[center][h3]~Day Four~[/h3] ~Livia and Fia~[/center] All of yesterday, Livia had taken Fia on a tour of the campus. From the main building, to the classrooms and the other various facilities the campus had. The girl hadn't had any completely adverse reactions to anything which was a great help. Not to mention, she didn't have any nightmares the night following that incident either, so she could only assume...whatever it was that she had spoken with was telling the truth. For that night at least, all Livia saw was a strange scene set in what was probably Greece, someone running for their life. Aside from exhaustion and terror, the headmistress would have felt nothing. After touring the campus, she had taken her on a little tour of the town. They didn't wander too far, but she thought it would have been a good idea to at least show her the immediate area outside of the grounds. The Phoenix looked around, with a combination of curiosity and timidity. The other people walking around were scary, but the crimson haired girl managed to manuver around Livia and hide behind her. The rest of that day, has passed normally enough and she was able to take most of it off. Now tough? Well, she couldn't shirk work forever and she was meeting a rather important person today. She wasn't going to leave Fia alone, either as she wanted to start teaching her reading and writing. She'd just have to multitask a bit. Livia ushered Fia into her office. It was fairly late morning, and she would have just enough time to possibly help teach Fia the basics of reading and writing before she had an important meeting with a foreign official to discuss something happening in Greece. [color=a187be]"Welcome back to my office, Fia."[/color] She said with a smile. It looked exactly the same as before, though a chair had been moved to the front of her desk. [color=a187be]"Please, sit on one of the couches if you want. I am assuming you do not know how to read and write?"[/color] The phoenix carefully avoided any of the chairs, moving to the couch that the headmistress indicated. Currently barefoot, the soft green carpet she walked over felt nice to her feet before she sat down where she had been told, looking up towards Livia before shaking her head. A low table sat in front of her, and the crimson haired girl reclined to a comfortable position as she looked curiously at the headmistress. [color=a187be]"Hmm...that is certainly a problem."[/color] She walked over to one of the bookshelves, pulling out some blank pieces of paper and some writing implements. This was likely going to be a bit of a long day, but hopefully she could get Fia started before she had to get to work. She brought the items over to Fia, placing a few blank sheets of paper on the table before walking over to her desk and opening one of the drawers. Inside, was a simple, easy enough to read book that would have been good to teach someone to read with. She had brought it when they were out yesterday. [color=a187be]"We'll start with reading first."[/color] She said, walking over and placing a book on the table in front of Fia as she took a seat at a reasonable distance from the girl. [color=a187be]"I think this would be simple enough."[/color] Fia picked up the book, looking at it curiously. She turned it over a few times, shook it slightly, and flipped through the pages. The red haired girl seemed confused, but eventually she seemed to figure out the correct orientation as she eventually turned to Livia, looking completely bewildered and mildly frustrated. [color=salmon]"... How? ..."[/color] Whatever memories the girl had, only got her this far. for now. It seemed the headmistress would have to help the girl get started. Livia gave a soft sigh. Well, hoping that memories of her past lives would help her here wasn't going to work it seemed. Well, that was fine. It was fully within the realm of expectations. After all, it was very likely her past lives had never encountered this written language before. Well, she'd have to do her job as an instructor for once in her life it seemed. The thought was mildly amusing, but it was quickly brushed aside. Livia gently took the book from the girl, returning it to the first page. It was a simple story, so it should have been easy enough. [color=a187be] "Simple enough, dear."[/color] She continued. [color=a187be] "Follow along after, me if you can. If I start reading too fast tell me."[/color] She placed a finger on the first sentence of the book, and started to read. Slowly at first, a few syllables at a time to make sure Fia was able to at least pronounce them completely before continuing to the next. It likely would be slow progress, but there would likely not be any words that would be too difficult for her. The red haired girl started following along as Livia slowly read each line. It seemed the tall woman expected her to read out-loud as well, so she started going over the words as well [color=salmon]"The ... pri ... prin ... cess ... was ... in ... eee ... a ... tow ... er."[/color] The girl looked around, as if worried she was doing it wrong. But the headmistress countinued, and so did she. It hurt her eyes to look at the small words, and it felt strange to her to be reading the words. Well, and she was normally quiet, and could use help pronouncing things normally. Gradually though, the girl began to read out the words completely. [color=salmon]"The knight ... arrived at .. the lair ... and drew his la-lance, read-y to fight for his love."[/color] At this word, the girl seemed to pause, confused, and looked towards the heamistress questioningly before adverting her gaze once more. [color=salmon]"... love ...?"[/color] Well, it was slow progress but progress nonetheless, and after a few moments of the quiet girls words she seemed to be getting the hang of it. When they finally reached towards the end of it, though the girl posed a question. Asked about the word 'love'. Now that was...a difficult question. She wasn't really a...expert on the subject at all. in fact, she was probably the worst person to ask about such things. She hadn't exactly 'loved' anyone in quite some time...and Katherine was...well. Nothing more than a pleasant distraction sometimes. Well, she was nothing if good at talking her way through things when she had too even if she wasn't entirely knowledgeable about a subject. [color=a187be] "Love is...well, it has many different meanings and there are many different types of love out there."[/color] She replied. [color=a187be] "Although, in this case it is an example of Love where one person will do anything to be with another. That is why the knight is saving the princess from the dragon, if you've been understanding the tale. He wants to be with her, no matter what and would slay a hundred demons to do so."[/color] Livia chuckled at the somewhat terrible sounding description. [color=a187be] "But...to be honest I am not the best person to ask about the subject."[/color] Fia frowned slightly at the final part of her statement and responded with a single word. [color=salmon]"... okay ..."[/color] And then returned her eyes to the end of the tale. That sounded a little scary, to think of someone doing anything for another. Seemed a little ... strange. What exactly did he get from the princess? It confused the girl slightly although she finished the archetypical book fairly quickly, and she thought about it for a short bit. It seemed odd to her, but perhaps such a thing was normal? The girl closed the book after a short time, placing it back on the table slowly. For a second, it seemed as if the red haired girl wanted to ask a question, but eventually the girl shook her head dispelling it and tilted her head slightly, wondering what was next. [color=salmon]"... so ...?"[/color] Livia noticed the girl seemed to have a question, but said nothing. Curious, but that wouldn't do at all. If one had a question, then they should ask. [color=a187be]"If you have a question you are more than welcome to ask, Fia."[/color] Livia said with a small smile. [color=a187be]"I will never be upset with you for inquiring about something."[/color] Fia waited for a second, then gathered her courage and listened to Livia's instruction. Her feet kicked back and forth as she spoke, seeming a little nervous as she quietly spoke her few words. [color=salmon]"... other types ...?"[/color] The girl was a little curious about the other types of love, since the headmistress had mentioned multiple sorts. Were they all related to eachother somehow? Well, she could have guessed that question. However, that was not a question she was going to answer so easily herself. [color=a187be]"Hmm...that is a very good question."[/color] She mused. [color=a187be]"However - this academy is a place for learning. Perhaps try asking someone other than I? Experiencing such things first hand would be better, though I think."[/color] That seemed to be about all she was going to say on the matter for now, though. Perhaps it was a bit bad to not tell the girl anything, but she couldn't tell her everything about such emotions. Those were better for her to experience first hand. The red haired girl paused for a moment or two, then nodded, obviously a little disappointed in Livia's answer. The first type of love seemed a little scary, so for now Fia didn't feel too fond of experiencing the others. The fourteen year old was a little concerned with having asked too much, but Livia had followed through with her promise, although she hadn't delivered an answer. The woman didn't seem angry, or upset for her having asked that question. The younger woman sighed a little in relief. Though after a few seconds, she decided to change the subject with another short question. [color=salmon]"... writing ...?"[/color] The crimson haired girl remembered the headmistress had mentioned that, and little Fia had quite her share of social interaction over the previous two days. For now, she wanted to get this over with and relax for a while. [color=a187be]"Ah right, writing."[/color] Livia continued. Hmm...it was almost time for the meeting. This might be a good time to get her working on something by herself. She reached over and put a few pieces of blank paper in front of Fia and reached for the pen. She wrote the Alphabet in somewhat large clear, easily readable letters for the girl on one page before placing it beside the blank pages. [color=a187be]"You're going to want to learn to write."[/color] She said, showing Fia exactly how to hold the pen. [color=a187be]"If you could, for now simply write these letters. After you finish that - try reading the book by yourself or try to write some of the words yourself."[/color] Livia stood, walking over to her desk. [color=a187be]"Unfortunately, I won't be able to help you for a bit. I have an appointment with a scholar from Greece. He's an assistant to the headmaster of an academy much like this one."[/color] She took a seat in the chair behind her desk, looking at Fia from across the room. [color=a187be]"He'll likely be arriving here quite soon, so do you think you could practice both reading and writing until we are done discussing the particulars of this arrangement?"[/color] The red haired girl nodded in confirmation, and after paying attention to the headmistress writting the letters immediately started herself. After a short time of writing ... not nearly as clearly as the headmistress, Fia grew a little frustrated and considered ripping the paper to shreds though. Throughout life, the girl had learned that inadequate work meant pain, and ... She breathed deeply for a few moments, returning to her task at hand, trying to write slowly and neatly. The woman had a meeting, and Fia was in no hurry to finish the letters. After a few tries at making [i]a[/i] look decent, the girl moved onto b ... c ... d ... eventually her hand began to hurt as she completed the alphabet, a sensation she hand't really experienced before. But the girl returned to what she was doing, going over the alphabet again ... [color=a187be]"Take your time, dear. You have plenty of it."[/color] Livia said, just as there was a knock at the door. It opened only a few seconds later. A servant, leading a man that appeared to be around his early thirties dressed in a white robe into the room. The servant bowed politely, but said nothing, likely having other duties to attend to. The man had short cut brown hair, and somewhat hard features and wore a serious expression as he gave a greeting to Livia. [b]"Headmistress Fiore. A pleasure as always."[/b] His voice was rather dry and humorless, though not unfriendly, taking a glance over to Fia as she worked. [b]"...I know it has been some time since we've last seen each other but It must have been longer than I thought if you have a child now."[/b] Livia laughed at the statement. [color=a187be]"Making jokes? You Clete? It indeed must have been a long time since my last visit to Greece. Ten or so years?"[/color] The man, apparently named Clete walked past Fia, though said nothing and approached the chair that had been placed in front of her desk. [color=a187be]"But no, she is not mine...I am merely watching her for now. She has some rather...special circumstances."[/color] [b]"That long? I was still a student then."[/b] He sighed as he took a seat. [color=a187be]"Enough small talk, however. There is a matter in Greece that is rather...concerning."[/color] [color=a187be]"All business as usual, I see. Something concerning some...attacks on outer laying villages?"[/color] Fia listened to the others talk, obviously pausing in her writing for a moment as the two spoke about her. The crimson haired girl looked at the man, and obviously became a little more nervous as a man entered the room. The teenager was naturally concerned about most of them due to her past, but this man's cold tone made the girl uneasy. The phoenix tried to ignore his prescence, going between writing and looking slowly over the book. Aside from a small glance over to Fia to make certain she was mostly at ease, she said nothing and focused back on Clete. [b]"Yes. It is something we have been attempting to subdue for awhile now, but all attempts have ended with the beast either fleeing or injuring one of our own. We sent a group of our best students to deal with it recently...I won't go into needless detail, but suffice to say they did not subdue it. Lord Kostis has decided it be best to seek outside help on this matter."[/b] He explained what was going on with very little mirth or emotion, in a prompt and swift fashion. He handed a few pieces of paper to Livia, likely going into further detail about the incidents before continuing. [b]"Its some sort of hound. We haven't been able to properly identify it...but it might be related to Cerberus."[/b] [color=a187be]"...The hound that guards the gate to Hades?"[/color] Livia questioned. [b]"That is correct."[/b] Clete replied. [b]"If it is, the beast itself then subduing it will be no simple matter."[/b] [color=a187be]"That is only part of the problem if it is. We have to ask ourselves why it is roaming free instead of doing its intended job."[/color] Livia responded with a serious expression, looking over the papers. There was very little information here - chances were the oh so mighty Lord Kostis was still holding a grudge. Typical uppity noble that thought they were the best thing on the planet. Urgh, dealing with him was always annoying. [b]"That is something we will have to consider if it is indeed the three headed dog, though chances are it is highly unlikely it is the being itself as I said."[/b] Clete continued. [b]"More likely it is simply some demonic hound that was able to get past Cerberus in some manner or found some other way here."[/b] [color=a187be]"I see. So Kostis expects me to send some of my students when he is too much of a coward to do it himself."[/color] Fairly typical of him, really. Aside from his position as a lord and his skill as a scholar, he was a powerless little man unable to do anything without hired help. [b]"That is probably correct."[/b] At least Clete was the honest, if not excitable sort. [b]"Though Lord Kostis is no skilled mage so even if he wanted too there is very little he could do himself."[/b] Though, to Livia that was just a convenient excuse she said nothing. [color=a187be]"Very well then."[/color] Livia sighed. [color=a187be]"Tell Lord Kostis I will send help to deal with his mess shortly."[/color] [b]"Thank you, and apologies for interrupting you, Headmistress."[/b] He said.[b] "Any other correspondence will likely be via written letter."[/b] With that, he turned to leave, though not before noticing Fia attempting to write...and stopped, appearing to ponder possibly speaking to the girl for a few seconds. The crimson haired girl noticed herself being stared at, and after a short time slipped off the couch and cowered behind the table, as if trying to hide herself behind. It was useless of course, but it was rather obvious the girl was at least more than a little shy. Fia knew she didn't like being looked at by strangers ... especially men. The girl wasn't really one for conversation with them after all those years of being used by one for ... various purposes. She shook slightly, but otherwise managed to get quiet ... For the most part Clete looked rather...defeated? He was frowning, face turned into a grimace as he made no attempts to speak with the girl. Livia simply smiled somewhat sympathetically as she left her chair walking over to Clete. [color=a187be]"Don't think too much about it, Clete...She is rather shy around people, especially men it seems."[/color] [b]"I...understand."[/b] Truthfully, the serious man had been trying to get better with kids for quite some time. After all, he was a married man and would be having his own child quite soon, but at this rate his serious demeanor and somewhat dry personality wasn't going to be doing him in favors in that department. Livia simply shook her head. Well, that was that then. Clete left shortly afterwards, showed out by the same servant that let him in. Instead, she took a seat on the couch and smiled at Fia. [color=a187be]"Making friends with the table, now are we?"[/color] With the man gone, the red haired girl blushed slightly as she sat on the opposite end of the couch Livia was lounging at, nodding slightly. Although the girl still wasn't exactly sure what friends were, she had apparently become friends with both the table in this room, the vase in Livia's guest room, and of course the book on a nearby bookshelf she had attempted to defend herself with. Fia seemed to ponder for a moment before collecting her thoughts into words. The girl was at least a little curious about why the headmistress was so insistent she learn to read and write when they didn't seem to help keep one safe. [color=crimson]"... so why ..."[/color] The fourteen year old simply pointed at the book and the sheets of paper she had been writing on, seeming a little confused. [color=a187be]"Why?"[/color] Livia echoed the question. She had never been asked that question before, and was slightly taken aback. Of course, this was Fia so she shouldn't be surprised.[color=a187be]"Well, Fia, for one it'll help you as a person understand things better. That, and, books are a fine way to spend the afternoon once one finishes work. Aside from that, You will need to be able to both read and write here at my academy if you want to learn. And knowledge is the greatest a person could possibly have. Now come on. Try reading the book again, by yourself."[/color] Fia nodded, still seeming a little uncertain about the situation. Of course, she followed Livia's orders, and started sending her eyes over the pages one at a time and reading the words out loud gradually. The two of them read two more children's books that session, but otherwise the crimson haired girl only asked a single question, gesturing to one of the books. [color=salmon]"... your ... home ...?"[/color] If knowledge was the greatest thing a person could have, the girl wanted it. Perhaps then no one would be able to ... the girl's eyes looked downwards for a moment as thoughts returned to her time in the tower, but she was eventually able to get over it on her own. [color=a187be]"You...want to read back at my home?"[/color] Livia replied, eyes a bit wide. She hadn't expected the girl to ask such a thing, especially this soon. However, she was pleased. This was a good development and progress. That said, her speech left much to be desired...she'd have to try and teach her to speak more clearly as well. Hopefully she'd get used to it if she attended classes though, so she put it on the bottom of her to do list for now. [color=a187be]"Certainly, you can. I have plenty of books there. You'll have to start out small to get used to reading but I think you're a quick learner. You'll be out reading me in no time if you want."[/color] The girl nodded slowly, standing up slightly. Sure, the stories had mostly been cheesy for the most part and the character's drives not truly believable, but it was still useful to understand the frames of minds of others ...