Morrigan (wilds_witch) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-09-29 19:54:00 |
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Entry tags: | maia amell (the warden), morrigan |
Who: Maia & Morrigan
What: flirtationSock Puppet Mythology 101
Where: Professor Maia's class
When: Saturday afternoon
Rating/Warning: Low for language
Status: Complete
It had been some time since Morrigan had stepped foot inside a classroom, but ultimately she was tickled as to the reason. Nothing seemed as amusing at the moment as the idea of educating individuals of the stories of old with sock puppets. And Morrigan had brought a little “pal” along for her new found friend as a present. The Minotaur was carefully tucked away inside her saddlebag as she took a seat in the back along the center aisle.
Maia wasn’t joking in the least when she said that her class was usually well attended. Droves of students began pouring into the hall the closer the time came to the beginning of class. “Perhaps this will be standing room only..”
Maia's expertise lay in how often myths from one culture mirrored another. Today was Persephone, and she was just finishing up explaining the similarities in certain Asian myths with the more famous Grecian story. She made eye contact with Morrigan and could barely contain her excitement. Favorite subject, and one of her favorite people from her dreams? Yes please.
"Now, in Greek myth, she's the daughter of Zeus, and was abducted by Hades. Depending on who you ask, she was either willing, or not...My favorite version is where she was already Queen of the Underworld to begin with, and we'll get to that one a little later. Though there's this lovely little story with a female Hades and a willing Persephone. It's a modern interpretation, but interesting."
Really, she was being paid to ramble on about myths from all over the world.
She sat on her desk, and with her puppets, showed Hades bursting out of the ground in front of the young goddess. She had special effects too, colored flash lights and a little help from some subtle magic.
This, by far, was the most entertaining and educational elective Morrigan had ever had the pleasure of attending. She had to hand it to Maia, she did know how to work the crowd. Even more, she was enthusiastic about the subject. That only helped in drawing your attention more.
Morrigan was almost sad when the class ended and people began filing out. That most certainly wasn't a full period. It couldn't have been. Oh well...
Putting on a soft pout, she gathered up her bag and headed to the front of the class, eyes set on the professor and her puppets.
“That really was something. I may actually have to enroll in classes just so I can see more.” Morrigan’s smile was genuine, a rarity in itself as she normally only wore a clever smirk. “Do you teach this class every semester?”
"Remember! Next week we start on Africa! Oya is amazing" Maia smiled happily, stuffing her puppets into their box. She felt compelled to keep the somewhat anatomically correct satyr away from the girl puppets.
"I'm sure the University will had no problem taking your money, and I'll have no problem with more people in my class," Maia replied. The time she'd spent trying to speed her way to being able to teach had been well worth it. She looked up into Morrigan's smile. It wasn't an expression she'd seen that often in Ferelden, and she hoped that Morrigan didn't have to dream of that terrible place at all.
"This is my first semester. I got poached out of University and they had me working the Library while I took basic teaching courses over the summer. I still have to take some others but I have the bare certificates now."
"Could have fooled me. You looked the consummate professional up there...with puppets." Ok, she couldn't hide the smirk that time.
"I really do like the concept though. And I brought you a little something." Morrigan wasn't the type of person to be this informal with, but there was just something about Maia. She felt oddly comfortable in her presence. Be it over the computer or here in person now. It was very rare that she felt that connected to someone.
Pulling the small brown sock puppet from her bag, she put the Minotaur on display. "I figured you could use one more. Not that you really need it, but I thought it was adorable enough. The pipe cleaner horns were the most fun to make."
"You take that back," Maia replied, in mock indigination at being called a professional. "A present?"
Maker, Maia had to squash her old crush feelings deep down in a far away place. She didn't want to hurt Pam. She loved Pam.
But her witch-friend had always had a strange power over her. All she really needed was Leliana and Alistair and she'd feel at home again.
Okay, and Oghren. Because Oghren was a disgusting pig of a Dwarf, and yet awesome. Oh, and Shale, and Wynne, and ... Maia realized how much she missed those people, and it sobered her up enough to not make an abject fool of herself.
"A minotaur! Perhaps I'll name him Mini-taur." She grinned, and inspected the puppet. "You do good work, really. He's adorable." Not that it was hard to make a sock puppet.
Giving her a teasing glare, Morrigan leaned in and whispered, "I'm afraid you'll have to make me, dear professor," before moving to look at the satyr.
"These really are amazing though. You should consider making videos for children. It's educational, and a complete shame that mythology is often skipped over in history classes these days." She gently set the puppet back in it's place before turning back.
"It is nice to finally meet you though. I can't say I'm normally so forward with meeting new individuals."
Maia's mouth went dry, and she followed Morrigan's movements with her her eyes. The modern clothes through her, but she didn't mind. Maia had spend so much time in her head lately, battling the darkspawn whispers, that she really needed the modern to pull her back. "You have to understand how a culture thinks, so that you can understand the past. I actually had a really interesting conversation with an archaeologist who read my thesis. Laura Craft or something like that. I'll have to look her up on the network and invite her to talk one day soon."
Maia leaned against her desk, her lips quivering before bursting into a smile again. "I'm overly forward, I'm afraid."
“Nothing wrong with that. By all means, I’m rather forward myself at times. Too close for comfort with some individuals even.” That smile played once more on Morrigan’s lips and she took in the surroundings to keep herself from being overly flirtatious. Maia did state firmly that she was seeing someone.
“But a lunch date over mythology would be enlightening. It’s not my field but I did grow up with the stories. Wasn’t the child that read Green Eggs and Ham...I was more of an Iliad girl.” Her eyes fell back upon Maia’s for a brief moment before asking, “So what drew you to mythology?”
"I think I was born into it," Maia answered. In light of her dreams and her willingness to discover hidden knowledge, it made more sense now. Talking about it made her a lot more animated and passionate. "I've always liked stories and history and I devoured everything I could as I grew up."
Her surroundings were of definite concern. Namely that the door was closed and the desk very inviting. "I remember reading Gilgamesh when I was thirteen and making notes to compare to stories from the Bible."
She wished she could talk to Morrigan about the Fade and other things. A frank debate about the Maker and Andraste would be refreshing, right now. Of all the people that understood, only Hawke was a mage, and truely understood. Morrigan being around was a big deal for Maia, for that reason alone.
Pushing hair behind her ear, she asked. "Ever hear a rock opera of the Odyssey?"
“Then you have a very special gift indeed,” Morrigan replied and set her bag on said table for the time being. If she was going to stay and talk she was at least going to be comfortable.
The comment about Gilgamesh nearly had her rolling laughing, “Seriously? Where were you when I was growing up? Probably worlds apart, but it’s nice to know I wasn’t the only child that enjoyed subjects like those. Though I can’t say I’m big on religion. It’s all a bit too tedious for me.” Seeing Maia fuss with her hair subconsciously had her fussing with her own, tucking it back over her left shoulder and smoothed the hair in front around the curve of her cheek near her ear.
Morrigan brightened again, “There’s a rock opera for it? Please tell me I can look it up or that someone’s doing it locally...”
"The wrong part of England apparently," Maia replied with a soft sigh. Her eyes followed the motion of Morrigan's fingers and she bit her lower lip for a moment. "The thing about religion that I like are the stories. There are so many that are so similar. My thesis was on the relation between origin myths all over the world. There are certain things that are common to nearly all tribes. Then there are the creepy things, like how nearly every one everywhere is terrified of tall, pale beings with sunken black eyes."
Maia laughed. "I can do you one better." She walked around her desk and pulled out a little stereo, slipping her iPod into it. "It's by a band called Symphony X."
Morrigan’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor before her face lit up. She knew she was grinning like a fool, but this really was fantastic. Maia had definately impressed her beyond her expectations. A part of her never really doubted that she would have though. “That is absolutely insane. Where did you find them? Or did they tour through here? Obviously I’ve been missing out for a good while.”
This had definately made her Saturday. Not the music, but meeting Maia in person. It was time she was spending quite well. It wasn’t often that she found people who she could stand being around for more then fifteen minutes before feeling the need to either slap them for their blatent stupidity. “So what are your plans for next Saturday? Before class, that is.”
"I've seen them live once! When I was in Amsterdam." She grinned. They were actually from the US but their music was really popular in Europe. "Most of their music is like this. This..mixture of symphonic and metal. They had an entire album on myths and legends before this one."
"Next Saturday?" She tilted her head thoughtfully. "I'd planned on attempting to groom the dog but I can push that back a week. Or six."
“Would you be interested in getting some tea before work? A small bite to eat possibly?” There may have been a suggestive tone in Morrigan’s voice, but it was simply meant in teasing. Then again, she was never one to kick a gift horse in the mouth if opportunity presented itself. She really was terrible.
“If not, we could always grab a small bite after? Would still give you time to groom the dog.”
"The only thing better than tea is getting completely wasted," Maia assured her. Then made a resolution to never get too drunk around Morrigan. She didn't want to hurt Pam, and she just had to avoid any moth to flameness.
Of course, going to tea with Morrigan was a bit like circling the flame but Maia wasn't going to split hairs. She leaned forward. "I'm fond of getting bites."
Maia! Bad Warden! "Of food! I like to eat!"
“Oh really?” If anything, Maia was adorable. And not very good about hiding flirtation. Morrigan certainly didn’t mind and only saw that as a challenge to push barriers. To a point, at least.
Moving a bit closer, Morrigan’s lips curled up into a devious smile, her voice lowering as she leaned her head in a bit to add, “When I feel like getting a little nibble on something, there’s a nice little cafe near my place. You’ll have to join me sometime.”
Yeah, her look was a little devious. Maybe a lot devious.
After making significant eye contact, Morrigan finally straightened and brushed past Maia to grab her bag. “But I must be off. So I will most definitely be looking forward to our next meeting. Might even get inspired once more to add another little friend for your box of toys. Throw me a text sometime. Anytime really. That or feel free to drop by my place of work. Nice little bar, not too far from here.”
Maia never really had to hide flirtation before. She simply wasn't that good about keeping her wants secret, and the way Morrigan was looking at her made her want to melt. She should have expected Morrigan to fuck with her. She just hadn't expected the reaction she'd have to it.
"I could use some more puppets. You can never have enough puppets. It's rather fun to manipulate them, isn't it." She looked at Morrigan, expression innocent.
That smile only seemed to grow at Maia’s suggestion, and her eyes seemed to wander down over Maia’s form before meeting her eyes once more, “Indeed it is.”
Quelling her smile, Morrigan straightened and gave Maia a wink before heading for the door, “I will see you later, professor.”
Maia had already observed as much of Morrigan's form as she dared. That jacket should be illegal, and as she watched the woman leave, she thought those pants should be too.
Alone, Maia tugged at her hair. "Fuck. Shite. Fuck. She's going to have me wrapped round her bloody finger." She needed Pam. Well, she needed to shag Pam, but she also needed her.