If she notices or is bothered by his claws, Mei makes no outward appearance as such, instead smiling warmly up at him. "It's a pleasure, Malvyn. I really like your purple," she says, indicating her own purple hair. But worry needles at her over how fast he'd let go of her hand--at first wondering if it was clammy from warming the tea. Or maybe it's how much she's talking again, her nerves driving her tongue faster than her mind can keep up. "I'm from here, actually! Well, not here-here. But from the Vastlands. My village is pretty... remote, but we still get lots of visitors each year from all sorts of planes. Are you both out-of-planers?"
Mei distributes the cups of tea along the table, turning the wisteria pattern to face each of the drinkers in a strangely methodical way--perhaps some sort of custom from home? "If anyone doesn't fancy green tea, I can change the flavor to something else! And I can read your tea leaves when you finish if you'd like," she offers. At the compliments from Guardok, the wizard's cheeks warm and she ducks her head slightly, lips pursed against a smile. Until his mention of the spell.
"Oh! The snack delivery? That's the Servant!" Excited, she flips open the flap on her card holster, accidentally knocking off a small charm from the strap that rolls under the table unnoticed. With an elegant gesture, the card is summoned forth and she hands it to Guardok. On it is a hand-painted image with various symbols and sigils around a translucent silhouette of a figure holding a large goblet aloft in offering. "It's a conjuration spell. The servant can perform simple tasks--like bringing you snacks and tea--but you have to be careful with your wording. I asked for cookies once and, since we didn't have any in our house, they went to the neighbor's and took some right out of their pantry! Oh, and it did just make me into the bed earlier... I still struggle a bit with getting the parameters of spells just right. So, if there is a module that teaches it, I should probably take it with you," she says with a self-deprecating chuckle. Dryad help her, she's still prattling on.
Mellori looks at Guardok as he offers her his hand. Feeling somewhat more confident to respond now, she shakes it. “Mellori. I haven’t tried any food yet, but I am sure they are lovely.” It was a phrase her parents had told her to use. Her choice of food was limited and new food was not something she considered lightly. But to avoid upsetting people, her mother had told her, she had to suggest at least the likelihood she would try it. It made no sense to Mellori to lie, but she understood her mother knew better and so followed her advice.
Given everyone was new to Mellori, she did not differentiate based upon appearance or racial stereotype. It was all she could do not to stare at everyone, so staring at no-one was her default setting. So Chara received no less favourable treatment from Mellori than anyone else as she entered the room.
“Hi Malvyn, Mellori,”she responds, committing all of the names to memory, her smile ever-present.
Mellori has no choice but to accept a cup of tea. Remembering her mother’s words, she occasionally puts it to her lips but does not drink. The option of changing flavour doesn’t help, as she only drinks coffee or water and doesn’t want to appear awkward already.
Mae followed Chara out and walked over to the lounge first, where there was quite a commotion happening already, tea being served and whatnot. While she wasn't exceptionally hungry at the moment, she was going to be polite as well and came over to take a cup of the tea and a rice cake and then turned to offer some to Chara, but got a briefly concerned look on her face. "Are you alright, Chara?" She came closer to whisper her concern. "I'm sure they're all nice enough, but you don't have to stay if you don't want to." She gave the winged girl another soft squeeze on her hand before turning back to the group and sitting down to sip the tea. She felt that was more appropriate for several reasons, but then kept checking out the room slowly while Mei prattled on and on. She didn't mind, of course, she was quite keen to get to know her new peers better, and knew that sometimes it was better to just let people talk.
Guardok rubs his hands together to make sure there are no crumbs on them, and takes the card that Mei hands him, chuckling at the story about the cookies from the neighbours. "I am not sure that this is something I can learn. My magic comes from music and performance. Are you a wizard? Aren't spell books normally, well, books?", he asks Mei curiously holding the card back out for her.
"I am not from here no, I had to come through a portal. Not sure what you would call my plane, but I was part of the travelling circus that my folks own. We travelled from town to town all throughout the land, so I don't think I would say I had a home as such. I guess the troupe was my home, and my family".
Spotting that Mae and Chara have entered, he gets up. "Welcome to the lounge", he says with an exaggerated flourish as if it were the most exclusive club. "I'm Guardok. You have Mei there to thank for the food and drink".
"Oh dear, I have made a bit of a mess", he says noticing the crumbs he left on the chair. He waves a hand over it and almost sings some words of magic in the terran dialect of the primordial tongue, leaving the chair spotless.
"A traveling circus," Mei gapes as she takes the card back. What would that be like? To travel to a new place everyday, never rooted to the same spot, but free to go where the winds take you? "That's beautiful that, um--that your magic has been shaped by that. Fueled by passion and love and what inspires you, not forced to--" the words trail off and she peers down at the card in her hand, the curve of her lips flattening before she puts it away. When Mei looks up again, her smile is firmly back in place. "I bet you have lots of stories! I'd love to hear more about your family sometime. It's the people that make a home isn't it, not... the place?"
Joining Guardok in welcoming the newest arrival, she waves off the thanks for the food and drink with a flustered gesticulation of hands. Recognizing the look of homesickness that pangs her own heart in the tiefling, the diviner picks up a cup of tea to offer to Chara--tea soothes the soul, her mother always said--and glances about at the group. "What are the rest of you studying? I-If you don't mind me asking! Anyone else in the bardic arts too? Or the primal magics? Or maybe pact--" she stops as she takes in her companions' body language and expressions.
((Insight: 20+4=24))
It's far too late that Mei realizes the majority of her floormates are just humoring her. That's she's made them feel obligated to partake, pretending for the sake of politeness. So used to the hospitality that's extended to any visitors to her village--strangers and familiar faces alike--it doesn't occur to her that it could be anything but a token of friendship and welcome. Her heart drops from her chest to the pit of her stomach, sunk like a stone in a lake.
The porcelain clinks softly as it's set back down.
Listening to the unfamiliar and nearly-sung words, smile supported only by her lips and not quite reaching her eyes, Mei teases, "The ants will be disappointed," of the now-clean chair. Her hands, hidden beneath the table, twist and worry at the hem of her robes.
Knap almost imediatly upon entering the lounge curled himself on the floor like a fawn and purred softly. The day caught up with him and letting go his thoughts his mind swept dreamlike to the Feywild and quickly back again as his nose twitched. His belly rumbled, his eyes opened. "I'm so hungry! May I?" But before waiting for an answer Knap picked himself up to help himself to snacks. "Ants are the best. One of my favorite texts. A book, kinda. They're sensitive, they're like itty-bitty clues about the environment." Knap moves casually around the room with black sesame cracker in one hand and the other hand caressing the occasional underside of a leaf as if it were the back of a dogs ear. As he moves from plant to plant a delicate vibrant sheen and air between the vines and branches gives the room a feeling of spaciousness. "I'll let the flowers do their thing in their own time. But I wonder what 4th floor critter friends are around. Hmmm this isn't the usual context I'd track something but I'll give it a go."
Mae listened and watched while sipping her tea and nibbling at her rice cake. As much as she enjoyed performing for others, it was very refreshing to not feel like she had to be the center of attention, to not have everyone staring at her constantly, begging her for more or professing their undying adoration. That was always so dramatic, she thought, especially when one doesn't even really know someone. Why could people not just enjoy the performance with her and let it be at that?She sighed and shook her head slightly, before seeing Mei not talking anymore and looking a bit sad almost. She pulled her wooden flute out but only blew warm air through it, but out the end came an ephemeral butterfly, lavender in color, that flitted over toward Mei.
Chara does her best to smile as both Mae and Mei do their best to comfort her.
"I'll be alright,"she says, wiping a trace amount of moisture away from the corner of her eye. "It's just... I've never been this far away from home before... I'm sure that Strixhaven will be far nicer than my father's lair... um, I mean, his house... but I'll need to get used to it."
She gratefully takes the tea Mai offers her and takes a sip, hoping it will calm her nerves a bit. She sighs.
She glances at the purple tiefling again, and sees him look at her and then look away again. Did... did she do or say something to offend him?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Knap almost imediatly upon entering the lounge curled himself on the floor like a fawn and purred softly. The day caught up with him and letting go his thoughts his mind swept dreamlike to the Feywild and quickly back again as his nose twitched. His belly rumbled, his eyes opened. "I'm so hungry! May I?" But before waiting for an answer Knap picked himself up to help himself to snacks. "Ants are the best. One of my favorite texts. A book, kinda. They're sensitive, they're like itty-bitty clues about the environment." Knap moves casually around the room with black sesame cracker in one hand and the other hand caressing the occasional underside of a leaf as if it were the back of a dogs ear. As he moves from plant to plant a delicate vibrant sheen and air between the vines and branches gives the room a feeling of spaciousness. "I'll let the flowers do their thing in their own time. But I wonder what 4th floor critter friends are around. Hmmm this isn't the usual context I'd track something but I'll give it a go."
Survival: 23 (20 + 3) [or maybe nature +1]
There are few tracks to follow in such a hunt for critter friends. The floors, walls, and ceilings of the lounge area all seem well sanitized and there are no real signs of anything. Not even a spider or a web. However, you do notice a few very tiny black bugs scattered amongst some of the plants decorating spots around the room. Knap seems to recall these critters as being ones that prey on common plant pests but are quite benign to plants themselves.
"You hit the nail on the head there, Mei. If you are surrounded by nice folk, anywhere can have that homely feel. Whether you are under canvas or in a posh magical hall of residence", Guardok says with a smile, trying to make Chara and any others who are homesick feel better.
"I'm interested in what everyone is planning on studying as well", he continues as he perches back on the comfy chair, trying to keep the conversation flowing and maybe engage with those who are quieter without putting them on the spot. Even Mei seemed to have become more reserved, or was he imagining it.
"For my part, I am definitely taking History of Magic and Art. Prismari next year for me, I hope. Other than that, the Inkomancy class sounds ok. For my third option, I haven't decided yet. Maybe those Magic Auras", he says, and then waits for anyone else who feels like sharing.
Noticing Mae take out a wooden flute, he watches the butterfly appear and flutter over to Mei.
At last a subject that Mellori felt both comfortable with but also eager to discuss and her voice was slightly giddy as she spoke. “I’m happy to share my studies. I was a little disappointed we could only choose four subjects, so I chose Magical Physiologies, which is mandatory of course, Introduction to Archaeomancy, because of Lorehold where I hope to go in my second year, Basic Magical Auras, and Beginning Inkomancy. I would love to know which lessons I might be having with the rest of you.”
Knap takes a moment to thank the little back bugs for their efforts. He knows they'll be co-conspirators in the gardenification of his room. And Malvyn’s,he quickly reminds himself.
“Good question! My family wants me to go into politics so…” raising a finger for each subject, Knap counts of:
“Beginning Inkomancy Beginning Computational Magics Introduction to Archaeomancy”
His face deceives him and he doesn’t look all that excited. “Magical Auras would be interesting, Guardok. And I guess a few of us at least will be cramming for Inkomancy. I'll need the motivation if I'm to do well in Silverquill”
Knap sits cross-legged where he had taken a wee kip earlier. Keen to hear what everyone else will be studying.
The corners of Mei's lips quirk as Knap helps himself to snacks and strolls around. She perks up when she feels the primal magics summoned about the room and can't help but call them to her own fingertips like her father taught her. A gentle sprinkling of snowflakes fall above the satyr. But at Chara's use of the word "lair"--did she say her father's lair?--she's pulled her from her antics, then again at the arrival of an arcane butterfly. Not one to dwell on bad feelings--and easily distracted as she is--Mei is lured from her melancholy and shoots Mae, wooden flute in hand and clearly the culprit, a grateful smile before tuning back into the conversation.
Prismari does seem the perfect choice for Guardok, as vibrant as he--truly a gem. And Lorehold for Mellori sounds a perfect choice; somewhere she can access all the knowledge of the ages. Silverquill for Knap though... Her features soften as she studies his face. He said his family wants him in politics, but does he share that same desire?
"We'll have Basic Magical Auras and Introduction to Archaeomancy together," she notes to Mellori as she picks up dorayaki to nibble on. Gesturing with it to Guardok, she adds, "And I'll have History of Art and Magic with you! I'm looking forward to joining a club too maybe. Or, well... perhaps getting a job. It might be nice to have a bit of spending money."
Mae waited to see if Mei noticed the butterfly before putting her flute down and going quiet for a minute while the others began discussing which classes they had enrolled in. She looked down into her back and pulled out her letter of invitation and read down a few lines. "Yes, I believe I signed up for History of Magic and Art, Beginning Inkomancy and Basic Magical Auras as well. The Prismari college sounded like it might be a good fit for me, but I suppose I could end up anywhere really."She folded her letter back up and put it in her pack and sipped her tea again, leaning back against the chair.
The purple-skinned tiefling can't help but frown slightly as the talkative Mei compliments his purple skin. It took a moment for him to decide it was probably quite sincere but he hadn't expected to ever have anyone compliment him, about anything really. "Thanks..." He just says with a small insecure smile. She seemed kind and sincere Mei, he should really give her the benefit of the doubt henceforth and not be so guarded, although that would not be easy given his past. As Mellori takes his hand and says his name while smiling at him he struggles not to blush, realizing he might have held her hand a bit too long, but likely it was just in his insecure head.
He looks on with curiosity as Mei shows Guardok her card. He knew of course there were many kinds of magic and he remembered reading about those using cards as an arcane focus to predict the future, maybe Mei was one such. If she was he knew he certainly didn't want to know the dark fate that surely awaited his tainted soul, hopefully he would at least be able to spend a time here with these people, there were certainly worse fates. The purple-skinned tiefling is relieved and even pleased to see the genasi cleaning up the crumbles, maybe sharing this floor with the others wouldn't be such a challange for him after all. He sees the others trying to comfort the winged tiefling and feels he should do the same, he most of all should be the one to come to her aid but he simply can't find the words like Guardok and Mei. Maybe if he spoke to her later, to ask her about how her life as a devil-spawn had been, he expected they would share some experiences at least.
As Knap starts talking about critters in the house, Malvyn starts worrying again. Surely there were some regulations against keeping ants and other vermin around inside Dresar Hall? Oh well, as long as he could hide away in the study room he realized he would have to put up with the others peculiar interests, they would all certainly see him as peculiar when they knew about his interest, if not already. "Basic Magical Auras, History of Magic and Art and Introduction to Archaeomancy..."The tiefling quickly recounts from memory. "...and I hope to be accepted into Lorehold."He adds, glancing insecurely over at Mellori, hoping she wouldn't disapprove if they ended up at the same college. "Do you know anything about the clubs and jobs?" He then turns and asks Mei as it seemed a very non-controversial way to continue the conversation he almost took part in.
Dorayaki held between her lips while her hands work on rewarming and reflavoring the tea with honey, Mei blinks at Malvyn and nods. "A little," she breathes, once her mouth is free. "I know the Biblioplex has lots of jobs, and some of the campus eateries as well!" After another bite of the pancake sandwich, she rocks side to side in thought, the motion drawing out another yawn. "Oh! And my father worked for the Grounds team while he was here!"
"I know less about the clubs, but I bet there's a lot of them! For all sorts of interests. I suppose we already know about the, um," she clears her throat, cheeks reddening as she's reminded of Quentillius, "drama group? " She stuffs the rest of the sandwich in her mouth lest she stick her foot in it instead.
"The Biblioplex..."The purple-skinned tiefling repeats to himself. If he was accepted to be of some service there he would be able to find out about any restricted reading, the more restricted the better. He doubted there would be any clubs where he would fit in but he supposed it didn't hurt to find out. Malvyn can't help but frown slightly again as Mei mentions drama group. Mei seemed much to nice to come anywhere near someone like the boy with the fancy name, it baffled him how girls so often couldn't tell who sincerely cared for them and who...who did not. Still, even though somewhat naïve he doubted Mei was one to not be able to handle someone like that Quintllillillius when he showed his true colours. "I'm sure you would be a great actor Mei, and we would all come and watch your plays." He finally says with a fairly polite smile.
"I heard there is a gymnastics club, and a cheer club", Guardok interjects excitedly. "But you are right, I will likely have to choose only one, because I will need to earn some money at some point as well. Perhaps I can work as a stage hand or something", he muses.
"It looks like I'll have a lot of company in lessons though. How about you Chara, have you decided your lessons yet?", he adds looking to the winged teifling and trying to include her in the conversation. He too had spotted her use of the term lair.
Mellori was clearly on a roll, as the subject of extra-curricular activities came up. Again, she seemed to come really alive as she shared her thoughts, her voice slightly faster and for those musically inclined, slightly higher in pitch.
“In terms of societies, I’m hoping to join the Dead Languages Society. Who doesn’t love reading tomes written in ancient and near-extinct languages. Imagine the fun learning to translate them? And almost as exciting, but not quite as much fun is the Dragonsguard Historical Society. Deep debates about specific time periods?”She appeared to shiver with excitement at the thought. “And I’m sure I’ll need a job, so I too will be stopping by the Biblioplex. I’d love to be a book clerk, or better still a book shelver.”Her smile was so fixed by now, that if the wind changed, she might end up grinning forever.
Mei eyes grow twice as large as she chokes slightly on the pancake. "Oh! Oh, no, that's kind of you, but--" words bisected by coughs she shakes her head, "I get horrible stage fright. And it's, um, well, my sister likened it to those fainting goats--do you know the sort? They get scared and immediately just freeze up and fall over! That's, um, that's me. I fell off the stage during one of our festival plays and--" she pulls her pant leg up to show a faded but deep scar cut across her knee. "I barely got my first line out," she giggles as she rolls the fabric back down. No need to mention how embarrassed her family had been by the whole incident.
At Guardok's question, Mei looks then to Chara, curious where her interests lie, though she can't help but smile as Mellori answers first, her excitement contagious. It felt like something special--a privilege--to witness all these people, so unique and talented in their own rights, on the cusp of their destinies and personal legends.
If she notices or is bothered by his claws, Mei makes no outward appearance as such, instead smiling warmly up at him. "It's a pleasure, Malvyn. I really like your purple," she says, indicating her own purple hair. But worry needles at her over how fast he'd let go of her hand--at first wondering if it was clammy from warming the tea. Or maybe it's how much she's talking again, her nerves driving her tongue faster than her mind can keep up. "I'm from here, actually! Well, not here-here. But from the Vastlands. My village is pretty... remote, but we still get lots of visitors each year from all sorts of planes. Are you both out-of-planers?"
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Mei distributes the cups of tea along the table, turning the wisteria pattern to face each of the drinkers in a strangely methodical way--perhaps some sort of custom from home? "If anyone doesn't fancy green tea, I can change the flavor to something else! And I can read your tea leaves when you finish if you'd like," she offers. At the compliments from Guardok, the wizard's cheeks warm and she ducks her head slightly, lips pursed against a smile. Until his mention of the spell.
"Oh! The snack delivery? That's the Servant!" Excited, she flips open the flap on her card holster, accidentally knocking off a small charm from the strap that rolls under the table unnoticed. With an elegant gesture, the card is summoned forth and she hands it to Guardok. On it is a hand-painted image with various symbols and sigils around a translucent silhouette of a figure holding a large goblet aloft in offering. "It's a conjuration spell. The servant can perform simple tasks--like bringing you snacks and tea--but you have to be careful with your wording. I asked for cookies once and, since we didn't have any in our house, they went to the neighbor's and took some right out of their pantry! Oh, and it did just make me into the bed earlier... I still struggle a bit with getting the parameters of spells just right. So, if there is a module that teaches it, I should probably take it with you," she says with a self-deprecating chuckle. Dryad help her, she's still prattling on.
Mellori looks at Guardok as he offers her his hand. Feeling somewhat more confident to respond now, she shakes it. “Mellori. I haven’t tried any food yet, but I am sure they are lovely.” It was a phrase her parents had told her to use. Her choice of food was limited and new food was not something she considered lightly. But to avoid upsetting people, her mother had told her, she had to suggest at least the likelihood she would try it. It made no sense to Mellori to lie, but she understood her mother knew better and so followed her advice.
Given everyone was new to Mellori, she did not differentiate based upon appearance or racial stereotype. It was all she could do not to stare at everyone, so staring at no-one was her default setting. So Chara received no less favourable treatment from Mellori than anyone else as she entered the room.
“Hi Malvyn, Mellori,” she responds, committing all of the names to memory, her smile ever-present.
Mellori has no choice but to accept a cup of tea. Remembering her mother’s words, she occasionally puts it to her lips but does not drink. The option of changing flavour doesn’t help, as she only drinks coffee or water and doesn’t want to appear awkward already.
Mae followed Chara out and walked over to the lounge first, where there was quite a commotion happening already, tea being served and whatnot. While she wasn't exceptionally hungry at the moment, she was going to be polite as well and came over to take a cup of the tea and a rice cake and then turned to offer some to Chara, but got a briefly concerned look on her face. "Are you alright, Chara?" She came closer to whisper her concern. "I'm sure they're all nice enough, but you don't have to stay if you don't want to." She gave the winged girl another soft squeeze on her hand before turning back to the group and sitting down to sip the tea. She felt that was more appropriate for several reasons, but then kept checking out the room slowly while Mei prattled on and on. She didn't mind, of course, she was quite keen to get to know her new peers better, and knew that sometimes it was better to just let people talk.
Guardok rubs his hands together to make sure there are no crumbs on them, and takes the card that Mei hands him, chuckling at the story about the cookies from the neighbours. "I am not sure that this is something I can learn. My magic comes from music and performance. Are you a wizard? Aren't spell books normally, well, books?", he asks Mei curiously holding the card back out for her.
"I am not from here no, I had to come through a portal. Not sure what you would call my plane, but I was part of the travelling circus that my folks own. We travelled from town to town all throughout the land, so I don't think I would say I had a home as such. I guess the troupe was my home, and my family".
Spotting that Mae and Chara have entered, he gets up. "Welcome to the lounge", he says with an exaggerated flourish as if it were the most exclusive club. "I'm Guardok. You have Mei there to thank for the food and drink".
"Oh dear, I have made a bit of a mess", he says noticing the crumbs he left on the chair. He waves a hand over it and almost sings some words of magic in the terran dialect of the primordial tongue, leaving the chair spotless.
"A traveling circus," Mei gapes as she takes the card back. What would that be like? To travel to a new place everyday, never rooted to the same spot, but free to go where the winds take you? "That's beautiful that, um--that your magic has been shaped by that. Fueled by passion and love and what inspires you, not forced to--" the words trail off and she peers down at the card in her hand, the curve of her lips flattening before she puts it away. When Mei looks up again, her smile is firmly back in place. "I bet you have lots of stories! I'd love to hear more about your family sometime. It's the people that make a home isn't it, not... the place?"
Joining Guardok in welcoming the newest arrival, she waves off the thanks for the food and drink with a flustered gesticulation of hands. Recognizing the look of homesickness that pangs her own heart in the tiefling, the diviner picks up a cup of tea to offer to Chara--tea soothes the soul, her mother always said--and glances about at the group. "What are the rest of you studying? I-If you don't mind me asking! Anyone else in the bardic arts too? Or the primal magics? Or maybe pact--" she stops as she takes in her companions' body language and expressions.
((Insight: 20+4=24))
It's far too late that Mei realizes the majority of her floormates are just humoring her. That's she's made them feel obligated to partake, pretending for the sake of politeness. So used to the hospitality that's extended to any visitors to her village--strangers and familiar faces alike--it doesn't occur to her that it could be anything but a token of friendship and welcome. Her heart drops from her chest to the pit of her stomach, sunk like a stone in a lake.
The porcelain clinks softly as it's set back down.
Listening to the unfamiliar and nearly-sung words, smile supported only by her lips and not quite reaching her eyes, Mei teases, "The ants will be disappointed," of the now-clean chair. Her hands, hidden beneath the table, twist and worry at the hem of her robes.
Knap almost imediatly upon entering the lounge curled himself on the floor like a fawn and purred softly. The day caught up with him and letting go his thoughts his mind swept dreamlike to the Feywild and quickly back again as his nose twitched. His belly rumbled, his eyes opened. "I'm so hungry! May I?" But before waiting for an answer Knap picked himself up to help himself to snacks. "Ants are the best. One of my favorite texts. A book, kinda. They're sensitive, they're like itty-bitty clues about the environment." Knap moves casually around the room with black sesame cracker in one hand and the other hand caressing the occasional underside of a leaf as if it were the back of a dogs ear. As he moves from plant to plant a delicate vibrant sheen and air between the vines and branches gives the room a feeling of spaciousness. "I'll let the flowers do their thing in their own time. But I wonder what 4th floor critter friends are around. Hmmm this isn't the usual context I'd track something but I'll give it a go."
Survival: 23 (20 + 3) [or maybe nature +1]
Mae listened and watched while sipping her tea and nibbling at her rice cake. As much as she enjoyed performing for others, it was very refreshing to not feel like she had to be the center of attention, to not have everyone staring at her constantly, begging her for more or professing their undying adoration. That was always so dramatic, she thought, especially when one doesn't even really know someone. Why could people not just enjoy the performance with her and let it be at that? She sighed and shook her head slightly, before seeing Mei not talking anymore and looking a bit sad almost. She pulled her wooden flute out but only blew warm air through it, but out the end came an ephemeral butterfly, lavender in color, that flitted over toward Mei.
Chara does her best to smile as both Mae and Mei do their best to comfort her.
"I'll be alright," she says, wiping a trace amount of moisture away from the corner of her eye. "It's just... I've never been this far away from home before... I'm sure that Strixhaven will be far nicer than my father's lair... um, I mean, his house... but I'll need to get used to it."
She gratefully takes the tea Mai offers her and takes a sip, hoping it will calm her nerves a bit. She sighs.
She glances at the purple tiefling again, and sees him look at her and then look away again. Did... did she do or say something to offend him?
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
There are few tracks to follow in such a hunt for critter friends. The floors, walls, and ceilings of the lounge area all seem well sanitized and there are no real signs of anything. Not even a spider or a web. However, you do notice a few very tiny black bugs scattered amongst some of the plants decorating spots around the room. Knap seems to recall these critters as being ones that prey on common plant pests but are quite benign to plants themselves.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"You hit the nail on the head there, Mei. If you are surrounded by nice folk, anywhere can have that homely feel. Whether you are under canvas or in a posh magical hall of residence", Guardok says with a smile, trying to make Chara and any others who are homesick feel better.
"I'm interested in what everyone is planning on studying as well", he continues as he perches back on the comfy chair, trying to keep the conversation flowing and maybe engage with those who are quieter without putting them on the spot. Even Mei seemed to have become more reserved, or was he imagining it.
"For my part, I am definitely taking History of Magic and Art. Prismari next year for me, I hope. Other than that, the Inkomancy class sounds ok. For my third option, I haven't decided yet. Maybe those Magic Auras", he says, and then waits for anyone else who feels like sharing.
Noticing Mae take out a wooden flute, he watches the butterfly appear and flutter over to Mei.
At last a subject that Mellori felt both comfortable with but also eager to discuss and her voice was slightly giddy as she spoke. “I’m happy to share my studies. I was a little disappointed we could only choose four subjects, so I chose Magical Physiologies, which is mandatory of course, Introduction to Archaeomancy, because of Lorehold where I hope to go in my second year, Basic Magical Auras, and Beginning Inkomancy. I would love to know which lessons I might be having with the rest of you.”
Knap takes a moment to thank the little back bugs for their efforts. He knows they'll be co-conspirators in the gardenification of his room. And Malvyn’s, he quickly reminds himself.
“Good question! My family wants me to go into politics so…” raising a finger for each subject, Knap counts of:
“Beginning Inkomancy
Beginning Computational Magics
Introduction to Archaeomancy”
His face deceives him and he doesn’t look all that excited. “Magical Auras would be interesting, Guardok. And I guess a few of us at least will be cramming for Inkomancy. I'll need the motivation if I'm to do well in Silverquill”
Knap sits cross-legged where he had taken a wee kip earlier. Keen to hear what everyone else will be studying.
The corners of Mei's lips quirk as Knap helps himself to snacks and strolls around. She perks up when she feels the primal magics summoned about the room and can't help but call them to her own fingertips like her father taught her. A gentle sprinkling of snowflakes fall above the satyr. But at Chara's use of the word "lair"--did she say her father's lair?--she's pulled her from her antics, then again at the arrival of an arcane butterfly. Not one to dwell on bad feelings--and easily distracted as she is--Mei is lured from her melancholy and shoots Mae, wooden flute in hand and clearly the culprit, a grateful smile before tuning back into the conversation.
Prismari does seem the perfect choice for Guardok, as vibrant as he--truly a gem. And Lorehold for Mellori sounds a perfect choice; somewhere she can access all the knowledge of the ages. Silverquill for Knap though... Her features soften as she studies his face. He said his family wants him in politics, but does he share that same desire?
"We'll have Basic Magical Auras and Introduction to Archaeomancy together," she notes to Mellori as she picks up dorayaki to nibble on. Gesturing with it to Guardok, she adds, "And I'll have History of Art and Magic with you! I'm looking forward to joining a club too maybe. Or, well... perhaps getting a job. It might be nice to have a bit of spending money."
Mae waited to see if Mei noticed the butterfly before putting her flute down and going quiet for a minute while the others began discussing which classes they had enrolled in. She looked down into her back and pulled out her letter of invitation and read down a few lines. "Yes, I believe I signed up for History of Magic and Art, Beginning Inkomancy and Basic Magical Auras as well. The Prismari college sounded like it might be a good fit for me, but I suppose I could end up anywhere really." She folded her letter back up and put it in her pack and sipped her tea again, leaning back against the chair.
The purple-skinned tiefling can't help but frown slightly as the talkative Mei compliments his purple skin. It took a moment for him to decide it was probably quite sincere but he hadn't expected to ever have anyone compliment him, about anything really. "Thanks..." He just says with a small insecure smile. She seemed kind and sincere Mei, he should really give her the benefit of the doubt henceforth and not be so guarded, although that would not be easy given his past. As Mellori takes his hand and says his name while smiling at him he struggles not to blush, realizing he might have held her hand a bit too long, but likely it was just in his insecure head.
He looks on with curiosity as Mei shows Guardok her card. He knew of course there were many kinds of magic and he remembered reading about those using cards as an arcane focus to predict the future, maybe Mei was one such. If she was he knew he certainly didn't want to know the dark fate that surely awaited his tainted soul, hopefully he would at least be able to spend a time here with these people, there were certainly worse fates. The purple-skinned tiefling is relieved and even pleased to see the genasi cleaning up the crumbles, maybe sharing this floor with the others wouldn't be such a challange for him after all. He sees the others trying to comfort the winged tiefling and feels he should do the same, he most of all should be the one to come to her aid but he simply can't find the words like Guardok and Mei. Maybe if he spoke to her later, to ask her about how her life as a devil-spawn had been, he expected they would share some experiences at least.
As Knap starts talking about critters in the house, Malvyn starts worrying again. Surely there were some regulations against keeping ants and other vermin around inside Dresar Hall? Oh well, as long as he could hide away in the study room he realized he would have to put up with the others peculiar interests, they would all certainly see him as peculiar when they knew about his interest, if not already. "Basic Magical Auras, History of Magic and Art and Introduction to Archaeomancy..." The tiefling quickly recounts from memory. "...and I hope to be accepted into Lorehold." He adds, glancing insecurely over at Mellori, hoping she wouldn't disapprove if they ended up at the same college. "Do you know anything about the clubs and jobs?" He then turns and asks Mei as it seemed a very non-controversial way to continue the conversation he almost took part in.
Dorayaki held between her lips while her hands work on rewarming and reflavoring the tea with honey, Mei blinks at Malvyn and nods. "A little," she breathes, once her mouth is free. "I know the Biblioplex has lots of jobs, and some of the campus eateries as well!" After another bite of the pancake sandwich, she rocks side to side in thought, the motion drawing out another yawn. "Oh! And my father worked for the Grounds team while he was here!"
"I know less about the clubs, but I bet there's a lot of them! For all sorts of interests. I suppose we already know about the, um," she clears her throat, cheeks reddening as she's reminded of Quentillius, "drama group? " She stuffs the rest of the sandwich in her mouth lest she stick her foot in it instead.
"The Biblioplex..." The purple-skinned tiefling repeats to himself. If he was accepted to be of some service there he would be able to find out about any restricted reading, the more restricted the better. He doubted there would be any clubs where he would fit in but he supposed it didn't hurt to find out. Malvyn can't help but frown slightly again as Mei mentions drama group. Mei seemed much to nice to come anywhere near someone like the boy with the fancy name, it baffled him how girls so often couldn't tell who sincerely cared for them and who...who did not. Still, even though somewhat naïve he doubted Mei was one to not be able to handle someone like that Quintllillillius when he showed his true colours. "I'm sure you would be a great actor Mei, and we would all come and watch your plays." He finally says with a fairly polite smile.
"I heard there is a gymnastics club, and a cheer club", Guardok interjects excitedly. "But you are right, I will likely have to choose only one, because I will need to earn some money at some point as well. Perhaps I can work as a stage hand or something", he muses.
"It looks like I'll have a lot of company in lessons though. How about you Chara, have you decided your lessons yet?", he adds looking to the winged teifling and trying to include her in the conversation. He too had spotted her use of the term lair.
Mellori was clearly on a roll, as the subject of extra-curricular activities came up. Again, she seemed to come really alive as she shared her thoughts, her voice slightly faster and for those musically inclined, slightly higher in pitch.
“In terms of societies, I’m hoping to join the Dead Languages Society. Who doesn’t love reading tomes written in ancient and near-extinct languages. Imagine the fun learning to translate them? And almost as exciting, but not quite as much fun is the Dragonsguard Historical Society. Deep debates about specific time periods?” She appeared to shiver with excitement at the thought. “And I’m sure I’ll need a job, so I too will be stopping by the Biblioplex. I’d love to be a book clerk, or better still a book shelver.” Her smile was so fixed by now, that if the wind changed, she might end up grinning forever.
Mei eyes grow twice as large as she chokes slightly on the pancake. "Oh! Oh, no, that's kind of you, but--" words bisected by coughs she shakes her head, "I get horrible stage fright. And it's, um, well, my sister likened it to those fainting goats--do you know the sort? They get scared and immediately just freeze up and fall over! That's, um, that's me. I fell off the stage during one of our festival plays and--" she pulls her pant leg up to show a faded but deep scar cut across her knee. "I barely got my first line out," she giggles as she rolls the fabric back down. No need to mention how embarrassed her family had been by the whole incident.
At Guardok's question, Mei looks then to Chara, curious where her interests lie, though she can't help but smile as Mellori answers first, her excitement contagious. It felt like something special--a privilege--to witness all these people, so unique and talented in their own rights, on the cusp of their destinies and personal legends.