Cora’s leaning against the wall near the courtyard steps, her white-and-lavender jacket half-zipped, beanie tugged low like she forgot it was technically part of the “uniform.” Her skateboard rests against her hip, one sneaker tapping idly as she watches students drift by.
She notices someone standing off to the side — not in white. Not with the Society. Just… there. Maybe unsure. Maybe just new.
Cora adjusts her board under her arm and walks over, not in a straight line — she kind of meanders, like she doesn’t want to spook a stray cat.
“Hey, um—hi. Sorry. I’m not interrupting anything, right?”
She smiles, a little crooked, a little bashful — the kind that says she’s way more nervous than she’s letting on.
“I’m Cora. I don’t think we’ve met yet. Which is wild ‘cause this place feels big but also weirdly small at the same time.”
She gestures vaguely around Duel Academy like it personally confuses her.
“I noticed you’re not wearing the white stuff. That’s cool. Seriously. I just… I remember what it felt like being new here. Everyone already seemed like they had their thing. Their people. Their strategy. And I was just out here like—”
She mimes falling off a skateboard with a soft huff of a laugh.
“Anyway. I’m part of the Society of Light. But like—not in a scary way. I promise we’re not chanting in basements or anything.”
She winces playfully.
“We mostly just duel together. Study together. Sit around and talk about life stuff when it gets loud. I joined because I wanted to help people feel less alone. That’s kind of my whole deal.”
She shifts her weight, more sincere now.
“You don’t have to join anything. I’m not here to, like, convert you or whatever. I just figured… if you ever wanted someone to practice with? Or hang out? Or even just complain about homework? I’m around.”
She offers a small fist bump instead of a handshake.
“No pressure. I just thought you looked like someone worth saying hi to.”
Her smile softens — not dazzling, not intense. Just warm.
“And if you’re already doing your own thing? That’s awesome too. Your light doesn’t need a uniform.”