"The etiquette is that they are discouraged. Or should be." Yussa offers a small, wan smile. It's unfortunate that they are making this discovery a day late, but. "If we proceed, we will need to keep things in their separate spheres, at least until I am no longer responsible for your assessment."
Until the end of term. That suddenly seems a long way away, but Yussa is patient and he is private by nature. He doesn't seen it being an obstacle for him. But, ultimately, the choice is Caleb's. Yussa will cede authority and power wherever he can to make up for the differential.
He presses his lips together, trying to suppress a smile when he sees the face Caleb makes after tasting the tea. He clears his throat to hide a laugh.
"Try it with honey," he suggests. "I find that eases the bitterness." Yussa pauses, consider his next words carefully. There are some things he cannot (or will not) control, and he should address his other concerns. "This trust goes both ways. While I certainly have no intention of abusing my authority, I trust that you will not try to ruin my reputation or career."
Caleb is old enough that some of the stigma of a student-teacher relationship is removed, but he is still a student. The blame would go to Yussa for encouraging this, regardless of the reality of the situation, should Caleb choose to make the right waves. While he would be content to disappear back to Nicodranas, he would prefer not to do so after having his name dragged through the mud.
no subject
Until the end of term. That suddenly seems a long way away, but Yussa is patient and he is private by nature. He doesn't seen it being an obstacle for him. But, ultimately, the choice is Caleb's. Yussa will cede authority and power wherever he can to make up for the differential.
He presses his lips together, trying to suppress a smile when he sees the face Caleb makes after tasting the tea. He clears his throat to hide a laugh.
"Try it with honey," he suggests. "I find that eases the bitterness." Yussa pauses, consider his next words carefully. There are some things he cannot (or will not) control, and he should address his other concerns. "This trust goes both ways. While I certainly have no intention of abusing my authority, I trust that you will not try to ruin my reputation or career."
Caleb is old enough that some of the stigma of a student-teacher relationship is removed, but he is still a student. The blame would go to Yussa for encouraging this, regardless of the reality of the situation, should Caleb choose to make the right waves. While he would be content to disappear back to Nicodranas, he would prefer not to do so after having his name dragged through the mud.