#serena vailes

[afkj-morgan]

Hey, doll (@serenaofesperia). This is for you. It's been useless to me since the second it arrived but it might do something for you?

*Morgan tosses the plush right at Serena.*

(Plush (and drawing) were send to Morgan by @magister-atlas)

[magister-cyran]

so…..like…..

do all court mages have to dress like there’s some funeral going on at all times….?

…or did you actually pick those clothes on purpose?

// @serenaofesperia

...

Oh... my sincerest apologies, Miss Serena. I was so lost in thoughts, that I have failed to hear your proper address.

Nevertheless, the inquiry of such a distinguished and promising young lady shall not be ignored.

Court Mages have free choice over their daily attire, as long as it is suitable to be worn at the palace. Such elaborate embroidery on black is simply my own, personal choice. Fret not, for any unfortunate funeral that I must attend, my dress will be humble and appropriate.

[professor-zorya]

A small gift box is placed at the foot of the gargoyle. It’s wrapped in pink, with a bright bow on top. The attached card reads:

Dear Professor Zorya,

I was out shopping today, and the makeup set I bought came with this lipstick! The MINUTE I saw it I knew it would be the PERFECT shade for you. It’s not as dark as your current shade, but a pale pink that’ll match the flowers in your hair and compliment your eyes. And it has a shimmer to it! You HAVE to wear it. It’ll be GORGTASTIC.

XOXO

@serenaofesperia

P.S. NO this is not a bribe so you can take it! Really, who do you think I am?

*Zorya carefully reads the message. It is strangely not unusual for her to receive little gifts of her students. Sometimes, however, she cannot fathom the thoughts that these students must have had when sending their gifts. What good is a lipstick to something that is essentially a stone?*

...

*Leaving her body contemplating, Zorya leaves her usual spot to give it some thought.*

Hm... it really would go well with the flowers in my hair. I admit, Serena always has the right taste.

*She has the gargoyle apply it for a test.*

I suppose I can wear it.

*Zorya returns to her spot on the gargoyle's head, nodding satisfied with the result.

[afkj-morgan]

~TOM Era~

Serena once again has her pink cloak on as she makes her way to the Lyceum. graveyard. She picks her way around leaves, avoiding crunching them and alerting a certain individual to her presence. Past the honors to long dead professors she weaves, until she comes to a familiar patch of dirt and sits on the low wall.

“Morgan? I know you’re there! It’s me, your favorite student!”

When nothing but the wind replies, she rolls her eyes.

“Look, I’m leaving school tomorrow for good and…I thought you might want to say goodbye. Guess I was wrong though, so…I’ll just leave this here and go…”

The heiress sighs. Places a gold tin on the low wall. And stands to go…but not before looking back one last time. @serenaofesperia

...

*She wasn't wrong, really. But Morgan hates sentimental good-byes and if she didn't bother to bend over the little patch of grass to look INTO his little retreat, then ... why should he move? He was grunting quietly, something he feared gave away more than he wanted. He heard the small object being placed on the cold stone and the gentle shuffling of her feet and the small pause that followed. She was looking back.*

*With a grin on his face, Morgan extends his hand up. Perhaps one last loving prank to send her off?*

...

*Despite the darkness, his giant hand slowly emerges from the grave, a faint green light illuminating its edges. It searches for ... the tin. Or.. her?*

[professor-zorya]

A gold tin finds itself at Zorya’s feet in the graveyard. Attached to it is an envelope: pink, scented with rose, and undoubtable in who it may be from.

“Dear Professor-And-Now-Headmistress Zorya,

Thank you for all the years of support and teaching you’ve given me. I know it might not seem like it sometimes, but I really do like your classes and pay attention! Yes, even the time you caught me using magic to have my quill take notes for me…

But that’s what I like about you. You pushed me to be better and didn’t give up on me. Some of the professors let me paint my nails in class and…I don’t think they assumed I’d fail…but they let me just…pass. You always demanded I do better, and while it was annoying sometimes…I really appreciated that you cared enough to recognize when I was letting my mana work for me instead of using it to be better.

So…don’t tell anybody, but…I’m going to miss you and your classes now that I’ve graduated. A lot. Promise not to cry for me? Then I won’t cry either.

I hope someday I can visit you again, or you can come to my home and see me and tell me one more time that I’m doing good…but you know I can do great.

Thank you for everything.

Your favorite noble alumna,

Lady Serena Vaile XOXO <3

P.S—I hope you enjoy the stone polish in this tin. It’s the best quality I could find and will keep your skin nice and shiny and sparkling.”

Serena...

*With a very soft expression Zorya rereads the letter a few times. She is not exactly the straight-forward type, but she is not lacking a heart. Letters like these are among her most treasured possessions. The tin containing the stone polish is acknowledged with a simple nod and placed onto her work desk. It shall be used shortly.*

*The letter, however, Zorya carefully enchants. After all, it will have to last for some time. She steps close to her bookshelf and reaches for one of the books higher up. In fine gold print a title is written on its cover - "Like Wind Through My Heart". Zorya's eyes trace the title before she opens the book, revealing that quite a few pages are cut hollow at their center. It leaves enough space for other items to be placed well protected between the covers. The letter fits the space perfectly.*

There. May your story be as beautiful as that of your favorite book. I very much look forward to witness it unfold.

*Zorya gently closes the book and places it back onto the shelf. With still a warm smile on her stone cold lips, she returns to her desk. A thank you is needed in return, regardless of how short it might be.*

To Lady Serena Vailes May the warm winds of Esperia waft through your heart and quicken your mind - let your wings carry you far and beyond the horizon. Always with you, Zorya