Tutoring Hazard (Whitebrand and jesskitty)

[Whitebrand]

Beramior Academy was known as the best magic school in the world. It employed the best teachers, accepted only the brightest and strongest students, and had a shining record of great mages walk through its castle doors...in both directions. A Beramior education was almost guaranteed high standing in the world.

One of the reasons for this was the unusual lengths that the teaching staff would go to provide knowledge to their students. There were the usual classes, of course, but there were also special tutors assigned to students. These tutors were always specialists in their fields and frequently were beings other than human.

Such special tutors were always creatures relevant to their subject and always operated under heavy magical restraints for the safety of the students. Many of these creatures were either paid well or bound by enchantments, sometimes both. Thus far no disasters had marred the school's record of safety and care.

That was how a dragon ended up teaching artificing at Beramior to a promising young lady...

[jesskitty]

Lissa clutched onto her books as she continued her walk back towards her private housing area at Beramior academy. "Oh right... today should be the first day of that new tutor..." She gave a sigh as she wasn't entirely sure what to think about the whole situation.

Her father had told her that this special tutor was being assigned to her because of his immense talent but to be a little wary of him at the same time. Apparently he had some sort of hidden power that had to be suppressed to even be allowed onto the campus grounds let alone meet one on one with a student like her.

The brown haired girl readjusted her glasses and took out the key to her room from a small pouch pocket wrapped around her school uniform shirt and headed for her room.

She wondered just what the tutor was like and just why they had insisted on a tutor that apparently had a dangerous power but the school wasn't that much of a stranger to potentially risky magical items and powers. She at least hoped that the tutor would be as good as advertised when it came to artificing as it was her weakest subject and just the fact that she was getting a tutor for a subject itself made her feel a little annoyed in how difficult the work was becoming.

[Whitebrand]

SESSION 1

There was a knock at the door. Whatever she might have expected, it was not a man somewhere around her own age, nor one so big that he nearly had to duck his head to get into the student's quarters. Nor a young man so good-looking that he could make the crusty old crones blush just by looking at them. He looked splendidly formal in his instructor's uniform, his shoulders filling out the robes like a bulwark under canvas. Muscular arms held a number of large books meant for study.

Or at least that was her first impression. Some of that raw power seemed to vanish the moment he gave her a slightly shy smile and a deep bow, as was appropriate for her rank.

"Milady," he said in a deep tenor. "I am Brand, your tutor in the field of enchanting. It is an honor to meet you at last. I've been told a great deal about you and I look forward to having you...as a student."

[jesskitty]

When the girl opened the door she ended up face to chest with the large instructor. She took a step back quickly and looked up at the handsome instructor. "O-oh, hello there."

She gave a quick nod in return to his bow as she looked over him. He was much more... powerful looking than she was expecting. Many of the tutors and scholars she had seen around were more of the bookworm type. She invited him in and over to her desk where he could set down the different books and things he had brought. "You can leave your items here if you like. I thank you for helping me out with this subject. My mentors have said that your skill is some of the best in all the land."

[Whitebrand]

"I am certainly one of the better," Brand said. "And I hope to demonstrate skill as a teacher as well by helping you overcome the hurdles you are experiencing." He walked over to her desk and set his books down on it. He looked around for a seat and chose the single largest chair in the room. Sitting down, he gestured for Lissa to also take a seat.

"So," he said. "Let's start with where exactly you're having trouble. Artificing and enchantment is a difficult subject, mostly because it relies on mathematical calculation and formulas...much like algebra. Is that the problem you are experiencing or is it some other aspect you are struggling with?"

[jesskitty]

Lissa scooted over to a smaller chair next to him and cracked open one of her own books that she had brought home from one of her classes. She looked at him a moment before flipping through to a particular page and pointing it out.

"Here is our lesson for the week. Everything seems to make sense in my head but when it comes to explaining just how and when to implement the different enchantments but it's when the instructor starts to dive into the specific mechanics of the formula that I start to get lost."

She gave a frustrated looking pout as she started over at the page. "See, I understand this formula, and it's ending form on this page... but I just can't get the details down on how the enchantment's formula changes to get to that form. So when a similar enchantment comes up that we need to adjust ourselves I just don't know where exactly to start."

[Whitebrand]

"I see," Brand said, conveniently leaning close enough so that she got a good dose of his masculine scent. "Fortunately your affliction is quite treatable. Let's break it down like this..."

He proceeded to break up the formulas she was struggling with into smaller, more manageable bricks for her to take apart and understand. He carefully took her through each "brick" until she was able to see the overall change in the formula.

"Don't worry if you don't get it all in one lesson," he added as he counseled patience. "You're not meant to get it all at once. Enchanting isn't like other magic, with great intuitive leaps of understanding, so you have to treat it accordingly."

The end of the lesson came regrettably quickly. It was amazing how quickly time passed with a handsome tutor at your side, especially one who seemed to know exactly where the problem in her head was.

[jesskitty]

She watched closely as he worked through the problem with her. The scent wasn't lost on her as he leaned in a bit close to her. He certainly spared no expense when it came to the first impression that he wanted to make. She didn't mind it and had admittedly grown a bit accustomed to people putting on a front as noble as possible when interacting with her and her family but Brand seemed much more natural than most acting so gentlemanly.

Time eventually flew by as she slowly started to put things together. By the time the session was over it had gotten a bit dark out.

"Wow it got late so quickly... But I can already start to see just how the little pieces flow together. It's still pretty complex but you've already helped me quite a lot."

She gave a friendly smile to Blaze. Between his natural ability to guide her through the problems and the pleasantness of his company she was already looking forward to the next session.

[Whitebrand]

"I look forward to our next lesson, then," Brand said as he closed his books and began collecting his things. "It has been a genuine pleasure this evening, Milady. Our next session should be just as productive."

He stood up and bowed, as was proper when addressing a young woman of her rank. He went ahead and saw himself out. His scent still hung pleasantly in the air,not strong but just present enough to remind her that the evening had been real enough.

He smiled to himself as he headed back to his quarters. Another session or two and she'd start missing him when he was absent. Another few after that...

[jesskitty]

She tidied up her desk and walked him to the door. She gave a soft bow and closed the door behind him.

She wasn't entirely sure what she was expecting earlier that day, perhaps even felt a bit worried or dreading how the tutoring session would go but everything about Brand had been a quite lovely first impression.

"Can't wait for the next session, I'm already feeling so much more confident just after one day." She smiled happily and started readying herself for bed. Everything about Brand and the day making her smile and relax happily. The first day of his visits had gone well for the both of them. Lissa had made great progress with her work and Brand and dug his claws in quite deep as a first impression.

[Whitebrand]

SESSION 2

The handsome tutor arrived on time for their next lesson, and was accompanied by the smell of food. In addition to his books under one arm he carried a basket that smelled distinctly of spiced chicken and other flavors.

"I thought that since tonight's session might run a little long I'd bring dinner," he said, offering the basket to his host. "We can dig in when you get hungry."

He took the same chair he had used the last time and set his books down on her desk.

"Tonight I thought we'd just talk about the basics of enchanting objects," he said. "Unless there's a specific problem you're having trouble with."

[jesskitty]

The eager girl opened the door as the knocking arrived, softly closing her eyes and smelling the wonderful aroma wafting from the food that he had brought.

"Wow it smells amazing! Thank you so much for bringing it to share." She gave him a happy smile and led him in to set his stuff down in the same spot as the last session.

"Starting with the basics sounds good. Class has already been going better just from the first lesson as I'm not just completely lost as the instructor goes on." She pulled up a seat right next to him and smiled warmly as the wonderful smell continued to fill the room.

"Mmm... just what did you bring that has that wonderful smell?"

[Whitebrand]

"Oh, a little something from my kitchen," Brand said. "Some spiced chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, a small salad...nothing too extravagant. I'm something of a cook as well as an artificer. In fact the two skills are rather similar."

Brand sat the basket of food down nearby, then settled into his chair to give his speech.

"Well...enchanting an object requires precise calculations and preparation because you are trying to create an object with a pre-prepared, specific effect that won't draw on your own magical reserves. When a mage casts a spell a lot of the calculations take place in his or her head, usually in only a few seconds. The calculations determine how much energy of the mage's is used and what the effect's size will be.

"What you are trying to do is pre-create those calculations in a solid form so that you don't have to do them yourself, and discharge the effect by using a power source other than your own. That's why so many magical items look so expensive and valuable: The gemstones they usually have in them hold the power, and the materials they are made from hold the calculations."

As he went on he let the smell of his food do its work.

"So...you have to prepare your calculations well ahead of time, then come up with a way to represent those calculations on the object you are enchanting. Runes are usually used as a shorthand for that kind of thing..."

[jesskitty]

Lissa paused a moment to take in a few good sniffs of the food before turning back to her desk to begin their lesson. She sat and focused on the page and his voice as he continued to guide her through the problems and formulas.

After some time had passed Karlia was starting to feel a bit distracted from the wonderful smell that continued to tease her senses and linger inside the room. She continued to follow the directions on the page but Brand could definitely tell her focus was wavering. It only took a few more minutes before she finally set down her pen and turned to Brand.

"Hey, instructor... I'm starting to really feel hungry from all the work and studying... do you think we could take a break to have some of that wonderful smelling food now?"

[Whitebrand]

"Absolutely," Brand said. "I do tend to go on a bit so now's a good time for it. Here..."

He opened up the basket and produced a pair of plates. It took him a minute or two but when he was done the plates were filled with that wonderful-smelling dinner: Spiced chicken breasts with mashed potatoes and gravy on the side plus a tasty-looking salad. He had also included a bottle of wine and a pair of small glasses.

"One drink apiece," Brand cautioned. "I'm not allowed to get my charge tipsy."

[jesskitty]

She had a look of gleeful delight as the food was set up and prepared for the both of them. She couldn't wait any longer before starting on the salad as Brand brought out the wine.

"I'm honestly quite surprised they let you bring along alcohol at all. But the rest of the meal is so lovely that a small glass of wine would be just perfect." She was quite impressed with the amount of food, it approaching the quality of a fine restaraunt's meal as she nibbled on some of the dishes prepared.

While still greatly appreciative she still kept a close eye on the wine and her drink as Brand prepared it, just to be safe.

[Whitebrand]

"I had to get special permission," Brand admitted. "And they inspected it very carefully. It's a very light wine so even a few cups wouldn't get you more than a bit heady. They are very protective of their students here, and I understand fully."

He poured the wine carefully while Karlia ate her salad. At the right moment he handed her the glass while neatly balancing his own. He dug into the salad as well. The lettuce was nice and crisp and the tomatoes were perfectly ripe.

I can hardly wait to get on with the main course... he thought, eyeing the young student without looking like he was.

[jesskitty]

Lissa gave a nod at the explanation, fully believing him as she continued to nibble down all the food he had prepared for the both of them. The wine perfectly complimenting all the dishes as she took gentle sips, completely unaware of the dish that her tutor was anticipating the most.

"So far I've been so very happy that my instructors called on you to help me with my lessons. You've been so wonderful to me and such a big help already."

[Whitebrand]

"Part of the job, Milady," Brand said, taking larger bites of his food and easily finishing first. "And the fact that you've improved so much after only a couple of lessons speaks a great deal about you. We'll get you ahead of the class in no time."

He waited patiently for his pupil to finish her meal, calmly plotting out his map towards his own. Perhaps next time a little extra something in the spices...

He winced slightly as the magical binding on him clamped down at once at the thought. He would have to find a way to loosen the enchantments on him...and surely a talented girl like this one would be able to help him do it.

[jesskitty]

She gave another happy smile before finishing up the last few bites of her meal and giving a content sigh. "I just can't thank you enough for the help you've been. With all my other classes going so well it was really hard to get over just how badly artificing was tripping me up. All my other classes just come so naturally and after only two lessons I can already see some of the parts coming together on artificing when all I could do was stare blankly at a page for hours on end before."

She sat up from the table and walked back over to her desk, pausing a moment to bend down over to pick up one of the utensils that had fallen to the floor. Very briefly showing off her delicious looking body for a short moment before sitting back down at the desk. "Is there any more to cover for today or shall we call it there? That meal was so lovely that all I really want to do is sleep it off now tonight."