And that� beastly boy, had found the nerve to knock into her when entering the class, messing the whole thing up.
Slowing her breathing, she reminded herself that the Oplan way was to forgive, not to hold grudges. She smiled politely, furtively searching her many hidden pockets for her hand mirror. The boy smiled back, an exagerated gesture that cracked his face wide open. He seemed to have a yellow circle on his forehead for some reason� ah! There was the mirror. She held it high to survey the damage. Thankfully, little. The beads were still in place.
As the strange fellow kept babbling about music or something� what was he talking about, anyway?... she looked him over. Hmph, he didn�t even have a single bead or braid in his shoulder length hair. His hands were smudged with yellow and black ink, and the pin on his coat suggested she do something that was physically impossible.
He didn�t seem to be anyone important, so she gave him a polite leaving nod and glided to a seat. She sat down just as the bell rang, and waited patiently as the other students filed into their seats. The man standing at the front checked to see that everyone was ready, and cleared his throat.
�Students, welcome to your first class at the Academy.� He paused to wait for the hoots and whistles to finish. �In this class, you will be learning starcraft management.� Another pause for more cheers, louder this time. The students were being very rude to not let the teacher finish, Trent mused. �For the first six months, you will be learning from books and visual aids. The next six, you will be working hands on with actual ships. The tasks you will be given will depend on your Major. The better your grades in the first six weeks, the more advanced the ship you will be assigned to in the next six. The top members of the class will have a chance to work on the starship now being built, the S.A.N. Phoenix. Any questions?�
A diminuitive boy in the� or was it a girl?� front raised his hand. �What does essayen mean, and tell us more about the Phoenix, please.�
The teacher smiled. �S.A.N. stands for Star Alliance Navy. The Phoenx is the Academy�s latest pet project. It won�t be spaceworthy for another five months, but when it is, it will be the most technologically advanced ship in the Alliance. Also, it will be the only ship equipped with the new theoretical Warp Drive. When the� yes?�
The girl with the pigtails� deep waters, was that her natural hair color?... put her hand down. �What�sa Warb Driver?�