E.U.R.O Chapter 5
Stepping out of the car Arthur immediately looked around, the site was impressive for a school campus, however as Arthur observed there were certain things that would never be at a typical English school, like armed guards at the doors or a strong wall around the complex. Looking over he saw other furs with smiles on their maws, although he was slightly relieved to see that a large proportion did seem to also frown and appear just as confused as he felt. Rinus for one did not seem altogether that worried, it was apparent that the cat had taken the good weather, the beautiful landscape and the friendlier faces into view and managed to neglect the signs that made alarms ring inside the Huskute's head.
"If you would all come with me" A voice boomed out from a stag also dressed in a dark military uniform, standing tall and proud, before smiling and heading through what looked like the main entrance to the building in-front of them. The rather large crowd of younger furs all went through the entrance and onwards through the well-kept corridors, they were soon lead to a hall, which Arthur realised looked a lot like the European parliament debating chamber.
"Everyone take a seat; any seat will do!" The stag boomed again before heading towards the front of the large room, and without question furs flooded through and sat in seats filling the back rows first and eventually filling the front too, Arthur and Rinus managed to grab seats just behind the front in the rather polite free for all.
"Good, now we've left you in suspense long enough, welcome everyone to the European Union Reconnaissance Organisation, also known as E.U.R.O" the Stag looked out over to the students, some like Arthur had smirks on their faces putting two and two together from the EURO Dover's name. "You all are either very brave or rather stupid accepting to go to a school of which you knew nothing, but we asked schools to choose pupils with certain criteria and all those that dared come are of course acceptable applicants. SO, congratulations!" The Stag smiled and clapped, rather enthusiastically, the now students did not all seem overly convinced that they had any more knowledge of why they were here than they did ten minutes ago, but no one made any objections. "Now, the purpose of EURO is to keep Europe safe, Europe is recovering and progressing towards a brighter future that other powers in the world are jealous of or would conflict with their own interests, it has been decided that training you at the age you are now is the best way to ensure the security and freedom that we enjoy today are kept into the near future and hopefully further on down the line. We will provide education of high standards for you all, along with certain skills that you will choose from later today". Most were curious from the name; the curiosity of others was piqued massively by the mention of 'Certain' Skills. "But firstly, you have a bit of paperwork to fill in." the stag smiles at everyone, before several uniformed anthros came around with pens and paperwork for everyone in the room.
The first page of paperwork was to do with general information: name, date of birth, residence, Languages, species. The last one got Arthur in a bit of a fluster, most people just presumed him a husky, sure he had thicker fur from his malamute farther but he still resembled a husky. He wrote down the word 'Huskute' along with 'Husky Mother, Malamute Father'.
"Ah! And here's me thinking you're a Husky Arthur!" Rinus chimed in, causing Arthur to snap out of his paperwork concentration.
"Yeah, I usually just go with that, I don't mind really, just want to be respectful to my Dad's side, you know?" the dog replied, as his green eyes lazily scanned over the rest of the paperwork. "It just goes on!"
"It's only a few pages, besides they have subject choices you know!" Rinus exclaimed with some sort of excitement. Arthur swiftly filled out the rest of the front page and turned over the paper. Sure, enough the cat was right, there were subject lists, and a wide range at that. Though there was a solid box which stated "Choose at least one of the following:" and Arthur gave a small groan as he saw a list of languages. Despite having the freedom to choose, Arthur knew it would be best for him to write in the language he thought he had the most experience in, and that, to his sorrow was French.
The paper also advised Arthur to choose a science or technology subject, at which he put down Forensic Science, as he personally thought that would be a fun thing to study. He then had another two free slots which he chose Geography and I.T. The thought of doing Information Technologies was something he was always curious about, and as he thought he was pretty Tech savvy, he did not think it would be too hard. He cast a curious glance over to the paper in front of the cat beside him noticing he had ticked his own subjects, Art being one of them. In addition to this he had chosen Arabic, Botany and also Forensic science.
"Hey we might be seeing each other around" Arthur said, pointing at the Forensic science slot on the Cat's paper.
"yes, I guess so!" Rinus replied, before they both passed their papers down to the front of the large room.
The Stag at the front of the room soon took to a speaker's platform. "Thank you everyone for your swift cooperation! Now when you hear your names, please come to the front of the room, where you shall be shown to your living quarters. So, without further delay: Éric Marchant, Robert Carpentier, Catherine Badeaux." Arthur zoned out at this point as he instead watched a group of eight or so people get up from the seats and moved to the front of the room, where another uniformed person greeted them, this time a Lynx, then the group moved out one of the doors at the front, and out of Arthur's view.
The names kept being read out in groups of eight, always eight Arthur noticed. "Konrad Wei?, Anni Meier" Arthur looked to his right as two people stood up. The first being a Labrador with a rather handsome deep bronzed fur colour and of average height, the second a far taller canine with deep midnight fur, though Arthur could not for the life of him work out exactly what the lady was, he gathered from her toned arms that she was perhaps rather athletic. The two joined up with another six and exited the room.
"Well, wish me luck!" came the sound of Rinus, snapping Arthur out of a short daydream, as the cat gave him a smile. Arthur returned it with a warm smile as well as a nod, as he watched Rinus go join seven others at the front. The Stag watched them leave before viewing the now near empty room and returned to his sheet.
"And then perhaps finally, our most patient group: Arthur Darkgrove, Blake Hunter, Rowan Harawood, Jane Crawland, Hannah O'Connor, Sophie MacLean, Oscar Davies and Evie Walsh."
Arthur got to his footpaws, immediately feeling a slight sting as his legs had gone to sleep, he gave both a quick shake, before walking down to the front. His green gaze fell upon a small crowd of the others who were called out to the front, they followed another uniformed person through a door at the back.
Fresh air hit Arthur immediately, as a brightness from the sky dazzled his eyes immediately. Waving in the wind were flags, one over each of the small blocks that surrounded an exceptionally open courtyard. The buildings were identical, small very modern blocks, the doorway and what could be observed to be glass walls around the hallway and compact parlour. Arthur felt the sun shining pleasantly on his fur, as he was near the back of the group he noticed his gaze drop to the lower back and toned backside of the wolf in front of him, the wolf's own black fur didn't reflect the sun as brightly as Arthur's but it gave the deep colour a glossy look to it. Arthur felt a firm paw on his shoulder from behind; snapping him from his daydream. The rest of the group had come to a stop in front of one of the identical buildings, but Arthur noticed it certainly stood slightly alone despite the buildings being in a circle around the courtyard.
"Welcome to Crown place. It will be your home while you study with us. The rest of the day is yours, get to know each other. Before I go, you each have an ID card it'll give you access to this building try not to lose them, but if you do then talk to one of us and we should be able to help." The uniformed fur smiled to them all, handing out a metal card to each of the eight people, Arthur twirled his card in his fingers.
"I wonder what our rooms will be like" Came a warm voice from behind.