"Now now, come on.. the baths are the best place to start with our tour, you must really want to wash up after driving all the way here."

Ezra had Narina by the wrist and was dragging her through the hall.

"Urrrrgghh!!" Narina pulled and pulled, dust skidding from her feet as Ezra held her tightly, but this girl was unusually strong.

"Hmmm?" said Bella as she followed close behind. "Does this human not like baths?"

"It makes no sense to me." said Bombar as he levitated next to Bella. "From what I have observed of human girls like my mistress, humans tend to enjoy baths very much, unless they are small children and they are throwing some kind of tantrum."

"Well.. here we are.." said Ezra as she stopped in front of an open door where steam was pouring out.

There was a massive pool indoors. Filled with steaming hot water. the pool looked deep. On the walls were hangers with bathrobes next to an assortment of lockers.

"We've got uniforms of all sizes in the orange lockers." said Ezra. "You can change back after you're done.."

Ezra continued to drag Narina inside.

And to her horror, she saw the dark shapes of other people bathing through the steam.

"NOOOOO!!!" Narina screamed. "L-LOOK! I'M NERVOUS AROUND NAKED PEOPLE!!"

"Eh? Is that it?" said Ezra. "Wow you're shy.. well don't worry, we're all girls here."

"LOOK A BOY IS PEEPING!!" Narina yelled pointing over Ezra's shoulder.

"EH!? WHERE?!" Ezra snapped, letting go of Narina and turning around.

Narina ran away as fast as she could. She had to hide.. she had to hide! Aha! An open door!!

Narina wrenched a door open and jumped into the room. It was a dorm room, and two girls were in the process of changing out of uniforms into their casual clothes.

"Eh?" Said one girl, looking at Narina as she began to take off her shirt. "Something you need!?"

"EEEEKKK!!" Narina covered her eyes, averting them. "I GOTTA FIND SOME PLACE ELSE!!"

Narina ran over to the door next to the room, only to find a girl dressed only in her underwear as she sat on her bed playing video games. "Eh? Something you need?"

"CCCRRAAAAAP!!!" Narina screamed, running out of the room and going to the one right next door. "There I'm sa-"

"Something you need?" said a girl with pink hair who was sitting in a bath tub in the middle of her bedroom.

"WHY DO YOU HAVE A BATH IN YOUR LIVING SPACE!?" Narina screamed.

"I'm weird that way.." said the girl as she made to stand up out of the water.

"NO!! DON'T stand up!!"  Narina screamed, covering her eyes before running out and going to the other next door rooms.

"Hello?"

 "SORRRY!!!"

"Something you need?"

"AAAAGGGGHHH!!"

"Hi there.. sorry, I'm not decent.."

"WWWWWHHHAAAAAA!!!"

This went on for a little bit, as Narina ran sobbing through the dorms. "Why? Why does nobody like to wear clothes in this place!? Damn it Stoor, you can have my life if you like! This is your paradise not mine!!"

Narina felt a strong hand grip her wrist. Ezra had caught up.

"There you are.." said Ezra. "Now come on.. it's going to be fine.. we'll take it slow."

"NO! IN AND OUT!! IN AND OUT!! REALLY FAST!!" Narina screamed. "BLINDFOLD!!! SOMEBODY FIND ME A BLINDFOLD!!"

"Boy you're a weird girl you know that?" said Ezra. "Alright, I'll consider it my personal duty to make sure you feel at home here."

Narina shut her eyes tight this time, as she felt herself being dragged back into the warm steam. She wasn't sure what happened next, she didn't even notice when Ezra and Bella both helped her undress.. all she knew was that she was chanting to herself "I will not look, I will not look I will not look.."

"Narina.. open your eyes.."

"NEVER!!"

"Narina.. I've got cake."

Crap.. Narin's one weakness ever since he was 3.. the one thing he could not resist in a thousand years..

Cake.

"Eh!? CAKE IN BATHS!!?" Narina immediately opened her eyes, excitement flooding her face. "You can actually do that!!!?"

There was no cake.

Narina was chest deep in the bath.. with Ezra wading right next to her.

Thank God!  Being this deep in the water, Narina couldn't see anything except heads and shoulders, and maybe a little cleavage. 

But more importantly..

Narina pointed at Ezra furiously. "THE CAKE WAS A LIE!!!!!"

"Meh.." Ezra chuckled and stuck her tongue out teasingly. "To be honest I didn't think that would work. Now.. who wants to help me wash up the new girl!?"

"ME!!" A bunch of girls burst out from under the world, giggling and holding up scrubbers and sponges.

"Oh dear.." Narina whispered, as all the girls stampeded through the water to her.

The good news was, water and soapy foam splashed around so much, Narina wasn't able to see much of anything.. the bad news was, she got scrubbed into submission.

Girls surrounded her, restraining her and pressing her up against the side of the pool as the rubbed her raw with their brushes, pouring shampoo in her hair and noogying it into her head.

"Sorry!" said Ezra. "But this is actually a form of hazing we do for every newcomer! It'll all be over soon!!"

"Gurrggle gurgle! glub blub blub!!" Was all Narina could say as she was tossed around the water, being cleaned to death.

"Help.. glub.. "

Before long, a dazed Narina had been dressed in a bathrobe and led gingerly out of the  bathing area by Bella, and Ezra who was dressed in a bathrobe herself.

"You survived great!" said Ezra, patting Narina on the head. "You're pretty cute you know that?"

"Am I?" Narina muttered.

"Yeah, the way you get all embarrassed in a bath? just too cute!" said Ezra. "You don't get out often do you?"

"I haven't bathed with anybody since I was 5, with my younger sister.." Narina said.

"Oh? You have a sister?"

"Yeah, but she's an exchange student in India right now." said Narina. "She sends me post cards, and presents. She's only a year younger then me.."

"I see." said Ezra. "Well, let's show you to your room so you can get dressed in some casual clothes, it's the weekend after all.. then we can show you the kitchen."

"Your dorm has it's own indoor kitchen where I cook your meals for you, as your Android caretaker." said Bella. "But it's good to go down to the main eatery and kitchens downstairs to socialize."

"Rich people have it good huh?" said Narina. "My old school never had anything like this."

"That's right, you're from the Roots." said Ezra. "I can tell from the fact you got a school provided android. Whatever you do Narina.. don't mention you're from the Roots too much okay?"

"Eh? Why?" said Narina.

"Well, about 50 percent of the school is divided against each other on the subject of people from the Roots." said Ezra. "One half is consisted of kids whose families come from generations of inherited wealth and businesses which make millions of Yorin.

(Yorin is the currency used by the entire world in the 23rd Century, it began being used during the 22nd after America and Japan won World War 3)

"Okay?" said Narina.

"Yeah, and that half looks down on and bullies kids from the Roots." said Ezra. "It's a pretty harsh prejudice. They believe that those from the Roots aren't worthy to even walk on the same soil. They were heavily opposed to that yearly sweepstakes that allows somebody from the Roots to become Rebirthed and go to this Academy.."

"That's harsh." said Narina. "People actually think that way?"

"Yeah. Though the other half of us come from families that had to work their way up from the bottom before they could make it to the Tree Top." said Ezra. "My dad started out with nothing before he started his own Nuclear Fusion Core company.  So.. I was taught to respect people from the Roots. Even if I never lived a life like that..  you'll find there are people like me who support Root Dwellers coming to school here."

"Ezra.." said Narina. This girl wasn't half bad.

"Anyways," said Ezra. "This should be it.. your dorm room. No roommates, just you and your android.'

Ezra opened the door to the room. It appeared that the dorm consisted of 4 rooms total, A kitchen/dining room, a living room, a bathroom, and a bedroom.

"Where does Bella sleep?" Narina asked, still not used to having an android of her own.

"Oh, I just power down and stand in the closet." said Bella. "It's perfectly fine. I'm made to stand when I sleep, and I practically don't feel anything when I'm off, so it's not like I can be uncomfortable."

"Anyways, you look like your size is about an adult small.. so.. here." Ezra tossed Narina a black shirt with a yellow thunderbolt going across it, and a pair of denim shorts.  "You'll find a bunch of school uniforms as well as other necessities for clothing in your bathroom closet. Mind if I change with you?"

"Uhhhh.." Narina stammered.

"We can both turn around while we change, if it makes you uncomfortable."

"O-okay." said Narina.

Narina and Ezra walked into the bathroom while both Androids waited outside, discussing the benefits of different model processors with each other.

Narina turned her back to Ezra and began to change, but knew after she took off the robe and tried to put on her bra, that she was going to be here a while. Like always, she had no idea how to deal with the weird hooks and straps. And she began to grunt in frustration.

"Haven't you ever put on a bra before?" Ezra's voice came from behind.

"I thought you weren't going to look!" said Narina.

"I'm a girl, I've seen it all!" said Ezra. "Yeesh! My mom's a doctor and I'd help out sometimes. So I've even seen guys naked. Come on.. let me give you a hand.

"NO! WAIT!" Narina stammered as Ezra walked over and began fiddling with her straps. "WA-!?"

Both girls tripped and fell into the bathtub..

Narina opened her eyes in a daze. Something was pressed against her lips.. She opened her eyes, and choked with fright when she realized she and Ezra had accidentally kissed each other.

"AAACCCCKKKKKK!!" Narina pushed Ezra off. "EEEGGGHHH!! BLEEAAAGGHHH!! AAGGGGHHHH!! I'M SORRY!! I'M.."

Blood burst out of Narina's nose, and she fell face down.. bleeding.

"OH MY GOD! Narina! Are you okay!!?"

"Give... me.. 2 seconds.." Narina whimpered.

"Okay.."

After 20 minutes longer of absolute awkward changing, Narina had finally managed to walk out of the room, a fully clothed individual.

Ezra was dressed in a turtleneck and casual sweatpants. "Feeling okay now?"

"Define okay.." Narina groaned.

"I think they have cake in the kitchen."

"OH MY GOSH!! I AM SUPER OKAY!!" Narina roared.

"You really like cake don't you?" said Ezra.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" Narina growled. "Cake makes the world go round! Cake keeps space and time in temporal balance!! CAKE GAVE BRUCE LEE THE STRENGTH TO WHOOP CHUCK NORRIS INTO EXTINCTION!! Cake m'lady! Cake! shall save us all when the Xenomorphs invade!!"

"Okay then!" said Ezra with a laugh. "Let's go get some cake!"

The downstairs kitchen was like a combination between a restaurant and a do-it yourself bakery.

While there were tables all over the place with white table cloth and nicely crafted chairs. the front of the room was occupied by an assortment of stoves, ovens, and refrigerators, holding a large number of ingredients.

Girls talked happily with each other as they either baked or cooked, before taking their creations down to their tables to share with their friends.

"Let's find somebody whose already started on some baking and help out." suggested Ezra. But Narina held up a finger and shook her head.

"My Dad may be a Kendo Instructor.. but my mom, owns a bakery. If there's anything I know, it's how to bake a cake!!"

"BEHOLD!!" Narina yelled as she wrenched open a fridge and cabinet, and began pulling out the ingredients. "Cake, is ART! Cake is LIFE! You must choose the ingredients carefully and then, when they are before you, handle them gently. Like a woman."

"Like a what?" said Ezra.

"I-I mean like a puppy!!" stammered Narina. "Yes. You must pet them, gently, like a puppy. (Whew, that was close.) NOW OBSERVE!!"

Narina  was in her element. She pulled the bowl out and began whisking eggs, making dough, measuring sugar, like a professional would.

When Narin Jousuke was still a boy, he had spent most of his life baking. Sure it wasn't exactly a manly profession to some people, but a chef was a chef. And helping his mother in the local bakery had been the highlights of his day.  Eventually he had begun to experiment often with his art, and not only to make cakes look pretty, but to make them taste good and unique.

As Narina worked, other girls began to take notice, and come to the Narina and Ezra's cooking area to watch. Narina didn't  notice them. Neither Narina or Narin ever noticed anything when a cake was in the works, it was just sheer focus on the job at hand.

Finally, after a long hard baking joust, Narina finished smearing the last bit of frosting on the gorgeous cake.

It was red in color, with a beautiful sculpted candy Chinese dragon entwined around it, it's head arching above the top of the cake and blowing a nice stream of fire created from carefully sculpted taffy.  The cake itself was painted in orange flames that looked as if they were painted by Leonardo Di Vinci.

"I give you.. CAKE!!!!" Narina roared, wiping frosting and sweat off her forehead.

Only now did Narina notice that nearly everybody in the entire kitchen was crowded around her and Ezra.

Narina suddenly felt nervous. She didn't expect so many people to be watching. Trying to ignore the others, she cut a slice and put it on a plate, handing it to Ezra. "H-have a taste."

Ezra took out a fork and slowly took a small bite. There was a pause.

"It's.. Amazing!" Ezra exclaimed. "Oh my gosh! I've never tasted anything like it! The way the ginger you added goes with the white wine.. and.. it's odd, but I love it!! I grew up with 5 star chefs making me breakfast lunch and dinner, but never has anybody ever made a cake for me as good as this!!"

"I wanna taste!" said one girl.

"Me too!" said another.

Soon, Narina was giving so many other girls a taste of her cake, she had to bake several more just to make sure everyone had a slice.

"This is so gooood!"

"That new girl knows her stuff!"

"She should own her own restaurant!"

"Well well Narina." said Ezra. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

"Eh.." Narina blushed. "Well, I've had practice."

"Narina-san! Excuse me!" It was the pink haired girl whom Narina had walked in on by accident before. 

"The name's Yozu, of the bakery club." said the girl. "I've never seen such skill as yours before! I was wondering if you would like to come to our meeting on Wednesday, we meet down here at 8 when there aren't too many people using the facilities, and we would REALLY appreciate your input!"

"Uh, sure, I guess I could check it out." said Narina.

"Excellent!" said Yozu, pumping her fist. "I'll send you an email via your school computer, you can find that on the desk in your dorm!"

"Hmm.. I don't like cake that much though.." said a nearby girl.

"NO!!!" Narina screamed, pointing at the bewildered girl. "CAKE IS LIFE!! NOTHING COME CLOSE!! EVEN PIE!!"

"Can you bake a pie?" The girl asked.

Narina paused. "Yes, I bake anything

"Then what's the big deal?"

"THE BIG DEAL IS CAKE IS LIFE!!" Narina roared.

"Alright, that's enough for now." said Ezra with a laugh. "We've got to show you the best place in this building."

"Best place?" said Narina.

"Why yes." said Ezra. "It's the training room.. where we train to battle with the abilities we have rebirthed with."