Click.
Dorothea turned the brass knob. Gas surged through the pipes and ignited at the nozzle of the gas lamp mounted high on the wall.
The flame leaped up with a soft whoosh, then steadied, casting a gentle, warm yellow glow.
The room had light.
Miskatonic University had not originally provided student dormitories, so students could only rent accommodation elsewhere. Only after far too many accidents and disappearances off campus had it been forced to build this Dormitory Building, where all students could apply for accommodation.
Despite the strict management and bothersome daily room checks, Dorothea had chosen to live here.
It made it easier for her to make contact with the clubs and organizations on campus.
Although Miskatonic was renowned across the continent for its investigators, its political influence could not be underestimated either. Parliament even had seats reserved specifically for the university.
As the struggle between the old nobility and rising powers grew fiercer by the day, it still maintained a delicate neutrality and autonomy.
Although Dorothea had always kept to herself, she was on good terms with all her professors. She had also participated in quite a few student organizations and clubs in the Medical School, only to shift her attention to the Wild Dog Gang in the Harbor District later on.
No one knew why. Like a real crow, she only perched briefly wherever she went before silently spreading her wings and leaving.
As though she had been searching for something all along.
Today, Miss Crow sat down at her desk once again.
Only after checking the few hidden markers on her desk and confirming that no one had disturbed them did Dorothea relax. She took off her boots and rubbed her slightly swollen, aching ankles, sinking into thought.
After a long while, a faint smile