Homework to Miriam

Miriam,   I'm proud of you. What a change from the young woman asking me to drop her off in Ipth and telling me I don't have to teach her.   You've found a good answer here; Nostalgia Sugar is a good start and I like where it is headed. Could you create a confection that transports the consumer through a story or song?   Let's start a bit smaller - evoking large, complex illusions from an alchemical brew might be the work of several years.   Try evoking a specific illusory taste the same way for everyone. Once you have control of the illusion you're communicating then you can expand it to hinge on a person's memory of a taste.   Then a bit more expansive: What sounds might someone hear along with a specific taste? What would they see? Again start with something uniform and easy to hold in your head, something familiar. The crunch of an apple? The shine of its skin?   See where you get with that and let me know. And of course keep up your studies on illusion and alchemy separately. Tira and Alwen will be able to continue your illusion work.   For alchemy in the Empire you have options but I would recommend a former student of mine: Vritril. If Alwen can point you to her in the Capital she would be a good person to learn from. She's chaotic, as mages go, but brilliant because of it. I think she'd be eager to learn about your blend of magic as well. If you can't find her there are a couple others who may help - Shael or Toelavi. I would expect them to be more practical sources of fundamental alchemical knowledge, which is why I recommend Vritril over them.   I'm sure there are people in the Capital who will give you disrespect for your presence. As you note, Hella and Kadia might escape that by virtue of their proximity to one another and to the Empress but you will be alone.   Whatever foolish drama any of the Court might draw you into you are to remain above it. Your life is meant for more than defending yourself to busybodies. Tira is a model of how to rise above and remain focused on the pursuit of knowledge; Alwen is a model of how to laugh it off. There are plenty of warm-hearted elves who will be eager to know you and work with you; do not let the others mar your experience. I hope you love the place I've called home for so long.   I intend to see all of you before you cross. I need to escort someone new to Dreamfall and I hope to catch you before you leave.   Until then, Heiassa