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 Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:35 pm
After Lecture Office Hours
- a meeting between Dr. Helminha Jannisari [THE SEMBLANCE OF UNITY] & Shati Pac with Fillin [GRASSHOPPER PIE]
- it is a gorgeous late morning, with clear skies and a slight breeze
- the setting is the hallways of Trisica and Dr. Jannisari's office
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Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:41 pm
Dr. Jannisari smacked her hand on the podium, palm down; the hollow wooden sound rang out dramatically. It was a uncharacteristic punctuation directed at her softly chattering students. The silence that followed felt vaguely shocked or perhaps betrayed by her small display of pique. This morning's weather was beautiful, and she surmised that the lure of a hot sun and a cool breeze distracted many. That thought only made her more irritated. "There is one thing I would like to take away from this: that we cannot change the cards disease has dealt us, just how we play that hand." Her steely blue eyes swept the room, pausing here - a young man languidly gazing out the window, there - a studious note-taker, and yet there - a nervous-looking girl staring straight at Jannisari, hands wringing rhythmically. At least she had a few people's full attention. A fly crawled across her hand and she waved it off.
"Now, you are dismissed. If you have any further questions, I will be in my office until 3 post meridiem." With that, Dr. Jannisari tucked her notes under one arm and swept from the room. Typically, she held two sessions for questions, but in this particular lecture, the first one had been abysmally short. She saw no harm in foregoing a second. A burst of chatter spilled in the hallway, her class had erupted into a low buzz coupled with the clanking of boys and girls standing. She tucked an errant paper more firmly in the crook of her arm, an action made slightly difficult by the voluminous sleeves of her professorial robes. Weaving around a group of students, discussing, of all things, the apparently voluptuous assets of some tavern maid, Jannisari set off towards her office.
Her stride, so long and brisk, invited no one to interrupt her. Dr. Jannisari walked with purpose, even when she had none. It was the sign of a dunce to meander aimlessly when the sun was still high, and that sun was just reaching the noontide mark. Wandering was for the evening, when ideas lay heavy on shoulders, a mantle of half-formed truths. Listless drifting invited them to settle, solidify into theories and stories and things that would not burn away under the yellowing sun. But although her legs worked unerringly, the halls of Trisica stretched long and crowded before her, students' young heads glinting in the sun. But still, she glided on towards her office door, and the quiet comforting darkness within, broken only by the languid wink of a golden disease.
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Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:21 pm
Shati had always been one to try and get the most out of her lessons. Whether practical or purely intellectual, every statement was worth remembering. In this case, some even made it down to paper in an unsteady hand, some words left with meanings but no set definition. She would do her own studies later, after her intended series of errands, and find official statements on those words and further information on her notes. Most, however, was stored in her head where only the most important information swam into thought.
The farmer knew that, for a Grimm, she was fairly uneducated about the finer points of Plagues, having experienced less of the physical creatures and more of the base disease. She'd heard that Dr. Jannisari was especially educated on the issue and had chosen to attend the woman's class. Now, though, she wondered if she might glean some more information from the professor or perhaps even offer some of her own. Although Plagues had been mentioned, none had made any appearances during the lecture. Would Dr. Jannisari desire to poke and prod herself? Fillin had been more easy as of late, willing to be studied and to discuss important topics, and he had even come to her the night before with an opened book. What ever was happening, it was rather impressive and pleasant.
As the professor walked, however, Shati felt as if there was no invitation for conversation. For this reason, she hung back and waited for the woman to enter her office, then gave ample time to get oneself settled. After a fair amount of time had passed, Shati lifted her hand and rapped lightly upon the door.
Some stared at her for her heritage. Others for her handmade clothing. Hopefully the Doctor would be able to see beyond aesthetics and be willing to meet with her for a time.
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Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:09 pm
Inside her rooms, heavy door closed almost fully, Dr. Jannisari carefully smoothed her lecture papers into a meticulous order. The pages themselves were filled with exact penmanship, rows of letters, each equal in size and stroke. Some of her colleagues preferred a violent scrawl of letters, clashing across a page in a vicious gash. It reminded her strangely of the chaos from which science must be pulled. She had no interest in the chaos itself. An origin point, yes, but it was meant to eventually be mapped, organized by human hands. And even if fair penmanship wasn't a clear turn in that direction, well, at least Dr Jannisari's notes were always legible. Unfailingly so.
The light flickered from dust mote to mote as Jannisari slid behind her heavy desk. The sun was high and spilled into the office with all; the force of a cloudless sky. It outlined the stacks of books, painting them a warm yellow.. To the casual observer, her office seemed cluttered, but every object had its own place and she took great care in never obstructing a path to the door. As if dictated by her thoughts, a knock sounded on that very door. The light sound echoed timidly in the room, seeming to ask permission to even exist. Ah, it must be a student. Perhaps more had been paying attention than she had originally thought. That would certainly be a welcome change.
"Please, enter." She rubbed a ragged nail over the cloth of her robe. It had snagged on the rough wooden edge of the podium. The unevenness was an annoyance. The door creaked open. The woman that quietly stepped in was obviously from a rural area. How unusual. Perhaps she had gotten lost and only needed someone to guide her back to the agricultural section. Dr. Jannisari was a professor, a professional, and there to assist in any way. The long fingers of one hand unfurled and gestured to the seat in front of her desk, a wordless invitation to be seated.. "How may I assist you, Miss...?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:38 am
Shati entered with hesitation, knowing that the invitation had been for her and still feeling somewhat unwelcome. It was hard to convince men and women of science that she knew what she was talking about, or that she was in the process of learning beyond the scope of her knowledge. She was simple, foreign, and deeply considering saving up for some more publicly acceptable. It just seemed like such a waste, to buy skirts and brocade when your brain was the only part that really mattered.
Regardless of her worries, the farmer entered and offered a small bow and a smile before she accepted the offer to sit. She crossed her legs, sitting upright as a lady should.
"Shati Pac," she nodded, and then continued, I attended your lecture, and... well, I don't know how to ask this. I am somewhat behind in knowledge of Plagues themselves, and, being a Grimm, I would very much like to hear a bit more. If you would be willing, perhaps we could meet again? I would be more than happy to bring Fillin as well. He complains that he knows nothing of himself, and he assumes that it is my own fault." Or, at least, that was what he hadsaid. The bat Plague's insults had seemed less sincere as of late. She almost worried for him.
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Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:04 pm
Dr. Jannisari paused before replying, the slight breeze tickling her ears. A fellow Grimm... The opportunity to visit with another grimm was rarer than she liked. She steepled her thin fingers. It was her duty to assist any students and she was more than pleased when on of them came seeking knowledge. Even more satisfying was that Shati had come to her. Jannisari could not term herself in expert in Plagueology, but rather in diseases with Plagueology as a necessary addition. Despite that, the wiry woman knew that one day she would term herself among the famed plagueologists of this age.
"Miss Shati, I of course would be pleased to answer any questions you have about the Plagues that have come so oddly to our world. Do not be troubled over your lack of knowledge, many people know far less than you, I imagine. You do have one of your own." Jannisari flattened her hands on the hard desk (a trifle dramatically, but she had been feeling dramatic all day), and locked eyes with Shati. "It would be a pleasure for you to come by again. Any, by bring it along y-"
A knock sounded on her door, slicing through any words that might have tried to tumble out of her mouth. "Doctor?" Judging fring from the tone alone, it was likely another student, come to pick Dr. Jannisari's mind. A male voice, she secretly hoped it was Benjamin Furhder, one of the older students. Jannisari was currently helping place him with one of the families she was acquainted with near Helios. She turned back to Shati, forcing her lips into an apologetic smile. "It appears as though I have others awaiting me. However, I believe we were quite finished, in any event." She rose, indicating that Shati should do the same.
"I will see you, then, a week from now - at this same time?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:51 am
Shati was a little shocked by the brevity and sudden dismissal of the professor. Who could this other visitor be, and what made them more important to meet with than herself? She stood regardless of her offense and brushed her skirts flat, then giving a little bow.
"I will return next week, then. Thank you for your time."
The farmer was home that evening, but in seven days had packed up again to head for Trisica. The trip was not so long or arduous, but she had her own feelings of hesitation. Just how brief would this meeting be if the young man arrived again to speak with his professor? Shati continually warned herself that it was rude to make such assumptions, but the thought returned unbidden. She would simply have to see how things went. There was no reason to worry. There was always something to learn in the presence of her fellow Council members.
Fillin himself hid in a leather satchel, chewing contemplatively on a bit of dried pumpkin. He had his own worries, mostly involving stuck-up scientists and the ninnies they often carried. Although he had initially denied his Grimm's request (really, she shouldn't have made plans without him!), he'd had no intention of staying home. A chance to learn more about himself and the disease to which he was so profoundly connected had begun to rule his waking hours. Food seemed less pleasurable, and harassing the cat had lost its flavor. By the spirits, Fillin found himself even a little depressed. How unbecoming of an exceptionally intelligent bat, he thought, to spend so much time reflecting upon himself and his existence. It seemed against his nature, and yet he could not make it stop. He denied concern if he was caught thinking, but now he had agreed to go on such a trip that it could not remain a secret.
As they passed into the main building, the Plague sensed the change in atmosphere. He stood on his toes, peering out the top of the satchel with glowing orange orbs. He wondered if he had met this Jannisari woman before in his adventures here and had simply not known her name. He hoped not. All of the female scientists he had met so far had been more apt at trying to prod him with needles than do anything constructive. He watched as Shati approached the professor's office and rapped lightly on the door.
This might have been a big mistake.
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