Well, I'm back now from a much needed break to consider the new individual coming into this story. And so it's time to...introduce this new person and get to know him.

The test was a breeze. He'd been done with it within a half an hour. Truthfully he'd been studying all summer and had covered all possible questions that would have been on the test and then some. Granted no one would believe it of him, considering his rep, but he studied hard. In fact even if he came home late he studied.

It hadn't taken him long to see the cutie who was concentrating hard upon the test. A girl like her probably would be a good match for him. Cute, smart, but the chances of them both getting into the same school were most likely slim to none. As he thought his hands ruffled through his greenish brown hair. It was obvious the cutie wasn't native to his world. Her skin was too pale and didn't hold the green tinge that the native populace did.

Standing he passed in the test and nodded to the teacher and then sauntered out of the room Almost the instant he got into the hallway he tugged the shirt out of where it had been tucked into his pants and proceeded to ruffle his hair back into the style he preferred. He then settled against a wall outside and waited for the others to exit hoping to catch site of the cutie again.

But, in his thoughts, another girl kept popping up. She'd been drop dead beautiful. He'd seen her before his group had gone in for the tests. The hair wasn't very long but she had long legs and was just wow. He wondered whether she'd be going here. Considering the limo he doubted it. Since this was his backup school choice, well, who knows. He might get even luckier.

He'd been highly amused at her response to the girls in his group asking for answers to the test. Seriously. Didn't they read the school's student guide to the entry exams? No two tests were the same. It was a stated precaution to prevent cheating. Even the tests in a specific group weren't the same.

As he waited he considered the situation. He'd been in the very early group to Rockston Academy so if she'd taken the test and been in the later groups then he wouldn't have came across her. That academy...it was the one he seriously wanted to go to. He'd worked very hard in the hopes that he'd win a scholarship in. His guidance councilor had assured him that with his grades he was a front runner for that particular scholarship. And it was a boarding school for scholarship students. Which would make things much simpler for his family.

So deep in thought was he that he didn't notice the little cutie walk out right away. But then she poked him, "Yo. Got a ciggy?" and he frowned at her, "No. Sorry." and a good look over told him all he needed to about the 'cutie'. From behind she'd been wonderful but up close she was only so-so and the fact that she smoked zimmy meant that she was off limits. He had a hard and strict rule about Zimmy in its many forms ever since his elder brother had died from over using it.

Pushing away from the wall he gave her a cool smile and stated, "sorry but you'll have to go find a Zim-head to get your fix from. Oh, and by the way, the Zimmy's really sinking your looks down into the toilet and if you're not careful you won't be getting into this school. You won't be getting into any school. Because you'll be laying in a gutter somewhere." Giving her a mocking salute he walked away shaking his head at her complete stupidity and didn't bother to even give the words, "You're a jackass," even a moment's consideration as he headed off down the street in the not-so-general direction of home while considering again the girl from earlier.

And so we've introduced a new character. Time will now progress about two weeks. Letters await two of our characters. Let us see what they say, yes?

"Miss Jayden you have several letters today to attend to it seems," Darius stated even as he handed them over to a sleepy eyed Jaden, "I am sorry to wake you however I thought for sure you would like to read these yourself."

Grinning he watched as she came awake with a start as she took note of the sender's addresses. Five letters in all. She tore into them in a specific order. She frowned at one and stated in outrage, "apparently for THIS school I am," glared, "not their type of people." She flung it away and huffed before tearing into the next one only to give a glaring strangled shriek of rage, "THIS one says I'm far too intelligent for their school. Like what?" she tossed the letter and envelope, "Seriously. Too smart. So they like, only want the brainless students or something?!?!?"

The third letter she stared at for a moment before opening it a little less enthusiastically, "...." wordless she simply stared dumbfounded at it, "they don't accept 'offworlders' into their school. And yet they allow offworlders to waste their time taking the damned test?"

Darius cleared his throat, "Miss Jayden. I am well aware that you are angry but please mind your manners if you would," his voice was droll and somewhat amused since this particular school he had tried to warn her would be a waste of time but instead of pointing that out he simply watched as she began to ease open the fourth letter.

Dear Miss Jayden Stellanos,

We heartily announce that you have passed our school's entrance exam completely and are more than willing to admit you at the beginning of the year. Please call our office after reading this letter to let us know if you will be attending. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Superintendent Roy Jeffries

Nodding, "better," she smiled, "much better. Its my second choice school but it's definitely better than the other three. Only one more to go. I hope I got into this school." Grinning she opened the envelope, "awe man. Now I'm really nervous. What if they say I failed? What if I passed and they decide not to admit me anyways?"

Shrugging he stated simply, "you shan't know until you actually ~read~ the letter now will you?" Truth be told he too was nervous. He knew this was the school she really wanted to go to but she'd ended up taking the entrance exam later than most. Granted she'd been given a special allowance since she'd only just moved here but still. The Principal had informed him that there was no gaurantee that she would get in just because she did well. So he watched as she opened the envelope and took the letter out. It seemed to take forever for the letter to unfold but when it finally did he was confused as to how she responded. Because she was staring at the letter slack jawed.

She unfolded the letter and read:

To Miss Jayden Stellanos,

Good day. We write this to inform you that, looking over your previous school record, we have decided to grant you a special dispensation and allow you to attend our regal Academy. You passed the test quite outstandingly however with the lateness of the exam taken there was a question as to whether you would be allowed into the school at this term.

We do, however, take into consideration students welfare and their academic needs. Therefore we wish you good luck as you join our Academy. Please contact the Administration Office so that your enrollment can be expedited immediately.

We at Rockston Academy look forward to seeing you on Opening Day.
Superintendent Lorana Weems
Principal Deca Sweeny

"I got in. But it seems like they weren't sure if they should let me attend this term," she passed the letter to him and stood up on the bed, "I got IN!!! WoooHooo!!!" and proceeded to dance across the surface until her foot got tangled in the blanket and sent her tumbling towards the floor.

Darius did a very quick catch to stop what could have been a very bad tumble and settled her upright, "Miss. If I might recommend, dancing on an unmade bed is very dangerous so please, don't do anymore dancing until the bed is made?"

His droll tone had her blinking a bit in confusion, "You're acting rather formal this morning Darius. What's up?"

"This school that you will be attending will require one of us to be by your side during school hours Miss. I heartily recommend sending for someone from the Butler's Academy on Trayna (pronounced: Trae-Yrna). Someone will have to go for you, to choose one that will suit you perfectly. None of us will do. While yes, we are exceptional staff, you need someone above the exceptional level and have a very short time to acquire him or her," frowning a bit, "while I can be formal it is not ingrained into me as it would be. Technically you have two weeks until the school term starts. However you must get fitted for the uniform. Also the school's books will have to be purchased as wel...,"

She cut him off, "I'm going. I trust you to make good decisions on my behalf however this time its important I choose for myself," she smiled softly at him, "don't be so formal. I like how you all are. Tell Bettina to pack a travel bag for me. We're going to go get me a proper Butler!"

[Meanwhile let us see what is happening across town...]

He stared at all five letters from the biggest, and best, schools in the area. All five letters were acceptance letters. Even his first choice. All of his studying paid off. "Woop!!! Yo Ma!! I got into all five schools! I even got the scholarship to the Academy!!!"

His mother bustled into the room, two wailing toddlers settled on each hip, "that's great son. But who ya gonna git to be yer attendant? Your sisters wouldn't do it even if ya paid them to."

He considered a moment, "Scholarship students get attendants, or Butlers, assigned to them from the Academy's standby staff. So it's all covered. But Ma, I'll have to live in the Dorms since we live too far away from that place for me to walk every day." He grabbed one of the toddlers and cuddled him, "You going to be ok with everyone here without me around to cover?"

She swatted towards him, "A'course I am. I was takin care of babies long before you was born an I'll be takin care of em long after you've moved out and given me babies of my own. You just git yerself fitted for the uniforms and get the books an don'tcha worry none about us. You goin to this school means a better life fer us all in the long run."

He watched her walk out and gulped and stared at his little brother who had stopped wailing and was currently attempting to eat his collar. "You're hungry huh? Well lets just go get you something to eat then, right?" Smiling he walked out of the room that had four bunk beds in it, one being his own, and into a rather cramped kitchen full of obviously happy (if numerous) people, "I got in," was all he said and everyone of the older ones started hopping around and a great fuss was made.

Hours later he eased into bed, careful not to wake the younger boys, and settled back against the pillows with a wide, pleased, smile. He'd done it. Now his mother would have one less tuition to pay, which would mean a bit of easing up on the finances, and there would be more money to go around. His dad was a hard worker but money only stretched so far and sometimes they were sapped. It was one of the reasons he himself worked odd jobs. If he wanted something he put in hard work to get it. He didn't ask his parents for hand outs like some of his older siblings. Slowly he drifted off to sleep. He didn't notice when his parents came in and his mother covered him up before slipping into her husband's arms for reassurance.

Across town at the Star Port Jayden and Darius were sitting in a double cabin waiting for the train to leave port. She was smiling whilst he was more serious, "this world we're going to is a rather rough one. And more than likely all of the butlers there at the Academy will have come from there...or other similar places. We will endeavor to pick the best out of the graduating class."

She nodded but as the train began to move and the soft 'pop' was felt as the train exited the atmosphere she couldn't help but grin. It was a three day trip there, probably two days to pick out a proper Butler, and three days back. It would be close. But it would also be an adventure. And she LOVED adventures. Opening her bag she tugged out a book and was, after about twenty minutes, fast asleep with the book sagging in her hand.

Darius simply took the book and laid it aside, being careful to mark the page she'd been on, covered her up and then proceeded to settle into his bunk for a nice rest. He always slept well whilst traveling and was very shortly fast asleep.

She woke as vendors traveled the aisles selling their goods. She'd slept through a couple of the later night stops, but to her mind it was a good thing, and was glad to see that she hadn't slept through the early morning one as well. A knock at the door had Darius rising and opening the cabin door, "ahh look Miss. A vendor has arrived," and stepped aside to allow her to see what the cart had to offer.

Trinkets and hand made jewelry hung from a rack at the top of the cart while on the main shelves of the cart itself were jewelry boxes and porcalin dolls of varying size, shape, and type. One caught her eye. Standing she walked over and lifted it up, "This is very cute. I'll take it. In a secure box to ensure there's no breakage of course," and she smiled down at the small white rabbit with a pink nose. The vendor smiled and stated in his course manner, "O'course Mistress. Ya has a good eye fer t'ings. T'll be tirdy creds an no less I'll be takin." He held out the machine and she swiped the card, which was one of the older ones with barely thirty five creds on it left, and smiled, "Wonderful. Very good craftsmanship. And its very cute too," she watched him box the small figurine up and Darius took it once it was and they both watched the cart as its owner moved it off down the slim aisles, "He'll make a lot of money today. His goods are very well done indeed."

Darius smiled and glanced down at her, "Yes. His work will become famous very soon I believe. Its high quality, beautiful craftsmanship, and you can tell he put the time and energy into each one to make it special. That rabbit looked as if it could have come alive." Her laugh tinkled out, bell-like, "yes. Its why I had to have it."

More carts came through and he groaned as he saw the book cart. He knew if she saw it she'd have to buy. Though, he considered for a moment, she did buy that hov-a-bag so if she filled it, well, it wouldn't be quite so bad. He made a mental note to schedule the return trip on the express train where there weren't any unnecessary stop-overs. It would be a bit more expensive, and a bit more boring, but really it'd be a wiser decision.

She saw the book cart and beckoned the owner to bring it in. She didn't even browse, just whipped out her card, "How much for all of them?" The owner of the cart just blinked for all of about thirty seconds, "two hundred and fifty creds for all of them Miss." Darius groaned and hung his head as the purchas was completed and the off-loading was finished. The cart then trundled out much lighter than when it came in. And she started carefully loading all of the books into the bags she'd bought. Grinning as his face blanked in shock, she'd managed to sneak something mischevious by him, "well? Start packing the books into the bags Darius. There's plenty of room in those three bags for all of these books if they're packed carefully enough. And I got the heavy duty models just for this reason. All. Three. Of. Them. Hehehe."

Darius sighed and set to packing up the books alongside Jayden and scowled. He didn't say anything. Once done they both sat back down as the food cart trundled in with the day's breakfast meal, "'ere ya go Dearies. Pancakes, waffles, biscuits, eggs, sausages, orangies," orangies was an orange smoothie type drink that had Jayden's full attention, "an banana's fer tha botha ya. Enjoy dearies. We'll be headin out soon so eat up!" and just as fast as she arrived she was gone. The door closed quietly beind her even as the duo set to eating.

"Miss Jayden," he cleared his throat, "You do understand we're not on a vacation, don't you?" He wasn't sure if she really understood that this wasn't a pleasure cruise where they'd be able to do massive amounts of shopping. He knew full well that she was unaware of the fact that her accounts were bolstered by funds from both of her parents and that she could easily afford to go on elaborate shopping sprees. However they weren't on this trip for that reason. He didn't want her to lose sight of why they were on that train.

She glanced up from her food, eyebrow raised, "Of course I know why we are on this trip. I need a proper personal Butler or Maid, or in this case, both. It is a requirement of the school in which I am enrolled and will begin tending classes at shortly. However, along the way I am quite capable of enjoying my time. I am very well aware of what I am here for, have no worries about that. Don't forget though, I'm still a kid. So I want to behave like a kid sometimes even if the trip I'm on is quite important." Jayden resumed eating in silence, allowing him to digest what she'd said.

And he did. Really he was stunned. Yet again his 'little' Miss Jayden had surprised him. But he was pleased as well. It showed to him that even though she was mature there was an allowence by herself for immaturity and childishness. He finished eating just as a bussboy came in to clear the plates and took immediate notice that yet again her nose was buried in a book. Leaning back against the seat as the plate and make-shift portable table was rolled out he relaxed and let his eyes close.

Jayden couldn't concentrate. She was twitchy. Wanted to walk around, DO something, GO somewhere. Trains were limiting in that fashion. The travel time was limited. In fact, the time she would have to choose a proper Butler and Maid was limited. She'd given it quite a bit of thought and decided she'd rather get her own maid than rely on a school-provided one. Being an 'adult' wasn't simple, but being free was amazing. With personal maids and butlers things would be a fair bit different. She wouldn't be staying at the school like most of the other children, in fact she was paying extra to NOT have to room there.

Nervous. Yes that was what she was. Nervous. The prestigous school she planned on going to required a high GPA and a maintained ~high~ GPA. They didn't take in slackers. Fortunately she enjoyed getting good grades. She liked the challenge of it and the satisfaction at the end of the term when her name was on top. Perhaps that was like her parents, in a way. Both of them were at the very pinnacle of their careers. Both strived for success and the best. And both achieved it. Except where it really mattered. They'd been niave....but she was happy now. And wherever that woman ended up, well, hopefully that horrible creature got the help she so deserved.

Time passed. Meals were eaten. Books were read, discussions were few and far between. And the train pulled into their destination. They disembarked quietly, bags following behind them on the hover pull system Jayden had set up to make it easier on them both, and were greeted by an older gentleman...well older to Jayden at the least. Though the man could have been about the same age as Darius she surmised. But when you're young, well, everyone who isn't on or near your own age is 'old' and anyone past the age of twenty two is indeed 'old'.

"Greetings Miss Stellanos, Master Darius. Welcome to Trayna," he bowed deeply, "It is wonderful that you have decided to come on your own behalf!" Standing his eyes settled upon the bags following the duo in a rather amusing line, "Shall we ship some of those back to your home Miss? It would make your stay here much more simplistic," at her negative nod he sighed slightly and smiled, "Well then. Shall we get going? Sir will you be accompanying us?"

Darius considered for a moment, "No. I will check us into the Hotel and get the baggage situated. Miss will want to do the choosing herself." He turned, in a formal matter that brought a slight frown to her eyes, "Miss I shall see you back at the Hotel. Do not be so hasty as to choose the first Butler or Maid that you see. Take time, interview them, and choose with care." He turned, took the baggage, and walked away towards the second vehicle he'd arranged for whilst she turned and followed the overtight man (to Darius's way of thinking) in the overly fancy dress suit.