Winter Classes - The Fae Crown [Open]

[Vanessa LaNore]

Early Winter - 1st Month of AoN 289

The day was cool and bright with a gentle breeze drifting through the broad North District streets carrying many fall scents. There was the pleasing undertone of cinnamon and cardamom spiced ciders, the bright scent of spiced and roasting nuts, and the faint smoky tang of slow burning fires to ward off the coming cold.

Vanessa puffed her breath out and grinned as it swirled into a flowing cloud before disappearing. She was decked out in her ‘pleasant day’ Irtuen Reaches gear; a fur-lined parka wrapped in a dense scarf sat atop dense coveralls, heavy boots, and a set of thin fur-tipped gloves. The half-Fae had always found her adaptation to cold to be rather poor and she was not about to spend hours walking back and forth talking without furs to keep her comfortable.

She was on her usual end-of-year tour of lectures. House Nyshasa dictated a minimum number of presentations be given by all visitor professors, locally stationed or not, and Vanessa’s travels left her little time to ensure she met her quota. She’d gotten the idea for a tour of parks and smaller alcoves from her father. He’d had the epiphany just before he met his tenure and secluded himself deep into his lab so long ago.

There were always fewer students willing to brave the elements just to attend a lecture in the fall and winter. Even still, as long as a single student ducked in to listen and sign their name the lecture counted in full for the academies. Unfortunately for Vanessa, the young, cheery, and driven lecturer had managed to gather a sort of following that hunted down her semi-impromptu discussions on artifacts, magics, and beasts.

‘At least they’re always engaged,’ Vanessa thought with a wry grin as she ducked into her day’s chosen alcove to find there was already a group of four students putting wood into a brazier. “I see you all have decided to prepare the classroom,” she said with a laugh and slid her scarf down to reveal a bright smile.

The students laughed themselves and continued their work, well aware the lecture wouldn’t start for another ten minutes. Today’s topic was ‘Fae Artifacts of the Age of Unveiling’ and one of her more popular discussions. There was always a buzz of excitement amongst the students for the workings of the long-lived races, even more so in regards to their works of art and power.

Vanessa moved over to a small stone lectern, reaching into her satchel and beginning to put a small collection of papers out onto the smooth tilted surface. She placed a textured stone onto each paper, anchoring them to the surface to keep the wind at bay. Several more people began to wander in, some part of the larger regulars, others welcomed just the same.

Vanessa never started her lectures early, but she was notorious for eeking out every second of extra time she could. In her opinion, it was a terrible thing to deny a student opportunities because a lecturer was in too much of a rush to indulge their curiosity.

[Kelwin]

After the dragon incident Kelwin was glad things seemed to calm down. He had met two others apart from the dragon's that time, merchant Sensha and lady Lanore. As he spent more time in Fellsguard he began to hear rumors of a renowned teacher. She apparently had quite the following. The more he heard about the mysterious black haired professor the more curious he got. So one day he managed to pin down her location.

He made his way there decked out in dark brown furs that still allowed for freedom of movement. The monk did wonder why he handled the cold so well, maybe he spent a lot of time in the north. His usual white robes were all he needed apart from that. Kelwin noticed a group of well dressed people making their way to the lecture hall he was seeking so he followed in line. However, the ratio of men to women was favoring the males. This made it clear to him this teacher must be a
rare gem of refined beauty.

The sorcerer noticed several students look at him curiously. As more people got behind him in line he felt anxious. Then remembered due to his father's curse he looked like a kerasoka instead of lumeacia. Once his nervousness passed he realized seeing any elf here was probably odd.

When he entered the hall and saw lady Lanore he wanted to kick himself. Of course the description did match why didn't he see it. Now he wasn't sure what to do, should he leave? In response to his thoughts he shook his head no. There was no doubt he stood out amongst the other attendees. So he pushed ahead hesitation clear as he considered if he would sit in the back. Instead he chose to be brave and sit front row center. Was it stupid, probably but he couldn't turn back now he was committed. If the professor acknowledged him he would greet her in return. Until then, one way or the other he simply waited for the lecture to begin.