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He turned over to his golem, "I need you to bring the materials that I prepared for the class." Without a word, the golem spun around and started to make its way off towards the castle. Jardu'k cleared his throat and spoke calmly, magic was infused into his voice so it sounded as if it were booming across campus, "Elemental Studies of Earth will be held on the training ground in 30 minutes." he listend as his voice rumbled away. Shrugging he sat down on the chair, pulled out a piece of wood and a knife, and started to whittle.

(OOC: okay have fun. when people start coming in I'll start the class.)

Even in room G-9-A, it did not take Alauniira Rilynduis's keen elven ears to pick up on the class announcement made from the dwarf yards away at the edge of the woods. "Oh," the half-drow girl whispered quietly. Setting aside the mortar and pestle she had been unpacking, she made her way toward the doorway, passing by a full length mirror that hung on back of her closet door. The young girl paused for a moment, walking closer toward the mirror.

Purple eyes stared at the deep gray skin and silvery white hair of a drow. In the blink of an eye, the image had changed its hue though, and in the place of the drow girl stood one that was identical in facial structure and body. The only changes were a new tan hue to her skin and long locks of black hair. The same purple eyes continued to stare at the disguise, drawing wry mouth to its corner as the elf turned back toward the door.

Grabbing a strip of leather, Niira tied her hair back as she exited her dorm, leaving a few wisps of bangs to frame her face. She wasn't sure where the training grounds were exactly, but she could hear voices in the distance and made her way toward them.

In a few moments, she had reached her destination and was quick to note who was gathered there. It wasn't too challenging considering that only one student and the professor were in attendance so far, but Niira was always careful to be aware of her surroundings, which included people as well as places. Spotting the assorted mounds of grass seats, the purple eyed elf grabbed one toward the outside-middle; it was close to the forest while providing a good view of what she assumed to be the front of the classroom.

Crossing her legs, Niira rested her palms on her thighs, keeping quiet in the unfamiliar setting. She wasn't nervous, really, but she wasn't social either. Perhaps she'd get a little chatty once the interactive aspect of the class began.

Leo had been lening against the wall around the training field watching Mackenzie, when she'd driffted into a needed nap.She was awkened by a loud booming voice announcing the start of the Earth element class. Leo realized that she'd intended to go back to her dorm and get some rest after yesterday's attack but she figured that it would be wise to at least go to this class, even if the Proffesor sent her to bed. She got up from her seat and walked over to were a classroom had grown out of the field.

She chose a seat towards the back and promptly slumped down. She didn't really have the energy to look around to see who was here but she recogised Edward's scent and there were some other female scents that she didn't recognise. Realizing that she hadn't seen Edward since the forest, she mumbled, "Thank You, I mean for what you did in the forest." She wasn't sure that he'd heard her but at least she'd said something.

Professor Hammerforge looked over the podium at the class before him, several seats were empty, but the 30 minutes were up, "Greetings class, I am Professor Hammerforge, I will be your instructor in the Elemental courses of Earth, and later Fire. Some of you will be in my Ancient Runes and Magic class later." He stood up and proceded to pace infront of the class, "I run a strict ship around here, and I will not tolerate disorder in my classroom. I am teaching you to work with the fabric of creation, and it is a subject that one does not fail at more than once." Jardu'k faced the class, "I expect all of you to put your best effor in your work, and I will expect you to do independent research on your own. If you are having trouble with anything ask a fellow student after class, and if it isn't resolved ask Mr. Ralbofski." Professor Hammerforge motioned to Jedrek, He is the Teaching Assistant for Elemental Magics, and one of his duties will be to make the things us old folks make sense to you young'ns. If after that, you are still having trouble, set up an appointment with me and I'll see if I can illuminate the subject for you."

Jardu'k returned to the podium, "Now, does anybody have any questions that they would like to have answered before we start?"

Jaycee's pace slowed slightly as he came within earshot of the group. It definitely appeared to be a class, but what caught his interest was Professor Hammerforge. He had never seen a dwarf before, only heard of them in ballads and legends. "So this place really is special" he thought. The class seemed to be made up of some pretty odd individuals as well.

Stepping carefully past the oddly bunched grass mounds Jaycee approached the Dwarf. Stopping slightly before the podium, he bowed slightly and spoke "Excuse me sir. Is this the elemental magic class?". Despite the bow and subdued voice, Jaycee seemed fully confidant in his surroundings. "And if not, could you please direct me to the adminidstration building?".

As he finished speaking, he straightened and fixed the professor with a quiet gaze. "Now I really wish I had gone and changed. They say first impressions are very important" his mind whispered as he waited for a reply. He clasped his hands slowly behind his back "I wonder how the class sees me... Probably as a country hick or something similar. Oh well. It can't be helped.".

Jardu'k looked at the newcomers each in turn.

"Excuse me sir," the professor's eyes locked in on the man standing in front of him, "Is this the elemental magic class? And if not, could you please direct me to the administration building?"

Professor Hammerforge smiled, the same smile a mouse often saw before becoming extremely intimate with a cats internal workings, "Yes, this is the Elemental Class of Earth Magic. But, you are late." He didn't yell, but the last word could have cut stone, "I do not know from where you two come from, but tardiness is disrespectful, and I do not tolerate disrespect, and interuptions in my class." He withering gaze washed over the other late arrival, "But as this is the first class, and some of you have just arrived," his gaze flicked back to Jaycee, "I will allow you to join, but it will be up to you to ask your fellow students about the information that I have already covered." Jardu'k motioned to the classroom before him, "Now, sit down and we will begin."

He waited for the students to sit down before continuing.

"All elements are powerful forces. Many magic users often specialize in one force over all others, or in my case two forces. Specialization is not a bad thing, and you will not find yourself unable to tap into the power of water just because you spent a good portion of your life mastering fire. Mastering is probably not the best word for it. Becoming proficient is a better one. The first step in staying alive as a magic user, is to never forget that you must keep learning and adapting.

Earth magic is the magic of strength and stamina. Due to its elemental nature, it is very often considered one of, or the most powerful, elements that a person could wish to control. No other element can truely destroy Earth. Fire can superheat it and change it's properties, but in the end it still remains earth. Water can erode whole coast lines, but at the same time, other coastlines and sandbars will pop up elsewhere. Water moves it about. Wind is the same as water. Its constant current breaks it down, but doesn't destroy it. All in all, it is a very resiliant element. The only catch is..."

Again that innards of the cat grin crossed Professor Hammerforges face, "is that Earth is a stubborn element to work with. It takes great effort to move it and change its properties. Even then it takes an even enormous effort to make it change quickly. As with any magic, one may use a focus of some sort, to help them with their casting, and Earth is no exception."

The professor undid a small chain around his neck, and showed the class a large fingershaped lump of Granite with bits of Quartz mixed in.

"This is a focus known as a Shard. Unlike most other focuses, it only works for the person who summons it. In a way shards are a symbol of your personal tie to the earth and through it you can exert control. By the end of the class each of you will have summoned a shard of your own."

He put the shard back around his neck, "The first part of the spell is to Ground yourself as you were shown in Professor Windsor's class. If you were not part of that class, Mr. Ralbofski will show you how."

(OOC: okay everybody ground yourself and then I'll get on to phase two)

Miné had used the previous days to sleep as much as possible. She felt strangely depressed and listless; she was a city girl, after all, and the shock of the forests’ events took its toll on her. That combined with the physical effects of all her traveling was enough to make anyone reclusive for a little while.

Thankfully, she’d been asleep each time Jedrek had returned. She feared their conversation would be awkward for a bit. As the memories of her attitude in the infirmary came trickling back, she kicked herself more and more. How could she let herself go like that? No matter how delirious or incapacitated she was, she wouldn’t forgive herself. She’d acted just like the old Miné would: promiscuous and nonchalant. She wanted the old Miné gone, but she viewed that incident as several steps back down her old path.

Occasionally, she would drag herself up and to the kitchens when the growling in her stomach became too loud to ignore. After apologizing repeatedly for her rudeness while obtaining the brandy, Miné was able to form a relationship with a few of the cooks. They gave her small things like fruit and sweets when she asked. Because of this, she was able to avoid attending meals in the dining hall for the previous days.

This morning, however, she woke to the sun on her eyelids. Jedrek was already up and grooming himself. He didn’t seem to have notice she’d awakened. Instead of drawing attention to herself she laid still and silent, watching him do his hair and closing her eyes to feign sleep when he looked at her. His presence reminded her of her dream from a few nights before, causing her cheeks to flush carnation pink. She didn’t understand it, but it didn’t concern her too much.

After he left, Miné waited until she could no longer hear his footsteps echoing through the corridor before she sat up. With a great sigh, she heaved herself up and walked to the mirror. ‘You’re a mess, darling,’ she thought with disdain, running her fingers halfheartedly through her tangled locks. She was rather angry at herself for being so cold towards Jedrek; she adored him and didn’t want to be so distant, but the sight of the dying wolf was burned in her brain. She couldn’t get over it, not that soon.

The booming voice echoing over the campus startled her and she listened to the message while composing herself. She felt down, but not down enough to skip class. With another sigh, she began to get ready. Fifteen minutes later she left looking slightly better, though her face was still pale and drawn. Of course, she hadn’t the time to curl her hair, so she left it down and it flowed in a luminous river down between her shoulder blades. Her dress was a pale peach hue; she was driven to wear it with her dream in mind. It was the lightest color she had.

After stopping to ask an older student where the class was being held Miné arrived, immediately recognizing Jedrek and a few others. She got there just in time to hear the professor berating some students for lateness and took a seat beside Jedrek as quietly as she could, not sure she could handle being scolded right then. She smiled at Jedrek, though her sullen eyes betrayed her face. When the professor told them to ground themselves, she looked at him blankly before turning to Jedrek with a hopeless look. She’d already missed so much, she prayed she could make it up and manage not to look like a fool in the process.