SE05 : EP03 - Campus Life

Rosie congratulates the team on a job well done. After hearing the story from them firsthand, she exclaims that they are amazing, like a group of real heroes. After thanking them, she bolts off into Vibroplex, the story spreading with her.   Professor Sharpbeak dismisses them as the faculty takes control of the situation. A few minutes later, they decide to take a rest by leaving for the dorms. Stopping back at the information booth that meets with Nora and Javensh. Nore excitedly explains how they can get to Maye Tower. Javensh mentions that Rosie was zipping by and mentioned the party's adventure. Nore rounds on them and excitedly congratulate them as big heroes.   As they are leaving the Plex, the same group of girls that were sitting in the lounge look over at them whispering amongst themselves. Lanis Loranna a pale sheepish elf and Aurora Luna Wynterstarr, a stunning-looking Damphir sit side by side looking their way. Across from them, the third member of their group a put-together-looking Eladrin named Vanessa Rowan is fixated on Olivier. As the party leaves her gaze follows over one shoulder then with a hair flip continues on over the other. Olivier blushes and squirms at the subtext of all this.   Later the party finds they have one half of the Maye Tower's fourth floor to themselves, divided among their rooms. The chambers themselves ar compact but pleasant. A bed is suspended over a tight sitting area with a stuffed chair and side table. Across from that is a folding desktop built-in to the wall and a firmer work chair. Also, call buttons for aid are affixed near the door along with a pull cord for the blinds and everbright lantern that is in the center of the ceiling.   On their desk is a wide short box with a note sealed onto it. "Your presence is requested at the Captain Dapplewing Manor for a dinner party in honor of the arriving class," The box contains a fine set of grey robes with trims of black and white. They are very easy to clean and customize.   The whole class of 1766 is at the gala. There are elaborate decorations strung around wood-paneled walls. The manor is elegant and well-appointed. After the party arrives they are treated by classmates as "The Big Damn Heroes." Apparently, the story of their battle with the mimic earlier in the day has mutated into a heroic battle against three or more of the man-eating boxes. Then name sticks to them as they go through the night. Tuli Medowfoot appears behind Lionel running her hands through his fur. She then whisks him off to show him all the amazing food spread out through the space. He enjoys may of the foods, but gags on an orange, finding the citrus revolting. This causes all manner of giggles to rise out of Tuli. Warren finds the oranges quite good, finishing the one Lionel abandoned.   The party grabs plates and drinks. They find Javenesh working a crape station, doing a good job but straining under A seemingly nervous Vanessa is coaxed on by her friends to speak with Olivier. No sooner than she says her name a booming voice commands their attention. "Announcing the arrival of Director Tavia, the voice of the Founders and Chancellor of Strixhaven School." Vanessa shirks at being cut off. Olivier returns a glance of sympathy but in their own awkwardness thanks the interruption.   The lights dim and a lithe woman flows into the room. Her body has an almost ethereal quality. White slightly translucent skin has a rainbow of colors shimmering through it. Streaks of colors run down her pale hair. and as she walks in her robes and strands of hair seem to waft in the air, not holding to gravity as they should. "Brillant Scholars, it is my esteemed pleasure to welcome you to your first night here at Strixhaven. I know that your time here will enrich us greatly, and I do hope these grounds and the rewards of knowledge do the same for you."   She glides around the room and as she points out important information and warm welcomes she seems to stare into people. Her gaze inviting but piercing. As her eyes meet the party she comments, "And perhaps your future is one of heroics known throughout the lands." The emphasis on "hero" is unmistakable, even she know their nickname.   In the end, she finishes her speech back where she started. "Three notices for all of you. One, as first years you are confined to the grounds of the central campus unless given express written permission. This is for the safety of you as well as your upperclassmen. Two, I apologize that despite our efforts over the summer the stadium is still not yet ready for use this academic year. Lastly, three, your safety is of utmost concern to us. We have little tolerance for those who endanger our fellow classmates. Bear this in mind in all your actions." She pauses and scans the room, letting that sink in. Then she swirls her rob and leaves through the door in a flourish.   The lights rise back to normal levels. After another hour or so of mingling, the students return to their dorms. Lionel's constant companion Tuli gives him the last stroke on the back of his neck before whispering the name of her dorm in his ear. As she walks away, he wonders where on-campus that building might be. Olivier and Vanessa have barely stumbled through a conversation. Awkward glances and false starts of chatting come to an end as Lanis arrives to collect Vanessa. The snow elf shyly asks her, "Hey Aurora, and I was going to head back. Uhm do you want to come with us... or uhm did you want to stay?" Olivier's face tints to a deeper red. Vanessa blurts out, "Oh sure, let's uh, go Lanis." She turns to Olivier and stares at him for an awkward moment. "Oh geez, I'm sorry! Olivier this Lanis. Lanis Olivier." She gestured between them. Lanis gives a little wave. Another long money passes. Vanessa's face turns pink, "Ok well great to meet you, Olivier, maybe we'll have class together. So yeah... bye." The two girls leave, Lanis teasing her as they do.   The next morning the party ventures out to the register to get their class assignments. They feel out of the electives and find they share a few classes together. Specifically, Magical Physiologies is shared on all their schedules.   Some weeks into the semester they find the class load to be a bit more challenging then might of expected. The amount of homework or top of extracurriculars and jobs has made for a big change of pace in their day-to-day lives. And when the first exams come, the difficulty is apparent. But it is more the practical laboratories that leave a mark.   At the end of a week of exams, the Magical Physiologies class finds themselves in on the basement laboratories of central campus. Professor Verelda Lang has been a dry but knowledgeable teacher. A dryad who teaches Quandrix classes in addition to their regular Winterbloom classes. They are brilliant Arcano-biologist but as unsettling aloofness around the dangerous and exotic creatures, they lecture on. The day's experiment really exemplifies that.   "As we have been exploring with Slaadi there are often specific biological features for defense. The death Slaad for instance has a glad that secrets a olfactory offensive chemical that it stores in a aerosoling sack within their mouth. I have prepared canisters of a deluded version of this compound for you to experience first-hand." They say in a calm and disconnected voice.   In the center of the stone room are two booths made of plates of glass boun in an iron frame. Rubber lines the inside of the door. Between them runs a pair of piping that connects with one-way vents to each other.   "May I have pair of volunteers?"   In pairs, the students enter the booths and unleash the vaporous chemicals through the vents. It is a foul and noxious stench. Some take it very well and see more intellectually curious than offended. Others are floored but the punch to the nose and smell and taste the odder for days afterward. All and all the experiment leaves a long-lasting impression, whether wanted or not.   By the time of the quarter-finals, the party has adjusted to life in Strixhaven. They fill the days on classwork and building relationship. Between jobs, extracurriculars, and their dorm life each of the characters is on their way to making new friends. And with their help they they are able to keep social and still pass their exams.   After all surviving Professor Lang's Salaad test they head off together to decompress in the Firejolt Café. The aroma of the coffee, tea, bread, and spice swirl through the comfortable lounges. They spot a few of their friends and classmates milling about. Olivier got here earlier and sipping at something while Mercy is finishing their shift at the barista station.   After greeting each other. Cadoras excitedly arrives and asks if they checked out the fun in the one curtained-off lounge. Explaining they just got done with exams, Cadoras tells they need to check it out.   As they pull back the curtain they are beckoned in by Bree Greenbottom. This druid girl is all about frogs and right now the party is invited to join in on the greatest frog race the Firejolt has ever seen.