[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4yMMFgZ.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/fmLjwCO.png[/img][/center]
[center][h3]--College of Hathforth- Headmaster's Office--[/h3][/center]

[sub]In collaboration with [@Izurich][/sub]

[hr]

Perhaps a stroke of deja vu would loom upon the old headmaster as an ashen-haired indigo-eyed lady entered his office, or perhaps not, as this particular woman wore the trappings of a lecturer instead of a student. She was the hen to Melisande's egg, the headmaster's old friend and fellow scholar of the arcane, she was Jezebel, Matriarch of the Tearmoon Coven.

Still, Melisande being the apple that didn't fall far from the tree combined with the elven-like eternal youthfulness of the Lilim people meant the Matriarch looked almost exactly alike her eldest daughter, aside from an inch or two of extra height and slightly more defined feminine curves, the mother and daughter were superficially more like sisters than parent and child.

Yet, to say their similarities extended to their mind would be a grave error, for behind the Lilim's Nymph-esque charming visage lied a furnace of ambition that'd rival the Wizard Queen herself.

[b]"Caveus, my friend, how do you do? Well, I hope."[/b] Jezebel giggled as she took a seat across the headmaster's desk, [b]"The boys and girls are wonderful as always, fine scholars in the making, unpolished gems, just like these Seeds..."[/b] She leaned back then elegantly crossed her legs while her palms clasped together over her lap, [b]"Speaking of students, I heard Her Majesty's Court Mage elected my daughter for apprenticeship."[/b]

Caveus smiled as Jezebel entered his office. With a wave of his hand, he set a teapot atop a fire seed, surrounded by stone.

[b]“My dear friend, you really ought to visit me more often.” [/b]He chortled, another wave of the hand causing a bit of lavender, spices and water to float into the teapot.

As the teapot began to warm, he leaned forward in his seat across from Jezebel, nodding his head, enthused.

[b]”Yes, yes, I was hoping to tell you the news in person. Your daughter has excelled so well that she's been selected to serve in the Wizard Queen's court, as a royal apprentice to Lord Blackthorne. However, you needn't worry, she won't be abandoning her studies here.”[/b][b]"Perhaps I should..."[/b] Considering things were finally in motion. A storm is brewing and they were all in that eerie calm before its true arrival. [b]"Excellent, I know it's unwise to boast, but I had always known my dear Melly is nothing short of a prodigy, fufu~"[/b]

The middle-aged - if there's such a notion for the ageless - woman weaved a simple telekinetic spell to manipulate the teapot, pouring the two of them a cup each, [b]"People like her..."[/b] Jezebel made a measured pause with a cordial smile, [b]"Are much more suited to handle the Seeds and Glasic Fields than the incumbent Royal Gardeners, don't you agree, Headmaster?"[/b]

Caveus blew on his teacup before taking a sip. Floral, with a hint of cinnamon. Just a delight to the senses.

Jezebel's nod to the Glasic Fields made the old man stare a bit before setting down his teacup, and leaning forward.

[b]”I would agree with you; someone well-versed in magic ought to be taking care of the Fields… Have you sought an audience with her Majesty to speak on it?”[/b]

The Coven Mistress took a moment to enjoy the tea, holding the cup with her mundane, physical right hand. After a sip and a pleasured hum, she gently settled it back down.

[b]”Indeed, it just so happens that my congregation has no shortage of talented magi, as you've no doubt seen yourself during your visits.”[/b] She leaned forward ever so slightly, [b]”Why... I believe my daughter already has. Now, as a parent, I do not believe it's erroneous to want to support your child's endeavors...”[/b] 

She let her words hang in the air, letting them stew a bit, then continued, [b]”And I also believe the ineptitude of those so-called “Royal Gardeners” needs to be exposed to the world, most especially to their misguided employer. It's such a waste of resources, time, and manpower to let the Glasic Fields be handled by the incompetent, wouldn't you think so, Caveus?”[/b]

Caveus chortled a little to himself, amusement in his eyes. [b]”Now, now, my dear Miss Tearmoon, we both know the Lilim would be more suited to tend to the Fields.”[/b]

His face grew serious. [b]”But you understand the risks at even approaching the Fields, yes? Monsters of an unknown source, unclassable by the Royal Gardeners and their protectors, having taken many lives already…”[/b]

[b]”Precisely my point, due to the risks, the task should fall in the hands of those who regularly brush with the wilderness. I assure you, headmaster, that the Feywilds have their feral side as well.”[/b] In fact, plenty of fey creatures - especially those without sapience - were commonly classified as monsters by the ‘civilized folks’, [b]”Those cityborn gardeners are ill-suited for such a task. For everyone’s sake, including theirs, they should retire and let someone more qualified take their place,”[/b] She curled a smirk, [b]”I wonder if there’s a way to... adjust this undesirable status quo, preferably sooner than later.”[/b]

Caveus was quiet for a moment, taking another sip of his tea, before he spoke.

[b]”I can see no one better suited to ease it to the Queen than Lord Blackthorne himself. He has already invested so much in the young girl. Perhaps you would like to meet him? He is the master of your young daughter as she serves the Queen. We can set an appointment with him together.”[/b]

[b]”Hmmm... you speak wisdom, old friend.”[/b] Jezebel murmured as she fiddled with her cup, [b]”All four of us, how quaint,”[/b] [i]Five, actually, fufu~[/i] [b]”Yes, it shall do, let’s arrange a meeting.”[/b]