Room M

"UGH!" With a final heave, Vivian hoisted the heaviest of her two trunks up the stairs. She hadn't seen anyone despite wandering through lounges, a ball room, and the dining commons. She didn't mind terribly, she was slightly glistening from the work of lugging her things and she would have been embarrassed to meet anyone in her now disheveled state. But from what she could make out on the map, this was the floor she would be on. M was supposed to be the room at the end of the hallway. Thank HEAVEN.

Dragging her luggage behind her she walked cautiously so as not to alert anyone in the hall. She glanced at the other lettered rooms, curious to encounter her neighbors and discover what drew them to Caislin. What about them deemed them...different.

As she passed each room, different scents gave clues to their mistress' taste and personality. Some had a warm, wood like scent, something that one would find in a tackle shop. Other rooms smelled faintly of lavender and lilac, vanilla, leather, scented oils or sandlewood. Some rooms had completely unfamiliar scents to them or it was something too exotic for her to identify. Curious.

She finally spotted the tall door with the letter "M" posted on the front. Taking her room key, she fiddled with the lock and then pushed the door open. The room was bright and spacious, with a window overlooking the forest and a portion of the lake. She ran over to the sill and threw the sash open, letting the cool moss scented breeze flow into the room. She gazed over the vastness of the grounds, and to her delight she spotted a coach house. A visit to the stables would be in order. If she couldn't meet anyone here she would surely feel welcomed among the horses, especially if she greeted them with sugar cubes. She smiled and turned back to the room.

The elaborate tea set she had sent before arriving was laid out on the center table. The sight of something familiar gave her a wave of relief and self-appreciation for thinking to send it early. It was set up as she had requested: filled with sugar, cream, and an assortment of her favorite tea fusions. She decided she would have a cup once she unpacked. Er once she found where they kept the hot water.

It didn't take her long. The wardrobe housed all her dresses, skirts, petite coast and blouses while the large oak chest kept all her corsets, under garments and stockings. She decided she would search the gardens for some roses to add some color and cheer. Satisfied at last, she stored her trunks under her bed and changed into a gathered day skirt and a puff-sleeved blouse of cream and pink tones. Lacing her boots, she stuffed some sugar into her pockets, and ventured out to find the stable, humming to herself.

The wrap on the door made Vivian look up sharply from A Christmas Carol. It was a Christmas tradition for her, she loved revisiting the world of Charles Dickens and the transformation of Scrooge's heart always warmed hers. She got up promptly, checking her festive forest green velvet dress int he mirror before opening the door.

The woman who stood there waiting was, of course, very attractive. She had a wild, carefree light in her eyes as the Teal fabric hugged her athletic body. She looked lively, as if she could cause a fair amount of trouble with the boys but also run along side with them. None the less she was well kept with a dazzling smile on her anticipating face.

"Oh hello!" Vivian said, with an equally excited smile as she opened the door wider. "I haven't met anyone from this floor yet, what a pleasant surprise. Merry Christmas! I'm Vivian. Would you like to come inside or are you off somewhere?"

The woman was very kind indeed, gesturing to the decedent chocolates in hand. "Oh my, they look lovely, I don't think i can resist" She took a small round sweet and took a small nibble as a white, gooey cream oozed from it. "Cream centers, my favorite. Thank you kindly!" She giggled as she popped the whole thing in her mouth before her gloves got too sticky. Beckoning Merisa in, she poured her a piping hot cup of Christmas tea. The black leaves were infused with cloves, nutmeg, and orange oil to create a festive, robust drink. The smell was wafting from the table to tantalizing their senses.

"Actually i was just reading the book, but i did hear something like a film being played in a room nearby. It's something i enjoy every holiday. We owe Dickens a great deal for this book. For without it we might not be celebrating Christmas" She poured herself a cup and beckoned to a set near the table.

"Do you have any particular plans for this evening? And may i ask, how long have you been attending Caislin?" Her eyes were expectant in anticipation over the lip of her cup.

The room seemed considerably cheerier with the new guests sitting at her tea table, Vivian was most grateful for the interruption from her book. She quickly fetched some tea scones from a small personal pantry and placed the gently on the table before Mersa.

"Thank you so much! I have a bit of a antiquated taste when it comes to accommodations. My own flair is somewhat outdated by today's standards," She gave a knowing wink, her velvet green dress and high piled hair looked like something straight out of a Gibson girl ad. "But I'm partial to threads of the past. So much more character in them".

She made sure the cream and sugar were full before she took her own seat, delighted to see the indulgent grin spreading over Merisa's face. She would have to do this again. She hadn't entertained anyone in Saint Luke since her father's death. This was a gleeful reminder of what fun company could be. And she did so love to serve excellent tea and nibbles.

She sat alert in her chair as she nodded and sipped while Marisa recounted her time at the school. She had been here a year, excellent. Dedication to an establishment is always a desired reflection. To see it in person was comforting. She was also grateful to have someone near by who was so cheerful.

She shrugged in innocent ignorance n regards to the rumor of a new fencing instructor. "Since I've been here I've seen nothing but unnaturally handsome features and exotic attributes from both students and staff. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the teach was as dashing and gallant as his profession.Oh this is terrible, but may i have another chocolate?"