lost in darkest blue .endless labyrinths weaving though. will you stagger on, with no star to light your way? share with me your tears. all your troubles and deepest fears. i remember when, you chased all my shadows away.
Maxwell knows that she knows he was being sarcastic. But verbally, he did volunteer; she has him there. It’s difficult to decide whether to be annoyed or amused, so he settles on giving her a long-suffering glare but still taking the books as she pushes them into the grasp of his free arm. He quickly rearranges them so that he can continue drinking his coffee with ease.
He nods in her agreement that sixteen is essentially a baby– regardless, babies in charge of making coffee should at least be able to follow simple instructions. “Enough caramel that Willy Wonka himself would be appalled,” he confirms, before adding with some consideration, “You, in fact, seem like the kind of person who would have supremely enjoyed it, if that was possible…” After all, she sometimes seems like the physical embodiment of an overly-sugary personality. Not that it’s a bad thing, necessarily, even if it isn’t always his taste. “The day is young, so we’ll see how long my streak of beating temptation can last. I’m in 132, so I should head downstairs sooner rather than later.”
The long-suffering stare caused giggles to be caught in the back of her throat but ultimately persuaded down forcefully not to appear too cocky (she was too cocky, and maeve knew it too). He took her books and she was joyed at the freedom her hands now possessed. “thank you, thank you very much.” she expressed teasingly.
“Willy himself? Well hot damn.” she chuckled. A shurg of her shoulders. “Maybe. It would have been nasty for me but I would have totally enjoyed it, probably. Just not before school though, a time when I could go to bed right after.” She wouldn’t put herself through a sugar simulcast low in front of her students. Doing it at all wasn’t something Maeve made a habit of. She laughed this time, full above a chuckle. “Hey, if you need to get going I’ll letya go. I could take my own books, as much of a task as they are.” she over exaggerated.
“clearly.” he confirmed. unless he’d failed year after year, and clayton figured anyone that happened to do that would’ve entually just decide to do something else than continue attending school. “isn’t there a library?” he asked, handing over the books to her. “or throw them away, i don’t know.” simple as that.
“yep! and if i can’t find the kid myself that’s where the book is going. they’re only a kid so i’d rather them have their books then miss a night of homework, ya know?” she presumed he was a new teacher or staff member that she hadn’t had a chance to meet as of yet.
“for me it’s… helping you deliver the bag and then i’m home free.” lyanna said with a laugh. she hummed thoughtfully and shrugged with a shake of her head. “nothing major. which sounds kind of lame. i’d love to do something so if you’ve got any suggestions, i’m all ears.”
“so we’re in the same boat.” she chuckled. “well, i was planning to grab some food if you’d like to join me?” she offered. “the lunch is on me too, because you’re helping me find this-- oh there they are!” she exclaimed. “alfred! hun, you forgot this?” she gave the young child his bag. “better be more careful next time, hm?”
‘you don’t know how many kids think a headache is good enough reason to skip class and then later i find them outside making out with whomever. were we this dumb when we were younger? i’d at least find a better hiding spot to make out and be sure i wouldn’t get caught.’ leo exclaimed, sitting next to this complete stranger with kind eyes and a nice smile. ‘oh hi! my name’s leo, i’m the new school nurse. i don’t usually start with complaining, but… mondays, right? are you teacher or staff?’
@endlessvines
‘oh i know i was, plenty dumb.” was that true? looking back on her younger years were times of strife and sorrow. she’d grown out of it, put it all in a box instead of letting it consume her. but it was there, for maeve, it was always there. ‘you say that but this place is pretty meticulous, i’d be hard pressed to think of a good hiding spot. maybe the janitor’s closet? but the janitor’s also use it so--” so it wasn’t an easy thing. giggles erupted from his apology, after all she’d started talking back seamlessly as well. “naw i figured something as much, my name is maeve and welcome to arcana leo. i’m the alchemy and transfigurations teacher.”
“ a first-year freaked out because i pulled out a dead snake in front of him. ” his mouth hangs open as he throws his head back and a gummy bear shoots high up in the air. then, it’s falling and falling, and falling, and —— score. “ i swear, kids have no sense of humor these days. he fucking threw up on my shoes! ” which kinda explains why he’s behind his desk with his legs propped up on the surface, feet shoeless and crumpling up the papers beneath them. “ anyway. ” he wiggles his toes. “ any HOT GOSSIP? ”
“ I’D freak out if you pulled a dead snake in front of me, without warning.” she could take if she knew it was expected, but one from nowhere with no time to brace herself? maeve would SCREAM. max was immature --- but he was hardly the first or the only one. and maeve had her well share of immature moments. it wasn’t a place for her to judge any. she laughed at that. “on your good shoes?” was she hopeful or giving sympathy? maeve wasn’t quite sure just yet. she wasn’t all too surprised to see him shoeless, that was just max, but for him to have a proper explanation was something new. “you know,” she began. “if you want i could find a witch and guide them through deconstructing and reconstructing your shoes, if you still have em.” she offered. “ME? hot gossip? blasphemy. i am as a pure of the fallen snow.”
Alchemy, It is the technique of understanding the structure of matter, decomposing it, and then reconstructing it. If performed skillfully, it is even possible to create gold out of lead. However, there are some natural principles in place. Only one thing can be created from something else of a certain mass. This is the Principle of Equivalent Exchange.
Maeve’s curriculum is split into 5 pieces. She spends a lot of time making sure her students have a thorough understanding of the art of it before teaching them alchemy itself.
Equivalent Exchange
Transmutation Circle
Transmutation Array
Human Transmutation
Alchemy Itself
EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE
The mystical practice of alchemy to create objects out of raw matter or turn one object into another is widely believed to be capable of anything - indeed alchemy is often viewed as magical or miraculous by those unfamiliar with the craft - but it is a science and as such is subject to certain laws and limitations, all of which fall under the concept of Equivalent Exchange: "In order to obtain or create something, something of equal value must be lost or destroyed."
The Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that energy and matter can neither be created from nothing nor destroyed to the point of elemental nonexistence. In other words, to create an object weighing one kilogram, at least one kilogram of material is necessary and destroying an object weighing one kilogram would reduce it to a set of parts, the sum of which would weigh one kilogram.
The Law of Natural Providence, which states that an object or material made of a particular substance or element can only be transmuted into another object with the same basic makeup and properties of that initial material. In other words, an object or material made mostly of water can only be transmuted into another object with the attributes of water.
Rebound. Since the alchemical forces being manipulated are not human in origin, but of the world as a whole, the consequences for attempting to bypass the Law of Equivalent Exchange in transmutation are not merely failure and cessation. When too much is attempted out of too little, what occurs is called a Rebound, in which the alchemical forces that are thrown out of balance on either side of the equation fluctuate wildly of their own accord in order to stabilize themselves - taking or giving more than was intended in often unpredictable and catastrophic ways such as accidental mutation, serious injury, or death.
TRANSUMATION CIRCLE
Though no machine or equipment is needed to produce the energy necessary for transmutation, merely understanding the sequence of transmutation and the limitations of Equivalent Exchange is not enough.
In order to begin an alchemical transmutation, a symbol called a Transmutation Circle is necessary. A Transmutation Circle can either be drawn on the spot when a transmutation is necessary (in chalk, pencil, ink, paint, thread, blood or even traced in dirt) or permanently etched or inscribed beforehand, but without it, transmutation is generally impossible. All Transmutation Circles are made up of two parts:
The circle itself is a conduit which focuses and dictates the flow of power, tapping into the energies that already exist within the earth and matter. It represents the cyclical flow of the world's energies and phenomena and turns that power to manipulable ends.
Inside the circle are specific alchemical runes. These runes vary widely based on ancient alchemical studies, texts, and experimentation, but correspond to a different form of energy, allowing the energy that is focused within the circle to be released in the way most conducive to the alchemist's desired effect. In basic alchemy, these runes will often take the form of triangles (which, when positioned differently, can represent the elements of either water, earth, fire or air), but will often be composed of varying polygons built from different triangles. For example, the hexagram is a commonly used base rune in Transmutation Circles because it creates eight multi-directional triangles when inscribed and can, therefore, represent all four classical elements at once. Other, more esoteric runes (including astrological symbols, symbolic images and varying lines of text) are prevalent and represent a multitude of other, specific functions for the alchemical energy that is released.
TRANSMUTATION ARRAY
A Transmutation Array is similar to a transmutation circle in that it is used to circulate the energy used in a transmutation. However, unlike a transmutation circle, the runes are not confined to the circumference of the circle and may use the circle only as a small aspect of their function. In some instances, a transmutation array may not even be a circle at all, using different concepts to bring about the circulation or release of the energies involved. Transmutation arrays are often found as full body tattoos on alchemists due to the shape of the human body. It is also possible that the non-cyclical nature of transmutation arrays amplifies the 'destruction' stage of alchemy.
HUMAN TRANSMUTATION
Unfortunately, these experiments have given birth to a dark and sinister side of alchemy. Whether out of despair, malice or inquisitive hubris, several alchemists have been known to attempt the application of transmutation to the human body and/or soul, in essence, playing God with human lives. But, just as the Law of Equivalent Exchange applies to the transmutation of non-living matter, devastating rebounds can occur in Human Transmutation because human lives and souls are priceless according to the flow of the world.
Resurrection - Attempts to bring deceased human beings back to life are the most common practices to be called Human Transmutation. Using various experimental theories and methods, multiple alchemists have endeavored to resurrect dead loved ones, but such pursuits are always failures, forbidden by the flow of the universe and alchemy itself. Doing such could lead to horrible results.
Artificial Humans - The next most referred-to form of Human Transmutation is the concept of an alchemically created artificial human, called a "Homunculus". Though largely considered impossible due to the fact that all recorded and reported attempts to make one have been failures, this act is one of those specifically noted in the prohibition of Human Transmutation.
Human Soul Binding - Another terrible form of Human Transmutation is the manipulation of human souls. There have been experiments with Human Transmutation involving the extraction of souls from their matter bodies and the alchemical binding of said souls to inanimate objects usually by way of a rune drawn in blood on the object itself. Despite the fact that these souls cannot feel pain or die by conventional means, since the "bodies" they now inhabit are not mortal, the act of binding two such different things together is only temporary, as the soul and vessel will eventually reject each other and separate.
Human Chimera - Chimeric Alchemy is a branch of bio-alchemy that seeks to alchemically "marry" two dissimilar life forms into a new creature, but even though this science skirts the line of playing God, the prohibition of Human Transmutation forbids alchemists from incorporating human beings into the practice of chimera production. However, there are alchemists who flout this decree and step across the threshold into monstrous experimentation.
ALCHEMY ITSELF
Though Maeve can’t perform the techniques herself due to being a fairy, she usually has an alumni student demonstrate, and if she can’t get one she has her best student in the class do so. However actually learning the alchemy is the final part of her curriculum so it’s a long time before she needs the extra help.
Comprehension - Understanding the inherent structure and properties of the atomic or molecular makeup of a particular material to be transmuted, including the flow and balance of potential and kinetic energy within.
Deconstruction - Using energy to break down the physical structure of the identified material into a more malleable state so as to be easily reshaped into a new form.
Reconstruction - Continuing the flow of energy so as to reform the material into a new shape.
STAFF SCHEDULE
wakes up in a half-hour before she needs to be ready, gets ready in 20 minutes, has ten minutes to spare before classes to which she spends in the teacher lounge chatting with other teachers. she teaches mostly morning classes in a large block, so by the time it’s lunch she only has a single class to teach before she’s done for the day. on tuesdays and thursday's she gives some extra help lessons for students falling behind. she does this after the normal school day, which is technically ways after she could go home, so in her long long free periods she hangs around the school or reads a book. maeve also lives on campus for the fact it’s easier to get ready, and it’s cheaper for her.
“no problem.” lyanna couldn’t help the small laughter, too, momentarily imagining the absolute disaster she’d be if their roles were switched. “that should make it easy. no worries. after this, are you done for the day?”
“yep, just a bag to deliver and then i am home free.” she chuckled, though being home free didn’t necessarily mean she was headed HOME, but still. “what about you? any big or wonderful plans brewing for after your off?”
“Do you want me to carry your books as well?” he quips without any real heat. Walk her to class; this isn’t the 1950′s. She can walk herself to class. But in all honesty, Maxwell wouldn’t mind continuing a conversation with her. (He doesn’t always enjoy company, but he needs it all the same– though he’d never admit it aloud.) He begins heading down the hallway towards the eastern wing of the school, assuming Maeve will follow. At her request, he launches into the more detailed version of the story without further prompting.
“So this child– sixteen, maybe– hands me my drink, and I’ve already walked away, and I take a sip– and all I can taste is caramel. Ninety-nine percent sugar. Beyond disgusting. So I take it back to the counter– and I don’t throw it in his face, because he is a child and facially scarring him for life with scalding liquid seemed over-the-top, though I was tempted.” A somewhat smug smile crosses his face at the thought of the well-deserved terror in the barista’s eyes. “I gave him a Look, and one stuttered apology later: two free black coffees… even though I didn’t ask for two, I asked for one and some basic competence. I still feel the overwhelming urge to brush my teeth after that near-brush with tragic over-caramelization,” he tells her seriously as they continue on their way. “Which classroom are you in, again?”
Oh yee who asks shall recieve. “I would love that!” Taking her books in hand, she clasped them into his- only letting go once she was sure he had at least a small grip onto them. “Thank you so much for volunteering.” Oh she knew sarcasm. But she’ll take sarcasm and raise you one, pretending you weren’t aware of sarcasm. She’s a fairy, she has some trickster right in her blood ( among other healing properties that were apparently addictive? not something she wanted to try out anytime soon but something she surely was well to be aware of ).
“Sixteen? Oh a baby,” she was sure any, or at least most, students at the school around that age would call themselves adult and able, but Maeve would have to disagree. Even at 27 she didn’t feel all too adult, nor did she feel able. And 16? Oh they were a baby, and nothing could make her think otherwise. “CARAMEL?” she always had a taste for caramel and thought it was a sugar low that she had when she was young and unaware. Only as a staff member at the school had she learned otherwise of sugar being a weak point for fay like herself. “As long as you beat the temptation we’re good buddy.” Beating the temptation was the operative as a teacher when faced with a bulldozer student. “Oh man, look at you. Your scary glare is taking you places.” she teased of him. “I’m 204.”
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