Peony Min (blackmagicks) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-01-17 11:15:00 |
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Cecilia woke up for her first morning in the mages’ tower in Emillion feeling renewed. She hadn’t accomplished all that she needed to from the previous day, but she had made a new friendly acquaintance and gotten some of things she had needed to buy. Her plan for today was similarly loose: all she had was this meeting with Councilor Peony Min and then maybe sneaking into another mage’s room to retrieve a hairbrush - which she would return. Of course. But first, she needed to meet with Peony. Once she reached the ninth floor, she looked for the open door - Peony had said hers would be open - and was quite intent on reaching her destination before something wide and furry and gray wrapped itself around her legs. She nearly stumbled but managed to catch herself by holding her hand out and pressing her weight against the wall. “Cat!” she said delightedly to no one in particular, and meeting momentarily forgotten, Cecilia bent down to pet her new distraction. That was where Peony found her a few minutes later; having heard her arrival, she had remained at her desk as Quiz exited, but when the exclamation came and no visitor was immediately forthcoming, she decided the newcomer had been unavoidably detained. Quiz tended to have that effect on people. She stepped out from behind her desk and into the lobby to behold a young blonde woman engaged with her cat. With a small smile and soft footsteps, she approached, crouching and letting her long skirt pool around her. “I believe he likes you.” Of course, Quiz liked anyone willing to shower him with attention. Cecilia had begun to run her hands through that thick gray fur, bent down all the way so that she was just crouching right above the ground. It was an undignified way to be caught by a councilor - until that councilor bent down as well. Cece offered her own tiny smile. “I like cats,” she said quietly, giving Quiz a few more strokes on the head before she pulled her hand back. “Is this your cat, councilor?” she asked. “Yes,” Peony answered. “This is Quiz. He serves as unofficial receptionist.” Certainly he was always willing to greet visitors to the ninth floor, whether they liked cats or not. She straightened, reaching out her hand as she said, “And I am Peony Min. You are Miss Fennes, I trust?” She knew most of the tower mages by face and name, and knew she would soon get to know this young woman, too. The letter from her home guild had been unusually terse -- Peony had wondered, in fact, if there might not be a discipline problem at hand -- but Cecilia seemed perfectly well-mannered thus far. Cecilia mimicked Peony’s movement, standing up as well. “Yes, I am,” she said. She wondered if she was supposed to offer her hand - she didn’t, though. “Your tower is very - big,” she supplied. She had never been an excellent conversationalist, the type of person to pick odd topics that very rarely offered much discussion. Small talk was still difficult for her. But she was trying, which was more than she had done before. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. And be here.” With the same ease as she had offered it, Peony lowered her hand, seemingly unfazed by the breach of etiquette. It had taken her years to learn to stop bowing in greeting, after all. “It is certainly that. You have not found yourself lost within its walls, I hope.” The city was likely to be another matter, unfortunately. “On behalf of the guild, welcome to Emillion. I hope you will be happy studying here.” She had certainly appeared high-spirited on the network. “If you will follow me please?” Gesturing towards her open door, Peony began to walk, and with an annoyed rumble (no doubt, he preferred to remain and be admired) Quiz fell into step beside her, following into the brightly lit office with its shelves of books and view of snowy streets and rooftops. “Please take a seat,” Peony said. “Do you enjoy tea?” She had a tray holding a teapot on the side table, still warm; taking it up, she filled two cups and offered one. “It is cold this morning.” Cecilia obediently accepted the warm cup, inhaling the steam and letting out a little sigh of delight. These were the things she liked: things that smelled good, warm cats, and taking naps in sunny spots near windows. Very cat-like herself. She took a sip of the tea and was happy to note that it tasted as good as it smelled. “Thank you,” she said, her face loosening out of its usual expression of disinterest into something a little more lively. “This is nice.” She wasn’t just speaking of the tea - rather, she was referring to the general demeanor that Peony seemed to exhibit. The mages in Viura had never been particularly warm. Accommodating and present, but not the kind to give cups of tea to new mages. “You are welcome,” Peony replied, taking her own cup in hand. She took a sip of her tea before speaking. “I apologize that no one greeted you upon arrival. Unfortunately, we were not aware you were coming until you were already here.” Not to mention things had been somewhat hectic these last months -- still, these sorts of activities had to have some priority if the guild was to be a place of learning, and not simply a reactionary force each time something went awry, and so she had carved out the time for the meeting. “We have the letter from your guild,” she began, “but I am hoping to hear from you what you are seeking to learn.” The letter had given her only questions; surely a mage who had changed classes only a few years ago could not have mastered every black magick spell known by the entire guild in Viura? There was a curious inconsistency here. “Where do your interests lie?” she asked, still soft-spoken and tranquil, her thoughts not betrayed by her expression. “How can we best assist you in meeting your goals?” “Well, I had previously been a blue mage,” Cecilia started. For some reason, she suddenly felt like she had to be careful about what she said - not because of Peony, but because a warning from the sage in Viura was still ringing in her ears. Be careful. The same sort of message her own father had given her when he had wrapped her in her cloak and sent her off to the tower when she was still a teenager. “But since I have started learning black magic, I am very interested in spells that assist. Blind is one I learned.” She did not mention dark, purposely so. “I see.” Stranger and stranger, this situation. “And elemental magicks?” Most black mages started there; Blind was a spell shared with the mystic class, and a support ability in a black mage’s arsenal. “If you prefer the support skills, did you give consideration to mysticism or synergy?” Cecilia hesitated for a moment and then shook her head. “I’ve only one elemental spell so far,” she said. “I’m still studying.” And then, as if hoping to explain, she added, “I think it’s a lack of talent on my part.” Not entirely untrue - but certainly not applicable when it came to elemental magicks. Picking up dark had been a snap for her. But she hadn’t yet attempted learning others. “I think I understand.” It was not an issue to be pressed now, and would not, perhaps, be the first time that someone had chosen a class without considering her own aptitudes. Had Peony attempted to become a white mage, she had no doubt she would have struggled similarly. “I hope we can assist you with learning more, if that is your wish, of course,” she said instead. “I can recommend some books, and perhaps some classes if you are interested. Elemental magicks are an interest of mine, so if I can assist with your studies, my door is always open.” Another smile followed as she offered, “If, in the end, the study of mysticism holds more of your attention, there are always opportunities to study outside of one’s class.” And to change class, for that matter. Cecilia gave a small, appreciative smile. “I’m eager to be guided,” she said. Sincerely, even. “I want to learn - as much as possible.” She meant that as well - though she might have more interest in some elements than the others. “I’ve heard good things about the resources available in Emillion,” though admittedly nothing about whether she would be able to access the materials she really wanted - and that had been difficult to do in Viura, so there was no guarantee she would be able to find out anything here. Cecilia knew enough of the city to know there was a Pharist presence in the city, which certainly didn’t make her feel confident - but she would have to try. Find a way somehow. “Would you like to see the library?” Peony offered. “It is a valuable resource. Here is a class list, as well.” She picked up a slim folder from her desk and offered it to Cecilia. “Perhaps once you have decided on the spells you would like to study next, I or one of my colleagues can guide you in the direction of someone who can assist. We have a number of blue mages residing here as well, and I am certain they would be glad to share knowledge. Some have skill in black magicks, too; you may be able to work out an exchange of skill.” Hippolyta was one such; Peony resolved to ask her before referring the newcomer, however. Hippolyta had her own… unique set of circumstances, and have been doing the council far too many favors of late. Cecilia took the folder and clutched it to her chest. The idea of seeing the library was tempting but - perhaps it was best if she went through it alone. She shook her head. “I think it might be a little too early for me to start looking at books,” she confessed, putting on her best apologetic expression. “But I will start looking this afternoon to figure out what I should do next.” She was mostly done with blue magick - she had learned the spells she had wanted and she doubted there was really anyone here who could help her - but she smiled politely. “Maybe,” she said. Her legs were beginning to jiggle in place anxiously. “As you like,” Peony said agreeably. “As for practicalities, your room is free for you to use, but you will require income for the rest of your needs; there is work to be done for the guild, if you so desire -- within the city and outside, at times. If not, there is the potential to find work in the city’s businesses, though I believe most guild members find guild occupations more rewarding -- and convenient for their schedules. You may, of course, take your time in making up your mind.” She paused before continuing. “The guilds in Emillion work closely in concert, and there are times we are called upon to assist with various troubles, particularly by the Fighters’ Guild. Have you much experience in battle, and if not, have you an interest in acquiring it?” The more Peony talked, the more that Cecilia began to wish that maybe she wasn’t so welcoming - it wasn’t that she had problems with people who were obviously trying to make her comfortable, but as with most things, Cecilia’s attention span for conversation was frightfully short. Most of Peony’s information ended up in one ear and right out the other, though Cecilia made sure to nod intermittently as if she were listening actively. The question alerted her however. She fingered the edge of one sleeve thoughtfully. It was a habit leftover from when she was a child and always seemed to comfort her when she was feeling a little out of sorts. By now, she would have simply walked off if she had been the Cecilia of before, but she had learned enough that she shouldn’t be so rude. “I’ve had experience in battle before,” she answered calmly, “I’ve performed guild jobs in the past.” It was just rehashing known things at this point - she wasn’t new to the mages’ lifestyle, just new to the city. She cocked her head to the city. “Do you have anything else you need to ask me?” “Perhaps I should be asking whether you have anything to ask me?” Peony responded easily. It seemed this interview was about to end; the young woman was fidgeting in a way that told Peony she was ready to excuse herself. “If not, I imagine you are tired yet. Please take your time getting settled. As for battle experience…” It was good to have someone else capable; Emillion was a troubled city. She did not say this only: “If there is call for aid, all respondents are compensated, of course.” An almost-reliable form of income these days, sad as it was to say. Cecilia did have to admit, money was often the thing that pulled her towards battle - helping was nice, but helping was not always worth putting your neck on the line. Even she knew that much. “I do not think I do right now,” she responded truthfully, “but would it be alright if I had anymore questions, if I asked you?” She preferred to approach someone she had already met, and she had already figured out Peony was a nice person. And although nice was not always the most interesting to Cecilia, nice was what would make Peony helpful to Cecilia if she ever had need. And she couldn’t begrudge someone for being nice. “Certainly,” Peony said. “In that case, I wish you well in your endeavors here. My door remains open if you have need.” As the young woman made her way out of the office, Peony considered for a few moments just how odd the encounter had been, in several small ways. A curious young lady, this Cecilia Fennes. Unfortunately, there were other things to occupy her mind now. Still, the odd newcomer remained at the back of her mind as she returned to her paperwork. |