Metis

"...Must question how the issue of subjectivity between different cultures, let stand different individuals, classes and so on, could possibly lead to anyone claiming to be learned enough in the ways of personal matters to meaningfully teach others."

"All of us are human at the end of the day, that is enough to ensure both common points and common goals. Which can be studied, examined, and the knowledge gained passed on to clarify the path ahead for newcomers in the field. Cultures, classes, even individuals have different ideas and ideals on how those common points are treated and the common goals are reached, yes. If anything I would encourage further study to examine what those differences are, and how the knowledge of applied theory and different methods could assist people who would otherwise never have thought of these, ultimately, old ideas."

At least one, maybe two hours into this debate and you've gotten a very good impression of what it is that Becker is trying to accomplish. Over the years she's gotten into contact with a great many people through her normal day job (the exact nature of which hasn't been mentioned up to this point). She compiled her experiences assisting them with a wide variety of problems across all different classes and ages she's encountered, as well as the personal stories she heard from those "clients". In the process she's noticed a pattern of common issue, repeated incidents, even concentrated efforts to cover up and bury those mistakes...but very little acknowledgement, few able and willing to lend a hand, and a sore lack of attempts at preventing mistakes from being made in the first place. Becker is arguing for the merits of professional "relationship counsellors", able to educate and (where needed) offer a guiding hand to those who need it. They, in turn, would form and be supported by a formal academic field, which Becker is hoping will ultimately culminate in a formal "relationship curriculum" being established and taught, ideally, publicly. All that in the name of prevention, as she attributes the majority of the issues she's encountered to easily curable ignorance.

Would it really be that simple, or effective? Who knows. Are people going to find an answer to that question, and for that matter the many questions put before the viability if not ethical legality of Becker's ideas, before you're old and retired? Who knows. What does this all have to do with Monika's strange behaviour? Unfortunately, so far, you still have no idea...

"I still find it appalling that the issue of infringement upon parents' rights to raise their own children is not treated as the greater concern," one of the debaters brings up. No one says it outright, of course, but the idea of having a stranger raise her kids - or raise someone else's kids, whichever - has hit a nerve. So it's the only thing she's (repeatedly) called into question so far. "I especially cannot see how anyone could shoulder the responsibility. A teacher cannot absolve themselves thereof, no matter the age of her students."

"The same, I would argue, is true for the parents. I'm well aware of how heavy that responsibility is, and how it's perceived personal nature leads many to stubbornly fumble about in ignorance until, invariably, it leads to problems. Outside help would do a lot to prevent such mistakes from being made in the first place, as well as provide a measure of guidance - and oversight - in case mistakes do occur, and would otherwise go unresolved. Possibly even unnoticed."

"I see greater opportunity for such mistakes to be perpetuated, and subsequently covered up by those with no personal ties to any of the people involved bar the coin they're offered for their services!"

Definitely hit a nerve. Not that it isn't a proper debate despite that, but even Philippe could figure out these two without even trying. You have to admit, for as profession as these two are even at their worst? You can't say you're not disappointed. If only because it's not Becker that's feeling the heat. How are you supposed to figure out her deal if she's the one calmly responding to the overly emotional one?

"What does any of this have to do with Monika?" Tulia quietly whispers in your ear. "We're going to be here all day at this rate!"

Sure feels that way, but what are you supposed to do about it? This isn't exactly a place where you can easily get away with drawing your wand, so your options are a touch limited...

-Patience. Continue to watch.
--While it does feel like this is going to take all day, you have to imagine the debaters here wouldn't find that any more amusing than you do. Surely at some point someone will get Becker to say whatever it is you need to hear. You just have to wait for it.

Unfortunately Becker and the other debater show no signs of stopping anytime soon. Both are the kind of stubborn that could keep this up until the end of time. Next to them, however, someone else clears their throat. Maybe you won't have to wait that long after all.

--Becker and the other debater show no signs of stopping anytime soon, and at this rate you really are going to be here all day. Might be worth coming back later for another debate, hopefully one the annoying one won't be here for? You have to imagine her as the kind of ticked off that she'll make time in her schedule to be here, but surely she has to not show up - or get pushed out to make room for others, either/or - sooner or later. Becker certainly will still be around, you know that much.

Honestly, that does sound like the better plan to you. You're starting to lose focus and if you miss what important thing Becker might, if the stars align, eventually say than what's even the point of wasting your time here? You're a busy student, you've got your own things to do.

So, yes. Let's just call this a wash and come back to it later.

-Prayer. Hope for a miracle.
--You whisper a silent prayer, keeping in mind that you're here to try and help Monika. What Becker is arguing and all of that is so far beyond your paygrade you needn't even pretend to worry about it. It's merits will be debated by those who can do a much better job of that than you could. All you need to worry about is getting the information you need to help Monika.

You feel yourself doze off for a second, but snap back to reality pretty quickly. When you look at the other debaters you see one of them clear his throat. Sweet relief at least, hopefully.

--Becker and the other debater show no signs of stopping anytime soon, and at this rate you really are going to be here all day. Might be worth coming back later for another debate, hopefully one the annoying one won't be here for? You have to imagine her as the kind of ticked off that she'll make time in her schedule to be here, but surely she has to not show up - or get pushed out to make room for others, either/or - sooner or later. Becker certainly will still be around, you know that much.

Honestly, that does sound like the better plan to you. You're starting to lose focus and if you miss what important thing Becker might, if the stars align, eventually say than what's even the point of wasting your time here? You're a busy student, you've got your own things to do.

So, yes. Let's just call this a wash and come back to it later.

[Negation option was not used last stage?]-Sleight-of-Hand. Covertly cast some magic.
--People like to forget, but pickpocketing is just the start of the covert hands art. Casting a spell in a crowded space, without being noticed? That, too, is part of the oft misunderstood discipline.

You shrug at Tulia, to get her attention off of you, and get to work. Keeping a perfectly straight face while carefully bringing your wand and palette together beneath your robes you're able to put together a very basic charm, and direct it at one of the debaters. Nothing special, nothing noteworthy, just the tiniest push needed to cause the man to speak up. Which, if his frown is any indication, he was close to doing already.

A few seconds, and he clears his throat. Excellent.

--You check out your immediate surroundings, as well as whether the nearest guard (bouncer? Does he have a special term for his occupation or what is it?) is watching you. Answer: Not good, and yes respectively. And honestly, that figures. You're an Academagia student sitting among a crowd of adults who probably are not used to people not doing exactly what they want them to do, how they want them to. No respect for the misunderstood arts, you swear.

Well, they're in luck, because it seems your hands are tied. Trying to cast a spell covertly while you're being watched, you may as well try to hide an elephant among ants. Without a wand, of course, though even than that would take some heavy duty Glamours. At this point coming back later for another debate, hopefully one the annoying one won't be here for, seems like a better idea. You have to imagine her as the kind of ticked off that she'll make time in her schedule to be here, but surely she has to not show up - or get pushed out to make room for others, either/or - sooner or later. Becker certainly will still be around, you know that much.

Honestly, that does sound like the better plan to you. You're starting to lose focus and if you miss what important thing Becker might, if the stars align, eventually say than what's even the point of wasting your time here? You're a busy student, you've got your own things to do.

So, yes. Let's just call this a wash and come back to it later.

-Observation. How do the other debaters look?
--Figuring you can't be the only one that's getting tired of this cycle you take a closer look at the other debaters. And you were one, one of them is frowning like he's about to step in.

Seems like you might not have to wait for long. Or have a perfect target, if you feel like a(n even more) direct solution is needed...

--You check to see if maybe one of the other debaters is going to give you some kind of opportunity, but all you see are a collection of stuffy old people - some older than others, in fairness to miss Becker and the other woman who'd probably object to being lumped into the same category as the men who have at least two decades on them. For what that's worth.

Professor Briardi turns out to be in her office, going over some manner of paperwork no doubt intended to be looked at by the Legate instead, so it's no trouble for Tulia and yourself to knock on her door and get her attention. Whether the Legate will like it if this takes so long said paperwork is going to end up back into his hands, well, that's a separate question. "Ah, Tulia and [PC FIRST NAME]," the regent starts as she looks up from the Legate's paperwork. "What can I help you two with?"

"Monika," Tulia answers, and immediately Professor Briardi gets a pained expression on her face. This is going to go swimmingly, you can already tell. "I'm guessing you haven't heard yet, but-"

"Monika studied herself unconscious in the Common Room and was carried to the Infirmary by her caretaker," the regent fills in. You raise an eyebrow, surprised at how quickly she managed to do that. "I heard about that from her caretaker, miss Becker. You just missed her, in fact."

"And you didn't..." Tulia begins, but again the regent fills in that she was indeed planning on talking to Monika about it later. After she is done with her office work, and after Monika has had a chance to catch some much needed sleep. "R-right, o-obviously. That makes sense. Still..."

"Still...?" the regent asks, and this time Tulia awkwardly fills in that she doesn't think it'll help. Professor Briardi lets out a tired sigh. "Neither do I, truth be told. But I would be remiss not to scold and reprimand her for her antics regardless. If only to make sure she has a chance to rest up, and reflect. Hopefully it will convince her to take better care of herself...but I'd be lying if I said I'm holding my breath."

Now you're starting to frown. "So, wait, Monika doesn't even listen to you at all? I thought she was supposed to be a teacher's pet, doing whatever the professors told her to and all of that."

The frown that forms on the regent's face as she hears your question initially makes you nervous, but worst case you know who you can throw off of an airship...if you need to. "Monika is a 'teacher's pet' insofar that she does what she is asked so as to avoid disciplinary measures, same as most students who don't have a particularly rebellious streak. A reputation that claims otherwise would be the result of slander and rumors. Not her peers realizing the truth of the matter."

"What truth is that?" Tulia asks, and Professor Briardi explains that students who genuinely attempt to butter up the faculty - successfully or otherwise - always have a certain tone and feel to them. Professors do learn to recognize that, though how they respond to it changes from one professor to the next. Regardless Professor Briardi has never gotten that impression from Monika, nor has she noticed Monika being regarded favorably by those professors she knows responds well to it. Which leads her to conclude that Monika isn't a teacher's pet, merely that she's afraid of the faculty's authority.

Tulia and you silently share an awkward look, which the regent doesn't interrupt. "Now I'm really confused," Tulia eventually admits. "What is going on with that girl?"

"I'm gathering that you two are looking into Monika's strange behaviour?" Professor Briardi asks. Tulia nods, and you relay the request Becker made of you to look into it. The regent raises an eyebrow in response. "I don't know if that request was made in desperation, and ignorance, or not. Either way, it would be good for Monika to figure out how to better carry herself. And how to express to other people that she can, especially when it seems like she can't. As for you two..." The regent pauses, mentally thinking over something. Though what you have no idea. "Perhaps it would be for the best," she eventually concludes, shaking her head a bit. "I'll advise you two to visit the Forum of Naxum. Seeing miss Becker in action should prove a good first step to figuring out what makes Monika tick."

"You already know what Monika's deal is," Tulia accuses, but Professor Briardi shakes her head.

"I have suspicions," the regent corrects. "You two will need to confirm, for yourselves, whether those suspicions are true. Or, for that matter, relevant. If it turns out that Monika has never questioned her own behaviour even my Negation tricks could not drag that truth out of her. And if her Dialectic scores are any indication I would hazard a guess that she hasn't."

If the regent is worried about sending you two on a wild goose chase you suppose there's no point in asking for further detail, even if Tulia seems to want to. Instead you're thinking about the Forum of Naxum. Becker said she'd be making regular appearances there, so catching her doesn't seem likely to pose a problem. What is likely to pose a problem, given what Becker is debating and your apparent lack of age, is not being "politely" requested to leave. An actual age restriction, or censorship of the topic being discussed, is something unheard of in living memory. But children - particularly ones who seem like they might be disruptive - being asked, then forced to leave? More of a common occurrence than not.

It's not an insurmountable challenge by any means, but it is something that will require some thought. How to convince the people at the Forum of Naxum not to take issue with you-and Tulia, of course, being there?

-Debate. Defend your right, and ability, to attend.
--You're no stranger to debates, so despite your age you're confident you can talk your way into the Forum if you have to. You ask Tulia if she has any objection to that, and she merely shrugs her shoulders asking if you really need to be worried about it in the first place. Ultimately you suppose you're not, confident you can talk your way in if you need to and all, so...that answers that question.

Of course a short trip through Mineta later, and in front of the Forum of Naxum stands a guard who stops the two of you. "Business?" he curtly asks, sounding like this isn't the first (or last) time he'll ask the same question today.

"Same as everyone else, we're here to sit in on one of miss Becker's debates," you answer. The guard narrows his eyes and looks both you and Tulia up and down a few times.

"Figured. Unfortunately miss Becker requested that her audience be more carefully checked than usual, sensitive topics and all, so Academagia students or not I'm sure you two kids know what that means," the guard drones out. It's not that he isn't invested in his job, it's that he's tired of continuing to invest into it. Tulia, for her part, starts to question how and why Becker managed to get her wish in that regard, but you give her a not so subtle jab to the side.

"Most likely the other debaters agreed with Becker's idea and pushed it through. As for what happens next, yeah, I know. I'm no stranger to debates myself - Durand student, mandatory Dialectic courses, go figure - and that was indeed my backup plan in case I needed to talk my way in. Is it really necessary, though? We both know how this song and dance is going to go. And me yapping your ears off about some random bit of philosophical trivia, until you're convinced I've spend enough time studying debates that I'd have flung myself off of Elumia if I didn't respect them? That just seems like a really roundabout way of proving I can also not do that, which is probably what the debaters in the Forum want from me in the first place. So how about we just skip that nonsense, and you can accept my all important silence as confirmation that I can also keep it?"

"You are either the laziest student the Academagia has ever taken on, or you've got more brains than half the people standing on the podium in there," the guard jokes. "Alright, argument accepted. I trust your friend knows the score as well, if not you'll have some time to fill her in."

You nod, and before Tulia can do something stupid drag her along with you. She is, understandably, a bit put off at multiple things that just occurred, but it's no trouble to convince her to focus on what you two are actually here for: Figuring out what Becker's deal is, so that hopefully you can figure out what makes Monika tick.

It'll be a while before Becker's next appearance, but not too long. Time to see what her idea of a profession is all about...

--You've held your own in a debate once or twice, so despite your age you're confident you can talk your way into the Forum. You ask Tulia if she has any objection to that, and she merely shrugs her shoulders asking if you really need to be worried about it in the first place. You're not, ultimately, so...that answers that question.

Of course a short trip through Mineta later, and in front of the Forum of Naxum stands a guard who stops the two of you. "Business?" he curtly asks, sounding like this isn't the first (or last) time he'll ask the same question today.

"Same as everyone else, we're here to sit in on one of miss Becker's debates," you answer. The guard narrows his eyes and looks both you and Tulia up and down a few times.

"Figured. Unfortunately miss Becker requested that her audience be more carefully checked than usual, sensitive topics and all, so Academagia students or not I'm sure you two kids know what that means," the guard drones out. Not very invested into his job, this guy. Should be easy to convince, you think. Tulia, for her part, starts to question how and why Becker managed to get her wish in that regard, but you give her a not so subtle jab to the side.

"Most likely the other debaters agreed with Becker's idea and pushed it through. As for what happens next, allow me."

Your mock debate about the mathematical proofs of supposedly impossible geometry - something that was a recent subject in Dialectic, so yeah, kinda still fresh in your memory and all - goes off absolutely beautifully, so much so that you nearly cause the guard to fall asleep three times. How could anyone possibly argue that someone this boring could do something as vaguely exciting as disrupt a debate? No one! It's the perfect plan! But of course it is. This was your idea, after all.

Eventually the guard slaps himself awake, checks a nearby sun dial for what time is it, and regretfully informs you that Becker's debate has already started, so if you want to catch one from the start you'll need to come back later.

...How in the world did you lose that one!? How!? You plan was perfection itself! Unbelievable. Letting out a heavy sigh, figuring that you should catch the debate from the very start, you turn around to apologize to Tulia. Only to find her conked out on the ground, curled up like a cat, while a curious bird rummages through her pockets and suddenly flies off when it notices you staring at it.

You know what, fine. You also thought it was boring, that was the whole point. You'll just take Tulia's afternoon nap as a compliment and move on.

...Here's to hoping whatever Monika has isn't contagious. Boring as it was, you can't help but deny you're a little worried about Tulia falling asleep like this...

-Intrigue. Ask a more mature student to come along.
--You don't fully understand what Becker is arguing for, hence you needing to sit in on one of her debates in the first place, but you've got enough of an idea to guess that not just philosophers will be interested. Perhaps it's not what Becker intends, but the idea of a private tutor or family caretaker helping raise the family's children isn't too uncommon among the wealthy or nobility - in Pievre especially. If Becker is arguing for a profession such people could (and would) hire themselves, perhaps the city's upper crust is keeping an eye on those debates. Not coincidentally, as far as your situation is concerned, that same nobility would probably have a very easy time being allowed into the Forum. As such, ridiculously stupid as it sounds, you feel like you should try asking Catherine Chard about this. Though you do ask Tulia if she has any ideas insofar as not getting stopped and thrown out at the Forum of Naxum. You're confident you're on to something, but something easier would be better.

Tulia initially just seems to assume that no excuse or special reason is needed, until you mention your idea of asking Catherine Chard to come along with you two. "Wait-wait, hold up, I think I must have misheard you there: You want to ask Catherine Chard, as in...Catherine Chard, to come along with us to the Forum of Naxum?"

"Yes?" you ask a bit indignantly. You explained your reasoning, surely it isn't that absurd. "I would also like to ask her if she's heard anything useful about Becker, truthfully. Might as well make two trips at once, right?"

Tulia just shrugs and tells you to go for it, not hiding the grin on her face that says how much fun she'll have when you inevitably crash and burn. Well, fine. You'll just have to show her how wrong she is, won't you?

You drag Tulia along to the Vernin Common Room, where [RANDOM VERNIN STUDENT] informs you that Catherine should be in her room. You nod and walk towards the girl's dorms, Tulia following along nervously now that she's realized you are actually serious about this. She even flinches when you knock on Catherine's door, though you're better at hiding the fact you are still a touch nervous. Not that you've got long to contemplate that, as Catherine quickly opens her door and glares at you. "[PC FIRST NAME], and Tulia? What is this about?"

Not even a nervous peep from Tulia of course, whereas you merely mention Becker's name. Catherine raises a curious eyebrow at it, showing you a small measure of recognition. "The...Velocian philosopher, if memory serves me? I've heard a little bit about why she's come to Mineta, but how did you get involved with her?" You quickly summarize Monika's incident in the Durand Common Room, as well as how that lead to Becker asking you for help afterwards. "Really...I wasn't aware that woman's daughter was attending the Academagia. Or relative, rather, if she is indeed only the girl's caretaker. A curious sequence of events, but where do I come in?"

"Professor Briardi advised sitting in on one of Becker's debates at the Forum of Naxum to get a better idea of the work she does, and how it might relate to Monika's odd behaviour," you start. Catherine calmly nods, like she agrees with that plan. Now for the moment of truth. "Only problem is that between what she's likely to discuss and, well, our apparent age, it seems uncomfortably likely we'll be turned away at the door. Hence why I wanted to ask if you could come along with us. With Catherine Chard standing next to us I'm sure we won't be refused."

Tulia actually gets a panicked look on her face, surprised that you dared to ask the question and expecting Catherine to be...not amused by it. Instead Catherine...nods. "I'd certainly hope so, and truthfully I am curious about exactly what 'new ideas' this woman is supposedly bringing to the table. Not that I don't trust my family's caretaker, of course, but it's not something I can find good explanations about in the Academagia. So, very well. I would like to ask a few things about Becker along the way, as well."

You nod and assure Catherine you'll be happy to share what (admittedly little) knowledge you have, as well as help Tulia find her missing jaw. Catherine gets a good chuckle out of that seeing Tulia's perplexed expression.

The walk to the Forum of Naxum is surprisingly lively, with Catherine taking a curious interest in Becker's work and how it might shape future generations of family retainers and caretakers...or collapse in on itself in a giant blaze of failure. One or the other. Tulia doesn't say much, still dumbfounded as to how she ended up in this situation, while you're happy to answer Catherine's questions where you can. It's clear that neither of you really have a good grasp on how exactly Becker envisions this new occupation of hers, but even Catherine has to admit there's ways it could possibly work. If not exactly as Becker expected, or even necessarily wanted it.

At the Forum of Naxum, for better or worse a while before Becker is going to start one of her debates, the three of you end up stopped by a guard while trying to enter the building. "Business?" he curtly asks, clearly having done this more than once before. You simply look at Catherine Chard as she politely introduces herself and explains that she and her Classmates wish to sit in on Becker's debate. The guard takes stares curiously at Catherine for a second, likely trying to remember why her last name sounds so familiar. "Oh," he simply goes once he puts the pieces together. "Miss Becker's next debate isn't due to start for a little bit, so pardon me for insisting, but she has requested that her audience be more carefully checked. As such I'm required to confirm whether you three are aware of the, ah, potentially sensitive nature of her debates, and confident it will not be unduly interrupted."

"Miss Becker requested for that, and she got her wish? Interesting," Catherine notes, not really giving the guard's question much thought. She knows he's not going to call her out on it, and she's right about it too. Instead the guard nods and adds that it wasn't really Becker's idea alone, the regular debaters here wanted the exact same thing and all pushed for Becker's idea of their own accord, but she did initially suggest it. "It's a fair request to make, I will admit. That said I can confirm my Classmates here will not cause any problems, and I trust my family names speaks for itself. So, can we enter?"

The guard nods and steps aside, letting you three walk in. Good thing you came prepared after all, though you see no need to rub that in Tulia's face. You've gotten your victory, but that's not what you're here for. Instead Catherine turns to address the two of you. "Given that you two are here mainly for Monika's sake, am I right in guessing that you won't be sitting in on the full debate?" Tulia nods, and a moment later you do as well. It could prove interesting, but you'd rather have this situation with Monika sorted out first, and from the sounds of it Becker isn't going to be going anywhere else anytime soon anyway. "I figured. In that case I'll recommend the two of you find a seat closer to the halls so you'll be able to leave with minimal fuss, whereas I'll find a seat close to the platform and try to get a good read on miss Becker. I can't imagine it'll make a real difference, but if the front guard is obligated to warn me I'm sure paying attention to such details won't be wasted."

Indeed. Time to see what Becker's work is all really about...

--The idea is sound in your ears, but your brain hits a brick wall trying to think of who you could possibly ask to come along. The list of older students you think you could convince to have you and Tulia as tagalongs is extremely thin, and the potential excuses for why an older student would have two younger students tag along even more so. Similarly there's very few Classmates you'd consider mature enough to probably be able to talk their way into the Forum, and equally few classmates who would actually be interested in the kind of stuff Becker does for a living. Sad to say those last two lists don't overlap at any point, leaving you in an awkward position.

You ask Tulia if she has any ideas, but she is confident you two won't need one. Well, she thinks you won't need any plans and you don't have any plans, not to mention that Monika is her mentoree anyhow, so you suppose she can take take the lead heading to the Forum of Naxum.

As it turns out, however, no further than that. Because there is, in fact, a guard by the door who does not seem responsive to Tulia's "pretty please".

"Ah, well...any ideas, [PC FIRST NAME]?" Tulia asks. You'll just ignore the irony.

"No complete ones. Guess it's time for a brainstorming session."

Tulia tries the guard one more time, fails one more time, and resigns herself to her immediate future as being your assistant as you try to figure out a way to convince the guard to let you into the Forum.

...Might need to try a different approach if you can't think of any student who you could convince to go to the Forum with you, and can help you get past the doorman rather than the other way around...

-Study Habits. Make a project out of it, though it'll have to look good.
--The excuse is a classic for a reason, but you're blanking on exactly what project would have you listen to one of Becker's debates. Dialectic seems an obvious pick, but that could just as easily be about the delicate balance of academic curiosity versus learned caution dictating the speed of new advancements versus uncontrollable neighbourhood fires in the field of metallurgy. Let stand whatever Becker has to say.

Fortunately you are still within a professor's office, so you ask Professor Briardi what she thinks of your idea. "Playing to your strengths is always a good starting point, though I'm afraid the field beyond is a bit sparse. That said I could see myself, or the Legate, sending a student to one of miss Becker's lectures as a form of detention. Using magic to ensure such students wouldn't cause a disruption and be thrown out, of course."

"Wait, what?" Tulia asks with a thoroughly confused look. You have to admit, you also haven't heard of too many instances of students being reprimanded like that either. "Detention, at the Forum of Naxum? How? What for?"

"Negation, to an extent, can be used to 'negate' behaviour. Of course that's oversimplifying it quite a bit, but just think of it as a Gaeas like duellists often use," the regent explains. "Now, say that there was a student - third or maybe second year - who misinterpreted miss Becker's work as some sort of attempt to 'liberate' them from the Legate's restrictions on underclassmen dating. I could see myself, or the Legate, sending such a student to attend one of miss Becker's lectures as a means of showing what miss Becker's work really entails."

You ask Tulia if she has any ideas of her own insofar as making sure that the two of you wouldn't get stopped and thrown out at the Forum of Naxum. She seems confident that no excuse or special reason is needed, but you're still not convinced. Between what you imagine Becker might end up debating and your age you just cannot imagine the people at the Forum not shooing you away. "I think it's silly to assume that students troublesome enough to receive detention would be less suspicious than students there of their own accord," Tulia insists. You have to admit it's a fair point, but you suspect that, ultimately, a professor's word - and wand - would carry more weight than that of any student. "I mean...maybe? I'm honestly not-Professor Briardi, what do you think?"

"Truthfully? That the two of you could convince the people at the Forum to tolerate your respective presence. But also that, with a regent's Gaeas cast on you two, there'd be no room for argument."

You ask Tulia if she wants to give your idea a try, and she reluctantly admits she doesn't have a better idea. You also remind her it's for Monika's sake, not because you two are actually being reprimanded, and despite Tulia telling you she knows you can't help but see some weight lift from her shoulders all the same. As for Professor Briardi, she is also willing to assist you two for Monika's sake.

So Tulia and you end up walking to the Forum of Naxum, Gaeas cast on the both of you and a written note from Professor Briardi in your hand. You have to admit you're not proud of this, and given how silent Tulia is she clearly isn't either, but you both know it's for the greater good.

At the Forum of Naxum, for better or worse a good while before Becker is going to start one of her debates, the two of you end up stopped by a guard while trying to enter the building. "Business?" he curtly asks, clearly having done this more than once before. You hand him Professor Briardi's note. The guard takes it, reads it, and continues to ignore Tulia's questions even as he silently takes out a wand and casts a few spells on both Tulia and you. Afterwards, with a satisfied look, he gives back the note. "Fair enough. And to answer the impatient girl's question, miss Becker herself requested that her audience be checked more carefully than usual."

Becker requested for that, and she got her wish? Interesting. Than again, you can perfectly imagine the regular debaters here wanting the exact same thing and pushing for Becker's idea of their own accord, but still. Good thing you came prepared.

And indeed, the guard doesn't stop Tulia and you from going further. Time to see what Becker's work is truly all about.

--Your first thought is to check and see if the Venalicium has any good books you can reference. You doubt many are close to covering whatever Becker's debates are about, but surely you'll be able to find something...

You ask Tulia if she has any ideas, but she is confident you two won't need one. That unfortunately puts the two of you at odds, so while you head to the Venalicium she heads to the Forum of Naxum. You figure that worst case you'd just end up spreading the eventual load anyhow, you might need to research Becker's ideas more deeply before you're able to make sense of them.

A few hours later, and you have found confirmation that if the Venalicium has something useful for you, you're not finding it easily. Tulia also has confirmation that she was sadly mistaken about the Forum, and the person guarding the front door is not responsive to a "pretty please".

...Might need to try a different approach here. Either that or figure out some other way to make yourself look good...

Over at the Infirmary the nurses seem unamused by Becker's explanation of Monika's condition, but don't further question or criticize her as they take Monika off her hands. As for Monika, you honestly can't say. There's something left unsaid in how she stares at Becker before she shuffles off with the nurses, but there's no way to know for sure whether that's the fever talking, so to speak.

"Glad that is finally over with," Becker mutters to herself as she turns to you and gives you a quick, polite bow. "Many thanks for the assistance, and that with me forgetting to ask for introductions. I'd apologize for that, but you get the idea." Most other people couldn't say that last part with a straight face, but Becker? She pulls it off, and gracefully.

"Right. I'm [PC FULL NAME], for the record," you say as you finally introduce yourself. Becker seems to take a mental note, aside from going right back to staring at you. Like, as it turns out, some kind of exotic animal. You're not sure what this woman's deal is. You're really not.

"And quite observant for someone so young. Tell me, would you be interested in lending me a hand, by chance?" Becker, out of nowhere, offers. And seeing as how you still have no idea what she actually does for a living you figure the first thing to do is ask about that. "Locals call me a philosopher, though that's because I recently arrived in Mineta to start making regular appearances in the Forum of Naxum. Back home I do my best to work as a counsellor and private teacher. I wouldn't object to teaching classes in an academy, mind, but it'll take a bit more work for me to find any open positions like that."

A philosopher, huh? Dialectic, is that what you remember Becker from? Something like that feels right, but...you're not sure. "So what field do you study? I'm guessing something Zoology related?"

You thought it was a fair guess given your earlier encounter, but Becker just chuckles. This is going to end poorly, isn't it? "I suppose my proposed field has some roots in Zoology, academically speaking, but I'm sure my clients wouldn't readily agree with that. No, I specialize in personal relationships. Courtship, dating rituals, engagement, marriage, as well as a bit of parental care. In addition to all the spaces in between."

You quirk an eyebrow. Studying human behaviour seems fair enough, but the idea of someone making a living off of being everyone's aunt you've never heard of before. And Mineta hears a lot from the myriad of tourists, pilgrims, and of course Academagia students from all over, so despite your age you feel like that's still saying something.

"As reluctant as many are to admit it, especially newcomers to the field of personal relationships do often benefit from a guiding hand. Having seen how they handle themselves and are handled by others - and too often mishandled, in both cases - lead me to question why these same mistakes are repeated so often. That lead me to realize how often mistakes are covered up and forgotten about instead of being addressed, which is what I try to offer my professional assistance with. What I've learned in the process I'm here in Mineta to present in the Forum of Naxum, to argue for how traditions could be changed to improve the current state of affairs." As a little joke, likely because of the steadily deepening shade of red on your cheeks, Becker adds, "That last one literally and figuratively, in too many cases."

"A-and you want my help to...to do what, exactly? I-I'm not a world leading expert on dating, of all things!" you awkwardly sputter out. Becker, naturally, just stares with that confident, bemused grin. Perhaps half the muscles in her face are paralysed and that's the only expression she can make. Would explain a few things.

"Oh, don't worry, I'm aware," Becker remarks. Not as an insult, but as what else you're not sure. Before continuing she casts a meaningful glance at the Infirmary doors, and her look of bemused superiority fades a bit. "Simply put, I need help with Monika. I expected that, with her attending the Academagia, I could focus my attention on my career. I've spend long enough on my research, it was time for me to make my own trip to Mineta and debate the merits of my profession in the Forum of Naxum. Hopefully convince old academia to see the value in turning uneducated informal ritual into formal curriculum. But one surprise visit, and this is the result. I don't have the time to tend to Monika even if I knew how to tend to her while she's attending the Academagia, but I can't very well ignore a situation like this either."

Those are all fair concerns for a...parent? Odd, she seems a touch young to be Monika's mother...? Eh, who knows. Maybe she's not Monika's birth mother, maybe Becker is just older than she looks, there's some explanation you're sure. You're not going to ask that question straight to her face, either way. Instead you point out that Becker's concerns are fair, but you're still not sure what you're supposed to do about it.

"Simply, I want to know why Monika is being so stubborn about going to the Infirmary. She's always been a handful whenever she's sick, but this is something special even for her. There must be a reason, but I'm sure she won't share it easily. She's quite reserved. Still, I want to know why. You've proven yourself to be a useful kind of observant, and curious, for your age. Perhaps you can figure it out."

Maybe you could, but you have to wonder whether there's anyone else more qualified than you are. You're a complete stranger to Monika. If she's cage-y with her mother - or mother figure, whichever - you're not sure what hope you have of getting answers. Than again, maybe that's exactly why you do. There are things easier to talk about with a fellow student than a parent, stranger or not. And you can think of a few people you could tip off and try to get answers from instead, too. Becker might not.

In any case you feel like leaving Becker out in the cold isn't useful. If you don't feel like playing investigator yourself than passing along a message to Monika's mentor, or some professor, isn't too much effort. So, what approach to take...

-Gossip. Ask around about Monika, and who you should talk to.
--Monika seems the type to attract more than her fair share of rumors, and while rumors are usually not very reliable as far as information is concerned, you're confident that you will be able to take the collective thoughts of the student body and turn it into something useful. As such you tell Becker you'll ask around and see what you can dig up - if you find answers to Monika's strange behaviour, great, but you're not holding out hope for that. More likely you'll figure out who you need to talk to about Monika's strange behaviour, but even if that turns into a chain of people you're confident you can follow it down to it's roots.

Becker nods, wishes you good luck and politely excuses herself. You nod as well and run off towards...let's start in the Great Hall, actually. That tends to be a good location to hit up for rumors.

Your feeling that Monika would attract rumors quickly proves to be correct. In the Great Hall you find a fair few students who - after connecting the common points of their various stories together - tell you that Monika is an anti-social first year in College Durand who doesn't interact with or listen to anyone, though she'll do whatever her professors tell her to without question. As expected that's given her a negative reputation as a teacher's pet, though you're not able to find any concrete examples of that (nor were you expecting any from students, to be fair - a teacher's pet you'd want to ask your professors for examples).

Less common, but still common enough to be tentatively trustworthy, are relatively vague stories you hear about Monika having some kind of brightly colored snake Familiar that chases away anyone who tries to bully her. Opinions vary on whether Monika (or the Familiar, for that matter) uses a dictionary definition or their own definition of "bully" in that regard, but most point out the distinction is probably academic - it's not like Monika is known for talking to people who don't talk to her first, and those that do aren't too likely to want to be her friend, after all.

A lot of good information. Unfortunately (though not unexpectedly) no one has any clue as to what could be up with Monika's strange behaviour in the Common Room. Frankly most people simply don't care about it either, Monika hasn't done anything to endear herself to these random students so the few that care at all just revel in the knowledge that someone they have reason not to like is having a bad time. Not very helpful. You do learn that Tulia Faspalla is Monika's mentor, and you recall seeing her in the Common Room earlier, so she seems like a reasonable person to talk to next.

On the way back to the Durand Common Room you actually, surprisingly, run into Becker again. She seems a touch lost, but maintains her confident grin all the same. "Oh, hello again [PC FIRST NAME]. I don't suppose you've made any progress already?" It's clear from Becker's voice she's not expecting miracles, of which you have none on offer so that checks out, but you do tell her about what you've gathered so far. She frowns at it. "I was very strict with raising Monika, so even at the Academagia I'm sure there are some students who's own discipline is so lacking they misinterpret her as a teacher's pet. She'll adapt, I'm sure. That said, a snake Familiar? Monika's Familiar is a cat, the same one she grew up with. He can be a snake figuratively, especially when Monika forgets to feed him, but I doubt that is what Monika's Classmates were referring to."

Huh. The stories you heard quite clearly mentioned an actual snake, as in a snake in the zoological sense. But whatever Becker is to Monika exactly she certainly sounds like she knows Monika's Familiar. And Monika binding with a different Familiar, without Becker's knowledge, seems incredibly unlikely. That's quite the mystery. All the same, however people managed to completely misinterpret Monika's Familiar, doesn't it stand to reason that if they're wrong about that they could be wrong about the rest as well? You definitely need to go talk to Tulia next. Being Monika's mentor surely she will have some genuine, bona-fide first hand accounts to give you. You mention as much to Becker, who takes a moment to compliment your keen insight before running off again. Whatever that woman does for a living, apparently it keeps her busy.

For your part you head back to the Durand Common Room, find Tulia, and sit down across from her. She quirks an eyebrow, and you quickly mention you need to talk to her about Monika. "Monika, as in my mentoree? Why do you need to talk to me about her?" she directly asks. You relay what Becker told you about Monika's supposedly out of line behaviour, which you remind Tulia she was in full view of the entire thing herself, and plainly ask what she knows about Monika. "What I know about her. Right. So I'm guessing you have no idea who that woman is?"

You quirk an eyebrow and mention Becker did introduce herself as a part time philosopher, or some such, and some other stuff you can't really make heads or tails of. But none of that seemed relevant insofar as explaining Monika's bizarre behaviour. Tulia shakes her head and asks if you could imagine growing up with a caretaker like that. You admit Becker mentioned her raising Monika "very strictly", and that you nevertheless felt like she looked a touch young to be Monika's mother, but all the same you're not sure how that explains Monika's strange behaviour. Or what you should make of Becker being Monika's "caretaker".

"All I know is that Monika's own parents can't take care of her, so Becker does instead," Tulia explains. Afterwards, with a more quiet voice, she adds that she has no idea what condition Monika's parents are actually in. If they're even still alive, although if not Tulia has no idea when or how they passed away, either. "Monika never talks about it, insofar that she talks to anyone about anything. I'm not sure if she knows or not..." Tulia concludes with a shrug. "As for Monika's caretaker, I'm honestly not sure what her deal is. I've only heard vague rumors about what she does for a living, but between that and her not being Monika's real mom...is it really any surprise that Monika is as reserved as she is?"

You frown. "I definitely heard about her being reserved, but those same people claimed she's got a snake Familiar when Becker told me her Familiar is actually a cat, so you tell me who to believe on that one. Regardless, don't you think Monika passing out in the Common Room when she's burning with a fever, rather than letting her caretaker help carry her to her dorm room or the Infirmary, is just a bit odd?" you pointedly say. Tulia doesn't respond, though you do see a slight nod. "I get that those two might have an awkward relationship or whatever, but what Monika did isn't normal. For Monika or in general. So...what's going on with her?"

A bit of awkward silence falls over the conversation as Tulia contemplates that question, despite the background noise of everyone else in the Common Room. "Honestly, I don't know," Tulia eventually admits. "I can't say this is unusual for Monika, since I first met her she's had a skull thick enough to put the Wall to shame. But, despite what people say about her, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried either. It's just, I've tried to ask her about her attitude. Why she refuses to talk to her peers, try to make friends, and all of that. She refuses to hear any of it. Maybe she'd listen to a professor, I haven't tried that before, but even there I'm doubtful."

Right, Monika's reputation as a "teacher's pet". You're still taking that with a grain of salt after people failed to properly identify Monika's Familiar, or...whatever happened there. "I can't help but wonder why Monika would - supposedly - do whatever a professor tells her to, but won't let her own caretaker carry her to the Infirmary even when she's half passed out in the Common Room," you point out. "That seems...I'unno. The more I hear about Monika the more I feel like something is very wrong. People think she's got a snake Familiar when her caretaker says her Familiar is a cat, they think she's a teacher's pet when she clearly won't even listen to said caretaker...something's off about all this."

"I have seen Monika's cat, so I can confirm that is - to my knowledge - her one and only Familiar," Tulia confirms. It's good to get confirmation from someone more trustworthy, but that still doesn't explain this mess of a situation. Let stand what is going on in Monika's head. "Honestly, it might be time for me to knock on a professor's door about this anyway. Monika passing out in the Common Room shouldn't go ignored, whatever her reasons are."

"I'll go as well," you confidently say. Tulia, having stood up, raises an eyebrow at you. "Curiosity. Not to mention I'm assuming Professor Briardi is going to want to ask me about what Becker said and all of that."

"True, I'm sure she will be curious," Tulia notes as the two of you start to walk off to see Professor Briardi.

--Monika seems the type to attract more than her fair share of rumors, and you're confident someone within the Academagia will know something useful. Reasonably. It can't be all that hard to find out something, right?

One round trip around the Great Hall, the Garden Gallery, the practice rooms and even Rikildis' newspaper lair, and you have learned what you feel is going to end up being very important life lesson - people, in fact, have no idea about the future hermit in training who doesn't talk to anyone about herself. It's not that they don't have ideas, it's that unless Monika is secretly part of a set of triplets and no one clued in on that you don't see how all of them can be right at the same time. And if they're not, well, who can say what is? You, unfortunately, cannot.

Alongside the usual shame at making a fool of yourself, you can't help but feel a sense of irony at what praise Becker had for you earlier. She's right, you are indeed the good kind of curious and observant. Unfortunately you don't appear to be the good kind of intelligent. Ah well, you can work on that. And no one's perfect anyway, right...?

...At least you're smart enough to know that isn't a compliment...

-Manner of a Champion. Ask who Monika's mentor is, see what they have to say about this.
--Perhaps Becker doesn't know, but you're well aware that Monika should have gotten a Classmate of yours assigned as a mentor. You ask her if she knows who Monika's mentor is.

"I'm afraid I don't know," she answers, again staring pointedly at the Infirmary doors. Perhaps pondering whether to ask Monika, but if so she ultimately decides against it. "I know she was assigned one, or at least that, traditionally, first years are assigned second years as a mentor. But she never talked about him-or her, I'm not sure. I don't suppose you know? Is it common knowledge among students who mentors which student?"

You shake your head, but also point out that it's easy enough to figure out by just asking. Becker nods, of course, and quickly excuses herself after wishing you good luck finding Monika's mentor. She doesn't point out you didn't really agree to help her with Monika, but you're sure she got the message implied by you suggesting to look for Monika's mentor. Finding said mentor shouldn't be too hard, anyway. You can spare a few minutes to help a sick first year.

Figuring that the Durand Common Room is as good a place as any to start you go back there, and ask the people you remember seeing here earlier if they happen to know who Monika's mentor is. Surprisingly the first person you ask points directly at Tulia Faspalla in response. Well than. That didn't even take as little effort as you were expecting. You'll take it.

Of course you do still need to talk to Tulia about her mentoree, so you sit down across from her. She, having overheard your earlier question, has a frown on her face. "Why are you looking for Monika's mentor?" she directly asks. You relay what Becker told you about Monika's supposedly out of line behaviour, which you see no reason to doubt given what you saw of it yourself, and plainly ask Tulia what she knows about it. "What I know about it. Right. So I'm guessing you have no idea who that woman is?"

You quirk an eyebrow and mention Becker did introduce herself as a part time philosopher, or some such, and some other stuff you can't really make heads or tails of. But none of that seemed relevant insofar as explaining Monika's bizarre behaviour. Tulia shakes her head and asks if you could imagine growing up with a caretaker like that. You have to admit that you can't, in part because you're not sure what to make of Tulia calling Becker Monika's "caretaker".

"All I know is that Monika's own parents can't take care of her, so Becker does instead," Tulia explains. Afterwards, with a more quiet voice, she adds that she has no idea what condition Monika's parents are actually in. If they're even still alive, although if not Tulia has no idea when or how they passed away, either. "Monika never talks about it, insofar that she talks to anyone about anything. I'm not sure if she knows or not..." Tulia concludes with a shrug. "As for Monika's caretaker, I'm also not sure what her deal is. I've only heard vague rumor about what she does for a living, but between that and her not being Monika's real mom...is it really any surprise that Monika is as reserved as she is?"

You frown. "I can imagine her being reserved. I can't imagine her passing out in the Common Room when she's burning with a fever rather than letting her caretaker, however awkward their relationship is, help carry her to her dorm room or the Infirmary," you pointedly say. Tulia doesn't respond, though you do see a slight nod. "And yet that's what Monika did. That's not normal, for Monika or in general. So what's going on with her?"

A bit of awkward silence falls over the conversation as Tulia contemplates that question, despite the background noise of everyone else in the Common Room. "Honestly, I'm not sure," Tulia eventually admits. "I can't say this is unusual for Monika, since I first met her she's had a skull thick enough to put the Wall to shame, but...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried. It's just, I've tried to ask her about her attitude. Why she refuses to talk to her peers, try to make friends, and all of that. She refuses to hear any of it. Maybe she'd listen to a professor, I haven't tried that before, but even there I'm doubtful."

You ask Tulia what getting a professor involved would do, and she explains that Monika is - to not put a finer point on it - a teacher's pet. Any of her peers, even her mentor, Monika won't give the time of day unless she feels like it - and she rarely does. But the moment a professor asks her to jump her response, without fail, is "how high". Tulia's not sure why Monika is like that, but she is sure it doesn't help Monika at all with making friends...or it wouldn't if she were to actually try. "I can't help but wonder why Monika would do whatever a professor tells her to, but won't let her caretaker carry her to the Infirmary even when she's half passed out in the Common Room," you point out. "That seems...I'unno, something feels off there."

"I don't know either," Tulia says. You don't doubt her, you're just not sure what is going on in Monika's head. "Honestly, it might be time for me to knock on a professor's door about this anyway. Monika passing out in the Common Room shouldn't go ignored, whatever her reasons are."

"I'll go as well," you confidently say. Tulia, having stood up, raises an eyebrow at you. "Professor Briardi, I'm assuming, is going to want to ask me about what Becker said anyhow. And honestly, shrugging my shoulders while a first year is in a bad state like this doesn't feel right either. Monika doesn't want to talk to her peers, her mentor or her caretaker? Maybe a well meaning stranger is what you guys need to get through to her, I don't know. It's worth trying at least."

"Leading by example. I approve," Tulia notes as the two of you start to walk off to see Professor Briardi.

--You assume Becker doesn't know that Monika should have a mentor she could and probably should talk to instead, so you shrug and non-committally tell her you'll see what you can do. Becker nods, gives you a word of thanks, and politely excuses herself. She actually caught the part where you don't intend to-oh, whatever. Find mentor, tell mentor to do stuff, job done. No need to overcomplicate things, all you have to do is find one student and pass along a message.

At least that is the plan, but heading to the Great Hall to ask about Monika's mentor you quickly learn that Monika has a bad reputation (that people either refuse to talk about or refuse to be consistent about - you're not sure which of the two is worse to be honest) and people both generally don't know her at all, and broadly speaking, also don't care about her at all.

...Well this is a fine mess you talked yourself into, isn't it? Fine, fine. Arm successfully twisted, you suppose you'll give it a night and ask around somewhere else tomorrow or something. Monika doesn't look like she'll be leaving the Infirmary any time soon anyhow...

-Character Study. Bring the matter to a professor.
--This really feels like a situation that should be brought to a professor moreso than a student, and frankly you'd be surprised if Becker wasn't planning on bringing this matter to any professor in the first place. You're so confident of that, in fact, that you dare to tell Becker as much. She nods, though to you seemingly mostly to herself. "Curious, observant, and socially perceptive too. You have a bright future ahead of you, I'm sure. That said, yes, of course you're right, but I was hoping to get more eyes on Monika. Children - or teenagers, if you prefer - can often look where adults can't, notice things they miss. I'm not sure whether a professor or student would be better for figuring out what is causing Monika to behave this way, so I see no reason not to request the aid of both."

Funny how she didn't tell you that to begin with. Right. You ask Becker if she has any particular professor in mind.

"Well, truthfully the only professor I really know is Monika's regent. Professor Briardi, I believe? Though this seems like a matter that would be best brought to her office anyway, given that Monika is one of her students. Do you know of another professor who would be better to approach with this?"

It's a fair question to ask, actually. Professor Briardi would surely want to know, if only so she can personally scold Monika for her recklessness, but could she actually address the problem? Is she the best person for figuring out whatever causes Monika to behave so weirdly? You're thinking the answer is actually no. The regent is known for causing people to blurt out stuff they didn't intend to, but that doesn't seem likely to work on Monika. She needs someone who could convince her to talk, or who could get useful information despite her not talking. In that respect the first person who springs to mind is actually Professor Piaxenza. His skills at diplomacy is famed, and perhaps his study of dream magic could provide an opening for convincing an otherwise reserved Monika to open up a bit, in weird indirect way. You're not sure if that's how it actually works - that's the regent's field, not yours - but it seems worth a try nevertheless.

As such you suggest to Becker that she try talking to Professor Piaxenza instead. She seems doubtful. "Is that normal? To bring problems that students are having to regents of another College?" she asks. You nod and explain that when said issues are completely unrelated to a student's actual College, like Monika's is as far as you can guess, bringing the matter to a regent who's personal fields are more suited for addressing the student's issues is indeed common practice. Becker can only nod at that explanation. "True, it would be wasteful not to utilize the varied talents that are available here. Very well, than could you please lead the way again? My apologies, but as impressive as the Academagia's buildings are they can be a challenge to navigate."

Considering how even you can still get lost sometimes, you can't really say anything against that. You nod and lead Becker to Professor Piaxenza's office. It's not a long walk, and the offices of the regents tend to be pretty memorable anyway. Easy to remember how to get to them.

Becker, hiding the first signs of feeling nervous, politely knocks on the regent's door. He opens it a moment later. "Good day, miss. How can I help you?" The regent doesn't outright say it, but he doesn't recognize Becker as one of the parents(? Still wondering about Becker's apparent age) that he's used to seeing. Becker, for her part, puts on her most confident face, politely introduces herself, and curtly explains that she needs help figuring out why Monika has been unusually cagey lately. Professor Piaxenza actually shows a brief flash of recognition upon hearing the name. "Monika Becker, of College Durand?" the regent asks to confirm. Becker nods. "I see...yes, I might be able to help with that. Please take a seat inside my office, I'll join you momentarily."

Becker nods and happily steps inside the office. Professor Piaxenza subtly closes the door behind her and pointedly turns to stare at you. "Not the first time Monika's name came up?" you directly ask him. You know it's the right thing to do, no need to keep Becker waiting longer than needed.

"Indeed not. She was the victim in a bullying incident that - for better or worse - got resolved by one of my students. I can't say whether it's related to her current strange behaviour, I've not heard of further incidents since, but...all the same it seems a plausible theory, doesn't it?" Certainly does, yes. Bullies getting smarter about not getting caught, Monika refusing to ask for help when she needs it, the whole idea is far too easy to imagine. "I'll question miss Becker and see if she can think of another possible reason. In the meantime could you find Tulia Faspalla and ask her if she happens to know more about the bullying angle? As Monika's mentor I suspect she's keeping an eye on the girl. She may have noticed any signs."

You can do that, so you leave Professor Piaxenza to question Becker and head back to the Durand Common Room. You saw Tulia there earlier, chances are she's still there. Also, you are really getting in some exercise running around the Academagia like this, aren't you? Well, that's fine. If this was enough to tire you out you'd be really worried.

Tulia is indeed still in the Common Room, so you quietly sit down across from her. Of course she still notices you pretty quickly, and asks what you need to talk about. "Your mentoree, Monika. Haven't you noticed that she's been acting unusual lately?"

You're not sure how to interpret this, but Tulia actually shakes her head. "If you're referring to her taking a nap in the Common Room, no actually. I genuinely can't say that is unusual for her." Tulia takes the opportunity, while both your eyebrows are raised, to ask you why you're asking her about her mentoree anyway. You explain that first Becker asked you to look into it, and after you took her to Professor Piaxenza's office, he asked you to talk to her about it. Tulia actually raises an eyebrow of her own at that last part. "Really? Well, I guess first things first, can I assume you have no idea who that woman is?"

With a shrug you mention Becker did introduce herself as a part time philosopher and some other stuff you can't really make heads or tails of, but truthfully, you don't really care. None of that seems relevant insofar as explaining Monika's bizarre behaviour, not compared to what the regent mentioned, so you ask Tulia what she knows about the bullying incident the regent brought up. And, of course, whether she's noticed any signs they started picking up again.

Tulia, for better or worse, looks confused at the question. "Bullying? No, I definitely haven't noticed any signs like that. The three hotheads that once tried to bully her are in Durand, you know. Don't ask me why, but they thought it was a great idea to run to Professor Briardi after someone out-bullied them. Remember the regent's trick to make people blurt out stuff they didn't intend to blurt out? Yeah, she made short work of them. They've been uselessly plotting some kind of vague vengeance ever since, but I'm not holding my breath that they'll ever get a clue. Or won't end up in another hall session if they do, for that matter." Huh. Sounds like the bullies at least are motivated, but than if they were successful you'd expect their plotting to have changed. And Tulia to have noticed it. You ask Tulia if she can think of any other reason why Monika is behaving so oddly. "Oh I've got one alright. It's very simple: Can you imagine what it's like growing up with a caretaker like Becker?"

Her "caretaker"? You thought she looked a touch young to be Monika's mother, but even so, you ask Tulia what she knows about that.

"All I know is that Monika's own parents can't take care of her, so Becker does instead," Tulia explains. Afterwards, with a more quiet voice, she adds that she has no idea what condition Monika's parents are actually in. If they're even still alive, although if not Tulia has no idea when or how they passed away, either. "Monika never talks about it, insofar that she talks to anyone about anything. I'm not sure if she knows or not..." Tulia concludes with a shrug. "As for Monika's caretaker, I'm honestly not sure what her deal is. I've only heard vague rumor about what she does for a living, but between that and her not being Monika's real mom...is it really any surprise that Monika is as reserved as she is?"

You frown. "I can imagine her being reserved. I can't imagine her passing out in the Common Room when she's burning with a fever rather than letting her caretaker, however awkward their relationship is, help carry her to her dorm room or the Infirmary," you pointedly say. Tulia doesn't respond, though you do see a slight nod. "And yet that's what Monika did. That's not normal, for Monika or in general. So what's going on with her?"

A bit of awkward silence falls over the conversation as Tulia contemplates that question, despite the background noise of everyone else in the Common Room. "Honestly, I don't know," Tulia eventually admits. "I can't say this is unusual for Monika, since I first met her she's had a skull thick enough to put the Wall to shame. But, despite what people say about her, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried either." You ask Tulia what is it that people are saying about her, and she explains that Monika has a reputation as a teacher's pet - doing whatever the professors tell her to, while ignoring her classmates altogether. "I've tried to ask her about that attitude. Why she refuses to talk to her peers, try to make friends, and all of that. Nothing. She refuses to hear any of it. Maybe she'd listen to a professor, I haven't tried that before, but even there I'm doubtful."

You know this isn't the best thing to think, but you actually hope Tulia is wrong there. If Monika is indeed a teacher's pet than maybe, just maybe, Professor Piaxenza can get some answers from her. Than again, if you really think about it, that doesn't make even the slightest lick of sense, does it? No, it really doesn't. "I can't help but wonder how Monika - supposedly - does whatever a professor tells her to, but won't let her own caretaker carry her to the Infirmary even when she's half passed out in the Common Room," you point out. "Like, I am perfectly willing to believe that Becker isn't the easiest person to grow up with, but still. That seems a step too far even so."

"Honestly, I think you're right," Tulia, reluctantly, agrees. "Regardless of what her relationship with her caretaker is, if it leads to incidents like this it might be time to knock on a professor's door. Monika passing out in the Common Room shouldn't go ignored, whatever her reasons are. And since Becker is talking to Professor Piaxenza, I guess that means I'll inform Professor Briardi."

"I'll go as well," you confidently say. Tulia, having stood up, raises an eyebrow at you. "I'm assuming she is going to want to ask me about what Becker said, and maybe Professor Piaxenza's suspicions as well. Might as well come along and make sure she can ask whatever questions she has for me right there than making her look or summon me later."

"Very true, and I'll say it is good to see you being so responsible. Seconds years too often forget they need to put forth a good example even to students they're not directly mentoring," Tulia notes as the two of you start to walk off to see Professor Briardi.

--This seriously doesn't sound like something a student like yourself should be messing with, or at least not a student who doesn't know Monika at all. Since you figure Becker is probably going to complain to a professor about this you suppose you'll track down Monika's mentor and tell them to...do something. Becker probably doesn't know that Monika should have a mentor at all.

All told you shrug and non-committally tell Becker that you'll see what you can do. She nods, gives you a word of thanks, and politely excuses herself. She did actually catch the part where you don't intend to-oh, whatever. Find mentor, tell mentor to do stuff, job done. No need to overcomplicate things, all you have to do is find one student and pass along a message.

At least that is the plan, but heading to the Great Hall to ask about Monika's mentor you quickly learn that Monika has a bad reputation (that people either refuse to talk about or refuse to be consistent about - you're not sure which of the two is worse to be honest) and people both generally don't know her at all, and broadly speaking, also don't care about her at all.

...Well this is a fine mess you talked yourself into, isn't it? Fine, fine. Arm successfully twisted, you suppose you'll give it a night and ask around somewhere else tomorrow or something. Monika doesn't look like she'll be leaving the Infirmary any time soon anyhow...

Walking through the Common Room one seemingly ordinary day - an idea which didn't end up lasting longer than after lunch - you can't help but notice an out of place looking adult among the seats. A woman of relatively young age, late twenties or so, is seemingly in the process of...sketching something? You can't see what she's looking at, but she's giving it her full attention. Wooden board and parchment in one hand, a small quill in the other, and a mischievous grin on her face that oozes a level of confidence which Professor von Rupprecht would be proud of.

You swear this woman looks familiar, like you've seen her walk around the Academagia before. But you can't recall seeing her anywhere specific, let stand somewhere like the Common Room where guests are scarce and usually temporary - couriers walking through to deliver something, that's mostly it. She's not wearing a professor's uniform either, so you don't think she's part of the Academagia staff. Very curious indeed. You're having a hard time imagining why she's here and allowed to stay here, yet at the same time she's also sitting in plain view of Tulia Faspalla. More and more curious...

Well, the answers don't appear to be coming to you right now, so maybe you should try and approach her? Or is the confident smirk just a bit too much like Professor von Rupprecht to make you feel comfortable with trying that?

-Eh, you don't really care that much.
--If Tulia doesn't object why should you? It's not like you own this Common Room any more (or less) than she does, after all.

So you shrug it off and move on with your day. Surely not the first time someone's stopped to stare at the woman, and she doesn't seem like cares if she even cares to notice anyhow.

-Surely a quick introduction can't hurt.
--You decide to walk up and ask the woman about why she seems so familiar. She might not want to be disturbed, admittedly, but you just know this mystery is going to end up bothering you if you don't clear it up while you have the chance.

Drawing closer you see that the woman's gaze - and quill - is directed at a student, a first year if you had to guess, who is taking a nap on the couch. Good to know, but you feel like you've ended up with more questions than answers. "Um, excuse me, miss...?" you quietly say. A bit meekly all told, but still loud enough to be heard.

The woman's eyes swiftly dart over in your direction, and she gives you a quick, though careful once-over. It feels like she's judging you, although you're not sure what she's looking for. "Petra Becker," she says, and again the name rings a familiar bell. Dialectic? Is that where you've heard it before? "Interested in discussing philosophy?"

Her tone makes you wonder whether that was a serious question or a joke. You're going to assume the latter. "Ah, n-no, just..." you stammer out as you're having a hard time finding your words. It's the woman's gaze, it feels like she's looking right through you. "W-well, you looked familiar and I, ah, was curious. A-about what you were doing, too."

That answer - and question - awkwardly hangs in the air for a moment, during which you can't think of anything to add. Nothing you dare add, at least. Becker, for her part, doesn't change her expression. If anything she only looks slightly more bemused. "You've heard of me before? Interesting. Though, don't worry about not remembering too well. I can imagine why that is," she answers, seemingly dismissing that last point with a wave of her hand. "And as for what I'm doing? Just observing a wild Monika in her natural habitat."

Perhaps in response to your confused stare Becker indicates the sleeping student. Who, for her part, is staying fast asleep. You can't say you know her, one of many first years you don't recognize, but than you also can't say she looks "wild" or like this Common Room is a "natural habitat". Really, the entire thing is just bizarre. It's so strange you can't help but ask Becker whether she's really observing a student like a Morvidus senior would an animal for their end term project.

Despite the question sounding a bit like an accusation Becker (unsurprisingly) remains fully confident. "Ah, to a point, I suppose? This examination has already ran it's course, really. It's just that someone is being a little bit stubborn," she answers like that excuses, let stand explains, this bizarre situation you find yourself in. "Feel free to give it a try, if you wish. Observation is one of the most fundamental ways of forming our understanding, and in turn, our knowledge. There is something to be observed here, if you haven't already. Perhaps you can be our tie breaker."

...Okay? You can't claim to fully understand what the woman, Becker, is talking about. But if you could be a "tie breaker" between this...eccentric observer and the "stubborn" student...is the student trying to hide something, maybe? And you noticing it would, thus, break the tie between her and Becker, who apparently already noticed it? That's the best guess you can come up with. And you have to admit that a student continuing to take a nap in the Common Room while someone is making a sketch of her (however these two are related, since you have to assume they're not complete strangers) does definitely qualify as "stubborn" in your eyes. Probably. This whole idea is so weird you're not sure how to feel about it.

In any case that's the most sense you can make of this, so what now? Try to tie break, or...?

-Observation. Try and see what you're looking for.
--Nothing about the girl herself seems to offer an answers at a glance, but you do notice a few textbooks piled up next to Becker, alongside some parchment and writing supplies. All the books also have a single bookmarker poking out of them. You highly doubt she was reading textbooks in a Common Room, so you assume they belong to Monika. If she was studying and fell asleep midway through, that can indicate a few things. Terminally boring subjects, a lack of sleep, and sickness being the most common ones. You're a student yourself, so you're pretty familiar with them.

Falling asleep from terminally boring subjects alone usually doesn't result in too long naps, let stand...whatever Becker is doing. So you're guessing Monika tried to study through her fatigue and/or sickness and collapsed, until Becker showed up, packed up and...started sketching her? Up until the very end that scenario seemed plausible. After that it just open up a floodgate of more questions. Still, the first part is sound, so nothing to do but actually test you theory you suppose. You carefully approach Monika, all too aware of who is staring holes through your back, and check her forehead. Sure enough, you were right. She's burning up.

"You knew about her condition?" you ask Becker. She nods. "Than why didn't you take her to the infirmary? Or at least her dorm room."

"'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't force it to drink', I believe the saying goes," she replies. Is she seriously suggesting that Monika refused to budge? That seems like a level beyond just "stubborn" to your ears. "I asked her where the infirmary is, and her dorm room for that matter, but she kept insisting that she was fine." Becker puts down her parchment and quill, and although she can't see it turns to address Monika. "That all said, Monika, are you done with your little camping trip? If not I'll grab a pot of water and brew us some tea in the fireplace. Piping hot, of course."

You can't help but nervously eye the fireplace, because Becker actually sounds like she's being more serious than not. Thankfully, for everyone involved, Monika suddenly stirs and (presumably) tries to say something, although all you can make of it are fatigued moans. Regardless, you assume (and hope) that she's ready to go to the infirmary. Becker also seems to interpret it that way.

"Finally. Alright, take my hand, I'll help carry you." Monika indeed takes Becker's hand, who pulls the former up and off the couch. After that she turns to you. "Ah, student, could you please lead the way to the infirmary? Someone told me where it is, generally, but I'm not sure how to get there quickly. And the less Monika has to think right now the better."

You've no objection to that, so you nod and help lead the way.

--All you're seeing is a table with some student-related stuff on it, a student, and a student's...someone. Not sure how Becker is related but you presume she is. Sincerely hope she is, really. So, unfortunately, your tie breaker answer is a shrug.

"Unable to figure it out?" Becker asks with a bemused smirk. You can't help but meekly shake your head. "Hmm...too much focus on the individual clues, insufficient attention paid to how they piece together. A good foundation, but requires more training."

Evidently. In part because you can't tell whether Becker is serious or just mocking you.

"Try reading a few mystery novels, less so for the mystery they clearly present but the mysteries that don't take centre stage. Good mystery novels always contain some secrets for the clever reader, try to find them."

Yeah, right. You'll just throw that somewhere in the vague direction of your coursework and come back to it once an archaeological dig finds a random pristine condition mystery novel among the remains of your textbooks and a million discussions get launched about what it is and why it's there...

-Art Appreciation. Examine the woman's sketch.
--Becker's sketch is clearly the work of someone who is figuring out how to actually sketch stuff just as she goes. Nevertheless she's got a good eye for both shadows and scale. Her sketch of the table, the various items on the table, and the...vaguely Monika-shaped blob have (more or less) the right proportions. And although it's not where light is coming from in reality, the shadows drawn on the various items do imply a single source of light illuminating the sketch.

...Actually, the shadowing on Monika's face is off. It matches reality, not the implied light source of the rest of the sketch...or, no, maybe not even that. Shadowing like that is also used as an artistic indication the individual being portrayed is sick, and given the scenario in reality in front of you, that actually seems a distinct possibility.

Curious to test your theory, though being slightly worried Becker is going to start adding your own image to her sketch (which she thankfully doesn't, instead she's content to merely stare holes through your back - slight improvement), you cautiously approach Monika and very carefully try to feel her forehead. Indeed, the sketch had the right of it - she's burning up.

"You knew about her condition?" you ask Becker. She nods. "Than why didn't you take her to the infirmary? Or at least her dorm room."

"'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't force it to drink', I believe the saying goes," she replies. Is she seriously suggesting that Monika refused to budge? That seems like a level beyond just "stubborn" to your ears. "I asked her where the infirmary is, and her dorm room for that matter, but she kept insisting that she was fine." Becker puts down her parchment and quill, and although she can't see it turns to address Monika. "That all said, Monika, are you done with your little camping trip? If not I'll grab a pot of water and brew us some tea in the fireplace. Piping hot, of course."

You can't help but nervously eye the fireplace, because Becker actually sounds like she's being more serious than not. Thankfully, for everyone involved, Monika suddenly stirs and (presumably) tries to say something, although all you can make of it are fatigued moans. Regardless, you assume (and hope) that she's ready to go to the infirmary. Becker also seems to interpret it that way.

"Finally. Alright, take my hand, I'll help carry you." Monika indeed takes Becker's hand, who pulls the former up and off the couch. After that she turns to you. "Ah, student, could you please lead the way to the infirmary? Someone told me where it is, generally, but I'm not sure how to get there quickly. And the less Monika has to think right now the better."

You've no objection to that, so you nod and help lead the way.

--You take a closer look at Becker's sketch, but frankly you're not sure what to make of any of it. There's parts that look like the work of an amateur, there's parts that look like the works of someone who does this frequently as a hobby, and no matter how much you look it over you cannot find any hint or answer as to the bizarre situation in front of you. It's no less clear in the sketch than it is in reality, at least to your eyes.

"Examining outside references to shed light on a situation? Very interesting that you would go with such an approach. You might have a bright future ahead of you indeed," Becker says. It would make you feel better if you could tell whether she was being serious or mocking you. "That said, I'm guessing you can't see the key part?" Evidently not. Assuming such a thing even exists. "Well, don't let that discourage you. Keep trying. You're on the path to learning a very valuable skill if you keep at it. Remember, practice makes perfect."

...Is she serious, or just seriously mocking you? You still can't tell, and that's really annoying! Another mystery to add to the ever growing pile, wonderful!

You swear you will get both answers and shove them in that woman's face one day. If that first year is stubborn enough to take a nap in the Common Room once surely she'll be stubborn enough to do so a second time, sooner or later...

-Field Medicine. Check the student's condition.
--Perhaps it's a stretch, but one situation where a student could fall asleep in the Common Room like this is if she's sick. You carefully approach the girl, all too aware of miss observation right behind you, and ask if she's feeling alright. Despite several attempts at such questions the only answers you get are indistinct moans, though, so instead you pull out the old wand and cast some spells. They tell you the girl has a fever, which you confirm by checking her forehead. She's burning up.

"You knew about her condition?" you ask Becker. She nods. "Than why didn't you take her to the infirmary? Or at least her dorm room."

"'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't force it to drink', I believe the saying goes," she replies. Is she seriously suggesting that Monika refused to budge? That seems like a level beyond just "stubborn" to your ears. "I asked her where the infirmary is, and her dorm room for that matter, but she kept insisting that she was fine." Becker puts down her parchment and quill, and although she can't see it turns to address Monika. "That all said, Monika, are you done with your little camping trip? If not I'll grab a pot of water and brew us some tea in the fireplace. Piping hot, of course."

You can't help but nervously eye the fireplace, because Becker actually sounds like she's being more serious than not. Thankfully, for everyone involved, Monika suddenly stirs and makes a lot more noise than before. You still can't make it out, but you guess (and hope) that she's ready to go to the infirmary. Becker also seems to interpret it that way.

"Finally. Alright, take my hand, I'll help carry you." Monika indeed takes Becker's hand, who pulls the former up and off the couch. After that she turns to you. "Ah, student, could you please lead the way to the infirmary? Someone told me where it is, generally, but I'm not sure how to get there quickly. And the less Monika has to think right now the better."

You've no objection to that, so you nod and help lead the way.

--It seems fairly reasonable to assume the first year-Monika, that was her name. That she collapsed from fatigue or sickness, or both, so you pull out your wand and cast a few diagnostic spells. Only...they're saying everything is fine with her. That's a problem, because you don't believe that for one moment. Yet you don't have anything irrefutable that suggests otherwise either. She could be playing a very long prank on...whatever Becker is to her, as far as you know.

"Something wrong?" Becker curiously asks. For as supremely confident as she looks, sitting in one of the Academagia's Common Room, she doesn't seem too familiar with actual spells if you had to guess.

"Pretty much. I guessed Monika is sick, but my diagnostic spells don't agree. Sorry, but I need to go to the Venalicium and double-check how to cast these things immediately. If a mage can't trust [his/her] own magic than what is [s/he] but a magician with a less fancy stick?"

Becker shrugs. "That certainly sounds reasonable to me. Good luck with your studies."

You nod and quickly head off. It does not feel good to leave a potential patient behind like that, surely she must be sick or fatigued or something, but what are you supposed to do about it if you can't even tell whether or not she is?

...You get three quarters of the way to the Venalicium before you realize you could have just checked her forehead, like a normal person without magic training would do. What was it that one philosopher (in)famously arguing against the study of magic said, again? Something about spellcasters forgetting to do the most mundane of things, and that supposedly leading to a total collapse of society of some sort? Good thing you're going to a place you can study up on magic and Famous Dilemmas to refresh your memory on both subjects!

You might feel like a right klutz of a student at this moment, but at least you're an efficient klutz you suppose...