Midwinter Greetings (Adrian & Lucinda )

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It was probably closer to mid morning when they finally took off from the castle. Aria had flown lead. Knowing where the great tree’s general location was. They would have to eventually land and make the rest of the way by foot. During the half an hour flight, both girls chattered most of the way. Aria only pausing in the conversation when they neared their landing point.



”The tree is hidden by enchantments, so we won’t be able to see it from up here. But we’re close; we can land and walk the rest of the way.”



Aria put the drakes into a long sloping dive; mere yards away from the ground Aria stood on her mount; hoping down the rest of the few feet down to the forest floor while her mount landed not too far away. She could smell the magic strongly here on the ground, thanks to using her gorge hounds forms ability to smell magic. Seeing as they were so close Aria reached out mentally to call her favorite tiger. ’Senrai, I brought gifts!’ Aria lead the way to the Arch; for once and unfortunately for her amusement sake using the front entrance.

[Deleted]

A gruff voice would enter Aria's mind.

'He's training outside the arch, you'll probably see the lightshow soon...something about making a defensive electrical spell'

Above the pair, a large shard of ice would explode a distance away in the air, falling upon the ground below it. When the pair make their way in the Arch, Adrain would be standing in what appears to be a training ground. Large ice shards stick out of the ground nearby. His attire would consist of a black, sleeveless tunic, his arms still covered in bandages. Brown pants and boots cover the lower half of his body as the mage appeared to be channeling another spell as a yellow ring of energy surrounds him and he has an arcane glyph around his left hand, a yellow sphere of energy in his right hand.

With a releasing gesture, the spell surges forth as lighting spreads into each ice spire in the ground, shooting arcs to other adjacent pieces as a large grid forms around Adrain of electrical energy. He holds his right hand focused for a solid minute before he finally disperses the spell and then sighs deeply, sparks around the mage.

"Too much energy to maintain...probably need the lower the power draw of the Jhlera glyph, though that would reduce the potency substantially..." the mage murmurs under his breath.

A substantial distance away, the black shadow tiger would watch, yawning as he laid his head on his paws from his perch in a bare tree.

[Deleted]

Aria’s features completely perked up when the tiger responded; her step became a quick trot. Her thick black fur lined cape billowing behind her. He was correct in stating they would see the lightshow, Aria didn’t even twitch when the shard exploded. Magic often reacted in explosive ways; she was known to have burned her eyebrows off once or twice with developing her own spells. Aria paused just outside of the Ice shards; just in time to watch them all light up. She took the time to spot the tiger not to far away.

As soon as it dropped Aria darted into the circle and under the mages outstretched arm and right past him. Her hair reacted to the electrical charge instantly sticking out in odd directions and springing up into a tighter curl. However that didn’t stop the young duchess from heading to the tree at a run. She jumped and bounced off a large ice spire and launched herself up to the branch where the tiger was. Arms outspread she tackled the old tiger in a tight hug. Likely sending them both off the branch and into the piles of snow below.

Either way she clung to the tiger in a tight hug, her face burying itself into the cats fur. She hadn’t seen the tiger since their first failed attempt to go to the tree. Much had changed since that time, including Aria’s appearance. Besides for her now very staticy and curly hair sticking in all different directions; her appearance was fairly neat. From the thick bear fur black cloak, to the navy blue of her dress in fine winter silk….actually now that she thought about it perhaps she shouldn’t have did a flying jump in skirts….oh well.

’Long time no see furry nuts’ She had missed the tiger horribly; he had always been a source of comfort back in their time. With recent events it felt good be with an old friend; she had much to catch the old tiger up on. Aria looked up from Serai and waved hello to Adrian.

”Your spell makes my nose tickle”

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda enjoyed the flight to Arch which was filled with light conversation. As they apparently neared their destination, Aria informed her that they would have to walk the rest of the way as the Arch was hidden with enchantments, which made a lot of sense to the princess so she nodded. This whole adventure was extremely exciting for her and it showed plainly on her face, the delicate blonde having mostly let her guard down. The landing was fairly smooth, she didn't hop off like Aria did but waited patiently for the drake to land instead. Then she jumped down lightly and straightened out her skirts and hair.

She followed Aria who promptly took off and then set into a jog, seemingly forgetting the princess as she dashed across a courtyard and jumped up into a tree with a rather impressive looking tiger. Lucinda walked, looking this way and that, a pleasant smile on her face and her white cloak bouncing slightly with her steps. Catching sight of Adrain, she waved, a quizzical look on her face as she noticed all the giant ice blocks.


She didn't have the warning about the spelling that Aria did though and so was quite surprised when Adrian's spell went off. The princess jumped about a foot of the ground, giving a little scream before she clamped her hands over her mouth, as the electricity was released and bounced around between the ice. She stood very still, watching in awe for a moment. Her hair went pouf! as the static left behind crackled in the air, instantly frizzing and gaining 10x volume. She looked dismayed as she tried in vain to smooth it back down.

[Deleted]

The mage naturally was surprised when Aria buzzed by just after the spell had died down for the most part. Thinking he was under attack, he snaps his hand out in the area he could sense movement, his eyes glowing bright purple as the time around Aria would slow down and thus Aria's movement. At this point, Aria was mid jump and the aforementioned skirt problem made itself manifest as she would slowly be hung midair for a few moments, unnaturally suspended by the slow flow of time and the area given a robust view of Aria's (hopefully underwear wearing) ass. Once Adrain realized what was going on, he drops the magic and turns away, his hand covering his face in disbelief.

"...Startling a mage in the middle of spellcasting really shouldn't be that high on people's list of things to do..." he muttered mostly at himself. He sort of remembered Aria, but their interactions were brief so Aria didn't have the strongest immediate reaction in his amnesiac mind. When he rose out of his facepalm moments later, he picked up on Lucinda who had also arrived and blinks, looking at her hair.

"...Oh...hello Lucinda. Did the redhaired troublemaker bring you here? I apologize for not being in a state to do the tour as of this moment, I wasn't expecting company today."

When Serai gets tackled, he lets out a snarl as he's pegged off the branch and into the snow below. The static charge on Aria transmits to the cat as his hair poofs up making him look twice as large. He whaps Aria on the head with his paw without claws out then grumbles in disbelief.

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Oh what a fine ass it was! Of divine quality, the round firm luscious buttocks were luckily indeed under garmented. One in the glorious viewing position would also note Aria was wearing wool stockings that gave her modesty and also protected her little goddess hiney from the nippy air. If it had been warmer it would have been a much more awkward situation. Aria noted time had slowed in her midair dash to the tiger; yet despite her slowed air jump the tiger did not move….perhaps he was caught in the time field as well….It was an odd sensation to be just floating there. But when she finally did make contact with the large cat she was all giggles the whole way down. Obviously unphased by the fact the mage had gotten a good look at her hiney; after all it wasn’t like he hadn’t seen it before.

When they hit the ground there was a big poof of snow, Aria popping up with the tiger now covered in a good coat of snow. She ducked when the extra fluffy feline tried to whap her on the head; a burst of unbound laughter escaping her lips as she noticed his fur had fluffed out like her hair. Her attention was pulled back to Adrain when he addressed Lucinda. Tilting her head to the side with a curious expression on her face when she noticed the familiar tone. ’When did he get friendly enough to drop titles with the princess?’ It was a question directed to Serai, however she did pipe up when Adrain referred to her.

”That’s Lady redheaded trouble maker now”

Aria stood up and brushed off her skirt.

”Plus I dragged her here on a delivery.”

Aria dug through her pack and pulled out a round wrapped present, it was wrapped in shiney brown paper and tied with a gold ribbon. She also took out another present it was rectangular and had a hefty weight to it and it also was wrapped neatly in the same style. It was this that she tossed at the mage, knowing he’d either catch it or get hit by it.

”Happy Midwinter”

Aria held out the round present to Serai. Serai’s gift would be a large whicker ball reinforced with magic to withstand the tiger playing with it. Inside the whicker ball was packed with catnip she had grown herself. Adrains would be a blank leather bound journal, with a phoenix feather writing quill. The journal she knew he could use to record his spells, and the quill, well phoenix’s were rare enough that in itself was valuable.

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda watched, amused, as Adrain slowed the red dash down with time magic. Though she wasn't expecting the view he provided and politely looked away until she finally collided with the tiger and the two of the collapsed into the snow, Aria's laughter ringing out and bringing a smile to the princess's face as well. It had been quite some time since she'd heard it.

Her attention turned back to Adrain when he addressed her, her hands still working to smooth her hair back, in vain. "I suppose you could say that, though I'd use the term 'drag' loosely. I asked to tag along, knowing full well you weren't expecting us, so your apologies for not having a tour ready are unnecessary and unwanted." she said, smiling, "I'll keep that part in mind though, about not sneaking up on mages. That's a neat spell, by the way. Both of them." Lucinda laughed, clearly at ease with the Headmaster and not bothered by his lack of using her title. Rather, she enjoyed the familiarity, even if they had just met.

Lucinda nodded as Aria further explained that she was here on a delivery and pulled out two packages. The princess was curious as to what they were as well and watched as they were opened.

[Deleted]

Serai, not easily foiled attempts to pounce Aria after she dodged, but she had scampered a few feet back toward the group and the cat missed. He then swats his tail a few times and saunters a few feet over, rolling about in the snow to try to get his fur to return to normal. At the question the cat let loose a small grunt.

'It's the first time I've ever seen her, but Adrain does his own thing quite a bit so..'

When Aria said 'Lady troublmaker to you', the mage chuckled slightly, shifting his gaze back to Aria. "Really now...the last time I saw you, you hardly looked the part, how exactly did this come about?" he says, wondering what nobleman would be insane enough to marry her, since that is typically the way a commoner is integrated into a nobility system as far as he could tell. The finer clothing was apparent compared to the more adventurer esque look the previous two times held. Then Lucinda drew his attention, her appearance was immaculate, and then she wore a lovely corset on top of it. He found himself looking a moment more than he would have liked. There was something about a woman in a corset that just was hard to resist.

When Lucinda addressed him about the spell, he snapped to attention and nodded, letting the somewhat snarky remark about the apologies slide without response.

"The spell is more a concept at the moment, trying to have a larger effect of combining mana types for an effect, the ice meaning to conduct the electricity in a matrix such that it makes it impossible to pass easily and paralyze any attackers. There is a lot to work out though before it's practical, the positioning is hard to make consistent and the energy draw is too high for a sustained effort. Yes, it is easier to make an earthen wall but more options is usually good to have." Adrain says, probably relaying too much information about the spell. Realizing as such he opens his mouth when he hears 'Happy Midwinter', he was looking at Lucinda a moment longer than he had to react to the gift as it hits the side of his arm, bouncing into the snow. He cringes slightly at the mild pain but then turns back to the redhead, seeing a gift on the ground. His brow raised in curiosity as he knelt to pick it up.

"Oh, well..thank you. I don't know what to say, I will have to craft you something later to thank you." he says, admittedly feeling awkward at getting the present out of nowhere without having one ready to reciprocate. He was generous to his friends by nature, and this failure to be ready sort of disappointed him. Perhaps he should use the Eyes of Time more to see such things before they happen, but that takes the mystery out of life and thus the enjoyable parts of it.

Serai looks at the gift that Aria had gotten him, pokes out his claws, and then slices the wrapping away since Tigers lack the elegant way to open a gift. He looks at the ball, his eyes glazing out momentarily as the strong catnip comes to his mind as he pounces it and begins chewing at it and swatting it around a little. "...Cruel...taking advantage of my feline weakness. You bitch. the cat says dejectedly, but he obviously enjoyed the catnip's effect.

Adrain held a bit of restraint before opening his gift, looking at his two lovely guests. Yes even for all her insanity, Aria did have some air of elegance to her.

"Well, I suppose it's best to go inside out of the cold...I assume you two aren't using a heating spell like I am since I don't detect the mana." Adrain says, revealing why he was fairly lightly dressed for the season even if it was a bit warmer towards the tail end of Winter. He walks toward the Arch, holding his hand up as a green energy manifests, a large root sprouting and manifesting a few pods. Adrain steps on one and the pod then glows and launches down the length of the root, quickly going up to one of the entrances to the Arch above the ground level.

Inside there would be a longer, natural hallway worked into the natural bark of the tree. Decorative wood accented the gently manipulated inner part of the tree as the area warms up from red crystals aglow in the ceiling. The balcony that Aria and Lucinda would land on would lead into a parlor with some finer furniture and tables strewn about. Adrain would take a seat on a couch, the only reason being it the closest as he waited for the other two. When they arrived, Adrain would speak up.

"This is a faculty lounge, it's empty since Midwinter break is still going on but just as well since you two are here." he says, then waiting for the Princess and the Lady to settle. An air elemental manifests in the process and lays a few assorted pastries on one of the tables near where Adrain was. "If you're thirsty Al'zair can retrieve something for either of you." he states, then going quiet for a moment.

[Deleted]

Aria watched with amusement as the tiger tried the pounce her once more, only to instead roll about in the snow. Her attention going back to Adrain when he asked when did her becoming a lady happen.

”They couldn’t get me out of their gardens at the castle so they figured I might as well look the part.”

Ya not quite what happened, but hey it was an answer. Lucinda could correct her if she wished. Aria listened with interest when Adrain explained about the spell; her expression taking on a more curious look as he explained the finer details.

”Does electricity work like heat? Colder the object longer it takes to go through? Perhaps instead of large ice shards a water column might conduct it better and take less energy to transfer it from waypoint to waypoint. Or reverse it and make the net out of water and use an electric current to charge it.”

Aria’s face blanked as she tried to hide a laugh behind her hand as her gift hit him in the arm; his reflexes had gotten rusty since she knew him. Slightly rolling her eyes when he mentioned he’d have to make a return gift.

”Like I told the Princess here, a gift is given without expectation of something in return, if it was then it would be called a favor. Really you do not have to give me anything in return, you hardly know me.”

Least he didn’t know her anymore. But she was giving Serai a gift and out of habit she had thought of Adrain as well. After all until he was fated he had received a present from her every year. Her attention went back to Serai as he went to open his gift; when it was she picked up the remains of the paper. Giggling when Serai began to play with his present and his comment on it.

”Love you to Serai, now go get it!”

She swatted the ball with her foot a few feet away, knowing the large cat would have fun pouncing on it. She was happy the old cat enjoyed his gift and brought out the more playful side of him. When Adrain mentioned not having a heating spell Arias face blanked.

”Shit I forgot I could do those…. “

She had done it all last year when she didn’t have any warm clothes and had been sleeping outside. No since being able to buy a nice warm fur cloak and proper winter clothing she hadn’t needed to use her heat spell. She was comfortable enough and found the crisp air refreshing. But that didn’t mean Lucinda had been comfortable. She gave an apologetic look to Lucinda, knowing the flight on the drakes had to have been chilly for her. Aria watched as the tree grew some interesting looking….she didn’t know what to call them. She watched when Adrain took one and then looked over at Lucinda excitedly.

”Those look fun! Also later I’m going to have to ask when you two got to a first name basis.”

Aria waggled her eyebrows wickedly before jumping into one of the pods, dangerously close to the edge as she look down as it zipped up to the top. Once inside Aria found a comfortable seat and plopped down; having already snooped around the place once or twice she knew where she was. Her face lighting up when Adrain mentioned that they could ask the elemental for a treat.

”Any possible chance I could have a hot chocolate please?”

A drink she had quite grown fond of; especially in the colder months.

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda turned her attention to Aria as Adrain asked her when she got so proper. She raised a guilty hand, waving at the mage. “That would be my fault. I made her a duchess,” she said, explaining little more than Aria did with her answer. She did notice Adrain’s apparent approval of her choice in attire and smiled, blushing only lightly.

Her face went blank, though, when the two of them started talking about the spells, looking like a little lost doll with the deer in the headlights look. The mention of a heat spell reminded her that it was cold, something she had momentarily forgotten in the excitement. Aria seemed to know something about it because Lucinda caught her apologetic look but the princess shrugged. It wasn’t really that bad with her warm winter clothes. However, she wouldn’t say no to going inside.

Lucinda watched as Adrain did something with the tree and then the pod like things came out. Aria seemed to time her comment perfectly with Adrain's departure, waggling her eyebrows suggestively as she asked when the two of them had gotten a first name basis. The princess blushed but was left with little time to answer and she joined Aria in hopping on one of the pods, riding it up and into the Arch. The ride there was probably the single most fun thing she’d done in awhile and helped smoothed her hair out also.

They arrived in what Adrain announced as a faculty lounge, which was beautiful in its own right. The princess looked around, impressed, and in awe, her gaze finally finding the mage resting on the couch. She heard his instructions and Aria’s request, deciding to second that. “I’ll take a hot chocolate also, please,” she said then looked over at Aria. She owed the other woman an answer to that last question. “Adrain and I met in a magic shop in the marketplace yesterday. It was a very eventful encounter,” Lucinda said, smiling. It technically answered the question but was lacking in details. “By the way, Adrain, this place is magnificent. Thank you for inviting us in,” she offered, not forgetting her manners.

[Deleted]

Adrain stares at Aria for her initial answer in a 'really' expression, but Lucinda chirping in about making her a duchess added a bit of clarity. A princess appointing her to the position makes considerably more sense. Since Lucinda actually acted sane, especially in contrast to Aria's standard behavior, there must be more of a story to it.

As Aria spoke of a suggestion to the spell, the archmage shrugged.

"Maintaining a water construct is more challenging to do in a heated combat situation, it requires a focus of air and arcane energy to maintain the state whereas ice is self-sustaining. Granted there is something to be said for perhaps using water filled constructs of ice but that adds another layer of complication to maintaining two water states. Using water as the lines would simplify one part of the spell but the appeal of having the electrical fence is an intimidation factor. Deterrence is the best offense since taking a life is seldom ever worth it."

When Aria said he hardly knew her at this point, he raised a brow. "Not correct, I just can't remember much. I was skeptical in the past when you said you knew me but based on what I've observed so far there is truth to that. I take there are reasons you don't push things and I feel as though it is best to trust that judgment. In any case I will come up with something." Adrain says, leaving it at that.

Serai glances at Aria then goes after the ball once she had launched it. The cat would remain distracted for the immediate future whilst everyone else was traversing the pods to the interior.

As the elemental received its' orders it lets loose a sound of howling wind and then disperses into air particles to presumably go off to the kitchen. Adrain nods when Lucinda mentions meeting in a magic shop.

"It was a pleasant encounter, she has a charming personality. We decided early on to get to know each other without the formalities of our respective titles." he says looking at Lucinda with a small smile before turning back to Aria. He looks down at the gift that Aria had brought him and looks at the wrapping, cautiously unwrapping it as to not be rude to Aria's offering by putting it off too long.

Within was a phoenix quill and a leather-bound journal. The items were both of high quality, and the Phoenix feather was interesting in that it could empower ink to have certain properties with the correct incantations.

"These are lovely, I couldn't imagine the trouble you went through for a phoenix feather." Adrain says knowing that the birds were rare but not Aria's ability to turn into one. "I wish I had a supply of the feathers for a project I've been working on for a little over a week now."

As Lucinda offered thanks for being invited in, he turns to her and nods. "Oh it is not a problem at all. The Arch is a unique place on this world where the mage adepts live in symbiosis with the tree. What you see around you is actually a coexistence. We have underclassmen dormitories outside the tree, but when we need space we actually gently manipulate the tree to create the space. Only a few mages are authorized to do this though since strength of the great tree must be maintained structurally and also to cause no pain to it. But there is more to this place than just a magnificent tree. It is a nexus of ley lines that form natural mana conduits through the world, making this one of the most energetic places on the planet. That is why the elementals live here with us and help us with operations."

[Deleted]

The simple fact that he made the step to trust her judgment did mean a lot to Aria; it brought a large smile to her face. Perhaps she could spend more time with Adrain now and not have him pester her for more answers. When the air elemental answered them Aria jumped a bit, she hadn’t been expecting it to roar at them… she blinked watching the sport where it had been for a few moments before turning back to the conversation. She listened quietly as Adrain and Lucinda further explained how they met. One of the very many reasons Aria enjoyed Lucinda’s company was her way of not worrying about titles. She liked to try to get to know the real person. So when Adrain said she had a very charming personality Aria nodded in agreement.

”I’m finding it to be a trait found in most Noru’s….Lucinda what happened to your brother?”

It was mostly a joke; most people who first met Silas found him charming. But when one got to know him…Aria was glad that Adrain liked his gifts when he finally opened them. She always found coming up with a present for Adrain was hard. She tilted her head off to the side when he mentioned a project.

”What project would that be?”

Aria listened with curiosity as he explained how the tree worked.

”Out of curiosity, a lot of novice mages don’t often channel manna sufficiently when they cast a spell a lot of manna is left un directed…kinda like a haze of muddled energy. I’m assuming the tree absorbs this otherwise you’d be lousy with casters sorrow around here. That and I would imagine that would interrupt more delicate spells.”

Aria was leading onto a bigger question here; she was curious if the tree did absorb the excess manna from the air whether it dumped it below its roots….cause that would explain the increase of Casters Sorrow in the tunnels below the tree and the city. Well Manna Gorge contributed to that as well…

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda was completely lost with all the magic talk but she tried hard to paid attention and somewhat understand what the two were talking about. When the topic switched to his apparently new found trust in Aria, the princess just smiled. That was certainly going to make things a lot easier for the two of them, and she could see it made Aria quite happy. The sound from the elemental caught her off guard and she jumped a little, distracted, looking from the spot where it was up to Adrain as he spoke.

Adrain's additional comment about their initial meeting made Lucinda give a grin that nearly matched Aria's and a light blush to accompany it. "Thank you and he's correct. It's so much easier to get to know someone without all the formalities in place, but then you know my stance on that already, Aria. Adrain here, though, has such an intriguing personality on his own that I also extended him the same opportunity." Lucinda said, smiling warmly. A laugh escaped her as Aria agreed with his assessment, adding her opinion and then asking what had happened with Silas. The princess shook her head. "He was dropped as a baby," she said, shrugging and laughing again.

Her attention once more turned to the mage as he finally opened the gift from Aria and Lucinda made a noise of amazed approval, listening as the him and Aria chatted about the phoenix. She knew it was a rare bird, its magical properties wondrous and highly coveted. Speaking of magic, she enjoyed the explanation concerning the Arch, not realizing that the tree was still a living thing and that they took such careful care of it.

"I had no idea, honestly. I mean, certainly, I've read about the great tree but it's hard to believe until one actually sees it. The balance involved, the skill. It's amazing. You mention that you have dormitories outside the tree, what made the mages think of living in the tree then?" she asked, curiously. Aria had her own questions as well though they were more knowledgeable about the inner workings than Lucinda's, her lack of familiarity with magic showing heavily today.

[Deleted]

Adrain didn't have anything to add to the comments about Silas, a name that didn't really ring any bells to Adrain. He noted that Silas Noru may be a difficult individual to deal with should their paths ever cross. Adrain was admittedly a little amused that the both of them were mildly startled that the elemental's disappearance. His face reddens ever so slightly when Lucinda mentions that he has an intriguing personality. The inquiry from Aria about the project was welcome.

"Well there are a few, but the one I am thinking of right now is I have recently come to possession of some interesting feathers of another variety and was playing with the idea of weaving them into a lightweight armor but having them interwoven with phoenix feathers in theory would make it such that the armor would be at it's maximum potential." he says, admittedly not sure it was the best idea to say 'I have Helena's feathers that have the protective elements of steel when under correct conditions'.

As Aria asked about the tree's interaction with mana, Adrain raised a brow. He thought for a moment how to best word it before he spoke. "The muddled mana you describe isn't as severe as you might think it is. Plus the idea of using glyphs to channel mana makes the process considerably more efficient and thus less likely to have the motes of mana that could cause problems. The tree does absorb loose mana, but the tree is checked multiple times a day at the roots for CS accumulation. Generally, loose mana that is absorbed into the tree feed the growth of the fruits that arise on the branches periodically."

When Lucinda inquired about mages living in the tree, he turns back to her.

"Well newer apprentices and students live outside in the dormitories partially to minimize any complications associated with the poor mana use that Aria suggested, as it has been known on occasion to happen even with glyphs, and a part of the transition into a tree based room is a sign of prestige and one's advancement as a mage. Plus tree dormitories are limited since most of the classrooms and staff facilities. are in the tree proper."

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda thought she saw Adrain blush a little at her compliment but didn't say anything. Mostly because she wasn't quite convinced. Shaking her head, she listened to him explain his project for Aria instead, looking rather impressed as he finished. "That's a brilliant idea, Adrain. It's my understanding that phoenix's are rare though, correct? Where would you go to find one?"she asked, curious. She'd never seen one herself, just pictures in some books.

The whole conversation with the mana and whatnot had her completely lost and the poor princess looked it. Her deer-in-the-headlights look was flawless, blue eyes wide and wondering. Composing herself, Lucinda looks to Adrain. "Do you mind if I sit with you?" she asked politely, then continued. "I'm very confused with all of this. What are glyphs, what is their purpose exactly? I know they're used in certain spells, but why not all spells? And what is CS? Why would it be bad for it to accumulate?" she asked, growing more obviously annoyed by her own lack of knowledge. She sighed, taking a deep breath for a moment and giving the other two an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so irate. It's just, well, they deliberately avoided this subject in any sort of depth in my upbringing."

As Adrain answer her previous question regarding the housing situation, the princess nods. "That makes a lot of sense. Of course the tree only has so much space," she said thoughtfully. She wondered where Adrain stayed, being Headmaster and all, but decided not to ask. The curiosity showed on her face for a moment as she considered it, though.