“Atlas.” He paused until I looked at him. “I don’t know how to tie a tie.”
Every incoming Omnia student knew how to tie a tie and with multiple different style knots. Considering the circles their families kept, most of the students had been tying their own ties since elementary school.
“I’ll show you.”
“Okay, thank you. I don’t want to look bad.”
Ryder would never look bad.
“I’ll have you tying ties like a pro before the first day of class.”
He was starting to come out of his shell more and was getting comfortable with asking me questions while we were out.
“You said you were an Omnia student. What cohort were you in?”
“I was also in the Aqua cohort.”
“Are all the mentees in the same cohort their mentors were from?”
“No. It’s just how it works out sometimes. Aqua’s dormitory used to be decorated in dark woods and navy accents. It was gloomy and heavy feeling. It’s decorated in mostly blue and green hues now and is very calming. I love it.”
“Are all the students cool to one another?”
“They are. I’m sure you’ll bond with some more than others, as that’s how it naturally goes. I met my best friend there. He’s also a mentor at the academy and lives next door to me.”
“That’s cool to have a friend you’ve known since you entered the academy.”
During the remainder of the ride to Dawson & Clarke’s Clothiers, we talked about the cohorts and the annual cohort competitions.
“Are the cohort competitions only between the other students in the same year?”
“Yes. Late in the summer is when the first years compete in the survival drop,” I explained. “You’ll be dropped off in a remote area with other first year students in your cohort, and your team will compete against the other cohorts’ students with various tasks. The students on the first-place team win a prize.”
“Prizes sound good.”
“It’s usually something elaborate.”
“Even better.”
“Each year has a different competition. The third-year students have my personal favorite competition: a yachting and sailing tournament.”
“I’ve never sailed.”
“You will. All students will be taught,” I said as we pulled up to Dawson & Clarke’s. Before we got out of the car, I looked at Ryder and had an overwhelming urge to tell him more about this appointment. I’d never felt as though I needed to warn a student, but because of Ryder’s background and the fact he was still recovering from some injuries, I felt like I should give him some heads-up.
“During the appointment, the tailor will have you trying on various things so they can have clothes that fit you correctly ready for day one. So there’ll be lots of changing, but it’ll be in a private section.”
“Okay.”
“Let’s go,” I said.
I’d already given Cici a warning that Ryder was still recovering, some bruising and scratches still marking his skin. Cici was one of the tailors, and each appointment usually included the tailor and two to three assistants. Since I’d never had a bashful student, or one bearing the marks that Ryder carried, I was unsure of how this appointment would go. I didn’t want Cici in the dark and then react in a way that would make Ryder feel awkward about himself. He didn’t need to field any shocked expressions from strangers. Typically, the store was busy, though I’d never been there this close to the start of term for the initial appointment.
I opened the door to the shop and motioned Ryder to go in ahead of me. Cici stepped out from behind the counter and walked toward us with a welcoming smile.
“Hello, Cici,” I said as I reached out to shake his outstretched hand.
“Atlas, always a pleasure.” Cici turned his attention to Ryder and smiled. “This must be Ryder Smith.”
