Chapter Text
The room was tiny. A small bed was pushed into the back corner, leaving room only for a small wardrobe and a small desk. There was about four square feet of empty space in the middle of the room.
Those four square feet were currently occupied by two large suitcases and a backpack that had been carried up those horrid three flights of stairs by the room's new inhabitant.
This inhabitant panted slightly, pulling her long, wild curls into a rushed ponytail. She still had to unpack before she could rest. She hefted the first of the suitcases onto the bed (for there truly was no room to open it, otherwise) and unzipped it.
The inside of the suitcase (and the other one, as well) was stuffed to the brim with books. She began to pull them out, keeping them neatly alphabetized as she stacked them in her wardrobe. Once the contents of both suitcases were neatly placed in the wardrobe, she stowed the empty suitcases under the bed, creating lovely pull-out storage. She pulled her clothes out of the backpack next, grimacing at the wrinkles. She folded them as nicely as she could, taking inventory as she placed the folded clothes into the suitcases.
Because she had had to sacrifice luggage space in order to bring so many books, she had only brought whatever clothes she could cram into her backpack: two sweaters, one reversible tartan vest, three blouses, one smart skirt, one pair of trousers, a nightgown, and her underclothes. She supposed that she could pop into the small town nearby should she find herself lacking in clothing options.
With the room finally settled, Aziraphale toed off her sensible low-heeled shoes and laid on the bed. She sighed softly as the generic clock on the wall ticked rhythmically towards five o'clock. She was exhausted, but there was no time for a nap before the dining hall would open for dinner. After a brief lie-down, she stood back up. She removed her dress and changed into a pale blue long-sleeved blouse, her tartan vest, and the beige skirt. She pulled the rubber band off her ponytail and ran a brush through her waist-length near-white curls.
Feeling refreshed and ready to face the other students, Aziraphale slipped her shoes back on, grabbed her key, and headed out of her new home.
~~
The dining hall was bustling with activity by the time Aziraphale arrived. It was set up with a buffet of different options to choose from, each of which reached out with tendrils of aromatic temptation towards the gathering diners. There were stations set up with sandwiches, salads, pasta, sushi, desserts, and everything in between.
After navigating the crowded buffet area without stepping on any toes or dropping any of her food, Aziraphale placed her full plate down onto one of the few remaining empty tables in the dining hall before sitting primly in a chair. She picked up her fork and began to eat, unable to help a smile as the lovely taste hit her tongue.
The smile froze as someone plopped themselves in the seat next to her, all but dropping their plate in the table.
"Well, that was a bloody cluster. Mind if I sit here?"
Aziraphale didn't respond right away. She was too busy taking in the girl who was suddenly sprawled in the seat beside her.
The girl had deep red hair that was buzzed short on the left side, the right reaching just past her chin. She wore sunglasses -- an odd choice for an indoor dinner, Aziraphale thought -- that obscured all but the faintest hint of the eyes underneath. The girl had what looked like a tattoo at first glance, but Aziraphale could tell that the snake below the girl's ear was drawn on with a marker. She leaned forward, the leather jacket shifting on her shoulders just enough that Aziraphale could see that her turtleneck was sleeveless.
"Hello? If you want me to go, just say something, because I honestly don't know how to interpret that."
Aziraphale's cheeks reddened as she hurried to straighten her posture. "Y-yes! I mean, of course you can sit here. The tables aren't reserved, as far as I'm aware."
The girl snorted. "I know that much. I was just checking if you minded. Name's Crowley, by the way."
"Aziraphale."
"That's a mouthful, innit?" Crowley's cheeky smile made it clear that she was merely teasing.
"It is, rather. Alas, it's my mouthful of a name." Aziraphale gave her a shy grin in return. "Yours isn't too common either, though."
"It's my surname. Like it better than my first. My parents expected a boy, you see. Had a name all picked out and everything, and out I pop without the right equipment, and they decide to just feminize the name they picked. Antonia. Hate girl names that come from boy names, me."
"Crowley it shall be, then," Aziraphale confirmed, her smile growing bolder. Something about the other girl just put her at ease. "Are you new, too?"
"I am, but my cousins've already built up a reputation for me." Crowley grabbed a mini apple tart from her plate and held it out to Aziraphale. "Want this? I was hungrier when I was in line."
"Oh, yes please, if you're sure," Aziraphale nodded. Her hand was halfway to the treat when she found it already in her mouth. The indignant protests at being hand-fed melted away as the pastry melted across her tongue. Her eyes closed and she hummed happily.
"It's really that good?" Crowley asked, an eyebrow raised above the frame of her sunglasses.
"It's absolutely scrummy," Aziraphale insisted, wiggling a little in her chair. "I must remember to grab one next time."
"Yeah, must do." Crowley had an odd look on her face for a split second longer before it went back to normal. "You get your schedule yet?"
"No, the post hadn't arrived at my building yet. It'll probably be waiting for me when I get back, though… I'll admit, I am a bit nervous. I've never been to a school like this before."
"'S not so bad, I've heard," Crowley assured. "My cousins seem to like it, at least. The oldest one, he's in college now, and he says it really helps you get used to that."
"That's what I heard as well. Part of why I came. I've never been terribly social, and my family wanted me to 'jump into the deep end' early, as they say," Aziraphale sighed, her gaze lowering to the table.
"Well, if we've got classes together, maybe we can come to some sort of arrangement. Sit together and the like," Crowley offered, that odd look reappearing.
Fondness, Aziraphale realized, and the thought colored her cheeks. "Yes, I believe that should do nicely."
"See you around, then, angel."