witchesreign | Faculty Advisor [Action, closed]

[ This particular instructor has indeed been a rare sight, but... it's hard not to be when it seems your existence heavily relies on staying away from bright light. In fact, Maria should probably feel lucky she can find Claire at all without resorting to hunting the woman down at her room...

... But here she is anyway, apparently looking through the shelves in the library for something, the hood that she's been wearing ever since her new powers kicked in pulled up way over her pale hair and face. Still, she's pretty easy to recognize-- maybe even more so now, with such strange apparel indoors. ]

[As much as she has wondered about that change, she knows way better than to pry. She simply stops, tucks her coursebook under the arm that she's holding the case with, then salutes.]

Ma'am.

[ Lost in her own thoughts and not really expecting to be approached, it doesn't quite register to Claire what the purpose of Maria's visit might be as she looks toward her. There's a returning salute, but there's also something just the slightest bit off about it- not quite precise enough, perhaps. ]

Cadet Cyphert?

Do you have a moment? I'd like to consult with you on next quarter. It doesn't have to be now, I can wait until a better time if you'd prefer.

[Claire has... never been quite on for one reason or another, and even Maria knows that. This latest thing she just regretfully ascribes to some inner thing she'll never understand, like most of the other ones, and wisely does not pry.]

[ Oh, Claire is totally crazy- enough that the cadets and fellow faculty must really wonder what her whole 'deal' is. That said, she's also fairly consistent. Yes, sometimes whatever is bothering her is obviously worse, to the point where she's skipping past important things like proper sleep and looks about ready to snap at the slightest provocation... but that's the thing. She's usually very intense about it.

Not-- vaguely depressed, hanging around in libraries looking and acting tired. ]

Ah. Yes.

[ She glances down, pulling back her sleeve just enough to check the time. It's not that she really wants to right now, but... it's also not like she's really doing anything of importance at the moment, and she did promise the girl she'd help. ]

I can spare a few minutes. Come along, then.

Thank you, ma'am. [She swaps her book back into her hand and hefts the case with a mild grunt. She's no weakling, but it's a surprisingly heavy case designed to protect the contents.]

... Is there a reason you brought your gunblades?

[ Not very pointed for once- she's simply curious, considering they're on break and all, and she assumes the cadet wouldn't have brought the case up if she'd had training in mind... ]

Without meaning any disrespect and without any intent to rush or nag at your decision, ma'am, I intend to take WTR201 and LBT if you allow me.

[And believe it or not, she meant the first part of that. Training without using the triggers of her gunblades had given her a great deal of insight into the proper grip, balance, and use of the weapons that she otherwise might have missed out on. If the Instructor wants to continue her prohibition, she will accept it without anger or resentment. She has two more quarters after this one.]

[ But why did she...? Eh, never mind. Claire reaches a table, making sure nobody else is around, of course, and sets down a ringed binder that-- she hadn't been holding just a second before. ]

... Intermediate blades? I don't have a problem with that; I believe you should be ready.

[ Just like that, yes. In all honesty, it's the patience that impresses Claire a lot more than the girl's increasing skill- she knows that Maria's been practically dying to learn; had she really wanted to, she could have sought out another teacher that would have shown a lot more leniency.

However, although she pauses there, it's clear that's not all there is to it. No word yet on her opinion on the other class mentioned... ]

[Preparation. If the Instructor wanted a demonstration of her current skill level, she can give it. If not, then Maria didn't feel as if she'd suffered any by bringing the weapons.]

[And no, she hadn't missed that pause. She hadn't missed the sudden appearance of the binder, either, but since she's on her best behavior she doesn't comment it on it (much as she might want to).]

I think so, ma'am. I also think I may try to double-major in Paramagic. If I take Intro to Magic this quarter, I can take the three intermediates next quarter, and the advanced the quarter after that. I haven't settled on that for certain, but I feel like it would be better to be well-rounded instead of focusing entirely on weapons.

It's the other free electives that are giving me some trouble. I'm not sure which would be good ones to take. That's the other half of what I wanted to ask.

[ Suppressing a sigh, Claire lowers into a seat, her eyes down as she opens her binder, flips through to her own brief version of the catalog, then pulls out a new sheet of paper to lay on top of it. In an unusual, angular script, she lists down 1-2-3-4, and then beside them: W1; W2B, M1; W3B, M2A, M2I... and pauses. ]

It can be confusing to be in several classes focused close to the same topic at the same time - during the intro course if you decide there's one division of paramagic you don't like as much, you could take that intermediate course alongside the advanced one.

[ Of course, if she ends up wanting to take two advanced classes, then she'd be stuck with both plus the easier one... not like there isn't plenty of time for her to decide, though. ]

However, what else you take is dependent on what you're interested in-- and what type of missions you intend to focus on most once you've become a full SeeD. What were you already thinking of?

That's true, ma'am. I'll try to keep an objective view of my feelings on paramagic. ['Try', because, well, using paramagic is one step towards being a SeeD, one very massive step in fact, and suppressing her natural enthusiasm might prove difficult.]

I've taken Political Science, Aerobic Fitness, Tactical Strategy, Sociology, Psychology, and Computer Science this latest quarter. I know I'm really a fighter sort... I mean, I'm going to be out there hitting opponents with spells and magic. So I'm trying to take the courses that will give me a good grounding in leadership and understanding people. So I think International Law and International Relations would be a good start.

But that's where I get stumped. I could take another weapon class just to round myself out, but gunblades are hard enough to learn without splitting my focus. I'm not sure what would be the best path to be a good SeeD and leader.

{Composition and Literature. Drama. Home Ec. She could see the value in learning things like that, but not the value of knowing them on a mission. Taking things purely because she might want to doesn't come into it...]

[ Claire taps the end of her pen on the paper, then spins it between her fingers as she considers, scanning the words down in front of her. It was hard enough picking and choosing what to take when she'd been forced through the classes to gain SeeD status herself. Advising someone whose dream is to be a SeeD, and yet isn't as focused on just shoving in as many fighting classes as possible is... a touch different. The impatience she's working to press down is still fairly apparent. ]

You may be on the right track; I believe 'cultural studies' is in the same vein as well.

[ Although... honestly, most probably wouldn't be as concerned about that kind of thing, Claire thinks. She blinks, then looks up. ]

... What did you think of those classes- tactical strategy, psychology, sociology...?

[And yet to Maria's mind, Claire is the consummate professional. There are other people she might want to ask for advice as well, but she really doubts the Commander has any time or desire to stoop to playing student adviser.]

I really liked them, actually. Especially tactical strategy, but both of the other classes were really interesting and illuminating!

[Her exuberance is starting to crack her assumed professionalism...]

[ Why is she not surprised at that...? ]

Have you looked over the requirements for majoring in Intelligence?

Oh, I... briefly, once, I think? I never considered myself as a good candidate... I think of myself as more of a fighter. Do you think that would be something worth looking at?

If you're working towards specializing in weapons, all you need is two more classes to meet the requirements for Intelligence anyway. If you're interested in the classes, it would almost be a disservice not to take advantage of that... even if you eventually decide not to make it 'official.'

... Besides, not everything is going to come and hit you all at once, Cadet- especially with something like this. There's still time to decide.

That's true. It might be something good to work for.

So, let's see... for compulsories, I need... maybe World Bestiary... Intro to Magic, Criminal Justice, Self-Defense... First Aid, maybe? I'm starting to feel like I should really learn it.

[She left the sixth slot open, because the Limit Break Theory question hadn't been answered one way or the other. Not that she intended to bring it up openly again.]

[She leafed through the course catalog, looking for the Intelligence requirements.] Wow, I am almost halfway there. So, Intermediate Bladed Weapons... Information Technology, International Law -- oh, I wanted to take that anyway!

I think I should take Advanced Programming, because I know a lot of the offworlders aren't familiar with this world's technology, so it would be good to have someone who is. And then I'll pick two that I just want to do, unless you have any more recommendations?

[She's all smiles, now. It's great to have a plan!]

[ Well. And then Claire realizes that one of the classes in question is-- she flips pages and skims down the lists, gloved fingers making a trail down the lines of courses and their respective instructors.

... Does she dare to even attempt micro-managing the schedule of a student she actually finds fairly tolerable, or leave it be? She remains silent as she thinks on it... ]

[Well, on the one hand, Maria had come specifically for advice! On the other, she remains completely unaware of Claire's ultimate, if the term can be forgiven, focus, and how it affects most of her dealings with other people.]

[Of course, she's pondering thoughtfully how to fill those 'just wanted to do' classes. It can't be something lighthearted and simple for her, after all...]

[ Eventually... she opts for 'no' on trying to lead Maria around through the mess of people she 'approves' of, even though her misgivings are many. She folds her hands together, her back straight, pressing down the protests of her emotions that threaten to shake her currently already-shaky walls. There's a very vague idea of what else she could do here, but honestly, right now she's... pretty damn fatigued. Dealing with The Mess isn't appealing right now at all.

On an actually unrelated note, however-- ]

... I do have another question for you.

Yes, ma'am?

[She manages to perfectly nail the inflection midway between a question and a statement, the sort of tone that indicates Claire has every right to ask a question and receive an answer. ...honestly, she's pretty proud she's getting this sort of thing down.]

[ Can it be called a good thing that Claire doesn't even notice? At least, hopefully it's good that she swallows it without noticing anything awry. Her demeanor is as serious as ever. ]

Have you been affected at all by this... phenomenon, recently?

I, uh...

I ended up turning into a dragon for a while. I got stuck in the training area... For a little while I could change back and forth. I couldn't Junction properly while that was happening, either. Uh, that's why my grade in PMGF wasn't as high as my other ones. I couldn't pass the practical. I did fine on the written part though.

[ Claire half-nods, inclining her head at that. She'd heard that natives were being affected as well, although the details have all seemed divided or inconsistent... ]

But not any more?

No, ma'am. I have not been able to do that since my ability to Junction returned.

[ There's another slight pause - slight - as Claire cants her head to one side, her gaze unusually sharp from behind hair and under the partial shadow of her hood. To hear of people returning to normal is... ]

I see. Well. [ She straightens, her shoulder pulling back. ] If you're not having a problem with that any longer, there shouldn't be an issue with any of the classes you were looking into taking.

[Well, she didn't mean anything bad, honest! Maria remains completely oblivious to anything l'cie- or brand-related. And now she's smiling quite sunnily as she looks down at her weapons case.]

Thank you, ma'am. I'm really looking forward to this.

Faculty Advisor [Action, closed]

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