"Ugh, I never expected to learn so much about circuitry!" Key said as she and Kaylee walked out of Mrs. Theelnin's classroom. They had moved on from lighting individual bulbs to building circuits... using themselves as the batteries.
"Look at the bright side," Kaylee answered cheerfully, "when you get to circuits in Mrs. Putyam's class, you'll already be an expert."
Key actually paused and thought about that one. Physics was a nightmare of its own, since Mrs. Putyam gave students approval even less than Mrs. Theelnin did, if that was possible. She liked the idea of having an advantage. Then again... "No, Mrs. Theelnin is a monster."
Kaylee giggled and flapped a hand. "Just to new students. You stick around long enough, and she starts to like you." Key would have argued, but she had seen the way the weather teacher interacted with upperclassmen. "We can go over it again at lunch if you like. Or do you want to eat with your brother?"
"Actually, I have to talk to another teacher."
"Suit yourself. See you tomorrow!"
Key waved to Kaylee and headed to the sewing building, looking for Mrs Darling's class.
"Um... Mrs. Darling?" she could feel herself sway from nerves as she entered the teacher's classroom. The woman was backlit by the window, in a nook between her desk and a bookshelf. She looked up when Key entered the room.
"Yes?"
"Um... I'm working on a project for Mr. Depping and he said I should come talk to you?" Key felt like she was five years old again, and her dad had taken her to a haunted house on the Eve of Krourin. Mrs. Darling was a tall, thin woman, with a long, thin face and even longer black hair. Tiny glass doves dangled from her ears. Over her crisp white Faraday shirt and tie, she had on a black jacket with a red lining and matching embroidery. It was the type of think Key wouldn't have noticed before she started her sewing class.
"Ah, yes. He said he was sending a student my way. Key... Truuit?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Mrs. Darling gestured to the space in front of her. "Pull up a chair. Did you bring your lunch?"
"No, ma'am, but I'll pick something up during my recess period." Key looked around the room and realized Mrs. Darling's classroom resembled the Hawthorne House common. There were some typical classroom tables and chairs at the ront of the room, but there were also a variety of other chairs, all mismatched. The nearest was an armless chair with a large yellow cushion. Key pulled it over to Mrs. Darling's nook.
"Now, what is this project you want to work on?"
"Well, I want to make a Thisaazhou baby shawl for my brother... as a Messengers Day gift." She remembered what Mr. Depping had told her about the time frame, and realized how stupid the project sounded. Mrs. Darling even laughed.
"That's quite the project."
Key tried not to sound like she was pleading. "I know, I just..."
"And he okayed it?"
"He said I might not finish."
"You must have impressed him first quarter." This took Key by surprise. Mrs. Darling turned in her chair to examine the bookshelf. "When do you have his class?"
"seventh period."
Mrs. Darling tsked. "Not a good time. I'm glad you came at lunch. You said you have a recess period?"
"Sixth."She sighed with relief. "Much better." She pulled a book off the shelf and then returned her attention to Key. "Now, I don't want to make you give up your recess period altogether, but if you want to come in, say, once a week..."
"I can come more if you want."
Mrs. Darling surveyed Key with her eyes. "You like to sew?" Key nodded. "And you haven't had much opportunity to before now?" Key shook her head. A smile played across her lips.
"Well then, I see what Mr. Depping likes about you. First thing's first." She handed Key the book. "This is a beginner book on embroidery techniques. You probably know more about Thisaazhou embroidery than I do, but it will still help. You might want to practice some of these on scrap fabric. You may be able to get your fabric and tassles from the school supply, which I recommend you do right away. You'll have to buy your own thread. We won't have exactly what you need, and we definitely won't have enough of it."
"I can do that." Key flipped through the book, stopping at a pattern of a rose that caught her eye."Good," Mrs. Darling said. "When you have your materials, come by during sixth period. You can sit in the back here and work on your project. My sixth period is pretty small, so most days, I'll probably have some time to look it over and help you. Sound good?"
Key nodded and stoof, clutching the book to her chest. Mrs. Darling turned back to her desk. "What's your fifth period?"
"Physics."
She grabbed a sheet of paper and scrawled something on it, then handed it to Key. It was a note for Mrs. Putyam. "Eat lunch before you go. I don't recommend taking that class on an empty stomach."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you." She hurried to the cafeteria, hoping to catch Ayan and tell her the good news before fifth period began.
