Becoming a Teacher

Lupecyll-Atlon home, early evening

Winter is on the cusp of arrival, the sun setting earlier and earlier each day. The winds blows what few leaves are left in the trees, and on the ground. It brings a promise of snow and cold to come.

The Goblin is wrapped in her priestly garb, copper and blue robes with a hood, and despite seeming lightly covered, she is unaffected by the cold. The early darkness is held at bay by a soft glow that emanates from the Temperance herself. Softly feathered wings sprout from her shoulders, held aloft and wide as she glides to a landing at the door of the Lupecyl-Atlon family home.

Simony pulls on the bell pull, and waits patiently, though she begins eyeing the runes, the decorations and other details of the house, as if seeing them for the first time.

Indeed, the runes are a subtle declaration of power that resides within this home. No ominous glow, no aura of strength. Just the statement that two sorcerers live in this abode, and that visitors should... behave. After all, it's only prudent.

When Simony pulls the bell, there's a couple moments, before the door cracks open to reveal Telamon. A blink, and then a smile. "Good evening, Simony. Come in -- the cold is definitely picking up. I'm afraid you've missed Lana -- her cousin asked her to come by, needed some advice." His eyes twinkle. "Who am I to argue?"

The half-sil sorcerer is clad in a loose fitting tunic of forest green over cream colored breeches, with improbable-looking fuzzy bear slippers on his feet. As Simony steps inside, he shuts the door, blocking out the cold. "Snow is coming. Fortunately, I have tea brewing and good books, so I won't be bothered too much."

Her scrutiny of Telamon is rather intense, eyes darting to each detail. There's a different set to her eyes too, if the eyes are the windows to one's soul, hers has been enlightened.

"Good evening, Telamon! I am slightly sad to have missed Cor'lana, but I am always happy to enjoy your company." The Goblin giggles lightly and nods. "She allows you to go off and have your fun, it is only fair to reciprocate." Her tongue is more... silvered than usual.

"A comfortable evening, and here I am interrupting. My apologies for simply dropping in.." Something she's always done. "But.. I seek advice."

A hand reaches up to her hair, which has grown voluminous once more, her forehead being bared. A band is there, wrapped snuggly around her head and easily hidden by her hair. While it differs to what Telamon may have, it's purpose is likely familiar to the sorcerer.

Telamon begins puttering around, putting the kettle on a tray along with cups, while an invisible servitor carries a charcuterie board laden with cheese, sliced sausages, and crackers to the living room table. Only once he has poured the tea and settled Simony on her choice of seat, and taken his own, does he study her.

As she reveals her new accoutrement, his eyebrows rise. "Advice, hm? Well... I've stated before, my door is always open to you. What can I help you with, Simony?" He picks up his teacup, taking a sip.

"My mind has been racing since I put this on. You possess one also, I believe? It enhances all mental characteristics... I am seeing everything in a new light. Things are deeper, more crisp, mysteries simply ... unfold before me. How..." She pauses to try the tea, taking a delicate sip, and chasing that with cheese, sausage and crackers. "How do you keep such things out? To prevent them from intruding upon your thoughts unbidden?"

Tel makes a soft humming sound. "Well... for starters, I have some experience with managing my thoughts. The telepathic bond with Lana has taught me a certain amount of discipline. Also... and I wonder if this is a sorcerer's view point... the world was always getting redrawn in sharper and sharper images as I gained in power. I admit the best aspect of my own headband was to help me focus, keep me from leaping into situations."

"It's not dissimilar to a man with poor eyesight receiving spectacles that correct his vision. It will be distracting, for a time, but eventually that distraction will fade and you'll become accustomed to the clarity." He smiles. "And isn't that what we're all striving for? Clarity?"

She pushes up her pince-nez, the point about glasses not lost on her. Another sip of tea is had, and she holds up the cup, inspecting it voraciously before setting it back down. "Thank you very much for the tea and charcuterie." Simony has assembled a small tower of cheese, crackers and sliced sausage, and she practically inhales it with little chewing. As Goblins do, she awkwardly swallows.

A little breath is let out. "I wear it for uhm, the opposite... so that I can more quickly, more decisively, move to action. As well... I have found out that somehow, I am a uh... someone others depend on in the Monastery. I want to make things more efficient, and solve problems that can't be solved with a hammer or magic."

Telamon grins. "I know you, Simony. You're happiest with a plate in front of you. And I don't mind, really. What's the point of being an archmage or a lord if I can't spoil my friends now and then?" He pauses. "Though I sometimes wonder if you taste those snacks..."

He tilts his head. "I believe we had a discussion once, about having the strength to shape the world. Welcome to those rarefied heights, Simony. You are now learning you are someone to be reckoned with. The Raven has gifted you with both power and insight, and thus your words will carry weight among your peers."

"I didn't want to get a big head.", she says shyly, cheeks colouring a bright red. "And I do not think I come naturally to .. leadership." Simony chuckles. "I did know I could be strong, it was amazing to use Navos' power to enlarge myself. So I certainly have the physical strength. But I am no lord, Tel."

She regards the charcuterie, and nods. "You are good to your friends, and fear itself to your enemies, as befitting a powerful sorcerer." Simony's smile is bright and cheerful. "Not many lords have food simply falling off the trees, or sprouting out of the ground. A good use of magic."

"Oh no you don't," Telamon replies with a cheeky grin. "If you don't let -me- hide from my responsibilities, you don't get to either. And while you may not be a lord of the secular world, I assure you that the hierarchy has probably taken notice of you. I'm surprised you haven't been assigned a few novices to train."

"And what's this? Food falling off trees? This came from Pilatery's shop just today -- hardly magical. But the man knows his meats and cheeses."

The Goblin's eyes widen, and she bursts out laughing. "Hah, you were waiting to say that, some day, were you not? I am /not/ hiding from my responsibilities... I am simply hiding while carrying out my responsibilities." She takes on aloof airs. "There's a difference." Her expression takes on a sudden, serious tone. "No. I am not yet doing any training." Simony lets out another sigh.

"I have been asked to lay out lesson plans, though.", she says with a pout. "I am only just managing to hold off being a full on instructor, simply because I pointed out that I am being useful to the world outside the Monastery. I was, perhaps, a bit rude in pointing out that someone would have to go out and replace me, and that I would feel terrible if they pulled a muscle or threw out their back."

Telamon grins hugely. "Of course! But if it helps, remember I was reticent as well. And... despite my own youth, I do enjoy teaching. I suspect when Lana and I settle down finally and retire from the adventuring life, I will do more of it -- if Father doesn't insist on me working in the Mythwood diplomatic office." He snorts. "Then again, he does have good reason."

"My counsel in this is to simply pass on what you know. What you've seen. Don't try to make it scarier, or shade the truth. Encourage your students when you get them to explore outside of your classroom. After all, the more answers they can find, the better off they'll be."

As they talk, the Goblin's hands are putting together another mini-tower of meat, cheese and cracker. "And, for your information, I do taste everything that goes into my mouth. I am just uhm more efficient at getting the erm nutrients into my stomach than others."

Simony's grin returns, and she nods. "You almost seemed insulted that I would dare say such a thing. But we both know that a different perspective, a second opinion, a second set of eyes... are very useful. Sometimes we just need a reminder." She laughs then. "I just don't know how well people would take a Goblin as some sort of lord. My kinfolk are notoriously famous for a love affair with fire and explosions. Something I don't go in for." More tea is had, sipped at daintily, unlike the horrifying haste the stack of charcuterie is inhaled.

"I fear for my students, though. I fear letting them down. There's so many things to keep track of. If I fail out there, it's on me. If they fail out there, it's also on me." She swallows noisily. "I don't think I would handle losing a student all that well."

Telamon nods soberly. "I resisted for a long time the prospect of taking on an apprentice. Oh, I teach -- ethics, mostly -- but it was never formalized." He sits back, considering. "Shuichi... he's a lad who could go far, and his nerve in stealing a divine tool from a fiend, well.. I almost wish I'd done it. But he needed guidance, and... I found I wished to give it to him. Every soul is responsible for its own destiny -- but that doesn't mean I can't give it a nudge."

"Your fears are the fears of every teacher that has lived. All I can say is, do your very best. Don't shirk, don't relent. If they perform poorly, tell them so, and why -- and if they do well, praise their devotion and skill." Tel grins. "I've flunked a few students who weren't paying attention in my alchemy classes. And I'd do it again. If you can't be bothered to pay attention to details, what makes them think they can be magicians?"

She's out of her seat and bouncing up at Telamon, hugging at the man. "I'm scared, Telamon." Simony falls silent for a while, content to squeeze, her latent strength obvious in her grip. "It's a change I do not want. I wish to impart knowledge, and teach those who would follow in my footsteps.. our footsteps, the people who've protected Alexandria, and the world."

There's a sniffle. "I don't want to do it, not yet. My adventures are not done."

The elegant half elf folds his arms around Simony, hugging back. "We all have fears and doubts, Simony. But change comes regardless. The question is how we adapt to it." Tel smiles down at her fondly. "I have faith in you. I think you're going to be an amazing teacher. They'll probably name a library after you somewhere."

He holds up a hand, as if calling it into being. "Imagine. The Simony Smithsdottir City Library. With a little plaque of your life by the door."

She smiles through the tears trailing down her cheeks. "A library... that's too much. A wing, perhaps. Or a really nice study." Her face buries itself in his chest to hide the reddening cheeks. "I think my parents might forgive me if I had such a place named after me. But..." Simony looks up at Telamon.

"It's going to be a great big plaque, and a larger than life-size statue." There's the Goblin showing through.

"There you go. I think you stand so much taller than you realize." Telamon offers Simony a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. "I could see you being immortalized in book and sculpture. Especially if you pass on those hard-learned lessons from being an adventurer and a priestess of Navos."

"Come now, no tears. Don't fear the future -- embrace it. Nobody knows what will happen -- that's what makes life fun, after all." He gives Simony another hug. "And remember you have friends when you need someone to talk to."

"It's been a difficult but often fun journey." She closes her eyes as the tears are dabbed away. "Oh gosh, you do realize that this will inflate my ego such that they'll have to make a second statue to encompass it." Her eyes open and she laughs.

"It's why I am here tonight. I needed you. You're the person I look up to the most in this world. And I am happy you have always been here for me. I scarcely deserve such a friend."

Telamon smiles back. "I have always been your friend. I am just happy to know you, and watch you grow and rise to the challenges you have faced -- physical, mental, spiritual. You will look back and I think you will be surprised at how many lives you've touched, how many people you've helped. And that is what matters."

He chuckles softly. "Deserve. Heh. An old friend of my father's once told me 'deserve's got nothing to do with it'. After all, you've been a good friend to me as well."

"Your father's friend is right on a certain level. But I think everyone deserves friends. We're all social creatures. I just feel that I have... had a higher caliber of friends, and I feel that I am not in the same league. Impostor syndrome." She shrugs her shoulders. "I'm my own worst critic."

The Goblin reaches up and lightly pats Telamon's cheek. "Thank you for everything. The support, for being there always, and for boundless patience for my antics."