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The dim candle lighting of the Athenaeum Astrologicum painted the people still left inside during the dim hours of the day in its warm glow. There stayed the Viera, sitting on a table, carefully positioned away from the candles and papers, and an Elezen, with work clearly in need of doing in front of him on his section of the table, forgotten. Their laughter and chatter carried faintly even outside the doors of the building, and had done so for bells as the two had chatted well into the eve.
"So, how's a night at the Forgotten Knight sound like?" Healingway swung his foot over the other, leaning back against his hands. He tilted his head playfully, looking at Jannequinard who had long since stopped pretending to be working.
"When it's you asking, how could I deny?" Jannequinard slicked his hair back, by now a habit more than a necessity. The motion was left unfinished when the door to the Athenaeum suddenly opened. At these hours, not even the most hardworking of Astrologists should be returning, the two of them having stayed behind only to chat.
"Jannequinard, what a surprise to find you where you should be. Ah, on another thought, I rescind that statement." The newcomer was quick to change their tone when they saw Healingway, still sitting on Jannequinard's desk.
As they closed the doors and stepped to the candlelight, Healingway could make out their features. A hyur of small stature, with lilac hair and clothes an intriguing mixture of Ishgardian and Hingan. Their round features were forming into a frown as their eyes shifted between Healingway and Jannequinard. Healingway hadn't expected to find themselves under such scrutiny, and started cleaning their nails to find something else to look at besides the newcomer's annoyed eyes.
"Ah, La- Master Rufin, what brings me this pleasure?" Jannequinard greeted, not the least bit ruffled. Acquintances, then.
"I might tell you, once your newest ah, acquintance gives us some room. Astrologian business, I'm sure you understand."
Healingway tilted his head, his nose twitching. He turned his back slightly to better show off the star glove he carried with him. "If it's Astrology-related, there's no need to worry about me." This clearly was not the right answer, as Master Rufin's frown only deepened. They crossed their arms, and gave a look to Jannequinard.
"I care not what you do in your free time, but do refrain from bringing your relationships to the Athenaeum. I have seen enough of the messes yours cause."
"Uh, wait, hold on," Healingway started as it started to dawn on them what Master Rufin was implying. "I'm not... we're not uhm, engaged in that sort of relationship. Actually, I'm his student." Finding his words in sudden situations had always been a challenge for him, and it seemed like it had not brought his words believability.
"Jannequinard taking students? By himself? Unless the stars have fallen out of the sky while I was gone, there is no way this lazy good-for-nothing would do that." Healingway had to admit that persuading Jannequinard to teach them had taken effort, but surely it didn not warrant such disbelief.
"Let it be known, that I am indeed performing my duties as an Astrologian well and dutifully, Master Rufin. Healingway here is my star pupil, if I do say so myself." A flourish in their direction made Healingway sit up straighter. Nevermind the fact that Healingway was sure they were Jannequinard's only pupil, if the Warrior of Light was taken out of the count, despite how often Jannequinard would brag about having taught such an esteemed person.
"A star pupil, you say..." There was a hint of curiosity in Master Rufin's eyes as they scanned over Healingway's form. The star globe on their back showed small signs of wear and tear, and the cards by their waist had been bent, dipped in water, and even ripped. It was clear to them that this was no brand new student, or at least not one of the usual nobility type Jannequinard had the tendency to flock to, who would have more than the wares to buy shining new equipment whenever it suited them.
"Very well. Star or not, I wish to see whatever this louse of a man could have taught you. Read me my future, here and now."
This Master Rufin's attitude had been getting to Healingway for a while now, clearly looking down on Healingway's dear friend and mentor, even if said mentor was known to be somewhat work-avoidant. Still, such an arrogant interrogation was just too far. "A reading you shall have, then." They hopped off the table and turned around, pulling out their deck of cards with the flourish of an experienced Astrologian. They'd show this Master Whoever just how well learned they could be. For both themselves and for Jannequinard.
"Anything specific you would like a reading about?" They kept their voice cordial, just as Jannequinard had taught them to when dealing with unpleasant acquintances, but their ears that had turned back hinted at their annoyance.
"I'm planning on sending a message to an old acquaintance soon, a star pupil you could say. He happens to be difficult to find, since he lives the life of an adventurer. Tell me how my attempts at contacting him will go."
Healingway settled the deck on the side, and took out his star globe. It was a beautiful thing, though a fellow Atrologian would recognise it to be of simple make. Regardless, Healingway still found beauty in it, no matter how many times he held it in his hands. It floated atop his palm, spinning around its axis and its glow shedding a small bit of light into the dim room like the smallest star of the night sky. Healingway set their palm atop the deck and, with one sweeping motion, spread the cards into a perfect half-circle. The shape rose up from the table and floated to the star globe, attaching themselves to its orbit. They spun around and around, until a pattern started emerging. The cards flowed like a river with three stones in its center, avoiding the three cards that had settled to the front of the globe, their backs facing the Astrologian focused on their task.
Strictly speaking, this all was unnecessary: one could perform a reading by simply pulling cards from a deck, but Healingway's feathers had been ruffled, and they felt the need to show off to this rude stranger both their own and their mentor's skills. Fellow Astrologian or no, rudeness was still rudeness, and though Healingway felt compelled to respond in kind, he held himself back. One of Jannequinard's teachings - the ones given elsewhere than in the halls of Astrologicum - was to never express when someone had gotten under your skin. Instead, you must strike back in a way they cannot respond to without seeming outrageous and self-centered, something subtle but effective. Both of these things were still a touch beyond Healingway's reach, but that did not stop him from trying.
They reached out for the first card, and turned it around with a flourish. "The Bole," they said. "The gate to the first heaven, which holds the World Tree. It would seem your pupil has been doing well for himself ever since you last saw each other, possibly having had a new opportunity come by him. You have no need to worry for his health." They set the card on the table, turning it around so it faced Master Rufin, whose face showed curiosity. Healingway couldn't help the sides of their mouth twitching upwards.
Their focus snapped back to the star globe, which kept spinning at a leasurely pace, yet the two remaining cards stayed where they were. He took the second one in his hand and looked upon it. "The Arrow. The fourth heaven, one of wind. Your pupil is on a voyage at the sea. It would seem contacting him might be difficult right now, if you have no link pearl at your disposal." Healingway couldn't help but wonder about this pupil. Those who took to the sea were often either traders, or interested in taking said trade by force. Someone trained in the arts of Astrology seemed ill-fitting for either, though Master Rufin had mentioned him being an adventurer. Adventurers were known for ending up the most curious situations, whether that be by will or happenstance.
"And finally," Healingway said after setting down the card. "The Spear, the gate to the sixth heaven. He will arrive to his destination safely, and you may then contact him. Though I recommend inquiring about where he is headed before you pen your letter, to better reach him." Healingway set the final card in the row on the table. The cards that were still in the orbit of his star globe swam about lazily, like a leaf on a summer day in the warm flow of the river. They had told everything they had to tell, and were now no more than self-drawn cards with worn edges.
Healingway started putting away his cards into a neat pile to store away until further use. The glow of the star globe dimmed, and the room was left in the candle-lit darkness it had been for quite some time before Master Rufin had arrived. Now that their show was over, Healingway felt nervous. Had they sounded too pompous? Had they gotten something wrong? They had to admit that they had been annoyed, but maybe they had gone overboard, or maybe they had forgotten a crucial detail in their rush to showcase their skills. They took a glance at Master Rufin, and were surprised to find them looking awestruck.
"My word, you are sure it was Jannequinard who taught you? You seem to know more than he has ever shown to!" Master Rufin could not help but stare at Healingway, before they seemed to remember whatever Ishgardian pride they held on to, and leveled their voice to a more neutral tone. "That is to say, good work. Say, how long have you been under Jannequinard's tutelage?"
Healingway had never bothered to count the days, and could only give a shrug in response. "Some time now, though... there have been moments when I have asked other Astrologians for tips." Jannequinard gasped theatrically and put a delicate hand to his chest.
"You would seek someone else's teachings? After so tearfully having begged yours truly to teach you when you first came to Ishgard? I am wounded, Healingway, wounded I tell you!" Healingway could not help but crack up at his antics.
"Well if certain someone had not dragged me to the wonders of the Ishgardian tailor shops on the first lesson for looking, and I quote, "like a little beastling," mayhap I would not have had to," Healingway laughed, fondly remembering their first meeting. That had been a good shopping trip, they had to admit, though it was certainly an unorthodox first lesson in Astrology.
"To learn Astrology, first one must feel capable of attuning oneself with the stars. And the way to attain that state is to not look like one climbed out of the Holy See itself that morn." Jannequinard and Healingway continued reminiscing. Despite throwing in a wink here or a lean too close there, the atmosphere stayed light and jovial. Master Rufin even found themselves lightening up as they observed the two. They were, admittedly, still not certain whether the two were simply a student and a teacher or something more, but it seemed like it did not matter: the two seemed to get along well, and the pupil had learned, frankly, more than expected. Perhaps a bit too much, Master Rufin mused, as they observed Healingway use the exact same line they had heard Jannequinard use when surrounded by beautiful noblewomen he wished to get better acquinted with. Only time would tell if they would truly absorb their teacher's whole personality as well. Master Rufin really hoped they wouldn't.