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Greetings, everyone. My name is Raine Sage, and I'm a returning Instructor who just finished a very educational and quite fascinating study of ruins around the globe. I'll be teaching World Geography, so if any students have questions about the class, please feel free to let me know. If you want to see a slide-show presentation of my trip and my collection of artifacts and other historical objects, please feel free to ask! I'm one of the faculty members staying in Fisherman's Horizon, so keep that in mind if you'd like to see me in person.

Zelos, thank you for keeping touch with me. I'm sorry for not returning your latest letter, I was busy packing. Did I miss anything important?

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[ Raine is hanging out at the Quad, with some weird... "artifacts" and stones laid out on a blanket. A lot of it looks understandably like junk, but Raine looks like she is in heaven. Just staring at them makes her seem happy. She looks quite busy arranging, rearranging, and examining the different objects. Maybe she's thinking of putting them up on display? ]

This is marvelous... simply marvelous! Real stone from the Tomb of the Unknown King! I wonder if being around the Brothers has imbued it with Earth properties...

[ Let's be honest here: She looks like a madwoman, the way she's staring at the stone in her hands. There's other crap all over the blanket: A stick of metal that looks like staircase railing, a piece of a broken vase, some broken bit of machinery and it's difficult to believe that any of this could be considered valuable. Still, maybe if you're a bad dude enough, you can approach her and ask about it... ]

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[A cynical little snort.]

I'm sure they're eager to lose their new recruits.

[He hesitates a moment, eying Raine appraisingly, then seems to decide something.]

You are the first I've met here dedicated to finding a way out of this world. If you have need of my skills in this goal, I offer them to you.

[ Raine just smiles a bit, glad she was able to steer this conversation away from what could have been a disaster. As an Instructor, she can't really shrug off others hating her when she has to keep Garden's reputation in mind. But it's nice to also have the support of someone who also wants to get out of here. ]

I'm sure many others feel the same way, but I believe if there's a way in, then there's a way out. And thank you for the offer, Fenris, I'll be sure to keep it in mind. [ She pauses for a moment. ] A friend of Colette's is a friend of mine, so feel free to come to me if you need any help.

Now, would you be interested in hearing about the rest of my findings? [ There's a sparkle in her eye when she turns to look at the other stuff she was lying around... ]

I would not call her a friend.

[His mouth twists downwards; he's had that conversation before, but with Colette herself.]

And I'm uninterested in your dark magics.

[A pause--]

Then it's true. In your world, elves and the elfblooded are also the mages?

[He could not sound more bitter.]

[ ... Oh well, so much for that. Her friendly demeanor drops and Raine just glares right back at him. It's the subject that she really didn't want to bring up, seeing as how Fenris looks like he'd fit in right in Heimdall, but he brought it up. ]

... I see I'm mistaken about you.

Yes, it's as you say. Those with elven blood in them can also use magic in my world. I've been wondering why an elf such as yourself would be so hostile about that idea.

[A brief, unbidden pang of regret--it was kind of nice talking to her without hostility, even if she is a mage. But since she is, there's no avoiding it.

He speaks levelly, his voice like the lid firmly clamped down on a boiling kettle.]

You've been wondering.

Wonder no more. In your world, elves are their kin are mages. In mine, we are as like to be enslaved by them.

Enslaved? Then, in your world, it's... [ Raine shakes her head. Would it be worth explaining what being elven blooded really means? Fenris might not be sympathetic, as she was still someone abominable to him, but at the same time... ]

It seems like I've really misunderstood you. I apologize. [ Even though Fenris doesn't consider her a friend, Colette obviously told him about elves and half-elves. Maybe he's not interested in hearing the rest. Who knows. ]

I hope you're still offering your help on finding a way out of this world, despite our differences.

[He regards her with a grimly unreadable expression, unsure what to make of her graciousness. She's a mage, and far too interested in these dark artifacts, but she's not defensive and self-justifying like some he knows--or knew from home.]

My offer stands. Mage or no, your intentions are more honorable than most I've met here.

[It's a grudging truce, and he only cautiously reaches for more:]

What did you take me for?

[The question isn't aggressive, but honestly curious.]

[ Despite the awkward conversation, Raine tries to make herself a little less tense. It seems like Fenris's problem with her had nothing to do with what she thought, so she's not sure how to really explain herself. But, it seems like Fenris would understand. ]

I'm used to elves hating me. But having an elf hate me for being able to use magic is something different. To be honest, I'm not sure how to take it...

[ She seems thoughtful for a moment. ]

You said that elves were enslaved by mages in your world, correct? In my world, pure blooded elves are respected. But those of elven blood... Half-elves, if you will, are not given that same respect, by elves and humans alike.

[Fenris doesn't bother trying to make himself less tense. He's always tense.]

You have hardly seen my hate.

[It's as close as he's going to get to saying that he doesn't actually hate her, at least not when he's thinking straight instead of being driven mad by rage. As she continues, he looks slightly incredulous.]

Am I hearing correctly? In your world, what matters is purity of blood?

[ She nods, actually quite relieved that he sounds so ... confused. Maybe he thinks this is as ridiculous as she does. ]

Yes, that's correct. It matters a great deal, in both my world and the world next to it. It's similar to how some of the native population here views us foreigners.

[His mouth curls into a bleak little smirk.]

The worlds are not so different after all. In mine, humans look down on all elves, and the elves who travel freely in their tribes look down on those of us less fortunate.

[He paces a few slow, measured steps.]

I've no interest in your parentage, if that means anything to you. You'd be as dangerous were you elven or human, and I'd mistrust your magic the same.

[His gaze now is level: not apologetic, but without contempt, only wariness.]

But we make strange allies in this strange place.

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