As the Exam ends, students file out of the room. The mood generally seems positive, especially as it marks the last test of Year 1 at Strixhaven. Always the positive influence, Zanther is encouraging students to come to the Firejolt Cafe to celebrate a bit. There will of course likely be further celebrations at the Bow's End later as well.
Aurora finds Malvyn after he comes out. "Well, how do you think it went Mal? Another exam aced?" Rubina is not far behind her, looking about for Guardok. "It all seemed rather straightforward really."
Larine quietly comes up to Mae as she leaves the class. "You up for grabbing a drink at the cafe?" she asks tentatively. "My treat. Wouldn't it be nice to go just for a moment?"
When Mae does come out, Rubina calls over to her as well. "You going to join us next week for Show Band? It would be great to have you back!"
Quentillius comes over as well. Speaking mainly to Guardok and Rubina he asks, "Any of you going to the Firejolt?"
Mae looked at Larine for a moment then toward the cafe and back, before shaking her head a little. "I don't think so. There's no telling what's happened and I don't want to see anyone still, really. Sorry. If you want to though go ahead, I'm just not in the mood to celebrate anything. It's probably just a matter of time before I'm sold out as a conspirator. No point in hastening that moment." She looks like she is about to cry though before Rubina comes up. She wipes her face quickly and tries to smile a little. "Oh, I-I don't know. I don't even know if I'll be here then. Umm, maybe. Sorry." Mae then starts to hurry off back toward her dorm.
Larine had replied before Rubina came over. "No, no. I just thought..." She shakes her head, "I don't know what I thought. But shall we walk back together?" Then Rubina came up and Mae runs off, leaving the green-haired girl standing flat footed.
"Is Mae alright?"Rubina asks. "I just thought coming back to playing with the band might lift her spirits."
"Ah, yea. I should check on her,"Larine says and she quickly heads off after Mae.
"Admittedly I found the second section harder than expected at first, but then I recalled more from our studies last night, and I feel fairly confident now. I feel the studying together with you really made a difference though so thank you for that." The purple-skinned tiefling says, taking Aurora's hand and giving it an affectionate squeeze. "How about you dearest?"
Malvyn would go where Aurora went, but he would assume they would end up at the Firejolt cafe. He did feel a bit exhuasted after the exam and stays mostly silent, but makes an effort to make friendly talk and politely ask how the others feel it went with the test, trying his best to encourage and reassure them if they felt unsure about how they did.
"I don't know, I think the first paper was touch and go for me. Hopefully what I did was enough", Guardok replies to Rubina with a shrug. There is nothing he can do about it now, so no point worrying about it all weekend.
"Sounds good to me", he says to Quentillius regarding going to Firejolt, and waves across to Zanther and gives the thumbs up.
He will look to find Mal and Mei and ask how they got on, and make sure they are heading to Firejolt as well.
A fairly large contingent of students starts heading over towards the Firejolt Cafe.
Aurora sounds fairly confident as she walks hand-in-hand with Malvyn. "It seemed relatively simple to answer the questions. I didn't seem to struggle." She heads for the cafe with the others. "We don't have to stay long. I do play later tonight, so I'll want to get back and change before this evening."Rubina and Quentillius are walking along with Guardok. The Genasi can see Malvyn not far ahead. And Mei has paused not far from the classroom and seems to be chatting with Greta.
As you near the cafe you notice there is quite a bit of activity along the avenue adjacent to the building. Across the street, a residence hall that has been mostly empty during the year seems to have numerous people heading in and out of the building. You catch sight of a number with large amounts of bags and chests and other items. Clearly, they are moving in.
"New students moving in you think?" Malvyn says, loud enough for the others to hear, casting curious glances over at the numerous people with bags and chests. "Should we invite them to join us at the cafe?" He adds after a moment, being in a good mood after the exam. He wasn't sure he was really up to trying to make more friends but it felt like the proper thing to do. He felt now that he owed Strixhaven so much, and helping other new arrivals find the same comfort and happiness as him seemed like a good way to show gratitude towards his own fate.
"The last exam of the year is over, and the Rose Stage Festival is almost here. Exciting times", Guardok is saying as the new students moving into the empty hall come into view. "And new students!".
When he hears Mal suggest inviting them, he agrees, "Let's go and say hello".
Malvyn would let Guardok take the lead with the welcoming committee, but curious as he is he would gladly come along, hoping his somehwhat sinister appearnce wouldn't deter any of the new students to join them at the Firejolt cafe. "You don't mind the company I assume? Perhaps a new generation of fans for you." He says with wink and a quick grin to the raven-haired woman at his side.
Guardok happily takes the lead, and heads across to see who it is moving in.
Remembering his own moving in day, with the long lines of students, he wonders if this is a smaller event. After all, the first year had not yet finished and shouldn't there be some kind of holiday before they start the second? Or are the years staggered in Strixhaven?
Something to ask...someone.
Of course, he had already heard of at least one Professor who had met a first year to be already. The goblin trained with a blade.
Aurora looks to Rubina. "What do you say we continue on to the Firejolt? We can get drinks, find some seats. I'll just order for you Mal."
"Sounds good," Rubina replies. "Want me to order something for you Guardok?"
Aurora then looks at the others. "Go say hello and invite folk over. We'll be waiting." Quentillius says, "I'll head to the Firejolt too. But see you there!"
(The cafe just sells coffee and tea, though you can get just about any variety of those items. Plus maybe a limited availability of a cookie or muffin.)
Malvyn and Guardok cross the avenue and head for the dormatory. A sign outside says, 'Welcome New Pre-Enrollment Students!' and had an arrow pointing to the double doors of the building which are propped open. A sign on the building reads 'Cloudblower Hall'.
It is a tall square tower made of the same white stone of many of the buildings on the Strixhaven campus. As you near the doors, you see a student in a first-year uniform standing just inside, not really paying attention. Many people are carrying belongings in and group are wandering out, but the lobby does not look very crowded.
Inside, the place gives a vague resemblance to Dresar Hall. Tables are set up with a sign for each floor, 2 through 9. That definitely reminds you of your check in day. Only one tsble still seems to be manned, by a make human also in a first-year uniform.
On the right side of the lobby is an Owlin with white and tan feathers. You recall her name is Shuvadri as she is in a class with you. It also seems like she worked on campus with Knap. She is speaking to Professor Sharpbeak who is behind the front desk.
Nearby you see a fairy, less than 4 feet tall, chatting with an equally short goblin. His orange butterfly-like wings flutter a bit as it seems the pair are about to rush off.
Guardok can't help but notice a rapier at the goblin's hip. Given this is the first goblin you've seen at Strixhaven, it's hard to imagine this isn't the new student Professor Flintwind (Arvol) had mentioned.
With them is a blue-feathered Owlin, a Half-Orc with very short hair and one broken tusk, and a human with fox-like ears and one blue, one violet eye. The three women are chasing with the other two. All of them look like they're about ready to head out of the lobby, back into the building.
(OOC - Feel free to post. I will hopefully be adding in new charcters soon. So, if you would, add a charcter description to your next post!)
"Just a coffee, please", Guardok calls back to Rubina as he heads off to see the new arrivals.
"Pre-enrolment", he says to Mal. "So these are the really keen ones who couldn't wait for real enrolment?".
He heads inside and spots Shuvadri speaking with Professor Sharpbeak, giving a wave if either look in his direction but otherwise ignoring them.
Seeing the goblin with the rapier, he smiles and approaches the group they are with, who will see approaching what might look like a small outcrop of rock and gems wearing a first year uniform. His skin is a polished grey hue, and instead of hair there are turquoise gems spiking out from the top of his head, his eyes sharing the same colour. He also has a rapier strapped to his belt.
"Welcome to Strixhaven, folks. I'm Guardok and this is Mal", he says motioning behind him, assuming Mal had followed. "We've just finished our last exam of the first year, and there is a crowd heading over to the Firejolt Cafe, if you fancy getting to know some people".
The purple-skinned tiefling would indeed follow Guardok over to Cloudblower Hall and the Pre-Enrolment students, but he stays slightly in the background just by the entrance, giving the new students a small awkward wave of his clawed hand while the other is placed on the shoulder bag at his side, almost for reassurance it seems. The first impression would likely be a somewhat sinister one, but a closer look would reveal the tiefling is mostly a bit awkward, his purple tail slowly swaying anxiously behind him as his fiery red eyes studies the new group in the lobby.
He would have felt more secure and grounded with Aurora at his side, but Guardok would handle most of the social interaction anyways. The variety of the new students brought a small smile to his face though, something he had appreciated with Strixhaven ever since he first set foot here, the diversity, and the feeling that your background made no difference, only what you wanted to do with your time here.
The goblin with the rapier at his belt turns, only slightly taken aback to be approached by Guardok (and Mal a bit further back). A crooked smile emerges on his crooked goblin face, slightly off-putting despite also appearing to be thoroughly genuine. Beady red eyes regard the genasi and tiefling.
"A welcome party for the welcome party," he muses under his breath. "I wonder at the plausible bounds of such recursive loops in social interactions..."
At this point the owl perched on the goblin's shoulder turns to glare flatly at him as if in rebuke. "Ah... sorry, sorry. I am Shin and this is Pinky-toe my owl familiar who has just reminded me of social norms. Also winged is my fey roommate Naevyn whose registration seems to have encountered a complication," Shin points to the fairy he had just been speaking with, "as well as Bretira here." Shin gestures to an owlin, also with the group.
"As Naevyn had been delayed, Bretira had joined me in welcoming him just now, along with Aspen and Arinchu just there." Shin's gaze extends to two other nearby conversing females, one fox-eared and the other a half-orc with one broken tusk.
"Several others also new to Strixhaven and also sharing the ninth floor of Cloudblower Hall are just finishing dessert. Naevyn just expressed interest in joining them for a bite. Yet serendipitously, I can accurately summarize our collective intention to explore our habitat before our afternoon meeting with Resident Assistant Shuvadri. Starting with Firejolt Cafe, as it happens. Thus it is both fortuitous and pleasant to meet you Guardok and Mal!"
After another prodding glance from Pinky-toe, the goblin adds hastily, "oh, and my congratulations on completing your exams!"
(Shin at least, shows zero indication at any surprise or disquiet to meet an earth genasi or a tiefling, though Pinky-toe does shoot the occasional uneasy glance at the two nearby owlins, Bretira and further away, Shuvadri, as if their appearances fall into her uncanny valley.)
Shin's image in (first) spoiler below (his owl familiar, Pinky-toe, who is currently perched on his shoulder, is not in the image).
As the small cluster of first years begins to disperse, the fox-eared womanlingers a heartbeat beside the half-orc woman. From a distance it looks like nothing more than a quiet exchange. The fox-eared girl tilts her head slightly, studying the other’s expression with a curious softness.
In her hands is a small weavings of freshly coaxed blossom, tiny flowers braided together with deliberate care. Her ears dip back briefly as she glances down at the unfinished projects, considering something. Then she steps closer to the half-orc, her ears popping upright again as if some private decision has been made. A small smile curves across her face, and a dimple appears on her right cheek.
She says something to the half-orc and then springs lightly onto her toes, lifting herself just enough to call after the goblin, fairy, and blue-feathered owlin already heading toward the cafeteria. “We'll save some seats for everyone at the Firejolt Cafe okay!” Her voice carries easily, bright but not loud. She waves them off with easy familiarity, as if this group of strangers has already begun to settle into something more.
Then she pivots with the same enthusiasm. Too quickly. Aspen nearly walks right into the approaching pair.
Fox ears shoot upright, flowers clutched instinctively to her chest, mismatched eyes widening, one blue, one violet catching the lobby light. She halts just short of impact. “Oh!” She breathes, recovering quickly, stepping back to give space, but then almost backing up into Arinchu, tail bracing briefly against her leg. "Oop!" There’s a flash of sheepish warmth in her expression. Not flustered, exactly, just momentarily surprised. And then she smiles.
"H-hi!" The fox girlmanages to get out and she finally steadies within the close proximity. "Thank you for the welcome." She dips her head briefly in a respectful thanks. "Finished your exams?" She had just got there herself. "So you must be second years then? How are the exams here?" Much like she has done a lot lately, her head tilts with those questions before catching herself asking a bunch of questions and straightening again.
"I'm Aspen. And this is Arinchu." Her tail sways as she gestures to Arinchu just behind her. It was very kind of him (a second year!) to extend an invite their way. "We were actually just headed that way to the Firejolt Cafe ourselves too." She smiles. She appreciated the invite and was often glancing over at Arinchu to gauge her reactions/responses through out the exchange.
(Small cross post with Shin lol hopefully aligns okay still.)
Guardok struggles to keep up with everything the goblin is saying. He manages to keep track of the conversation enough to learn his name is Shin, and the owl she carries is called Pinky-toe.
Oh well, Mal will likely remember all the names, he's good like that.
He perks up at mention of dessert, but then dismisses the idea, people were waiting for him. Shin said they were heading to the Firejolt anyway, right?
"Thanks", he replies to Shin, as he nimbly steps out of the way of Aspen. "No problem. And well, not second years yet, but close I guess. Depends how well the exam went really", he says to the fox girl.
Ok, they definitely are heading to the Firejolt.
"Mal and I are staying in Dresar Hall, although I guess we will be moving soon, once we choose a College. This year really has flown by. Oh, you asked about the exams", he says as he looks to move off towards the cafe.
"They haven't been too bad really. Just make sure you get yourself a good study partner or two. My trick has been to make up a little skit with the information, and run through it with some Drama Guild friends", he says with a chuckle.
He looks back to Shin, "I heard about a new student who wore a rapier from Professor Flintwind, so I hoped to bump into you. It would be good to have someone to train with if you ever fancy it".
(OOC: In case I wasn't clear before, Guardok is small, at only just over 4ft)
Standing behind his short genasi friend, the somewhat sinister-looking purple-skinned tiefling focuses on getting all the names and committing them to memory before returning to assess the newcomers. It was hard to tell yet but none of them so far were obvious to have the Biblioplex as their primary habitat. Both the swashbuckling goblin and the foxy girl seemed nice enough though and didn't seem to judge him by his appearance.
Malvyn would turn and walk with the others back towards the Firejolt cafe, and seeing Guardok strike up a conversation with his new goblin sparring partner, the purple-skinned tiefling comes up along the foxy girl and the half-orc with the broken tusk. "So...um...how do you find Strixhaven so far?" He asks them, trying to sound polite but it is clear he struggles a bit with the social part, although his long tail sways a bit more confidently behind him now. "I remember when I first came here, an orientation day that was quite eventful." He says with a small dreamy smile as he recalls the scavenger hunt and the incident with the mawed trunk. He glances the foxy girl over, trying to do so discreetly, trying to determine what she was. He had never met anyone quite like her, not even read about people with fox ears, but then again, Strixhaven were the home of people from all over existence.
Chierhy Nbenbe is slender and graceful, her full lips set and relaxed, as if nothing in the world can disturb her inner poise. Her nose is small and rounded, her dark brown eyes quick and intelligent, and slightly uptilted, with just a touch of kohl at the corners. Above them, her eyebrows float like gull-wings over her vibrant auburn complexion. Her jet black hair is entirely hidden under the rising half-moon of stiff, folded fabric, her gele, that encircles her face like a golden halo with its richly embroidered yellow hue and faux-pearl beadwork.
When she speaks, her voice seems to come not from her mouth, but from the center of her, and, like her lips and her gaze, her tone is full-bodied, eloquent and assertive, demonstrating comfort with the giving of instruction, and, like a favored school teacher, possessed with the calm confidence that her instructions will be followed.
“Hi Arinchu!,” Chierhy says, coming up behind the half-orc, “We are heading to the cafe… oh, hello!,” she continues, now noticing Shin and Guardok, who had been hidden partly from view by the taller 9th-floorers, “Hi, Aspen,” Chierhy nods, and a moment before she briefly locks eyes with Shin, a smile freezes forcefully in place and her chin rises a notch. She then notices the tiefling standing behind the genasi, and the same gut horror she felt when she earlier met the goblin rakes at her composure like a lion leaping for the kill on the Wagadu Plains. But her smile is indomitable and, melodiously, she joins in the exchange of greetings to all of the new faces.
“Hello! I am Chierhy Nbenbe, Daughter of Lanre of Koumba Saleh, Wagadu. Also a new first-year.”
A sparkle of wonderment enters her eyes when they finally fall on Guardok. ‘A person of rock and gems?’
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters// Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
[Guardok] looks back to Shin, "I heard about a new student who wore a rapier from Professor Flintwind, so I hoped to bump into you. It would be good to have someone to train with if you ever fancy it."
The goblin's smile becomes wider, though a touch rueful. "Gladly. Though I may prove to be a below average sparring partner, Guardok, given that I left my bladesinging training far too early and find myself struggling even to execute the simple practice drills which I have been taught. While I will surely benefit from any mutual practice, I doubt I shall provide an adequate challenge to one already proficient with their weapon. Not yet, in any case."
Shin taps the hilt of the rapier at his belt, and in the moment, perspective reveals it to be the size of a slender greatsword, relative to his small stature.
When Chierhy (and everyone else?) arrive, Shin adds softly, "ah, my other fellow ninth floor newbies. I am happy for them to introduce themselves so I can relinquish the role of Cloudblower Hall Herald! Besides, evidence suggests I have not been introducing Chierhy Nbenbe correctly anyway..."
When he locks eyes with the noblewoman, Shin notices the restrained horror behind her fixed grin once more, muted only slightly from last time, and simply inclines his head respectfully, making no comment on it. He gestures to the two soon-to-be second-year students who had approached them.
"These are Guardok, the earth genasi and Mal, the tiefling there, both of whom have been lovely and gracious in extending their welcome to us. I believe they indicated that, final examinations having just concluded for them, there is a larger group convening at the Firejolt Cafe."
As the Exam ends, students file out of the room. The mood generally seems positive, especially as it marks the last test of Year 1 at Strixhaven. Always the positive influence, Zanther is encouraging students to come to the Firejolt Cafe to celebrate a bit. There will of course likely be further celebrations at the Bow's End later as well.
Aurora finds Malvyn after he comes out. "Well, how do you think it went Mal? Another exam aced?" Rubina is not far behind her, looking about for Guardok. "It all seemed rather straightforward really."
Larine quietly comes up to Mae as she leaves the class. "You up for grabbing a drink at the cafe?" she asks tentatively. "My treat. Wouldn't it be nice to go just for a moment?"
When Mae does come out, Rubina calls over to her as well. "You going to join us next week for Show Band? It would be great to have you back!"
Quentillius comes over as well. Speaking mainly to Guardok and Rubina he asks, "Any of you going to the Firejolt?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Mae looked at Larine for a moment then toward the cafe and back, before shaking her head a little. "I don't think so. There's no telling what's happened and I don't want to see anyone still, really. Sorry. If you want to though go ahead, I'm just not in the mood to celebrate anything. It's probably just a matter of time before I'm sold out as a conspirator. No point in hastening that moment." She looks like she is about to cry though before Rubina comes up. She wipes her face quickly and tries to smile a little. "Oh, I-I don't know. I don't even know if I'll be here then. Umm, maybe. Sorry." Mae then starts to hurry off back toward her dorm.
Larine had replied before Rubina came over. "No, no. I just thought..." She shakes her head, "I don't know what I thought. But shall we walk back together?" Then Rubina came up and Mae runs off, leaving the green-haired girl standing flat footed.
"Is Mae alright?" Rubina asks. "I just thought coming back to playing with the band might lift her spirits."
"Ah, yea. I should check on her," Larine says and she quickly heads off after Mae.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Admittedly I found the second section harder than expected at first, but then I recalled more from our studies last night, and I feel fairly confident now. I feel the studying together with you really made a difference though so thank you for that." The purple-skinned tiefling says, taking Aurora's hand and giving it an affectionate squeeze. "How about you dearest?"
Malvyn would go where Aurora went, but he would assume they would end up at the Firejolt cafe. He did feel a bit exhuasted after the exam and stays mostly silent, but makes an effort to make friendly talk and politely ask how the others feel it went with the test, trying his best to encourage and reassure them if they felt unsure about how they did.
"I don't know, I think the first paper was touch and go for me. Hopefully what I did was enough", Guardok replies to Rubina with a shrug. There is nothing he can do about it now, so no point worrying about it all weekend.
"Sounds good to me", he says to Quentillius regarding going to Firejolt, and waves across to Zanther and gives the thumbs up.
He will look to find Mal and Mei and ask how they got on, and make sure they are heading to Firejolt as well.
A fairly large contingent of students starts heading over towards the Firejolt Cafe.
Aurora sounds fairly confident as she walks hand-in-hand with Malvyn. "It seemed relatively simple to answer the questions. I didn't seem to struggle." She heads for the cafe with the others. "We don't have to stay long. I do play later tonight, so I'll want to get back and change before this evening." Rubina and Quentillius are walking along with Guardok. The Genasi can see Malvyn not far ahead. And Mei has paused not far from the classroom and seems to be chatting with Greta.
As you near the cafe you notice there is quite a bit of activity along the avenue adjacent to the building. Across the street, a residence hall that has been mostly empty during the year seems to have numerous people heading in and out of the building. You catch sight of a number with large amounts of bags and chests and other items. Clearly, they are moving in.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"New students moving in you think?" Malvyn says, loud enough for the others to hear, casting curious glances over at the numerous people with bags and chests. "Should we invite them to join us at the cafe?" He adds after a moment, being in a good mood after the exam. He wasn't sure he was really up to trying to make more friends but it felt like the proper thing to do. He felt now that he owed Strixhaven so much, and helping other new arrivals find the same comfort and happiness as him seemed like a good way to show gratitude towards his own fate.
"The last exam of the year is over, and the Rose Stage Festival is almost here. Exciting times", Guardok is saying as the new students moving into the empty hall come into view. "And new students!".
When he hears Mal suggest inviting them, he agrees, "Let's go and say hello".
Malvyn would let Guardok take the lead with the welcoming committee, but curious as he is he would gladly come along, hoping his somehwhat sinister appearnce wouldn't deter any of the new students to join them at the Firejolt cafe. "You don't mind the company I assume? Perhaps a new generation of fans for you." He says with wink and a quick grin to the raven-haired woman at his side.
Guardok happily takes the lead, and heads across to see who it is moving in.
Remembering his own moving in day, with the long lines of students, he wonders if this is a smaller event. After all, the first year had not yet finished and shouldn't there be some kind of holiday before they start the second? Or are the years staggered in Strixhaven?
Something to ask...someone.
Of course, he had already heard of at least one Professor who had met a first year to be already. The goblin trained with a blade.
Aurora looks to Rubina. "What do you say we continue on to the Firejolt? We can get drinks, find some seats. I'll just order for you Mal."
"Sounds good," Rubina replies. "Want me to order something for you Guardok?"
Aurora then looks at the others. "Go say hello and invite folk over. We'll be waiting." Quentillius says, "I'll head to the Firejolt too. But see you there!"
(The cafe just sells coffee and tea, though you can get just about any variety of those items. Plus maybe a limited availability of a cookie or muffin.)
Malvyn and Guardok cross the avenue and head for the dormatory. A sign outside says, 'Welcome New Pre-Enrollment Students!' and had an arrow pointing to the double doors of the building which are propped open. A sign on the building reads 'Cloudblower Hall'.
It is a tall square tower made of the same white stone of many of the buildings on the Strixhaven campus. As you near the doors, you see a student in a first-year uniform standing just inside, not really paying attention. Many people are carrying belongings in and group are wandering out, but the lobby does not look very crowded.
Inside, the place gives a vague resemblance to Dresar Hall. Tables are set up with a sign for each floor, 2 through 9. That definitely reminds you of your check in day. Only one tsble still seems to be manned, by a make human also in a first-year uniform.
On the right side of the lobby is an Owlin with white and tan feathers. You recall her name is Shuvadri as she is in a class with you. It also seems like she worked on campus with Knap. She is speaking to Professor Sharpbeak who is behind the front desk.
Nearby you see a fairy, less than 4 feet tall, chatting with an equally short goblin. His orange butterfly-like wings flutter a bit as it seems the pair are about to rush off.
Guardok can't help but notice a rapier at the goblin's hip. Given this is the first goblin you've seen at Strixhaven, it's hard to imagine this isn't the new student Professor Flintwind (Arvol) had mentioned.
With them is a blue-feathered Owlin, a Half-Orc with very short hair and one broken tusk, and a human with fox-like ears and one blue, one violet eye. The three women are chasing with the other two. All of them look like they're about ready to head out of the lobby, back into the building.
(OOC - Feel free to post. I will hopefully be adding in new charcters soon. So, if you would, add a charcter description to your next post!)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Just a coffee, please", Guardok calls back to Rubina as he heads off to see the new arrivals.
"Pre-enrolment", he says to Mal. "So these are the really keen ones who couldn't wait for real enrolment?".
He heads inside and spots Shuvadri speaking with Professor Sharpbeak, giving a wave if either look in his direction but otherwise ignoring them.
Seeing the goblin with the rapier, he smiles and approaches the group they are with, who will see approaching what might look like a small outcrop of rock and gems wearing a first year uniform. His skin is a polished grey hue, and instead of hair there are turquoise gems spiking out from the top of his head, his eyes sharing the same colour. He also has a rapier strapped to his belt.
"Welcome to Strixhaven, folks. I'm Guardok and this is Mal", he says motioning behind him, assuming Mal had followed. "We've just finished our last exam of the first year, and there is a crowd heading over to the Firejolt Cafe, if you fancy getting to know some people".
See spoiler for image:
The purple-skinned tiefling would indeed follow Guardok over to Cloudblower Hall and the Pre-Enrolment students, but he stays slightly in the background just by the entrance, giving the new students a small awkward wave of his clawed hand while the other is placed on the shoulder bag at his side, almost for reassurance it seems. The first impression would likely be a somewhat sinister one, but a closer look would reveal the tiefling is mostly a bit awkward, his purple tail slowly swaying anxiously behind him as his fiery red eyes studies the new group in the lobby.
He would have felt more secure and grounded with Aurora at his side, but Guardok would handle most of the social interaction anyways. The variety of the new students brought a small smile to his face though, something he had appreciated with Strixhaven ever since he first set foot here, the diversity, and the feeling that your background made no difference, only what you wanted to do with your time here.
Malvyn
The goblin with the rapier at his belt turns, only slightly taken aback to be approached by Guardok (and Mal a bit further back). A crooked smile emerges on his crooked goblin face, slightly off-putting despite also appearing to be thoroughly genuine. Beady red eyes regard the genasi and tiefling.
"A welcome party for the welcome party," he muses under his breath. "I wonder at the plausible bounds of such recursive loops in social interactions..."
At this point the owl perched on the goblin's shoulder turns to glare flatly at him as if in rebuke. "Ah... sorry, sorry. I am Shin and this is Pinky-toe my owl familiar who has just reminded me of social norms. Also winged is my fey roommate Naevyn whose registration seems to have encountered a complication," Shin points to the fairy he had just been speaking with, "as well as Bretira here." Shin gestures to an owlin, also with the group.
"As Naevyn had been delayed, Bretira had joined me in welcoming him just now, along with Aspen and Arinchu just there." Shin's gaze extends to two other nearby conversing females, one fox-eared and the other a half-orc with one broken tusk.
"Several others also new to Strixhaven and also sharing the ninth floor of Cloudblower Hall are just finishing dessert. Naevyn just expressed interest in joining them for a bite. Yet serendipitously, I can accurately summarize our collective intention to explore our habitat before our afternoon meeting with Resident Assistant Shuvadri. Starting with Firejolt Cafe, as it happens. Thus it is both fortuitous and pleasant to meet you Guardok and Mal!"
After another prodding glance from Pinky-toe, the goblin adds hastily, "oh, and my congratulations on completing your exams!"
(Shin at least, shows zero indication at any surprise or disquiet to meet an earth genasi or a tiefling, though Pinky-toe does shoot the occasional uneasy glance at the two nearby owlins, Bretira and further away, Shuvadri, as if their appearances fall into her uncanny valley.)
Shin's image in (first) spoiler below (his owl familiar, Pinky-toe, who is currently perched on his shoulder, is not in the image).
Shin's image in ^^^ spoiler above ^^^.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
As the small cluster of first years begins to disperse, the fox-eared woman lingers a heartbeat beside the half-orc woman. From a distance it looks like nothing more than a quiet exchange. The fox-eared girl tilts her head slightly, studying the other’s expression with a curious softness.
In her hands is a small weavings of freshly coaxed blossom, tiny flowers braided together with deliberate care. Her ears dip back briefly as she glances down at the unfinished projects, considering something. Then she steps closer to the half-orc, her ears popping upright again as if some private decision has been made. A small smile curves across her face, and a dimple appears on her right cheek.
She says something to the half-orc and then springs lightly onto her toes, lifting herself just enough to call after the goblin, fairy, and blue-feathered owlin already heading toward the cafeteria. “We'll save some seats for everyone at the Firejolt Cafe okay!” Her voice carries easily, bright but not loud. She waves them off with easy familiarity, as if this group of strangers has already begun to settle into something more.
Then she pivots with the same enthusiasm. Too quickly. Aspen nearly walks right into the approaching pair.
Fox ears shoot upright, flowers clutched instinctively to her chest, mismatched eyes widening, one blue, one violet catching the lobby light. She halts just short of impact. “Oh!” She breathes, recovering quickly, stepping back to give space, but then almost backing up into Arinchu, tail bracing briefly against her leg. "Oop!" There’s a flash of sheepish warmth in her expression. Not flustered, exactly, just momentarily surprised. And then she smiles.
"H-hi!" The fox girl manages to get out and she finally steadies within the close proximity. "Thank you for the welcome." She dips her head briefly in a respectful thanks. "Finished your exams?" She had just got there herself. "So you must be second years then? How are the exams here?" Much like she has done a lot lately, her head tilts with those questions before catching herself asking a bunch of questions and straightening again.
"I'm Aspen. And this is Arinchu." Her tail sways as she gestures to Arinchu just behind her. It was very kind of him (a second year!) to extend an invite their way. "We were actually just headed that way to the Firejolt Cafe ourselves too." She smiles. She appreciated the invite and was often glancing over at Arinchu to gauge her reactions/responses through out the exchange.
(Small cross post with Shin lol hopefully aligns okay still.)
just an unstable unicorn.
Guardok struggles to keep up with everything the goblin is saying. He manages to keep track of the conversation enough to learn his name is Shin, and the owl she carries is called Pinky-toe.
Oh well, Mal will likely remember all the names, he's good like that.
He perks up at mention of dessert, but then dismisses the idea, people were waiting for him. Shin said they were heading to the Firejolt anyway, right?
"Thanks", he replies to Shin, as he nimbly steps out of the way of Aspen. "No problem. And well, not second years yet, but close I guess. Depends how well the exam went really", he says to the fox girl.
Ok, they definitely are heading to the Firejolt.
"Mal and I are staying in Dresar Hall, although I guess we will be moving soon, once we choose a College. This year really has flown by. Oh, you asked about the exams", he says as he looks to move off towards the cafe.
"They haven't been too bad really. Just make sure you get yourself a good study partner or two. My trick has been to make up a little skit with the information, and run through it with some Drama Guild friends", he says with a chuckle.
He looks back to Shin, "I heard about a new student who wore a rapier from Professor Flintwind, so I hoped to bump into you. It would be good to have someone to train with if you ever fancy it".
(OOC: In case I wasn't clear before, Guardok is small, at only just over 4ft)
Standing behind his short genasi friend, the somewhat sinister-looking purple-skinned tiefling focuses on getting all the names and committing them to memory before returning to assess the newcomers. It was hard to tell yet but none of them so far were obvious to have the Biblioplex as their primary habitat. Both the swashbuckling goblin and the foxy girl seemed nice enough though and didn't seem to judge him by his appearance.
Malvyn would turn and walk with the others back towards the Firejolt cafe, and seeing Guardok strike up a conversation with his new goblin sparring partner, the purple-skinned tiefling comes up along the foxy girl and the half-orc with the broken tusk. "So...um...how do you find Strixhaven so far?" He asks them, trying to sound polite but it is clear he struggles a bit with the social part, although his long tail sways a bit more confidently behind him now. "I remember when I first came here, an orientation day that was quite eventful." He says with a small dreamy smile as he recalls the scavenger hunt and the incident with the mawed trunk. He glances the foxy girl over, trying to do so discreetly, trying to determine what she was. He had never met anyone quite like her, not even read about people with fox ears, but then again, Strixhaven were the home of people from all over existence.
(just a . to get notifications =)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Chierhy Nbenbe is slender and graceful, her full lips set and relaxed, as if nothing in the world can disturb her inner poise. Her nose is small and rounded, her dark brown eyes quick and intelligent, and slightly uptilted, with just a touch of kohl at the corners. Above them, her eyebrows float like gull-wings over her vibrant auburn complexion. Her jet black hair is entirely hidden under the rising half-moon of stiff, folded fabric, her gele, that encircles her face like a golden halo with its richly embroidered yellow hue and faux-pearl beadwork.
When she speaks, her voice seems to come not from her mouth, but from the center of her, and, like her lips and her gaze, her tone is full-bodied, eloquent and assertive, demonstrating comfort with the giving of instruction, and, like a favored school teacher, possessed with the calm confidence that her instructions will be followed.
“Hi Arinchu!,” Chierhy says, coming up behind the half-orc, “We are heading to the cafe… oh, hello!,” she continues, now noticing Shin and Guardok, who had been hidden partly from view by the taller 9th-floorers, “Hi, Aspen,” Chierhy nods, and a moment before she briefly locks eyes with Shin, a smile freezes forcefully in place and her chin rises a notch. She then notices the tiefling standing behind the genasi, and the same gut horror she felt when she earlier met the goblin rakes at her composure like a lion leaping for the kill on the Wagadu Plains. But her smile is indomitable and, melodiously, she joins in the exchange of greetings to all of the new faces.
“Hello! I am Chierhy Nbenbe, Daughter of Lanre of Koumba Saleh, Wagadu. Also a new first-year.”
A sparkle of wonderment enters her eyes when they finally fall on Guardok. ‘A person of rock and gems?’
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
The goblin's smile becomes wider, though a touch rueful. "Gladly. Though I may prove to be a below average sparring partner, Guardok, given that I left my bladesinging training far too early and find myself struggling even to execute the simple practice drills which I have been taught. While I will surely benefit from any mutual practice, I doubt I shall provide an adequate challenge to one already proficient with their weapon. Not yet, in any case."
Shin taps the hilt of the rapier at his belt, and in the moment, perspective reveals it to be the size of a slender greatsword, relative to his small stature.
When Chierhy (and everyone else?) arrive, Shin adds softly, "ah, my other fellow ninth floor newbies. I am happy for them to introduce themselves so I can relinquish the role of Cloudblower Hall Herald! Besides, evidence suggests I have not been introducing Chierhy Nbenbe correctly anyway..."
When he locks eyes with the noblewoman, Shin notices the restrained horror behind her fixed grin once more, muted only slightly from last time, and simply inclines his head respectfully, making no comment on it. He gestures to the two soon-to-be second-year students who had approached them.
"These are Guardok, the earth genasi and Mal, the tiefling there, both of whom have been lovely and gracious in extending their welcome to us. I believe they indicated that, final examinations having just concluded for them, there is a larger group convening at the Firejolt Cafe."
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven