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 Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 6:39 pm
 In the gardens with Yambati
Timeline Spot: During Math Class 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 roundAnd 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 15, 2007 5:17 pm
Shrimp and Sundew
Timeline Spot: During Free Period #3 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. Kallitso 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))
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:27 pm
Solo RP - Learning from the 3rd set of books ( + RP log of taking the books outs) Checking out books Grave: Who wants a book!?
Kallisto: *smiles* A couple, actually
Grave: Ah, Kallisto! It's nice to see you again!
Kallisto: Good to see you too! Enjoying your apprenticeship? *plunks a couple books on the counter* You look well.
Grave: *nods fervently* I am indeed! Requiem is a -wonderful- Mentor. He's taught me a lot. *picks up the books one by one and checks the insert cards*
Kallisto: *nods* That's good! I hope to get an apprenticeship with Professora Tryna soon but I want to finish up studying the basics for cooking first. I'm almost finished to! Just these ones and I'm ready.
*idea strikes her* Grave, did you want to spar sometime? It's free period and I thought we could work on our fighting abilities again - I've learned a few new tricks too. *grins eagerly*
Grave: *checks out the new books for her* Ooo, an Apprenticeship with Tryna! What job will you be applying for?
Ah, Sparring? *looks thoughtful* Yes, I think I should be able to take a few hours off to spar. I'd like that.
Kallisto: I want to be a Cook's Assistant! *is bubbly and happy, moreso then usual* I've an interest in Alchemy and cooking's the first step.
Really? Excellent! Just let me know when you're available, okay? *grins brightly*
Grave: *hands the books back and smiles* I'm sure you'll be brilliant! I hope you make something for me sometime...
Oh, you'll need to peel me away, I think. Just come and get me next time you're on the way to the Arena. *grins*
Kallisto: Thanks! *nods* I will! Don't worry! *bobs off* Enjoy your day!
Grave: *pats her arm affectionately* You'll be wonderful! Do your best, mn?
Kallisto: Oh I'll definitely try! I'll cook cook something for you, perhaps have a dinner with my friends. *smiles thoughtfully* What do you think?
Grave: I love dinner with friends! Count me in!
Skie - D: Slightly ill. x3 says:
Kallisto: *grins* Wonderful! I'll let you know! Any preferance for dishes?
As the Prophecy says:
Grave: Well, I normally go for basted fishes or pastas... But I'd like to try something new. A flambeis perhaps?
Skie - D: Slightly ill. x3 says:
Kallisto: *laughs* Flambe? I'll try. I haven't set anything on fire yet...
As the Prophecy says:
Grave: *grins bemused* A sanguine -not- setting things of fire? You rebel!
Skie - D: Slightly ill. x3 says:
Kallisto: *sticks tongue out* Yeah well, keep that in mind when you need an extinguisher to put out your flambe. *laughs* I hope I don't burn anything down trying....
As the Prophecy says:
Grave: Well, even if you do, I hope it's tasty enoguh to warrant it!
Skie - D: Slightly ill. x3 says:
Kallisto: *nods* True enough! Though I'll blame you if it isn't. *grins* You insisted!
As the Prophecy says:
Grave: *bows deeply* Ah well then, may you have naught but success or it may be my last meal!
Skie - D: Slightly ill. x3 says:
Kalisto: *bows in return* Then I shall do my best to ensure it's one of many more.
... which means you have to trust my cooking as well.
As the Prophecy says:
Grave: All right. Easily done.
Skie - D: Slightly ill. x3 says:
Kallisto: Then it's a deal and we're having dinner. I'll have to tell Yambati too... *muses* Who else should come? I don't really know anyone else...
As the Prophecy says:
Grave: Well, I'd happily bring Aysel. And Danna is nice...do you know her?
Skie - D: Slightly ill. x3 says:
Kallisto: I've only seen her in math class... with that Melancholy who kept answering and asking questions. What about... Cyphr? I think that's his name. Didn't she drag him into class?
As the Prophecy says:
Grave: *grins sheepishly* Cyphr's not got the best table manners... but if you'd like I can invite him.
Skie - D: Slightly ill. x3 says:
Kallisto: *pauses thoughtfully* He was kind of loud... perhaps not him then. So you, Aysel, Yambati, myself and Danna? I suppose she could bring someone as well. Would you mind talking to her?
That'll be six people! A dinner party! *grins* And the first gathering I've had. I'll have to work on that flambe extra hard now, hnn?
As the Prophecy says:
Grave: It sounds wonderful! I'm looking forward to it so much!
Skie - D: Slightly ill. x3 says:
Kallisto: So am I! *laughs* Good thing one of those books is a cookbook then. *nods and steps away, patting Grave's arm as she goes*
Thank-you! I'll let you know soon okay? And I'll take good care of these books. *smiles*
As the Prophecy says:
Grave: *pats them gently* Be sure I will! Notes from Library Books Astronomy
The Sun - While not a planet, this star govern the solar system, and is so powerful it keeps all the other planets (including out earth) in tow. The sun stands for masculinity, bravado, courage and attention-seeking. The Sun rules Leo.
The Moon - Moon does not merely represent our own moon, but all the moons of our solar system. It specifically refers to our own because as it is closest it holds great sway over the rythms of the creatures on the planet and even over some of the elements, such as water or air. The Moon represents the feminie element, shyness, healing, contemplation, magic and intuition. The Moon rules Cancer.
Mercury - The first of the actual planets. Mercury was named for Hermes, the Messenger god, who represented communication, swiftness and travel. Likewise ths small planet governs the conscious mind, including things like memory recollection, communication, news, and coming events. Mercury rules both Virgo and Gemini.
Math
1 - A, J, S
2 - B, K, T
3 - C, L, U
4 - D, M, V
5 - E, N, W
6 - F, O, X
7 - G, P, Y
8 - H, Q, Z
9 - I, R
1 - The symbol of unity, often being associated with God, the Supreme Being who created the universe and represents transcendential reality. Among the world's once great religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam is was the symbol of monotheism. Keywords:the origin of all things.
2 - A number associated with division and lack of harmony. As the opposite of one, it stands apart from god and is often considered an evil number. Two is also considered to be associated with the one who follows instead of leads,; therefore it has elements of tact and gentleness although these characteristics are usually combined with indecision and hesitation. Keywords: marriage, communion/evil, division.
Cooking
Aqua vitae is the name of one of the most common potions made, also known as the Water of Life, or the Elixir of Life, which grants a long life bordering in immortality.
Philosopher's Stone is proably the most widely known creation of the alchemical arts, and is a substance that can transmute metals.
The common perception of alchemists is that they were pseudo-scientists, crackpots and charlatans, who attempted to turn lead into gold, believed that the universe was composed of the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water, and spent most of their time concocting miraculous remedies, poisons, and magic potions.
Although some alchemists were indeed crackpots and charlatans, most were well-meaning and intelligent scholars; among their number can be counted such distinguished scientists as Sir Isaac Newton. These people in many ways served as innovators, and attempted to explore and investigate the nature of chemical substances and processes. They had to rely on experimentation, traditional know-how, rules of thumb — and speculative thought in their attempts to uncover the mysteries of the physical universe.
At the same time, it was clear to the alchemists that "something" was generally being conserved in chemical processes, even in the most dramatic changes of physical state and appearance; i.e. that substances contained some "principles" that could be hidden under many outer forms, and revealed by proper manipulation. Throughout the history of the discipline, alchemists struggled to understand the nature of these principles, and find some order and sense in the results of their chemical experiments — which were often undermined by impure or poorly characterized reagents, the lack of quantitative measurements, and confusing and inconsistent nomenclature.
The best known goals of the alchemists were the transmutation of common metals into gold or silver, and the creation of a "panacea", a remedy that supposedly would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. Starting with the Middle Ages, European alchemists invested much effort on the search for the "philosopher's stone", a mythical substance that was believed to be an essential ingredient for either or both of those goals. Alchemists enjoyed prestige and support through the centuries, though not for their pursuit of those goals, nor the mystic and philosophical speculation that dominates their literature. Rather it was for their mundane contributions to the "chemical" industries of the day — the invention of gunpowder, ore testing and refining, metalworking, production of ink, dyes, paints, and cosmetics, leather tanning, ceramics and glass manufacture, preparation of extracts and liquors, and so on (It seems that the preparation of aqua vitae, the "water of life", was a fairly popular "experiment" among European alchemists).
On the other hand, alchemists never had the inclination to separate the physical (chemical) aspects of their craft from the metaphysical interpretations. Indeed, from antiquity until well into the Modern Age, a physics devoid of metaphysical insight would have been as unsatisfying as a metaphysics devoid of physical manifestation. For one thing, the lack of common words for chemical concepts and processes, as well as the need for secrecy, led alchemists to borrow the terms and symbols of biblical and pagan mythology, astrology, kabbalah, and other mystic and esoteric fields; so that even the plainest chemical recipe ended up reading like an abstruse magic incantation. Moreover, alchemists sought in those fields the theoretical frameworks into which they could fit their growing collection of disjointed experimental facts.
Starting with the middle ages, some alchemists increasingly came to view these metaphysical aspects as the true foundation of alchemy; and chemical substances, physical states, and material processes as mere metaphors for spiritual entities, states and transformations. Thus, both the transmutation of common metals into gold and the universal panacea symbolized evolution from an imperfect, diseased, corruptible and ephemeral state towards a perfect, healthy, incorruptible and everlasting state; and the philosopher's stone then represented some mystic key that would make this evolution possible. Applied to the alchemist himself, the twin goal symbolized his evolution from ignorance to enlightenment, and the stone represented some hidden spiritual truth or power that would lead to that goal. In texts that are written according to this view, the cryptic alchemical symbols, diagrams, and textual imagery of late alchemical works typically contain multiple layers of meanings, allegories, and references to other equally cryptic works; and must be laboriously "decoded" in order to discover their true meaning.
Some humanistic scholars now see these spiritual and metaphysical allegories as the truest and most valuable aspect of alchemy, and even claim that the development of chemistry out of alchemy was a "corruption" of the original Hermetic tradition. This is the view espoused by contemporary practitioners of spiritual alchemy. Most scientists, on the other hand, tend to take quite the opposite view: to them, the path from the material side of alchemy to modern chemistry was the "straight road" in the evolution of the discipline, while the metaphysically oriented brand of alchemy was a "wrong turn" that led to nowhere. In either view, however, the naïve interpretations of some practitioners or the fraudulent hopes fostered by others should not diminish the contribution of the more sincere alchemists.
Since its earliest times, alchemy has been closely connected to astrology — which, in the Islamic world and Europe, generally meant the traditional Babylonian-Greek school of astrology. Alchemical systems often postulated that each of the seven planets known to the ancients "ruled" or was associated with a certain metal. See the separate article on astrology and alchemy for further details. In Hermeticism it is linked with both astrology and theurgy. "Everything that happens once will never happen again. But anything that happens twice will surely happen a third time." A quote from The Alchemist.
Up to the 18th century, alchemy was actually considered serious science in Europe; for instance, Isaac Newton devoted considerably more of his time and writing to the study of alchemy than he did to either optics or physics, for which he is famous, (see Isaac Newton's occult studies). Other eminent alchemists of the Western world are Roger Bacon, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Tycho Brahe, Thomas Browne, and Parmigianino. The decline of alchemy began in the 18th century with the birth of modern chemistry, which provided a more precise and reliable framework for matter transmutations and medicine, within a new grand design of the universe based on rational materialism.
In the first half of the nineteenth century, one established chemist, Baron Carl Reichenbach, researched on concepts similar to the old alchemy, such as the Odic force, but his research did not enter the mainstream of scientific discussion.
Matter transmutation, the old goal of alchemy, enjoyed a moment in the sun in the 20th century when physicists were able to convert lead atoms into gold atoms via a nuclear reaction. However, the new gold atoms, being unstable isotopes, lasted for under five seconds before they broke apart. More recently, reports of table-top element transmutation - by means of electrolysis or sonic cavitation - were the pivot of the cold fusion controversy of 1989. None of those claims have yet been reliably duplicated.
Alchemical symbolism has been occasionally used in the 20th century by psychologists and philosophers. Carl Jung reexamined alchemical symbolism and theory and began to show the inner meaning of alchemical work as a spiritual path. Alchemical philosophy, symbols and methods have enjoyed something of a renaissance in post-modern contexts, such as the New Age movement. Even some physicists have played with alchemical ideas in books such as The Tao of Physics and The Dancing Wu Li Masters.
The history of alchemy has become a vigorous academic field. As the obscure hermetic language of the alchemists is gradually being "deciphered", historians are becoming more aware of the intellectual connections between that discipline and other facets of Western cultural history, such as the sociology and psychology of the intellectual communities, kabbalism, spiritualism, Rosicrucianism, and other mystic movements, cryptography, witchcraft, and the evolution of science and philosophy.
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:29 pm
Future Looming
Timeline Spot: Just Before June 07 Event Kallisto had slipped a note under Yambati's dorm room door requesting his presence in the student kitchen. After the success of the picnic, she hoped she could get him to taste more of her cooking. In fact, since then she'd been trying very hard to improve so that her creations were simply irresistable. While she hadn't reached master chef yet, she had improved a little and now the short bread came out much fluffier and lighter then before, the home made sauces were flavourful and the smells that issued up from every dish were mouthwatering. Fiddling with the various pots and pans she laid out a delectable lunch, cold cuts, soups, snacks, and various other ligh but tasty dishes.
Only problem was there was too much for just one person, even if they were a kinesthetic. Nervously, she adjusted the decorations on the crowning achievement to her efforts - a beautiful tuxedo cake. It had proved far more difficult then she'd initially thought and had taken a couple tries to get it right. Now that it was, she wanted to share it with Yambati.... if he showed up that was. It would be a very lonely lunch without him.But luckily for her, Yambati did show up. He was pulling back his hair as he entered the kitchen, but when he saw (and smelled!) all of the food, he stopped dead in his tracks, hands stilled over his hair. He blinked. "... W-what...?"
Yambati was clearly at a loss for words. Her note had been cryptic, only telling him to come to the kitchens, and that his appetite was invited as well.
But this... this was a bit more than he'd been expecting.Kallisto jumped as the door swung open, turning slightly. When she saw who it was she beamed, quickly hiding the cake in a nearby fridge and bustled over to the table and pulled out a chair, gesturing for him to take a seat, "Sit. I"m almost finished. What do you think?" She smiled, wiping her hands on the apron she wore before turning back to the counters and retrieving a large container of sweet lemonade and a pair of crystal goblets.Yambati stared a little, then slowly finished tying back his hair and came over, taking the seat offered. "I think," he said, slowly, "that you over-estimate the capacity of my stomach, Kallisto. I'm not Academic, but I still can't eat anywhere near half of this..." He glanced up at her, eyes almost... apologetic? As if he were letting her down.She shrugged, "I wasn't sure what you'd enjoy so I made a bunch of things. What isn't eaten can be stored for leftovers later." It was clear she took no offense at that. In fact, she smiled happily. "They're fairly small portions so you can try everything. Like..." She ran through the various things she'd learned while looking up recipes, "like dim sum."
Setting the container of lemonade down, she removed her apron and settled into the seat opposite him after throwing it over a rack. "I hope I didn't pull you away from anything..." The thought only just occurred to her and a shadow of worry flickered across her face.He shook his head, smiling slightly. "No, not at all. I was just reading up a little more in those books I borrowed. It's about time I returned those, actually...
"But later. First, I try your cooking - the last time turned out well, after all.""Oh good. I'd feel horrible if I interrupted something." She nodded and proceded to pour them some drinks. She waited for Yambati to proceed before picking her own morsels to eat."Don't worry about it," he assured her, taking his glass and sipping a little. He glanced over the food, twirling the glass in his fingers idly.
When Kallisto didn't move, he looked back at her. "... Don't let me hold you up. I can take a long time to decide on things."Kallisto blinked, realizing she was staring and promptly looked down, "What? Oh. Okay..." She looked up once more and smiled, "But don't take too long - don't want it to get cold." Without further ado, she served herself, taking a variety of morsels and began to nibble at them."I promise I won't let them get cold," he said, sipping some more. "Don't worry." He set down his glass, and picked out a few things to try, moving small portions to his plate. "So, are any of the things I picked spicy beyond all belief, before I start sticking them in my mouth?"She swallowed then, and looked sheepish, "There a few things that are really spicy, mainly because I like spicy things." Kallisto indicated the couple of dishes, both of which Yambati had taken from. "I've got milk ready incase they're too hot, water only makes it worse.""Mm. I'll be sure to take small bites. I.... like spicy things, but I don't eat them often. So I'm not used to it yet." He tried one of the spicy dishes with a tiny, tiny bite. He was very cautious.
But after swallowing, he turned approving eyes back to Kallisto. "Delicious."Kallisto grinned, "Thanks!" She was utterly pleased that he was enjoying her food. As she met his eyes, she seemed to glow under that approving gaze. Her effort hadn't gone to waste. She puffed up, eyes glittering with happiness. "I'm so glad you like it. I've been practicing so-" She stopped. So she could what? She wasn't sure exactly. She'd just gotten caught up in improving for him. He tilted his head slightly, taking another tiny bite. One eyebrow rose as if of its own accord. "Practicing?" Yambati seemed... surprised. "... You spent more time on this than I thought," he murmured, quietly. "I didn't give you the impression that I expected this sort of thing... did I?"She shook her head, "Not at all... you liked the picnic so I thought I would try to do you one better. It is better since then, right?" She sounded hopeful. That was one thing about her - she was always striving to do better, be better then before."It's better, but the picnic was very good, as well." He finished off the small morsel, licking his fingers. "I suppose as long as you didn't feel -pressured- to do all of this, I shouldn't complain, hm...?""No, I didn't feel like I had to. I just wanted to. I enjoy cooking and thought you might like to take part in my efforts." She paused, nibbling on some tender morsel. Kallisto wasn't sure what else to say. At least not until it came time for dessert, anyways."I'm glad you thought of me," he said, trying one of the other dishes. He smiled, faintly, without thinking about it - it was that good. He finished it, took a sip of lemonade, and tried something else. But for once, he wasn't quite comfortable with the silence. After swallowing, he looked up. "I still haven't been able to get ahold of Professor Orrys... perhaps you could help me track him down?"Kallisto glanced up, tilting her head to the side, "Hnnn?" She'd burried herself in the food, focusing it so she wouldn't end up staring at Yambati and his brief smiles. "Oh, Orrys? Have you checked the teacher's lounge? If he's not there, check the Arena - those are your best bets.""Ah. I'll keep that in mind. And I'll make sure to check both places on the same day, to make sure I don't miss him, mm? I should run into him eventually..." Another bite of something, another one of those brief, pleased smiles that he didn't seem to notice.She nodded, refilling her plate. Her smile echoed his own. She realized she'd come to treasure those secretive smiles - so uncertain, hesitant. It was like he didn't smile very often, which she knew to be a fact, and each one made her feel accomplished. Smiles were good things, expressions of joy and the thought she might be impressing him enough to draw one of them appealed her. "Do you plan on catching up on any other classes or waiting until the cycle starts again? We're about half-way through now.""No, I don't think so. I suppose I'm technically 'taking' Quenda's class, due to my position as a Gardener, but I fully intend to take all the other classes properly. I'm only taking physical education so we can spar, and I'll most likely take it when it rolls around in the cycle again.""Oh." She answered shortly. She was beginning to think of her accension to Stage One now - it was looming closer and closer as the classes came and went. However, she seemed kind of upset, caught on something. If he didn't transend with her, they wouldn't be able to spend nearly as much time together. She greatly enjoyed his company, attending classes with him, and the rest. A rock seemed to settle into her stomach then, as she focused on her plate once more. "I thought you'd be the type to work ahead..." It wasn't a jab, not at all.Yambati blinked, watching her expression fall. He frowned. Why did she look like that...? "I... I am, but making up that many classes...? It doesn't seem... right, almost. ... Why do you look so..." What was the word he wanted? "... sad?"Kallisto shook her head, "Nothing. It's alright. I'm fine." She looked up, offering a weak smile. "It's nothing, really. Don't worry about it." She didn't know why she didn't tell him. Perhaps she didn't want to voice her concern lest it become true? She shook her head once more, disliking all this emotions fogging up her head. It made it hard to think.He didn't believe her. His lips tightened into a thin line, but he said nothing, merely nodded, silently. He took another bite, but the taste was dulled by his confusion. That awkwardness that had all but dissipated was... back, almost.She continued to eat, but the food had lost it's appeal in the awkward silence that had descended. Shifting, she began to fidget, pushing her food about. As the silence thickened, she fidgeted more and sighed, looking up. She couldn't stand the silence anymore - she'd never been good with such situations. "It's just that... ah... uhm..." She stumbled, unable to find the proper words. She bit her lower lip as she tried to think it through this time. Yambati glanced up, but something kept him from staring straight into her eyes. He somehow knew that it would stop her. But he was attentive, watching her through his eyelashes, over the tops of his glasses. "... Yes...?" It wasn't a prodding for explanations - merely an invitation."Well..." She paused, sounding uncertain, "It's just that I enjoy your company... and well... we're halfway through the classes and I'll transcend upon completion..." She sighed, letting the silence stretch before continuing, "And if that happens I won't see you as much. You'll still be studying while I do whatever it is a One does.... and I'll be outside the White District... and... and..."
She stopped, heaving a great sigh and merely trailing off."..." He settled his hands on the table, looking down at the food still in front of him. He pursed his lips. "... if it were practical to make up half of the cycle of classes, I would do it," he said, quietly. "But as it stands... we still have the gardens, yes?" It sounded weak, even to him, but it was all he could think of to say. They would have the gardens.Kallisto chewed her lower lip, nodding as she played with her food, "That's true... it's just..." not enough, she thought, unable to say it out loud. "I could help you catch-up but... that's not feasible like you said. Maybe if you talked to the teachers, I could tutor you..." She mused, not liking the turn of events. She should have just kept her mouth shut and not thought about the future like a good kinesthetic."Maybe we can work something out so that, even if I don't transcend -with- you, we won't be separated for too long...?" The words came out before he could stop them, and he leaned forward, and he looked... upset. For her sake. He even reached out and touched her cheek, gently, as if to comfort her. He didn't pull away, when he realized what he was doing, but did blush and look down slightly. "... It'll work out, don't worry."Kallisto nodded, looked up in answer to his touched and smiled. It wavered but held, "I hope so. You're my closest friend and, well, I'd hate to lose you." The latter came out in a rush and she blushed furiously. It was true enough. She didn't have many friends and of them, she was closest to Yambati.He couldn't look away. He just -couldn't-. His fingers still rested lightly on the curve of her cheek, and he couldn't seem to move them, either. "I-" He halted, awkwardly. Then he pulled his hand back, looked away. "I don't want to lose... you... either."She stopped. Stopped breathing, stopped thinking. Merely watched him with a complete look of surprise. He.... didn't want to lose her? He actually enjoyed her? She blinked once, twice, as a tear rolled down her cheek. In all her time in Empyreans, she had doubted anyone held any true care for her. No one really showed any interest in her and... now... His comment unlocked a floodgate of emotions and Kallisto cried. Not of sadness but of joy. Somebody cared. Somebody truly cared. "Thank-you. Thank-you so very much, Yambati." She managed to gasp that out as she rubbed furiously at her eyes, smiling but unable to stop the tears.His head snapped back up, and before he knew what he was doing, he was around her little counter-table and, awkwardly, patting her on the back. "Ah... I... thank you? What for? Are... are you alright, Kallisto?" He bit his lip. He had no idea what was going on. She was crying. She was crying a lot, but she was smiling, and those two things were pure contradiction in his mind. He didn't understand what he'd done! Apparently, it was good, but then... why was she crying?She laughed, a merry one, as she turned in her seat and beamed up at him, her hand sliding up his arm, "Thank-you for caring. You're the first person to have said that to me." She sniffed, finally getting the tears under control, and stood hugging him without thinking, "I appreciate it more then you know." She sniffed again, still smiling.The hug was, of course, awkward, but he followed the example of other hugs that he'd seen and continued patting her on the back, gently. "... really...? I..." He paused. "... I suppose I can say the same of you," he finally murmured.Kallisto buried her face in his hair and stood there, merely enjoying his embrace and the support he offered. She didn't need words right then, he was enough.He was on the verge of saying something or moving away, but he didn't. He didn't even stiffen at her head resting on his shoulder. It was... nice. It wasn't bad, that was for sure, and he didn't mind the hug so much, coming from her. His hand on her back stilled, and his eyes slid partially closed, his lips curling slightly. Perhaps this was why people liked other people.Kallisto inhaled his earthy scent and smiled against his shoulder. She held still for a moment longer and then, as her mind caught up to her body, her eyes opened wide and she stepped away abruptly. "I'm sorry! I know you don't like that... uhm..." She was blushing furiously and unable to make eye contact. Sure, she would have stayed there for however long it lasted but... she looked up, trying to read his expression. Had she angered him?He just looked at her levelly with a slightly quirked eyebrow. Then he... laughed. It was a pleasant laugh, too, and he brushed back her to take his seat once more. "It's... fine," he murmured after a moment, pouring some more lemonaide into both of their glasses. "I didn't mind all that much, and you needed it."Her shoulders sagged with obvious relief, though her response wasn't exactly intelligent, "Okay." Then she coughed and shook her head, "I mean, thank-you." She smiled tentatively then, as she slipped back into her seat. As he passed her her glass, their fingers brushed and she couldn't help the blush that rose up. She bit her lower lip. Why was she blushing so very much? She didn't mean to...He watched her, quietly, not commenting. But he, too, wondered at why she was blushing so often. Was he embarrassing her? Or... was it that strange little feeling he got when they seemed particularly close, physically or otherwise? No, he was probably just embarrassing her, with all of this... sweetness. So he didn't comment on her blush. Instead, he tried another small helping of food, to try and take her mind off of things.She liked him. She knew she did. And that was despite promising herself she wouldn't fall for anyone. The episode between Tryna and Gregor had been the catalyst for that promise and yet... she found herself wanting to talk to him frequently and be with him and spar with him. But her accension scared her as much as it excited her now... she didn't like the unknown, this feeling of insecurity.
She bit her lower lip and tried to force her blush down without much success. He made her happy, the thought deepening the blush. This was so confusing! It made her want to punch something. Have a go at the dummies in the arena to get rid of this pent up anxiety that was both good and bad at the same time. At length, she couldn't stand not doing anything and stood abruptly, pausing to flash a slight smile at Yambati before skittering over to the fridge. "You feel like something sweet now?"He blinked, surprised by her sudden movements. He paused with a toothpick in his mouth, then chewed the bit of food on the end of it and swallowed, quickly.
"Ah, sure. Have one last thing up your sleeve...?"She nodded, calming down and taking deep breaths. They were just friends. Just friends. Nevermind the tightness in her chest or the feeling of being special that rose when he smiled at her. Friends. Friends made one another happy right? And that's what she was doing. Given half a chance, her mind ran with it and she calmed down even more as she turned, returning to her normal self - the blush fading fast. "I do. It took a couple tries but I think it turned out alright." She tilted the plate slightly to reveal her project. "I hope you like chocolate and cheescake and sponge cake." She smiled.He noticed the change in her expression, and smiled slightly. Good, she was cheering up, and whatever that stretch of awkwardness had been....
When he saw her surprise, though, he raised his eyebrows. "Aah... oh. That's... quite a bit of cake." It sounded rather lame. But it was all he could say. This was much more than the small samples of food she'd made him. He looked at her. "... you did this for me, too?"She nodded, grinning, "I did... and partly for me too. I love this cake. It's really good." She paused though, wondering if it was too much... "Are you full? I can cut it up so you can take some back to your room if you want." She pursed her lips as she thought, "I'll have to find someplace to hide it though, so it doesn't get eaten by others.""Not full, but it is a lot of cake. I think we'll have leftovers." He laughed, though it was a quiet, almost inaudible thing. "It looks delicious, though. Thank you."
He still thought this was all a bit much just because he liked her cooking, but if she felt like spoiling him, who was he to stop her?She laughed, cheered by his soft laugh. It was the first time she'd heard him do so it made her fairly glow. He liked her cooking -and- he was laughing in her presence. "There's meant to be leftovers. You'll want more, I'm sure. I always do.""As long as you planned for that," he commented. "So, who will do the honor of cutting into it first?" He busied himself with setting his old plate aside and taking up one of the clean ones she'd left nearby before he'd entered, watching her.She blinked. Odd question, that. "Uhm, I hadn't thought of that. Do you want to?" She set the cake down between their plates and fetched a knife, handing it to him handle first.He took the knife. "I'd be glad to." He didn't really care one way or the other, but handing it back to her would have been awkward. He carefully cut two slices, sliding the blade under each one to move it to its destination. Then he set the knife down.
"For starters."She nodded and sat down once more to dig in. Despite a few hiccups, she was having a good time. The tear stains on her cheeks were dried up and her smile was genuine. Cake made everything better. Especially when shared with a friend.He ate, although it was a little slower than she was eating. He was watching her. The change in mood interested him - both of them, the original and the return to normal. He wanted to know what she was thinking in that head of hers.What indeed. In truth, she was trying very hard -not- to think about things and merely enjoy his company and succeeding - it wasn't very hard to enjoy his presence. That was what was important. She felt his gaze on her and glanced up, expression questioning. Did he want something?He tilted his head. Part of him wanted to ask directly, but he remembered the look of pain on her face earlier, when she thought they might be separated. He'd ask later, when she'd had time to calm down and think, about what had happened.
"... It's very good," he said instead.She smiled and nodded, "Thank-you. Did you want to take some with you when you go? I have to stay behind and clean everything up so I'll take what you don't.""That would be nice. Do you want help cleaning up...?" He finished off his piece of cake and set down his fork. "I don't have anywhere else to be."Kallisto paused as she reached forward to cut the remaining cake into a few pieces, "Sure. It'll go much faster then. But don't feel you have to, though." She spoke briskly. She enjoyed cleaning up, it was a good way to keep active and clear one's mind."Don't worry; I want to help." He stood up, finished the last of his lemonade, and looked over the table. "Just tell me where things should go."Kallisto gestured behind her after she divided the pieces, "The cabinets are labelled and the dish rack's under the sink along witht the cleaning supplies." She stood up and turned around, "Thank-you, Yambati." There was a smile in her voice as she returned the uncut cake to the fridge."And where should the leftover food go?" he asked, gathering the few unused plates and utensils and putting them away. "Do we have containers for it...?"There was a trash bin off to the side, which she gestured to. "Organics in one bin and inorganics in the other. They make compost from scraps. Leftovers go in the frigdge. We can move them once we've finished." She sounded happy and content as she set the washing things up and laid out the towels that they would use.Yambati nodded, and after finding a few plastic containers in one of the cupboards, began putting the leftovers that were worth keeping in them. He kept himself busy with that, while his mind wandered. He had an idea buzzing around.
"... Kallisto, do you need any other plants? Herbs for cooking, or plants for alchemy..?"She filled the sink and added the soap, watching as the bubbles built up and glistened like little pearls. "Hnnn?" She tiled her head towards him, "I don't think so... I'm still learning about alchemy and the kitchens are well stocked with herbs and spices..." She trailed off as though she were thinking, "I like tiger lillies. But I can't seem to find any.""There are some in the Gardens." He started popping lids on the containers. "If you'd like, I could split a seed or two for you. I need practice with it, anyway, and the Sundew plant made you happy..."
That last bit... he wasn't sure where it came from, but he didn't try to correct himself.She chuckled as she began washing the dishes he'd piled up beside the sink, "It did indeed. And it's been doing well to. Grown even. It's really exciting." She was talking to the wall before her but her words were clear enough, "Would you mind if I came along to watch? I've never done seed splitting before. It should help me understand better.""Of course you can come. Actually, I was planning on inviting you." It was really just a ploy to get her alone, so they could talk more. And a way to cheer her up. She'd have something that reminded her of him, when she went away to-
No, he wasn't going to think about that just yet. It... hurt. More than he wanted to admit."Did you have a preferrence? I don't want to bother you when you're working." She turned back to the dishes and rinsed the few she'd cleaned, setting them gently into the rack. She may just pop in on him randomly to see how he was doing anyways... she had a feeling that she wouldn't be able to stay away."Well, I tend to work in the evening, around the time we met up for our first sparring... lesson. An hour or two before dusk. Other than that, I don't have a preference as to the specific date."She nodded. A few more dishes joined the clean ones. The tension between them was growing again and she wondered why that kept happening... she was guessing at her own feelings but that tension wouldn't be there if he didn't feel that way too. She glanced up to gauge his expression."Well, we can decide on a date later," he said, coming to join her with the last of the dirty dishes. "Okay?" He was looking at her with an almost... fond look. He wanted to do this for her. He wanted to cheer her up. Even though she seemed happy, he knew it probably wouldn't last, not with such serious things looming in the future.She blushed as he saw the look on his face, the tenderness in his voice not helping the flush. "Alright. I'm not picky. Just let me know then." She shifted aside, giving him room despite leaning towards him a little, her shoulder brushing his.He didn't quite stiffen at the touch of her shoulder, but he noted it. Noted the blush. He still wouldn't face the signs (though he only barely recognized them), assigning her reaction instead to emotional unsteadiness. She was in a delicate place right now, he reminded himself. All he should read this as was that she wanted him there to help her.
"Of course."Kallisto offered a smile and returned to doing the dishes, finishing them off fairly quickly - there weren't that many. She wasn't as unstable as he thought she was - merely.... she wasn't sure how to describe it. Not happy but not upset either, more in the grey area between and for some strange reason she was enjoying it. Quirking her brows, she set the final dish in the rack and busied herself with wiping the counters.He helped out where he could, used to cleaning from his work in the gardens. That was a little more down and dirty than this, but it involved tidying up the sheds as well as weeding the gardens. It didn't take long before they were finished up.
"... I wouldn't mind doing this again sometime," he murmured after a moment. "Although, perhaps restrict yourself to only two or three dishes, to save my poor stomach?" He smiled lightly, wryly.Finished, Kallisto folded the towels over their bars and sighed. "Done."
Her eyes lit up. Really? "Sorry... Like I said I wanted to make sure there was at least one thing you liked. But anytime! Just give me some warning though, so I cook whatever it is you want." She smiled brightly, perking up. She was afraid she'd scared him off with what had happened. Silly thought when he wanted her to go with him for seed-splitting."Oh, I liked everything I tried," he commented, stepping back from the sink, still watching her. "But yes, I'll tell you in advance. Maybe we can plan something at the seed splitting...?"Kallisto nodded almost as soon as the words were out of his mouth. "Sure!" He smiled for a moment at that, then picked up his cake. "Alright then. I'll see you soon, then?"Again, she nodded and resisted the urge to hug him. "Definitely." Her pigtails bobbed in time with her nod. "Enjoy your cake. I'll make more if you want more." She smiled and, tucking the chairs in as she passed the table, walked with him to the door."I'm sure I will," he said. He seemed... much more relaxed around her. More natural. Less guarded. He could sense it to, and it was... oddly pleasant.
"Well, then. Have a good evening." He inclined his head to her, and then headed back down towards his own room.She watched him go and leaned against the doorframe, sighing quietly - the ghost of a smile whisping across her face. "You too, Yambati."
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:42 pm
Journal Entry
Yambati: Friend or something more....?
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:22 pm
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:50 pm
Whole
Timeline Spot: Third Free Period, After Math and June Event Yambati had considered, for a fleeting moment, inviting her by way of note again. But no, that was too impersonal now. Too... childish. Too afraid.
He wasn't afraid, just... nervous. He wanted to impress her that day. He'd felt so close to her during the chaos surrounding Bellona's illness, but they hadn't seen each other since, and nothing had really passed between them those few days. He wanted to see her again. It was irrational, but the thought hadn't left his mind for the past few days.
Arriving at her dorm door, he heistated a moment, then knocked. His fingers toyed with the end of his long, curly front lock of hair, nervously. He hoped she was in. Kallisto blinked, the sound of someone knocking on her door rousing her from her sleep. "/Somebody's at the door, Kallisto. Probably your boyfriend./" Cecil commented dryly and Kallisto flushed, swatting his away, "He's not my boyfriend...." But it was a wistful protest and the flush hadn't disappeared completely from her cheeks as she opened the door. Yawning slightly, she smiled, and met the other's eyes. Then she blinked, her smile turning into a broad grin. "Yambati!" She was obviously pleased as punch he'd come to see her, "What can I do for you?"
Cecil made a sarcastic comment and she waved at him, "I'll put you back in your ring if you're not quiet." She was looking over her shoulder as she spoke but turned back to Yambati, "Come in! You can see how my sundew is doing!" Yambati looked slightly sheepish, noting how sleepy she looked. "I'm sorry - did I wake you up? I didn't mean to.."
He bit his lip slightly, then smiled, slightly. "And thank you, I will - but I actually came to ask if you wanted to go to the Gardens today." He stepped into her room slowly as she welcomed him in, feeling a little awkward. Kallisto shook her head, "No, it's alright. I was just having a nap - I'm still trying to wrap my head around Math. I've made some progress but not a lot." She chuckled, stepping aside.
"Oh! Sure! I could use a break. Thank-you!" His company would cheer her up immensely. As it was she seemed to come alive at the thought, sleep burned away by her surge of energy. "You're welcome," Yambati murmured with a faint smile. He moved into her room, and before going to the Sundew - which looked like it was growing just fine, he stopped before Cecil.
"So this must be Cecil, hm?" he questioned, remembering her mentioning her cat back when he'd first given her the Sundew. "/Yes. Like what you see?/" He responded, eyes narrowing as he slipped past Yambati to take a seat at Kallisto's feet, obviously protective and possessive. She nudged him away and with a toss of his head, sauntered off as though the entire thing was his idea.
"Yep. He's not so good with strangers. However, if you've pineapple or catnip, he'll warm up to you." She smiled at her pet fondly, he'd been with her since her awakening. "I hope my room isn't too much of a mess for you..." "Sadly, I have neither at the moment, though I suppose I could always grow some catnip myself." His lips twitched slightly - getting on the cat's good side would probably be a good idea.
Moving over to the Sundew, he set about examining it carefully, if not with his full attention. "And your room is just fine - it proves you actually spend time in here. Mine doesn't." Kallisto laughed, "That's true. Though you'd have to keep it - if you gave me one, it'd die immediately from feline abuse." Cecil have her a dry look before pointedly setting about bathing. She shook her head, "I highly doubt that. You're really smart and I can't see you studying in a mess." She joined him, standing at his side to watch what he was doing. "Healthy?" "Oh, my room is quite clean - because I'm not in it much." It was true. He generally studied in the Gardens.
He touched one of the beads of 'dew' lightly with one finger, then rubbed that finger together with his thumb. He looked up at her and nodded. "Very healthy," Yambati assured her, with a slight smile.
He felt as if he wasn't being... amiable enough. Like he was doing something wrong. But he felt so... on edge, now, for whatever reason, that he couldn't help but retreat slightly. Maybe the Gardens would help. "/He's nervous. Mr. Green Thumb's nervous./" Cecil called, meowing at her. Kallisto nodded, having noticed that herself. But what should she do to make things more... comfortable? He'd seen Cecil but not Jadeite perhaps that might help? Crossing over to her desk, she retrieved the mineral sample and held it out to Yambati, "This is Jadeite, I've told you about her before, I think." She didn't mention the fact that it had taken a couple days to figure out what her Abberation was - she hadn't been able to remember because of how drunk she'd gotten. A faint smile played across her lips at that. It was an amusing if embarrassing memory. "Actually, I don't think you have, except perhaps saying her name in passing," he commented, reaching out to take Jadeite from her. When his fingers brushed hers, though, he paused.
He thought that perhaps he understood why Kallisto had blushed when he had passed her that glass of lemonade, the other day.
After a moment, he pulled his hand away, looking at Jadeite and trying to brush off his small pause. "Oh? Okay..." She summoned Jadeite, the Abberation swirling up to form into a bust, graceful and beautiful to behold. Kallisto was rather happy she was one of the few who owned such a creature.
As his hand brushed hers, she smiled actually managing to control the blush that inevitably wanted to rise. While she noted his pause, she didn't comment on it. However, she wondered if perhaps, just maybe, he might hold similar feelings to hers. It was difficult for her to keep from saying anything but she didn't want to jeopardize their friendship with an awkward question - he was her closest, most cherished friend. A staunch ally when she had so few. And she was too grateful for that to put their relationship in danger with one-sided feelings. He couldn't help but stare wondering at Jadeite, making a small, impressed sound. He didn't know much about Abberations, but he was still quite affected by the sight.
After a moment's wondering gaze, though, he looked back down at Kallisto. He wanted to go to the Gardens with her. Maybe then he'd be able to think a little clearer.
"So, ah..." he began, but then found he couldn't quite figure out how to say what he wanted to. She dismissed Jadeite and put her back in her place, turning around, "I'm sorry. You mentioned the Gardens? Just a minute and I'll get ready then we can go." Without further comment, she moved over to her mirror and brushed out her hair then proceeded to put it up her customary pig tails. It really was her favourite way to do hair, playful without being too childish. Smiling at Yambati via the mirror, she added the baubles and stood, "Okay! What did you have in mind?" He watched her for a moment, then fiddled with his glasses, so his hands had something to do. "You... said you would like a tiger lily? I have time today to split a seed for you, and since everything's calmed down since the other day..." She perked up, nodding, "Oh! That'd be wonderful!" She grinned, "I want to learn though. Would you mind showing me?" She stepped towards the door, catching his arm. Kallisto was concerned he'd be frozen to the spot if they didn't get moving soon - he was so stiff and awkward! "Is everything alright?" She sounded concerned, her gaze worried as she waited for him to leave so she could lock the door. He allowed himself to be guided out the door, wondering at how strangely he was acting now that he was actually round her again. He'd spent a great deal of time thinking about how he would take her to the Gardens, but it just served to make him more uncertain of what he was actually doing any of it for.
"Of course I'll show you," he assured her. "And everything's... fine. I just have some things on my mind." Kallisto didn't let it go, "Well, if here for you if you need anything. I'd hate to see my best friend upset." The way she said made it clear she'd immediately go off in search of the offending individual and give them what for for upsetting Yambati. She had a very protective streak in her, not possessive but protective, and it was that tendency that made her want to be a Grigori. "Thank you," he said, quietly. Maybe once he understood what he was actually thinking and feeling, he'd ask for her help. Maybe.
He led her down towards the Gardens, slowly getting used to her hand on his arm.
"So, ah - did the rest of the dorm enjoy the leftovers from the other day?" he asked, trying to prompt conversation. She laughed, "I brought them back to my room so I could make sure they were safe until I found a better spot later that day but I was wrong." She shook her head, remembering the mess, "Cecil's a pig, he'll eat literally anything and he certainly tried. The cake wasn't touched though, thankfully. But I think that was only because I threatened him on pain of death should he touch it." She scooted to the doors of the Gardens and swung them open for Yambati, gesturing for him to enter, "I ate some more myself and then put it in the communal fridge. It disappeared quickly enough so I think everyone enjoyed it." "Well, that's good," he said, smiling slightly. He could just imagine the cat with his head burried in the containers of leftovers, then hopping back because it was too spicy.
He noted, somewhere in the back of his mind as they walked to where the tiger lilies were, that Kallisto still hadn't let go of his arm, fully. Her touch was light, but still there. She didn't remember holding onto him like this, or that she hadn't let go yet. The puzzled expression that flitted across her eyes as she looked down revealed as much. It... felt natural and she smiled lightly at him. She knew he disliked touch, got really stiff when someone came into contact but he wasn't stiff, awkward, yes but stiff? No.
So she didn't remove her hand, instead focusing her attention on the gardens around them. Beautiful beds of flowers and plants punctuated here and there with wonderful trees. The air was clean and crisp as she inhaled deeply reveling in it. And then, as they walked, she caught the hint of the smell of tiger lilies and grinned. It was the most beautiful smell in the world to her and the splash of colour as they into view drew an excited little noise from her.
"I didn't know these were here!" She exclaimed, breaking contact to hurry over and sink to her knees before the well groomed bed of flowers, to gently cup the largest flower in reach, "They're beautiful!" Yambati couldn't help but smile. He knew he had to calm himself if he were to split a seed for her, and so he did his best not to question whatever it was that was going through his head and heart.
"If they weren't here, I couldn't get one for you," he informed, her gently, then walked up behind her, settling a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be right back - I need to get a few things." She nodded absently, glancing up briefly to flash an enormous smile at before turning back. There were several species and colours and she took the time to touch what she could, smiling at the little hooks on their petals and laughing when she got some pollen on her hands, turning them orange. She was delighted. Yambati almost didn't leave her. Watching her was... enchanting. He slowly pulled away, though, and made for the nearest supply shed, where he gathered his tools - two pieces of burlap, a small bowl, silver scissors. One day, he would buy his own bowl and scissors.
On his way back to Kallisto, he paused by a fountain to fill his bowl with water. When he came back to her side, he set his tools down in a neat row, then sat by them, watching her again. He didn't need to rush this.
Without trying to analyze his feelings, he was quickly relaxing a little. It wouldn't be a permanent, or even long-lasting thing, but it would serve until he was finished his work. She looked up as he sat down by her eyes sparkling in obvious enjoyment. She was so very glad he'd invited her here and she wondered what other little treasures might be around - though it didn't take much effort to decide she'd rather find them with Yambati then on her own.
Her gaze slipped from his face to settle on the supplies he'd gotten. "What do they do?" She'd assumed seed splitting would involve cutting a seed in half not... burlap, water, and scissors. He couldn't help but keep a little smile on his face in response to how she... -glowed-. He kept noticing these little things about her, more and more.
"Oh," he said, glancing down at what he had brought. "You take a clipping from the plant, and then channel Essence into it through water. The burlap is to keep the clipping in place while I work." She smiled because he was and nodded, "After you've done one, maybe I could try?" It was obvious she was interested in learning. "It would be better if Professora Quenda taught you," he said, reluctantly. He wouldn't mind teaching her at all, but... it was not something worth getting into trouble over. "But I promise to come with you when you do learn." Kallisto nodded, understanding. She'd be able to show him mudras or cooking things but she'd feel uncomfortable actually teaching them to him. "It's okay. I'll just have to get you to help me when I go see Professora Quenda.. or botany class, whichever comes first." She smiled and shifted to give him room to work and yet still afford her a good view. "You can tell what you're doing as go though, right? Or will that distract you?" "Sadly, no. I need to meditate for most of it. But I can tell you now, so you know what you're seeing." He shifted so he was more in front of the lilies. "First, I need to pick a specimen - a healthy one, probably young. Then, I take a clipping from it, and place it on one piece of burlap. I have to immediately clean the scissors, so the plant's Essence isn't lost.
"Once the clipping is on the burlap square and the scissors are cleaned and set aside, I focus and visualize the Essence of the seed emerging from the clipping. The clipping is then covered with the second piece of burlap, both are submerged, and the visualization continues. Throughout it all, I have to maintain a positive, calm state of mind." She nodded, his earlier mention of drawing Essence through the water making sense now that it was explained. "Doesn't seem too difficult. Is there anything I can do to help or should I just be quiet?" Kallisto wasn't sure if there was anything she ought to do but didn't want to get in the way either. Yambati smiled slightly at her. "Just stay nearby," he assured her... then paused for a moment in thought, pulled off his glasses, and handed them to her. "And hold these?" She chuckled and nodded, folding them carefully and held them gently. When she looked back up she paused. Yambati looked totally different without his glasses... so refined and mature... incredibly handsome. It was hard to tear her gaze but she did - eventually. Yambati turned his attention, albeit reluctantly, to the plants. He let his thoughts quiet, let the smells of the Gardens flood his sense. His vision was a blur of greens and oranges and organic colors. When his thoughts turned positive, expansive, nonspecific, he slowly picked up the scissors.
Quietly, he leaned forward, fingers brushing over petals gingerly. When he found a lily that seemed right, he carefully took one of the stamen between his fingers. Using those silver scissors, he deftly severed the head of it, and transfered it, pollen and all, to one of the burlap squares. He washed off the scissors and set them aside again, then placed both hands, one atop the other, an inch or two above the burlap. He closed his eyes. His breathing became slower, and his face looked utterly relaxed. Breathing deeply, he focused on the tiger lily. Only the lily. Just like with the Sundew, he had to work to keep Kallisto out of his thoughts, but he managed. Kalisto held her breath, afraid to disturb his focus but shifted slightly, the soft rustle of frabric issuing out into the still air. She bit her lower lip, wondering if that have upset him. She couldn't tell - he was so completely focused.
Silently, she beamed, not taking her gaze from his movements and drank in the image. He seemed... at peace. It was difficult not to reach over and caress his cheek for fear of messing up the serenity he'd surrounded himself with. Kallisto's admiration and respect for his passion only grew as she realized how truly happy it made him. He could hear the sound of the fabric, distantly, and it, for a moment, made it harder to focus solely on the image of a flower winding up, blooming brightly. But this -was- his passion - even with his normal thoughts so confused, he could always calm himself with plants. Always.
When he felt the telltale thrum in his mind, he reached out with one hand, eyes still shut, and picked up the second
piece of burlap. Settling it over the clipping, he picked up both pieces and slowly, gently, submerged the packet into the bowl of fresh water. He continued to visualize the plant growing, the Essence of it growing along with it. He focused solely on the image of it all condensing into one perfect seed. Thoughts of Kallisto vanished - that seed became his world for a few long moments. Kallisto could feel the intensity of his concentration... fascinated with the events unfolding before her eyes. It was simply amazing.
A small bump began to form in the burlap and she blinked. Was that the seed? She couldn't quite tell. It was. He could feel the seed forming, something he hadn't quite trusted in the first time, but now recognized and welcomed. His lips curled into a smile, pleased, content, as he continued visualizing.
Then, after a few small bubbles came up form the burlap, he let the visualization fade. The seed splitting was complete. He opened his eyes and shifted so he was no longer kneeling, but sitting, weight on one hand. With the other, he carefully withdrew the seed from the water. He held it up where Kallisto could see it. She smiled, leaning in to look at the seed. It was a perfect little lily seed. She glanced from it to Yambati and grinned widely, "Wonderful! Now you just plant it? Can you make another seed from the flower or are some sort of rules for it?" He shifted a little, lazily. The smile hadn't left his face. Apparently, the whole thing left him feeling... different.
"Yes, you plant it when the lunar cycles are good for planting," he murmured. "And once that seed has grown into a plant, you may split seeds from it, as well, but there has to be a month between each one..." "Oooh okay. I see. Professor Elias mentioned something about lunar cycles and planting or harvesting times." She nodded, before sitting back and smiling at him. He seemed so happy... So... content.
Then she remembered she held his glasses and leaned forward, hesitantly sliding them back into place. "There." She had the intense urge to lean forward more and brush her lips against his. Instead, she trailed her fingers down his jaw and sat back, "So how do you store the seed? I'm not sure when the best time to plant it would be..." He shivered at the touch, but he didn't mind it. Not at all. He leaned back against the short wall of the planter, holding the seed out to her. "Keep it dry and in a dark place," he said, voice soft. She took it and smiled, shifting closer to him as she put it in her pocket. "Thank-you!" Experimentally, she leaned a shoulder against his, to see if he'd withdraw. She wanted so much to tell him how she felt but she was afraid of rejection and hurting their bonds. Still... she knew she wouldn't know if she didn't ask... She swallowed, obviously wanting to ask something but refraining from doing so. He didn't flinch or pull away or stiffen. That lazy sense of well-being was still there, and it slowed his thoughts of her. They didn't cause that much anxiety that way. He knew he valued her opinion and her companionship greatly. He'd come to realize that she was beautiful, even if it wasn't in the traditional, overly feminine way.
He could feel, when he was with her, something like an echo of himself. They... fit. That was the only word he could think of. Like each new piece he learned of botany meshed with what he already knew.
He still smiled, lazily, and looked over at her. Really, he should talk to her about this. Kallisto rested her gently on his shoulder, smiling happily as she inhaled the scent of lillies and Yambati. She sighed happily, perfectly content to spend the next few hours simply sitting by his side. He wouldn't mind it either, and his arm actually, seemingly of its own volition, slid behind her and, though it didn't come to rest on her waist, did rest on the ground beside her.
He supposed now was as good a time as any.
"... Kallisto?" His voice was soft, gentle. "Hnn?" She inquired, turning her head slightly to look at his face, "Yes?" Her thoughts were on burning this moment into her mind and the implications of his movements hadn't yet dawned on her. He didn't want to worry her, he knew that. And everything that came to his mind started off sounding ominous. He could tell that, even with his almost-intoxicated mind.
But there was one very simple phrase that came to him, one that while he'd need to explain it more, would at least get his point across rather quickly.
"Stay with me." Because of their positions, the words were murmured into her ear. She nodded, smiling, "I don't intend on leaving any time soon." One arm slipped around to hug him from behind, as she realized what he might be saying and she turned, a hopeful look in her eyes, "I'm here for you." Though he hadn't asked any questions, she was wondering what he meant but left it up to him. She couldn't be sure quite yet.His smile broadened at that look. It was hard to pick the right words - he wasn't very verbally sentimental - so it took a few moments for him to speak. "... Will you always be?" Always was a weighty word, he knew, but he hoped she would understand. The arm around her folded now around her properly.
"Because I don't want to lose you." Kallisto paused, blinking as he continued and then grinned, throwing her arms around him in an energetic hug, "I don't want to lose you either! I was so afraid you didn't like me and I'd lose contact with you once I ascended! I'll always be with you." She wavered and fell over, bearing him to the ground giggling, "Yambati, I like you so much!" She paused and shook her head, toning down the relief that had flooded her system and made her so active, "No... I think I love you. You make me so happy... it's like I'm complete when you're around." She couldn't stop smiling and then froze, looking up at his face, suddenly dreading the answer. She couldn't help it. She had a deep seated fear of rejection. Her question came out in a quiet whisper, "Do you love me?"
Well she'd said her part. She couldn't take her admission back now and that was left was his response. She wasn't sure what would happen if he said he didn't love her and only cherished her as a close friend.
Kallisto bit her lip in nervous anticipation. Yambati let out a surprised gasp of air as he hit the ground unexpectedly, and Kallisto's warm weight was a bit of a surprise, as well. Still the one arm around her stayed around her. The other gently touched her cheek after she had made her confession, fingers resting on that curve.
"I do," he murmured after a moment. "If love is the unceasing desire to be near some one and to listen to them and to make them happy... if love is that and physical attraction and an echoing parity of minds... then yes. Absolutely." He smiled up at her. The trance-induced fog was leaving, and while part of him was growing uneasy with just how strange the situation was... he felt as if a weight had been lifted. -This- was why there had been awkward silences. -This- was why the mere thought of her made him feel so strange. Now he knew and understood, and it all fit. She paused and then lifted her head, looking at him with wide eyes. He did! He did love her! She fairly glowed, didn't blush, didn't look shy. She looked totally and completely whole - excited and relieved and her eyes were full of this bottomless emotion called love. It swelled in her breast at his words and she couldn't help giggling, "You understand! You feel the same as I! I never want to part with you, to be with you always. But I wasn't sure you'd have me.... but now... now I know and I'm so glad, no, honoured that I can say you're mine and I'm yours." She grinned, a strange thought flicking across her mind, "I didn't think I want love. Not after I saw the torment Tryna and Lus and even that wicked Gregor endured... but I found myself wanting to be by your side, hold you up and see you bloom. Love isn't the thing to be feared it's lack of it." She looked at him, eye shining... shining only for him.
And then she kissed him. Just a brief touch of her lips against his but a kiss nonetheless. She couldn't help it and she hoped he didn't mind. He was taken aback, a bit, by this rush. This confession. He hadn't realized how deep her feelings ran, and it staggered him, made him blush. How eagerly she jumped into it... he supposed it was Sanguine nature. But he shared her sentiments. He truly did, and his eyes reflected that.
His eyes fluttered closed for a moment at the light kiss, then he tilted his head slightly, watching her, fingers toying with her hair. "We're so similar," he mused, voice soft, affectionate. "We share so much in common, more than I think we both know. You say you want to watch me bloom - and I say it to you in return. Since the first time I met you, I realized that you'd... been cast out. Rejected. And you were closed up, when you shouldn't be. I want to help release you from that. I want to see you become the person you -should- be, not what people have made you become." The arm around her tightened. Kallisto leaned into his touch, laid beside him and listened, tears that refused to be held back leaking from the corner of her eyes, "Oh Yambati... I didn't think anyone cared... They only had eyes for one another... Only Grave talked to me and you.... you were the only one to truly take an interest in my well being. I still don't know how to thank you for it... " The tears were tears of gratitude, happy tears shed in celebration of the recognition he gave her. She hugged him tightly, not willing to let go as she burried her face his hair, "I love so much Yambati. I always will. I'll always be there for you, you'll never be alone." They were heavy words, spoken with love and honesty. His words had only served to bond her to him ever more tightly. She would grow for him, make him proud and protect him, care for him. Kallisto would do her upmost best to see him acheive his potential.
Never ever would she leave alone. She knew all too well what it was like to stand at the back of the group with nary a true friend to gossip with or exchange notes or spend time with. "I'll always be there for you, always." She spoke softly, gently but the fierceness - the fire - behind those words was obvious enough. He watched her, listening to her every word, as he gently rubbed her back in small circles. He brushed away her tears with gentle fingers.
When she said that she'd never leave him, he couldn't help himself. He tilted his head closer, brushed a fleeting kiss to her lips as she had done to him. "Thank you," he murmured. Now that he'd known companionship, known love, he found he was deathly afraid to lose it. If he lost her... he couldn't bear to think of it. It would be like losing his plants.
"I'll always be here for you, as well. You know that." He laughed, slightly at that. It had needed to be said, but it -did- sound a bit silly. "Whenever you need anything. Anything at all." She shivered as he kissed her, the touch of his lips stirring something inside her. Kallisto smiled against his cheek, inhaling deeply and memorizing his scent, "Thank-you, Yambati. And back at you, just ask if you need something." She sat up, one hand gliding across his shoulder as she dabbed at her eyes. She laughed, "I cry so much! I never used to. I'm sorry." her eyes went wide as she remembered the seed he'd split for her and she hurriedly removed it from her pocket. It was safe, still round and perfect.
She sighed with relief and glanced down at him, "Did you want to go look up when it would be best to plant this?" She brushed strays from his lock of bangs off his face and admired the nobility she saw, "Or we could stay here and lay in the grass for the rest of the day. I'm perfectly happy with either so long as you're with me." She smiled softly. "Don't apologize," he quickly said. He didn't mind if she cried. He found her beautiful either way - as long as she was happy.
He watched, amused, as she worried about the seed. Then he shifted a little from the planter - it felt too close - and beckoned her. "I think I prefer the second plan," he said, smiling faintly back at her. She stuffed the seed back into her pocket and smiled, "I think I do too." Without further ado, she flopped into the grass beside him and looked up into the sky, watching the clouds drift by. A moment later, she shifted closer to him, her hand catching his and her other pillowing her head. He glanced down at their joined hands and slowly, experimentally, laced their fingers together. His thumb idly rubbed along the side of her palm, and he closed his eyes for a moment, smiling. That felt nice. That felt... connected.
"When Professora Bellona was ill," he murmured after a moment's silence. "When I was sitting by you all those days. That's when I first started to understand what I felt. There was this... ease between us, and neither of us was trying to relax around the other - we were both so tense, and yet... not, at the same time." She instinctively squeezed his hand as she nodded, "Your presence helped keep me calm... And then... after I made that dinner for you I thought for a long time. I realized the thought of losing you was unbearable and understood my feelings."
She paused, biting her lower lip as she searched for the right word, "There is synergy between us... The quest to cure Professora Bellona made it clear to me. I'm made stronger when you're around and I like to think I make you stronger too." She recognized his need to talk and so she was trying to give him that oppotunity, letting him know she agreed with his sentiments. "You do," he affirmed, thumb still gently stroking her hand. He turned his head to look at her. "And you've made me happier, as well. I still generally don't like people, but since I've known you, I've become... bearable to others, at least. And I'm not as frustrated with them. I know it doesn't sound like much, but... it's helped me." Her gaze went from the sky to his eyes, a soft blush warming her cheeks, "I'm glad I could help. Sometimes it's the little things that count the most." She leaned forward and gently placed her nose and forehead against his. "Or at least the things you spend your entire life pretending don't matter much," he supplied, eyes half-closing as he watched her, so close to him.
"Though, you do make it difficult to keep my mind focused when I'm splitting seeds," he teased, then, smiling gently. "Too busy thinking of you, not enough about the plant. Not a good thing, sadly." She giggled, "I'm sorry... I can't help that. If it helps any, I doubt I'll be able to split a seed successfully - I'll be too distracted by thoughts of you to focus correctly." He smelled of earth and flowers newly soaked in rain and she loved it.
"Come to cooking class with me?" She asked suddenly, "You need to take that course and it's my favourite class - we can cook together and you'd be closer to ascending too." She smiled, liking the idea. He laughed at her comment.
At the mention of cooking class, he hummed thoughtfully. Then he smiled again. "Of course. And when Quenda's class rolls around, I'll be there to help you, even though I aleady have my credit. And then we need to track down Orrys..."
He felt so relaxed... she smelled of warmth and spices. He hadn't really noticed it before. Now it lulled him half asleep. She nodded, turning her gaze back to the sky. This sense of serenity was weighing her eyes down and coaxing her slowly off to sleep. She felt as though they were afloat in a sea of tranquility and reveled in it.
"I'll be thankful for it, my track record with plants isn't particularly good, after all. And I really want to spar with you, I'm anxious to see you in action." She breathed out slowly, completely at ease. This was... perfect. "You're doing perfectly with the Sundew, Kallisto," he murmured, reassuringly. His free hand reached up to carress her cheek again. Looking at her face was quickly becoming a sort of addiction.
"... Tired...?" he questioned, voice light. He was, as well. She tilted her face, leaning into the touch and reached over with her own to do likewise, "I am. I feel... totally content so I'm all sleepy again." She smiled, loosing herself in his eyes. She shifted to pillow her head on his chest, finding the rhythm of his heartbeat soothing.
She had yet to let go of his hand. And he didn't want her to let go. He gave her hand a small squeeze, and stroked his thumb once over her lip, wondering still at how things had turned out, before he slipped off his glasses and folded them, setting them aside. "I do, too," he murmured. "And here is just as good a place to take a nap as any." She kissed his finger, smiling, "I couldn't agree more." Settled agaist him and his warmth coax her to sleep. He made a small, pleased sound before closing his own eyes. He'd only ever fallen asleep outside of his room once before, and had vowed never to do it again - it left him feeling vulnerable. But this time, he didn't mind. Kallisto was with him. He would sleep easily.
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:51 pm
Invitation
Timeline Spot: During Third Free Period, a couple days after the log entitled Whole Kallisto's step was full of purpose, a certain cheerful bounce to them as she approached Yambati's room. She'd ended up arranging a dinner party with Grave when last she checked out books and wanted Yambati to be there with her.
Cheerfully, she knocked on his door and waited to see if he was in. She'd checked the gardens earlier but hadn't been able to locate him and so she'd decided to try his dorm room. Yambati started and quickly shut his notebook. It was filled with notes from his latest make-up classes, and he didn't want people - especially the only person who'd be visiting him - to see that just yet.
Running his hand through his currently unbound hair, Yambati got up and went to the door. Opening it, he smiled. "Why, hello." Kallisto smiled, bobbing her head in greeting, "I've got some news! Would you mind if I came in?" She spoke cheerfully, eyes lighting up as she saw him, "I hope you'll enjoy it." Yambati blinked, then stepped aside. "Of course you can come in," he said, lips still faintly curled. He was very glad he'd put aside his work - good forethought. "Thank-you!" She entwined her fingers in his as she passed by, pausing long enough for him to follow, "Are you busy? I'll come back later if you are..." She looked uncertain, suddenly wondering if she'd interrupted something... She should have asked first. "Sorry for barging in... I'm just kind of excited." Kallisto grinned sheepishly. "I was studying, that's all," he said, giving her hand a squeeze. "Reading some things. You're not interrupting much at all." With his free hand, he pushed the really-too-thick hair back over his shoulder.
"So, what news...?" "Oh. Okay." She smiled once more, "I was talking to Grave the other day about how I want to go after an apprenticeship with Professora Tryna - cooking - and he mentioned wanting to try something I'd made when I got the chance. We ended up tossing the idea of a dinner party around. He's bringing a couple friends and I want you there. With me." She grinned hopefully, "Would you come?" Yambati nodded, hurriedly. "Of course I will! Pass up your cooking and your company? Never. I can't promise I'll be a very social..." He paused, tilted his head slightly. "... date." Kallisto laughed, "Thank-you!" She squeezed his hand, "And that's fine. I know you don't like people very much. That's why I asked now so you had some notice... in case you didn't want to go." "No, I'll go," he said, smiling again. "I've found that lately, I've been... much happier. People don't bother me quite as much anymore. Thanks to you." He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek - it was a spontaneous, if still mildly awkward, movement. "Really?" She looked up at him, flushing pleasantly, "I can't stop smiling... Everything's brighter." She leaned against him, hugging him awkwardly as she enjoyed his kiss. "Did you need any help studying? I don't have anywhere to be right now..." "Exactly what I've been feeling - though without quite as -much- of the smiling."
He would have loved for her to help, but... he had to keep his surprise a secret. "No, it's just a bit of review to refresh my memory. But you can stay here for a little, if you want. I could use a break." Kallisto grinned, chuckling as she moved further into the room, "Okay! I'll stay for a little bit, but I don't want to distract you." She waited for him to take a seat before she followed suit, "How's the Gardening going? The lily you gave me has started to grow now but it's still little. I can't wait until it blooms." Yambati closed the door before sitting beside her, taking her hand again. He enjoyed the contact - he'd missed it.
"It's going just fine. I've helped a few of our classmates pick out flowers as gifts, actually." "Oh?" She entwined her fingers in his and leaned against his shoulder, her other hand toying with his silky tresses. She hadn't seen it down before and thought he looked good with it that way, "The roses are popular then, I guess?" "Not roses, actually. Mostly lillies or slightly unorthodox flowers." He glanced down at her hand in his hair, smirking slightly. "It's just finished drying from my shower earlier," he explained. It made sense to him, then, why it was still down. She chuckled, "Guess I'm not as original as I thought I was then."
Kallisto nodded at his comment, his hair was still slightly damp in places, "It must take a while to dry... you've got so much. I'm kind of jealous actually. Can't do much besides pigtails with mine." Her tone was friendly and amused as she looked at him thoughtfully, "Mind if I put it up for you?" She smiled, tugging gently at a snarl or two that had escaped his attention. He lifted an eyebrow. "Go ahead, if you can get it to behave. And I'm sure you'd look fine with your hair down," he said, smiling, imagining it. She bobbed her head and went in search of a brush and some hair ties and settled down behind him, running her fingers through his hair,"Did you get all the notes and things from catch-up in Crafting? I noticed you came in a little after we started." "Mm, no. I still need to take a look at your notes. You don't mind, do you...?" He straightened up to allow her to work earlier, ignoring the few times she caught knots and pulled. It was so strange, having another person work with his hair... "No not at all. I took more detailed notes then usual in case you needed them, actually." She smiled, trying to be careful as she brushed out the length of his hair. She accidentally caught his chunk of bangs and brushed back into the body of his hair as she began to lift up into his usual style. She bit her lower lip as she wound the tie around the mass of hair. "You know... A few little braids looped around might look neat... Not too feminine." She leaned forward and set her chin on his shoulder as she finished, crossing her arms over his chest, "Did want those notes now? I've got them on me."
"Oh and I'd like your help planning the dinner... I get carried away." She laughed softly as she spoke. "Braids might be nice," he agreed, absently. Then he looked at her out of the corners of his eyes. "And only if you're willing to put up with me copying them for a bit.
"And I'd love to help you plan the dinner." She nodded, "Sure." She didn't move though. She liked being near him, craved his touch. "What're you thinking about? You seem a little distant." She turned her head so that she was looking at him. Yambati blinked. "Thinking about? Nothing much - just you." It wasn't -really- lying, as his mind was half on his surprise for her. She laughed and nuzzled against him, "Good answer." Content to remain where she was, she fell silent, glad to enjoy his company. "I've good intention," he murmured, smiling. "It translates into my answers, apparently." He stroked her hair out of her eyes with his free hand.
"So what do you have in mind for the dinner?" he asked, after a moment. "I think those shrimp should definitely be on the menu..." She smiled, "The only dish I had planned was a flambe. And now shrimp has been added to that list. I just hope I don't burn anything... I haven't worked with flaming food before."
"You think there should be a couple spicy dishes? Or should I keep it simple? I want to make sure everyone enjoys it." "Definitely spicy - those were good. But have at least as many not as are - and make sure to somehow mark the ones that are. With red serving dishes or something, maybe." His thumb stroked the outside of her hand. She nodded, a hand absently rubbing his shoulders as she thought, "There's going to be six people total... individual taster dishes probably wouldn't work so well would it? Pastsa maybe? Lasagna? Bacon-wrapped steaks would be good too..." She trailed off and glanced at Yambati, "What do you want?" "Oh, I like the steak idea," he said, perking up. "And, while I'm sure you knew this was coming, perhaps salad...?" She giggled, "Of course. Any particular type of salad? If we go with steaks then ceasar might be best... or maybe garden salad and let them choose their dressing? You'll help me collect the greens right?"
"I still don't know where the vegetable gardens are in the Gardens." She laughed at herself, "I should really find a map or something - I get lost everytime I go." He laughed, stroking her hair. "I'm no expert on salads - I just know I like them. Water chestnuts especially. And of course I'll help you. I'd be remiss in my duties as Gardener if I ignored a young chef in need." She grinned, leaning into his touch, "Something with waterchestnuts then. I don't think I've ever had those though... Are they good? What do they go with?" "They don't have much of a flavor - they're very mild. The reason so good is that they give a very crisp 'crunch' to a salad, without being dry." "Oooh okay. Are they nuts then? Or some sort of crunchy veggie like celery?" She thought a moment, trying to think of other good things to add to such an ingredient, "Romaine would be best, I think, and maybe some raisins? Not too much crunch.... Oh! Orange pieces might be night too... What do you think?" She got up and moved around to side beside him rather then behind and wound her arm around his. "They're more like vegetables than nuts... it's hard to explain. You'd have to try them. And as for the rest, I have not the first clue as to how to put together a good tasting salad without instructions." He smiled at her, a bit teasingly. "You'll have to taste test, then, won't you? And I'm definitely going to see what the buzz about these waterchestnuts is about." She smiled in return, sticking her tongue out cheekily. Yambati rolled his eyes, leaning some of his weight on her. "Of course I'll have to taste test - even though I doubt I have much of a choice in the matter, mm?" He stuck his own tongue out at her for a brief moment. She shook her head, beaming, "Not at all. I'll do better if I'm cooking for you though, so you needn't worry about any deadly dishes." Kallisto leaned against him as well, making a half-hearted attempt to catch his tongue with her fingers, playfully swatting at the air. Yambati let out a strangled, surprised noise, nearly falling back onto the bed. Instead of questioning her, though (he knew she was silly), he laughed a little. "Well, cook for me all you please - I can always do better than quick sandwiches, mm? I adore your cooking." She grinned and bobbed her head, laughing at his reaction, "I will keep that in mind! Though I make a mean sandwhich so whichever you prefer." "Oh, well, perhaps I'll need to bother you when I need studying or midnight snacks..." He smiled at the idea, then laughed a little, flopping fully onto his back. She laughed and knelt at the base of the bed, experimentally poking at his feet to see if he was ticklish. "You'll have to get past Cecil if it's a midnight snack, though, just as a warning. He's small but feisty." Yambati pulled his foot away from Kallisto, looking down across the bed at her, curiously.
"Oh, I fully intend to bring a peace offering of catnip when next I visit. That should help." Darn, he wasn't ticklish. She quirked her lips and looked up at him, "You're not ticklish?"
She laughed then, incredibly amused by that, "Oh you'll make a fast friend then. He's a sucker for that stuff. Just be mindful of your fingers, he might mistake them for your offering." "Even if I was, I wouldn't tell you," he said, sagely, pushing himself up on his arms.
"I'll wear my gardening gloves," he assured her. She quirked a brow, "Oh? I'll have to find out then." Her grin had a definitively michievious edge to it.
"Good idea." Yambati suddenly felt not quite safe, and he sat up, crossing his arms over his chest. "Are you planning something...?" "Only this..." And she leaped at him, landing to one side and tickling his sides. It was a clearly playful move. She was grinning from ear to ear and laughing softly. Yambati yelped, squirming. This was sudden! This -tickled-! He tried to roll away from her. She let him roll away and looked smug as she knelt on his bed, "So you -are- ticklish!" "I suppose I am," he huffed, trying to regain his composure. She didn't let him. She continued to tickle him, laughing, "Don't even think about tickling me. I'm not ticklish." Something in her voice suggested otherwise as she knelt over him, smiling broadly.
Suddenly she stopped and fell to the bed beside him, embracing him in a light hug, "What would I do without you?" She sighed, still grinning. It seemed her earlier statement was indeed true – she had yet to stop smiling for any length of time. She seemed much confident and lively in his presence. Yambati was glad for the respite, wrapping his arms around her gently. "Probably be sad and not get to tickle anybody," he supplied, smiling. But the smile was tender, affectionate. She laughed quietly, "That's probably true." When she looked up, he was smiling and she blinked caught up in it yet again. This time, however, she spoke her mind, "You have a wonderful smile. I love it." "I'm afraid yours is contagious," he commented, tapping her on the nose playfully. "And it seems to be spreading." She wiggled her nose after he tapped it, smiling innocently, "Oh really?" She stretched up and kissed him quickly on the cheek before sitting back, trying her best to look semi-serious and failing utterly, "Perhaps you should copy those notes now? I've distracted you too much, I think." She smiled, obviously caught between retrieving them and staying by his side. "You're really insistent on having me work," he commented, but he rose from the bed, going over to his desk. "But I'll do as you recommend, my dear. If only to get you to stop worrying."
He opened his notebook to the pages on Crafting, hoping she didn't notice the other subjects in there. Kallisto grabbed her bag and sat on the edge of his bed, pulling out her notebook and handing it to him. She'd missed what he was trying hide and he was still safe, "I just don't want to be a negative influence, is all. I'd hate to think you missed a class because of me." "I have yet to 'miss' a class because of you," he reminded her. "And I didn't know Kortus was having a make-up session, was all." He took the notebook from her, and set to copying down what he didn't have. "You're not a negative influence at all." She sighed with relief, "That's good." Kallisto smiled and padded over to watch over his shoulder, "My writing's not too messy is it?" "Not at all." His handwriting, on the other hand, was small, spindly, and filled with shorthand. It was nearly impossible to understand, but he wrote it quickly. Kallisto looked at the notes he was writing and vaguely understood some of it. Giving some time, she might be able to figure it out. Those books on short hand were coming in handy in the strangest way. It made her laugh and she hugged him from behind, just smiling. He paused, glancing over his shoulder. "What was that for?" But he was smiling, not annoyed. "I love you." Kallisto answered simply, "Besides, you smell good." "No, I meant the laughter." He leaned back in her arms a little, smiling at her. He set his quill down. "Oh. Well, your writing reminds me of Alchemical shorthand - I've been learning that to help with earning my apprenticeship with Tryna." She shrugged, "It looks puzzling but I think I could figure it out." Yambati laughed a little. "Don't use mine as reference - this is all stuff I've come up with on my own, to replace what I realized I write out a lot." She smiled, "You've got a hand up on me then, part of alchemy is coming up with your own codes. I'm working on my own shorthand too... but it's too simple, at least right now." Kallisto sighed. That was her one hang up with alchemy - the recipes, concepts, and everything made sense. It was taking the time to create her own shorthand that proved a problem. "Don't try to make it up - don't force it. As you're writing things, find out what you don't like writing, and think of a shorter way to write it that you'll understand. Do it -as- you write." Kallisto nodded thoughtfully, "True... I guess it'll come at some point. "Just do what you find useful - that's really the whole point of shorthand." He smiled, leaning back enough to kiss her on the cheek. "Now, I'm almost done..." She made an agreeable sound and turned to kiss him back, smiling, "Okay." He smiled at her for one last moment before bending back to his work, writing down note after note. He condensed her notes quite a bit as he went.
After only a few more minutes, he sat back. "I'll read over it all later, when you're not here. For now, I need to be better to my guest." She stepped back slightly, brow high and expression curious, "Oh?" "Oh, yes. I believe it's my duty to shower you with affection." Laughing quietly, he stood up, wrapping his arms around the smaller girl. "And not talk about school work or anything like that." She laughed, a merry sound like that of tinkling bells, "I can't argue with that now can I?" Wrapping her arms around him, she rested her head against his chest. "When I try, I can be very persuasive," he admitted, resting his chin atop her head. He really was... different, now. The same Yambati, but obviously happier. More content. More sure of himself. She nodded, "You most certainly can." She rubbed his back lightly, careful not to snarl the newly brushed hair, "And I am definitely not going to complain." Kallisto spoke softly, smiling against him. He had changed, she noticed, but she found she liked him even more for the confidence - it was all the more appealing. He was still in the immediate afterglow of their finding each other, so perhaps it would fade, become less prominent in time. But for that moment, he was comfortable with himself, with her, for who they were together, to just hold her for a time.
He pulled back slightly, though, smiling down at her... conspiratorily? "Mm, I have a surprise on its way." She glanced up as he pulled back, eyes widening slightly. "Surprise? What could you possibly have planned? I have a wonderful sundew, a healthy little lily plant of my own..." She trailed off and stood up on her toes to kiss him on the lips, "And you. What could you be planning?" The way she spoke, she was interested but not going to push for an answer, "Whatever it is, I've excited!" "You'll have to wait just a little longer to find out. It's taking some time to get together, but I think you'll like it." He blushed slightly at the kiss, still getting used to that touch of lips to lips, innocent as it was.
"In the meantime, though, we still need to talk Orrys into letting me make up Phys-Ed." Yambati rubbed her lower back, absently, fingers working in small circles. She smiled, setting down onto her feet once more, "I've no doubt I'll love it. It's from you, after all."
"Orrys?" She scoffed, "You mean you still haven't found him? Tsk. We'll have to do that soon. I want so much to spar with you. I think it would be a great deal of fun." "Well, I've been rather busy, what with confessing my affection for you and working on your surprise." He laughed, kissing her forehead.
"We can go look for him in a day or two, if you want. I'll make the time." She laughed, "Noble pursuits indeed." She tugged on his ponytail affectionately, laughing delightedly. "I'd like that very much." "I've also been studying," he said, mockingly indignant. "But mostly the first two." That... was a lie. But for the sake of the surprise!
"Well, then. How about... in two days?" Kallisto patted his shoulder, "That's a good thing too."
And then she looked up, pursing her lips in thought, "Two days? That's fine. And then maybe a few days after that we can hold the dinner party? I've got a few books I need to return to the library and I can tell the others then." She smiled, excited to be planning things that would involve Yambati. "That sounds very good," he said, smiling. "A busy free period - such a contrast to my first one. Back then, I didn't know... anybody." She nodded, "I know the feeling, believe me. I spent my first free period in the arena watching some older Empyreans spar and that was it." She rubbed his back, amazed at how comfortable she was so close to him, "But it won't be like that anymore, that's for sure." "Mm, no, I suppose it won't be." He smiled lazily, closing his eyes for a moment. "They'll be filled with food and gardening and you." "You bet." She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, "Good food, gorgeous plants, and the best company I could ask for." She fell quiet, merely enjoying his presence. If this was how her day was going to end, she wasn't about to argue. She was comfortable, content, and in the arms of her love - everything was right. But Yambati was slightly more practical - and he could see the clock. "Won't Cecil be mad if you come home later than normal? I'm sure he'll have all sorts of things to say about me..." Kallisto laughed, shaking her head, "He's already lectured me for today. Although walking me back would probably soothe his nerves... or earn you an angry fuzzball attack." "Well, then." He drew away, slightly, heading to open the door. "After you? I don't want to get in trouble for keeping you out past curfew, and he doesn't seem to like me all that much yet." Kallisto eyed him wryly, "I don't have a curfew, but if you insist." She patted his back reassuringly, "If he's making comments, he doesn't mind you. When start actually hissing and spitting at you, then you know he doesn't like you."
She winked, "There's plenty of time for him to warm up to you. He has to." She kept a hold of Yambati's hand as she exited his room and then remembered her things, making an embarrassed little sigh as she gathered up her books and bag. She returned to his side momentarily. "Ah, you /didn't/ have a curfew. But now your friend who happens to be male has confessed his love for you. Cecil has every right to be nervous if I keep you out too long, no matter how much of a gentleman I am. See why I might be worried?" he said, not commenting on her quick run back in.
He took her hand. Kallisto laughed, "That's true... but he's such a worry wort. He's nothing to fear since it's you." She leaned in, tucking up against him, "And you needn't worry either." She held his hand, entwining her fingers in his an squeezing, wanting to let him know she appreciated him. Yambati squeezed back, looking down at the floor as they walked with a faint smile on his lips. "You'll protect me from him if he ever realizes you're too good for me, then?" She looked up, a look of surprise evident on her features, "Too... goood? Never! /You're/ too good for me! But yes, I'd willing step between you two..." She cast her gaze down, "And anything else that might seek to harm you. It would have to get through me first." She spoke quietly but her tone was serious. Yambati blushed, though it was hard to see in the darkness, and he squeezed Kallisto's hand tighter for a few moments. "If anything ever threatened or hurt you, I...." She nodded. He didn't have to finish that setence, "I know you'd try to protect me. And I love you more for it." She glanced up and saw him blushing and couldn't stop the smile that bloomed. She hadn't seen him blush like that before. It was an amazing sight. He glanced over at her, and gave her hand another squeeze. He didn't trust himself enough to talk just then - his voice might have cracked from sheer emotion. He wasn't grinning like a fool, no, but... his eyes shown. She beamed at him, her chest swelling with pride and love as she saw his eyes. His happiness made her happy and she couldn't help it when she hopped daintily up, breaking hand contact long enough to catch the sides of his face and place and grateful, loving kiss on his lips. The ones before had been innocent but this one... this one was fuelled but love. "Have I told you I love you recently?" She asked against his lips, her own eyes bright and shining as her hand sought his once more. The kiss was unexpected, and he stood staring at her afterwards. His hand easily caught hers up again, and he pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "No, and neither have I," he murmured, almost apologetially. With his free hand, he brushed her hair back out of the way, gently. "I love you, more than anything." She laughed lightly and shook her head at his tone, though she paused and leaned into his kiss as bent he towards her, unable to suppress the smile. She blinked innocently as he spoke, "And I you." She tickled the back of his hand with her fingers before tugging him onward playfully, dancing slightly as she smiled. "You're wonderful, you know that right?" "I am?" he murmured, eyebrow raising, as he let her pull him along. The warmth of her hand in his kept a small smile on his face. "You are." She bobbed her head in firm confirmation, not caring if anyone saw them in the hallway. Kallisto couldn't stop the charming smile or the bounce in her step as she continued forward. Yambati really did make her glow. He smiled still, but all too soon they were at her door. He bent down a little to kiss her forehead chastly. "We're here," he murmured, stating the obvious as he did.... oddly frequently. Kallitso frowned. She would have liked to walked with him longer... With a little sigh, she hugged him tigh and opened the door, to reveal Cecil staring at it intently. His eyes flicked up and narrowed slightly, wearing a feline frown. He looked from Kallisto to Yambati and back then simply shook his head and padded off. Kallisto laughed, turning back to the choleric, "See? Not so bad."
She stepped away, though her touch lingered and after casting an annoyed look deeper into the room, she let go completely and waved, "Thank-you! See you soon, Love!" "Two days," he reminded her with a smile, then inclined his head and disappeared back towards his room. She nodded, "Two days..." Kallisto didn't close her door as she watched him leave. Merely sighed and waved away Cecil as he tried to pry her attention away from the boy who had clearly captured her attention. The cat was insistent though, and eventually she gave in, scooping him up in her arms and closing the door.
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:53 pm
Free Period - Catch-up with Kortus Impressions Notes
A regular technoequip can only store non-perishable inanimate objects. Things like quills, books, items, armour, weapons, even Abberations... But perishables need to be stored in a technoring that has been Modified, and animate creatures such as Cicus pets, monsters, Golems and the like, need to be kept in a Certed Technoring.
One tap to activate, and two to summon him back tot he ring.
A professional can easily unbind a creature from a Certed Technoring. I might note that you can only assign one creature, or item, or tool, etcetera, to one ring at a time. In order to switch items, you will need to have the previous item removed, and then assign the new one.
The most common use for a Technoring are Technoequips. These are generally categorized as follows:
Head Equips
Grips for the hands
Boots for the feet
Body Equips
Item Equips
Technoequips are a melding of magic and technology to create a hybrid item that serves a specific purpose. Everything from Soundproof Headphones, to Magnetic Boots; there are Technoequips to assist in every situation.
You can use them to bolster the areas you're weakest in, or to accentuate your strengths.
In order to assign one for use, you need to make sure it is assigned to a ring nearby where it will take effect. For instance, a Head Equip assigned to the foot won't help you out much.
There is one category that doesn't follow this pattern - Items that will be held in the hand, as opposed to mounted on the body, will materialize and must be grasped to be used, so it does not much matter where they are mounted.
Some technoequips, like this lil' beauty here, need to be deactivated in a slightly modified way. You wouldn't want to stick your fingers in there to double-tap the Technoring, and thus deactivate it, because you'd end up with a slightly messy Aeroboot, and no fingers. For items that cannot or should not be directly contacted, you place your hand a safe distance away from the item, and line the center of your palm up with the ring shape on the Technoring. Then, in a distinct and intentional gesture, tap the air twice. Your intention and Essence will carry the signal to the ring
each Empyrean is given a number of Technorings "slots" or locations on their person to start out. At Stage Zero if you are given more Technorings from Professors or students, you are not allowed to attach additional rings, but you may swap out the new rings for old unassigned or assigned rings.
However, should you find yourself wanting more slots as you trascend, they can be purchased at Technomagus Majore, Metro's shop.
As for potions... If the potion is completed, and ready for use, you can assign it to any free regular Technoring. If however, you are working on a time-sensitive forumla, and for whatever reason are called away from your task, you can seal these into an open Moded Technoequip temporarily uuntil you're able to continue your work.
This however, should not be attempted on your own until Stage One or higher.
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:55 pm
Books Taken Out
Magic Squares by Paxar
The Mythology of the Planets of Ancient Greece
The Prescription for Nutritional Healing
Notes from Library Books Astronomy
Venus - Venus, the golden planet, known as the Morning and Evening Star by the ancient Egyptians, was named for Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, passion and beauty. Known to be an unfaithful wife to Hephastus, she had relations with countless other gods and mortals, most commonly with Ares, her celestial opposite. Venus represents love, emotions, interpersonal relationships, harmony and creativity. Venus rules both Taurus and Libra.
Earth - While Earth does not have sway over itself, it is important to recognize as it is the source of all the Ether and the Essence which is usable for Magic and oter intellectual endeavours. If tributes, sacrifices or libations are made to Mother Earth, the Castor who takes such care and shows such appreciation for the Giving Earth will find their magic casting more effective than those castors who abuse her gifts.
Mars - Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, also known as the Red Planet is the most similar to Earth. Named for Ares, the God of War, Mars represents energy, irritability, restlessness and aggression. Those ruled by the planet Mars tend to be energetic and athletic, but have short attention spans, spontaneous and need to always be doing something. Mars lends energy and power to magic. Mars rules Aries.
Math
3 - This number is regarded as spiritual and creative. It represents the powerful Trinity (casting in which three magi work together on one spell, found most commonly in Ritual Magic). In ancient Religions, three represented the Trinity of Christianity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); in the Kabalah it represented the three Sephiroth (Kether, Chokmah and Binah) that were said to dangle over the Abyss; in Hinduism is represented the Triad of Gods known as the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) as the vital aspects of creation. In Numerology, and indeed magic based on numbers, it is considered a perfect number, for it contains a single beginning, middle and ending. It symbolizes intelligence, vitality, artistic ability and ambition. It is also a lucky number and is popular for the use on love Charms. Keywords: the Trinity mark, wisdom.
4 - Four is associated with hard work, practicality, and also unhappiness and defeat. People who's names "reduce" to four are said to be stolid and uninspiring, but often very methodical in routine work situations. They are plodding and unadventurous and do not attain success very easily. Keywords: solidarity, permenance, foundation.
5 - The number associated with versatility, restlessness, and adventure. People who's names "reduce" to five are said to love speculation and risks and a varied environment. They are fond of travel, and resist responsibility or any other factors in their lives that might tie them down. Keywords: Justice.
Cooking
1. Sunspots * Literally, Sunshine in a bottle! Uncorking Sunspots releases bright flashing lights that can be used to confuse or blind an enemy or illuminate a dark area!
Sundew is the plant required for Sunspots. In order to prepare it, the sundew must be cut fresh and hung to dry in the sun with the flowers hanging down. After three days of drying the flowers, take them down at noon and submerse them in canola oil for two hours and then add a hot flame under the alembic. The subsequent juice that bubbles up out of the alembic mut be captured in a copper basin and left to cool before being transfered to a glass vessal. Once the cork stopper is put in, the Sunspots will take affect next time the cork is taken out of the vial. 1 Sundew Blossom makes One Vial of Sunspots.
2. Stardust * Stardust is like Tinkerbell's pixie dust. It enables you to hover, jump, and fly higher than your normal restriction by double the height!
Windflower is the flower required for Stardust. In order to prepare it, the windflower must be hand picked from the wild, although a weaker version of the flower can be found in the grass plots of the Flora Gardens. After being plucked, within 1 hour of picking the blossoms, the leaves and stems are to be removed by hand and the heads placed in a silver basin with cold freshwater. This basin is to be left in the starlight for one night, and before dawn strikes, the flowers are to be removed with a silver mesh net and crushed into paste in a white marble mortal with a crystal pestle. This mixture must then be flattened and dried on glass panels. Once it is sufficiently dried, it can be crumbled into powder which can then be transferred into a silver or glass vial. 3 heads of windflower makes One Vial of Stardust.
3. Fire Drops * This liquid ignites when it hits oxygen and starts a flame that will catch on whatever it has been dropped onto...even if that surface is not generally flammable!
St. Ignatius Bean is the plant you will need to make Fire Drops. The beans need to be crushed using a cast iron mortar and pestle, and then need to be mixed with equal parts magnesium, 40,000 h.u. cayenne, saffloer oil and heated over an open flame. one the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat and transfer the mixture into a bowl made of smokey quartz crystal. Add a medium ladle of safflower and a dropper of alcohol to leach the essence. Strain the mixture 17 times, each time adding a dropper of alcohol. At the end of the 17th repetition, a glowing droplet of oil should rise to the serface. Remove this with a clean dropper and store in a smokey quartz crystal vial. For each bean used you will generate onedrop of fire.
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:56 pm
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:12 pm
Free Period - Sparring with Grave
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:35 am
Intentions revealed.
Kallisto was on her way to library, her current stack of books ready to be turned in and exchanged for another set. Math was proving difficult but she was slowly making headway even though it took hours to get through a chapter of the boring material. She needed it for circle magic though, which she actually found interesting and thus saw her situation as bittersweet.
Humming softly to herself, she wondered where Yambati might be. She hadn't seen him in a few days and wanted to say hello, possibly show him all the work she'd done with her studies. And get him to check over her work of course - Math didn't seem as much of a swirling fog of confusion to him and she hoped she could get his help in making sure she was heading in the right direction.
Once she was finished this, she decided, she'd go and find her boyfriend. A smile and a nod later she found herself at the entrance to the Library.Yambati had been taking a break from his studies, stretching his legs. His idle wanderings had brought him close to the Library, and upon actually focusing his eyes (which were feeling rather tired from all the reading), he recognized a familiar figure, familiar colors of red, yellow, and blue. Even with his glasses, her features weren't perfectly clear from this distance, but he knew he wasn't
mistaken.
"Kallisto!" he called out, now walking with a purpose instead of just wandering. He drew close to her, smiling slightly.She stopped, turning as her name was called and broke into a smile as the other approached. "Yambati!" Kallisto would have hugged him but for the fact that her arms were full of books so she settled for an enthusiastic bob of her head. "I was wondering where you'd gone to. Is everything alright?" She asked, a touch of concern shading her voice as she stepped in closer to him.
"I've missed you!"Maybe I should tell her today? I'm almost all caught up, and I want her to go to physical education with me... Yambati's smile broadened a little, reassuringly. "Everything is fine- I'm sorry I haven't been around as much. But I think you'll like the reason why."
Finally close enough, he leaned in and kissed her cheek, impulsively. He wasn't sure quite why he did it, but it felt right.
After all, he came bearing happy news!Kallisto leaned up, rocking onto her toes as he kissed her, smiling. "Oh?" She tilted her head to the side and looked up at him expectantly, "What do you mean?" Had something gone well in the Gardens?
Now she was curious and she fixed with with a jokingly stern gaze, "You better tell me now. You've made me curious." "Well, I can't tell you while you're holding all these books. I don't want you dropping them on your feet." He nodded towards the Library. "I'll tell you once you're done, okay?"She blinked and nodded, turning to open the door, expression questioning. Kallisto stopped and let go of the handle, turning back, "I'll do that in a minute. Tell me." She grinned, willing him to cave and tell her, "These can wait - I'd rather talk to you.""I don't want you limping for the next few days," he said, crossing his arms. Really, all she had to do was drop them off...Kallisto eyed him and moment before standing up straighter. Still four inches shorter then he, she frowned. "Are you sure?" She shifted from foot to foot, "What if I said I wouldn't drop them?" "It'll only take a minute," he said, laughing a little. "Why so eager...?""Because you've made me curious and I don't want to turn my back only to have you dissappear again." She replied, stepping back towards the door. "It's not fair to tell me I'll like something and then not tell me." Kallisto laughed and pulled the door open.
"You're so stubborn. Stay there, I'll be right back." With that, she disappeared into the library.Laughing to himself, he took up leaning against the wall just by the door. For a moment, he entertained the notion of hiding - but no, he wasn't like that. And he didn't want Kallisto to be mad at him. So he waited patiently.A few minutes later, she hurried out the door once more and stopped as she couldn't immediately find Yambati. Eyes narrowing, she set her hands on her hips and tapped her foot on the ground - she'd walked right past him and hadn't seen the other. "Yambati...." She grumbled, shaking her head."Right behind you." He quirked a brow, reaching out to tap her on the shoulder.She jumped, laughing as she turned, "I didn't see you..." Taking his hand, she tilted her head to one side, "Now. What did you have to say? I don't have anything to drop anymore." To the point. No more bush beating for her.It was a little less... romantic of an occasion to tell her on, but it worked. He pushed himself off of the wall.
"Well, you know how you once said you wished we could Transcend together? And I said that it was impractical for me to make up that many classes?"Kallisto frowned, a surge of fear making her pale, "Mmhmm...." She nodded, obviously worried and afraid.He saw that frown, and wrapped an arm around her, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "I've made up most of them," he murmured, smiling.It didn't make sense for a moment as she stood there blinking, trying to process what he'd said. But his arm around her... and his smile.... It clicked and she fairly bounced, throwing herself into his embrace, hugging him tight.
"Really!?" She was exstatic. "You're not joking?" She looked up at him with awe-struck eyes. "I.. oh.. Thank-you!~" Kallisto was entirely pleased by this news, the relief flooding her system.
She stood on her toes and reached up to kiss him, unable to stop smiling, "Thank-you!~"He wrapped his other arm around her, laughing again, meeting her for the kiss halfway. "I only have one more class to make up, and then we're on the same level. So I will be able to Transcend with you - beside you. That's where I've been these last few weeks - studying with the Professors.
"Good enough surprise...?"She nodded, burying her face in his chest and shaking her head in disbelief. "You're wonderful, you know that?" Kallisto beamed a glowing smile at him and hugged him once more, laughing as she realized she would have dropped those books had she still been holding them. "A perfect surprise!"
This only served to remind her why she'd fallen for him, making her even more sure that she'd done the right thing in entrusting him with her heart.Yambati didn't respond verbally, just held her close and smiled. This was what he had hoped for - that smile, that happiness in her voice. He kissed the top of her head.
All the work, the hard nights, the time away from Kallisto - it was worth it, he decided. He murmured, gently, "You're worth it," because he couldn't help it. He wanted - needed - her to know that it was all for her.Kallisto wasn't sure how to respond to that, merely blushing a brilliant orange that was hot to the touch. He thought she was worth it. It truly was a remarkable gift and one she appreciated greatly.
Settling down, but still smiling like a fool, she leaned against him and enjoyed his embrace. "I love you." For now, that was all the thanks she could offer but if he ever needed something, she'd be there - it would be the least she could do."I love you, too." It didn't necessarily need to be said aloud, but he said it anyway, stroking her hair. Then he pulled away a little, so he could look into her eyes. "The only class I have left to make up is phys-ed. And I want you to come with me, like we talked about before."She nodded, "Of course." A brief chuckle, "We'll see how good of a tutor I am, hnn?" Kallisto was looking forward to that class - an opportunity to duel with Yambati and not just practice alongside him.He smiled again, kissing her briefly. "I'm sure Orrys will be surprised by the things I already know, mm?" He laughed, quietly.
"Do... do you have anything else you're doing today? Aside from going to the library?"Kallisto laughed, "I hope so, anyways."
"And no. I was going to see if I could find you, actually. I wanted to see if I could convince you to spend some time with me.""I need a break from my work," he confessed, hugging her close again. "And I was just thinking to ask if you'd like to spend time with /me/. So I think that it might be a plan...?"Kallisto laughed, "It is! What do you want to do?" She snugged up against him, "I feel like somewhere new - for both of us. " She pondered a moment, "It's been a hot day, did you want to go swimming? I haven't been to the Pools before and I'd like to cool off.""I've- never been swimming before." He blinked a little, shifting away a little, but only so that he was standing next to her instead of against her. He took her hand, stroking his thumb along the side of her hand. "It sounds nice, but I wouldn't want to make you have to rescue me."Kallisto laughed, "Oh, I don't really swim - I'd stick to the shallow end. No rescuing for either of us." She swung their hand and grinned, "I'll have to get my swimsuit though. You have one too, right?" She hadn't thought he wouldn't have one."... Well, no, since I was never planning on going swimming." He tugged on his ponytail, looking a little sheepish."... Oh." She paused in her stride and then shrugged, "You'll just have to get one then, eh?" She still had that exorbitant amount of credits in her room and it'd be nice to buy him something. "Come on!" She tugged at him, heading back in the direction of her dorm room."I- uh- yes, I suppose I will-" He was pulled along, stumbling at first and then keeping pace with her. But he was smiling - he liked it when Kallisto was determined, happy.A short time thereafter, they arrived at her dorm room and she hurried in, pulling out her little bag of money and plunking it down on the nearby table before disappearing in her search for her bathing suit.
Cecil, meanwhile, blinked as he uncurled and fixed Yambati with an almost challenging gaze, "Running away from home, Kallisto?"
"No!" She called from behind her changing screen.
He meowed a laughed and sauntered over to Yambati, sitting down and staring up at him. "Where are you going then?"
"The pools." She answered as she came out from behind the screen, fully dressed so that her bathing suit didn't show.
"Ah." He purred and wound a figure eight around Yambati's legs in a manner that was clearly telling the Empyrean that he was treading on dangerous grounds.
She frowned at Cecil and picked him up, holding him out to Yambati, "You be nice now." That only got a displeased mrow from the over-protective Cicus Cat.Yambati watched the exchange - or the part he could hear- as he waited, a little uneasily. After all, Kallisto was /changing/ and Cecil was staring at him like he'd done something wrong...
He really had to grow some catnip as a peace offering. And soon.
He glanced over at Kallisto. "He's upset with me...?"Kallisto laughed, "No. He's just a grumpy old miser. Don't mind him." With a sound pat on his head, she set him on her bed and tucked various coins into pockets - more then she'd probably need for the occasion.Yambati still looked a little uneasy, though, clearly not accepting that explanation fully.
"If you say so..." Then he realized what she was doing. "Huh- wait- why are you bringing money?" Would they need money to get into the pools...? He knew he'd need some to buy a swim suit, but...Kallisto paused as she passed by him, blinking, "Money for your swimsuit. I've got more then I know what to do with and besides, it'll be a gift for you." She smiled pleasantly though her tone was stubborn. She was going to buy him a swimsuit.He blinked, following her out of the room. "You don't have to-" But it was weak - he knew she was determined, could see it in her eyes. He sighed, shaking his head and smiling.
"You're spoiling me.""No I'm not." Kallisto smiled and continued onwards, "Besides, I want to." She paused at an intersection of hallways, looking around uncertainly, "Ah, do you know where to go from here?""Not really," he said, laughing slightly. "You're trying to take us somewhere you don't know...?" His tone was teasing, lightly.She flushed, "I haven't been there before - you know. I only found the Flora Gardens because I was lost one day." She shifted, slightly embarrassed.He squeezed her hand, reassuringly. "Well, perhaps if we get lost, we'll find the pool...?" Yambati tilted his head slightly, questioningly.Laughing, she picked a direction, "If it's with you, then I don't see why not." Smiling, she walked beside him, "Maybe Cecil was right - maybe I am running away from home." It made her giggle."If you are running away from home, you certainly have enough money to last you," he commented, shaking his head, amused."Not really... It's just money." She smiled at him and butted her shoulder against his."You can do a lot with money," he reminded her, smirking. "Like buy bathing suits and bribe people to give Cecil catnip to keep him preoccupied."She quirked her lips, smiling thoughtfully, "Hrm... but would I really have to bribe them? That's the question." She tilted her head looking over at him, brow rising."You'd certainly have to bribe /me/," he responded, quirking a brow right back. "I wouldn't go anywhere near him if he thought you had run away. He would probably kill me."She burst out laughing, "He's a cat! You can't handle a cat?" Kallisto shook her head as she took a turn, heading towards the Auditorium, "You're a big chicken.""He's a cat with sharp claws who already doesn't trust me around you," Yambati reminded her, shaking his head slightly, though there was still a faint smile on his lips. "He'd go straight for my face."She pursed her lips, "Maybe... But he's a real sweatheart..." Shrugging her shoulders, she laughed, "Maybe I would have to bribe you... But with what? I can't see you wanting something as silly as money." She sighed, pondering the idea."Mm... Actually, I'm not quite sure. Probably protection from Cecil, but that would involve not being the one to deliver catnip to him," he mused.She laughed, "You really don't like him do you? He's not that scary, you know." Kallisto squeezed his hand as they approached a set of massive ornate doors that lead into the auditorium, "Don't be so afraid of him. Just be nice and he'll be nice too." She flashed a smile. "It's not that I don't like him, it's that he doesn't like me. And he has claws, and I'd rather not end up bleeding all over your room. It's hard to communicate with him, since he's so intelligent and yet can't speak to me. I can't treat him like a normal animal... and I can't quite treat him like another person." He looked a bit sheepish, then glanced up at the doors, looking slightly surprised."Oh... right." She paused and eased the doors open, "I remember there being water in the Auditorium. Let's see if I'm right, eh?" She didn't realize that Yambati couldn't communicate with Cecil as she did. "I wonder if there's a way you could do that?" She mused out loud as the doors swung open to reveal the pools as well as the stage that floated upon the water.
"Professora Melonia mentioned the Buddhi mudra, when I was making up her class. She said it could be used to communicate with Abberations, Monsters and Golems... But I don't know if Cecil would fall under that, since he's bound to you."
Yambati blinked, then his eyes widened at the sight of all that water.
"... Wow," he finally said. Her head was turned to watch him as she'd opened the door, "Maybe... I'll have to ask." She smiled and then looked out over the expanse of water. "Oh! I was right!" She soundly pleased with herself, "My memory isn't as bad as I thought." She laughed and moved in, looking for a vendor and changerooms. Spotting one, she hurried over and looked the bathing suits over, "Which one do you like Yambati?"Yambati followed behind at a somewhat slower pace, looking around wonderingly. It was a very pretty space, after all.
He glanced back down at the sound of Kallisto's voice, a little startled. "Ah- I don't really have a preference...""Oh come on. Pick one! Or I will." It was a bit of a threat as she mocking eyed a rather small bathing suit she knew Yambati would shy away from. "Doesn't have to be anything special.""I don't know a -thing- about bathing suits, Kallisto... just pick for me?" He didn't really catch her 'threatening' glance over at the small suit, as he was too busy looking around the Auditorium.She shrugged and bought something she thought he wouldn't mind - a pretty standard pair of men's swimming trunks. Turning around she held them up to him, smiling, "Here. It is pretty isn't it? Professora Nehna held a concert in here when I first started here. That was amazing." She sounded distant, awed perhaps, at the memories of the emotions and sensations Nehna's music had caused.
Yambati took them, smiling down at Kallisto. "Thanks... and yes, it is." He looked around again. "A concert...? You know, I've never given much thought to music.""Neither have I. I guess I just haven't found anything I like yet." She smiled as she started over towards the changerooms, "Maybe she'll host another and you'll see what an incredible performer she is.""That would be nice." He smiled, following, though he began straying to one side, closer to the men's half of the changerooms. "She's one of the Professors, isn't she...?"Kallisto nodded as she paused at the door to the women's changeroom, "Yup. The Music Professora. Her class is coming up soon, I think." With that, she ducked into the changeroom. Yambati nodded to himself, disappearing into men's changeroom. A few minutes of hopping around trying to get his sweater off and changing into the swimsuit, he came out... clutching his clothing to his chest and looking more than a little uncomfortable.Kallisto had put her bathing suit on in her room and just to wriggle out of her normal clothes, the poofy sleeves and pants simply rolled up because she couldn't get them to fold neatly. When she appeared, there was a great deal more skin showing then before but she seemed perfectly comfortable. She wore a bikini with short shorts and a smaller, more form fitting version of her top. It was a gold and red piece that complimented her skin tone.
When she saw Yambati, she paused, smiling, "What's wrong? Does it not fit?" She padded over to take his clothing so she could shove it in a nearby locker."It's... it's not that," he said, not quite looking at her. But when she reached out to take his clothing, he glanced up, and then promptly looked away again, blushing. Having an older body than some of the other Zeros had... interesting consequences. Like feeling embarrassed at seeing his girlfriend in a bathing suit.She noted the blush and laughed softly, "Nervous?" Easing the clothing out of his hands, she paused a moment, eyes playing across his skin. She flushed then, and looked away, a silly little grin blossoming on her face as she hurried to the side to put their clothing away.
When she had, she turned back around and spread her arms, "What do you think? I like it." She was smiling and trying very hard not to let her gaze stray too much from Yambati's face.Kallisto's actions were not helping, and Yambati made a soft choking sound. "It's- it's lovely- can we get in the water now?" Very abrupt even for Yambati, but he was feeling decidedly uncomfortable, arms wrapped protectively around his waist.Her expression fell and she nodded, "Oh. Okay..." She padded over and pried a hand away from his waist, looking into his face, "Just the shallow end, okay?" She led them to one of the pools - the warm pool - and stepped in bobbing in the water for a moment. "Are you okay?" She asked after a moment, wondering if she'd done something to upset him.Yambati slipped in afterward, glad for the water - it somehow made it easier to look at her, maybe because he wasn't tempted to look too far down anymore.
"F-fine," he said, still blushing. "Just..."She pushed off, floating closer to him, "What?" Kallisto found she liked the way he was blushing but didn't want to comment and make him feel more... uncomfortable. She brushed a hand against his bare shoulder, "Tell me?"He shivered. "It's just- you're, ah, very... pretty... in that bathing suit." He was trying to find a nice, not-creepy way to say this. After all, she /did/ still have a childish body. Just like he did. Not as childish as some, but still..."Oh!" She beamed at him and drew her legs beneath her so she stand in the water, hopping a little, "Thank-you!"
She waited a moment, then reached out to him as she moved backwards, "Are you just going to stand there?" She was beginning to guess at his discomfort and wanted to distract him from it. Although.... and idea suddenly wormed it way into her head and she flushed, dropping into the water so just her eyes were above the surface in the hopes that her blush wasn't so obvious. Apparently Yambati wasn't the only one with strange thoughts."... I don't know how to swim, remember?" He glanced over at her, blinking, then lifting an eyebrow in amusement as she sunk into the water, blushing.
Best to ignore it, he decided, taking a few steps deeper into the water.She blew bubbles into the water, nodding. He didn't have to actually swim, just bob around. They were in the shallow end and the water only came up to Kallisto's waist as it was.
Standing at last, she walked over to him, "Just float. That's all I'm doing. I don't really know how to swim either." She grinned, the blush still evident as she placed a hand on the center of his chest, and spread her fingers, "Don't go into the water past here or you won't be able to stand." It was an excuse to touch him, but she wasn't about to admit that.Yambati made a tiny sound at the touch, but didn't pull away. "Okay..." Of course, Yambati was a good deal taller than Kallisto - the water only came up to the tops of his thighs. He wondered if it was deep enough for him.To demonstrate her point, Kallisto kicked her legs out and sank into the water once more, "Just sit down." She smiled at him as she kicked against the floor of the pool, circling him slowly.Yambati shrugged and sat down as well, letting himself float slightly. He looked completely un-graceful, rather stiff and tense, and he glanced around.
This... was supposed to be fun?She floated around behind me, laughing at his stiff movements, "You're too tense! Relax!" She splashed water him, then kicked and darted past him, splashing him again, "You look so sour!" "H-hey!" Yambati frowned, scooting off to the wall of the pool. It was -sort- of fun to move around, but he felt clumsy and awkward. Nothing like the grace Kallisto seemed to have.Frowning, she bobbed after him. "What?" She stopped in front of him, remaining low in the water. It seemed that all she really did was kick off the bottom and glide around. She waved her hands in the water, sending waves at Yambati as she watched him, "You're not having fun?" She seemed a little dissapointed, not in him but in herself. She'd hoped he'd enjoy a new place and it was beginning to look like he wasn't."I... I'm just not sure what exactly it is that I'm supposed to be doing," he responded, a bit sheepishly, hunkering down in the water. "I don't think I'm very good at swimming."She frowned, "Just bob and float around." Kallisto edged around him to lean against the wall to his side, "We could play a game... tag or something. Or maybe practice for PE some more...." She tilted her head, thinking.
"But I'm too big for this pool, or something," he said, squirming slightly.
"And you'd beat me in tag, no question.
"We can go a little deeper if you want... keep close to the walls." She pointed to where the water got a little darker, "But you're not too big. And I wouldn't. Not neccessarily."
Kallisto pushed off, turning as she did so, she she could wrap her arms about him in a hug, "Just a few minutes?"
"Of course a few more minutes." He smiled, reassuringly, though it was a small smile. Mostly because she was hugging him, and they were both in bathing suits. He was definitely blushing again, and he pushed away from her slightly to float backwards along the wall to deeper water. Once the depth increased a little, he found movement far easier, and gained a bit of the grace Kallisto had.
Whereas she slowed down, having to reach further for the security of the floor beneath her feet. She kept close to the wall, kicking occasionally, and bobbed around Yambati, "Better?" She smiled hopefully.
"Much better. It was too shallow over there." He even risked moving away from the wall, since he was still able to touch the bottom with his chin still above water (barely), and kicked around a little, getting used to the movement."
She nodded, one hand against the wall, "Don't you think it's a little too deep? I..." She blushed as she had to stand on her toes to stay a comfortable level above the water, "Can barely touch the bottom..."
"I'm taller," he reminded her. "It was hard to float when my hips weren't even getting wet..." Still, he moved into slightly shallower water, so it was only up to his chest.
Which was much better for her as she stood more confidently, "Right. Well, now your hips are wet and you can swim." She laughed, moving around him. "Thank-you."
He kicked off the ground, not staying stationary while she moved. "Better, then?" he asked, a little worried. He felt bad about taking her too far out into the water.
She nodded, "Much!" Kallisto bobbed up suddenly, sending a wave of water at him, a playful laugh escaping her.
Yambati held up his arms to protect himself, reflexively. "You have this strange obsession with splashing me," he commented, moving a little around her.
She nodded, "Is that a bad thing?" Bobbing, she followed his movements, smiling broadly, "You look good wet." It was a frank statement she hadn't entirely meant to say. Looking away, she pretended she'd meant to say it.
"... Erm-" he murmured at her compliment, blushing and sinking down in the water some. "Um. But yes, I'm not sure I like being splashed..." Ignore, change the topic, move on...
She stopped, looking back over at the comment, "Oh? Sorry..." A little sheepishly, she watched him, not sure what else she should say. Maybe this was a bad idea afterall....
He blinked at her sheepish response and then silence. Meanwhile, he'd worked the hair tie out of his ponytail and slipped it over his wrist. Taking off his glasses, he ducked beneath the surface, holding his nose. When he surfaced, he placed his glasses (which he'd held above water) back on.
"Is that... bad?" he asked, once he was above water again. "Is splashing part of going swimming?"
"No..." She after a moment, admiring how his hair floated about him while he was under water, "It doesn't have to be. I just didn't know." She pursed her lips. Ah well, you didn't have to make a fuss to enjoy the water, you could just soak and relax too. "We can just float around, if you want. Or there's a hot tub over there." She pointed the direction of the tub. "I saw it when I came out of the changeroom."
"What would you prefer?" he asked, tilting his head? His hair was clinging to every part of him that was above water, spread over his shoulders and chest.
She was having a hard time thinking clearly and for a long moment she simply gazed at him. Drawing close, she drew a finger across his flesh, gathering up his hair into a neat pile, unable to help herself. Looking up, she shrugged, "It's up to you." Once she'd parted his hair, she gently eased back over his shoulder so that is wasn't clinging to randomly to him. Oddly enough, she wasn't blushing as she slicked his wet hair back.
Yambati blinked, blushing at her actions even if she wasn't. "Umm..." He found himself hard-pressed to think of something to say for the moment, since she was so close, gazing at him like that.
"... we... could probably talk more in the tub...?" It wouldn't be as awkward as swimming about while talking.
"Okay." Kallisto nodded, smiling, "It'll be nice and warm." She took his hand and started for the stairs out.
Yambati followed along, taking slow, water-logged steps behind her. Walking through the water felt sort of dreamy.
She bounced and bobbed until she got to the stirs, where she let of his hand to walk up the textured steps. She wrapped her arms around her as she came fully out of the water, shivering a little, "Let's hurry." She stepped aside, waiting for him as she bit her lower lip. The air was chilly when she was wet all over.
Yambati followed, and... well, long wet hair was very, very uncomfortable.
"Agreed," he said taking relatively hurried steps (for him) towards the hot tub.
Quickly enough, they found themselves at the edge of the bubbling, steaming tub. Dipping a foot in, Kallisto smiled. Nice and warm, just the way she liked her baths. Stepping in slowly, she turned around to look at Yambati, "It's hot. Be careful!" Walking further in, she settled onto a bench by one of the jets and set leaned back against the back support with a comfortable sigh. "Good idea."
Yambati followed, though he entered the tub much more slowly. It was pretty hot, that was for sure. But eventually, he was fully in, settling across from Kallisto for the time being.
"Excited for the next round of classes?" She asked as he settled, "We'll almost be ready to transcend then." She seemed excited as the surprise from Yambati's gift rose to the surface once more. She was really happy they'd ascend together.
"Very excited. Are we going to go through the rest at a normal pace?" he asked, curious. He stretched his legs out so that his feet rested on the bench by her legs.
She sat up right, one hand dropping into the water to rest on his ankle, "I want to study ahead a little bit. Be prepared, I guess. What do you think?"
"As long as I can join you, I'm fine with the idea," he responded, smiling slightly. His skin was turning an odd brownish color from the heat, but it didn't look bad or dangerous - just how his skin flushed.
"Of course you can!" She laughed, "I'd love to study with you. As long as you come to Botany with me, okay?" She rubbed his ankle and fixed him with a mockingly stern look.
"Of course - it would do me good to study with Quenda again, after all." His smile widened and he sunk a bit lower in the warm water.
She nodded, "Is it very hard?" She asked after a moment, "And will I have to actually grow anything? You know me and my inability to keep things alive." The sundew was alive and well, as was the lilly he'd given her, but she doubted it was because of her ministrations that they remained healthy.
"It shouldn't be too hard, and I'm not sure if she will have you grow anything. She may just teach you theory, and have me work..." He shrugged. "I came to her asking her to teach me how to split seeds specifically. It was probably a little different from a normal class."
"Oh... More theory..." She pursed her lips. Kallisto disliked that type of class. She couldn't really understand it without playing exceptionally close attention. She sighed and shrugged, sinking lower into the water, "I'd rather help you work, honestly. I'd learn more that way."
"Well, I'm sure Quenda will run the class however we ask her to. If you want to work with me, I can't see why she wouldn't let you." He shrugged. "You just won't be thrown in all by yourself, is all."
Kallisto nodded, "That's good. I'm just kind of tired of reading out of books all the time." She held up her hands, "I -do- better then anything else."
"I can agree," he said, laughing softly. "But it's almost over, mm? And then we can just study what we find useful or interesting."
"True." She shifted, stretching out her legs like Yambati's, "I'm definitely going to learn more about Alchemy, I know that for sure." Her wandering gaze suddenly fixed on him again, "We get houses of our own, when we leave the white district. Guess I'll visit you, hnn?" She sounded like she'd rather it be more then that.
"Yambati found his hand lightly stroking along her ankle and lower leg, idly. "Mm..." He tilted his head slightly. "... I haven't looked into that much... is it required that we live on our own?" He wasn't sure if he was ready to be tossed out into the City on his own.
"Not that I know of." She smiled at him, "Grave has his own house, I know. He's probably saving room for his harem." She laughed, shaking her head. "I don't think I'd like being on my own though. I mean, I've gotten used to having everyone around, it's kind of scary thinking about it." She pursed her lips.
"I agree," Yambati said, a bit softly. "I don't think I could live on my own quite yet..." He looked over at Kallisto almost shyly, questioningly.
She nodded, cathing his look. "Would you... Did you want to stay together?" Kallisto asked after a moment, blushing a little, "We won't be alone then..."
Yambati smiled, still looking rather shy. "... If that's okay with you," he replied.
She bounced over to him, settling down on his lap, hugging him fiercely, "I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to, Yambati." She smiled, sliding down to his side where she snugged up close, "Where though?"
Yambati wrapped an arm around her, resting his cheek against the top of her head. "Mmm... Well, our choices are the Red and Green districts, right?"
She nodded, "Yes." Kallisto wasn't sure which she'd prefer, though, she liked being Sanguine but she somehow doubted Yambati would appreciate her Alignment's tendencies...
"Mm... I think the Red district might be a little too loud for my tastes," he said, after a moment's thought.She laughed and nodded, "Me too. I wouldn't upset with the Green District, I think. Might be too quiet for me, but I can always go find the Arena." She poked his side, "Speaking of which, we still need to take PE. We can't duel until you've gotten your credit.""Mm, of course," Yambati nodded, stroking her side lightly.
"And yes, you reminded me earlier. Patience, Kallisto," he laughed. "Soon. Don't worry."She snugged up against him, glad he didn't seem to be shying away from her anymore and rested her head on his shoulder, "I really want you to get that done. I want to spar with you." She wasn't just about the fighting, that was certain, from the way she was speaking. She got to know people through their sparring, learned how they thought, how they would react, and even what their morals were. It was a chance to learn about someone. We'll spar, don't worry," he said, smiling slightly. "We can go in a few days, okay? Before Philosophy starts, for sure." He couldn't believe how much he'd gotten done in three weeks. It made his head spin when he considered it.
"Philosophy's next?" She made a disgruntled sound, "More theoretical classes? When will the fun stuff start again? Like cooking and PE?" She pursed her lips.
"I'm not sure. I'd assume with Animal Training, I believe it is...?" He shrugged slightly.
"Animal Training?" She perked up, "I wonder... could I bring Cecil to that class? It might proove helpful." She laughed, "Maybe teach him some manners and get him to be nicer to you."
"I somehow don't think he'd appreciate that," he said, laughing and shaking his head. "Growing some catnip should produce the same effect..."
"Perhaps." She smiled, nodding, "Catnip will work but..." she shrugged, laughing lightly, "Show how to grow some?" She was genuinely interested in Yambati's chosen field of work even though she knew she wouldn't do well in it.
"Eventually, but I get to be the one to first offer it in peace, mm...?"
"Of course. Wouldn't help if I gave it to him, after all." She nodded, sitting back against the hot tub wall. "This is nice... we should come here more often." She was enjoying the warmth and just talking. Kallisto found his hand and squeezed it in thanks.
"I could get used to it," he agreed, lacing his fingers with hers. He'd need to get used to seeing her wearing so little, but it was worth it. He felt more relaxed than he had in weeks.
She nodded, happy to just be there with him. The contact was reassuring and she felt closer to him, somehow, and grateful for his company.
He closed his eyes for the moment, cheek resting against the top of her head. He could /definitely/ get used to this. Just being close to her like this. And living together... well, they'd have that, wouldn't they
She felt him rest against her and smiled, glad to see he was relaxed. Without thinking about it, she reached up and around his neck with her other hand and slid her fingers into his hair, kneading the side of his head lightly.
Soon enough they could enjoy one another's company as much as they wanted. It gave her something besides the unknown to look forward to.
Yambati made a rather pleased sound, appreciating the light massage. He'd have appreciated it more had it been at his neck, but he was just fine where it was, too.
Kallisto felt tension where she touched him and frowned, sliding her hand back down, feeling the chords of his neck. Shifting, she murmed something as her other hand came up to explored the other side of his neck. "Yambati." Her tone was admonishing, "You're all tense. Want me to work the kinks out?"
He shivered, but easily shifted to give her more access. "Mmm... please...? It's all this studying. I end up hunched over my desk for -hours-..."
"Aww..." She moved so she was behind him, and hugged him close. Her legs were to either side and she kicked them a little as she spoke, "Thank-you. I really do appreciate it." She began to rub his neck and shoulders, working out the knots and kneading the muscles.
He hummed, appreciatively.
"Mm... I'm glad. I -want- to do it, too, it's just... so much in so little time. But I'm almost done now."
She tsked, "We're almost done now. We're even. I need Botany where you need PE." She shifted his large amount of hair over his shoulder and laughed, "You have more hair then I do!"
"We're," he agreed, nodding at the correction. Then he laughed a little, glancing back at her. "You couldn't tell...? It's longer than yours by quite a bit."
"Yes... but it's so heavy!" She smiled, gently running her hands through the wet mass, "I should put it up like mine. Then we'd match." She grinned, joking, but there was just enough seriousness in her voice to suggest otherwise.
"Please, no," he said, shaking his head. "I have a feeling I couldn't pull off the pigtails look."
She laughed as she set the heels of her hands on the sides of his head and wiggled her spread fingers, "No?" After a moment, she returned to the massage, "Maybe not. I love your hair as it is anyways." She kissed the back of his head as she smiled.
Yambati blushed, but smiled. "It's really the only way to keep it in control without cutting it," he pointed out.
"Don't cut it!" She replied promptly, "It's best the way you have it now."
He laughed slightly. "I won't cut it. I doubt I would look half as good with it trimmed short. Besides..." He lifted a hand, twirling some of his hair around his fingers. "It reminds me of vines."
She shook her head, "My Mr. Greenthumb. Obsessed with plants." Kallisto smiled, reaching around to take his hand, "Don't get all vain now."
"Vain? Me?" He shook his head. "Not at all. I simply think that shorter hair wouldn't be flattering, not that longer hair makes me look like a god of some sort."
She laughed, "I agree long suits you best." It was a veiled compliment, "You'd be surprised." Having worked most of the knots out, she draped her arm over his shoulder, "Feel better?"
"Mmm..." He leaned back into the half embrace. "Much. Where did you learn that...?"
"Learn? I didn't..." She tilted her head to the side, "Sometimes my muscles get really tense and I have to massage them so they don't hurt. Especially after sparring, I get bruised all the time doing that." She smiled, "So it's nothing special."
"You're good at it," he said, simply. And it was true. There were still some stiff spots, but he'd over-all relaxed quite a bit.
"Thank-you!~" She chirruped, and guided the hand she was holding so that it was over his stomach and she could properly hug him. "Anywhere else need to be massaged? Your back? Maybe your feet?"
Yambati laughed. "My back's a mess, too, but only if you want to."
"Well, I can't do it here..." She shook her head, "Maybe we should go back? Your room, I think, otherwise Cecil will throw a fit." She didn't move though, and waited for him.
"Mm..." He considered. But now that his neck was nice and tension-free, his back felt /worse./ And so he nodded. "That would work."
"Okay." She stood, and got out of the hot tub, kneeling on the pool deck to help Yambati out.
Yambati accepted her help, immediately gathering up his hair and wringing it out once he was standing. It really was quite impressive how much water all that hair could hold.
She shook her head, smiling, "I'm just going to get changed okay?" She lingered a moment, looking him over before dissappearing into the changeroom.
It was rather impractical for Yambati to change with how -wet- his hair was, at least not fully. Sweater material plus water did not equal fun. So he settled on simply toweling off as best he could and braiding his hair back, to keep the drippage to a minimum. The one downside of long hair - it took a while before he could get dressed after showers. And swimming.
Kallisto returned a few minutes later, with her hair down. Shaking it out, she smiled at him - she was back in her usual garb and carrying a cloth bag. Why hadn't he changed? She tilted her head, a little questioning, but didn't say anything. She wasn't about to argue. The sanguine found she liked gazing at her boyfriend's body and her earlier bashfulness was replaced with a cool confidence as she enjoyed his naked torso. "Ready?"
"Mm. I would have gotten dressed, but my hair is a bit too damp," he offered without needing the question. He had gathered up his clothing again, though, and was ready to go. Even if it -was- going to be embarrassing walking down the hall half naked.
"Fine with me." She smiled as she walked up to him. Catching his hand, she started back towards the hall and his room.
Yambati let her lead, hoping they wouldn't get too lost on the way back. Being lost and only in swim trunks was not his idea of a fun time, after all.
Following her usual path back to her dorm, she paused, "Where now?" She couldn't remember and she blushed. She should probably at least know where Yambati stayed should she?
Yambati smiled slightly, and took the lead this time. "Down this way," he said, laughing softly as they walked.
"Hey... don't laugh at me." She murmured, eyeing him as she followed after the other.
"Sorry. You know, we won't have to worry about this soon..."
"Oh?" She blinked, confused by the sudden change, "Worry about what?"
"Not being able to find our way to each others' rooms," he said, rather matter-of-factly.
"But..." Then she clued in, "Oooooh!~ Right!" Kallisto laughed, then suddenly blushed. If they were living in the same house, would they housemates or share the same room? The latter made her blush deepen until she was nice brilliant orange.
"... Something wrong?" he asked, blinking at the strange orange blush. It was quite a bit stronger than he'd ever seen before.
She shook her head, enthusiastically, "Not at all. I... I just..." Kallisto paused and swallowed, "Would we share a room then? Or just the house?" Her blush deepened and she brought her hands up to cover the horrible splotch of colour.
"..." He pondered this for a moment. "... I suppose it depends on... how things go?" he said, after a moment. He meant how comfortable they ended up being in the same house, but he realized it sounded a bit more suggestive, and blushed as well.
She nodded unable to meet his gaze, as she fought with her thoughts. That he was mostly naked didn't help things either. "Okay." She wasn't sure what else to say and fell silent, blushing furiously, embarassed by her thoughts.
"We'll think about it when it's an issue," he said, as they finally reached his door. He unlocked it and let her inside.
She stepped in and promptly found a chair to sink into. Her blush faded a little as he reigned in her thoughts and managed a smile as she gesured to the floor and the bed, "Lay down on your stomach?" She needed something to keep her distracted.
Floor was better, if only for the lack of conotations. He stretched out along his floor (which was amazingly clean) with a nod.
After a moment, she settled onto the floor beside him, kneeling. Tentatively, she ran her fingers up his back and then applied more preassure until she was truly massaging him.
Yambati purred, wiggling a little and getting quite comfortable. His eyes slid shut.
Taking deep breaths, Kallisto finally managed to reign in her head and went to work, paying attention to his shoulders especially. Careful and throrough, she worked her way across and then down, kneading and working the muscles so Yambati wasn't as tense, "This helping?"
"Definitely," he murmured, sounding /quite/ content. And she was actually getting his muscles to untense - no mean feat.
She smiled as she felt the muscles uncoil and start to give a little. "Are you always like this? So tense?" She leaned over his shoulder to speak into his hear, "It can't be healthy...."
"Mm, I guess so. Since I've been working ahead, especially. But working in the gardens has you hunched over a lot..."
He shivered at how close she was.
"Oh.. I suppose." She returned to her kneeling position, "Be careful though. Don't hurt your back." It was an order and a request at the same time.
"I'll try my hardest," he assured her, glancing up and back at her. "Don't worry."
"As long as you try then." She smiled, finishing up. She slid her hands up the length of his back and over/around his neck, making sure the muscles had stayed relaxed before falling back so she was sitting cross-legged. "There. All done."
He let out a soft sigh and then sat up, stretching. His back popped, loudly, a few times, and he settled back, kneeling, with a very contented look on his face. "Thanks."
She grinned at him, "You're very welcome! I'm glad I helped." Kallisto leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. Soon enough they'd share the same roof and she found she was both nervous and excited for that.
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:38 am
Books Taken Out
NFL2007 (XBox)
Ninja Gaiden (XBox)
Soul Calibur 2 (GC)
Notes from Library Books Physical Edutcation
Trip - A - The use of the feet, Tail or (hands if you are on the ground) to Trip an opponent. A successful Trip forfeits your opponent's next turn.
Grapple - K - The act of locking forces with your opponent, whether it be empty handed or with weapons. The point of Grapple is to try and disarm/throw your opponent off balance. As this is a test of strength and balance, the one who fails in the Grapple automatically fails their next chosen move (1 dice roll).
Knee - J - A strike with the front of a bent knee to hit joints, soft bones (like the elbow or shin), nerve plexes and Chakras to do damage. Does 4 points of Damage.
Elbow - J - A strike with the point of a bent elbow to hit nerve plexes, soft muscle (such as biceps or lats to cause charlie horses), chakras and blood vessels to do damage. Does 3 points of Damage.
Two-Knuckle Punch - J - Two-Knuckle Punch is formed similarily to One-Knuckle Punch, with the difference of the first two fingers being braced with the tucked thumb. It requires a little more force than One-Knuuckle Puunch, and targets the Lymph nodes and Lymph Vessels int he body, which are resonsible for immunity and recovery. It does 2 points of damage and causes the body's resilience towards statuus-changing effects, like Poisons, Gasses, Salves etc to lower by 30% until the end of the Fight.
Shuto - J - Shuto, or Knife Hand, is formed by holding the hand rigid, with fingers extended and held tightly together. The elbow is kept bent solid at 90% and the arm moves in this position from the shoulder to strike with the outside edge of the hand and forearm. Shuto is effective as a block that also deals damage, especially against grabs and punches. It defends from 3 Points of Damage and deals 1 Point of Damage to the opponent.
Haeto - J - Haeto is a hand strike that is whipped out. The hand is held firm, with palm facing the floor and thumb tucked tightly under the fingers against the palm to create a flat striking adge ith the back of the thumb/hand region. The arm strikes out in a straight lnie, and at the end of its extension, the hand hooks back to strike the neck, base of the skull and upper back (lungs) of the opponent. Haeto does 2 points of Damage, and stuns the opponent for 1 turn. If used successfully with Head Targeting, Haeto can stun for two turns.
Nukite - K - Nukite, or Spear Hand, is similar to haeto in appearance, but qutie distinct in hitting form and use. Nukite is formed by making a hand like Shuto, with palm turned perpendicular to the floor and elbow 98% straight (never lock your elbow!). The striking point is the very tip of the fingers which are thrust straight forward to jab throat, eye, solar plexus, groin, kidneys, soft organs etc. Nukite imbues a force of Essence into its strike, and does deep tissue damage more than it hurts the body of the surface. Most effective when coupled with Essence manipulation. Nukite does 3 points of Damage; with Essence Manipulation it does an additional 1 point of Damage per Stage of Empyrean - regardless of Orientation.
Gedanburai - J - Gedanburai is a low block, which starts p by the opposite ear tot he hand used to block, moves across and down the body, stopping with the fist just above the same-side knee, and the elbow facing up (the arm should end up with the same degree as Ageuke). Gedanburai blocks everything from the chest down to the thigh with the outer forearm. It defends 4 points of Damage.
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