Another Day, A New Beginning

"Oh?"

It was one of the few times that students that she was helping get oriented with the school actually asked something. Aurora had expected the question would be how to locate a specific building, or some other resource, but instead she got not a question about the school...but about a student who had some issues controlling her abilities, and for once on her time doing these tours, Thirteen was at some loss as to what to say.

Aurora walked silently for maybe ten seconds, and then started to speak on her thoughts, trying to be careful, and realizing she may be treading on a dangerous question.

"To be perfectly honest, I don't know. Students take those classes specifically to take control of their abilities. I can only assume that accidents can, and will happen, if they haven't already. I can only imagine the teachers are good enough at their job to stop anything major from happening, and that there are contingencies against just about anything that students can throw at them."

If there was one, it was Nakata. There were probably others with abilities that could nullify the effects of certain supernaturals. It wasn't a for sure thing, but it was reasonable to assume that they did exist, and that they were employed here, or were around as students. The trio walked into the library, and like clockwork, Thirteen picked up the pair's keys and other documents they would need for their stay, and work.

"Here, these are for your respective dorms each...this is the library, obviously, and just about anything you need for your studies can be found here, along with some extra stuff as well. Some clubs and groups make their homes here. One of my two offices is on the fourth floor."

Adrian Hexe Grimm

But that still doesn't really answer my question, Adrian thought in dismay as she took the items offered to her with a quiet word of thanks. Not that she had been expecting an especially detailed response in the first place, but she thought that she would at least be told something more concrete than Oh, don't worry, there are ways.

The vague answer was somehow more worrying to her than a blunt one could have ever been. Adrian did not doubt that the Academy housed powerful individuals. Nor did she doubt that some of said individuals could probably easily circumvent Aurélie's powers. But which ones are they, then? she wondered. Every member of the staff was suspect, although she did not believe that they could possibly be all be that powerful. It was implausible.

Are you one of them? she asked Professor Silivasi silently, once again reviewing the woman's apparent youth and position at the Academy.

"There are ways this school has of preventing students from intentionally doing each other physical harm," Haleth said quietly. To Adrian, she seemed slightly uncomfortable, hiding it with a shrug. "Or to themselves. But it doesn't hurt and they still care for those students. Mostly, they just wait the student out. Or so I've heard."

Adrian stared ahead for a few moments, rolling the documents into a tube before taking her glasses off. "I see." She vanished the materials into the surface of the glass. There was no way that she could get her notebook through that, so she continued to hold it under one arm. "Thank you." She put her glasses back on.

Against physical harm, she said, Adrian noted. That doesn't cover all types of magic. I'm not even sure whether she means only direct physical harm or direct and indirect. It certainly did not cover mental harm.

Frowning, she anxiously adjusted her glasses and began to scry.

After hearing the question from one of the new students, Aurora started getting the feeling that she wasn't exactly leading people who were new around the school. Maybe new to this geographical area, but certainly not new to the world of the supernatural. In either case, it was quite obvious that neither student, nor her new TA was particularly involved in this tour, and were focused on other more immediate issues that were plaguing them.

Issues that Aurora had no business in knowing, nor had the immediate knowledge to deal with.

"I cannot say for certain the methods used by the school in containing runaway magical or other supernatural effects. I teach music, lead building tours and advise a small program based on supernatural artifacts...containment methods for people are sadly out of my realm of expertise."

Aurora found a nearby chair to sit down on, noting Adrian's quite obviously distressed look, and subtle magical effect that was being emitted. As it was causing no ruckus, Aurora made no effort to discern its purpose or effect. At the idea of pointing them to the dorms, Thirteen was quite quick to agree.

"It's quite obvious that you're both preoccupied with matters that don't involve making yourself acquainted with this school. And that's okay, I'm sure you're both smart enough to figure out where to go on your own."

Aurora pointed out the library doors.

"Go out those doors, take a right and follow the plagues on the walls. They'll show you where to go. Please though leave your problems out of class alright? I don't know anyone that teaches an easy class here, and your distractions may not be good for your grade."

Adrian Hexe Grimm

The scrying left Adrian a little dizzy as it usually did and it was because of that she was able to temporarily stop thinking of the thousands of ways Aurélie might need to use Cendrillon in order to stay clean in public eyes. Since she was actually looking for particular people of interest that time, there were quite a few who drew her eye as potentially worrisome. At the same time, however, many seemed to be quite normal for students at a magical school.

She pressed down the guilt before it could come up. Nothing had happened yet after all. The sentiment was therefore completely unnecessary, yet... Those ones won't stand a chance, she couldn't help but think.

Adrian dipped her head slightly as Professor Silivasi correctly assumed that there were other things on her mind. There seemed to be a hint of a rebuke in the woman's tone but since Adrian did not know her nearly well enough to tell, she simply took note of it.

Have I already done something wrong, though? she wondered. She hoped not. It was far too soon to be making foolish mistakes. And besides obvious reasons -Aurélie, oh Aurélie, I hope I'm being a good younger sister to you- Adrian already had it in her mind to like the professor so the thought of disappointing her was making a little more of an impact than she would have liked.

"My apologies," she said, genuinely meaning it. "The entire experience is slightly unsettling but that will pass soon enough. It should not interfere with my academics, I assure you." She hesitated for a moment, trying to find a way to bridge into something less... Less. "Would the Academy happen to host private lessons in any way? I was thinking of picking up a new instrument some time. The harp. I already have some experience with the piano and violin."

Lovely, now it was starting to bother her somewhat. The fact was, Aurora had actually not thought about the necessity of possibly keeping a method to cast counter magic quickly and safely without harming a student in the process. Sure, she had the ability to counter just about anything with an entropic destruction spell, but it was slow, and not always guaranteed to work.

"Now that I think about it somewhat, my son-in-law specializes in counter magic. I imagine he's not alone in his abilities however, certainly this school has several magicians well-versed in the art, and if not, I can definitely bring up the subject if you would like?"

Her daughter and son-in-law had a strange symbiotic relationship. Some ladies had biological issues every month or so. Aurora's daughter on the other had a supernatural one: a nigh explosive build up and release of mana. If it wasn't properly counter-spelled, the damage could be extensive.

"Anyways, that's for another time. The school doesn't hold private lessons officially, but I certainly do for those students that ask. The harp isn't exactly one of my strong suits...although I'm sure I can get you started on that track if you want."

Aurora looked towards her new TA as well and smiled.

"For you on the other hand, Haleth, the lessons are mandatory...except you're going to be giving them instead...to the incoming music students. If you've never conducted a choir or band before, now would be a good time to mention it."

Even if not, Aurora was fully prepared to teach that part at the least.

"If there's anything else on your minds, please feel free to share, or if not, you're both free to go whenever you wish."

Adrian Hexe Grimm

"Please," Adrian said gratefully, dipping her head after Professor Silivasi offered to ask somebody else about counterspells. To her secret relief, it seemed that the question had not been as much of a bother as she had initially thought. Did something change her mind? Well, no matter. At least now, she might be able to get a solid answer.

Then the professor mentioned something about those harp lessons and Adrian began to feel much more optimistic about being there. She knew that she shouldn't have been -sister first, self second. Blood is stronger than my breath- but musical subjects had always been far more successful in cheering her up than those about duty.

"I will speak to you at another time about it then," she said, with a slight bow this time. "Thank you very much for your assistance."

There wasn't anything else that she had on her mind, and her sister's class would be ending soon. It would be best for her to hurry. So with a final nod to both professor and assistant, Adrian left the library.