Father Abel and Catherine stared dumbfounded at the sight of the new St. Ignatius Academy campus.
"Is this really the sa place?" asked Catherine, her voice barely above a whisper.
The entire forr district was enclosed by a high wall with crenelations and ramparts, with four massive watchtowers at each corner.
The main gate was a massive steel structure, with two security booms and a guardhouse.
Inside, the campus buildings were tall gray gothic structures, with sloping roofs, tall pointed arches, gargoyles, buttresses, and massive steeples.
The main buildings were connected by a series of concrete walkways.
The ground between the walkways was covered in thick red mud, and there were webs of smaller paths leading to fountains, benches and gazebos.
Construction was still ongoing, with the Sirius Construction drones flitting around several buildings still being built.
"Welco to the new St. Ignatius Academy, Father Abel," said Aaron, as he approached them with a smile.
"Aaron, this is incredible! How were you able to build all of this in such a short ti?" asked Father Abel, his eyes wide with amazent.
"Automation and hard work, Father Abel," chuckled Aaron, as Harry ca up to them, wearing a hard hat and a reflective vest.
"Father Abel, Miss. Davis. Co on. I’ll give you the grand tour," he said enthusiastically.
----
"This here is the main admin block. You’ve got the admissions, guidance counselor, principal and vice principal’s offices here," said Harry leading them through the vast main building.
Father Abel let out a whistle as he walked through the halls, taking in the high vaulted ceilings, frosted glass windows, and polished stone floors.
"Next up, is the main exam hall. I’ve tried to keep it as close to how we rember it," chuckled Harry, as he led them into a massive hall that resembled the nave of a cathedral.
"This does take back," chuckled Catherine wryly as she walked around the hall, her sneakers making a muffled shuffling sound.
Olga entered the hall, the sharp clip-clopping of her titanium stilettos more than making up for Catherine’s subdued sneakers.
"Master Zakhrov, the new campus security applicants have been vetted. Can you give them their contracts?" she asked.
"Sure, Olga. Harry, continue the tour, I’ll be right back," said Aaron, leaving the hall with Olga.
"All right, now for the classroom blocks," said Harry, leading Father Abel and Catherine out of the hall, and to a set of 5 buildings that were connected by a series of walkways.
"Each building has both classrooms and lab spaces, along with departnt offices and staff rooms," explained Harry, as he led them through the first building.
"Mr. Smith, this is a lot to take in," said Catherine, her knees buckling slightly as she walked.
Concerned, Harry and Father Abel helped her to a nearby bench.
"Are you all right, Cathy?" asked Father Abel, his voice filled with concern.
"I... I think so. Just a bit overwheld, I guess," Catherine replied, taking a deep breath.
Her lips trembled, and without warning, she threw herself into Father Abel’s cassock, sobbing uncontrollably.
Father Abel blinked in surprise, but quickly wrapped his arms around her, as her body heaved with sobs.
"What happened Miss Davis?" asked Harry.
"I... I can’t believe how far I had fallen! How much I’ve changed! This place, it reminds of how I used to be! Firm, confident, and capable! Now look at ! I’m a soft mousy ss!" she sobbed, her voice muffled against Father Abel’s cassock.
"Miss Davis, I think you need to et my wife. Co on, let’s get you to her," said Harry, gently guiding Catherine to her feet.
----
"Margaret, this is Catherine Davis, my old Vice Principal. She needs your help," said Harry, as he led Catherine into the outfitters.
"I can definitely see that, co along, Miss Davis," said Margaret, as she led Catherine to a changing room.
"W-what’s happening?" asked Catherine, as Margaret gently pushed her into the changing room.
"I believe Father Abel would call it enclothed cognition. You entered a place of order and discipline, while wearing the clothes of ss and chaos. Now, let’s get you into sothing that reflects the person you want to be," said Margaret, shoving a bundle of clothes into Catherine’s arms.
Catherine took stock of the clothes in her arms.
It was a black brocade corset, a white silk blouse, a black pencil skirt and blazer, and a pair of black pantyhose.
Feeling a little silly, she pulled off her faded black sneakers, her well-worn jeans, and her soft cream cardigan and plain white t-shirt.
She removed her bra, pulled on the pantyhose, and fumbled with the corset, finally managing to fasten it around her waist.
"Oooh!" she gasped, as the corset cinched her waist, and forced her spine straight with a series of cracks and pops.
Blood rushed to her head, and she felt a little lightheaded.
She took a deep breath, and slipped on the white silk blouse, buttoning it over the corset, and fastening the cuffs.
She then slipped on the skirt and carefully tucked the blouse into its high waistband.
Finally, she slipped on the blazer, and adjusted it to fit snugly over her shoulders.
She looked in the mirror, and gasped at her reflection.
Staring back at her, was a specter of the past.
The valedictorian of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, the Yale English graduate, the Forbes MBA, the Vice Principal of St. Ignatius Academy, before its descent into anarchy as it, and she, chased "equity".
She poked her head out of the changing room. "Margaret, do you have a makeup kit I can borrow? And a pair of heels in my size?" she asked.
Margaret smiled and handed her a small makeup kit, and a pair of black leather stiletto pumps with wickedly sharp 8 cm heels that glead like daggers.
"Knock yourself out, Miss Davis," she said with a wink.
Catherine erged from the changing room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
"Damn, I’ve missed this sound," she thought, as she rejoined Harry and Father Abel.
"Feeling better, Miss Davis?" asked Harry, a sly smirk on his face.
Catherine cleared her throat to hide her blush. "It definitely feels a lot longer than four years since I dressed and felt like this," she said.
"Shall we continue the tour?" asked Father Abel, gently smiling at her.
"Yes, please. I think... I think I’ve found myself after a very long ti," said Catherine, her body buzzing with a newfound energy.
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