Chapter Text
Sunlight filtered through the green spring leaves of the trees lining the path, causing shadows to dance on the grass. The tan dirt path was thrown into varying shades of brown and grey as the breeze worked with the sun and clouds to constantly change the scenery. Footsteps fell flatly as the occasional car or horse and carriage passed by the pair walking under the trees.
“Are you nervous?” Professor Frank Stein asked his companion, his silver hair and white lab coat fluttering in the breeze.
Maka directed her green eyes up to him for a moment before focusing again on the path. “I don’t know if it’s excitement or nervousness. I’ve known this apprenticeship was coming; I just didn’t realize it could be outside the University.” She smoothed down her yellow sundress, the long strips of fabric dripped from the empire waste line and shifted in the wind.
“I’ll admit this is a rare opportunity to live with your mentor. Most mentors are based at the University. Mr. Evans doesn’t work for us per say, but has agreed to help once in a while in exchange for our support.” Professor Stein shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat. “I just wish he didn’t live so far out into the country. I don’t want you to feel so isolated from the other students.”
“I don’t mind. A change of scenery might not be such a bad thing,” Maka said, her eyes glancing over to the next tree. A sprite with green skin, leaf-like wings, and large black eyes giggled at her before disappearing into a hollow knot of the trunk.
“So what is he like?” she asked, but Professor Stein suddenly turned off the path towards a small one story house at the end of a drive.
The trees opened up to reveal a clearing for the house, but still secluded it from any neighbors that may be able to see from their windows. They passed through a silver gate to reveal flowers, butterflies, and birds of all colors roaming around the path that continued to the house. The house was plain, built with brick and dark shingles, but the gardens surrounding it were expansive and flush with life. Fluffy wooly bugs–large sheep-like bugs that flit around and are useful for their wool–meandered here and there, drinking from the bird baths and napping in the shade. Other sprites were flitting in and around the bushes, flowers, and trees. They all (with the notable exception of the wooly bugs) scattered upon Maka and Professor Stein’s arrival.
“Not sure how he can live here so secluded from people,” the professor said as he knocked on the heavy solid wooden door.
“There’s plenty of life here to make up for it,” Maka replied, reaching down to pet a wooly bug. It curled into her touch much like a cat.
Stein could only hum at her in response before the door opened. Maka expected it to creak, but surprisingly it was silent. She also expected to find someone at the door, but no one was there.
“Ohhhh! Are you the new apprentice?” the dramatic voice seemed to come from nowhere, but then Stein looked down. At the base of the door was a black and purple cat, gazing up at them and flicking her tail back and forth happily.
“I’m Professor Stein from the University, and this is Maka, my student. Mr. Evans should be expecting us.”
“Yes! Though he has managed to disappear on me. I’m sure he’ll be back soon! Come in, come in! My name is Blair! I’ll whip up some tea while we wait for him to come back!” the cat left the door open– How did she manage to open it in the first place? –and her tail beckoned for the pair to walk in.
Maka carefully stepped into living room. It had hardwood floors with an area rug in front of the large brick fireplace. Several wooly bugs were camped out napping in a pile right in front of the cozy fire. Plush upholstered furniture were arranged around the rug in an obvious conversation setting. There was no TV or other electronics lying around. Maka started to doubt her laptop would be able to connect to the internet here. How would she complete her schoolwork?
Blair came strolling back in with a tray of tea and small cakes balanced on the tip of her tail. Maka could see the residual glimmer of fae magic surrounding it. Was Blair Mr. Evans’ familiar?
“Please, sit! I just heard Soul traipsing through the woods so he should be here any minute!”
Maka sat gingerly on the loveseat and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear that had escaped from her pigtails. She watched Blair slide the tray to float in front of her and Professor Stein, almost as if there was a coffee table for it to sit on. She grasped a tea cup and saucer and slowly brought it to her lips as she inhaled the lemon steam that infused into her nose.
“Blair! I told you not to send that damn mouse messenger anymore! I almost stepped on it again!” The low, slightly gravelly voice came through the now open doorway, and coming into the room. It must be the mysterious Soul Evans: supposed social pariah and extraordinary Mage.
He scratched at the back of his head, causing his abundance of white hair to shuffle slightly. He had deep red eyes set against tan, almost olive skin. He was tall, close to six feet, even if he didn’t look much older than Maka’s 16 years. How old was he?
It was then that she noticed those red, red eyes were staring right at her. “Are you the apprentice?”
Maka didn’t even have the chance to dignify that with an answer before Professor Stein interjected for her. “Soul, you agreed to take on a student this semester. This is Maka Albarn. Maka, this is Soul Evans, your mentor.”
Maka stood and stuck out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to learning from you!”
Soul eyed her hand before slowly– was his hand trembling? –giving it a shake. “Nice to meet you, too.” He may have mumbled it but it was a step in the right direction.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it,” Stein stood up and moved his way out the door. Maka couldn’t think of anything to say to make him stay before he was gone.
“That man gets on my nerves,” Soul said, plopping down onto the couch and rubbing his face. “I’m assuming you met Blair?” Maka nodded, which prompted Soul to continue. “Fair warning, she’s a shifter. She can turn from cat to human and back at will. You’ll recognize her hair so don’t worry, though don’t let her ‘fix’ your wardrobe.”
“Why?” Maka lifted an eyebrow in confusion.
“Just trust me.”
And that was all she could do at the moment.