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Jaenelle followed behind Belwen as they made their way to the designated plot of Mandrakes they would be pulling. Jaenelle set the tools on the ground and tapped the technoring she had clipped to her collar. Immediately the headphones materialized and the Melancholy situated them comfortably over her ears. She played with the settings until she could still hear the others talking and still be protected from the Mandrake's cry.

She picked up the chemical spray and the shears and nodded to Belwen. "Ready when you are."

Mat eyed the other for a moment, then shrugged slightly. "I'll pull," he offered. After all, it was fairly easy to see that he probably was the stronger of the two of them. "So ... I guess. I'll spray the things and pull them up, then you cut stuff off. So that way you're not juggling stuff around."













It seemed that Morrow either didn't notice Astaroth's glance toward him or simply didn't care. He was concentrating more on Dariyn at the moment anyway. The other looked nervous ... perhaps a bit scared. Gaze flicked to Astaroth for a moment and then back to his lover. Was Astaroth doing something to make him look like that or was it just being out here ...?















The little blond jumped slightly at Yambati's voice and turned, blinking up at the other. "Uhm," he said, blinking more. "I uh ... I mean I didn't even know what you looked like o-or anything..." He was trying to explain but appeared a little too nervous to do a really good job at it. New people just ... he didn't do very well upon first meetings. Not unless the other person was hurting in some way ... then, he was ok. Because he was trying to help. But now ... he was definitely not doing his best at keeping himself totally together.

"Could have asked. Others know me. Doesn't matter, though, we've found each other." He shrugged. "I was watching Quenda to get an idea of what we'll be doing.

"Do you want to pull or cut?"

Yambati had a feeling that the other boy would have a bit of trouble doing either, as easily startled as he seemed.

TASKS DAY 5:
1. Which Elemental magic types are weak against Earth?
2. List three deities classified as Earth Mothers.
3. List the chromatic properties of the colour Green.
4. List three spells that draw off Earth Manna.
5. Name two movies that show mandrakes.
6. Find an image of a Manticore.
7. Find a photograph of a Peacock.
8. What potions utilize Mandrake root?
9. List two series/books that use the theme of the Four Gods.
10. Find an image of an Owl.
11. Find a Magic Card utilizing the Phoenix, Manticore, Mandrake or Cockatrice.
12. Post an image of Merlin.
13. In Druidic Magic what are the benefits of using trees?
14. Define "Conifer".
15. What tree is syrup sourced from?

The lithe girl had offered a slightly warmer smile at Danna's chirp of triumph, but it was short lived; after she caught sight of the very much moving, very much alive plant, Arwen felt as though that ice pit in her stomach had just plummeted into the ground. "We..." Her voice was nearly a whisper, causing her to swallow and lick her lips. "...have to cut i-it's limbs?" It seemed far, far too cruel, for the thing was obviously very alive and like most living things, would feel the bite of the shears removing part of its body...



Arwen felt sick, but she knew her partner was right; they had to do this fast, for this wasn't the only one that would receive such a cruel wake up. The girl was vaguely glad in the back of her mind that she hadn't eaten, deft hands curling around one of the limbs and counting four inches. Putting the shears in place firmly, she closed her eyes and snapped the tool closed, successfully removing one of the roots. She cracked open a crimson eye, unable to stop herself from looking between the oozing wound she had just inflicted and the dying limb.

Hot bile coated her throat as she plucked the root from the ground and put it in the sack, her eyebrows furrowing as she determinedly went about her task of removing another root. She didn't know Danna well, but she felt obligated to save her partner the torment as well, and get the job over with as quickly as possible. Arwen promised herself many long hours in the library to soothe her troubled mind when the harvest was finished.

Danek prowled about the forest, ears swiveling to and fro as he listened to the familiar, almost calming sounds of the forest. He spent much of his time outside the city and these grounds were familiar lands to the Three – he knew the paths, the tendencies of the local fauna and, most importantly, the way the forest responded to the approach of danger. Pausing in his stride, his eyes narrowed as the sounds that surrounded the Phlegmatic softened, growing quiet. Icy eyes scanned the area, looking for any indication of the passing of another – team member or otherwise.

After a moment, he let out a trilling sound much like that of the birds in the trees around him. Time to confirm the others’ positions.

Again, Taevis looked up though his expression was more serious then before. Fluttering his wings he sighed softly and ducked into the edge of the forest, searching. He’d noticed the Albino’s reaction and knowing how sensitive they could be, and coupled with Danek’s call, made him decide to scour the area. Caution paid more then carelessness did.

Beyond Taevis, Lorissa answered Danek’s call with a sharp one of her own, confirming her location and was immediately echoed by Taevis. The Melancholy weaved her way through the brush, silent and watchful. There tracks here…. Lifting her head, another bird call joined the soft hush of the forest, alerting her fellows.

A moment later, Vorrian answered as well but his call confirming Lorissa’s – Tracks. The centaur rolled his shoulders and moved on, following the tracks…. and frowned as they arched around the clearing. It seemed they had some visitors.

Another call and an announcement. Tracks… Danek nodded and moved closer to the clearing as he knew the others would be – tightening the protective ring.

Several moments later, Taevis returned to the clearing and approached Quenda, careful to keep his posture neutral so as not to frighten those gathered. It wouldn’t help if fear pervaded the area. “Quenda, Vanga, keep the zeros close and be aware – there may be pests about.” He smiled reassuringly before backing up slightly, waiting to see if either of the two had any questions while he looked out over the plots and the various pairs as they worked hard to gather the mandrake roots.

Jaenelle knelt down across from Belwen, each around one of the Mandrake sprouts. Bottle and shears in hand, she sprayed down the plant until it glittered in the sunlight. Nodding to the other, Jaenelle prepared herself.

Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared her. When Belwen hauled the wriggling herb out of the ground Jaenelle couldn't help but be slightly horror-struck. The thing was alive and actively protesting its limbs being cut off. Wouldn't she do the same? Looking around she saw the Professora already cutting bits off the one they had procured and gulped down her doubts. If a Professor could do it, one who cared for plants, then she could too.

Taking a deep breath Jaenelle grabbed one of the swinging digits, quickly guessed about four inches and sliced it off. White oozed from both cut ends and Jaenelle was just glad that it wasn't red. Looking back over to the Professor, the Melancholy noticed the slightly-tensed postures of all of the surrounding Threes that could be seen. Glancing around, Jaenelle of course couldn't see anything but unease trickled down her spine.

Grave nodded and exhaled a deep breath. "A good thing in deep." He cleared his throat and glanced again at the shrivelled clipping in his burlap sack. "Shall we continue, then?" He flexed his shoulders and steeled himself. Alright, the shock was over, time to put that behind him and get to the task at hand.

















Danna tried to speak up encouragingly, but she couldn't keep her voice from sounding unsteady. "Y-you're doing a great job, Arwen." Danna held the thing as steady as she could, gripping its stalk in one hand and holding its lowest roots in the other, the body of the mandrake pulled taught between the two honey-coloured fists. "Is this still enough?" She asked as the thing spasmed violently.

















Cyphr seized the stalk with both fists and yanked with all his might, sending himself tumbling over backwards. A little too mcuh force, perhaps. The thing wasn't nearly as hard as he thought it'd be to pull. Sitting up, cyphr grinned sheepishly and extended one fist towards Aysel, the thing squirming uselessly from his stationary hand. "It's easy, Ay-Ay!! Lookit! I gots us a biggun. Now what?" The mandrake continued to squirm and flop from Cyphr's outstretched arm, but he held it effortlessly, like it were a rag. It seemed Cyphr's bragging about his strength was entirely valid.