forum Ambition >> Full >> Closed

Started May 23, 2020 by @Gentleman

tune

The bus stopped. After a few short seconds where Sam wondered if she should do anything the other children started moving to the front of the bus. As they moved, Sam was able to look through the vacated spots to see the school. Phoenix Reid. She had made it. Sam had to try to breathe evenly, and as she reached for her suitcase she noticed how shaky her hands had been. Also her stomach hurt, maybe in excitement. It could have also been because she hadn't eaten anything since the afternoon before. She had been far too busy and excited to worry about such mundane concerns as food for herself. Did Miguel notice she hadn't eaten anything? She decided he had not. He would have been sure to say something, especially since she was always so strict about him having at least two full meals a day.
The other girl, the blonde one, was unsure where to go; Sam could sense it in the way she touched the paper in her hoodie pocket that could only be the letter. She stooped to whisper as the other kids walked past, some giving her rude looks for not moving with the flow.
"Hey," she whispered, "lottery kid. Don't worry, I'll figure it out." Sam felt a twinge of guilt for a second. Even though she had been doing it her entire life, she still never felt quite at ease manipulating people, but the look on the girl's face consoled her. And besides. She was sincere. Just also sure to gain a friend as soon as possible. You really need those to get by. And even more so at a place like this.
She walked up the cold, annoyed sounding driver.
"Where to for the lottery kids?" She couldn't tell exactly how he felt about him from his closed look, but she wasn't sure it was anything especially nice. He raised an eyebrow, looking at her and the girl, now almost the only people in the bus.
"Through the gate over there," he said, pointing to an intricate gate covered in- was that actual gold? "Like everyone else," he said, disturbing her wonder at the splendor of the place. "Then you go through the big wooden door to the side. There's a lady who'll tell you what to do next."
"Thanks," she said as cheerily as possible. It had been fun. But she wanted off the bus.
The other girl followed her, silently. A little quiet this one. Like Sam, she had only one bag, but it looked even smaller than the not very big suitcase Sam carried. They passed through the wooden doors, Sam opening it by the shining golden handle. Didn't do things by half here did they? And they walked into the room beyond, a pompous affair with a big rug and comfortable chairs. As they walked towards a big wooden desk Sam decided to break the silence.
"I'm Sam," she murmured. "Sam Ramirez. What about you?"

(Get some sleep my guy. We might want to wait for M though.)

((Yes, don't worry. We shall not leave her behind.))

"Greer Bensen." Greer looked at the girl— Sam— for several seconds. She seemed nice enough. Besides, it wasn't like she actually knew what was really going on around here, so it was good to have someone else who was practically in the same boat, so to speak. "Nice to meet you."
Greer pushed her glasses into place and took an observant glance at the room around them. She had never seen a building look so posh. This put the mansions of every wealthy business tycoon she had ever encountered to shame.
It was all far too profligate for her taste. And pointless. Why spend money to plate things in gold when you could invest it in technology or scientific research? Which, then again, these people probably had done those things and more. They had money coming out the wazoo; they could do it all.
"I've never seen a place this…" Her voice trailed off as she tried to grapple for the right words. "Extravagant."

((This is kinda wonky trash but I'm just glad I was online long enough to make a post at all. Don't worry; I'll have more time soon. I think?? Who knows. Also your guys' posts and characters are on fire, and I'm amazed.))

((eris, who payed her roommate to form elsewhere her first year and has happily been living alone since, finding out she has a roommate forced upon her: excuse me, what
also I'd be prepared for circe's character acacia bursting in randomly))

"Thanks," said Sam. "We're gonna need all the friends we can get here, you heard what that driver sounded like." For a second her voice lost its cheer. They walked onward to the desk with the middle aged woman. "Lottery kids?"
Greer nodded.
"Through the hall."
Sam thanked her and the two walked on, the stern, proud looking figures peering down at them in what looked like a superior manner. Ahead of them she saw that the other lottery kids had already arrived, a tall girl, she looked about as tall as Sam, and a short boy, contrasted even more by the girl he was standing next to. There were also two men, probably to give instructions, Sam expected; a young man, less than thirty probably, and an older man in a suit.
"Director Bowen," said the bearded man in the suit, shaking first Sam's hand, and then Greer's. "And beside me is Phoenix Reid." He looked at them all. "The other introductions can wait. Now that you are all here, we may begin in earnest."