[color=a187be][h3][center]~Livia and Aetheria~[/center][/h3][/color] Livia picked up the teacup on her desk, bringing it to her lips and taking a sip as she watched Aetheria leave. She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and savoring the taste of the tea. Cynthia could really brew a very delicious tea, couldn't she? She didn't nearly praise the servant enough. Perhaps a reward was in order. It was unfortunate her mood had been soured by the white mage. Was that [i]all[/i] she was willing to do to gain some inkling of information in her plans? She had been fairly obtuse about it, but she'd be a fool not to detect the white mage's desire to learn why she wanted Fia. She had hoped Aetheria would be willing to press a bit harder, just so Livia could gauge how It seemed she didn't have as much ambition as Aetheria thought she had. The first thing Aetheria would notice was a dip in the already colder than normal temperature in the room as the doors to her office were locked firmly in place, unable to be opened by simply pulling. The next she might notice the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, followed by the eerie feeling of being watched by....[i]something[/i] from somewhere. [color=a187be]"Is that the best you can do, Aetheria?"[/color] She asked, opening one eyes and fixing Aetheria with a bored expression as the teacup was sat back down on the table. [color=a187be]"I'm disappointed, really. I thought you of all people might provide a little entertainment, after all you worked quite hard to get to where you are today, but leaving after barely even trying? Unfortunately I have to say you seem to not be as ambitious as you think you are."[/color] Her voice was cool, carrying a somewhat condescending tone with it as she spoke. [color=a187be]"Perhaps I merely expected too much of you? And you held such promise...but if you stop when you're not even halfway then you are nothing but worthless trash to me. Or perhaps you think you will get another attempt now that you asked?"[/color] She chuckled lightly. [color=a187be]"There are no do overs in life, Aetheria. Some things, you only get one shot at, and this? This is one of those times you will only ever get one attempt to achieve. If you didn't think you could, then you should have come better equipped. You've missed that chance of having better bargaining chips."[/color] She let her words sink in, letting the mage stew in whatever emotion her words elicited from her be it anger, confusion, or curiosity. [color=a187be]"So,"[/color] The furniture in the middle of the room was slowly moved aside, creating a clear path to the chair in front of Livia's desk, her fingers tapping idly on the smooth wooden surface. [color=a187be]"take a seat. I'll make this somewhat easy and simple for you. You want to know what my plans are? Then simply ask."[/color] She motioned to the seat in front of her as she spoke, giving her a cool smile. [color=a187be]"A...good friendly game of twenty questions hmm? You may ask ten non open ended questions, as long as the answer is something I can give in only a sentence or two. That should be simple enough for you, isn't it? And don't worry, I'll answer with percent honesty. If you accept, you will walk away with information regardless of whether you find out what you actually want. However...at the end I will ask [i]you[/i] a question. A single question. And your answer will determine if you will...lets say, find out what I am researching quite [i]intimately.[/i] Of course you can always walk away and miss this opportunity. It will not likely come again, but you will at least walk away unscathed."[/color] She leaned forwards in her chair, eyeing Aetheria carefully. It was likely she was sizing up the white mage, seeing just how much she wanted this little information. [color=a187be]"I think you're clever enough to come out of this...relatively unharmed, but perhaps I am wrong? You have ten seconds before I decide you aren't what I am looking for."[/color] The white mage admittedly felt a chill go up her spine and fear begin to press into her mind as she realized that the headmistress was willing to destroy her entire existence on the spot.  But being an adult, she took a deep breath, turned around, and moved into the chair, adjusting her robed to make herself comfortable.  Her expression steeled and any hint of submissiveness left her voice.   [color=lightyellow]”I came attempting to be subtle and respectful.  Not to play a silly game.  It is rather clear thought that we should abandon both of those ideas.  You have information I am curious about and could possibly find useful, and I am certain I have knowledge that is useful to you.  We both have skills the other doesn’t, but I have far more free time than you do.  That means time to research and discover things that could help you.  And the potential to find a lot more, if certain items are provided.  As my employer and superior, I’ll give you something for free.  But I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect to be paid a little extra for my overtime, so to speak.”[/color] [color=a187be]"What a boring answer."[/color] Livia replied with a sigh. Well, that was fine. She didn't want to play her little game, well she'd just play another. [color=a187be]"Subtle? If you want something you should just ask outright. I am your employer but I like to think myself reasonable. No need to waste both of our times with things like subtleties. It’s rather depressing that it seems you don't understand, so let me try to enlighten you. Why do you think I built this academy? I am certain you are curious to the answer, but it's much more simpler than you might think."[/color] Livia let Cynthia pour more tea as she continued. [color=a187be]"Manpower. Resources. Money. I have an entire school, and an entire student body full of hopeful, bright students looking to impress. Not to mention the teachers, which are some of the best mages in the world. You want the tears? I could give you them, and reveal some of my motives. Or I could have a team of people run a project on them. Money goes quite a long way of keeping people's mouths shut, and if that doesn't work there are always less...scrupulous methods. I may not have free time myself, but I have [i]people[/i] that would be more than happy to work for less information.”[/color] She picked up the refilled cup, deciding to get right to the heart of Aetheria’s little matter here. [color=a187be]“So...why should I divulge [i]anything[/i] about my personal projects to you? Projects of which, have been in the works before I even built this academy and are something not even miss Lindall are fully aware of. Projects of which, you don’t even know the full implication of if successful, that could change humanity's position among beings far greater than them. So what makes you so special, hmm?”[/color] [color=lightyellow]”You wouldn’t hire me unless I had a very special set of skills, Headmistress Livia.  Perhaps you could hire a few hundred interns, but while they might discover more … they wouldn’t discover as deeply.  And one of these special skills is something you lack because you practice a different school of magic and probably only know one or two mages of the same caliber as I.”[/color] Aetheria reached a single hand down to her belt, pulling out a flask.  [color=lightyellow]”For example, since I was a student here I have had suspicions about your … mortality … just looking at you.”[/color]  The white mage took a sip of whatever liquid contents were within.  [color=lightyellow]”You haven’t aged a single day since before I was hired.  I don’t know how you managed to do it, but a single glance made me suspicious.  A few strands of your hair from the garbage confirmed it.  You don’t have long left, do you?  But you have a backup plan, I’m sure of it.  I simply hope it’s not as easy to detect for someone with my skillset.”[/color] At first, Livia was silent, followed by more silence. Seconds ticked by as she simply observed Aetheria before a small smirk formed on her lips. [color=a187be]"You're treading on dangerous territory, Aetheria."[/color] Livia chuckled. [color=a187be]"You should tread carefully, or you might find out something you shouldn't."[/color] Livia wasn't upset no, more amused than anything. Didn't have long left? Well, that was certainly an understatement. By all rights, she should have already been dead. [color=a187be]"Magic is magic. It is true my magic is nowhere near as geared to your particular task as yours is, but magic all stems from the same source. It would not be too difficult to do a bit of...reverse engineering, so to speak if you're clever...which I am."[/color] She pursed her lips before taking a sip of tea. [color=a187be]"So...how much do you already know then, hmm? Since you seemed to have decided to look into my personal research [i]without[/i] my permission anyways...Couldn't you find it out better on your own then? Or is that the limit of your abilities?"[/color] If Aetheria did truly believe that was the limit of her abilities, then Livia might be more inclined to help. The white mage simply shrugged in response.  [color=lightyellow]”I know your soul is attached to your body in an abnormal manner, but I know not how or why.  If I had access to your tears … I could perhaps figure this out.  Hair isn’t the best sample, after all.”[/color]  A slight chuckle left the woman’s lips as she thought about the silliness of the situation.  [color=lightyellow]”Of course, I doubt you’d be willing to give me your tears and blood easily.  If you ever end up in my hospital though ...”[/color]  Aetheria gave off a slight wink.  [color=lightyellow]”... who knows, maybe I would find out something about you even you don’t know.”[/color] Something about herself she didn't know? ...now there was an idea. Livia smirked, opening a drawer in her desk and pulling out what looked to be a syringe. Perhaps it was her own curiosity, but any information about her own body would be quite useful. She place the glass implement on the table on front of Aetheria. [color=a187be]"Let us make a little deal, then hmm? You find out anything about me that I do not already know, and I'll tell you anything you want."[/color] The white mage raised her eyebrow in return, a little curious.  Surely there was something she could figure out.  [color=lightyellow]”Anything, or everything?  There’s a bit of a distinction there, headmistress.”[/color]  Aetheria was actually a little excited about this.  A more idiotic person might attempt to perform some sort of hex with it, but the connection between Livia’s body and soul was strange anyways, and any mage of her caliber would have protections against such a thing.  The syringe entered the woman’s robes, unlikely to be seen again by anyone but her. [color=a187be]"Anything you want."[/color] Livia replied. [color=a187be]"But you are probably aware that I reward those who go...above and beyond, so to speak. The more information you bring, the more I will be willing to reveal to you."[/color] The white mage nodded for a few moments.  Seemed like this would be a test of her skill then … considering her alternate magical field, she was sure she could figure something out.  [color=lightyellow]”I will return as soon as I discover something worth sharing, headmistress.  For now, I have a lab to attend.”[/color]  This time Aetheria rose from her chair, pushing it back to it’s original position.  [color=lightyellow]”On a completely unrelated note: classes are formally canceled for the day, yes?  I don’t think anyone’s coming anyways …”[/color] [color=a187be]"Do as you will. Indeed, most students are likely not coming, but as always I have work regardless. You are dismissed."[/color] With that the doors to the office opened with a loud creak, the slightly oppressive aura in the room dissipated and Livia waved Aetheria gone. The white mage gave a respectful bow on the way out of the room, and closed the door behind herself. This would be interesting. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/KDNoPCb.jpg[/img][/center] Face pats were alright, and Maoin returned a slight but somewhat reluctant purr as the cold hands touched her. [color=8dc73f]"FINE! Make cookies for them! See what I care! I'll go find my own cookies!"[/color] Her mistress didn't have that sort of reaction though, and stormed out of the building angrily. Even Maoin was able to pick up that she had somehow upset her owner, and sat there stunned. The kitten was completely confused as to why, but before she could do anything she was suddenly wrapped in a hug and petted by Lyssa. Pink haired said something about staying, but she didn't really remember it. Mugi said something encouraging her to go after mistress, and after a brief moment of thought the kitten agreed. A brief struggle ensued against both the good feeling pets and the woman's tight grip, then Maoin questioned the two of them. She remembered that she asked for both of their addresses and promised to have their exchange at a later date, then promptly tossed them out as she gathered up a few items before sprinting out the door. [hr] She went to a few taverns she thought Gwynn frequented. At first she was polite, waiting patiently for the managers to patiently return her query of if her owner was there. The kitten's politeness ran out eventually as panic began to set in. Where was Gwynn? Was she alright? What had gone wrong? The next thirty or so establishments went by in a blur as the kitten ran in and out of them, simply examining the interiors as she sprinted through the various rooms. A few people yelled at her, but she didn't care. Both her ears and her eyes confirmed that her owner wasn't there. At some point, she simply paniced enough that she began yelling, [color=darkslateblue]"MISTRESS!"[/color], as she charged through the streets, hoping a confirmative voice would eventually respond. Her fears came true though as there weren't any signs of jewelry stores being robbed or the voice of a returning message. Eventually on the street, she found her owner. Running up behind her blonde haired mistress, the kitten made her exclamation. [color=darkslateblue]"Mistress, are you -"[/color] The face that turned around though wasn't the same, and a very confused blonde haired student was left behind in the streets, wondering what was going on. [hr] It took a little under two hours. Breathing heavily both from exertion and stress, eventually the kitten went out of town to the lake as a last resort. And of course, there was the form of her owner, skating on the frozen, icy, cold surface. A brief shiver went up Maoin's spine as she finally calmed down a bit, adrenaline leaving her system. The sound entering her ears and her eyes both confirmed that it was her owner simply enjoying herself. Of course. It was winter. [color=darkslateblue][i]Stupid, stupid cat! Of course! She was rambling about playing in the snow this morning and refused to even take her morning bath, obviously she's out here enjoying herself.[/i][/color] Approaching at the edge of the ice, the familiar let out a final, horse cry. [color=darkslateblue]"Mistress!"[/color] As soon as she let out that yell, the girl realized it had probably been a bad idea to say anything. The kitten realized she was a mess and completely unpresentable. Breaths were coming in raggedly, sweat and tears partially frozen clung in small portions to her face. Her mage was obviously upset, quite possibly with her, and probably didn't want to talk right now. Besides, she seemed to be enjoying herself. Alone. The girl set the bag she had been carrying on the ground, sitting down next to it and looking at the ground as she waited for her owner to eventually approach. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/HuFvrKV.jpg[/img][/center] The phoenix blinked a few times, thinking about how the person next to her would manage to chew on the rock. It was a strange idea at a minimum. Rather than responding though, she simply nodded. They were getting close to the office, and Fia had some sinking feeling that she would have to explain herself. One of the mages that had rescued her eventually walked by without comment, probably heading off to do something important. much she wanted that information.