Looking around in different directions, Alícia enters the cafeteria. As she opens the door, she hears a lot of noise the cafeteria is full of people. Glancing at her pocket watch, she sees that it's lunchtime. Looking more carefully, she eventually finds a table that's a bit louder than the others. Alícia quickly spots Violet among the people and heads toward the table.
Boy 1 – Man, I'm telling you, if Mandy fought Goku, she'd win easily.
Boy 2 – One hundred percent sure, her arm is a cannon.
Girl – What is this, guys? Me..?
Violet – Gregor and Albert, stop that.
Boy – The group's mom again.
Mandy – Hey, you all know I don't like it when you joke about my strength…
Violet – I already said I don't want to be annoying, but Mandy doesn't like that kind of joke.
Boy – Okay, sorry Mandy…
Mandy – It's okay, yeah…
Alícia approaches.
Alícia – Violet!! Fionna wants to see you; she said it's urgent.
Violet frowns, and everyone at the table is startled.
Violet – Alícia? Why are you shouting?
Alícia – Sorry… it's just…
Violet – It's fine, I don't have time… guys, this is Alícia; she's new here, take care of her. Alícia, this is everyone…
Violet points to each person and says their names.
Violet – This is Amanda; she kind of leads the fight club and is in the second year.
This is Albert; he's a little stressed, but deep down he's a good person.
You've already met Khawlah.
Khawlah – Hi again, Alícia, nice to meet you outside the Hospital Dome.
Alícia – Hi, yes, the pleasure is mine… there's no need to be so formal.
Violet – Blah, blah, blah…
Estela is Estela… music is her thing.
Estela – Look, that even rhymed hahahaha, hi Alícia, long live the institution!
There are others, but they're not here right now.
Alícia – Wow, so many people…
Violet – This is my crew. I gotta go… good luck.
Alícia – Hey, wait…
Alícia lowers her head and whispers.
Alícia *whispering* – I don't get along with a lot of people…
Estela – Alícia, sit here.
Albert – Wait, are we going to call the newbie to sit with us?
Estela – Albert, stop it… Alícia can sit here, don't mind Albert, he was a newbie too, he doesn't know what he's saying…
Mandy – Yeah, he's like that, but don't pay much attention to him.
Albert – Ahhhhhh I was…
Mandy – Albert!
Albert – Forget it.
Alícia, a little startled, sits between Mandy and Estela.
Estela – Hey, tell me, what do you like to do? Do you like music? I love singing… playing the piano, my guitar…
Alícia – So you make music here?
Estela – No, I do chemistry and alchemy…
Alícia – Ohhh.
Estela – But there's music too, hehe.
Mandy – My name is Amanda, but everyone calls me Mandy. Actually, Violet gave me that nickname…
Alícia – Ahh, I noticed Violet likes nicknames. When I arrived, she gave me one too… Ali… I called her Vi.
Everyone at the table goes silent and looks at Alícia.
Alícia – What? Did I say or do something…
Gregor – She let you call her that.
Alícia – Yes, she gave me a nickname, and I even know one for her… I asked if it was okay to use it.
Estela – And she didn't show any sign of discomfort.
Alícia – Guys!!! Now I'm worried!!
Gregor – I think you should find out for yourself; I don't want to get involved.
Estela – Ali, can I call you that?
Alícia – Yes, of course…
Estela – Ali, I know Violet has her reasons for not telling you, of course, you're new here… Violet is our friend, and we don't want to get involved in her "matters"… you understand, right?
Alícia – Of course…
Gregor – Sorry for bringing this up; we should've just ignored it…
Amanda – Hahaha, shall we change the subject?
Estela – Yeah… Alícia, do you already know which club you'll join?
Amanda – The fight club is the best.
Estela – I'm in the theater and music clubs.
Gregor – I'm in the sports club…
Estela – I think you'd do well in the theater club.
Alícia – Acting isn't my strong suit.
Estela – Have you acted before?
Alícia – No.
Estela – Your face conveys truth.
Alícia is speechless…
Gregor – You can hang out with us so you don't feel out of place.
Alícia – Thank you so much.
Estela – And which dorm room are you in?
Alícia – Ahhh, it's 402.
Estela – No way! How lucky! Many people fought hard for that room…
Alícia – Violet told me about it…
Estela – I'm relieved!
Alícia – Why?
Estela – I'm in 302, the room below yours.
Alícia – Really? And you, Amanda?
Amanda – Mine's on the other side, I'm in 486.
Alícia – And Violet?
Estela – She didn't tell you, did she?
Alícia – What?
Estela *whispering* – When it's 3:00, go to my room and I'll explain…
Alícia whispering – Got it…
Estela – Well, let's eat because we've talked too much. What's your first class?
She says this while getting up.
Alícia gets up immediately and follows. Amanda pats Albert on the back, and the two stand…
Alícia – The first class is Alchemy.
Estela – Do you know if it's basic, classic, or advanced?
Alícia – Fionna said it's advanced.
Estela – Then you're coming with me.
Alícia – I haven't completed my schedule, I don't know if I can just go to class… to be honest, I don't even have a timetable; today's been a mess…
Estela – I can imagine, going with Violet is always an adventure. It's fine, come with me to class; you're already a KeySands student, so it's okay.
Alícia – Yeah… we just needed to go to the office to get the schedule, then the dorm, then the cafeteria… but it got messy.
Estela – Well, come with me to advanced alchemy class, and when we leave, we'll complete the cycle, okay?
Alícia – I'll go with you, but after I'll manage on my own; I really need some time alone.
Estela – Are you sure? I have free time…
Alícia – Seriously, I really need some time alone.
Estela – It's up to you; I'm here, okay? For whatever you need. By the way, can I have your number?
Alícia – Of course!
Alícia gives her number to Estela.
Estela – There, that's my number. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call.
Alícia – Of course, I'll text you.
Estela – Good, really.
Estela smiles.
Estela – Today's lunch is a classic from the northern kingdoms…
Alícia – What kind?
Estela – Never been to the North?
Alícia – No, my mother and I don't travel much. We went West once, but that's it.
Estela – The North is amazing, but of course, here is much better. I think it's good to change the scenery sometimes. Once my family and I went to the far northeast… a beautiful place with a big metal tower.
Alícia – Ohhh yes, I know where that is. I had planned to go there with my mother, but we spent all our money on a weekend just for us, which was absolutely amazing…
Estela – Wow, sounds really fun!
Alícia's expression automatically changes.
Alícia – It was… it was indeed…
Estela – Hey, are you okay?
Alícia – Yes… it's just… no, it's fine.
Estela – Hey, I know we haven't known each other long, but you're my friend now, and I'm here if you want to talk, okay?
Alícia smiles, trying to hide her teary eyes.
Alícia – Yes… of course.
Violet's perspective
Violet thinking – I have no idea what's going on, but Fionna has called me very few times with this much urgency…
Violet enters the main office.
Oliver – Hey, Violet.
Violet – Oliver, I don't have time, Fionna called me.
Oliver – I know, tell Alícia I'll deal with her.
Violet looks at Oliver with a murderous glare.
Violet – What do you mean?
Oliver – That girl… she came here acting casual and hit me with an unexpected sleep spell…
Violet – Well! No! You'll have to get through me first…
Oliver – Then open your eyes!!!!
Violet – Hahaha, I'm going to see Fionna. If you lay a finger on her, I'll get you, and I'll end you…
Oliver just frowns and nods.
Violet – Good.
Violet walks toward Fionna's office and knocks on the door.
Fionna – Violet, come in!
Violet – Hi Fionna, you asked me to come…
Violet frowns instantly.
Violet – Masked ones?
Masked 1 – Hahahahaha!!!
Fionna – They have information about the second missing student…
Violet – Second?
Fionna – Yes, before Tracey Olson, a boy named Gael Beaulieu disappeared too.
Violet – Another student?
Fionna – I know, it's worrying, and of course, this can't leak, and you know why…
Masked 2 – You, my time here is up…
Masked 1 – Yes, time's up. Before I go, watch the girl with the pendant.
The masked figures vanish into a dense mist.
Violet – What do you mean by that?
Fionna – So, the information that reached me, and the reason I called you… we've already found them.
Violet – That's good…
Fionna – It's not good at all. They were found on Deep Web sites…
Violet – You don't know where they are, right?
Fionna – I know.
Violet – Send a rescue then.
Fionna – They're dead.
Violet – What? How?
Fionna – They were sold… to bad people.
Violet – What? How is that possible?
Fionna – Well… there's nothing more to be done about that. But I need you as an intern. The information the masked figures brought is that the group is made of students; students are kidnapping students… for who knows what. I need you to find out who they are.
Remember, this information cannot leak. Watch and rewatch who you trust…
Violet – I understand…
Fionna – One more thing, keep an eye on Alícia.
Violet – Yes, that… I don't fully understand.
Fionna – Alícia is very powerful. Of course, thanks to Rebecca, she trained her very well. But Rebecca poured part of her power into her before leaving. She's very young and probably doesn't know the full extent of her strength. Someone might come after her…
Violet's expression changes completely.
Violet – I understand… SHIT!!!
I have no idea if I can handle her power it's enormous.
Fionna – I really wanted to protect her, but I know you two have already developed a good level of friendship…
Violet – I understand, but no. I don't know her that well yet, and I don't know if she trusts me that much. Too much responsibility…
Fionna – Don't do it for her, do it for the institution. Do it for me.
Violet lowers her head…
Alícia's perspective
Alícia – No way, your parents are the legendary Greenwoods Stones?
Albert – Yeah, I think this is the most normal reaction I've ever had in my entire life…
Alícia – Oh, I'm sorry.
Albert – It's okay, I'm used to it…
Estela – He's one of KeySands' prodigy musicians.
Alícia – Who are the others?
Gregor – You're in front of the top 1 and top 2 musicians in the institution.
Albert – Well…
Mandy – No modesty here. Albert is first, and Estela is second. These two are very competitive; what separates them in the ranking is one percent in the general table because Estela came to the spring exams sick, and her voice was off key once or twice…
Gregor – But you should still hear her sing; she sounds like an angel.
Alícia – Wow, Estela!!
Estela – Don't listen to them; I have no idea what they're talking about.
Khawlah – I hear a lot of talking and little chewing; I don't want anyone in the infirmary with pain or anemia for not digesting the necessary nutrients.
Estela sticks her tongue out at Khawlah.
Estela – Alright, mom.
Khawlah sticks her tongue back, and Alícia ends up smiling without realizing…
Estela looks serenely and smiles softly.
Violet's perspective
Violet thinking – Should I really protect Alícia?
Like, why is this my responsibility?
I'll do this for Fionna…
Violet walks toward the dormitories.
??? – Violet!!
Violet – Hi!!!
??? – Let, can you hear me?
Violet – Jhey?
Jheysi – Yes, haven't you seen me? I've been trying to talk to you for a while…
Violet – Sorry, a lot is happening…
Jheysi – Hey, look at me… did something happen?
Violet – Jhey, you know me very well, and I know I can trust you… you know my story, you're my best friend…
Jheysi – Yeah, I know that, but… you're acting strange, tell me what happened…
Violet – Well, a lot happened in a very short time.
Jheysi – And I was busy with the fair project. If you had called me, I would have helped…
Violet – Don't worry. A new girl arrived with her mother, who was very close to Fionna. She was very nice at first, but suddenly she became very temperamental and displayed incredible power; she's a prodigy in alchemy, casting Plexvey-level spells.
Jheysi – She's new? Plexvey?
Violet – Yes. And… people have started disappearing on campus, and now Fionna is talking to the masked ones…
Jheysi sighs and clenches her fists.
Jheysi – Breathe… that's a lot of information… what's going on?
Violet – A lot of shit… The only thing is Fionna asked me to take care of Alícia.
Jheysi – Who's Alícia?
Violet – The newbie!
Jheysi – Got it… okay, I'm here to help with whatever you need. Fionna talking to the masked ones scared me, it doesn't make sense.
Violet – They have privileged information…
Jheysi – And Alícia… wants help? Wait, I'm so confused…
Violet – Look, students on campus are disappearing. The masked ones found one of the girls on a Deep Web site.
Jheysi – I get it now.
Violet – Jheysi, I need your help!
Jheysi – Okay… does Alícia know?
Violet – She doesn't, but I prefer to hide this from her for now because…
Jheysi – I understand, let's go!!!
Alícia's perspective
Alícia – Thank you all so much for this moment.
Estela – No need…
Gregor – Alícia, stop that. It's okay, it was really nice to have you with us, and we expect you at dinner and at every possible meeting…
Estela – Yeah, you're our friend, like Violet said, part of the group.
Alícia's eyes well up.
Alícia – Thank you so much.
Gregor raises his fist toward Alícia.
Alícia lightly bumps it.
Gregor – That's it smiles
Estela – Alright, Miss Friendly, let's go, or we'll be late.
Gregor – Right, the class.
Albert – If we're late again, the teacher will make us memorize more formulas.
Mandy – Last time was tragic, but now we know how to handle small ores.
Gregor – After Greenwood's slip, hard to forget.
Albert – Hey…
Everyone bursts into laughter.
Estela touches Alícia's shoulder.
Estela – Shall we go?
Alícia nods.
Alícia – What happened last time?
Estela – I'll tell you on the way.
On the way to the alchemy class.
Estela – Albert pranked Gregor, everyone helped, and it delayed his clock a few hours. He arrived late, and Professor Louis noticed what happened, punished everyone, and made everyone, even Gregor, memorize the formulas for producing specific ores in alchemy.
Alícia – But why did he punish Gregor?
Estela – Violet asked, and he said there wasn't much reason but thought it would be a great way for him to bond with friends and improve his grades!
Alícia – Hahaha, no way! Why?
Estela – I don't know, Professor Louis seems very young but is very wise. He's the smartest person I know.
Alícia – Ohhh, wow!
Estela lightly bumps Alícia's shoulder.
Estela – I want to know more about you. Tell me, why are you so interested in alchemy?
Alícia – My mother… she taught me everything I know about alchemy.
Estela – How much?
Alícia – A lot, from the basics of making some elixirs, forging precious metals, to crystals.
Estela – Wow, that's really advanced. I've always been curious. A friend of mine, Je… taught me a lot about science, programming, alchemy, and many other things…
Alícia – She seems really nice…
Estela – I think you two will get along super well. You seem to have the same vibe…
Gregor – You two could destroy the school, hahahaha.
Alícia – Hahaha, introduce me to her later?
Estela – Of course!
Gregor – Maybe she'll show up in alchemy class.
Albert – Jheysi? Miss class?
Mandy – It's more likely Fionna would allow casual clothes on campus than Je missing class.
Estela whispering – Look, Alícia, the central building for alchemy studies is right in front.
Alícia – Shall we go in?
Estela – Yes, any problem?
Alícia – It's not that…
Estela touches Alícia's shoulder, looks into her eyes, and whispers…
Estela whispering – Alí, are you okay?
Alícia – I'm scared… very scared.
Estela – Hey guys, go ahead.
Gregor looks at Estela and Alícia and nods.
Estela – What's wrong? Did someone make a joke you didn't like??
Alícia – No, it's not that… honestly, I thought my arrival here would be different.
Estela – Alícia, you're doing really well, and with everything your mother taught you, I'm sure you'll handle it easily.
Alícia – No one has ever taught me anything like this before, except my mother.
Estela – Can I be honest?
Alícia – Yes.
Estela – Your mother is amazing, and I'm sure she would be a great teacher, but there's a lot you can learn from other people, not just at KeySands, not just in Hollow Ornament Valley. You're a smart girl, and from my own experience, life is like a shot you see the flash when you're born, but until the end, it's all very fast. Don't waste opportunities.
Alícia smiles
Alícia – Thank you, Estela.
Estela – Yes, look, I'll be with you the whole time, and Professor Louis is really cool, you'll like him.
Estela extends her hand, and Alícia takes it.
Alícia's phone starts ringing