[Registrar's Office] A New Face, a New Start (Need Mod)

[Itasu]

68th Day of Winter, 509 AV (...)Yes, that means it's grandfathered Location: University of Zeltiva Registrar's Office Closed to only me and a mod

A dark figure stood between two buildings in the Old Quarter. He stared from the shadows, looking out onto the University of Zeltiva Registrar's Office. At least, he hoped it was the right building. In all his years in Zeltiva the wizard had avoided everything that had to do with the University, other than visits to the library. Now, he was low on funds, and if he wished to continue his way of life, he would have to get a job. Magic seemed the obvious choice, but he was still unsure if his skills were high enough for a teaching job. Without stepping from the shadows Itasu pulled down his hood and performed a highly rehearsed set of actions. Bringing his hands to his face, Itasu began to change. He started with his nose, as he always did, and for this particular transformation Itasu used his hands to stretch it out slightly. He made it a little longer and bit wider. Then he moved to his ears, making each one smaller. Continuing on, the morpher changed most aspects of his face. He made his hair blonde, his eyes blue. Itasu defined his chin further, and smoothed out a number of wrinkles. When the man was finally satisfied with his new facial structure, he set out into changing the rest of his body. In the end Itasu had changed his body enough so that no one would recognize him, even if anyone knew the prized secret of what his natural form looked like. To complete the effect, Itasu shed his dark blue cloak, leaving it on the ground in the and donned a new personality. This one much brighter and more cheerful than the original. The scariest part of adapting to each form like Itasu, was that the new personality wasn't exactly a fake. To him, it was real, a completely different life. At last, the figure known as Itasu stepped into the light and crossed the street to the building. Then, he began to patiently wait in line. After a while in line, the Registrar finally greeted Itasu. "What is your business with the Registrar today?" The man seemed none-to-happy, and it took a second for Itasu to stop examining the figure before he spoke. And even when he did speak, the wizard continued to stare Sanderson up and down. Itasu admired the human form and how each person could differ so much in the way the looked and behaved. That amazement with people was helpful when it came to creating a new form. "I heard this is where to go if your interested in taking classes at the University. I was also wondering if you had any job opportunities for a competent wizard." He hesitated before saying the last word. You can never be too certain how someone will tolerate a magician.

[Liminal]

Fortunately, the University of Zeltiva was one of the few places outside of Sahova where admitting one was a wizard didn't really raise an eyebrow. Sanderson looked at Itasu and said, "Yes, this is where one goes for classes. And as for job opportunities, it depends on your area of arcane specialty. What is your field, sir?"

He straightened a piece of paper in front of him. "And, should you be interested in classes, what is your field of interest?"

[Itasu]

"Yes, this is where one goes for classes. And as for job opportunities, it depends on your area of arcane specialty. What is your field, sir?" The man hardly moved when he acknowledged that Itasu practiced magic. The wizard had guessed as much would happen, he hadn't arrived in Zeltiva yesterday after all, but he was still relieved to know this man was fine with his interests and that he was in the right place.

"Here and there, I've been trained in glyphing, animation and morphing. Although, I've been going at morphing the longest. So if I were to teach, that would be the best option, followed by animation. Glyphing is out of the question, I won't teach that." Itasu began, holding his unnatural attitude in place with relatively good success.

When the registrar asked what courses he would be interested in taking, the wizard replied without hesitation. He had practiced thoroughly for this moment. "Well, as I've said, I'm competent in those three disciplines, although there is always more room for improvement in each. Just as well I've been looking into learning reimancy. Of course, learning a new area of magic depends on whether or not I'll be able to afford it!" He said the last sentence in a joking tone, although it was more than serious. He wanted a job so that he can make money, and he won't be able to afford to waste his entire income on education.

[Liminal]

Sanderson nodded, though he didn't smile. "Morphing, eh? That's Professor Stonemiller's department, and he'll have to judge to see if you're of a quality where teaching would be an option. Actually, he's the man to see about Reimancy too. You could go to his office, but frankly, you're much more likely to see him in the library. And with this sort of exchange, he's the one to tell you how much it costs, not me."

Sanderson waved his hand, and after giving directions to the library and a description of the professor, he seemed to be through with this conversation.

*****

The Wright Memorial Library was an imposing building of the same granite that had been used in the construction of many of the nearby structures. It was not an old building, having been opened for use only twenty years before, as a replacement for the former Library, which now housed the fine arts department.

Inside, the ceilings arched several stories above Itasu's head. Shelves lined the walls, filled with books and other documents. Cursory examination would show that these books were all fairly recent and in good condition; anyone wanting to examine damaged or pre-Valterrian materials would have to speak to a librarian. One such staff member, a red-haired woman in her twenties, sat quietly behind a desk.

In a plush chair, deep in thought, was an older man, his brow furrowed as he looked over a massive volume. He matched the description that Itasu had been given, and presumably, was indeed Professor Jacob Stonemiller.

[Itasu]

"Morphing, eh? That's Professor Stonemiller's department, and he'll have to judge to see if you're of a quality where teaching would be an option. Actually, he's the man to see about Reimancy too. You could go to his office, but frankly, you're much more likely to see him in the library. And with this sort of exchange, he's the one to tell you how much it costs, not me." Itasu nodded as Sanderson spoke, taking note of the directions in fine detail. Then he took note of the way he was being waved away and decided to not pursue further conversation. Instead, he left without a second glance.

Itasu found the library rather easily and entered quietly. For a moment he just stood there in awe. Never before had the man seen such a collection of books, nor a building of such grace. After a few moments, the wizard came back to reality. He had a mission, and so he looked around for a man that matched Sanderson's description. Sure enough, as the registrar said, the Professor had his head buried in a book across the room. Itasu strode over to Jacob's location, taking care not to cause any unnecessary disruptions or noises. Once there, the man stood behind Stonemiller's chair. For a moment he considered disrupting the professor, but then decided on a slightly more subtle way to get his attention. Itasu faked a cough, and hoped it'd be enough to get the man's attention.

Whether or not Itasu's attempt was successful, he decided to interrupt after a few minutes, "Excuse me, you're Professor Stonemiller, correct? The registrar told me that you'd be the one to judge me for a teaching position."

NoteThe last paragraph is totally for your modding, I just wanted to initiate the conversation without waiting for another thread. So, if Jacob didn't take notice of me, doesn't matter, and if he did then ignore the first sentence and skip to the talking!

[Liminal]

The man took no notice of the cough. It took Itasu's question to bring any response. The man looked up, his eyes tired, as if he had been there for a long, long time. He listened as Itasu gave his explanation -- and then didn't immediately say anything at all. The silence, made even more pronounced by the library's vast stillness, was awkward to say the least.

Finally, he opened his mouth. "Kenabelle Wright, this building's namesake, once said, Perhaps the only real difference between one place and another is the view from the eyes of the people who are standing there." He shifted uneasily in his seat, and tapped the arm of his chair with one finger. For perhaps ten seconds, again, he fell silent, enveloped by the pressing quiet of the room.

"And so, my friend, the question is, what has brought you to this place to ask this question." He placed a velvet bookmark in the volume he had been reading, and then closed it. "Why would you not only learn magic, but attempt to teach such a thing? Something, something powerful indeed must have pushed you in that direction. Do you yourself know what it is, sir?"

At this point, Professor Stonemiller -- for it must have been him, regardless of the fact that he had never confirmed it -- seemed to be waiting for a response, though he gave no hint as to what kind of response he was expecting.

[Itasu]

"Kenabelle Wright, this building's namesake, once said, Perhaps the only real difference between one place and another is the view from the eyes of the people who are standing there." The professor began, before falling silent. After a few seconds, Itasu wondered if the man had forgotten about him. He didn't seem that old, but you never knew. At last, Jacob continued, bookmarking his book and closing it. "And so, my friend, the question is, what has brought you to this place to ask this question. Why would you not only learn magic, but attempt to teach such a thing? Something, something powerful indeed must have pushed you in that direction. Do you yourself know what it is, sir?"

At first, Itasu was taken back by the question. It surprised him, and while the obvious answer would be that he simply needed the money, Itasu guessed reasonably that wasn't the sort of answer this man was looking for. Instead he thought it over carefully before speaking. "What do you want me to say? That I feel drawn by some divine force? Truthfully, I think I'm here because I know I need the job. This is a field I am familiar with, and so why should I have some other deep reason in pursuing a career in teaching?" He wasn't too sure if the words would sound ignorant or even arrogant, but it was all he could muster. I've underestimated my own kind, Itasu thought bitterly. He'd been expecting an easy path towards a decent income, but then he started to realize how much he belittled others. As it turns out, there are other brains in Mizahar besides just his, even if the sanity of this professor's mind was starting to become questionable after the strange query.

[Liminal]

Again, there was a long, long pause. The silence in the building was overwhelming, almost threatening to suffocate anyone inside.

"You know some things about magic, that much is clear. But do you know its power? Its terrible, terrible power, and even more terrible price? Have you read Vuld Shaik, or Sagallius? Magic, my friend -- you still haven't given me a name, you realize -- isn't something like shipbuilding or masonry, something one makes into a career simply because one can. It's far too dangerous, far too potentially destructive for that. To teach magic is especially risky, for one rarely knows what one's pupils will be capable of. One must judge well between the trustworthy and the untrustworthy, for to do otherwise may mean not only one's death, but the death of many, many others."

He blinked twice; the man looked very, very tired. "My friend, unless you have something else to add, I'm afraid that this University may not be the best place for you."

[Itasu]

"You know some things about magic, that much is clear. But do you know its power? Its terrible, terrible power, and even more terrible price? Have you read Vuld Shaik, or Sagallius? Magic, my friend -- you still haven't given me a name, you realize -- isn't something like shipbuilding or masonry, something one makes into a career simply because one can. It's far too dangerous, far too potentially destructive for that. To teach magic is especially risky, for one rarely knows what one's pupils will be capable of. One must judge well between the trustworthy and the untrustworthy, for to do otherwise may mean not only one's death, but the death of many, many others." The professor spoke, and then paused before speaking again, "My friend, unless you have something else to add, I'm afraid that this University may not be the best place for you."

His words brought a lot of thoughts flooding into Itasu's head. First, the man mentioned Sagallius. Itasu remembered something that name... He was that wizard that ascended to godhood, wasn't he? The younger man thought to himself. Then, he mentioned untrustworthy pupils of magic. Itasu himself had killed his own master, yet there was no way he'd admit that to this man. He realized his chance for employment was slipping, and fast too. His next words would probably be his last chance to pursue an occupation in magic.

"You tell me magic is risky, and the way you phrase it makes me think your trying to teach an ignorant amateur. I know far well the dangers of the practice, I happen to have dabbled into myself by the way," Itasu began, before he was able to consider his words, "Then you try and tell me that some wizards are untrustworthy. You think I don't know that already? I've had a paranoid teacher, one that was paranoid of ME. I understand the risks of manipulating your own life force, you djed, I know that the grasp of magic's wicked claws have taken far more than just one life. I'd think I was smart enough to be cautious in the face of those I teach, but apparently you don't think so." Itasu spat the words, trying, for the most part unsuccessfully, to mask the anger in his tone. I need to work on my people skills... And find a job. I probably need to find another job now too...

[Liminal]

Professor Stonemiller looked at Itasu as if he were gazing right through him. Finally, he nodded his head once.

"No, I don't think so. What I do think is that someone so willing to fly into a rage at a conversation regarding the dangers and risks of his chosen profession should not be trusted with the duty of instruction. I'm sorry, my friend, but I have to tell you that the University will not be requiring your services. May you find health and peace in your travels."

Then he opened his book again, the pages falling in the same place that he had left off before. He lowered his head and went back to reading, apparently finished with this conversation.