[hr] [center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/170916/eed9c152d072271d2f24867193de1aa1.png[/img][/center] [hr] Lady Miatri made her way past the countless tomes and encyclopedias that cluttered the walls around her, her long robes trailing slightly behind her as she was careful not to intercept the few busy little otters that shuffled along the shelves totting stacks of books in their little paws squeaking in exhaustion from the stress of their weight. Their focus was unwavering, and none paid any mind to the headmistress as she strode by. A few that were between tasks acknowledged her with a tiny paw wave or a little salute, to which she gave a short nod with a slight smile. Eventually she came to a modest looking door with a slightly crude wooden sign nailed to the wall beside it reading "Headmist-[s]er[/s]-ress' Office" pointing at the door in childishly painted on letters. Miatri opened the door and made her way in. The office was wondrous, albeit a bit messy, with large glass panes overlooking the ocean of the coastline and professional shelves filled with records and scrolls surrounding a lovely wooden desk. The whole room's beauty was offset with giant stacks of papers cluttering the room and blocking parts of the windows as well as towers of tomes being organized slowly by a tiny grey haired otter in a little red bowtie. The Mistress navigated trough the sea of papers and sat down at her desk, sinking with a heavy sigh into a large red leather chair that was as comfortable as it looked. [color=f26522]"Jonathan?"[/color] She spoke tiredly as she lifted a brown parchment on the table, catching the attention of the old otter that organized the books, [color=f26522]"May I pester you for a cup of tea?"[/color] The otter chattered happily to his headmistress. [color=f26522]"Yes yes rose tea with a spoon of honey will do just fine. Thank you Jonathan."[/color] The otter dissapeared and came back to her with a fresh tray of steaming tea that smelled of rose petals and handed her a tea cup complete with a tea plate, scone, and hand made doily that the otter himself took pride in noting he made himself. [color=f7941d]"Thank you so much Jonathan. You certainly are the most skilled tea maker in the province."[/color] The otter perked up happily and shuffled off. The Headmistress sipped her tea, gasping a little in pain before realizing it was too hot. She stuck out a finger above the water and blew a small gust of wind before taking another sip of the now perfect temperature tea. Jonathan soon returned to her, shuffling to her holding a long parcel wrapped in brown paper. [color=f26522]"Oh? What is this? Another gift from father?"[/color] The otter nodded with his full body, as his neck was stiff in his old age. She unwrapped it to find it's contents, a long glass bird with loosely attached long stick legs, a small body weighing down a long neck with a small triangular beak sticking out from a cartoonishly drawn face. [color=f26522]"Another trinket captured his interest has it?"[/color] She looked at a small scrap of paper that explained to her how the contraption functioned. She placed it's feet on the desk, and as instructed held it's head perpendicular to it's feet before releasing it. The bird rocked back and forth, never losing momentum from where it had started. [color=f26522]"I..."[/color] She looked at the paper that sounded off a "fwap" as she looked at it once more [color=f26522]"I don't get it. What is this?"[/color] She turned to the old otter, [color=f26522]"What is the point of this?"[/color] The old otter slowly lifted himself into her chair, squirming his way past her arm, and starred at the contraption before tilting his head upward. He soon jumped down, and returned to her with another cup of tea, placing it where the bird dipped. The bird dipped it's beak into the tea, moving back to it's starting position, and dipping back down into the tea. [color=f26522]"Oh!"[/color] She lit up with an elderly surprise, raising her eyebrows as she looked back at the slip of paper. She scratched the otter's head as she laid down the slip and moved the bird next to another contraption, a row of metal balls that were suspended in a way that they would clack together making one end move up without touching the other and repeating. [color=f26522]"Honestly I don't understand what he sees in these..."[/color] She looked at the paper again, reading it over carefully. [color=f26522]"Now then, this year's new arrivals are certainly an interesting bunch..."[/color] She looked over the list written on the paper. [color=f26522]"Multiple royals, a highly credentialed high elf student from the elven academies, a decorated dwarven veteran, skilled mages, and this one is [i]very[/i] unusual, a Tiefling slave.[/color] She took a sip from her tea. [color=f26522]"Very interesting. I took notice of this High elf girl in the crowd, she seemed quite unusual from the other high bloods to come through the academy. Her application mentioned a disinterest in restoration magic, a shame really she would have quite the talent for it. She owns the Tiefling slave, [i]very[/i] unusual indeed. Mannerisms I would expect from a Dark elf than a high elf. Perhaps she would do well to spend time with Master Liyva.[/color] She paused to drink before continuing, [color=f26522]"But then again, the last thing I want to deal with is another student busting in my door to complain about their placements... Perhaps she would be happier under the tutelage of Master Taihlier. Though I can forsee some issues with his Dark Elf blood in the eyes of such a highly celebrated High Blood student.[/color] The otter chattered to her. [color=f26522]"You know I thought they wouldn't be able to find it in the Encyclopedia section, nobody [i]ever[/i] wishes to go to the encyclopedia section. But every year, I always get a complaint from [i]someone[/i].[/color] She didn't look back to the otter but handed him the now empty cup as if it were a common ritual passing between the two on a daily basis. [color=f26522]"One that we should keep an eye on... This young man, Alexander. Hardly a noticeable boy in the crowd, but something felt... [i]wrong.[/i][/color] She breathed deep once again. [color=f26522]"These other students seem rather easily placed in their respective fields. But keep an eye out for this one, he is a kind boy at heart, but there's something off about him. His aura feels different somehow. [i]Heavier[/i]. "[/color] She sighed, [color=f26522]"Though this gnome girl seems to be someone we need special attention to for sure. Master Rovi has some insight on strange magic, perhaps to him... Perhaps father would have some insight on her strange magic. It's so, random."[/color] The otter squeaked in a questioning manner. [color=f7941d]"Oh no no, I doubt any of them would find him."[/color] She waved at him. Jonathan let off a string of chatters. Miatri scoffed to herself. [color=f26522]"Oh pish posh my dear Jonathan. The only reason [i]we[/i] see him is because we have the shortcut. It's not that he would be angry to be disturbed, quite the contrary. He would [i]love[/i] to meet them, share his knowledge even.[/color] She laughed to herself, [color=f26522]"But honestly, who would even [i]want[/i] to climb 60 flights of stairs?[/color] She picked up her plate and looked around her as if expecting her tea to still be their, [color=f26522]"Now Jonathan, did you refill the tea?"[/color] The otter waddled back to her with a fresh cup, [color=f26522]"Oh I've been meaning to ask, how's Natalie? Was the birthday nice?[/color] The otter perked to her happily and went off on a chattering tangent, speaking affectionately in otter noises about what she could understand a story of his grandotter and her first birthday party. The Headmistress chatted with him as she worked, sending magical messages in the shapes or paper animals to individuals needing to be notified as she listened to her friend's story. [hr]