[ P ] not for the feint of mind

Athena Va'len

The dimly lit room of the bookstore offered a sense of seclusion, and Athena found herself lost in a sea of dusty tomes. She looked down at the medical text at her paws, trying to decipher its contents, but it might as well have been written in a foreign language. Her nose wrinkled as she squinted at the book—up to peruse the shelves—and then back down again. That process repeated for as long as she stood there. Matilda had sent a raven a few weeks back, requesting books for her studies, and only now was she able to shop for them. There were a few other things not mentioned that she intended to get. Mostly trinkets for Matilda, but some supplies as well. Athena wanted to make sure she was taken care of before it was time to leave.
As her eyes washed over the pages, unease settled over her. The guilt of leaving her sister behind gnawed at her, and Athena couldn't bear the thought of having that gut-churning conversation they had both been avoiding. They danced around the subject but she knew what was going to happen. Matilda would cry and beg her not to go, but nothing would change her mind now. It was her duty and Athena had known that from the day joined the Imperial Army.
Brushing aside those thoughts, she squinted even harder at the book. No matter how intently she stared, it wasn't likely to reveal its secrets or offer directions. She was a reader of fiction; Mysteries, cozy fire-side stories, even the occasional romance but these texts were far beyond her scope. A hint of frustration crept into her expression. "And I remember why I never attended,"She huffed quietly, feeling out of place in the world of academia.
She glanced wearily up at the towering shelves, their spines taunting her. Athena admired her sister, somehow she seemed to thrive in this environment. Meanwhile, she couldn't imagine how anything thrived with their nose pinned to these unintelligible pages. Perhaps it was for the best that she became a soldier... well, not really... though oddly enough, it appealed to her more than marriage.
"How does she do it...?" She said a bit louder, a mix of admiration and exasperation in her voice. Maybe it was time to swallow her pride and ask for help.
@Illaria

table by scarlet

I.E.S
Let’em Wonder..

Illaria was still working off her debt to the local shop in Rionna as the season turned from Spring to Summer. And now there were so many whispers of the war coming to a head finally. It had her far more tense than normal. She had spent hours in the little healing shop, tending to anyone she was pointed at. And now she was bone tired, she was ready to go back to her rented room at the edge of the city and sleep. But before she could leave the shop the owner Asked her to pick up a few books, some medical and some for patient entertainment. With a smile she’d obliged, and began to make her way to the closest bookstore.

Stepping into the shop she paused and breathed in the familiar and calming scent of books upon books. It was almost the same as being back at the College. But there was still the city air mixed in with this store. Moving past the comfort feeling she made her way to the first could of shelves, grabbing a book and putting on the counter and letting them know she’d be making a small stack before she repeated that process with a few more patient friendly books.

Then she moved towards the medical section when a voice caught her attention. She peeked down the row and noticed the woman holding open a medical book and she looked most confused. With a soft chuckle Illaria moved towards her. “Medical books can be very confusing at times. That’s why it takes so long to study them” she offered. Hoping if this girl was interested in medicine, that she could sway her to join the college. The world could use more healers. Especially with the country on the brink of war.

”speech here”
@Athena

How we got this Far

code by claerie

Athena Va'len

Hesitating in place and glancing toward the front counter, Athena almost resigned herself to trying her luck at a different time. She was certain this store had the right books, but she didn't know how to begin to ask. Procrastination seemed far more appealing at that moment. But then a stranger approached her, almost a bit dazzling in the way she swept in at the last second. Ethreal-like with merle fur and two striking eyes. She was so pretty in fact, that it made Athena just that much more overwhelmed. She managed a small, nervous smile and glanced up warily, hoping that she didn't look as pathetic as she felt. "Not for me." She explained, trying to steady her shuffling paws. She never felt more out of place than in this corner of the bookshop, trying to explain herself to a lady that clearly knew far more than she did about the matter. Just the sound of her voice, crisp as an autumns day, was enough to dawn her with the knowledge that she knew things that Athena did not. That wasn't something she was sore over, everyone had their own strengths, and medicine just wasn't hers.
"My sister's a student at Eòlas and needs some books for her classes. Frankly, I can't tell them apart." She admitted with a hint of desperation in her voice. Athena looked pleadingly at the stranger, hoping that the fact she came over included a willingness to help. Athena was not above begging if that meant Matilda would have what she needed.
"She's a first-year, started just recently. Sent on a corvid with what she needed, and I remember just..." Athena trailed off, swallowing thickly as she squinted at the stacks of dusty, mildewed books surrounding them. For her sister's sake, she hoped that the professors didn't intend for her to read every single one of these daunting volumes.

table by scarlet

I.E.S
Let’em Wonder..

Illaria noticed the nervous smile on the woman’s face. She couldn’t help but feel as if she scared the poor woman. So she took a gentle step forward. ”That’s too bad, the college could use another member. And the world could use more healers” she said warmly. That was a sentiment that she stood on. Regardless of the politics, the world would always need medics.

When she mentioned her sister and how it was her that needed the books she nodded. ”well she quite fortunate to have such a supportive sister, willing to shop for the books she needs! And even more fortunate that her sister bumped into just the right person to help pick out the books she needs” she offered warmly. Her own siblings hadn’t been as supportive. Hell they barely cared when she’d announced that she’d be attending college. And they certainly hadn’t lifted a hand to help her buy her books.

”My named Illaria, it’s nice to meet you!” she offered her paw to the other woman in greeting. Before she turned back towards the shelf in front of them.

”do you happen to remember which books she asked you to pick up for her? Unfortunately, depending on the professor, course and such the books change. And it’s also been quite some time since I was a first year” she admitted with a laugh. Indeed she was far from a first year now. And that time of her life felt so far away, a distant memory now.

”speech here”
@Athena

How we got this Far

code by claerie