Morning saw a boy ascending the steps on his way to school. It was still early enough in the year that the air had most of the mellowness of summer, but there was just a hint of the crispness of fall; already the days were beginning to get shorter, little by little. At 8 AM, however, that sun was in full view, unobstructed by so much as a cloud. It was a pretty good metaphor for how Ciri was feeling.
The morning was alive with birdsong, and he hummed a tune of his own as he walked. He was on the thin side, not tall, with a round face framed by wavy orange hair. Despite what his frame suggested about his strength, he was carrying two sizeable suitcases, and still had enough energy left to bounce a bit as he walked. Most people weren't too thrilled with the idea of having to go back to school after having spent the last two months doing whatever they wanted, but Ciri was stoked. This was a new school, a new place, a new life! It was going to be daunting living here without his parents, but he'd been promised a
roommate, and nothing could have made him happier. They were just going to be the best of friends, talking about anything and everything into the night, studying together, playing games... Some of his friends had warned him not to get his hopes up too much, but he wasn't worried. He didn't have trouble getting along with people, and he was sure that if he was earnest and open, his roommate would open up too.
First, though, he had to see which room he'd been assigned to. That was why he was here, two weeks before class began. Another fifteen minutes of walking brought him to the director's office, and he knocked smartly on the door, putting on his best smile as he waited.