Seize Fate by the Throat

[Avery Durand]

Avery was glad that her mom had managed to make the flight with her after all. With a mare showing signs of complications back at home, it had obviously been a hard choice, but they had their vet there and taking care of the broodmare. Not that she would tell her mother that she appreciated the help, of course. Having assured them that she could of course manage on her own, seeing as she was heading to boarding school, that would be a thank you best left for a little later.

As the rental car bumped up into the driveway of the school, Avery looked out of the window and at the big sign proclaiming her new school's location, as well as the pastures that were just beyond that. She was excited, of course, but now that excitement was coming with just a hint of having bitten off more than she could chew.

Finally the car came to a rest, and Avery jumped out, letting her mom know that she would manage on her own. She pulled her hearing aid out of her pocket and turned it on before she fitted it into her right ear. Grabbing Saskia's leash and clipping it into its cross-body configuration, she headed for the main office and stepped up to the desk with a confident smile. "I'm here to check in, my name is Avery Durand."

[Fiachra Fitzsimmons]

Summer holidays were a mix of blessing and curses. Less work for the students and more work for everyone else. Fitz was busy working through the files of the students who had just graduated, making sure that the information was being sent to where it needed to go and things like that.

He looked up from the computer as a girl entered the office, with a dog at her side, and approached. He gave her a warm smile as she introduced herself and he quickly typed her name into the computer. "Welcome to Blue Ridge Academy, Avery." He greeted as he took a map from a tray on the desk. "You will be residing in room oh-four of the Green Ribbon House, which is here" He circled the place of the residential building on the map. "Your horse will have a stall ready for him in White Oak Barn, here." Another circle on the map, in a different colour. "Ms Carr is the manager of that barn, who will help you out if you have any problems. For directions, anyone will point you in the right direction."

he took another sheet of paper from another tray. "We have a number of canine-friendly places on campus, should your four-legged companion wish to meet any others." He took her key from the drawer under his desk and placed it on top of the map. "If there anything else I can help you with?"

[Avery Durand]

Avery paid attention to what the man was saying, doing her best to catch the gist of it. A glance at the map as he paused made it easy to see that he'd circled the important places, and her room key had a number on it - That was good, then. She'd manage with that. The rest of the papers she'd have to read at some point as well, but that could wait. As he looked at her, questioningly, Avery shook her head, "I'll manage, thank you." She picked up the papers and the key and headed for the door, settling back into the seat of the rental car and handing her mom the map before switching to sign language to convey the gist of the conversation. The important part, at least, was heading to see her room, and get the two suitcases with her things situated. Anything else wasn't coming until Dolent arrived anyway, a few days away.