Chapter Text
Columbina wakes up in a box. At least, she thinks its a box. She doesnt feel particularly inclined to summon moonlight to find out, nor to open her eyes for the miniscule amounts of light seeping through the corners. She's dressed in new clothes, nothing like the ones she usually wears, which is a strange development.
Taking a moment to understand her surroundings, she takes a page from dottore's book (as much as she hates to emulate his behavior, she's moved past being like a lost little duckling following behind him...) and studies the energies she can feel.
She's certainly not in teyvat, but the traveler has spoken of various worlds, so it isnt too unusual. The second thing columbina does is search for the moon and it's power.
!
...there is no moon*. She cant feel one. This is both a blessing and a curse.... if there is no moon, there is no reason for her to be denied by fate, but at the same time, would her presence here cause this regardless? Would she begin to fade away over time as she once did? She hoped not, she still wishes to explore teyvat.
*there is a moon, its just a ball of rock instead of a god's corpse or vessel, which confuses her :)
--
She's fully content to stay there, not knowing what's happening, until the box starts to become quite hot. As someone more suited to life on the moon, a place with no oxygen or heat, she doesnt particularly like warmer temperatures.
"Now to grab the goods... You arent supposed to be awake!"
Columbina was confused by this. Why not? Had she broken a rule by being there?
"I'm sorry." She'd been taught humility long ago, after all.
"Huh? Whatever, gimme your uniform, and be quick about it! Cause-"
Columbina cuts him off. "Alright. Why?" Not particularly familiar yet with the concept of nudity, nor having any parts of her own, columbina easily complies, giving the little rat-thing her entire ensemble.
A gesture of goodwill, she thinks. The traveler has taught her to be kind, and that making friends is important, and columbina certainly has enough power — it feels foreign, thrumming within her. Being this strong isnt something she's quite used to yet after all that time spent without it — to acommodate even those she hasnt met. So, knowing this, she obliges.
Grim is rather confused, having never gotten to issue his threat. Regardless, he is happy as she gives him her uniform.
...
Exploring this new place seems like a good idea. Why not invite her new friend, too?
"Do you wish to walk with me?"
--
"Well this is certainly unusual. A familiar in a student's robes? How unweildy." ... he dresses like dottore did.
Popping out from behind a bookshelf, columbina says:"Hello."
"Goodness, there you are! Why on earth is your familiar in a student's robes? and dear me, you're the first student to open their gate on their own. Does the very notion of patience elude you? No matter... why are you naked? You'll have to be decent before i can allow you into orientation."
--
The robes had been snatched from grim and promptly given back to columbina, who made a smaller version of them behind the strange man's back. She discreetly bent down to give these to the little creature, upon which he had declared her his servant.
--
Columbina tilted her head."So those coffins are like gateways?"
"The design is intended to symbolize a parting with your former world and a rebirth into a new one" the strange dottore-like man responded. He speaks more similar to the regrator than dottore... perhaps a child? She certainly knows pantalone fancied him.
Regardless, the symbolism is useless. She's already died and been reborn countless times, and she had just this year done so to continue the cycle. Not that she'd ever say that, it's incredibly rude, and arlecchino always said to keep your cards close to your chest.
They walk together for a while, before curiosity gets the best of her.
"Where is this?"
~~
"Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories... Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless." *Ahem* "This is Night Raven College. It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland. And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as headmage."
~~
"Headmage? Like the grand sages of the acedamia?"
"I've no clue the academy you speak of nor do i think it builds up to quite the pristege of night raven college."
"I see." She mumbled
~~
"Only those who the dark mirror perceived as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college. Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those "gates," which can appear anywhere. A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you." ~~
STATE YOUR NAME BEFORE THE MIRROR.
--
"My name is columbina hyposelenia."
"The nature of your soul is... unclear to me."
"What did you just say?"
"I cannot read this one. Soundless, with a color that can only be described as out of space. I see but a void of nothing in the bigger picture, one too vast to comprehend. Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate."
~~
"Are you suggesting that the black carriage went to receive a person who cannot even use magic?
But that is absurd! The student selection process has not erred once in its century of existence!
How could this have happened?"
~~
"ME! Let ME have this student's seat! I have the robes, the position is mine!" The creature pipes up.
"Off with your head!"
screams a red haired boy. She hasnt ever seen anyone with red hair, before. how interesting.
"Myah?! What are you doing?!" The creature screams. She never did ask for his name...
"Dont try to collar me!"
A friend in need. Columbina desintigrates the collar, dispersing it's magic.