A Witch's Tale IC

[NeoSeraphi]

Rachel heads to her next class. It's Chemistry in the Modern Age, a class all about how to brew potions and create alchemical extracts.

This class is taught by Alred Firestar.

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"An unfortunate aspect of potion-brewing is the potential for serious harm to the brewer. Sometimes chemicals can become volatile and spill out. That is why it's best to protect yourself with all kinds of facial gear. Mr. Thresh, will you please distribute laboratory safety equipment to the class?"

A young man enters and starts handing coats and masks out to everyone.

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"This is Varsuvius Thresh, a senior at our school who has been approved to become a new teacher after he graduates. A brilliant young man with a strong passion for alchemy. He will be assisting me with the class this semester in preparation for his new job."

The gnome bows to everyone.

[Diachronos]

Rachel sits quietly as the gnome passes out the protective gear for the class. She hadn't expected to start working with dangerous things on her first day in this class. Judging by the instructor's bandages... had he learned first-hand how dangerous alchemy could be? It wouldn't surprise her, he had to have experienced at least a few mishaps in his time if he had become a teacher.

[NeoSeraphi]

The gnome stops by Rachel's table as she works. "A simple question for you, Miss Denethar," he says, checking the class roster to learn her name. "What is the most dangerous aspect of potion-brewing to the brewer? Is it chance of explosion, exposure to toxic fumes, or possible ingestion of poisons?"

[Diachronos]

"Um..." Crap, why hadn't she studied this? She should know this! "I guess it depends on what they're brewing, doesn't it?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The gnome adjusts his glasses. "A trick question. The threat that is more severe or more likely to occur is irrelevant. Every threat is present, thus the brewer must take precaution against all three equally. My job is to help you learn potion brewing in a safe and fun environment, so neither of us can afford to think in such small-minded ways as 'which is worse?' Any harm is unacceptable. Okay?"

He smiles.

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods. "R-right." She should've known that...

[NeoSeraphi]

Her chemistry class finishes up and she heads to meet Yvette for lunch. The two of them sit down and talk a bit before Rachel finds her opening to ask about the beach trip one more time.

[Diachronos]

"Yvette, did anything bad happen on that beach trip? You seemed off when you brought it up the first time... I'm here for you if you need to get anything off your chest."

Spoiler: Diplomacy

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(1d20+7)[8]

[NeoSeraphi]

Yvette seems annoyed. "This again? Who are you, my mother? I told you nothing happened and that means nothing happened. Just drop it, okay?"

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods and doesn't say anything else aside from a timid apology. It's probably best to not bring the subject up again.

[NeoSeraphi]

After lunch, Rachel heads towards the Alpha dorm to meet with her brother.

He comes out of the dorm and sits down with her. "Hey Rachel. How are you?" he asks. Ciel is in a much better mood today, something good probably happened.

[Diachronos]

"I'm doing okay. You seem to be in a good mood. Is everything going okay?" Why is she asking, of course everything's going okay for him. He's a lot more social than she is.

[NeoSeraphi]

Ciel smiles. "Oh, I just made a couple of friends. I bet you're doing really well in all your classes though."

Yeah, she probably would have studied last night if she wasn't thinking about L - fencing.

[Diachronos]

"I'm doing alright, yes. I hear you've been helping some of the other students around campus, too."

[NeoSeraphi]

Ciel looks surprised. "You heard about that already? How? Are you having me followed or something?"

[Diachronos]

"She'd fallen and twisted her ankle. When I was taking her to the nurse, we got to talking and she'd mentioned that you'd helped her get to class."

[NeoSeraphi]

Ciel frowns. "A twisted ankle? Is she okay?"

[Diachronos]

"Yes. The nurse patched her up and she should be fine. But Mr. Schultz is also looking for an assistant to help out. It could be a good way for you to learn and practice healing magic."

[NeoSeraphi]

Ciel smiles. "Thanks Sis. I really appreciate you always looking out for me. I'll be sure to return the favor someday."

Ciel's Affection has increased!

The two part ways and Rachel heads home. Maybe tonight is the time to finally start hitting the books? She might find something new if she sneaks out again. Last night's sleep was really refreshing though.

[Diachronos]

After her lack of insight earlier, Rachel decides to spend her free time studying up for tomorrow's class. Better to get into the habit of studying now, rather than waiting right before an exam.

She thinks back to her encounter with Yvette earlier that day. With how defensive she'd gotten, it sounds like the beach trip hadn't gone well... or that something embarrassing or private had happened that she doesn't want to talk about. Either way, Rachel's done prying for now. If Yvette wants her to know, she'll say something.

[NeoSeraphi]

In the morning, Rachel wakes up to find her beloved raven has gone missing!

[Diachronos]

"Sebastian? Where did you go?" She scours the room for him, and reaches out through their empathic link. If he's within a mile of her, she should be able to sense him.

[NeoSeraphi]

She feels a sense of satisfaction and happiness.

[Diachronos]

Rachel gets dressed and heads out, trying to pinpoint her raven's location using the link.

[NeoSeraphi]

Rachel follows the link for a few minutes until she finds a small clearing where Sebastian is chirping happily.

A girl is sitting under the tree singing beautifully, and plenty of birds have gathered around her.

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"I was broken from a young age
Taking my sulking to the masses
Writing my poems for the few
That looked at me took to me, shook to me, feeling me
Singing from heart ache from the pain
Take up my message from the veins
Speaking my lesson from the brain
Seeing the beauty through the... " she sings with an intense beat.

[Diachronos]

Rachel approaches slowly, not wanting to scare the girl. "Um... excuse me?"

[NeoSeraphi]

She glances up at Rachel. "Good morning!"

The girl doesn't seem 'scared' at all. Quite the opposite actually. "You were listening to my song? What did you think?"

[Diachronos]

"I liked it. Sebastian seems to have liked it too, judging by the way he flew off."

[NeoSeraphi]

The raven hops up into Rachel's hair and nestles down.

The girl giggles. "Seems like he's happy to be home though. I'm Maya. Maya Fey. It's nice to meet you."

[Diachronos]

"I'm Rachel Denethar. It's nice to meet you too, Maya." She smiles at the girl.