IA: A Teacher for Laynie

[Rystil Arden]

"Ah, so you're her guardian...my friend Truman is an orphan too. I can't imagine how it must feel to grow up without a mother and father to care for you. I'm so sorry..." Elektra frowns slightly, then her lips perk up slightly, "Tell you what--why don't I get you an introductory primer to read? Would you like that, Laynie?"

"I dunno--what's that?"

"Basically just a beginner's book for people who want to learn magic."

"Well okay--I guess so."

*Elektra leads them through wings of the library that contain historical annals, planar codexes, and mystic grimoires, eventually stopping at a particular book, which she takes off the shelf.*

"Riana Kenp's Elements of Magic should do nicely. Take a look, Laynie."

*Elektra hands the book to the little girl, who opens it up and begins to read it carefully.*

"Wow! This book is easy, but its fun. Look--they talk about gathering mystic energies!"

 

[Bront]

"She was reading Advanced Studies in Thaumaturgy a few weeks ago, but if it interests her, that will do," he says.

"And I didn't miss out on much. Had my family, even if they weren't my blood," Vanitri says.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Advanced Studies in Thaumaturgy, eh? Well, much of that probably went over her head without basic information of thaumaturgy first. I seem to remember that the author's supercilious tone implies that thaumaturgy is the one true form of magic, and thus Ars Conjurium is a better text for advanced summoning technique."

"Oh, but you don't care, I'm sure...I'm glad your family was able to be there for you. We have always tried to make Truman feel like he has a family here, but his tragedy has left him pretty angsty, you know?"

 

[Bront]

"Well, the best way to learn is to read as much and sort through what works best for you, right?"

"And I guess it's all how you're raised. Blood never means much as family to the 'folk."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Well, I guess you may be right. If you grow up with a loving family as if it was normal, it will probably be the same either way. Truman wasn't so lucky though. His father was a Higborne, but when he died, his foster family never treated him like a son."

"But let's not talk of orphaning--let's focus on the Academy instead! Do you have any questions for me so far? Would you like to see the Mordrue living quarters while we're nearby, or shall we head over to the magical artifact laboratories?"

 

[Bront]

"The living quarters sound lovely."

"Enjoying the book Laynie? Have you learned anything?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Elektra nods and heads to the front of the library, where she waits for Laynie to finish her page and then gently takes the book to a librarian to check it out, returning it back to the little girl when she is done. She then proceeds past the library to a big tower, where stairs spiral upwards, with statues and paintings in an early Medibarians style off to the sides.*

"On the next floor, we'll be passing by the Mordrue commons. I can't get us in there unless we pass by one of my friends in Mordrue or someone else who will let us in. Let me look along the stairs and hallways for someone."

"Well, looks like all magic is made up of different elements that sufooz our world from the ememental towers. Wizards compose them together to create powerful magical effects, and there's also crazy music men who think they can use it to try to find the 'Music of Creation' or something like that."

 

[Bront]

"It will be entertaining to see. Just how many students do they pack in here?" Vanitri asks.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Oh, not too many. The Academy was built to house the masses of students that we once had in the old days, so there's always plenty of free space now. Of course, they use some of that space for other things--for instance, they give graduates who continue their studies their own fairly spacious rooms--but the living quarters still aren't too cramped. I imagine it was an extremely tight fit during Medibaria's golden age, at least if the numbers in the annals are accurate."

"Oh look over there--hold on guys."

"Hey, Jyrad!" Elektra calls out as she heads over to a boy in white and orange robes.

*Jyrad glances up from the book he was reading while walking. Somewhat plump and awkward-looking, his cheeks flush as Elektra turns her attention to him.*

"Y..yes?"

"I'm taking these people on a tour. Would you be a dear and let us into the Mordrue Commons?"

"S..sure," he heads over to a strange-looking mirror on the floor's landing and shakily inscribes an arcane mark with the tip of his wand. The mirror glows with blue energy, and he turns back to glance at Elektra to see if she and the others are coming.

"He doesn't talk much--he's a first-year, and a bit shy even considering," Elektra whispers to her charges, "It may not look like it, but that mirror is the entrance to the Mordrue Commons. You just walk through it while it's glowing, okay? Don't be afraid of the magic."

 

[Bront]

Vanitri chuckles, "Certaintly interesting. Let's go Laynie."

He walks through the mirror.