<div class="floatright">(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQbgyjauXhO1CEQQmnGiDe8O0jXLFBLToZgKysWmzMC_63iTaLkxPcPie5lUa77LKvxDJc&amp;usqp=CAU)</div><br/><strong>MERRIWEATHER'S OFFICE</strong><br/><br/>The extra petite redhead paced up and down the hallway several times, wanting to make sure the unscheduled appointment with the teacher was just the two of them. This wasn’t super easy for the girl to do, both voluntarily interacting with authority figures, and the horribly uncomfortable tightrope of having to admit to not knowing something. Was that more or less dangerous than trying to fake it? Did her complete lack of knowledge of arcane methods make her abnormal, far behind the curve for Nevermore? What would get her in trouble with the people now responsible for her food and shelter? Would it anger or disappoint the pretty teacher? Would she get yelled at, or… worse? Magic seemed terrifyingly vast, and humans extraordinarily inventive at punishment. Nevermore couldn’t be too terribly bad, not if rich people sent their children to it, right? Hopefully… Calculated risks, always. But Miss Merriweather had seemed nice enough, calm and thoughtful. Taking the time to reach out, and offer a good suggestion. And being sensitive enough to do it privately, not in front of all the varied odd and unusual classmates.<br/><br/><br/>The redhead had blinked twice at being called dear…<em>Probably just an old fashioned kinda thing, right? Would someone that old even still be interested in human relationships? I guess… she lives through that whole year, and biologically is still less than, what, middle aged? So possible, I guess. Though I can’t imagine how she views us normally aging mortals… What experience she must have! What astounding understanding of people…</em>What was the Tempest in a Teapot spell? How ancient was it if someone like Miss Merriweather was calling it old? History was just not her best subject, all the years and events kind of blurring together. Adding the magical, secret world to that would just complicate things further. Did the Great Mumlbetyboo Wizard Council happen before or after Martin Luther? Who knew! Probably that Billy kid in the front row.<br/><br/>Summoning sounded dangerous. Who would want to draw that much attention to themselves, to bring forth something that would want to trick her? She could see something like a familiar, perhaps. A loyal friend and ally to help her through the scary world, to hold at night. Or a unicorn, the kind from actual myth, fierce and capable of tearing through monsters. Maybe it could help her see through magic, illusions, betrayal, shapeshifting trickery. As for requirements, Alundra had certainly never lain with a man. Alchemy seemed easiest, the most mundane. It was just like baking, right? Knowing what reacted with what and how to mix them in the correct way to get the desired results. Though metamagic being a requirement was perhaps a large barrier. Artifice… sounded like potentially the most powerful. Though the lovely teacher hadn’t talked about consequences and costs much, she had definitely made it clear runes could do astounding things.<br/><br/><br/>Thertaumaturggi had sounded complicated as well, runes requiring patience to get the marks right, and the other hard to say word needing lots of models? Magical comic book shops and nerd gaming must be super impressive. Like that show with the fighting dolls. Sorcery… well, she’d never ever make eye contact ever again, that was a new iron clad rule. How in the world did people survive with all this magic running loose? How come there weren’t Sleeping Beauty incidents destroying cities left and right? Were there magic police, punishments severe enough to deter the crimes?<br/><br/>Deep in her own thoughts, Alundra tapped timidly on the door before poking her head in. “Professor Merriweather? I’m Alundra…” She said softly. Her eyes did a scan of the office, wanting to get all the details. It was only paranoid if nobody ever tried to hurt you. Studying the environment was a survival trait. But wow, the teacher was even more attractive up close. Complicated. Delicately perching on the edge of the seat, the younger redhead peeked up at the teacher, unable to stop herself from subtly fiddling with her fingers. She had to make the decision, and she’d already come this far. Seemed like… Not knowing what the basics even was likely was more dangerous than admitting the lack, and she needed help. The outside word, she had experience… But this, this was all new and just a bit terrifying. Gorgons, werewolves, magic, new people with unknown talents… This was an awful lot to navigate. Alundra was in one of her least favorite places to be. Out of her depth.<br/><br/>“I have no idea how to cast magic.” She finally blurted out, quick to get it over with. Hopefully it wouldn’t be a huge mistake.<br/><br/>