forum You can hear it in the silence... feel it on the way home... see it with the lights out... You're in love.

Started August 04, 2023 by @emilyevewrites group

tune

@bleeding_heart

Yay! I'm so excited!

Me too :)

Would you like me to get a starter up, or would you like to?

If you don't mind, that would be great 😊

Sure! It'll take me a little while, but I'll get one up here shortly!

The sharp click of heels could be heard through the halls of the university. Professor Dahlia Astra, the newest psychology professor to wander the halls. The first day, her first day specifically. The anxiety in her gut was strong, but she was excited. Eager, even. This life was a new one. A new chance, where she could bury her past behind her. Fix the messy mistakes made, live how she pleased now that she was safe. Safe from the world that she had left behind. Safe from the- No. She wasn't going to get caught up in those memories. This was a new life, a new chance. A new idea that she could handle. She was eager for that. She liked this new version of herself. She felt- confident. For once.

She looked professional enough, jet black hair cut to a neat crispness to frame her jawline, bright eager green eyes scanning her new surroundings. Black suit with a crisp white shirt, black lace gloves, a simple pearl necklace, and silver round glasses hanging by a small silver chain. She took a deep breath, pushing the door to her lecture hall open and taking a deep breath. This was her goal. This is what she was aiming for all this time, and now? Finally she had achieved it. She took a deep breath and set the lecture notes she had in her hands down, organizing her notes.

This was a new start for her. A new opportunity.

(You’re good! I fell asleep last night, so let me just get this response up now lol :))

The day was warm, cloudless, and beautiful. So much so that Emily Blackwell decided to sit outside for a while and soak up the sunshine. Her golden hair was half up, half down and looked slightly untamed but in a stylish way. She probably should have been grading papers, but she would do that during her office hours — if she found the time. Recently, there seemed to always be someone needing to talk to her about something during her free time. While Emily was polite and obliged them every time, she couldn’t help but wish for a spare minute for herself to get some things done. But here she was with a spare minute, and she chose to indulge herself with a book instead.

When she finally decided to check the time again, Emily discovered she was nearly late to her next class. Her eyes widened, a quiet curse fell from her lips, and she quickly packed her book away to race to the Academic Forum. She failed to notice the many people who stared at her as she walked, since she kept checking her watch to see if she’d make it on time. She was in such a rush that after she’d entered the forum, she nearly collided with another woman on her way to her hall.

“Oh!” Emily exclaimed, steadying herself. “I’m sorry, love.” Her British accent laced her words as she smiled in apology to the woman with black hair and green eyes. She would have checked longer to make sure the other woman was alright, but she heard the campus’s clock tower chiming. Panic shot through her… until she realized it was only quarter of — there were fifteen minutes before her class was supposed to start. She hadn’t been running as late as she thought.

Now that she was sure she had a bit more time, Emily stopped and looked the other woman over. In sharp contrast to how professionally the other woman dressed, Emily wore jeans, a plain white t-shirt with a cardigan over it, and thigh high boots. Her bag had been slung over her shoulder in her haste. One look at the woman’s heels, and Emily’s eyebrows arched. She definitely should have heard this woman coming, but she’d been too frantic.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologized again. “Are you alright?”

Dahlia had just exited her hall to grab a few more things from her car when she was rammed into by another woman. Stunningly beautiful and had Dahlia blinking in confusion for a brief moment before a gentle smile pulled itself to her lips and a light chuckle left her throat. Despite the sudden moment of being ran into, Dahlia kept her balance and her grace. "No need to apologize." Her voice was silky smooth, offering warmth and ease. Her voice had a hint of an accent, though it was hard to pin. Ukrainian, perhaps? Easy to get lost in, soothing, and comforting. "We were both focused on our tasks, and ended up running into one another." Dahlia did a quick scan to make sure the other was okay. "I'm perfectly fine, dear. Are you alright?"

Dahlia took a moment to study the woman. The opposites of each other it seemed. She couldn't help a small chuckle at that. The woman looked to be around her age though, late 20's? The casual appearance was cute, comforting even. It was nice to see people were able to express themselves freely here. "What has you in such a rush, if I may ask?" Polite conversation was something that Dahlia was decent at. She had to use it at times, read people properly. She sensed no ill will from this woman though, so her senses were a bit more calm and collected.

No ill will… That was a change, that's for certain. No judgement, no fear, just innocence and… a feeling of concern. It had been a long time since she had that moment of peace. But oddly enough, she had found it here at this school that she would be teaching at. How lovely… She collected her thoughts quickly before they got ahead of her and she eased herself. Clearly this woman had been in a rush, perhaps to a class to teach? Oh how lovely if she was a professor at the school. Dahlia had yet to introduce herself to any of her fellow teachers.

Thus, she extended her gloved hand in polite greeting. "I'm Dahlia Astra, the new psychology professor in room 201. I apologize for running into you, I wasn't paying much attention. Are you headed somewhere, and is there anything I can do to help?" Dahlia appeared harmless enough. "May I ask your name, ma'am?"

(Hey! Sorry, life's been handing me my ass lately!)

Emily relaxed as the other woman chuckled quietly. As much as she was dressed like she was someone who didn't tolerate nonsense – and Emily knew quite a few professors like that on campus – this woman was actually easy to get along with. Her accent was interesting also, flowing well with Emily's British accent as they exchanged words. She straightened up a bit and tugged at the hem of her cardigan to even out the hemline.

"Yes, well, I should have been paying attention," she quipped knowingly. "Too many people say I haven't got a clue what I'm doing or where I'm going. They're right, of course, but I never give them the satisfaction of knowing that."

Her smile came easily as she and the other woman observed each other. Emily didn't recognize her, which meant that either she was just one of the professors Emily hadn't met yet, or this woman was completely new here. Just as Emily was. It was a relief to have someone sort of as new as she was. Most professors at this school had been around for at least four or five years.

Emily laughed quietly at the question. "I thought I was late to my class. Got distracted by a book, so that's nothing new. But it's only quarter-til. My class doesn't start for another fifteen minutes."

She easily slipped her hand into the other woman's – Dahlia's – to shake it in greeting. "It's so lovely to meet you, Dahlia. I'm Emily Blackwell. Literature professor in room 200. I'll be alright, darling, it really was my bad. But it looks like we'll be lecture neighbors for the hour!" Her eyes were illuminated with genuine excitement.

Dahlia gazed at the woman for a moment before she offered a gentle smile. "Accidents happen, besides, with the moment of running into each other, we had the pleasure of exchanging words." She cooed sweetly, her eyes bright as she dusted herself off, even though there was barely anything there. She laughed behind her hand and shook her head. "I cannot blame you, this campus is a maze. I had to come a few hours early just to try and even manage to find the lecture hall I would be teaching in." She winked kindly and slipped a card out from her wallet. "Please feel free to reach out to me. I've found our chat quite enjoyable." She offered the card to Emily. It would be nice to at least try and get to know folks on the campus.

"What book, if I may ask?" Dahlia tilts her head, genuine curiosity flitting over her expression. She offered a kind smile, "Perhaps we can meet up and chat literature at some point, Emily." She took her time to speak the name, test it on her tongue. It… was a beautiful name. At least to Dahlia it was. Another impish smile crossed her lips, "How lovely that we'll be lecture neighbors! I look forward to bumping into you again, Ms. Blackwell."

( I apologize it's so short- my brain is shorting out)

(You're fine! I've been barely replying to rps for a while)

Emily chuckled quietly. "Yes, that's very true," she agreed. She absently shifted her weight from one foot to the other while Dahlia brushed herself off. With the opportunity presented, she glanced back over Dahlia's outfit. It was sharp, elegant, but a bit impractical – in Emily's opinion.

"It is!" the literature professor agreed quickly. "I mean, it's only my second year here and I'm still trying to find my way from one building to another. Every day is my first day," she jokingly added.

Her expression softened, and she took the small card Dahlia offered. She read it, hummed to herself, and then tucked it into a small pocket stitched into her bag. "I will," she assured. "If only I hadn't been so brash as to run right into you, perhaps it could have gotten off to a bit better of a start."

Emily beamed as she reached back into her bag and pulled out the book. She held it out so Dahlia could read the title – The Shadows Between Us. "It's one of my favorites," she enthused. "It's fantasy, but dark and so sexy. I dabble in nearly every genre, but my heart always brings me back to fantasy."

She smiled at the suggestion. "I'd love to!" The way Dahlia said her name had Emily giggling. It was a common name, and the other woman was making it sound so grand. Though she immediately inclined her head and arched her eyebrows. "My students call me Ms. Blackwell. Just Emily is fine."