Fable - Ask The Wonders of Studying in the Sun

[Suleiman Askari]

"You're a pal," said Suleiman to Atticus. And he was. Always there for you, Atticus, hence why he was so vexed about not having brought a chair for Svenia. He was probably still kicking himself over that, neatly explaining the spot of sullenness that had come over him.

Suleiman, like the others, took to his studies for a time. As much as the College was about learning one's gift and harnessing it, equally, it seemed to Suleiman, was it about scholarly pursuits. On that point, one of the Maesters did put it very well to him: "Suleiman," he had said, "people will look to you for more than merely magic. You must be wise in all kinds of lore—and if you do not know the answer, you must know where you can find it." His education in Maraan had been one thing. But this, here in Elbion? This was a whole other beast!

Noticing Aiko's skill, Svenia, then, inquired of them all.

"Oh!" Suleiman exclaimed, excited that she would ask, and more excited to tell, "Maester Rashidor really helped me! He thinks I have an aptitude for wind magic, and I'd say he's right: I blew all the air out of my dorm the other day. I almost choked before air rushed back in, buuuuuut...hey, that's a start!"

Aiko Svenia Albrecht Atticus

 

[Aiko]

It took Aiko a moment for the comment to register in her head. Had Svenia meant that in relation to her changing the ink's color? Was such a thing difficult? Aiko listened as Sulieman explained his discovery at the wind, and even confessed the aid of a Maester. Aiko pondered if she should also try to find a mentor. Who? She had a fondness for the maester of the Shapecraft class, but there was the matter of his younger brother . . .

"It is funny for me to hear you say such Svenia. I have had similar thoughts of each of you." Aiko said, trying to line her words with warmth rather than seem chiding. "I have much experience changing colors of ink, tying ribbons, warming tea and other such chores with magic, but little experience in what seems to fill our actual coursework." She confessed. Her talents were useful for keeping her room and writing papers, but would not help her when course practicums came about. She had some concerns on keeping up with the humans. She knew that she many more seasons at her back than the humans, but tried not to bring attention to it.

A realization entered the girl's mind.

"Sulieman, you are not very funny." She said flatly, hoping the young Maraani was trying to make a joke.

Svenia Albrecht Atticus Suleiman Askari

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

She didn't say anything at first. She did not use magic as freely as many of her peers. But it was always there, lurking in the back of her mind - the potential. If that potential didn't include some other, less desirable things then she might have called upon it more.

She raised a brow at Suleiman's comment.

"I didn't think you could ever run out of air, Suleiman," she said a little tartly. And then she giggled to herself. It wasn't a very nice thing to say of a person. Except when it came to Suleiman - whom was known for stirring up his own brand of trouble and regretting it on the daily - it was certainly apt. Especially with what he was saying more than doing, half the time. "Though, you might get in less trouble if you could..."

Decidedly not very nice, but very definitely funny. Giggles turned to full laughter, mirth lighting her features as tears came to her eyes.

 

[Atticus]

Atticus listened to his classmates, but the need to speak of his own magical ability was one he didn't wish to speak of. Not yet... he knew it would open up the potential for questions and he didn't want to provide the answers.

He cleared his throat.

"I like how difficult some classes can be. You know, some of those lessons are so easy to pick up, but then the moment you're faced with something a little difficult?" He sucked his teeth before grimacing. "Hard work. Worth it once you are successful... but I think I like that. Learning different approaches to get the result you want."

 

[Suleiman Askari]

Aiko seemed to take what he said as jest, but it was true! He really did blow all the air out of his room—and it was probably a good thing his roommate wasn't in there at the time.

Svenia had her say, laughing herself to tears as it were, and Suleiman took full advantage. He thrust both his hands out toward Svenia, as if presenting her as prime evidence, and said to Aiko, "Sure I am. Look! Svenia thinks I'm funny."

Learning different approaches to get the result you want, said Atticus. He was talking about magic, but hey, that had to work for people too.

Spurred by this comment, Suleiman said further to Aiko, "I bet we could get Yue to laugh. She's your roommate, right? Yeah. You and me. I bet we could. I don't know if I've seen her smile. You know: a real smile. Where it scrunches up your eyes too."

Like Svenia over there, being giggly; her smile reached her eyes alright.

Aiko Svenia Albrecht Atticus

 

[Aiko]

Though the young Maraani provoked a chuckle in Svenia, Aiko gave him no such quarter. She found no humor in the man purposefully provoking such danger. She noticed that Atticus had changed from her expectation in his response. His tone a bit more serious, somber. She had expected him a bit more aloof, playful. Not quite to the Sulieman's extent, but not speaking with the same he did just a moment ago.

Sulieman did not allow the conversation back to school work, questioning the elf on her roommate. Aiko's face bore a small frown at the remark.

"I'm afraid not, though you're not the first to think so." Aiko responded. "Dornoch and my people, I believe it is 'Coastal Elves' in your tongue, share some common history. Those days are long past though. There were . . . significant disagreements shall we say." Aiko continued. Specifically they disagreed vehemently on who should lead the household, and govern generally. Being Dornochi Atticus might have known that Aiko's clan expected her to live a life of service rather than control or freedom. But he might not have. Even her grandfather had not seen Donoch, and he was approaching his seventh century.

"My roommate goes by Lissa. If you've seen her it's likely at the training hall." She said. "She has a reputation as a fighter that is well earned but she is kind if you meet her outside the ring." Aiko continued. The girl was skilled and enjoyed sparring as a hobby. She was oft compared to the Dreadlord trainees, though Aiko had heard her speak of the true skill difference between her and the true mage-soldiers.

"What of your roommates? Was everyone else assigned by chance as well?"

 

[Svenia Albrecht]

It was more of a struggle to master herself than she cared to admit, but she managed it. "The lessons are fantastic," she said. But she would not speak of her own insecurities that those classes laid bare all too often. She did not like to think of the moments of lost control. The history they taught at the school was a wonder to learn, and practical lessons in other things she did not care as much about were at least interesting.

Working on her ability to call upon magic, though? That had become a secret terror.

"I was roomed with Yue, yes," Svenia said. She was all of as sudden more serious. First impressions counted for a lot, and the girl had certainly come across as cold at the outset. But now, she was certain what to think of Yuebing. "I don't know if she has a smile in her. She is... serious."

There were unplumbed depths to Yuebing. Svenia herself did not have the best social skills, given her self imposed isolation. Yuebing got to see the more fragile side of her. And that being said, revealed little to nothing of what her thoughts were. Yuebing had been well trained in keeping a mask on. "I don't know what to think." She paused a moment, then looked to Aiko. "Lissa is bluntly honest, at least."