How a room on top of a large tower could become oppressive, Risu did not know. But his office had, in fact, turned into the architectural equivalent of a tax return - arduous and exhausting and full of papers - so he had grabbed a set of data sheets and the latest edition of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society from his desk for some light (there were several articles in there about stars) reading and made his way downstairs to the staff room.

The large wooden door did not look quite as forbidden as he remembered it from his student days - possibly because he was not a student anymore - but he still had to suppress the urge to knock. Trying to pass it off as a momentary stretching of his arm for the benefit of any invisible students, prying ghosts, or curious self-aware stones, he grabbed the door handle and pulled the door open. He stepped inside.

The door fell into the lock behind him with a soft thud. Risu glanced around. The room seemed to be empty. No, he corrected himself, nearly empty. One of the luxurious armchairs was occupied by a young woman. Risu cleared his throat. He'd seen her at the feast, sitting far away from him at the other end of the staff table, but he had not talked to her. "Erm, hello there. Don't think we've been introduced... have we? Risu Antares. The Astronomy Tower is my domain." He smiled his amused smile.