Since before dawn, a fire had been burning in one of the forges. Vanahara Pike was a common sight in the smithy, a far enough distance away from the main buildings that the smoke wouldn’t bother any of the nattering academics, and this morning was no different. Metalworking was a balm to her nerves—not that anyone else would believe she [i]had[/i] nerves—and today was certainly a day that made her nervous. An airship to Juria with a bundle of other mages; mission specifics no one could tell her. She’d been honored to be selected, but she was a little unsure of what she was going to face.

As the sun came up over the Academy, Vana was still working away. It wasn’t even a class project, just some filigree work to keep her fingers nimble, and she didn’t even really need the forge anymore, but it was soothing to her, reminiscent of a simpler time. She glanced out of the tiny, high windows of the smithy every so often, checking the time methodically. It wouldn’t do to be late to such an important assignment. 

When the sun was approaching its zenith, she put the tools down and stretched, her fingertips nearly reaching the ceiling. Carefully putting each tiny hammer and set of calipers back in their proper places, Vana pressed her palm into the delicate ironwork she’d created. Pressing down steadily, with a slight furrow in her brow, the iron melted down slowly into a puddle. Drawing upward with her fingers pinched together, the metal re-solidified into a block, ready for someone to use it for an [i]actual[/i] project.

Vanahara left the smithy exactly as she had left it, belt once more slung around her hips and wiping sweat from the back of her neck. She’d have to move it to make it back to the courtyard on time, but it wasn’t like she had much to pack. When she reached her small, sparse room, her travel bag was waiting for her on her bed. She changed quickly into fresh clothes—her leather vest and bracers were most definitely coming with her—and after triple-checking that she had everything, she finally left her room behind, locked securely behind her. If she was being honest, she was looking forward to the trip, at least—airships were modern marvels of engineering, and she couldn’t wait to get a hand on some of the mechanics.

She strode across the courtyard, sun gleaming on her skin. Vana’s steps paused for only a moment as she took in the group standing at the bottom of the ramp into the airship, and she sighed internally. She didn’t know any of them. They’d probably call her ‘small town’ just like everyone else here, just because she didn’t grow up in an Academy—but she’d just ignore them like usual. As she approached, Vana came to a stop on the edge of the little circle, giving a respectful nod to the man in Master’s robe she spotted, but otherwise she stayed quiet, listening to the chatter without joining in.