It was a widely accepted fact that Genma Saotome was not particularly good at goodbyes. It was not that he had no feeling when it came to his son. He merely could not see the manliness element in sobbing every time the boy left the house.
Still, Ranma reflected, acutely aware of the enormous hand on his back, it was times like these that his father never ceased to amaze him.
'Now sir, you're to return here on this day in three years, or we'll be having FRESH croissants for our breakfast. Do we understand each other?'
Genma nodded eagerly to the man.
'And you're positive this boy is Him, Lant?'
An affirmative squeak escaped from a spot beside Ranma's left foot, but he dared not look down at that moment. He was far too frightened as it was.
The towering man with such a firm grasp on Ranma seemed satisfied with that answer and, nodding towards an advancing line of people dressed in riding gear Ranma had not noticed earlier, said 'Very well sir. We shall see you off as far as the forest edge.'
Genma stared, 'And... my reward?'
A small smile played over the man's broad face, 'Ah, of course. How could I have forgotten?' With a flick of his hand, another row of people appeared, these carrying armloads of jewels, fabrics, and foods. 'We will of course provide you with a wagon, should you require it. Good day; say goodbye to your father, child.'
Ranma half-heartedly waved to his father's retreating back. He ached to scream and cry, but that wouldn't be worthy of a future man-among-men. Besides, Ranma had bigger problems now.
He was alone with the Giants.
His father might not have noticed what type of school he had been bought into, but Ranma could see very clearly. He had nicked a book full of fairy- tales from the library at his last school, so he knew what would happen. This wasn't the sort of place a human should be alone in, not at all. If he had only known, he would have run away again. At least then he'd have been safe.
With a gulp of air, Ranma bravely turned around and looked up into the dark, craggy face above him. The man didn't actually seem all that much older than Ranma, now that he could see him in the light. The clothes he wore were far too big for him and hung over him, bunched up in areas which gave him the appearance of being larger than he was, but his features were spread out far apart from each other, as though they belonged on a much smaller face. Still, the boy-giant was obviously still much larger and stronger than Ranma, a good three or four feet over his three-and-a-half.
'Hello Boy,' the boy-giant said, looking solemnly down at him.
'Ranma', he corrected unconsciously.
The Giant ignored his remark expertly. 'If you'll follow me please, I'll show you to your dorm,' he glared. '...Tiny thing, aren't you? Well, don't just stand there gawking, pick up your bags and let's go.'
* * *
As it turned out, the room Ranma was placed in was quite nearby. He would be with four other children, all of who were asleep when he was quietly pushed into the room.
'An escort will be provided in morning to walk you through your classes, ' Ranma's escort whispered loudly, 'Breakfast is at seven, so try to get some sleep.' He abandoned the suitcase he had snatched out of Ranma's hands a few minutes before, claiming it was slowing them down, in front of an immense four-poster bed, turned around and strode out the door without another word.
Pulling himself onto the top of the mattress, Ranma surveyed the room, and more importantly, it's occupants. He had prepared for immense blobs, so was he surprised at how small they looked. Why, they barely covered the told fold of the blanket! Still, he reasoned with himself, it was most likely the distance that through him off. The room was the size of a small meadow, dotted in random places by a bed identical to the one Ranma sat on. Glancing at the floor, he suddenly noticed that it seemed to be carpeted with a soft-looking bluish moss.
He knew he would have to sleep soon though. Already he could feel his eyelids drooping downwards, too heavy to support themselves for much longer. Crawling under the duvet, he sleepily wondered why the floor seemed to be swaying slightly before drifting off to sleep.
