23: Evaluation

After dinner was over, one of the people slipped away and head to the office area. As they moved their body shifted into Gallen.

Entering Felinia’s office he smiled “As lovely as ever to see you.”

Felinia smiled back. “Is that a compliment, or insult?”

Gallen laughed “Whichever you want it to be. That reminds me that I really need to teach them doubletalk. It can be so much fun!”

Felinia chuckled. “I’ve heard a fair bit of the gossip even from here. They don’t realize I know everything that goes on, if I pay attention.”

Gallen shook his head. “And you even warned them about Deities being aware of what happens in their Domain! That is ignoring your heightened senses.”

Felinia sighed as she sat down. “So, down to business. How are the students and what is this gossip going around?”

Gallen had a look of admiration on his face. “That bunch of 4 students I had my eyes on got the rumors going. They discussed things in private, and then had a conversation around where some gossips were. They mentioned some things, like people joining clubs to promote their Totems, and one way to tell if people were or were not. Also the issue those with Domains might have due to being restricted by their Domains.”

“Wait? What issues were mentioned?”

Gallen grinned savagely. “Well, one mentioned he had to be neutral and joining a club would be seen as supporting its members. The other, a Hearth Domain lass, mentioned she was restricted to acting in the interest of her Domain, despite wanting to party and help people. Reminds me a bit like you in that respect.”

Felinia frowned. “But they should not be so limited.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Gallen gave a short, evil laugh. “I know that. You know that. They probably know that. The rest of the student body probably don’t.”

Felinia laughed at that.

Gallen got back to business. “The topic of having only one domain when you want two closely related Domains came up. It was for the mortal lass wanting both Knowledge which she loves, and Wisdom, to use it properly and safely. The mortal lad mentioned that there is an issue with the translation magic related to this.”

Felinia frowned. “What issue?”

“Concepts can’t always be conveyed properly to words having implications in one language that they don’t in others. He thinks there may be a word that covers both wisdom and Knowledge.”

Felinia asked “Do you know of such a word?”

Gallen nodded. “Yes, and it also covers cunning as well. However, if you are going to raise this subject with the class, you might use something more general, like how Sickness covers both Poison and Plague.”

Felinia just looked at him and shook her head “James Gallen, you have been thinking about this almost too much!”

Gallen smiled “What? I teach trickery! Got to admit it was smart of that lad to figure it out. Anyway, during dinner there was a . . . public disagreement with a club leader who didn’t like losing potential members.

“She was shut down fast and the Hearth lass actually managed to pull a fast one. She pointed out she may be a Hearth Goddess, but there is normally a large overlap with the Hospitality Domain, and so she knows the Laws of Hospitality.”

Felinia cracked up laughing!

“That is great! I’ve lost track of how many times I have used them as weapons in order to maintain neutrality!”

“Anyway, this lass, Harlen, pointed out the other girl was breaking those rules. Harlen also pointed out there was also an overlap with Etiquette, formal and informal, . . “

Felinia cracked up laughing again. “I love this! And, since it was all at dinner to stop someone disturbing their meal, it also all falls under the duties of those with Hearth Domain.”

Gallen thought for a moment and chuckled. “Damn! I missed that bit as I was too focused on the other stuff! Anyway, she called her rude, misguided, misinformed and ignorant, but offered to politely sit down and peacefully talk about things.”

Felinia could see what happened next. “Hostile politeness! I love it! To agree is to concede you were probably wrong, and yet to refuse makes you seem close minded and unwilling to listen. Let me guess, she, being angry and offended, left in a huff.”

Gallen smiled. “That’s right!”

They talked a bit more, until Gallen asked “How is Shade doing?”

Felinia looked at Gallen’s Shadow and said “Doing pretty well, I’d say.”

Gallen turned to face it and it seemed like something left his shadow, entering others.

Gall3n saw it and sore. “Dammit Shade! I’m supposed to be the sneaky one here!”

Felinia just laughed. She just hoped other students would be at least as amusing.