Higher Learning

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

We continued to walk as we chatted about language, and before long the Academy came into view. It was larger than I'd imagined, and I felt a bit intimidated. I thought of myself as an intelligent person, but what if that was a conceit on my part? I tried not to think about it, and Sandrine obliged by stopping suddenly, and suggesting I come with her.

"Really?" Was all I had time to say before she began to tease me about Jebe-Barkal being to "unrefined" for my taste. I laughed and swatted her arm as we started to walk again. "Don't be silly! I would give my right arm to go!" I knew my family would probably have something to say about that, but I forcefully ignored that idea. "We would have such fun! And maybe an adventure or two, right?"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

"Well, hopefully if you come it won't require you giving up your right arm. Though I've heard that there are some ruthless thieves and villains while you travel. Maybe if that's all they ask for, we'll be lucky. Adventure, as you well know, is my stock and trade."

I hadn't been to the Academy, but it was an imposing structure, and I craned my neck upward to try and see all of it. We were at the front steps now.

"It looks massive," I breathed. "I wonder if classes are going on? Maybe we should just go in." The great doors were open, probably to let in sun and fresh air.

I reached down and grabbed her hand in a friendly manner. "I don't know how they feel about people wandering the halls, but remember this for future referenced. When you're in a place you're not supposed to be, always act as if you belong." I squared my shoulders, adopted my best approximation of a bored young noble's expression, and walked inside, pulling Sophine along besides me.

I made a beeline for what looked like an information desk. "Excuse me," I said, my voice nonchalant, "but we're looking for the class on Alban history?" I gestured to Sophine. "My friend here has forgotten which room it was in."

The desk clerk looked at us, adjusting her glasses on the end of her nose. She frowned. "The professor told me the class was closed. It's just a small seminar for summer."

I sighed impatiently. "Am I going to have to tell my father, ma'am?" That might upset her, as I doubted she was much older than me.

She sat up very straight, and the flush of color on her cheeks let me know that she was getting angry. Good. "And who might that be?"

I glanced around for a second, before my eyes fell on a sign above one of the wings. "You have probably heard of him," I said, my voice dripping with venom. "He graduated from this fine establishment." And I pointed to the sign, looking down my nose at her.

The color drained from her face as she followed the line of my finger, and she bowed her head. "A thousand pardons, miss. Please, let me show you to your class. It should be starting soon."

I patted the woman's shoulder in a friendly manner, smiling. "I'll put in a good word for you."

We got a few quizzical looks as we sat in the back of the classroom that I ignored. "People will believe what you tell them, if you believe it yourself," I whispered, stretching out in my seat. I was interested to hear what the professor had to say. Maybe I could surprise Faolan with a story.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I shivered with excitement at the thought of bandits and villains (although I imagine I might have an altogether different reaction should I actually encounter some). "Well, it's a good thing I'll be adventuring with someone of your knowledge." I said, laughing.

I listened to Sandrine's advice as we approached the entrance to the Academy. Look like you belong... it was the same principle we'd used when leaving Orchis house; it had worked great there, so I imagined it would work as well here. I had no problem adopting the "bored noble" attitude - after all, I was a bored noble.

When Sandrine began to give the woman at the desk a hard time, I had to quell my laughter. She reminded me immediately of my sister; Dyan would have had this poor information clerk in tears, and Sandrine was doing a fair approximation. When she called her "ma'am" I almost lost my grip on my bored and slightly irritated demeanor and burst into giggles.

But Sandrine really was good at this, and before we knew it she had bullied the poor girl into showing us to a class on Alban history. Of course, I was thrilled; this was just the kind of thing I wanted to study. I leaned over and whispered back to Sandrine, "You really are amazing, you know. I never could have pulled this off on my own!"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

Sophine did a good job of playing dumb, which was all that little stunt required of her. I watched the professor come in, and I whispered in response, "You will with practice. Though I wouldn't make a habit of it. Respectable ladies such as yourself aren't supposed to make up stories."

The professor looked up at us quizzically, and I smiled down at him. He seemed to shrug before he began to speak.

I knew I was going to have to try very very hard to pay attention--I was no good for any sort of instruction. The man was engaging enough, and the topic was interesting, but I still had to concentrate very hard to not fidget or fall asleep.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I rolled my eyes. I'd already discovered that being respectable was overrated. I started to say as much to Sandrine, but a glance from the professor silenced me.

As soon as he began the lecture, I knew I'd be attending classes here. I was fascinated by the information on Alban history and I found my fingers itching for a pen with which to take notes.

I glanced over at Sandrine, who didn't seem as rapt as I did. I leaned over and smiled, whispering, "What do you think so far?"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I was moving in and out of focus, half paying attention to the lecture and half daydreaming, when Sophine asked me what I thought.

"Ah...it is interesting..." I smiled weakly. "But I'm not very good with sitting still. Even if I had something to doodle with, or if I could take notes, it might help." I was absent-mindedly bouncing my leg even as I spoke. "I can't help it."

The professor shot me another look, and I sat up straight, beaming. He looked at me strangely before continuing. I shrugged in Sophine's direction and tried to pay attention again.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I could see how Sandrine would have a hard time sitting still for a lecture. She needed a more interactive class, with lively discussion. I looked at her and smiled, waiting for the professor too look away before leaning over and whispering again. "We don't have to stay for the entire class ... there is probably plenty more to see while we're here." Hopefully sneaking out of class would be as easy as sneaking in!

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I bit my lip as I looked from the professor to Sophine. I did want to leave, but this was a good opportunity for her to see what classes might be like. Plus that professor looked like he might be difficult to confront. His accent seemed Alban, and I knew from personal experience that they were not a people to tangle with, even in an academic setting.

"No, no," I whispered. "Enjoy it. I'll survive." I grinned at her.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I smiled gratefully when Sandrine agreed to stay, and I privately vowed to do something nice for her in return. I turned my attention back to the professor, who was speaking a bit about the language of the region, Cruithne. I spoke a few words in the language, but I had to admit it was much easier to pay attention in this setting than with a tutor and Lilliane and Maric distracting me.

The rest of the lecture passed swiftly for me, and as the class broke up, I turned to Sandrine. "What did you think?" I imagined she had been bored to tears, but maybe it hadn't been too bad. "It wasn't too painful, I hope." I teased.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I sat up when the instructor spoke about the language. What a surprise for Faolan, to know a few words in Cruithne the next time I saw her! Maybe Sophine could teach me, she had had prior instruction.

"It picked up a bit toward the end," I said truthfully. "If I'm going to learn as many languages as you I'm going to have to stay focused."

I stood up and stretched, yawning. "Well, how about we visit the library? Or maybe the lunchroom?" I grinned. "Maybe we can find some students to talk to?"

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

Sandrine's mention of learning languages made me smile. "I know a bit, we should study together. Personally, I always do better when I have someone to work with."

I followed suit and rose, brushing my hair back behind my ears. I wasn't used to wearing it completely unbound, and I found it slightly irritating. "Hmm, food or books? That's a hard choice, actually." Although, I was already reading three books, and I didn't think I could find time for even one more, "I vote for the lunchroom." I took two steps to the door, then turned to her. "I don't suppose you know where that is?"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I shrugged as I watched her walk past me. "Of course I don't know where it is. That's part of the fun."

We stepped outside the classroom. The rush of students caught me off guard, and I tried to stand on my tip-toes to see where everyone was going. "Hm, maybe we should just ask?" I suggested, and I grabbed a boy who was probably my age by his upper arm. "Excuse me, but we're new here. Can you direct us to the lunch room?" I gave him my brightest smile, and he looked from me to Sophine before nodding once. I hooked my arm in his, gesturing for Sophine to follow.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

Once again I was impressed by Sandrine's confidence and take-charge attitude as she grabbed the boy's arm. I quickly followed suit, and in a fit of daring, I took the boy's other arm. Well, why not?

We walked among the press of students, and I was surprised to see that so many people attended the Academy. Maric and Lilli would love it here, I thought; they were both better students than I. I glanced around the boy, who seemed a tad bemused to have a pretty girl on each arm, and grinned at Sandrine.

"Uh, here you are..." The boy said, using his chin to point down a short hallway with a large wooden door at the end of it. I let go of his arm and gave him my best smile.

"Thank you so much."

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

As I let go of the boy's arm, I whispered in his ear, "You should come to Orchis House one day. Ask for Sandrine."

I suppressed a chuckle as I watched him blush mightily. One never knows where one might meet their next patron.

Once he had escaped back into the crowd, I started to walk down the indicated hallway. "That was fun, wasn't it?" I asked Sophine, my hand on the doorknob. I pulled it open and saw another large group of people, all milling about, eating and talking about whatever it was students talked about. I felt a bit confused.

"How are we ever going to get anything to eat?" I said, mostly to myself. I pointed. "Maybe that's the line for food? I can't tell..."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I agreed that we were having fun, and as Sandrine opened the door to the lunchroom I was once again taken aback by all of the people. I shook my head and tried to take it all in.

"A line?" I muttered to myself, "For food?" As someone who had always had food delivered whenever I was hungry, the idea of waiting in a line for it was odd, to say the least. When in Tiberium...

"There, I think?" I pointed to what appeared to be the back of the line. "Do you want to get something?"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I shrugged noncommittally. "My problem, Sophine, is that I can always eat. But after our clandestine breakfast I'm not in danger of wasting away. If you like, we can just find a seat and watch people go by."

Inwardly I smiled. Sophine had thrown clothes on my floor, presumably expecting a servant to pick it up for her. I had no doubt this current situation was a little off-putting for her.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I was actually not very hungry myself; the breakfast at Orchis House had been delicious - and filling. "That's a great idea," I said, craning my neck for an empty table, "provided we can find an empty table!"

"There..." I pointed to a table clear across the room, near the large windows. "If we can make it over there before someone else sits down, we're in!" I grabbed Sandrine's hand and began pushing through the crowd, making a beeline for the empty table.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I allowed myself to be dragged, tripping over chair legs and pushing against the other students. I didn't even have time to feel guilty about it. We made it to a table ahead of a group of snotty looking girls. One of them gave me a look that could melt silver. I returned her look with one of my own. It didn't take long before her eyes slid away, and she and her little army of followers scuttled to another part of the room.

I sighed as I sank into a chair, pulling it around so that I could face the room. "Goodness me, you find such kindness in a place like this, don't you?" I said, winking at Sophine. "So tell me," I said, leaning in, "when you attend the Academy, will you be available or are you connected to some lucky young man?"

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I was glad to see that we made it to the table first, and I was impressed when Sandrine won the stare-down. I might have been a little intimidated if I had been alone. I laughed at Sandrine's comment. "Apparently not!" I shook my head. "Perhaps they need to teach manners?"

When Sandrine asked about my romantic availability I blushed and thought fleetingly of Maric, but shook my head. "I haven't been here long enough to meet any men who aren't related to me." Thoughts of the hungry eyes of my brother-in-law made me shudder slightly. "Maybe I will meet some here?"

[Fiona d'Anwar]

I had just gotten my lunch after my piano-forte lesson and had started to look for a place to sit down. It was busy today and there were no empty tables. There was an empty chair beside two girls I had never seen before, so I went over. "Hello, do you mind if I sit here?" I asked the two of them.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I looked up, prepared for another run-in with the stuck up girls from earlier, but instead we were confronted with a pretty, friendly face. When she asked if she could sit with us, I exchanged a glance with Sandrine, wondering if she would mind, though I didn't think so; thus far, Sandrine had been extremely friendly.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I returned Sophine's glance with raised eyebrows. Was she asking my permission? How funny. As far as I knew I was not queen of the lunch room.

"Of course not!" I enthused, pushing out one of the seats with my foot. "Please, be our guest. I'm Sandrine, and this is Sophine. Despite our similar names and our striking resemblance, we are not related at all."

I wasn't sure how they took to interlopers at the Academy. Hopefully the girl wouldn't find it suspicious that I didn't tell her our last names.

[Fiona d'Anwar]

Watching them showed an interesting dynamic. The one that I had pegged for a lady looked at the exotic looking one across from her, rather than the other way around. And the exotic one, Sandrine was her name, had the grace of a merchant girl, pushing the chair out with her foot.

"Thank you. I'm Fiona d'Anwar," I replied with a friendly smile, sitting down and arranging my small meal in front of me. "I don't believe I've seen either of you around before, what are you studying?"

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Fiona." I said, smiling. Her next question took me off guard, but I decided to apply what I'd learned so far today - act as if you belong. "Oh, this and that." I said nonchalantly. "We just came from a class on Alban History." Deciding that deflection would also be a good tactic, I turned the question around. "What are you studying?"

[Fiona d'Anwar]

Her wording was odd, not one of a long-time student, and reaffirmed my belief that Sophine at least was a newcomer here.

"D'Angeline lit, musical theory, and the piano-forte," I replied easily before biting into my apple.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

My eyes moved from Sophine to Fiona. Even if Fiona did find us out, which seemed more and more likely the more we talked, hopefully I could find a way to take all of the blame of this little adventure onto myself. Unlike Sophine, I had little to no desire to attend classes.

"We're both pretty new," I said, smiling slightly as I sat back. "We haven't gotten into a set curriculum yet. Sophine's really interested in languages...while I'd prefer to learn more about the cultures themselves before I start to travel." I shrugged. "Alba seemed as good a place as any to start, but we're looking to branch out. Have you taken any language or cultural classes besides d'Angeline lit?"

[Fiona d'Anwar]

I took a second to take in her words as I chewed and swallowed my apple. No set curriculum? Meant they weren't registered and were still checking the institution out. "No, not here," I replied once my mouth was clear. "Though I agree, learning about a culture from afar before you dive into it can be very helpful."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I listened to the exchange between Fiona and Sandrine and then nodded in agreement. "I think so too. Eventually I'd like to see other countries, but I'd like to at least have an idea of what to expect." I smiled, "And at least a smattering of the language. It must be frustrating not to be able to communicate effectively."

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"Where would you like to go?" I asked before taking another bite, looking to them both.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"Anywhere. Everywhere." I answered, than laughed. "That's not too much to ask, is it?"