Chapter 2
Harmonica Academy
Tap... Tap... Tap... Elaine's fingers traced invisible patterns on her desk. Where time crawled slower than the eldest oak's growth, there she was, history class. Each word the professor spoke was a like a stone sinking into a lifeless pond. The classroom in this diverse high school exudes a blend of rustic charm and simplicity, reflecting the school’s less advanced nature compared to the other districts in their colony. The desks are wooden, crafted by the local dwarven carpenters, sturdy and practical with intricate carvings that hint at their craftsmanship. Despite the wood's durability, the desks bear marks of use, such as scratches, names etched into corners, and the occasional ink stain, giving the room a sense of history and community.
The walls are painted in a neutral tone, with large chalkboards spanning the front side. Though some advanced universities use holographic displays or smartboards, this high school relies on traditional chalk and charcoal. Decorations around the room reflect the rich cultural diversity of its students: banners with elven calligraphy hang beside vibrant satyr murals, and ancient orcish war drums are displayed in a corner as a nod to their past's heritage. The windows, tall and arched, let in plenty of natural light, a feature the satyrs particularly appreciated. They’re adorned with simple curtains that don’t distract from the natural beauty outside. The students themselves often bring items that reflect their backgrounds, like hand-carved quills or orc-made leather notebooks, further enriching the environment. The school is vibrant during class hours, with a variety of languages, laughter, and debates, as the diverse group of students learn to navigate their differences and build friendships across cultures. For Elaine however, this period felt like dust settling on her soul. Her only source of sanity in this tomb of stale lectures was her childhood friend, Sam.
"You know, our planets history is important. You can at least pretend like you're awake." Sam whispered. He poked her in the shoulder with the rubber end of his pencil. Half a dozen jabs later, the slumbered elf arose.
"Who cares what happened hundreds of Revolutions ago? It's not like any of it affects me." Elaine retorted.
"Wow, for being top of our class, you sure are ignorant. If you keep slacking off, you're gonna get a bad rep from the professors. I can almost see it now. 'Laziest elf in Crosshollow' with a picture of your tomato head posted all over the school." Sam joked while gesturing with his hands.
"Ya right, horns-for-brains, or should I say nubs-for-brains. I have some of the highest scores in our class. It's exhausting being at the top, if I don't slow down for all of you it'd be a one girl show all Revolution ." Elaine ever so humbly bragged.
"Low blow on the horns Elaine, we both know they'll grow out eventually. Once I've fully matured my horns will be the biggest you've ever seen."
Elaine made a gaging gesture, "Don't phrase things like that, it's gross. Also, you started it by calling me tomato -"
"Elaine! Sam! Is there something you would like to share with the rest of the class?" Professor Highspire's voice boomed throughout the classroom. Even for an orc, he was abnormally tall with a very broad figure. His deep raspy voice could be heard across the entire campus if he so desired.
Sam shot up straight in his chair, as did Elaine. "No Sir." Sam's voice shook slightly, "we were just comparing notes from your lecture is all."
"Oh really?" Professor Highspire gestured his hands in a taunting manner. "Then why don't you take over today's lecture for a while." Grakthor Highspire was not a rude man, however he did not appreciate distractions while he taught. "Tell us then, what are the four main colonies on Velandor, as well as their capitals."
Elaine and Sam quickly glanced at each other. She mouthed the words 'Save me' to him. That was strange. Sam could have sworn her voice produced no sound, yet he heard her voice clear as day. He quickly refocused on the task at hand. Right, easy question. Sam nudged his chair back and stood as tall as he could on his own two hooves.
"Our planet Velandor is the third planet in our system, farthest from the star Veltharia. It's divided into four colonies governed by the four sentient races. The Orcs run the Granthor colony, their capital is Krul'Dan. They specialize in mining and produce most of the world's rocks and minerals. The Dwarf colony of Kaldurim is a jack of all trades. They manufacture the largest amount of woodwork, smithing, and play a small role in technological development. Their capital is Thrunhold." Sam paused to wet his mouth. "The Satyr colony of Faedros is the planet's foundation of farming and agriculture. The capital of Thymaros is home to the world's most advanced medical practices and cutting-edge advancements. Finally, the colony we live in is the Elven kingdom of Syltherion. Our capital is Elaenya and we are the most technologically advanced of the four colonies. Our government also has a strong say in how the other three colonies coexist and trade." Sam let out a deep breath as fidgeted with the strands of hair poking out of his uniform.
"Very well said Sam, you may have a seat. Please try to keep outside conversations to a minimum from now on." Highspire returned to his podium and continued his lecture.
Pleased with himself Sam shifted in his seat and turned to Elaine with a cocky smirk on his face. However, his grin faded fast when he noticed that the ruby haired elf held the left side of her face in her palm, dozing off once again. He slowly raised his hoof inches of the ground, then returned them, not so gently, upon the tips of Elaines leather boots. Shocked by the sudden betrayal, Elaine recoiled in her chair, smacking her elbow on the back of her chair. She shot her assaulter a malicious look only to notice him pointing towards her lips. Elaine wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Sam laughed quietly as she smeared the 'definitely not drool' onto her skirt. Arms crossed and cheeks puffed, Elaine stared forward for the remainder of the class, with the tips of her ears matching her hair.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Everybody grab a partner, this lab requires groups of two or three. If you do not have a partner than one will be assigned to you. Make sure you're wearing your safety glasses. If anybody gets injured, we'll have to do book work for the rest of the Revolution. Does everybody understand?" Professor Lyra Thristlegrove was in charge of herbalism and potions class. She was your generic mother figure, strong willed and took no attitude from her students nor her fellow professors. Everyone generally enjoyed Mrs. Lyra's presence, but gods help you if you ended up on her bad side. "Are groups all set? Good, make your way to the garden, once we get outside each group gather around a bench."
While Hermonica Academy wasn't as technologically advanced as other schools and universities in this colony, the school ground itself was second to none. As Elaine and the other students made their way to the garden, she couldn't help but devour the scenery.
The garden was a sprawling oasis, nestled behind the school, where nature thrived in vibrant harmony. Divided into sections, each piece was cultivated with care to appeal to each different race. The elven section featured elegant rows of luminescent moonflowers and shimmering leaves of silver root, their delicate glow illuminated during the twilight hours. Nearby, the satyrs’ section is wild and untamed, with clusters of colorful berries, twisting vines, and fragrant blossoms that hum with life.
The dwarves have a more structured area, with raised stone planters housing hardy herbs like ironbark, thyme and flame pepper, used to craft potent potions. The orcish portion of the garden contains sturdy shrubs and bold flowers. Crimson fangs and thunderblooms, that require a strong hand to harvest and are well known for their intense effects in brews. Between the sections, winding stone paths lead to a central fountain, its water enchanted to shimmer in shades of emerald and sapphire, a tranquil space.
Ancient oak trees provide shade over wooden benches carved with intricate designs, where students often sit to sketch plants or jot down formulas for their potions. The air is filled with the mingling scents of fresh earth, blooming flowers, and the faint tang of alchemic ingredients. Everywhere, bees buzz, butterflies flit, and the occasional songbird perches on a branch, adding a melody to the scenic atmosphere. It’s a place where learning feels alive, as every leaf and petal seems to pulse with the magic of discovery. This was Elaine's second Revolution attending this academy, yet the garden left her speechless every time.
"If it was up to me, we'd have class out here every day." Sam's voice sounded closer than she realized he was. She glanced over her shoulder to chime in, "It's incredible isn't it I've always loved the-" She stopped mid-sentence. Huh? Wasn't he just here? Elaine stopped walking with the group and looked around her classmates. She noticed Sam, leading the front of the group, wearing a sharp smile. Is he messing with me or something?
"Is something wrong Elaine?" Mrs. Lyra approached her until they were parallel.
Elaine glanced up at the kindhearted satyr in confusion. "Uhm.. No ma'am just taking it all in I suppose."
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Mrs. Lyras face was soft and gentle, "Let's not fall too far behind then, who knows what those orc twins would get up to if I left them alone." She put a warm hand on Elaines shoulder. They both mirrored an amused smile and continued through the garden gates.
* * * * * * * * * *
Elaine and Sam knelt side by side near a bubbling fountain in the center, their potion crafting supplies spread out before them on a sturdy wooden table. They hadn't asked each other to be partners, they both subconsciously assumed they would pair up. They had always been close ever since they were little sprouts. In fact, outside of their immediate family, they had spent the vast majority of their young lives in each other's company. Elaine pushed a strand of her red hair behind one pointed ear and scrutinized the list of ingredients they’d been assigned. “Alright, we’ve got everything except ghostcap mushrooms. I’ll gather those while you start prepping the cauldron.” Her tone was brisk but warm, the faintest hint of excitement bubbling beneath her usual composure. Potion crafting was one of her favorite subjects after all.
Sam nodded, his usual playful grin spreading across his face. “Got it. I’ll make sure the cauldron doesn’t explode, no promises about minor singes.” He winked, earning himself an exasperated sigh from Elaine as she stood and headed toward the shaded area where the mushrooms wildly thrived.
While Elaine foraged, Sam inspected their ingredients again: dried wolfsbane, powdered pearlroot, and fireweed. He arranged them carefully, his hands surprisingly steady despite his reputation for clumsiness. He filled the cauldron with water from the fountain, started a fire, and let it simmer. As steam began to rise, he adjusted the flames beneath the pot with a few precise gestures, proving that he had a solid grasp of the fundamentals.
Elaine returned, cradling a bundle of ghostcap mushrooms in her arms. “Found them.” she announced, her green eyes glinting with satisfaction. She set them down and began slicing them with practiced grace, the knife flashing in the sunlight. Sam watched for a moment, impressed despite himself.
“You’re scary good with that,” he commented. Mental note, be nice to Elaine when she's wielding a knife.
Elaine didn’t look up, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “And you’re surprisingly good at not burning things down so far. Let’s keep it that way.” They worked in sync, their personalities balancing each other. Elaine’s meticulousness ensured every step was executed with precision. When it came time to add the ingredients to the cauldron, they alternated, Elaine carefully measuring each component and Sam offering light-hearted commentary to keep the mood relaxed.
“Do you think this potion will actually shimmer when we’re done?” Sam asked, peering into the cauldron as Elaine stirred clockwise exactly three times.
“It should,” Elaine replied, her voice steady. “If we did everything right, it’ll shimmer like moonlight and emit a soft hum. The hum is the tricky part—it means we balanced the elemental properties perfectly. Mrs. Lyra said that this is really good at clearing away minor illnesses like colds or a fever. You can either have it sit out and be absorbed into the air or just drink it entirely.”
Sam leaned closer, his face reflecting the cauldron’s faint glow. “Well, it’s definitely humming, but it’s more of a growl don't you think?”
Elaine froze, her hand hovering above the pot. “What?” She looked into the swirling liquid, her eyes widening. The potion shimmered, all right, but it was a menacing, fiery red rather than the expected silvery blue.
“Sam!” she hissed. “What did you do?”
“Me?!” Sam exclaimed, his expression equal parts innocence and offended. “I added exactly what the list said.” He picked up list once again. He took inventory, pointing to each ingredient and saying their corresponding name. He was spot on with everything, except one. "... and fireweed. That's it. I'm not an idiot Elaine, I can follow directions.
Elaine groaned, rubbing her temples her ears bouncing up and down. “That's not fireweed Sam, those are flame petals. They have completely different reactions when you mix them with the mushrooms. Look at them side by side. The flame petals don't have orange steaks running down the stems, and the fireweed branches aren't even the same color.”
Their classmates glanced back, overhearing their conversation grow louder, some amused and others concerned. Working together frantically, Elaine and Sam scrambled to neutralize the volatile potion, tossing in stabilizing herbs and carefully whisking the cauldron. At last, the potion settled, its glow dimming to a serene blue and emitting a soft, melodious hum.
Sam grinned sheepishly. “See? Like I promised, no explosion. And it’s humming like you said it would.”
Elaine shot him a look but couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up. “Next time I gather all the supplies.”
Sam chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. But I get to-” Sam froze, as the pot began to bubble violently. "Uhm... Elaine we should probably ask Mrs. Lyra about this." But before either of them could stand up, the pot erupted. Spewing out a thick vibrant blue liquid, the cauldron spared no one in the vicinity. Heavy rain covered the five-meter radius from where the explosion took place. Other students groaned and complained, the hot liquid finding its way onto their uniforms. When the noise settled, Sam didn't have the courage to turn to his left. They both sat there in silence, utterly soaked in their own creation.
Elaine slowly removed her safety glasses. Outside of the small circles surrounding her eyes, her face, hair, and uniform were glowing blue. "You. Owe. Me. Big time." She paused with every word, ensuring the weight of her message sank deep into Sam. Sam made no sound, no gestures, frozen just like a statue. They stayed that way, until Mrs. Lyra came over. Not a single drop had violated the professor, in fact she somehow looked cleaner than earlier.
"Just so you two know, I saw your mishap as soon as it started." The female satyr didn't bother to hide her laugh. "That pot was doomed the second the flame petals entered. But it wouldn't have been as fun if I told you." She once again let out a gentle laugh. "Here, take these towels," She tossed two heavy pieces of fabric atop both their heads, "I'll let your other professors know that you're done for the day. Clean up the best you can and head home for the day."
With a sunken heart, Sam turned to Elaine, goop and now a towel hiding most his face. Elaine shot daggers his direction, her now blue features were as intimidating as a ball of slime could be. She stood up and excused herself from the garden. Sam continued to soak in his defeat for a while longer. Eventually, he too found his footing and exited the garden.
* * * * * * * * * *
Entirely drained from this exhausting day, Elaine lay spread out on her living room floor. She was home earlier than normal, so her parents were still out at work. Her father Eyrndor Lyrath was the mayor of the district, so he was an important figure here in Crosshollow. Her father was a kind man, he rarely got upset and could solve most problems with his presence alone. Everyone in Crosshollow respected Eyrndor, he treated everyone equally and always took the communities concerns seriously. Unlike her family, elves tended to see themselves superior to the other inhabitants of Velandor. Thus, Eyrndor made it his mission in life to create a safe place for all races to live in harmony. Discrimination was fairly common in the Syltherion kingdom, so while Crosshollow was varied with culture from all races, the elves were a minority in this district. The Lyrath family, beloved by all in Crosshollow, were often looked down upon by their own kind. However, Elaine had never experienced any of these social standings. She was raised to embrace and accept everyone, which played a significant role in her parents' decision to enroll her at Hermonica Academy. Her family was one of the school's primary benefactors after all.
Elaine eventually rallied herself from oak wood floor and returned to the bathroom once more. Her eyes drifted to the family mirror. The frame was carved of a single piece of a moonlight tree branch, smooth to the touch, it glowed with a faint luminescent light. The mirror itself wasn't built with ordinary glass, but rather polished crystal that was hand crafted to reflect perfect clarity. And in that reflection was a scowling young elf, with matted hair and faint traces of blue still remaining from the incident in class.
Mom will know the best way to clear out the rest of this gunk. She admitted defeat for now, then sluggishly made her way into her room. Upon entering she saw Nyx resting at her bedside, tail twitching in his sleep. "Still as lazy as ever I see." Elaine lightly brushed the ferok's ear, before shifting to her bedsheets sprawled on the floor. Right, can't forget about these. She scooped up the damp sheets and tip toed out her door and into the backyard.
The Lyrath's backyard is a blend of elegance and practical functionality, reflecting her family’s humble yet refined lifestyle. The space is surrounded by a low, well-built stone wall, with slightly overgrown flora, giving it a natural charm. Beds of herbs and flowers, meticulously arranged by Elaine's mother, give off a gentle aroma of lavender and mint. A small stone pathway winds through the grass to a shaded area where a wooden clothesline stretches between two sturdy posts carved with intricate patterns.
Near the clothesline is a large, smooth basin carved from a single piece of marble, a luxury for most but typical due to their subtle wealth. The basin is set atop a waist-high wooden stand and fed by a hand pump connected to a freshwater spring. A small, carved wooden bench beside the basin holds cabinets built into the seat. Inside contained neatly stacked brushes, soaps made from natural oils and herbs, and a few woven baskets.
Elaine rolled up her sleeves and worked efficiently, a rhythm to her movements as she scrubbed her sheets against a ridged washboard placed in the basin. Elaine was more than familiar with household chores. While she tended to get a free pass during the school week, her parents often put her to work during her time off from learning. The water glistened in the sunlight as she lifted the fabric, rinsing it thoroughly before wringing it out with practiced ease. She carried a soft expression while she worked, enjoying the warm breeze that carries the scent of blooming flowers. Once clean, the sheets were draped carefully over the clothesline, their crisp white contrasting beautifully with the vibrant colors of their garden.
Happy with her performance, Elaine strode back inside and checked her bag. She rustled around in her pack searching for a singular piece of paper that contained important information. This should be it. She removed the slightly crumpled paper and glanced over its contents once more.
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Harmonica Academy Field Trip Permission Slip
-Exploring the Whispering Falls Conservatory
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are thrilled to announce that Harmonica Academy is organizing an overnight field trip to the Whispering Falls Conservatory, an extraordinary natural reserve located within our district. This trip will provide students with a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences about ecology, cultural history, and teamwork.
Activities include:
- Hands-on tour of the Whispering Falls and surrounding ecosystems
- Team-building activities in the Arboretum of Unity .........
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Elaine beamed while reading the permission slip. Since the trip is only a few days away I'll need to start getting ready soon. This'll be my first time staying overnight with people outside of my family, so I'll need to be prepared. Just as she was daydreaming her mother walked through the front door, meat, bread, and vegetables from the local market in hand. Elaine was the first to greet her. "Hey Mom, welcome home."
"Oh Elaine, you're home early. How was cla-" Vearina paused as she bared witness to the horrors atop her daughter's head. "Do I even want to ask how that happened?"
"IT WAS ALL SAM'S FAULT!" Elaine, who's irritation with her satyr friend, was reignited once more.
Vearina let out a soft sigh. She placed the groceries on the kitchen table, then reached out a hand to her daughter. "Come with me outside. I'll help dissolve this disaster and you can tell me everything that happened. Sound like a plan?"
Elaine took her mothers hand and gave her a genuine smile. "I tried washing it out three times and this was the best I could do on my own." They both strolled to the backyard, Vearina leading the way.
"Are those your bedsheets Elaine?"
Elaine facepalmed hard, "Ya, I'll explain that too. I DID NOT wet the bed so don't even joke about it.... And it's not drool either." Her mother laughed softly then operation 'Save Elaine's sanity' officially began.