daybreakacademy | so many new things, it's like sensory overload

Entry tags:

so many new things, it's like sensory overload

Who: Emille and whomever
What: A. Emille makes herself at home in her office; B. Emille checking out the library; C. An ad posted on the Iris Network; D. Wildcard.
When: Early January, through January 8 or so.
Where: A. Anywhere between Savant and the research labs in the Citadel; B. The prophecy section of the library; C. Online; D. Wherever.
Warnings: None.

A. Moving in

[Emille's eyes had lit up and her heart had skipped a beat in anticipation when she first saw the immaculate white and silver laboratory area underneath Daybreak proper. Supercomputers? Check. A full stock of chemicals? Check. Tables for dissection? Check. Stasis tubes? Check. Check, check, check!

And, best of all -- Emille was appointed as the head of this lab, given free reign to do what she wanted when she wanted as she saw fit. It was all she'd ever wanted; the culmination of so many dreams. The large office directly in the back of the laboratory complex even had her name above the door in gold lettering, and it was enough to make her smile in approval. This was going to be the beginning of something glorious.

The office itself was spacious, with a computer underneath a window looking out over the lab immediately to the left of the doorway. The desk that the computer sat on continued to wrap around the corner to also occupy the entire left wall. Bookshelves lined the back wall, and a couch sat up against the right wall ending just where the door rested when swung open. It was no luxury suite, but it was fully functional for all of Emille's needs. The couch especially caught her attention, and amused her a bit -- yes, yes, scientists were well-known for living in their labs. Sometimes it just can't be helped. But the couch will certainly help when those all-nighters arrive, which she was sure they would.

Ever since then, Emille has been moving boxes of materials from the common room of the Savant faculty dorm all the way down to her office, bit by bit. She wouldn't admit it, but some of the boxes of books are quite heavy for her, and so she's leaving them for last. Or for anyone who takes pity on a child-sized scientist...]

B. Library lurking

[Emille's finally caught a break, and so she's decided to visit the library. She'd heard good things about the number of old and rare tomes available to the campus, but she had no idea about the collection of prophecies housed in the Hall of Pythia.

It's where she is now, perusing the titles, hoping to see if anyone's ever had any visions of Dragon daemons. Someone might want to point her to the prophecy index, though, before she spends all night here.]

C. UN: murakumo_emille | SUBJECT: Help Requested

Anyone interested in working in a state-of-the-art laboratory or learning about scientific procedures is welcome to join Head Researcher Emille in the Citadel's labs as a lab assistant. As an assistant, you will help with research projects, help keep the lab in pristine condition, and have the opportunity to do your own research.

Multiple positions are available. Students with previous lab experience are preferred, but anyone who is eager to learn is welcome. THIS WILL BE LIKE A JOB, so you will be expected to work and produce results. You will be compensated for your time.

Please reply to this ad or see Head Researcher Emille if you are interested, or if you have further questions. Thank you.

--Emille

D. Wildcard
Would you like to introduce yourself to Emille elsewhere on campus, perhaps when she doesn't seem as busy? Want to reply to her ad in person? Go right ahead! Or whatever else your heart desires. I'm down for whatever. Emille might not be, but she'll just have to deal with it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She was glad that Urtz began her walk at such a leisurely pace, so Emille could take her time looking out over the entirety of the Hall as she followed behind. What a gorgeous old building filled to the brim with even more ancient knowledge. It was a lovely sight to behold.

But as soon as Emille took her eyes away from the scenery around her to make sure Urtz was still in front of her -- where else could she go while in the midst of rows of books? -- she heard the other woman tell her to keep up. Because she was far ahead of Emille all of a sudden.

Jeeze, what was this woman doing moving so quickly? Emille frowned a little, then quickened her own pace. She knew that running was a definite no-no in such a location, but she was on the verge of breaking that rule since Urtz was moving so quickly. What. Why? Curse these short legs of hers!

Trying her hardest to maintain a whisper, Emille calls out to Urtz:]

Lady Cromwell, could you please wait a moment? I was briefly sidetracked. [As she moves closer to Urtz, she asks with a bit of exasperation,] Just how far are we from this index?

[Rules in this school are generally seen as more of a suggestion. At least, that's the way it seems with the faculty here. Though thankfully Urtz does slow down and eventually stop so the other woman can catch up. She seemed briefly surprised to find that Emille wasn't keeping pace, but it isn't long before her neutral and polite expression returns.]

Ah, my apologizes. I thought you would want to get there as quickly as possible. We aren't far at all, now. About a minute or two away from our destination.

[Only when Emille has caught up does Urtz decide to resume walking, this time at a slower pace.]

I also apologize-- I became a little sidetracked while sight-seeing. There is a lot to take in here. Much more than what the building's exterior would suggest.

[As she catches up with Urtz, Emille notices that their pathway -- and the library in general -- begins to open up into a wider common area.]

Though this library is stocked with ancient tomes, hopefully the indexing system is more technologically advanced than shuffling through card catalogs. [Ugh she had to do some of that while working on her thesis paper, and no never again.]

[Ah, yes. Truly dark times. Though thankfully they are behind Emille. Urtz simply smiles a knowing smile and nods her head.]

You needn't worry about that. Jail is our resident technology expert and she's made great improvements on updating the systems in place.

[Her faith in this other woman sounds quite confident, so hopefully it's enough to quell Emille's concerns. With her having now caught up, Urtz continues onto their destination. It's a bit off to the side, but near the common area is a set of terminals search for and study various prophecies and the like. At the moment there doesn't seem to be a line, so Emille is free to go up whenever she wishes.]

Here we are. Anything you need to find should be available through those terminals.

Jail? What an interesting, yet vaguely familiar name. Is she faculty? I will need to express my gratitude to her in the future.

[Oh, she'll have the opportunity to put faces to names soon enough, because the time for talking is over. Now is the time for searching. And reading. And discovering. And wow these computers are awesome.]

Thank you for taking your time out for me once again, Lady Cromwell. Your assistance is greatly appreciated, as always. I hope you are also able to find new knowledge here. [Emille offers a quick bow of thanks, adorned with a small smile.]

[Urtz blinks once, her eyes widen and her smile falls a bit as she nods.]

...that she is. Miss Jailbreak is quite adept when it comes to technology. No doubt the two of you will have much to discuss.

[Hopefully that distracts Emille from her reaction. Slight as it is, Urtz doesn't exactly like slipping up. She hadn't meant to call Jailbreak "Jail", but it seems her fondness for the woman slipped out. She really doesn't like revealing personal information to people she doesn't yet fully trust. Although, that isn't the only reason. It seems her fondness for Jail goes even deeper than she thought it did and she's unsure how to feel about that.

Oh well. It's irrelevant for the moment. All she can do is carry on and hope Emille didn't notice.]

It was no problem. [Another curtsy.] I suppose you will be leaving me then, yes? A pity. Our second conversation and it was cut even shorter than the first.

Miss Break, you say? I will certainly look forward to meeting her. [Emille doesn't notice Urtz's reaction, as she thinks "Break" is a slightly odd but perfectly plausible last name in a world such as this. It may be a magical moment when she meets "Jail Break;" stay tuned.

However, Emille wasn't quite expecting Urtz's reaction to the prospect of parting. Maybe Emille was taking Urtz to be as much of a busybody as she is, considering her love for learning. Maybe not?

This causes her to hesitantly not-quite-stutter,] Ah, true. You may... join me if you would like? [Sorry Urtz she likes you but she has a lot of important information in front of her; she hopes you understand?]

[She understands quite well. It's just that she doesn't exactly appreciate having a conversation being cut so short, especially when it isn't her deciding to end it. It's almost as if she isn't worth talking to. But she doesn't say any of that or express her feelings in any way, save for letting her smile grow to slightly unsettling levels.]

No, no, it's fine. I understand entirely. You're a very busy woman with a lot of research to do. I will take my leave. All I ask is that we meet again and enjoy each other's company for a bit longer next time. Does that sound fair?

[Emille gives Urtz a smile in return. She knew she'd understand! Kindred spirits in knowledge are the best kind.]

I would be honored to spend time with you again, Lady Cromwell. Perhaps I will stumble across a prophecy worth discussing and hearing your opinion on. I shall look forward to that conversation. [She very much respects Urtz's knowledge of the magical realm, so she means every word.]

Also, I would believe that commencement ceremonies for the new semester will be upon us soon, correct? If possible, could you please introduce me to Miss Break at that time, if I have not met her before then? Or to anyone else you deem worth being acquainted with?

[Well, at the very least, she's glad that Emille's respect for her is genuine. She nods at the other woman, her smile softening a bit before she begins to speak.]

As will I. No doubt it will prove to be enlightening. And as for introducing you to some of the other members of the faculty, it would be no problem. There are a few members I already have in mind, besides Miss Jailbreak.

[Emille's only been on campus for about two weeks, and she's already busier than she'd ever expected, or even imagined. Moving into her shiny new office, getting to do extensive research on one-of-a-kind materials, and now looking forward to meeting many impressive (not to mention powerful) peers... She's sure things will change once classes actually begin, but right now, she's enjoying all these new experiences.

Though, upon thinking about it, Emille is curious...]

I would certainly appreciate it, as I have been quite busy in preparation for the new semester and have had little time to socialize. Yet, Lady Cromwell, it seems that you are already well-acquainted with many people despite coming to Daybreak around the same time as I. Is this because of your ties as a mage? [She's just innocently pointing out her observation.]

To some degree. My brother, Ekkehardt Gehring, is a teacher's aid here at Daybreak Academy. I speak with him relatively often, so it's only natural I gathered a great deal of information from the stories he told me.

[No sense in hiding that part, at least. ]

Unfortunately, I have yet to meet many people face to face, so the information I can provide on individuals is limited.

[Also not untrue. Although she is personally familiar with some other people here, she really has no intention of speaking of that.]

[Well, that explains it. Emille had no idea that Urtz was related to someone already on campus. That leads her to wonder why they have different surnames, but again she knows to hold her tongue about such things.]

Ah... I have heard of Sir Gehring in passing, yes. Quite interesting. This is certainly a bit of a revelation. [And definitely something to keep in mind.]

I also only have a passing knowledge of Academy faculty at this point. Murakumo had the forethought to provide me with faculty names and tiny pictures, but that tells me nothing in the long run. Not to mention that I know absolutely nothing about the student body. [The slightest sigh.] I have always preferred the company of books to other living beings, so I do not make it a priority to actively seek company. Others can come find me out if they need me. Which is one reason why I am thankful that you have agreed to introduce me to those you know. [Yet time will tell how long any of these associations last, before Emille and the others drift back to their priorities.]

[Urtz nods in understanding. Although her usual polite, albeit almost empty smile is still up, it's almost as if there's a moment where the facade cracks a bit. Almost as if she found a kindred spirit. She doesn't let it linger for too long, but such a thing does boost her opinion of Emille.]

I can hardly fault your preferences. Books are far less likely to betray you than people are. And yet, life becomes so unbearably dull without people actively participating in your life. Nevertheless, you are quite welcome. Hopefully you find my choices acceptable.

[Emille had been doing well to not think on it since arriving at Daybreak, but learning that Urtz has a sibling on top of musing on her introverted qualities suddenly made her really miss her deceased sister, Aitelle. She can't help but frown and look past Urtz for a moment, which in turn causes her to see the index terminal they are standing in front of. Ah, right. Now she has double the reason to bury herself in research. Still looking away, Emille responds:]

I have nearly forgotten how it is to have non-business relations with others. At this point, I do not even know if it is something I truly want. I did not come to this Academy to establish friendships. [A pause. She wasn't expecting to get this deep while talking to a near-stranger in a library, but it was happening. In a smaller voice, she continues.] Yet... I am already intrigued by those whom I have met.

[She shakes her head and reestablishes eye contact with Urtz, much more determined this time.] Regardless, my mission is laid out in front of me. We must work together to face the dangers of the future. I trust that your comrades will also be willing to allow me to join alongside them in our shared struggles. [She furrows her brow and extends her frown, embarrassed and a little frustrated that she became that weak for a moment. Dang it, Aitelle. You and your infectious love for everyone.]

[Urtz notes Emille looking past her but says nothing. Instead, she simply listens when the other woman decides to speak up again, her smile growing larger before, quite literally, vanishing entirely. Her mouth is gone; the skin where it once was is now flush with the rest of her face. The only features remaining now are the vaguest gesture of a nose and her two sunken eyes and the eyebrows above them.

She truly has found the kindred spirit in this woman. Though that's all the more reason to be on her guard. She knows what set her down the path she's on. What hardships she herself has faced. But Emile's hardships? Why she is the way she is? She doesn't know. Besides, even if she did, trust is difficult to gain and easy to lose.

...still. It's nice to have met someone who gets it.]

Indeed. They would be poor comrades if they turned away help in times such as these, after all. You have nothing to worry about.

[Though she doesn't have a mouth at the moment, her voice comes out quite normally. The flesh around the area where her mouth would be does move a bit, almost like a bandanna covering someone's mouth, however.]

...regardless. I've taken up enough of your time. I dismissed myself some time ago and yet here I stand, still chatting away. You have much work to do, so I shall leave you to it. Good day, Miss Emille. Do take care.

[And with that, Urtz curtsies for the last time and leaves without another word.]

[Emille is left standing in front of the computer, quite confused. One, that was a very abrupt end to that conversation, and two, what was going on with Urtz's mouth? Emille could tell she wasn't exactly human, but... huh?

With a sigh, and the weird self-conscious feeling that maybe she said too much or went too far hanging over her, she sits down at the terminal and begins her searching. Even so, it's just a tad difficult to focus with all that just happened. But, just like with everything else, she has to push through it.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

so many new things, it's like sensory overload

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject