[ AW ] Firelight

A R Y T H M E T I K

The fire crackled, sending tiny sparks and a small flurry of ash swirling into the night sky. Eventually they disappeared amongst the stars, and just outside of their little circle, the sounds of children romping and laughing were offset by Aryth’s warm and even voice. He noticed that his two companions actually listened quite attentively to his explanation. It brought a smile to his face. After all, he was a scholar and a teacher. The lovely and quiet Black took some of the berries he offered without hesitation. Cyrill, on the other hand, had a stronger reaction. His sharp laugh made Aryth’s eyes glimmer with curiosity. His next comment even made the scholar’s brows arch. But there was something…genuine about his response. It made Aryth rethink the man’s crass words from just moments before. There was more than meets the eye when it came to this strikingly handsome and unusual outlander. That seemed especially true when Cyrill gratefully took the berries and offered to bring alcohol next time, which could have made Aryth blush. (He’d...never partaken.)


A bit suddenly, Black admitted that she wanted to learn from both of them. That only made the earthen wolf smile wider. His eyes, shimmering like emeralds in the firelight, flickered toward her as she asked her question. But he let Cyrill speak first; after all, he was interested (now more than ever) in what this man had to say. The conversation took a startling turn. It was a heavy topic that Cyrill discussed with ease. The Junior Professor’s eyes widened, but his ears were perked forward and he was listening intently. Yes, the topic was off-putting, but not for the obvious reasons. Cyrill’s words simply reminded Arythmetik that he hadn’t been of much use to the warriors wounded and dying in the fight against King Adamh’s soldiers. Hell, Aryth would have done anything to save wolves from both sides. But at the time, he hadn’t been the least bit interested in medicine. Lately, he was motivated to make a change. And yet, the sting of failure was still burrowed, nagging, scratching at his heart.


Aryth shook his head as the others looked at him expectantly. “Oh, er, well I clearly don’t have as much experience as you, Cyrill,” he admitted. But he bolstered himself and continued calmly, glancing between both his companions, “I have started to study and host lessons on medicinal herbs and their practical applications. But...truth be told, medicine isn’t my fondest topic. Someday I’d love to teach about the things I’ve read in books: biology, physics, arithme...er, maths… Maybe even history and poetry. Right now just isn’t the best time.” The wolves of Rionnach weren’t too interested in learning for learning’s sake when their country was in a state of subdued turmoil.


Clearing his throat, Aryth turned his attention to the female. “Black, what is it that you do? I’d be quite interested to know.”

code by claerie

@Black @Cyrill

Intently, she listened. Cyrill explained a prime example, causing the girl to mentally take notes. Interesting indeed. But as Aryth spoke, it seemed his teachings weren’t so specific, but rather a much broader spectrum. Still useful, the girl thought. She listened well to him too, finding it all the while just as interesting as Cyrill’s experience, even if different.

But then the spotlight had shifted and landed on her. She wasn’t used to that, normally she was the girl hidden away in the shadows. Her mind calculating but her socializing was put to a bare minimum. She straightened, and gave a nod before speaking.
"I am an expert fisherwoman and swimmer. Growing up in Aberdeen, we were always by the water. I want to expand, though. I want to learn as much as I can."
She just had this gnawing feeling that she would need all types of knowledge in this journey of life.
"I have interests in many things. Fighting, healing, medicines, poisons. Other types of hunting rather than fishing."
Perhaps some of that shouldn’t have been said out loud, but Black was always a rather blunt woman.