With the defeat of the creature, Aithne breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness. It didn't appear that anyone had been injured. Her classmates had dispatched the monstrous entity without issue. Unfortunately, she hadn't been any help. A harsh criticism, perhaps, but true.

Somewhere in her overfull schedule she'd need to find time to learn some combat skills. She could trade the time she'd meant to spend with the Dead Languages Society for something more practical? She would rather study dead languages, but self-defense appeared to be a necessity.

Stepping back from the doorway, she allowed the onlookers to crowd back into the library. With the danger passed, there was no reason not to. When the cheers started, Aithne joined in on the applause for her schoolmates' bravery. 

"Well that was interesting," Ambre throws her crossbow back in her bag and approches the chest with curiosity. "Ive heard about mimics, but dad never mentioned when they die they turn into the object they were... well mimicking."

"So you're saying this wasn't part of our intruduction then Professor Sharpbeak." Aelyn says with a chuckle, making theatrical bows to their clapping audience. "Looks like we made a pretty good team there though." He adds looking around at the others, making sure everyone is okay while elegantly sheathing his rapier. "Don't stand over there Aithne, please come, you're one of us." He says, giving her a warm smile and motioning for her to join them. He then turns to the others again. "You got some nifty moves there Arvol, perhaps you can teach me something about fencing. And your crossbow Ambre, extraordinary invention, firing bolts of fire." He says, clearly sounding impressed with both of them. He then turns to the Loxodon with the scimitar. "Happy to make your acquaintance too Klok." He says smiling, almost trying to shake the Loxodon's trunk before offering to take his hand instead.

Klok smiles and extends his hand to shake while gently flapping his ears "You are all friends? Klok has been busy checking out the gardens. Klok is very happy to make your acquaintance too! You are all so poised, so poised in the face of danger!" 

"Well, to be fair Klok, I'm not sure I even realized there was any significant danger." Aelyn says, looking a bit embarrased while scratching his head. "I tend to act and speak before I think, and in this case I guess it made me look braver than I really am." He adds with a smile and a wink at the Loxodon. "But yes, we only met a bit earlier today but I feel like I already know Arvol, Aithne and Ambre fairly well. And I would definitely call them my friends." He says turning to the others, smiling warmly. "And I find their company most inspiring."

Aithne had begun gathering books from where they'd been sent tumbling in the chaos of the attack. She'd collected an armful, carefully smoothing pages and correcting damaged spines and was half under a table in pursuit of another when she became aware that she was being addressed. "Oh! Yes, um, of course." She added the book she'd been after to the stack in her arms and shuffled out from under the table. Standing carefully to avoid knocking her head on the underside, she placed the tomes she'd salvaged onto a nearby table.

Padding over, she offered a smile to the loxodon that had joined in on the attack. "It's nice to meet you. You were very, ah, brave to step in as you did. You were all very brave." She added, directing that comment to the rest of her schoolmates. "That creature was terrifying. And you just..." She vaguely pantomimed a few of the blade strikes, then trailed off. Turning her attention to Professor Sharpbeak, she offered, "Um, I'd be happy to assist with the cleanup here, Professor. Or was there more to orientation that we're expected to take part in?"

"Klok here is another one of my students; I'm grateful you could provide assistance! Anyway, Campus Security should be here any second to survey the scene. There is nothing more required of you for today - the orientation scavenger hunt has been completed! I hope you all had fun and that the items and trinkets you've found along the way will be of some use to you as you embark on the first leg of your academic journey. You may spend the rest of the day as you see fit.  Might I recommend popping into the Student Activities' Center to register for extracurriculars? There's a club for everyone and everything here at Strixhaven!"

"Excellent, we will do just that Professor Sharpbeak. This orientation has been most entertaining, especially this little challenge with the toothy trunk." Aelyn says with a wide smile. "But, umm, how do we get to know where to sleep and when our classes start." He says in a lowered voice, realizing he should probably already know these things if he bothered to read through all the information sent to him.

"So you are a first-year too Klok?  Have you signed up for extracurriculars? If not you should join us!"  Arvol says to the Luxodon. 

He catches what Aelyn says and comes over to Professor Sharpbeak as well. "Yea, I haven't quite found my room yet either. And then I've not got my books. And was there a uniform or something?"  He asks this all in a quieter than normal voice. "Oh, and probably need supplies? Maybe?"

Ambre turns around to the group, "Oh, hi there. The name's Ambre Rotz." She approaches Klok for a handshake.

"I arrived on campus nearly a week ago." Aithne nudged her glasses up a bit further on her nose. "So, em, I've been assigned a room in the dormitories already. They're quite nice. The building I'm assigned to is relatively close by." She ducked her head and admitted, "I specifically asked for a closer accommodation so I wouldn't have to walk quite so far to the Biblioplex." A faint smile curled her lips. "I haven't, ah, really spent time anywhere else on the campus. I'd certainly be interested in signing up for one of the extracurricular options." 

"The Strixhaven Star then." Aelyn suggests to Aithne. "I think we could really use a good researcher for the stories Arvol will dig up and I hopefully will flavour appropriately before they go to print." He says, smirking at the end.

Arvol laughs, "A week ago, Aithne? I just got here! I suppose we probably have something assigned then... just have to figure it out. Hopefully it won't be too far!"  After he makes the comment, Arvol looks a bit worried and quickly adds, "I mean... just to make it easier to get together for learning those new languages."

He is ready to head over to the Activities Center. As Aelyn is speaking he noted,  "I think Aithne was really interested in the Dead Languages Society. So I'm sure she's doing that. Much as it would be nice if she joined us." 

He then looks at the newcomer, "Hey, Klok! What about you? Know what activities you might try?"

Klok smiles "I was going to join the Horticulture Club...I know, I know....a student druid and their plants....But I can't help myself. I also figured I would get a job with the Campus Magic Labs to help pay for my gardening"

"I requested a room in the closest building to the library when I arrived." Aithne absently fiddled with her glasses. "The staff members I spoke to, ah, didn't seem to mind. If you wanted, you could probably request a room in the same, um, building? I don't think we're required to separate by specialty and it would certainly save you from having to walk across campus to reach the Biblioplex. And..." She chewed her lip before saying, "I do want to join the Dead Languages Society. But I also thought maybe if there was a self defense course or something...?" She trailed off, gradually turning pink to the tips of her ears and said, "...um, maybe. It was just a thought."    

Arvol steps over closer to Aithne. "You know, it seems to me like if you were set on joining the Dead Languages Society, then you should do that.  I'm not even sure if there is any group that does self-defense."  He starts to say something then pauses, looking at the Aasimar. Taking a deep breath he continues slowly, "Maybe...  I mean, I'm not sure I could even teach you much of anything... but I could try to help you with self-defense."  He shrugs, turning away quickly. "We should take a look at the activities though, we're just about there now, right?" 

Aelyn tilts his head and smiles as he sees Arvol talk to Aithne. "Yes, to the Activities center." He says and follows Arvol, giving him a discreet friendly nudge.

"Maybe it won't matter?" Aithne said hesitantly. "I would really hate to be a bother. If the school doesn't offer the option, then surely nothing like that will happen again." A vague gesture back toward the library was intended to indicate the monster her classmates had dispatched. "Besides, I'll be spending nearly all my time in the Biblioplex between classwork and my assignment there, so... It's not as though I'll need protection from the books." A wry smile quickly faded into a startled look. "Oh! I nearly forgot my books!" She took a few steps in the opposite direction from her classmates and waved them on. "I need to go pick up the volumes I left at the Information Desk. I can't believe I'd forgotten them. I'll, ah, meet you in the Activities Center." With a wave and an abrupt turn, Aithne made her way back into the Biblioplex center to retrieve the tomes she'd left behind at the beginning of the scavenger hunt.       

As Aithne leaves Aelyn nudges Arvol again. "She had quite a few books there earlier, I'm sure she would appreciate some help with carrying them." He says to Arvol in a lowered voice. "Okay, see you later Aithne." He shouts after the aasimar. "So, the Activities Center, over here right?" He says to Ambre and Klok.

Arvol nods tentatively to Aelyn, then turns to quickly follow Aithne. "Umm, I could help Aithne. I really don't mind." 

Although she had left rather quickly,  Arvol manages to catch up. "Sorry, hope I'm not imposing," he says, casting just a quick glance at Aithne.