in which nymphs are good for more than one thing

[subtly_artistic]

At least four people conclude that Bella and Celo have had sex and mention this to Bella. The fact that the door was open the entire time he spent hanging out in her room is apparently immaterial (since she wouldn't have been breaking any rules if she'd had sex with him that way, and no one was loitering in the hall supervising them the whole time). She contradicts them on this. Three people don't believe her. Miki does, and is immediately promoted to Bella's favorite out-of-class friend.

In Intro Psych for Subtle Artists, there's a discussion of what subtle artists do with their own minds, and how this differs from everyone else. Bella has already talked to all her subtle arts professors about her own peculiarities, and Professor Murray has her talk a bit about how she's used lucid dreams for introspection, self-modification, and memory boosting. Professor Murray then explains that people who aren't subtle artists can only rarely lucid dream, and even those who can don't find it an effective jumping-off point for any heavy-duty self-searching.

One of the elves in the class looks at Bella oddly through her little talk.

But she doesn't say anything, so Bella ignores her.

Comments

[pythbox]

Celo slams his knee into the elf's stomach.

[subtly_artistic]

That loses her some of the air she had.

Bella recovers some of her presence of mind and, still clutching at her face, makes another attempt on the other subtle artist's mind.

Concentration is key for opposed subtle arts.

The elf has less than Bella at this moment.

She falls unconscious.

[pythbox]

Celo drops the subtle artist, staggers over to Bella, and touches a hand to her face. There's that pleasant analgesic rush of healing again.

[subtly_artistic]

Bella lets out a breath she'd been holding and then bursts into tears.

[pythbox]

He hesitates.

Then he hugs her.

[subtly_artistic]

Bella lurches away from him. They are not hugging friends. "Thanks," she mutters anyway.

[pythbox]

"Yeah," he says distantly. He looks around. The elves who were more or less mobile are gone, taking one of his favourite enchanted daggers with them; the elves who were unconscious have stayed that way. No one is dead, or likely to die without help.

[subtly_artistic]

Bella gets to her feet; her knees wobble. "...I don't know the, um, official status, of elf students here, I think it might be different from everybody else, do you suppose there's any point to reporting them?"

[pythbox]

"Do I care," he wonders flatly. The answer appears to be no.

[subtly_artistic]

"...Oh. I'll. I'll find out for myself, then, I guess. ...Thank you."

[pythbox]

He rubs both hands over his face. "Fuck, I need to get laid."

[subtly_artistic]

"...I. Wish you the best of luck."

[pythbox]

He climbs to his feet again. It takes him a couple of tries. He's not physically injured, but he seems exhausted.

[subtly_artistic]

"Do you need help?"

[pythbox]

"Somehow I don't think you can carry me," he says dryly. "Whatever, I'll be fine."

He starts walking. His coordination improves with every careful step.

[subtly_artistic]

"If you have a standard - booty call, or whatever - I could see if I can reach them from here," she offers. They're heading in the same direction. "I don't know exactly how the needing sex thing works."

[pythbox]

"One of the satyrs is usually a good bet," he says. "Know where to find any?"

[subtly_artistic]

Bella closes her eyes and looks. Even the very gentlest detection of minds can tell apart different species.

She finds one satyr.

[Celo's name] quote needs to get laid end quote. He's halfway between Thatcher and the dining hall, on the path that goes around the little hill.

[pythbox]

Awesome! says the satyr. Thanks!

"Anything?" says Celo.

[subtly_artistic]

"Found one. Told him where you are. He says 'awesome, thanks'. I didn't get his name."

[pythbox]

Celo grins weakly. "Thanks," he says. "Might wanna clear out when he gets here, we're gonna be busy for a while."

[subtly_artistic]

"That's my plan. I'll wait for him with you if you want."

[pythbox]

"...Maybe a good idea," Celo acknowledges.

[subtly_artistic]

Bella nods. She waits.

[pythbox]

The satyr comes bounding into view. He doesn't even ask about the unconscious elves littering the path; he heads straight for Celo.

"You look like shit," he greets.

"I know, right?" laughs Celo, holding out his arms. "C'mere and make me feel better."

Bella's presence is no longer required.