Niviene Larethian

Questioning the Teacher

The woman sat across from the headmistress, her dark, shadow green hair shimmering strangely in the lamplight. Her face was still, like a dusky gray porcelain doll, with only the occasional blink. She listened intently, trying to determine where this line of questioning would take her, wondering if the shoe she’d been waiting to to drop was finally falling.

Niviene watched the alchemy teacher, looking for a hint of emotion but there was none, and it left the priestess more than a little unnerved, “I understand she has been spending time with you, more time than her classes require.” she paused then gave the woman a tentative smile, “Is my daughter showing an interest in potions?”

Nelandrys nodded, “Yes mistress, she is rather knowledgeable of plants, you have taught her well. She is fascinated that they can fill so many, varied rolls.”  

“Yes. I see. And… is that all you discuss?”

“She does speak of her lessons at the academy. And her loneliness now that her brother has stopped playing with her. I believe she said he is wrapped up in training to be a paladin like his father. And now he doesn’t want to climb trees with her, or play in the woods.” the void elf offered.

The priestess glanced down at the desk, her hands folded neatly on the polished surface, “Has she spoken to you of any new… friends? Anyone new she plays with?”

Although it didn’t seem possible Nelandrys stilled further, only the rise and fall of her breast giving proof that she was not some inanimate object. After a moment she gave a slight shake to her head, “No mistress. She has spoken of no one.”

Niviene eyed the woman for a moment, her sky blue eyes attempting to see past the placide demeanor of the void elf before nodding, “Very well Nelandrys, thank you for your time. You may return to your students now.”

As the woman reached the door, her delicate hand resting on the knob Niviene called to her, “You will inform me if you learn anything won’t you.”

Nelandrys nodded her head and bobbed a curtsey, realizing that the last had not been a question, but rather a demand.