(A/N: Something a little more light-hearted than my tales of old. You know the drill... Read, enjoy and review :P)

Professor Steps Out of The Shadows

Eyebrows were raised when the ever-reclusive Baudecia barged into the spotlight earlier this year.

Best-known for her rather unhealthy goblin fetish and extreme dislike for Changeling society, the temperamental woman has not been seen in public for over twenty years and speculation is rife as to the reason behind her re-emergence, fueled by her characteristically vague explanations.

Sources close to the austere Elemental insist that her appearance, and her subsequent attack at the hands of now-deceased Loyalist Paperboy, could be due to difficulties with the romantic side of her life.

Rumours were once abound with fanciful stories of the woman's supposed lovers, all of which Baudecia has consistently and systematically denied. However, one source speculates that the long-term rivalry between the two may stem from a very bitter breakup, many years ago.

"The Professor always had such an intense dislike for him. I mean, she never liked anyone much but with him it was personal. Very personal," said one goblin, who asked not to be named. "The way she talked about him, it was almost how one would talk about a former partner who had been caught cheating."

As if this were not scandalous enough, some have also noted a very tense atmosphere whenever Baudecia is in the vicinity of the equally mysterious Book Keeper. Baudecia's Personal Assistant, Hekatrix, acknowledges that there have been difficulties between the two but refused to comment on the reason.

"All I know is that he turned up one day and demanded to see her, and that after a few minutes she kicked him out and was absolutely furious. No, I can't tell you what it was about. Now if you don't mind, I'm busy."

Could it be that the Book Keeper is another casualty of Baudecia's charms? She has publicly denied that her relationship with the Book Keeper is anything more than that of old acquaintences, but can anyone really trust the word alone of a woman who makes such a habit of smoke and mirrors?