middaeg | . summer's play

[Dimitri will be glad should no trouble arise - a situation that renders him thankfully useless. Though, he may feel a bit guilty taking a large payment in that situation...

If her confidence that no interference will occur is to be believed, then he must simply redouble his efforts to help with the children.

A task he's a bit excited to undertake - but he tries to temper it. She doesn't need one more over eager youth to watch after.] I am, yes.

Which means, unfortunately, I don't know much about the flora we're about to explore. I can, however, keep watch over any of our class who may stray or wander. [And anything else.

Please put him to work.]

That's perfectly alright.

[Sypha taps her chest confidently, straightening up and beaming at the much taller young man.]

You can listen to my lecture, just the same as the children and pick things up. I've an interest in plants, so, I've studied a fair bit.

[She will put him to work, though. Have no fear.]

Do keep an eye out for anything moving. I know I said we shouldn't, but there's always a chance some creature slipped the net. Even an infected rabbit can be dangerous, buuut you look like you can handle that.

[With such an easy nature, it's no wonder this woman - Sypha - isn't concerned about the task at hand. Her affect is contagious; Dimitri finds himself smiling just a bit wider in reply.

Being on high alert for simple woodland creatures isn't exactly relaxing, but he's still looking forward to the venture.] I will certainly do my best. [Partially reciprocating the joke, and partially reassuring himself.

Hitting a tiny little rabbit with his spear from a distance with the barrier of their little troupe might prove quite challenging. He should have brought a bow (he would have broken it in one shot).]

If you're ready, I will take up the rear.

[Somewhere along the way, he hopes to hear about edible plants. If she doesn't mention, perhaps he'll simply ask.]

[She's sure that he'll do fine. He's a strapping lad! He's got a strong arm and a spear. And if there's a real problem, she can deal with whatever comes. It's fine.]

I'm ready, yes!

[She turns to the class and beams, walking backwards and beginning to explain a little about where they are and what kinds of plants to look out for. Basically the usual stuff like 'avoid poison ivy' to start out with.

A few of the kids turn and look back at Dimitri, but for the most part, they seem engaged with her little lesson. Enough so that Sypha feels confident calling on him to help with it all.]

If my young friend here would be so kind, I could use a hand demonstrating something.

[She grins.]

You're tall, so...can you come stand behind me. I want to talk about shade-shrooms and you'll make a fine example.

[Sypha is like a level 50+ gremory relying on a level 5 soldier - adorable.

Dimitri is as captured by Sypha's lecture as the more attentive of the children, referencing each plant she points out and doing his best to commit it to memory. When a few turn to look at him, he simply nods up at their teacher.

Pay attention.

When called upon, Dimitri feels entirely similar to a a student being called upon by the professor in class at Garreg Mach.

He gives a quick nod, walking briskly past the line of children and joining the teacher. Somehow... excited??] Of course-

[Doing as asked, Dimitri circles behind Sypha and lets his shadow loom. To completely envelop her and the ground in front of her, he has to stand kind of close...

It's only a little awkward.]

Thank you, Dimitri.

[Now, Sypha stoops down in his shadow, glad he's wearing a cloak, and begins to draw things in the dirt. Just giving a quick lesson on shade-shrooms.]

They taste absolutely awful, I'm told. But they're very good for your health, and with the right seasoning you can cut the taste.

I actually believe they're a key ingredient in some alchemical healing potions. So...since we're in a safe spot, why don't all of you pair up and poke around this clearing for some shady spots like the one I'm in and see if you can find any.

[A hands on activity seems fine. And with that, the kids disperse for a few moments, leaving the pair of them standing there.

Sypha rises, and reaches up to pat his shoulder]

Thank you for that. Sorry to put you on the spot, but I wanted to make sure they understood.

[Dimitri watches the children disperse closely - monitoring how far each go and taking note of the ones who have gone nearer to some tall grass. There could be a dangerous infected bunny inside...

With the pair in his periphery, he backs away from Sypha with a short bow - habit.]

No need to apologize, I'm happy to help.

[He raises a hand to hover near his chin and looks down to the spot where Sypha had been digging.] And to learn. There is such a fascinating range of flora here.

[A pause, and he rubs his armored foot into the dirt beneath his shadow.] Are they more potent cooked, or raw?

[Sypha studies him, amused that he'd think to bow. He must be nobleborn, to have such manners. And such a long name.]

There is a good bit, yes. The Coven was giving lessons on local plantlife last month that I'm sure have been written down, if you've a real interest. I can pass you a copy of my notes when we return, if you'd like, as well.

[She was an insatiable scholar, after all.]

As for their potency, they're at their most potent when they've been stewed in an alchemical solution. But cooked is better than raw. I promise, they taste awful.

[There are more pressing records Dimitri intends to peruse - political histories of the city, the surroundings, and the current social divides.. but he nods to the offer all the same. It could be light reading over tea.]

I see, thank you.

Though, it's strange, they don't smell terrible. [He's unearthed a few with his boot tip by now, though he's done a number on their poor caps - one is nearly completely beheaded and the other is battered.

Upon realizing what he's done, Dimitri's foot retreats.

A few of the kids begin to laugh, though rising above the clamor is the sound of one child groaning and retching.

Dimitri doesn't have to go over there to know that the kid just ate one on a dare.]

Don't they?

[Sypha gives him an amused smile, stooping to gather up the fruits of his labor. She's more or less ignoring the children right now, because of course...kids will be kids.]

I think they smell like week old chamber pots, personally.

[Offering him one, she tucks the other away for a later potion.]

Sniff it up close if you don't believe me.

[At least the battered mushrooms won't be wasted. Dimitri smiles faintly as he takes the small plant offered to him. It feels silly to hold it so close and sniff...

But he does as told, and his face wrinkles.]

Ah.

Not pleasant.

You're right. [He offers it back, having no use for the thing himself. He doubts he has any aptitude for brewing elixirs.

Finally, the foolish boy who ate the mushroom sinks to his knees and gags. Nothing comes, and he's soon desperately shoving grass in his mouth to chase the vile taste away.]

Is there... anything pleasant to eat around here? [Dimitri feels bad for the kid.]

[She tucks it away, and turns at the sound of the boy's gagging.]

Oh. Yes, I think I have a little something.

[She reaches into her pouch and pulls out a small pouch of yellow drops.

Marching over, she plucks one out and presses it to the lad's hand]

Strong lemon candies. This should help. I hope you've learned a valuable lesson about eating strange things, too.

[Lemon drops - a delicacy in Fodlan, more an Adrestian treat than something in Faerghus. He remembers trying one as a child, and how it made his cheeks ache and his lips pucker.

The child looks thankful, rather than repulsed, and opens his mouth to fan his tongue as he banishes the last of the horrid taste.] Perhaps we should move on?

[Some of the children, at Dimitri's suggestion, begin to reform their rank. Others look to their teacher, hands covered in dirt and clearly in the middle of playing something or other.

Dimitri steps to head the line that has begun to form, though he has no idea where they're going next.]

Perhaps so.

[Sypha gathers everyone up and starts heading towards another spot not too far away, this time in the ruins of an old house. It's falling in on itself...and she begins giving a lecture on poisonous plants. Specifically...]

...so you see the one with the three leaves? Never, ever touch it with bare skin or you will itch for days. It's got a poison on the outside to make it difficult to eat. I think they call it poison oak.

[She waves a hand towards Dimitri, signalling him to stop one boy from reaching for some.

Plz don't let him prank anyone.]

[As soon as the line begins to move, Dimitri falls in - not like a soldier but once again, a student himself. Coming upon the dilapidated house, he can't help wondering who may have lived here... and what sort of end they met.

Doubtless, a gruesome one.

With a sharp breath, he refocuses on the lesson just in time to catch Sypha's signal.

Arm quickly outstretched, Dimitri blocks the boy's attempt with maybe a bit too much force.] Be careful. It'd be a shame if you caught an itch.

[The boy fixes him with a glare somewhere between petulant and intimidated - a look Dimitri isn't too fond of no matter how often he's on the receiving end of it.

But, crisis averted.

He quickly turns his attention to their perimeter, where several insects that resemble a cross between dragonflies and centipedes have begun to dart.

Dangerous? He's not sure-

So he takes one step away from the line - between the bugs and the children - as a precaution.]

[Dimitri breaking ranks is a tip off. Sypha looks to where he is facing and frowns, stepping up beside him and putting herself between the class and the insects.]

...those are definitely dangerous.

[She looks back at the students and the teacher.]

Class. I'm going to have to cut this trip short. Those are something I've started calling Plague Bloat Flies. They're nasty, and if they are over here, then there's something dead up ahead. And that means trouble.

[She holds her hand out towards the bugs, slowly backing away.]

Do not panic. Just turn and walk away. They won't attack us if we don't go near them.

[One or two insects, Dimitri could easily swat out of the air with his spear - but even he knows well enough that bugs usually live in swarms. He'd be useless against something like that; a pyre of magic or a powerful gust of wind would serve much better.

Disappointing as it is to end the nature lessons here, Sypha has made the right call.

Dimitri stands still, as if movement might provoke the flies, and watches as the class slowly begins to back away. Their line has fallen into disarray, but the children listen, and for that he's thankful.

Only once they've made it several paces away does Dimitri follow. As he moves, he catches a scent - something between raw and rotting. It makes his mouth water, and his nostrils flare as he attempts to banish the strange hunger.

He stops walking, and brings a fist to cover his nose and mouth.

In a moment. He'll move again in a moment.]

[Sypha keeps back as well, her fingers working through the motions of a spell to conjure a small silver disc beneath her feet. It hovers backwards, letting her move without fear of tripping, and giving her a bit more height to see over the long grass to the rotting deer carcass that these monstrous bugs are hovering around.]

Dimitri?

[She reaches a hand out to touch his shoulder.]

We should be moving. You should stick near the class. I am going to freeze that field solid so that those things don't get free, but I want you and your spear near them. Please, move.

[It's as if he's standing over the corpse, close enough that he could bend down and touch it. Feel the still warm flesh twitch with dying nerves, and rip a handful of meat for himself. Dimitri's throat constricts, and his grip on his face tightens.

His name is enough to reorient him to where he stands, and the hand on his shoulder stands to contrast the pain he's caused his own face.

Dimitri lowers his hand, reddened cheeks and bruising jaw left in its wake.]

Yes, of course. My apologies. [He speaks quickly and moves, falling behind Sypha to gather the class behind himself with a gesture. They form a closer - still disorganized - rank, though some peer out to watch the witch at work.

Dimitri too, is transfixed by her magic - and endlessly thankful that she has a plan.]

[Sypha nods to him, continuing to rise until she can get a clear view, and then she conjures her spell. A latticework of magic appears in the air, and a veritable blizzard appears over the bugs, freezing them solid and dropping them to the ground with a clink. More buzzing kicks off as the plague bloat flies that had remained hidden in the grass try and take off, but drop just as swiftly as the magic takes hold.

She holds the blizzard for several more moments, freezing every drop of moisture in that area solid. And then slams her hand down into her palm. The gesture seems to compact the ice, shattering it into a thousand glittering shards.]

There. it is done. But that burst of magic might draw magic-seeking shades, so we need to get out of this area. Please...

[She spins and hovers towards them, floating at a brisk pace.]

Let us be away. I do not want anyone harmed. Stay on the path, in a single file line.

[It's a wonderful display - there is ice magic in Fodlan, but nothing so intricate as what Sypha performs. She practices as if she controls the very element itself, a willful sort of manipulation rather than something studied in books.

He hopes to see it again, someday.

In better circumstances.

Now, Dimitri moves immediately, directing the children to follow along the trodden path and keep to the line. He jogs in front of them, keeping pace with the group and keeping a watch out for any flies that may have been just outside of Sypha's range.

A pair rises, darting wildly around the disrupted air currents in a confused aimless path. Immediately, Dimitri breaks off from the group, yelling for the line leader to continue the retreat. He makes simple work of them, spear cleaving through their carapaces at a safe distance.

And, thankfully, the scent of meat has been dampened by Sypha's ice; he rejoins the line at the end and ushers the kids on until they reach the city walls.]

[Sypha certainly won't stop the lad. She's content to keep the line moving, hovering at a distance above them all to keep everything safe and sound.

Thankfully, the kids are freaked out enough that there's no trouble, and soon they are all admitted into the city's walls.

Once business is taken care of, and the teachers have the students heading back to school, Sypha meanders over to Dimitri.]

You okay? You seemed a little spaced out there for a bit.

[The last of their group into the city, Dimitri hangs back from the children. They'll need to be going, and he's concerned about the state of his spear. Upon inspection, while the bug guts coating his blade are gross, they aren't that characteristic endless black.

He's lost many good weapons fighting shades - it's getting expensive.

Tucking his weapon away to clean later, Dimitri regards Sypha with a smile he hopes is as natural as the one he'd worn when they met. It's only a little forced.] Oh.

Didn't you smell it?

The animal they were eating must have been relatively fresh - it was overpowering. [To a hungry monster, at least.]

No.

[Sypha's answer is simple and direct, her brow furrowing in concern.]

No, I didn't, Dimitri. I'm afraid my nose is a witch's nose, so I don't have the keener senses a monster might.

...Do you know what species you're becoming?

[Her answer surprises him - horror crosses his face in a flash. Dimitri casts his eyes to the ground, staring at the dirt to steel his expression and focus on answering her question.

Instead of the frozen feeling in his gut.]

Some sort of hybrid. [Voice quiet, he shakes his head.] A chimera, as they call it.

I can't say what animals yet, but surely something... carnivorous.

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strongspirited - 2020-06-03 03:13 (UTC) - Expand

//wrapping up!

boarddyd - 2020-06-04 00:18 (UTC) - Expand

. summer's play

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he commits this to 'how to live a feral life' memory

He's such a disaster.

always

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//wrapping up!