The winter break was coming in a days time, and there was an excited buzz surrounding it around the whole school. Students were already packing for their departure, corridors filled with laughter, slamming lockers, and the rustle of suitcases. Some were heading home to human families with carefully maintained glamours, others to hidden monster enclaves for full-moon runs and ancient rituals. The academy felt lighter, almost festive identical to the air it carried on Founder's week, as everyone prepared to leave the structured walls behind for a few weeks.
Lydia… had no place to go.
She couldn't possibly go back to her abusive human uncle's house. The very thought made her stomach turn. So she had quietly resigned herself to spending the holidays in school just her, Phantasia, and all the ghosts that decided to stick around for the break. It wasn't the worst thing. At least it would be quiet and she could now practice more effectively without having to hide much.
