Study with Harmony

Because she had actually taken illusions with Professor Sloss last year, you decide you would get the most out of your time with Harmony. Besides, while Lee might be a good guy, you doubt he would make the best teacher. Exiting Ophelia's office, you make your way to the third floor of House Phoenix.

After climbing the last flight of stairs, you round the corner into the hallway to notice the third floor only has eight rooms. Curious. You find the door marked thirty-two and give a light knock. Almost a minute passes without a sound. Maybe Harmony was still elsewhere working on her divination project? You are about to walk away but hear the click of the doorknob. You turn to find Harmony standing there. She was still wearing the uniform plaid skirt and white button-up shirt but had taken off the sweater vest she usually wore. Her ample chest, no longer bound by the vest, seemed more voluptuous than you remember. She was also missing her usual headband and her blond hair, for the first time you had seen, cascaded down to frame her face and looked quite stunning.

"Decided to put your studies first? Good. Come in." Harmony greeted you with her usual stern demeanor as she stepped to one side and motioned for you to enter. Immediately, you notice her room is quite larger than yours. About three times the size actually. Her bed was a full size instead of a twin, it's bedding much nicer too. The desk, trunk, and wardrobe were also all larger with more intricate woodworking. The suite also included a small wooden table in the corner, an old grandfather clock, and a mini chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Most of the floor was covered in a large plush rug. She even had her own window with a view to the courtyard and the main school building.

"Wow." You state in amazement to her lavish furnishings. "How did you get such a nice room?"

"I'm an Ashcroft. Our noble family founded the school long ago. We reserve a couple of rooms like this every year for family members in attendance." She answers you. "Try not to let it distract you.

"Right. I should have guessed." You say. "So... Where do we start?"

"How about you show me what you can do first. We can go from there." Harmony instructs as she takes a seat on the edge of her soft bed. Sitting very prim as usual with her hands resting on her lap.

"Ok." You agree, moving your attention to the center of the room. Focusing on the light to mold it, you begin to trace the rune. "Illusio mentis." With the spell words, the illusion of a flame forms. It's tongues dance appropriately but, once again, the image is blurry. "That is about all I have been able to manage." You admit.

Harmony just sits there, observing the illusion. One hand raises, delicate fingers extending to her chin curiously. Before a minute passes, the image fades. "Why a flame?" She finally inquires.

"What? I don't know. It was just the first thing I thought to try." You answer.

"Why not something stationary?" Her question more of a suggestion as she stands and moves to her trunk. "Try again. But, this time, try something inanimate." She instructs while opening the lid and bending down to rummage around. You watch Harmony search through the contents of her trunk, her uniform skirt slightly riding up to expose more of her flawless thighs. "Here." She finally says, standing to move back to the bed. Taking her seat again, she holds in her lap a copy of the illusionist's tome. "Try this. Small, simple, and should be familiar, if you really have been studying." Her voice hinting a little judgment.

"Ok. I'll give it a shot." You say. Once more you focus on the light. Tracing the arcane rune as you think of the appearance of the tome. "Illusio mentis." The blurry image of the book appears on the floor before you. Dropping your hands to your side, you bow your head in defeat.

"Wait." Harmony says, intently staring at the illusion. You look up and watch the blurry book just resting on the floor. A minute passes, then another and the image just sits there. A moment later, it finally begins to fade and disappear. "A marked improvement but illusions are clearly not your strong suit." Harmony says with a smirk, somewhat pleased to see you not excel at something.

"I can't pass this class with just that." You tell her. "What am I doing wrong?

"I was watching your technique. You can't be heavy-handed when you create an illusion. This isn't your evocation class." Harmony almost laughs. "As I said, illusions are more of an art than anything else. In alchemy, you rebuild the structure of source material like a sculptor. Think of illusions like painting with light and shadow. Use light brush strokes while not focusing too hard. Allow your imagination to fill in the details. The more you have studied the details of your subject beforehand, the more accurate the image." She instructs. "Now, try again and remember, this requires a lighter touch."

You focus on the light as you trace the rune one more time, Harmony's words hanging in your memory: "Light brush strokes." Trying not to focus too intensely as you shape the illusion. "Illusio mentis." The spell words leave your mouth and the illusion forms.