"He certainly took a shine to you", Guardok replies to Mei as he takes the handkerchief, unsure what he is meant to do with it. "It is up to you if you want to reply. Only you know what he wrote, and how you feel about it, and how you feel about him".

He thinks for a moment, "I wish I had more advice to give, but I really don't know him well enough".

Mei chews on the inside of her cheek, mulling over Guardok's words before smiling and nodding. It was already good advice. And she's sure the cards will have further words to say on the matter.

"Have either of you ever, um..?" she gently questions, though looks curiously between her two floormates, imagining what they might be like in a romantic entanglement. "I-If that's too personal though, you don't have to answer! Sorry... I don't mean to pry." 

It is now Guardok's turn to blush. "I...well I have kissed a girl or two", he admits, not meeting Mei's gaze. "But the circus moved around so much, there was never time to get know if they could become special".

He looks up to meet her gaze, "My time here will be the longest I have ever stayed in one place in my whole life. The first time I can even make a proper friend outside those employed by the circus".

Knap daydreams on the floor. 

[ooc bit busy to post more today] 

"You have?" Mei quietly gasps, though not surprised given how friendly and full of life the genasi is. She imagines the circumstances must've been quite romantic too, the lights and magic of the circus and the thrill of having just one night together--never knowing if your paths will cross again, left with only the memory of a kiss. Her eyes flit down to Guardok's lips then quickly away again, thankfully having the wherewithal not to ask if he could teach her.

As he mentions the circus moving around and this being his first opportunity to truly connect with those outside that circle, Mei's expression softens. But quietly laughs to herself over what opposite lives they've lived. "And I've stayed in the same place my whole life. It's... exciting, though isn't it? Getting to plant your roots somewhere new? And there are so many new perspectives and connections to make here. All these new threads to be woven through our lives." Her gaze slides up from the newly planted dahlia stem to meet Guardok's. "I really think you're going to flourish. And meet a lot more than just one proper friend!" A playful smile tugs at her lips as she leans down to pick up the cup-pot and adds, "And certainly have the time for someone to become special after kissing." 

Guardok smiles at Mei, "I think you are right, this is such a good opportunity for all sorts of experiences, and friendship is one I am looking forward to. I just have to make sure I pass the exams, and my first attempt at studying didn't go so well this afternoon".

"It seems to come so naturally to you and Mal, but I think my mind works differently. It won't stay focussed on one thing that long. Well, not academics anyway", he says a sigh. "I guess it is only the first day though", he continues more brightly.

He lets out a little chuckle and with a glint in his eye says, "I think Mal would sleep in the Biblioplex if they let him".

Mei snorts a laugh at that, then quickly covers her mouth in surprise at the sound. "He's certainly in his element," she giggles. "And, maybe come finals, they will let us sleep there."

The diviner rotates the plant pot in hand, making a mental note to find a new home for it so she can return Knap's cup-pot. "But, you know, to be honest... it doesn't come naturally to me either. It was just an... expectation." She shrugs off a melancholic smile to find something more hopeful to offer her friend. "I think studying is like anything you do though! It's a skill you get better at with practice--especially once you learn what method works best for you."

"I was thinking next time maybe we could study somewhere a bit more casual? And I could bring lots of snacks. And, oh! I was just reading about something called exercise study that maybe you would like? It's a set time for studying and then you take a five minute exercise break. Or maybe it could be a music break!" Closer now in her excitement, she gives Guardok an apologetic look, realizing she's getting carried away. "A-Anyways. Maybe we can all talk about it at dinner? Set some expectations? Though you're very right. It is only the first day. So cut yourself some slack, okay? I think even Malvyn is already allowing himself some dalliances." The glint in her eyes matches his own from moments earlier.  

At the mention of dinner, Guardok stomach emits out a loud rumble.

"I think that might be the dinner bell", he says jumping up. "What time is it? Mal said to meet at 6".

(OOC: Ready to skip forward to dinner and beyond - Guardok's version of Buzz Lightyear's catch phrase)

Returning to Dresar Hall, the purple-skinned Tiefling heads straight to his and Knap's room for some well-deserved rest after another quite eventful day at Strixhaven, laying on his bed with so many thoughts spinning in his head. As the clock nears 6 he gets up and changes into his purple robes with which he still felt much more comfortable, then passing by the lounge to see who would come to dinner downstairs, seeming weary and excited at the same time.

Delivered to Quentillius some time in the evening (or waiting just outside the 3rd floor's levitation disk): 

Malvyn had found himself with very little time between returning to Dresar Hall and the 6:00 hour approaching for dinner. Those who do decide to head down for dinner find the hall crowded at this hour, but the space seems ready accommodate all. There seems to be a vast variety of foods available once again for everyone to choose from. 

Knap washes up and changes out of his uniform and into light brown dungarees. He rides the levitation disc to the dining hall, then saves a spot for everyone at one of the tables. He looks around the hall wondering where all the other students came from, what their story was. What a day! 

Possibly coming down with others fom the lounge, Malvyn gives his roomie Knap a wave and a smile as he spots the Satyr, moving on to the serving station, this time trying to challenge himself slightly with choosing some food that he is not sure how it tastes already, feeling more and more confident that he could fit in and be like most students. With a plate filled with samplings of various dishes, mostly ones with meat still, and a glass of cold water he arrives at Knap's table. "Thanks for holding some seats, Im sure most of the others will be around shortly." He says, taking a seat next to the Satyr. "Hope first day of classes was okay Knap. Have you had time to recover? And have you gotten any jobs or joined any clubs yet?" He asks with a polite smile, waiting to start with his eating until the others are seated. 

Whilst the others are busy writing letters or getting changed, Guardok would head outside to practice with his rapier to take his mind off his hunger. Going through the forms he had once been shown whilst the circus was performing for a wealthy mercenary company.

Once done he will head into the dinner hall and find Knapp and Malvyn.

Grabbing a selection of food and some fruit juice, he joins them just in time to hear Malvyn enquire as to whether Knap has acquired a job or joined any clubs. He slips up onto a chair quietly so as not to interrupt the conversation. Finally being able to dig into some food as he listens.

Mae also eventually joins the table, sitting down quietly with a plate full of colorful foods and bread.

Mei is fashionably late as usual and hurries down to dinner smudged with fresh ink and charcoal. She collects a bowl of vegetable soup and coffee, once again lingering longingly by the dessert table, then sets out to find her floormates in the busy refectory. In her search, she passes by the table, completely oblivious, once and then twice. On the third pass she finally spots Malvyn's purple horns and sits down, smiling to the others. 

Within a minute of finally sitting with no task to complete, she falls asleep next to her bowl, the spoon in her hand sitting in the soup along with a lock of her purple hair. 


((It's a busy weekend and week ahead for me, so you guys please go ahead! I'll jump in when I can!))

“Yasss, I got a job sweeping. Start on Friday, bright and early.” Knap nibbles on nuts and berries, pocketing a few as well. “I reckon it’ll be a good way to get to know Strixhaven grounds.” Knap reaches over holding a breadstick like a wand and liberates Mei’s hair from her soup. “Anyway, when are we going to get a bells on and perform at the Firejolt? A mixed-media ensemble, singing, dancing, prestidigitating the house down.” Knap accidentally burps rather loudly. “Pardon me.”

Malvyn, smiles and waves as Guardok, Maeleve and Mei joins him and Knap at the table, then starting to eat as they are all seated. The purple-skinned Tiefling frowns briefly with displeasure as the Satyr burps but quickly smiles again, reaching out with his purple hand to magically clean the soup off Mei's purple lock, lowering his voice slightly as he speaks to not disturb her sleep.

"Sounds like a good job Knap, outdoors among people and plants should suit you well." He says with a friendly smile to the carefree Satyr. "I doubt I will have anything significant to contribute with to your show but I will of course be a supportive fan of anything you come up with." He adds, looking at the Satyr and then Guardok and Mae who were all real performers.

"I didn't see you at the Biblioplex this afternoon Mae, did you get a job or did you join any clubs?" He then gathers courage to politely ask the angelic blonde across the table.

Guardok looks up from his plate of food which is already half empty.

"I don't know Mal, Knap mentioned dancers, and we know you can do that", he says with a cheeky smile before taking a big drink of fruit juice.

He then looks to Knapp, "A performance of that size would require a fair bit of practice, perhaps we should plan for the end of term?".

At the genasi's comment about him knowing to dance a faint blush comes to the purple-skinned Tiefling, but then he simply smiles back at Guardok. "Thank you but I wouldn't say I know how to dance, that was merely the Knight of Cups and some wine guiding my steps last night, but I admit I found it pleasant enough to do again, definitely not on a stage though." He says with a grin.