"We seem about the same age." She tilts a head towards Seiren as she makes the comment. Indeed, Ezri appears to be in her early twenties. "Talent and skill can come at any age. It's all about the will and ambition. Which, you have in strides. Power isn't mutually exclusive to intelligence, but it does help you use it better. And friends can be benefactors, no? Though, it's not mutually exclusive, which is the case here."

“Confidence is also needed for power, which it seems Seiren seems to be lacking. All the same, I’m going to watch out for her. Yes, friends can be benefactors but the being I am bonded with I would rather drink lemure’s blood than call a friend. And he knows it. It is a mutually beneficial agreement. And thank you for the compliment. What school of study do you major in, Wizard Ezri?”

Having stood quietly unnoticed at attention, an unassuming brown haired half-elf approaches on carefully poised steps. He carries a thick tome connected with a chain to one arm and is dressed in dark green formal attire, bearing a geometric twirling symbol embossed repeatedly across his vest and half-cape. 

"Oh, you're a part of Warlock Coven too, then?"

He looks at Ezri. "Hmm. I would've guessed Druid coven."

He laughs at Grizzle's peculiar comments. "Free spirited one, aren't you? Bard Coven? Or perhaps Sorcerer."

"Huh? No... Grizzle. GRI-ZZ-LE.", patting his own chest, Grizzle corrects the half-elf helpfully.

"Right.. uh. Grizzle... coven. Sure."

"No, Grizzle Fizzle. GRI-ZZLE! FI-ZZLE!", he waves his arms dramatically for emphasis.

"Hi," Zira says to Grizzle who approached as she wears a mischievous smirk towering over the goblin at six foot-two. Zira knew plenty of goblins they often worked for her father's 'guild' and even though he was a little rough around the edges, and well blue, he was certainly more familiar than the others. "Call me Zira," she says tugging on her leather vest over a sleeveless dark purple tunic. Zira wears well-made nearly all black clothing and heavy black boots expertly crafted with silver embossing in the stitches. Most striking feature about her besides her towering height is her lean figure, leaner than most muscle bound half-orcs, and slightly more elvish ears. She's a beautiful shade of green with bright yellow eyes only black pupils at the center oblong like a cat. On her bare left shoulder is a brilliantly blue octopus tattoo. It's many tentacles reaching towards her neck but not quite touching it. The tentacles seem to rest almost fluidly on her collar bone. "I just kind of figured out magic," she says using air quotes around the word magic. "I was in a...well I had problem and it kind of just came out," she says putting her hands on her hips cocking her head to the side. "I know little more than uh...what I've read," she adds next. "My family wasn't big on education outside the uh..." she pauses looking a little embarrassed, "family business," she finishes grinning an ivory tusk grin.

Kane studies her. “Hmm, an orc-elf hybrid. Fascinating.” He goes to shake Zira’s hand. “Akanos Novak, but if we become friends call me Kane.” Kane and Zira are about the same height, so they see eye. “Say, I bet you are one of those Arcane Tricksters, rogues and criminals who use magic for their nefarious purposes. If you do have a criminal past, I will not judge you, for the Academy has seemed to invite characters from all walks of life.”

"Hi Zira! Lot's of good names with 'Z' in them!"

"What's that?", he asks, pointing at the tentacled thing on her shoulder. "Unless... unless it is sensitive subject, then can Grizzle ask with good mammers, 'What's that'?"

He grins a toothy grin and looks to Kane for approval.

"I'm not a criminal. You have to get caught to be called that," Zira replies with a wink before looking around them. "I'm hungry. You think they'll be food," she asks rubbing a slightly round belly before reaching in a satchel she wears and pulling out a full size jug, that fit seemingly impossibly inside, and taking a swig. "Drink anyone? It's not the best dwarven ale I've swip...tasted but it's here and free," she adds with a smirk and a shrug holding it out to everyone. She then turns to Grizzle. "It's called an octopus. Where I'm from near the sea in Luskan there's thousands of them swimming as free as they please! They're all sorts of colors and sizes," she explains lowering the jug to Grizzle first. "There sneaky, beautiful, and have a secret weapon like me," she adds winking at the goblin.

Kane nods to Grizzle, “That’s fine, tattoos are usually a less sensitive topic.” He doesn’t take the jug, “Thank you but no thank you, I do not drink. As for food, I’m sure the Academy has a cafeteria. Speaking of, I wonder if we have to have roommates. Our coven leaders should be out shortly.”

"Maybe someday Grizzle will see an ottopus...", he says wistfully.

He happily takes the jug and has a swig, pausing after the first sip to run his hands over it and mutter "chilly willy" before having another swig, smacking his lips in satisfaction and handing it back to Zira. It's noticeably cooler, condensation forming on the outside. He gives her a wink back.

"Ah I prefer it frosty myself," Zira says grinning at the goblin. "So," she turns to the others. "How uh serious is the magic thing to you guys," she asks with a cocked left eyebrow clearly scarred by a blow of some kind. If you look closer to Zira's tattoo as well it seems to actually cover a bit of a scar there too that's not well hidden by her mane of mixed loose and braided fiery red hair. "I might need extra help but...not for long," she adds confidently!

(hello, everyone! i'm back from my IRL session although i'll probs be signing off for the night soon)

Seiren has been strumming her lute in the corner while the others talked. She plays a series of warm-up chords to get herself in the headspace to perform. Her shoulders are a lot more relaxed than before, but a visibly nervous edge does creep onto her face as she gives the others a smile and nods in their direction. Talking truly is not her strong suit, high charisma be damned, so she tilts her head, thinks to herself for a moment, then decides she'll opt to communicate through song and plays a ballad of summertide sorrow. Her awkward demeanor has seemingly melted away once she gets into her performance. 

(just for funsies i'm gonna roll a performance check to see how well she's doing but also since it wasn't asked for, i'm rolling as a test: 23)
(awful.)

Ezri snorts at the half elf's comment. "That's rather unsurprisingly not the first time I've heard that remark."

She remains quiet for some time, listening in on the unfolding conversation. A smirk forms at the background questions thrown at Zira. She strides over to the woman, and tries to sling an arm around Zira's shoulder. "If you need help, just let me know. Illusions are my forte, but I like to think I'm skilled at casting spells overall." To make a point, she waves a hand, casting Minor Illusion to create a floating flute, which plays along with Seiren's tune.  "Or if you want to chat. Bond over shared experiences working in family businesses. Though the offer is extended to everyone. With such a colorful cast, would love to get to know everyone better. Or tutor. Or go on long walks with. I won't judge."

“Well, pyrotechnics are my specialty.” Kane says as he starts to juggle fireballs. “I’m also educated in several languages, including Draconic, Infernal, and Elvish.”

“Well, I’m sure we all have skills we can benefit from. Now we can remain friends, but we will be part of different covens, so there will be friendly competition.”

Kane is sleeping in his sleeping bag when the sun shines in his face. He wakes up and sees that everybody else is still sleeping. "Hmm, it sure is taking a while for the coven leaders to get out here." Kane then heads into the Academy and is gone for a few minutes. When he comes back, he is carrying several plates of eggs, toast, sausage, and hashbrowns, along with several glasses of orange juice, chocolate milk, and ale for Zira. "Breakfast! Everybody, wake up! Breakfast!"

A long distance away, a faint yell for help is heard, along with some vicious barking. It seems to be coming from the forest that’s behind you, and the voice seems urgent for what you can hear. 

“Someone is in danger!” Kane yells. “Everybody! Drop your breakfast! Someone needs help in the woods!” Kane grasp his quarterstaff and runs towards the forest.