Llyr Llywelyn had finally done it. Nineteen arcs of life, and for the first time, he could call himself a student. He held the confirmation paper of his registration, a temporary slip that he’d been assured would work to access the third floor of the Academy’s library. It wasn’t his birth name on the paper, nor was it his chosen name, instead it was the closest name he felt comfortable giving. He didn’t want certain others to know he was in the north, or that he was to learn of Ether at the Institute of Arcana.
West Wellin, then. Another name to add to his growing collection of identities. Would West have differences from Llyr? He smiled slightly, a sense of eagerness that came with the sensation of a potentially
new life that he could settle in Viden.
So, there he was, staring at the paper in his hands, blocking the door until someone cleared their throat.
Llyr stepped aside and apologized for the accidental obstruction.
“This is for you,” said the person, who hadn’t intended to go through the door at all. Instead, they held out an envelope.
“Me?”
“You’re West Wellin?” The person glanced at the halo that hovered above the tall biqaj’s head.
“Yes! Yes, I am,” he agreed.
“West! That is me.”
The courier held the envelope out a little farther. Llyr finally accepted it. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to tip the messenger? He went to search for a coin in his belt satchel, but by the time he looked up, the person was already gone.
Llyr returned his attention to the letter. How odd. Maybe it was from Doran? He smiled at the thought of the alchemist, then quickly took off a glove and used his thumbnail to slice open the envelope. The biqaj kept his thumbnails just a bit longer, specifically for such utility.
When he saw the name of the sender, his eyes widened into saucers. The irises flurried in colors. He more than just recognized that name, he thought of the letters he’d exchanged with the woman before… under his married name. He blinked a few times, glanced around the hall, then hurried into the nearest corner he could find.
The lanky biqaj leaned against the wall and read the letter. He felt almost dizzy and he had to read it a few times before he felt as if he had a handle on it. Research? Doctor Faith Augustin wanted to speak to him about ether and blood? What had Dean Rush told her?! He’d only just registered, he didn’t have… Llyr thought of the notes he’d been writing over the past few trials during his stay in Viden.
Llyr looked around to find some indicator as to the time. If he hurried… maybe he’d catch her at the library. Did he have time to retrieve his notes?
The blond decided to try for it. His wings outstretched, in an excited flutter, and he sprinted down the hall. Of all the places from the Academy, he knew how to get to the Obsidian Prism fast. When he arrived to the suite, he didn’t see Doran anywhere, but collected the journals and loose sheets of papers that he’d left out from earlier that morning. He also grabbed a few scrolls and books.
He sprinted back the way he came, then detoured toward the library.
~ ~ ~
By the time he reached the door of the library, “West Wellin” was drenched in sweat. He had two crossbody satchels filled to the brim with scrolls and papers, sagged heavy with thick academic books. The biqaj bent over, hands on his thighs, while he recovered his breath from the near-constant rushing and running. Fortunately, he still looked as good as he might’ve otherwise. Edashan potions made his pale blond hair, tussled as it was, appear as if it’d been well-cared for. His skin, though flushed silver-blue from the biqaj’s unique blood, looked smooth and unblemished.
He fixed his posture and at six foot three, his shadow grew long as it cast away from him. His halo brightened above his head, then dimmed in consideration to not blind other people. The biqaj’s gossamer wings fluttered, ether shaped like dragonfly wings, and then folded neatly behind him. He took off his gloves, tucked them in the pocket of his tailored coat, and strode over to the woman who was obviously the one he was looking for. He knew the general summary of what Faith Augustin looked like, after all, and that was without the other students staring at her.
Llyr wasn’t entirely sure how to act though. She wasn’t nobility, as far as he knew… but she was better than nobility in a lot of ways, least from what remained of his rural boy's perspective from his younger arcs that weren't so long ago. So, he hesitated once he reached the table and then he awkwardly bowed. The crossbody satchels swung forward and forced his bow a little lower than he intended. He gathered one in his arms to fix the balance of the weight and straightened his back. His shoulders postured square and he held his chest up in a formal, almost soldierly posture.
When he spoke, his voice held no stammer nor awkwardness. His voice was smooth, as silvery as his blood, and one might even say
perfect.
“Doctor Faith Augustin?” he asked as if he weren’t sure, but without waiting for much of an answer, he introduced himself.
“Good trial. My name is West Wellin. I received your letter.”
He fidgeted with a strap on the satchel he cradled in his arms, then he realized what he was doing. Llyr quickly lowered it, stopping his fidget, and cleared his throat.
“May I sit with you, please?” He glanced at the blackened fingertips of the woman, the markings of Immortals which he didn’t recognize as to which was which, but he noticed the markings all the same. From everything he’d gathered about the famous doctor, he knew she wasn’t a mage. His eyes hadn’t settled into any one color yet, instead blending and warping between various hues.
The young mage wouldn’t sit unless offered. He did, however, start to talk more with a hurried tone to his voice as if he were still rushing about.
“I would have come sooner, but my notes were elsewhere, and you wrote that you’re studying blood and ether in blood, or on blood, and have you spoken to Doctor Doran Thetys? He has similar research interests too and is far more knowledgeable about blood and alchemy and the effects of such, and the like and the way of different magics through alchemical application of blood.”
He took a quick breath, then continued,
“You said necromancy is your focus? Does that have a wide range of application in the medical disciplines? I didn’t know alchemy could be used for medicine! Sorry, I should probably know that already. I, uh, my studies aren’t that far along. I only registered totrial and am still putting together everything I’m supposed to do. There’s already so much, did you know how much paperwork is required just to start writing more papers so you can write more papers? And you have to read so much in order to write so little!”
Llyr made a wild, waving gesture at the library around them. He blushed and said,
“Sorry. I’m honored you wrote to me and offered your time, Doctor Augustin. Do you have something specific to request of me? Anything. I mean, I'll do anything to help. Did you need my blood?”