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 Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:28 am
1 :: A Blurry Start
He woke up to a blurry world.
This seemed odd. In fact, if he hadn't been so comfortable, curled up under the sheets, he may have panicked. As it was, he simply rolled over, blinking sleepily against the bright light of the sun. Feeling something cool and hard against his cheek, he propped himself up on one elbow and picked up the item.
Oh, right. His glasses.
He settled them on the bridge of his nose, and the world was clear again - and very bright. Yambati considered pulling them shut, but remembered his plants. They would need the sun.
Pulling himself to his feet (the warmth left behind), he began searching around the room for his clothing. It all seemed to be in odd places, but he shrugged off the feeling. He must have been very tired the night before. He couldn't even remember seeing this room! It must have been pitch black. Maybe past midnight. That would explain the sun, and-
Oh.
Oh no.
He'd slept in.
Mumbling benign 'curses' under his breath, Yambati hurried to finish pulling back his hair and water his little plants, sitting on the windowsill. He was halfway out of the building when he remember (with a quick flash of awkward shame) that it was a free period today.
... Which meant he should probably socialize.
Heaving a sigh (and very much wanting to go back inside with his plants), he headed toward the White District. This would be a long free period... so he might as well get it over with.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:29 am
2 :: Mat, a Troublesome Insect
Location :: Flora GardensParticipants :: Mathiaz & Yambati
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:30 am
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:32 am
4 :: Strictly Speaking
Class :: LawNotes :: 1 => No Empyrean below Stage 1 may cast magic, unless under the supervision of a Professor. 2 => No Empyrean (save Grigori) may initiate conflict outside of the Battle Arena while within Empyrean's walls. 3 => No Monster may be domestically kept without official certificate 4 => No Empyrean below Stage 2 may talk to or with an Outsider 5 => No Empyrean below Stage 1 may leave the White District, without the express permission of the Metatrons to allow exit with a Professor escort. 6 => No Empyrean below Stage 2 may leave the Coloured Districts 7 => Only Empyreans on their Transition from Stage 2 to Stage 3 may leave the City, and only with a Certificate of Passage. The Certificate of Passage requires the accompaniment of at least one Gatekeeper for your safety. At no time may you leave the care of your Gatekeeper. 8 => All Empyreans must obey the wishes of Grigori. 9 => All Empyreans must obey the Decrees of the Chorus. 10 => All Empyreans must obey the Laws of the Metatrons.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:33 am
5 :: Flourish
Class :: ArtNotes :: Golems are tied to art in that it takes artistic creativity and inspiration to create one. The assignment was to draw an idea for a golem based off of the list of Golem Shards and to come up with abilities based on its properties. The homework was to continue to work on the golem design, or start a new one - this design could then, if the student chose, be used to reserve them their very own Golem Shard. Yambati chose not to reserve one.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:33 am
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:34 am
7 :: Broken
Class :: MathematicsNotes :: In order to draw on the natural power of a specific number, you need to draw a magic square. The Minimum number of squares within a magic square is nine, but you can go infinitely larger... Keep in mind that the number of squares in each row influences the strength of the Magic Square too. In this case, 3 stands for the Trinity, the balance of power. A good number for a magic square. Choose which number you wish to draw your magic square for...I will choose 15. 15 equals 6. You reduce the number by adding its component parts, 1 + 5 = 6. Each line in your square will add up to your chosen number perfectly, and will reduce perfectly. All skills, especially magical ones, consist of two parts. A Required Part, and an Augmenting part. You must always have the required ingredients for the spell, or skill, to work. However, the augmenting parts are to offer certain strengths, qualities, or properties to the spell work. Therefore, if you have another component with the same or extremely similar properties, it can be Substituted instead. Each shape has its own properties. You can work these symbols into your magic casting. Shapes into your Circle Magic diagrams, for instance, or emblems on your Golems that give them power. These Shapes are the first half of what makes Geometry so powerful, the second part...The Aspects, are what make it so potent. Two-Dimensional shapes hold different properties than their three-dimensiaonal counter-parts. In this particular example, Circles are the most powerful of the protective Shapes. Circles are intensified if drawn with potent materials, such as salt for purification and against spiritual attack, blood against physical attack, purified water against monsters, and sacred earth against Outsiders. Spheres, on the otherhand, are clairvoyant, offering vision, clarity and foresight to scryers and prophets. As a rule they can contain concepts and energies, and not physical matter. The ultimate application arises from optimum positioning of the desired target at primal centre of the key Shape.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:59 am
Taro Rae Lus
arrow Gardener
~Tends the species in the Flora Gardens~
Class: 1
Availability: Low
Requirements: Stage Zero+. An finity for plants, trees and flowers required. A love of botany, herbology and natural medicine desired. Looking for someone to upkeep the Gardens, help split seeds and guide visitors to the Flora Gardens.
Mentor: Quenda
Wage: 1 Base Credit for each RP post, plus a bonus of one seed from every species tended during RP posting.
After careful review of yer application for th' Gardener apprenticeship, I have decided that yer perfect fer th' position.
Yer title of Apprenticeship will change t' Career if ya choose t' continue th' job as a Stage One.
Should ya decide that ya'd rather relinquish th' position at that time, or any time before hand, please make a post in th' ABB and repost th' position as shown above.
Until then yer responsible for th' tasks outlined above, n are entitled t' th' wage provided.
If ya have any Questions, ask myself or Quenda fer assistance.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:02 am
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:03 am
9 :: Gold and Crimson, Bubbling Comes
Location :: LibraryParticipants :: Kallisto & Yambati Books Checked OutThe Herb Book by John B. Lust The Weaponless Warrior by Gichin Sparring by Orrys
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:04 am
10 :: Healthy Exercise
Kallisto loitered around the entrance to the Flora Gardens, a note book and some snacks tucked away in her bag. She wasn't entirely sure when Yambati was going to show up... or if he would at all. She had a feeling that if you got on his bad side he wouldn't inclined to keep any previous engagements. It was dusk, well just a little before, so he had some time to get there and still be on time.
But that assumption was wrong. He would keep appointments if they hadn't been otherwise cancelled. He just wouldn't be pleasant about it.
Kallisto, anyway, had done nothing to get on his nerves. Absolutely nothing, unless he counted the momentary fear her coloration and happy grins had given him. So Yambati made sure he was as close to on time as possible. Of course, he had had his nose buried in texts all afternoon, so it wasn't surprising that he was a few minutes late. He strolled up to the Sanguine, hands clasped behind his back. Over his shoulder was a small satchel holding the sparring texts and a few other, miscellaneous items.
She paused in her pacing to look up as someone approached and was happy to see it Yambati. Kallisto waved cheerfully before heading to the door, relieved she wasn't going to practice by herself. "Evening! I guessing the books held you?" She asked, pulling open to gate to the Flora Gardens, "What would you like to do first?"
"Yes, just a little." He stepped into the gardens, then held open the gate so she could follow.
"And I'm not sure. We can either work with plants, first, or whatever you have to teach me about sparring. I'm prepared for either."
She nodded her thanks as she stepped through, thinking about what they should do. Would she think better before or after sparring? The exercise usually got her fired up and full of energy so the answer was clear. "I say we try sparring first. Get the juices flowing so to speak." She grinned, bobbing as she looked for a decent clearing. "I've got a couple snacks for afterwards too, if you want."
Yambati followed along at a more subdued gait, shifting his bag slightly. "Sparring it is, then," he affirmed. "And... I hadn't thought of bringing snacks. But I suppose we'll need them, hm?"
She grinned, "I don't know about you but I don't particularly like studying on an empty stomach - can't concentrate." She found a suitable spot and stopped, dropping her bag at the base of a tree and turned around, already ready to teach.
"I've never really thought about it. Actually, I tend to forget eating, sometimes. I guess I should stop doing that if I'm going to learn to fight." Yambati followed her lead and set his bag down gently by hers. Then he looked over at her.
"Where do we start?"
She watched him for a moment, apparaising him, "Okay, stand as though you're going to fight. We'll go from there. Once you've gotten that I can show you the things we learned in PE." She nodded, happy she was taking it slow. With something like this she usually just jumped ahead but she wanted to be thorough and a decent tutor so she was going slowly. She smiled, "Just center your weight."
Yambati blinked, slowly, then shrugged and moved so there was some distance between them. He felt awkward, silly, as he tried to 'center his weight'. It didn't go to well, but eventually he managed to find a semi-comfortable position with his feet apart and knees bent.
Kallisto nodded, waiting patiently, unable to suppress the smile as he shifted about. She stood beside him then and settled into her position - almost naturally. He back was straight, feet spread with one slightly in fron of the other, and her weight was evenly distributed. She bounced on the balls of her feet to emphasize that and looked at him, "You're close. Try not to think about it too much. Just relax. Try bouncing to test how you're standing. If you feel yourself falling you're off a bit." She nodded, adjusting her own stance a little.
Yambati frowned a little. He didn't like when he wasn't good at things - like in art, with that disaster of a drawing. He shifted again, and tried to relax, but he was so naturally tense that it took a while longer than he expected.
Frustrated, he shook his head a little. His frown deepened. But then he tried shifting, bouncing slightly - and he fell into stance.
Aha! Kallisto saw him settle and actually relax. Wonderful! She clapped her hands together and walked out in front of him, a hand out, "Now I'm going to push agaist you so you can see how solid you are." She grinned, "I think you've got it but don't forget the feeling. I find that more then anything else is useful is practicing." Without further ado, she pushed gently at first, hand on his shoulder.
At first, Yambati tried to stay completely still and not move, but that was hard and it ended up hurting more than it helped. So instead, he let his shoulder give slightly, only slightly, and shifted his opposite foot to compensate. Overall, he wasn't moved back. "Like this? Or do you want me to stay as still as possible?"
"No, no. That's great. Move with your opponent, you'll be better able to redirect their movement without exerting tons of energy." Not quite satisfied yet, she pushed a little harder, "See how my weight is going forward? What do you think you should do? Standing still isn't a good idea - I'd just go through you." She hoped this was helping and that she was being clear enough...
Yambati pursed his lips, trying to think logically. The first thing his mind went to was plants. Plants bent and gave in the wind, yes? Yes. Obviously, they did. But they also chose the path of least resistance...
He let his shoulder swing back farther and side-stepped, sliding his opposite foot out in Kallisto's direction and letting his torso pivot naturally so that he was facing her side.
"... This?" He let his weight settle again, pulling the foot on the same side Kallisto had been pushing shift into his new position.
"Exactly!" She let herself move forward a bit, "If I'd been pushing harder or moving faster I would been thrown off balance, which would have left me wide open to a response from you." She righted herself and nodded, "You're doing well! It's a good sign. Though try not to think too much... it slows you down."
She moved around so that she facing him once more and raised her fists, "Okay, I'm going to punch you and you block. I'll correct you as you go." She smiled, "I won't hurt you so don't worry."
Yambati looked... uncertain as he made sure he was settled. "It will become more instinctual with time, I'm sure..." he murmured. The only thing he could think of to do to fend off the incoming attack was to raise his arms up, holding them semi-loosely. He was thinking that to block, he could move in response and then strengthen his stance. Or maybe even deflect it...
Kallisto waited a moment and threw a punch at him, slowly as it was a strong attack coming from a Kinesthetic. She nodded as he threw up his arms but kept them loose so they wouldn't just be a sheild. Her fist paused just before his arms, wondering if he'd do anything, "So what now? What will you do as my fist moves forward?" She asked, her manner rather professional. This was going well!
"Hm." He blinked, slowly. He shouldn't spend so much thinking, right? So he picked the first thing that came to mind. He shifted his right arm forward, pushing her wrist out to the side, and raised his left arm to block in case she managed to slip free and attack again.
"Something like that?"
Kallisto nodded, "Good! Though you're taking a defensive posture. By sweeping my arm out like that, I've been left open, so you can strike if you want or not - depends on the situation." She stepped back and threw a faster punch, giving him less time to think in the hopes of forcing a more instinctual reaction.
And it did. This time, he followed the same basic move to start... but pivoted to show his side to her (less of a target), and jabbed (gently, of course) his elbow into...
Well, their height difference made it more into her chest than into spot right below her breastbone, which made him blink and stop. "... I'm going to have to adapt to being taller than everybody else, won't I?"
She merely laughed and shrugged, "Perhaps. It's an advatage too, I would think." She stepped back and brushed herself off. "Straight forward, isn't it? I'll do a kick now and you just respond. Same type of thing." With that, she aimed a sturdy kick at him, adjusting for his height so that it would hit him mid-chest height if he didn't block as it came round
And he shifted just in time to catch her ankle against his palm and push it outward as he spun, following his momentum, and stopped just short of kicking her in turn. The form of the kick was terrible, but it was clear what he had been planning.
:
She'd seen the kick coming and had an arm up to block, a mischevious look in her eyes. Slowly, she resest and had to remind herseld that they weren't in the Arena and would get in trouble for actually sparring. Shaking her head, she chuckled, "You need to work on that kick. Here, I'll block and you work on it, I'll give pointers." She set herself comfortably and raised her arms to block, muscles bunching as she did so - an obvious reminder of her kinesthetic nature.
It was funny. For all their height difference and apparent age difference, he knew, without a doubt, that she was physically stronger than he was. Still, he never stopped responding... gently. Just in case she accidently let her guard down.
His biggest problem, when he kicked, was that he would lose his balance. That reduced the force he could put into the blow, as well as diminishing the accuracy as he wavered on his foot. "I need to work on all offensive moves, I should think," he grumbled.
She chuckled as he grumbled, smiling happily whlie she blocked. "Practice. That's the key. And bend your knee, and keep your back straight. You'll find your balance improves I think." She didn't want to continue on to the dodge yet, because it was a more finesse oriented move and the worst of her abilities.
He nodded and kept trying, slowly improving with each attempt. By the fourth try or so, he had basically found how to balance his weight. It was then really only a matter of grace and finesse and practice.
She saw, and felt, him improve as his kicks steadily got strone and more precise. "Well done! It's too bad you don't have access to the Arena, it would be really nice to spar with you - you learn quickly." She grinned, "I'll have to be careful." She adjusted slightly, "Now we'll alternate and use both so that we both get some practice." She nodded and indicated for him to continue, "And don't go easy on me. I won't get better if everybody cuts me a break all the time."
"But if we're not allowed to spar outside of the Arena, where should I pull my punches?" He didn't want to get in trouble, either, and knew that he could probably be swept up into this far too easily, especially with the way they were matching move to move so far. It was probably just a training thing, but Kallisto was still new to this herself... so it might just be that their styles complemented each other.
She laughed, moving with him as they worked on their offensives, "You'll just have to catch up with Orrys is all. Otherwise we'll be stuck just practicing - which I'm enjoying by the way." She spoke frankly, as she usually did, and smiled, suddenly dancing out of the way as one of Yambati's strikes came in. "You're going to be good if you decide to duel."
"I'll try and catch him as soon as possible." Yambati's lips were curled in a pleased, fierce smile, and his eyes were alive as he moved with her, learning to dodge and strike from their dance.
"And I'm enjoying this as well - though I suppose it will only get better the more we go, hm?"
Kallisto paused momentarily as she caught Yambati's smile, realizing it was the first time he'd smiled in her presence. Is was just enough of a pause that she didn't get a block up in time and Yambati scored a solid blow, making her stagger and step back. "That's cheating!" She laughed, rubbing the sore spot as she stood up straight, smiling, "You've got a solid hit."
His eyes widened slightly and he shifted back to just standing, adjusting his glasses awkwardly. "... Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to. I thought that you'd block..." He apparently wasn't comforted by her playful tone or her smile, and looked genuinely... concerned.
She shook her head, giggling, "No! Just surprised me." Kallisto patted her side before shrugging and patting him on the shoulder. "It's okay. I'm fine. Takes more then that to take me out of the game, believe me." She winked but didn't move into a sparring posture again. Instead, she leaned against the tree and breathed deeply. She was trying very hard not to look injured but Yambati had surprised her in more ways then one - and she didn't want to impose upon him by making him worry about her. She was here to teach and learn, not bother.
But oddly enough, against expectations, he did seem to worry, and he went down on one knee before her. "Can.. I see? If it's worse than you're letting on, we should take a break." He reached out a very awkward, hesitant hand, resting his fingertips lightly on her side. It was warm - blood was flowing in.
"We should take a break, I think," he murmured.
She watched him for a moment, not sure what to make of this. He'd seemed so reserved before and now... now, he was concerned about her? It didn't make sense and made her sigh. However, she didn't make a move to stop him from checking the welt that was rising. It was stinging more then she expected and her skin was hot, which was odd too. Gently, she took his hand and pushed it away, "It's okay, really. I'm fine. Don't worry. It was my fault." She smiled to show him she meant it, "But a break may be a good idea. Time for snacks maybe?"
"Ah." He stood back up, shifting his weight from foot to foot. The hand that had touched her... well, he didn't seem to know quite what to do it it now. "Snacks it is, then. And then plants, because they're not as likely to catch you with your guard down. They move rather slowly."
She laughed, "Really now? I had the feeling that they'd dart away as soon as your attention was elsewhere." Kallisto was amused and flopped down into the grass to rummage through her back. She offered an apple to him first and then pulled out one her own. She wasn't fond of junk food.
Yambati sat down across from her, cross-legged, and began munching on his apple. "Well, some of them do odd things while you aren't looking. Like pollenate. And then you end up with strange baby plants that you're not quite sure where they came from..."
She blinked. "....What?" She was totally confused and not entirely sure what he was getting at. Her brows drew down into a look of deep confusion as she tried without success to grasp what he was saying. It hadn't made any sense. "Don't plants just grow from seeds?" Hers was a rather comical expression as she stared at him intensely, trying to figure out what, exactly, he was going on about. He had made perfect sense not a moment before....
Yambati blinked, then settled back slightly. He took another bite before responding. "They do, but for the seeds to be fertile, the plant must first be pollenated. It's.. well, I suppose you could liken it to sexual intercourse. Except really, a plant just releases a powder - pollen - into the air. It finds its way to a plant of the same species, or it pollenates itself. Then it releases the fertilized seeds, which then grow into new plants.
"Pollen is also the stuff that makes you sneeze when everything's blooming...
"Oh, and fruits like apples are actually the ripened ovaries of a plant - in this case, a tree. The seeds inside are already fertilized, and if you plant them, you can grow an apple tree." Another bite.
Kallisto laughed, "I know that! I was trying to figure out what you meant by little babies. I was imagining little green people." She chuckled, and looked at the apple before shrugging and biting into it, "What about plants that don't bloom? Like moss? I've never seen a patch of moss with flowers..."
"Oh. Well, moss is kind of like grass. It doesn't need flowers, because it doesn't use pollen. But it does need water. When the moss is wet, male cells swim to the female ones and fertilize them. Then what's kind of like a seed or egg - though it's very small and very soft - separates from its parent moss and begins to grow. That's the simple version..."
She nodded, "So they're just tiny seeds? Like a dandelion's but instead of flying around, they use water." She frowned as she chewed, "But isn't too much water bad for a plant? I've heard cactuses are full of water and that some plants live in water really well.... I know if I water a plant too much it, uh, dies."
"Some prefer more arid soil, some prefer water. Moss can live without regular watering, but it does need water to reproduce. It can't in the absence of water. So moss can live without water, it just dies without being able to reproduce - thus not really living at all, right? The moss dies out too quickly."
She stopped munching on her apple to listen carefully. That made sense once she thought about it. They couldn't all live in the same place, after all. "Can't something live without making babies? There's more to life then reproducing after all..." She trailed off, wondering if that's what Yambati thought. She was right. She knew she was right. There was duelling and alchemy and friends and... love. So many things had come up recently to remind her of that. Love was a huge part of life.
"Well, of course it can live - as an individual plant." He leaned back on one arm, slightly. "But with a colony of moss, if they all die out without reproducing, there's no moss after that. And moss has a very short lifespan - so without water, it would vanish quickly. That's all that I meant. It cannot live as a system - merely as an organism. Just like animals can live without reproducing... but a species cannot." He blinked, tilting his head slightly. "... Did I say something wrong?"
"No... It's just that there's more to life then reproducing. I believe that strongly." She smiled, "But I see what you're saying. As a whole it can't live without continuing it's species - like Empyrean, right? If we don't collect husks the city would falter and fail as the inhabitants died of age. There'd be no more Empyreans." She hoped she'd gotten the idea right, she didn't want to look like a fool.
"Right. I have nothing against living life as an individual. I was really only talking about plants, and moss in particular. I didn't mean it any other way..." He looked slightly embarrassed. He really did share her views on life, in many ways. It had just come out wrong. "I prefer to live my life as an individual instead of simply a part of a machine... I really didn't mean..."
She nodded, perking up at that, "I agree. Following others only goes so far. I want to think for myself, act the way I want... do the things I want to and not be restrained by the views of others." Kallisto paused, smiling fiercely, "That's what I want. Oh, and I want to be a Grigori to help people." She nodded.
"I just thought you were talking in general... I was wrong I guess. I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I didn't word it quite right. I just thought it was obvious by how I behave that I follow the same ideals - that the individual is just as important as the whole, and everything."
She nodded, and then shrugged, "I... ah... Really?" She asked the question suddenly, "I guess you do. I'm not very observant sometimes..." She smiled sheepishly, tugging at her pants a little as she fidgeted.
"Mm." He finished off his apple - eaten right down to the very core - and set it aside. "I don't do much to observe, though, really..."
"Oh? I don't think so. You're reserved... quiet." She gestured at the flowers, "Obviously knowledgable about plants and probably passionate too, once you get rolling." Kallisto grinned. She couldn't read people very well sometimes but she had the sense he was a determined sort of person and driven in their interests - something she could easily respect and understand.
"Fairly accurate." He stretched a little, relaxing from the practice. "I don't see anything I need to - or want to - correct." At least she could see past his rather... venomous outer layer? Well, actually, he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. It made him slightly uncomfortable. Nervous. But he didn't want to close up or run, not like he had done in other situations.
She rubbed her sore side once more before patting it and stretching luxuriously. The bruise wasn't nearly as painful anymore and she smiled, "Looks like I'm on the mend." She chuckled, "Well that's good. Means I'm not as thick-headed as I thought I was." She was totally at ease, comfortable and amiable. Her eyes sparked with energy as though she were ready to do anything, clear windows to her soul. "Well, did you want to continue? I'm interested, and anxious, to learn more so I better my studies."
"Well, do you know what you want to learn? I'm not sure what I'd cover normally would help much with alchemy..." He watched her, quietly. This... lack of self-consciousness was a running thing with Sanguines. And with a good number of the other Empyreans, it seemed. He wondered what it was like, not feeling the need to be reserved.
"You never know. What do you usually cover? It may be helpful anyways." She paused for a moment, "How about tips for caring for plants? That would be really helpful - I'm not particularly good at keeping them alive for very long." She added the latter sheepishly, almost ashamed to repeat that in the presence of someone who appreciated flora as much as he did.
"... Well, I don't usually cover anything - this is the first time I've taught anybody. But it'd be basic plant stuff, and maybe a little of what I told you about moss.
"Tips on plant care I can do, though. It can be difficult. I've... had a few die on me, as well."
"Oh?" She giggled, "I would think they'd strive to bloom as well as they could for you." She smiled, nodding, her pigtails bobbing, "Anything's helpful. Like how much to water them."
"Perhaps they do, but there are certain things that always stop them from growing.
"All plants need different amounts of water and different types of soil and different exposures to sunlight. I'd need a specific plant to tell you much more than "Put it in your windowsill and water it when the soil is dry."
She nodded, thinking, "Uhm, what about sundew plants? They're used for making sunspots." Briefly, she wondered if he would recognize the name as she had showed him the little vial she kept with her.
His brow furrowed... and he simply drew out one of the textbooks he'd brought with him, flipping through it. "Direct sunlight is best, and they should be grown in the same pot as peat moss. It keeps the soil from settling too much, which is good. This should make sense, because of what I told you about moss, but the soil should be kept very moist while it grows - both the moss and the sundew plant benefits. Only water it with distilled water.
"But the most important thing is that sundew plants feed on insects...."
"They feed on insects?" She blinked, "Well then. That's something to consider. Moist soil and live feed - not what I would have imagined for a plant." She laughed, imagining a monster plant invading the gardens.
"A few plants feed on insects. This one is one of the easier ones to care for, from what I've read. Many others require much more attention." His eyes were still on the page, drinking in the information.
"That's good. One less thing for me to worry about." Kallisto sounded relieved as she shifted to peer over his shoulder and read the text too. Too bad it was written in little font that immediately had her looking at the pictures instead. "Oh, they're pretty! How do they eat then? It's not like they can hunt down their food..." She mumbled to her self as she admired the images.
"Well, it says here that the dew-like substance on the fronds has a sweet aroma... the insects are attracted to it, and then get stuck. The tendrils curl up and force the insect into the plant's digestive tract." It really was a pretty plant, though.
"That's effective." She spoke simply, impressed by the plant's approach. "Are there any other plants like that?" Her curiousity had been piqued.
"A few. Venus fly traps and pitcher plants... there's one that smells like rotten meat, but I don't remember the name."
"How can that be helpful? Everything would stay away." She wrinkled her nose. "Pitcher plants sound interesting! I wonder if they're used in anything..."
"Well, some insects feed on decaying animals.
"And I wouldn't know of their alchemical properties. You'd have to find that out somewhere else. This book only has a list of plants, and very few of their uses."
"Oh. That's okay. I'll have to look it up at some point." She sat back, uncomfortable in the silence that followed. Kallisto much preferred a lively atmosphere and began fidgeting as she looked over Yambati's shoulder.
Yambati blinked, then looked up. Then he glanced over his own shoulder, quickly, tensing.
Slowly, he settled back down, and looked over at her with narrowed eyes. "... You had me frightened. I thought something was behind me."
She blinked, "I've been here the entire time..." Laughter escaped her, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you." She set patted his shoulder, smiling.
"Well, I know you've been here. I thought you were staring at something over my shoulder," he huffed, crossing his arms. Then, at her touch, he blinked. Stiffened slightly, looked down at her hand, curiously.
"I was - your book." She backed off, sensing something come between them and settled again against the tree. There was a slight frown on her face as she wondered if she'd done something wrong. "I'm sorry..." She wasn't sure what she was apologizing for but felt it was needed somehow.
"... No, it's... it's fine. I'm just a little jumpy, I guess." He tried to smile to reassure her - wasn't that how people did it? - and shifted so he was facing her. He put the book down beside him, closed. "So, ah...."
Kallisto had dropped her gaze when she'd moved, inspecting the grass. As he spoke, she looked up, an uncertain smile playing across her features. Then as a smile flickered across his face, she paused. There it was again. How curious. It was as though he were trying to comfort her despite the fact that he didn't smile. She felt... she wasn't sure but her own smile strengthened, her tone appreciative, "You have a nice smile." It just popped out and she paused, wondering if it would suddenly clam up.
"..." How was he supposed to respond to that? Thank her? It was such a weird thing to compliment. He didn't have a nice smile. It was a withered, weak little thing, and he knew it.
"... Er... thanks, I suppose," he finally murmured.
She shrugged, "You're welcome." She wasn't entirely sure why she'd said that but the truth was the truth wasn't it? Kallisto sat up, crossing her arms, as she watched him. Perhaps she shouldn't have said that... he seemed to have stiffened and withdrawn more. And here she was enjoying his company only to go and ruin it with a stupid comment. Her gaze shifted, trying to find something to settle on as she fidgeted some more. She didn't know what to do now. She wanted to encourage more conversation but it seemed to have dried up. She sighed heavily, disappointed in herself. So much for priding herself on being a social, friendly sanguine.
"... Did I do something wrong again?" Yambati was putting away the text book, awkwardly. He didn't meet her eyes when he asked the question, but it was easier that way. He could sound a little more concerned.
"No... I did." She paused, chewing on her lower lip, "I think.. anyways. I, ah, don't want to bother you." Kallisto nodded. That was it. She didn't want to bother him.
"You're not bothering me, on the whole. I would have left by now if you were. Momentary awkwardness... is kind of expected."
Kallisto's gaze stopped on his eye and she blinked, "Really?" She sounded relieved, "I'm just enjoying your company and don't want to pester you..." She trailed off, realizing that what she had said probably made little sense.
"I'm... well, I don't know why my company is so enjoyable, but trust me when I say you would know if you were pestering me. I don't get much pleasanter than this." Finally, he looked up at her. It was clear that he was feeling pretty awkward, as well.
"You're knowledgable and willing to learn. You don't have to be as suave as some romancer to be enjoyable company." She chuckled, "It's enough for me. To each his own. It's not like I'm going to tell you that you should change. I respect you." She spoke matter of factly, smiling.
"... Oh." He supposed he should say something similar in return. "I'd... well, whatever I'd say would come off as an insult, somehow, I'm sure."
She chuckled, "That's jumping to conclusions. But don't feel like you have to say anything." Kallisto grinned, "Don't worry about it." It wasn't like she was fishing for compliments.
"I'm not the best with words, is what I meant. It's more natural for me to say 'You're not as annoying as I thought you were going to be' than to say 'You're fun to talk to'." Then he paused.
He'd said a little more than he'd meant to, hadn't he.
She paused and cast a glance at him, bemused, "What so difficult about saying that? Not being annoying is a step up from being tolerable after all." She winked,tucking away that comment as she guessed that she wouldn't likely hear a comment like that again any time soon. He was proving to be an interesting friend indeed. "Fun to talk to is definitely much preferrable to not as annoying, though." She bobbed her head in a happy little nod, "Thank-you."
And... well, it was hard to tell with green skin, but he looked as if he were blushing, slightly. Very slightly.
"I'll keep that in mind, for when I feel like you deserve an extra special comment."
She missed the blush, thinking the change in shade was merely a shift in the quality of light. "That would be appreciated." Kallisto smiled, falling quiet and merely watching him - admiring him for a moment before she looked quickly away and stretched. An errant thought bloomed in her mind, perhaps that time would be sooner rather then later.
Standing then, she beamed at him, a genuine, appreciative light playing across her features, "Thank-you."
"Is this it, then?" He, too, stood, as if on cue. He grabbed up his bag from where it sat amongst the tree's roots.
"Unless you want to spar some more, I would say so." She nodded, as she glanced about and discovered that dusk had long since passed. It was well into the night. She gasped, "It is late. However, I would like to study with you again. Perhaps go over alchemy so we can better help on another?" She posed the question hopefully, pausing to ask him before turning to retrieve her things.
"I know absolutely nothing about alchemy, so I suppose it'd be much appreciated. But yes, I would... enjoy... studying again." He shifted his weight, awkwardly, pulling his bag over his shoulder.
She nodded her thanks, "I'd like that. We can work on sparring too. And plants." She chuckled, "All of it, a step at a time I think. Overstudying is a bad thing too." With that, she turned back to him and dipped a bit of a curtsy, "Care to accompany me to the exit?"
"... Sure." He followed along at her side. "... You know, our free period is coming up very soon..."
She nodded, "That's right! I almost forgot about it." Kallisto smiled, looking at him, "Did you want to study then? We'll have plenty of time to work things over." She sounded mildly excited.
"I think that that would be a good plan."
He decided he'd analyze all of this later. For now, he'd just enjoy whatever it was that was going on.
"I do too." They'd arrived at the Garden's entrance and she paused, "Thank you again. I appreciate the help." She smiled once more and stepped beyond the gate.
She was excited. That much she knew. She'd spent a couple of hours enjoying the company of another - the first in a long while. It made her smile broadly and put a bounce in her step. Ah but this was a good feeling.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:05 am
11 :: Free Period
Written in a small, neat hand in his personal notebook:
Another free period. It's the first thing I remember, and now it's come round again. I've spent a lot of time reading, as of late - and not always about botany. Kallisto has managed to interest me in sparring.
But botany is always in my sight. It hangs before me. I know it's my destiny, in some shape, some fashion - I will always be with plants. And that is why I applied or the Gardener apprenticeship.
When I found out I had been accepted, the relief washed over me. The feeling was... incredible.
But there's something else.
I don't like people, as a rule. They're tempermental, fickle creatures, often loud, many times rude. But... a chance encounter is leading me to change some of those views. I've met a person I can see as an equal.
Kallisto. She's Sanguine. I tend to hate Sanguines - they're much too energetic. But she... isn't. She's gone through rejection, it seems, and come out closed tight. I resonate with her.
It feels strange to say this, but she makes me smile.
I suppose...
She's a friend, then. A friend.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:06 am
12 :: A Lesson in Seedlings
Quenda put down the newly potted cherry trees and straightened up, flicking dirt off her skirts and refolding her little wings. She checked her timepiece and grinnned. It was time for her lesson with her newest apprentice. Off she bustled in search of the young Yambati.
Yambati was waiting anxiously - something slightly odd for him. He was jittery. It wasn't just that he was getting his first formal lesson in splitting seeds... that wouldn't have unsettled him. No, it was more the thought that soon, soon, he'd be able to begin work on his special surprise for Kallisto. It left him eager to start - and that was why he ended up being half an hour early for his lesson. He passed the time by pacing.
Quenda rounded the corner and chuckled to see the Zero pacing to anxiously. "Yambati, eager as always! Nice to see, nice to see..." Quenda bustled forward, extending a hand to him in greeting and smiling broadly. "Are you ready to begin?"
He normally didn't shake hands with people, but she was a Professora he respected greatly already. So he took her hand lightly, bowing his head in greeting. He didn't return her smile, but that was to be expected - he was a cold little one, at times. "Yes. Though, Professora, if I might make a special request...? I have a specific plant I'd like to work with today."
Quenda paused, raising her eyebrows. "Oh? Well, so long as its not a restricted species, that should be fine... Which plant did you have in mind, Yambati?"
"The Sundew plant," he said, and there was something different in his voice - something not as restrained. It wasn't idle curiosity in the species - he apparently had a purpose in asking for it.
"Sundew?" Quenda asked, thinking it over. "That should be fine. Yes, I don't see why not." She did not ask why he chose that plant, to Quenda all were equally worthy of love. "Shall we then?" She rhetorically asked and began bustling her way over tot he section of the Flora Gardens where the Sundew grew.
Yambati was grateful that she didn't ask, and followed along a few paces behind her. "Thank you, Professora - I know it's a strange request."
"Not at all, not at all." Quenda rounded another of the mosaic paths, knowing her way throguh these gardens as no one else did. "Each student tends to be drawn to some plants more than others. I for instance," She added, conspiratorily, "am not too fond of Stinkweed. Now then! Here we are. Fetch yourself a small trowel, two 4-square-inch strips of burlap, a pair of silver scissors and a small basin of water."
He'd brought along his trowel, but the other items were, sadly, not in his bag. So he nodded, murmuring that he'd be back in a moment, and trotted off to the supply shed. There he found the strips of burlap, and silver scissors, and a small bowl. On his way back to Quenda, he stopped at a small fountain and filled the bowl and, carefully balancing it, not spilling more than a few drops, came back over to the Professora.
Quenda gave a quick visual inventory oft he items he had and nodded her head approvingly. "Alright, set those things down on the stone ledge here..." She indicated the ledge at the edge of the planter. "And select which of these lush Sundew you'd like to split a seed from."
Yambati followed her orders, setting his items down in a careful row - burlap strips, scissors, trowel, then bowl of water. He was very neat. Then he moved to the Sundews, kneeling before the plants, observing each one. In the end, he selected a young one, just beginning to grow, but that had good color and a healthy amount of 'dew' on its fronds. "This one," he murmured, then glanced up at Quenda, half-looking for approval.
Quenda leaned down and inspected the plant, pressing gently at its 'dew' and sniffing it's delicate aroma. "It looks like a good specimen." She agreed, approvingly. "Alright, now, the first step is to make sure your mind set is positive and loving. The Plantes react badly to aggression. If you act towards them in a harmful or cruel way, it will lessen their potency for magical purposes, and also may cause the plant to wither after the Splitting."
He nodded, and a small smile touched his lips. He'd learned that when he raised his first small house plant. He'd come home annoyed by that Sanguine, Mathiaz, and his plant had almost wilted. Luckily, plants soothed him enough that his mind was at ease when he was surrounded by them. Looking on the plants - and thinking of his goal, his gift - quieted his mind and filled it with a gentleness usually very strange for the Choleric.
"I see," he murmured, and the change in his mood was evident in his voice. "And the last thing I would want is for a plant to wither."
"Good, good." Smiled Quenda encouragingly. "Now, you'll need to take the silver scissors and make a small clipping of the plant - in the case of the Sundew, one of it's beads."
Yambati reached out and slowly took the scissors he had borrowed from the supply room. "Where should I put the clipping once I cut it..?"
"Place it carefully on one of the burlap squares, and be sure to cleant he scissors off int he basin right away so that none of the Plant's essence is lost."
Yambati nodded and also took one of the burlap squares, as well as moved the bowl of water closer to him. When he was certain he was ready, he closed his eyes for a moment. He ignored Quenda's presence, and instead merely... felt. In the Gardens, it was easy to let his mind drift into a pleasant state.
When he was ready, he reached forward and, very carefully, cut a small piece from the tip of one of the fronds, capturing one of the beads of 'dew', and settled the clipping onto the burlap square. Holding the square in one hand, he dipped the scissors into the bowl, and, unlacing his fingers from the two holes, quickly rubbed the small blades down.
Quenda watched over his shoulder, nodding silently, so as not to interrupt. When he had cleaned the blades she continued softly. "Alright, now, this next step is crucial. Place both hands above the clipping, and keeping the image of the Sundew in your mind, concentrate on drawing the essence of the seed out of the bead of Sundew."
He found it easiest to do as she said with his eyes closed, hands above the small clipping (now set on the edge of the planter). It was hard to think of only the Sundew and not Kallisto along with it, but he managed it, focusing on the image of a Sundew plant slowly emerging from a seed, growing, winding upwards, catching insects.... With that growing plant, he imagined also its Essence.
Quenda kept her voice low, so as not to break his mental focus. "Now, place the second square of burlap atop the clipping adn place them both into the basin of water, making sure they're fully submerged."
His careful preparation earlier paid off in that he could take the second piece of burlap by touch alone, never breaking his focus, and place it atop the cutting. Lifting them both carefully - and making sure the scissors were out of the water - he slowly submerged the seed-to-be in the water.
Slowly, in the bowl, the water offered up a bubble or two, meek and small bubbles. Slowly, rising up from the burlap a seed began to form, small and pale.
He wasn't sure if he should keep visualizing, but it couldn't hurt, could it? He focuses all of his will into forming that one small seed. It became his sole focus, his only purpose for those long moments. His eyes were still closed, so he couldn't see the forming seed, but he felt it. At least, he thought he did.
Quenda waited until the seed had fully formed and the bubbles had stopped. Then, with a gentle hand on Yambati's shoulder, she spoke again. "There you are...a single seed. Now, that particular plant will not be able to offer up another seed for another month."
Yambati slowly opened his eyes and withdrew his fingers from the water. He stared at the seed, astounded. He'd actually... done it? He slowly picked up the seed, looking at it.
"... I see..." he murmured, quietly.
"Best to wait until the moon cycles are best for planting, dear." Quenda said with a nod. "Between now and then, you ought to keep the seed in cloth where it will be dry and dark."
Yambati nodded. "Do you have any tips for what type of soil to plant it in, Professora...?"
"Sundew likes rich, moist soil, with a little bit of grit or gravel to oxygenate the soil..."
Sitting by her feet and carefully drying the little seed and the burlap on his clothing, he nodded, listening attentively. "Alright. Thank you for all of your help, Professora..."
"No problem, at all. Does it all make sense?"
"Yes, it does. It makes perfect sense to me - it all... fits." Another one of those small, fleeting smiles... the splitting had left him with a sense of lazy well-being. "I'm always glad to learn more about plants."
Quenda grinned and clasped her hands tightly before her. "You're making wonderful progress. Let me know if you need anymore help."
"Of course, Professora. Thank you, again."
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:06 am
13 :: Of Picnics and Gift-Giving
Yambati paced, anxiously, under the tree he'd spent time under beside Kallisto. He'd slipped a note asking her to meet him there for more studying on the last day of math class, and hadn't thought to check with her to make sure she'd gotten it. So he cursed himself under his breath, mildly, as he paced.
"She's not going to come," he finally grumbled, even though it was still five minutes before he'd asked her to show up. Annoyed (with himself, this time - something new), he sat down at the foot of the tree. He should have talked to her in person. It wasn't like she had a coterie of friends always hovering around her. But he really should have made sure, especially before he had gotten his little present for her.
Kallisto hurried down the hallway, more running then walking. She'd received his note and had been pleased as anything. It was the first time anybody had bothered to take the time to invite her out to something. And so, not wanting to spoil the gesture, she'd spent a great deal of time preparing a picnic lunch (though it was more of a dinner) to time it so that everything would still be hot when they got around it. Checking a clock, she grumbled as she hurried. It was almost time! It be horrible if she missed him. She patted the basket hanging from her arm, she wouldn't be able to eat off this on her own.
At last, she arrived at the Gardens, and double checked her note as she stepped into the lush area. She looked up and scanned the grounds, "Yambati...?"
Yambati was glowering at the path - never the plants, of course - when he heard footsteps. Then a familiar voice. Blinking rapidly and adjusting his glasses, he jumped up and walked around the trunk of the tree to see if it was really her.
And it was.
Somehow, that simple fact made him... happy. Pleased. She'd gotten his note!
"Good, you came..." was all that came out, though it was more in a stunned tone than an annoyed drawl.
"And what was I supposed to do? Ignore you?" She asked, clearly wondering why he sounded surprised. She stopped, watching him curiously. "I don't do that, just so you know. I was... ah," She held up the basket and waved it a bit, wafting the smells at him. "I thought something other then an apple might be nice."
"Am I late?" She glanced around, "I hope not..."
"No, I just thought maybe it fell on the floor or something. I- ... did you cook food? It smells very good." He looked slightly surprised. "Y-you didn't have to. But, ah. Thanks. And no, you're not late. I'm just... not that patient." He felt he was stumbling, falling for lack of words. So he shut his mouth, and motioned for her to sit down.
She smiled, "I did! I like to cook. One of the few things I'm good at, actually." Kallisto set her things down and sat down gracefully. She was curious about his seeming anxiousnes, finding his stumbling amusing. It made her grin but it was appreciative but mocking as some others' might have been. "What did you have planned?" She asked pleasantly, crossing her legs and leaning forward to check the picnic basket.
"... Not much, actually. I'm not used to planning things like this." He sat down, after her and across from her. "I just remembered we agreed to meet up again, but we never set a date..."
He peered into the basket as well. "All I'm good at with cooking is making salads. ... makes sense, right?"
She laughed, smiling, "It does. I've made some chicken and there are skewers of garlic shrimp. And soup - I didn't make it, I'm not that good, but it's vegetable stew. I brought some fruit and drinks too, just in case." Opening the cover, she inhaled and smiled as the nice fragrance wafted up. "Well we can move with the flow then." She didn't seem particularly pushy about getting to studying. It surprised her that she would be just as happy simply enjoying his company. If it came to something else then so be it but for now she'd just be happy with the moment.
"Definitely smells too good to put off until after sparring. So I guess... we eat, and go from there?" He leaned a little closer, to look at the food, then looked up at her with an appreciative, impressed half-smile. "To think, I forgot that we'd need to eat..."
He wasn't dedicated to studying, not as much as it probably seemed. He just hadn't been able to find another reason to ask her back to the gardens.
"Sure." She bobbed her head in agreement and started setting things out, handing him a pair of plastic plates and cups. "Dig in. It'll get cold." Kallisto seemed to puff up under that look of appreciation, strangely happy that she'd managed to see that lucrative smile once more.
"Oh, that's okay. I just eat a lot. I am Kinesthetic after all." She added after a moment, a little embarrassed to be admitting that. It wasn't exactly lady-like.
He picked out a few skewers of shrimp - they smelled better than he could really put into words. Nibbling on one, he relaxed slightly. "I tend to forget to eat, but I enjoy it when I get around to it. It's why I haven't really.. filled out too much, yet. Too tall, not enough food.
"And I really do like the shrimp, by the way."
"Oh I don't think so... I mean... ah..." She promptly bit into a skewer of shrimp as well, praying that she didn't look as though she were blushing. Colour had risen on her cheeks however, turning them a little orange. Swallowing, she ventured a glance at him. He was handsome - not too skinny or muscled as far as she was concerned. In an attempt to regain some semblance of self control, she smiled, "They are aren't they? I like them barbequed too."
Her response intrigued him. Why was she... blushing? And looking at him shyly? She wasn't shy. She was a Sanguine! He was more than a little confused, so he tried to focus on the food (instead of the pretty - pretty? Where'd that come from? - chef). "That sounds like it'd be good, too.
"Oh, ah. Did you bring bowls for the soup...?"
"Oh? Yes." She dug through the basket and withdrew two small bowls and fetched the drinks while she was it. "Sorry..." She fumbled a bit and then paused to take a breath before she spilled the hot soup all over him.
Steady once more, she served the soup and offered the drink, "Here you go!" She smiled brightly, the colour fading - but slowly.
He tried to ignore it - how was he supposed to respond to something like that, anyway? - and just took the bowl from her, and the drink. He settled the drink at his side, and tried to act normally. That'd help her calm down, right? Right.
"So. ... What did you think of Professor Paxar?" Changing the subject might help, right?
:
She blinked, "... Professor Paxar?" Pausing a moment, she sat back and thought, thankful for a change in subject. "I thought the shapes he made were pretty but he didn't make a whole lot of sense." She seemed the deflate a little, "It doesn't make sense to me - but I need to learn Match for circle magic to become a Grigori. I don't know if I'll be able to be a Grigori if I fail math." She was obviously worried - this was important to her.
"I thought it was interesting - that something could make a person so brilliant so... scattered. I heard other students talking. He apparently wasn't always like this, years ago.
"And that's right, you said you wanted to become a Grigori. I... I'm not sure what I want to do. Perhaps a member of the Chorus? But you know, I bet you'll master math. Trust me - I kept fooling around with magic squares, and then it just... clicked. It'll happen for you, too. Some click that just makes things work."
And after a sip of soup, he offered one of those unpracticed, nervous, reassuring smiles.
"That's right. He's Broken. Still..." She shrugged, not really wanting to dwell on the matter. "Chorus would be interesting, but would you enjoy being involved in the justice system?" She looked up and paused once more as he smiled at her. It was a weak smile but a smile nonetheless. It warmed her and prompted a tentative smile in return. His reassurance was much appreciated, "I hope so. Perhaps you could help me? I'll learn faster with assistance."
"I don't know if I have the personality needed to actively defend the city or patrol it... so that rules out the three other jobs. I prefer logic. So being in the justice system may be good for me. It sounds more interesting, at least.
"I can try. But it's not so much understanding how it works. You just... get the hang of it. It's strange. I don't like not understand how I do it, but I do it. I'll try, though."
She nodded her thanks, "Hmm... I wouldn't be able to sit around a court all day. I'd fidget entirely too much. A Grigori helps while being active. That's what appealed to me but I've got to actually get there first." She had no idea why she was being so emotional. It was like she could simply talk about the things she considered weak to Yambati without fearing that she would be a lesser person in his eyes. "Really? Perhaps I"m going about it the wrong way then." She frowned, "Is it really that... instictual? I've tried just doing it but it doesn't work too well." She smiled, feeling better and rather pleased that had agreed to help her.
"Maybe. It was when I almost gave up, and started just filling one in for fun, that I got my first one." He finished off his soup, setting it aside. "I think we're all just trying to hard..."
"I get the method - that's easy but applying as precisely as the others to get the effect just seems difficult." Kallisto shrugged, "I don't think I am... I actually think I'm not trying hard enough. Some of the sther students seem so capable and then there's me. Makes me wonder sometimes." She smiled vaguely, "But I'm working on fixing that."
"Well, how hard you're working is something I can't really determine. But sometimes... I don't know. I didn't even try in art class, you know. So it's not like we all need to be good at absolutely everything."
"Oh I know that. There are a few things I really want to be good at but that doesn't mean I can't be at least decent at everything." She paused, "Especially since you never know what might end up being useful knowledge."
Yambati nodded. "But mathematics, especially, seems like art. With classes like law and the like, you don't really need a starting baseline... but with mathematics, as well as art, we jumped right into things without time to adjust. It makes it harder. You shouldn't be discouraged by not being one of the best - instead, just understand the concepts. That's enough, usually, to serve as "useful" knowledge, in my opinion."
Kallisto thought for a moment. What he said was true. But she'd enjoyed art - it had made sense. "I guess." She stopped, wondering if Yambati was growing bored or frustrated with her. She wasn't exactly being very interesting at the moment. "But I'm being dry. Hope I'm noth boring you. Drink?" She held up the little bottle after she filled her own glass.
"You're not bothering me at all." He held out his glass. "In fact, you're getting me to stop and think. Not many other people can boast that."
She poured the liquid as she failed to hide a smile, "Oh? So you don't often think?" She couldn't help the little tease, it just kind of popped out before she could actually think about what she was saying.
"..." He coughed a little, face taking on that odd hue that meant he was blushing again. "... I meant, you make me re-evaluate my own thoughts and beliefs. Of course I think. I just don't question those thoughts very often."
Kallisto put the bottle down and patted him on the back, laughing a little, "Well that's good. I'm glad I'm at least doing that for you." She nodded, catching that blush but kept herself from saying anything this time around.
"Mm.." He felt a little strange, awkward. He wanted to change the subject. Commenting on the food seemed like overkill at this point, so instead, he turned to his bag, opened it carefully.
"Oh, ah. I... I got something for you. Erm." How was he supposed to word this, anyway? Gift giving was such a strange thing...
She blinked, "Pardon? You didn't have to." It was obviously she was pleasantly surprised. Curiousity quickly overcame her reflexive politeness and she leaned forward, inadvertently placing her hand on his shoulder as she tried to look without spoiling the surprise. "What is it?" She smiled broadly. Nobody had gotten her a gift before - well,except for Christmass but she had no idea who had given her those things.
He stiffened (like normal) under her touch, but... quickly relaxed a bit. After all, it was only Kallisto. He trusted her.
So he glanced back at her with what he hoped was a playful smile (it was so hard to pick the right expressions!) and withdrew.... a small, young plant in a pot. "It's a Sundew plant. I talked to Quenda, and she taught me how to split seeds properly, so I planted one for you."
Kallisto's eyes lit up and she sat back suddenly with a gasp that could be described as utterly surprised. A Sundew plant! "Oh! Thank-you!" She was blushing furiously but she didn't even bother trying to hide it as she gently took the little plant. "It's wonderful! Thank-you so much!" She was really very happy and had she not been holding the gift, she would have hugged him. Gaze shifting from the plant to him, she beamed. This was totally unexpected. A book maybe, or a poster for plant care but this? She leaned forward pecked him on the cheek. "Thank-you!"
Yambati didn't move for a long moment, just blinking and looking at her with a confused, incredulous look. He couldn't quite comprehend what had just happened there. The place where she'd kissed him felt a little tingly. It was very, very strange. "... Ah...." The choleric boy cleared his throat, cheeks coloring again. "I-I'm glad... glad you like it, Kallisto."
"I do!" She sat back, a little breathless as understanding dawned on her. She felt very very awkward. Kallisto wasn't sure if she whould apologize or not.... she'd kissed other people during the Yule event so she hadn't thought it would that big a deal... besides it was better then crushing her little plant. "I'll take good care of it, I promise. I won't let it wilt, I swear." She nodded, voice full of conviction.
"... G-good." He shifted, awkwardly. "If you have any problems, just let me know. I won't... think less of you... or something..."
Kallisto cradled it her lap and simply gazed at it, smiling like a fool. She had no idea why this made her so happy. But it did and she was grateful to Yambati for it. "I will! I wouldn't let a wonderful gift die."
"Mm." Now that she wasn't looking at him, he could relax a little again. Seeing her cradle the plant... well, of course that touched something in him. She truly did care about that plant. Even if she wasn't a plant-enthusiast like him... well. She was closer than most other people. She touched one of the reflective droplets and laughed as it stuck to her finger. Rubbing the gooey stuff off as she wondered how she would feed it. "Do I just set it by a window? Or do I need to get flies and things?" She glanced but up at Yambati curious.
"Well, that depends. Do you... normally get flies near your window?" He glanced over at her again.
"Ah, no. I just thought that... ah, if the window's open and an insect flies in, the sundew might catch it." She smiled self-conciously, "My room doesn't smell.... I mean it's clean. Cecil complains if it's messy. Ah..."
"I-I didn't mean something like that, I just didn't know if flies ever, just, wandered in, and- ... Cecil?"
"They bounce along the glass until they get out again... or chased away by Cecil." She paused, "Cecil? Oh! He's my Cicus Cat! I have Jadeite too. They're both familiars of sorts I guess. Cecil can talk to me but Jadeite's kind of quiet."
"... Ah." She had two familiars...? She was lucky. Very. Though he supposed he wouldn't be very good with familiars of his own. "Well, if that's the case, there should be enough food for the plant. Just keep the window open and water it every day. ... And make sure Cecil doesn't think its food."
"Oh, he's knows better then to gnaw on plants. He's mischevious but not mean." She smiled, "You should meet him! He hasn't met very many people! I'd show you to him now but he isn't in his technoring..."
"Next time, then." He took the last remaining shrimp skewer and finished it off. "So, now that we've eaten and you have your new plant..." What now?
She downed the last of her drink and smiled, taking that as a cue to get moving. "Hmm... doesn't matter to me. What do you feel like doing? " She was just enjoying his company and would do whatever he liked.
"I.. don't know. But things seem... awkward... again." He would have suggested something, he really would have. But nothing came to mind, except his normal flight response. He didn't want to leave, but...
"Really? I'm sorry. I didn't mean too..." She trailed off, and began packing her things. It seemed like he wanted to go, she could feel it. But she didn't want him to. Caught in the middle of a decision, she paused in her cleaning and sighed. Best to be honest. "You can go if want, I won't keep you.... but I don't want you to. I'm sorry if I've made you feel awkward. I should know better..."
"N-no, I don't want to leave. I just thought it might be better to switch topics." He actually moved at her packing, shifting to his knees and leaning forward to put a hand on her wrist, to still her. "That's all. It's not your fault, really. You didn't... didn't do anything wrong."
She looked up then, surprised, "But...?" She wasn't sure what to say, she was flustered now and scting without really thinking. "Sparring maybe?" She blurted out - the first thing that came to mind. Her other hand came around and rested on his as she breathed deeply to calm herself. "Would that be okay? Or we can look at plants - if that's what you'd prefer."
"Sparring sounds good," he agreed hastily, not thinking that it might prove a breeding ground for accidental touches that just felt strange. Setting his things carefully aside, he stood up, adjusting his glasses.
She finished tidying up and followed suit, brushing her pants off before straightening up. "Have you... studied anything else? I know a bit more myself, actually." She ws simply happy that he hadn't left and had taken her up on his offer - as long as he did smile, she'd be fine. It always seemed to distract her, well it was more like warm her but that was besides the point.
"I haven't managed to ask the professor for private lessons, no. But I've finished reading the books." Getting down to business would help. It would. It had to. Right?
"Oh that's good. They were helpful right? At least, I found them helpful." She nodded, smiling. "Well, we can practice the basics if you want."
"Definitely helpful. I understand more of why things work - not just that they, well, work." In answer to her suggestion, he moved over to the open space by their picnic area and settled a little, balancing his weight. "And sure. That sounds good. Where will we start today?"
"That's good! I'm glad." She nodded, "I was thinking just... sparring without sparring. Working on form and control, We both need practice." Smiling, Kallisto stood before him and settled into a balanced stance, "Or at least I need to work on agility."
"Sparring without sparring? ... Pardon me for asking, but how is that going to, well, work?" He looked a little confused.
She paused. It had made sense in her mind. "Uhm... no direction, as in hit this or that, and not trying to win. I guess. Does that make sense?" Kallisto wasn't entirely sure what the problem was.
"Well, I suppose... are you sure we won't get in trouble for it? It seems a little too close to actual sparring. Especially if one of us ends up getting hurt..."
"If you don't want to, that's okay. You do have a point.... But I wouldn't hurt you. Wouldn't dream of it." Kallisto seemed to be caught between saying they should go ahead and saying they should practice then. But she wanted to spar with him. As with Grave, she was certain it would reveal a lot about him and she was eager to learn. New friends were few and far between - she wanted to get know him.
"I wouldn't hurt you either. But there are accidents...."
He paused, tossing his head a little to get his huge chunk o' bangs out of his eyes for a moment. "I want to. I just don't want this to turn into a mess.
"Not if we're careful..." She brightened suddenly, "How about we practice here and then go ask Professor Orrys so you can catch up? That way we can actually spar in the Arena without guilt!" She was pleased she'd thought of a compromise that would suit eveyone. "It won't be a mess, I promise. Besides, if anyone would be to blame it would be me. You're innocent."
"Well... okay. It sounds like a valid plan." He met her brightness with a glint of amusement and... happiness? in his eyes. "Well, then."
She smiled brightly at him before nodding and turning serious. This was practice, after all. Best to work on concentration as well. "Well then?" She didn't intentionally echo him, "Go ahead, unless you want me to start..."
Yambati nodded and then his expression turned serious, focused. He didn't move for what seemed like an eternity. Once, he had read something like, 'He who moves first, loses first.' It had had to do with a sword duel, he thought.
But this was sparring, not an actual duel. She was already expecting him to strike.
Mentally flipping through the pages of the book, he shifted his weight slightly to the front, onto his left foot. Then he pivoted, crouching slightly in the motion, then uncoiling to strike upwards with an open palm.
Kallisto hadn't been expecting that but instincts took over and she moved to the side slightly, catching the arm by the wrist and pulling to overbalance her opponent. As she did that, he weight shifted fully to her left leg as she spun a kick around, aimed at his side.
He didn't resist the pull, and instead, followed it, spinning and moving to the side she tugged to. As her foot came up, he made an attempt to elbow her in the stomach (though of course he'd pull his blow if she didn't block it. He was mildly unbalanced, leaning back from his center of balance, but he found he didn't have any good spot to step.
Kallisto frowned as he moved the pull and aimed a blow at her stomach, letting go to jump back. His blow landed but not with nearly as much force - more like a poke. Her kick had been interrupted and now she was off balance and the only way to regain it was to step into him. So she did, with her hand spread to push as her foot went through his legs, and hook behind one of his. Meant to be a push she briefly hoped he wouldn't take offence.
He would have stepped out of it, but she had hooked her foot behind his dominant leg, and he moved without thinking. He stumbled back, nearly falling down.
"... Well." He straightened up, obviously a little embarrassed. That had been a silly, silly mistake.
She leaned over and caught him so he wouldn't fall entirely, patting him on the back as she smiled, "Don't worry about it. Takes practice."
"But I felt like I was doing so well up until that point, and then I made that stupid mistake," he nearly huffed, frowning. "I had it. I had it! And... mrr." He obviously wasn't a fan of failing.
"... You didn't screw up. There's more then one way to fight, including from your back. Or turning it into a flip kick... or..." She trailed off, pausing for a moment, "Don't think, just do. ... I'm sorry I don't know how to better explain it... You're doing well. You can't give up or get upset, your opponent would take advantage of that. Every move, planned or not, is an opportunity to use."
"I... guess so."
He obviously also was not used to the idea of turning failures around. Failures were failures, and getting knocked down obviously equated to losing in his mind.
She didn't like this attitude. It didn't fit him. She liked the calm and collected person from before. "Cheer up! It's just one trip. You'll learn. I have faith." Kallisto offered a reassuring smile, hoping to at least alleviate this sudden mood that had descended on him. It worried her for some reason.
"I know." He sighed, shook his shoulders a little, and resettled. "... Again?"
She nodded and stepped back, waiting for him to try again.
After taking a moment to settle himself, calm his breathing, focus his thoughts, he made his move. This time he started a little bit differently. Instead of going directly at her, he stepped forward and to the side with his right foot, then kicked upwards with his left.
The fact that he didn't start right away and then proceeded to feint threw Kallisto. However, familiar with the move herself, she responded well but didn't counter. Instead of stepping away as one might expect, she stepped towards, him, blocking the shortened strike with her hands, turning it to the side. Her wrists hurt a little but nothing she couldn't ignore or should worry about. Then she tried a feint of her own, shifting so that it looked like was about to step straight back but surged to the left and spun so that she ended up behind his right shoulder.
It took a second or two to regain balance, and when he did, she was already surging past him. Surprised, Yambati spun around quickly, hair trailing behind him like a whip. He took a step back, then another as he moved, to bring back the safe distance between them again. He raised his hands back up in front of his chest... and waited.
Well, her turn, apparently. What to do.... what to do... It didn't take long for the smile to flicker across her features as she moved, almost dancing closer to him. Her concentration remain focused as she ended up closer to him, aimed a punch. It had been more of a dodge then anything else, but she was very pleased she hadn't tripped like many of the other times.
((Mutually ended here - all that happened after this was a bit more sparring, then they parted ways.))
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:07 am
14 :: Celebrations! (No RP)
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