Maea
And I hope that you don't suffer
But take the pain
But take the pain
Like most places she'd seen in the floating city, the Collegium had a strict, stiff sort of elegance to it that reminded her of the Temple as it had been before it became a place of Dygra worship, and of the Atheneum before the war had altered its structure. Echoes of ancient times lingered in chiseled details, whispering of more prosperous times now long since forgotten, and it made her feel small, though not in the liberating kind of way. Especially after the time spent in the Greatwood, what little vegetation had been given leave to sprout between columns and paved pathways looked constricted and faded to her eyes, like a hedge pruned into shapes so artificial it grew difficult to tell what its natural form had been.
Or maybe it was she who felt stifled, and only saw what she wanted to see. Regardless, Maea was glad that the tour didn't involve going inside. She would brave the damp winds for however long if it meant staying outdoors for a while longer.
"I'm not hungry yet, though likely I will be by the time we get to a restaurant," she replied, with a brief smile for her friend. "Did you have a place in mind? I trust your taste in food more than your fashion sense regarding hats..."
Gently teasing the mer, their stroll led them away from the house of learning and deeper into the city. With the easing of the stares she eventually shrugged the hood back from her head; whether Hadama had meant it or not, she took his words to heart about practicing her social skills. If that meant toughening her skin against unwanted attention... at least she was in good company for it.
[FIN]
Or maybe it was she who felt stifled, and only saw what she wanted to see. Regardless, Maea was glad that the tour didn't involve going inside. She would brave the damp winds for however long if it meant staying outdoors for a while longer.
"I'm not hungry yet, though likely I will be by the time we get to a restaurant," she replied, with a brief smile for her friend. "Did you have a place in mind? I trust your taste in food more than your fashion sense regarding hats..."
Gently teasing the mer, their stroll led them away from the house of learning and deeper into the city. With the easing of the stares she eventually shrugged the hood back from her head; whether Hadama had meant it or not, she took his words to heart about practicing her social skills. If that meant toughening her skin against unwanted attention... at least she was in good company for it.
[FIN]
Hope if everybody runs
You choose to stay
You choose to stay
