Private Tales Summer and the River

[Atticus]

One of the classes they were to undertake in the first year was History of Elbion, and as the College was open to all that came from here and all over, there was a day free for the students to go explore. They were given sheets of parchment with questions they had to fill out during the day, all asking questions of what they saw along the section of the map they were permitted to wander in.

Work could be done in pairs, and Atticus was grinning by the time he came up to Svenia's side. "You've got a piece of parchment, and I am without one. Want to partner up today?"

The weather was pleasant, and the sun out in full force. It was scorching if left too long in the sun, but Atticus knew for better comfort, it was best that Svenia be given a seat he could wheel around. The College had been able to source and provide such a mode of transport for Svenia. Atticus scratched the back of his neck, ruffling his hair that fell there. "I know you want to do things on your own, but I truly don't mind... helping you. Besides, you get to enjoy seeing some parts of the city better and not..." dealing with pain, he had wanted to say.

He knew this inability to walk like the rest of the class made others not wish to partner with Sven, but Atticus was never someone to see a problem. Perhaps it was his greatest advantage and his greatest downfall, the ability to fix a problem he saw. "I just... wanted you to have some fun today." He smiled.

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

She sat for a minute after class was dismissed for the assignment, staring into the middle distance. School, it turned out, was nothing like what she expected. It was entirely unlike the private tutoring she had received courtesy of a high-born and wealthy upbringing. Going into it, she had never expected the social aspect to be quite as overwhelming.

She blinked at a voice, breaking her troubled thoughts. She looked up into Atticus' earnest eyes at his question. For a moment she was unable to speak as faint color crept into her cheeks. Handsome, she thought in the privacy of her own head. As much for his fair features as for his thoughtfulness and kindness. "Er," she said and then cleared her throat. Just a touch embarrassed, a touch flustered. "Yes, that would be delightful," she managed.

She got to her feet stiffly and, staff in hand, followed.

It was early yet in the day, the weather pleasant when they reached out-of-doors. She eyed the wheeled chair curiously. She hadn't seen many of them. She cast a sidelong look at the boy, finding that fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach again. "I appreciate the gesture," she said.

In truth, she felt a little guilty. Being a burden struck at the core of who she was. She didn't like it. But she couldn't help that she had that little problem. "I've been waiting for you to show me the city, anyway," she said. A little rushed, uncertain. She offered him a tentative smile in the face of his own radiant grin. It seemed to light him from within. She knew he had troubles of his own - had skirted them, stepped in them in fact, before - but when he smiled she found it hard to believe that he was cradling some wounded part of himself out of sight.

She could relate.

"You've always been too good to me." Her eyes remained locked on his, even if her head was a touch downcast. "I just hope you don't mind that I wasn't prepared to be...out, today." Away from her frigid roommate, as it turned out.

 

[Atticus]

Atticus rolled the chair to his friend, a grin, the one he was always easily found wearing, was present on his expression as she talked about not being prepared to be out. "Not to worry, Sven."

For he believed that. This was nothing new, nothing special. Atticus saw it on the same level as holding her books, or Aiko's when she complained her arms were tired.

Elbion had plenty to explore, but it was explicitly instructed they were not to venture beyond the perimeters they were given. Their parchment sheet they had to fill out today was spelled, and if they were found crossing outside the boundaries of their excursion, the page would turn blank. That meant an incomplete assignment.

And failure of the lesson.

"You probably have better lettering than me. We probably would fail this assignment because the Maester can't read my penmanship."

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

She settled into the wheeled conveyance with a soft sigh. It was still an awkward set of movements with the usual complaint from tendon and bones at any movement at all. She was able to breath easier once the operation had been completed successfully.

"Like a clerk's," she replied lightly. "Reading and writing were the first I was taught ahead of maths. I was expected to keep it neat enough that anyone could read it. It isn't elegant, but it is functional." She had never mastered the art of calligraphy or cursive. Beautiful writing had a place, but in a world of numbers and ledgers it was best to be neat and precise.

"Though I am sure yours is fine, too. Even if it wasn't, I have seen some of our classmates penmanship." Which was to say that some of them could do with lessons from chickens.

"Where are we heading first?"

 

[Atticus]

Atticus began to wheel her out, thankful that the classroom had been on the ground floor and that they could easily leave to the outdoors.

"Right there, top of the page. The Fountain."

It took them a good hour to get into the city, but they were given the entire afternoon off from class in order to get out and explore the city. Even if he had walked these streets a few times before, Atticus was still new in terms of seeing what was around him. Following a map was simple enough, but he had no real connection to talking about the places they were walking by.

The Fountain depicted the Eleven, those that sit on the Merchant's Council.

It was the first step on their walking history tour sheet, and one that had Atticus chuckling. "Good thing Calixtus is in the other class. I bet he could pick out exactly which Merchant statue represents his family."

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

"But he probably wouldn't speak of it unless it gained him something," she said. Perhaps a touch sourly. It was too nice a day to think of someone like that particular individual. Svenia did not understand how the man thought and certainly couldn't see any of those qualities in herself.

"Although I have read some of the history of this city and its Council outside of class work, among other things." History was a part of their coursework in among the many practical lessons in magic and potion-craft. "It is amazing how different this city is from home for all of its similarities." She was looking at the first question, pen in hand.

"Do you recall the names of all the ruling families, here?" She knew them, of course. But she didn't want to make it seem like she had all the answers - especially because she did not - and it wouldn't be a very fun partner project if Atticus didn't get to participate, now would it?