Another day was growing to a close. classes in teh scince Departemnt were usually formal and structured. taking place in the Second watch and closing by the middle of third watch. Elsa found herself hurrying from her class on Microbiology and trying to get to her work place before Her Employer arrived from his Engineering classes.
  The smell of flowers, and fruit hung heavy in the air from trees around the Quad. and the voices of dozens of laughing chatting students made the place seem alive and merry instead of the still silence that filled it when classes were out of session.

  To Elsa there was another scent, rich and nutty hints of buttery undertoens, and an occasional hint of spice. The scent of accumilated knowledge and skilled, open and eager minds.

 Zi finds the hot houses, they are large domed structures housing everything from small flowering shrubs to tall twisted trees that hung heavy with exotic fruit. Numerous attendants and students move about watering, pruning and taking notes on the flora Housed within the crystal domes.
  A pair of older men in formal scholars robes stand lecturing the students on the growing requirements and properties of several oddly shaped trees that drip a sticky amber colored sap into a large circular depression that forms a natural bowl in the lower trunks.

Zi stops inside the large domed structure and takes in the sight.  He notes the signs indicating the plants and begins moving through the area until he comes to the Rastima Nevilanthis.  Looking about Zi checks to see if there is an attendant there and calls out in a measured tone, attempting to not disturb the lecture “Lord Rosh, Lucas Rosh?”

Elsa always loved the smells of the Academja- they were so pleasant and tasty-smelling. Perfumed air in the halls of learning.

Elsa quickly stored her books in her assigned assistant's desk and put on her lab coat- no need to get stains on her own clothes. And then, she began her duties as an engineering assistant- making sure all the tools were cleaned and sharpened so that the Professor could concentrate on the more intellectual parts of the research.

She couldn't wait until she could be an actual student of the Academja rather than an employee auditing classes.

Stark entered the Academy and instantly felt a little out of his element. Here strode the over-educated bookworms of the world, not exactly his cup of tea. Was that mold he smelled? Maybe it was his imagination.

He walked over to the front desk and asked the clerk there, "Excuse me, I'm looking for a Horus Lucian in Botany. He left an inquiry at the Travellers Chapter that I'd like to discuss with him." He looked around... were they letting in students at a younger age these days?

  He's holding a lecture in the green house...Nuber three I believe." The young man at the desk looked up and seemed surprised to find he had three people who did not appear to be students at his desk." Please be careful in number three some of the plants are, unusually agressive."

---

As Elsa sat down she found a stack of reports to file, test results to transcribe and notes to be formalized and recorded in the research logs. Nothing requiring more than a few hours work and then another hour filing them away.
  Docor Sund had requested a batch of chemicals be fomulated for her research and left a list of minor proceedures she had requested Elsa for. the list was extensive and required more skill than most of the assistants had were usually reserved for senior students.

  Elsa could you please see to these yourself. I hope it's not to much. i really cant trust any of the others to do it properly.

Stark looked around and scratched his chin, "Um, and 'greenhouse #3' would be in what direction?

He noticed Valentine and nodded the warrior over, "You're going to check out the Botanist about that job too?"

In reply to Stark Sanderson (msg #7):

Alisdair shrugged, pulling his long leather jacket back onto his shoulders; the buffeting crowd had almost pulled it off.
"I can think of nothing better to do. I couldn't find any decent bounties at the Chapter House, and I don't know where else to look for a job. I do hope he allows us a little cash in advance though; I need to either buy or make myself some more ammunition."
He paused for a second, breathing a little heavily, running through the crowded streets was a lot more tiring than it looked, especially on his diet. He was in a lot worse shape than he'd like; if his drill sergeant could see him now...
He inadvertently let out a dry chuckle: he hadn't remembered that old horror in a long time, and the memory brought back a brief surge of good feeling.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Sat 28 Jan 2012.

"The greenhouses are in this direction" Zi announced and began to move.  This place was not totally unfamiliar to him, and he began moving towards the large glass buildings.

Strange coincidence here was the strange man from the chapter house. He replied, "Much abliged... I can't say as I'm too familiar with the place."

  The Instructor they sought was speaking with several student. outside a wire mesh cage housing several large plants which had long drooping ropy limbs. it lacked any leaves and had a strong smell of raw meat. as the group watched a small animal wandered close to the plant and was speared by one of the tendrils and dragged up intot he crown of the tree and dissapeared into a hidden maw.
  And that is why you need to maintain your distance from the Hangman tree. Larger specimins can easily ensnare and digest larger animals...and humans." The man leading the lecture handed out several small folders to each student." tommorow we will exmine the more common and less dangerous flytrap, I want all of you to be able to describe the anatomy and methods of trapping prey exhibited by carnivorous plants in the upper realms."

Zi'ha'na moved up as the class dispersed.  Why would a lecturer need two names.  Perhaps one was a title he wasn't familiar with.  Zi recounted what he knew about the hierarchy of the school and tried to fit the incongruous fact into the frame work. He waited for the attention of the lecturer and then got to the point.  "I am looking for Lucas Rosh and understand he may be in this area.  Would you be Lord Rosh?"  Zi waited patiently for the answer.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Sat 28 Jan 2012.

  The man looked shocked when Zi adressed him. he stepped back slightly and made a slight move into his robes pocket. The other Instructor moved away slightly motioning to someone standing nearby." Yes I am may I ask for who you are, and what you gentlement want?"

  As he spoke a man in a sever cut jacket and wearing a fiber vest under his jacket moved closer a sabre and pistol on his hip. A badge marking him as a member of the Estrea Sky Guard. " Mister Lucian, is there a problem?"

  Lucian/Rosh paused waiting for a moment waiting for Zi'na'ha to answer his question. His hand staying near his robes opening and eyeing the three suspiciously.

"Rosh/Lucian.  I am unsure how to address you.  I've not come across many people with multiple names.  Is one a title?" Zi'ha'na doesn't actually wait for an answer now that he has possible answers nearby.

"My name is Zi'ha'na, I am an archeologist specializing in ancient scripts and artifacts.  Simon, the curator at Brotherhood of Travelers, directed me to you to continue my research.  I have recently discovered that you have several masks that were sold from an expedition to your father.  I respectfully request permission to view the masks.  I wish only to study them, and I understand there have been some asking to buy them.  I can assure you I have no such interest."

Zi stopped and turned to the other two men.  "I believe these men are following up on a posting from the chapter house.  I was unaware that we would be seeking the same individual."  His voice is flat and direct.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Sat 28 Jan 2012.

  " excuse the deception." Rosh motioned to an office. indicating they should all follow him." I had to avoid my name being connected with the expedition. My fathers death, and the furor over the masks has led to some unpleasant disturbances her on campus and I thought it would lessen difficulties if I used my Drivers name."
    The young man motioned the uniformed man to excuse them and shut the door." the masks are no longer in my possession, they were stolen when my father was murdered. I have hired several men to track down the men responsible but so far they have proven unreliable."
  "I am trying to continue my responsibilities her at the University but it is being bothersome."

"That answer is unfortunate."  Zi processes what the man says before continuing.  "You say there have been others who have been hired to discover the location of the masks.  That supposes that there is some level of evidence to follow.  If you wish I would be willing to offer my services in exchange for the opportunity to examine the masks.  I am skilled in this field as well."

Zi considers the other two men and turns back to Lucas, "Is this the nature of your request at the chapter house?"

Well, at least he appreciated her skills. Too bad it hadn't expedited her acceptance.

Elsa sighed to herself, she couldn't blame Dr. Sund- she was nothing if not kind to her, allowing her to schedule her hours so that she could attend classes that interested her. And, she did accept her as an assistant without a moment's thought- as long as the work was good he could care less of the form of the mind.

It was just...frustrating.

Pushing her frustration down, Elsa began the requested work. She would do her work well- to the best of her ability.