Faction Xeno-Botany 101

[Madrona A’Mia]

There was a bit of a rush after one student's learning opportunity caused several others to obtain more protective equipment, bulking up their armaments against these clearly volatile specimens. Kivah proposed a very clever tactic for extracting venom. Adean Castor "Tavis" made a very astute observation regarding the fact that a desert flower might struggle in such a humid environment. Unbeknownst to her and probably every other student here, this was a safety measure.

The acid spitting specimens A'Mia had chosen for dissection and harvest were deadly in their natural habit, with the ability to melt flesh from bone in seconds if they resided in arid desert. By bringing the spitting terrors into a more humid environment a few days prior, A'Mia had ensured their acid wouldn't be nearly as potent. This was so that her students might still learn caution but she wouldn't be required to fill out a bunch of tedious death reports.

She overheard excellent discussion at several tables and remained very satisfied with Leshanna Dromar et al, her young protégé had accurately guessed the effect of the humidity. They'd almost certainly work out a solid plan for each botanical before them. The professor's primary attention remained focused on the two ruffians at the back of the class. A'Mia loomed a bit higher, body stretching as she observed the shimmer of energy around Varin Mortifer and intense curiosity piqued at what she saw. The incessant buzzing from whatever clandestine communication Lysander von Ascania was having in her classroom finally caused the woman to react. Like a whip and lightning fast, a vine shot forward to nab the tablet and coil it in an iron grip, putting a pause to any responses the boy might have for Sibylla Abrantes .

"Focus is paramount for these tasks, lest you need your corneas regrown like your classmate," A'Mia chided to forestall any backtalk.

Her piercing gaze remained affixed to Varin though, studying the outline of something over his shoulder. There had been a great up-welling of darkness there that both belonged to the boy, and was something more than the novice could hope to fully grasp. His method for collecting acid was... unusual to say the least. However, the arboreal professor's interest in him suddenly had nothing to do with his botany skills. She brought up her own datapad, rapidly searching through the student roster- attempting to determine who the boy was and who he was sponsored by.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Tag: Varin Mortifer | Open
Nearby: Madrona A’Mia Kivah Leshanna Dromar Adean Castor
​

The change in Varin's posture caused his eyes to flick up from the device that was very much capable of consuming him completely. Lysander fell silent as the boy spoke; his mind wanted to craft something more articulate instead of a partial reply. Yet before it could be formed, his roommate was already off to gather more supplies. Upon returning, he watched out of curiosity, noting the flicker of orange in his gaze, as if they'd suddenly been caught by flames.

Using his own device as both shield and tool, the blonde couldn't decide whether to be surprised or impressed– perhaps a bit of both. However, the outcome spoke for itself. Now there was a jar holding a small amount of acid along with a melting device as proof of Varin's victory.

The smoke coming off his back wasn't missed; no doubt, it was something he’d inquire about later.

A small nod was given just before his tongue finally found the words; they would be simple and to the point. "Honestly," he began, "all I want is to get through this class and head back to the dorm for some much needed sleep. I'll need it if I'm going to hit back and biceps with Naamino later tonight." A familiar buzz from the datapad shattered his concentration, but he continued, "Now that I think about it, you should join us one of these days."

Glancing down to read the message, an unexpected soft smile spread across the acolyte's face. Then, he was guilty of reading it a second time, already shifting in his seat so he could send out another reply. Just as his fingers brushed the screen, it was suddenly snatched away from the table. Eyes narrowed, it didn't take long to find the culprit. Of course, it was the tree lady. Anger flushed beneath the boy’s skin. Today was one of those off days where nothing had been going right, and the HoloNet messages felt like the only thing keeping him sane. Like a lifeline.

Lysander forced himself to pretend Professor A’Mia wasn’t even there, at least for now. It wasn't easy to do.

Another voice was still cutting through the air, one easy to recognize. Leshanna. A dry smirk flashed as he turned back to Varin. “It’s so obvious who the star student is here."

A beat later he was off to the cabinet again; this time, it was slammed shut with a little more force. And when passing the table where the trio of young girls sat, he ensured his voice was heard loud and clear. “Nerd.”

Anyone actually paying attention would know exactly who he was speaking to.

Now the gloves were secured. “I think its resources just once is enough.”

Scalpel back in his grip, it was wielded more like a weapon than a surgical tool; the tip of the blade hovered over his target, taunting the toothy flora so it would snap back. A curse was muttered, pressing on. With the small clamp in hand, he firmly placed it over the plant's mouth, which provoked an agitated response. "I'm not sure if the glands are near the fangs or the base of the plant," he said aloud with a hint of dark humor in his tone. "Guess we'll just have to find out, huh?" And with one swift movement, the first node was sliced, followed by another, clearly not opposed to the possibility of simply dissecting the plant if necessary.

​

 

[Kivah]

Tags: Leshanna Dromar | Madrona A’Mia | Lysander von Ascania | Adean Castor | Varin Mortifer

That sealed it, the planet was doomed. Weren't human girls supposed to be obsessed over their hair? With a roll of her eyes, Kivah twisted two of the fingers on the glove around and stretched them around the beaker she'd stretched it over to hold it tight. It probably wasn't as good, but it only had to work once. She was about to pass it off to Leshanna when a passing boy called her a nerd. Really, the humidity having that much effect on the plant in just a day or so seemed a little far-fetched, but the galaxy had weirder. The rock plant wasn't even wilting.

Still, more important things to attend to. "You just going to take that from him?" She quietly asked the insulted girl as she set the prepared jar down. Eying A'Mia, Kivha put her back to the pair of boys and rested her hip against the table the trio were working at. Her tail flicked dismissively. "Now, I know a frontal assault is tempting, and it'd be my first choice too. But it looks sloppy," She shrugged. "And someone like you might prefer a more indirect approach. Hit him back in a way he knows it's you, but can't prove it. Think on it."

That said, Kivah nodded towards the beaker and spread her hands over the leaves of the Hunter Cabbage. Pressing down around their edges, she left the toothed maw exposed as she held them down. "Okay, get in there with the jar. Use the tongs so you don't get yourself on a tooth." Under her hands, the plant curled and tried to close to protect itself, but the brawny Cathar held it at bay.

 

[Varin Mortifer]

Lysander von Ascania Madrona A’Mia Leshanna Dromar Kivah Adean Castor

An invitation? Likely to a gym. Interesting, that'll blow some steam off you boy

Varin listened to the words from Lysander and Ignati as if in a group conversation, a smirk wore on his face. As he was about to speak he noticed the professor’s arm stretch at unnatural speed and length just to snatch the poor boy's datapad. He could see the agitation in the boy's eyes, it seems as though that little device has ruled his world. As to why, it was of no business to Varin, but the action seemed to light a fire within Lysander. He watched a smirk appear on his face as Leshanna was speaking to the table, giving pretty sound advice.

“It’s so obvious who the star student is here."

Varin studied the girl for a moment taking note of the details she recommended. She really knew her stuff of these plants, but then again she most likely studied them. How would she react to unpredictable matters? The thought broke into Varins mind as he realised his roommate had gotten up and slammed the cabinets once again bringing Varin back to the present. In true sassy fashion Lysander sent a small insult to the table. The logic behind it seemed a bit irrational, but what can you expect from an agitated teen.

Varin watched Lysander as he spoke to him about the singular resource, and began “operating” in a sense, on this creature. Using a scalpel Lysander began dissecting various nodes of the plant after taunting it to bite at him, this creature will surely die, it was a thought that wasn't too comfortable for Varin and he couldn’t help but feel a bit mournful of the creature, but such is the course of nature. Varin stared off at the plant almost getting lost in his thoughts and memories as Lysander worked at getting what he needed out of it, all of the noise in the room just seemed to fade away, and in came the noises of his various new found memories.

 

[Adean Castor]

TAG: Kivah | Leshanna Dromar
NEARBY | Madrona A’Mia | Lysander von Ascania | Varin Mortifer

The slightest of grins tugged at Adean's cheeks as she listened to Leshana's hypothesis. Theories and histories regarding the Force, Adean understood by concept and not much else. Science, however, that made a bit more sense. It was almost a relief to find another who could navigate the botanical side of things."That would track...Though if that's the case, I shudder to know how potent this plant is when dry...I wonder if anything here is of a high enough grade to store the acid as intended." Something to collect extras of, albeit perhaps more on the subtle side of things. You never knew when an especially potent acid would come in handy.

Returning to the workbench with the additional supplies in hand, Tavis' attention snapped to the whip-like movement of vines cutting off the communication device. Thank the force. If you were going to use your electronics, at least have the decency to keep them on silent.

Emerald gaze slid up to the blonde acolyte as he passed by, a dark brow raising a fraction as the one-word insult(?) sounded loud and clear. In most other circumstances, she would've held her tongue. She was intending to do the same in this instance, too, before noting he was the acolyte messaging in the midst of class. An expression of one thoroughly unimpressed with his childish ways claimed her countenance, drawing forth just as loudly (a rarity, for one who preferred to remain in the peripheral), "And you are...?"

Her focus shifted back to her own table, the assignment at hand far more important than the ego of the acolyte. Pulling on the heavier-duty gloves and sliding on goggles, a part of her hoped that Leshana would jump to the actual extraction before her, not entirely out of self-preservation, though that was certainly an aspect. Keeping an eye on what the other acolytes attempted was just as useful, at least in her mind.

"Or get someone else to strike," Adean offered with a low voice, a nonchalant shrug posing a contrast to her words. "Make them think it's their idea and boom, plausible deniability." It was her own modus operandi, which was why her brow furrowed a fraction as she finished the suggestion. That was strangely close to camaraderie. "Don't give anyone the satisfaction of thinking they've gotten under your skin."

With the safety gear on, Tavis cast one last quick glance around the greenhouse, as if trying to think if she'd forgotten to grab something, though her eyes were focussed more so on spotting any other methods the other classmates employed. Finally, she grabbed hold of the tongs. "Maybe get that pipette ready in case this doesn't work," she suggested to Leshana before moving in with the gloved beaker.

 

[Leshanna Dromar]

Kivah // Adean Castor // Madrona A’Mia // Varin Mortifer // Lysander von Ascania
​

Leshanna’s sapphire blue eyes flickered to the blonde boy as he passed by their table, catching his passing insult as he called her a nerd. Tavis snarked back at the boy, and Lesh watched him amble back over to his table with his lab partner before Kivah’s voice pulled her attention back to her little group - asking Lesh if she was going to let him get away with his insult. She turned her back towards the boys at their table, and mentioned in a low voice to Lesh how a front assault could seem tempting, and someone like Lesh might prefer a more indirect approach. She suggested that Leshanna get back at him in a way that he would know it was her, but couldn’t prove it and to think on it.

Tavis then jumped in, and suggested that Lesh get someone else to strike back at him, but she also advised not to let anyone have the satisfaction of getting under her skin.

To this, Leshanna only smirked ever so slightly to both Kivah and Tavis. “He’s just a pissy little boy who’s upset he can’t get his own way in class. Pathetic, really.” she said, just loud enough for the blonde boy to hear her. “No worries though; I have my ways of dealing with bullies.” she added before she turned her attention back to the task at hand as Tavis grabbed hold of the tongs and Kivah carefully exposed the toothy and venomous maw of the hunger cabbage and urged someone to get in there with the beaker to collect the venom.

Tavis suggested to Lesh to get the pipette ready in case their beaker collection idea didn’t work out, and she nodded and picked it up, maneuvering herself into a better position and watching intently as Tavis moved in for the first attempt at venom collection.

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

As the table of young women continued to exceed expectations, while a few groupings of students met with more or less success than their most exemplary peers, the pairing of Lysander von Ascania and Varin Mortifer continued to make some interesting choices. A'Mia watched on as the blonde schooled an angry reaction to the seizing of his tablet and his companion was coming down from whatever strange Force affliction had hold of him just moments before. The neti would be keeping them both after class in order to gather information from one and to test the other's wits.

It seemed that psychological warfare was also at play in her greenhouse. A turn of events she hadn't expected but one she welcomed nonetheless, and in truth was helpful in simulating the very real, often lethal rivalries that formed between Sith out in the wide world. A'Mia noted with interest the way a slight sense of competition had Kivah rallying the younger girls to action, both in their task and socially. With surprise she even caught the way Adean Castor "Tavis" spoke up, despite the fact that the rather mysterious and elusive girl usually chose to keep her head down or observe keenly from a distance.

It was no surprise though that Lysander lashed out and that he'd chosen a target such as Leshanna Dromar , given that she was such an attentive and diligent student. He appeared accustomed to getting his way and this classroom was no doubt one of many recent rude awakenings that the boy wasn't on Ukatis or Coruscant anymore. Annoyingly, his tablet continued to buzz occasionally as Sibylla Abrantes sent whatever triffling things came to her mind and the device caused the botanical woman to rattle faintly, since she had a habit of storing items within her shapesifting form.

The venomous plant that the boys worked on started to make a rather disturbing, high pitched shrieking sound. It wasn't able to successfully attack its tormentor, and intead squirmed pitiously as the nodes removed from it oozed venom onto the table. Teamwork exhibited by the others met with even greater success, as the plant struck the beaker and venom slowly began to fill it as the angry cabbage tried to flap its petals to escape the cathar's grasp. Just as A'Mia was about to bring attention to this method and provide the rare bit of praise, another shrill cry rose into the air as a boy near the back of the classroom lost his cool.

"MY LEG," he screamed, toppling over as his hunter cabbage specimine clung to his thigh where it had somehow found excellent purchase.

"Oh gods, my leg!"

The neti rolled her eyes in a show of exhasperation, reaching long vines to intervene and temporarily distracted with administering antivenom.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Tag: Varin Mortifer
Nearby: Madrona A’Mia Kivah Leshanna Dromar Adean Castor
​

Words from the other table weren’t lost on him; Lysander knew better than to let the jab fully land. Still, a smirk tugged at his lips, his expression laced with the kind of arrogance better known to those outside Kor’ethyr Academy. There was a hint of amusement in it, too, but as his gaze flickered toward his roommate for a moment, he also felt the silence.

The mirth from moments ago carried over into his voice. “Why do I get the feeling you’re one of those lekku lover types?” The acolyte’s fingers maintained a firm hold on the surgical tool, and then applied more pressure as the blade sliced cleanly through the wriggling plant. “I’ve seen a few at the gym. Red, too. Apparently, it’s rare among such species.”

His gaze flicked back to Professor A’Mia more than once— but never out of reverence. Each glance was just an attempt to spot where she had stashed his stolen tablet. Impatience lingered beneath the surface; he was already feeling the absence of his conversation with Sibylla Abrantes through the HoloNet.

A sudden cry from the back of the classroom didn’t cause him to flinch; instead, it only made him shake his head. Exhaling through his nose, Lysander pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek while observing the scene. "So dramatic," he muttered under his breath, viewing the student as no different than a squawking Nuna. "Probably someone from House Tuk’ata if I had to guess."

Returning to his work, another section was carved from the plant ruthlessly. Instead of searching for the glands, he opted for a harsher, perhaps even more practical approach. Now it was time to force the plant into submission. The hunter cabbage tried to make some kind of sound, but the clamp over its mouth muffled the attempt. Soon, venom appeared on the edge of his blade. He held it over the jar, allowing droplets to slide down the walls.

Having a feeling that he was still being watched, he remained determined not to waste a single drop. And so, he continued on until the hunter cabbage was no longer recognizable. Any fight within it was long gone.

It wasn’t even worth another glance.

With the task successfully completed, the scalpel then became an instrument. The tapping started slowly and steady, more than a heartbeat, but not hurried either. As seconds passed, it became a smooth rhythm. Rather than just trying to pass time, there was real intention behind it, something thoughtful even. A hum began to follow; it was low at first, then elevating, offering the blessing of his voice to the other tables.

"They took my datapad. The messages are gone. Now there's only silence where your words used to be."

His tone shifted. It was steadier, and more certain.

"You always had something to say. Something sharp, something ridiculous, something that made me roll my eyes."

A pause followed, but not quite long enough to stretch the moment.

"I wait. And wait. And wait. For something that won't come now."