“Family can be exhausting, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”~Mother Ulfa, director of the orphanage at the university.
The next few weeks were the fastest and slowest weeks for a while. It turned out that when most people had seen Bernin having dinner, it was akin to sending out an invitation for a lot more. In the past few weeks she had dinner outside the tavern almost every day. The itch was getting strong though. She had barely been here a full month, but she was already having issues normally only found when she stayed somewhere for a full year.
Her back itched the most out of it all, it made working a lot harder. The worst part was that it was an escalating issue. She found herself unable to turn away invitations for dinner from people she hadn’t even met. Something had to be done and fast. Luckily she was far into the process. What remained was just the final report and paperwork. If she could just finish that this week, she could leave and this would all be over. The knock on her door felt like the ringing of a doom bell.
“Mage Bernin, I’ve brought the packet you asked for?”
“Please let yourself in.”
That would be the catalyst of this whole disaster. Tyrom had luckily brought the last packet she needed. If she worked through the night she might be able to finish it tomorrow. After ushering Tyrom back out she decided to burn off some energy. She took off her coat and loosened her arms and back. She turned her internal faucet ever so slightly open. A torrent flew free, she directed it as best she could. Charming the door to be silent, to dissuade the prying eyes and generally trying her best to make it a hidden pocket.
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Turning the faucet back, she pulled her coat back on and got back to writing. The charm wouldn’t last long. Morning light would break it, but she hoped it would at least stop anyone from finding her tonight. Adjusting her chair, she tried her best to hide the glowing rainbow dust that now laid where she stood just a few minutes ago. It was time to work through the night. Bernin smiled slightly, remembering the past.
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Kirrin was not having a great time. His new family was great and learning magic was amazing. The trouble arose when he finally got settled in. He had assumed that a place as awesome as the campus meant that everything would be done automatically. But no, he had been expected to donate his free time to something. He had himself to blame as well, at least partially. When he said he didn't care, they had taken that as a blanket agreement.
“Kirrin, there you are. Did you manage to find the special lenses I asked for?”
“No Mage Tol, I couldn't find them? Maybe I should go home, I'll be sure to find them tomorrow.”
“Nonsense, you'll just have to make do for a day. It's good practice anyway. The sand grains may look similar to the untrained eye, but it would do wonders for your perception if you could make them out without the lenses.”
Kirrin’s mouth opened in horror. Where had he hidden those damn lenses? He had to find them quickly, he damn sure wasn't about to sort sand by the naked eye. As he put his hands through his hair he was careful to avoid the small nubs that had been growing beneath. The nurses mentioned that he shouldn't keep scratching, but it wasn't his fault they itched so badly.