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Message from My Wife ❤️ Love, these have been mistakenly delivered to me, but they should be yours. Seems Mim gets to stay, thanks to you. Attached are a picture of the flowers, and a close-up of Aspen's card. https://discord.com/channels/1151902831310274651/1302019521598718034/1316523028137513141 -# @Mairon✨ (Tav: Adriel)

Anareya is surprised by the flowers that are left by her door when she returns to her office. This isn't a bouquet Adriel would buy her, and he wouldn't leave it at her door. It would be at home, or at the very least in her office. A quick look at her door shows her it hasn't been tampered with. Someone really just left flowers at her door. Curious. She picks up the vase and goes into her office, noticing a letter on her desk. She closes the door behind her, activating the Arcane Lock so she won't be disturbed. Call her paranoid but she's still careful with surprise gifts. So she thoroughly examines the flowers, the water, and the envelope. She doesn't find anything, which is a relief, She opens the letter first. A small smile curves her lips. That's good news. She should show this to Adriel. He'll want to know. She puts the letter in her bag to take home, and takes the card that was with the flowers. She smiles softly, seems Mim has made more than just friends here. Knowing what she now knows of Mim's background, that is very good news. Though she is relieved to hear Mim's scholarship has been reinstated, she does not deserve the thanks. These flowers belong to Adriel.

🥺

4

King [Tav - Aspen Taverinn]

kingwolfink

Alvilda (Tav: Helaena+)

alvilda_

SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)

soulfearer

Ell (Tav: Rosie and Co.)

polarized2023

🥺

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A letter is delivered to Anareya's mailbox, writting in a careful, but unsteady hand. ||Professor Jabrhee,|| ||I apologise for bothering you again. I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to talk to me the day I visited you, even though I was very out of line.|| ||I did as you suggested, and waited to hear back from the Foundation. I got a response a couple of days ago that my sholarship has been reïnstated. || ||I know you said you couldn't do anything. But I still wanted to say thank you again. Without you or your foundation I would not be able to attend this wonderful school. I would not have the friends I now have. So, thank you. Sincerely, and from the bottom of my heart.|| ||Mim||

A bouquet of flowers is left outside Professor Jabrhee's office with a note attached. ||Dear Professor Jabrhee,|| ||I don't know if you did end up doing anything to help Mim with the Foundation, or getting the investigation to move quicker, but I really appreciate the Foundation getting back to her and especially for reinstating her scholarship.|| ||Thanks for giving her a second chance, she really deserves it, and I'm really happy she gets to stay at Strixhaven. I love her very much.|| ||Thanks, Aspen Taverinn||

❤️

7

3

2

Alvilda (Tav: Helaena+)

alvilda_

Joel | joeldritch

joeldritch

Clara - Tav: Mim / Anareya

claraoswaldttv

Steffi 🍄 [Tavs:Mushroom Mob]

.mushrooming

Bee (Tav: Delton)

traver1111

SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)

soulfearer

Ell (Tav: Rosie and Co.)

polarized2023

❤️

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Joel | joeldritch

joeldritch

Clara - Tav: Mim / Anareya

claraoswaldttv

Ell (Tav: Rosie and Co.)

polarized2023

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Joel | joeldritch

joeldritch

Ell (Tav: Rosie and Co.)

polarized2023

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🎻 🗡️ 🎻 🗡️ 🎻 🗡️ 🎻 🗡️ 🎻 🗡️

She laughs and waves Irory off. Once he's left her smile slowly fades and she chews her lip watching the door. Hells, she wants to shake the man sometimes. But he needs to come to it himself. She remembers fighting against it when people tried to help her. When Adriel did. She couldn't accept help until she was ready. She wants him to figure it out fast though, before something worse happens. She opens up her laptop again and tries to go back to work.

"Take care. I can't wait for all the gossip about the student party. I heard the bathrooms were a mess after, must have been a Paladin at work." He chuckled and said a few last words before heading out the door with a wave of his hand. "Tell Adriel I said hello. He's been far too stressed lately with all this drama. The school counselor recommends giving him some extra affection. Bye ~"

1

Steffi 🍄 [Tavs:Mushroom Mob]

.mushrooming

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She smiles as he makes his way to the door. "You're welcome, even if I couldn't do anything. We'll catch up on rumours and gossip soon. I know there was a big party among the students a while ago, I still need to hear the gossip from that from Morana. I'll share them with you when I've managed to get a hold of her." She nods at him before he leaves the room. "Take care Irory, I'll see you around."

"Good. I wouldn't want to become a couples counselor in this nightmare university, so please spare me that fate." The short moment of deeper connection faded quickly as they returned to jests and less personal topics. Irory would never want to see Anareya look at him with the same expression of disgust on her face as the others did when he asked for help. And as much as he appreciated her as a friend, he was aware of how dangerous someone with a spy network could be. Roses and thorns, perhaps he could never escape that metaphor. "Thank you again, Anareya. I know you care about the students under your wing, too." He returned her gaze with the same seriousness, fully aware that she may think of Adriel being the protective and caring one in their relationship. But it wasn't him that spent all this time making sure Irory was doing fine. He smiled a little at the thought, slowly making his way out of the door. "I'll make sure to bring more gossip next time. We've got so many rumors to catch up on."

She just laughs at the suggestion Adriel could carry their child. She knows that is an option, and they certainly have the money to do it. That doesn't change the fact that she will ruin whatever child they have. Anareya has done research, it's hard to shake that spy instinct. She also knows glowing accolades in a paper mean nothing. They used to write similar stories about her father. [TW: Reference to abuse] ||To her, the bruises he tried to hide tell a much more reliable story. She never had to worry about hiding hers. Her father had the sick habit of healing any wounds superficially so they would die, but still hurt.|| She's learned to never trust a headline. "As much as I appreciate the offer, I could never have you as my counsellor. So I'll do what I can to prevent us from breaking up without the need for couples counselling." Her voice turns a little more serious. "I understand. Write to them, tell them about your experiences with her. I know she wrote to them too. The investigator will take it all into account. I designed this to be as fair as possible." She has a feeling he's seen Mim more than just that one time during the fight, though he'll never say so. If he knows something from outside that fight that could help.. Well this is the most subtle way she can think of to suggest to him that he should include that.

"You should ask Adriel to carry it for you. He seems the type to offer, especially with dinosaur costumes at stake" Irory added in jest, knowing full well that was an option. There were a handful of partners he may have considered it for in the past as well. A far distant one back when he didn't look like he had been mauled by a monster. He could sense the expectations from Anareya, the lingering undertones of waiting for the day Irory would tell of more than just a superficial breakup. She wouldn't push, she knew him for far too long. But would that stop her from trying? Irory wondered if she had ever done research on her own, seen pages upon pages of Rosedew's accolades. Of her glowing career as a transmutation wizard, her business, her connections. Of the way their divorce was framed as a cheating scandal with a delusional bard as the culprit. What did she know after all this time? "I'd rather not see you and Adriel split up, either. Or I'll have to take another specialization in couples counseling." It sounded less like a joke than his other remarks. Perhaps he would really do it just to see her happy. "No more questions, thank you. I know I won't change your mind on your policies, but just know that I would feel exceedingly guilty if she dropped out over something I set her up for."

"Well, being a mother yes, a pregnancy? Much harder, especially since I'm not one to wear baggy clothes. But you can bet there'd be at least a dozen dinosaur costumes in this hypothetical situation." She sits back in her chair, hands resting against her stomach, feeling the navel piercing there. The thought of Ana as a parent is ridiculous to her. She has no idea how to raise a child, she's too selfish, too busy, too damaged. When he hesitates, she thinks he's finally going to do it, open up to her, let her in. But she can almost see the wall come up as he raises it. Perhaps she's pushed it far enough, at least for today. He needs to be comfortable telling her, she'll just keep gently reminding him that she's here until he is. She matches his levity with a smile of her own. "I don't intend to find out, if I can help it. It's going to take more than a heated argument to break Adriel and I apart. Sorry, I kind of drifted off topic there, did you have any more questions about the letter?"

2

Mairon✨ (Tav: Adriel)

ogfiremaia

SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)

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"I have faith that if anyone could hide being a mother, it would be you." He said with a laugh, theatrically bending down to check under the table once more. "Oh, but if you do end up having a child, you simply must put it in a dinosaur costume." Irory knew she likely won't ever consider having kids, but he was delightfully considering the possibility of being a godparent one day. Or at least a very cool uncle. Returning to reality, he thought about his next words carefully. He couldn't risk losing her friendship over sharing too much. How would she react if she knew? Anareya was strong and had her own... trouble with nobility. Ones she dealt with on her own. And so should you. "I appreciate that, truly. Our friendship means a lot to me. But..." He hesitated. His serious tone immediately switched back to a joking one. Waving his hand a little dismissively, he stood up. "I don't need to bore you with stories about my crazy ex-wife. Divorces don't make for good gossip when they're your own. I hope you'll never get to find that out for yourself."

She can't help but snort at being called a mother goose. "Please, I'm hardly mother material. Besides, if you think hiding a marriage is hard, imagine trying to hide a pregnancy." She shakes her head. "I'll be here, I'm not going anywhere. I'm glad I can help put a smile on your face, but you're free to be not-lively too. I'm here for whatever you need." It's the closest she's come to acknowledging that she knows there's more going on, and even then it's pretty thin. "I enjoy being your friend, and I like you in whatever mood you are. But I'm not telling you the trick to lifting Balatro. You have to figure that one out yourself." There was no trick, she must have gotten incredibly lucky. She can never try it again for fear of it not working again.

1

SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)

soulfearer

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"Gods, I can't believe you managed to lift Balatro at all. I should try whatever workout you're doing." Irory looked at her arms. It didn't look like she was lifting heavily in her freetime, but perhaps chemists carried more than just vials of glass these days. Or perhaps it was just the athletic feats she performed with Adriel. Irory's eyes narrowed a little. Was he being mothered right now? Not that it didn't feel nice to be cared for, but Anareya? She wasn't even aiming to achieve the fabled MILF energy. His tail flicked behind him. "Thank you, mother goose." Irory said with a hint of sarcasm before taking on a more genuinely appreciative tone. "I know I can rely on you. And I'll always have a reason to smile as long as you're around, so I hope you'll stick around while I work through a few things. No one likes a sad bard, right? I promise I'll try to be a little livelier again."

She tuts, "Irory.. You know breasts don't need to be naked to appreciate them. Just because you stumbled in to see mine, doesn't mean you have to see all the others naked too. But I've seen the pictures of Cheeto on Twatter, they seem like they'd be worth entering unannounced." She leans over to look at the picture Irory shows her and laughs. "I'll have to see it to believe it. There's no way that cat can be lifted with one hand.." Her voice turns a little softer. "I won't scare them, I promise. I'm just glad to see you making friends, and if you think I shouldn't reach out at all, then I won't. I like seeing you smile, Irory. I wouldn't want to take that away."

"I don't think you have any competition in that department. I'm not planning on entering their office at inconvenient times. Oh, perhaps I should? Maybe I'll get to pet Cheeto if I do ~" Irory mused, already thinking about how he would spoil that little orange fuzzball rotten if he had the chance. Maybe it was for the better that Irory was practiced in the art of holding back. Leaning back in his chair, Irory raised an eyebrow at Anareya, still wearing a smile on his lips. "But do try not to scare them off too much. I barely drag them out of their hole as is, I almost feel like I'm the one with bad intentions here. I think I scared them half to death the other day by texting them." He quickly took out his phone and showed Anareya the incriminating message "*Help I'm dying of cut*" with a blurry picture of a cat in the park. Clearly is was supposed to be "cuteness", but knowing the scars under his collar would make anyone suspicious of the word cut. "I saw it with my own eyes. After the whole clam golem debacle I found myself slammed on the ground by our favorite obese cat professor. Couldn't get up if I wanted to. Kalkin lifted them with one hand as if it weighed nothing. Gods, I need to find out their technique so I can keep that little chonker in my office."

She places a hand over her chest in mock offence. "Is that all that's keeping my at the top of your friends list?" She smiles. "Guess my place is pretty secure then. I may need to check with them though, make sure their intentions are pure, and that their breasts aren't better than mine." She's not the jealous type, but she is protective of her friends. Especially Irory. "Wait, they can lift Balatro with one hand? You'll have to share that secret when you find out."

1

SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)

soulfearer

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"Is that jealousy I hear from you, Ana?" He immediately matched her teasing tone with a grin on his face. After all this serious talk they should have a little fun. "Don't worry, I haven't made eye contact with their breasts yet, so you'll always be the first in my heart." With a small wink he started laughing, clearly unbothered by that one time the door wasn't locked. Anareya had great tits and she knew it.

She runs a finger over the chain when she notices Irory look at it. "I know very well how fragile a reputation is." An echo of her fight with Adriel. "I believe most people have already forgotten about it. I think we're the only ones who remember." She smiles at his mention of cuddling cats. She's never met anyone who loves cats as much as Irory. "Really, Kalkin Dalicarlia? Should I be scared of losing my place as your closest friend here?" She teases

"He wouldn't be with you for this long if he didn't love that side of you as well, would he?" Irory looked at the chain of her necklace for a moment before meeting her eyes again. He knew these two had worse ups and downs before he had met them - or at least he could take a good guess based on the secrets she was keeping behind sealed lips. Not even he knew the full story, even if he pieced out some of the puzzle on his own. "It's a tough situation to be in for nurse Willowmoon. You two know how to handle it, but she's new. One accusation that she tried putting her hand on a student while none of her assistants were around and she's out of her job forever." It wasn't unheard of for people in the mental health field to run into issues of this nature, either. Irory was fortunate enough that he only had to take a 'mandatory extended vacation' once over certain rumors about him. He was careful, both on and off social media. Something he might have to teach Salleone. "Let's hope it blows over. Unlike all the cat hair on me." He smiled, trying to wipe off some of the evidence of his feline cuddling activities. "You know me, I always take on too many cases and feed too many cats. And get this: I've been making friends with a certain reclusive professor lately. I'm making it my mission to find out how they manage to lift Balatro with a single hand."

He didn't expect Mim to reach out to her? He either spoke with her after the fight and got a good read, or he's treating her. Since he hasn't mentioned it, it's probably the latter. She won't pry, he can't tell her anything anyway. "I hope you're right. I know I have a bit of a temper, and knowing what will hurt most has always been a particular talent of mine." She knows he's giving friendly advice. Part of the reason she invites him here is to get him out of his office, and out of his counsellor role. At his last question, she leans back into her chair with a sigh, brushing her hair back from her shoulders. "The situation with Sal was one of the things that came up during our argument. He's worried it will permanently damage her reputation, make it impossible for her to get a job somewhere else in the long run. I think he's blowing it out of proportion. It seems to have already blown over, no lasting harm done." She straightens, resting her arms back on the desk. "We've tabled it for now, I just.. I don't want everyone up in my business, I like my privacy." Something she thinks Irory understands, though she wouldn't say that out loud. She's been very careful not to confront him with what she's noticed and seen. She's tried to show him that he can talk to her, to tell her. She hopes one day he'll let her help him, that he'll trust her enough to let her in. "But enough about me, I feel like we haven't spoken in ages. How are you? And why are you covered in cat hair?"

Immediately being protective of a girl like Mim was quite in character from how Irory knew Adriel. Perhaps something they had in common. The urge to give a family to those who had no home to return to. But shouting at Anareya? That was new. "I suspected there wasn't much you could do, even if the foundation is in your name. And you say Mim reached out to you directly? I can't say I expected these developments when I came here." So she did have the confidence to take matters into her own hands. Or perhaps just enough desperation to reach out. Irory wondered how badly Mim must have taken it. His eyes sought out Anareya's. "The curse of knowing each other well is that you inevitably learn exactly how to hurt the ones you love most." He let out a small sigh, sitting up to look at Anareya directly. Perhaps this came from his own experiences of getting hurt by certain people. "Neither of you wanted to harm each other. You know that. He knows that. It's a mistake you two won't make twice now that you know where the lines is." Irory was genuine when delivering this advice. He never treated his friends as clients and neither would he want them to see him that way. This wasn't a therapy session and he wanted to make sure she knew that. He sat up straight, a trace of the same concerned expression still lingering on his face. "If you need someone to talk to, you know I'm always there. For both of you. I've heard about the recent problems Adriel has run into. Did you talk about those events with him?"

This is what you get, having a counsellor as a close friend. They can read you, even if they aren't treating you. "We did, it wasn't pleasant. Mim came to me, asking for help since my name is on the Foundation. I tried to be kind, and I felt bad for her, but I don't run the thing so I had to turn her down." She slightly adjusts herself in her seat, like she's bracing for the uncomfortable part. "I told Adriel, because we did start the Foundation together. And her saw her at the start of the term and took a shine to her, you know how he gets. Fiercely protective, extremely invested. He was adamant about stepping in, speeding up the investigation or at least getting it to start, and I still don't think that's the right thing to do." She runs her fingers over the chain that carries her wedding ring, still tucked away between her breasts. "It didn't go well, things were said, or implied.. it escalated so other subjects got dragged into it and I.. I pushed too far, and he got so angry. He's never shouted like that before." Like every couple, they've fought before, both their nerves had been fried during the remodel of their apartment and they argued. But they were always able to stop it before it got out of hand, to pause and come back with clearer heads, and talk it through. She sighs, "His anger spooked us both, snapping us out of it. We talked it out, I just. I feel awful for pushing him that far. I know I like pushing his buttons, but I could have lived without knowing that one is there." She tries for some levity, but she knows better than to hide how much that fight had affected her.

A hint of surprise showed on Irory's face before Anareya skimmed the letter. She didn't know he was involved in the fight? Perhaps it was for the better that she wasn't aware, at least it meant she had no personal involvement in the suspension. "I understand. It was just an extraordinary circumstance where it was necessary for her to defend herself." He took the letter back, folding it neatly to slide into his pocket. "By the time I arrived, nearly everyone was on the ground. I managed to freeze the monster just in time and set Mim up to land the finishing blow." Irory leaned forward in his chair, hands folded in his lap. The next words were not going to be pleasant. "You know these investigations take forever to lead anywhere. By the time they come to a conclusion, I'm afraid she won't have the funds to keep studying here anymore. If she even has the mind for it right now." Just as he was about to continue, he carefully looked her over once more. The way she mentioned Adriel, the exhaustion in her voice. Irory paused, his tone and expression far more concerned than before. "Did you have a fight with Adriel?"

She sighs as she takes the letter from him. "That fucking foundation is proving more trouble than it's worth this year." It's not true, she knows it's doing a lot of good. It's helping her put her father's money to good use, and it's given her great pleasure seeing people succeed, knowing her father would hate it. "I didn't know you were involved in the fight." She quickly scans the letter, it seems fairly standard to her. It seems Adriel's inquiries put a fire under their asses to start the investigation. "Look, the foundation has stipulations, and a form of a code of conduct it expects from its recipients. Not causing harm to others outside of strictly controlled and monitored classes is cause for an investigation." She hands the letter back to him. "Trust me, you're not the only one that doesn't like it. I talked about it with Adriel, he feels very similar to you." There is a tired note to her voice. She's not happy with the way that conversation had gone.

"Always happy to inspire new ideas for the two of you." He said, pulling back the chair and sitting down without looking under the table. "I'd rather not know if he's there and let him be my footrest while we talk. Gives me the benefit of the doubt." He winked and tested the waters with his foot. No Adriel to be found, not even an invisible one. What a shame. Now Irory's feet would have to stay on the ground. "Jests aside, the reason I'm here is unfortunately rather serious. The Jabrhee foundation is asking me for a statement about the Clam Golem fight I was involved in. A student scholarship got her scholarship suspended and I can't quite wrap my head around it." Irory placed the letter on the table and slid it over for Anareya to take a look. "Are we punishing kids for self defense these days?" [Letter in question: https://discord.com/channels/1151902831310274651/1301221019125809153/1308440912434827264]

"Wow, that would be indecent. That's actually a great idea." The idea might appeal to her, but that is a risk she's not willing to take. "I promise there's nothing under the desk." She rolls her chair back extending her arm in invitation. "Did you want to check? " A harmless tease. She likes Irory, a lot. Cares for him a great deal, and even if they never speak about his personal struggles, she will always try and put a smile on his face. It's the least she can do until he decides to tell her, to let her help him.

2

Mairon✨ (Tav: Adriel)

ogfiremaia

SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)

soulfearer

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"Of course not." Irory gave her a smile as he entered and closed the door behind him. He did an exaggerated look around her office, as if searching for someone in particular. "For all I know he may be hiding under your table right now." They had been friends for a while now, so Irory could afford teasing her without having to worry about his office suspiciously reeking of chemicals the next day. Not that Anareya would do such a thing, of course. But she would be stealthy enough to get away with, if she wanted to.

She looks up from her laptop with a smile. "Of course you can, or the door wouldn't be open." There had been one, just one, tiny slip when they first got married. They had been extremely lucky it had been Irory that had walked in on them. It was a mistake she hadn't made again. She smiles at him when he enters. "You're never going to let that one go, are you?"

About 15 minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Irory knew the code was that he could enter if the door was left ajar, but it was better to be safe than to watch Adriel tear her blouse open again. "May I come in?"

From: Irory You know me, I love collecting useless degrees for my wall. I'll be there in a few

> Reply to: @Notification (@SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)) > From: Irory Morning Ana. I received a letter from the Jabrhee foundation today. Can I ask you some questions about it? Message to Irory Hi Irory, of course you can. I'm having a quiet day if you want to come over. I didn't know you were looking for a scholarship?

From: Irory Morning Ana. I received a letter from the Jabrhee foundation today. Can I ask you some questions about it?

----------------

She closes the door behind her, she makes it to the end of the hallway before she starts crying.

2

King [Tav - Aspen Taverinn]

kingwolfink

Steffi 🍄 [Tavs:Mushroom Mob]

.mushrooming

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She gives Mim another kind look as she walks towards the door. "Have a good day Mim, I hope it works out for you." She would promise, but she can't and she feels like it would only give the woman false hope. When the door falls shut behind Mim, Anareya takes a deep breath, resting her head in her hands. That never really gets easier, Adriel and her had chosen this cause for a reason, and it's never easy to have to say no to the people who need help the most. She takes a couple of minutes before she focuses back on her work.

She visibly deflates, eyes falling to the clenched hands in her lap. "I understand.. I-I'm sorry for bothering you." She nods and stands up. "I'll wait then. Thank you, for listening, for your time. I-.. Goodbye."

Anareya's voice becomes a little firmer, but not unkind. "I understand, Mim. I'm not unsympathetic to your plea, but my hands are tied. If your story is true, and I do believe you didn't mean anyone any harm, the investigation will show it. Please just be patient."

"Please professor.. I won't tell anyone. I need this chance. I was only trying to help protect the school. I promise it won't happen again."

Anareya figured this was the request that was coming. Her heart breaks a little for the poor woman in front of her. "Mim, I'm going to have to stop you there. You did what you needed to do, you gave the Foundation your side of the story. If you're right, and there are attenuating circumstances, their investigation will show it, and your scholarship will be reinstated." She sits up a little straighter, a look of compassion on her face, though she keeps a more professional distance. "I'm sorry Mim, I can't help you personally. I started the foundation, and donate to it yearly, but other than that the foundation runs it's self. I hope you can understand that I can't go in and have them favour one person over the other. They have strict guideline so the money goes to deserving people, in case of incidents they hold investigations like these. If what you say is true, I'm sure you will be reinstated. You just need to be patient. Keep going to your classes, keep working hard, stay out of trouble, and I'm sure you'll be fine." She gives Mim another encouraging smile. She doesn't enjoy refusing Mim's request, but it's a slippery slope. Once you start, other people might start wanting favours. Her whole office hours could be filled just listening to people make up excuses and asking for Foundation related favours.

She closes her eyes and nods. "I send them an e-mail, trying to explain the situations. H-how Hellvella bullied me, and told me I should.. She hit me first, and we're both fully healed now." She lowers the neckline slightly of her shirt to show where she'd been hit, the skin now fully healed. "And I really didn't mean to harm anyone with the clam monster.. I- It just shattered, way more than I thought it would.. I saw professor Leavitt afterwards, and he said everyone was fine. And I really didn't mean to hit Aspen with my fire.. I just.." The tears are welling again. "Please professor, I can't stay here without the scholarship, and I can't go back.. There's nothing to go back to. Please. Is there anything you can do?"

"It's okay Mim." Anareya says, holding out her hand in a calming gesture. She puts the letter back in the envelope and gives it back to Mim. "Have you given more of the story to the Foundation? It's good for them to hear your side of the story."

She's managed to calm herself down while professor Jabrhee reads the letter. Mim can't read her face, so she just keeps breathing. She nods at professor Jabrhee's question. Not all her mistakes are on that letter, but if she want's the professor's help, she'd better not get into that. "I got into a fight with Hellvella, the librarian? And I helped defeat the Clam monster Gurk accidentally created.." she realises she's not making it sound any better. "But it's not just that simple.. I- I can explain, there's more to it than that." She hastily adds.

She gives Mim an encouraging nod to keep going as she slides the envelope towards herself. She quickly skims the letter, making sure to keep her face neutral. She's surprised by the contents. The woman in front of her doesn't seem like she's the one to get in trouble. Too reserved, too shy, too careful. Anareya has known a lot of people in her life, and has learned to read them well. Mim seems like the person who wouldn't hurt a fly, unless she was forced to. "I'm sorry, Mim. I suppose these mistakes you're mentioned are related to these instances?"

Mim nods. Her breathing shakes as she continues to take deep breaths. In for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4 She just got help on figuring out her powers, a lead on what or who she is. "You can read it."

Anareya gives an understanding smile. She has no idea what Mim's life has been like, but it's obvious it hasn't been an easy one. With the lack of schooling, or any kind of education, not to mention how thin she is. "It's okay, try and take a couple more deep breaths for me." She knows the signs of an impending panic attack, having suffered through enough of them herself. It looks like Mim already has some small coping mechanism, maybe she's already seeing Irory. She reaches over to the envelope. "Is it okay if I read this?"

Mim gives the professor a careful smile, thankful of her kind words, even if she doesn't really believe them herself. She swallows the lump in her throat. "Thank you. I- I promise I'm really trying. I want to do well with the opportunity your foundation is giving me. I don't want to waste this opportunity." "I- uhm... I got this letter. It's from the foundation." She puts the envelope on the desk, her hands shaking. "I- I made some mistakes.. And no-one's hurt now.. But they're suspending my scholarship, and I.. I can't." Box breath. 4 seconds in, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4. "Please, professor Jabrhee, I don't want to go back."

That answers the obvious part of the question. But she can see the struggle in the woman, even without her training it'd be easy to tell. This woman wore her heart on her sleeve. That's brave, and extremely unwise in Anareya's experience. She leans forward in her chair, a concerned look on her face. Mim is obviously avoiding something. Best to let her speak, she'll get there eventually. "I know it can be difficult. You're not the only one to have struggled. You've passed the entrance test, you already proved you can do it."

"Oh.. Well.. I uhm, I got in here because of the scholarship. I- I never got to go to school." Not as far as she can remember anyway. She looks down at the letter she's still fidgeting with. "I've been struggling, adjusting.. I- I'm really trying, I really want to be here." She can feel the panic start to rise, her eyes start to water. She might lose it all..

Now it makes sense. Mim must be here on a scholarship. The starting threads of grey in her hair, the few lines a sharp eye can see starting to form, they make sense now. "I don't run it, as such. But I founded it, yes, after my father died. I wanted to put his money to good use, so I started to foundation to help people who have the potential to succeed in a place like this with the funds to help get them here." Be they poor, or unfortunate enough to not have had an education beforehand. Schools often had entrance tests for people without a prior education. If they managed to get accepted, the Foundation would see to their tuition, and provide an allowance for their upkeep while they study. She'd started the foundation with Adriel, but she'd wanted it to bear her name. Her father would have hated having his money being spent this way. "Why do you ask?" Mim probably is the recipient of a scholarship, but Anareya can't deduce why Mim would come looking for her.

The corners of Mim's mouth twitch nervously into something that could be a smile before she sits down in the chair the professor indicated. "Oh, uhm, no.. It's nothing like that.. I uhm." Where does she even start? With a deep breath. "Y-you run the Hidden Talents Foundation right? That's your name on it?"

Anareya frowns slightly. She can feel the nervous energy and fear radiate off of the other woman, Mim. "Alright, I don't know how I can help, since I'm not one of your professors but I'll see what I can do. Please, take a seat." She gives Mim a kind, reassuring smile hoping to put her at ease, as she gestures to one of the chairs opposite her desk. "Did you want to change classes, or sit in on some of mine?" Mim looks like she'd be more at home in Agaricus's classes, but there's nothing wrong with broadening your horizons.

She takes a small step forward the envelope still rotating between her fingers to keep her hands busy. "Mim.. My name is Mim.. I- uhm, I'm sorry to bother you. I know I shouldn't, it's probably inappropriate. I just, I need your help."

Anareya is fairly familiar with her student's voices. Partially because she encourages them to actively take part in her lectures, and because she's been trained to quickly identify and recognise people. An instinct that hasn't dulled in the years since her father died. This voice is unfamiliar. She finally looks up. She's seen the woman in front of her before, but she's not in her classes. It takes a moment before she remembers. Adriel went to check on her in the Dining Hall. The man loves taking in strays, and this woman certainly fit the bill. Her eyes flick briefly to the letter the woman is nervously spinning between her fingers as Anareya closes her laptop. "Yes, that's me. How can I help you, miss..?"

Mim carefully steps in. It's a big thing for her to be here, Professor Jabrhee isn't one of her teachers, she has no reason to be here, except for the letter, from the foundation that carries her name. The professor hasn't looked up from her screen, still typing. It's hard to tell with half-elves, but they might not differ too much in age. "Professor Jahbree?"

She's writing a report, while keeping half an eye on an experiment she's running. It failed last time, leaving her office with a horrid smelling smoke. But she thinks she's got it figured out now. A notebook with a hand written log of several iterations of experiments is open next to her. Keeping track of the slight changes in the experiment, and how it influenced the results. She's so close to figuring it out.. At the knock on the door she continues typing. Her students should know they can enter when the door is ajar.. "Come in."

She stands in front of the door to Professor Jabrhee's office. She's correct then.. It is the same spelling, and a rather uncommon name. A couple of searches online only really revealed information about some high lord that died unexpectedly a couple of years ago.. He had a daughter, and Mim hopes that that is this professor. In her hand are two letters, one neatly folded (https://discord.com/channels/1151902831310274651/1301221019125809153/1305611753073147957), one crumpled (https://discord.com/channels/1151902831310274651/1301221019125809153/1305611753073147957). She looks at the two of them. Both are incredibly hard to face. But she needs to make sure she can actually stay here, before she can face Aspen. She puts the crumpled note away, steels herself with a deep breath, and knock on the door, even though it's slightly ajar. Behind it, she can hear the gentle clicking sounds of a keyboard and something bubbling?

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Message from Anareya Jabrhee Focus on your client! They obviously need your help, feet shouldn't be that interesting in front of your counsellor. And you should take pictures if that happens. That's the only way anyone's going to believe you when I disagree

> Reply to: @Notification (@Clara - Tav: Mim / Anareya) > Message from Anareya Jabrhee You're texting me while with a client? Why you rascal. Meet me at the library in 15 minutes th... Message from Irory R. Don't worry, they won't even notice my texting. They've been staring at their own feet for the last 30min. See you at the library, I'll take a picture if you faint 💜

> Reply to: @Notification឵ (@SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)) > Message from Irory R. He's not in the teacher's lounge yet, but hopefully he'll see the twat and come over. Can't leave my clie... Message from Anareya Jabrhee You're texting me while with a client? Why you rascal. Meet me at the library in 15 minutes then. I can't go alone, I might embarrass myself.. faint or something..

Message from Irory R. He's not in the teacher's lounge yet, but hopefully he'll see the twat and come over. Can't leave my client for another 15min, but we can try to catch him at the library if he's still around. @Clara - Tav: Mim / Anareya

Message from Anareya Jabrhee Wait, Irory, is Olifyr Lockway actually here?! You know I absolutely love his books. I need to meet him! Is he in the teachers lounge? @SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)

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Anareya makes her way to her office with her Tombook under her arm. A careful breath outside the door tells her the air is mostly clear. She opens the door and steps in. Thankfully the smell is nearly gone. It's clear enough that she can continue working from here, and hold her office hours. She sits down behind her desk and starts working.

The dimly lit room has a warm feel to it. The back wall is lines with cupboards filled with books and and glassware for chemistry. The books are all related to her field of expertise. In the centre of the room is a large dark oak-wooden desk. On it are more books, vials with liquids and a stack of paperwork related to her lesson plan, student evaluations, etc. In a locked glass cupboard long the left wall are a number of containers filled with powders, liquids, and dried plant matter. All are labelled, thought there are no clear names on them, only symbols and seemingly gibberish Intelligence 10 ||These are clearly written in code, though you can't quite decipher it. As to why? Possibly to deter students from stealing it.|| Intelligence 18 ||With enough time to study the bottles, you can decipher some of the code. It seems a couple of these vials are filled with some dangerous substances.|| Along the right wall is a low table with a chemical set. It seems Professor Jabrhee likes to work on her own experiments in her office. The surface of the table is heavily marked from previous experimentation. The door to the office is heavily locked when Professor Jabrhee is not in the office. [might add if I think of more stuff]