On Education [Harps]

[Bee]

The ride back to Esterberry had been exactly as peaceful as she thought it might be, and considerably less irritating. She was so glad to be home. What had the capitol to offer, after all, compared to this? Such fine buildings, such towering institutions of learning, such clean streets.

The carriage closed in on Phaedra's apartment, small because she was prudent, but comfortable because she had money to spare. There was no sense is wasting funds on a luxurious space in the heart of town when she didn't have to, and equally no point in living in what some people in Esterberry quietly called the Student Ghetto. The Golden Mean. All things in moderation. Phaedra liked her place.

Because she couldn't remember having discussed arrangements with Dania, she told her, "We can deposit your things at my place and have a spot of tea, unless you would rather be installed in a hotel, in which case there are many nearby." She smiled. "You're more than welcome to my home, though."

[Harpsdesire]

Dania found the carriage ride to be oddly soothing: the steady clop of the hooved Aces, the gentle bounce over rutted roads and Phaedra's quiet companionship. The young Torque was quiet much of the way, absorbed in her own thoughts and trying to mentally prepare herself for the stressful interviews that loomed in her near future.

She wouldn't dream of letting her Esterberry hostess know how close she was to breaking down in tears every time she thought of the home she was leaving behind, probably for quite some time. Dania stayed stoic, although her violet eyes were often suspiciously bright.

At least she was going to be making something of herself. This was going to be worth it.... she hoped. A new batch of tears threatened as it occured to her that she might be going back tomorrow, if all the schools rejected her application.

She considered herself fortunate when the fanciful buildings told her that they had entered the Realm of Esterberry, and excitement overwhelmed her darker thoughts. Dania couldn't restrain a small squeak of excitement when they alighted from the carriage and she found herself on the clean, cobbled streets of downtown Esterberry.

"Oh... That would be lovely, thank you." The rat felt a little sheepish when she realized how foolish she had been, traipsing off to Esterberry without even finding a place to stay... she would probably find herself in a student dormitory before long, but for now, Phaedra's offer was her best option.

"Thank you for everything." She continued, meekly. "I'd have no idea what to do next without your help. I want to get started right away applying to some of the schools, and I hardly know how to go about it."

At least finding a school to apply to wouldn't be hard-- from where she stood, she saw a college, two bookstores, a large library and several informative signs directing pedestrians to popular tourist destinations and shops. Esterberry certainly seemed like an organized sort of place.

[Bee]

Phaedra escorted the girl into her home with a dismissive wave. "Don't fret over it. And you're quite welcome. There are schools for just about everything here, you'll find. Getting into one of our most prestigious will probably be nigh on impossible--if only for the expense; it's staggering for outsiders, truly--but all of our institutions are top-notch. Well. Except Morris. But we don't talk about that."

She was aware that she was rambling a bit. The school system was a topic so vast she could probably go on for hours. But she had a guest to tend to, she reminded herself. Mustn't overwhelm the girl.

"You can deposit your things in the room to your left; it's a bit small, but comfortable, and everything is clean. I'll put on some tea and we can discuss what exactly you want to do." Phaedra also wanted to relax a bit before getting back to business; she'd been quite some time away from home, after all. "That will help us decide where you're going to apply. And, of course, I can always give you a general tour."

[Harpsdesire]

By the time Phaedra finished speaking, Dania was determined to do whatever it took to avoid ending up at "Morris", whatever that was. She knew that with going to a private Esterberry secondary school, entrance to the most prized programs was all but impossible, yet she still hoped that with her grades, she would be able to manage at a respectable university. "I'd be paying back the loans for the rest of my life, if I could even get in." Dania groaned softly, only half in jest. "But I do have some savings to help pay for books and tuition." She didn't mention the heavy little purse her mother had furtively pressed into her paw just as she left the house. That money was... well, almost sacred. It would be saved for something important, or until her hour of need.

"Oh, ah, it's nice, thank you." The room was pleasant, small and tidy, almost homey. Dania had minimal luggage, and most of what she did have was books which didn't need to be unpacked right away. The ability to travel very light was one of the few real advantages of animal form-- without the need for clothes and shoes, baggage was much decreased.

"Tea sounds great." She sighed thankfully. A cup of tea was exactly what she needed after a long trip. It had been an emotionally taxing day, and the young Torque found herself exceedingly grateful for Phaedra's help and company. She was, Dania thought, an absolutely sweet and lovely person... even if she was a touch snobbish.

[Bee]

Phaedra, quite intent on brewing Dania a fine cup of Esterberry tea, swirled a little bit of hot water around the teapot to warm it as she got her stove going. The primary tea of the region was black and thus needed a higher temperature than other types of leaves; it might appear curious to some that such intelligent people as Esterberries would not prefer a healthier green tea, but there was a far more important factor to consider, and that factor was caffeine content.

She let the tea steep a few minutes once the water had boiled, then tossed the water out and began anew. It was received wisdom that the first infusion was a mere washing and that the second was the beginning of real flavor. She strained the tea into her nicest cups, set them on her nicest tray with some honey and sugar, and brought it out to Dania.

"You can likely get some small measure of financial assistance, of course, provided your grades are exemplary, and I'm certain they are. Ah, enjoy your tea!" Phaedra poured an incredible amount of honey into her cup, which was the perfect way to ruin the unique taste of a perfectly brewed cup of Esterberry tea.

[Harpsdesire]

Financial aid? That was some relief. In an extremely unusual burst of hopefulness, she had departed for the scholarly realm with very little in the way of plans or preparations. Fortunately for Dania, her grades were exemplary. She had been near the top of her class in the smallish public school her town shared with a few neighboring villages. Although less so than Esterberries, Torquehelms were known for being clever, and even the smaller schools carried several advanced classes for brighter students.

Carefully, Dania lifted the dainty teacup to her face and inhaled the fragrance. It smelled good, and really quite similar to the tea her mother drank each morning at breakfast. She followed Phaedra's lead in adding honey (although in considerably less quantity), and took an experimental sip. The complex flavors of the beverage came as a pleasant surprise. "This is lovely."

She had a few more sips of tea before she recalled that she was supposed to be discussing her desired areas of study. "So... I was thinking..." She smiled shyly at Phaedra, "I would like to study literature and creative writing." Hopefully this was a scholarly enough area, and her host wouldn't be completely aghast. "Maybe with a minor in Torquehelm realm studies."

[Bee]

Phaedra clasped her little paws excitedly around her teacup. "Literature is a fine subject!" It was, in fact, one of Phaedra's own, so perhaps she was a bit biased, but really, it was an objectively wonderful course of study. The reverence her region held for books was second to none. But then, much of what Esterberry did was second to none, she had found. "There's actually quite a lot of work to be had interpreting texts--especially older ones, and foreign ones. If you can get published--my! It's a good career. And of course you would never do poorly with writing."

She took another sip of her honey-laden tea. Torquehelm studies was a good route too--especially tied with the literature, and Phaedra advised that Dania should definitely take the two in tandem. Phaedra was pleased that Dania hadn't wanted to major in something frivolous, and thus did not need to be set straight.

[Harpsdesire]

Dania was pleased that Phaedra approved of her choice, and she certainly hoped she wouldn't do poorly. Writing terribly would be... well, it would be worse than not writing at all! A fate worse than death, or so it seemed to the young rat. "I would love to be published." She said, almost reverently.

Dania devoured books: Prose and poetry, fiction and history, biography and fantasy. After many years of this, it seemed the natural result was an outpouring of ideas and thoughts, her soul existing as much on paper as within her body. Reams of stories, research, poems, journals and scraps of scribbled-on parchment attested to her passion, and, she hoped, her talent. Still, shyness prevented such material from ever seeing the light of day. School would mean she had to show someone her work, to be validated by approval or crushed by disdain. This was both her deepest desire and her greatest fear.

"I hope I will be able to perform up to Esterberry standards." Dania spoke a bit nervously, revealing the smallest part of her trepidation. "I don't even know where to start applying." She tasted her tea again, pensively. This whole situation seemed equal parts a wonderful dream and absurd fantasy. Who was she to think she could be a writer? That she could go to university in Esterberry?

[Bee]

Phaedra considered this for a moment. "There are a few places for which I think you should definitely pick up an application." She took another sip of tea as she decided the best ones to list. "Finch has a very good literature program, while Annevelink has a good bit of renown for its history. If you're feeling ambitious, you should shoot for Pascal. If you're feeling very ambitious, Noel is of course one of the top schools in the region, and perhaps the only one in that tier that might be affordable..."

She tried to think of any other relevant bits of information that might benefit the girl. "Keep in mind that Pascal and especially Noel have fairly vigorous interview processes as well, so if you have any pressing social anxieties you may wish to cure yourself of them. We have several highly-recommended therapists in the region, of course."

[Harpsdesire]

Was she feeling ambitious? Well, she was here, wasn't she? Dania nodded as Phaedra described her various options, and decided immediately to apply to all of them, and maybe a few more as well. She had already gotten past the hardest part in leaving home and making her way to the realm (or so she hoped). "Those all sound interesting." She said, mildly. Much more research should be conducted before she really knew what to shoot for. Still, it was nice to have some ideas of places to look into. Her new friend's next words really gave Dania cause for concern. Social anxiety? She had nothing but.

Therapy certainly wasn't an appealing thought. In fact, it was distinctly distasteful to her, what with it's overtones of 'opening up', 'confronting one's feelings' and (shudder) 'self esteem'. Dania had been hoping to squeeze by on her imperfect command of Diamond Charm alone. From the tone of Phaedra's statement, it sounded like that was probably out of the question. Clearly embarrassed, she admitted "Th-that might not be a bad idea..." Still, therapy meant bills, and money was better spent on tuition, finding her own apartment (so as not to lose a friend from constant mooching), and of course books.