Master Elbegast advises you and offers a choice

Master Elbegast pulls at his beard. "It seems that the heart of the matter, Miss Woodbine, is that you're pulled in too many directions." The short but muscular and bulky mage seems to be listening seriously to you. He grunts. "Get Mr. Sharper to let you concentrate on one thing at a time, and you'll do fine." He looks up to one side. "I'll say nothing about the Warden, except that you are certainly aware she's a distraction. Choose wisely there, Miss Woodbine."

Warden, Tutor, and Master of Devices, each of them trying to point you the right direction for being a senior scholar in House Leontes at Boarbristle. Maybe Leontes is the right House for you, after all, not just the House of Golondrina's sponsor.

Elbegast clears his throat. "If you want my advice, I think you should take another course with Mr. Sharper. You might do well enough as a Prefect, Miss Woodbine, string-puller that you are. Put that talent to use for the House."

You feel the beginnings of a blush starting at the tips of your ears. You ease yourself into a steady calm.

"Sir," you acknowledge him.

"Oh, come off it, Morgan," Master Elbegast sputters. "Save that for Housemaster, Tutor, and Warden. You're a flibbertigibbet little witch with middling talents, driven by personal attachments. Use that. If you want to work with me, then fine. Make a warding charm for Miss Applebum. It'll do you both good, and Fay will sleep better of a night, and you'll accomplish something real. See me next week if that's what you want. I advise you to pull another task from Mr. Sharper." He sniffs.

Little witch is a bit rich from a dwarf, but perhaps not off the mark, even if Golondrina says you're standing tall these days.

The blush escapes to a bloom of warmth across your face. So much for keeping your composure. You feel a twitch behind the bridge of your nose, and blink your eyes.

"Thank you, Master Elbegast." You stand.

"You'll want to blot your eyes, Woodbine." He offers a handkerchief. It's soft, many-folded, and immaculately clean.

You accept. You blot away your tears and return Master Elbegast's handkerchief.

He nods and grunts. "On your way, Scholar."

Scholar. You'll take that as respect.

Your choices:
When you MAKE AMENDS, on a 7-9, choose one:

• Let things stand. Your gesture is noted, but the burden is unresolved.
• Accept a GOAL from Master Elbegast, -2 vs. DILIGENCE, to craft a warding charm for Fay. On a success, gain +1 XP and a FAVOR from Master Elbegast.

You have 3 XP.
You have +2 Ambition, +1 Bravery, +2 Cunning, +0 Diligence.
You know the Forbidden Spell TRANSFORM and the spell MORPHO PHALLUS.
Your FRIENDs are Golondrina, Fay and Barbara Torch, the Warden of House Leontes.
Your HANGER-ON is Emily Leopard, another third-year, the Warden's pet and mini-me, who is suspicious of you. Emily owes you a FAVOR.

In either case, Emily Leopard gets in the way. DEAL WITH YOUR HANGER-ON. You'll have to PUT OFF or DISCOURAGE her in order to accept Master Elbegast's GOAL.

For your HANGER-ON Emily Leopard, choose APPEASE (and decline Master Elbegast's offer), or choose PUT OFF or DISCOURAGE in order to have a choice whether to accept.