You consider exploring for a while, but decide against it; sure, it could be interesting, but you're most likely going to get to see more of these islands later, so why risk being late to the meeting with the arcanist? As you walk towards the cafe, you continue looking around: there's a mix of Pueblo Revival and Colonial architecture, as if everyone had seen the giant palm tree and couldn't agree on whether this area was like a desert or a coast. It seems that most of the population here is capable of using magic to some degree: even the children's games have a few weak visual and even physical effects going on... it's probably due to the well-established network of schools including magic in their curriculums - even focusing on it, like in the case of the famed academy in the centermost province - which brings your train of thought back to the tutoring you'll about to get, specifically the Pokémon behind all of it.
The arcanist in question was known only as Tony; despite being a Shiny Luxio, a rather odd species for someone focused on magic, his abilities are practically legendary, in multiple meanings of the word. He was credited with quite a few breakthroughs in spell efficiency, and yet that research is likely just the tip of the figurative iceberg, the small part that he's willing to reveal to the public. There's also the matter of him opening alternate dimensions and putting huge chunks inside to build this nation on; this much mass is apparently very difficult to maintain in pocket dimensions even for small periods of time, much less permanently. You have to wonder just how much he'll be able to teach you over the next couple of days...
You slow down as you walk into the comfortably cool cafe, and recheck your letter to see which table is the one reserved; there's a helpful little guide image, so you manage to find the table in a matter of seconds. Once you're seated, you get a few curious stares from other Pokémon - they must've seen the other name on the reservation card on the table... In a moment, one of the waitresses, a Hattrem, comes over to offer you something to drink while you wait. You decide to ask for a hot chocolate - sure, it's not exactly the season for that, but it's not that warm in here, so why not? The Fairy-type nods and takes your order, and you sit back and relax, basking in the soft ambient noise of a few conversations. The Hattrem soon comes back with your drink, and as you take a few sips, you wonder about how you're feeling more relaxed simply by being here... or maybe it's just the novelty of this whole situation?
After a few minutes, right on the dot at half past four, Tony walks though the cafe doors. You get the impression that he's using some sort of selective invisibility spell, or maybe something even more complicated, for your sake; no one else, except the cafe staff, seems to take any notice of him.
The Luxio gets a drink of his own within seconds - he seems to be a regular here, or maybe the staff was looking forward to this visit - and he sits down across from you, greeting you with a casual "Hey! The name's Tony... though you probably know that already..."
You can't help but chuckle as you give him your own name, also just out of formality -
"Nice to meet you in person! So... you mentioned in your entry to the raffle that you're still at a basic level with magic - generalized utility spells, some abilities related to other types and elements, stuff like that?"
"Yeah, that's... that's about it," you confirm, as he downs some of his drink.
"Alright..." Tony sets the glass down and takes out an information storage orb, apparently selecting or adjusting the set of spells and concepts he'd be teaching you. He seems to have been missing a bit of planning in another area, though; he struggles to find something to continue the conversation, and soon decides to just cut to the point: "Is there anything in particular you wanted to ask about? We could head out right now, if you're ready..." While he pulls another glass from thin air, and then magically swaps it with the restaurant's so he'll be able to finish his drink outside, you consider what you'll ask him about, if anything.
---- voting closed ----
1) There's the question of where you'll be staying for the nights; there hasn't been any mention of arrangements for that so far... (2 votes, 29%)
2) You're feeling curious about what's in the mini-curriculum he's set up. (4 votes, 57%)
3) No, nothing - you want to get right to the learning! (1 vote, 14%)
4) Other - comment an idea of your own :) (0 votes)
