whiteoak academy

[oshibana]

The country of Esmos has a proud tradition of raising the children of its noble houses into powerful mages who wield all manner of control over the magic that runs through the world. To this end, the most magically adept (and, typically, richest and most well-bred) children are sent to the prestigious White Oak Academy. Here, they learn how to get along and more importantly, how to mingle and socialize in high society. Etiquette and history classes are held alongside magical theory and combat and it's impossible to tell just which is more dangerous – the magic the students are learning to control or the social circles they're expected to begin navigating. Still, White Oak is known through the land for a reason and with nobles and royalty in attendance, the security and care taken in protecting their students make this the safest place in all of Esmos. Surely nothing could go wrong in a place like White Oak.

Comments

Re: library

[deadheading]

Oh—

[ he startles—at the noise, maybe?—but surprised or not, he turns to her with a smile. ]

No, no, you're fine— I don't own the library, after all. Miss... Hearkson, isn't it?

Re: library

[heroineunderstudy]

Harmony Hearkson, yes, your highness. [Wait, no, that wasn't right-] I mean, Y- Your Majesty! [There, she got both the form of address and the capitalization right that time.

Mina stands there like prey pinned in place by a predator's gaze, too frightened to move. Screwing up around ordinary nobles would get her a tongue-lashing from the count at worst. Messing up around the crown princes? She doesn't even want to think about what would happen to her after that.]

Re: library

[deadheading]

[ so this is the one Lily picked. he'd been wanting to get a closer look at her, but... ]

...There's no need for that on campus. We're all students here, aren't we?

[ that might be a technicality that at least half the school ignores, but he's not above pointing it out, in this case. the poor girl looks like she's about to vibrate out of her skin. ]

In fact, perhaps I should apologize for being in your way, since it looks like you have quite a bit of work on your plate, whereas...

[ spreading his own hands. there's not a book in sight at his end of the table. ]

[heroineunderstudy]

B- B- B- But you're the crown prince! Or, um, a crown prince. You shouldn't-

[Mina's train of thought derails in a tragic accident that kills the raggedy remainder of her social grace when Thanasis offers to let her sit down.

Was that an order? It had to be an order. She can't disobey. Still dumbstruck, Mina pulls out a seat and sits, just staring at Thanasis for a moment before murmuring,] ...thank you, Your Majesty, [out of raw survival instinct.]

[deadheading]

[ oh, dear. that... may have backfired, as far as trying to put her at ease went... well, he tried. ]

You're welcome, Miss Hearkson. ...You're working on illusion magic?

[heroineunderstudy]

That's, er. Really my only talent, Your Majesty.

[And one that she wasn't particularly good at. While she had just enough potential to be sent to White Oak, actually capitalizing on said potential was another matter entirely.]

It's good for telling stories and for hiding, but... not much else, really.

[deadheading]

[ he tilts his head to one side. ]

You say that as though storytelling and concealment aren't valuable talents by themselves. ...There are also a few types of art that rely on illusion work— ah, though I suppose the teacher wouldn't focus so much on that...

[ ...and she probably wouldn't have been in a position to see any of it otherwise. hmm. there's a thought to potentially bring up with the headmaster; she couldn't be the only student in that position, even if White Oak mostly hosted nobility. ]