Jack in the Backgreen [Herbology & Medicine Class]

A R Y T H M E T I K

The early autumn breeze rustled through the canopy, causing rays of spotty sunlight to dance across the forest floor. One moment, the rich scents of sage and lavender filled the cooling air. The next, invigorating cilantro and thyme blossomed delicious aromas throughout the large clearing. Trees rose on all sides, crinkling leaves and pine needles scattered like a carpet—but here, in the center, the grass was cleared of such debris. Instead, rows and rows of herbs lay in gathered, organized clumps. Most were dried, but others were fresh, as though just plucked from an herbologist’s garden. The varied colors and shapes were a wonder to behold: dandelions, lavender, mint, turmeric roots, primrose, chamomile, gingko, fennel, and many more.


Arythmetik sat at the head of the display, his gleaming, emerald eyes sweeping the clearing. The Junior Professor hid his mild anxiety behind a stoic expression, ears perked forward, thick fur resting smoothly along his shoulders and spine. Every once in a while, he turned his head toward the west, as if anticipating someone’s arrival (which he was). But he never shifted his weight; he sat, straight and proud, well-composed and as scholarly as ever. This would be one of the first classes he taught without the supervision of his mentor, and it was, perhaps, one of his prime opportunities to establish himself as a legitimate professor. Of course, any wolves attending classes in the Arboretum might recognize him from aiding other lessons or guiding small-groups. Today, however, the male had bigger plans in store. And he’d invited a special guest to help enhance the College’s study of Herbology.


And yet, as eager as Arythmetik was to establish himself as a professor, today’s lesson wasn’t simply about scholarly pursuits. The russet-tan youth was a man of learning, an avid lover of reading, a creature brimming with theories and scientific ideologies. But if the Rebellion (the failure) taught him anything, it was that he was unprepared. Despite being extensively learned and well-read, his practical application of medicine was never more blatant than when battle-weary and bleeding wolves arrived on his doorstep. And he intended to remedy that. Rionnach was changing: he could feel it in the earth beneath his paws; he could feel it in his very bones. His internal conflict (and political leanings) aside, the College of Eòlas would benefit from preparation.


Suddenly, Aryth arched his neck and released a single note, calm and warm. A song of invitation. The union of nature and medicine. A study of how plants could be so much more. A reminder that class was starting in a few minutes and the students should hurry up. “Well,” the scholar murmured to himself, “here we go.”

code by claerie
ooc. This is an AW thread for any students wanting to attend a class co-taught by Arythmetik and Kylar Fritz!

M O R R O W E N

Herbology and Medicine, a practice she was all too familiar with. Though anatomy, biology-causes and treatments were more her forté, she had promised... well, made a pact to herself-that she would help her fellow Professors and Students alike by attending classes when she could.

Wandering down the dark, hallowed halls were a familiar sight, even in the dim glow of the evening light, the carved stone always seemed to enthral her. The way the narrow corridors sloped and curved, the way her claws scraped against smooth, marble stone. Much like the shadows that adorned the hallway, Wendy moved with silent ease, effortlessly picking her way through the maze and towards Professor Arythmetik's class.

She did not fully recall the male, being new to the College herslef, she had yet to establish names and faces... her head now a days was spent burrowed in old books, or on practical assignments. Rarely, did she get the chance to meet the other professors, however... soon her own classes would be in full swing. It was best to learn from one another, rather than simply... wing it.

Pausing at the entrance, Wendy steeled the nerves that griped within her stomach, taking in a slow breath and allowing a friendly smile to touch her dark lips. "Hello, Professor?" Her soft voice called out to the tan male. Her fangs glinted in the evening light. "I hope you don't mind me joining your class this evening?" She felt a flush of heat whisper to her navy cheeks, ebon' ears awkwardly flickering, scanning the room for other un-familiar faces.

table by rae - image by FILLCREDIT

anthe,

Aloft among those already heavily into herbs and medicinal properties of such various plants, she had come to the fresh professor's course to glean what others might know in which her two mums did not. Ears twitched atop the ashen head as her lithe frame had moved into the room, aware of only one other attending the class. Medicine in the lowlands was likely poor to come by. Not many of the wolves held a lot of wealth and often knew how to care for their families on farm steads or what have you with familial knowledge; though of course mortality rate was rather high since most didn't seek treatment. Afraid of being burdened by hefty bills from practitioners or indentured for seeking help, those who were commonwealth didn't tend to ring a doctor often. At least, Anthe's impression of the lower class lifestyle had taught her as much.

Those who came to Nephele's clinic were in very poor health. A last ditch effort to survive was to seek medicinal attention. Even when her mums were both bleeding hearts incapable of turning a face away, even if they didn't have the herbs to spare. Everyone who sought treatment from the Fritzs' clinic were seen to, regardless of how well off Kylar and Nephele were doing. Such admirable traits in her parents. Some day she might live up to such standards.

Learning more of herbs felt a promising path to rise up at the clinic, to prove an interest. She was yet youthful, not even a yearling yet, but ever close and quite suitable to the patience such practices of medicine took. As she had entered Arythmetik's classroom she had skirted to the front of the room. Hard of hearing as she was she had to move to the front of the room to properly take in any of the information being presented. With a precise slump she lowered to her haunches, overlarge cherry eyes intent on the professor, flitting to his lips constantly to ensure she didn't miss any of what might be said.

Ruby eyes softened as she saw Anthe detach from her side and go find a seat of her own. Her daughter's expression was one of intense focus, ready to capture every word that left Aryth's mouth (whether she heard it or not). It was inspiring to see her daughter attending classes pre-emptively. Soon she would enroll in the college with her siblings and become a bonafide student.

"Ah," Kylar murmured, a smile curling on her lips as she caught sight of Aryth at the class' helm. He had an impressive array of herbs lined up, some fresh, some dried. Had he picked them himself? As she hobbled her way up to him, she found herself subconsciously assessing his stock. Mint, chervil, poppy, good... When she had asked for a wide assortment, she had expected him to forget one or two. If anything, he had far exceeded her expectations.

As she approached, she realized that another woman was speaking with him. She seemed a tad shy. Was she a new student? A new staff member?

"I see that you're all prepared," Kylar mused as she limped up to the two junior professors. "Shall we start soon..?" Ruby eyes shifted to the stranger. "Welcome, welcome Miss...?" Her voice faded away as she waited for Morrowen to introduce herself.

"we're all young and naive still"

table ▶▶ claerie. manip ▶▶ rae

A R Y T H M E T I K

The first to arrive was a gorgeous female with a slight figure. Arythmetik imagined that she was the night come to life; she would have slipped into the twilight woods like a shadow, a breath of sunset still clinging to her gaze. But the Junior Professor shook away such silly thoughts, regaining his composure quickly. Clearing his throat, he replied in a welcoming, thrumming voice, “Not at all, you’re more than welcome. I’m Professor Arythmetik, by the way… I don’t believe we’ve met.” She was a bit old to be a student, but he was still learning some tricks of the trade, after all. Still, there was a scent that clung to her fur, distinct and fresh and flowery. Aryth didn’t think she was completely new to this lifestyle.


Before they could continue their genteel introductions, a sprightly female bound ahead of her mother and took a seat at the front of the class. Aryth recognized the ruby eyes immediately, and he offered the attentive creature a kind smile before glancing behind her to her mother. “There you are,” he greeted warmly, unaware that it could have come across as somewhat impatient. He didn’t mean it that way (even if he was a little anxious). His thick, russet-spackled tail flopped once against the ground as he said to the child, “I hope we can teach you something new today. I’m sure I’ll be learning from your mum as well.” The no-nonsense woman was appraising his herb selection even now. His cheeks and chest grew warm as a wave of pride washed over him. “Oh,” he hummed, and the pride evaporated into focus. “I suppose we should get started.”


There were fewer wolves here than he anticipated (or hoped). But perhaps this was for the best. The corners of his lips tugged downward as he considered their circumstances. After waiting for introductions to conclude, the scholar rose and stepped over to a plant with bright, orange flowers. “Today, we’ll be practicing the application of salves to cuts. Wounds from bites and the like can easily get infected unless cleaned and treated, so it’s best to know what ingredients can work in a pinch. But to apply a salve, you must make one first.” The male nodded down at the colorful plant. “This is c...calendula, yes. I’ve read that it can speed up healing and soothe the skin, even easing common blemishes. On a wound, it’ll help the skin knit together faster. We’ll be mixing this with…” Aryth stepped over to another ingredient in the line. He lifted a chunk of beeswax in his mouth to display it clearly, then placed it gently on the grass. “Beeswax. Don’t ask me how I got it,” he chuckled. “And a touch of lavender to prevent infections.”


Finally, the professor stepped over to some flat stones. “We’ll want to grind the mixture together into a sort of...squishy paste. It won’t be completely mixed, but grinding it all together on the stones will help release the oils from the plants. Then they can be stored in empty nut shells, or whatever works. Ms. Fritz, perhaps you wouldn’t mind explaining some additional techniques and benefits while we get started?” He’d be making a salve, too, and frankly, he hoped Kylar could help him. But he waited for the two students to gather their ingredients first.

code by claerie

ooc. Anyone is still welcome to join the class to get a free healing salve ;) @Morrowen @Anthe @Kylar