30th Cylus, 717
Classes for the trial were over and Professor Firevein was watching them pack away. She picked up her own books and papers and looked down as she realised something. Putting down her books, she picked up a folded piece of parchment. "Padraig?" She looked at him and held out the parchment. "My apologies. I was supposed to give you this at the beginning of class. I forgot." With a smile, she added, "getting notes from the Dean. I should have remembered that. I hope everything is alright."
It was, indeed, a note from the Dean. Dean Manyon wanted Padraig to come and see him immediately at the end of class. Which was a good few bits ago now, since Professor Firevein had over run and everyone was getting packed up, slowly. So, he would need to hurry as he was already late.
However, assuming that hurry he did, he would find that Felicia Du'Wintre was indeed expecting him and greeted him with a smile. "Padraig. The Dean is waiting for you. Patiently." She couldn't help it, the addition of that final word, because the young man was late. It wasn't good enough, when it came to the Dean. However, Padraig seemed to be one of those fortunate ones who Felicia liked; it was obvious when you weren't one of those, after all. "Come with me, then." Felicia instructed and led him to the Dean's office. He'd sat outside there, of course, previously, but not been in.
The office of Dean Manyon was a large room with one large window. The longest wall was floor to ceiling book shelf and the books were overflowing on them. He had a large dark wood desk which had on it a name plaque, a deep burgundy blotter, stacks of parchment, folders of varying shapes and a truly gaudy ornamental letter opener. The desk was organised meticulously and, sitting behind it was the Dean. He looked up as Felicia ushered Padraig in and he gave a smile.
Dean Manyon regarded Padraig and he motioned to the chair in front of him. "Padraig Augustin? Come in, have a seat. Felicia, we will have tea, please." Felicia made herself scarce. Whilst she did, the Dean picked up a folder, on which was written Padraig's name. Taking a piece of parchment from there, he put Padraig's enrolment forms on the desk in front of him. "I wonder if you'd check that information, please. I'd like to make sure that everything is up to date. Just until Felicia returns, then we can talk."
When, a few bits later, the two of them had a cup of tea in front of them and Padraig had checked the form, Dean Manyon sat back in his chair, steepled his fingers together and then spoke. "I have heard good things from your professors here. Your record in Viden and Andaris speaks similarly. The class you taught proved so successful that two students have transferred to physics." Evidently, he probably wasn't in trouble.
"Tell me, if you would. Thus far you have completed your letter in Viden, your certificate in Andaris and you are now half way through your Diploma here. What are your longer term plans in terms of your academic career and where or if you will be pursuing any further qualifications?"
He'd start there, because the answer to that question needed to be clear before he went any further in telling Padraig why it was that he was sipping tea in the Dean's office.
It was, indeed, a note from the Dean. Dean Manyon wanted Padraig to come and see him immediately at the end of class. Which was a good few bits ago now, since Professor Firevein had over run and everyone was getting packed up, slowly. So, he would need to hurry as he was already late.
However, assuming that hurry he did, he would find that Felicia Du'Wintre was indeed expecting him and greeted him with a smile. "Padraig. The Dean is waiting for you. Patiently." She couldn't help it, the addition of that final word, because the young man was late. It wasn't good enough, when it came to the Dean. However, Padraig seemed to be one of those fortunate ones who Felicia liked; it was obvious when you weren't one of those, after all. "Come with me, then." Felicia instructed and led him to the Dean's office. He'd sat outside there, of course, previously, but not been in.
The office of Dean Manyon was a large room with one large window. The longest wall was floor to ceiling book shelf and the books were overflowing on them. He had a large dark wood desk which had on it a name plaque, a deep burgundy blotter, stacks of parchment, folders of varying shapes and a truly gaudy ornamental letter opener. The desk was organised meticulously and, sitting behind it was the Dean. He looked up as Felicia ushered Padraig in and he gave a smile.
Dean Manyon regarded Padraig and he motioned to the chair in front of him. "Padraig Augustin? Come in, have a seat. Felicia, we will have tea, please." Felicia made herself scarce. Whilst she did, the Dean picked up a folder, on which was written Padraig's name. Taking a piece of parchment from there, he put Padraig's enrolment forms on the desk in front of him. "I wonder if you'd check that information, please. I'd like to make sure that everything is up to date. Just until Felicia returns, then we can talk."
When, a few bits later, the two of them had a cup of tea in front of them and Padraig had checked the form, Dean Manyon sat back in his chair, steepled his fingers together and then spoke. "I have heard good things from your professors here. Your record in Viden and Andaris speaks similarly. The class you taught proved so successful that two students have transferred to physics." Evidently, he probably wasn't in trouble.
"Tell me, if you would. Thus far you have completed your letter in Viden, your certificate in Andaris and you are now half way through your Diploma here. What are your longer term plans in terms of your academic career and where or if you will be pursuing any further qualifications?"
He'd start there, because the answer to that question needed to be clear before he went any further in telling Padraig why it was that he was sipping tea in the Dean's office.