Academy of the Arts: Keeva’s GroupDalia beamed at the Pride as the quickly separated into different groups. Turning to Angel and Keeva, she gave them some last minute instructions. “Remember, you don’t have to stick to your assigned areas - when they’re done you can show them around the rest of the academy. Thank you so much for this!”
Keeva returned the smile, bouncing from foot to foot in excitement. “It’s fine, Dalia. Besides, this way I know at least someone’s gonna see my performance.” The musician gave an exaggerated wink. “Alright, who’s with me!”
"Hiii," the young girl cooed. Her eyes flitted back and forth between the musician and Dalia. "You're really pretty too."Keeva grinned at her, taking a moment to dramatically flip her hair over her shoulder and pose. “Thanks kid, I do try. It’s such hard work,” she joked, “but worth it.”
Soon enough her group filled up, attracting another women and two boys, one of whom simply begged to come along and threw himself into the group. “Easy boys, no need to hurry.”
Turning, she gestured at them to follow her into the Academy. “So you guys are interested in the theater and music departments? Excellent choice.” She dropped her voice to a low and conspiratorial volume. “Don’t tell Dalia this, but honestly music and theater are just more interesting. They’re alive, you know? Vibrant and ever changing, no two performances are the identical.”
Coming to a large set of doors, she paused. “Ahh, here we are. There’s gonna be some performances starting soon, but we should have some time to look around first.” Throwing the door open, she revealed a beautiful theater hall, the seating sweeping downwards towards the orchestra pit creeping just below the stage. The stage was gorgeous as well, with thick beautiful curtains and hardwood floors. Students were scurrying about, some carrying instruments, others props, and a few were just wandering the stage with scripts in hand. “Welcome to our main performance hall.”
Turning to face the group, she gestured grandly. “So what do you want to see? The sound room? The prop room? Some practice rooms? We have it all.”
Academy of the Arts: Dalia’s GroupDalia waved as Keeva and Angel led the other groups away, and then turned to face the group with her. “So you’re names are...” She fumbled for a moment, but Dylan stepped up, coming to her rescue.
“Estelle, Amy, and Xan,” he said, pointing them out as they went.
“Right. So I’m sure you’re interested in the Academy,” she said as she started weaving them through the courtyard, taking care to pause whenever one of them showed interest in a particular painting or floral arrangement. “We have a fascinating history, if you ask me. We were founded centuries ago in dedication to the Goddess Aislin. I’m not sure if Dylan’s spoken much about her...”
“I may have mentioned her once or twice,” Dylan said with a blush.
“Ah, well, I guess you know all about her then.” Dalia smiled. “This school takes in an interested youth at the age of 15 and offers them training in a variety of art fields. All students take classes in every discipline. If they prove themselves as talented and devoted by the end of the first year, they become eligible to stay one for the next three years, where the study becomes focused. Most students graduate with specialized talents in one field, though we do have over achievers.”
“Dalia’s one of the teachers here,” Dylan added. “Many of the Priests and Priestesses of Aislin are. But she’s the best of them all.”
The priestess blushed, her cheeks turning a brilliant shade of red. “But enough of that. Why don’t you tell me about yourselves. Guilders always have the best stories!”