Ark Simulator, don't I have no physical form?

His movements were not fast; in fact, they were somewhat slow due to his stiff body and the turmoil in his heart. But every step he took carried an almost tragic, self-destructive determination.

He walked to the table and first picked up the soft, brand-new pair of underwear. The cottony feel under his fingertips made him pause almost imperceptibly. Then, he bent down…

Through her fingers, Eyjafjalla saw Suri's smooth back and slightly taut waist and hips as he bent over. She felt her cheeks burning and quickly closed her fingers again, but her gaze stubbornly peeked through the narrow gap, following him closely.

Saria remained standing in place, her hands folded in front of her, relaxed, her gaze calmly watching Suri's movements, as if appreciating a "performance" that she had personally arranged and that perfectly met her expectations.

Suri (in his lamb form) put on his underwear and trousers with lightning speed, though his movements were far from elegant. The trousers fit perfectly, just as Saria had said, as if tailor-made. Next came the socks, then the white stand-up collar shirt. Buttoning them took a little time; his fingers were somewhat stiff and unresponsive due to lingering emotions. Finally, there was the dark blue V-neck knit vest.

As he buttoned up the last button and straightened his slightly disheveled collar and hem, the clothes that had seemed rather ordinary on the table now fit him strangely, outlining the boy's slender yet upright figure. His soft, silvery-white short hair was slightly messy from his movements, with a few strands falling across his forehead. This made his delicate face, still flushed, appear less shy and bewildered than it had been at first, and more like the awkwardness and... indescribable, almost superhuman purity that belonged to this "form," somewhere between a boy and a young man.

He stood there, head slightly bowed, his dark eyes fixed on the unfamiliar clothes he wore, his long eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath his eyelids. Wrapped in the well-fitting clothes, his body no longer felt the same sense of exposure as before, but rather as if it had been encased in a new shell belonging to "Suri (this form)," appearing both familiar and utterly strange.

Volume 19, Chapter 1290: Why is it you?

The office was silent. Only the faint, distant hustle and bustle of Trimont could be heard outside the window.

Eyjafjalla finally lowered her hands from her eyes. Her cheeks were still flushed, and her pink eyes were slightly moist from the intense peeping she had just received. She was now staring intently at Suri (in her lamb form), who was now fully dressed and standing there. Her heart was filled with immense confusion, shyness, and a strange, almost unsettling feeling, as if she were witnessing some important turning point.

Saria's gaze calmly fell on Suri again, slowly scanning her from head to toe. Then, she nodded almost imperceptibly, as if confirming something.

“It suits you well.” Saria’s voice rang out, still in that flat tone, making it impossible to tell whether it was a compliment or just a statement.

Suri (in lamb form) raised his head, his black eyes meeting Saria's icy blue gaze. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but in the end, he only let out a barely audible "humph" from his nose and looked away. The blush that had faded slightly at the base of his ears from the process of getting dressed seemed to creep back up a little.

This episode, which was triggered by an "unexpected appearance," followed by "pre-prepared clothing" and "openly watched," and finally ended with Suri "giving up" by dressing herself, full of subtle tension and extreme shame (for someone), seems to have temporarily come to a close.

But the complex, indescribable atmosphere that permeated the air hadn't completely dissipated. Beneath Saria's calm lay a certain understanding and control over the past. Eyjafjalla, amidst her shyness, felt an immense curiosity about Suri's "new form" and a budding, more distinct possessiveness. As for Suri herself... after being forced to "frankly" face the situation, she was filled with anger at Saria's "scheming," helplessness at Eyjafjalla's "spying," and a profound sense of powerlessness over her inexplicable and uncontrollable "mode of existence."

The air in the office seemed to still carry the lingering heat and awkwardness of the "changing-clothes fiasco." Suri (in his lamb form), dressed in the impossibly well-fitting clothes that Saria had "prepared," stood there, his dark eyes slightly lowered, long eyelashes casting soft shadows on his pale cheeks. He seemed still struggling to process the shock of being forced to change "frankly," and the overwhelming mix of shame, helplessness, and a hint of annoyance at being "tricked." The well-fitting clothes, while concealing his body, couldn't hide the unease emanating from him and… a strange, striking sense of youthful awkwardness.

Eyjafjalla stood a few steps away, the blush on her cheeks not yet completely faded, but her pink eyes no longer darted away. Instead, they held a complex mix of lingering shyness, intense curiosity, and a growing focus that she herself wasn't fully aware of, all fixed firmly on Suri (in his lamb form). This boy with lamb horns similar to hers, silver hair, and black eyes, so exquisitely handsome he seemed unreal, was Suri—the voice in her mind, her only support and secret. This realization, coupled with the impactful "witnessing" she had just experienced, became more concrete, and more…unsettling.

Meanwhile, Saria, the instigator, remained the calmest in the office. Her icy blue eyes, like two bottomless ancient wells, quietly watched Suri (in her lamb form), who was already dressed but exuded an uneasy aura. That gaze was calm, yet it seemed to carry a tremendous weight, and it also seemed to contain some kind of hidden undercurrent that only she herself understood.

Then, just when Eyjafjalla thought this unexpected meeting was about to end in this somewhat tense manner—

Saria moved.

Her movements were as fluid and natural as all her previous actions, even carrying a sense of self-assured ease. She didn't speak, but simply strode towards Suri (in lamb form), who was standing there with her face slightly turned away.

Suri (in lamb form) seemed to sense her approach, his body stiffening almost imperceptibly. A hint of wariness and doubt flashed in his dark eyes. He instinctively wanted to take a half-step back, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot, and he didn't move. Perhaps it was the stubbornness left over from his "what's the use" attitude, or perhaps it was the unquestionable aura that Saria had cultivated over a long period of time.

Saria stopped a step away from him. She was slightly taller than Suri (in her lamb form), and looked down at him with her eyes slightly lowered. That gaze was no longer the pure, calm scrutiny it had been before, but contained a hint of... an extremely subtle, indescribable, almost nostalgic feeling, and something deeply restrained.

"Suri," Saria whispered, her voice deeper than usual, as if carrying a strange magnetism.

Suri (in lamb form) did not respond, but pursed her lips, raised her black eyes to meet her gaze, which was filled with questioning and lingering awkwardness.

Then, under Eyjafjalla's suddenly widened pink eyes, Saria stretched out her arms.

It wasn't the kind of arm around the shoulder that carried a sense of control and protection, but a more... direct embrace.

She reached out her arms and, with a force that was both irresistible and exceptionally gentle, gently but firmly embraced Suri (in her lamb form) who was standing in front of her.

Suri (in lamb form) froze completely the moment he fell into that embrace. He could clearly feel the cool touch of Saria's uniform fabric, smell her unique scent that blended rationality, strength, and a faint, cool fragrance, feel the steady and real strength of her arms around his shoulders and back, and... feel Saria's body temperature emanating through her clothes.

This hug, unlike the previous semi-forced "embracing," was more complete, closer, and seemed to contain more unspeakable emotions.

Saria lowered her head slightly, gently resting her chin on the top of Suri's (in lamb form) soft silver hair. Her movements were very light, as if afraid of disturbing something, but her arms were wrapped tightly around her, carrying a complex force that seemed to be something lost and then regained, yet something that had to be restrained.

Suri (in lamb form) could feel her breath, gently brushing against the hair on his head and the pair of small, delicate lamb horns compared to hers. He could feel that Saria's usually calm and even heartbeat seemed to quicken slightly at this moment, though it remained steady and strong.

Volume 19, Chapter 1291: I Was Here First

Time seemed to stretch out at that moment.

Eyjafjalla stood to the side, completely stunned. Her pink eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, and she almost forgot to breathe. She watched as Saria embraced Suri (in her lamb form), watched as Saria lowered her head and snuggled intimately close to Suri, watched as Suri (in her lamb form) froze in Saria's arms, her delicate profile blank with bewilderment, and... a hint of stiffness from being startled by this sudden intimacy, not having had time to react.

Ms. Saria...is holding Suri? In that...that position?

A more unfamiliar, sharper emotion, like cold thorns, pierced Eyjafjalla's heart unexpectedly. It wasn't just surprise, not just shyness, but a clearer, almost instinctive discomfort and…repulsion. That was her Suri! The voice in her mind, her unique secret and reliance! How could Lady Seria…how could she hold him like this? And rest her chin on his head? So close…

Eyjafjalla's fingers curled unconsciously, her nails digging into her palms. Her pink eyes were fixed on the two embracing figures (though Suri was the passive one), her chest heaving, a mixture of resentment, anger, and intense possessiveness churning within her. She desperately wanted to rush forward, pull Suri away from Saria's embrace, and hide her behind her.

However, Saria didn't seem to intend to keep the hug going for long, nor did she make any further moves.

Perhaps she keenly sensed the sudden and complex emotional fluctuations on Eyjafjalla's side, or perhaps it was her own amazing self-control that allowed her to quickly regain her usual composure after a brief, almost out-of-control moment of intimacy.

She simply held Suri (in her lamb form) and remained still for a few seconds. Those few seconds were a period of stiffness and confusion for Suri, an ordeal and a surge of jealousy for Eyjafjalla, and perhaps for Saria herself, a brief and secret release and confirmation of long-suppressed emotions.

Then, Saria released her arms.

Her movements remained composed, as if the undeniable force of the embrace had never occurred. She took a half-step back, her icy blue eyes regaining their usual deep calm, as if the slight fluctuation from before was merely an illusion. She raised her hand and, with remarkable ease, straightened the slightly askew collar of Su Rui's (in lamb form) knitted vest, which had become slightly crooked from the embrace. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed against the skin of his neck, bringing a cool touch.

After she stepped back, Suri (in lamb form) seemed to snap out of his petrified state. His body swayed almost imperceptibly, and a complex emotion—a mixture of confusion, embarrassment, and some deeper stirring—fleeted through his dark eyes. But he quickly lowered his gaze, avoiding Saria's eyes and also avoiding Eyjafjalla's almost fiery stare. The blush at the base of his ears seemed to be spreading again.

Saria's gaze shifted from Suri (in her lamb form) to Eyjafjalla, whose face flushed and paled in turns, her pink eyes swirling with emotion. Her expression remained calm, even gentle, but her words carried an undeniable air of finality:

“So, the letter of recommendation, Suri has already ‘put it away’.” Her gaze seemed to casually sweep over Suri (in his lamb form) – at this moment, the plain white letter was being “preserved” within his temporarily formed form in a way that only Suri himself (and perhaps Saria) could understand, or more accurately, preserved on a special “level” of the consciousness link between him and Eyjafjalla.

"As for the university application, just proceed as planned. If there are any problems or troubles," Saria paused, her icy blue eyes looking at Eyjafjalla, her tone calm yet carrying a heavy weight of promise, "you can contact me through the encrypted communication frequency I gave you before. Within reasonable limits and without violating principles, I will provide the necessary assistance."

This is undoubtedly a huge commitment, meaning that Eyjafjalla's university application, and even some difficulties she may encounter in the future, have the endorsement and support of a heavyweight figure like Saria.

But Eyjafjalla's mind was elsewhere. Her thoughts were filled with the image of Saria embracing Suri (in her lamb form), and the churning, bittersweet anger within her. She forced a nod, managing to squeeze out a dry, hoarse voice: "Th-thank you, Ms. Saria."

"Mm." Saria nodded almost imperceptibly, her gaze lingering on Suri (in her lamb form) for a moment, her eyes deep and unfathomable, as if containing a thousand words, yet ultimately returning to calm. "You can go now. Be careful on your journey."

Her farewell was concise and direct, just like Saria's style.

Suri (in his lamb form) didn't look at Saria again, nor did he speak. He simply turned and walked silently toward the office door. His back, accentuated by his well-fitting clothes, appeared slender and upright, but his gait seemed to carry a subtle stiffness and... a sense of fleeing compared to when he arrived.

Eyjafjalla quickly followed, almost step by step behind Suri (in her sheep form). Her pink eyes couldn't help but linger, glancing one last time at Saria, who stood behind the desk, her figure tall and composed, her expression now as cool and serene as ever. Saria was also looking at her, her gaze calm and unwavering, yet it sent a chill down Eyjafjalla's spine, as if her own little thoughts had already been seen through.

She quickly turned around, quickened her pace, and walked out of the office almost right next to Su Rui (in her sheep form). The heavy wooden door closed silently behind her, isolating her from the space inside that made her heart race and gave her a strange feeling of suffocation.

The return journey seemed even longer than the way there.

On the way from Saria's gray building to the station, Eyjafjalla kept her head down, silently following beside Suri (in her lamb form). Her mind replayed everything that had happened in the office: Suri's unexpected appearance, the clothes Saria had prepared, Suri's "what the heck" change of clothes, and... that final, painful hug.

Suri (in his sheep form) remained silent. He walked slowly, his hands in the pockets of his dark blue knitted vest, his head slightly lowered, his silvery-white hair swaying gently with each step. His excessively delicate face was expressionless, his black eyes fixed on the ground ahead, seemingly still processing everything that had just happened, or perhaps pondering some deeper question.

Volume 19, Chapter 1292: Belongs only to Eyjafjalla

A subtle, somewhat awkward silence hung between them until they arrived at the ticket counter at the long-distance bus station.

“Two tickets, to Cumberland County,” Suri (in sheep form) said, his voice slightly hoarse, typical of a young man, his tone now calm as if the awkwardness and strangeness in the office had never happened.

The ticket seller was a middle-aged woman. She glanced at Suri (in his sheep form), then at Eyjafjalla behind him, who was looking down and clearly preoccupied. A knowing look flashed in her eyes (she probably thought they were a young couple who had just had a fight). Without asking any questions, she quickly issued two tickets.

Eyjafjalla then realized that Suri now had a physical form (albeit a temporary and unstable one), and she would indeed need to buy an extra ticket for the return trip. This realization seemed to give a new, more concrete anchor to the bitterness and possessiveness she felt because of Saria.

Suri is now a "real" being; people can see her, buy tickets, and... walk beside her.

This thought made her heart skip a beat, and her cheeks felt hot. But then, another observation immediately overshadowed this faint flutter, replacing it with a clearer and stronger sense of unease.

From the moment they left Saria's office building and walked to the station, Eyjafjalla vaguely sensed that many eyes were intentionally or unintentionally falling on them... or rather, on Suri (in lamb form).

At first, she thought it was her imagination, or perhaps it was the discomfort caused by Suri's sudden appearance. But now, in the slightly crowded waiting hall of the station, this feeling became increasingly obvious.

Suri's (sheep form) appearance is simply... far too eye-catching.

His soft, glossy silver-white short hair seemed to radiate a soft glow even in the dimly lit station. His features were exquisitely perfect, his skin was fair to the point of being almost translucent, and his small, adorable little horns contrasted strangely with his cool and slightly awkward demeanor... All of this combined to create a unique attraction, a blend of inhuman purity and the innocent charm unique to youth.

Whether it was passing travelers hurrying by, passengers waiting for their trains, or even station staff, everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to this quiet, yet seemingly spotlight-like, silver-haired boy with ram's horns. There were curious glances, amazed stares, kind smiles, and even some... less innocent looks.

Eyjafjalla noticed the gazes almost immediately. Like a small animal whose territory had been invaded, she instantly became alert, her pink eyes sweeping over those looking at Suri (in her lamb form) with undisguised hostility and displeasure.

What are you looking at! Don't look!

She roared silently in her heart, her body instinctively taking a step closer to Suri (in his lamb form), almost pressing against him, as if trying to block those annoying gazes with her own body. She even had an impulse to immediately take off her coat and cover Suri completely, or simply drag him to some deserted corner.

This is her Su Rui! The unique voice in her mind, her most precious secret and reliance! Now, he appears beside her in this form that makes her heart race and makes her incredibly shy, yet he's being stared at by so many strangers? Those gazes make her feel like her treasure is being coveted and offended.

Suri (in his lamb form) seemed to sense the gazes fixed on him, and the sudden, almost tangible wariness and displeasure emanating from Eyjafjalla beside him. His dark eyes furrowed almost imperceptibly, as if he too was annoyed by being watched. But he said nothing, simply turning his face to the side to avoid those gazes, while also subtly moving closer to Eyjafjalla, as if silently seeking some… cover? Or perhaps, some tacit acceptance of closer proximity.

This subtle closeness strangely soothed Eyjafjalla's restlessness and possessiveness. But the lingering gazes fixed on Suri still made her feel uneasy.

"When...when will the car arrive?" Eyjafjalla couldn't help but ask in a low voice, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

"Twenty minutes left," Su Rui (in sheep form) replied softly, glancing at the electronic notice board.

Twenty minutes! I have to be stared at by these people for another twenty minutes!

Eyjafjalla pursed her lips, her pink eyes glaring fiercely at the middle-aged man who had been staring at Su Rui for a while with a strange smile on his face, until he awkwardly looked away. She wished time could jump back twenty minutes immediately, wished the train would pull into the station right now, and wished she could shove Su Rui into the carriage and hide her where only she could see her.

This is her Suri. No one is allowed to look at her! Eyjafjalla repeated this thought to herself again, with unwavering resolve. A strong emotion, a mixture of protectiveness and possessiveness, surged within her, even temporarily overshadowing the bitterness and unease she had felt earlier because of Saria.

The journey home was destined to be anything but peaceful. Not only because of the presence of a striking, tangible "Little Sheep Suri" by her side, but also because the seed of "possession" had unknowingly sprouted in Eyjafjalla's heart, and was taking root and growing at a speed she herself did not yet fully comprehend.

Pushing open the familiar, weathered apartment door, returning to this small space—still empty and cold, but at least temporarily hers—Eyjafjalla almost immediately let go of all her tension, letting out a long, deep sigh. The fatigue of the long journey, the tension of facing Saria, the mental exhaustion from the meeting filled with shock, shame, and complex emotions, and the anxiety accumulated on the way back from constantly being wary of the gazes fixed on Suri (in her lamb form)... all of it surged like a tide the moment she stepped into her home, almost overwhelming her.

Without even bothering to change her shoes, she stumbled and collapsed onto the somewhat old but cushioned sofa, sinking deep into it, burying her face in the familiar cushions, and letting out a soft whimper that was a mixture of exhaustion, relief, and a lingering sense of grievance. Her tense nerves finally relaxed, and all the strength seemed to drain from her body; she just wanted to lie there, motionless.

Suri (in his sheep form) followed her inside, gently closing the door behind him to shut out the damp, cold air and the faint noise of the street. He walked to the sofa, his gaze sweeping over Eyjafjalla, who was curled up in a ball, only her pink hair and a pair of slightly trembling little sheep horns visible. A barely perceptible, knowing glint flashed in his dark eyes. He didn't speak, but simply stood quietly beside her, giving her some time to calm down.

Volume 19, Chapter 1293: Do I have to go to school too?

The room was quiet, save for Eyjafjalla's slightly heavy breathing and the occasional, indistinct sounds from outside the window. The afternoon light streamed through the dusty windows, casting slanted, warm patches of light onto the old floor.

After a long while, Eyjafjalla finally spoke in a muffled voice from under the cushion: "Suri... are you still there?"

“Yes,” Suri (in sheep form) replied calmly, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

Eyjafjalla slowly climbed up from the sofa and sat up straight. Her hair was a little messy, her cheeks were slightly flushed from being buried in the cushions, and her pink eyes still held a hint of weariness and moisture, making her look somewhat pitiful. She looked up at Suri (in her lamb form) standing beside the sofa.

He had changed out of his outdoor clothes (on the way back, he had somehow managed to "restore" them to the folded state Saria had prepared, in a way Eyjafjalla couldn't comprehend, and then put them away), and was now only wearing the simplest white T-shirt and dark trousers without any markings, his bare feet on the floor. But his soft, short, silver-white hair, delicate eyebrows and eyes, and the pair of small ram's horns that contrasted with his slightly aloof temperament still made him seem so...out of place, yet so real, in this simple apartment.

He stood there, calmly looking at her, his dark eyes deep and unfathomable, as if they could encompass all her weariness and emotions.

Looking at Suri like this, Eyjafjalla felt a surge of bitterness, unease, and possessiveness that had churned within her during her time in Saria's office and on the way home. These feelings seemed to be replaced by a softer, more dependent emotion. This was her Suri. The one who would help her write letters, make phone calls, and plan for the future; the one who would lean towards her in annoyance at being watched; and now… standing right there in her home, right before her.

“Suri,” Eyjafjalla’s voice was still slightly nasal, but her tone was much calmer, “Ms. Saria’s letter of recommendation… is it really okay? And the university…”

“No problem.” Suri (in sheep form) replied briefly and confidently. “The letter is with me and it’s safe. I’ll start the application process when the time is right. You don’t need to worry about this now.”

“Then…” Eyjafjalla bit her lower lip, a hint of hesitation and anticipation flickering in her pink eyes, “Does that mean… I don’t have to go to school starting tomorrow? Anyway, I’ve already got the recommendation letters, and as for university…”

"No." Suri (in her sheep form) interrupted her without hesitation, her tone carrying an unquestionable seriousness. "There's still one month of high school classes left. You must go, and you must finish them seriously. This isn't for that diploma, but to complete the academic stage you're supposed to complete, solidify your foundational knowledge, and maintain good academic performance and discipline. Saria's recommendation letter can help you get into university, but after that, you'll have to rely on your own knowledge and abilities. If your foundation isn't solid, even if you get in, you won't be able to keep up, and you might even be eliminated. The value of that recommendation letter lies in giving you a fair chance to compete, not in allowing you to gain something for nothing."

His words, like cold water, extinguished any lingering thoughts of "slacking off" in Eyjafjalla's mind. But they also made her realize more clearly that the future Suri had planned for her was solid and long-term, not something driven by short-term gains.

"I...I understand," Eyjafjalla lowered her head and replied softly, "I'll pay attention in class."

“Hmm.” Su Rui (in sheep form) nodded, his gaze shifting to the bookshelf in the corner piled high with books left by his parents. He walked over, casually pulled out a rather old-looking monograph on volcanic geological structures, and flipped through it casually. His long, slender, pale fingers brushed over the yellowed pages, his expression focused, as if he were truly reading.

Eyjafjalla watched his profile as he quietly turned the pages of his book, and a sense of dependence and...reluctance quietly grew within her once more. Tomorrow she would be going to school, and she would be away from Suri for another whole day. Although she could communicate with him in her mind, that feeling was completely different from having him standing right in front of her, within reach, right now. She didn't want to be separated from him, not even for a few hours during the daytime classes.

Especially after experiencing Saria's controlling embrace today and the unpleasant stares on the street, she wanted to keep Suri by her side, within her sight, as if only in this way could she confirm that he was hers and safe.

“Suri…” Eyjafjalla couldn’t help but speak again, her voice carrying a soft, pleading tone that she herself didn’t realize, “I’m going to school tomorrow… what… what will you do? Will you be home alone?”

Suri (in lamb form) paused slightly as he turned the pages, his dark eyes lifting from the pages to glance at her, seemingly seeing through her thoughts. "Me? I can read a book, or take care of some... other things." He glossed over the details, clearly not wanting to elaborate on what this consciousness of his might do when alone at home (perhaps continue trying to connect to the network more deeply, analyze the financial markets, or handle other matters that Eyjafjalla didn't need to know).

“But…” Eyjafjalla stood up from the sofa, walked to Suri’s side, and looked at him with pleading pink eyes, “I…I don’t want to be separated from you. At school, I don’t see you all day…I…”

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear. She wanted Suri to accompany her to school.

Looking at her longing and reluctance, Suri (in his lamb form) felt a barely perceptible hint of helplessness flash in his dark eyes, but he didn't seem to think the request was unreasonable. After all, in this form, he could theoretically follow Eyjafjalla anywhere, as long as he didn't cause too much trouble.

"Do you want me to go to school with you?" Suri (in sheep form) closed her book and asked calmly.

“Mmm!” Eyjafjalla nodded vigorously, her pink eyes instantly lighting up with anticipation. “Can I, Suri? You…you can become…um, like you are now, and come to class with me? I promise I won’t bother you, and I won’t let anyone else know you’re special! You can…you can be my…um…” She couldn’t think of a suitable identity for a moment.

"Sit next to me?" Suri (in sheep form) offered an option, following her words, her tone indifferent, as if they were discussing what to have for dinner.

Volume 19, Chapter 1294: I have plenty of strength and means.

"My deskmate?!" Eyjafjalla's eyes widened even more. Suri as her deskmate? This...this sounds like a dream! But..."But, Suri, there are no empty seats in our class, and...how did you suddenly transfer here? What about your identity? What about the principal and teachers..."

These are very real issues. It's almost impossible for a student, especially one who seems so "special," to suddenly transfer to a graduating class without any records, past grades, or guardianship.

Suri (in lamb form) didn't seem to find this a problem at all. He tilted his head slightly, and his pair of tender lamb horns swayed gently with his movement. A calm light, almost "natural," flashed in his black eyes.

"Just slip the principal some money and give him some instructions," he said casually, as if he were saying something as simple and direct as "go to the convenience store and buy a bottle of water."

"Huh?!" Eyjafjalla was completely stunned, her pink eyes filled with disbelief. A…a bribe? To the principal? This…this could work? And how could Suri say it so…so naturally? Was this some kind of "unspoken rule" at Columbia? She'd never heard of it before!