Arterius

The rapid scrawling of Lysander writing on the blackboards could be heard from outside the laboratory. The rhythmic tapping of his writing utensil laying out scientific deductions and biological reasonings as he worked on his research. The young man specialized in monsters, and while so far his career could be called a success, with his writings so far well received, he felt bottlenecked in his progress. That was why he was back here at LDU, hopefully the university's resources could inspire him to get over his current block. Currently he was writing a paper about monster produced substances and their potential uses: venoms, pheromones, oils, acids and so on. How they could become beneficial products to society. LDU had plenty of samples and his initial research was working well, but now he was running into another wall.

With a sigh he set his writing tool down and pulled off his glasses, idly rubbing the already clean lenses with a cloth out of habit when he was thinking. "I can't fathom the problem, Arthur." He mused to his pet snake, the albino serpent currently lazily sleeping on one of the books on the desk that had caught a nice spot of sunlight. "We have the materials, what are we missing?" He asked as he went to sit down in his chair, elbows resting on the desk as he glanced at his pet. The snake's tongue lazily flicked from it's maw at it's owner before curling up more to enjoy the sun.

Lysander stared at the snake. He had already figured out how to properly utilize the albino snake's venom, after all it was his most useful tool in self defense. What was the- His eyes widened as he snapped his fingers. "That's it, Arthur!" He said as he pushed himself up off the desk and grabbed a tome, thumbing it open. "It's one thing to have the substances already here, another to have them extracted." He hummed. "How could I overlook something so simple? What we need, my boy, is live test subjects!" He smiled as he grasped a piece of paper to start writing out his request. Hopefully the university would approve.

Lysander spent two days pacing around the laboratory as he waited for the university board to review his request. He knew it was a big ask, and that some people considered his subject of study fringe, but he knew it was worthwhile. Just thinking of all the ways it might benefit the industrious and technological growth of the city made him giddy. Imagine new medicines formulated from monster venoms, for example. So when the research request was finally approved he grinned and profusely thanked professor Babble before getting to work. Well, the first thing would be to find subjects.

He would rather work with volunteers, so the first thing he'd do would be to post an advertisement at the chancellor house. Though if that didn't work he supposed he could pay a visit to the markets to see if any monsters were for sale. It was a less savory idea for the researcher, but for the sake of science he supposed.

Step by step Azula was close to her goal and she could feel it. Making through the halls of Lord Dietrich University Xu Azula wore a university dark-blue uniform, her long shimmering blue hair tied into a bun. Pushing her frame forward, the petite female opened doors that led to the laboratory. She needed to borrow a few books that the library didn’t have right now. Surprisingly the laboratory was practically empty.


Without wasting time Azula made her way to the second floor. She slowed down her pace scanning every book with her emerald green eyes. “What an interesting collection they have here.” Azula thought to herself before finding herself looking through the window into a yard. She allowed her mind to trail away from her objective for a brief moment she observed other students beneath her.

She'd hear him before she saw him, the clicks of rattling glass coming up the stairs. Her upperclassman was an eccentric fellow, he was known around the campus as being brilliant and kind- if a bit prone to getting excited and hyper-focused on his research. He walked up the stairs with a case of implements in his arms. Glass vials, beakers, potion bottles and other sterilized equipment that he'd need for his upcoming experiments. With a huff he set the case down on a table before his aquamarine eyes turned to notice her.

"Oh hello, Azula." He mused, his pet snake Arthur coiling around his neck to look at her. "I didn't know you were coming to the lab today, do you need some help with something?" He asked. Normally students would ask a professor for assistance, but right now he seemed the only one else using the room right now.

Hearing her voice address made Azula snap out of the trance she was in. Quickly turning around the blue haired fox saw a familiar face. Her emerald green orbs looked at another student. Lysander was another student that was beloved by teachers and students alike. Many girls lost their heads for him to the point they were ready to do anything it takes to just talk to him.

And now two most popular students in all the universities were standing in front of each other. Her right fox ear twitched for a brief moment before the blue haired girl finally parted her lips “Hello Lysander.” she spoke in a calm tone. Before turning her attention to the shelves in front of her. Walking up closer she quickly scanned books noticing that the book she needed was on top shelf Azula let out a sigh.

Grabbing a ladder she placed them next to the upper shelf. “Yeah I needed one book for my research, but the library didn’t have it.” Azula replied while climbing up the ladders. But Azula forgot to set the ladder properly as she was on the very top. Azula took the book she needed. The ladders she stood on slightly moved making Azula lose her balance “Oh no i’m falling!” the blue haired fox shouted dropping the book on the floor with a loud thud.

If Lysander looked at the book's cover he would find out that the book Azula looked at was called “About body and aether”. It was a book about alternative medicine and aetherghost anatomy.

"Careful!" Lysander exclaimed as he stepped toward the ladder to grab it. He knew how wobbly and rickety the ladder could be when it wasn't set, having made trips up and down it many times a day. If steadying the ladder didn't stop her from falling he supposed he'd just have to catch her like a responsible senpai. Not a difficult task, Lysander was an athletic young man, particularly fond of running and swimming. Either way his first priority was making sure she was safe. "Are you alright?" He'd ask before moving on to the book. He leaned down to pick up the time and dust the cover off.

"About body and aether, hmm." He read before offering her the book. "I didn't know you were interested in this sort of thing. What sort of research are you working on?" He specialized in biology, monster biology specifically, so the anatomy of magical and supernatural creatures intrigued him. And since his own research project was based around turning monster materials into goods like medicine it was no wonder the book was here instead of the library.

Thanks to quick wit and fast feet of Lysander Azula was saved from testing if gravity still worked. The blue haired fox clung to the ladder for a brief moment. Her heart was pounding and her ears folded back. Hearing Lysander’s question Azula spoke “I think so..” she said before going down the ladder. Standing on solid ground she looked at Lysander. “Thanks for saving me, senpai.” she spoke tenderly, making eye contact with another student.


Azula rubbed the back of her neck listening to Lysander “Yeah that’s what I'm studying. Well sorta it’s kinda complicated.” Azula said, letting her hand fall down to her side for a brief moment before reaching for the book “May i?” she asked, giving Lysander a smile. If Lysander gives a book to Azula, the blue haired fox continues to say “Lysander, do you know anything about my family?” she asked being curious.

"Of course." Lysander smiled as he returned the book to Azula. His expression puzzled slightly at her question but he nodded regardless. "I try to keep myself out of politics but I suppose I know as much as anyone else who lives in this city." He took off his glasses and withdrew a cloth from his coat to wipe the lenses. They were already clean, it was just a habit of his. "The Xu, one of the three families; A kitsune matriarchy- fortunes made off controlling aether services and the transportation industry, among other things." Mostly he was just reciting the word on the street.

Lysander focused on his studies, and perhaps unwisely had a bad habit of ignoring the politics of the city. He preferred not to spend time thinking about it, and had never treated Azula any different from any other student. He didn't care about who people were or who their families were, all he cared about was research. "Why do you ask?" He mused as he put his glasses back on. "Is your research project related to your family?"

It was busy as she expected. News of some kind of job that mentioned monsters peaked the curiosity of a singular Neko who was currently employed as a doctor at a ranch a good some leagues from the city. But that did not ever stop the Neko from getting supplies and things given where she was going. She was a busty girl. A nkce sized rack and a wonderful sway to her hips. The calico pattern across the fur on her body. Unlike the typical human Neko she was the real deal. Down to her paws that were as efficient as hands to her feet which were just like a cats but bigger for anthros.

"Nya this place is very busy. Good thing I made the choice to keep my tail hidden. Might get stepped on. Hmm ah there it is."

She was a curious thing. As well ignoring the odd looks she was getting.She excelled at ignoring people. Wearing a tight fitting red shirt and relatively short black skirt that stopped midway down her thigh. Looks indeed with her curvy figure and plump butt. Reading the posting, she immediately made a beeline for the laboratory. Oh how she loved the smell of chemicals and science.

"Hello I am looking for a mister Lysander Valentine about a job posting involving monsters and things." How cute she must of looked despite the seriousness on her face. Small ears twitching and turning towards various sounds but listening for what she came here for.

Taking a book from Lysander, Azula listened to the male answer her question. Indeed her family was known for politics and other stuff. When he mentioned her family being Kitsune Azula snapped her fingers “Exactly, and what good vixen without her tails?. There is something wrong with me and I plan on figuring it out.” Azula said, pressing the book against her body. “I do research on aether bodies and how aether affects living beings in general.” Azula then noticed a person entering the library.

Hearing Lysanders name mentioned, Azula smiled looking at upper class mate. “Looks like she’s looking for you.” Azula said then pushed her frame forward past male, but stopping in her track “Senpai, I will be staying in my families hotel for a while. Come visit me.” the blue haired fox said, looking back at male giving him a wink. After that the blue vixen left the laboratory

(Exit scene).

"Oh yes, I never noticed." Lysander hummed when she pointed out she didn't have a tail. Her senpai was brilliant, but a little scatterbrained. He frowned a little when she said something was wrong with her. Was not having a tail really that big of a deal? She seemed fine and happy, though he supposed he didn't know much about kitsune. His eyes glanced to the side when someone else entered the laboratory before looking back at Azula. "Sure, I'll come by after class." He nodded with an innocent nod, no doubt thinking more about experiments than young lady inviting him to her room. After she left he turned to the new arrival and offered a smile.

"Hello, I'm Lysander Valentine. The head researcher on the monster project." He introduced himself to the neko woman. The first person to answer his advertisement, the experiments were finally underway. "I'll explain a bit about what we're researching here." HE mused as he motioned to the boards and instruments around the room. "My project focuses on studying monsters to turn monster materials into products. Wool, oil, scales, venom, that sort of thing." He explained. "Right now I'm looking for monsters and materials to study." He suddenly blinked before offering her a sheepish smile as he pulled his glasses off. "Oh, pardon me, I seemed to have rambled on and forgot my manners. May I have your name, miss?"

She watched the other depart, correcting her glasses as he began to speak and her ears immediately turned in his direction. Boy he sure is a chatty one. She mused to herself as she listened intently to his words. She was somewhat of a professional in the field of monsters and the like. So when he mentioned all the goodies he would be needing, she smiled slightly. It was all just so fascinating to her. This place and the city.

"Terraria but you can call me Tera if its easier. As for the materials you want, which specific beasts and where can I find these fine specimens?"

A curious nature and rightly so. Walking over to him and looking at stuff. Staring at the boards before speaking again. So full of questions she seemed to be. " What is your end goal for all the parts and materials? Looking to cure something or just some advances in research to better fight threats?" Inquisitive sure she was that as well many other things that should best left unmentioned.

"This study is for both non-sentient beasts and intelligent monsters. The advertisement at the chancellor house was specifically for the latter." Lysander explained. "For the former I usually go out on expeditions, or see what's available at the market." He mused as his pet snake coiled around his neck. "Nor is this research aimed to specifically accomplish a single goal. It is a general study on the usefulness of materials to society. So far I've come about a few uses for certain materials or creatures." He mused as he raised his hand to pet the albino snake.

"Take Arthur here, for example. A unique mutation, his venom is incredibly well suited to self defense. It is strictly paralytical, completely nonlethal, and temporary with no side effects." He mused. "Obviously combat is not the only use for such a thing, but one cannot deny it's effectiveness." He chuckled.

Looking at the snake as she listened to him explain it. She stepped forward and ran a finger along it's side a bit. Looking at him as she adjusted her glasses a moment while smiling her canines. It was indeed interesting on what he wanted to do and she was all about being onboard. Her tail unfurled from her waist and slipped out, twirling itself through her hair.

"Alright, it sounds good. You can count on me to procure samples of various creatures. I am to assume the woods or surrounding area should give me plenty of leeway. But if you give me a list of key specimens, then I will fulfill them immediately."

Reaching into her bag,she would pull out what seemed to be an odd shaped rock. However it held a mysterious blue glow. What seemed to be purple veins encased below the diamond hard surface. "Perhaps when this hatches, I can procure some samples for you. I found it in a cave on my way here. About....two months ago before I arrived in Arterius. I think it's some kind of insectoid, but its been feeding off me."

She added that little tid bit in to see how his reaction would be to the what seemed to be egg.

"I imagine you'll find your fair share of fur, horns, scales and bones around the forests here. But bring me anything you can find, preferably alive. The more exotic the better. You'll of course be paid for your services." Lysander mused before glancing down as she pulled out a strange stone from her belongings. His eyes scanned the colored vein running through the crystalline structure before looking at her when she mentioned it was some sort of insectoid.

"Feeding on you?" He echoed with a cock of his head. "Feeding on you how, exactly?" He asked before opening his hand. "May I please see the... egg?" He requested.

She would watch him as it was plainly obvious he was greatly interested. As his hand went out she waited a good long moment before speaking. Trying to find the best way to explain the feeding phenomenon. As it seemed like it was draining an unknown part of her."The feeding feels like its taking a piece of me. Small and not really of anything to worry about. As I feel fine afterwards. Maybe its taking some kind of energy or something from me."

Fairly prompt in her reply, she would pass it to his hand but she felt some kind of strong tether to it. However she did not like it, she felt like a mom or something. Scratching the side of her head a bit as she watched him.

"Fascinating." Lysander mused before handing the stone back to her. "We could so some tests on you if you'd like? Find out what exactly its feeding off of you, how much, and whatnot? Maybe find a way to feed it without draining you if it becomes necessary?" He suggested. "If you believe that it's not a danger to you then I believe you, but can I ask what you plan on doing when it hatches?" He asked as he raised his hand to pet the snake coiled around his neck. He'd raised Arthur from an egg, so he sorta understood.

"Well given how it feels to me...I don't think I could part with it right now. The thought of being a mother to something just sits ill to me currently."

Trying to make any kind of sense of the situation as a whole. Staring at the stone as she thought more on his question. What would she do when it finally takes its step into this world. A most puzzling conundrum for the female. Looking at him a moment as she spoke.

"I guess the only responsible thing I can do is raise it and study it's nature. I am very curious about new things you know. I think that may be the cat in me."

She jested and gave a joke about herself as she literally looked like a calico cat but holding more humanlike features with her hands and face. Though still the ears and whiskers of a cat, but those were hidden.