1 - Conference Week
Winter's Class
By Ingwe-Djerid
Conference Week
The Staff Room’s Doors opened. In walked an aging Unicorn, the Head of the Magical Department and Winter’s boss. Magical Winds was his name, and he was on a mostly important errand.
“Everyone! Princess Sparkle has arrived!” Said Winds, as he was called in this room, especially as no one wanted to just call him Magical. Behind this stallion walked the Princess, with her two guards who positioned themselves beside the door.
“Greetings, it is a pleasure to meet the wonderful team at this university’s magic department, please go about your business though, I’m not here to interrupt.” Princess Twilight Sparkle announced, immediately putting most of the staff at ease. Winter’s Turned back to her desk, sparing one last glance at the princess before turning back to continue working on the matrix design. While she continued to work, the Princess worked her way around each staff member, learning what they did, and what they had worked on recently. Finally Princess Sparkle had made her way over to the earth pony in a sea of unicorns.
“Excuse me, are you busy?” queried The Princess.
“Not really, just going over some matrices, what do you want?” Replied Winter’s Howl
“I was just wondering what you do here.” The Princess stated.
“I’m a Thaumaturge, I deal with a couple theory classes every year plus some design work.” Winter’s answered.
“Bwuh, But how does that even work, you’re an Earth pony-” Twilight, now confused, blurted out.
“Oh colt.” Winced Magical Winds, knowing the inevitable had happened.
“Tell me, Princess. How much work have you contributed to the field of magic? Don’t answer, I know the answer as of yesterday. One spell, which basically counts more as a combo field of friendship and species transmogrification than its own field. That was after three years of dedicated research into the field of friendship magic, with no reports or thaumalogical papers worth a damn.” Winter’s ranted, then after taking another breath, continued.
“I created my first complete spell when I was sixteen, and with little modification, it was accepted into the standard book of spell craft for the royal guard. Since then I’ve worked on some two dozen other spells, each unique in their methods. They range from dark magic detection spells, through to combat wound healing spells and every year, or every new member to this team, and I have to prove myself again.”
“Winter’s, that’s enough. You’ve made the point.” Interrupted Winds, before she could dig herself deeper. “Princess Sparkle, I’m deeply sorry, but Winter’s is one of our valued team members, even if she gets a lot of flak for what she is. Winter’s is one of our best and I’d-”
“It’s fine, I guess I was being tribalist, wasn’t I?” Twilight apologised.
“I guess I’m sorry too, there was no need to attack your career like that.” Winter’s replied.
Later
The Pigeon Hole is an interesting term, to be sure, it refers to the great pigeon halls, where bird keepers would keep and breed pigeons for their eggs and dung, to be used for food and leather respectively. Each pigeon would have a little alcove. Later paper would be stored in similar holes in a workplace, and the name stuck, even without the pigeons.
Winter’s shook her head, realising that she had been staring at the pigeon hole for a couple of minutes. She located her compartment and grabbed the various items within, including a tan envelope and, her schedule for classes and dedicated design time. Realising that she had not received feedback for her proposed project, she checked for project names.
Jarngeipr Project.
Not knowing what Jarngeipr was, and knowing that they would have sent a Project Summary, as well as a Progress Summary, Winter looked at her other items and discovered that’s what the Enveloped contained.
She had to talk to Winds. After locating him,
“Winds, my schedules includes work on the Jarngeipr Project.” she stated.
“Correct, you have the briefing pack?” Winds asked.
“Yes, but the proposal I submitted on the shield grid matrix…” Winter’s replied. To this Magical Winds sighed and said.
“I agree that it’s a project worth undertaking, but unfortunately it’s not feasible to run anymore projects, because the contract we are running for the Jarngeipr project will require an increased load.” He smiled, and continued “All of the ponies on the team had to sacrifice their own projects for it.” This didn’t quite add up for Winter’s, if it were such an important contract, why was it delegated amongst teaching staff?
“Are we really that overtasked? If we are, why am I running classes at all? We can compress our load onto fewer teachers, and allow the thaumaturges to work solely on the matrix, its been done before.” Winter’s said.
“While that had been considered, the thaumaturges on the project that also have classes generally have a higher than average pass rate, and could afford a small drop.” Winds Smiled, and Winter felt that she was not going anywhere with this line of talking.
“Excuse me then, I have a Brief to read.” with this, Winter’s left to read up on Jarngeipr.
Friday Afternoon
Trottingham. Her Home.
Trottingham was a City famed for its links to Green Hood, a vigilante who punished the criminal upper class, and gave their riches to the poor. Eventually the Upper Class resorted to Celestia to deal with the outlaw, and in an amazing turn, Green Hood convinced Celestia of his cause. With Green Hood at her side, Celestia swept away the ruling class or Trottingham, stripped them of their titles and wealth, and installed a new Ruling Body. Green Hood, satisfied with his work, and fearful of the nobles of other counties fled the country and was never seen of again.
Winter’s Howl walked through the door to her apartment, derailing her own train of thought, happy that conference week was over, and that the teaching and research year could begin. Looking through her mail, she spotted a note from her friend Frosty Cone, inviting her over for lunch next Saturday.
Her apartment was a small three room affair, with a living room/kitchen, a bedroom, and a Bathroom. For her lifestyle, it was perfect. She made herself her favourite dinner, a bowl of spinach tortellini, with a tomato sauce.
This is what it is like to be Winter’s Howl
You look down at the half empty bowl of Tortellini and smile.
This is a new year, with plenty to do.
There will be classes next week, with the usual challenges involved.
But its ok. You can do this.
Jarngeipr is an interesting project, even if it isn’t the first choice for what you would have worked on.
You will get to spend time with your friends next week.
You are Winter’s Howl and you are going to be alright.