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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 25, 2011 22:47:45 GMT -5
Horvath kept a minimal staff in the penthouse. He had the young avian Crane to assist with cleaning, and occasional an occasional secretarial and financial aide, but that was it.
He didn't need anyone to tell him that Anna Stutler had returned. Horvath could sense his apprentice's arrival- and Anna was indeed his true apprentice. Those other students were just pawns, tools to be used and set aside later. He had only one real protege.
The old sorcerer smiled a little and rose, going to the door to greet his apprentice.
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Post by Anna Stutler on Jan 25, 2011 22:51:54 GMT -5
Anna raised her hand to knock on the door, only to have it open in her face. She smirked and gave Horvath a two-fingered salute. "Hiya, Boss," she said, sauntering into the room. Heading up to the study, she collapsed into a chair, propping her feet up on the coffee table. "Did you miss me?"
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 25, 2011 22:58:18 GMT -5
Horvath chuckled and closed the door, following Anna into the study. "I did," he replied. "I've been interviewing new students all day- it's nice to speak to someone actually intelligent for once. I know we've been selecting our applicants to be easily manipulated, but I expected a student or two with at least a few brain cells to their credit..."
He shook his head and settled himself in another chair, with considerably more dignity than the young woman now lounging across the coffee table from him. That was what he got for selecting mainly sheltered young females, he supposed. Of course, if someone like his Anna had applied, they probably would have been rejected.
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Post by Anna Stutler on Jan 25, 2011 23:06:38 GMT -5
Anna gave her master a fake pout. "You tired of me already, Boss?" The pout turned into a smirk. She reached into the messenger bag she'd taken off and sat by the chair.
"Got the supplies you wanted." She tossed the brown paper wrapped package on his desk. "Everything but the raven feathers. The guy said to check back next week, he's expecting a fresh supply by Wednesday."
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 25, 2011 23:15:31 GMT -5
He didn't bother going to check the package. If Anna said everything but the raven feathers were there, then everything but the raven feathers were there. She would not lie to him.
"Quite the contrary, Apprentice," he replied with a smirk of his own. "What I believe I will tire of quickly is the selection of sheep we've settled on. Ensuring they do as we wish will be child's play. A few come from magical backgrounds, though only one has any actual training. And there are three sheltered royals among them. There is, in fact, only one whom I would consider having any real potential as a sorceress. I'll leave her to you to ensure she remains in her place. She's a cocky young thing. I think you'll have fun stupefying her." His grin widened, becoming just a little predatory.
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Post by Anna Stutler on Jan 25, 2011 23:29:57 GMT -5
Anna's smirk stretched to match her masters. "Sounds like a blast. I just love abusing little know-it-alls." After all, she'd had to live with one for most of her life.
"So, when do I get to meet the little darlings? Or do you want me to stay more in the background?"
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 25, 2011 23:32:47 GMT -5
So delightful to see real enthusiasm in the young. He'd done well with Anna.
"In a few days I will be summoning them all to their first lesson," he told her. "You'll get to meet them then. I believe I shall present you to them as simply a senior student, rather than my protege. No need to make them suspicious, after all. If you can mingle a little with them and take note of any conversations that may be important, our jobs will be easier on down the line."
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Post by Anna Stutler on Jan 25, 2011 23:35:54 GMT -5
Anna nodded. "Cool. You want me to make sure they stay divided? Spread a little discord? Or do we want them to be friends?"
It would be easier to mingle with them if she was seen as a peer. And really, she probably wasn't much older than them, if at all. But her life experiences meant that Anna tended to carry herself as older than she really was. Not that it mattered--if Horvath had chosen them as students, it meant they should listen to her fairly easily. Weak-minded individuals tended to follow whoever presented themselves with an air of authority.
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 25, 2011 23:44:56 GMT -5
He raised an eyebrow. Anna should really know the answer to that one. Never let the sheep unite. A pair of wolves like themselves could manage a flock easily, but if the sheep ever got it into their heads to think and cooperate, well, there was trouble then, now wasn't there?
"Some discord," he replied. "I do not want close friendships to crop up, but I would rather not have any attempts at dueling just yet. They need to at least be civil to one another. You will have some assistance with causing trouble."
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Post by Anna Stutler on Jan 25, 2011 23:50:29 GMT -5
Anna raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?" Sure, she'd expected the discord part--but it never hurt to clarify orders.
A twinkling light caught her eye from behind one of the clocks. At first she'd thought it was just a reflection. Now the sound of twinkling bells filled it air. Anna looked at Horvath questionably.
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 25, 2011 23:52:56 GMT -5
Speak of the Devil.
Horvath smiled. He was interested in seeing his young apprentice's reaction to her new coworker. Additionally, he was interested in seeing the pixie's reaction to hers.
He looked at the clock on the mantel and held up one hand, palm up. "Tinkerbell," he called to the hidden fairy. "Come here please. I have someone I would like you to meet."
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Post by Tink on Jan 25, 2011 23:56:19 GMT -5
Tinkerbell flew out, settling near Horvath's shoulder. She frowned at the young woman across from him. He spoke to her differently from the others. More like an equal. What if he'd lied to the fairy? What if he had this girl, and he didn't need Tinkerbell anymore? What if she was his Wendy?
"Who's she?" she asked. "I don't need help. We don't need her. Tell her to go away."
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 26, 2011 0:06:06 GMT -5
"This is Anna Stutler," Horvath said gently, turning his head to look at the tiny creature. He held up one finger to forestall any questions Anna might have for the moment. "Anna is my apprentice, Tinkerbell. She is quite clever and is going to help us make mischief with the other students. She has magic, like me, but she's still learning. I would appreciate it very much if you didn't cause trouble for Anna, understand?" He smiled broadly, hoping to cajole the pixie into a better mood. Pixies were notorious for being territorial when it came to human playmates. "Now, she can't go make mischief in hidden places. She can't sneak into rooms and move things about- she's too big. She'd be seen, and she doesn't have your talent for it. And the only things she's good at fixing are computers."
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Post by Tink on Jan 26, 2011 0:17:03 GMT -5
Tinkerbell crossed her arms hautily and turned her nose up at Anna. "Of course she'd be no good at it." Fluttering up, she circled the girl's head, before settling back on Horvath's desk.
"She is too big to be useful. Not like me. I won't cause any trouble on her if you don't want me to. Just so long as you don't start liking her better than me, okay?"
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Post by Maxim Horvath on Jan 26, 2011 0:33:11 GMT -5
He nodded. "Of course, my dear," he said soothingly, offering her his most charming smile. "As if that would be possible." Nodding towards a shelf in the corner, he added, "I found some shiny things for you to fix. They're over there."
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