Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure

Steeling herself, Chierhy forces a somewhat nauseated smile. "And there's Shin...(!)," she continues, her voice forcefully modulated toward friendliness but cracking nevertheless.  'You. Are. A. Diplomat. Act like one!'  She makes herself keep pace with Myala and Kadyr.

Shin's Perception (or Insight, same bonus):  11 (we'll say DC12 for Chierhy's +2 Deception?  Fair?)

The goblin waves, bemused at the trio of Chierhy, Myala and Kadyr as they approach, failing to notice any tension in the former's voice or posture, though he had before back in Cloudblower Hall.  Perhaps she is growing accustomed to my presence, he thinks to himself, happy and a bit surprised.

Myala had been walking along listening to Chiehry and Kadyr.  Seeing the others, Myala continues towards the group, saying, "Good, you all made it to the Biblioplex! Did you look around a little? We should probably head back soon."

Grinning his crooked goblin grin, unsettling as always, Shin finds himself responding on behalf of his section of the Cloudblower 9th Floor Neophytes.

"Indeed, the temporal boundary condition constraining our spatial trajectory likely requires us to return to our residence hall before we can explore more than the tiny bit we have managed.  Though I believe Aspen and Arinchu to be making productive use of their time together by the gardens."

"Speaking for myself, I find the mural here truly fascinating in its deep-rooted arcane representation of nature.  Furthermore, I had the positive fortune to intersect with Professor Flintwind, the spouse of Professor Arvol Flintwind who promoted my enrollment at Strixhaven after finding me literally washed ashore on the banks of the river with none but Pinky-toe for company.  Perhaps on our walk back, we can learn what you three discovered?"

Kadyr jumps in to answer Shin first. "Careful now, the two ladies are just going to start up talking about all sorts of math! But we stopped in to see the snarl in that Hall of Oracles down there." He motions back the way they had just come from. "It is quite a sight." 

Myala gives Kadyr a stern look as well as a slight grin. "Some of us are interested in both the innate beauty of this phenomenon as well as the practical arcane dynamics at play with such a structure. We are hoping to find some books later on computational mana flow. Then Chierhy and I would like to try running some mathematical analysis on our own to see what we discover. It will be interesting to see if the snarl and the star arch outside have some sort of interconnection." 

Bretira had listened intently to the conversation. "The analysis does sound intriguing. I'm afraid it's going to take a bit more study on my part to even catch up to what you're talking about though. I do hope we'll get to see this snarl at some point." 

As Shrub speaks of the gardener and his team... the uprooting, the cutting, the tending... Aspen’s ears tilt, following each piece of it. Messy. Necessary. Her gaze drifts briefly over the garden around them, seeing it a little differently now. Not just as something beautiful… but something maintained. Cared for in cycles she was only just beginning to understand here. A quiet thought takes root. It sounds… familiar. The Horticulture Club purhaps?

Aspen’s ears lift slightly at Shrub’s condition, and something in her expression shifts, not surprise, but recognition. A promise. Her gaze lingers on the small cluster of leaves and stems before her, taking in the bracelet now resting among them, the colours sitting naturally against green. The thought of it left there… unattended… fading without care... it doesn’t sit right with her. “I promise.” She says softly, and there’s no hesitation in it. Her voice carries a quiet certainty, the kind that isn’t spoken lightly. “I’ll come back.” A small breath follows, gentler. “I wouldn’t want something made with care to be left that way.” Her dimple settles in, faint but warm. “Or a friend.”

The moment stretches just long enough to feel real before it softens again, Aspen’s attention easing as Arinchu’s smile brightens beside her. She catches it, reflects it back without thinking, the warmth shared easily between them.

As the moments settle, promise given, friendship offered, Aspen’s gaze drifts briefly beyond the garden, toward the open space of the Biblioplex beyond. The light has shifted. Subtle, but enough. Her ears tilt, catching that quiet awareness of time passing. “We should probably start heading back soon…” She says gently, not rushed, just mindful. "Maybe we can check out the Other Garden next time we visit with Shrub."

Then, slowly, she turns back to Shrub. Her posture lowers just a touch, out of consideration. Respecting the space again, now that she understands it better. “…are you ready to rest again?” She asks, quieter now, as if the garden itself might be listening. Her hand lifts, but not all the way, hovering, giving room for refusal as much as acceptance. “I could tuck you back in,” she offers, thoughtful. “If you’d like.”

It might be missed as Aspen's attention is more on the garden, but at the mention of a big creature with great tusks Arinchu's face clouds just a bit. But her smile had returned when Shrub indicated they'd be friends. And it was certainly there as the cat-eared girl again caught sight of her. When the prospect of needing to head back is raised, the Half-Orc's eyes widen ever so slightly. It's only then that she focuses beyond the greenery and her companions there. "Ah, I almost forgot," she says quietly. "But we definitely should come back to see the other garden soon." 

Shrub spins around a bit when Aspen addresses it with a question. "Not necessary to tuck me anywhere. I will tour Garden for a bit if you two must go. I look forward to your next visit. Thank you Asp Pen and Arin Chu." Slowly it shuffles towards the trunk of the tree at the center of the garden, though it does seem to pause and with a couple of branches lifting and shaking, it almost seems to wave. 

Once you have both left the garden, you see that the time is a bit past 2:45pm. Only 15 minutes until you are to be back at Cloudblower Hall. 

(OOC - For the others, it is a bit after 2:35pm, so you have a little under 10 minutes before Aspen and Arinchu would be seen approaching.)

Kadyr jumps in to answer Shin first. "Careful now, the two ladies are just going to start up talking about all sorts of math! ..."

Shin unsettling grin grows a touch more crooked.  "Don't threaten me with a good time, Kadyr."

[Kadyr] "...But we stopped in to see the snarl in that Hall of Oracles down there." He motions back the way they had just come from. "It is quite a sight." 

Myala gives Kadyr a stern look as well as a slight grin. "Some of us are interested in both the innate beauty of this phenomenon as well as the practical arcane dynamics at play with such a structure. We are hoping to find some books later on computational mana flow. Then Chierhy and I would like to try running some mathematical analysis on our own to see what we discover. It will be interesting to see if the snarl and the star arch outside have some sort of interconnection." 

Bretira had listened intently to the conversation. "The analysis does sound intriguing. I'm afraid it's going to take a bit more study on my part to even catch up to what you're talking about though. I do hope we'll get to see this snarl at some point." 

"The... Snarl..."  Shin trails off, wordless for once, at least for a time.  He is not sure what he had expected to be in the Biblioplex other than books.  Not the living mural, and certainly not whatever arcane wonder this Snarl might be.

After a stretch of silence, the goblin does venture, somewhat weakly.  "I find myself in humble agreement with Bretira.  I certainly hope to return here.  For that and many other reasons."  Then, a bit more matter-of-factly.  "Can anyone propose an activity here which would have an expected temporal expenditure of under ten minutes?  Otherwise it may be expedient for us simply to return to Cloudblower Hall."

Aspen’s hand lowers slowly as Shrub declines, her expression softening with a small, understanding nod. “Alright.” she says gently. “Enjoy your wander!” Her dimple returns as the shrub shuffles away, and when those small branches lift, almost like a wave, Aspen’s tail flicks in quiet delight behind her. She lifts her fingers in return, a subtle mirror of the gesture. “We’ll see you soon, Shrub.”

There’s a lingering moment as she watches him go, just long enough to feel the connection settle, before she finally turns back toward Arinchu. “Ready?” Aspen shifts, rising smoothly to her feet, brushing a bit of greenery from herself as she does. Then, without hesitation, she offers her hand out to Arinchu ready to help her up.

Stepping out from the garden, Aspen’s pace picks up just slightly, not rushed, but purposeful now. The air outside the greenery feels different, thinner somehow after the richness of it, and her ears flick once as the broader sounds of the Biblioplex return. Her tail gives a small, thoughtful sway before her attention shifts back to Arinchu at her side. “We may have cut that a little closer than I meant to...” She admits with a quiet, sheepish hum. “But… I think it was worth it.”

A glance back, just once, toward where they’d come from. Then forward again as they walk. “Next time...” She adds lightly. “Let's find the Other Garden too!”

Chierhy allows Myala and Kadyr to speak for the three of them as she tries to rein in her emotions and maintain an appropriately convivial outward demeanor. 

When Shin asks about what to do for the next few minutes, she challenges herself to reply in as steady a tone as she can manage, (ahem) “We are going to quickly ask some library guidance of Professor Flintwind, and then return to Cloudblower Hall. But…the snarl is just over there. It is…,” she points, “and Shin... it’s worth at least seeing, even for a moment.”

Pleased with herself for maintaining her poise, the Wagaduan catches Myala’s eye and (together with her) steps to the information desk and Professor Flintwind, if she is still there.

Myala agrees with Chiehry. "The snarl is in that hall just ahead." It's visible roughly 100 ft. away.  If anyone wished, they could easily walk there, take a look, and be back in just a couple of minutes. "I'm sure it would be great just to take a look."

She then follows along with Chiehry to the information desk where Professor Flintwind is still present. "How can I help you?" she asks when you approach. 

Myala explains what she is looking for some books later on computational mana flow. "Particularly related to the snarl her in the Biblioplex. And maybe the star arch."

"Oh yes, we have many books on those subjects. I can have the Archivists go and pull a few selections for you to look through.  It will take perhaps a half hour or so. Fortunately we aren't very busy right now."

Hearing about possibly seeing this snarl before they go, Bretira asks Shin , "Shall we have a look real quick? Anyone else want to go?"

Quote from Culuril >>

 

Myala explains what she is looking for some books later on computational mana flow. "Particulsrly related to the snarl her in the Biblioplex. And maybe the star arch."

"Oh yes, we have many books on those subjects. I can have the Archivists go and pull a few selections for you to look through.  It will take perhaps a half hour or so. Fortunately we aren't very busy right now." 

“That’s excellent," Chierhy interjects, “but… we have a meeting in Cloudblower Hall in just a few minutes. Could the Archivists leave the books on reserve for us here at the desk? I will send my page to fetch them in under an hour.” The Wagaduan lady shares a confident smile with Myala.

Professor Flintwind nods at Chierhy's request, though she looks a little surprised at the mention of a page. "You may certainly have the books held on reserve. And... I guess I'll just need the name of the person that will be picking up the materials." Myala gives a slight grin, as having a page to pick up items for her is a bit out of her experience. In fact, it was not long ago that she might have been the aide for a superior officer that would run about to fetch things for them.  

Quote from DandDSince1973 >>

When Shin asks about what to do for the next few minutes, she challenges herself to reply in as steady a tone as she can manage, (ahem) “We are going to quickly ask some library guidance of Professor Flintwind, and then return to Cloudblower Hall. But…the snarl is just over there. It is…,” she points, “and Shin... it’s worth at least seeing, even for a moment.”

Pleased with herself for maintaining her poise, the Wagaduan catches Myala’s eye and (together with her) steps to the information desk and Professor Flintwind, if she is still there.

Hearing about possibly seeing this snarl before they go, Bretira asks Shin , "Shall we have a look real quick? Anyone else want to go?"

The goblin turns his crooked grin from Chierhy to the studious owlin.  "That sounds as if it may be optimal, Bretira, for some value of 'real quick.."

Shin suits his actions to his words, breaking into a jog in the direction indicated.  Curious, Pinky-toe takes wing and flies ahead to get an early glimpse.

Bretira hadn't seemed to expect the sudden jog, but she moves to keep up with Shin. Naevyn too says, "Hey, I'll come along!" He hurriedly tries to catch up. 

There is an open entrance flanked by tall columns to the circular hall. Once inside, the place is lit only by a pulsing ball of magical energy, floating at the center of the space. A stream of energy flows from the bottom of the ball, seeming to pool in a shallow basin sitting in the middle of the floor. There are also a number of large statues displayed all around the hall. There are very few people here, making the place very silent. 

Arinchu had given her brief farewell to Shrub as well, then nods when Aspen asks if she's ready. She smiles as a hand is offered and she takes it, though she springs easily to her feet with just minimal help. At the mention of cutting the time a little close, the Half-Orc gets quiet, her smile fading. Then when the cat-eared woman says it was worth it, she looks at her wordlessly as they walked. Her smile faintly returns as she agrees, "Yea, it was worth it." 

"And we'll definitely have to find the other garden next time," she says quietly, and with perhaps a little bit more enthusiasm. 

From the garden, the pair make their way back past the study tables, noticing towards the entrance a series of what seem to be classrooms back closer towards the entrance. Eventually you spot the information desk and notice a few of your floor-mates there. 

(OOC - I'm assuming Chierhy, Myala, and Kadyr are still near the desk. And probably Shin, Bretira, and Naevyn will just be coming back. So, I'll wait for them to catch up to that point.)  

Chierhy has no idea what Myala is grinning about and shrugs inquisitively, ‘What?’, before responding to the professor. She makes a small trilling sound of happiness – already excited about cracking open the chosen texts.

“That will be perfect, thank you, Professor Flintwind. Ifetayu is her name. My page. Hmmm… it was not difficult coming here, but she may be accompanied by… by one from my House. Thank you very much.”

She begins to turn away, but stops, thoughtful, and picks up the thread of conversation a moment before it drops.

“My mother, the Lady Nbenbe, Wife of Lanre, is a teacher. In Koumba Saleh, in Wagadu. ‘The young bird does not crow until it hears the older ones,’ she sometimes says.” Her eyes meet the professor’s modestly. “I’ll look forward to returning here.”

She then turns back to Myala,smiling contentedly. But when she sees a clock, her eyebrows pop up. “Oh! We should head back. I hate to rush.” Plus, her gele was really beginning to itch. If she walks quickly and begins to perspire in the afternoon sun, that will only make matters worse. She begins moving toward the exit with Myala, and steers Kadyr, if he is still there, to join them.

Myala's grin quickly disappears when she catches Chierhy's glance. She now looks a tiny bit embarrassed as she hadn't realized she had reacted visibly. The professor simply nods when she gives the name. "I will have the book waiting here for Ifetayu to pick up then." And with the added comment she adds, "I will look forward to running into you again." 

Kadyr had been waiting, simply standing back as you took care of requesting the books. As Chierhy mentions the time, he says, "I'm sure we'll be fine. Looks like we're all here together, so worst case is Shuvadri just has to wait for all of us!" Myala looks at him, her tone a bit reproachful. "It still is not wise to be late for our appointed meeting time. But I'm sure if we hurry we shall have plenty of time." 

Chierhy has just begun answering Kadyr when Myala simultaneously reprimands him. Chierhy bites her tongue momentarily, then chimes in.

“You are right, of course,” she says, diplomatically, to Kadyr, “the meeting can’t proceed until all of us have returned. But…,” she holds Myala’s eyes in acknowledgment, “whether or not the meeting begins on time, it would be rude to leave Shuvadri wondering where we are.”

Chierhy turns toward Naevyn, Dax, and the others, waves and points to the exit door, signaling silently that she, Myala, and Kadyr were leaving, unwilling to shout in what is at its essence a library. The young wizard takes a slow breath, focusing on the door to the snarl, sharply reluctant at this moment to leave it behind. But only for a moment. She exhales, turns, and, smiling to her afternoon’s companions, walks with them out of the Biblioplex and back onto the wide avenue heading toward Cloudblower Hall.

Quote from Culuril >>

Bretira hadn't seemed to expect the sudden jog, but she moves to keep up with Shin. Naevyn too says, "Hey, I'll come along!" He hurriedly tries to catch up. 

There is an open entrance flanked by tall columns to the circular hall. Once inside, the place is lit only by a pulsing ball of magical energy, floating at the center of the space. A stream of energy flows from the bottom of the ball, seeming to pool in a shallow basin sitting in the middle of the floor. There are also a number of large statues displayed all around the hall. There are very few people here, making the place very silent.

This is magic and power so far beyond him, so much more vast than he has ever encountered that the little goblin wonders for a moment if it is even real.

Shin closes his eyes.

Pinky-toe glides in a wide arc, circumnavigating the hall thrice, telepathically relaying what she senses from every angle to the goblin as he attempts to mentally catalog every bit of it for later consideration.  Perhaps discussion with Bretira, Chierhy, Myala, Naevyn and anyone else interested.

As if evoked by the owl's three-fold orbit around the wondrous, otherworldly arcane phenomenon, a passage Shin had once idly read from a book of poetry tucked in the back of his Bladesinging master's nook comes to the fore of the goblin's mind unbidden.  He shivers and swallows.

...And all should cry, Beware! Beware!
His flashing eyes, his floating hair!
Weave a circle round him thrice,
And close your eyes with holy dread
For he on honey-dew hath fed,
And drunk the milk of Paradise.