"Hey! This is the MALE dormitory, miss! NO female occupants after midnight!" exclaimed a voice from a campus security official who had seemingly appeared from nowhere.
"I'm really sorry!" said Christina, frightened by his sudden appearance and furious shouting. "I tried to leave, but couldn't get out!"
"How did you even get in here?" he interrogated. "All female students are automagically ported back to the female dormitory at midnight. Are you aware that overpowering campus security spells, though rarely possible, is punishable by expulsion?"
"Oh, I'm not a student," says Christina. "I'm ... I'm ..."
"She's my guest for the night," answered Julius. "I was reading a book of residential rules in the library last week, and I discovered that upperclassmen are entitled to one unenrolled overnight guest each within a certain timeframe; my roommates and I have never had any."
"That is a VERY OLD rule, from before my time," said the guard menacingly. "BUT, since the spells prevent anyone from leaving, and there is nowhere for me to take her but the security office, I will allow her to remain with you and your friends THIS time. I would advise you NOT to test my patience like this again."
The strange, intimidating figure paced down the hallway, glaring and Christina Julius the whole time, before vanishing around a corner Christina hadn't noticed at first. She breathed a sigh of relief when he was out of view.
"That man gave me the chills," she told Julius.
"I suppose you could call him a man," said Julius cryptically. "He's not too bad if you know how to deal with him. Anyway, would you like to go back to my room? I find you an interesting person already ... Christina, was it?"
"I'm not some easy slut, if that's what you're implying," said Christina with a look. "But if you'd like to be a gentleman, like you said you would, I suppose some friendly conversation beats sitting bored in whatever moldy broom closet he calls a security office. Thanks a heap for taking up for me back there."
Julius laughed. "I don't think you'd be awake enough to be bored," he said. "He'd basically just turn you into a doll for the night so he wouldn't have to put up with you until morning. I'm also extremely gay, if it isn't obvious. Roger isn't, but Cody and I can keep him in check if need be. I do think you're interesting, though: for someone who outwitted campus security, you seem very confused, no offense."
"None taken, and yes, I am very confused. Everything about this is bizarre. I should be home right now, on my computer! And what was the deal with that cop--or whatever he is--talking about spells and whatnot?"
"Oh, do you really not know?" said Julius. "You're at a sorcerer's college. The Stonewood University of Hexes, Enchantments and Scientific Endeavors."
"Wait-wait-wait-wait-wait!" said Christina. "First of all--this is a school for MAGIC?! Like with wands and all that? And second of all--SCIENTIFIC ENDEAVORS? At a MAGIC school?!"
"Yeah, our physics department is top notch. I'm an astronomy major myself. Some spells don't work quite right except in certain celestial alignments. Not everything we study has to be magic, as long as we're still getting better at our magic."
Now it was all coming back for Christina. It was finally starting to make sense. The strange message she got. Being transported out of her room by while using the CYOC website. The name of the school Julius said he attended.
"I'm at Stonewood Male Dormitory," she said absentmindedly, piecing it all together. "THE Stonewood Male Dormitory!"
"Yes, you are," said Julius. Opening up a door with a flick of his wrists. "Welcome to my dorm. Here are my roommates Cody and Roger. Nate would normally be back by now, too, but he has ... other engagements, on nights like tonight."