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Erikson's Gardens The three-year-old garden is well established and in full bloom. 2008-2-17: The Sapphire Rose bush which had existed in the center of the garden seems to have been violently ripped from the ground, the silvery plants around it having been uprooted from the force of it. However, the bush is no where in sight. |
Armand made his way into the gardens, contemplating how to start his next class. Along the way he plucked a sapphire rose from its bush, crushing it as he passed. The blue, gem-like petals scattered behind him in his wake. He made his way to his true treasure, the taboo rose in a far corner of his garden, surrounded by the queen of the night tulips. He sat upon a bench and took the note from his pocket, reading it over once more quietly. He considered sending for Xana, but it wasn't really fair to either of them, was it? Slade could not be replaced, and Xana shouldn't be used like that. But it would be a while longer before he could see his dear friend. He wrote a quick note to Xana and sent it off. If nothing else, he could see her as a friend. |
Xana appeared at the garden's edge silently, having come directly upon receiving his note. She had been cautious to ensure she wasn't followed. "Hello." she walked up next to Professor Erikson and sat down beside him on the bench. Knowing something was wrong but having no idea what it was, she waited for him to start the conversation. She glanced at him and smiled a little to encourage him. |
He looked up into the sky, which seemed to be darkening. Whether it was true or in his own mind, he did not know. "Things always seem to go wrong by the lake," he said quietly. "A student died earlier today. Only now have the mourning students left my office." |
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"A Hufflepuff boy... Liam... I'm afraid I don't remember his last name. He drowned in the lake." He shook his head. "I swear I'm never going by the lake again. I've never seemed to once manage to leave there without some sort of bad experience." |
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"I will deal," he said, though there was something heavy in his voice. "I worry for the students. A few were there when it happened. One did everything she could to save him. I did what I could as well. This sort of thing hasn't been unheard of in my life. But they have yet to experience such a thing... until now." |
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"Erm, Monica..." He closed his eyes, thinking back. "Monica... Black? Malfoy? She's from one of the more well known family lines. She's in Gryffindor. Considering that lot, I can only imagine how she must feel. I've told her she's done all she could, but I'm not sure she quite believes it." |
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He chuckled lightly, though something darkened across his eyes, blanking them of emotion. "Yes, it seems that way. Though there are kinder professors at this school. Ones without dark pasts to accompany them." He looked to her, pushing the the fog from his spirit, his eyes clear once more. "She also spoke of other troubles she was having. Something about her cousin saying that she was a traitor to her house." |
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She grinned wryly. "I suspect your dark past is part of your appeal. No matter what they're facing, they sense you'll be accepting and non-judgmental. And curse that big heart, you always rise to the occasion. It must be exhausting." She took his hand and squeezed it lightly, smiling at him a little. "She'd mentioned her house issues to me as well. We'll be including her in our little project and also in some inter-house study sessions I'd like to start... I think it will help her to be in a forum that supports inter-house relations. She's a nice kid." |
He nodded, thinking quietly. "Have you heard any word from Cassandra about the matter?" |
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"Ghedi?" He thought a moment about it. "No, I don't recall. Why? Has someone by that name mentioned me?" |
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Armand groaned, his palm quickly finding his forehead. "Slade! The meddling little..." He muttered under his breath. "He told him, that's why! I'm sure of it. That manipulative child needs to keep out of my affairs every so often." |
Xana laughed, glad to see that at least Professor Erikson had broken free of the controlled grey state he was in and was actually allowing himself the luxury of emotion. "I'm sure of it as well. I thought it amusing... Typical of him, really... I think he thinks if he gets the idea 'in the air' enough people will come to accept it as fact, and then, well..." She shrugged, indicating the conclusion to that chain of thought was obvious. |
"Well he can bloody well let me do it in my own time, if I decide to at all." He sighed, leaning against the bench and looking over his rose bush. "One of these times I'm going to rush him through an experiment at work and laugh when it blows up in his face." |
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"I know what he believes, which includes how it should be done." He sighed. "And I do know he wishes the best for me. But I am a newcomer in this school. Admittedly, so is Forrester. But if he was placed in the position upon coming to this school, rather than someone who has been here, who am I to question that decision? Especially openly." |
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He nodded. "It was... 2061, I believe, when I started teaching here. What is it now? 2064? So this would be my fourth year, then. Goodness, I'll be forty in a few years..." He shook his head, realizing he was going off track. "Either way, Forrester came to teach the year after I got here." |
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