You Get Some Knowledge

The one thing you have learned about the magical world is that, despite what some works of fiction have claimed, most of the food they have is the same as that in the non-magical one. That seems to apply to snacks too as Selena and Mana dump a wide variety of candies, snack cakes, and chips on the floor next to the table, though your eyes are drawn to the bags of "Screaming Hot Mandrake Flavor Chips" and "Chimera Tails" (which appear to be some kind of orange and red colored licorice twists) that you quickly claim for yourself.

Once the snack division is settled, the three Pegasus students break out their note and text books to discuss some of the various classes they share. While most of them are classes you are not a part of, as Pegasus courses tend to focus on the healing arts, there are a few elements that catch your attention. Most particularly when they bring up the subject of Lifelines.

"I get how to manipulate them," Selena says, scrunching up her nose as her pencil taps against the paper of her notebook, "but explaining how I do it is so haaard."

"I'm pretty sure Professor Angel isn't really looking for that?" Mana throws in, "I THINK he just wants us to talk about how we could use it in practice?"

Artie nods. "R-Right. Like how you u-u-use it for... i-increasing blood... circulation. O-or for p-pain management."

"So you can use Lifelines to lessen sensation too?" you ask.

The group seems surprised at your question and when they look in your direction you explain, "A friend is really into Tantric Healing Magic, so she's mentioned how it comes up in making people feel... good. And how to use it that way."

"I seeeeeee," Selena says with a little grin.

You grin back. "I can give you a hands-on demonstration... later."

"A-A-ANYWAY!" Artie interjects, his face reddening, "M-M-Maybe we can talk... a-a-about the one... class we all sh-share?"

It takes you a few seconds to realize he is talking about Magical Defense, which you confirm by asking, "Professor Zizana's? You sure you're up for that?"

"Yeah, we heard about what happened," Mana said, "I can't believe Parisa DID something like that... but then I guess a lot of unbelievable stuff has been happening with her lately."

Artie grunts. "W-Won't stop Professor.. Zizana... f-from wanting our h-h-homework."

You get why he would want to change the subject from Parisa but that did seem a little fast. Still, for now it seems best to keep going with the flow. "She does seem pretty... intense," you say.

"The Professor?" Selena asks, "I think she means well even if she is kinda scary about it. I mean, if even HALF the stories about her past are true..."

"Which half though?" Mana asks, "The stuff she did working for the Ashcrofts or being a VDD agent?"

"V-V-Veil Defense Department," Artie clarifies before you can ask, "A g-g-government group that... f-f-fights wizards and magical creatures that t-t-try to break into the... non-magic w-world."

"It'd explain so many of those scars," Selena argues, "And given some of the things she knows how to defend against, facing that kind of stuff makes a lot more sense than being some kind of rich person's spy."

Harmony HAD mentioned that Zizana's past as a tutor for her family was well known, so yeah, her being some kind of spy sounded unlikely if she could be suspected of it so easily.

"Professor Dove seems convinced she is though," Mana shoots back, "I know she's told us to be careful about what we say around her at least a few times."

"P-P-Probably because Z-Z-Zizana.... gets along with P-P-Professor Aspecta," Artie says, "D-D-Dove REALLY doesn't... l-l-like her."

You had certainly noticed THAT during the conversation with the Headmaster they were present at. "Why's that?" you ask, "I mean, I have classes with Aspecta and she seems... nice enough."

"I think I've heard about this," Selena says, "The word is that Aspecta wants Dove's dean position, so they keep trying to undermine each other. So I guess if Dove messed up too badly with one of the Halfs in her care, that might--"

Artie grunts and squirms as Selena closes her mouth and shoots both you and him sympathetic looks. "Sorry," she sighs, "I don't mean to keep bringing up what happened to you both recently."

"I-I-It's okay," Artie finally says, "M-M-Maybe th-this was.... a bad i-i-idea right now."

"NO!" Selena suddenly exclaims, slamming her book closed and causing the three of you to jump slightly, "Game time!"

"Already?" Mana asks, "I mean, I'm not complaining but..."

"Look, it sounds like none of us are in the mood to really focus on work right now," Selena replies, "And forcing things too hard makes it tougher to get anything done! So maybe let's play a game of Summoning Battle or two and see how we feel after that!"

You finish your bag of "Screaming Hot" chips (they are actually quite mild) and shrug as you start opening the Chimera Tails. "She's not wrong," you add, holding the open bag to Artie, "And it's practice for if any of us want to join the Summoning Battle club someday, if you wanna look at it that way."

Artie looks at you and the bag uncertainly. "T-Those are too... hot for m-m-me," he says before sighing and shrugging his shoulders, "B-B-But sure."

Selena slaps her hands together happily. "Alright then! If you don't mind, might I make a suggestion for what to try first?"

You take a bite of the Chimera Tail and... yes, those are quite hot. Habanero-infused, if you are not mistaken. That will keep you quiet for the moment and, as Selena's way of doing things has (however unintentionally) helped you learn more about your teachers than you were expecting to tonight, you think you have no objections to her remaining in the lead for now.