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Jove had a lot on his mind as he finished his classes, and trotted down the hallway towards the nurse's office. He had seen enough of Nurse Cricket during the field trip boat ride to know that starting down the path to FEARhealing would be hard, and persisting, well, that would be even harder. But the more he thought about it, the more he knew he had to learn it. Putting up with the creepy centipedes would be the least of it.

But Jove was more determined by the minute to learn those skills the Nurse was offering.

In a way it confused him, having so much desire to do something other than not look like a little kid. Perhaps it was because he had spent so long being afraid only for himself, and in his time at the academy he had grown to care so much about others without realizing it. Now he had people other than himself who were important and needing to be protected. Like Ren and Yaya, who were still hurting from the field trip, and others like Junko and Tomoko who he wanted to protect from any harm at all.

He didn't entirely realize it was that hope that drove him, not that FEARhealing would make him a scarier, more adult-like little boil, but the hope that he could help those who had become so important to him. And that was the only thing that allowed him to gather up the courage to gently knock on Cricket's door to discuss the course.

The sound of little paws on the door made Jove jump back in surprise. He was familiar with that noise, his own foxfires could set up a pretty loud racket when they heard him returning, as they piled against his door and scrambled over one another in their excitement. Surely enough, one of the creatures behind the door dashed out for a quick introduction before running back in.

It was remarkable how just that quick act from the pet put him more at ease, even when he met Cricket's gaze. She was just as frightening as he remembered from the boat ride...

Jove surreptitiously glanced around to make sure there would be no bitey little centipedes attacking him for intruding on her domain, and then found it hard to meet her stare a second time. He could practically feel that stare, examining and evaluating him like a questionable insect specimen. It was like she could see right into him, and would be able to tell at a glance whether he had the potential for her dedicated course.

For a second he was afraid she would turn him away on the spot, until she spoke. He managed a quick little glance upwards again, meeting those unnerving white eyes for a second before nodding in reply.

Jove stepped in shyly, his eyes following the little scareon rather than remaining too long on Cricket. It was a dog's way of avoiding trouble.

He took a seat, examining the floor, the desk, Cricket's hands, anything to avoid looking her in the eye so soon after his last attempted eye contact. Once again her minipet eased his nerves as it clambered into his lap, and the pup busied himself stroking the little thing's ears and tentacle bits.

Finally he gathered up the nerve to look up and nod in response to her statement, and then glanced back down to pet the little creature on his lap. And sat in silence. Talking was not his forte, and if the nurse expected him to launch into a grand explanation on why he needed in that class, or list off his prior experience in chronological order to prove his ability, there would be much more silence before the meeting was concluded.

Jove's ears tilted back, and he glanced sideways. He did have a concern. Many of them actually.

When he looked up again it was with a worried expression. His eye contact was a bit more direct than his previous glances, it was clear his concern wasn't for her, and whether she would teach him or put him in danger, or even scare him straight to a second death before he even left her office. And there was some desperation and almost... determination in that look.

He wasn't sure if he was capable. The pup knew he could adhere to strict studying regimens and tiring workloads, just getting as far as he had in one semester was a testament to his motivation to learn. Before he met his caretaker he hadn't even been able to read or write, let alone the basics for the classes he was now taking and passing. He studied day and night to get that far, and he would do so again if he could learn this skill.

But could he learn FEARhealing in the first place?

The pup hadn't said anything verbally, but the battling emotions were clear on his face.

The pup took the prodding with only the slightest bit of visible fear, and schooled his expression into one of stoic determination. Was this part of the screening process, her poking and prodding as if to test his inner mettle?

When she pulled back, it seemed he had passed the first test. Whatever it was.

Jove sat forward slightly as Cricket began to explain the course and her expectations. He could work at it, he had all night every night to work at it. After all, he hadn't been sleeping as of late, and extra practice would keep his mind focused. Although the nurse's demonstration disturbed him, he tried not to show it.

Instead he perked his ears forward, that determined expression almost asking where to start. What could he do right now to begin his learning?

Jove's ears perked. Books he could do! He would have jumped up, after carefully setting the scareon on the floor of course, and run straight to the library if Cricket hadn't made a thoughtful expression and continued. And then his ears fell.

Gym class.

Jove had been in a gym class. And it was terrible. He never wanted to take another gym class ever again, or see another shark in his life. How could they even swim through the ground like they did? It was unnatural. And terrifying.

But judging by the look on his face, he would join another gym class and suffer if that was what it took to learn FEARhealing. Although he would sooner look for another way to develop that skill and control.

He favoured Cricket with a tentative tail wag, as thanks for her advice and reassurance. Jove would do this. He would learn FEARhealing, and then be able to help Ren, and Yaya, and anyone else who got hurt around him. He also favoured the little one on his lap with a good ear scratching, as thanks for the moral support. Sometimes just having a pet around made him feel better.