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Rowan had been decided to do some studying in their free time. The subject was one of pleasure rather than business. They were really into the book and had a sheet of paper next to them full of neatly scribbled notes. So focused were they that when the quiet was pierced with the sound of an opening door, they flinched. There was a much quieter thud, presumably the door closing, and then the quiet patter of footsteps. Whoever they were, they were running in Rowan's direction.

The footsteps suddenly stopped. There was a faint whisper of harsh breathing, like someone trying to catch their breath. If Rowan hadn't been extending their hearing to the utmost they probably wouldn't have noticed it.

Wonderful. There were probably ruffians in the library, using it for games. A frown creased their brow as they let out a suffering sigh. "Indoor Gardens: A Guide for Beginners" would have to wait.

Rowan left the book on the table and hopped down, hunting for the miscreant so they could give them a proper scolding about playing in places meant for quiet study and learning. They were so focused on trouble makers that when they spotted a hybrid studying they had to do a double take. Even when they noticed the hybrid's chest moving like one still catching their breath, Rowan felt a bit of doubt. This didn't look like a miscreant...

Rowan took a couple steps closer, still frowning. They thought it was a trick of the light, but it seemed like the hybrid had something on their cheek. And their clothes looked a bit strange. Granted Rowan was quite clueless about fashion, but something still didn't seem right. Making up their mind, they moved closer.

"Excuse me. Is everything alright," Rowan politely queried as they reached acceptable conversation range. Their curiosity was roused, and now they wanted answers.

Rowan stared for a bit. The smudge seemed to be a bruise, judging by the other's reaction. They weren't an expert on injuries so there was no way to tell how fresh the bruise was, but it was clearly tender. And the more Rowan looked at the situation, the more they were sure that the tears in the hybrid's clothing weren't just fashion statements.

Now Rowan had never been good with people. Generally they tended to spend most of their time in classes, their room, or the library, and made no special efforts to socialize. There were a few kids who were unendingly perky who were cheerful with everyone they met, but for the most part after a few attempts people left Rowan alone. They'd only ever been the target of a heckling type of bullying, but since they didn't really care what other people though it never bothered Rowan in the slightest.

But right now, staring at a freshling who was clearly on the receiving end of harsher treatment than was ever meted out to Rowan, the Nixie felt the stirrings of....protectiveness? Certainly something was there, but they had no idea what exactly it was or what to do about it. It was quite odd, and while Rowan had no clue how to deal with it they were certain that it would persist if they didn't try to do something about it.

So, feeling highly awkward, Rowan moved a little bit closer. "You can come sit with me if you want to study. It'll be more comfortable." Eyeing the bruise, Rowan added, "I might have something that can help with the ouch, at least a little bit."

Rowan nodded, then felt awkward again. Okay, so invitation extended and accepted. What now? Lead them by the hand? There was something to be said for Rowan's social awkwardness at least. They rarely made direct eye contact, so hadn't really noticed anything off about the other's eyes. Not that it would have made a huge difference, Rowan only cared about anomalies if they applied directly to their life. Something as innocuous as strange eyes would barely register on their radar. The glow didn't even register at all. The result of living around Geists and being familiar with their glowiness and all.

Well, one of the things Rowan remembered reading in a book about improving social interaction skills was about politeness and being considerate. "Ah, I'll help you with your bag," they said, barely managing to keep from stammering over the unfamiliar words. They picked up the bag from the floor, hoping they were doing this socializing thing right, and began to lead the way back to their table.

"....My name's Rowan," they said as they walked, figuring the introduction should be somewhere at the start of the interaction period and not really knowing how else to bring it up. It would be nice if there was a list they could follow, it would make things much simpler!

Rowan nodded in response. Their table was pretty close, but it was in a more secluded little niche that generally didn't get many passers by. They found it idea for studying or pleasure reading.

They set Giotto's bag down and went around to their own. After a bit of digging they came out with a jar of lotion. "I don't know if it'll help much or not," Rowan said, feeling sheepishly awkward as he offered the jar to Giotto. "I make my own skin products sometimes, and this one came out a bit thick. Not so good for frequent use, but good if you have really dry skin."

'I'm babbling,' Rowan thought, trying hard not to blush self-consciously.

"It's scented with peppermint plants. It feels pretty tingly and cool whenever I use it, so maybe it can help," he trailed off, feeling a bit dim. Peppermint lotion, yea, that was tooootally going to help that bruise.

Now Rowan actually did blush. They never shared their lotions, partially because they were a perfectionist and would never put their claim to something that wasn't absolutely the best they could make it. And partially because they weren't really close enough with anyone to have ever offered before now.

"Probably only use a little. Peppermint oil is pretty strong, and the aromatic effect might make your eyes sting if you get it too close," they muttered quietly. "I test them all on myself first, but if it feels uncomfortable let me know. People sometimes react differently."

They settled back down in their chair and picked up their book again, but were feeling so self conscious right now that they couldn't really focus on the words. Aah, this was no good. They needed to calm down a bit. Rowan tried some of the breathing tricks they'd learned in a meditation book. It did help a little.

Rowan glanced over at Giotto and noticed the look they were getting. Ah man, they being so totally obvious, weren't they? The blush came right back, though they were able to keep their mind from spinning around in a circle of "I did this wrong" thoughts.

"Sorry," Rowan muttered quietly, resuming their seat and adjusting their own book. "I'm not...good with people. I read most of the time, or study. So I do weird things sometimes. Sorry." They resolutely attempted not to make eye contact, sure that it would probably just make their reaction worse.

Plants. Focus on plants. Impress the herbology teacher with their knowledge and figure out how what might be a good addition to their itty bitty scent garden.

Rowan did find themselves growing a bit more embarrassed. "Don't worry about it," they muttered, then, more quietly, "Thanks."

Silence sprouted up as the two freshlings buried themselves into books and papers. Rowan slowly lost some of that awkward feeling and felt the blush vanishing along with it. They managed to start reading their book and even made a bit of progress, scribbling notes in the journal they had with them.

However they couldn't really dismiss Giotto entirely, like they usually did with other students when in class or reading. Every now and then Rowan would pause after a paragraph and glance over at the hybrid. Even if the peppermint salve had helped just a little, that bruise would be hurting. It would probably start to swell, actually, They'd never had a black eye before, but they'd witnessed a few in their time. Even if the bruise was more on the cheek than the eye, it would still likely swell and become a bother for Giotto.

"Maybe," they said, starting a little at how loud their voice sounded in the broken silence, even though they hadn't really been talking loud at all. Rowan picked back up where they had faltered. "Maybe you should go to the nurse. It'll probably get pretty bad if you don't do something for it." They didn't count their measly salve anywhere near a treatment...