A Favor for a Favor

Every step as you ascended to the upper level was magnified in the pressing silence, broken only by the merry crackling of the central hearth. Faralda's bedroom-turned-office was easy enough to find, being the only source of life in the entire tower. As you approached the scornful Altmer, you heard the door click shut behind you with a wave of her hand. A faint humming also informed you that a muffle charm had been cast.

"Mr Avenicci," she began, banishing the scroll that hid her face and swinging her buskined feet off the desk where they'd just been propped up. "Take a seat"

The formal atmosphere compelled you to pull up a chair opposite her table and obey.

"Since you're a novice, I'll be lenient, just this once. The College encourages experiments with magic, how else would the theory and practice of magic progress? However, we strongly condemn experimentation on fellow mages, particularly those on **** or unwilling subjects."

You nod silently. You have a feeling you know where she's going with this.

"That...unorthodox spell you used during the entrance test could be classified as such. To say nothing of your subsequent actions which, regardless of circumstance, can be construed as nothing short of blatant theft."

"Sorry..." It came out more as a mumble than an acknowledgement, but it was sincere nonetheless.

"I never asked for an apology," she said flatly, though her harsh temperament noticeably softened.

"As I said, you're new, so the incident shall remain between us. But how do you intend to repay my leniency?"

There was a hint of suggestiveness in her voice that set your pulse racing.