A knock on the door startled Laurel and she hurried to answer it, adjusting her dress as she did. After taking a moment to smooth her hair, Laurel opened the door.

A tall faerie with a stern face and brown hair starting to gray at the temples stood in front of a younger, more simply dressed faerie who was holding a large stack of books. The older faerie wore what looked like linen Yoga pants and a silky green shirt that hung open at the chest in a way that was not the least bit sensual. Laurel considered her own tendency toward tank tops and decided this was similar. His demeanor was distinguished, formal — and quite at odds with his bare feet.

“Laurel, I presume?” he said in a smooth, deep voice. He studied her. “Well, you haven’t changed all that much.”

Taken aback, Laurel could only stare blankly up at him. She had seen pictures of herself as a child; she had changed immensely!

“I am Yeardley, professor of fundamentals. May I?” the faerie said, inclining his head.

“Oh, of course,” Laurel blustered, opening the door wider.

Yeardley strode in and the faerie behind him followed closely. “There,” Yeardley said, pointing to Laurel’s desk. The other faerie stacked the pile of books on Laurel’s desk, bowed low to both Laurel and Yeardley, and backed out of the doorway before turning to walk down the hall.

Laurel turned back to the professor, who hadn’t looked away.

“I know Jamison is eager for you to begin classes, but, to be quite frank, I cannot start you on even the most basic lessons until you have some sort of foundation on which to build.”

Laurel opened her mouth to speak, realized she was in completely over her head, and closed it again.

“I have brought you what I believe to be the most basic and essential information that is requisite to beginning your true studies. I suggest you start immediately.”