Random Small Scenes
Usually background scenes unrelated to the current events of a running RP.
Wormingshire Side Story
by firejay1
The relationship between two of Wormingshire Academy's illusionist teachers, from the roleplay Wormingshire Stories (I own nothing about the Wormingshire world, and the teacher ideas were originally assigned).
Scene One
“One whose greatest strength is also their greatest weakness can never be truly strong.”
Arriving at Wormingshire, Daniela Sereph looked around for her assigned mentor. “Michelle?” She asked, “Michelle Barnaby?” She spoke more loudly. She looked around the Hall of Voices uncertainly, seeing no sign of anyone.
“It’s Michell. Say it with me, Mee-kel. Like, me kell you.”
She spun to greet her mentor with a surprised laugh. The boy who’d spoken to her was oddly dressed in long, colorful robes. A small, plain bird with beady eyes squawked at her from its place on its master’s shoulder. Okay, maybe it wasn’t so plain. Its eyes were blood red, and its feathers, black metal. A stymphalian crow, or something akin to it. “Hi Michell. Sorry for slaughtering your name.” She said, politely.
“Nah, it’s cool.” Michell said, with a grin. The bird didn’t look very pleased to meet her, and Michell made no pretensions about enjoying doing so, either, but she was still happy to meet new people. “I’ll show you to your room, and then over to the Toolmaker’s place. It’s standard for you newbies to meet the old witch first thing.”
“I see…”
He went out without glancing back, but threw information at her. “You’ll be living with a roommate, by the way.”
“A roommate?” She wondered aloud, but followed him. The day seemed to speed by. She met her roommate and Wanda, both of whom she quite liked, and got her tool, which was a metal, blue-purple armband with a single, large diamond in it which acted as a projector that could reproduce whatever rune she had in mind. She liked this new school.
Then, her mentor decided it was time for her to learn something new. Pounding on her door one morning, he called her out, taking her near the docks. “Alright, Daniela.” He said gruffly. “What can you do already? Most students only come in with two spells, one in each of their studies.”
“Well,” She thought about it. “I only know one spell for Divination Light.” Concentrating very very hard, she put her hands out in front of her, forming a small creature with her hands. The being that appeared was an absolutely miniscule little pink blob (from Treasure Planet).
“What is that?” Michell asked disparagingly.
“It’s a miniature shape-shifter…” She said, uncertainly. He just looked at it, disapproval emanating from each pore. Daniela could feel her presence shrinking, feeling self-conscious about his stare. “Is there… something wrong with it?”
“Does it have any capabilities as a shape-shifter?” Seeing her lack of comprehension, he explained. “Can it take on the abilities of the thing it changes into, purge evil, turn into your opponent’s greatest fear, change size, or anything like that?”
The little creature gave a little laugh and bobbed out of her hands. Shifting into a miniature of Michell, it mimicked his pose and went, “… anything like that” in an obnoxious voice. Suddenly switching back to a pink blob, it squirted water at him.
Wincing, Daniela pointed. “It can do that…”
Michell looked just about ready to explode, but let out a big harrumph and took deep, calming breaths until his face was no longer bright red with rage. “Fine. What can you do with Illusion Runes then?”
“Uhm… What do you want me to do?”
No patience for nonsense, he instructed her sharply. “Same as what you did conjuring up that piece of work. Show me anything you can do with Runes.”
“Well… do you want me to just do everything I can?” She asked, uncertainly.
“YES YOU STUPID GIRL.” He shouted at her.
Giving a little squeak of surprise at his tone of voice she nodded hastily. Suddenly, runes began popping out of nowhere, overlapping, floating in the air, covering the ground, standing vertically. Most of these were runes Michell had never even heard of before. Several copies of her popped out of nowhere, she disappeared, then reappeared in different colors, larger, smaller, as different animals, as a plant, with distorted features, older, younger, slightly invisible, floating. A flock of Stymphalian crows filled the air, then were out-swarmed by other creatures, some flying, some not, some that weren’t meant to fly, some disproportionate in size or slightly different in other ways, versions of Michell and other students appeared, his greatest fear and most beloved people flashed into existence, and the surroundings changed vastly, temperature and weather and landscape becoming more variable than the sea. Michell fell backwards, terrified by this unexpected display of absolute power. “STOPP!!!” He yelled, covering his eyes and waving his hands in front of him, as if to wave away the apparitions.
They stopped abruptly. “Were they… okay?” She asked, a little concerned by his reaction. “Did I… do something wrong?”
His eyes were wide-open. “Wh-what are you?”
“Uhm… I’m a feathered human. A-”
“That isn’t what I was asking.” He seemed just as confused as she felt by his own question. Other students and mentors and staff passing by had stopped, staring in awe. Some had started running and screaming. She had attracted a lot of attention. Daniela knew she’d done something wrong. She had to have. Why else would everyone be acting like she was a monster?
A voice spoke right next to her ear. “Heeeh? Interesting. You’re strong, aren’t you?”
“Huh?” The voice freaked her out. Her head whipped around to look around her, but she didn’t see anyone there. “Who…”
“It’s me.” The voice came in front of her, this time, and she found a boy who looked to be around her age, looking at her speculatively. His eyes were mismatched and he had an odd scar over the golden one. His hair was completely white and he was wearing a vest suit and white gloves. His grin had an element of something dangerous in it – cold interest, a piercing evaluation, and… something, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“Who are you?” She asked.
Her answer came, not from the one who’d spoken, but her mentor, who’d seemed to recover. His voice was full of distaste. “That’s Neil River. Teacher of Non-runic Illusion. He started just two years ago.” He didn’t say anything about the teacher being generally considered a nuisance in the Academy, but he didn’t have to. She’d find out soon enough.
“Hello, Mr. River.” She said, cautiously. He might not seem much older than her, but he was still a teacher, he deserved respect. “I’m Daniela Sereph.”
“It’s fine to just call me Neil.” He told her. His words and tone seemed normal enough, but the gleam in his eyes suggested there was more to him than met the eye.
“Nice to meet you… Mr. Uhm.. Neil.”
“Nice to meet you, too, Dani.”
“Dani?” The nickname was a surprise from someone who barely knew her.
“That’s your name. I’m Neil.”
“Oh! Yes, I know. I just wasn’t expecting you to call me that.”
“Go away, Neil.” Michell said, stiffly. He was clearly recovered from his earlier shock, now, and had returned to his grumpy self.
The boy turned to look at Michell for just a moment, then turned back to Daniela, apparently deciding the other boy wasn’t worth his time. His head cocked to the side as he stared at her, a mildly demented grin on his face. “With that kind of power, there’s no way you need to be taught anything.”
“Huh?” That threw Daniela off. “What do you mean?”
He laughed a high-pitched laugh that made the hairs on the back of her neck prick up. “You don’t understand anything about yourself, do you?”
“Stop it, Neil.” A woman’s strong voice barked the order out from behind Daniela. Despite her earlier sharp tone, the woman with long blonde hair who was approaching them was kind when addressing Daniela, if a bit matter-of-fact. “Are you a new student, girl?”
Who was this? “Uhm… Yes. My name is Daniela Sereph. I’m a first-year studying Divination Light and Illusion Runic.” Pausing a moment, she added, “Did I.. do something wrong, ma’am?” Her introduction was friendly but cautious. She hadn’t meant to make her illusion powers explode like that, but he’d said do everything she could.
“No, don’t worry Miss Sereph, you didn’t do anything wrong. Am I correct to assume you were the one to summon all those Illusion Runes, though?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
For a moment, the other lady was silent, then a gleam shone in her eyes. “Miss Sereph. I am President Ayla Sominger of Wormingshire Academy. How would you like to take on the position of Illusion Runic teacher? The other students could greatly benefit from your knowledge of Flothrerian Runes.”
Daniela stared at her in shocked silence for a long time, before beginning to sputter. “Buh- you- wha- You want me to become the new teacher?”
Impatiently but calmly, President Sominger confirmed what Daniela had been sure she’d misheard. “I believe that’s what I just said.”
“Buh- But what about the current teacher? I don’t know anything about teaching!” She could feel the panic setting in.
“The current teacher has been intending to resign for years, and has only been holding off because I could not find a competent replacement.” Clearly seeing Daniela’s panic, she reassured her, “You are far too good to need any instruction. Most people don’t think they’re ready to teach when they start, but can I at least convince you to try it for a bit?”
“Well… I guess.” Daniela caved, though she definitely didn’t feel like she knew enough Illusion Runes to warrant the position.
Something that could be described as a cackle came next to Daniela’s ear. When she turned to look, she saw a lanky monkey wearing a top hat floating in the air and laughing at her. “Yes, yes. Join us.” It said, raspily. It was obviously an illusion, not a summoned animal.
“Neil.” Ayla said, warningly, without any doubt as to who had created it.
The monkey danced, leering at both women. The new Illusion Runic teacher laughed, cupping her hands and holding them out. “C’mere little monkey.” She said, happily. It had instantly dispelled any trepidation she’d felt over becoming a teacher. The monkey just stuck its tongue out at her and made little “ooh-ooh ah-ah” noises at her, dancing and making obscene gestures. A rune popped into the air next to the creature and another monkey appeared, the exact replica of Neil’s, mirroring its actions. She laughed again as Neil’s apparition screeched angrily at its replica, before becoming fascinated with it, once it realized it was a reflection.
Ayla eyed her as if she found Daniela’s reaction odd, which most people would’ve done, considering how annoying Neil’s apparitions tended to be. “I believe you’ll get along quite well with the rest of our staff, Daniela. Welcome to Wormingshire. Your things will be moved to your office as soon as possible and you will begin instructing the fourth years immediately. I hope you will take the position permanently.” With that, the president left, the sharp click of her heels on the pavement speaking her dismissal for her.
“Wai-.” She sighed, unease reappearing.
A ghostly laugh came from behind her, even as the monkey continued doing things at its 3D reflection. Delicate, cold, bony fingers danced across her shoulders, sending shivers up her spine. “Welcome to the ranks of the undead.”
She saw no one, but resolutely spoke into the air anyways, “I look forward to working with you, Neil.” She smiled at empty air.
His body appeared in front of her, surprise written all over his face and in his eyes. “Really?”
She nodded, smiling even more happily now that he decided to show himself to her. “Really. You seem like a fun person to be around.”
He eyed her speculatively, more skeptical than demented this time. “You’re a very strange person, aren’t you?”
“Really? I don’t think so.” Her sunny little laughter pealed throughout the air, as she linked arms with the funny boy.
He didn’t draw back, just obliged her and allowed her to walk him away from the dock over to… wherever they were going. The girl’s ment- former, mentor was left behind to gawp at the sudden development. Neil led her surreptitiously to the mansion that was to become her home, ignoring the stares and double-takes that occurred in no small portion at the sight of Neil actually getting along with someone.
Scene Two
Two weeks after her induction into the school, Daniela formally accepted the position as Illusion Runic Professor, taking the previous Professor’s office. She found she loved teaching, and although she’d felt insufficient, it did appear to be true that the students knew infinitely less than she about Illusion Runes altogether. Several of her students congratulated her on her new position, expressing their gratitude for her kind instruction, and just as one of them was leaving, one of the other teachers burst out of their office and practically kicked Neil’s door down.
“Neil.” The teacher snarled. “Stop poking your illusions through my wall.”
She vaguely heard a lazy, but somehow still snarky response leaking out into the hall. “It’s not like it’s really my fault, if you’re too weak to repress it. Now get out. My office is my sanctuary.” He said that last words mockingly.
The student in question looked towards Neil’s office and shook his head. “There isn’t a single student of his who doesn’t wish he would just drop dead, but he’s too good at teaching for anyone to protest.”
“Why is that?”
“Huh? What’d you say?”
“How come none of Neil’s students like him, even though everyone says his teaching methods are extremely effective?”
The student gave her “the look” that they always gave her when she said something to that effect. “Sereph, you seriously need to get that head of yours checked out some time. It’s because he’s annoying, and he enjoys it. He gets to know you so well everything he says is painful to your ears and you want to flee the room screaming.”
She giggled and shook her head. “I don’t think so. He hasn’t done anything like that to me. He was very nice and showed me around.”
“He treats you like everyone else.”
“I know, so that must mean he can’t be that bad with the other students and our coworkers.” She told him, hopefully.
He just facepalmed. “Maybe it’s just because you are just harder to irritate than most.”
She cocked her head to the side, smiling. “Why thank you. That’s very nice of you.”
“Yeah, see? Case in point.” He growled out, before leaving.
She waved him goodbye, then turned to go back into her office. The other teacher and Neil were still arguing. Well, the other teacher was still one-sidedly complaining, would be a more accurate description. The teacher whose office was on the other side of Neil’s also came out and added her decidedly unhappy input. Ever the pacifist, Daniela approached the trio, trying to calm the conflict. “Hey, you guys. Is everything alright?”
Both of the upset teachers turned to look at her. For some reason she didn’t understand, the minute they realized it was her, relief flooded their eyes. “Daniela. Thank goodness you’re here.” The woman said.
“What’s the matter?”
“That’s the matter.” The man growled, gesticulating wildly at the open door of his office. Purplish roots were sprouting out of the wall connected to Neil’s office, and dead, white faces leered unpleasantly from the ends of the roots. “This has been happening all week.” He complained to the younger girl.
Daniela peeked in, then walked fearlessly straight into Neil’s miasma of an office. Putting her hands on her hips she looked straight at him, or at what she thought was him. “Neil… You’re not supposed to let the chaos go through the wall, remember?” She told him sternly.
His body vanished from the chair and reappeared standing in front of her, pouting. “I can’t help it.” He whined. Unbeknownst to Daniela, this was why everyone else heaved a sigh of relief when Daniela came to deal with Neil: while he was always childish, he directed all of it towards her whenever she was in the vicinity.
She kept her hands on her hips, in an oddly cute pose. “This is the third time this week, and it’s only Thursday!” No one bothered to mention to her that it had happened pretty much all the time before she came around. That could be a coincidence… right? Creasing her eyebrows in a troubled expression, she stopped and thought, finally deciding something. “I know! How about we move you to the end of the hall, and I’ll have my office next to yours. That way, nobody has to worry about any illusions leaking through.” She smiled.
Everyone else was staring at her, stunned by the simple brilliance of it.
Neil clapped. “Ohh… as expected of Dani.”
She blinked, uncomfortable as she realized everyone was looking at her like she had sprouted a pair of wings. Oh wait, she already had those. They were flapping behind her slowly the way they always did when she became uncomfortable. “Uhm… I’ll… go ask President Sominger to approve it then…” She said, shrinking backwards away from the three of them.
Neil sniggered as she rushed out of view. “Always so shy.” With that, he returned to his office just long enough to disable the massive layers upon layers of illusions covering it. He didn’t have anything to pack.
And that was how Dani ended up living next to Neil, as the offices also doubled as dorms for those professors who had no outside accommodations.