Unlike all other Etherean cities, Descria was a hub of multi-national and multi-racial activity, where humans, elves and ethereans interacted in a plethora of complex ways. The city owed most of its diversity to the School for the Etheric Disciplines, an institution where anyone with the ability could hone their skills in wizardry, sorcery or healing. The School was also home to the Ethereal Union's largest etherics research centre, and many notable businesses called Descria home, which made the city a destination for scholars, scientists and merchants alike.

Being the middle of the Etherean week, the halls of the School were mostly empty, students under the care of their tutors while the cleaning staff yet saw little point in an earnest effort. Nubia's footsteps echoed hollowly as she ambled toward the central wing, wishing to some degree that she had not discharged Amilin for the day. If she were to go back and ask the elf girl to help her with her luggage, she would gladly assist, but Nubia had already said her goodbyes and she wanted Amilin to have at least one quiet day when she need not be a slave. It was still all a matter of whether Leon would honour her request once she left, but there was little reason why one slave could not be spared for a day.

Descending the School's grand staircase, Nubia spotted Leon standing with another tutor, hands clasped behind his back. Neither was speaking; they only stared at a painting of the supposed symbols of the Ethereal Union's power: unity and strength. In actuality, the Etherean mindset discouraged unity entirely--competitiveness was instilled into them from birth.

Although the emblem was far from representative of the Etherean people's mentality at large, Nubia did have to admit that it was stylistically beautiful. Ethereans, if anything, understood the importance of artistic beauty. Why Leon would spend his time staring at the painting was, however, a total mystery to her. Nubia left her bags at the foot of the stairs and moved to join him.

"Musing about your civic duty, Leon?" Sarcasm was thick in her voice, but Leon seemed not to notice as he turned his head. The other tutor chose to ignore them, continuing to look at the painting.

"No," Leon said, trailing off slightly. "A former student of mine painted this." His face twisted into a thin, bitter smile. "I expect he chose art over etherics as a profession. He never was very fond of me." He turned to face her, a stern expression washing over his features. "You are not fond of me, either, are you?"

Nubia hadn't been expecting something like this. A choked sound that could potentially be classified as the beginning of an explanation escaped her mouth.

"I can't say I approve of this," Leon cut in before she could begin. "You should complete your studies. I understand what your family must mean to you, but they will still be there in three years. Such a long span of time without studying cannot easily be recouped."

Nubia sighed. "No, Leon, I don't think you can understand. This is something I should have done long ago."

"You will not change your mind?"

Nubia shook her head. "No."

Leon moved to the stairs and lifted both of Nubia's bags with apparent ease. "Then let me at least help you along your way." He stood beside Nubia and straightened, clearing his throat. "I am your tutor; that is a sort of family, I suppose."

Nubia smiled. "I suppose it is." As she pulled her coat closer around her, Nubia couldn't help thinking how wrong Leon was. For all intents and purposes, the relationship between student and tutor was the nearest thing to family Ethereans could hope to understand. Still, it was not family--not in the slightest. Just as competition was their way of life, detachment from family for Ethereans was the rule of tradition and, indeed, the rule of law.

Leon led the way out into the street and toward the transportation terminus. The streets were uncharacteristically empty as they made their way, even for a weekday morning. Where intersections would usually be choked by bodies and carriages milling about randomly in innumerable directions, there was only a trickle of people lazily making its way back and forth, each individual determined to keep warm against the chilly winter air.

Nubia tried to keep her mind focused on the line of cobbles ahead of her, but her thoughts distracted her; she couldn't help thinking about what the next few days would involve. Soon she would be back on solid ground, back in the Duchy of Caperow. The projector would send her to Carlston, the largest city, where lodging and rental of a carriage was of course already arranged, and from there she would make her way to Check. She had assured herself many times that she would not feel totally alien in her home, that her language and accent would not be conspicuous, but still she worried, unsure of anything associated with her homecoming.

Shaking her head, Nubia tried to will herself to focus on the cobbles, but her gaze instead swept over the people passing them. She had tucked her hair inside her coat to prevent its knee-reaching length from being an annoyance in the wind, but even the small part that was visible drew people's attention--it always did. She suspected, however, that her companion was a far more surprising spectacle. For an Etherean to be carrying his own bags, let alone a human's, was a startling breach of social protocol: people simply took for granted that physical labour was reserved for elves. Quickening her pace, Nubia pushed all thought of social protocol from her mind and concentrated on the cobbles.

She was grateful when they reached the transportation terminus, neither of them having said a word the entire walk. Much in contrast to the streets, the terminus was a bustle of activity at all hours of the day or night. Looking up at the timepiece high above the square, Nubia determined that the projection to Carlston was to take place in ten minutes' time. Due, however, to the notorious hastiness of the projection operators some mornings, her timeframe was in all likelihood closer to seven minutes at best.

People, all of them human, were already gathered on the projection platform, waiting impatiently. None even raised their heads as she sat on the fringes of the platform, taking her suitcase and bag from Leon. She removed the flute from its resting place and cradled it in her hands as Leon sat beside her and exhaled heavily.

"I do not know if this will carry much weight with you, but I am proud of you, Nubia."

She blinked. "What?"

Leon smiled faintly. "I am proud of you. You may have been a terrible student," he told her with a chuckle, "but not once did you fall behind." He nodded thoughtfully to himself. "I have always admired that in you."

Embarrassed, Nubia turned her head and sat with her mouth agape, unsure what to say. An awkward silence passed between them. "You should go," she advised after clearing her throat. "I hope your next student won't be half the trouble I was." He nodded and, standing up, stepped off the platform. Flashing a weak smile, he turned and left without saying goodbye.

Seconds later, the projection platform was empty.