02: The Sun & Moon Academy

Chapter 2: The Sun & Moon Academy

APRIL ROSE

The ornate gate of the Sun and Moon Academy was a towering fifty or so feet of wrought iron with the usual spiky features up top. It had a slightly different motif, featuring an intricate work of stars other than the usual floral. Just like every other Victorian gate, it had statues protruding on either side. Instead of the usual gargoyles, it had a sculpture of an angel holding a trumpet on the right and a horned demon on the left side. It’s seemingly very fitting for a boarding school that accepts creatures with both angelic and demonic blood. The visible dents and the missing parts, along with the presence of moss from both sculptures, meant it had witnessed many different eras. Surely, it might have survived many battles in its wake.

April Rose paused instantly just as she recognized two policemen right in front of the towering gate of the school. One of them was having a conversation with a suspiciously large woman, whom April believed to be a resident of the academy. Curiously wondering what the conversation was all about, April Rose managed to tiptoe all the way behind the police car, hoping to eavesdrop and gather a bit of information.

“This is utterly unacceptable. Why is it that whenever someone goes missing in this godforsaken city, the Sun and Moon Academy is always at fault?” the large woman behind the gates was obviously fuming over the presence of the police authority.

“Look, Mrs. Foxglove—” The policeman was just about to respond, but he was cut off in a blink of an eye.

“It’s Miss Foxglove, Chief Donaldson. You, the very same person, have been here countless times before, and yet you couldn’t get my name right. How imbecile could you be?”

“My deep apologies, Miss Foxglove. Look, I’m just doing my job in order to keep the city safe. This is nothing personal against you or this school," Chief Donaldson replied.

“Exactly! I’m just doing my job as this school’s headmistress the very same way as you, Donaldson. I have eyes and ears all around the school, and I’m going to tell you, no one has anything to do with this missing person.”

“Alright then. Thank you very much for your honesty, Miss Foxglove.”

“You are very much welcome, chief. I promise, whenever I hear or see things regarding this missing person, I’m going to give you a call right away.”

“Thank you; I’m going to hold you on that. Have a good day, Miss Foxglove. I’m very sorry for causing such an inconvenience.”

“You too! And please, Chief Donaldson, I’m truly and madly getting tired of this. Please do tell the mayor to quit sending spies to this place.”

“I will try my best.”

April Rose quickly moved away from the police car just as the two policemen got inside, having no other business left. Miss Foxglove stayed and watched with sharp eyes until the policemen drove away and vanished before eventually turning her back around.

“Miss Foxglove, wait!” April Rose screamed out, rushing towards the metal gate. Her scream wasn’t loud and shrilling but it was more than enough to capture Miss Foxglove’s attention.

The large woman stopped walking as soon as she heard the scream. Slowly, she turned around, throwing such a suspicious glare over at April Rose. “I’m sorry, I just overheard that policeman calling you by your name. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“And who are you?” the tall woman raised an eyebrow as she gradually took a step back towards the gate. April Rose had never seen someone like Miss Foxglove, and she was immediately taken aback by how unbelievably tall and large the woman walking straight towards her was.

Miss Foxglove was a formidable seven-foot-tall woman of a stately, commanding presence. For a woman, she’s incredibly one of a kind even from April’s innocent perspective. She had broad shoulders and thicker limbs, and yet still, there was a visible balance of femininity in her. Miss Foxglove’s ginger hair was impeccably styled into a tidy bun, giving such a clear view of the beautiful features of her face. No one can deny the fact that she’s such a unique character, possessing both a man and a woman’s features.

“H-hi.” April Rose was shaking on the inside, caused by Miss Foxglove’s intimidating presence. “I believe you are the headmistress?” April had to look all the way up since she’s two feet shorter than the titan.

“You haven’t answered my question yet, young lady.” Glaring down, Miss Foxglove ignored April’s query.

“Oh, I-I’m sorry. My name’s April Rose Darlington. I-I came all the way from Wolverhampton, and I came here to study at your school.”

“Well, April Rose, I applaud your efforts in coming all the way here. Wolverhampton is such a faraway place. However, I’m afraid I cannot accept such a request. We are already three months into the semester, dear. You’re awfully late. Plus, we are already full. You should come back next year, and I might consider taking you in," Miss Foxglove said, conveying authority within her deeply measured voice.

“Please, Miss Foxglove!” utterly distraught, April Rose begged, fully aware that there’s nothing waiting for her back home other than the fact that she’s a clear-shot detriment to her family. “This is the only place that I know. I--I don’t have anywhere else to go at this point. If you cannot take me as a student, I’m afraid I’m going to have to apply for a job. I’m a hardworking person, and I... I’m willing to take whatever, Miss Foxglove. I’m totally fine with brushing the toilet. I’m a decent cook. Perhaps I can do some gardening too. Name it!” fully aware of the fact that she can’t go back home, April pleaded, her throat was blowing up fumes of desperation. However, the expression painted on the headmistress's face was stiff and stern. Clear as day, the headmistress does not have any intentions of letting the poor runaway she wolf into the academy.

Miss Foxglove turned around, having nothing else to say to the pleading April Rose. “I’m terribly sorry, dear. I can’t accept you or anyone right now. I’m sure there’s plenty of space in the heart of the city for you.”

“No, please, Miss Foxglove!” the she wolf shook her head, eventually remembering her late father. “M-my father used to attend here. T-Thelonious, his name’s Thelonious Darlington. You might know him!” the desperation gritting in April’s voice was almost palpable.

“Thelonious?” Miss Foxglove murmured under her breath. She hasn’t heard someone mention that name in over a decade, and certainly, it made her remember things she shouldn’t be remembering. "Thelonious is your father?” Foxglove turned back around for the second time, and this time, she’s thoroughly enthralled by the idea that Thelonious’ daughter is standing right in front of her.

April nodded. “Yes, h-he was my father. He didn’t live that much long for me to get to know him, but—"

“You have his green eyes.” Meticulously inspecting the young lady’s striking emerald eyes, Foxglove murmured almost inaudibly. It’s been over a decade since she last saw them, and yet still, she’s very much familiar with those emerald green eyes that appeared exactly like the eyes of the person she once knew.

“W-what?”

Foxglove immediately cleared her throat, recomposing herself. This was not the time for her to reminisce about the past. “I believe we do still have one last slot for you.” With her powerful arms, Foxglove easily pulled the gate open, creating just enough space to let April Rose in. “Come on in, dear, please!”

“T-thank you very much, Miss Foxglove.” April Rose breathed out once she had let herself inside. It is such a huge relief for her that even up to this time, the name of his late father has been helping her get through things.

“We don’t really have any room left for another werewolf like you, but I can arrange a few things. Follow me!”

Engulfed with an honest feeling of solace, April Rose trailed closely behind the tall woman as she led the way. She had to take giant leaps in order to keep up with Foxglove’s huge, giant steps. In April’s mind, she was already asking, How did Miss Foxglove predict that she was a werewolf when she hasn’t even mentioned anything yet? Could she be some sort of a psychic? Or perhaps she’s a werewolf herself too, and she caught my scent, she thought.

April Rose’s attention was gradually stolen by the grand facade of the Sun and Moon Academy. In a quick motion, April twirled around in awe, completely scanning a three-sixty-degree view of the entirety of school. She had seen photos of the place from her father’s suitcase before, but she had never imagined it would be this big and vast in real life. It's almost as vast and grand as the Buckingham Palace, except that it was gothic. Just like the gates, the school building also had towering statues of an angel and a demon on either side. This time, both sculptures were bigger and more intricately detailed, with each having large wings arching from their backs.

As they walked past the flourishing fountain, April Rose could’ve sworn she caught sight of something moving behind this intricately ornate mermaid sculpture. The bright beam coming from the afternoon sunlight hit a perfect spot, providing such a scaly reflection of rainbow colors. She knew this place was crawling with many different creatures, but she had never actually seen anything other than her kind. She was terrified, but she tried to shrug the thought off of her shoulder and continued trailing behind Miss Foxglove.

“I know you are there, Nessie. I can see the reflection. Come out now; you are scaring your new schoolmate," Miss Foxglove mouthed out.

April Rose was momentarily perplexed at first, but then, out of the blue, a kid probably around the age of fifteen showed up in full form. He spontaneously jumped out of the fountain, carelessly making a splash of water right next to April Rose. It was fascinating how he managed to blend in with the mermaid sculpture in the very center of the fountain, completely tricking April Rose’s eyes.

“Gyahhhh!” startled, April jumped out away from the young boy, but he just ignored her presence.

“I thought you weren’t accepting new students in the academy, Miss Foxglove?” Nessie inquired, looking up towards Miss Foxglove before eventually giving April Rose a side-eye. April Rose quickly noticed something different about the Nessie kid, and she wondered what could he be. His ears were exquisitely different than normal, having such an elaborately colorful fin-like features along with the presence of scales extending to his temple. He also had three incisions on top of each other on the side of his neck. To April Rose’s conclusion, those incisions could be another set of breathing paths apart from his mouth and nose.

“And I thought you were banned from camouflaging, Nessie?” Miss Foxglove replied, purely avoiding the kid’s prior query.

“I’m sorry, Miss Foxglove. I just saw you talking to the police. Have they found my sister yet?”

Miss Foxglove held a very soft sigh. This was one of those times when she hated her job, having to answer difficult queries such as this. “I’m afraid they haven’t found your sister Sardine yet.” The tall woman leaned over towards the kid, giving him such an encouraging smile. “But I’m sure they’re doing their best to find her, and I hope they find her soon.”

“She’s been missing for days, and I already miss her," Nessie replied. His tone was a blend of both disappointment and sadness.

“I know. Everybody misses her too. But you don’t have to worry, Nessie. Once I hear something, I’ll let you know about it first thing.” reassurance, that’s the only thing that Foxglove could do in this alarming situation. She does not want to make the kid feel sadder than he already is.

“Okay.”

“Now run along; class is waiting for you.” Miss Foxglove patted Nessie’s hair before eventually letting him go.

Once they were inside the building, April Rose was immediately engulfed with a feeling of blatant discomfort and sudden insecurity. It was just the entrance hall, but everything felt vast, and though this was a different type of school, April Rose still felt she was just going to the same school she used to attend. There were a myriad of curious eyes gawking at her, seemingly stripping her of whatever self-esteem she had left in her bones. She could only imagine what they were thinking of her. Although she wanted to be here in the first place, she still couldn’t shake the fact that being in school was just a scary thing for her. Even when she was at her regular school back in Wolverhampton, she never felt completely securely confident about herself. She couldn’t shake the thought of those pompous bullies who think they own the world out of her head, and being inside a boarding school significantly terrified her more than being in a regular one.

“As what I’ve mentioned earlier, we don’t really have much room left for more werewolves. Werewolves do kind of dominate the entire population here at Sun and Moon Academy.” Miss Foxglove led April Rose towards the stairs leading up to the mezzanine floor. "But for sure, I will—.”

“Miss Foxglove!” someone yelled before a woman wearing a knitted cardigan came running down from the mezzanine floor. As far as April Rose could tell, the look painted on the woman’s face seemed like something horrible had happened.

“What is it, Wilaila?” asked Miss Foxglove.

“He’s done it again!” Wilaila spoke clearly, agitated.

“Calm down, Wilaila. I’ll be there in a second.” Miss Foxglove seemed like she’s already used to the situation; whatever it is, she held her composure. “I’m afraid I might have to leave you here, April Rose. I need to attend to this matter immediately.”

“B-but I don’t know my way around here," April Rose cried out, flustered and confused. She was even more terrified to be alone when she just got here. She let her eyes roam around the vast hall, and it was like she’s looking over at a sea of monsters, and though she’s one of them, she still has to develop such a level of courage to be around that many strangers.

“Marceline?” Miss Foxglove called out for the attention of a girl just walking by.

“Yes, Miss Foxglove?” the young girl, just around the same age as April Rose, approached them. She had a beautiful hair dyed red with a few blue highlights; she was looking as pale as the moonlight—not anemic but just so visually pale that you could see the veins underneath her skin. Her eyes were also rounder and fuller, and it seemed as though she’s an animated character who rose straight out to life.

“This is April Rose; she’s new here. I want you to show her around the school, and also, I also believe you still want a roommate, am I right?” Miss Foxglove muttered.

“Oh, I definitely do. It’s been lonely inside my room. Am I finally getting one?” gritting with joy, Marceline chirped, looking over at the headmistress and then onto April Rose.

“April? This is Marceline, and she will be your roommate for the rest of your time here at the academy. Worry less; she doesn’t bite, and you’d rather have her as a roommate than some of the werewolves around here. I’ll be sending the documents you’ll need to fill up to your room later. Have fun!” Miss Foxglove then turned around and followed the woman in a knitted cardigan’s footsteps.

The excitement growing from within Marceline was evident as she swiftly yanked April Rose by the arm as if they were very close to each other. To April Rose’s mind, this was the very first time someone's been very excited to be around her. It did nothing but make her feel less afraid of the new world that she had just plunged herself into.

“Oh my lord, I can’t believe I’m finally having a roommate! My name’s Marceline, by the way, and you are April Rose, right?” Marceline’s attention was fully onto the shy and wary April Rose. “We are going to become besties from now on! I’m sure of it! You look like you are fun to be around with.”

“Yeah.” April Rose nodded sheepishly. Though Marceline’s cheerful energy was a bit overwhelming for her, she liked the lingering idea of having a bestie. It’s almost time for her to have someone close other than her mother and brother.

“Oh, don’t be shy around me, April Rose. Worry less, I don’t bite, but perhaps I would suck your blood, graahhhh!” Marceline blabbered out, making her voice raspy like a monster trying to scare some kid before eventually popping her fangs out and licking them.

“What?” April Rose felt frightened for a bit until Marceline gradually transitioned into a mirthful giggle.

“I’m just kidding. This vampire is a certified vegan!” Marceline trailed off.

“Y-you’re a vampire?” asked April Rose. She was thinking that was definitely the reason why she’s incredibly pale as the moonlight.

“Ahuh.” Marceline nodded.

“And you are vegan?” April Rose thought, how in the world was that even possible?

“That’s right, I am what they call a vegan vampire. Can you believe it? I only drink animal blood. Pigs, cows, deer, hares, and horses. Chicken blood is easily one of the best, though they don’t have that much blood, which sucks. Animal blood actually tastes fresher than human blood, and they’re even healthier.” While it seemed clear that April Rose felt disgusted by the topic of drinking blood, Marceline was just starting to feel comfortable around her. “Fun fact: I’m the only vegan in our family, and I really don’t understand why I can’t convert anyone to follow my way of eating. Drinking animal blood is way much better than sucking it from someone’s neck. Plus, I don’t have to feel bad for taking an innocent human soul just so I could eat, don’t you think?”

“I...” April Rose was utterly speechless. Although she’s been raised in one of the tiniest and less powerful packs in Wolverhampton, not once in her life has she ever interacted with other creatures like a vampire before.

“You don’t speak much, do you? I kinda like you.” Marceline held April Rose tightly by the arm as they both began to cover up some ground.

“I’m sorry. I-I’m just overwhelmed," said April Rose, breathing heavily.

“I feel you. I was overwhelmed too when my parents threw me here. Anyway, before I take you to our room, let’s start your tour around the school first.”

The cheerful and verbose Marceline began touring April Rose around the Sun and Moon Academy, haphazardly showing her every single place and essentially telling her everything she needs to know about the school. So far, April Rose has been so thoroughly entertained by the lively and informative Marceline that she almost forgot how terrified she was initially.

“This place is really huge," April Rose muttered as she eventually realized they'd been walking around for a while and people were still staring at her, just as she expected.

“Oh yeah, this place is humungous and I believe I won’t be able to show you all of the places today. Let’s continue our tour next time. For now, I’m really quite excited to show you our room!” Marceline squealed. “Let’s head to the Selene Hall.”

As both ladies turned into a corner going towards Selene Hall, April Rose, having such sharp instincts, noticed something rapidly approaching from behind. In a quick motion, she managed to catch a ball that was just about to hit Marceline before a slim-built guy with all sorts of tattoos and piercings showed up.

"Oh, my Dracula!” Marceline glowered before eventually giving out an intense death glare towards the guy who was quickly approaching them. “Are you really trying to hit me with a ball?”

April Rose immediately noticed how Marceline and the guy seemed to have known each other for a while. She wasn’t sure what their relationship was, but she knew there was something.

“I’m really sorry about that; the ball slipped out of my hand.” The guy replied with such a distinct swag, similar to someone fully dosed with vanity. “Who’s this new chick?” letting out a whistle, the guy winked over at April Rose.

“She’s my new roommate, and don’t you dare call her a chick because she’s a damn lady, and you shall treat her as such," replied Marceline, sounding a lot like she was bragging and protecting April Rose at the very same time.

“Oh, you’ve got a new roommate? How funny is that? The last time you had one, you almost ki—”

Before the guy could even finish his sentence, Marceline talked over him. "Yeah, and she doesn’t want to even know your name, so we would appreciate it if you scram.”

“Psh, who cares? I don’t even want to know her name because the only name that matters to me is your name.” The guy scoffed quickly, redirecting his attention from April Rose back towards Marceline. “So, I was just wondering if I could take you on a date on the rooftop tonight? We could watch the moon together, you know. We could get—”

“Ew!!! Shut the hell up, Percival. I’d rather let the sun scorch my skin than watch the moon with you, jackass!” said Marceline in a grossed-out tone.

“Ouch! Your words cut like a knife!” The guy named Percival pretended as if someone had just struck a sharp dagger towards his chest.

Just as the Percival guy was acting hurt by Marceline’s words, Marceline pushed him with such force that he bumped over at another guy who was just passing by. The guy seemed overly annoyed by it and immediately grabbed Percival by the collar before eventually pinning him against the wall.

“Watch where you are going, dumbass!” the guy hissed, and Percival looked terrified, almost as if he regretted messing with Marceline.

“Yeah, I-I’m sorry.”

Marceline, hoping to get away as far from Percival and the other guy, immediately grabbed April Rose by her arm and pulled her out of the situation.

“Who was that guy?” April Rose asked, gritting with such curiosity. She could’ve sworn the guy’s scent was extremely familiar, as though she had already met him at some point in time.

"Oh, that’s Conall Augustus; you wouldn’t want to be near him at all.”

“Why?”

“He’s the only son of the most powerful Lycan king. I heard he ran away from his pack, and people are saying he has gone rogue. There are also rumors going around that he murdered his supposed mate at a summer camp. That might be the reason why he ran away," Marceline divulged, speaking like a true gossip.

When April Rose looked back to steal one more glance at Conall, the guy was already looking over at her, his eyes glaring fiercely. A rush of familiarity swiftly engulfed her, and she immediately looked away, not because she was caught stealing a glance but because the guy looked like someone she had already met before.