a few extra art classes." I take a sip of my tea, glad that the water in this realm doesn't make it taste bad.
"I didn't realise that Rosewood did a lot with art."
I shrug. "It wasn't my first choice, but my parents weren't about to let me go anywhere. It was Rosewood, or nowhere."
"That's not fun."
"Just part of the package that comes with a tiara." It's hard not to let a hint of bitterness slip into the joke.
Lottie stares at me as if I've grown a new head. "You're royalty?"
"Last I checked. Demon princess," I say.
"I'm sorry, Your...how am I supposed to address you?"
"As Sophia," I assure her quickly. "I don't need any formalities while we're at the academy."
"Really? You're just here with us instead of in a place of your own?"
"I want a normal university life," I respond. "Studying, partying, raiding my friends' wardrobes for clothes."
She gives a small laugh. "I doubt you'll want anything in my wardrobe."
"Maybe not. But there's also fun in sharing. I'm just planning on being normal while I'm here." I smile at her.
"Normal, right."
"If you ever find yourself at the demon court, then it's different," I respond. "It's the same for my brother when you meet him. No titles needed while we're on academy grounds."
"You have a brother here?"
That seems to have caught her attention. "Twin brother. I'm sure you'll meet this evening."
"I look forward to it." She flashes me a genuine smile, and something about it makes me certain that we're going to be friends for a long time to come.