Snippet #2774231

A yawn was belted amidst the noise of students flooding the entrance hall. Some students looked to see an older woman scratching an itch underneath her clean robes with one hand. Unlike the comparatively prim and proper Riverie Jones and Tiffy Whysteria, Lin looked as if she stayed up all of last night on some project, given her sunken, unfocused eyes and her perpetual frown. If not for her official garb and the staff she leaned on and gripped with her armpit, not many would imagine she was, in fact, a long-time student. It also didn’t help that she was wearing a pair of bunny slippers.

In her other hand, she carried a plain and featureless mug, not unlike the ones often available in town. Visible steam could be seen wafting from the mug as she rose it and took a sip. “Hurnnh,” She groaned at the bitter taste. She wasn’t exactly fond of coffee without anything, but she didn’t exactly have enough time to prepare something more pleasant. “Forgot about these students returning… all the new students and that orienting crap… Feh…” She took another deep sip of her coffee as she continued muttering to herself. “I got work to do, but orders are orders, I guess…”

A series of clicks and whirrs emitted in response, as a mess of metal scraps, stones and wood coiled around her shoulder and steadied itself along the staff. A single large crystalline head, caged in a tight-fitting silver tiara with a sapphire set in the centre, seemed to shift in colour as the creature glanced among the other golems. Many of the golems looked straight out of a textbook, very unlike this completely different… creature… Perhaps it was a good thing Lin never aspired to be on the student council, although they have approached her many times for various tasks.

“Jealous, Mesa?” Lin asked without looking. Mesa hissed, and his long, multi-jointed tail flicked around. There was no weapon attached to it, but the tip of the tail was rounded akin to a very dull spike. Lin released her grip on her mug, which continued to hang in mid-air as she rubbed her eye with her now-free hand.

“The sun’s too bright…” she grumbled as the sunbeams from the windows washed warmly over her. Mesa responded with a series of clicks, then a puff of magical energy spat out from underneath its uneven shoulder plates, made from some kind of alloy. Lin took a deep breath of the strange mist-like presence, and felt a slight boost in energy. It was enough to make her aware of her sloppy stance- which she promptly straightened. “I know it’s not the Sun’s fault,” Lin retrieved the mug once more and took a deep sip. “Fifteen minutes, come on now…” The coffee slowly began to take effect as her body processed the nutrients. Between the caffeine and the magical stamina boost provided by Mesa, Lin finally felt somewhat awake.

Mesa readied himself to hop down, but Lin scratched the back of the crystalline head. “Now now, I know you’re excited, but this is strictly business. Let’s let the newbies get comfortable first, yeah?”

Whatever sound the creature emitted could only be described as a purr from hell’s neighbour. Lin smiled under her otherwise tired expression. Lin yawned once more, and continued watching from her position within the entrance hall, partway up a flight of stairs so as to get a view on everything coming and going. Her staff had an unusual bauble attached to the head by a series of tightened hemp ropes. Those familiar with the bauble would know it contained exactly what one would need just in case some of the excitement somehow turned to violence.

“I am glad I at least made that breakthrough…” Lin sighed with a wistful smile, “We’ll test that prototype after lunch. How’s that sound, Mesa?” Mesa seemed positively ecstatic.

“Oh... I’m wearing my bunny slippers again…” Lin just realised. After a pause, she shrugged and took another sip.