What was, for some strange reason, a building labeled STEM was one of the largest buildings on campus, comparable only to the gym.  Inside, everything was full of the wonders of modern technology-- computerized maps, views of projects, all the wonders of the modern age.  Hermione was quivering with excitement; Toxie seemed awed, as well.

"Hmm. There is a lot of science machines here," Nitocris said.

"...and very advanced ones," said Hermione, browsing the displays.  "There's SO MUCH I can do here!"

Nitocris tried to figure out what any of it was.

Int, Investigation or Technology, plz

(OOC: Investigation roll - Nitocris rolled 23 using 1d20+8)

All right, some of this made sense.  There were people mixing and boiling and extracting various fluids and solids, clearly some variety of alchemical practice.  She'd seen people doing things with computers before, more of that was happening, although she couldn't quite tell what it was.  And some of it was obviously just building things, fastening bits of things to other things, attaching wires here and there.  So while the details were mysterious, none of it was completely outside her understanding.

"Ah! I know what some of these things are! These vials and liquids are for that modern alchemy!" Nitocris said.

"That's right," said Hermione, pleased.  "We've learned a lot since your time about it, but some of the same processes are still in use to this day."

"I can only imagine, but it seems no one's found immortality or turn base metals to gold." Nitocris said.

"Actually, they have done the second one," said Hermione.  "The problem is that the process costs more than the value of the gold that you get."

Nitocris chuckled.

"Of course it turned out like that," she said, shaking her head.

"It was always going to," said Hermione.  "If gold is too easy to make, it stops being precious, and then it will always wind up to not be worth the cost, beyond what uses we have for gold in electronics-- and we have plenty of gold for that...

"Immortality is still a dream, though.  And maybe it's just as well.  I'm not sure we could handle it."

"I'm sure some of us could," Nitocris said.

"Well, possibly," Hermione conceded.  "But if it was widespread, it would certainly cause problems."

"I suppose. Given how all monarchies are gone, there is no real way to ensure it's used wisely," Nitocris said.

"I don't know that I would have trusted all monarchs with it, either," Hermione said.  "Regardless of your reign, surely you can name others who would have been unfortunate choices..."

"Hmm. You are right there," Nitocris said.

"People being jerks basically ruins everything, yeah," said Toxie.  "Never thought about making gold that way, before... I guess it makes sense."

"What good is alchemy without the end goal?" Nitocris asked.

"The same good it's always been," said Hermione.  "Making medicines, new processes for making metals, new way to make other new things.  It's very versatile."

"Ah, I see. This class will be very difficult, I imagine," Nitocris said.

"Well, if you have any science classes, I'd be willing to help you study," said Hermione.  "I mean, it's only fair."

"It was easier when all I had to study was some politics, history and magic," Nitocris said.

"I don't think you're going to be asked to study more than very basic introductory science," said Hermione.  "You do get a couple of choices for classes."

"I will have to consider this," Nitocris said.

"Don't worry," said Hermione.  "You're smart.  You'll do fine."

"Thank you for the compliment," Nitocris said,

"It's the truth," said Hermione with a shrug.  "You don't know about all this modern technology and science, but that's hardly your fault.  You were educated in other things."

"Do they give us access to this laboratory to do what we wish?" Nitocris asked.

"We're students," Hermione pointed out.  "At first, they're going to do things like teach you how to use the equipment safely and practice the basics.  As You Wish comes later."

"Ah, okay," Nitocris said.

"Ah, don't sweat it," said Toxie.  "Smart girl like you will be turning tin cans into gold and getting eternal life in no time flat."

"I probably could do more with magic...," Nitocris said.

"Do you think the one can inform or assist the other?" Hermione asked.  "Serious question.  I don't know anything about magic."

"I don't know. I don't know much about science," Nitocris said.

"We could work on learning about each other's specialty," Hermione suggested.  "We might both benefit."

"You want to learn magic?" Nitocris asked.

"Well, study it, at least," she said.  "I don't know if I could ever learn to do it.  But I'd like to know about it, how it works, what it can and can't do."

"Fair enough. I can certainly help you there," Nitocris said.

"...besides," she added, blushing.  "I think we'll get along better as a couple if we understand more about each other."

"I can't argue with that," Nitocris said.

"Aw, you two are so cute together!" said Toxie.  "But I don't know if there are electives to study magic.  Are there?"

"I don't know. We'll have to check," Nitocris said.

"On it," said Hermione.  "There are two. I think one of them is for people who want to know about magic, and one is for actual spellcasters.  I'll stick with the first."

"Ah. Perhaps I should take both to help out," Nitocris said.

"But you already know about magic theory, don't you?" Hermione asked.  "There's no point in you re-taking a beginner's class.  Take an advanced one."

"Very well, but if you need any help, just ask," Nitocris said.

"Thank you," said Hermione.  "And likewise."

"Good. I will need it," Nitocris said.

"I might need some of that help, too," Toxie sighed.  "Well, do you wanna look around and meet more science kids, or what?"

"Ah, a shame you're not interested in magic," Nitocris said.

"Who, me?" said Toxie.  "I know my limitations, thank you very much."

"...it might be interesting to try," said Hermione.  "But don't you need some kind of talent for that?"

"Just a will to learn and time to practice," Nitocris said.

"...I might try, then," said Hermione.  "I expect it's going to be quite a challenge for me, though."

"I will do everything I can to help," Nitocris said.

"I appreciate that," said Hermione.  "The same goes for you learning modern science, obviously."

"Now that is settled, we should do more of this 'dating' thing," Nitocris said.

"That sounds good," said Hermione, "but I don't have a lot of practice..."

"I have none," Nitocris said.

"Am I gonna have to give you two lessons, now?" Toxie asked.

"Perhaps that would help," Nitocris said.

Toxie grinned, cracking her knuckles.

Hermione, in contrast, looked nervous...

"Is something wrong with that?" Nitocris asked.

"No, it's just..." Hermione started, and stopped.

"Ah, don't worry," said Toxie.  "I'm not gonna set you up on anything weird.  Promise."

"Ah good. How does dating work?" Nitocris said.

"You go out with someone, away from where you usually go," said Toxie.  "The big tradition is you get food, and you do something fun, like a movie or a park, and you talk and get to know each other.  And sometimes you get physical, and sometimes you don't, but you usually don't get very physical on your first date.  Unless you do."

Nitocris nodded.

"Understood. Then we should get some food."

"We did just eat," Hermione pointed out.  "That's more of a later-in-the-day thing.  We also normally dress up a bit for it."

"Right. Then we should do it tonight," Nitocris said.

"That's traditional," said Toxie.  "Don't worry.  I won't tag along.  Honest."

"That makes sense, so, what shall we do in the meantime?" Nitocris asked.

"Well, we could look around more, try to meet more people," Hermione said.  "Like whoever teaches magic, for example.  Or, we could... I don't know..."

"Go back to the room and make out?" Toxie teased.

"I could do either," Nitocris said.

Hermione blushed.

"...we can do that later," she said.  "Why don't we look for the magic department now?"

"Very well," Nitocris said.