Author: Taimi, Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 7:39 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

The look of Jarmyr threw me off at first but she tilted her head and gave her a classic Taimi smile. It was a smile that Bakura had grown to know over time. Taimi nodded, “Of course,” she turned around to find Bakura and moved out of the way for him.

A finger came under her chin. “Suppose it was a matter of time. Eldora said her contractions were getting worse… Still false but none the less closer.” Taimi mused a bit and smiled at Jarmyr once more. Surely he would figure out who she was by that. She could never underestimate this family.

She held onto the edges of the shirt so it didn’t come up too much as she bowed back. “Yes, I’m his partner so to speak for Advanced Alchemy. Please call me Taimi in such an informal meeting.” She was raised to be polite and thus she was to this man who said he was Bakura’s father. “Please enjoy your morning as well.” She didn’t want to invite him in for breakfast considering how shaken Bakura was at seeing him. Bakura could have tried to hide his surprise but Taimi was getting rather good at seeing his emotions.

She chuckled a bit at Bakura and shook her head. “It’s not a problem. You have yet to meet my family and that will make up for everything yours could throw at me… Trust me. You know I’m always careful.” She cupped his face and kissed him gently before they sat back down. “It sounds more like he showed up because of what else Dante had said… Judging from the tone of his voice and his wandering eyes.” She sat back down for breakfast and chuckled. “It will be interesting I suppose… With whatever we have.” They didn’t know what they had or what they didn’t have. They were still figuring it out.

Author: Taimi, Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 7:38 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

The look of Jarmyr threw me off at first but she tilted her head and gave her a classic Taimi smile. It was a smile that Bakura had grown to know over time. Taimi nodded, “Of course,” she turned around to find Bakura and moved out of the way for him.

A finger came under her chin. “Suppose it was a matter of time. Eldora said her contractions were getting worse… Still false but none the less close.” Taimi mused a bit and smiled at Jarmyr once more. Surely he would figure out who she was by that. She could never underestimate this family.

She held onto the edges of the shirt so it didn’t come up too much as she bowed back. “Yes, I’m his partner so to speak for Advanced Alchemy. Please call me Taimi in such an informal meeting.” She was raised to be polite and thus she was to this man who said he was Bakura’s father. “Please enjoy your morning as well.” She didn’t want to invite him in for breakfast considering how shaken Bakura was at seeing him. Bakura could have tried to hide his surprise but Taimi was getting rather good at seeing his emotions.

She chuckled a bit at Bakura and shook her head. “It’s not a problem. You have yet to meet my family and that will make up for everything yours could throw at me… Trust me. You know I’m always careful.” She cupped his face and kissed him gently before they sat back down. “It sounds more like he showed up because of what else Dante had said… Judging from the tone of his voice and his wandering eyes.” She sat back down for breakfast and chuckled. “It will be interesting I suppose… With whatever we have.” They didn’t know what they had or what they didn’t have. They were still figuring it out.

Author: Bakura, Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 4:17 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

“Markus is a horse’s ass, and I stand by that name still”

His behavior was unacceptable and if he treated Taimi like that again, then he would do something about it this time. For too long had he been quiet about his fellow staff member’s antics, and so did the rest of the school. He would have words with him and they wouldn’t be very kind either. A smile fell upon his lips, a silly one at that as she shared his feelings about the matter. “I know. I don’t remember the last time I was like this. Probably never.” Bakura had his free hand scratch his head, trying to think of something that was close to this. Nothing came to mind though.

But right now it didn’t bother him at all and before the demon knew it, their lips met again before she pulled away. The effects of the potion was starting to work and at least now he would have an appetite. “Alright, alright.” He got up and started to put his pants back on before throwing her one of his clean shirts and watched her slip into it. For some reason, Taimi looked even better in his clothing especially after what they’d been up to.

They headed downstairs and he remembered that an easy walk this was taking far too long last night. It was silly that a little bit of alcohol could do that to a person, let alone him. “Any way is fine. I’m not too particularly fond of one method of them.” The air smelled of cooked ham and eggs and it smelled delicious. His stomach reminded him of hunger and by the time they sat down, he was chowing down on it, contrasting how he had been at dinner.

The knock stirred him but Taimi was quicker on the draw and the man that was there looked like an older version of him, but with longer hair and crimson eyes. At first he was a tad speechless at her presence but then brushed it off.

“Yes, you can tell Bakura that Jarmyr is here to see him.”

Bakura got up to peek at who it was before his eyes widened. “Father? What are you doing here?”

The older demon let himself and smiled brightly at his son, “Nothing really. Just thought you’d like to know that your cousin had his twins last night. But…” His eyes fell onto Taimi and smirked, “I can see that you might have been too busy. No matter, Dante had been spreading the news among family and it caught my ear, as well as other things…” Bakura dreaded what else that loudmouth had told him, but Jarmyr was quick to take his leave.

“Miss Rose, I presume? I’ve heard that you are a fellow professor to my son. I hope that he doesn’t give you too much trouble. It was a pleasure.” He bowed to her before waving his son goodbye as he headed out the door. “Enjoy your morning, you two.”

As soon as the door shut, Bakura groaned. “Well, you met my father, a bit sudden for my taste but it was going to happen sooner or later. Just be careful around him. He’s always up to something when he’s not serenading others…” He sat back down to his meal, contemplating as he ate. “Guess a lot did happen last night. But still…him showing up is a rarity I didn’t see often…”

Author: Taimi, Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:47 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

“You’re fine. Don’t even worry about it. My head was pounding anyways.” She fetched the bottle and waved it at him before he took it. “Yep, I stashed it just in case. I did bring two bottles of wine so I took precautions. If that’s one thing my mother could be proud of me for it’s that.” She joked with him before the serious talk sank in and she tilted her head at him.

“I know you did Bakura… You respect me. I could tell from the way that you reacted last night about Markus.” She offered a smile at him and was hesitant before she snuggled into him. “Same…” She thought for a minute and blushed. “I mean… except with you and not with me…” She stumbled her words before she got frustrated and laughed. Though it resulted in her holding her head for a minute from hurting herself. “I’ve not been this happy with another person in a long time Bakura.”

After a few moments, she moved in and lightly kissed him. Her lips barely brushed his and she chuckled. “Let’s make breakfast.” She slid off the side of the bed and looked back at him and to the dress. “You wouldn’t happen to have a long shirt I could wear, do you? I don’t feel like putting that fancy dress on only to cook breakfast.” Her face flushed a bit but it was the best course of action for her.

Once he got one for her she put it on and chuckled a bit at how loose it was on her. She didn’t consider him a big man at all but it was obvious how lithe she was from it. “Thank you,” she kissed his cheek and tied her hair up. “Now, this sounds like a terrible idea but I’m going to take over your kitchen now. It’s my turn to cook.”

Taimi while hesitant was quick to make herself at home in front of the stove. She dove into his food supply and began to cook. “How do you like your eggs?” She looked up at him innocently before listening to his order and adding large slices of ham into it. “As Bakura wishes it shall be done.” She chuckled before handing him a plate of food. She had cooked using spices she had found in his kitchen as well which was something Sularia was known for even with simple dishes.

Once they were sitting down for food there was a knock at the door and Taimi got up. “I can get it. I’m restless anyways.” She had nearly forgotten the fact of what she was wearing as she opened up the door. “Hello? May I help you?”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:27 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

It was a bittersweet feeling for Bakura; on one hand, this had been an unexpected turn of events for them and perhaps this would somehow hurt their friendship. He wasn’t used to situations like these and surely hadn’t intended for them to spend the night together. Gods knew he could be awkward when it came to being social, let alone being intimate with another person. Taimi had been the first person that he became attached to in a very long time. She valued their friendship as much as he did and now this happened….what if this ruined it? Bakura was a bit scared despite him not freely admitting it to her.

On the other hand, he didn’t regret what happened, aside from the overdrinking that now led to the hangover. She didn’t seem bothered by it as much and he looked down to her gazing up at him. She looked just as beautiful as she had the evening prior. “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you… “ He laid still and watched as she maneuvered on top of him as she fetched a bottle from her dress and drank from it.

“Guessing its a remedy for overdrinking?”

He gave the contents a glance over before downing the stuff. The taste wasn’t half bad and he would have to wait for the effects to kick in. In the meanwhile, he was distracted by the mentioning of what happened between them. By the time she kissed his cheek, he was sure that she seemed just as nervous about what would come from this but still wanted to discuss.

“Just so that you know, I hadn’t planned for last night to happen at all. I value our friendship and don’t want to be it into jeopardy in the least. But I can’t say with good conscious that I didn’t like what happened. I don’t think it would have happened with anyone…but you, Taimi.” His arm that rested up against Taimi had yet to move and though his words were said with some sheepish, they were still true to how he felt about it.

Author: Taimi, Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 1:42 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Taimi gave him a smile and shook her head before they kissed again. “You gave me friendship… I haven’t had that in a long time.” Her voice was soft as she tried to figure out the next move. However, it seemed like he had that all figured out as he led their ambitions into the night.

She was so comfortable as she snuggled herself into Bakura. He was so warm and while she was reacting in the same way as he was she couldn’t help the comfortable feeling of it all. The niceness of it was a bit too much for her but when he stirred she tilted her head up at him and her gold eyes watched him. “What’s wrong?”

A yawn left her lips as she snuggled into him and wrapped her arm but a bit more around him. “My head hurts so don’t be too loud.” She gave a smile before she flopped over him looking for her dress. “Mmm..” She flailed just a moment on him as she attempted to balance. Pulling out a small potion she took half of it and turned to him. “For your head.”

She flopped on the bed next to him and for a few tiny moments, her face flushed a bit. “So… About last night…” She sounded nervous and the sentence ended because she had no idea where to lead it. Instead, she pressed her lips against the side of his face and smiled a bit.

Author: Bakura, Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:39 AM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

The look on his face as Taimi talked about the scandalous things that happened at a place of discovery, research and teaching…Bakura have never even consider the thought that many of his colleagues and the higher ups would have thrown caution to the wind as much as she implied it. But in his state, he found it hilarious as his drunk mind tried see the many clues that he had observed but tended to ignore. “Damn, I’m really blind to this sort of stuff…” He laughed a little too hard but didn’t care how much of a fool he seemed like. He hardly paid any mind before now about the others.

To say that he didn’t like Markus was an understatement. Even if his relationship with all the other staff members were pretty non-existent before, at least he didn’t despise them as he did that fluke of a professor. Hell, he was still stump on how he was allowed to be a professor. Sure, he had talent, but the way he operated around the female professors was despicable. Taimi hadn’t been the first woman that he couldn’t keep his eyes off and made rather lewd comments while Bakura tried his best to ignore him in the past. “Taimi…even if we weren’t drunk, I can tell when you are lying…” He held a goofy smile as he slid into his chair, “If I had to, then yes I would. You don’t deserve that treatment. None of the women he got caught up in did." Though now that he thought about it, the last couple of professors he knew that had similar troubles with him hadn’t been seen in such a long time. But it was believed that they simply left for another academy or something.

“Gee, thanks. I already feel awkward as it is. But nevermind that, I’m quite the ladies man”, he jested. “Professor Bakura the Hermit to you, as the students would call me!!” He was helped up with her as he lead her to the bedroom. For having lived here for a great while and knowing this house from the bottom up, the trek to his bedroom seemed like miles away. Bakura gave Taimi a half annoyed look before bursting out laughing. “Hey, how did you know that secret? And that’s only on work days!”

He hadn’t expected for her to fall over him, but he was able to catch her right after she fell onto him. At least the woman had a softish landing. And she was pretty warm as she laid on top of him. And she smelled lovely, like a field of flowers. As much as he wanted to move her off him and leave her to sleep, he couldn’t do so once she got comfy. The kiss landed but he was taken by surprised when her lips met with his own and he blushed a bit. “I didn’t do much, really.” He didn’t think he had a lot for her, just made her drink and provided her with as best of a time as he could, even with Dante and Markus looming over them.

He smiled a bit before taking up some drunk courage and kissed her back. Soon the two’s lips were locked together and unspoken passion bloomed throughout the night as the next few hours were filled with a bliss unfamiliar to him.

Daybreak slowly rose and the sun’s rays stirred him awake. There was warm that lingered against his body and Bakura was curious enough to peek with one eye open to see a bundle of red hair on his chest, followed by the form of a woman and her assets draped against him. His hand was placed against her rump, cupping it with care. His face was flushed with red as he became aware of who it was, it was his partnering professor. He started to stutter out her name before feeling the effects of his now present hangover.

“Ahhhh, what the hell…”

Author: Taimi, Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:11 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

For a moment Taimi started to choke on her wine while laughing at Bakura. They were both a bit more loosened up now thanks to the wine. “Maybe so. She has her needs I’m sure. She isn’t as devout to the alchemy society as she used to be.” She chuckled a bit more as she thought about it. She drained more from her glass. “Maybe he’s just good at sex and just a terrible lover? Maybe that’s why she doesn’t say anything. I mean it’s not like the other professors are secretive about their affairs with each other. If they are still going at it… It’s the most well-kept secret in the history of the academy!”

Taimi was a bit shy about the fact she couldn’t defend herself against the elder alchemist. She was talented in magic but he was more so. He could outmatch her and she knew that from the tournament a few years ago. “Yeah, has been for a few decades. I was going to take care of it but I’m not strong enough… He doesn’t appear to be hurting anything.” But it was the sound of her voice that showed him she was lying. She just wanted to be strong after all. She perked up at him and laughed. “Will you protect me twenty-four seven for me?”

Soon they were both on the floor and she was rolling around laughing. “Nevermind is all you have to say?” She chuckled more as she came back up with him. “Fine, fine. Most chivalrous professor award goes to Professor Bakura.” She laughed a bit more as they helped each other. “I see that. That’s a bed,” she joked with him. “I thought you slept in a chair at an alchemy table.”

Nice and safe sounded nice but as she stepped forward she tripped over her dress and landed on him. She played her head nestled into him. “You are warm.” It was clear she wasn’t about to go away where. His heart was making it easy to close her eyes before she shook her head softly. Lifting her head up she missed his cheek and kissed his lips. In too much of a drunken mindset, she didn’t really care as she chuckled lightly. “Thank you for taking care of me Bakura.”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 12:48 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Bakura didn’t care too much about Dante’s logic nor did he pay any heed for him telling Taimi not to tell Eldora. “She probably did see him, but fortunately for him, he’s not pestering her at the moment. Though I think that will change sooner than later tonight.” he hadn’t wished to come off as forcefully as he had, but they were having such a nice night. He couldn’t remember how long it had been since he’s had one of those that didn’t have to do with work. A smile smile was thrown her way when she said that she would stay. He took to more of the wine while listening to the enigma that was Professor Nome. Sadly, it really didn’t surprise him to learn that he blew up yet another part of the academy- the old kook had some sort of unintentional addiction to that sort of trouble.

A bubbly feeling started to arise in him as he took some more sips and chuckled. “Maybe…that would explain everything. Nome’s been on this realm since its beginning far as we know. Hell, he’ll probably outlive us all.” The bubbly feeling grew as his head felt lighter than it was, still he was too comfortable to stop in his drinking as he matched Taimi and took to the fresh glass she prepared for him. “Do you think they are still going at it? They could be, I mean how many times should he had gotten fired yet? Maybe he’s still got it.” Bakura laughed even harder as he let thoughts that normally wouldn’t come across his mind flow freely from the mouth.

Gods knew how just how much time had passed as they had their fun, and by now he looked at her with a stupor look on his face before looking towards the window to see that it was late into the night. “Wait, Markus is stalking you? That horse’s ass?” He slouched on one side of the sofa he’d been seeing in and thought about it. Well as much as he could while drunk. “Then I shall walk you home”, he declared loudly while holding his near empty glass in the air. “And if he shows up…I’ll deck him for ya!” He watched Taimi get up only to fall on the floor and then downed the last bit of wine. It was clear that she had too much to drink tonight but he couldn’t tell that he did as well.

“Nonsense! I’m perfectly fine, watch!” He kicked himself off the sofa only to immediately fall face first onto the floor. “Nevermind”, he muttered when the conclusion didn’t favor his hypothesis and slowly crawled his away back up. “Come on, Taimi. You can’t go nowheres and I can’t takes you home, so you are going to stay in my room and I, on the sofa!” He offered her a hand to help her up and after some drunk navigation around his house, they reached his bedroom. Carefully he led her towards the bed, “See, this is where I sleep”, he chuckled stupidly before he fell back onto the bed and plopped onto his elbows. Oh he was going to pay for this in the morning- a killer headache was the last thing he needed. But he would worry about that when they crossed that bridge. He patted to the left side of him, “Come over here and I can tuck you in, nice and safe.”

Author: Taimi, Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 12:12 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Taimi was about to answer when she got shy and tried to leave. He didn’t or wouldn’t know who she was or how she knew Lotus. However, they were cousins which meant that Eldora was cousins with her too. But still… Bakura stopped her and she was almost taken back by it. The surprise showed on her face that he didn’t want her to go. From his jump to his hasty movement her gold eyes followed him. “I won’t?” The door slamming made her jump and laugh nervously. After Dante got kicked out she looked at Bakura. “I probably honestly don’t even have to tell Eldora… if he knew her well enough… He would know she sees everything. Well almost… Maybe he’s lucky.”

When he begged her not to leave she was taken back again and gave a gentle smile. “I’ll stay… It’s alright.” She reassured him once he apologized. Sitting back down she drank another glass of wine and poured them another glass. “Yes, he blew up the advanced alchemy classroom. I was one of the professors that helped evacuate it.” After a few moments, she laughed hard. “Probably because he’s older than the school is and I think him and the headmistress had a fling several thousand years ago before she was headmistress. He’s completely gone senile though in comparison to her. But the affair they had was merely rumors and no one knows if its true.”

After a few hours of drinking and laughing at every possible thing they could think of Taimi looked out the window. “I need to go Bakura. It is really late and that asshole has been following me home lately.” She went to stand up and the alcohol hit her all at once. “Oh dear…” It was the last thing she managed to get out of her mouth as her legs went like jelly under her and she fell on the floor laughing. “I think we might have drunk too much.”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Wed Nov 8, 2017 9:14 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Everything was going splendid. They were having so much fun and enjoying each other’s company and then he had to come and stir up trouble. Dante was harmless but his annoyance really made up for it. Bakura knew this to be true, even surprisingly that he was hundred years or so younger than his cousin. The thought often plagued him when he compared their maturity. Taimi didn’t seem bothered by this too much, aside from some uncomfortable feelings he picked up, she seemed to play along bit until she realized who he was.

Dante smirked and leaned towards her. “Yes, I am with Lotus. I take it you are familiar with her?” Then it came to her and he smiled widely up to the point where she mentioned that little midget of a sister in law. His face went pale and the smile immediately died as soon as he heard that name. “What…”

Bakura nearly jumped out of his seat when she did and went to excuse herself. “No, no…” He hastily left them for a brief moment and returned with a small container of salve he had been giving Dante for his lover’s aliment. “Take it and go”, he said, nearly pushing Dante out with the stuff while the latter was still trying to piece together what just happened. “Fine, fine, you two lovebirds have fun though.” Dante turned his head to Taimi, “A pleasure meeting you as well, and if you don’t mind, please don’t tell Eldora about tonight.” He said that last part as Bakura pushed him out the door and slammed it shut.

“Please, you don’t have to leave”, he urged her but then pull back when he realized he was sounding desperate. He wasn’t sure why, but he didn’t want to end the night like this. He moved over back to the table and took a deep breath. “Sorry, not sure what came over me.” Downing the wine in his glass, he thought for a moment before he recalled what she mentioned before they were so rudely interrupted. “Professor Nome’s the reason why we were paired up, correct?” Bakura poured himself another glass and sipped on it subtly. Gods knew that he was thankful for the wine bottles she brought. “I know that whatever he touches, it has a way of exploding on him one way or another. Not sure how he still has a job there…”

Author: Taimi, Posted: Wed Nov 8, 2017 6:57 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

The blush remained on her face as he told her it wouldn’t have changed his mind. It was clear that while she was being stalked by someone who found her beautiful she hadn’t really honestly believed it. She was a person who valued intelligence over beauty so she herself never realized it. “If I thought I could change your mind… I would be considered stupid.”

“You’re welcome.” She chuckled a bit with him as they laughed at her joke. “Oh… If you come over to my house I will cook for you not the other way around. I promise you.” She nodded as she started to eat more. “I was showing a presentation on Professor Nome’s latest invention. I WAS because he tends to blow the things up that he works on.” She blushed a bit more. “If I came here unfit my mother would have known and chewed my face off the next time I saw her.” She chuckled now as she relaxed.

When she heard the door open she tilted her head and frowned a bit when she heard the new man came in. It was sort of putting a damper on the mood. Taimi pushed up her glasses and gave a nervous smile to Dante. It was obvious she didn’t like the lingering eyes but she kept quiet about it. “Dante… Lotus?” She thought for a minute before she brought up her hand and hit it like an AH HA! Moment. “Oh, you are the one that Eldora said to stay far away from.”

After that little ah-ha moment she got really quiet and pushed herself up in a hurry and almost knocked over the wine bottle as she caught it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you… Um… Bakura maybe I should leave if you have business?”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Wed Nov 8, 2017 3:50 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Bakura smirked at her as he finished prepping their plates, “Maybe…” He followed in laughing with her as he had merely pictured that she was working even while at home. “No, just that I tend to keep my work in the study. Everything else doesn’t need anything work in cleaning other than the occasional dusting, I suppose. One of those times was very recent, being a few hours before he started dinner. One would wonder why he just didn’t get a small house since he really only spent time in one or two rooms.

“Hm, I wouldn’t think of a tiger as being sweet, but I can see that he would be for you.” The thought of her and a large carnivore was certainly a sight for the ages, in his mind. He sat down and started to gather the potatoes and letting the aromas slipped into his nose. It was heavenly. “The poor thing would have been lost without you.”

Coming back out, he genuinely shrugged at her and shook his head. He was being honest- she was gorgeous when with that powder on her. Such little details wouldn’t change his mind. “You still do though. Afraid you won’t be able to change my mind there.” Bakura wasn’t trying to flatter her or had an ulterior motive and she would know that. After all, he had only ever been honest with her for as long as they knew the other.

“Thank you.”

He looked appleased that she was satisfied with how the meal turned out. But the demon looked to her with a pondering look when she mentioned that he still owed her. “Hey, I recall that being an offering!” He chuckled again as he took to a piece of the potato and moaned softly as his taste buds were rewarded for his hard work. “We’ll have to hash at those details out later, because I think you are just using me as your private cook.” He chuckled before taking more into his meal. Had Bakura realized that she would have been busy today, he would have suggested another night then, but it all turn out alright for her. “The Courts meeting, I presume? Heard about those things before, but then again, who hasn’t here?” He brought up a piece of the chicken and savored it in his mouth. It was worth the wait. “What on earth were you showing them that caused you to be covered in that? Had he not plopped more food into his mouth, he would have been laughing at the thought. But he was able to suppress it and finish swallowing before taking a couple of sips from the wine. “I am grateful that you put much thought into dressing up, but you didn’t need to. Honest, you could have came here in any thing and I would have still appreciate the company.” He would have continued on but then he heard the door open and as soon as he saw him, he couldn’t help but to groan.

A tall elf like being was there with that white hair and blue eyes that made him think of his uncle, only without the proper mannerisms. “Hey there, cousin!”, Dante said, smiling while looking at Bakura but then his attention immediately fell onto Taimi. “Oh, hello there.”

“What do you want, Dante”, he sighed, putting down his utensils. This was horrible timing to have to deal with his antics, especially when the dinner was going so good. “Nothing much, just needed to get some more of that stuff you gave me to soothe Lotus’s back pains.” Still his eyes lingered onto the redhead and smiled, “Didn’t know you were entertaining. I’m so proud of you, Bakura.” He moved over patted him on the back repeatedly, “Always knew you had it in you…just needed the right woman to, well you know…”

By now, Bakura’s eyes were like daggers towards his kin. “Forgive me, Taimi. This…unusual character is my cousin, Dante. Dante, this is Taimi, my partner at the academy.”

“Ah, well now. I’m charmed to meet you, Miss Taimi”, Dante said with a purr in his voice.

Author: Taimi, Posted: Tue Nov 7, 2017 9:36 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Taimi listened to his onslaught of dishes and honestly felt herself getting hungry. “It sounds absolutely wonderful… I can actually smell honey in the air too. I am excited to try your cooking.” She took her plate as he handed it to her when they sat down. “Are you saying my home isn’t clean?” She sounded serious for a moment before she started to laugh. “It’s more like a jungle. I’ll have to have you over so you can see it for yourself.”

After a few seconds of laughter, she stopped and shook her head. “I remember to feed myself because of Kashii.” She paused for a moment and smirked. “Kashii is my white tiger. I found him when he was a cub while I was on an expedition into Laeto for ingredients. He was hurt most likely by tribal members and his mother was dead… So I took him home with me. He is just the sweetest thing and he reminds me to eat by dragging in bowls and plates into my study. I think I have a stack of them now in front of my desk.” She chuckled more.

She took her wine glass and paused after she heard his words. Her cheeks flushed a bit and she sounded a bit nervous. “Can’t really be all that stunning think I still have powder on my arms some where.” She looked pleasantly surprised at dinner as he brought it in. “Oh, that does look as good as it smells!”

There was a smirk on her face for a small moment. “Yeah but you also got to eat my lunch the other day because you looked starved so… You still owe me.” She joked with him as she laughed. “No, this looks wonderful all of it.” She held her wine glass up towards him and nodded before taking a sip and starting to eat.

“So I wouldn’t have been entirely dressed up for not the fact that the last time I wore my other dress I decided to make a last minute change to one of my alchemy projects.” She sat in between bites while trying to be polite and not talk with her mouth full. “I had been asked to present projects in front of my mother and aunts… so when I showed up I was covered in enchanting dust and alchemy powder. It ended up staining it pretty badly. This is the dress I wore to my sister’s wedding and I didn’t want to show up… in my school robes?”

Obviously, she was trying not to sit in silence as she kept looking up at him and becoming shy every once in a while. It was hard to talk about small things. “This is a really wonderful dinner Bakura. I’m enjoying it a lot. The wine is actually complimenting it a lot for something we didn’t plan.”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Tue Nov 7, 2017 8:13 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Bakura felt somewhat exhausted from not only the cooking itself, but the preparation in of itself. All the marinades and appetizers were homemade from scratch. Like alchemy, he took great lengths to make sure that they were done perfectly and precise. He wanted to make things for Taimi as comfortable as possible. It was merely a dinner between…friends. That last word made him chuckle as he considered that he really didn’t have other than her. Pressure was the last thing he wanted her to feel around here, especially after a certain professor that had yet to learn the meaning of no.

Once he had all the hard stuff figured out and executed, he had went to change into his more formal wears. A long sleeve green buttoned shirt and trousers tucked into black boots. His hair was just as neat as it had been for the last few days and it trailed behind him as he was quick to answer the door. When he had, he was honestly shocked to see her like she was now. But it was a good surprise, he felt as he smiled and welcomed her inside. “Promise it won’t be too long. The potatoes should be done shortly as well as the chickens. The salad is ready though if you’d like to begin with that. Just let me get the dressing for it.” He moved back into the kitchen for a moment and returned with a bottle of homemade red dressing. “This was probably the easiest of things I’d made tonight. Just needed olive oil, vinegar, some vegetables, salt and a pinch of brown sugar.” He was rather proud of himself and how the dinner was turning out.

He gathered their plates and added the salad to both before handing Taimi hers. After that, he popped the cork out of the bottle and added some of the dressing to it before taking to one of the bottles of wine. “Fortunately most of my home is clean. It’s the study I really have to worry about. In comparison, I barely spend any time in the other rooms of the house, with the exception of the kitchen, of course. I reach the point where I have to tear myself away to get a bite to eat.”

After pouring their glasses, he went to go fetch the rest of the dinner but halted for a moment and looked back at her. “No need to apologize at all. I’m surprised that you went all out just for a friendly dinner. If it means anything, you look…stunning.” He took another look once more before he went back to his task. In a matter of moments, the roasted chicken and potatoes were brought out on skewers and settled onto serving plates while he started to carve them. “I tend to experiment with my cooking in the way I do with the rest of my work. I can tell you that it took a many good attempts before I learned what works and what doesn’t.” He fluidly added them onto their plates with care before he took his seat across from hers. He slipped out a smile, still not used to seeing her look this…beautiful. Not that she wasn’t already; on the contrary, she typically was but this night was different. But then again, they had seen each other only at work or in the library. Perhaps this was as foreign for her as it was for him. That brought some comfort to him.

“Had to make sure that you got your money’s worth, you did won the bet after all.”

Bakura rose his wine glass towards her, “I hope you enjoy it, Taimi.”

Author: Taimi, Posted: Tue Nov 7, 2017 6:29 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

There was a light laugh from her lips as she looked at Bakura. “I could always use my resources to find you. It wouldn’t be that hard.” She chuckled and gave a wink that she was just joking. She watched him enjoy her meal and smiled a bit more. “Trust me I’ll let you know. He keeps asking me out on dates and I keep turning him down. I just don’t have the time for an actual date with a creep just to satisfy him.” Not that she would have even if she did have the time which was clear from her voice. “I look forward to you cooking.”

A laugh left her lips and she shook her head. “It’s alright… Bakura… It is a little odd for me as well. I think I’ve spent the last ten years pinning titles to everyone.” She pushed another strand of hair back and nodded. “I look forward to it as well.”

–

Taimi was unusually nervous about it. Perhaps it was just because he was a high ranking professor like she was. She loved to read his work and it was the same the other way around. She put on the only dress in her attire. It was a long dark blue halter dress with gold detail. A detailed gold necklace with a ruby rose was around her neck like most Rosenites. Her red hair was in wild curls but contained unlike most of the time when she was working. Her fingers pinched and played with the skirt of her dress as he opened the door. “Good eve, Bakura.”

She rose her nose a bit and smelled the air. “It smells delicious I can’t wait.” She chuckled as she moved in and took a seat at the table. “Your home is just as big as mine is… Except I think I’ve filled mine to the maximum capacity for plants… For research.” She rubbed the back of her neck a bit. “So what are we having or is it a surprise?” She had a little basket with her and she pulled out two bottles of wine placing them on the table. “You’ll have to forgive my dress. I only have maybe one or two and my other one got ruined with alchemy powder…”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Mon Nov 6, 2017 8:54 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Bakura leaned back into his chair and sighed. He didn’t really pay too much attention to where his students came from or whose family they belonged to. A student was a student no matter what to him, and he’d be damned before he played such political games with them. As much as he believed in that concept, much of the world thought differently which was a crying shame. “I see. So the boy himself has no talent then as far as I’m concerned. I do hope that Mia is broken out of that vicious cycle. A bright and talented girl like her doesn’t need to be held down by the greed and corruption of another. Let alone an entire family.” He was a bit unnerved to learn this news but he tried to control himself and not break the veil that he had made for himself over the centuries. Education and knowledge was more important to him than money itself, let alone those that wielded it to gain influence over others. They were, in his mind, weaker than the weak.

He simmered down a bit and started to carve the meat into pieces before taking on into his mouth and chewed. “Maybe I should have you guess where I live then? It sounds like nice feat for you to get the meal before it gets cold. But really, I live up to the north of the Purple district. A modest house, nothing too fancy up near the woods.” Bakura took several more bites of the roast, taking to it like a starving man at sea. Professor Markus was a bright mind, just as much as he was a pervert. Even he had known that for a long time now. Somehow he made his cousin look like a tamed gentleman by comparison. At least Dante didn’t use his position wrongfully or was a douche bag. He was just an idiot at times. A lot of times.

“Let me know if you want to do something a bit more, devious. I know a few things that will shrink his ego, in more ways than one…” Bakura left the statement as she would like to interpret it as while he feasted. “It’s really good, I might have to one up you because of it.”

It was strange for him to nearly slip her name when they were colleagues, so he wasn’t used to going without the formalities. “Alright, Taimi.” He was slightly uncomfortable at first but he suppose that it was a learning trait. “Sorry, force of habit.” He studied her for a bit but was puzzled by her recent behavior. He finished his meal and wiped at his mouth with a cloth provided. “Very well, I look forward to it then.”

—–

Tomorrow came and the day was at its near end as he was hard at work in his kitchen. Having been running around through the day at the markets, he came home with a variety of things soon filled his nigh empty home with delicious aromas of foods. Set at the table was a large garden salad, a pair of wine glasses and utensils; while he was over the fire cooking and marinating a couple of small chickens, bathing them in his own homemade herb sauce. Nearby there were also potatoes roasting on skewers which he was drizzling a bit of honey over when he heard the knock at the door. Carefully, he moved away from his cooking momentarily to greet her at the door and usher her inside. “Good eve, Taimi. Please have seat. Just finishing the last touches of dinner.”

Author: Taimi, Posted: Mon Nov 6, 2017 7:30 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Taimi stopped for a minute. “It gets worse. The only reason why I was so suspicious is that it is his family paying for Mia’s attendance here. She is so brilliant and yet… I think they are forcing her to participate in this. His family is rather well known in Iria so I asked my stepfather about it. He managed to get me some insight. Evidently, Mia’s family has been in service to his for a while now. So she is probably here on their silver… and can only continue if she gets him through the academy.”

She put her chin on her propped up hands as she stared at Bakura. “I plan on asking my mother to fund Mia’s education. So we can punish him and save her… There’s the matter of her family but I’ve left it up to Adraejen on what to do if things get out of control. I was hoping I was wrong for the matter… I even bought the things to make dinner at home for you.” Her words were true as she stared into his more lifelike eyes. He was a completely different person almost.

She chuckled a bit at him and nodded. “Yes, tomorrow night. You still have to tell me where you live.” Taimi gave him a playful look at he played with her and she chuckled. “If it wasn’t safe I wouldn’t have given it to you. I would have given it to Professor Markus for staring at my ass the entire time we lectured. You know damn well it’s why he decides to pop in while we’re teaching. I have half a mind to put poison to make him go to the bathroom endlessly in his coffee.”

Hearing her name start to come out of his mouth she perked up and gave him an innocently smile. It was the first time they were almost sort of on a personal level at this point. “You can call me Taimi when we’re not at the academy.” She pushed her hair back in what appeared to be an innocent matter but it was closer to someone nervous. She didn’t understand her problem recently but she focused on the papers in front of her. “I can bring wine for tomorrow. My mother makes it herself so I have an entire stash for when things get out of control and I just need to relax. I wouldn’t mind sharing it with you tomorrow.”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Mon Nov 6, 2017 7:08 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

“They can be”, he agreed. People could prove to be quite the distraction, though he didn’t so much hate them as much as he didn’t like being disturbed from his work. “Don’t have to worry much about interaction really myself. Most of the time, I’m in the library or in my study back home. Barely even talk to our colleagues in my time so far. Perhaps a little bit of discussion about lesson plans, but besides that I really held conversations with the librarian and the headmistress.” He turned to peek at the arrangement of jars in her cabinet. Dedication indeed. He did caught sight of her blanket and pillow and shrugged, “At least you get some sleep- better than I am.”

Bakura looked around until he reached the snow biome. It was intriguing how she was able to keep up with its upkeep despite their actual setting in the desert. “Must have been annoying, but worth it for the sight of this” His voice was showing some life behind the demon as he looked on like a child introduced to a brand new toy. “He likely is. Perhaps just as old as the academy itself. I do have to share your mother’s views on him, but he is gifted, in a manner of speaking." His suggestions seemed to be approved by Taimi and he didn’t mind helping her out since in the end, they both were equally responsible for their students and that she had helped him out on a personal level.

As time went by, he found himself meeting with her frequently to discuss plans, grading assignments and in general conversate about their own personal studies. Also he was getting more sleep so he was more refreshed in appearance and also better dressed. Wearing a green and white coat and pants, his eyes looked more rejuvenated and slightly brighter and his hair neatly combed. He hadn’t thought of why he was finally keeping up with that, but it felt refreshing. They were doing another round of grading when he lifted his gaze and frowned at Taimi. “No, there’s no way he did…” He didn’t want to believe that Tobias had indeed cheated but Taimi showed him his test as well as that of Mia’s and announced her deception. He groaned as his eyes shifted between the two tests and their identical answers, despite it being obvious that the questions were different. There had been suspicious but they had then turned it into a wage, which he had lost now.

“Fine, fine. I will make you dinner. Tomorrow night then? I have to get my ingredients for it ready”, he offered while he planned a note for Tobias requesting his presence. Someone was going to be pulling some extra tasks around the academy for a while now. He was pleasantly surprised by the offer of food. He lifted his plate to his nose and playfully sniffed at it. “You sure it’s safe”, he said, in a joking manner that was not typically coming from him. “Well, you get to be lucky in being my guinea pig for my dishes then. Is there a particular food that makes you sick? Don’t want to cause you any trouble, Tai…hmm, Professor Taimi.”

Author: Taimi, Posted: Mon Nov 6, 2017 6:30 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

“To be honest, it’s so I don’t have to overly socialize with people while I work. I find people to be distracting.” There was a chuckle from her lips. “This isn’t even half of it. I hate socialization so much so… that present from my mother are these,” she spoke as she got up and went over to a cabinet. When the cabinet opened up there were hundreds of jars with bows and ribbons. All of them were different types of alchemy ingredients. All of them were meticulously labeled and sorted by what looked like color and name. “I have more at home. This is just for when I’m at the academy working. Small price to pay.” She kicked a blanket and pillow under the desk though. Showing she too had a habit of not really going on like she should.

“I would say the worst for me was the snow biome. I had to go into the snow lands and collect all the samples by myself. The blue flowers are among my favorite. I fought a lamia den over them.” She smirked towards Bakura and shook her head. “I’ve only heard stories of Nome. Apparently, he is old enough that my mother remembers being on assignments with him. Not many pleasant things to say about it.”

She nodded as she wrote down the ingredients he went on about. He had a good plan. “This is a good idea…”

–

Their first week was interesting together. They ended up spending a lot of time together for lesson plans and grading assignments. “HA!” Taimi yelled from across her desk. She looked up at him and started to laugh. “I win the bet.” She threw two tests at him and crossed her arms. “Told you he was cheating off Mia. I switched questions three and four for his test and he was too dumb to realize it. You owe me dinner.”

She was dressed down in a light shirt and skirt. Her red hair was messy put up. “I did tell you.” She pushed some food towards him. “Here, I made this for dinner but I think I made too much. We’re going to need to at least eat lunch to get through these papers. Most of them are a mess. It’s a roast that I cooked. Promise that I am a rather good cook.”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Mon Nov 6, 2017 5:07 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

“I suppose that’s why I never considered that thought. The thought of worm salt eluded me for some time now.” He didn’t have much of a problem admitting that he was wrong or if he’d made a mistake- such prideful haughtiness was beneath him. The greatest scholars and alchemists had to learn faults so that they could avoid such things themselves, but if they encountered it, he believed that they should continue where they went wrong and march forward. Quitting wasn’t an option in the least. “Sure, I can drop by there at some point.” He listened well to how Professor Taimi had started her humble beginning into this art. Angela was a respectable woman and a capable person of many fields without the need of her divinity. That much had showed in her accomplishments long before she reigned as an immortal. As a student here, Bakura had heard many times of her feats and yet he wasn’t jealous or envious of her. Of course he respected her and her accomplishments but he also yearned to etch his own path. So far, he had half done recipes and even more ideas to show for it. Yet he was determined to continue on with his work.

Admittingly Taimi sharing his views on the previous matter which impressed him, though he kept a seldom look on his face. “It’s better for them to learn from their mistakes than to achieve a first time success. Will make them overconfident and may undo them if they aren’t careful.” She was perfectly correct in her words and it was something he strived to keep for himself at all times, even when he succeeded.

It seemed like he had to put his current work on hold as she suggested for his help in getting her notes done for the lectures up for future classes. At least she helped him pack up his notes and other parchments while the librarian took care of the books he hadn’t checked out. He did feel slightly off when he thought about going to her office- he hadn’t really got involved with another professor or a peer for that matter. He was a lone wolf for the most part but they would have work together, he would have to constantly remind himself. The climb to her office took no time at all and he was brought into her own realm it seemed. It was like she had created such with how vastly diverse it was with the biomes she had scattered about it. “Mess? This is wonderful”, he muttered, “This had to have taken a long time to cultivate all of these to their current states.” Bakura moved over to her desk and quickly scanned through her notes and such. “To be fair, Nome wasn’t the most responsible and reliable with his ingredients. Never had been from when I was learning from him. And then he wondered why such things happen.”

“Would be good for them to know about glow dust. Heaven knows that they just learn about it and not have to hunt down will-o-wisps for it. Quite a pain to do so.” He pointed out some more things that were left off the list, which was done excellently aside from that. But to be fair, most of what he list off and written down for later were vastly difficult ingredients.

Author: Taimi, Posted: Mon Nov 6, 2017 2:29 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Taimi nodded and smirked up at him. “Worm salt varies from region to region depending on the soil. I do believe I have the right mixture of it in my office if you want a sample of it to test it out.” Once it moved onto her heritage she saw the look in his eye and chuckled. “She rarely let me and my siblings out of her sights. So we were always in the medic tents with her. After a while, I picked up on what she was doing… So she pulled me with her and I began to learn almost everything she knew. Mother prefers doing things herself so she doesn’t use her god abilities unless she has to. An infinite amount of power and she prefers doing it the hard way… a woman after my own heart I dare say.” There was a chuckle from her lips now.

Thinking about how she would teach the students she began to think hard. “I do prefer that they learn in the field but since we don’t have that opportunity I do think that we should set up areas for them to try the alchemy we give them. The best way to learn is to do. Failure is only a stepping stone for the success you will have in the future. Very rarely are people capable of no mistakes at all.”

She paused for a moment. “Maybe it is best if I show you the outlines for the lectures that I have. I always try to be one step ahead and I was hoping to have a sensible partner who could fill in the gaps that I’ve missed.” She helped him pack up his things before they headed to her office.

Her office was on the third floor of the building. There were plants everywhere. There were obvious signs of her snipping pieces off for experiments. She even had planters of cave mushrooms that glowed with a brilliant light in a dark corner of the room. There were bookshelves with runes that protected them from the humidity of the rainforest like atmosphere the room had for the plants. Each of the plants had a different set of runes for a temperature. She had basically created miniature biomes in her office. Even having a small snow planter far from the window. “Sorry for the mess.”

She moved mounds of paperwork from the first years off her desk and pulled out a rather large stack of detailed, extremely detailed, paperwork for the advanced. “This is all I have… This is just the first week of material. Detailed but I do think the more information we have the less likely there will be an explosion. Last year Professor Nome blew up the research division because he left stuff out. That’s why we’re taking over this year for the advanced alchemy.”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Mon Nov 6, 2017 2:07 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Well, there was one thing that they could agree on- which was the welfare and the benefit of the students that came to learn from the minds of professors like them. While he could appear heartless and cold, Bakura was simply one that preferred to busy himself with studies but he didn’t mind giving a helping hand. It was one of the things he had to accept when he was offered the position he was in- it was a great benefit to him as he could make usage of the resources here, and to teach what he had learned was a small price to pay in comparison in his mind.

“Indeed, it easier to teach the youth, but I find given the right motivation, anyone can be a willing participate. Well most of the time.” When she confirmed his suspicions about her heritage, he nodded and watched her more closely. What did bring some shock to him was how Taimi had learned through her mother and it wasn’t in a classroom, but in actual practice. It was a potentially dangerous thing to partake in that, but it was Angela rose after all. She knew what she was doing though he wasn’t as brave as she was on that front.

“I see. If she does come, I will have to pay much attention to what she has to offer. Perhaps she may have a word or two about my own studies.” He allowed the other professor with a gesture of his hand to look through his findings, watching with close intent until she brought something up. “If I may”, he said before taking the certain list that she peeking through and gave it some thought. It was to one of his works towards a brand new potion but the problem laid in that there was an ingredient missing that made the progress go into a grinding halt. “Worm salt, eh?” Bakura gave it some honest thought and started to calculate its properties and potential before slowly nodding and adding it to his list. “Not one to leave things to chance, but I think you may have something there.”

He hardly paid attention when the librarian left them to their own devices; instead he went back to reading his book and had just flipped to the next page when he heard Taimi again and looked up. “…Certainly.” A curious thought acrossed his mind; now small talk wasn’t his thing, but they were discussing the matters of their profession and if they had to work together, sooner or later he’d have to learn more about her. “So what is your take on how to teach the students? Do you take your mother’s approach or do you have one of your own?”

Author: Taimi, Posted: Mon Nov 6, 2017 1:12 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Taimi gave a smile and nodded. She could tell that he was deep into his research. It was the type of passion that most professors needed. That most students needed. It was nice to see someone else with her level of passion for their field. There were days when she looks just as tired as he did.

Nodding she chuckled. “The younger the better. When it comes to learning I find that the youngest students take in the information better and grow around it. Making it a part of themselves where the oldest ones adapt to it.” There was a truth to the words she said and a difference between the two. Younger students tended to get the material faster than older ones. “That makes two of us for it being so long ago.” She chuckled a bit though she couldn’t tell who was older. That was a common case in Sularia though.

Once he brought up her mother she began to chuckle a bit. “Yes, well the portrait of my mother is from her graduation… She was a child after all. I’m one of her eldest daughters as it would be. Most of my schooling was done through her out on the field rather than in a classroom. My mother had this thing about her knowledge being absolute and kills the drive of the student mind. I’m trying to get her to teach at least one class for our advanced alchemy but she has been hesitant on killing student drives.” Taimi gave him a smile and looked down at his work.

“May I?” Once she got permission she shifted through the papers and stopped once she got to a particular set. “The formula will work if you add a bit of worm salt. An absolute pinch of it will activate the formula list you have.” She gave him a smile. “Mother said that when in doubt always try the pinch of worm salt if you are stumped. The worst it can do is backfire.” She chuckled a bit. “It’s never really steered me wrong in all the time I’ve been practicing. It’s something about the minerals in the worm salt.”

The librarian left the two of them alone and she shifted through the papers some more. "I have a bit of a list for materials for the students already… so if you want to take a look and we can combine what we both have the most benefit to the students."

Author: Bakura, Posted: Mon Nov 6, 2017 11:59 AM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

It was rather a difficult task to disturb Bakura from his research and it took a special person to rip him literally away from it. One of those people just happened to be the librarian, the very one that approached him with the redhead lady that he was sure he passed by in the halls once or twice beforehand. Lifting his gaze up from the book he plucked from the shelves, his sights went to the librarian and then to the other professor, giving her a swift study to recollect where he had heard that name of hers before.

“Ah, my apologizes. I was aware that the headmistress had mentioned that I would be lecturing with another professor. Taimi, is it?” Again, that itch within his mind came back as he thought long and hard about where else he had heard that name.

While Bakura would have went back to his studying, it didn’t take much to figure out that they would have to discuss things right now and not right before the classes would occur. Not to mention that his work was all over the table for view- the incomplete recipes, half done sketches of alchemical symbols and the rows of books that were either closed or remained open. In other words, it was a cluster. Although it wasn’t like he had his best foot forward himself- his raven locks were in a mess, his own robes were disheveled a bit from being worn since yesterday (due to him not going home and continuing with his research) and the ring around his eyes showed that slept was more of a luxury that he forsakened.

“Don’t fret about that, young minds like theirs need to be nurtured as soon as possible. Of course it will be no easy task for us, just like it won’t be easy for them to pass. I remember when I was in their shoes so long ago…” That was around two hundred or so years ago, although he felt as though he had been a professor for much longer.

Of course, in comparison to what he was researching, the work for the students would be absolutely child’s play. He didn’t speak it though, he had much more modesty than most of his family in that regard. If anything, he simply wanted to learn it for the sake of it. He looked to Taimi, eyes narrowing as if he was on the verge of guessing why she seemed familiar to him.

“Wait, you wouldn’t happen to be related to Angela Rose, would you?” Their appearances looked dangerously close, only that he was sure that s portrait of the greatest student that succeeded here needed to be updated.

Author: Taimi, Posted: Sun Nov 5, 2017 8:51 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Taimi walked through the halls of the Auzial Academy. She had a group of students that she led into the large library. This was primarily a tour for new students. “As you can see our collection of books rivals that of Iria’s academy but nowhere near the Keeper’s collection that he now shares with us.” Her voice wasn’t too hushed but enough that the group of students could all hear her.

“Our books range in healing practices for beginners to the advanced alchemical achievements of those who passed through these halls.” Taimi was a gorgeously tall professor with long red hair and gold eyes. Glasses sat on the edge of her nose as she pushed them up. She was dressed in her professor robes. A beautiful blue with a silver lining as it were. She was a rather tall woman around the five foot eight mark. She was lithe but showing signs of being curvaceous under the loose robes. Just like her mother actually as they walked over past the portraits of successful people of the college.

“Professor Taimi?” A student put his arm up.

“Yes?” She turned on his heel and looked at him with some interest. It was the first time that one of the students hadn’t been intimidated by the rather intoxicating aura the professor had. That overwhelming sense of confidence that poured off of her.

“The red-headed lady, she is the Mother, right? You look a lot like her…”

“Well, I would. I am one of her eldest children after all. I followed in her footsteps but I will never be as great as she was or rather is. Angela Rose graduated this academy at age thirteen and by the time she was fifteen she was part of research and development for Sularia… By the time she was sixteen she created the Varaz and Emiria barriers… Just after her success at becoming the legendary healer of Parvpora, she ascended to godhood for her efforts. My mother is one of the most talented people to walk out of this academy. If we are lucky she will teach a class here in the academy. I’ve been asking her to do it for some time now.”

The students all ooo’d at the thought of a goddess teaching them. For the first time, she saw life in the students. “That’s all for today. We’ll begin classes on beginner alchemy studies tomorrow… First light. An alchemist has to learn when to get up early. Often our studies make us stay up all day and all night. So we’re going to live like we’re on the brink of a new discovery.” She shooed the students away as they all whispered to each other.

“Is that the only way you can get them interested?” The librarian looked up after she left.

“Two-thirds of this group will flunk out half way through,” Taimi frowned a bit. “You have to have a passion for something to do this. Most of these damn kids just come here because their parents think they're special.”

“That’s why your mother was here. I remember when I signed out her first book,” the librarian chuckled towards Taimi.

“Yeah… I tend not to tell people that part,” she chuckled a bit with her. “Classes will be interesting though. The lot is talented but they lack the passion that we look for…”

“Speaking of which… I was told by the headmistress to introduce someone to you.” The librarian crossed over and took Taimi with her. “Professor Bakura?” Taimi tilted her head as she didn’t much try to cause a stir either in her free time. “This is Professor Taimi. You’ll be working with her together this semester for the Advanced Alchemy studies group.”

Suddenly it clicked and Taimi made a face. “I meant to ask about that. I knew I was teaching it with someone. I got caught up in the newcomers this year… My apologies Professor Bakura.”

Author: Bakura, Posted: Sun Nov 5, 2017 8:05 PM, Post Subject: All Work and No Play [P,R]

Bakura’s stay in Arri had been kept on a low profile for the most part; the young demon had been in the city for years and yet raised no suspicion. Mainly because he wasn’t the sort to cause any trouble and had kept to himself and his studies for gods knew how long. As exotic and beautiful as the place was, it was actually its academy that attracted him the most from it. He was a scholar at heart, an eager mind that yearn to have its fill of the alchemical arts that the school specialized in. There was hundreds, if not thousands of years of experience and literature housed there and for a long while now, he had been both a student and more so in the recent century or two, a teacher in his own right.

Dark olive eyes scanned through the latest of books he planned to add to his conquest in the library. His teaching was over with for the day and those that required his presence would easily find him there most of the time. He was known to be an enigmatic professor that wasn’t very easy to approach and carried an air about him, as if intimidation reeked from his body with ease. In truth, he was more so not the sort to be bothered unless there was good reason. It wasn’t that he hated people, but he loathed wasting time on small talk. Flipping through the next few pages with ease, he was starting to feel as though he might have read this one before- a lot of the proposed ideas were sounding away too familiar to his liking. He brushed aside ebony strains of hair that got in the way of his vision before snapped the book shut with disappointment before getting up to search through the sea of bookshelves again for a fresh book.

Bakura navigated through the maze-like arrangement of bookshelves like clockwork. Which would make sense for him since he had spent so much time here it was like a second home. His finger combed through the book stems with ease, gliding across them until he found one that stirred his interest and pulled it out. Taking a few moments to skip through a few pages to make sure, he was satisfied and started to head back to the table he had been at, already filled with plenty of opened books and parchments awaiting for his return.