Todd and the Fae, Chapter 1, Scene 5
Day at the University
Written by K. and E. Southworth
I meet the trolley at the corner, and hop on. I settle into the nearest window seat, thinking “I’ll have to transfer at the central station, to catch the trolley to the University.” I have just enough time to travel and walk across campus before my office hours start at 10 am. Then at 3 I need to teach one class, before I have time schedule at the Library for research on my P.H.D. The trolley really is my best bet to be on time.
The late morning trolley pulls up, and I get on, nodding to the conductor. Fred has probably finished his shift already. I pull out and read a book and take notes, the ride to Central Station is calm, and then the trolley to the University is more of the same. The normal passengers coming and going as it travels through the city.
At the University I dismount and head to my office. I’m scheduled for office hours today as Professor Richard’s teaching assistant, and a few of her students have appointments for tutoring.
At 2 pm I stand and stretch, two of the three students showed up and I think they are better prepared for the next test and the final project they need to complete.
I walk towards the food cart on campus to pick up a pocket pie and hot tea before heading to the classroom. Today’s lesson is on Bell Beaker culture of the early Bronze Age Europe. I walk into the classroom and set my tea on the shelf in the podium, and pull my notes from my bag and lay them on the top of the podium, as the students file into the auditorium and take their seats.
2 hours later I wrap up the lecture, and finish answering questions as the students file out. I remind them about their final projects and my office hours. Then I pack up my notes into my bag, finish the last dregs of my cold tea, and head to the Library.
I search the library for any reference material for Codex Gigas, Herman the Recluse, Lilas Adie, and Bridget Bishop. Referring to my notes and checking reference materials for the different time periods, checking records for witch hunts and trials. Searching for population records where available, or information on who to contact to search them. We have time to reach out to historians in different locations if I can narrow the search down. Then move on to my P.H.D. topic ancient magical artifacts from pre 1300’s Europe, many artifacts were stolen in wars, and I’m struggling to trace their path, or if they were re-purposed into new artifacts.
A little before 6pm the librarian walks by ringing the closing bell. I stretch and rub my neck. Time to pack up and go. Luckily, the trolley runs all night, or it would be a very long walk home. I check out my books and pack my notes and books in my bag, then head out the door.
At the trolley stop I notice that the shadows are gathering in the distance, but the stops are free of danger. My spell is holding. I get on the Trolley and sit quietly watching the city pass by, looking for the shadow Fae. I begin thinking and planning for my trip tomorrow. Tomorrow is the only day I have no teaching responsibilities or office hours. Hopefully, it will only be a one day trip. I’ll have to send a message to the professor tomorrow morning before I leave, just in case it takes longer than expected. I run through the supplies I’ll need for the trip. Time and distance are different when you enter Fae lands, which I learned as a child traveling with my father and mother.
The trolley pulls up to downtown, and the diner is open, as it is most nights. I dismount the trolley and head over to the diner. It’s brightly lit with magic lights and always seems slightly out of place with all the dark brick and steel of the city. It’s one of the few late night places to get some food, and it’s affordable. I step in and sit at my regular booth and order dinner, and a pocket pie for breakfast. It’s cold enough tonight I’ll have to light a fire in the fireplace when I get to the apartment. It will help keep the pocket fresh for tomorrow morning. I think about it, and I can probably pick up some jerky at the market before I go to the park tomorrow. I order a few biscuits and a small jar of jam to take with me. Dinner is roast beef and mashed potatoes with a generous amount of rich gravy, completely delicious and steaming hot. I watch other customers, mostly couples sitting together and talking animatedly, enjoying their meals.
I miss my family the most at dinner time, my mother always insisted on family dinner time, everyone sitting together, sharing our food and talking about our day. It is a bit lonely at night here. I sigh and finish my food, pay for my meal, collect my package of goods for tomorrow, and head out to catch the next trolley.
On the trolley, I relax and watch the city. The shadow fae are kicking up a fuss, knocking over trash cans, tossing newspapers into the wind, banging on windows and doors. Generally, being a nuisance. Normally they’re to incorporeal to affect the world around them. “What’s gotten them all wound up?” I think.
My stop approaches, and I get up and head to the front with my packages, and as it stops near my apartment, I dismount. The conductor nods and wishes me a good night. I wave and head for my apartment. Once inside I set down my package on the table and set my bag down with it. Then head to the fireplace to light the fire. It’s gotten significantly colder since the sunset. After the fire is crackling steadily, I load the food into the warming box so it will keep overnight. Pull my chair closer to the fire and pull the table over to the chair. I lay out my books and notes and get started reading. I have a few hours to get my research done before I need to get some sleep.
I’m interrupted occasionally by the sounds of families having dinner and children getting ready for bed. The apartment walls in this building are fairly thin and noise travels. Amid the laughter of the twins upstairs wrestling before bed, I feel a twinge in my chest of sadness, I’m alone in this city. I think about how close I am to finishing my degree, but really the loneliness won’t end there. Once the degree is finished, I will either continue on to teaching or travel for research, but essentially I will still be alone. The location might change, but the routines and the social restrictions will remain the same. With a heavy sigh I return to my work, I choose this path for better or worse.
There’s a knock at the door, the evening newspaper, I rise and go to collect it. The morning newspaper is the human version, the evening newspaper is printed by the wizard council to keep the magical population apprised of anything going on in the city or in the magical community at large.
The wizard council has announced that it is aware of the shadow Fae threat and has taken measures to resolve it. They are ordering magic users to protect the humans discretely. I nod thinking “Even though magic has been out in the open for 100 years, they are still very wary of anything they don’t understand, best to be discrete.” The wizard council is even taking credit for my shield charm work on the trolley and stops. “Just like them, to take credit for someone else’s work.” I shrug, I don’t have time to worry about it. I flip through the rest of the paper checking for anything I need to know. Finding very little relevant, to my mission tomorrow, I return to the table and chair and continue with my research for an hour, then head to bed.