Welcome to Gaia! ::

Time had passed quickly for Aldo. Once dug into his nest of studies, it flowed by like a roaring river, and he took little notice of it. Classes had ended hours ago, and he had decided to take the afternoon studying. The many different representatives from all the kingdoms in one place, and the school had gathered quite the resources in one place, and he was determined to put it to his use. Dwayne had been kind enough to leave him with a key so that he could lock up once he was done. That had been nearly six hours ago now.

A long wooden table had become his workspace. A variety of books on different subjects were open upon it as well as sheets of paper scattered across with notes. The entirety of it looked like a chaotic mess, but a wise set of eyes would see them split into categories with the notes that interconnected different volumes of literature together. The libraries back home were quite extensive, and his own private library contained some of the most detailed notes on the effects of energy sources on natural phenomena. It was a field of study that delighted his mind and put his problem solving to work. It had become his pet project here at Utopia, and there had been met mostly with indifference so long as it did not take time away from teaching his subject.

Of course, that wasn’t to say he would not likely be exhausted the next day. Throwing oneself into academia, although not often physically exerting, was exhausting none the less. But, his courses were something that he could teach without much thought. It was a shame that his work interested the students very little, most had simply had his class because they were sent to it. Nonetheless, he did his best to impart what knowledge he could to those who listened.

As the night rolled on, Aldo could feel his muscles tightening, and thought to get up and take a little stroll through the stacks to stretch his legs. It had been a few hours since last he had gotten up, and it could not hurt to get the blood flowing again. Upon standing he saw how low the light had grown and decided that perhaps he had done enough for the day. He assembled his notes, noted pages and book names. Gathering the arm full of books he moved them to a library cart that no doubt Dwayne would request he return to the shelves himself, even if he intended to dig into them again.

Notes in hand he made his way towards the front door.

A sudden change in air pressure within the library drew his attention. Turning towards the change, he reached out with his senses and detected a strange air flow where one had not been before. Quietly, he approached only to see a young woman disappear into the shadows.
The change in pressure returned to its equilibrium and he knew that the visitor was gone.

How odd, late night booknappings? he pondered to himself.

The sensation gone, the culprit missing, he decided to investigate further and tucked his notes under his arm. He stalked the shelves where he had seen the individual disappear and drew his lantern from the table to the shelves. Finding a shelf with a missing book, he took note of the missing text and those that had flanked it. It took a moment to dig through the catalog to find the title, and he jotted it haphazardly upon his notes.

Quickly moving to the entrance of the library he opened the doors, carefully locked it behind him and set off into the halls.

Aside from the bare minimum of lights that could be seen dotted around the academy, his lantern was the only light near him. Pausing, he set down the lantern and attuned his senses to the passing air and felt for variables that did not belong. For long minutes he reached out, searching for any disturbance, but he did him little good. Whoever had disappeared was not near the library. Taking up his lantern he began to walk while listening to the flow of air currents.

It was several minutes later that he felt air being lightly gobbled by a flame, and he followed the current down another hallway. His light bobbed as he walked, and as he drew nearer he could feel a candle flame burning and felt the gentle breeze as pages were turned.

Strange, he thought, someone had taken up the book and moved into a nearby alcove to read.

He shrugged to himself. This little adventure of his was driven mostly by curiosity. It was not his library, so the book was not his responsibility, but he wondered who was set with insomnia and set out for some evening reading. Quietly he walked forward, his light easily visible.

The young woman appeared to be chatting to herself, although he did sense movement before the book was closed. It was after she closed it that she turned towards his light and spoke to him, clenching the book rightly to her chest.

He continued to approach, and stopped seven feet from her, not wanting to intrude further into her space. As he approached he noticed her still in a night gown and wondered if the poor girl was not cold. Strange to find a student in this weather dressed so lightly. He himself came from a much warmer area and didn’t have any affection for the chill that came with this time of year. Springtime was his favorite, but it would come soon enough. A pleasant thought for later. First he ought to respond to the poor woman whose timid voice seemed concerned.

Speaking up, he responded, “Hello there, Lady… Dumont, is it?” His voice was calm, with a hint of concern in it.

He pondered for only a moment, and then continued, “Ah, then I am not alone in the world curing trouble sleeping with reading then? Though I should comment that borrowing books without checking them out is not something our students should be taking part in.”

Obviously, she was not some rapscalian or thief, merely a young woman exploring the world of the grounds. He could not blame her. Many restless nights had befallen him, and a gingerly stroll through the halls often left his mind to wander until he grew exhausted enough to return to his room and rest. Utopia Academy left many feeling restless. The tight quarters with so many people from so many nations left him struggling to appear polite for fear of risking trampling over some country’s traditions. He did his best to keep up with it, but what he did learn was from conversation or direction of other staff and faculty members.

The realization that the poor girl was sitting on a cold stone bench in a nightgown still concerned him, it was obvious that she had not premeditated her actions, lest she might have dressed more soundly for the weather. Even the air in the hall had a chill to it. He himself was dressed in the same cut of suit he always was. Presentable as always, little ever changed with the professor’s appearance.

“Hmmm, perhaps it would be more comfortable here if the air wasn’t so darned chilly,” he said, before closing his eyes and sweeping his hand through the air.

A gentle breeze formed, barely enough to rustle their hair, but as it moved, the current grew warmer. A chill could be felt, but it warmed enough that perhaps the woman would not be left shivering if they continued to talk. He himself felt the change of temperature and it warded off the chilly breeze that was coming down the hall. A simple trick, but it had kept him and his companions warm during long winters during the war. It was also a fun trick to snuff out candles in a room to spook fellow partygoers, though it had been some time since he had used it in such a fashion.