Pry and meddle. Roll +DILIGENCE(+2) to ENCOUNTER Miss Hemstitch. Miss.

Miss Hemstitch's remarks to you weigh on your mind. Professor Sterling hasn't been improper in any way, and with Nadia around, you don't think she's aiming at anything like that. But the Tutor did say you should come talk with her if Professor Sterling did get in the way of your studies in any way, and obsessive curiosity, perhaps, would count.

Sitting in Miss Hemstitch's outer office, you watch the tiny glowing mote that serves as her receptionist. You're not quite sure, after looking, whether the creature is a talking moth or a moth-winged fairy woman, but she serves efficiently. Even if she has to be rather demonstrative to catch one's attention sometimes.

Roll +DILIGENCE(+2) to ENCOUNTER Miss Hemstitch, House Beavertail's Tutor.
⚂⚀ + 2 = 6, Miss.

Regrettably Miss Hemstitch has nothing particularly informative to share with you regarding Professor Sterling, but the Tutor encourages you to do your best and be diligent in your practice. You suppose that's best, since you are, after all, an awkward first-year, and Professor Sterling is an enchantress of prodigious talent and accomplishment, well-respected at Boarbristle Academy. Or perhaps envied and questioned, if Miss Hemstitch's concern is not merely for her charges but suspicion for Aurelia Sterling's effects upon Boarbristle.

Miss Hemstitch sends you on your way. She is kind and thoughtful, but you can't help but think her dismissal amounts to "Run along, young man."

You sigh as you make your way back through the hallways of House Beavertail. Is it worth pursuing your curiosity any longer, or should you buckle down and practice?

You have 3 XP.

You have Ambition -1, Bravery 0, Cunning +2, Diligence +2.
You have a FAVOR from Miss Wormwood, and a FRIEND, Aurelia Sterling, your Enchantments teacher.

What's your next Move?

• Dig into Aurelia Sterling's history. Roll +CUNNING(0) (+2 Cunning, -2 Moderately Difficult) as a Custom Move to discover why she's at Boarbristle. On a success (7+), you learn an intriguing fact or secret and gain +1 XP. On a 10+, also take +1 Forward. On a 7-9 or Miss, you lose her as a FRIEND and also must roll to GET OUT OF TROUBLE. You learn nothing on a Miss. (You may get Miss Wormwood's help, using her FAVOR for a +2).
• Practice with Nadia and Ms. Sterling. Roll +DILIGENCE (+2) as a Custom Move to practice banishing, warding, and dismissing. On a 10+, gain +1 XP and +1 Forward. On a 7-9, gain +1 XP and and choose a complication as below. On a Miss, your attention wanders. Take -1 Forward and a scolding from Ms. Sterling.

Complications from fumbling practice:

• You fumble a dismissal and dismiss everyone's clothes. GET OUT OF TROUBLE.
• You banish the air from around you and promptly faint. Take a CONSEQUENCE and GO TO THE INFIRMARY.
• A bystander enters and you banish their clothes. Gain an ENEMY.