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storypaint ([personal profile] storypaint) wrote2011-03-08 08:00 am

[Emelan/Chrestomanci] mirrors into windows (Chrestomanci & Lark gen)

Title: mirrors into windows
Fandom: Emelan/Chrestomanci
Length: 545 words
Prompt: Emelan/Chrestomanci for [livejournal.com profile] spellcoats
Pairing: Chrestomanci and the teachers gen
Other: Set right after Sandry's Book.

Excerpt: I just thought you might consider it," the man said in calm, cultured tones. Lark was a little impressed. Most people shied away from Rosethorn's barbed glares.

"I just thought you might consider it," the man said in calm, cultured tones. Lark was a little impressed. Most people shied away from Rosethorn's barbed glares. He seemed focused on a part of the wall a bit above their heads instead.

"We have a good accreditation program and a great deal of experience with wayward magic. Even in children," he went on. "They would, of course, have to come back to Emelan at some point. One cannot stray permanently from one's own universe."

"And who's to say we want them straying at all?" Rosethorn bit out, finally. Lark smiled a little. Niko looked somewhat pained. Frostpine was just shaking his head.

"It's not that we don't appreciate the offer," Lark said, deciding to intervene before the plant mage came up with any more glares or insults. "We just think it's best to raise them here, together, to untangle their magic and prevent any kind of magical disturbances like this from happening again. And you yourself must admit that having one-on-one tutoring is better than attending classes with many."

The man looked almost as if he wanted to dispute that for a moment, but then he nodded.

"They aren't bad children," Niko put in. "They did what they had to in order to save their lives. From desperation. And we'll make sure that they never have need of that again."

"Daja belongs in the forge," Frostpine said gruffly. Although he didn't say it, from the way he looked at Chrestomanci, it was clear that he thought that she wouldn't find one in his world. Chrestomanci looked as if he'd never even been within ten feet of one.

Chrestomanci chuckled. He held up a hand for them to stop. "All right, understood. I simply thought it would be a prudent offer. But then again, I think Michael might revolt if I brought home four young enchanters who refused to be separated." His face darkened momentarily. "But be sure to separate their magics. There is a lot of danger in the sharing of power."

"We'd never dispute that, Mr. Chrestomanci," Lark said, still outwardly cheerful. The teachers had already discussed that at length. She might not have the same emotional response to it that Frostpine did, but she recognized the problem.

Chrestomanci rose. He reached into his pockets and after a moment's fumbling, withdrew a card. The signature on it was vibrant, tinged with magic. He handed it to Lark.

"Please contact my office without hesitation if you need help," he told them. "And good luck with your young mages. At this age, it seems they're always getting into trouble."

He smiled and shook Frostpine's and Niko's hands. When Rosethorn didn't offer hers or curtsy, he bowed to her, face solemn. Although he walked out the door, the sound of his footsteps ended not twenty paces later. The teachers looked at each other. Niko sighed.

"I suppose we should be glad that they weren't arrested on top of everything else," he said, taking the card from Lark and examining the signature.

"I'd like to see him try," Rosethorn said darkly, and Lark tried not to laugh.

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