There was a sudden knock at the door.
Zane leapt up immediately. "I'll get it! Probably room service. Hopefully room service. Fingers crossed for snacks."
He swung the door open, and there stood Mira.
She was in the academy uniform now—navy jacket trimmed with silver, the insignia of the school embroidered proudly on her chest, the skirt cut neat and formal yet still managing to compliment her form. Her hair, usually tied in that no-nonsense braid, now looked freshly brushed, falling just enough to frame her face. For the first time, she looked less like an inn maid and more like… well, someone meant to be here.
"Zane," she said, a little breathless, "well? How do I look?"
Then, almost shyly, Mira spun once, the skirt of her uniform flaring slightly before settling.
Zane stared at her for a moment, expression blank. Then he sighed dramatically. "You look… like Mira."
She narrowed her eyes. "That's all you're going to say?"
"What, you want me to lie? You still look like Mira. Just in blue. It's like seeing a cat in a hat—it's still a cat. But now it's a cat that looks like it pays taxes."
Behind Zane, Asher, who had been stoically unpacking, froze. His eyes widened, his perfect composure fracturing for the very first time since he entered the room.
"…Beautiful," he breathed before catching himself. He cleared his throat, straightened, and put his cool voice back on. "Ahem. I mean. The uniform… suits you."
Mira blinked, surprised, then gave a polite, "Thanks," before looking past him.
Asher, uncharacteristically, pushed a little further, voice lowering. "If the academy gave out ranks for elegance, I think you'd—"
"Anyway!" Mira cut him off smoothly, stepping around Zane as though Asher hadn't spoken at all. She tapped Zane's forehead with two fingers. "You're not even ready yet, are you? Of course you're not."
Zane rubbed his forehead, frowning. "Ow. Rude. Also, correction: I am ready. Mentally. Spiritually. Just not physically. Yet."
Mira groaned, ignoring him, then glanced at Asher one last time. "Portally friend, huh?"
"Oh yeah!" Zane perked up, gesturing. "Asher, this is Mira. Mira, Asher. He just casually ripped space-time apart to walk in here, so you know… normal roommate stuff."
Asher inclined his head politely, voice steady again. "A pleasure."
Mira gave a curt nod back, clearly unimpressed by the charm he'd attempted seconds ago. "Sure."
Then she snapped her gaze to Zane. "Come on. Orientation isn't over, and I am not dragging you by the collar again in front of everyone."
"You say that like it wasn't fun for me," Zane muttered, slumping back onto his bed dramatically.