Micolash x Reader

Part 1

Byrgenwerth in winter was, in particular, colder than usual. The great stone archways, upon approaching the school's entrance. Acted as refuge to the snow flurry outside. [ Y/N ] had finished her studies for the day, she made her way down the cobblestone path. A yellow scarf draped around her thin neck, intertwined with her soft brown hair. Her breath, visible, filling her lungs with an icy chill. She lifted her books on the chemistry study of alchemy, close to her chest. Olive green cloak, tossing in the wind, with a hint of sage from laying in the garden all afternoon. She followed the sound of chatter, small conversation about the ideology of the Old Blood. Byrgenwreth's brightest, at their usual debates. Their voices trailed off and vanished as she passed them, thick figures of shadow, bobbing between the granite pillars of the courtyard. Her mind was elsewhere to notice the crowd. In fact, it wasn't altogether unusual for her to be alone. No, not at all.

The academy's west wing was [ Y/N's ] favourite place to be at this hour. She ascended the stairs, hastily, to the warmth resonating from within. Her cold hand, resting on the door, almost instantly thawed by the cozy invite. She made for the corner of the study library. The smell of wood burning in the iron fireplace and the books, redolent of their old tattered binds. Rough and warn on her fingertips, against the turning of each page. Hot tea, kept at the hearth, filled the small portion of the floor with a peachy aroma.

A smile emerged, her heart filling with content. Being alone wasn't all bad. At least she had time to spend on the small things that brought her comfort. [ Y/N ] sat on the plush chair nearest to the fireside. There weren't many people, the small few were minding their own. Of course the library in this section was void of debating scholars. [ Y/N ] began to wonder if she had anything to offer intellectually. Her father, a rather keen expert of the Great Ones when their existence became significantly well known. Yet it was her sister who had more of the patience for such academics. They went on and on about her achievements during Holiday. Which, she was suddenly reminded, were soon. Another year, gone. [ Y/N ] sank in her chair, running her finger along the gentle fabric of the arms. She turned her gaze to the flickering candlestick on a nearby table. The golden flame danced a bit, until the man rummaging through a bookcase came into view. She watched the intensity of his expression fade, once he had finally chosen a book to settle with. It was rather large and the spine was thick. Such heavy reading material, [ Y/N ] thought.

It wasn't the first time she saw the man frantically searching through the comforts of her dwelling. She felt nosy for a moment, almost as if she was looking over his shoulder without his consent. Even though she was halfway across the room most of the time. What was it that made him so noticeable? It wasn't uncommon to run into fellow house pupils on the grounds, in the late hour. Yet somehow he drew a considerable amount of attention when in his presence. He was handsome, now that [ Y/N ] thought about it. Somewhat unkempt, his hair a mess of dark chestnut; not unflattering however. Although hardly visible, dark circles tainted below his generous eyes. [ Y/N ] took a moment to admire the wisdom that was written on his face, as he sat at the long oak table, excogitating. Here was someone that had his goals in sight. Whatever his subjects might be, he was thoroughly invested. She caught herself smiling at the sight, the reason unknown. Perhaps it was because he was unaware of her observation. He probed into his book, and she examined him, as a true philosopher. No! As a scientist, after all.
[ Y/N ] took a deep breath, gathered herself from her slump and pursued the fragranced teapot. The wood crackled and sparked in sync with her rapid heartbeat. She tried to ignore the lump in her throat and carefully took a small teacup from the decrepit mantel. She carefully poured the tea. The sweet, steaming haze rose into the air, flushing her cheeks with it's pleasant tang.

With a steady hand and a mindful saunter, [ Y/N ] drew herself near the man. She loomed with curiosity, for a bit. Her eyes dropped to the magnificent text of his research, and the heavy book resting at the corner of the tabletop. Labeled: Cosmos, published in latin. The tea swirled in the cup, as she lessened her balance. She was now interested in the delicate manner of his hands. Slender fingers, turning over pages. Like a dance along their smooth, creamy trim.

The faint sound of the cup clattering against it's companion, an ivory saucer of matching decor, pulled the man from his study. It was close he thought, turning his head to look behind him. [ Y/N ] was momentarily paralyzed, lips vaguely parted to be caught within the bewilderment of his stare. His scarf hugged around his neck, resting on his sturdy shoulders. The academy's uniform complimented him well. Black robes with maroon edging. Their sleeves folded back to the forearm, revealing the brown sleeves of an undershirt. His chest was adorned with a rather smart waistcoat. "Yes?" He broke the silence. [ Y/N ], already feeling awkward, let her eyes fall to the marble floor. "You looked so stressfully preoccupied, I thought you might enjoy some refreshments?" She placed the trembling saucer onto the tabletop, sliding it across it's glossy finish, and in front of him. In a brief moment of confusion, he glanced down, into the void of the dark colored beverage and back at the nervous woman. "I'm not altogether fond of tea, in particular." He closed one of his books, setting it on top of Cosmos. Paperwork protruded between the pages of their security. "Oh, of course! Otherwise you- might have gotten some yourself.." The confidence in her voice had lowered in tone, fading to almost a whisper. The man looped his index finger through the porcelain handle of the tiny vessel. Taking a sip, the steam glazed his upper lip hastily and dissipated just as quick. "What are your plans for Holiday, miss-?" He asked earnestly, adjusting the position in his seat to face her direction better. [ Y/N ] interlocked her fingers together, resting her hands in front of her, somewhat surprised. "I'm terribly sorry, my name is [ Y/N ]. As for the Holiday leave, I'm not sure yet." She assembled herself once more. "I've seen you here a few times before. You're researching the Great Ones, aren't you?" "Ah, haven't you heard of the conspirators amongst us?" Another sip, his moistened lips left every word of his gravelly voice as a poetic string to the ear. "Best to keep my research a private matter for now. I'm onto something grand, you see!" He stood, collecting his things into a shoulder bag. "It was interesting meeting your acquaintance, miss [ Y/N ]. Thank you for the tea, wonderfully kind of you to be looking out for the wellbeing of strangers." [ Y/N ] stood blankly, rambling things off in her head that would make coherent sense to reply with. Any response, anything at all! "What's your name?" Rolled off her tongue without further thought and a slight tone of desperation to add to the embarrassment she already felt. "Micolash." He responded. "Do you come here very often?" Ouch! She kept the hurt of his words to herself. "Yes, actually..." It was alright, she was used to being unnoticed, although, she never made much effort to change that. "My passion for my work consumes a precious amount of detail from my life, I'm afraid. Well now, there's no reason we wouldn't meet again. Perhaps we can talk later?" He departed with a smile. Did he just apologize for hurting her? Was she that obvious, that transparent as a loner? Maybe he was telling the truth about infusing into his work so much. That he paid little attention to anything else? She looked down at the half emptied teacup. He was courteous enough to drink some of it for her, even if he wasn't much for tea.