Unfrogettable
It was mid-January, and Kels was getting used to his new job. There had been pretty much no problems at all, except for the strange undertone in his interactions with the other staff members. Most of them hadn't talked to him much more than by acknowledging his existence, or even implying that they didn't expect him to stick around for very long. Apparently, they had recently had difficulty filling the role after one of the head nurses did something horrible. Not that anyone was telling him what that meant, besides the fact that none of the students seemed to trust him.
That was fine, of course. Kels was used to people not giving him the benefit of the doubt. He put people off already, he didn't need to start with a bad reputation in order to make others wary of him. He didn't expect people to like him, since he was old enough to be beyond the desperate need for acceptance and approval. He knew by now that real friendship could never be forged by pretending to be something he wasn't, so as long as he continued to be himself, the warming up part would inevitably happen later.
More importantly than that, his familiarity with the school brought with it new excursions around the grounds to find what components the local flora and fauna could provide. Naturally, the school had a beautifully stocked potions storeroom, but what about the fun of collecting it oneself? Therefore: frog hunting. There was no better time in Kelsey's opinion, as it was no longer the dead of winter, yet cold enough for them to be in hibernation. Years of swamp adventures taught him a lot about the species, besides just being an avid researcher into any subject that caught his interest. There was a particular potion he was excited about experimenting with, and at the end of his shift in the early afternoon, he shot down to the lake while the sun was still out.
He brought a big bucket in which to collect frozen frogs into, as well as some well-worn waders, already muddy from previous exploration. With a knit hat, puffy coat and industrial gloves, Kels would be seen that afternoon digging through half-frozen mud, lifting up piles of sticks and stones, and scattering piles of dead leaves. Humming a tune, with a bounce in his step, he was clearly enjoying himself.
@Caradoc Browne
Unfrogettable
Caradoc's figure waddled through the snow. The weather had been forgiving for the most part. Compared to other winters he had spent here, things had been fairly slow to change. Boots crunching as he marched forward, he buried his hands deep inside the pockets of his winter coat. He was glad the sun was still out, that seemed to share some of its warmth through the layer of cold that was covering the land at the moment. Peering over the white hills surroundings the castle, his bright blue gaze flickered over to one individual by the lake. Too big to be a child, unless it was one of the handful of part-giants they housed. Though they seemed to move different from what Doc was used to seeing from Healy.
He decided to approach. After all, it was rather odd for anyone to pass their time by the edges of the lake. The shallow parts were just as freezing cold as the deep end would be. Caradoc often wondered if the merpeople dealt with these temperatures differently. Though there were likely some books written on this already. He'd have to ask Robyn that when he got home again. She was after all, meant to know which subjects were accessible in the library. Maybe she even knew most contents of all the books even. She was a likely to be one of the more studious individuals on staff in all respect.
As Caradoc got closer to the figure by the lake, he was able to recognise more and more features. A man, one of the younger ones. Doc noticed the boots and the waders as well as the bucket the man was holding. Eventually he nodded to himself as the face became clear. He really ought to learn to wear his glasses in public. It was absurd how long it took him to finally know he was dealing with: "Mister Brumby. Hello there." The Head of Hufflepuff raised his gloved hand in greeting. His head turned to look over the lake. It was quiet out here, perfect for a murder he would think. "How come you are passing time here all alone?" He was almost ready to call the man "kid". Before realising that the age gap would have been significantly less than what he was used to from his students.
"Though I've yet to find hags crawling from the waters. I wouldn't put it past those devilish crones." Doc sighed as he thought of the absolute horror if that nightmare were to become true. The last thing he needed was his beloved lake to turn into a brooding place for evil. Then again, it seemed the younger man was looking to find something in it already. "Herbs or fish?" The badger asked out loud.
If you're reading this... You're awesome.
Calming Presence/Healing Sage/Wandless/Non-Verbal
STA - 16 | EVA - 6 | STR - 15 | WIS - 16 | ARC - 8 | ACC - 4
Unfrogettable
Not too long into his hunting, about three frogs deep, a figure started wobbling its way towards him. It wasn't hard to notice the blue against the white all around, and a couple of glances away from his self-perscribed errand gave him the information he needed-- it was Caradoc Browne, the new head of Hufflepuff and his boss. He couldn't say he knew much of anything about him, but being a Hufflepuff already placed him soundly in the 'friend' category. Of course, it would depend on whether or not he was about to get scolded. He wasn't breaking any rules of course, but that didn't stop people from scolding him before.
With a wave from the oncoming badger, Kels' mild apprehension was flung to the wind. He waved back enthusiastically, mud twapping off his gloves. He was addressed, apparantly raising curiosity by nature of having no one else with him.
"I don't gotta be alone! You should join me!" Kels was grooving in place, perhaps out of excitement or an attempt at generating some warmth.
As he continued talking, he talked about hags, confusingly. Kels' face contorted into one of bewilderment, like Doc must have been telling a joke.
"Aquatic hags. They better not be, because I would have to see that." Kels' confusion changed into a mockery of a serious expression, nodding solemnly.
Doc's own seriousness would be lost on him. Thinking of wrinkly old monsters in full scuba gear and flippers was just too hilarious. They probably wouldn't be wearing scuba gear... but they could!
"FROGS!" Kels screeched in reply to Doc's question. "I'm rooting out their hibernaculums so I can harvest their brains!"
His smile would be bright and beaming. The truth was, it was something he used to do all the time during his school days, but back then, he had dorm mates who went along with him. Some of his fondest memories had taken place there, and the nostalgia had been bittersweet in the quietness of his solitude.
Good thing someone showed up!
With a wave from the oncoming badger, Kels' mild apprehension was flung to the wind. He waved back enthusiastically, mud twapping off his gloves. He was addressed, apparantly raising curiosity by nature of having no one else with him.
"I don't gotta be alone! You should join me!" Kels was grooving in place, perhaps out of excitement or an attempt at generating some warmth.
As he continued talking, he talked about hags, confusingly. Kels' face contorted into one of bewilderment, like Doc must have been telling a joke.
"Aquatic hags. They better not be, because I would have to see that." Kels' confusion changed into a mockery of a serious expression, nodding solemnly.
Doc's own seriousness would be lost on him. Thinking of wrinkly old monsters in full scuba gear and flippers was just too hilarious. They probably wouldn't be wearing scuba gear... but they could!
"FROGS!" Kels screeched in reply to Doc's question. "I'm rooting out their hibernaculums so I can harvest their brains!"
His smile would be bright and beaming. The truth was, it was something he used to do all the time during his school days, but back then, he had dorm mates who went along with him. Some of his fondest memories had taken place there, and the nostalgia had been bittersweet in the quietness of his solitude.
Good thing someone showed up!
@Caradoc Browne
Unfrogettable
"Charming..." Doc commented under his breath as he raised an unimpressed eyebrow at the man. Nevertheless, the odd presence of the man did force a narrow smile on the Head of Hufflepuff. There was something irresistible about silly individuals and this man seemed to be just that. At the very least, he seemed very unbothered by any of the school's concerns in this moment. Perhaps there were few points to make when one was simply trying to gather ingredients. And especially no point in looking over one's shoulder every two seconds.
"What do you require the brains for? Are you planning on recreating Baruffio's elixir?" Doc frowned in near shock. "Because that one was not exactly proven to work and even deemed unhealthy to some other professionals." He almost felt the urge to swallow his own tongue. Becoming a Head of Hose had made him cautious and a stickler for rules. Yes, he managed to squeeze in a dance or song every here and now. But when it came to safety, the bar had been raised almost unreachably high. The least of his worries would likely be a brain stimulant gone wrong, but still he'd rather avoid such an occurrence. Then again, the man standing before him was the nurse. They hired him for some reason.
Still, Caradoc was a friend of many. While the intent may not have been clear as he approached further, he cool hardly find harm in Brumby's gaze or pose. "Regardless..." The badger smirked. "How can this fellow badger help you out?" Rolling up both sleeves and entering the shallow bits of the lake's bank. "I'm going to regret this aren't I..." He grinned to himself as he spread his legs a little and stood at the ready to dive both hands in the water. If anything was to be gained, at the very least, it would be another silly story to tell Nora when they next met.
If you're reading this... You're awesome.
Calming Presence/Healing Sage/Wandless/Non-Verbal
STA - 16 | EVA - 6 | STR - 15 | WIS - 16 | ARC - 8 | ACC - 4
Unfrogettable
When Doc started to theorize, Kels' face lit up with brand new enthusiasm, nodding incessantly. Before he could yip and holler any more, the older badger started to list off the reasons why Baruffio's wasn't taught in schools. It was incredibly easy to mess up, and doing so could cause tragic harm. Messing with the brain was already a bit of a taboo, so it was pretty reasonable to doubt it. It had been all but written off academically, but if done right, it did exactly what it was supposed to do. Technically, he would probably be better off scoring some Adderall from some of his doctor friends, but making potions was a lot more legal.
"Aha! You know yer potions!" He said, beaming with pride. "Yer right, 'ol' brain bleeder' my mentor called it. Lotsa kids try an' make it to horrifyin' results. Jes' cause it's blacklisted don't mean it don't work tho."
The dial was turned to eleven when Doc started to roll up his sleeves as well, saying he was going to help. Nothing said 'bro bonding' like digging for frogcicles. Whether he realized it or not, he was getting shot up in the ranks of 'cool dudes' very swiftly. Kels only wished he had more gear to give, but a hot air charm afterwards would have to suffice.
"It's real easy. If they jump outta yer hand, they aren't frozen enough. Look fer mud piles an' holes. Y'know, cozy spots what frogs would like." Regardless of if he knew, Kels would then point to the bucket. "An' chuck 'em in there!"
Kels went back into motion, wanting to show Doc the spot he was heading for next, waving him along.
"Have you been experiencing any frogginess?" Kels continued with something that sounded like a normal tone for a conversation, but spouted near nonsense. It followed with a hearty laugh. "Pahaha, I mean- I mean fogginess! Like, I usually do a puzzle every morning fer like, years an' years, an' ever since I started workin' here, suddenly it's takin' me like twice as long to finish 'em. Like... my brain don't work the same way."
Kels dug his hand into the mud abruptly, fishing for something incessantly but coming up empty.
"Aha! You know yer potions!" He said, beaming with pride. "Yer right, 'ol' brain bleeder' my mentor called it. Lotsa kids try an' make it to horrifyin' results. Jes' cause it's blacklisted don't mean it don't work tho."
The dial was turned to eleven when Doc started to roll up his sleeves as well, saying he was going to help. Nothing said 'bro bonding' like digging for frogcicles. Whether he realized it or not, he was getting shot up in the ranks of 'cool dudes' very swiftly. Kels only wished he had more gear to give, but a hot air charm afterwards would have to suffice.
"It's real easy. If they jump outta yer hand, they aren't frozen enough. Look fer mud piles an' holes. Y'know, cozy spots what frogs would like." Regardless of if he knew, Kels would then point to the bucket. "An' chuck 'em in there!"
Kels went back into motion, wanting to show Doc the spot he was heading for next, waving him along.
"Have you been experiencing any frogginess?" Kels continued with something that sounded like a normal tone for a conversation, but spouted near nonsense. It followed with a hearty laugh. "Pahaha, I mean- I mean fogginess! Like, I usually do a puzzle every morning fer like, years an' years, an' ever since I started workin' here, suddenly it's takin' me like twice as long to finish 'em. Like... my brain don't work the same way."
Kels dug his hand into the mud abruptly, fishing for something incessantly but coming up empty.
@Caradoc Browne
Unfrogettable
Caradoc gave the man a long stare as he slowly tried to unwrap the words he said and put them back in order once deciphered. "I was a healer at St. Mungo's for a while." Doc explained with a grin, nodding towards Brumby's enthusiasm. "I remember this and that, just not everything any more. Out of practice, you know." He'd shrug and follow after the nurse waving him to come. In all honesty, the badger wasn't looking forward to putting his hands in the cold water.
Doc would cock his head in confusion again as Kelsey continued, this time asking about 'frogginess'. Both eyebrows were raised as the Head of Hufflepuff silently asked his question and Brumby answered. "Oh…" He muttered, looking at the water. The badger tried to see if he could recollect anything odd about himself. "Well, I-" He stopped, not sure what to say. In the silence, his head would look up and stare back at Brumby. There was clearly a lot of clockwork ticking behind Doc's eyes. "I-" He chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't know what you mean." His reply was short. "Seems silly."
Without much ado, this time, Caradoc would plunge both hands in the water and start looking for frozen frogs. He was deliberately not looking upwards. What an odd question to ask, he thought. A silly question. If there had been anything wrong with his mind, he would have noticed by now. He was still making songs as he went, clearly improvisation wasn't hurt by anything. In his head, he continued to grumble as he searched.
If you're reading this... You're awesome.
Calming Presence/Healing Sage/Wandless/Non-Verbal
STA - 16 | EVA - 6 | STR - 15 | WIS - 16 | ARC - 8 | ACC - 4
Unfrogettable
Kels would brighten up with excitement, like a dog that heard someone trying to open a bag, when he heard that Caradoc had been a healer at Mungo's. It was cool enough that he was willing to dig in the mud, even cooler that the head of Hufflepuff was a healer like him. "Ohhh! Awesome! Perfect, now I know who t'call if I need back-up!" Kels would chortle, going back to his work. "An' then you'll get more practice, win-win."
To his question about the slowness, Caradoc... would... react... slowly. The irony wouldn't seem to dawn on him, because his conclusion seemed to be that nothing was wrong. Well, being the head of house as well as a healer, Kels was inclined to believe him. After all, he had been in the school longer. If something was wrong about the place, Doc probably would have noticed it by now. Kels would throw up his hands nonchalantly, flicking mud into the air with the action.
"I'm a silly guy, major." He'd say, shrugging. "Must jes' be t'new environment, got me thinkin' diff'rent. How long you been workin' here? Y'like it?"
He'd be on the ball however the moment he saw a downed log in the water, half-submerged and perfect to burrow into. Wriggling his hand around and kicking up more mud into the water, Kels would fish out two whole frozen frogs, beaming like a child on Christmas day. "Check it out!"
To his question about the slowness, Caradoc... would... react... slowly. The irony wouldn't seem to dawn on him, because his conclusion seemed to be that nothing was wrong. Well, being the head of house as well as a healer, Kels was inclined to believe him. After all, he had been in the school longer. If something was wrong about the place, Doc probably would have noticed it by now. Kels would throw up his hands nonchalantly, flicking mud into the air with the action.
"I'm a silly guy, major." He'd say, shrugging. "Must jes' be t'new environment, got me thinkin' diff'rent. How long you been workin' here? Y'like it?"
He'd be on the ball however the moment he saw a downed log in the water, half-submerged and perfect to burrow into. Wriggling his hand around and kicking up more mud into the water, Kels would fish out two whole frozen frogs, beaming like a child on Christmas day. "Check it out!"
@Caradoc Browne
Answer as much as you like, and if you'd like to end the thread, just say they fish for a while and chat before going in and cleaning up?