Arteria holds a multitude of different festivals celebrating different cultures, peoples and histories. From the outlander Lantern festival to elven Starsong festival, you’ll find it all in Arteria. Of course, timing is everything, but one can still expect to attend one or two per month depending on when someone visits the city. Souvenirs however, are generally available year round. Commerce must flow, after all. ”

- Lily Spatford, Retired Pathfinder, “Enjoying Arteria: Festivals and Events”

What had been a good day, was now not exactly bad, but certainly a lot harder. Bits of snow or stray leaves would find themselves landing atop her person. The slight chilly jolt made her shiver just enough to know that whatever it was, it had arrived unnaturally. Shooting Yana a targeted glare, the faerie just smirked with whatever innocent expression that she could muster.

Swayed by the promises of love and affection to come, with perhaps a dash of resignation at the declared solution. She had reluctantly become the temporary guardian of the faerie as Ary entered the mage’s towers for her classes. Fortunately for Sophie, Yana had agreed to mainly remain hidden from the general public and continue her method of lingering outside but around the building. Unfortunately, without Ary to moderate them, they both began immediately pestering each other. Or rather, the faerie would tease Sophie, only to receive angry glares in return.

Arriving back at Aura hall was a small relief as she had temporary shelter from the fae’s attack. Class, she suspected, would be much the same as it was last semester. Shuffling past a few dozen students that were still within the corridors, caught wind of a few rumors that were already swirling about the campus. From the potential of a new saintess to the ‘preposterous’ idea that there was a new elf or elf like species, the hushed whispers and banal banter carried its way into Sophie’s ears. First day of class and everything is already out in the open.

Making her way into the second floor classroom, she pushed the doors open to find a relaxed atmosphere permeating the air. Unlike the classes earlier, even though she was slightly late due to an unruly faerie, the professor here just nodded and gestured for her to sit without much urgency. He was an older gentlemen, though not ancient and wrinkly like some of the other elderly professors. Apologetic, Sophie quickly nodded before catching sight of a recognisable face and hurried over to sit down. Alodie shot her a friendly little smile and Miraevie just raised one eyebrow in amusement, the elf seemed almost surprised at Sophie’s appearance.

Straightening out her messy hair and removing any remaining pieces of snow. Sophie smiled at the two before the professor called out to her.

“Latecomer, I just gave the class two minutes to think of self introductions. Consider this a quick lesson in improv for the class. Do introduce yourself. Name, personal hobby or work, and one reason why you’re interested in history.” The professor spoke.

Now I see why Miraevie's amused. Sophie fidgeted awkwardly in surprise before meekly nodding, her mind racing in a mild panic as she searched for all the words to say.

“Uhh… hello everyone. I’m Sophie Kastiane, a knight and I… I guess I like reading and exploring food culture. I’m interested in history because I find the older history of the continent fascinating. Yeah. That’s all.” She bowed awkwardly, her mind still not able to process the rapid pace of events.

The professor seemed pleased by her performance and nodded approvingly. “Good to have you with us, Miss Kastiane. That was a good example for the rest of you. So take that into account, brief and succinct introductions please.” He chuckled to himself, “I’m Professor Gerhardt Stauffer, from Carrador, pleased to meet you.”

Sophie bobbed her head. To her right, Miraevie looked at her, the elf’s inscrutable face betraying little besides that flicker of interest from a slight head tilt. Sophie just sheepishly smiled, mouthing ‘later’ to the elf. It wasn’t much but it was enough to satisfy her interest and the elf nodded. Alodie meanwhile, just seemed happy to see another friend and beamed at Sophie. Missing however, was the fourth figure of her history brigade in the form of Dominic Montgest. Though she suspected the older student had simply bypassed this course during his previous study and moved up a level. I’ll have to ask them later.

Class itself was relatively uneventful, though she did appreciate Gerhadt’s more dry sense of humour and quick wit. The professor clearly had a lot of Carradorrian blood within him and spoke at a cadence that Sophie found almost comforting in a way. He was also passionate about the subject of mythology and history of the continent. Today, he introduced the syllabus and spoke upon the idea of the possibility that civilisation was much more developed during the Age of Myth, but that all of it remained speculative theory because Myndiri records do not start until the waning years of the Age of Myth. However, given that Myndiri civilisation, at the time of their first records, were already far in advance of any other humanoid society at the time. It wasn’t an entirely implausible thought that a significant amount of technological and magical development had already occurred previously.

Sophie was fascinated by the idea that there could be entire sub-sections of history lost to time or simply because the Myndiri didn’t record it. She fantasised about the possibility of stumbling across a ruin even older than the Myndiri. Much like her harrowing adventures so far, but perhaps in a place far more alien than even the Myndiri underground city she had fought in. The downside to such fantasies was of course reality. In truth, perhaps the only places within the continent that could possibly remain that unexplored were either in the demon infested Praemoni Deadlands beyond Ingramar; or the Kesmourn Blightlands beyond the most northern reaches of even Traxia or the Trannoire Basin. Neither of which were places she had any intent of braving. And Ingramar, that’s Mila’s home right? I wonder what’s happening up there?

Her imagination came to an end when class ended, the professor dismissing them for the day. Having almost forgotten Ary’s request, Sophie had to hurriedly stop the other two from leaving as she rushed to pack her bags.

“Hey! Sorry! Nice to see you two again! But uhh, real quick, would you be free this weekend?” Sophie asked.

Alodie appeared delighted, a small sparkle in her eye as she nodded. Miraevie appeared skeptical and Sophie suddenly realised she had accidentally invited both of them. Sorry, Ary.

“I presume something of interest has arisen?” Miraevie questioned, “Certainly too early to need help studying for the semester. Unless you’ve magically had a change in actually engaging in productive habits.” Ouch.

“Errr… well I was…” Sophie tried to organise her thoughts.

Alodie gasped, her eyes widening, “Is this about her?”

“N-no? Maybe?” I’m really just here to invite you to hang out.

Having come to her own conclusion, Alodie bobbed excitedly at Miraevie, “Oh you simply must be free the weekend. You heard the rumors? Of the strange elf with a strange complexion?”

“A little of that, yes.” Miraevie tried to appear disinterested.

“Well it’s one of Sophie’s friends. She’s real! Maybe Sophie wants to see if you can figure anything out about her.” Alodie continued.

“I-” Sophie tried to protest but found her words cast aside.

“How curious, I suppose I shall find some time, then.” Miraevie nonchalantly decided.

“Yes! We’ll be free on the weekend.” Alodie turned to Sophie with a smile on her face. Dammit, can’t say no to that now, she seems so excited.

“G-great!” Sophie smiled, “Let’s say afternoon on Caeus? We can meet in front of Pressel and figure it out from there?”

“That is within my timetable.”

“Works for me.”

The other two agreed.

“Alright… now that that’s sorted…yeah. Then I suppose I’ll see you guys later!” Sophie waved.

“Righto!” Alodie’s voice echoed as they left the building, “See you later! Tell Ary I said hi!”

“I… yeah! See you!”

Miraevie departed with a silent but curt nod, the elf practically gliding out of the room.

That left Sophie as the last one out, and with a heavy sigh, she made her way out of the warm greens of Aura hall and into the chilly winterscape outside. The sun had set while she was in class and only faint slivers of light remained. The rest of the illumination was provided by a combination of magefire and clockwork lamps. Taking a face full of the cold winds, Sophie shivered a little and looked to the skies.

Sophie staggered backwards as a small wad of snow splattered across her chest. Wiping it off, she found a smug looking faerie slowly emerging from her hiding spot behind a lamp post. Yana had clearly been bored and Sophie examined the faerie’s hiding place to find a gaggle of tiny snowmen surrounding the bottom of the lamp post. Some looked normal, others had weapon shaped snow, whatever the case, Yana seemed to have had fun at least.

Having noticed Sophie’s eyes gazing over her creations, the faerie met her gaze. Sophie felt deeply uneasy when Yana broke out into a triumphant smirk.

“Behold, the majesty of the fae. Gaze upon my powers… and pray.” Yana intoned menacingly, or however menacingly the tiny faerie could be.

Sophie watched with fascination as the faerie moved her hands as if they were weaving a tapestry. Without warning, a jolt of mana passed by her and Yana gestured below. Following her instructions, Sophie looked down to the bottom of the lamp post to find a bizarre sight. Over two dozen of the tiny snowmen were moving.

“Let there be no strife, for this is the magic of life.” Yana spoke. How oddly wholesome.

The little snowmen rolled and jumped around, leaving Sophie a bit stunned as she just stared at the display. Glancing back at Yana, she found the fae fluttering in the air, her expression of revelry hard to miss. At the same time, the fae seemed to be waiting expectantly for something.

Worried, Sophie kept her eyes on both the snowmen and the fae. Yet, the longer she watched this display, the more disappointed Yana seemed to be. It was only when Yana was on the verge of a scowl that something clicked in her mind. She’s waiting for a reaction. Like when I used to wait for Eva’s. Does she want… praise?

“Impressive. How many can you do?” Sophie asked.

At once, Yana smirked once more, a smug smile returning to her face. “Enough to fill a pool, enough to overwhelm you.” Okay, maybe next I won’t praise you.

“Neat.” Sophie complimented her anyway.

“Isn’t it? Err I mean such is the power of the fae, nothing can hold us at bay.” Yana slipped up.

Sophie snickered a little, much to Yana’s consternation.

But their temporary truce held, and soon enough, Yana clicked her fingers and the snowmen ceased their motions once more. Wordless spell casting from something so small, instantaneous too, I wonder just how powerful other fae might be.

“An order from illustrious Yana, take me to Aryana!” Yana declared.

“Heh, already ahead of you, come on.” Sophie gestured for her to follow, “Anything you want for dinner?”

Yana reluctantly landed in her coat pocket and eyed her warily but eventually let out something akin to a huff, “I wish for more seasoned foods. The chicken was nice.” Yana grumbled, crossing her arms.

Sophie almost did a double take but managed to compose herself enough to keep walking. I’ll never get used to her talking normally. It feels almost ominous, or creepy even. Still, I guess better on our side than against us. She wondered how ridiculous she currently looked. She could imagine that she would seem like she was talking to a light spell in her pocket. Or perhaps a mad woman grumbling to nothing in particular for those who did not see the faerie’s light.

How does that work anyhow? Sophie wondered, sneaking peeks at the faerie in her pocket. To appear as light to only people with lower affinity with mana and normal to those with higher. Is that two different magicks simply working together at once? A normal spell just innately deployed by fae beings? She started to understand why mages might take interest with a fae creature, being able to process mana and cast with such ease, that would make any mage jealous. Heh. Sophie snickered to herself, shame I can’t use magic worth a damn.

Another jolt of cold made her almost jump in fright. Fearing an attack, she grabbed whatever that had hit her and felt the wetness in her palm. Within her hands, a lone snowman, partially crushed, wiggled in an attempt to escape her grasp. A faint giggling was heard and she looked down to find Yana failing to suppress a cackle.

“Very funny.” Sophie dryly acknowledged.

“Your face! Your face!” Yana pointed at her, caught out in a fit of laughter, “You were set for space!”

Sophie sighed, I just hope that’s the worse she’ll do. But I can’t help feeling she’s just going to get worse the longer this semester goes on.

“Look! Look! Yana made a soldier, out of only a snow boulder.” The faerie proudly demonstrated her little creation.

The recently reformed snow soldier, thanks to Sophie’s help, rolled around the table, doing whatever it could with its nonexistent appendages and a piece of snow fashioned like a spear. Sophie thought it just tried to salute, though she wasn’t certain. Ary was pleasantly amused by the distraction, poking and prodding at the snow creature much to the poor thing’s dismay.

“It’s a snow ball.” Sophie corrected the fae.

“Well duh, I know that much. It’s a matter within nature’s knowledge clutch. Besides, how else would I rhyme? Given my limited time.” Yana pouted.

“Fine, fine. Fair enough. It’s a cool display at least.” Sophie held her hands up in surrender.

“Cool display, feh.” Yana spat dismissively, but at the same time, Sophie noticed the smug grin on her face. Calm her with praise, noted.

“How very cool indeed.” Ary laughed.

Yana beamed even more, fluttering her wings with pride.

Ary gave the snow soldier one last poke and then turned to Sophie. “Sooo…?”

“Alodie is coming, but… uhh, so is Miraevie.” Sophie sheepishly reported.

“Oh! That’s your other elf friend right? The one I met when we did the study session?” Ary perked up.

“You mean sleep session for you.” Sophie couldn’t resist.

“Eheheheh, oops.” Ary chuckled and toyed with her braid.

“But yeah, the same one.”

“Ohh, fun! It’ll be nice to make more friends.”

“I think she’ll like you. You’re relatively calm and more understandable than me.”

“You really think so?” Ary asked.

“Of course. Maybe the only thing she’d take offence to is your snoring.” Sophie teased.

“Sophie!” Ary let out an indignant protest, “I don’t snore! You do!” She paused, her aghast expression creeping into doubt, “Well, you don't, not that I noticed. But um... do I?”

Sophie let the question stew for a second before gently kissing Ary’s cheek, “Nope. Super peaceful, adorable and cute sleeping face.”

“Sophieee,” Ary now made a flustered whine, “You’e the worst.” Ary puffed her cheeks up as she playfully poked Sophie.

“I know, I know. Hey, look on the bright side, at least you don’t drool like me when you nap.”

“Ew! Sophie! It’s dinnertime!” Ary swatted at her.

“Does this mean I inherited that too?” An oddly familiar voice tickled Sophie’s neck.

“Yeesh, don’t do that.” Sophie growled.

“Sorry, but it’s a pertinent question.” Sophia grinned, bobbing hello to Ary as she set her tray of food down beside them.

Behind her, the familiar and attention drawing figures of Elaira and Raylani followed close after. Elaria seemed cheery enough for someone who just finished classes. Though Sophie noticed that her ever calculating eyes were still there, assessing each and everything within the dining hall. Raylani on the other hand, looked somewhat stiff, her normally stoic expression flush with a multitude of emotions.

Sophia tapped her shoulder to gain her attention, a sly smirk on her counterpart’s face.

“I was in one of Raylani’s classes. I think it was our literature class, right?” Sophia casually spoke.

The dark elf nodded, remaining quiet.

“Based on memories and all my other classes today. I’ve never seen a lesson so quickly disrupted by just someone arriving,” Sophie leaned in conspiratorially, “The whole hour and a half, just question after question. ‘Where are you from?’ “Why do you look like that?’ So many curious face.”

It was Elaria’s turn to titter a little, the girl softly chuckling.

“Ela?” Sophie inquired.

“Nothing dear sister, I just found that description very apt for the classes that Raylani attended with me today as well. So many questions and such curiosity. Very unlike the easter lands.” Elaria replied.

“Nothing like the east, what does that mean?” Sophie asked.

“Ahh, along the Traxian frontier. Raylani was treated like a magical apparition, to be stared at but avoided. Drew crowds but they dared not approach too close. Here, they were practically asking her something every time something got answered.”

“I offer my sincerest thanks to my mistress and Sophia for speaking on my behalf.” The dark elf mumbled.

“Poor Raylani is still a little overwhelmed right now. Don’t mind us.” Elaria continued.

“I get that.” Sophie nodded, “How were your classes though? Good beyond all the questions?”

“Very much so, I find this learning process fascinating. Though I do wish they’d just stop bothering Raylani.” Elaria smiled.

“I remain ever grateful.” Raylani affirmed.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine. It took me a while to get used to everything as well.” Ary chimed in.

Sophie just looked at Sophia, her counterpart opting for a shrug. Without even speaking or sharing a thought, she knew exactly what her twin was thinking. Class is class. Fun, boring, or meh, it’s just something we gotta go through either way.

Having successfully conveyed her stance without even speaking, Sophia just winked before tucking into her meal. Cheeky git.

Sophie sighed happily, watching as the others gossiped and talked about classes. Sophia just carried on munching, occasionally meeting Sophie’s gaze. Yana meanwhile, nibbled on her food. Sophie did get a little worried, for she could sometimes see the faerie trying to make the food move the same way she did with the snowmen. Still, she was content. With the beginning of classes and everyone somehow still beside her, Sophie felt like she was at the beginning of a new, enjoyable routine. And I am more than happy for that.