Professor Lohar pulled open the heavy door, the hinges squeaking slightly from the weight, before it caught on a latch in the wall. Giving Megan a half-hearted wave to follow, Lohar stepped across the threshold, seeming to shimmer as he did. Megan paused a moment before crossing, surprised by the slight tingling feeling that washed over her before stepping into a larger room.
The Professors lab, known as his Bestiary Arcanum, was much larger than Megan had expected. The main hall was several dozen meters wide with various alcoves set along the stone walls. Looking up she saw a large glass dome over the hall, the sun beaming warmly into the room.
"This is my, our, area where we do our true work Megan." Professor Lohar waved across the hall as he approached the first arched alcove.
The arch was closed with a gated mesh, with a large door. Inside was a forest like setting, the trees and grass impossibly green. They stopped close to the mesh, Megan reaching out gently to touch the mesh.
Inside dozens of small light blue birds darted through the trees, their wings and bodies oddly fluffy looking as they swooped from branch to branch or hopped along the grass. As if sensing the two watching, several flew over to the mesh, clinging as Megan smiled back at the breeze from their wings.
"These are Sialia, "Lohar said as the birds fluttered against the mesh. They are a mountainous species but known to be very trusting and friendly."
The Walara chirped back at the birds, the two species becoming increasingly excited as more birds flew to the mesh.
"You will be required to go in here daily to find the nest and check on the eggs being laid. We do not take the eggs out but sometimes they get damaged so you will look after keeping those areas clear."
Turning away, Lohar walked along the wall to the next alcove. Megan let her hands rest on the mesh for a few moments, smiling at the feathery fluttering against her hands. For a moment she troubles on her mind faded, lost in the sensation of happiness the Sialia seemed to be sharing.
"Megan?"
Megan turned away to see Lohar looking at her expectedly, a slight line between his eyes as he looked at her intently.
"When you are ready, we have other guests to introduce you to."
"Yes, sir, sorry!"
The next alcove arch opened to a what Megan would have thought was a forest area complete with a pond in the middle. The area around the pond was grassy, the light from the dome ceiling managing to reach inside, but she sensed some other source of warmth from the high ceiling. Inside looked so peaceful she was tempted to slip out of her scant uniform and into the water.
"Careful," Professor Lohar said with a smile, this is the Quetkala. They are a species of furry serpent found in the northern realms. They are not large right now but can be a right nuisance if they get out. My last assistant had a bit of troubles with them.
Megan nodded seriously, desperately curious what happened with the last assistant, but had the distinct vibe it was not the time to bring that up.
"And over here is our current project!"
Professor Lohar waved to a large plant set in a circular pit. The pillar in the middle if the circle was surrounded by vines, larger ones supporting a weave of color.
