Buy One, Get One Free

[Joanne Blackthorne]

Jo was not impressed.

It could not be said that this was unusual, because it wasn't, but even so, she was even more unimpressed than usual. The journey to get here seemed to have taken three times as long as it should have done, and of course her mother had spent the whole time in berating her for all the things that she was, and then all the things that she wasn't. It had become a popular theme over the past few days, even more so than usual, and, to be honest, she suspected that her parents were trying to make up for all the time that they wouldn't be seeing her, now that she was going to be going away to school.

She could hardly get out of the car fast enough, her parents' last words cut off as she slammed the door behind her. The brunette doubted that she was missing anything that she hadn't heard a couple of hundred times before. With a last half-wave in their direction, Jo looked (slightly down) at her brother, and gave him a nod. This was it.

Heading towards what was obviously the office building, she pushed the door, holding it open for a moment so that Sami could get in too, before walking over to the desk and giving the receptionist her best smile. "Hey. Uh, I'm Jo Blackthorne... Joanne... Blackthorne. And this is my brother, Sami. Samson, I mean. To check in?"

[Samson Blackthorne]

As he climbed out of the car, Sami nervously brushed his long hair back behind his ears with both hands. He wasn't scared. Not much. Just a little worried. Nervous. Fretting. No, fretting sounded worse than nervous. Come to think of it, nervous sounded worse than worried. In any case, he was... apprehensive. After all, this was a whole new experience. A new place, a new school.

But at least he wouldn't have his dad on his back for once. That, he had to admit, was something that he was looking forward to. Peace and quiet and the ability to actually be himself without someone constantly looking over his shoulder and criticising the way that he wanted to live his life... That was going to make things a whole lot easier.

He returned his sister's nod, thankful that at least he wasn't going to be totally alone in this new world, and followed her across to the office. As always, she walked too fast; her legs were longer than his, and she seemed to have a power in her movements which he couldn't match- he always felt rather as though he was trailing along after her.

[Fiachra Fitzsimmons]

Fitz looked up from his computer as two people entered the office, he gave a warm smile as the female of the duo introduced them both. "Welcome to Blue Ridge Academy, Jo and Sami." He said as he brought up the duel screen and entered a name into each side, his eyes reading through the information that was there. "Jo, you will be residing in room oh-four of the Blu Ribbon house, which is here." He took a map from a tray on the desk and place it in front of her, circling the placement of the Blue House.

"Sami, you will be in room twenty-five of Green Ribbon House, which is here." He took another map and circled the boy's residence building. He found both of the keys and put the key on the correct map. "You will both need to go and speak with Ms Carr, manager of the White Oak Barn, here." He circled the barn on both maps with a different coloured pen. "She will assign you a horse to ride while you are here. Is there any other way I can assist either of you?"

[Joanne Blackthorne]

Joanne nodded as she took both maps and passed one over to her brother, making sure that it was the right one- otherwise, things could be just a little awkward, since she didn't imagine that the Green Ribbon House boys would appreciate her presence in their dorms, accidental or not. With a glance at the boy to check that there was nothing that he had to add, she looked back at the man and smiled, shaking her head. "I think that's everything for now. Thanks so much for your help!" Tucking the map into the back of her jeans, she turned and walked briskly out of the room. Places to be, people to meet..

[Samson Blackthorne]

Sami smiled faintly as he accepted the map that his sister passed to him, examining it with interest. Well, he did like reading maps, so he was pretty sure that he shouldn't struggle too much with finding the place, especially since it was a pretty clear piece of cartography. He couldn't think of any questions to ask either, so he just shrugged. "Thank so much!" he echoed cheerfully, giving the man a grin and a thumbs up. "It's really great to meet you!" Whether it was great to be here or not, he wasn't entirely sure yet, but still- always look on the bright side of life! With a final nod, he turned and darted off after his sister. If he hurried, he might catch up so that they could walk the first part together.