[Flashback] A Taste of that Summer Sun (Hadrian)

by **Faraluun** on January 9th, 2012, 2:57 am

Watching the young scholar, the corners of his mouth turned up into a smile, something he rarely did what with it being such grim times as they where. "We are not so different it seems then" His smile was quick to fade though as a darker thought crossed his mind. His travels hadn't left him quite as blessed with as much coin as he would have preferred, left him bereft of social graces, and found him lacking in skills he might use to gain cheaper entrance as the boy had outlined. Even despite that, it didn't much matter when his time spent here was not his own to decided and subject to the whims of the men he traveled with. Still perhaps something could be arranged.

"Perhaps you could escort me to such a place I could arrange this?"

oocI'm sorry it took so long. I shall try to post more regularly now.

by **Hadrian** on January 9th, 2012, 6:42 am

Those words coming out of nowhere shocked a smile out of Hadrian, but it quickly disappeared. He nodded and indicated the ethaefal should go with him as he started toward the Registrar's office.

"I'm Hadrian, by the bye," he said. "Hadrian Aelius." He had already told the ethaefal what he studied, which was the usual follow up to a name when it came to student-to-student communication. "I'll take you to meet Registrar Sanderson. He can set you up with classes and students for tutoring. If you want to be a research assistant, you usually have to make a name for yourself in a professor's class first, but sometimes they've been known to take on a stranger.

"You can... well, you can stay with me for a time, if you wish. To save money. You're an ethaefal, so you're safe, right?" He laughed awkwardly.

by **Faraluun** on January 15th, 2012, 4:02 am

His eyes running up and down the stone walls, he examined the architecture carefully as he paced alongside Hadrian. This stranger had done much for him that was for sure, though perhaps he understood the value of his services, and had something up his sleeve to gain from their chance meeting. It made no matter to him, for the eth wanted for nothing except more knowledge, and that was something that could never be stripped from his mind, no matter how sharp the blade. What the man stood to get though remained a teasing mystery.

"Faraluun. Do not mistake me in this for I appreciate your offer, but in a world such as this services are not often gifted freely. Make what is it that you want known so their will be no uneasiness between us. Friction begets fractures, and with such flaws trust fails to cary over" He spoke softly, and though his words bespoke of tension, his gaze reflected none of it as if he was seemingly above the hint of strife and they stood on equal footing with no such words passed between them.

by **Hadrian** on January 16th, 2012, 1:46 am

"Oh," he said, startled. He hadn't thought of that. "I hadn't thought of that."

Considering for a moment, uncomfortable in his skin at this strange aberration from etiquette into plain honesty, which he appreciated but for which he was unprepared. He didn't need to think up his answer, for it was true, but how best to present it since Faraluun seemed to think he was an opportunist, which was fair. Most people were. Perhaps all people were. His father certainly thought so.

"Well, I have never spent a great deal of time with an Ethaefal. I thought it might be... illuminating. So by showing you to the Registrar, offering you a place to stay until you are settled, perhaps we could be friends, and we would both learn from each other. I like to learn. I'm sorry, I'm not very good with people."

by **Faraluun** on January 21st, 2012, 4:12 am

His palm cupped his chin as he paused for a moment to think of the man's response, a quite acceptable one if there ever was a right answer. The young student was full of surprises it seemed, brimming with clever insights and potential, something Faraluun himself could find quite valuable in the coming years should he ever manage to break away from his escort. Besides that he felt he could trust the man, him finding this human's honesty quite refreshing in the such dark, bleak world he found himself reborn in.

"Quite, the road has left me little in the way of manners. Perhaps you will rub off on me, eh? Thank you for indulging me" He offered a hint of a smile, finishing his sentence with a sweep of his hand to gesture for them to continue. Yes, this one was proving quite helpful, and he suspected he had more to learn from the scholar than he had from him.

by **Hadrian** on February 2nd, 2012, 6:13 am

"Perhaps," he allowed. He didn't know how else to answer. As he had already stated, he was not so good with people. "You're welcome. It's nothing, really."

With that, he turned and led the way through the pre-Valterrian buildings of the Old Quarter, mostly taken up by the University these days. The Regents held a great deal of sway in local politics, and as a student and scholar, Hadrian found this quite progressive. He didn't speak on it, though, not sure if such talk would bore the lofty Ethaefal. It wasn't so very far before they had arrived. Hadrian stopped in front of the building.

"Registrar Sanderson is inside," he said. "He can answer more questions than I can about logistics. Should I... wait here? I can take you home afterward, help you get settled."

by **Faraluun** on February 12th, 2012, 3:57 am

Following the young scholar quietly, Faraluun took a moment to reflect on that which had passed between them while he idly examined the ancient buildings vaulting high above their heads. Of his time here, he hadn't much more that a few years, but perhaps a good portion could be learned in that span of time, or just enough to wet his tongue and long for his return to the city rich in history, a rare thing after the cataclysm.

Words rippled through the stillness and his eyes focused once more on the boy before him, his breath ever steady in his chest. "If that is what you wished though I'd be quite thankful if you came in to help me make introduction" He stated measuredly, taking a small step towards the doorway while keeping his calculating gaze on the student.

by **Hadrian** on February 12th, 2012, 5:00 am

"As you wish," he said, and led the way into the Registrar's. He had been in there at least once per term since his arrival in the Fall of 506 A.V., when he had enrolled for his very first classes. That fateful survey on magical theory had quickly cascaded into a variety of magical courses, which soon matched anthropological courses and then surpassed them. Now he was a student of culture and magic, and had no real friends.

There was just a short line for the Registrar's attention since the term had already begun and most schedules were complete. While idling there, he attempted to make conversation.

"Registrar Sanderson likes people who know what they want and are articulate about it. So if you just go ahead and tell him what you're looking for, what you can offer in exchange, and how long you plan to be in town, he'll do his best to make it all work out. He's a master of logistics.

"Oh, your turn." He stepped up to the desk with Faraluun at his side.

"Hello, Registrar. Me again. My schedule is fine, but Master Faraluun here is new to Zeltiva and eager to teach and learn. Faraluun, this is the Registrar. He is your best friend at the University, or you should treat him that way."

OOCWe can either ask Paragon to moderate as Sanderson, or maybe I can guest-mod him with Paragon's permission?

by **Faraluun** on February 28th, 2012, 4:22 am

Faraluun breathed slowly in and out of his mouth as they waited in line, and Hadrian spoke to him. It helped him focus and keep his head clear in the best of circumstances, but with the official so near, and his mind still racing by with thoughts as to the pursuit that would benefit him best, he found himself taken aback by it all. A rare feeling indeed.

The boy stepped forward and he followed suit, his teal eyes finding that of Sanderson's almost magnetically, and taking a deep breath to fuel his words, he added a slight grin to put the man at ease. "Good day Registrar, I come to learn more on summoning if you have the people for it in return for services to be rendered if it can at all be arranged" He spoke measuring his tone and words, attempting to give weight where it was due.

Sparing a glance at his associate, his eyebrow arched in anticipation.

oocThat sounds good, if you could message Paragon to either of those ends it would be much appreciated.

by **Hadrian** on March 18th, 2012, 9:57 pm

Guest Moderation Permission :

Registrar Sanderson looked up from his ledger, fingers ink-stained, eyes squinting. He spent a good deal of his life here, clear, precise notes, dispensing with information and permissions for certain basic things. His eyes recognized Hadrian easily and he nodded a somewhat stuffy hello. Sometimes he got grumpy, but he wasn't a bad guy.

"Master Aelius." He turned his eyes on the ethaefal, somewhat more impressed. "Master Faraluun. Welcome to the University of Zeltiva. If you would be so kind as to describe your interests and your desires for teaching, I will attempt to fit you into the pattern here as best I'm able. Hm, and be careful. Young Master Aelius here is reading for Anthropology as well as Magical Studies, so he might attempt to make a paper or three out of your experiences of the Ukalas and your subsequent sojourn back on terra firma. A word to the wise."

Hadrian tried to look innocent. He had, after all, told Faralunn that part of his willingness to allow the ethaefal to bunk with him for a time was in order to learn.