Not As it Seems

Chapter 1: Casual Understanding

When the group arrived in Earth, Laura already wanted to go back. She wanted to visit this place to go shopping at markets, not gallivant in some... tavern. Her parents had strictly forbidden her from ever visiting them back in Falmar. You never knew what kind of folks could be lurking around... But then again, this was Divinia. Weapons were strictly forbidden in public buildings as well as out in the open, and as Laura's mother would always say, 'there is no corner of Divinia that isn't overseen by the church'. Laura doubted that the church would take kindly to drunks and gamblers, but still...
"This is the place!" Felix exclaimed, pointing to the building to his left. Like most buildings in the city, it was completely made out of stone, except for a bit of wood here and there. In that regard, Royale High School was one of the few buildings that was completely clashing against the general architecture. In the distance, church bells could be heard, signaling that it was two in the afternoon.
"This tavern has always been popular among students from Royale High," Astrid explained. No. Laura wasn't doing this. No way.
"This is absolutely shameless! I will under no circumstances enter such a barbaric establishment!"
"Then what do you suppose we do, Your Majesty," Glen replied.
"Maybe we should visit the park instead? There is a renowned fountain there," Astrid suggested. Laura agreed, and the group went through the city, quickly finding the entrance to the park. The fountain Astrid had mentioned was the first thing they saw upon entering the park. In the middle was a statue of a woman holding a book and a staff in her hands.
"This is a statue of Saint Divinia," Astrid explained, "she's the hero that saved the continent and founded Divinia."
"You Divinians really are ignorant!" Elizabeth suddenly cut in, approaching the group from the other side of the fountain, quickly followed by Anna, "Divinia didn't save the continent on her own, she was joined by 11 other heroes. But then again, I wouldn't expect pious Divinians and savage Falmarians and Aurionese to understand such basic knowledge. Come, Anna, we have to visit the markets!"
"C-Coming!"
"What's her problem?" Felix asked.
"Those individuals were the princess of Theros and the imperial princess of Magnos..." Laura clarified.
"Let's not focus on those two," Astrid cut in, "legend has it, that if you throw a diamond into the fountain, any wish can be granted!"
Glen scoffed, "what a weird legend, diamonds are extremely rare and only royal families can afford them. Wyvernston almost went to war with Mistlyn over it when they were found near the border."
"It appears to me like another questionable superstition."
"Hey Glen, maybe you and Astrid should discuss that legend together," Felix gave Glen a weird look, and Glen seemed to understand whatever telepathic language they were using.
"Good idea! Astrid, why don't you show me the beautiful gardens here while we talk about... Saint Divinia. Is it true you're her descendant?"
"I'm glad you asked! I would love to tell you everything..." And the two walked off. Laura was now alone with Felix.
"What exactly is the meaning of this?" Laura inquired.
"You know you don't have to prove anything to us, right?"
"I beg your pardon?! I barely even know you!"
"That's true, but I've been tutored since a young age, and I know that when you're taught formalities you're also taught when not to use them, something you seem to clearly ignore, and I suspect it has nothing to do with a lack of knowledge." This Felix was looking right through her, and it frustrated Laura immensely.
"When I use formalities is none of your concern."
"It's alright to loosen up, trust me. You'll make more friends if you act more approachable." Maybe this was why her parents had sent her here...
"Perhaps you are correct..." Laura sighed, "I suppose I can try. Thank you."
Felix smiled, "no problem. Shall we pick up Glen and Astrid and head to the tavern?"
"Yes, we should," Laura laughed.

After finding Astrid and Glen nearby engaged in conversation about Saint Divinia (in reality, it was just Astrid speaking), the group went back to the tavern and entered the building. What Laura saw surprised her. The place was clean, civilized, and brightly lit. It was not at all like the dark, filthy buildings filled with dangerous folks her parents had told her about.
"Where the hell is my damn drink?!" a boy just a few years older than Laura shouted, likely a student at Royale High. Maybe it wasn't completely civilized... The four of them sat down and Glen ordered four cups of fresh orange lemonade.
"I can't wait for tomorrow!" Astrid exclaimed, "I've been looking forward to attending Royale High School for months."
"I'm not looking forward to starting the school year with etiquette class," Glen sighed.
"What a wonderful way to start the year!" Laura responded.
"Personally, I'm looking forward to science," Felix said.
"There are so many after school activities too! Gardening, physical exercise, theater, music, magic and weapon practice, arts and crafts, and my personal favorite, church study!" While Astrid was naming the activities, the group's order arrived. The orange lemonade tasted wonderfully, especially since it was the middle of Summer. Oranges could only grow in Aurion and on the Amestou Archipelago, a group of islands that were part of Falmar, though one of those islands, Sunset Island, was owned by Divinia.
"I thought weapons weren't allowed in Divinia?" Glen asked.
"They are only allowed under strict supervision for practice at Royale High, every royal house insisted on it when the school was founded 224 years ago."
"Well, at least I'll be able to keep my blade sharp. Do you have any experience with weapons?" Felix asked Laura.
"No, but I am expected to take up fire magic once I return from Royale High."
"What after school activities will all of you be choosing? I do hope I won't be alone at church study..."

The group talked together for a few hours before heading back to school to eat dinner and spend the evening preparing for the lessons tomorrow would bring. Laura unpacked her trunk in her room and put everything in its proper place. For a moment, she debated writing to her parents, but she decided not to. Laura didn't want to give them the pleasure of thinking they'd been right to send her to Royale High, because they weren't. It was still a waste of time. Felix and Astrid were lovely people, and Glen was somewhat bearable, but Laura could have also been back at home... Maybe she was just feeling homesick. She'd never left Falmar in her life. There were also Elizabeth and Anna, who just seemed determined to make everything even worse for no reason... The coming year would certainly be a chaotic one. At least Laura wouldn't have any trouble with the lessons themselves, as she was already educated in most subjects, especially etiquette. With that small glimmer of hope to comfort her, Laura went to sleep.