The lock clicked behind her with a gentle clunk.
Raveena dropped her luggage with a thud against the glossy suite floor and exhaled a long, travel-worn breath. She barely had time to scan the expensive-looking trim and velvet drapes of the Concorde Summit's "guest suites" before her shoulders slumped and she made a beeline for the nearest bed.
Flumph!
Down she went, face-first, halfway sprawled across the plush mattress like she'd been yanked under by a sentient cloud as her tail gave satisfied swishes.
Behind her, Professor Vask stood by a vanity mirror, fixing her collar and adjusting the smudged edges of her eyeliner with a small pocket wand.
"Don't get too comfortable," she said. "We're heading out right after this."
Raveena clicked her tongue, face still half-buried in the pillow. "Seriously? Not even a ten-minute break?"
"That was the break. It was called a train ride. A very expensive one, might I add."
"But we're not in a rush, are we?" Raveena huffed, rolling onto her back and squinting up at the polished ceiling. "Can't we just stay for one moment like a pair of normal, civilized animal-folk?"
Professor Vask finally turned, heels clicking lightly as she strode over.
"Normal?" she said, standing by the bed with her arms crossed. "You want to start acting normal now? Is that it?"
"Ten minutes of lying down doesn't mean anything major," Raveena muttered.
"Your very nice tailored suit is going to get wrinkled."
"I'll steam it," Raveena mumbled.
"Get. Up," the professor said again, this time planting her hands on her hips. "You know how much that thing cost me? I didn't spend two limbs' worth of zennies just to let you nap in it like a decorative rug."
"Ugh, fine," Raveena grumbled, peeling herself upright and smoothing her sleeves with lazy fingers. "Stars forbid I disrespect the sacred fabric, I guess."
Professor Vask narrowed her eyes and pointed toward her suitcase. "Get something to fix your hair while you're at it."
"What's wrong with it? It's fine."
"It's lopsided."
Before Raveena could protest further, the eagle-folk marched over and snatched her by the shoulders, spinning her slightly to face the mirror.
"Wh—what are you doing?"
Professor Vask didn't answer at first. Instead, she raised a hand, her fingers splayed, and Raveena stared at it warily.
Then the professor made the motion.
She gestured a fake spit into her palm, complete with a small airy noise, then rubbed her hands together like she was preparing to polish a relic.
"…Ears included," Professor Vask muttered darkly, reaching toward Raveena's head.
"Ugh, NO," Raveena recoiled. "That's disgusting! Keep your spit-technique to yourself!"
"Then fix it yourself, you gremlin," the professor huffed, turning away with all the dramatic flair of a disappointed aunt.
"I'm telling you, my hair is fine!" Raveena said, grabbing a brush from her case. "It's already straight. If I style it any more than this, it'll rebel and I'll look like I got struck by a bad case of bedhead."
"You're uncharacteristically exaggerating this."
"I am not."
The professor groaned, pacing toward the door. "Aldra managed just fine. And her hair was nothing like yours, worse even. Curly as a windswept hedge, but she still showed up to formal events looking like a born dignitary."
"Tell you what," Raveena said, brushing a little harder than necessary, "I don't have my mother's looks. And she's a lecturer, she's built for things like this. I got dragged here to play assistant. Out of nowhere."
"Not 'play' assistant," Professor Vask corrected, turning back with one brow arched. "You are my assistant. Officially. On paper. For the entire event."
"Tomato, to-mah-to."
"Whatever, just comb your hair, Vesper. We have a meeting to get to."
Raveena grumbled under her breath, her dark ears twitching.
Still, she combed. Begrudgingly.
A few moments later, as soon as they finished with their minor preparations, they stepped out of the room and made their move.
Raveena walked beside Professor Vask through the opulent halls of the Concorde Summit's venue, her polished shoes echoing slightly against the marble floors. The place reeked of wealth. There were floral sconces, tall arched ceilings, and chandeliers that had no right being this beautiful indoors during daylight.
She adjusted the collar of her tailcoat, already feeling stifled by all the "elegance."
Then, without a word, Professor Vask held out a briefcase in her direction, and Raveena took it with a grunt.
"...What's this?"
"Your job," the professor said without even glancing at her. "Inside are folders. Each one labeled from one to twenty. They contain my notes, references, research documents, plus a few talking points."
"Okay… and?"
"And if I ask for something, like folder twelve, or seven, or nineteen, you hand it to me," she explained. "No fumbling around like an amateur digging through an old lunchbox."
Raveena frowned. "So I'm your human index system."
"Assistant, and you will not embarrass me by flipping through papers clumsily in front of dignitaries."
Raveena sighed and tucked the briefcase under one arm. "You know, for someone like you, you sure care a lot about appearances."
Professor Vask gave her a side eye. "That's because this year's Summit is different from the last."
"How different?"
"Last year, most of the major players didn't show up. They were too busy with border talks and regional feuds, so they sent proxies and reps, paper shufflers. It was quiet."
"And this year?"
"This year, everyone's here. The actual big names. The innovators, the academy heads, the industrial titans, the people who decide what gets built and where."
"Huh."
"So yes, I do care a lot about appearances. Because when the actual architects of the Wonderforest's future are sitting three chairs away, I'd rather not look like I dressed myself in the dark and brought my assistant out of pity."
At that, Raveena let out another sigh. "Okay, fine. Fair point."
Eventually, the two reached a broad wooden door with a brass placard mounted beside it. The professor leaned in, scanned it briefly, then gave a satisfied nod.
"This is the first one," she said before she looked at Raveena next. "Remember to sit still, don't interrupt unless spoken to, and do—"
"Relax. I get it."
The professor raised a brow, "Don't give me a hard time."
"…Yes, I know. I'll behave, professor."
With that response, the professor pushed the door open.
Raveena quickly observed how the room was modest yet dressed in elegance. There were warm lights, a long rectangular table with a velvet runner, and a handful of individuals already gathered.
Five of them.
Three seated, two standing. All different in age and species, some already in mid-conversation. No one looked particularly tense… but no one looked relaxed either.
Raveena further scanned the space, instinctively noting the arrangement. The number of empty chairs made it clear, this wasn't everyone yet.
Either this was a staggered meeting, or they were early.
Before she could guess which, a gentle voice called out from across the room.
"Junna?"
A tall lion-folk man stepped forward from the table, he had silver hair which tied back in a short ponytail, and eyes as blue as the sky.
The moment Professor Vask saw him, her whole posture changed. "Leif," she called back, smiling.
Not the usual sharp-edged one she reserved for verbal combat. This one looked even more honest and… soft.
"That's new," Raveena thought.
She watched as the two embraced briefly, it was like a familiar squeeze between old friends, and Raveena couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at how naturally it came to the professor.
"I didn't expect to see you this early," Professor Vask then said, stepping back.
The lion-folk chuckled. "I thought I'd arrive ahead of the major things, for once," then he looked around. "Doesn't look like the others have filtered in yet."
The professor shrugged, "Typical, oh, let me introduce you," she turned a bit and gestured towards Raveena. "This here's Raveena Vesper, she's my assistant for the duration of the Summit."
Then she stepped aside just enough to present her properly.
At that, Leif turned toward her with a kind smile. "Raveena. A pleasure to meet you," then he offered a hand. "I'm Leif Winters. Good choice, joining Junna this year. You'll learn quite a bit from her."
Raveena straightened slightly and returned the handshake politely. "Nice to meet you too, Mister Winters."
"Oh, I really never get used to it," he then said after the handshake. "Anything other than just 'Leif' really makes me feel like I've aged twice as fast."
Professor Vask chuckled. "You have aged twice as fast, Leif. That's what fatherhood does."
"Hey. I try my best."
"Speaking of, how's the family?"
"Oh, Tessa's as busy as ever," he replied with a fond shake of his head. "The family business back in Northwyn keeps her on her toes. She's better at it than I ever was. The kids help out now and then, when they're not buried in first-phase coursework."
"That's great to hear," the professor nodded. "And how's your sister? I didn't see her name on the manifest from Saint Maribelle's."
"Ah, she's here. She just didn't register in time. But they made an exception, she is the company's founder, after all… just a little clumsy with paperwork."
"Still the same as ever, huh? Where the heck'd she run off to? You two are usually glued together."
Leif gestured vaguely toward the east-facing windows. "Out wandering the streets. Said she wanted to explore Rosequartz for a while. Something about looking for 'book inspiration.'"
"Oh? She's still writing? Still no plans for marriage then?"
Leif laughed. "Afraid not, far too busy being 'romantically unavailable by choice and career,' so she says."
The professor snorted. "At least she's consistent."
"Anyway, I'm just glad to see you well, Junna. I'm really looking forward to hearing what you've brought to the table this year. Especially since I missed out on last year's discussions."
"I'm looking forward to the talks too. It's a strong year," she replied. Then she turned on her heel, looking over her shoulder. "Raveena."
The panther-folk straightened slightly. "Yes?"
"Stand by and take a spot over there," she said, gesturing to a quiet corner near the bookshelves. "Meeting hasn't started yet. I'm going to greet the others."
"Of course," Raveena replied and gave a quick nod.
She moved to the designated spot without fuss, and from there, she had a full view of the room, Professor Vask making her way around with handshakes and low-voiced greetings, plus the occasional polite chuckle shared as she nodded to colleagues Raveena didn't recognize.
And simply there Raveena stood. Quiet, and as observant as can be.