Liam woke to the scent of ancient parchment and beeswax candles. His eyes fluttered open to a vaulted ceiling, coffered and adorned with celestial constellations, glowing softly in the dappled dawn light. A faint, syrupy weightiness clung to his limbs, a remnant of the magic that had cradled him in unconsciousness. He was in Arcadia, the fabled academy hidden from the mundane world, where magic was cultivated and honed into artistry. Yet, his memory of how he'd arrived was as opaque as the paneled rooms around him.
A gentle knock underscored a voice, cool and clipped. "You're awake." Diane, the student council president, stood in the doorway, her heels clicking a staccato rhythm on the polished marble. Her gaze was unyielding, a stark contrast to the soft lavender hues of her academy uniform. "You caused quite a stir, collapsing like that."
Liam pushed himself up, the silk sheets slithering down his chest. "Like what, exactly?" He asked, running a hand through his hair, disheveled from sleep. "I don't remember anything before waking up here."
Diane's eyebrows arched. "Convenient," she murmured, stepping into the room. Her eyes swept over him, lingering briefly on the tattoo-like markings visible above his collar. "You're Liam, aren't you? The new arrival?"
"That's what I've been told." Liam swung his legs out of bed, the cool air kissing his skin. He stood,Dos, the floorboards creaking under his weight. "Is there something wrong with that?"
Diane's lips thinned. "Let's just say, Arcadia isn't a place easily impressed, and you've already made quite an impression."
A soft rustle at the door drew their attention. A young woman slid into the room, her hair a cascade of wild curls, eyes warm and curious. "Sorry to interrupt," she said, smiling apologetically at Diane, then turning that smile on Liam. "I'm Vivian. I heard you were new here."
Liam couldn't help but return her smile. There was something intrinsically warm and inviting about her. "Liam," he said, extending a hand. She took it, her fingers enveloping his, soft and sure.
Diane cleared her throat. "Vivian, perhaps you can tell Liam a bit more about Arcadia. I have business to attend to." Her gaze flickered back to Liam, a silent warning in her eyes. "And do try to stay out of trouble."
After Diane left, closing the door behind her with a firm click, Vivian turned to Liam, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "She's just making sure you live up to expectations now that you've arrived with such fanfare."
Liam rubbed the back of his neck, looking around the opulent room. "Should I be worried?"
Vivian laughed, a sound like rain on rooftops. "No, just... be prepared for a lot of attention. Arcadia is a place of secrets, and you've come in shrouded in one."
Liam smiled, his eyes drawn to Vivian's full lips as she spoke. "Well, Vivian, how about you start by telling me one of your secrets?"
Her cheeks flushed, a delightful pink spreading beneath her honeyed skin. "In time, Liam. But for now, let's start with the basics. Like what you're doing for breakfast."
As they walked side by side, their arms brushing occasionally, Liam felt a spark of excitement. Despite the mystery of his arrival, he was eager to explore Arcadia, to learn its secrets, and perhaps, to unravel some of his own. And with Vivian by his side, he found himself looking forward to the journey.