The Elixir

~Disagreement

Professor Beledras walks at a clipped pace, leaving her students to scramble pathetically behind. But not Vieva - Bestels don't run. They glide.

Abruptly, the professor leads them into the quad, which is nearly empty. Some students dot the field in the far off distance, and faded laughter rings in the air. But for the most part, the quad is cleared out.

"Gather around, students," the professor's voice rises above the quiet chatter of the class. The voices cease as soon as Professor Beledras sweeps her gaze over the heads of the students. Begrudgingly, Vieva admits that her level of respect is admirable. That doesn't mean that Vieva has to like her, but at least she holds the professor in esteem.

"I have elected to keep our class outside today, due to the nature of our recent project. For the remainder of class, you and your group will brainstorm which of the listed creatures you would like to hunt for your assignment. Keep in mind, you don't have much time to find your beast, so I recommend choosing quick. If I permit you to go into the woods, do not go very deep. Come back immediately when the horn blows. Am I understood?"

"Yes, professor!" the students shout. A smile twitches on Beledras's normally severe face.

"Off you go then." Students wander off in groups, breaking away in clumps. Vieva's left on the quad, scowling. She can't even be with her group for more than five minutes; how is she supposed to spend a whole period with them?

"Is something the matter, Ms. Bestel?" Professor Beledras's serene voice contains a note of cool amusement.

Vieva glues a sugary sweet, innocent smile on her face.

"No problem, professor. Just looking for my group."

"Don't dawdle. You are on limited time."

The professor turns her back to Vieva, just in time to miss the expected return of her scowl.

Vieva stomps off, flattening pine green grass stalks as she goes. Students gawk at her storming figure but no one bothers to call her out on it. Her reputation serves her well.

She finds her disparaging group on the right far corner of the quad. Lysabel Axelane, a mere mouse of a thing, sits on the floor, knees to her chest, twiddling her thumbs nervously. Owain Snagsnout fiddles with a piece of grass, interlacing it between his fingers absent-mindedly. He sneaks glances at Lysabel. Vieva snorts derisively. He's so stupidly obvious, it's actually rather sad.

Surprisingly, Derald Pellefard and Xara Roffinnes sit next to each other, having an animated conversation. Xara laughs aloud, and Derald grins, pushing some dark hair from his eyes. Xara flaps her hands, mimicking some kind of winged creature. Most likely her new familiar.

Xara's griffon, and it's dramatic arrival has been the talk of the school. Griffons haven't been seen in years, and it's made Xara and her familiar wildly popular amongst the students, upperclassmen included.

Derald glances up, and his bright-eyed gaze lands on Vieva. His smile drops faster than a plummeting dragoni. Speaking of dragoni, Vieva scans the skies. She had instructed her own familiar, whom she named Diadys, to circle above her, in view. But now, as she peers into the brilliant expanse of cerulean, Diadys is nowhere to be seen. Vieva glowers. Someone won't be getting her trout this week.

"What happened, did you get lost?" Derald asks her wryly, with an arched eyebrow.

"I have to speak to the professor," replies Vieva stiffly.

"About what?"

"None of your business."

"Let me guess: you asked to work alone."