As promised, Nozomi enrolled in Professor Minci's classes although she had to swap a class to every Friday. She held another book, purple with a suede binding. Sex Ed for Writers was scribbled on the front cover in silver.
The Administration office looked at her confused. "To be honest, she isn't really a professor. I don't know why Miss Minci is coming back to teach a workshop… though I guess it'll boost the morale of the students. Let us know if you need anything, we're here every day from 9 am until 5 pm."
She bowed back and took her new itinerary on the way to class.
Nozomi stopped and peered in, already feeling embarrassed seeing many students fill their seats. Relief filled her as she saw Layla seated at her usual spot at the back. She walked in and then quickly took her seat next to Layla.
"You enrolled for the class too?"
Layla, who had her head buried in a book, looked up and smiled sheepishly.
"I enrolled months ago… when Miss Lisa… announced she would be teaching a workshop here. I can't believe it…" Layla stuttered, "This will be the second time she's been here in… the Akademiya."
"Huh, the second?"
"Yes." Layla nodded "Miss Lisa used to be a student here in the Spantamand Darshan. She graduated in less than two years… that level of genius and talent… I'm not sure why she didn't stay."
Nozomi looked at her face starting to glow. It was the first time since meeting Layla that she seemed so alive. A smile tugged at her cheek.
"Sounds like she's wonderful, you must really look up to her."
Layla's smile beamed at the seams. "Yes… she was like a mentor to me. I didn't… want to study here at the time but she recommended that I give it a try. You'll… see for yourself when Miss Lisa arrives."
She nodded, noting a level of rowdiness coming from the other students. It seemed like forever until the door opened. The whole room fell quiet and Nozomi felt like everyone had held their breath as they walked in.
"Hello, class, and welcome."
A woman who looked to be in her early thirties walked in front of her desk. Her hair was tied in two loose braids with singular purple roses in each, resting on her shoulders. A bonnet leaning on her left side was complimented with a blue gem, none of the markings of a Darshan in sight. Her uniform was similar to the students that receive it during their enrolment except Lisa's had two slits up her legs, the white fabric swaying in the morning rays. Nozomi's eyes drifted to her chest, and a large electro-vision was held in place by a gold chain.
She had seen Yae Miko's vision but hadn't seen one that large.
Many hushed looks were shared in the class.
"Oh dear, don't tell me I've gotten everyone nervous. I promise sweeties, you won't have anything to worry about… that is, if you're all well behaved." Lisa winked. "In any case, please call me Miss Lisa. I'll be your teacher for the next three weeks."
Lisa walked over to the chalkboard and started to write a schedule, then turned towards the class.
"I will be explaining trophes, what works and what doesn't. I'll be explaining how to write sex scenes effectively…" She paused "and seductively. Can anyone tell me, what are the most common mistakes writers make when writing in this genre?"
A few hands flew up, including Layla's.
"Ah little Layla, please." Lisa gestured.
"Women are often written without any thought for their well being or are treated like machines during sex scenes." Layla blushed "Of course, sometimes women make this mistake too with writing men."
Lisa nodded. "You next to Layla, what are your thoughts, sweetie?"
Nozomi straightened as many eyes now turned towards her.
"No one is safe from answering in my class… You could say I love involvement."
Nozomi looked around nervously, trying to come up with an answer.
"I- guess… experience?" She blushed. "It's easy to tell when writers don't have experience?"
"Aww now that is a cute expression, haha. Yes it's true. In Mondstat I'll often sit around in the library and you wouldn't believe the amount of books that have crazy sex positions described that don't make any sense!" Lisa wrote a list on the board with many answers from students. "Now, since this is Sex Ed for Writers, I will mention that over the next few weeks, I will be discussing very graphic scenes and details. If anyone feels uncomfortable, please put your hand up and I will discuss these privately at your comfort level. I find consent and enthusiasm in my class very attractive. Are we on the same page cuties?"
A few woo's were heard and the class fell into laughter, Nozomi had already opened her book. Though she wasn't the only person blushing. She quickly looked over to Layla who had been whispering to herself.
"She liked… my answer. I hope Miss Lisa likes my writing." Layla looked at Nozomi "Let's do our best!"
"I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep a straight face, but yes let's do our best." She narrowed her eyes."Jeez, I think Alhaitham would probably be laughing his butt off right now. I seriously wonder why he recommended this class for me besides rent."
She looked over at Lisa who had her arms spread wide, sparks of electricity filled the air.
"Welcome to Sex Ed for Writers. Your assignment for the next three weeks will be to write a short erotic story about me."
"I- huh?!" Nozomi almost choked and looked at Layla "Is she… Layla?"
Layla was now staring at the ceiling, eyes shining and had a slight drool down her chin.
Nozomi facepalmed and picked up her quill. "This… is quite the class. I guess it's what I asked for."
Later during the day, Nozomi sat inside the House of Daena's Library. Alhaitham's study would pale in comparison to what the entire library held with walls upon walls of books. Many of them shared between the Darshans, with a vast amount of general knowledge. At the centre, an elevator lead upwards of several stories towards the Grand Sage. Only a select few were ever brought to the Grand Sage in emergencies or grievances.
A few students already had all their books laid in piles on the tables, mostly keeping to themselves. Thankfully to Nozomi's relief, none of them were from Lisa's workshop.
Nozomi had her head buried in her notes, catching up on other class assignments. She picked up the black book with the Haravatat Symbol on the front then turned to an empty page. She was about to dip her quill into the ink when she noticed a signature on the bottom left at the back of the front cover when a breeze picked up inside the library and blew it to the side.
Beside the signature were a few words.
Live a leisurely life
"What… wait so" Nozomi flicked through the first few pages "Was this Alhaithams old study book?"
The writing inside a few pages was neat and cursive, and graphs were drawn to detail but were very easy to understand. It was evident that whoever owned the book spent hours exploring different methods of languages and literature. She flickered through the rest of the book with the rest of the pages being empty.
Nozomi bit her lip in realization, remembering Alhaithams words.
The book that fell, was something from my family I had kept after they had passed away.
She sighed closing it then sat in wonder, even on days when she knew every second counted for finding a job or completing her second draft, she couldn't help but feel a small amount of compassion for the Scribe.
"I wonder what happened? He never really talks about himself, mostly just makes fun of Kaveh." Nozomi couldn't help but giggle " Poor Kaveh though, I can't fault anyone for treating each other for how they do, they're both priceless."
She looked back at her notes from Lisa's class and felt her face reddening. Graphic was a polite word to put into perspective how the class went. Although it did give her some inspiration for her draft, she struggled to put a face to any of her characters. A rough outline and plot were already done, she just needed a face.
Hours passed when she had finished her draft, then she looked at her assignment for Lisa's class. Nozomi had purposely left the assignment for last, blushing at the thoughts that lingered in her mind.
"Why specifically her though? Can't we do an erotic short story on someone else? Heck why not Kaveh… actually I wouldn't hear the end of it."
She imaged Alhaitham 'accidentally' picking up her assignment and Kaveh walking away or bickering with him.
They facepalmed, drawing a few looks her way but most bystanders figured it was from the stress of studying.
"I wonder if anyone's actually written an erotic story about him. Wonder if Alhaitham's actually interested in se- why am I thinking this?!" Nozomi slammed her book down on the table "My god today has me blushing… when am I going to catch a break?"
*
Alhaitham stood in a corner to himself, recording todays meeting around the Grand Sages council. The meeting was held for two hours, hours that Alhaitham would rather be at home either napping or reading a good book.
The six sages were discussing a shortage of staff as of late, many had resigned either due to maternity leave or mental health. They needed to hire more researchers as some had become missing in the desert. While the Mahamatra were doing their best trying to find the missing persons or their remains, the sages needed to keep face. Alhaitham ran his foot along the clear blue tiles while his quill flew across the page.
That of course, included some administrative rolls that needed to be filled in. The Scribes' job was to record or attend important meetings, field requests for funding or scholarships and sometimes perform audits around the Akademiya. Ever since the Grand Sage Azar had been found guilty, Alhaitham had made sure that even though his time as Acting Grand Sage was short, to add additional policies that would ensure the same wouldn't ever repeat again.
That, and to make his job easier without people bothering him with minuscule reasoning.
He shrugged while the sages discussed the hiring process. It didn't bother him, particularly since they'd hire internally anyway.
"Alhaitham, we've noticed more applicants to the Akademiya this year than previously recorded. How're things on your end?"
He looked up, gazing at the sages, and blinked.
"Nothing to worry about, the additional numbers don't make any difference to my workload."
"We see... However, we've noticed a few times that you haven't been in your office at the required hours. We understand it's not obligatory to be here but, we'd like you to consider the possibility of hiring an assistant."
Alhaitham watched as each Sage looked back expectantly, some with amusement.
"With all due respect, Great Sages, the job itself isn't strenuous to require an extra employee. Majority of applications I can approve with a turnaround of twenty-four hours. To onboard someone at this rate will only hinder the approval rate. The training itself would take upwards of six months."
A few nods were shared and the matter was settled. If Alhaitham were being honest, it was only because he'd rather not have anyone from the Akademiya bother him whenever he was out.
"Very well Alhaitham. However, please consider the option nevertheless. The meeting is adjourned."
Alhaitham rolled his shoulders and relaxed.
The Sages have been paying more attention to my work ethic lately… though I've been lucky up until now that no one has bothered questioning me about where I am. I'll need to come up with my own solution soon.
He took the elevator down and started to walk, he never got tired of admiring the library with its walls of books. At the back of his pouch was one book he had already finished, perhaps he'd grab another on the way back.
Alhaitham stopped as he saw Nozomi nearby at a table. He raised his eyebrows at the number of papers stacked in the bins beside her.
"She still hasn't finished a draft yet? Nozomi will be running late for her deadline at this rate." He held his chin "Plus she doesn't have a job either."
Alhaitham had noticed Nozomi arriving late on most nights, circles under her eyes either from staying in the library till late or looking for work. Tonight her head was face-down, asleep in the library. The Scribe felt a twinge of annoyance at her looking so relaxed.
"At this rate, she won't make the rent, a job, or a manuscript." He shrugged "Ah well, as expected."
He walked past Nozomi's table only to notice the books he had given her sprawled out. His fathers' handwriting brought memories that he had wanted long forgotten. His grandmother's funeral replayed as if it were yesterday. Alhaitham flipped the books on the table face down and slowly walked out of the House of Daena.
"Grandmother has been gone for many years, why am I remembering her now?" He pressed his head and folded his arms against a pillar outside. "I gave Nozomi my father's books because they were gathering dust. It's not like I care how she uses them."
He guessed that at this point, Nozomi would have connected the dots. Her face, worried and apologetic flashed in his mind of the night she had found his mother's old book. Alhaitham looked up at the night sky, cherishing the embarrassment his roommate and Nozomi had when they had looked into his mother's book.
The book he hadn't picked up years since moving out from his grandmothers before he was accepted into the Akademiya. The book his mother had published on the art of anatomy of many shapes and sizes. Alhaitham didn't feel any embarrassment that his roommates did, if anything the thought of anyone nude didn't phase him.
"It's only natural, I don't get why people make a fuss." Alhaitham turned and walked off the campus back home "Kaveh, on the other hand always does… and speaking of, I hope that idiot finishes building the room soon."
He felt a small smile and patted his headset.
"Thankfully, any annoying sounds are blocked out by my noise-canceling headset. Too bad about the other two."
Kaveh sneezed as he heard the front door close from downstairs. He was used to Alhaitham getting back late after meetings. In fact, Kaveh had written everyone's activities on the calendar as kind reminders of their day. He felt a sense of pride, even if anyone had forgotten to look at the calendar, at least it was an act of helping.
He shuffled on top of the scaffold, holding his hammer and a nail. The framework of the room had come along nicely. The builders and contractors had already started installing insulation for the walls. The floor had been lifted in by crane that afternoon, he held his back and attempted to swing from side to side to even out any kinks before continuing.
Though it was Kaveh's job to help with the design process, he had years of experience with building. The Architect rolled his eyes, remembering Alhaitham and countless arguments about the worth of design or art.
"And he has the audacity to say what I do won't matter in years to come… I beg to differ! Hmph, he hasn't heard what the students at the Akademiya have said about me and the Palace of Alkazazaray!" Kaveh slammed his hammer down, the nail now deeply embedded in the wood. "This coming from the man living in the house we made together… doesn't he realize that Art is in the architecture?"
Kaveh wiped his forehead then placed his tools and picked up his suitcase. He stood back to survey his work. He estimated that by the end of the month, he'd have the room completed. He hadn't told Nozomi about the room being hers, in case she couldn't make the rent for the month. He sighed as he remembered the agreement about paying double the rent for both his room and Nozomi's.
"Like he needs the extra rent, he just uses it to buy stupid woodcarvings! Oh my god please Nozomi move in… I don't want my hard work just for a room full of ugly furniture." He shivered "Is having another agreeable tenant that hard to ask for?"
He jumped down from the scaffolding, landing softly as he spun around. Kaveh looked out towards the Akademiya.
"She's late… I hope she isn't up all night just studying." Kaveh walked over to the front door "I wonder how her first class went with Miss Minci?"
He found himself grinning from ear to ear, then slapped his cheeks in embarrassment. He pressed his face against the door.
"I- jeez I've seen people naked whenever I had to study anatomy at art classes. What difference does it make if Nozomi… no way that just sounds worse!" Kaveh banged his head on the door "You know what, maybe let's just finish this room. That way she has her own space for her needs… and I can rest in peace."
Kaveh straightened up and then brushed away any sawdust from his shirt for the day. His nose curled at his odor while his hand wrapped around the doorknob.
"Definitely need a shower, let's hope… oh no."
He felt his hips and his back pockets for his keys and checked his suitcase. He had sworn his keys were in his suitcase when he left to collect the paperwork with the contractors this morning. Kaveh banged on the door and stood back.
"Alhaitham, are you awake?" His voice echoed.
No response.
"Awww man… why does this always happen? I'm in a good mood for once and there's always one thing." He shivered and then started walking down the path "Whatever I guess it's drinking at the tavern for me tonight."
*
