Home Again

[Thea Askes]

Thea set her packs down on her white bed. She frowned, laying on the bed. She didn't like it much when her thoughts ran mumble jumble on their own, but she was dizzy and lightheaded from the flight back in. Airplanes were not on top of her list of things to return to soon. She'd slept most of the flight though, and didn't feel like resting much more, so she began unpacking the bags she'd previously set down. Clothes in the drawers, trinkets wherever she felt like sprinkling. And mounds and mounds of reference and annotated books she'd gotten from home. They pretty much covered the sheets, she'd have to find a place for them soon, what bookshelf she had didn't cover much, but even without a roommate she had what she though of as limited space. Setting them up in stacks by size at the foot of her bed she cleared off the bed spread.

But enough of that, she had something Madame had given her tucked away in some obscure pocket of her bag. After a couple minutes worth of digging she found a small paper bag, with a small tea pot, a can of tea leaves and a little cup in it. She laughed as she looked on the cup, which had tacky little cartoon about a game she'd once told the Madame of inadvertently. She set those things on the little table in the corner of the room.

The last thing she did was look at the window over the campus. She tried to remember what class had been hers in 4th grade or something, but she was sure that it was on of those classes that was on the other side of the building she was looking at.

[Professor Rudra]

This was probably the first and only time Rudra would be glad for gossiping witches. Rumor after rumor had jumped its way through the glory that was the internet and landed in her mailbox. A previously trained initiate had made her way back to Eastwick... of course they didn't feel inclined to mention a name.

So here she was, slowly going down the hallway, waving her little crystal in front of random doors and hoping for a hit. She'd made her way all the way through the first floor before she started the second and, much to her luck, the first room was a hit.

She knocked sharply on the door, bouncing on her toes, excited to talk to her.

[Thea Askes]

At the sound of the knock Thea jumped from her window. She rushed across the room and drew open the door. Outside stood a woman she was certain she'd seen before.

"Professor Rudra? Right?" She asked, sticking her head out of the door, and then opening it up. Hello. Did you need me? I was just unpacking."

She smiled politely and gave room for the professor to come into the room, if she wanted too. She hadn't expected a visit from any teachers on her first day, hopefully she hadn't done something wrong before planning to do it. But she felt a little bit strange in the Professor's presence, as feeling which she set to the back of her mind and ignored.

[Professor Rudra]

Rudra smiled in half surprise, "Most people don't figure out my name that fast," She commented, happily, "and yes, I do have a small request from you, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, it's concerning a talent of yours."

Camille let herself into the girl's dorm room, "You lived in New Orleans for a while, correct?"

[Thea Askes]

"Well I did hear it a couple times mentioned when I was in the smaller grades here." As for mentioning a talent Thea made a confused face, she couldn't really think of anything the Professor might know of.

She watched the professor settle herself into the room, "I did, with my aunt and uncle, yes. Nice place, what of it?" She supposed that would have been common knowledge around the faculty. But unless the Professor had heard of the Madame there wouldn't have been much of a "talent" connected to the city.

[Professor Rudra]

Rudra plopped down on one of the beds, leaning back and taking in the surroundings. The books, the assorted other property in the room, all seeming to match the girl who now stood in front of her. The smell, too, she recognized it, common, but with a distinctive edge. A knowing smile slid onto her face.

"Thea, right?" She pointed in explanation, "Read it on the door. I'm going to start talking, and I'm pretty sure you'll understand what I'm about to say..." She paused, "However, there is a teensy bit of a chance that I am wrong. If that's true, well... feel free to stop me at any time."

Rudra twined her fingers together, "I've come to ask if you would considering the training to were taking in New Orleans. Not school, I'm sure you understand, but the things that are a bit more.... supernatural may be the word. You following me so far?"

[Thea Askes]

Thea listened intently, and tried to fathom what the teacher was asking of her. She was seriously surprised at the circumstances, the grape line could have reached this far? Supernatural, apparently Professor Rudra knew what she was talking about, so Thea decided to put her at ease, "You're meaning the training I did with the Madame, divination and such? I believe I'm following you."

She moved a seat opposite of Rudra and sat down in it, "See, she gave me that tea set over there," she pointed at the tea set she'd set up just previously, "but she didn't really manage to teach me too much, we had a short time frame ya know?"

She was a tad worried about telling the Professor that, but frankly if the lady didn't know anything, she'd peg her off as crazy, and Thea would just have to deal with it during class. Thea could survive.

[Professor Rudra]

"Bingo!" Rudra punctuated it with a snap, "and that's exactly what I'd like to speak to you about, if you have a moment. I wonder, are you interested in continuing to learn, we have all the time in the world here, and plenty of materials and books about it."

The teacher paused, trying to listen past the daily motions and noises that floated around the girl's dorm for something close enough to worry about. It wouldn't do to have someone barge in while she was explaining, not that it hadn't happened before. It was always awkward and best to be avoided, even though the last thing she wanted to do was get back up onto her feet.

"As I'm sure you know," She began again, "This isn't exactly a topic that's good in mixed company, so, if you have the time of course, I'd like to invite you to the Founders Hall. It's where we teach others, like yourself, mostly in secrecy. It's up to you, of course..."

[Thea Askes]

"I'd love some more training!" Exclaimed Thea, "You actually teach that stuff here? And have books on it?" She felt as if she were floating on a cloud, or fallen into a dream.

But then she came down from her lala land, she'd noticed Rudra's pause. She must be worried about someone overhearing. Thea had never really worried about it. She hadn't known of her power long enough to worry about it, probably if some stopped her in the street and asked her about her powers, she'd answer them. Maybe she should be more cautious, but she couldn't help but think that if people weren't serious they'd think she was crazy. Course she hadn't heard of real demons yet.

"I didn't know, but I suppose that'll get explained to me. But, yes, or course I'll come."

[Dresden Laken]

At that moment, Dresden came down the hall and entered the room. Upon seeing Professor Rudra, she paused, backed out to check the room number and shrugged with she saw it was indeed the correct room.

She wondered why the professor was there, had a vague idea what it might be about, but as usual, said nothing as she entered the room. Dresden threw a mild smile at the teacher and the other girl, who she figured was her new roommate, and tossed her duffle bags on her bed.

She gave a little wave at the other two and turned for the door again. No need in interrupting their conversation, afterall.

[Professor Rudra]

Rudra crooked an eyebrow at the girl who came in, finding herself smiling. Ah, the infamous Dresden, horror of the teacher's lounge. Rudra liked her, sadly, though, she didn't have the time. Instead she gestured out the door for Thea.

"Hello Dresden!" She said happily, "Sorry, but I guess I'm going to have to say hello and goodbye, have to take Thea to a meeting. Always nice talking to you, though!" The teacher saluted the teenager as she backed out the door, trying not to look too suspicious. She had never been good at that.

[Dresden Laken]

Dresden blinked and smiled as the room's only other occupants beat her to the exit. She waved at them as they exited then turned back to her bags and began to unpack.