- Well? Are you coming or not? - asked red-haired Triss, playing with a fiery lock with her finger.
Ciri crinkled her nose and looked away.
- Nah. What am I going to do there?
- You've showed up only once in half a year. You're not going to get your pass.
- I'll have to do some studying then.
- That's not very smart of you. You could have sat through all the lectures, doing nothing. And now you'll have to sweat cramming for the exam.
- I have no wish to look at that maniacal phiz more than it's necessary. Perhaps one more time at the exam but not more than that. One look at him is enough to tell he's mentally deranged.
- Pray, what makes you think so? I've never seen anyone so reserved in my whole life.
- And that's what's disturbing. Most maniacs are like that. You never expect them to be what they truly are. One minute they're as cute as a kitten and the next you get raped.
- If so, he's not one bad-looking rapist at all. Whatever, do what you see fit. But I don't think he'll be looking for you specifically in class: you're not exactly Madonna, you know. But all in all, you're right: there are only two classes left; attending them would not change anything for you.
Ciri chuckled and reached for cigarettes in her keister. At the moment she was wearing a pair of ragged skinny jeans, a worse for wear top with a huge hole on the back, well hidden by a tiny waistcoat. High heels, numerous chains and bracelets and heavy make-up finished the look.
Ciri lit up a cigarette, and nasty smelling smoke filled Triss' lungs.
- You're just like your father. Well, I'd better be going or I'll be late.
At first sight Mr Avallac'h Caomhan, a lecturer in philosophy, could make quite an impression. Middle-aged, neat, perfectly affable, with a quiet melodical voice, tall, with a svelte physique and an amiable triangular face and shoulder-length platinum hair. But if one could take a closer look at him, one would notice something prickly and wry behind the calm of his almond-shaped aquamarine eyes. It was not something of a direct threat but whatever it was, Ciri did not wish to see it a second time in her life.
It was then, on their very first (and last) meeting that he spotted Ciri, when a change passed over his usually reserved countenance. He blushed and his cold eyes gave away his fury and contempt. However, he recollected himself quickly and called the roll which was not a common thing with him. Called for Ciri's name. Locked his eyes on hers for a brief moment, scowling.
He swallowed hard and with an effort made himself go on with a lecture but after only a few minutes it seemed like nothing had happened. He had an easy-flowing manner and was a fairly good raconteur. On top of that, truth be told, he was not that bad-looking. The female part of the students looked at him with obvious interest. The male part took a nap.
The first half of the class Ciri wondered if it had been just her imagination when Mr Caomhan had given her that look of his. But in the end she was just lulled to sleep by Avallac'h's monotonous drowsy voice. These days she needed sleep like nothing else in the world as at night she always had plenty of things to do. One could get enough sleep in class and night time was made for fun, at least that was what Ciri always thought. Besides, right after Philosophy she was to have her first Forensics class and the reader would be none other than Mr Eredin Breacc Glas - a tall gorgeous looking elf with a godlike physique and a mass of long thick black hair. His charms were known to be supreme and had effect not only on females but at times on males as well. His authority was never questioned by anyone. If he wished, he could kick any student out of his class at any time without facing any unwanted consequences afterwards. He was feared, and loved, and worshipped beyond measure. Unfortunately, his subject was quite sticky, but Eredin could always flavor that stickiness with his huge sex appeal. In other words, attending his class was sheer pleasure.
And today Ciri was shirking Philosophy again which had not been her intention, not initially at least. She had just wanted to miss one or perhaps two classes. Then it came to twenty-two. And now attending today's class was completely unnecessary - she would have to take the exam anyway. And she would have to face Mr Caomhan's maniacal phiz one more time - nothing to be done about it. So be it.