Don't know enough about this world to know how to do the timeskip. I think if Orin is occupied, I will need someone like Dest to reply to James.
I'd say someone who knows the setting could guide us into the rooms and we can goof about in the dorms getting everyone acquainted.
it would feel weird with me replying to myself
I mean if your character can smell Aura, then might pick up Embers scent, especially if they are near the boar person, just saying