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Academic Excellence

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 10:21 pm
by Ves
What Misha liked about Neovia most was the entire section of their city dedicated to discovering secrets. Unlike most of her family of warriors, the proud humble, wargs of the Frozen Wastes who had enlisted themselves in COER- Misha and a few others had pledged their services to excavating the ice ruins beneath her home. It was always forbidden to journey beneath the ice, most went in and never acme out but she was determined to unearth the secrets. She was ridiculed, made fun of, but never cast out for her decisions. What business did a bear have in books? Once the wargs and been brought into the Neovian alliance she jumped at the chance to expand her knowledge and discover more about the land beneath her home. Like most of the folk around here she was a treasure hunter and spent most of her time in The Quarter of Conservation. A very large section of Neovia with endless meeting halls, different libraries, cobbled roads. It was one of the few places in Neovia that never slept. It was constantly bustling with all sorts of transients from the four corners of the globe who wound their way through the Quarters cobbled roads into its libraries, lecture halls and studies to come here and unearth The Mother’s fragmented history. Everyone here had a similar walk, they led with their head well extended in front of their bodies, their skulls heavy with facts past, present and future, far too focused on deciphering some ancient script to pay any attention to their surroundings. They also had ink and dust all over their fingers and smelled a lot like musty books. But it was the life she loved to live. Maybe, if she made some big discovery she could meet the Counselor one day. Max, the Counselor of Anthropological Exploration and Conservation only met with those who mad some major breakthroughs. That’s what Misha wanted, to make a major break through.

“Out of the damn way!”

Misha’s right shoulder snapped back to it’s side as someone pushing a wodden cart full of scrolls and books brushed right on past her. She was jostled out of her fantasy, thrown to the side as she watched the cart go by. Everyone else around her along the major cobble stoned road into the Quarter’s main library stopped for a moment. Looked at Misha murmured things that were probably unpleasant, and then carried on their way. Misha sighed and shook her head. The midday sun illuminated her pale white skin and the many beads of sweat forming along her head, arms and legs. It was so damn hot! Way too hot for a bear. But she looked ahead down the expansive cobbled road packed with people, encircling it was a series of arches 5 of them that encompassed the quarters ideals: Curiosity, analysis, collaboration, critical thinking, and truth culminating in the grand hall. The largest of the libraries packed with it’s own maze of public and private studies and lectures. It was a marvelous sight but it was her first day on the campus and her clumsiness was getting the best of her. Still she was resilient to continue.

Step by thunderous step, Misha bumbled her way through the academic masses that seemed to flow around her like a school of fish. She was so large, being a bear, big and burly with furry arms, legs and a head full of jet black hair, in the Frozen Wastes there was nothing but open space so her size didn’t matter but here? Neovia seemed to cater to people who were of average height and girth. Her people often bumped into things and knocked things over. No wonder most of them wanted to be in the field as COER agents. Her hand gripped the leather strap across her chest tightly. The reason for her being here. Thrown across her back was a sack of leather scrolls, maps she had concocted during her exploration of the frozen wastes to compare them to Neovia’s already existing records. But first? She wanted to attend a lecture about the Second Astral year. And the lecture was supposed to be given by the High Counselor himself!

Re: Academic Excellence

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2019 10:48 am
by Dalazar Denkou
As much as the place radiated intellectual promise and prowess one could also appreciate the simplistic and peaceful decorum of the Curiosity Arch of the building. The Neo conservatory spared no expense in creating an environment seething with Zen. More than likely to keep the inter-generational lot of budding and established scholars from pulling all their hair out. Several globes existed in the space who functions acted as GPS devices. When provoked with coordinates they could be used to create holographic visuals of different places so long as it existed in the database. They could also be imprinted with naten in order to register a new area, should the owner of such a thing choose to share it. Beyond them hiking several stories above the base level would be a rather ambitious collection of Books, memoirs, maps, etc. They all had their respective categories. They must have numbered in the hundreds of thousands, a proverbial cesspit of anthropologic secrets just waiting to be found, codes begging to be cracked. This was the Exploration Division. A sub-area of many halls dedicating to researching and from where just as many quests have been embarked

They were known for also having some of the most fossil like tomes dating back to the arrival of some of the first language languages documented. Needless to say, it was no surprise the snow-haired prince would be seen dissecting pages from several different tomes. Cross-referencing different origin stories from various cultures festering throughout Neovia. He wondered what trinkets lied buried in the nooks and crannies of the halls those people once called home. Or maybe even some who still do.

"Hehe I don't think I'll let it get that out of control"

The passion soaked ecosystem of discovery that was the Exploration Division was virtually intoxicating to Dazuma. Since leaving his Kingdom behind this was the place he spent most of his time. Now hiding amongst the Ground dwelling citizens as an average student. He had forsaken his royal attire for rages and a hooded cape Though he still had his weaponry and some heirlooms. He had only taken enough coin to secure him lodging when needed and food. He often took on odd jobs around the city to add to his savings. But he just wasn't making enough to really sustain himself. Let alone fund the expeditions he wanted to go on. Everything was so virgin to him. To say the knowledge of the world he would read in the books at home paled in comparison to the garrison of wisdom around him. He was trying to see if there was any common ground between the Denkou and other Neovian natives. His people were originally nomads...what all had they seen? And why choose Neovia? He had to know, and so he sought.

Everyone here was researching something that either embodied a solution to a problem or a wish wanting to be granted. Breakthroughs and the notoriety that came with them acted as the core reason for folks being so deeply engaged with the space and lowkey with each other. Naturally, rivalries formed, some were spoken, some were not. It was a war of minds, a marathon of wits and processes. A true hunger game. And yet that interested the pauper prince none what so ever.

" I want no parts of their little war. But like any war or game alliances are often the best routes."

Especially considering he had no tangible experience of the realm of Neovia outside of his former domain. He even thought as being a hired on either bodyguard for an already existing team or even a medic. But he hadn't heard of any hiring for either so to his books he stayed. But man...he was getting a little tired of always just reading. He wanted to see for himself the marvels of this world. He would rise from the table. He was to search for a book that would talk about an ancient treasure that was sought for its supposed ability to channel naten. On his way to search for it, he heard a ruckus, one that temporarily broke the somewhat monotonous muttering f the hall. At that moment he saw a tower of a woman having an exchange with a cart pusher. Looked more like one of the many employees of the various libraries. They often were seen pushing carts of left out material and reorganizing them. The woman wasn't of the populace of city folk. She was different. Her attire said it all. Dazuma could be found eyeing her. He was no stranger to larger women. The female members of the House Urso were larger than any of the males in the kingdom. He just didn't expect to run into anyone down here that matched their physiology. He had to reach out. Despite her obvious irritated mood.

Excuse me!

He said slightly trailing behind her. Mighty were her steps. She hoisted a hefty bag of scrolls on her person. A fellow scholar? He hoped he could grab her attention. What could she possibly be researching? Women were the warriors, not to say that lacked intelligence. But were war strategist. What was she doing here in a realm of bookworms? Finally, something truly intriguing. A tangible encounter.

Re: Academic Excellence

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2019 4:36 pm
by Ves
Misha's left ear twitched, she turned around and beneath her was some silver haired boy asking for her attention. She tried to keep her face together, overly professional, as scholars would greet scholars. She nodded to him slightly. Wow was the fact that she was lost really written on her face?

"Hm? Sorry I'm somewhat late for a lecture on Cosmic Phenomena and the Astral Year. Did you need something?"

She shifted her weight and adjusted her satchel packed heavy with scrolls. She was obviously lost, so terribly lost. What was she doing in one of the libraries when the lecture halls were across the campus?

Re: Academic Excellence

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2019 7:57 pm
by Dalazar Denkou
He hadn't expected her to turn around so easily. She was so obviously flustered he thought he'd be met with more resistance. Just goes to show he shouldn't judge books by their cover. She looked down upon him, a nervous smile and a slight wave would be his greeting. His eyes widened however when she mentioned where she was on her way to. Dazuma had heard one of the Juniors talking about a thesis paper they had been working on pertaining to those very subjects. The Astral year? Cosmic Phenomena? But why did such things interest her? He wouldn't bludgeon her with a barrage of questions. Despite her serious face, her body language came off a bit disheveled. He wondered. He would ask to join her but she seemed to be in a rush. Perhaps she was...

Well I most certainly don't want to keep you. But you seem a bit...well lost.

He dared not snicker. She did have a sot of vicarious way about how she was moving about the space. The run-in with the cart earlier told it all as well. He had a map of the conservatory that one of the other students gave to him as a gift for he was often confuzzled about the chaotic twist and turns of the Conservatory. So if she at least knew where it was being held he could accompany her there. He went into his sack and pull out the map. He looks at it a pinpoint where they were the Exploration Division. He looks back up to her.

Where were you told it was gonna be? Maybe I can help you there.

He smiled. Hoping she accepted his invitation. It certainly would be of great help to him. Hed never attended a lecture here personally! His eyes beamed with excitement.

Re: Academic Excellence

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2019 8:50 pm
by Ves
It was that obvious. It was written all over her face, it was bad enough that she stuck out like a sore thumb here. Being all gigantic, hairy, covered in leathers among fabrics and slim bodied academics. Not to mention she was a bear. She fanned her hand at Dazuma's kind gesture while keeping the map in the corner of her eye and desperately hung to her composure ignorant of the fact that she was overcompensating.

"Me Lost? Pfft. But if this is your way of asking to accompany me then by all means? I would love someone to walk the halls with."

She said it audibly enough for anyone studying to hear. That she was NOT lost, that this boy, bless his heart was just asking her out. But his map was within her gaze and boy was she way off course. Way off course. But this boy was nice unlike the other she had met so far who could smell the amateur right on her fur. She stuck out her paw, err, hand for a proper professional shake.

"I'm Misha. Most of my tribe is in COER, animals. But they allocated a few of us to exploration. The sophisticated ones. Are you with the alliance or just passing through?"

There were few places on Vescrutia like Neoiva, open to everyone wanting to learn something new or unlock the ways of the Arbiter. But it was built by the alliance, for all. Another thing Misha liked about this place.

Re: Academic Excellence

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 9:10 am
by Dalazar Denkou
"Me Lost? Pfft. But if this is your way of asking to accompany me then by all means? I would love someone to walk the halls with."
Yep just like an Urso. It baffled him how he had met someone who resembled one of his closet compatriates down here. He hadn't met anyone that reminded him of home, not that he was actively trying to neither. The pride that came with being a bear. Standing tall amongst the small, brazen in all they do. That nature would testify to her talking so loud in the halls. Dazuma couldn't help but chuckle. It was refreshing to see someone with some soul down here. Most of everyone else in the conservatory lack flare lacked any real fire aside from their scholarly pursuits meaning, well here personalities were dry and sharp as a bag of sand with a glass shard in it. He didn't trouble himself with the lot of them.

Only engaging if he needed something to further help him in his studies. There was a faction self-proclaimed hierarchy among the other students. They called themselves "Apex Tier". Just thinking about that name was enough to make Dazuma puke. They pranced about the school belittling the accomplishments and endeavors of the other students just because their own privileges afforded them higher access. They were no different than the royal family back home. But her Bold yet subtly befuddled nature was like new water being poured on old soil. Hopefully, a bud of friendship would bloom.
"I'm Misha. Most of my tribe is in COER, animals. But they allocated a few of us to exploration. The sophisticated ones. Are you with the alliance or just passing through?"
They'd shake hands But Dazuma wouldn't speak his name outright. He couldn't. Hed heard from some convos back home that COER was some form of militant/Defense power in Neovia. That was even more cause to be wary, possibly. He knew Sheng had ears in a lot of places. And he wasn't ready to be found just yet, at all for that matter. Even though she claimed not real direct ties, he needed an Alias just to be safe.

"Misha? Nice name. I'm Bo and yeah I know what you mean, not everyone can appreciate guts it to take on the unknown. Sometimes the enemy is the one you can't just swing a blade at."

He laughed before settling down to answer her other question

" Just passing through more or less. A bit of a wanderer at the moment but I had heard stories of this place and have been trapped here in these books since I got here."

And now all this talk of the lecture had his antennas raised.

"Speaking of..."

Hed pull his map back out and would think to ask

"Wheres the lecture being held at?"

The Astral year, something told him it was imperative that he attended.

Re: Academic Excellence

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 9:56 am
by Ves
They'd shake hands But Dazuma wouldn't speak his name outright. He couldn't. Hed heard from some convos back home that COER was some form of militant/Defense power in Neovia. That was even more cause to be wary, possibly. He knew Sheng had ears in a lot of places. And he wasn't ready to be found just yet, at all for that matter. Even though she claimed not real direct ties, he needed an Alias just to be safe.

"Misha? Nice name. I'm Bo and yeah I know what you mean, not everyone can appreciate guts it to take on the unknown. Sometimes the enemy is the one you can't just swing a blade at."
He laughed before settling down to answer her other question
Misha laughed too, a chuckle, one she covered with her other hand. She imagined if she laughed outloud she would greatly disturb those who were studying. The joke wasn't very comedically funny but it was certainly truthful. It was why she was here after all. Dazuma continued
" Just passing through more or less. A bit of a wanderer at the moment but I had heard stories of this place and have been trapped here in these books since I got here."

And now all this talk of the lecture had his antennas raised.

"Speaking of..."

Hed pull his map back out and would think to ask

"Wheres the lecture being held at?"

The Astral year, something told him it was imperative that he attended.
"Nice to meet you Bo, my lecture is held in hall F6 just right across the courtyard there."

If Mishsa hadn't spent the last few moments eyeing Dazuma's handy map she wouldn't know. But thankfully she could save herself this kind of embarrassment. And it looked like this Bo, did want to accompany her after all. Good, it would help her aesthetic if she had some slight looking academic walking beside her to help her blend in with everyone. But she could hardly contain her excitement, Neovia's leading academic was going to give a talk about the planet's most historically occurring cosmic phenomena.

"There will be plenty of time to get trapped in books later. The Counselor of History and Conversation Hugh Maxwell, is leading the lecture himself!"

Re: Academic Excellence

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 10:25 am
by Dalazar Denkou
"Hugh...Maxwell?"

It slipped out before he could catch it. He blushed a bit, man was he embarrassed. By her excitement, he felt that it was basic knowledge of who The Counselor of History was. He had only been here for little over a month and hadn't gotten involved in the school on any level really outside of reading. Nervously he sighed, especially because he accused her of being lost earlier when she knew where she was going all along.

"Forgive me, I don't know much of anything about the school curriculum. I just know how to get around"

He bashfully scratched the top of his head. But couldn't help but be infected by her passion. It was causing his own curiosity to bubble, he was getting anxious. He sways his hand slightly in the direction of the courtyard. Gesturing for her to take the lead. As they kept pressing on he wanted so bad pick her brains a bit. Why did the Astral Year concern her? Who was this Hugh Maxwell and why was she so smitten with his work? But with her already running late he thought it'd be better to just see it for himself.

Re: Academic Excellence

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:46 am
by Ves
"School curric- You don't know Hugh Maxw-"

She was awestruck, her jaw hung agape and her eyes were narrow. Everyone who was anyone was well aware of the Neovian government, and all the Counselors. It was a pretty egalitarian system the way this whole thing was set up. Another thing Mishsa liked about it. But she resolved to a smile afterward. At least there was something she could tell this small man.

"Well come on, you lead the way to the lecture and I'll give you a crash course on the very city you happen to wander into!"

With that, Misha collected her self and headed out of this library with Dazuma into. They walked out the door toward the lecture hall through a thankfully covered outdoor corridor next to a grassy field where more students studied beneath trees, or exercised their minds with various games. The cool air dried out the sweat on Mishas brow and limbs she could taste and smell the budding of new life.

"Neovia is pretty young."

She began saying.

"Atra Luminoso of the Shadow Faeries, and Zero Venkage thought it be best if all the factions here pooled their resources to make a place dedicated to the advancement of our mutual resources and understanding of Lumin. Did you see that big giant cathedral castle when you walked in? tallest building in the city?"

Re: Academic Excellence

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 3:42 pm
by Dalazar Denkou
He guessed it really couldn't be helped. Her reaction let it be known, his cover was blown. While it was true he was a wonder there was something to be said of his complete lack of understanding in regard to the society. His people still were caught in the prehistoric age of classism at its finest. It even went back to when he first met Misha. Though he wouldn't have gone so far as to racially profiled her stature and his own cultural origins painted a little picture f why she didn't belong. This was why he left, to understand the differences in the world of consolidation he once lived in, and the whole new place of freedom and exchange hes is being shown currently. This is was it was to be a seeker of knowledge for Dazuma. To bare personal witness the passing of knowledge. To actively partake of it. However common for one it may seem. It was extraordinary for him to do so with a person who was not bound by some royal hoop-lah to do it with him.
"Well come on, you lead the way to the lecture and I'll give you a crash course on the very city you happen to wander into!"
She Joyfully exclaimed. Her love for this city was apparent. She was connected, this place was special for her. And the more they talked, the more special it was becoming to Dazuma as well. The ragged little roadie would take the lead of the pair. He kinda cackled mentally when he caught wind of their dynamic. Like a tourist guide with no sense of direction and a clueless kid with a map. Not a bad paring, for a bear and a prince.
"Atra Luminoso of the Shadow Faeries, and Zero Venkage thought it be best if all the factions here pooled their resources to make a place dedicated to the advancement of our mutual resources and understanding of Lumin. Did you see that big giant cathedral castle when you walked in? tallest building in the city?"
As they made their way outside past the field of bookmoles Dazuma took to looking at the structures. Different art forms existed in even in the way the courtyard was built. Fountains and folks picnicking, not to mention the giant cherry blooms tree that was responsible for littering the stone roads with its decorative rabble. Neovia was such an organic place ripe with natural beauty. Not everything was linear, symmetrical. Perfect in all its imperfect ways. The breeze ruffled the paper as Misha mentioned Atra and Z.K. Of Atra he had heard of. He was one of the Leaders the Denkou established the mining contract which acted as more of a treaty. Exchanging goods in order to retain peace with the Denkou governing themselves up top the Emerald Ascension. But nothing more, and of Z.K even less aside from he was a very powerful user of Lightning Naten.

"Well yeahhhhh, that one pretty hard to miss."

He teasingly said as they continued to trek across the courtyard. The breeze was so nice, it got a bit rowdy and crinkled up his map so he decided to put it away again along with his hood revealing his scarf. The shimmering emerald fabric was wrapped snugly around his neck. He adjusted it slightly causing the hilt of his blade to gleam brightly for just a moment before receding back under his hole-ridden cape. But something else was spoken of, a word hed never heard of. But boy did he like the way it rolled off his tongue.

"Lumin? Is that some type of fuel?"

He hated this, how ignorant his family had left me. Replacing what could have been real lived facts with jovial folly. All in order to keep him ignorant of the vast world below, one that began to dwarf his minuscule title as a lord. They were inhibiting him, Sheng ordered the halting of his growth in order to keep Dazuma from realizing the truth of his own origins. But he could remain an ignorant prince no longer. He would brave this new world. He would learn of it. So that when he returned to claim his throne...he would feel it well earned. But until then he'd have fun with the chase.