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 Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 3:12 am
In which Aysel Vartanian has an appointment with Dr. Amory Kempe.
It had been a long trip.
It had been a long trip.
It hadn't been as long as Aysel's transition to Montburg, but that trip really had done it for her: She had never wanted to board another carriage again. Surely she must have said something similar after her family's initial migration to Shyregoed, but her memory opted not to grace her with that knowledge at that very moment. Perhaps it would later. Regardless, her hatred of carriages, no matter how intense, would not change her current situation: She was a new arrival in Gadu, having only just arrived early the previous day, and now she stood in the entrance hall to the grandest of Council Headquarters with an appointment to meet a man named Amory Kempe. She had gotten time to at least clean up a little before coming, but she still didn't look quite well. Dark circles were etched under her eyes; she had become a frequent victim of nightmares, and her dress no longer fit her quite right, though she was by no means malnourished. She had thinned since she had left her family. Her physical state, however, was only half of it: She stood with her head bowed and feet close together; she clutched her own elbows. Nervous eyes darted around the room; the grandeur around her made her feel tiny and out of place. It dwarfed the Scientist Headquarters in Montburg entirely.
Ilkin, however, had far fewer qualms. Ever since his growth, he had refused to leave his Grimm's side, no matter if that meant traveling in her bag or her bosom. Her shoulders were his favourite spot, but no matter how much he laughed it off, Aysel refused to let him go there during travel. She always worried he'd fall. Until he could convince her, he had to settle for whichever location she picked for him if he wanted to accompany her. He still found the world to be an astounding place, and from the safety of Aysel's bag, his small black face peered out from under the flap of the main pouch, only a smear of red indicating his broad smile. He experienced none of Aysel's anxiety, so when a kind-hearted passerby approached inquiring if Aysel needed assistance, he didn't hide away, rather peering out further to better view whatever stranger had dared to speak with his Princess.
Fortunately for Aysel's nerves, neither she nor the stranger noticed the tiny Plague peeking out his head, and in a quiet voice, she told him her business. Many thank yous fell from her lips when he gave her some instructions on where to find Amory, and Ilkin fell back in the bag when she turned to go. However, as she approached her destination, she began to slow, growing nervous. She had precious little idea what to expect from this man. She scarcely knew what they were going to talk about. All she had been told is that she should get to know some of her superiors and that he may be able to help her determine what she should do next... She gulped.
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:42 pm
Rene, the leader of Dr. Kempe's cadre of lavender stunteds, was on red alert as he patrolled the halls of the Council. The next meeting that Dr. Kempe had scheduled was one with a young lady, and like the romantic that Rene fancied himself to be, he was keen on making extra sure that no young lady went unattended, especially in a barbarous place such as Trisica. He looked up at the few straggling students milling through the quiet halls and let out a disapproving sniff.
Students. Male students! Terrible things that forgot to shower regularly and wouldn't know what to say to a girl unless they were asking her a question for their research! Mon dieu! Who knew what a delicate young lady might think of the august institution if she were to encounter one of those beats before meeting a gentleman such as himself! He had sent all his underlings out to find her to be extra sure that she would be spared from this discomfort.
Unfortunately for him, there was a reason why he was the leader of the Lavender League. He was far and away the brightest of his peers, the others barely bumbling through their days and straggling to keep up with his commands. It was almost the appointed meeting time and those ninnies had yet to even locate her. He had to do everything himself, and if it weren't for Pontius around to provide him with a stimulating intellectual peer, he would quite give up on the lot of them. He threw his hands up in the air at the thought of it, then clambered up a beam with as much dignity as he could muster.
From his perch in the ceiling, he could see the whole hallway, but no such girl as Aysel Vartanian.
"Incroyable," he muttered darkly. "She is lost!" He dropped from the ceiling directly onto the opened book of a student, causing him to fumble with it in shock. "Halt!" demanded Rene. "I am seeking a young lady."
The student blinked owlishly, but no one with business in the Philosophy department was unfamiliar with Rene, so he replied, "But you're always looking for a young lad-"
Rene rubbed his temples. "My friend, perhaps when you are more able to think of things other than books you will cease to compare me to a randy tomcat and admire the purity of my devotion to the art of being a gentleman, but for now I must merely ask you to provide me with this simple information. Have you seen a young lady, perhaps with a Plague?"
"Well, there's that one over there," offered the student, pointing behind the Lavender stunted's shoulder. Rene spun around.
"Ah! My lady! Excuse me, my lady! Take me to her please, good sir," he asked, waving a hand at the boy he was perched on. "Excuse me, are you Miss Aysel Vartanian?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 6:09 pm
A voice broke Aysel out of her reverie, and she looked up and around, seeking out the source. There were no other women in the area, not that she could see, so the voice had to be calling to her; nevertheless, it took her a few glances to realize that it wasn't another student that called her, but rather a Plague, one standing on a book, no less. "I-I am." He was so floral, so... natural. Even she could see he once grew from lavender. Thus far, she had encountered no Plague so obviously of its item; she felt her own Ilkin only reflected what he once was in the vaguest sense. Not that she resented that. "Why..?" She glanced from the Plague to the student that held him; was this his Grimm? Should she be asking him? She wasn't sure, so she focused on the Plague, since he was the only one between the two that spoke. Maybe they were here to help her.
As the scent of Death reached his proverbial nose, Ilkin heard a voice: "Excuse me, are you Miss Aysel Vartanian?" Who..? Was there another Plague out there, daring to address his Princess? He frowned as he poked his head out of the bag, looking for the source. Unfortunately, to his frustration, he hung by Aysel's hip: He knew the scent was coming from above, and he couldn't see beyond that damned book. Giving an irritated huff, he slumped on the edge of the bag. If he wanted to see anything up there, someone would have to move. For the moment, he listened.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:43 pm
The unfortunate student who Rene had chosen to commandeer saw Aysel begin to look at him and shrugged, blushing anxiously. Most philosophy students were cloistered individuals preparing themselves for a life of academic study. They were not used to young women noticing them at all. This one in particular had been sent to Trisica from a monastery for education, and usually attempted to avoid both female students and Rene whenever possible.
Rene, however, was hardly so retiring. Leaning forward, he bowed, drawing her attention away from his hapless recruit, "Miss Vartanian!" he announced, "This young man is merely my assistant in seeking your presence. Pay him no mind." No suggestion seemed to suit the boy better, and he visibly relaxed. "I believe you have an appointment with Doctor Kempe. It is my happy task to lead you to his office." He patted the boy, making it clear that his task was not yet done, and commanded, "To Doctor Kempe's office, young man! We cannot keep him waiting."
"But I have a meeting with--"
"This is Council business! For the greater good! Do your duty as a patriot and a gentleman."
Finding it easier to obey than argue, the boy sighed and gestured to Aysel reluctantly, mumbling, "This way, Miss," as Rene nodded approvingly on his shoulder. Once they reached Dr. Kempe's door, he made a hasty escape, barely staying to announce "Someonetoseeyou,DoctorKempe!"
A rather tousled head poked from the door. "Ah, Henry?" By then, the boy was a figure in the distance, but Rene cleared his throat and Amory took in the company that remained. "Oh! You must be Miss Vartanian! Did Henry see you here? How very unusual of him."
"He was terribly unobliging," a small voice said coldly from the floor.
"Ah, I see perhaps it was not his choice. Nevertheless, come in, do!"
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 5:29 pm
She nodded and focused on Rene, glad for the clarification, and when he mentioned the appointment, she nodded again. The bit of banter between them caused a small smile to quirk at her lips, and she relaxed slightly as she followed them. Such normal, human behavior lessened the intimidation Aysel had experienced upon entering the building, and now that she knew where she was going--or rather, had someone knowledgeable about her business to help her find her way--her steps were a little lighter. She stood outside while Henry called, and in those few moments, all her nervousness came rushing back. Her worried brows pulled in slightly, and she nodded to the doctor's greeting. A glance at Rene was given before she walked into the office, glancing about the room before settling on the man. "You're Doctor Kempe..?" Maybe it was an obvious question, but she wasn't sure what else to say.
Hanging half out of the satchel, Ilkin just listened from his place, unable to do much from his place. He still couldn't see anything, not until they arrived at Amory's office. He was pleased to at last see the Plague who had lead them, and he found Rene's appearance pleasing to his eyes; the rabbit did have a fondness for flowers. Regardless, his field of vision soon changed as Aysel walked. Once inside, his glance about the room was even briefer than his Grimm's; his gaze was focused purely on the man who had summoned them.
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Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 5:02 pm
"Yes, you've come to the right place!" Amory said warmly. "I'm pleased to meet you, I hear you've been traveling with one of our Councilmen, sadly deceased. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I do hope that we can find you another situation." He gestured at the couch in the small office, adding, "Do sit down!"
Rene whistled, and two lavender stunteds popped out of the cushions, fluffing the pillows, then disappearing again, leaving a faint smell of flowers. Rene himself scampered onto Amory's rather untidy desk, taking his station near an inkwell in order to record notes.
"If it isn't too painful for you, Miss Vartanian, I would like to know what you've been told of the Council, and what you've done since joining. Obviously if it makes you terribly upset, we don't need to dwell on it, but I would like to have an idea of where you've come from and where you'd like to go so I might be able to help you as best I can. Of course you're likely aware of the fast track education we offer Grimms at Trisica, this can take place either in the lecture hall or through hands-on experience. While it's not as thorough as the full four-year course, it should prepare you for whatever you seek to accomplish with us."
At that moment, Amory spotted Ilkin, and his eyes widened. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize we had a second visitor!" Nodding to Ilkin, he announced, "I'm Doctor Kempe,"
"RepresentativeoftheCouncilofSciences," Rene added from the desk,
"And of course, you may also sit on the couch if you wish." finished Amory.
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Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 3:01 am
Aysel's gaze dropped at the mention of Elias, though she gave a small nod to the mention of hope for the future. She didn't have much hope left to spare, but there was at least enough to pray for another generous home to stay in.
She nearly sat, but then the stunteds popped out, causing her to watch with a faint interest before they disappeared and she sat, shifting her bag from her hip into her lap. With a tension carried in her fingers, she clutched it close as Amory spoke. Keeping her head bowed, she glanced up at him from under her brow, her gaze flicking from the bag to him. She supposed she could oblige that explanation. What she knew of the council and what she'd learned since arrival. That didn't touch on any of the... less pleasant things she experienced as of recent. Mostly.
Ilkin, however, could not have cared less for what Amory had to say. Yes, he was listening--this man was speaking to his Princess, after all--but as per usual, his presence was being ignored. He was free to do as he pleased, and right now, what pleased him was to get out of this damn bag. Fortunately, he was already hanging half-out, so all it took was a bit of squirming to be able to escape and slide down the bag's strap onto Aysel's arm.
She was about to begin when the small thump hit her arm, and her gaze was diverted to her Plague, who, in that moment, was also noticed by Doctor Kempe.
He paused only momentarily at the greeting before offering a wide, slick smile. "Thank you, but I already have a perch I much prefer." With those words, he leapt up onto Aysel's sleeve and scurried the rest of the way up onto her shoulder, where he plopped down. He gave Rene a glance before looking back to Amory. "I am Ilkin."
Aysel only nodded slightly, as if for some reason she felt the need to reinforce his introduction. She had scarcely moved when he had used her as a climbing post. Apparently, she was used to it. Pausing a moment to glance between Ilkin and Amory, she began, "I... I knew a little about the Grimm education thing, but not much... Just that, that it can help me get through my education faster." She shifted a little in her seat--Ilkin had no trouble staying balanced--before continuing, "I know the Council has been trying to cure the Plague, though there are other Scientists who study other things... Most of the Scientists I knew worked on the Plague, though, along with anything else they could use to help support themselves." She tried to keep her mind from straying to anyone in particular. "I used to spend a lot of time in their labs to watch and ask questions. Sometimes, I would do errands for them. I also watched for anyone who wasn't working up to Council standards. Dirty labs, unethical practices... Things like that. I had hoped I'd be able to do real work and help them in other ways, someday. When I knew enough." She still hoped she could, but it was a prospect that she felt was quickly diminishing.
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 11:22 am
Amory's brow furrowed. "All good work. Did you see anything amiss? I must admit, I haven't been outside of Gadu for many years, and hearing a report from an unbiased mind would put me at some ease." He waved a hand at Ilkin's pronouncement, a signal that he could take his leave to sit where he liked. Rene had already begun to take notes, but more lavender stunteds were emerging from Panyma-knew-where to tidy up a bit as Amory spoke. A few of them brought out a plate of gingerbread, and Amory let out a short exclamation, offering the plate to Aysel.
"My word, I nearly forgot. When my landlady, bless her, heard that a young lady was to meet with me today, she made this for you." It distracted him for only a moment, but a cough from René took him back to the task at hand.
"Ah, yes, gingerbread aside, the education track for Grimms in the Council is rigorous and focused. Usually the Grimm opts for Plagueology, but we have some Grimms in other disciplines. Just recently, young Lady De Clare was taken under the Theology department's wing. A fitting choice, considering that her Plague appears to be a censer." He smiled, and suggested, "While you were so carefully observing my peers, did you see any of them researching anything which struck your fancy? What would you like to learn?" He paused to collect his thoughts, and laughed. "Ah, forgive me, I'm running ahead of myself. Here's a better question. How much education have you had to date?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:48 am
Aysel nodded, recalling with a small mental flinch the errors she had recorded. "Yes. It was over a few months... I found someone selling faulty elixirs, a few people with unsanitary labs. and..." She glanced about at the cleaning stunteds. "someone who had... been dissecting and experimenting on stunteds..." The words emerged thick from her mouth, and her anxious gaze stayed focused on the floor directly before Amory's feet. Her arms tightened slightly around her bag. That was not a night she had any desire to remember, so she glanced up with a grateful smile at the offer of cookies. It was a welcome distraction. "Thank you." She took one to nibble on as Amory spoke, but before it even touched her lips, it was snatched away by a small pair of black hands. "Ah!" She frowned at Ilkin, but he ignored her, taking a bite of her cookie before promptly spitting it out.
"Ugh! How vile," he grumbled and wiped his face on his sleeve, not caring that he was interrupting the good doctor's explanation. Aysel plucked the cookie from his hand, and now it was his turn to frown at her as he plucked crumbs from his clothes. "You shouldn't eat such things, Princess."
Aysel took a small nibble, then shook her head a few degrees. "It's good, Ilkin..." She looked back to Amory. "Sorry, please continue." The cookie was gone by the time Dr. Kempe finished speaking. She hadn't laughed when he did. She thought on his questions for several moments before answering, slowly, "Not that much... I learned some things from watching the other scientists, and while at home I learned how to read and write and add and subtract... I can also cook and sew and lots of other things, but that's not what you're asking about, right? I came to the Council to learn about and help with Plagueology." She had already put so much effort into pursuing this dream; she couldn't turn her back on it now.
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Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 11:23 am
Amory frowned. "Those are some very serious charges. I'll have to investigate what you say." Rene made a strangled noise, but it seemed he was more appalled by Ilkin's manners and the thought of having to make more room in Amory's schedule than the thought of people dissecting stunteds. As Amory spoke, a cadre of lavender stunteds had already emerged to clean crumbs off the floor, although the crumbs were the least of the problems in Amory's incredibly messy office.
"Unfortunately, it's not a standard Council education, no," Amory said, not unkindly, "But we can assign you to a mentor and give you reading that will hopefully catch you up in one particular subject you wish to study quickly enough. If you want to learn about Plagueology, I can assign you to a Plagueologist. What do you know about the subject so far? Is there a particular aspect of it you wish to focus on?"
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