Another month goes by and Natasia can’t seem to quell her curiosity and attraction to Ardonia so she starts to randomly run into her at different times. During her lunch break or her planning period when she’s in one of the teacher lounges sipping on a new tea every time. Ardonia always smiles when she sees Natasia and starts inviting her to have tea with her. Natasia also starts to notice an odd habit Ardonia has. She continues to wear that old baggy sweater to school but before the school day starts she changes into a new sweater from the tailor she had recommended for her. Every single day, Ardonia comes in, changes, then before she leaves work she changes back into that old baggy sweater.

Natasia comes over to Ardonia at one of their teas, and sparks up a conversation: Professor Ardonia, what tea are we having today?

Ardonia: -she smiles at her and sets out their cups- A nice cinnamon chai. Heh I wanted something with a bit of spice to it today.

Natasia smiles and sits down across from her: Oooooh that’s nice. Do you like a bit of spice? *She pulls out one of her spoons from the Night Realm that she opened up quickly and closed it back.* I’m intrigued to see your take on this tea.

Ardonia: I love spice~. Heh my um…husband prefers milder things…but it’s nice to indulge a bit every now and then. 

Natasia: I see…well as long as you are here…please indulge in a bit of spice hehe. You know I'm all for everyone exploring which is why I created Lucid City anyways.

Ardonia: It really is such a beautiful city… -she looks out the windows that overlook the school grounds fondly-

Natasia looks at her: Would you like to see some more of the city without moving an inch? *A small mischievous smile creeps onto her face. The way Ardonia looks out the window, with the sun creeping through the glass and hitting her beautiful chocolate brown eyes, helps to really illuminate the slight green undertones.* 

Ardonia: Heh how? That would be interesting.

Natasia smiled even deeper and then waved a mirror to show Ardonia the entire city through the eyes of her wisps: This is how I look at the city. I can’t look all the time but it’s nice to see everything. *She waves her hand and goes through each scene from the beaches to a beautiful cafe to Saints to some parks.* So what would you like to see, Ardonia?

Ardonia: -her eyes widen in amazement as she gasps quietly- My word Dean Haile…This is amazing!...Maybe..the botanical gardens? I’ve wanted to go ever since I heard about them.

Natasia flicks her hand to the botanical gardens and there are these beautiful lush forests of plants and fruit and trees that paint such a beautiful picture: Here, have a look. Just use your mana to move through it like you are there.

Ardonia: -she bites her lip in hesitation- Maybe..you could show me? I-I’m not so familiar with a spell like this..

Natasia bites her lip trying to breathe slowly but she seems calm and polite: You want me to show you? Of course. *She comes over and gets behind Ardonia and bends over on the side and then she talks in a low voice.* Okay so you just focus your mana in the center and then flick your wrist like you are scrolling. *She reaches her hand out and moves to flick her wrist through the gardens and it moves to a different part of it.* Like that, dear?

Ardonia: -she forces herself to keep looking forward in hopes that Natasia doesn’t see her blushing- I see… -she reaches her hand out and flicks her wrist to move the view, her fingers ever so slightly gliding across Natasia’s as she does- Heh seems easy enough..

Natasia feels that jolt when their hands touch and she looks at Ardonia for a quick second feeling stricken by something but not knowing what: Heh…yes it is. May I?

Ardonia: Yes..please.

Natasia got close to Ardonia's face but smoothed her hand right over Ardonia’s and moved her slowly to the center: That’s good. Right there will be better. *She’s staring so deep into her eyes, the swirls of night deep in the iris and then….she pulls away, stands up and and goes to get her tablet she left on the table.* Well, we have a couple of minutes left so for next time..I can let you see more. *She takes the mirror back and shuts it into the ether.* Farewell, Professor.

Ardonia: -she blushes and smooths out her hair as a means to fidget- O-Of course..Farewell…Natasia..

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Another month goes by as Natasia gets quite busy with all the festivities going on but she so happens to see Ardonia coming out of her office, headed to the staff offices for lunch. Natasia quickens her pace practically but finds her way to the entrance looking out on the terrace as all of the beings around her move about. She sees Professor Lyonel come out from the entrance, looking like she’s rushing her lunch so she can get back inside. She’s wearing a deep green top with long sleeves with some leaf patterns on the edges and a long dark brown pencil skirt with a small slit at the bottom. Natasia looks up and smiles and approaches her calmly.

Natasia: Lovely day today Professor. How was your morning?

Ardonia: Heh busy busy busy. How are you Dean Haile?

Natasia steadies her pace with Ardonia as they walk to the center of the square: Do you want to have lunch together? I have a bit of time between meetings and planning so…how about it? Or would you prefer some reprievement from others?

Ardonia: I..wouldn’t mind your company. Did you have a place in mind?

Natasia grins a bit but then goes back to a neutral face: There is this lovely diner that I go to when I have the spare time. How about there? The menu is quite good and the food is…quite extraordinary even for my standards and palette.

Ardonia: -she chuckles quietly- A diner? I’m very curious now. I’d love to try it.

Natasia smiles and keeps walking to where the carriage port is with a carriage of dark black and blue night sky waiting for her. 

Natasia’s driver opens the door for them and she walks in so elegantly and looks behind, grinning slightly: Please…join me here.

Ardonia: -she looks at the carriage in pure awe at the elegance. She has to subtly shake her head to bring herself back to her senses…Natasia kept sweeping her off her feet. She smiles at her and carefully climbs into the carriage with the Dean- This is wonderful…I don’t think I’ve ever been in a carriage this fancy.

Natasia puts her head on her hand, looking at Ardonia with the light bouncing off her blue locs: Maybe you can see more fanciness over time. It won’t take long to get there, so please take in the scenery. I love the carriage rides through the area we will be going too. *As Natasia says this, the carriage starts moving down a more scenic area where you can only hear the fauna and flora around.* 

Ardonia: -she relaxes back and watches the city pass by out of the window, but she quickly recognizes that Natasia has brought her past the edge of the botanical gardens. She gasps quietly in excitement and leans forward to get a closer look-

Natasia watches as her face lights up and how happy and at peace she feels near the garden's edge: Ah…I see we are currently going past the botanical gardens. If you ever wish to see them, you just need to show your staff badge and service bots will let you come through. They also offer refreshments and chairs for anyone in need of a break without losing the feeling of relaxation. So again, please feel free to visit. 

Ardonia: If I had the time I absolutely would..

Natasia raises an eyebrow: Do you not have time?

Ardonia: -she smiles but her eyes look a bit…sad- Not as much as I wish…My schedule is a bit um tight with work and my..husband.

Natasia looks at her with a bit directness while not trying to look into her eyes: Oh I see…is he not able-bodied? Or does he need help? I do know of some programs that could help him feel better if it’s that.

Ardonia: Heh..nothing like that..He just wants me home by a certain time is all. It’s not a big deal really.

Natasia: Oh do you live in a not-so-safe area? We also have portkeys for staff if it’s easier. I’ve had to use them if I was too tired to even walk to the entrance.

Ardonia: -she giggles quietly- You get too tired to even walk Dean Haile? That’s not healthy. 

Natasia takes notes of her not saying anything about safety and lets it go but giggles from the statement: Heh well…sometimes it’s just been a long day. Thank Aiah I don’t live far but sometimes it can be quite a lot. Especially in Autumn around Hallow. I want to take more leisurely walks or drink nice teas and warm drinks. Perhaps around my fireplace…

Ardonia: -she gets a day dreamy look in her eyes for a moment- Mmm that sounds so nice…A nice hot tea, a good book, and a fireplace sounds wonderful…

Natasia looks at her and smiles softly: You got a dreamy look, at least that’s what I’m assuming. Do you like Autumn quite a bit? Since you are from Crossimer, I thought you would like the summer more heh.

Ardonia: -she blushes in embarrassment and reflexively covers her face with her hand- I-I um hehe…I enjoy summer sure but ever since coming here, I’ve learned to adore the changing seasons. 

Natasia: Oh right Baehalan’s changes of season are mostly hot, very hot, slightly less hot, and then really rainy. Heh it was a bit much for me when I went over there but I didn’t mind Luxuria when I went. Have you ever been? Also the changing seasons are quite nice here, it gets snowy but up north, it’s gorgeous.

Ardonia: The snow is quite lovely~. Heh I have to hide my wings though, they’re much much too sensitive for the ice. And to answer your question, yes, I’ve been to Luxuria just once. For my older sister’s wedding.

Natasia: Ah your wings are sensitive to cold, that’s cute. I have heard that before. Also, you have an older sister? Do you talk to her often?

Ardonia: -her shoulders slump slightly- It’s…been a while…I miss her dearly…I actually have two older brothers too. I’m the youngest.

Natasia: Oh of course you are the youngest. Heh. Did you get spoiled? *She teases Ardonia playfully.*

Ardonia: -she laughs- Only a bit~. I promise I’m not too spoiled anymore though~. What about you Dean Haile?

Natasia smiles and looks out at the sky: Well…I am an only child. Do you know about the Light and Darkness courts? Anything about them?

Ardonia: I know a tiny bit. I know they’re the oldest courts that exist and they govern certain principles of the world but that’s it.

Natasia chuckles lightly: Heh heh, I am one of the youngest of their court. A Duchess and we don’t tend to have a whole lot of children from what I’ve seen. So…I am an only child. I do sometimes wish I had others that I had grown with but I think I'm also fine the way things turned out. Did you like your siblings growing up?

Ardonia: My brothers could be a bit of a pain from time to time but I do love them…most of the time hahaha~.

Natasia giggles: Hehe that’s nice. It’s always nice to see families together. *She looks out at them approaching a beautiful diner that seems more like a rustic-solar feel than solar punk. With moss growing on the sides but having a host bot to let people know the wait. Thank Aiah there was no big wait right now so they can talk more inside.* Ah we are here. I’m quite hungry.