[center][u]Spoonful of Lavender[/u][/center] Featuring: Esmii [@BlackRoseSiren] and Roslyn [@Fallenreaper] Place: Ersand’Enise Academy of Thaumaturgy Time: Lepdes (29th of Assani), After Classes [hr] "Class dismissed!" The instructor's voice rang across the field. Roslyn's form jumped, her head jerked to the direction. Several students had begun to drift back toward the stables signaling the end of class. With a deep breath, Roslyn clicked her tongue and tugged the reins around. As once told, she squeezed her legs into Bay's belly drawing an indignant snort from the mare. She slowed, her hooves dug into the dirt and kicked up clods behind her. In a less than graceful execution, the pair made their way back toward the stables. Once the clip clap of the hooves on the cobblestone caught her ears, Roslyn dismounted. Her boots hit the hard ground as she continued to walk around the building. Bay's breath misted heavy from the intense workout as Roslyn patted the mare's head gently. A snort of disapproval caused the girl to stop. [color=#ebe7a3]"Not today?"[/color] She asked, the horse side-eyeing her. [color=#ebe7a3]"Okay, I got the hint. Sorry, princess."[/color] Roslyn chuckled while she led the mare inside. The horse’s skin flicked with a proud gesture, still following closely. Hitching the reins to the stall door, Roslyn moved to the outdoor hand pump with a bucket in hand. She slid it underneath the spout and began to push the handle down. Once the water hit the rim, she hauled it back inside. Bay snorted again, letting Roslyn reach for the saddle's belt. It didn't take long to remove the worn tack and blanket underneath. Leaving it on the stall door, she grabbed the clean rag and washed off the sweat from the horse's form. She paid close attention to the areas around the pits and girth area. Next came the dry off. Finished up with the wash down, she placed a blanket on the creature's flank. Bay exhaled and let Roslyn lead her into her assigned stall. The rest didn't take long to wrap up. Before leaving, the girl filled the feed trough and locked the door behind her. Roslyn moved past her fellow classmates when her eyes caught the sundial nearby. Esmii’s class had finished a bit early, so she quickly hurried to where Roslyn's class was to meet up with her and to be on time for once. Esmii was able to get there quicker than she thought she would, so she waited for Roslyn’s class to finish, she was petting Sage while she waited, then she noticed that her friend's class was starting to leave. She quickly put Sage on her shoulder and walked towards the door to find Roslyn. As she noticed Roslyn she shouted to her. [colour=#b08cc9]”Hey Roslyn, over here. How was class, was it fun?”[/colour] When Esmii gets to Roslyn she goes to give her a hug, and just then Sage sniffed her and gave her a little nuzzle. Roslyn went to respond, but Esmii's affectionate habits cut her short. Truth be told, it warmed the brunette's heart. A light tickle brushed her neck. As they separated, her hazel eyes spotted Sage. Instinctively Roslyn stretched out her finger. The dormouse brushed a plump cheek against her finger a few times before she retreated back. [color=ebe7a3] "Class was… all right. But it’s always great to see you and your pets, Emsii. Well…almost all of them."[/color] Roslyn's thoughts went back to Reshta, Emsii's recent purchase. The Harlequin Kite Dragon didn't seem to like her at all no matter what she did. Esmii smiled, and agreed [colour=#b08cc9]”Yeah, all of my pets are funny and different in ways. Newt and Sage are quite affectionate towards people, but Reshta only likes me and Sven at the minute, but Sven did say that she will get used to you slowly, so if you keep visiting she will get to know you better. I think some people may have done something to her, maybe that's how she lost her leg, poor girl.”[/colour] Esmii tries to hide the fact that she is upset, as she is thinking of possible situations that Reshta might have gone through. [colour=#b08cc9]”So where should we head off, do you want to have a look around town first or would you like to go back to The Evertree.”[/colour] Roslyn's lips pressed together, not fully believing it. However, it didn't stop her feeling a spark of pity for the creature. [color=ebe7a3] "I wish people weren't so cruel sometimes. Thankfully, she's with someone that will care and treat her with respect. I'm a little surprised you don't get overwhelmed. A dragon is a lot to take care of."[/color] She couldn't see herself caring or affording one. Too expensive when she could barely care for herself. Spotting the subtle discomfort, Roslyn reached out her hand. She hooked Esmii's finger with hers. A subtle gesture to get her friend out of her head.When Esmii gave her the choice, Roslyn’s lips pursed in thought. [color=ebe7a3] "The Evertree this time, I'm a little sore from riding. Later I need to get more material for a dress, but I’m not too worried about it now. I don’t want to stay out too late."[/color] Naturally Roslyn started toward the Yasoi’s dorms. Esmii followed after Roslyn. She started to feel better when her friend held her hand. [colour=#b08cc9]”I think I don’t get overwhelmed because of Sven, he helps me so much, it really helps that he knows a lot about dragons, and how to care for them.”[/colour] [color=ebe7a3] "I wish I had his time management skills. How he does it is a mystery to me."[/color] Roslyn chuckled as the girls made their way across the field. Other students began to file out toward their dorms or into the city for last minute shopping, forcing them to drift to the side. [colour=#b08cc9]”Are you sure you are not in too much pain? If you need to rest we can and we don’t have to rush. Also I can’t wait to see the dress you are making, maybe you can teach me how to make dresses.”[/colour] [color=ebe7a3]"I've been in pain since I've started racing, but I need to get used to it. It’s nothing compared to the welts I got from the keelers. Those seemed to take forever to heal."[/color] Roslyn countered. [colour=#b08cc9]”Hmm, maybe I can look up a recipe and see if I can make you something for the pain.”[/colour] [color=ebe7a3] "Right now, my main issue is sleeping. As for teaching you about making dresses, I can try. They won’t be fancy. I thank Shune, I had learned something useful in my first year classes."[/color] A brief quiet passed over her thoughts, but Roslyn brushed it away. Her nightmares had started to ease up and she didn’t need to go backwards. Esmii quietly listened to her friend, and her face dropped. She tried to hide that she was worried for her, but then decided not to as she has been finding it difficult to sleep after coming back from their last mission as well. And it might be better to talk about it than hide the truth. She sighed and said. [colour=#b08cc9]”I am also having trouble sleeping, but I have found a recipe for herbal tea that could help, and I have all of the ingredients at home, so we can practice making it. And I can give you a list of ingredients for you to buy. Would you like to make it with me? We can also talk about it, see if that helps too, if you want.”[/colour] Esmii then smiled at Roslyn, and tightened her grip on her hand.Esmii checked to see if Sage was warm enough on her shoulder, but she noticed that Sage had moved into the gap between the top of her dress and her chest, so she was fine. At Esmii's kind offer, Roslyn smiled. She liked the fact that her Yasoi friend was attentive to her discomfort, rather than ignore or overlook it. It never felt good to simply melt into the background, but she had to admit she was rather talented at it. [color=ebe7a3]"Have you considered..."[/color] Roslyn paused, trying to recall the right words. [color=ebe7a3]"Jila'it hyco halan muuna?"[/color] When the words slipped from her mouth, she cringed. She sounded horrible as she struggled with the verb's tense. [color=ebe7a3]"I need to practice more…”[/color] Esmii stopped and looked at her friend. [colour=#b08cc9]” Not bad and, Ta I juup jex a hyco halan muuna.”[/colour] Esmii was happy that her friend was able to learn some of her language, as it’s quite difficult, even she sometimes has trouble. Roslyn blinked at the rapid string of Yasoi uttered from Esmii's mouth. Her lips pressed together as her eyes squinted a bit, her mind trying to process everything said. The last bit was easy since she already said it. However... The first part was harder. Bit by bit, she tried to dig up each word from her memory. [color=ebe7a3]"I understood Ta as yes, but ju-juup and jex completely escapes me. What do those mean?"[/color] She asked. It didn’t help that she had literally two languages, on top of her class over Xochi, she was learning. [colour=#b08cc9]”You are getting better. So let’s make our way to mine, and we can make the tea and have a talk about everything.”[/colour] Esmii begins to walk in the direction of the Evertree, with her friend. [colour=#b08cc9]” I wonder if Jamboi will be there.”[/colour] She giggled [colour=#b08cc9]” He might have some tea as well, he sometimes does if he likes the smell of the tea.”[/colour] Roslyn sighed, accepting the compliment. [color=ebe7a3]"Thanks, I really appreciate it. Also, if Ashon wants to join us, I don't mind. The more company, the better from my experience."[/color] She paused with a thoughtful expression then added. [color=ebe7a3]" I'm a little worried the other Yasoi might have issues with a... what's the term for what I'm called?"[/color] Roslyn bit her lip, uncertain if it was yaun or yanii or something else. [colour=#b08cc9]” The Yasoi word for human is huusoi or yanii.”[/colour] [color=ebe7a3]"I’ll try to remember that.”[/color] Shortly, the large Evertree serving as the Yasoi dorms came into view. She stopped mid-step and glanced up, impressed by the tree's large size. [color=ebe7a3]"Shune's library! How am I supposed to get up there?!?"[/color] She blurted out before thinking. Esmii looked at Roslyn and laughed, [colour=#b08cc9]”Well I climb and jump up, but I am a Yasoi, but you could use your kinetic abilities to get up. Don’t worry Sven had the same worry. Also we can both use binding to make a rope or something.”[/colour] Esmii then had a thought, that maybe they should build a ladder or stairs, to make it a bit easier for people to visit. [color=ebe7a3]"Fair enough. Let's hope my practice pays off.”[/color] Esmii then looked up and jumped to the closest branch above them and shouted, with a big grin on her face. [colour=#b08cc9]”Are you coming.”[/colour] She then jumped to the next branch. Roslyn sighed then began to slip off her shoes one by one. After stuffing them into her dress pockets, her knees bent and she drew in the heat. She kicked off the ground. Air swirled about her before she landed onto the branch. It bounced slightly from the impact causing her balance to tilt. With a quick twist, she righted herself to the center. Roslyn flashed a grin at her friend. [color=ebe7a3]"That was easier than I thought. Last time I tried, I slipped on the branch. Lets keep going, shall we?"[/color] Esmii look and watched her friend on her first jump.[colour=#b08cc9]”Yeah, keep going, you can do this.”[/colour] The pair leapt from one branch to another, scaling the giant tree until they reached the entrance. Esmii kept a very close eye on her friend, giving her a hand whenever she needed help. Esmii was feeling worried, while they climbed, but she was trying really hard not to think of anything other than the climb. [colour=#b08cc9]”I can help you if you need me to. This next branch is tricky so I will hold my hand out for you.”[/colour] [color=ebe7a3]”I think I'm getting the hang of this. My father or grandfather didn’t have any magic, so it wasn’t used often at home. Grandfather especially liked the hands-on methods."[/color] Roslyn admitted. In fact, her father hadn't even registered on the RAS scale. Esmii got herself ready and jumped to the next branch, then she started to climb up by using knots in the tree to reach the branch. She got herself steady on the branch, then shouted to Roslyn. [colour=#b08cc9]”Right, now copy what I did, and I'm ready whenever you are.”[/colour] and she leaned over and lowered her hand ready for her friend to grab as she climbed to help her reach the branch. [color=ebe7a3]"It looks simple enough..."[/color] She pulled back a small distance on the last branch. with a deep breath, Roslyn rushed forward. Her legs snapped up and her arms reached up for the knots. Toward the top, she bunched up her strength and pulled herself upward. Her outstretched hand caught Esmii as finished ascending. Roslyn patted her dress clean of dirt, her bare feet still planted on the rough bark. [color=ebe7a3]"Okay, all in one piece. A little dirty, but it could be worse."[/color] Esmii smiled and pointed at a window. [colour=#b08cc9]”You see that window next to us, that’s open, It’s mine.”[/colour] Then Esmii stood up, and said [colour=#b08cc9]”I will head in first, because I think Newt might rush over to whoever comes into the window.”[/colour]. She then grabbed another knot in the tree and climbed onto the window ledge. She then climbed into her bedroom. Suddenly Newt, noticing that she was back, he rushed over to her and nuzzled her face. [colour=#b08cc9]”Ok Roslyn I’m in and I have Newt, you can climb in.”[/colour] She walked closer to the window just in case Roslyn needed a bit of help. [color=ebe7a3]"Do you always climb in through the window?"[/color] Roslyn's eyes widened a touch as Esmii slipped inside. [colour=#b08cc9]”Sometimes I do, but not always.”[/colour] Putting her hesitation aside, Roslyn lifted up one leg and then joined her friend. As she lowered herself down the still, she caught sight of the bright, green dragon. The slender body twisted in Esmii’s hands before his head raised to Roslyn’s direction. Jaws opened to emit an excited chirp. [color=ebe7a3]"Aww, I'll never get over how adorable Newt is."[/color] She commented, dropping to the floor. [colour=#b08cc9]”Yeah he really is cute.”[/colour] [color=ebe7a3]"So, how do we make this tea you’ve been going on about?”[/color] Esmii placed Newt on the bed, and went to get the book that she found the herbal tea recipe in. She flicked through the pages, wishing she had used a bookmark, however like always she didn’t think that there was any point. [colour=#b08cc9]”Sorry I forgot to place a bookmark, I’m just looking for the page, yes found it here it is.”[/colour] She walked back towards the table and placed the book down and showed Roslyn the recipe she had found. Afterwards, Esmii went and grabbed all of the things they needed, and she checked to see if she had everything they needed, and likely she did, everything stored on a shelf in her room. [colour=#b08cc9]”Yes I have everything we need. Should we start making some now.”[/colour] Esmii said while putting everything down on the table. [color=ebe7a3] "It's fine, I know I often forget things."[/color] As Esmii looked into her book, Roslyn slid up beside her. It reminded her of a tincture recipe from class, but without the alcohol. She took a step back to allow Esmii to look for the herbs, their heavy and dried scent hung in the air. [color=ebe7a3] "Yes, it might calm my nerves. Can I get a dried mixture for a tincture? I'll put a little bit in a beer and drink it before I go to bed."[/color] Roslyn asked. A slight shame stirred thinking of the growing collection of empty bottles in her room. She sent a small prayer to the gods that this concoction might help. Esmii looked at Roslyn, she noticed that her friend seemed worried and decided to ask her. [colour=#b08cc9]”Are you ok ? I really hope this helps us sleep better. Are you worried as well?”[/colour] Then she started to measure out all of the ingredients they needed and placed everything into a bowl. [colour=#b08cc9]”The ingredients are all measured and put in bowls. What’s next?”[/colour] She handed the mixture to Roslyn. [color=ebe7a3]”I’m just recalling the empty bottles collecting in my dorm room. It’s a bit crowded from the amount I drink lately.”[/color] Roslyn confessed, her arm lifted up and rested on her chest. Esmii then looked back at the book, when she realized that the book stated it needed to be stored in a clay jar with a wax lid for a year and Esmii’s face dropped. [colour=#b08cc9]”Cud. Spax. We have a problem, the mixture I just prepared needs to be stored in the clay jar with the wax lid for a whole year. What should we do now?”[/colour] Roslyn frowned and moved closer. [color=ebe7a3]”Is that the only one? May I take a look? I might be able to find something else.”[/color] Her eyes glanced at Esmii for her reply. [colour=#b08cc9]”Yes there is another, it’s the next recipe in the book, it's similar to the one we did but I think there are a few different ingredients.”[/colour] Esmii grabbed the book and turned two pages and found the second recipe, and placed the book back on the table between them. [colour=#b08cc9]”It looks like it's made from similar ingredients. The other mixture we made, I will put it in my potions cupboard for it to foment, for a year.”[/colour] Esmii took the other mixture and placed it safely in her potion cupboard. [color=ebe7a3]”That’s good. We’re making this one today then?”[/color] She wanted to be sure. Esmii smiled and said [colour=#b08cc9]”Yes definitely, I will get the ingredients again, and the bowls etc.”[/colour] Esmii quickly grabbed the ingredients, another bowl and another clay jar with a wax lid. As soon as she had everything she placed everything on the table and started to measure and place the ingredients in the bowl. Roslyn watched idly, her arms leaned on the table's surface. She tilted her head while Esmii began to crush the herbs together. An invasive yawn edged into her lips. Her hand jerked up, suppressing the sound, as she blinked away the exhaustion. She had finally gotten to a point where she passed out after three days of poor sleep. [color=ebe7a3] "So, how bad have the nightmares been for you?"[/color] Roslyn asked, sensing something off. Part of her hoped she had looked too deeply into things. Esmii glanced back at her friend, when she heard her question she started to tremble, but she paused thought for a while, tried to calm herself down, but it didn’t work so she answered her friend truthly, while trying to hold back tiers and trying to stop herself from trembling. [colour=#b08cc9]”When the nightmare starts I see when Sven was held with Kinetic magic, and when he fell to the ground and how I felt, and the next thing I know I fall to the ground. But then suddenly everything goes dark, then when the darkness fades I suddenly see Dmitry and the horrible things he did, and suddenly he says what my mana type is and I have to go through the two times he tried to bite me to get my rare mana type, then I relive when he tried to kill me twice, when he couldn’t bite me.”[/colour] Saying this to Roslyn who was there with her, made her feel a bit better, but she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer, and she fell to the floor. [colour=#b08cc9]”I’m too scared to fall asleep anymore, I'm also scared to tell Sven what’s wrong and what’s happened, in case he feels bad about what happened, I know it’s silly but I can’t help it. I'm also terrified to meet another Sanguinaire, I feel scared every time I’m out at night, evenmore when I'm on my own.”[/colour] Roslyn remained quiet. Her eyes watched the deterioration of Esmii's calm into irritation. It flared up her own issues before she forced it back down. This wasn’t the time for it. When Esmii crumbled to the floor, Roslyn stepped forward. Her arms raised to soften the fall as they both sat down. Impulsively, the Hendlish girl hugged the Yasoi girl tightly. She realized how easily she shoved her own issues aside to care for others. [color=ebe7a3]“Shh, first breathe. Focus on your inhales and exhales. More air might help steady your nerves."[/color] From the corner of her vision, Roslyn noticed Newt and Sage stir at the shift of emotions. The grape dragon had started to wrap about the Yasoi girl's neck, pressing his body to comfort her. Meanwhile, Sage had popped up her little head with twitching whiskers. Once Esmii showed signs of calming, Roslyn spoke again. [color=ebe7a3]“I don't think you need to worry about Sanguinaires in the school."[/color] Her thoughts went to Vel, knowing he wouldn't attack her friend. At least, she hoped he wouldn't. [color=ebe7a3]“Still, it's best if you don't go outside during the hours of Dami and Ipte. Especially alone. There's some questionable characters among the students."[/color] She squeezed Esmii a bit more, mindful of Newt's position. [color=ebe7a3]“As for Sven, I think he already feels bad for leaving you alone. I doubt what happened before we left helped much. It’s better to talk with him rather than bottle these emotions up."[/color] Roslyn could tell that Sven and Esmii love each other. They were the most affectionate couple she had ever seen. Esmii hugged her friend back, she slowly started to feel better and a little more calm now. [colour=#b08cc9]”I’m sorry for losing it there, but you are right?”[/colour] Esmii sighed, then she dried her eyes and comforted Sage and Newt, making sure they know she is ok now. [color=ebe7a3]“It’s okay to feel overwhelmed with emotions. Vorossiya was confusing and difficult, but we survived it. It will take time to feel okay again.”[/color] Roslyn spoke softly, ignoring the question. Then with a look of determination she said. [colour=#b08cc9]”I am not going to waste any more time, I’m going to talk to Sven about everything that happened, and how I’m feeling, I know that he will be sad when he finds out I hid this from him, but it’s better to talk about this, than leave it bottled up, any longer.”[/colour] Esmii then looked at her friend with a huge smile and hugged her again. [color=ebe7a3]“I’m glad I could help.”[/color] [colour=#b08cc9]”I actually feel a bit better, like a bit of weight has been lifted a little.”[/colour] Esmii then stood up with Roslyn and walked towards the small couch. They then both take a seat. [colour=#b08cc9]”Know that I have talked about how my nightmares have kept me up. Would you like to talk about your’s? And it’s fine if you don’t but don’t forget I’m always here if you need me.”[/colour] Roslyn paused for a moment. Her eyes shifted to the side, considering Esmii's question. She forced a small smile on her face as she spoke. [color=cbc66d]“I'm fine."[/color] The hollow words escaped her lips before she could stop them. A guilt washed over her small lie. No, she knew differently. She was far from alright, but compassion made her a hypocrite. Esmii looked at her friend, she knew that Roslyn wasn’t fine, however she’s not going to force her to tell her everything right this second. Realizing how she sounded, Roslyn added. [color=ebe7a3]“I mean, as fine as you can be. I found some ways to cope with things. Beer can numb things and helps with sleep... most of the time. That’s why I was hoping for something stronger."[/color] Esmii after hearing what her friend said, stretched her arms out and hugged her. [colour=#b08cc9]”I know that something is bothering you, but I’m not going to force you to tell me. I just want you to know that I am here whenever you need me, so when you do want to talk I will listen.”[/colour] Newt and Sage also nuzzled into Roslyn. Roslyn accepted the touch. [color=ebe7a3]“I think you have enough to deal with. You don't need my issues on top of yours."[/color] Roslyn mused lightly. [color=ebe7a3]“Also, I'm sure it'll go away at some point. Just need to be patient."[/color] She was hopeful, but didn't believe her own words. Esmii then said [colour=#b08cc9]”Should we finish brewing the tea, and we can make enough for two jars so we can each have some for the week, also the recipe says you can drink it warm or cold so that's helpful.”[/colour] Esmii then stood up and slowly made her way back to the table, thinking about her friend, and hoping that she will talk to her when she is ready. Roslyn stayed sitting for a bit long, watching friend rise to check on the herbal tea. [color=ebe7a3]“I tend to drink my beer warm, so I think I prefer cold for a change.”[/color] Esmii then continued working on the herbal tea again, making sure that they have everything needed for the tea. She measured out the last of the ingredients that were needed and added them to the bowl. [colour=#b08cc9]”This should be enough ingredients for two people.”[/colour] She stated confidently. [color=ebe7a3]“Thank you,”[/color] Roslyn took the offered drink and drew the heat from the liquid, its contents cooling to a manageable temperature. She enjoyed the herbal brew. It wasn’t long before sleep had started to claim the young Hendlish girl, her eyelids heavy and drooping down. Roslyn decided it was best to leave before she fell asleep. Last thing she wanted was more rumors spreading. Especially for her friend. [color=ebe7a3]“I’ll see you tomorrow, Esmii. Stay safe and remember what we talked about.”[/color] The girl used the window as she slipped her legs over the still, exiting out. Somehow, she managed to avoid falling on her face while she scaled back down the Evertree and moved back to her dorm.