The Mickinson’s house was very cozy, and Keelia enjoyed it very much. The morning came far too quickly, and within minutes it felt like she was lifting her sleepy body off the couch. Where was she again? She thought for a moment, and her memories all flooded in. Oh, right, Crecklington. Eliza came down the stairs. “Mrs. Mickinson, what is the Howell’s address?” asked Keelia as she plopped down on one of the kitchen chairs, rubbing her tired eyes until they woke up completely.

                “I believe that it’s five blocks away, go three houses up and to the right. But are you sure you want to leave already? Do you want to wait for some breakfast?” she answered. Breakfast and food sounded tempting, but Keelia knew that Dedrick was probably looking for her. He wouldn’t just get me here and then let me find my own path, right? He went through all the trouble to get me. He won’t just leave me by myself, Keelia reassured herself. 

                “Yes, I should probably go. I got stuck in the void while Breaking yesterday morning and I haven’t seen them since. They’ll be wondering where I am, I was supposed to be with them until next month.” She said goodbye and thanked Eliza for her hospitality. Eliza asked if she didn’t want to just take the trolley to it, but Keelia said she’d enjoy the walk.

                “Goodbye Keelia, stop by any time!” she said as Keelia walked away.

                Keelia enjoyed the walk. The air was clear and crisp that new morning, and people were just starting to wake up and get to work. Children were hopping onto one of the cherry red trollies and Keelia felt a bit out of place. All of the people heading to school were wearing uniforms, and all she was wearing was a pair of jeans, a tee-shirt, and a plain navy-blue sweatshirt. Keelia wondered if she would be going to school that semester or wait till the next. Would the school even allow her to start mid-way through the school year? 

                Eliza was right about the Howell’s house. It had multiple windows of different colors surrounding a blue hobbit hole. She realized later that the wall at the very back of the house was white, and the sun reflected through the multi-colored windows onto the wall. She walked to the door and was about to knock when she heard Alvis make a quick high shriek. “Alvis! What is that furry thing on your back!?” Dedrick yelled.

                “I don’t know! I heard it inside Keelia’s bag, so I opened the bag up!” There was a scuffle of feet, and all was quiet. She knocked on the door. It opened quickly.

                “I’m sorry, we’re busy- oh Keelia! We were just about to try and find you! Where have you been? Are you alright?” Dedrick said.

                “I’d be better if you would have tried to find me! I’ve looked everywhere for you!” She said as she stepped inside the large house.

                “Keelia, what is that thing?” Alvis questioned seriously. A fluffy ball of fur lay shivering in a girl’s hands a few feet away.

                “That’s Butter! He must have snuck into my bag! Haven’t you seen a cat before?” She asked while she took the trembling ball into her hands. Butter relaxed and snuggled up against her chest and purred. She looked up to see them shake their heads. How could they have never seen such an adorable creature? “Dedrick, would you mind bringing her to my family for me? I doubt she’ll like it here!”

                Keelia was able to meet Trilly, Alvis’s mother, and his sister, Delisa. Finally, another girl her age. Keelia and Delisa got along well, but there was still the awkwardness of ‘I just met you, and I’m from another continent. What should I say?’ going around the room. Keelia would have to wait to meet her adoptive family for another month or so, because they were apparently too busy to take her yet. She and Delisa hung out a lot after Delisa was out of school. Master Brinald, the school principal, decided to have Keelia join in the semester after Christmas break so she could settle in. Keelia played a lot of music at nights with the Howell family, and after they had all had dinner, Keelia would lay down on her sleeping bag, which she had brought from home.

                “Keelia, what do you think about going to see a concert tomorrow? It would be VERY early in the morning, but it’s beautiful! It is called a Sunrise Symphony!” Trilly said when Keelia took a seat for breakfast. The delightful smell of sausages, eggs and orange juice filled her senses.

                “Sure!” Keelia said, “what time do I need to be up?”  Trilly told her that it would have to be before sunrise, maybe around 5:30 am. The rest of the day, Keelia stayed around the house, helping Trilly here and there with cleaning, and playing board games with Delisa and Alvis. Dedrick never got a chance to explain what world Keelia was in, or who Keelia was, but Keelia remained patient. Although, she really did want to know what exactly a Sustainer was. Somehow, the questions kept slipping out of her mind and she forgot to ask them to Delisa, Trilly, or Alvis. 

                The next morning, Keelia was roused by a very sleepy Delisa and Trilly. Alvis was already standing ready by the door by the time Keelia was up. “Hurry up Keelia!” he shouted from downstairs. She quickly pulled on her jeans and tee-shirt, but when she got down, Delisa hurried her back up and lent her a purple dress. They all rushed out the door and ran toward the building two blocks away. The trolleys had all already left, and that meant that they were late. Keelia always made people late. The Concert Hall was outside and felt somewhat like an amphitheater to Keelia. The rocks which formed a circle around the inside were covered in pale green moss. It was the most colorful stadium Keelia had ever been inside. The musicians were seated in multiple rings around the center of the cut stones. In the middle of the musicians was a small staircase leading up to a podium. On the podium stood a small man who, much to Keelia’s surprise, had purple hair! Keelia laughed when they sat down. This room made her happy all over. Alvis and Dedrick rushed down to the center and sat down. “Wait, I didn’t know that they were going to play! How old is Alvis to be able to play?” asked Keelia, shocked that people her age were allowed to play in such an important orchestra.

                “Anybody older than the age of five can play! Musictons are extremely talented! And Alvis and Dedrick are some of the best in Crecklington, so they have some of the main instruments,” Delisa answered, “Shh! They’re starting. Get ready for the best hour of your life, Keelia!”

                The Sunrise Symphony began. The song was a joyous piece by L.M. Gottschalk called ‘Celebre Tarantelle’. Keelia loved it at once! Her heart was lifted by the enthusiastic players. Her mind was transfixed on the music. She opened her eyes after a moment of intent listening and was amazed to see that thousands upon thousands of glowing colored notes were swirling quickly up and around the people inside the Amphitheater. It clicked in Keelia’s mind. This is how the world got its color! Music! That’s why she loved it so much! The sky filled with the multitudes of notes. The notes dispersed every direction and the sky slowly filled with the colors of a sunrise. ‘Sunrise Symphony’, OHHHH that’s where it gets its name. Why didn’t I think of that before? Come on Keelia, wake up!  The sky slowly filled with color as the song continued. When the song stopped, the sky was clear and blue, with no cloud in sight. People who had had their eyes shut, opened them with a splendid grin covering their faces.  The walk back was sunny and warm. The next week was the opening ceremony for school, and Keelia wasn’t even half prepared. But she trusted her friends, and they helped her through the first month in Crecklington.

                “Keelia dear, it’s time to get ready for the opening ceremonies. This winter has gone by so fast, and the new session is starting in a few weeks. You must get up, Keelia, we must get you ready for the banquet.” Trilly said kindly. Reluctantly, Keelia rolled out of the bed that the Howell’s had given her to replace the sleeping bag. Trilly began by pulling out the most beautiful gown Keelia had ever seen. It was a bright sky-blue color with jewels embroidered at the hems and patterned gems around the waistline. Next came the hair. She told Trilly that she preferred to have it down in a low bun against her neck. So Trilly started to comb through Keelia’s mess of tangles till it was silky and smooth, then wrapped it into a perfect round bun. She left whisps out of the bun and curled them after the bun was placed.  “And now for the hair clip!” Trilly announced, digging into the bag she had brought up with her, “Dear me! I believe I sold my spare!  Your boat leaves in fifteen minutes! I don’t have time to go and buy a new one! All of the girls are required to have a hair clip at the opening feast!” Trilly ran out of the room, calling to Delisa. “Delisa- wait, never mind!” Trilly ran back into the room with one of Keelia’s ice blue flutes. As a gift the past Christmas, Samuel had bought her multi-colored flutes. They were her special instruments, and she didn’t take them out very often, afraid that she might lose them.

                “Keelia, I didn’t know that you had these! They create different things when you play them, like this blue one creates anything that you want only that it’s made of ice. Never-melting ice! Quickly play something and think of a hair clasp!” Keelia took the flute with confusion and played a quick tune. In front of her eyes, a beautiful ice clasp formed in Trilly’s hands.

                “It’s beautiful! I’ve never seen anybody with such natural talent!” She put it into Keelia’s hair and the two of them rushed downstairs.

                Keelia, Delisa, and Alvis ran to the school boat, barely making it on before it departed. The school boat was thin with only one level, and it was completely made of glass. It even had a glass bottom, so you could see all the passing sea life underneath you as you sailed. This was unusual to Keelia for most of the boats she’d seen were made of metal. It dawned on Keelia that many things would be different here in Crecklington, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready or not. Delisa went to sit with a few other girls. Reluctantly, she allowed Alvis to lead her over to sit in the back, knowing she’d draw unnecessary attention if she sat with other people she didn’t know, because she was a new girl and the school rarely got ‘new’ kids, but she still wished that she could go around other girls. There was another boy sitting in their row. He had wavy dark brown hair and ocean-blue eyes, and he looked very hot, but he looked vaguely familiar. “What’s up Al?” the boy said, he was slouched over and sweating. He stared at Keelia, and shot a questioning look at Alvis, obviously thinking the same as Keelia.         

                “Nothing much. Sorry I’m late. Why are you sweating?” Alvis asked, plopping down into the chair next to him.

                “Ya, turns out I’m a Flareon. Man, Al, trust me, I wish I could be an icer! It’s HOT” he said but then added gravely, “just don’t tell my dad, OK?” The boy paused for a second, looking at Keelia, then looking back at Alvis.     

                “I’m Keelia Cobell,” Keelia said, answering the look.         

                “Oh, Everie Wackson. I pulled you out of the void, didn’t I?” Everie asked, even though he already knew the answer. Keelia glanced at Alvis and nodded.

                “Yes, apparently you did.” Alvis answered for her, “sit down Keelia. The announcement will start soon.” she heard a whisper in her head. It’s Alvis. We can speak to each other in a different language in our minds. It will come naturally to you and other Musictons will be able to understand if we use it out loud. But in our heads, only you can hear me. You’re a Musicton. Don’t worry, my dad will explain everything later. Keelia couldn’t help jumping when his voice filled her head with a strange slithery sound, but she nodded, and looked toward the front of the vessel. They weren’t seated in the very back, just in the back of the first set of chairs. There was an elevated platform near the front of the vessel. On it was a very long dining table and five thrones. The first throne was a light brown, and at the top of the throne there was a large peridot stone, shimmering in the light. The woman sitting there had caramel-colored hair and the deepest blue eyes, almost black. The second throne was dark brown with an opal stone at the top. The man sitting there had spiking, pure white hair, his stature was rigid, his eyes were the brightest blue Keelia had ever seen. The sharp-appearing eyes were staring right at her, sending chills down her back. The third throne was the color of red wood, with a large oval emerald placed at the top. The man sitting there had kind, gentle hazel eyes, his brown hair was down to his shoulders and a thick beard hung close to his chin. Next to him, a fourth throne was seated, it was another dark brown throne, this time with a large sapphire placed at the top. Seated in it was a man with bright blond hair, and dark green eyes. And on the far right there was a light brown throne, with a topaz centered on the top. The woman there had a kind gaze. She looked very tired, with circles under her eyes, but she looked beautiful all the same. Her dark brown, almost black hair hung woven into hundreds of little braids down to her waist. “That one to the far left is Counselor Jubilee, next to her is Counselor Alie- you don’t want to mess with him. In the middle throne is High Counselor and Inquisitor Emerson, he’s nice, but firm. To the right of Emerson is Counselor Brendson. Next to Brendson is Counselor Tentriark,” Alvis whispered, “Those will be our teachers and go to helpers.” So, who will I be with? She tried to think in Musicton and succeeded. You’ll be with me with Counselor Alie, Alvis answered.         

                I thought that you said we shouldn’t bother him, she questioned.

                Well, sort of. If you agree and do everything that he says, you’ll be alright. But if you don’t, you get in serious trouble.

                The thought of having the fierce-looking counselor as a teacher frightened Keelia out of her wits. People around her kept whispering exciting things to each other. But Alvis, Everie and Keelia stayed silent, obeying the Inspector’s commands. Inspectors were the authorities right under Counselors. The highest authorities are the King and Queen, naturally. Next came the five Counselors: Emerson, Jubilee, Alie, Tentriark, and Brendson. Then come the Inspectors: Helbry Minkinson, Kylie Wackson, and Jerule Moon. After the Inspectors come the Lords and Ladies and there are many of those. The lowest in authority are known as Mudgers. These are people who only have the very basic abilities that almost every single Sustainer has, such as Levitation, Alvis thought to Keelia.             

                “Good afternoon students! I hope you all had an enjoyable summer, but I also assume that you have been practicing… a lot. This semester we are going to set some new goals. This past semester’s goal was to ‘work hard no matter what’, set by Counselor Alie. This new goal was thought up by Counselor Tentriark.” The man in the middle seat seated himself once more and the woman to the far right stood up.               

                “I too hope that you had a pleasant and warm summer,” said Tentriark in a soft gentle voice, “The new goal is to treat each other as equals, not separating yourselves as more distinct than others. Make strong relationships as friends and be kind and compassionate.” She dipped her head in respect toward Emerson as he took the stand once more.

                “I know that we have lived without change in this school for centuries. I remember when this school was first beginning, about four hundred years ago-” He’s four hundred years old? Keelia shouted in her colors. Beside her Alvis winced, whoops, she had shouted too loud. Yes, my parents are in their eighties, your adoptive family is in their seventies. People live for a while here; it’s part of our genes. We don’t live forever, only a maximum of 1,000 years. Now be quite and listen! Keelia obeyed, stunned that she too could also live to be hundreds of years old. “…today is a phenomenal moment. A moment that we haven’t had in quite a few years. We have a new student in these halls. I will leave you to figure her out, and I expect it will be relatively obvious,” he paused, and all heads swiveled around to stare at Keelia, so she gave a shy wave. “Because she is new, I look forward to seeing the kindness that you bestow upon her. Since this speech has already been long, I will end with these words. May you find joy in learning to perfect your talents, and that your endeavor to be strong. Let the party begin.” With that, Alie and Jubilee locked arms, and Brendson and Tentriark locked arms, they walked out to the open floor and began to dance. Alvis and Everie stood up, but Keelia stayed put.

                “Come on Keelia! Let’s go grab some supper! There’s ham!” said Everie enthusiastically.

                “I would, I’m just not good with big crowds of people so-” she stopped when Alvis pulled her up.

                “A lot of Musictons are that way at first, but you’ll be fine. Come one.” he said, flashing a small smile.  “Trust me Cobell! It’ll be fun.” She nodded, instantly regretting her choice as they pulled her off into the crowd. Everie instantly cut in line with another older girl, they looked somewhat similar, so Keelia assumed that they were siblings.                

                “We go in line by family, you’ll go right behind my family, so we can make sure you don’t get stressed or anything.” Alvis said. The line moved surprisingly quickly considering the large crowds that swarmed the tables like it was a beehive. When Keelia got to the table of the food, she peered around, searching for plates, Not finding any, bowed her head looking at a hand-written note saying:

                Keelia took up the fancy quill laying on the sheet next to the hundreds of other names etched into the parchment paper. She wrote her name in her best handwriting and waited. She heard a scratch and a chiseling sound. She watched with fascination as a bowl was created before her eyes. She took the plate in her hands, feeling the smooth surface. It was a white and gray granite, with the words ‘Brinald’s School for the Genetically Powered’ in a circle around the rim of the plate. Her name was also on the plate, Keelia Adene Cobell. Cobell. The name made her think of her family. Well, the people she thought were her family. It didn’t matter if they were or not, she missed them. She stretched out her mind, listening for Alvis’s colors. She caught a slight color and headed off toward it. It tracked all the way to the other side of the room. “Alvis?!” she said, accidentally running into somebody. Then she  realized that this tall stiff figure she had just run into was not Alvis, at all. The man in front of her had fierce, piercing ice blue eyes. a long navy-blue cape, and perfectly spiky white hair. Keelia had just rammed into Counselor Alie. The counselor that you did NOT want to ram into.