Dangerous Lessons: Study Group | 2-22-99

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

Ileemi sits on the edge of a fountain in a little courtyard of the Stormshadow complex. It’s winter all around the courtyard and the coastal wind is very chilling, but inside the courtyard the blooms and butterflies suggest a more spring type setting. In fact it’s not cold in the courtyard. It’s enchanted to be spring all year. Ileemi has removed both his cloak and coat which are draped on a bench not too far from him. He is wearing a dark green today, but of a fine fabric suggesting he or his family have some wealth. He wears a loose undershirt of an off white, but which has green designs in a vine pattern embroidered on the collar and down the sleeves. Over this he wears a brown, leather jerkin. His breeches are of a muted brown color that compliments the shade of green his coat and cloak are, the same green that’s on his shirt.

He has one of their school books open on the stone raised portion of the fountain at which he sits. He’s turned to see the book and looks down at it intently. There is a quiz coming up in two days and it was mentioned in class the day before yesterday that a study session just after noon in this very courtyard would be a good idea. Ileemi is the only one there besides the furry little quoll that is cured up in the heap that is his coat and cloak.

[Paris Shikara]

Paris entered the garden at a fairly brisk pace. He was a smart kid, but he always studied as much as he could. And since a study group also meant some social interaction with a select few class mates he was no less than happy to attend. Any excuse to come down from Cliff Heights was always welcome with him, despite his love of reading and his family it did on occasion get boring in the castle. Immediately after entering however, he quickly unfastened his scarlet and gold velvet cloak, which was much too warm to wear in the magically induced spring setting before him. He wore black breeches, and a white cotton shirt with a velvet brocade scarlet and gold vest with pure gold buttons.

He took off the satchel that was around him as well, which had his books in it. Menora had enchanted them so they wouldn’t weigh him down as much. He knew she wouldn’t be coming because when she studied she preferred to do it alone in the library within the complex. She wasn’t a recluse, it was just the way she preferred it. After a moment he took a seat near Ileemi, and took out his book; however before reading he looked at the young sorcerer who had begun to become rather fond of.

“Hey there Ileemi,” he said warmly, in his usual kind tone.

[Avera Yenis]

The courtyard turned out to be the best place to study, and Avery liked to study. Not due to a love for it but a drive. She wished to succeed as best she could. Make her mark as most of her family was aspiring to. Her brothers thus far were set upon their paths at an early age, and now it was her turn. Her sisters remained at home, in Awdia. There they would make excellent marriages as her parents so wished, perhaps a rich and powerful family. If her father's lord had son’s she was certain they would all be married to them. These were thoughts that she often wondered upon, but nothing serious came of them. Avery had no desire for marriage, at least not at this time in her life. She wished an education.

Her steps carried her pass a few students from other classes. Her head tilted back, asserting herself as a student. She did not wish to be looked upon as the weaker one in the class, demure and antisocial. Though she was not very sure that camaraderie amongst her large family was considered as anything more. Family was family, you get along with them and then you don’t. As far as making friends, that was the uncertain part of coming here.

Her light gaze drifted for a place along one of the benches or the ledge of the fountain. It was then that she saw two boys from her class. She would make her way toward them. So far they had a weeks worth of classes together, and at least knew one another’s names. She would try and befriend them. What else could happen?

She approached from behind Paris, and tilting her head to the side, looking around Paris’ shoulder and looking to Ileemi. “Hello Ileemi, Paris.” She said, looking from one to the other. “Studying for the quiz?”

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

Hey there, Target. Ileemi smiles up briefly at Paris and then looks around as if to see if anyone else is there yet, like he was so caught up in his book that he wouldn’t have noticed anyone come in. “You alone?” No sooner has he asked the question then does he see Avera come to join them. He frowns a bit but the frown does not linger long. His expression is mostly emotionless. In fact no one in class has probably even seen him smile, he’s always so serious.

“Greetings, Avera. We are indeed studying. Please join us.” Not really.

[Paris Shikara]

Paris didn’t bother to answer Ileemi’s question. The young son of the Duke did note the frown, but he didn’t assume it was because he’d had vicious content. He thought it was, perhaps a bit too hopefully, that Ileemi was a little attracted to him and wanted to be alone with him. It was true that Paris might want to be alone with Ileemi, so it wasn’t too far-fetched. That was not to say he was angry Avery showed up… he knew other would be around, as the word group often implied.

“Hello Avera,” Paris said just after Ileemi, “Adjusting to life in Serenity well?”

[Avera Yenis]

Avera curled her books against her chest, tapping her chin against it for a moment before speaking upon being noticed. At first she was not sure she was welcomed. But most people in her class were pretty much in the same boat as she was. New to the class, though she was certain that many had heard of one another. She was not so lucky in that sense for she was an unknown. Coming from Awdia, in Semea, did not mean much in the eyes of most nobles.

She would nod to the offer of joining them to study. There were many things she wanted to learn from those in her class. Her father often told her to keep an open mind and eye to those that she can learn from. She offered a smile and stepped forward, pausing only when Paris spoke to her. “Hello Paris…” She turned to Ileemi. And yes I am, at least so far.”

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

“Just keep your head down and don’t get into any trouble and you won’t end up in the arena.” Ileemi smiles softly to her then reaches down for his open book.

He holds the book in his lap, but tilts is to they can see what page he’s on. “I’m having trouble understanding this vampire section of lore. Could one of you explain to me the difference between the undead and the living?” He thinks about the last vampire he encountered, which was either a moroii or a dhampir. He didn’t take the time at that moment to check and knows full well the differences. He needs to underplay himself though so he won’t seem like a threat.

[Paris Shikara]

“The living vampires are the masters of the undead ones, so I’d say one of the primary differences is will. Living vampires have one, whereas the undead don’t. They’re just peons. And as far as that goes, the undead are really the only vampires anyone notices… I don’t think anyone in my entire family has even ever seen one of the living.”

Paris had read about vampires in the library, and imparted what he knew without any form of self-gratification. Despite his nobility, he didn’t try to act like a know-it-all, even though if at times, he was. The only vampires he’d ever heard of from his family were the undead, which some of his Dupree cousins had come upon when vacationing in Ashlika. H

“Anything you might be able to add, Avera?”

[Avera Yenis]

Avera looked down at the book in Ileemi’s hand. She tilted her head to read it better, also shuffling her feet so that she was about to come around to Ileemi’s right side. Stepping about Paris as he spoke to Ileemi. ~Vampires~ She did not think there a different between the two.

When Paris directed his question to her. Avera simply paused, looking up from the book and Ileemi. “Will is something that all have. Regardless of them being dead or undead.” She said, looking to Paris to see if what she said was okay. She did not wish to appear conceited by any means before them.

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

“Now see, that’s what is confusing me. The book makes it sound like both of you are right. See it says here, that undead appear to not have wills of their own unless there’s no master, but wouldn’t a creature either have a will or not have one? And then this little debate box,” he points to a section in the book that has a different color of background as the rest of the book, “shows that different scholars don’t even agree on this subject. So what am I supposed to know for the test?”

[Paris Shikara]

Paris didn’t even think to contradict Avera, as being quite the little scholar he knew that everyone would have a different take, and no one was ever completely right. That’s why he didn’t worry like Ileemi seemed to. It didn’t seem like it was that hard to figure out either, and so he voiced the opinion.

“Well it would seem that the answer would be the existence or nonexistence of their will is cirucumstantial. However, I’m sure the professor wouldn’t expect a polar answer. He’s a lore-master and master wizard, he’s sure to know there are always many conflicting answers to a single question.”

[Avera Yenis]

Avera had to agree with Paris. She had read much but then very little. Strange that what was written as truth depended upon who it was that wrote the books. She had heard that some lore books had been written by vampires to confuse others about the truths of their clans. But there was much debate upon that even being true.

She had come about to Ileemi’s right side and settled into a slight bend. Her slender finger came to touch the page of his book. Reading what Ileemi had just enlightened them upon. “this would be the point of the class, to come up with your opinion and apply it to these already formed ideals.”

[NPC]

“Oh hey, here they are!” Marialy enters the courtyard and walks right up to the trio that are actually trying to study. How boring for them. Her cousin Rineth follows right behind her and rolls her eyes as they enter the courtyard. Rineth follows Mari up to the trio. Mari wears brown pants that fit over her black boots. She has a back lacing corset in a light green color that is seam bound in a darker green, but otherwise not very ornate. The corset is well boned and fits very close to her, pushing her little chest assets up, but they are covered by a brown shirt. The neck of the shirt can be worn more open, but due to the cold she has it laced all the way up. She wears a simple brown coat over all this that is long and open at the moment. She also wears gloves and a scarf in green that matches her corset to protect from the cold.

“Oh how boring! Don’t you know there are duels to watch?” Rineth is a little exaggerated with her movements. Today she wear black leather boots that go up to the bottom of her knee and have many buckles all the way down them. The boots also have large soles and big square heels. Her legs are covered by dark blue tights with a little overskirt over them. The overskirt is real short on the left side and on the right hangs below the top of the boots. It’s got a little appliqué trim in pink to look like upside down petals over the lighter blue fabric of the skirt. She has on a dark blue waist cincher that has light blue trims and a pink braided cord laced up the front to hold it on. She has on a pink shirt with ruffles around the collar and cuffs and has blousy sleeves. Since it’s very cold out today over all this she has a crocheted shawl that is of a dark blue yarn with little gold metallic shimmers in it. Two little charms hang from the points of the shawl, these charms are in the shapes of magic runes which is a good indication the shawl is enchanted to keep the wearer warm and is why Rineth doesn’t need a coat or more layers.

Marialy picks her target and goes straight to Paris. She takes him by the arm, wrapping her arm into his as if he were about to escort her. “Come on, Let’s study later. Aral Voashos and Riley Dupree are about to fight and you know how rare it is to see Riley in the arena anymore.”

“Besides, Tristal and Siwel are already there saving us seats.” Rineth adds reaching out for Avera to join them too, but reaching for Avera’s hands with her own, arms outstretching, not in the same flirting way Mari is doing. If she takes Avera’s hands, she’d just lead her away from the book and then let go.

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

“No!” Ileemi stands up suddenly and shuts the book, which he accidently does with so much force it closes very loudly. He looks away when everyone turns to look at him (which they undoubtedly will) and clears his throat as if a little embarrassed. “I think we should study.” He gives a little shrug. “I need help understanding this stuff. Avera can go, she’s never seen a duel before, but Paris should stay and help me.” It’ll be so much easier if I can get him alone.

[Paris Shikara]

Paris wasn’t surprised by Mari or Rineth, they we always so excitable, and when they mentioned the names he wasn’t surprised. Riley Dupree rarely dueled, being quite the veteran and one of the masters at the Dueling Academy. It was something to get excited about. He didn’t move with Mari right away however, for just as he was being risen from his sitting position he heard the slam of Ileemi’s book. His head turned quickly, taken aback by the sudden noise and declaration from such a usually calm young man.

The young lord didn’t think anything of it, though after hearing the rest of Ileemi’s statement, as there was nothing wrong with being passionate about school and study. And normally, he would have gladly stayed and studied with Ileemi. Riley Dupree didn’t just duel every day, and he had rarely gotten to see his uncle in action. “How about we all go to the duel, and then after I’ll go and study with you Ileemi. Then everyone’s happy.”

[Avera Yenis]

Avera had been too engrossed in the book to notice Rineth and Marialy had entered the courtyard. Her finger moved along the page as she read on. This book was a little different then the few she had in her room. Perhaps she could loan the books to him for help in any subjects she might have trouble with latter in the semester. It was only when Rineth came to her and took her by the hand that she even realized that there was anyone else there. She turned her head to look at Rineth and offered a smile. She had not even heard the offer of them going to see a duel. In fact she had never been. Sure she had seen her brothers fight, but duelist, never.

Part of her wanted to go and the bigger part of her wanted to study, help Ileemi if he wished it, but study all the more. The slam of Ileemi’s book got her attention as her finger had just been moved away from it. Not that it would have hurt, but all the more Ileemi’s sudden mood change was indeed strange to her.

Ileemi’s dismissal of her was rather apparent. Avera allowed Rineth to take her in the direction that the duels were to take place. Dropping her hand once they had started out of the courtyard, with her looking at Paris and Ileemi behind her. Paris’ invite to Ileemi and the promise to study after caused her to add in. “You can borrow my books from home. There is more information in them that might help you with the topic.”

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

Marialy grins triumphantly at Ileemi as if it had been a game where they were both trying to get their way and she’d won. “Yes, Ileemi. We’ll study after the duel. Don’t be such a killjoy.” She wrinkles her nose at him and guides Paris further away and with Rineth guiding Avera and Avera going no one else sees her turn back to look at Ileemi and stick her tongue out at him.

When Avera turns back to look at him and offer him her books she won’t see Marialy’s taunt, but will see Ileemi’s reaction. His fists are clenched at his side –one still holding the book- and his eyes are narrowed in the direction of Mari and Paris. He normally doesn’t have any problem with people pushing his buttons but this is a delicate mission that he needs desperately to work out. He doesn’t want to think about how much of a stopper it’ll put in his secret career if he fails.

Avera’s words sink in and he looks toward her, his expression softening greatly to once more show his more stoic features. “Thank you for your offer.”

In truth he already knows a great deal but has to keep a low profile. He’s never cared about that before, but he’s not sure how well he’ll do with Mari taunting him. Though in his organization, even almost letting someone push your buttons is too much. His cover has to be maintained at all times.

He doesn’t comment anymore on studying or the duel, but he dons his coat and cloak, and gathers his books to follow the rest of them. The little furry quoll stretches as he puts on his winter garb. The quoll is a little big to sit on his shoulder, but he has a small pull along cart. The cart has a little compartment at the bottom where Ileemi puts his books and in the top of it is a little bed for the quoll to ride in. There is even a little canvas roof and curtains to keep out the cold, the curtains are open right now though so the quoll can see out.

He has to go. He can't let the target out of his site for very long, any moment might be the right moment to strike and he has to be ready.