deathsmajesty | Strixhaven Campus, Arcavios, Friday (Fandom Time)

For once, Liliana hadn't made too much of a fuss getting up early. Today was the Midsummer Music Festival at her alma mater, Strixhaven University, and as a thank you to Prompto for finishing the job of teaching her to drive, she had invited him to go see it. Which, of course, had turned into an invitation to his family, and there was no way that Ignis wasn't going to come along, and also no way that Prompto would stand for leaving anyone out, and so it was a merry party of seven that stepped through the portal. Liliana had asked folks to wear nothing too Earth modern and explained that very few people, if anybody, they would meet knew about other planes (many, many, many Quandrix theories aside) and to please keep it that way. Once any questions were out of the way, they stepped through a portal...

...And onto into a large walkway made from gleaming white stone. A short staircase led up to a park, full of greenery, fountains, and comfortable benches. In the center of the park was an imposing statue of a magic user made of white marble and curving over its head was a arc of huge stones, the largest easily hundreds of feet long, hanging in the air in a perfect arch. Above them shone two suns, beaming brightly down, though the heat was not particularly oppressive. The area was crowded with people, though there was still enough room for people to walk without being pressed against anyone else. "Welcome to the Archway Commons," Liliana said, possibly grinning more broadly than any of them had ever experienced, save Ignis. "So named because of the star arch above there - the second largest star arch on campus. The largest is the Dawnbow, over the Bibloplex. Star arches get their name from their irregular spokes evoke the radiating lines of a shining celestial star. They're found all over Arcavios, made from spokes of natural materials that float in an arch shape, with a precise inner curve and a rough and irregular outer arch. They can stand straight or lie at an angle; they can be small or enormous, whole or broken, grown over or mysteriously clean. Their origins are a mystery lost to the Dawning Age, though many people have said that they've seen an arch appear to them at a critical juncture in their lives, helping them understand a lesson or answer a burning question in their mind." She laughed. "It's important to note that I've never had a star arch manifest in front of me, so I can't say for certain how accurate that is, but there are plenty of theories about them."

Arm laced through Ignis', she led them forward through the central campus, pointing out various landmarks, though there were a few that she clearly didn't recognize, like the Strixhaven Stadium where it seemed like some kind of game was underway, the stands maybe half full of cheering people. The large crowds continued as they went along, an excitement in the air.

"I see the popularity of the Midsummer Music Festival has grown since I was a student here," Liliana said with an almost apologetic smile. Almost. Liliana Vess didn't apologize. "It was large even then but not like this!" Strange what a difference almost two hundred years could make. "Anyway, I brought us early enough that we'd have enough time for quick tours around the other college campuses if you'd like? We can also go right to Prismari, there's plenty to explore there and we can get set up."

[For thems what are here! NFB for awayness.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I'm sure you did," Nell said, still trying to take everything in. "But I can't imagine living here. There's so much - how do you not get lost any time you go anywhere?"

"When you first arrive, you use many, many maps," Liliana said with a laugh. "But before long, you get used to it. And it helps, as a first-year, you mostly stay in Central Campus. Trying to find your way through the Biblioplex is always a trial without an archivist to guide you."

"I imagine you must!"

Everywhere Nell looked she saw something new, some little detail that just amazed her all over again.

"But I imagine it must all be worth it."

"It is," Liliana said softly. "It very much is. The education is second to none and the experience is even more precious than that."

Something soft and a little melancholy flashed over her face. "I was very happy here," she said. "Happier than I had expected to ever been again, at least when I first stepped on the campus."

Nell's smile was gentle and fond. "I'm glad it was such a happy place for you."

She let out a quiet happy sigh. "Thank you again for inviting us along. It's beautiful. And we haven't even gotten to the music yet!"

An excellent change of topic, Nell. Liliana might have gotten stupid and started talking about Josu.

"Prompto would have been less happy if you all couldn't be here to share this with him," Liliana said, waving the thanks away. "And this is a thank you to him. Also, let me know if you'd like a tour of anywhere. I'm sure Gladio will gravitate to Lorehold once we manage to steal him from the Biblioplex, and Prismari is where the concert will be, but that still leaves Quandrix, Silverquill, and Witherbloom."

"I honestly wouldn't even know what to ask for or where to go," Nell admitted. "There's just so much! But I suppose if there was anyone who might want to barter for seeds or plants..."

"Well, Witherbloom would be the campus for that," Liliana said dubiously. "But the plants from there are from a swamp rife with decay and magic, so I'm not particularly sure if anything would thrive on Fandom?"

"Not sure swamp plants are quite what I'm looking for anyway," Nell said with a laugh. "Are there any places that you think I should see?"

"I mean, I think everyone should see Witherbloom, but particularly you, because that would have been your College had you come here instead," Liliana declared with full confidence because obviously. "What little you can see of the Bibloplex in such a short time. You might like Quandrix's Cultivarium, but you absolutely won't be able to take any of those plants. Silverquill...mmm, Silverquill is beautiful, but skippable unless there's a performance happening, and I think you'd appreciate Prismari's Opus walk, too."

"So then Witherbloom and the Prismari's Opus Walk, and then the Biblioplex?" Nell suggested. "That's sounds mostly doable."

"Well, we might want to save the Opus Walk for last," Liliana said, "just because Prismari campus is where the musical festival is. The Biblioplex is right here--" she gestured at the building that towered into the sky near them, "--but it's very easy to lose all your time in there." She laughed. "Witherbloom, Biblioplex to try to roust Gladio, and then Prismari?"

"Perfect," Nell said. "That will give him a good amount of time there and then he can join us on the walk."

"This way, darling," Liliana said, leading her to a teleportation circle to head to Witherbloom!

~~handwaved or not at your convenience!~~

Strixhaven Campus, Arcavios, Friday (Fandom Time)

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