[ AW ] stay in drugs, don't do vegetables, eat your school

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Padding along the flower fields that was Melrose, Athelas made sure to tuck the memory of two bluebells and a flower – that she had yet to identify – into the back of her head. The yearling angled herself for the college, keen on tending to any plants that would need her. Afterall, she was there to learn, and while she did like to have her fun with peers, knowledge was first priority. Make mother proud. Her one goal in life – anything to avenge her… She shivered. Pushing the thoughts away, she gently pawed at a stone in the way of her path, before continuing onwards.

It didn't take long for someones form to enter her vision, their silhouette dark as she looked up at them, distant on the horizon, just in front of the rising sun. Clouds gently filled the sky, and Athelas shuddered. This almost felt like it could be a bad omen of sorts… The yearling pushed onwards. She had to stop doing that – thinking the worst. Swallowing the rising lump in her throat, Athelas tried her best to sound confident, friendly, and not as terribly nervous as she certainly felt. “Hello?" The student called, lanky build coming to a halt. She had yet to identify this stranger. She hoped they weren't aggressive; the yearling simply wasn't ready for that yet.

“Are you alright?"

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A R Y T H M E T I K

Arythmetik turned at the sound of a bell-like voice behind him, his emerald eyes blinking in faint surprise. It wasn’t often that anyone else left the Arboretum this early in the morning, but he supposed it could have been a passerby from the dens in Melrose. Lately, he’d taken to getting up just before sunrise, sneaking out of the home he shared with Grigori to catch a glimpse of nature’s quiet beauty. He wasn’t avoiding his partner, of course; actually, he’d love it if the rugged cowboy were here with him now. But he craved the moments of silence between action and duty, lessons and responsibility. He spent so much time in the bustling castle these days instead of lecturing small classes beneath the Arboretum’s protective boughs. And, well…even though it was dangerous for him to be out here alone after what happened in the summer, Grigori taught him that he needed to face his fears. He couldn’t stop watching the sunrise just because of what tragedy might strike.


Of course, there was also Frik, his hedgehog, who preferred to grub in the early morning dew. The critter crawled around nearby, digging for insects in the crunchy, autumn grass.


Aryth had to admit, a shiver raced down his spine and his heart started pounding at the unexpected voice. Frik would be totally useless to help him and if there was a bandit behind him, he’d have to rely on Grigori’s training for the first time. Luckily, this was no such person. The russet male saw a yearling at the base of the hill, her fur even redder than his and her eyes shiny and friendly-looking. If he didn’t know better, he’d say she was a bit nervous as well. “Oh, hullo!” he called, his voice as warm and soft as fireside embers. He smiled somewhat apologetically and said, “Just got up here to watch the sunrise and lost track of time. Say, do I know you? Your scent is a tad familiar.”

@Athelas

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He turned to look at her, voice sweet as her mind relaxed. His words were gentle as he reassured her, explaining that he'd gotten up to watch the sunrise. Athelas watched the small critter that lingered around him, and she nodded at his observation. “We've never met one-on-one," She purred, taking a few steps closer, though leaving a comfortable space in between. Athelas took a breath, clearing her throat as she begun to introduce herself; “I'm Athelas, a student at the college. I believe you're a professor, no? I… feel as if I've seen you around before." It'd make sense, anyway.

With a questioning gaze, Athelas wondered if he'd know her at all, perhaps. He'd said her scent was familar, but she supposed that was where it ended. She hadn't been here long, afterall, and the yearling certainly tried to busy herself with collecting and tending to the herbs that sprouted in Melrose. A pang in her heart urged her onwards, though – she wanted to at least try to get to know her peers… to be able to call them friends, close friends, even. Athelas blinked. ‘Stop zoning out,’ she reminded herself. It was terribly easy to spiral, considering the recent event… before she'd arrived in the Crownlands.

She wondered… “Apologies for the random question, but what do you know about herbs? I'm desperately trying to learn–" To honour her dearest mother, the “witch" that hadn't been able to live long. To prove herself, as well. “–and I suppose I'm just looking for any knowledge I can get. Anything that could aid others, you know?" All she wanted was to help, though her yearling heart was emotional. She needed time to heal, she knew. Perhaps this would be the first step.

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A R Y T H M E T I K

Aryth smiled, relief pouring through his muscles. A student! Of course I recognized her. “Yes, I am indeed a Professor. My name is Arythmetik, but please, call me Professor Aryth. I live here, but I’ve been spending a lot of time at Castle Stuart lately.” The scholar made a point to know the goings-on of the Arboretum, especially since he ran the Èolas Board of Trustees, and he knew he recognized the gentle girl as a new register. But he hadn’t been teaching entry-level courses lately; he was too busy with his new job. After he answered, there was a bit of a pause, and Aryth wagged his tail pleasantly. Frik took the opportunity to look up from scrounging. The tiny creature twitched its nose vigorously at the stranger, decided he liked the way the new wolf smelled, then went back to breakfast.


Athelas’ question was a welcome one. Aryth was always in teacher-mode, and even though herbalism wasn’t his favorite subject, he was well-practiced. The war and the heatwave in years past gave him plenty of practice applying his medical knowledge. “Never apologize for asking questions,” the male replied, chuckling lightly. There was something stately, yet humble, about his aura, almost as though he was older than he looked. (And, well, he was. Unbeknownst to the scholar, fae sickness reversed his aging by an entire year, but he was actually over four years old.) And Aryth could tell this girl was timid, yet passionate. She was sure to be a boon for the College. “It’s my pleasure to help, Athelas.”


Finally, Aryth stood, taking a few steps closer; his body language invited Athelas to walk alongside him. “Where would you like to start? I can teach you about herbs that heal burns, or cure stomach aches…or we can discuss rarer species, if you’ve already taken lessons on the basics.” Come to think of it, with the Jacobites rallying, another war might be on the horizon…medical herbs would be vital. Aryth’s smile waned.

@Athelas

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Arythmetik, the professor introduced, insisting that she called him Aryth. With a soft smile and a nod. He lived around her, as did she, though the yearling assumed he had a proper den; she merely slept wherever there was a good pile of moss and a running stream. The small creature looked up at her, drawing in her scent, she believed, before turning away. ‘Satisfactory?' She hoped, before he spoke once more.

Never apologise for asking questions. Wise words from quite the wise man, it seemed. Athelas blinked at him, feeling an odd pull from within, as if he weren't quite what he seemed, though in a matter of moments, such feelings vanished – like clouds covering the sun. He seemed keen to aid her, though, and Athelas was glad to finally be able to have some help at last. No longer was she bound by her own paws; someone else could show her the ropes… safely. Too many times had she mistakingly tested the wrong berries, or gotten too close to a leaf of poison ivy. The College would help, as well. She knew that, but yet, she figured that perhaps a direct mentorship would work better.

Inviting the yearling to walk alongside him, she stood, drawing herself forwards as he questioned her. Her knowledge on the basics was… well, basic. “I am majorly self-taught," The young student explained, tail swaying from side to side as the two trotted onwards. Beforehand, she'd merely tried to memorise the ‘spells' her mother would cast, taking note of the herbs and trying to replicate the remedies, though the memories had simply faded over time. Heather was slipping away from her, just as Connor once had.

“Unfortunately, such self-reliance caused… mishaps. I am grateful to have lived this far, considering the many times I'd accidentally put myself at risk by using the wrong herb, or getting too close to a specific plant." With a chuckle, she shook her head gently. Her father would warn her, perhaps even threaten her with the fact that she'd disappear, just as her mother had. It was him. She knew that it was him. It had to have been… but she had to pushed those thoughts away once more. They were - simply put - of no use to her now. “Though I do hope that the college will present… safer learning exercises, than the ones I had attempted out in the forest on my own."

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A R Y T H M E T I K

Aryth’s eyes widened, his attention rapt on the girl’s admission. He missed half a beat as they strolled, but continued to walk alongside her on the outskirts of the forest. ‘Though I do hope that the college will present… safer learning exercises.’ When she said this, however, the Professor finally burst into hearty laughter. Tears peeked from the corners of his emerald eyes and he nodded. “Indeed!” he exclaimed. “I should guarantee it.” He hoped Athelas hadn’t eaten any berries that gave serious digestion issues. The way she made it sound, it was a wonder she was still alive. There was something innocently humorous about all this, but more importantly, it revealed Athelas’ curious mind and scientific motivations. One must experiment if they wish to form hypotheses, after all.


With amusement still dancing in the undertones of his voice, Aryth offered, “Why don’t I show you some plants to avoid, then? That could save you some time, perhaps.” He chuckled again. “Then I’d be more than happy to recommend a couple fantastic professors for classes. Here, follow me, if you like.” He nodded his russet head and grinned gently. If the yearling pursued, he veered them into the College grounds. Trees rose up with the morning light, their autumn leaves crinkling in the soft, chill breeze. He padded toward an overgrown section of the woods outside the College proper. He pointed his nose at a large cluster of trees.


“Those, for example, are Walnut trees. The nuts might seem like a good source of hydration and nutrition at first, but fever and seizures. Especially if eaten in excess.” Aryth walked a bit further, then stopped suddenly, his tail swishing behind him. “And that ivy in the undergrowth there? That will cause upset stomachs. Generally, anything with dark green, waxy leaves should be avoided for medicinal purposes. Most of them are poisonous.” Aryth smiled again, appreciating this lovely distraction. Teaching was his heart, and this quiet morning with a new student was just what he needed. “Oh! See those tall, triangular plants in the grassy area over there? The little bell-shaped flowers look attractive, but that is Digitalis, otherwise known as foxglove. Some books may claim it has medicinal uses, but it causes nausea, tremors, vomiting and even convulsions!” The scholar looked at Athelas, anticipating questions.

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