Chapter 4: Lorelei

It took three hours to properly introduce her to the campus grounds. It was divided into several academic blocks, each occupying enough space to almost be considered a sub-habitation block, complete with its own mansion sized facility with adjoining campgrounds. Each school of magic seemed to be represented, with half the campus dedicated strictly to varying scientific pursuits.

There clearly seemed, to her, to be a rivalry between the mystic and scientific arts, judging by the attitudes of the students. There was also room for philosophy, art, and music; those blocks being centered strategically in the oval of the campus grounds like spokes on a wheel. 

The center of campus featured a sprawl of fraternity and sorority lodging, while the majority of students lived in dormitories in the center of campus. 

Lorelei was surprised, with a full stomach her senses were sharper and less rampant. She could feel the same malaise of emotional turmoil in the air from all the students, but she no longer felt overwhelmed by it. She didn't have to focus to prevent those disgusting and perverted thoughts from seeping into her mind.

It was still unnerving, the vast array of desires bleeding off the students. She could almost imagine them like a sequence of colors hovering from each and every one of them. Blues and greens, yellows and reds, and a combination of the in between. It was terrifyingly easy to spot the darker pitched colors, the emotions of those who's darkest desires were surging to the surface. Some came with a sulfuric stench that made her want to avoid them at all costs.

"It's good to see you're handling your nature better," Rhelania guided her from the front. "Oh, by the way, I'm adding you to our weekly checkup sessions, and I would highly advise you attend them. You'll meet several other succubus' and incubus' there as well. It's always good to mingle with our own kind, every once in a while."

Lorelei wasn't so sure about that.

"Of course I can't make you, it's only optional," Rhelania seemed to somehow sense her apprehension. "But I think you'll find it's best we stick together when far from home."

"What's that building?" Lorelei's eyes were drawn to a smaller two-story brick and mortar building with several women entering and leaving the front doors. The passions coming from all of them were a lot sweeter, compared to everyone else. A succubus, and who Lorelei had to assume was her incubus boyfriend, were strolling down the stairs. The woman was holding a small bundle close to her soft chest. 

"That's our nursery, our campus offers a variety of services to expecting mothers. The nursery offers a safe place for delivery, and our adjoining day-care is suitable for when parents are attending class."

"Interesting…"

"You have no idea how complicated things get with lamia," Rhelania seemed to space out, talking more so to herself. "We had to built an entire addition for a special spawning pool, so they can lay their eggs without complications."

Lorelei sighed. "Awfully inappropriate, talking about this kinda stuff you know?"

Rhelania waved her finger in the air. "In any case, why don't we get you your school uniform! Then the last thing on the docket is to get you to your dorm."

Lorelei followed her counselor to the freshman hall, a fifteen story building surrounded by ferns, and covered in vines. The rain didn't touch the building; some kind of magic created an umbrella effect over it, and Lorelei wondered if that's why all the buildings looked pristine, despite the acidic rains.

The moment Lorelei walked inside the main lobby; she could feel dozens of eyes drawing to her. She kept her gaze to the floor, noticing every crack in the seams of the hardwood. The way her sandals slapped against it made it sound like it was really wood, and not false plastic or condensed sawdust. She tried to focus on funny stuff like that, rather than look around at all the other pairs of eyes.

The smell of cleaning products nearly gave her a migraine by the time they made it to the main elevators, each were also packed with students. Many of them were laughing or causing a stir until they noticed Lorelei and the counselor, after which they seemed remarkably silent. The moment they left them in the elevator, however, Lorelei could've sworn to hear them snickering behind their backs.

The elevator ride was smooth, but Lorelei could feel her ears popping from the sudden acceleration. 

"Just how high are we going?"

"You have the privilege of being on the fourteenth floor! What are the odds? The four hundred and fourteenth Cubi on the fourteenth floor, gotta be a good sign," Rhelania said with optimistic flair.

The elevator doors parted just as it reached their destination, revealing a wide hallway. It appeared that each floor at its own series of lounges, break rooms, and even a small bath house.

There was only one student in the lounge, an elf laying on a couch while studying with the large television monitor on. Her darker almond skin, and ginger hair, grabbed at Lorelei's attention. Lorelei could feel a wash of desire spreading off of her, strong enough to make her own cheeks blush.

"Best stay clear of her for now. Dark elves: they always get a little frisky before exams. That and she's ovulating, so her libido is completely out of control." Rhelania whispered in her ear.

Lorelei could believe that, just by judging the rampant spikes of dirty thoughts surging through the elves mind.

She continued following Rhelania down the hall, skirting around several women rushing from the communal showers to their own rooms. Lorelei noticed how small white boards were posted next to each of the dorms, most were decorated or had simple slogans written on them. They walked all the way down to the end of the hall, until coming to what Lorelei presumed was her new home.

"Last room, you're in luck it's a large one. Originally made for three, it was reclassified for two. I think you're going to get along with your roommate." Rhelania concluded with a simple knock, which was proceeded by the sound of something falling on the other side of the door. A muffled series of curses and malignant swears grew louder as the dorms sole occupant rushed to the door.

"Who issss it…" The voice was barely a whisper, it sounded almost frightened. 

"Marci?" Rhelania enquired. "It's me, Counselor Rhelania. Would you mind opening the door?"

"Ssshit sshit sshit!" More bouncing objects could be heard. "Where is my… Fuck it!" 

Lorelei's tail went limp, her eyes were drawn to the floor at the base of the door where she could see a shadow skimming across the slip of it. 

The door swung open wide to reveal a surprisingly lean and muscular lamia girl with rich blue skin, and an open parted red robe, fully exposing her chest and dark cherry colored nipples. Her hair was almost a dark blue, rather than a solid black, while her yellow eyes glared through a crooked pair of glasses. The light from the hallway made her cheeks appear almost reddish, while her face was contorted into a sly grin… Almost as if she were hiding something.

"Cover yourself dear, your…" Rhelania froze for a split second, noticing the same thing Lorelei was looking at. A small droplet of moisture was coalescing along the tip of the lamia's left nipple, only to drip onto the carpeted floor. 

"Bugger off!" The lamia was about to shut the door, but the counselor stopped her. 

Rhelania cleared her throat before beginning again. "Do cover your modesty, and please allow me to introduce you to—"

"I don't need a roommate."

"You don't get to decide that. Your spacious accommodations were reserved for two students, you were always going to have to share. You were made fully aware of this during your orientation just a week ago."

"But I— "

"No arguments." Rhelania reached out to help the girl bind her robe. "Now please, step aside so you can meet Lorelei."

Marci looked over to Lorelei with an odd expression. "Wait why do I have to room with a succubu…" She paused before finishing that sentence.

Rhelania leaned in, whispered something into her ear, and all the color drained from Marci's face. She stepped out of the way after that, and for the first time, it was someone else's turn to keep their gaze to the floor.

It was then that there was an explosion in the kitchen.

Marci stiffened, twisted around, and rushed inside. "Faine!" She cried out in frustration.

"It wasn't me this time!" The other woman's voice shrieked back.

"How could you botch boiling water!" 

Lorelei and Rhelania just stood back, watching the chaos as the girl Marci called Faine rushed through the kitchen.

"What are you two doing?" Rhelania asked.

It was then that Lorelei got a good look at Faine. She was obviously a vampire, with pale skin, messy ginger hair, and sharp fangs poking through her lips. The woman was frantic, and trying to use magic to stifle the flames. It wasn't working. 

Without thinking, Lorelei strode inside and focused, drawing in the warmth of the flame and snuffing it out on her own.

Faine and Marci hadn't noticed, they were still arguing amongst themselves; apparently the vampire left something with tin foil in the microwave as well, causing it spark.

Rhelania winced, then looked back at Lorelei with an approving node. "Good job, now lets try to keep them from destroying everything else."