It was an early morning. A bright, although slightly chilly start to the day, as it were. His feet barely made noise against the floor as he hastily strode across the vestibule. He'd just arrived, a little over a minute and a half ago. Where was his welcoming? Didn't this academy have any sense of organisation?

The doubts in his head were forced away. Of course, the residents must've been so preoccupied with their assigned duties that they failed to notice his arrival. An easily forgivable flaw, and after all, it wasn't as if Tony's arrival came with a flashing signpost. He made a mental note to keep an open mind in this place, he supposed it would be far more different than any school he would've encountered.

His surroundings were assessed with a critical eye. Apparently, far more fancier than any school too. Old, but well crafted, and a fish tank far more extravagant than he expected. He could almost picture the students following a similar - polite, well-mannered and educated. This would be the perfect setting for him to proceed with his studies.

But he set his priorities first. He wanted to speak to authority, establish his position here, and learn more about how this place operated. It was a guess, but an educated one, that led him to believe that the door he sighted at the top of the stairs might hold his answers. The staircase itself was daunting - a persistent enemy of his, but not one that he hadn't encountered before.

He did not stop his rather struggle-worthy climb until he reached the very top. An arm rapped the base of the door, before he waited expectantly for a response. His foot tapped impatiently, every second stretching like an hour.

The headmistress had not been to her office yet that day, but she was on her way now. So much had happened in the past few days that it was difficult for her to keep her mind on her responsibilities. But she had woken that morning with the full intention of getting things back on track. She had put events into motion, and it felt powerful. It felt good.

Her head was held high, her steps light, as she made her way through the corridors. In tune with this bout of confidence, Everly wore a pastel purple dress with a lower than usual (though far from revealing) square neckline with a lace trim. In the front, the dress fell straight, but in the back it fanned down, just long enough to trail on the floor behind her.

She was fully set on her task of beginning a productive day, which is the main reason that the small creature standing outside her door startled her so much.

"Oh!" she said, stopping suddenly in her tracks so that she didn't run the little guy over.

As Tony stood waiting outside her office, he gave an indignant sigh. It was almost as if he were offended by the very prospect that she didn't immediately leap to his arrival. Of course, there was the chance that she wasn't present within the office, but it almost seemed too convenient an excuse.

No. He told himself he wouldn't be so harsh this time. He'd face this new environment with a positive, patient outlook.

He turned his head to see what he believed was the woman he'd been waiting for, and he smiled, straightening his pose and neatening the mane of leaves around his neck. He was more than ready to introduce himself with an elegant bow, only that she didn't immediately notice him. Rude! he internally huffed, tottering instinctively back a few steps (he was always accustomed to avoiding incoming stampedes) before clearing his throat to make his presence known.

"Excuse me, ma'am, but I do believe you are the principal of this rather grand castle?" A small smile twitched at the corner of his lips, and his head bowed. "I'd like to introduce myself; Mister Tony Sharp. I would like to admire the immaculate condition of this place, although I would think this door would suit some note or sign that would signify your absence." His tone carried a trace of annoyance that he tried to disguise with a well-intention smile.

"Assuming this is your office, of course, shan't you invite me in? The weather is only too bitter today, and after such a journey, I'd much rather have somewhere to sit rather than loiter out here." He gestured towards the door with the stub of his arm.

Her expression immediately changed to one of recognition and then apology. She has seen his files, she should have known he was coming.

"Tony, of course!" Her hand went briefly to her head before it moved to rest delicately over her chest. She leaned forward slightly at the hips. "I am so sorry. I didn't expect you quite yet. Please, come in." The door swung open in front of them, revealing her neatly organized office. It was the same as it always was, the two wooden-trimmed couched faced each other over a decorative wood coffee table. And at the far end of the room sat a desk. Everything was as clean as it could possibly be, the wood shining.

What a great start to the day this was, almost trampling one of the new students that she felt she may have offended. But the relationship didn't seem past repairing, and she intended to do her best.

Everly waited at the entrance, holding out an hand indicating that Tony should enter first. "Take a seat, and we can get you all settled. Have you been waiting long?" Her eyes were wide as she hoped desperately that he hadn't.

Her apology was to a satisfactory standard to Tony, and soon, his forcibly polite grin softened into something more genuine. "I believe the saying goes, the 'early bird gets the worms', does it not?"

Tittering, he strutted past Everly towards the chouch as instructed. He eyed the seating with a critical eye - had she not even arranged for seating more accustomed to his size? How ill-prepared! Taking a mental note, plant-like fingers grew from his arm to latch onto the edge of the couch, before pulling himself up onto it. Sitting himself down atop a cushion, his legs barely dangled over the edge as he turned to face Everly.

He pretended to think. "Approximately a minute and fourty-seven seconds, Mistress Everly...?" He trailed off, as if expecting confirmation on the name, before continuing. "It could have been far worse, I supopse." He combed his hand through his already perfectly groomed 'hair'.

"There are a few matters I'd like to address, most importantly." He cleared his throat. "I assume my room is prepared for my living? I'd expect only the finest accomodation in a place such as this. And the library - of which I'm sure you're aware I'll be taking over - is in mint condition?" He stopped himself. "Oh, excuse me, I am but a perfectionist for these details. My standards are not unattainable," a fat lie, "but I was merely curious if you were at all prepared for my arrival."

She followed him into the room and watched his method of raising himself onto the couch with admiration, not detecting that he was at all displeased with the furniture arrangement. She sat down on the opposite couch, smoothing her dress beneath her. One minute and forty-seven seconds... her brow furrowed momentarily and she parted her lips only to close them again, unsure of how to respond to the statement. It didn't matter, though, since he continued speaking. She did nod, however, to indicated that he had been correct on her name.

"Taking over?" Her mind immediately went to war, occupation, violence. Of course, this was not what he had meant, and after a brief moment of hesitation she laughed and flipped her hand in the air. "Oh, you mean as the librarian. Yes, yes, of course." She swallowed. "The library is in excellent condition, I assure you." She tilted her head to the side, and raised her eyebrows apologetically. "Perhaps-- slightly unorganized, but free of the dust that usually inhabits such places-- so I hear." She laughed nervously.

His confidence was greater than she would have thought for one so small, and it made her nervous. She mentally tried to make sure that she had not done anything wrong. "As for the room, of course. You will have your choice actually. There are a few rooms available for staff. They are all adequate, I hope you'll agree. They all served as guest rooms when the castle was simply that. Many fine people found them quite nice." She smiled, hoping that it had all been enough.

Tony hadn't supposed that Everly would be at all hesitant or doubtful in his arrival. Of course, being the headmistress of the entire academy, it was laughable to think that she were anything other than completely organised and agreeable. He had enough faith to believe that.

His stare was assertive for what seemed an almost lengthy time before he raised his head in a satisfied, pompous smirk. "Excellent! I'll certainly be anticipating taking up residence here. See, I'd think this place, being as aged as it appears, would have quite the extensive history, no? I could only imagine the vast quantity of books there is to display - why the thought is simply compelling! And of course, I'll be keen to observe whatever rooming you have prepared for me."

He probably could've continued babbling for a lot longer on needless subjects, but he decided to hastily move on, allowing little chance for any intervening. When he spoke, people listened - he demanded it so.

"Now, I must of course, make myself clear on the guidelines of this academy. I'd much rather not leap into the scenery with nary a clue of the rules, would I?" He chortled to himself. "What sort of guidelines do you impose here? No running in the corridors? No eating in hallways? No harmful weapons? Is there any sort of standard uniform?" He prepared himself a mental check-list, looking to her expectantly.