Lyeskij | Grand Hall | the next day
Lyeskij stared down into his goblet, stirring it half-heartedly. His hands moved almost of their own accord, and took a pinch of the herbs specially prepared for him at the table. The liquid steamed as the leaves broke apart inside.
The Headmaster took a sip and frowned. Too acid. Forcing himself to gulp, he wiped the crimson stain from his lips with a napkin primly. While around him, countless dishes, bowls and other containers lay filled to the brim with exotic spices and grasses, his plate was empty. Lyeskij had no need for food now. His diet was another one.
He leaned over to where Mr. Sennar, the Academy handyman and general secretary, was eating a plate of sausages heartily.
"Order another pinch of powdered angel's blood," Lyeskij murmured softly, "and a milligram of opium. The thigh-bone of a unicorn, also. Look for Grøz, he knows the proper incantation."
Mr. Sennar nodded, and resumed eating, although with a tad less vigor. Lyeskij's lips turned upwards wryly. His meals were not the best of table topics, he had to concede.
Some time later, Lyeskij tapped his goblet with a spoon loudly. The students, chatting merrily, paid the noise no heed. It was lost in the general din in any case. The Headmaster sighed. Clapping his hands together, he temporarily made everyone else in the hall mute, their tongues refusing to budge.
"I will have. Silence," he said, evenly. And silence it was, even after he ended the spell. Lyeskij chuckled. That was a useful little trick he had picked up when he was studying at the Romanov Institute of the Dark Arts in Russia.
"It has come to our attention that there have been some... rebellious attitudes... in this school," he began. "Too much freedom was given. Now that I'm back from my trip, that'll change. In primis, there is a school schedule affixed to the boards in the hall. I suggest you take a look. Secondly," and at this he paused, drawing in a breath, "after careful observation, the staff have singled out the more, ah, notable miscreants, and have issued thus." he paused for effect, this time.
"All those called step forward."
"Niran Pirosis." a girl near the end of the hall walked forward, uncertainly.
"Nythe Snyder." a boy this time.
"Sofia Matuic." the mute girl with the birds, ah. She could cause quite an uproar for one who couldn't speak.
"Hayden Storm. Luna Wenchester."
Lyeskij stared at the students for a few seconds. "Two days of detention. You will be skipping combat practice and instead be assisting Mr. Sennar. You may sit down."
Another pause, then, "Nicholas James. Two days of detention. Unlike your friends, however, you will be attending lessons with me, to teach you self-control. You may sit."
A longer pause.
"John Shades. Belle Silth."
They stepped forward.
"A trimester of detention, the both of you. Furthermore, all your privileges are revoked from this point on for the same period of time. Further transgressions will result in expulsion.
Good day to you. I will be watching."
Lyeskij stood, and walked out, to outraged hissing.
