{{user}} arrives at F Chain Academy's dormitory on the first day as a transfer student. {{user}} approaches the dorm headmaster's office and knocks lightly on the door. A voice calls out to enter. Inside, an older wolf woman sits behind a desk,
“Ah, hello there. I'm Dorm Headmaster Lupa.”
{{user}} steps in,
"I was told to give you my information so I can get settled into my dorm room?"
Lupa smiles warmly at you,
"Of course. Can you tell me what your student ID is, {{user}}?"
{{user}} pulls out a student ID card and hands it to Lupa. She inspects it carefully before entering the number into her computer. Lupa then looks up at you with a reassuring smile,
"It seems everything checks out. You'll be sharing your dorm room with three other students. Before I let you go, I need to know what species you are for my records.”
I glance up from my hands on my lap, feeling surprised by her question since I thought it was quite obvious what I was. Mostly because of my white, scaly wings and tail. “Oh, I’m a northern dragon.” I said, my mouth opening to reveal a orangey glow behind my sharp teeth.
Lupa blinks, looking surprised but managing to keep her expression neutral as she types in "Dragon" next to your name on the form. She hands back your ID card and stands up, gesturing for you to follow her out of the office.
"Well then, Orion the Dragon, it seems that you'll be sharing a room with three other students. One is a small white kitsune named Sora, one is a black panther girl named Ria, and the last is a human girl named Aiko."
Without further ado, Lupa leads you to your dorm room. Upon entering the room, you see that it's relatively spacious and cozy, with four beds arranged in a square formation around the center of the room. Each bed is equipped with a small nightstand, drawers built into the footboard, and a soft-looking mattress. The walls are painted a light pink color, accented by several posters hung up by previous students.
Sora, the kitsune girl, is already sitting on her bed when you enter the room. She's small and lithe, with long silver fur that extends down past her ankles. Her ears are pointed and tipped with pale pink fur, and she has a fluffy tail that swishes back and forth as she looks around curiously. A ribbon is tied around her waist, holding up her school uniform skirt.
"Oh, hey there," Sora says with a friendly smile as you enter the room. "I'm Sora. It's nice to meet you!" She bounces off her bed and approaches you, offering her hand for a shake.
Meanwhile, Ria the black panther girl glances up from where she's stretched out on her bed, studying you intently with her amber eyes. She's tall and muscular, with sleek ebony fur that covers her body like a suit of armor.
Aiko, the human girl, is still gathering her things at her locker when you arrive. She's tall and willowy with long chestnut hair that falls in waves past her shoulders. Her eyes are a striking shade of green, and she has a warm, approachable smile. As soon as she spots you, she hurries over, introducing herself and shaking your hand.
"I'm Aiko," she says. "Nice to meet you! I hope we can be good roommates."
Orion nods and smiles politely at the introductions, "Nice to meet you all as well. I hope we can get along." They say before glancing around the room taking in the decorations and belongings of each student. "This looks like a nice place," they add with a smile, trying to break the ice.
Aiko beams at you, "Thanks! I like it here. It's nice to have such a diverse group of people to live with." She gestures towards Sora and Ria, who are both watching the interaction carefully. "These two are pretty cool too," she adds with a grin.
Sora perks up at this, her tail wagging back and forth eagerly. "Thanks, Aiko!" she chirps before turning to you. "What kind of dragon are you? I've never met a northern one before."
Orion chuckles lightly, "Well, I'm not entirely sure what kind I am. My parents just told me that I was born in the north and took after my ancestors." They shrug, seeming unbothered by the uncertainty. "I guess I'll find out more about myself as I grow older and stronger."
Sora tilts her head, looking thoughtful for a moment. "Well, I'm sure you must be quite strong and resilient then! The north can get awfully cold, after all." She grins brightly at you. "I hope we can be good friends, Orion!"
Orion smiles warmly back at Sora, "I'd like that too. You all seem pretty nice so far." They glance around the room again before asking, "So, what do you guys usually do for fun around here?"
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur, and soon enough I was sitting between the three girl on a couch as we watched a horror movie. Sora was timid and acted like as if she was in the movie herself, Ria seemed unbothered by the suspense, yawning every once in a while, and Aiko was transfixed on the screen, not missing a single detail. Near the end when it got really interesting and intense, Sora whimpered in anticipation and climbed into Aiko’s lap, which she was apparently was used to because she just held the smaller girl close and slowly stroked her soft fur reassuringly. Ria however just sat and watched, her expression a mix between boredom and sometimes amusement when the scenes changed. I tried to get a little closer to her and shifted closer on the couch, but she gave me a glance that made me back off immediately, forcing myself to not embarrass myself further by looking at the screen.*
As the movie reaches its climax, Sora buries her face into Aiko's chest and trembles with fear. Ria rolls her eyes but can't help but feel a little amused by the kitsune girl's antics. "You know she does this every time we watch one of these," Ria comments, nodding toward Sora.
Aiko giggles and tousles the silver fur atop Sora's head affectionately. "It's okay, Sora. It's just a movie."
A few days passed in relative similar pace: studying, attending classes, chatting and joking about stuff and also preparing for the upcoming Halloween party in the school’s main hall. I debated on what to wear for a good while before settling on colouring my thick white fur blood-red, as well as painting my claws black. When the party eventually rolled around I felt a bit anxious, I didn’t want to go to the dance alone, and I didn’t know that many except for my roommates. While I stood outside, wondering if I should ask Aiko or Sora, Ria walked into view. She was wearing a long white dress with black cobwebs and makeup that made her look ghastly, but in a good and very attractive way. I felt my heartbeat speed up as I stared at her and she immediately turned in my direction, meeting my eyes with her own.
Ria arches an eyebrow, seemingly amused by the look on your face. "What's wrong, Orion? Cat got your tongue?" She takes a step closer to you, her movements fluid and confident.
Orion glances away for a moment before looking back at Ria, finding it hard to speak with her so close. "No... I mean... uh..." He swallows thickly. "Would you like to go with me?"
Ria tilts her head, considering your offer for a moment before giving you a slow smile. "Why, Orion the Dragon," she purrs, "I'd be delighted." She takes your hand in hers and laces their fingers together, intertwining their claws. "Shall we?"
Together, they head into the main hall where the party is already in full swing. Students of all species are dancing, chatting, and enjoying themselves.
The dance floor is crowded but Ria manages to weave through the throng with ease, pulling you along behind her. Her movements are smooth and confident as she leads you in a slow dance that perfectly matches the spooky tune playing overhead. Your heart races as your body presses against hers, the heat between you growing with every passing second.
You look down at Ria, taking in her striking features and the way her black fur shimmers in the dim light of the hall.
As the song ends, Aiko and Sora spot you from across the room and wave frantically, trying to catch your attention. Ria glances over at them before turning back to you with a smirk. "Shall we see if our other roommates are having as much fun?" she asks, her voice low and seductive.
You nod eagerly, following Ria as she makes her way through the crowd toward your friends.
When you reach Aiko and Sora, they smile broadly at seeing Ria with you. "Hey there," Aiko says, sounding a little breathless. "You two look great together."
Sora nods vigorously, her tail wagging behind her. "Yes! Aren't they just the cutest couple?" she squeals, hugging Ria tightly before letting go reluctantly.
"Cutest, I suppose," Ria says with a smirk, leaning in to whisper something in Sora's ear that makes the kitsune girl giggle. Aiko catches your eye and gives you a knowing look before excusing herself to find someone else to talk to. You feel heat rising in your cheeks as you struggle not to stare at Ria, who seems to be enjoying the effect she's having on you immensely.
The night continues with more dancing, mingling, and general merrymaking.
As the party begins to wind down, Ria suggests that you all head back to your dorm room for a late-night snack and some relaxation time before sleep. Once everyone is settled in, you find yourself alone with Ria in the common area of the dorm room. The tension between you is palpable as you both pretend not to be aware of each other's presence.
Ria finally breaks the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "Orion?" she asks, looking up at you from beneath her lashes.
I swallow hard in nervousity, steeling myself for whatever she was about to ask. “Yes?” Ria around and walked to get two cups of ice tea, returning after a moment and handing me one of them with a hesitant smile. I was quite surprised by how uncharacteristically unsure she seemed, but I took the cup.
"Thanks," you murmur, taking the cup from her outstretched hand. You both sip your tea in silence for a moment before Ria speaks again. "Orion... earlier tonight, when we were dancing..." Her voice trails off and she looks down at her hands, which are fidgeting nervously with her sleeves.
"Yes?" you prompt gently, not wanting to push her into saying anything she isn't comfortable with.
Ria takes a deep breath and looks up at you, meeting your eyes for the first time since she started this line of conversation. "I just wanted to say... thank you." There's an emotion in her voice that you can barely recognize as anything other than vulnerability. "For tonight. For being with me. I had a lot of fun."
Her words catch you off guard, and for a moment you're at a loss for what to say or do.
Finally, you find your voice. "You're welcome," you manage to croak out. "I had fun too." You take another sip of your tea, buying yourself a moment to collect your thoughts and regain some composure. "Ria... I think you're really beautiful." The words tumble out before you can stop them, and your cheeks flush with heat as soon as they leave your mouth.
She blushes too, her ears turning bright red beneath her ebony fur. "Thank you,"
she whispers, sounding surprised and flustered by the compliment. Her gaze shifts away from yours for a moment before returning, determination etched into her features. "Would you like to kiss me?" she asks softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The air between you seems to crackle with electricity as you hold her gaze and consider your answer. Your heart races and your breath quickens at the possibility of what might happen if you say yes.
You lean in, closing the distance between your lips and hers. Her mouth is soft against yours, warm and inviting. As you kiss her, your hands find their way to her waist, pulling her closer still. She responds eagerly, wrapping her arms around your neck and pressing herself flush against you.
Time seems to slow down as the kiss deepens, becoming more urgent and passionate. Your tongues dance together, exploring one another's mouths in a hungry duet.
I couldn’t believe that I was doing this with someone, let alone such a usually menacing and aloof person as Ria, but when we pulled apart, breathless and flushed I could see nothing but affection and surprising softness in her eyes. “Wow, that was…amazing.”
Ria smiles at you, a genuine smile that lights up her face. "Yeah... it was," she breathes. She leans forward and presses another soft kiss to your lips before pulling away, her hands lingering on your shoulders. "We should get some rest, though." Her voice is hoarse from the passion of the moment, but there's no regret in her eyes.
You nod, still trying to catch your breath as you process everything that just happened.
As the night wears on, exhaustion finally begins to claim you both. You climb into bed while Ria curls up on the bottom bunk above, her eyes already starting to flutter shut with sleep. Before she drifts off, though, she looks over at you and smiles. "Goodnight, Orion," she murmurs softly.
You manage a croaky reply of "Goodnight." As your own eyelids begin to droop, you can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring between the two of you.
The next few days pass by in a blur of classes, studying and hanging out with your new friends. You find yourself drawn to Ria more and more, unable to resist her alluring presence even when others are around. Whenever you can steal a moment alone with her, the tension between you seems to grow stronger and more intense.
It's during lunch one day that Ria finally broaches the subject that has been on both of your minds since your kiss: where your relationship is going from here.
As you unwrap your sushi roll, Ria clears her throat, drawing your attention. "Orion," she says softly, her voice laced with uncertainty. "I've been thinking... about what happened between us the other night." She pauses, searching your eyes for any sign of disapproval or regret before continuing. "I want to see where this goes."
Heat pools in your stomach at her words; you hadn't expected her to be so forward about it.
"But," she adds quickly, seeing the hopeful expression on your face, "I don't want things to change between us and our other friends. I want everyone to be comfortable with whatever happens." Her gaze drops to her lap as she fiddles with a loose thread on her sweater.
You nod, understanding where she's coming from. You take a bite of your sushi, savoring the taste before swallowing and saying, "I feel the same way. We can... take things slow if you want."
Ria looks up at you, relief evident in her expression. "Thank you," she murmurs. "That means a lot to me." She reaches across the table and takes your hand in hers, giving it a squeeze before pulling it back to her lap and lacing their fingers together once more.
For now, it seems like things are settled between you. You finish your lunch, enjoying every moment spent with Ria as you navigate this new territory together.
The days go by swiftly, filled with classes and more time spent in each other's company. As the weeks turn into months, it becomes increasingly clear that your relationship has grown deeper than either of you had anticipated. While you both remain cautious not to upset the balance between your personal lives and those of your friends, there's an undeniable closeness that develops between you.
One day, as you walk down a quiet hallway together, Ria stops abruptly and turns to face you.
"Orion," she says softly, her voice trembling just slightly, "I... I want more." Her eyes search yours for any sign of hesitation or fear, but all she sees is desire and understanding reflected back at her. She takes a deep breath before continuing. "I think I'm in love with you."
The words hang between them like a physical presence, filling the space around them until it feels almost impossible to breathe.
You look into Ria's eyes and feel your heart skip a beat. The confession catches you off guard, but not in a bad way. In fact, hearing her say those words aloud only serves to strengthen the bond that has been growing between you over the past few months. You swallow hard before responding, your voice rough with emotion. "I think I am too."
Ria lets out a shaky breath, relief flooding through her as she realizes that she isn't alone in this.
Slowly, tentatively, you lean forward and press your lips to hers again. This time, the kiss is different - deeper, more intense than any of your previous encounters. Her hands find their way into your hair as she pulls you closer, moaning softly against your mouth. You wrap your arms around her waist, feeling the heat of her body through her clothes.
As the kiss ends, you both step back, breathless and dazed.
"So," Ria says finally, her voice still trembling slightly, "what does this mean for us?" There's a mixture of hope and fear in her eyes as she asks the question. You know that things will never be the same between you now that your feelings are out in the open, but at the same time, you can't imagine wanting anything more than to continue down this path with her.
You take a deep breath and look into her beautiful, expressive eyes before answering. "I don't know," you admit truthfully. "
Right as we’re about to kiss again Sora walks into the room, looking at her phone as she walks past us. Both me and Ria freeze up, not knowing what to do or say, but the small kitsune girl turns around slowly, a mix of mischief, wonder and joy on her face as she notices us. She immediately starts giggling and darts off into the bedroom, returning with Aiko who looks equally pleased with finding us me and Ria like this.
"Well," Sora says cheerfully, clapping her hands together, "I guess it's time for a celebration!" She grabs Aiko by the hand and drags them both over to you and Ria. "We were just about to go out and get some snacks! Do you want to join us?"
You exchange glances with Ria, unsure of what to say or do. This was supposed to be a private moment between the two of you, but it seems like fate has other plans.