jesterlies | OPEN POST 2 ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

I see you've become less gullible! Ah, how sad that you will be harder to fool with my silly little stories. Alas!

[Ah, Maverick's eyes flutter shut a moment before he smiles. He will turn and begin walking, though, because he does not want to linger on that for too long.]

It's true! The student has now become the teacher. You're quite lucky that Professor Haberly decided to retire a few months ago. I'm quite lucky you decided to take her slot, as I had a time trying to fill that class as it's sub! Healing is not my specialty, after all.

[Off they go, up the stairs. There's a larger than life painting of the three founders. Maverick, Lilian and Eochaidh, all with their regal glory rendered, which is often at odds with both the Headmaster himself, and the way Lilian sometimes drags herself back to the Spire covered in mud up to her knees with twigs in her hair having not eaten in three days to excitedly tell them all the neat thing she just learned in some ancient ruin in a kingdom across the ocean.]

Oh, it has been the same as it always has been, not to worry. I built this place in such a strategic local that the threat of war very rarely whispers here. I would know if that ever changed. How has your journey been? Uneventful, I hope.

Oh dear...

[ The thought of Maverick, of all people, subbing in Healing makes Percy bark a laugh. He can't help it, because as much as Maverick has gone from Headmaster to close friend, and as much as Percy knows the mans knowledge of various schools of magic borders something truly insane...

Healing requires a touch far more delicate than this small chaos incarnate man knows.

As they walk, he admires the three portraits, as he often did when he was younger. Each one the picture of grace and regency. Power and poise. And he knows, as many students quickly learn, that only Eochaidh is truly that way. The Silver Knight is the very picture of a gentleman and a leader. Soft spoken and disciplined, yet a fierce swordsman and defendant.

Then there's Maverick, who he got to know as first just a professor who pushed him theories and mind to the limits, then as the Headmaster who lead his students to great things... and then as the man. His friend. Something he can only call a creature in human disguise.

And Lilian... it's hard to tell with her, as she's out more often than in, but it was always a ruckus when she came back with something new to share. Whether it be knowledge or something fighting tooth and nail-

Percy sighs in relief as Maverick reassures him the world here has been quiet. ]

Our efforts to contain it worked, then. I'm glad. And yes, indeed. Uneventful and quiet. Almost painfully so. I had grown quite used to the clamor of the field! I truly look forward to the student noise to fill in the silence.

[ His voice is soft and pleasant, happy and sweet, and from the tone of it one would never know he'd been to War. He seems the picture of serenity. The Paragon of Healing. ]

Ah, I truly missed it here!

Indeed.

[Maverick knows the theory and he is perfectly fine at the magic itself, he has created the Healer's programs here at the school, but it's true, when it comes to teaching it, it just isn't his best work.]

[It requires a patience he was never gifted with, but that is why he thinks Percy will be a fantastic choice for the role.]

[Maverick continues them up the stairs, across halls, into the wing known for holding most of the live-in professors.]

Of course, and even if we saw a threat at our door, I would dispatch them immediately, so you needn't worry here. The Order has been much the same as you remember.

[Joyously loud and chaotic.]

[He pauses by the door that will now be Percy's new room, and smiles, taking him in.]

[He's grown so much he can hardly believe it, but at the same time, hm. While he looks at him, he can't help but feel like something is a little off. Percy had come from war, and so Maverick wonders if he is holding himself this way as a means of trying to hold back those horrors. It's something for him to suss out later.]

[For now, he opens the door for him.]

I hope you'll not come to miss the peace and quiet! You'll surely never get any now. Now, how does it feel to be given a proper professor's quarters after living in the dorms all this time?

[It's a very lovely room actually.]

[ Much the same as you remember makes Percy smile with true delight. An absolute madhouse, then. Children of all ages screeching from class to class, the sounds of experimental magic exploding, the sudden colors of smoke wafting from chimneys or windows. The joy and laughter of comfort and safety and learning. The grumble of older professors sitting around like stodgy statues, trying desperately for peace and quiet to continue their work.

His heart aches and yearns for those days, and he cannot be gladder he's returned home.

The way his friend studies him makes him tilt his head gently, and he gives him a soft smile in turn. A little shake of his head. He knows the mans curiosity and though he told Maverick much in his letters - the nightmares, the pain - there's some he has yet to reveal. But he knows he will, because there's no one he trusts more.

Then his gaze turns to the room and his eyes widen, and he looks delighted. ]

I knew it!

[ He stomps into the room, looking around. Taking in everything like he's committing it to memory, when he's truly thinking back. ]

We oft argued in the dorms just what a Professors room truly looked like. "Gilt like a Kings treasury." "Lavish, like a Queens bed chambers." "A hovel, pitiful." I always knew it would be comfortable without being extravagant. Ah, after I got to know you more and realized you would not put such distance between our comforts.

[ He sits on the foot of the bed and with great gusto reaches down to undo the laces on his shoes and kick them off. Sighing heavily in relief as he massages one. ]

[The shake of his head makes him realize he's been caught. He sighs a little, letting it go for now, but now Percy knows he's watching him.]

[He watches him storm in and then immediately start ripping off his shoes. Ah, he recalls now that Percy had been particular insolent about wearing shoes while a student, having grown up on a farm where he wandered about barefoot to his heart's content.]

[Maverick saunters in after him, arms crossed.]

Of course I would not make my hard working Professor's live in a sty, but at the same time I had to be practical about the space! Do you know how bloody many of you I have to cram in this tower on any given day? It's a logistical nightmare.

So, to me, these rooms are rather humble, but still meet your needs.

[ Shoes are the Saints bane on Mankind. Truly the Demons greatest laugh. It makes a foot weak! It disconnects you from the natural magic!

They suck!

With a small pop Percy's luggage finally comes back into reality, clunking down in various places. He laughs a little and shakes his head, gesturing to a window. ]

You know very well that you have lovely lands you could build more on!

[ But he also knows Maverick, nor the others, ever would. Nor would they move. The Spire is located at a loci of energy, it's the best place for magic to flow in and around. And to disrupt the land with other buildings would cause a shift that would take ages to naturally adjust.

He huffs a small sound and looks around, already also beginning to undo the stiff outfit. He's lived in dorms, he's very much not body shy. ]

I think it's perfect. It beats sleeping on a field cot inside a tent. Do you know how long it's been since I slept on a bed?! Ages, Seamus!

[ He flops backwards with a heavy heavenly sigh. Bliss. ]

Absolutely wretched. You can see why I've never been one for the field myself. I think I would simply perish being outside my castle walls!

[The click of heels as Maverick begins to walk around the room. He throws open the wardrobe. He will pull out a Professors robe set and then hum thoughtfully as he holds it up far above his head.]

Hm, I may need to get this tailored for you after all, what a pity.

[He slides it back in. Then with a flick of his wrist, the doors shut behind them nice and secure.]

Now, will you let me take a look at your ailments properly? You described plenty to me over your letters but why do I suspect you're yet hiding some.

See, my friend, this is why I doubt your early morning jog!

[ Toss goes his tie! Where it lands it shall stay for a moment. He absolutely needs to get out of these dreadfully formal clothes. He stands as Maverick checks the wardrobe and looks fondly at the Professor robe. ]

Oh it doesn't look too bad! I'm sure it won't be much to alter them.

[ He waves a hand and one of his suitcases pops open, and he moves over to promptly pull out some plain field clothes. He's mid-disrobe when Maverick hits him with that and he pauses, wrinkling his nose lightly then sighing. ]

Oh you won't relent until I chatter away, will you?

[ He pulls the loose shirt on, then the pants are off and tossed somewhere in the vague direction of the tie. He ties the laces on the pants after they are, then sighs again, this time in comfort. ]

Very well, but I shan't do anything else until tomorrow.

[ But even with agreeance he's silent, gesturing here or there to get his luggage to unpack itself and put itself away. Frowning in thought. ]

My friend, have you ever been in a War?

[ Truthfully curious, the man is certainly old enough, surely there's been one or two he's been a part of. ]

[As Percy falls silent, Maverick does, too. That joking, almost jester like quality to the way he acts and speaks falling into something far more serious. It's a rare look from him.]

[He walks over to him, hands folding behind his back as he looks at him carefully. His eyes appraising, and for a moment, there is true age in them. Those wrinkles at the corner of his eyes are all the more apparent.]

Once, and I swore never again would I lend myself for pointless bloodshed, to sully my work by turning it into a weapon, wielded for the greed of another.

[A bitter look crosses his features, and somewhere on his chest, is a rather nasty blemish that marks the entrance of something bladed, and the mark on his back marking it's exit.]

I do not recall that time very fondly, but I am to assume at least, the war you left for had greater meaning than mine.

[ He smiles at Maverick as he comes over. It's an easy thing and will always be easy around his friend, even as he sees the true age in those eyes. And he can only imagine what War it was, with the bitter look that crosses that lined face.

He hm's softly and nods. ]

I'm truly sorry, Seamus. I, at least, knew what I was fighting for was righteous and just.

[ He goes quiet and his eyes a little distant. He takes his glasses off, as if he can spare himself from seeing the past, tucking them gently into his shirt pocket. ]

And you know the horrors war gives you. The sleepless nights. The tension that never seems to abate, as you wait for another call to arms. At seeing those around you slip away, or worse.

[ He looks down at his arms, turning his hands upwards. Scars litter them, magical damage from various spells he's healed. How many soldiers have succumbed in his arms, under his hands? His desperate attempts to heal them, to knit their wounds close, to stop the bleeding oh Saints please why wont it stop-

He inhales roughly and exhales softly. ]

I told you off the attack, did I not? The one that bypassed our soldiers, our forces, and hit our camps. Our healers, our injured. It was an attempt to kill, there was no mercy in it. I am one of the lucky ones, I received only a glancing blow from a stray psychic spell. But it has left my mind addled at times.

[ He reaches up to touch his witch mark on his forehead, altered after the blow. ]

[He thinks back to that stupid conflict, remembers the way that Anglia and conscripted them, threatened his funding back when they were still young and needed all they could to keep the Order afloat.]

[For the Queen, they had said, it's your sworn duty. It has been a pointless skirmish that had escalated into something bloody. A push for a domain in the hands of someone the crown just didn't like, and so they threw countless of bodies at it for self satisfaction. Maverick lost many of his own to that mess and he'll never forgive them for it.]

[He too, has to pull himself back down for a moment, lest he get caught up in that memory.]

I am glad to hear your toiling had not been in vain.

[At least to a point.]

[But as Percy begins to explain, Maverick listens. His expression darkening as they targeted the Healers entirely- and he recalls that mess, remembers the chaos of the veil that day. He tries hard school his expression, to some effect.]

[First he reaches for Percy's hands to look the scarring over, fingers trace with purpose their angry markings. Then he looks up, reaching to gently touch the mark.]

To target Healers in such a ruthless way, greed and cowardice are all to blame. Disgraceful.

[His tone is downright venomous as he speaks, another rare occurrence from Maverick. However his touch is soft.]

Addled in what way? Try to be as specific as you can be, my dear.

[ The touches are soothing and Percy closes his eyes for a moment to simply let his friend touch. Thankfully the mark on his head feels as it did any other time, if slightly warmer now to the touch. Like a faint fever lingers in that spot alone.

He opens his eyes to the venom, giving him a reassuring look, the hand still holding his getting squeezed gently. ]

It was. Many were lost that day.

[ Yet it had also galvanized their forces in a way he had never seen before. Like Maverick with his venom, they had seemed spurred by a sudden hatred. He sighs gently and then huffs a soft laugh. ]

Oh don't use that tone on me, that's the same tone Madame Lofly used whenever we visited the medical wing.

[ But he hums gently, tilting his head, stooping a little to be closer to Maverick without really thinking much of it. ]

When I do manage to sleep, I... see visions? Sometimes they are clear, of events that feel like they haven't yet happened. Sometimes they are not, flitting across my mind like fevers. I've seen you, howling in madness, trapped under something heavy. Lady Lilian sleeping, and Lord Eochiadh like an ink blot against the sun. I saw us in a world much larger than us, face to face in a clash. I saw myself broken and dead inside. A boy with brown wild hair, with a knife in his spine.

[ He exhales gently, closing his eyes again. ]

The clearer ones, they linger, and fill me with a sense of anticipation.

[Warm ...yes, not unlike a sickness in the body, a sickness in magic can take that sort of form. It's more than a magical cold, of course, there is something here lingering, something that could become worse if not treated. He frowns a little.]

[And notices Percy stooping over him. With a huff he urges him to sit down once more on the bed, so that he can have a better look, standing over him.]

Give a reason to stop and I'll cease it's use.

[You might be a professor now, but he is still the Headmaster. While Percy speaks of visions, Maverick closes his eyes and reaches out to him in a new way. Pulls on his Sainthood to get a true look at his health. It will only show him things that threaten his life, but it will give him a better idea of the severity.]

Visions... [And he thinks of how specific he describes the three of them.] I see. And what of the clearer ones?

[ The changes in position gets an actual giggle out of him, a noise he hasn't actually done for a while due to the War. Still upset about the height difference. Goodness. But he'll sit and let Maverick have the height on him to feel better.

Wrinkles his nose and decides to also let him continue to use the 'tell me your ills young man' tone. Fine.

The question of the visions makes him hm, tilting his head a little as he thinks, steeples his fingers together thoughtfully. Picks at his nails, a bad habit he's picked up. Hesitates. Admits. ]

I saw the moment you greeted me home, but weeks ago as I slept. I saw you in your office, trying to pretend to keep yourself busy, but every footstep would make you lift your head. I saw someone come to your door and you-

[ He huffs gently, a little laugh that he raises his hand to hide it behind, amused. ]

Hence my question about you waiting this entire time. Like an old hound dog!

[ A playful tease to the headmaster but also letting Maverick know the type of clearer visions he receives without... ah... explaining some of them. Thankfully, as Maverick looks, it doesn't seem like this new issue will threaten Percy's life any. It's clustered in his head and will make sleep miserable, perhaps. Just a new scar of stuck magic. ]

[He is no such thing! It's just easier for him to look at him this way without craning his neck up and making Percy hunch his back down!! You're welcome!]

[Of course as he explains the clearer vision, there's a certain flush to his face as he realizes he's been caught, and caught so thoroughly.]

Ah. Well.

[He could continue lying, bring up his theory about the other visions, but even he knows to cast doubt on something like this is a bad omen when it's clear Percy is receiving Actual Prophetic Dreams. Hm. He is so very Saint-like, he thinks. So very altruistic. Yes.]

Yes, it seems as though your visions are rather accurate, how curious. I've a stronger potion I've been working on, since you sent your first letter that I'd like you to try. It should help with your sleep.

[Of course the other things ...and the things that have gone unsaid... It leaves him feeling restless and thoughtful.

[ The flush makes him laugh again, louder, and he shakes his head gently, teasing. ]

Has no one truly managed to give you such a good debate thrashing as I?

[ Of course he's going to tease him, because he grew up with this man guiding him. Debating him. Arguing with him. He was Headmaster last, Professor first, and friend always. As they've written to each other, they continued on such a path. Debates in letters, ideas helped into realization - a new method to heal a magic wound, a new suture that will dissolve on it's own over time, a new this or that - and he's learned just how deep this mans humor ran. How deep his love for the people who come into his life.

The idea of a stronger potion makes him sigh heavily in relief. ]

I would like to try it tonight. The ride here was rather rough on top of the lack of sleep. There were several soldiers with me as well, and they were all very delighted to be going home. And loud.

[ He says it ruefully with a wry smile, eyes crinkling to show he doesn't mind obviously. ]

Plus, I must be well rested if I'm to begin making lessons for students. Though I attest myself and my friends were Saints of the most Angelic Order, I understand students nowadays have gotten rowdier and rougher and are little goblins.

Oh, there has certainly been a particularly Percy-shaped hole in my enrichment, that's for certain!

[You little shit. He says this affectionately, of course, because he knows that the moment he realized how brilliant Percy was, he had to do everything he could to ensure he thrived. That Percy became something more akin to a peer over the years was a surprise to him, but all the more rewarding.]

[He smiles as he asks for the potion, and nods.]

I've a fresh batch I brewed this morning, it's setting for another few hours and should be ready when the sun sets. I'll expect a detailed report on its results!

[He barks out a laugh at the Saintliness of him, and his friends.]

Oh, I am sure goblin is in the eye of the beholder, my Dear. Your records, had I not been so generous, would attest to that, considering the number of break-ins to the library count far higher than to what was actually recorded.

[ There it is. He missed this. It wasn't the same through the letters. He smiles warmly at his friend. ]

Then when I am fully rested, I shall give your ears a thorough verbal boxing, my friend!

[ The idea of an actual full nights rest sounds like bliss, truthfully. But the daydreaming of it is interrupted by his sputtering as Maverick drops that on him. ]

You recorded those!?

[ Then further sputtering. ]

They weren't "break-ins"! The library is open to all, is it not! I am nearly blind, my friend, of course I couldn't see the plaques that said- that said nothing cause I couldn't see them!

[ Flustering and he kicks Maverick gently in the shin. 0 damage as his shoes are off. ]

Oh go away and let me unpack! Have you had dinner yet, would you care to join me?

I look forward to it! I have been dreadfully board of late!

[He hasn't, not really, but he is looking forward to them verbal sparring again. Come at him with all your newfound knowledge he wants to put it to the test.]

[Of course that little kick in the shin gets a roar of laughter out of him. He whirls once more with a flourish, bowing like some great actor before he flounces off towards the door.]

Oh, now that you're among the staff I suppose I should let you in on a little secret! Every one of my crests has an eye, I'm sure even your eyesight has been able to see. Did you not think they had a use other than looking lovely on the walls? Mhehehe-!

[He lingers by the door a moment with a wide, toothy grin.]

I'll be happy to join you, in fact, why don't you bring it up to my room, and I'll have a bit of wine for us.

[ Percy squawks as those tassles whack him again as his friend twirls around, and he aims a kick that completely misses as Mavericks already moving away. It leaves him huffing, disgruntled.

Then red as a tomato as he realizes: ]

That's how you always knew when I was behind locked doors!

[ Those decorative crests are everywhere. All Seeing Eyes, benevolently watching the students and teachers as they roam the hallways of the spire.

His ass! Peeping spying eyes for the wicked Headmaster to spook his students when they're deep in a tome older than the earth, scratching frantically on paper to try and copy spells down-! ]

Absolutely lazy and wretched! But fine, I shall join you shortly after a clean up. Go away you foul little creature!

[ He picks up a pillow and throws it in the vague direction Mavericks blur is at, reaching into his pocket for his glasses to set them on his nose to make sure he's hit his target. ]

[Oh, his laughter somehow grows at that, what a delicious payoff this has been! It never gets old, even after all these years, when his students find out that he's always had a watchful eye on their antics!]

Did you think me truly Omniscient? Please, Percy, I'm not a Saint! Oh, how wonderful! I shan't need dinner tonight, your indignation was far more than I could hope to dine on!

[Perhaps as he escapes and Percy gets his glasses back on, he will see the way that Maverick practically vanishes as the Pillow moves through him. A burst of ...smoke? or maybe Mist. Yet his horrid cackling can be heard all down the halls in a wretched echo.]

[Of course it will be a little later when someone comes knocking on his door, right about dinner time. Percy will find the familiar face of Bladimir, who despite the years, also does not appear to have aged beyond that of a young man.]

[ Absolutely wretched goblin!!

By the time Bladimir comes to fetch him, Percy has unpacked, taking a relaxing bath and found something more suitable to wear for dinner but not as fancy as his uniform. He beams at the .... young? man at the door. He was always disconcerted by the two as a student, and while it's not quite eased (he was once younger than Bladimir in looks and now-!) he's aware the two must be supernatural, actual Vampires perhaps, and it no longer bothers him as much. ]

It's a pleasure to see you again, Bladimir! How have you and Carmen been doing?

[ And no, as he steps out into the hallway, he's still not wearing shoes. He ran around this Tower barefoot more often than not when he was younger and, by golly, he will simply do it again. Plus he can sense the Towers energies far better like this, and it's comforting. The Tower feels like an old friend as much as Maverick does, a gentle magical hum under his soles that guides him along far better than his failing eyesight ever did. ]

[Bladimir offers him a smile, pleasant and amiable. Despite his appearance he's always terribly polite to contrast the rather rambunctious personality of his sister(?). Though many know Bladimir to be both dependable and dangerous when it came to information. One would think he had eyes all over the walls.]

"Oh, much the same! Things are ...every interesting in this place, of course, but we've seen none of the action you've returned from. I'm pleased to see that you've arrived safely. Lord Maverick has been rather beside himself for some time over you."

[A smug, secretive little smile, but he moves to lead them back to the main stairwell and to then go further up into the tower.]

"Pacing about the halls, bothering me incessantly for information from the frontline. Of course, I had a few contacts there but its difficult to get Info in and out in such a place."

[ Oh, Bladimir, you give him a gift. And Percy takes it gleefully, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses as he follows the other up further along the Tower. Of course he's been higher than most students, sneaking into places he shouldn't go and then invited up further by Maverick himself in 'tests' to encourage his theories and ideas. But this is the first time he's been up into the 'personal' area of Maverick himself.

Which is delicious along with the tea Bladimir is spilling. ]

Ohoho! And here he was doing his best to convince me he was as worry free as a butterfly on the breeze! Why, jogging around the Tower for early morning laps, even!

[ Oh he's going to absolutely rub it in Mavericks smug little face, though his expression softens lightly. ]

Thank you for doing what you could to reassure him. I'm not surprised it was difficult, it was quite hectic out there, and security was excruciatingly tight. I'm glad to hear all has been well! Has Carmen-

[ Stopped being a little shit? No that's mean. Aha! ]

-grown into her big sister role yet?

[He knows exactly what he is doing, and he thinks it will be much more interesting for some of Maverick's carefully guarded cards to be a bit more laid out. Tip the hand juuuust a little.]

"That may be the tallest of any tale he's ever told. Such a thing would require him to retired his coveted heeled boots and I think he'd rather perish."

[Bladimir owes Maverick a lot, and he is loyal beyond death itself to the man, but that does not mean he will not hesitate to destroy him in front of someone like Percy.]

[They slowly reach the top, the staircase ending up on a landing with a large ornate door. There are a few windows that will show them almost above the clouds. Bladimir makes a soft noise at the mention of Carmen, one of a carefully chosen reaction.]

"Hm. Well, perhaps in a few more years yet. She is still rather attached to being the spoiled youngest, I'm afraid. Lord Maverick loathes sparing her anything she desire of course, I'm afraid he is part of the problem."

[Rather than knock, Bladimir pushes open the door.]

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