terrariums | open; 2024

[ The Monstro Lounge has been busier than ever the past few days, largely in part to one of their new dishes. While it is a simple dessert to make, the ingredients are more difficult to acquire within the safety of the College's boundaries. Whipped pudding infused with collagen and a special extract from a particular species of algae believed to be extinct in these parts. Even with fins, it's a difficult species to come across... so when it appeared on the Lounge's menu, Jade was hardly surprised that it drew the attention from many prying eyes.

Especially considering that the algae in its pure, raw form held so many promising properties for potions and poisons alike. Once cooked it was completely harmless and its naturally sweet, light flavor was adored by all who tasted it... but the agony it could inflict when consumed raw was not to be trifled with. Really, it's no surprise that the protist had been nearly swept clean from the surrounding water sources.

And yet Azul seemed to procure enough to produce such a popular dessert.

Wandering through the mountain forest is always a time that Jade looks forward to. The cool breeze, the shade of the trees, the foragable mushrooms and fauna to be used in a plethora of instances... food, art, and of course, terrariums. There is also something to be said about the wonderful feeling of being the strongest predator among these trees.

That is, until possibly today. With his bag hung over his shoulder and dressed properly for a hike, Jade heads off of his usual trail with a pleased sigh. He's well aware that he's being watched, but he had avoided gathering his precious subject for too long. How far would he need to struggle to escape the green eyes of a particularly insistent predator today? ]

The measure of a man is what he does with power, or so they say. As the third eldest of his kingdom, Rook could do anything he likes with the power at his disposal. He certainly has the money and authority to, and the lack of responsibilities to allow him to pursue any passions that capture his fancy. So what does he do, with his power and freedom?

He pursues his every passion, and drowns himself in knowledge and experiences the likes of which very few have the luxury to accumulate. He patronizes the arts. He rides with the hunters. He sails with the merchants. He trains with the soldiers. He studies with the scholars. He even undertakes those jobs that nobody else seems capable of, works to unravel mysteries that seem to have no answer.

Why are the seas so dangerous now? Why is it so difficult to get any vessels through, be they merchant or military alike? How is it that the sailors bring tales of monsters ravaging the sea, when there haven't been any sightings of beasts capable of doing such things in these waters for years?

The last report he'd gathered has led him here--a once grand fortress-castle carved into the side of a coastal cliff. A marvel of architecture and engineering, a defensive masterpiece, once thought impregnable..... now, little more than a crumbling ruin, full of the deep and lingering mysterious sadness of days long lost. It seems a strange thought, for monsters to appear here, of all places--what reason could they possibly have to visit, when it's been abandoned for generations? But his mission isn't to be skeptical--it's to pursue every possible avenue of information, until his search finally turns up a lead that could explain the situation.

So..... into the shallows Rook goes, boots splashing in the water as he picks his way through tide-worn rubble. How in the world is he even meant to recognize what he's looking for, assuming he ever finds it?

What a wonderful facility he's been blessed with. What a delightful routine he's fallen into! It truly does seem as though the world is his oyster, now that he's graduated and coming into his own. As a freelance alchemical researcher, he doesn't need to hide his profession from anyone. He can be as free as he likes to talk shop with his peers, to form professional connections, to live (in most aspects that really matter) a relatively normal life.

After all, any contracts he takes are wholly separate from each other, an endless parade of novelty and enrichment, new puzzles for him to play with and solve every single day. People can know him for his creative and high-quality work--especially for the countless innovations he's contributed to the entertainment industry. But for those contracts he takes under the table, nobody has to be the wiser. Whether that's for his government sponsors, or his own family, if they want something a little more..... unorthodox taken care of.....

What a truly engaging way to spend his days. Happy as he is to play with chemicals and magic most of the time, a change of pace is welcome, as well--so when he's notified that a rare new specimen has been so kindly donated to him, Rook is absolutely elated. It's not too difficult to prepare and secure the tank the merman is being held in; by the time Jade starts coming to, he might hear Rook chattering away to himself (or to him? With absolutely no expectation of an answer?) as he works. "My, my..... They hadn't mentioned you would still be alive. Didn't they think to check your vitals? What in the world am I going to do with you, hmmm~?"

To start with, he's going to invade his privacy, apparently? That's definitely an observation camera being set up nearby, angled to capture the whole of Jade's new space.

He remembers the moment he met Rook as clear as day.

At his entrance ceremony, nerves were somewhat on edge thanks to the chaos caused by his brother's outburst toward another student. He was so focused on the scene playing out before him that he didn't even notice the shorter student behind him until an arm was around his throat to bend him back to the blond's level with the sound of an inhale. The excuse then was nothing more than a playful greeting, but it was the start of a miserable couple of months. Not just for himself, but for Floyd and Azul as well. Hands grabbing their muscular arms, incessant questions, incessant watching... until abruptly it stopped.

Or at least it looked that way to anyone on the outside looking in. Jade's own nerves never truly calmed--the hairs on his neck standing or his skin catching unexpected goosebumps when he walked through the mountains. Rook didn't ignore his sibling either, but at least his attentions there seemed more... casual. A game of cat and mouse (or in the twins' minds, shark and minnow) that they alternated through with such ease that someone would think it nothing more than childish play. It's difficult not to be suspicious of the Savannaclaw student's intentions when his own are so misguided, but when he leans down to examine a flock of unfamiliar mushrooms conveniently plucked and laid where he normally liked to eat his breakfast he has to pause.

Even though he can feel the burning behind his ears that so clearly tells him that he isn't alone, he can't resist looking the gift over. Careful not to touch for now in case another unpleasant trap catches him in a similar fashion to the first time over a year ago when he stumbled upon exciting new fungi in these woods. He removes his pen from his pocket while digging his notebook from his bag. "Extended stems, extensive gills that trail to the ring... Such a colorful volva..."

So much for keeping his guard up.

Edited 2024-04-25 23:25 (UTC)

It has been some time since Jade's interest transitioned into interest. While he's always been the sort to put his everything into the things he likes, he's never considered that it could transfer to a person other than Azul. No one else ever held his attention the same way his brother and house warden did.

Until Cater. It started slowly with admiration for such an easy-going nature, a passing interest in the redhead's signature spell, the way he handled Heartslabyul's rules despite how ridiculous some of them were... but it was when he started to catch glimpses of the mask slipping that Jade realized how much more he wants from the older student. He's so easy to slip behind that Jade finds himself watching him scroll his phone for several long moments before he leans forward, lips so close to the shell of Cater's ear.

"My, Rook-san is rather fixated on inspirational posts lately, isn't he?"

"Good afternoon, Riddle-san. Is this seat taken?" There are plenty of other chairs still available in the library, but the merman has no particular interest in any of them. He came here today to find Riddle, after all, and now that he is in his sights he has no intention of letting him get away. In fact, he's already taking a seat beside him while asking permission as nothing more than a formality.

His books are set on the table along with his pen as his gloved hands come to rest on his own lap. "I was hoping to discuss our lesson with Professor Crewel with you today."

Truthfully he doesn't need any help considering how fond of potionology he is, but it's a convenient topic of conversation.

The last thing Jade remembers before the shock was struggling against strong bindings, claws and body thrashing and throwing his long body against them. His twin desperately striking at the ship to try and haul Jade out of the water while screaming in their native tongue through gnashing teeth. There was blood. There was bone. The remains of whatever poor unfortunate soul that his brother managed to drag into the water to squeeze them so hard that even the sound of the waves and Jade's gills flaring desperately as he writhed on the ship's deck couldn't hide it.

He remembers the pain of the lightning shooting through him from the device that human had and how agonizing it felt as it bolted raced through him. Turning his vision a blinding, overwhelming white...

How long ago was that now? He'd stopped counting the days now. Having become fairly calm as nothing more than an experiment that doubled as an overly exotic pet. His tank isn't near as vast as home, but it's familiar now. The tank beside his has remained empty since he killed its inhabitant--a kind mermaid caught some time before he was. She was grateful... even if he's too cowardly to give himself that same freedom. He never sleeps deeply, but a commotion wakes him with a start. The men with their white jackets are back again, as they always are, but dragging with them today is a much more familiar shock of teal. His body may be tied and bound, but his shape and the way he manages to yell in words no human could possibly understand is unmistakable.

Jade rises, body pressed up against the glass he's tried to break countless times as he watches Floyd thrash against all the hands clutching his dried out body. He bangs on the side of the tank, voice calling out in what--in this room--is just their private language.

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