Ver wakes up the next day with arms sprawled all over him, each of the XSOLEIL members arranged in weird sleeping positions. Kotoka's spread out like a starfish. Groaning, the president starts to pluck the rest of the council's arms off of him as he begrudgingly begins to get ready for another long day.
As he gets out of the bathroom after a shower, he notices Kotoka slowly waking up. "Ah...? Oh... good morning Kaichou..."
"Morning Koto. We have to get going soon, the new students should be at school in about an hour."
Her eyes widen and she suddenly throws the blankets off of her and it lands on Hex's face. "Oh shit, thanks for reminding me Ver."
With newfound energy, she darts straight into the bathroom.
Half an hour later both president and vice-president are in their respective outfits and ready to go meet the three new students. They yawn simultaneously and leave their shared house, leaving the other three to peacefully sleep until the second day of the games start.
By the time they get to the office, it's ten minutes before the meeting time.
Ver slumps in his chair trying to get himself in the right mindset for welcoming in new people to their institute while Kotoka is doing some last touch ups on her make up and hair.
A knock at the door is all the warning they're given before the headmaster opens the door and lets in the three new students.
The first person to step in has clothing that makes Ver flustered beyond belief. Kotoka gives him the death stare for that from across the table. He's incredibly tall, though not as tall as Doppio, wearing a black skin tight suit with a black vest over it and seems to really adore belts. There's also scars on his face. His hair is black with the majority a bleached blonde with slight purple tips. Ver can feel his cheeks warm up and Kotoka actually steps on his foot, causing him to wince and kick her back from underneath the table.
The second person to step in also has dual colored hair, though this time it's black on the outer part of his hair and purple on the inner. He too has a scar on his face, though it is over his left eye, and he dons a blue long sleeved dress shirt accompanied with a corset that snatches his wasit and could honestly rival Shu. And... and he levitates. Kotoka has to stare at the gap between the floor and the man's feet for more than a few seconds to gain an understanding. His arms are covered in black gloves and dark colored bandages. Really lives up to his name.
The last person is significantly brighter - and Ver really does mean brighter - than the other two with his bright blonde hair, bright blue eyes - Kotoka thinks they're beautiful though she may be biased - his orange goggles atop his head, and his bright yellow and blue clear crop jacket. There are headphones wrapped around his neck and he wears a skin tight gray suit. He too has belts wrapped around his legs.
Of course, the ever elusive headmaster slips away as soon as everyone is in the room, and closes the door again.
The three new students stand nervously in front of them, as taut as a drawn bow string and Kotoka has to try really hard not to laugh. They're all as stiff as a board.
Just to tease them, and before Ver can relieve them of their internal turmoil, Kotoka speaks up with a raised eyebrow. "Well? Aren't you going to introduce yourselves?"
"Kotoka!" Ver hisses quietly as he stares at her with narrowed eyes.
The man in the middle startles with widened eyes. "O-Oh yes, of course. Forgive us for this oversight. My name is Vezalius Bandage, though you may just call me Zali." That is a thick french accent Ver notes.
The taller male stumbles over his own words, his demeanor a stark contrast to his appearance. "M-My name is... is Vantacrow Bringer. But you can just call me Vanta."
"My name is Yu Q. Wilson! But Wilson is just fine, calling me Yu might be a little confusing," the shorter male iterates in a confident tone of voice, but his expressive eyes give away his nervousness.
Ver sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Enough, Kotoka."
The stern look on her face dissolves immediately and she breaks out into a cheeky grin. "ごめん、ごめん。I just wanted to tease them a little, don't be so stiff Ver." She turns to the three onlookers. "I'm Kotoka Torahime! Nice you finally meet you guys. I am the council's vice president."
Ver smiles softly at the three. "And my name is Ver Vermillion, this institute's student council president. Apologies for such an early meeting, your admission was scheduled during a very exciting time for the institute."
"I hate when you get all formal, it disgusts me," Kotoka groans from under her breath, fake gagging. This earns her a kick from under the table and a Korean curse. The action doesn't go unnoticed by Vanta and he stifles a laugh.
"Oh no worries Ver-senpai," Zali reassures. "We overheard the commotion yesterday as we were unpacking everything and getting settled in. Thank you for the house accommodations by the way."
"Of course," he replies. "Please um, drop the senpai. We don't really do formalities around here as you can tell from Kotoka's behavior."
Zali chuckles. "Alright. If you don't mind me asking, where's the rest of the council?"
"Sleeping in," Kotoka tells him. "Kaichou and I decided to leave them alone. They did have a... long night after all."
"Kotoka!!" Ver seethes, red tinting his cheeks as his hands curl up into fists atop the table. Kotoka cackles.
Wilson stares at them with comically wide eyes. "H-Huh?"
Ver clears his throat. "Don't mind her. You'll be able to meet them soon enough, I'm sure. Anyways, this meeting has been derailed far too many times. This was originally just for you guys to get acquainted with us and for us to hand you a few essentials. Kotoka, if you would."
Deciding not to play anymore games, Kotoka stands up and hands each of them a small envelope, each with their names on it and gestures for them to open it. Inside the envelope is a paper schedule, a keycard so they don't have to use keys, a letter personally written by the council members themselves, and a pin of the institute's logo.
"In my opinion, the letter's a bit... embarrassing... so please read that on your own time," he subtly pleads. Zali, Wilson, and Vanta nod at that. "Good."
"You may either continue to settle in or join us in the stadium for Day 2 of the games," Kotoka tells them.
"I really really want to see the games!" Wilson blurts out. "I want to see who our rivals are."
"Perfect! Seats in our section will be reserved for you."
The two council members bid the three newbies - Krisis they suddenly remember - goodbye as they leave the room. Once the door clicks closed, Ver buries his face in his hands.
"Why?!" he asks.
"Kaichou, they need to assimilate to our crazy school somehow," Kotoka attempts to reason. "Besides, you know Ethyria is more unhinged."
"Well- yeah, but that was embarrassing!"
"I thought it was funny."
Ver sighs. "Of course you did."
———————————————
Meanwhile at Teyvat University, the student council was also welcoming in new students from Fontaine. Everyone - but Alhaitham - was present.
"We welcome you all to our prestigious university," Ningguang greets them professionally. The new students in front of her consist of Lyney, Lynette, Freminet, Navia, Clorinde, and Sigewinne. They also gained new faculty members. Furina is the new supervisor of the Theater department, Neuvillette is the new teacher for law classes, and Wriothesley is the one who supervises all forms of discipline, including expulsion.
"We hope you assimilate well into our school," Ganyu says. "Please don't hesitate to ask any questions or bring up any concerns."
An intent to ask a question is swimming in Lyney's eyes, but he does not take action to ask one. After all, it would do him and his siblings no good to ask such a question at all.
Seeing that nobody has a question at the moment, Ningguang gestures for Keqing to start handing out a packet containing a schedule, a letter, a keycard to their dorm rooms as backup, and whatever else the others requested individually.
"While you may continue to settle in, we hope you can join us in the stands for the second day of the Vistyx games," Keqing invites. After that, they are dismissed. Freminet wanted to retreat back to his room so that leaves the twins in the hallway. The others have already left: Navia and Clorinde couldn't stand the awkward tension between them and Sigewinne left to go find Wriothesley.
"A shame we missed the games," Lyney bemoans. "I would have loved to show a massive audience bigger than what the Opera Epiclese can give what true magic is!" As he says this, with a sleight of hand, a hand of cards appears in his left hand. He hands one with a turquoise patterned teacup to Lynette.
The calmer twin flips the card two times and pulls the teacup out of the card, sipping it leisurely like she doesn't share Lyney's enthusiasm. "That really is too bad, bro."
Lyney waves his hand again and the deck of cards are gone. "I suppose we could give the spotlight to our fellow students now."
"A break would be nice, yes," Lynette agrees. Her cautious eyes dart around the hallway. "Brother, I suggest a relocation. There are far too many eyes and ears here."
"You are right, dear sister." Lyney winks at nobody in particular. "Shall we meet up with Freminet in the dorms then?"
Lynette nods and the twins are on their way back to the dorm room.
They will be sure to be at the stadium. Now, if only they remembered to ask for directions to the Insitute of Infinite Mystics. The three siblings will just have to remember to ask "Father" later on.