The story portion of the watcher raffle has finally been finished!

For a dear  Quiet_Codes
Who I hope likes it.

Please feel free to comment!

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1, 2, 3.
1, 2, 3.

Stained glass windows dulled the gleaming stars outside as the orchestra played a soothing waltz. Young ladies and gentlemen courted and flirted, twirling and spinning about.

What nonsense. A dance was hardly worth her time, but the headmaster made it quite clear that all students attend. Not that she would be a student much longer if her thesis proved fruitful.

Codex, while female, was not one of the strumpets to wander about in a dress twice her size and instead had opted for a more practical choice of attire; a well-tailored suit that emphasized her figure. The dark haired wolf stood defiantly by the windows for a bit before noticing her reflection against the dark winter they portrayed.

She was a fair looking young woman. Sharp yellow irises dared the world to question her; dark brown hair pulled into a thick ponytail behind her ears told stories of being told ‘no’ and refusing to back down; her well trimmed claws and kempt tail proved her a scholar. The suit she wore was a deep brown to compliment the pale tan fur of her chin and lower jaw, her ascot a vibrant red to match the ribbon that held her hair.

She smiled coyly at her own reflection before noticing a number of the teachers and professors enter the hall and turned to applaud with the rest of her ‘peers’ as the men descended the stairs. The specie variety of instructors was impressive, but all of them were male. She hoped to change that someday, but first she must have a degree.

As the band struck up again, many of the group who now wandered the crowd began to speak directly with certain students they prefered, but only one would speak with Codex publicly of her achievements. Doctor Stein was quickly gathered about by a small collective of young people who she attempted to move through as politely as she could.

While she moved closer, she could tell the good Doctor was speaking with another young lady who Codex could not see for the crowd.

“Herr Doctor, it’s very simple. If I might simply have the use of a more diverse laboratory I-” She could tell this girl was intelligent, but brash to speak so to the Doctor in present company.

“I’m terribly sorry, Fraulein Sage, but I simply cannot give you access to my lab without the headmaster seeing to your thesis personally.” The Doctor was a taller gentleman, thinner than most of the others as he often forewent food for the sake of his work. Much the same as Codex found herself doing as of late, he often also ignored sleep and as such dark circles ingrained themselves under his emerald green eyes. The older wolf had a soft spot for her which she took full advantage of on occasion, this being one of them, as she attempted to create an escape route for him.

“Herr Doctor, please,-” The other girl tried again to plead with him before he cut her off again, having noticed his favourite student at the forefront of the gaggle.

“My dear Fraulein, we will speak on this another time.” Doctor Stein quickly excused himself, moving with the other wolf to the windows where they stood beside one another and gazed silently out to the winter wonderland that glistened slightly.

“Thank you, Fraulein Codex. I was getting a headache.” He raised a padded hand to rub gently at his temples as she became distracted watching a figure emerge from the dispersing cluster of students who had been vying for the Doctor’s attention. “I read your thesis and I must say you’re incredibly well versed in...”

Codex heard nothing the good doctor said as her eyes were transfixed on the reflection of a dark-furred female adorned in an equally dark dress that framed her rather buoyant figure almost too well. The young woman looked about as if she had lost someone, her long pumpkin orange hair fell in waves though it was held away from her face by a ribbon one could almost not see for how high it was against her skull. Two waving locks gently framed her maw, hanging in front of the base of her horns.

“A girl with horns....” Codex caught herself muttering to herself, not having realised she was staring at the glass watching her.

“Hm? Oh yes, Fraulein Sage. A troublesome one, that girl. A chemist is ever there was one, but her theories are dangerous. I’d be sure to keep clear of her.” the doctor glanced at his disciple for a moment before continuing. “She’s not like the other ladies, mein frau. Be careful.”

Codex turned to reply but was quickly deterred by another of the professors capturing his attention and dragging Doctor Stein away.

She sighed, turning back to the window in attempts to find again the young lady, miss Sage he’d called her, to no avail. The music changed slightly from one song to the next, wafting around her causing her ears to twitch every time there was a tempo change. Before long, Codex debated simply leaving and returning to her studies.

Sharply turning, she stepped forward and was immediately struck dumb. Miss Sage stood directly before her, attempting to ready herself to break the spell as she too was surprised to be face-to-face with the attractive young wolf. Codex found her voice a moment before the young girl before her. Goat... no, Ram.... Hm.... Both?

“May I help you, miss?”

“Er.... Yes. I request an escort, and you seem the only one suitable within this hall.” The young woman crossed her arms defiantly over her incredibly well contained chest, awaiting an answer.

“What of an offer one better?” Codex smiled, having never done this before but willing to try. She bowed respectfully as she had seen many of the boys do towards young ladies they fancied, extending a hand to her. “May I have this dance?”