Frederic Olivier was fully prepared for his third year on campus at St. Louis' when he returned from summer vacation. He was to be dorming in the Maior hall again, and his room was directly next door to his best friend's.

"Freddy!" His friend called, as they walked through Maior court. The Maior section of the campus had two boarding halls, and a small grassy courtyard in the center. At the front of the courtyard was the biggest building which housed all of the Maior classes on their dignified subjects. "You're in St. Joseph's Hall right?"

"Yes Leo. We talked about this over the summer." Freddy reminded him.

"I just wanted to make sure Mr. Carmichael didn't change yours." Leo smirked. Mr. Carmichael was the warden of the St. Joseph's building, and well known around the school to be an awful child hating freak. "Any ideas for the upperclassmen prank?" Leo asked. The upperclassmen prank was a St. Louis' tradition, and it entailed some type of practical joke on the freshmen students. The year prior the upperclassmen had roped naked freshmen Maiors to two by fours, and hammered them into the ground in the Parebant courtyard, where the next morning the poor boys were given detention for an "elaborate corruption attempt," and "public indecency."

"I think since last year we pranked the Maior freshmen, this year we ought to prank the Parebant freshmen."

"I like the way you think." Leo grinned. "You ready for orientation?"

"Nah. I'm in street clothes. I've got to change."

"Cool. I'll come with." Leo followed Freddy up to his room, and entered after him, shutting the large wooden door behind him. Maiors didn't mix with Maiors romantically, so the two of them were allowed to be alone in the room, even if Freddy was naked, though had Leo been a Parebant an action like that would be almost immediate expulsion. Leo was already dressing the uniform, with light brown long pants, a white shirt, a navy waistcoat, a maroon cravat, and brown leather shoes. Most men also added some type of hat, and today Freddy opted for a cap. "Ready?" Leo asked impatiently.

"Yeah." Freddy answered, grabbing a pair of thick leather gloves, just in case the temperature soured. "I don't understand why we need orientation. I've already been here two years."

"Eh. It's a free day."

"Yeah, but we have to go to church." Freddy groaned.

"Well, my friend. You've got a lot of sins. Might as well reflect on them." Leo stated earning an eye role from Freddy. "Besides, the girls from St. Margaret's are sneaking out to meet up with some of us."

"Really? No Parebant's for you?" Freddy wiggled his eyebrows at his friend. Depending on population trends courtship between Parebants and Maiors saw different levels of encouragement. France was just moving out of famine, and population levels were high, so Maior Parebant courtship was heavily encouraged.

"Nah. I want me a good Satis girl." Leo said, as Freddy pulled the dorm door closed. In the distance the church bell gonged, and Freddy rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Romeo, we're going to be late." The two walked quickly to the campus church meeting up with other stray Maiors along the way. Unlike the Parebants, Maiors were permitted to walk anywhere they liked by themselves. The campus was an old building with big stone arches and columns, and the church which marked its centerpiece towered over the rest of the school. It had huge wooden door, and old stained glass windows, along with a candlelit inside. The Maiors removed their hats and entered the building first, going directly to their half, under the statue of St. Joseph. Next the Parebants filed in. A Parebant was required to have their head covered for mass, same as a Satis, so they left their navy berets on, and sat on their opposite side, which was under a statue of the Blessed Mother.

Mass was boring for Freddy, and he zoned out in the haze of standing sitting and kneeling. Come communion the Parebant's rose to go first. Each boy approached the priest, and knelt to receive, then they filed back to their pew. Freddy sat on the end and caught sight of a young Parebant who was struggling with his lacy gloves. As he walked by Freddy one of the white gloves dropped to the floor. As if in slow motion Freddy bent down and lifted up the tiny piece of fabric. He locked eyes with the boy, and handed him back the glove, winning an earnest smile, before the boy continued on. Freddy lifted his own large hand up to his cheek, to feel it heat up with a fiery blush.