Study of Magical Creatures Class

[Kylie]

"Oh." he says wrinkling his nose a little. He never understood eating animals personally. He'd been a vegetarian his whole life. But he knew that animals needed their proper diets and he couldn't be too bothered over that. He wondered if they were sickly that they needed all the vitamins.
He was a little cautious to reach in, but carefully puts the food into the feeding pits of each cage, carefully filling them.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Before long, some creatures started to slither out of their hiding spots for the food. They were all animals with a preference for the dark, but they braved the light for their food. They were all quite sinister looking, and a few were more aquatic than land creatures. Ephria was just planning for a nocturnal unit. Plus, they were starving, since Ephria had barely been able to feed them the day before.

[Kylie]

((Sorry only just now got this notification. GR is wacky rn))

Kade squats down a little, he was pretty tall, and peers into their cages. He was not really afraid of them but watches them curiously as they make their way to eat, "What are they?" he asks her. He wanted to hear her talk about them. It would be nice to get her talking.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

((It's okay. I've been having notification problems all week, with them coming hours late or sometimes not at all))

"Most of their names are not pronounceable in the human tongue," Ephria answered. "There are placards with the names to the best of the English translation. Not quite close, unfortunately. But I did the best I could." She had the dragons tell her, and she'd transcribed to the best of her ability.

[Kylie]

"Oh I see." he nods and bends down to read the placards, "They are interesting names." he agrees.
"How did you learn the dragon tongue? I don't think there are many people who can claim to understand them." he says. He didn't know anyone that could anyway. He wondered if it was easy to pick up once you lived with them or if she had to do something special.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"It came naturally," she answered. She was well aware that being able to speak to dragons was unusual even in her home but it was what she'd always known so it was no big deal to her. That was her life. "I was raised with dragons and so I know all about them that a human can. But speaking their language happened without trying."

[Kylie]

"That's very impressive. Do you often have to translate for them?" he asks curiously, "You don't see many out in the open. They must find life at the school a little different. But perhaps they like helping you to teach the students? What led you to the school to teach anyway?" he asks. He cuts himself odd realizing he was talking a little too much.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

She was silent for a good moment after he stopped talking, waiting for more questions to come but it seemed like he'd gotten them all out. "No, I don't have to translate for them often now, but I did where we came from. Dragons are more abundant where I lived before, though they still didn't venture out of their caves often. My dragons do think the school is an odd way to live, but we have adapted to life this way and it is no longer jarring. They carry wisdom far beyond my own, so it could be said that they teach through me and I am merely the conduit. As for what led me here...." She answered each question in turn until the last one, because she was unsure how to phrase it all.

[Kylie]

He perceived that she was definitely a good listener. She seemed to have paid the proper attention to each of his questions, given her thorough reply. He nods and watches her as she speaks.
"Oh I see- they must be very old. I hope that's not offensive. I'm very old as well. Most of my kind are- but we mature much slower." he shrugs, "Though the ancients of my kind some say are even older than the dragons."
It was his turn to wait for her answer as to why she had come, "You don't have to tell me if you don't wish to." he says suspecting that was the reason for her hesitation.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"It's nothing awful, just a long story I don't feel like telling at the moment," Ephria said. The story didn't necessarily make her uncomfortable or anything, but it did bring back some feelings that confused her and she'd rather not relive it right then. She was too unprepared. "Another time, perhaps. But what about yourself? What brought you here to be a physician?"

[Kylie]

"Oh that's alright." he says with a nod. He didn't want to force her to get into a lengthy story if she wasn't comfortable with it just yet.
"What else can I do?" he asks wanting to make himself useful around her house. He was sure there were plenty of things she wanted to get done but probably shouldn't do alone in her current state.
"Oh- I just wanted to be a part of things. I think it's great the work that they do and helping the students."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Ephria nodded, since she agreed about the work the school did for all the students trying to find their place in the multiverse. "Admirable," she said briefly and then showed him to the boxes that needed to be put up in storage. "All these need to be packed away in the roof storage. Duyao and Duye can help you a little, if you don't mind their presence."

[Kylie]

"Certainly- I don't mind at all." he says. He was hopeful that they would become at least okay with his presence.
He starts grabbing some of the boxes and carrying them to stack them into a convenient spot where they could be taken to the roof storage.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Ephria did get the storage hatch open for him with her fully functional hand, since she should be allowed to do that at least, right? She didn't want him getting mad at her but she was having a very hard time standing by and doing nothing.

[Kylie]

"Sit down." he says knowing she was going to protest, "Or I will recruit your friends just to tie you to a chair. Haven't you something you could do sitting down? Read something." he suggests.
"I can handle this I promise." he smiles.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

She sighed heavily, annoyed. "I have nothing to read. I only opened the hatch and I didn't even use my injured hand," she pointed out. She didn't argue about the lack of friends again since they'd been over that several times and she didn't know why it didn't sink in for him. Was he that much of a social butterfly that he couldn't imagine differently.

[Kylie]

He chuckles to himself because she was equally intimidating and cute when she got all annoyed. He wasn't sure how she could manage both. But the face she made at him was one he would surely remember.
"Okay okay I hear you- just settle down." he laughs.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

She looked at him oddly, wondering what was so funny for him to be laughing. Had she said something funny? Perhaps her lack of experience with humanoids was working against her favor because she just didn't understand. "Fine. I'll try," she said and went to sit though it made her uncomfortable.

[Kylie]

"Thank you." he says. He worked away cheerfully at getting everything put where it needed to go. He stacks the boxes carefully and neatly. He liked things having order.
"Anything else that needs done in here?" he asks eagerly. He was excited for the excuse to spend some time with her. He sneezes from a bit of dust that was stirred up putting everything away.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Have you eaten yet?" she asked, since she had not. Despite having said it was after lunch she actually had not eaten lunch. She supposed he had or might be hungry again. She had to ask to be polite, and she somewhat doubted he would allow her to make food for herself.

[Kylie]

"No I haven't." he says, "But I should probably warn you I'm vegetarian." he says. He hated to be a bother to people and was unsure what her diet looked like.
"I don't have to eat as often as most people as long as I've gotten enough sunlight." he shrugs.
"But I know your kind needs to eat more frequently. Let's finish here and I can help you put something together for lunch."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Then I must warn you that my dragons are pure carnivores, but..." she looked between the two coiled red dragons as if listening to them, "they aren't hungry right now, so you're spared that sight. A dragon eating can be quite gruesome, and two doubly so. But I can eat anything. I don't mind salad. I should have the ingredients at my home, too."

[Kylie]

He smiles at her politeness to decline him the sight, "Much appreciated. Although I understand that every animal has to eat the diet according to their kind. I just happen to have no need for meat."
He was sure watching the two eat was quite a thing to witness.
"Very well. Do you need anything carried from here?" he asks.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"No, everything here can stay here," she told him, glancing around to make sure she was telling the truth. She generally didn't bring anything with her back and forth because it was too much trouble to remember to bring things back and forth. Everything she used in both places she possessed two of.

[Kylie]

He nods, "Alright." he glances in at the cages to be sure that all the little creatures had eaten their food or were doing alright. He could see the appeal of pets to humans. He wondered how she felt about her dragons. They were not really pets to her. It was an interesting dynamic.
"After you." he says nodding and waiting for her to take the lead.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Thank you," she said simply and started out, even though she had to lock the door after he'd come out. With the recent threat of vandalization of classrooms she was concerned the creatures would be threatened or harmed. That could not be allowed to happen. Safety was of the utmost importance, even though a locked door would only be a minor deterrent.

((I don't think she actually has a cabin so I'll have to make sure))

[Kylie]

((Will i post at the cabin then?))

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

((I can start once I get it made))

[Kylie]

((has one been made?))

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

((Ugh I'm so bad I'm so sorry I'll do it right now.))

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

It took Anastasia a little while before she could finally drag herself- and her friends- to their next class. She had dealt with their endless teasing on the way over, and the only comfort she had was that their bags were secure in the hands of Bolt.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Bolt had procured their seats in the next class, luckily not having to worry that they all had the same next class. After he'd gotten situated, he'd texted Anastasia to let her know, surprisingly without teasing because she was never usually forgetful like this.

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

Anastasia and the girls snuck into the class a moment before the bell rang, and she barely had to look around before she lead them over to their usual seats. Well, Bolt and her usual seats. Thankfully, there were two free ones that the girls would have no choice but to sit in.

“I’m beginning to think you’re not as careless as they say you are.” Mavis said as she sat across from Bolt, grinning. “Only the perfect gentleman would think to get our bags.”

“It’s because he expects some kind of payment.” Anastasia replied, sitting besides him. It was easier now that she had gotten used to being his partner in every single class. “Normally in the shape of food.”

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Well I do expect snacks, but I can be nice without being a perfect gentleman, right?" He asked, as if he was concerned for his reputation. "As for payment, I think a well made steak or salmon dinner would be appropriate to your appreciation."

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

Anastasia scoffed, crossing her arms as she turned to look at him. “I’ve already been feeding you my snacks and they weren’t exactly the easiest to find.” She replied, forgetting that the girls didn’t know she’d been feeding him for a couple of weeks now. Come to think of it, why had it taken so long for them to finally meet? “So I think I owe you nothing.”

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"That's been out of the kindness of your heart," Bolt replied, a grin on his lips. He was teasing her, of course, because when did she ever do something out of the kindness of her heart, really

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

“Has it?” She asked, amused as she completely forgot the girls were there. Marcie and Mavis looked at each other again before looking at Anastasia and Bolt, a small smile on their faces. “It was for everyone’s sakes. They might not know it but you turn into a big baby when when you don’t eat. A big, grumpy baby.”

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"So to save me from my grumpiness, you bring me snacks. It's really kind of you. Don't pretend you do it for everyone, we all know you're just doing it for me," he said, grinning still. It was funny how she tried to brush it off. Funnier still because he noticed how she was responding to us rather than pushing him off and ignoring him. Could it have been the company of her friends to change her mood so drastically?

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

Anastasia rolled her eyes and finally looked away, because that was one hole she wasn’t going to throw herself into. “Whatever.” She said, then nodded in the direction of the girls. “Marcie and Mavis, this is Bolt. Bolt, that’s Marcie and that’s Mavis.” They likely already knew who they were but this was the first time they’d been properly introduced.

“Hello, Bolt.” Marcie said, giving him a small smile as she reached over to shake his hand. He was a lot… kinder and funny than what Anastasia had mentioned before. She’d say that maybe that’s just how Anastasia thought of him but the way she looked and talked to him made her think otherwise.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Nice to formally meet you both," Bolt said and shook Marcie's hand. He knew who they were, not just because they're the ones who were around Anastasia, but that still didn't mean he'd ever spoken to them before. "I hope you don't believe everything she tells you about me. Sometimes she speaks too highly of me."

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

“I don’t speak of you.” Anastasia muttered, giving Mavis a look when her friend turned to look at her with a smirk. If anyone was going to talk it was her.

“Not nearly enough as she should.” Mavis said, looking away from Anastasia and turning to Bolt as she reached to shake his hand too. “I had no idea you were such a great actor.”

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Bolt chuckled a little because he doubted that was true. If anything, she probably ranted about him doing this or that and that was just fine with him. For some reason he couldn't leave her alone and let her forget about him. It was odd after having pulled himself back into obscurity. "Thank you, I have lots of practice," he said and shook Mavis's hand too. "I just don't like showing it off. My talents are best served elsewhere."

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

“What other things are you keeping from us?” Mavis asked, raising an eyebrow and grinning at him while not pulling her hand away. Anastasia rolled her eyes and pulled her bag over to herself as she took her things out.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Before Bolt could say anything, the teacher cleared her throat because class had begun and they were still talking. She'd given them a moment, but clearly they were oblivious. "If you'd like more time to chat," Ephria said, "then you can do so while cleaning out the enclosures of our subjects this week. Is that going to be necessary?"

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

“It won’t be necessary.” Anastasia said for them, knowing Bolt would likely end up saying something sarcastic that would end in some form of detention for them all. She would have said something else but she opted for just kicking Mavis- maybe a little too hard- and pointedly nodding towards her bag.

“We’ll have more time to talk later.” Mavis told Bolt with a wink before she pulled her hand back and actually got ready for class. She had no interest in Bolt but she thought it would be a fun way to mess with Anastasia.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Bolt had to hold back his chuckle. He had sort of forgotten how fun it was to be a troublemaker in this way. He hadn't gotten in trouble in class in so long (the Dispelling Curses incident didn't count) and it was as thrilling as it was sobering. This was the first time in a long time...and the first time without Blaze.

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

Anastasia waited for the other to go back to normal before she snuck a glance back at Bolt, unsure of why she just… wanted to know if he was okay with her friends and vice versa. She knew they liked him but she wasn’t sure about him.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Bolt felt oddly comfortable in this group, despite them knowing nothing about him. The camaraderie with Mavis and Marcie over Anastasia felt familiar and nice. And Anastasia....yeah he had no idea about why he felt so comfortable with her. At first he had tried to explain it as pure fascination with how he just couldn't read her, but now he was beginning to see that she was hiding just as much as he had been, and he both empathized and wanted it to end. Strange, really. But he was...kinda happy as it was.

[Evelin ☪️ Queen of Witches]

Anastasia couldn’t help but to smile a bit with what she saw but she just turned to look to the front of the class because she couldn’t keep getting distracted.

Marcie and Mavis looked at each other again- it was almost like they could communicate without words- and smiled. They knew Anastasia wasn’t going to admit anything any time soon but they both knew what was happening and they couldn’t help but to feel happy for her. They knew she had gone through a lot and… she deserved this, even if she didn’t realize it.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

The rest of class was uneventful but also not super interesting because the unit was just unusual mammals - useful for some, but not for most humans. Bolt was relieved when it was finally over and closed his notebook promptly because he didn't want to linger here.