~[aureae lachrymae]~:
Seccina was sitting in a dark red wing chair with her feet propped up on a leather ottoman, her nose in a book. Despite her full figure and many years, she looked for all the world like a girl reading her favorite fairytale, the size of the book effecting this impression. Her hair was once again covered by a dark shaw and only a few rebel strands of bluish gray escaped to be seen in flashes as she turned pages.
JayceeMendaci:
((
Going backward in time, you'd end up here))
Jaycee halted for a moment at the entrance hall. The marbled floor spread out before him, it's dimly polished surface reflecting the murky atmosphere in the vaulted hall. Although Jaycee had been in many halls over the course of his life, this one struck him as the most regal. It's simple decor spoke for the power that it stood for, and the silence that pervaded the place made Jaycee feel insignificant.
Brushing aside the feeling, he broke the silence "
Hello... anyone in here?". His soft leather boots made almost no noise on the marbled floor as he cautiously stepped further into the room. The place howled of magic to him in all of its silent grandeur, and his mind sparkled with curiousity. This, was a place he could spend hours studying. Each picture, each carving seemed to hold a little piece of knowledge, and Jaycee wanted all he could get.
His silent footsteps took him slowly down the hall, his eyes and mind racing while his movements were slow and calm. Appearances were everything, and Jaycee was well aware of that. If anyone should happen in, they would see a reserved student studying the room critically. The bubbling wonder and childish awe inside of him were well hidden.
~[aureae lachrymae]~:
Seccina started at the sound of someone's voice breaking the silence of the hall. She closed her book slightly and peeked around to see who was coming in. She saw a boy wandering in. She'd not met him before and decided now was as good as any to make the acquaintance of one of the students.
So, standing up very softly and setting the heavy book gently on the table next to her, she made her way slowly over to him and with a bright smile hailed him in her deep, musical voice. "Greetings. I'm here, and you look like a new student to me. I'm professor Kaeline," she said, holding out her hand to him.
JayceeMendaci:
A movement caught the corner of Jaycee's large mahogany eyes, and he turned to face the source. A middle aged woman was approaching him slowly, her light eyes catching the golden beams of sunlight flitting in through the windows. She seemed a woman of power, and Jaycee's bow was deep. In the style of the orientals, he maintained eye contact throughout the bow, and straightened slowly.
"
Nice to meet you Professor Kae.. Kayline.". Her name had an odd sound, and Jaycee wasn't sure he had pronounced it right. "
Oh well." he thought. "
I am, indeed a new student. I was looking for the admissions office, to check in... Could you tell me where it is Professor?" his quiet tones carried through the hall.
As he spoke, his own slender fingered hand rose to shake hers. A firm but quick handshake was Jaycee's signature, and he believed that it reflected something about him. He had noticed most merchants had a very weak handshake, and seemed to be less than forwards. As his hand closed about the woman's he realized that he stood more than a half head above her. Why did he have to be so tall...
~[aureae lachrymae]~:
((Pft! She looks about 27ish...middle aged... icon_gonk.gif ))
As she approached the young man, for boy he was not, despite her first impression, he bowed deeply to her and she knew from whom he was trained without any words on the subject. Her travels had taken her to all ends of the earth and his mannerisms were familiar.
She laughed softly, liltingly. "There's not any admissions office, my dear! Have you your dormitory information? If so, that is all you should need. On it you should find the required classes and available electives. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of your name....?"
JayceeMendaci:
((=P People didn't live as long back then. Or he hasn't seen it. ))
The woman's laughter surprised him. Confusion flashed through his eyes for the briefest moment before he inclined his head in acknowledgement. Whe he raised it again, his impassive expression had returned.
"Very well. And I do have my dormitory and class assignments..." he turned and glanced in the general direction his first class had been "
Actually, I just finished my first class. And my apologies Professor. I'm Jaycee."
His eyes took on the pleasant half smile he used when dealing with people. It was impossible to keep a flat face, but to keep a fixed expression was quite doable. And, it made people think he was friendly. Always a good thing. "
If I might ask, what do you teach here Professor?". Talking about himself made him uneasy, so Jaycee attempted to turn the subject of conversation.
~[aureae lachrymae]~:
((She's actually way older, but meh, we'll leave it alone icon_wink.gif ))
"Jaycee, nice to meet you." She said, noticing the flash of confusion on his face and hoping she hadn't done something to bring that look on. She looked at him for a moment, reguarding his appearance before responding. "I teach Herbology, more focusing on healing abilities than any other speciality. Do you know much of herbal lore, Jaycee?" She was always interested in finding those who had potential... "And if i may ask, where do you come from to our humble institution?"
JayceeMendaci:
((I guessed. But when all you've seen is overworked servants, and women in bars... yeah, she's middle aged))
Jaycee nodded slowly as she spoke about her career, and stopped upon her question
"No, I'm afraid not. I remember a few things that we're not supposed to eat, or touch, and a few things that it's alright to eat... but that's all. I'm hoping to learn more, but it will have to wait until my other elective classes end". He kept his tone in line with the pleasant half smile in his eyes. On the thin grey line between amused and neutral.
"
It must be wonderful, to have the ability to save people" he mused, almost as much for himself as for her. It would be wonderful to be a healer. Her question registered and his mouth smiled slightly, a social gesture that was helpful if not sincere "
And I'm from the north of here. Close to the coasts. But it's.. he paused for a moment, his dark eyes unfathomable "
It's been a long time since I've been there."
~[aureae lachrymae]~:
She caught the hint of pain in that brief hesitation and she wished she could make it fade away. Unfortunately those kinds of hurt would only fade with time, if ever. She nodded slowly. "Well, i look forward to your being a student of mine someday, perhaps i could show you a bit more than what to avoid." She thought a moment on his comment about saving people and smile deeply again, on the verge of another small laughe. "I don't know about all of that," she said modestly, "but yes, it is very useful to aid those in need. And if you have the gift for it, not only can you heal, but one could possibly enhance and augment the abilities of a comrade..." She got a far away look in her eyes as her mind wandered off on that possibility... She shook her head slightly and brougth her eyes to rest on Jaycee's again. "Well, what have you got to do this afternoon?"
JayceeMendaci:
"
She's very perceptive, you'd better stop making mistakes" whispered his mind. For some reason, that amused Jaycee. The warm expression around his eyes strengthened, and his social smile became a real one.
"
I look forwards to that day as well. Knowing that mushrooms dripping green ooze will kill you if eaten is hardly helpful. " his tone was also warmed by the amusement he felt. In the back of his mind, a little voice whispered "
It's not really that funny".
Ignoring the voice, Jaycee listened to the professor instead. "
Augment people... how would you do that " he wondered. She seemed to think about it sincerely for a moment before asking him a question. "
I'm not sure, actually. I found my first class on accident, but my other classes... I don't know when they are.". Memories of lessons learned thinned his smile slightly "
Why do you ask?". His tone was still warm, and his dark eyes still smiled from behind a few strands of hair that had escaped his tight ponytail, but his mind had stopped laughing at itself.
~[aureae lachrymae]~:
"Just curious, i suppose. There's a lot to get to know about this school, and coming back from a class, i thought you might have homework or some such thing to attend to..." Her voice trailed off as her thoughts wandered again. She giggled softly, belatedly at the mushroom comment, thinking that such a thing would probably be useful if applied correctly... "If you've nothing else to do and are looking for a distraction, i might be able to find a use for you." She looked at him, a very faint gleam in her eyes.
JayceeMendaci:
"
Oh, I do have homework, but I'm fairly sure that most of the other students have to do the same thing as me. I'm thinking of asking several to the village sometime later to pick up some of the things we might need. ". He squinted one eye and raised the other eyebrow slightly, as if he were plotting some impish act "
If I can get to know the other students that is".
"
Still, distractions are always welcome when it comes to homework. What would you have in mind?". He locked his dark eyes onto hers, meeting her gaze, as a small confidant smile creeped over the thin one that had been lingering there before. New things were always exciting, and Jaycee was not one to back down from a challenge.
((Also, sadly, I have college classes shortly v.v Won't be able to do much 'till after I get back from 'em))
~[aureae lachrymae]~:
"Really?" She tapped her finger on her jaw bone thoughtfully. "Well, if you do end up getting that group together, let me know; i've a supply list of my own if they're heading into town...no point in making two trips after all." Then, seeing the look in his eyes, she thought harder about her task. "Well, distractions are all fine and good, but i'd be remiss in my profession if i encouraged putting off your work. Come see me when you're finished with it, and i'll certainly have need of your assistance, being as tall ast you are." With that, she bowed slightly, gracefully, and stepped back from him a pace.
(('s cool. I think we'll finish this later, then, okay?))
JayceeMendaci:
"
I'll be sure to let you know if I get something going.". Some of the amusedness dropped from Jaycee's tone, replaced with hints of sincerity. "
And I don't think you'll have to wait terribly long for most of my homework. Thank god, papers have always been easy for me.". Amusement at some hidden memory flicked through his large eyes for a moment. "
In any case, lets hope I can help more than hinder. And it was a pleasure meeting you Professor".
As she flowed back a step, Jaycee bowed once more. "
This is definitely a person who could be interesting to know" his mind remarked. With a farewell smile, Jaycee wheeled about, and headed for the door. Occasionally people remarked how sharp and graceless his movements were, but Jaycee thought of them as effecient. As he reached the door, he turned enough to glance back at the professor, and bowing slightly, he slipped out.
((Sounds good. Look forward to it. Don't have too much fun without me though
eek ))
~[aureae lachrymae]~:
Seccina acknowledged his farewell and took herself back to her book and began to read it again, with a new thought about it how to augment abilities. It might be a new and useful tangent to take the students on later in the year....
wolfiso:
Mackenzie stepped into the castle. Her first impression was cold, even through her shoes she could feel the icy marble, only marble echoed quite like that. She quickly made her way through the main foyer, and into the common room. The marble in the second room was no better, but the soft area in the center was a comfortable repreive. She felt a slight warmth off to one side that could have been the residue of a fire in a fireplace, or a person. She heard a page turn and room echoed for her. Definitely a person. Hoping she wouldn't disturb them, Mackenzie made her way through the room to the dining hall.
JayceeMendaci:
Organized, that's what many people had once called the young man making his way across the grounds between his dorm and the V.A.L. building. He never thought so, but now he felt quite the opposite. "
The Libraries are in there, and I needed to check out some books for my classes... and maybe see what else they have". This thought stopped him in his tracks for a moment "
Well, I guess I head back". With that, Jaycee turned and made his way back into the main hall.
It's majestic appearance barely registered this time, instead of gazing at the portraits and carvings, his large eyes searched for signs and directions. Pushing down the hall into the commons building, Jaycee noted the professor and the little blind elf he had run into earlier. Rather than running all over and making a fool of himself, asking for directions seemed in order.
"
Excuse me, and sorry to bother you again Professor, but could you point out the library?" his soft tones broke the silence. With a slight nod towards Mackenzie and a small smile, "
Would you care to join me? Since you said you needed a visual..." "And you're blind" his mind finished silently. Jaycee's quiet voice trailed off, realizing that it might be offensive to her, saying that out loud. "
She probably can do it alone" his mind whispered. but his words were different. "
Anyways, I'd be honored if you'd join me, I'm still very new to the idea of magic, and I'm not sure I understand some things yet.".
"
Appeal to what she can do, don't make her feel bad about what she can't" his mind chuckled at him "
Good for making friends, but denying the truth never helps people". His own mental reply was quick "
Not denying any truths, but she can't help that she's blind, why point it out?". His skeptical side remained silent, and Jaycee realized that the pleasant masking smile had been pulled up into his eyes. "
Yeah, no matter how fast my mind works, it's best not to have monolouges with oneself when others are around..."
wolfiso:
At first Mackenzie didn't realize she was whom Jaycee was adressing. However when he mentioned needing a visual, it was pretty clear. She smiled and said "thank you. I will."
He called that other person PROFFESOR. I wonder what she teaches... She shifted nervously from one foot to the other as she considered her position and waited for the proffesor to answer his question. She was very happy to have someone to study with, someone to help her where she came up short...no need to dwell on that. She'd brooded quite enough for one day.
~[aureae lachrymae]~:
Seccina was absorbed in what she had been reading and it took a long moment for anything that had passed in the hall to register with her. She looked up to see a girl waiting and Jaycee looking expectantly at her. She set her book down and rose to lead them both into the library. ((See library))
JayceeMendaci:
Mackenzie's cloudy grey eyes were still slightly unnerving, sightless as they were. The impression that she was seeing on a different level was hard to shake. However, when she spoke, her otherwordliness seemed to diminish a little. Her short speech and shy tone both made her seem more a little girl than a mystical elven creature in Jaycee's eyes. He knew that she couldn't see it, but his lips curled into a small pleased smile, and he gave the slightest of bows "
No, thank you...".
Stepping back a pace as the professor moved into the library, Jaycee held out his hand, indicating that Mackenzie should go. Guessing that his hand's gesture was meaningless, he sent his soft words into the quiet hall "
Ladies first". A deeply engraved set of manners had made him the laughingstock of many inns, but he felt some things were worth preserving. A sense of class was one of those things, and elves in his mind were consigned to nobility.
wolfiso:
Mackenzie smiled and strode forward. Altogether she was beginning to greatly like his fellow. Her experiences with well mannered men was mostly made up of boys at this school. Her travels with Rae had rarely entered into polite society and when it did even the polite ones had been rather snide. Jaycee's words and manner while not altogether foreign to her, were rare.
Perhaps there's something in the water. She raised a hand to cover her smile as she chuckled to herself. Following the sound of the proffesor's footsteps (not altogether a simple task, marble makes echoes) she was led through the dining hall and into the library. She made a mental note of the location and the sound the heavy wooden doors made to footsteps.
((AAAAAAAND WERE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!!.... o.O see ya'll in the library.))
JayceeMendaci:
((The wonderful wizard of Oz... I hate that song. Anyways, if you're too lazy to go find the library, it's
here))
It was amazing to see how a slight compliment perked up the little elf. From moving like a timid little mouse, her blind steps became as confidant as Jaycee's. "
Too many people in this world think only about themselves, they never bother to compliment others" he thought as he started to fall in behind her.
Suddenly he skidded to a stop. His mahogany eyes widened slightly. He remembered this. The little elf's amused look, the way the dust motes danced in the library beyond her. Even the angle of the green library doors seemed perfectly familiar. Forcing himself to fall in behind Mackenzie, Jaycee blinked rapidly several times before his face fell back into its typical semi amused state.
"This... is so strange" he thought to himself, he was remembering this scene as if from a dream he had once dreamt. But he couldn't remember what happened next...
Pushing the odd trick his mind had just played aside, Jaycee followed Professor Kaeline and Mackenzie back into the library. It was probably just some magical thing he knew nothing of. Thinking of magic turned his mind back to what lay ahead, and his hand dropped into his pocket as he walked. His shard was still there, smooth and cool. Soon he would unlock its meaning...
