[quote=Leotamer]Alexander[/quote]

Auguste's eyes widened at being called « Mr Arazm ». Heavens, he never could get used to it. Usually the self-replenishing pastry box of pastries cut the formality by at least fifty percent, but alas it was too late; that mundane pig of a Mr Petrie was most likely hidden away in some dark corner scoffing down every last of his precious culinary creations crying over his failed marriage... 

[i]August was not normally one for gossip, but he would do anything to earn an extra serving of lamb tagliatelle in red wine sauce from Mrs Cauldry, the head chef... Sadly, it meant he had to endure all the chirping that went through the grapevine concerning the Academy's staff. Enough digression.[/i]

« Please... And I mean PLEASE! Call me Oggie or Auguste. Mr Arazm just doesn't suit me. You're right though, I don't use conventional applications of magic. At least not ninety percent of the time. I would be glad to tell you about it sometime, if it interests you. »

The inquiry about the stables and his companions made Auguste smile. The boy was special. Aside from the fact he had stopped himself from telling Auguste his real name, that is. He had a « spark », a « je ne sais quoi ». Curiosity, relative honesty and concern for others : the makings of a fantastic Magistrava! 

« Of course I know where the stables are. I would be delighted to bring you there and meet your pets. Just to make sure I was clear, I'm a guidance counselor slash mentor, slash tutor, slash friend-when-in-need. » Oggie beamed a genuine smile at the boy and directed him down a pathway which snaked around the left of the academy to the stable grounds.