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[Cooper's] Herbology Lesson One Erikson finished setting up the classroom, making sure that plenty of sunlight was filtering in. The back corner was blocked off and darkened quiet considerably. A sign noted "Beware of Devil's Snare." Various vines and a few ferns filled the classroom. Some moved and twitched, and others just laid there. Some were curled up small trellises and whatnot. A sign at the front of the classroom read "Herbology Lesson One: Vines and their Raw Use" He checked over everything twice before opening up the classroom and waiting for the students to trickle in. His hands itched for something to hold, and his left wrist felt unbearably bare. He swore to himself that eventually, when time permitted, he would obtain a new wand. ooc: Sorry everyone! I thought I'd had this posted at 12:45 and apparently didn't! |
Jose entered the classroom and saw the professor "are you okay" he asked as he saw the professor go to hold something. |
Apedemak nodded to Professor Erickson as his slow measured strides carried him into the Herbology classroom. The Sudanese boy's first instinct was still to look for Prefect Trelwaney; but, as always this semester she would not be in attendance. The forlorn look passed quickly and he took a seat near the front of the class. |
Erikson nodded to Apedemak and looked at Jose. "Fine, why?" His tone was a little more sharp than he'd intended. He resolved that the moment had passed however, and there was nothing to be done about it now. |
Will entered the herbology classroom and read the sign. Ooooooh... Devil's snare... vines and their use! He had a brief vision of a class in which they could swing from vine to vine, high above Hogwarts... Grinning, he went and found a seat. |
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Finally a subject he could do. Ignatius strolled into the Herbology lesson. He took a seat and pulled out his text book, a quill and some parchment. He was ready to take oodles amounts of notes. |
Will smiled and nodded in greeting at Iggy. He hadn't seen him in an age, it seemed. |
Iggy smiled an nodded back at Billium. He hadn't been around school much since he had gotten sent out of Borr's lesson. |
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Herbology wasn't one of Clifford's strongest subjects. Professor Erikson scared him. Alot. And he used really long, confusing words. Plus, plants smelled funny. But still, he was here and ready to bet confuddled. Eeh. |
"Okay" replied Jose "well i'll sit down and wait for this great lession you have planned for us to start" and with that he found a seat. |
Liam sauntered into the Herbology classroom. He wasn't exactly the green fingered type was Liam. He examined his fingers, they maybe green literally, but not in the caring for plants sense. Good job Lord Borr wasn't around here anywhere. He took a seat next to his old chum, Clifford who was looking much better today. “Alright, mate?” he nodded at him. Hopefully this lesson wouldn't involve acorns or Liam would be making a swift move away from Vom Boy. |
He looked about at the boys that littered his class and found he wished some of his other students were available. Or at the very least, hadn't graduated. At least they could then visit Hogsmeade and let the girls in on some matters. "To begin... I am not going to teach you some mindless drivel. Whether I work for the Ministry or not, they can be--" he caught his tongue. Rebellion was one matter, swearing in front of children was something else entirely. "I can only hope that you will all find something quite useful out of this class. You will have to pardon how I run things currently. Due to some... matters... I am currently wandless. This will leave some of the magics you see in this room as being somewhat unstable. This shouldn't be a problem by our next class." "Now!" He returned to the front of the class and looked each of them over. "Today we will be studying vines and their raw use. Can anyone guess what I may mean by 'raw use'?" |
Niall sat in his seat near the front on the class, casting a glance over at Ignatius. He hadn't seen him in ages. "Would their raw use be for how dangerous they can get, when tampered with?" He wondered. |
Will raised his hand. "Like, before they are cooked in a potion, maybe? Or... " he hesitated. "...swinging from them or something?" he added hopefully. |
Clifford was already confused, this had to be a record. He nodded at Liam, who had chosen the seat beside him before looking back at Erikson. Still confused. Raw use? What in Merlin's name..? "Erm - Does it mean what you use them for when they're just plain old vines? Like, when they haven't been chopped up and stuff?" He guessed completely hand raised. |
"Would their raw use be for how dangerous they can get, when tampered with" replied Jose "not entil sure he was saying the right thing. |
Erikson eyed Liam, as he'd just repeated another student word-for-word, and placed his name on a list in his mind. He smirked at the lot of them. "We will be learning of their dangers, yes, but raw use is far more generic than that. Billium and Clifford are rather correct: It is how they may be used in their most raw form. Three points to each of you." He walked over to something that was rather fern-like, and cordoned off like the Devil's Snare. "Some plants, like this one, have a raw physical use. This is the Snapper Vine. It has a high tensile strength, and can hold well onto itself. For example..." He pulled back the robes covering his left arm and grazed it by the ends of one of its branches. The end suddenly made an odd snapping sound and wrapped itself around his arm, nearly digging into the skin. It was already evident that it was cutting off the circulation to his hand. He tugged it to show that the plant would not be relinquishing any time soon. He moved his robes aside near his ankle, revealing ankle-high boots which also had a sheath. He pulled a dagger from it and used it to cut the plant at its end. He shoved the cut end into the dirt and it released its grip at last. Red marks covered his forearm where the plant had gripped him. "Any questions thus far?" |
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Ray nodded as the professor did his demonstration... Everything was clear |
Sean had no questions, so he stayed quiet, waiting for the professor to continue. He was a little surpised that the professor let the plant grab him, but he knew teachers did some crazy things for thier students. |
He'd won three points for having a complete and utter guess? Resuuult. Clifford wasn't really aware of what it was the Professor was going on about, he was more interested in the demonstration he was giving. That plant was cool. Not like any of those wimpy daisies. He shook his head at the Professor's last question. He didn't have any questions, he just wanted to play with the cool plants! |
"Good." He whipped out the plant so that it was straight again, then brushed off the dirt from the end. He took up a handful of the dirt and looked around. "Would someone like to volunteer for a little... demonstration?" |
"Yes I would" Ray replied as he raised his hand. |
"OOH!" Clifford's hand shot in the air, and he nearly bounced out of his seat. "I volunteer, Sir." He grinned, hoping for a chance to play with the scary vines. |
Sean starts to raise his hand but a hufflepuff volunteer first. He decides it might be best to let him try it. Sean sits back and hopes for a show. |
Niall nodded and raised his hand. "I would gladly," he said smiling. |
Apedemak's golden eyes slowly rolled upwards towards the professor. A Devil's Snare was present in the room and Armand wanted a volunteer. The Sudanese boy raised his hand. "How may I assist you Professor?" |
He looked over the candidates, then his eyes fell on Apedemak. Ah yes, he would do nicely. "Alright, stand and approach me, Apedemak. I will need you to attack me, and I will be demonstrating what can be done in retaliation with the snapper vine. I will not damage you." |
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Okay, Clifford was glad the Professor hadn't picked him for his little demonstration. Attack Erikson? Clifford would've been lucky if he managed to give the Professor a minor nose bleed, an even then that would've been a tough job. Lowering his hand, he watched with mild interest. |
Sean smiled, looked like he was going to see a show. He looked around at the other students. He saw a few nervous faces, but many didn't seem to care. Sean had hoped something fun would happen and now he was sure something was about to. |
"A physical attack would be better for now. I can demonstrate otherwise with the children." He readied himself, watching Apedemak carefully, and giving an indicator that the other man didn't necessarily need to hold back. |
Alex smirked at the back of the classroom. |
Tancred had been quite quiet during the first Herbology lesson for this term. He was quite tired, seeming he had had a rough night of thinking about what he should do with her. She couldn't be his no more. He had to give up and let the Annoying One win. It wasn't like he would be loosing much; he loved another. He just hoped she loved him back. He kept his eyes watching what was going on in the front of the classroom. Apedemak was going to try to attack Erikson. This would be interesting to see. |
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The vine showed an odd advantage in that moment as he used it like a rapier. Though instead of parrying, as the vine would grab anything it touched near the end, he laid it quickly against Apedemak's dagger. It curved around the guard and intwined its way up along the darker man's arm, holding amazingly tightly for something that was no longer connected to the 'main body.' He pulled up sharply just before the blade reached his robes and moved with amazing swiftness, coming around behind Apedemak and wrapping the vine once about the student's neck. Before the vine had a chance to tighten down, however, he brought his hand up between it and the man, keeping him from being choked. "Try to simply pull free, without cutting." |
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The vine held, even binding the dagger to the man. He monitored Apedemak's reactions closely, ready to let him loose at a moment's notice. "As you can all see," he said rather quickly, "the vine is holding tight. Even dismembered from the rest of the plant, it will hold strong for a few days. Cutting it at only one point is useless as well, because it will hold onto you until a neutralizer enters a wound towards the base of the vine." He thought about having Apedemak demonstrate, but he knew that there was little time that someone experienced could remain confined. He shifted the plant and managed to get the end into the confined hand. As soon as the cut base met the dirt, it loosened and released its victim. "Why don't you inform the class of how the vine felt, Apedemak?" |
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"Good vine," he acknowledged grudgingly. |
Armand nodded. "Thank you very much, Apedemak. 5 points to Slytherin for an excellent demonstration." He looked out over the class as he rushed the dirt off of the vine and straightened it once more. "Clifford, you're next. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you." |
"Thank you for the lesson Professor Erickson." The Sudanese boy bowed to Armand before moving back to his seat and returning the weapon back to the satchel. |
Clifford, who had managed not to refrain from squealing throughout the entire ordeal, gulped as the Professor addressed him. "M-Me, Sir?" He asked, looking over his shoulder and looking for any more Clifford's. Oh boy. |
He nodded his own thanks to the golden-eyed man before looking back to Clifford. "Yes, you. Come and stand before the class." He looked around. "Could I have someone please cast a cushioning charm at the front of the classroom. I guarantee that Clifford will be grateful to you for it." |
Clifford gulped again, as slowly he pushed his chair back and went to stand at the front of the class. Ehh. He didn't like it up here. It looked weird and scary from this point of view. And even scarier, Profesor Erikson was ordering someone to cast a cushioning charm! That couldn't be a good thing. "Wh - What exactly is the cushioning charm for, Professor?" He asked nervously. He should know before he agreed to this, right? |
Alex smiled as he stood. "Sure I will." He flicked his wand out and cast the charm at the front of the classroom. "About there?" |
Erikson nodded and smirked. "Perfect. Thank you Alex. A point to Slytherin for your assistance." He looked over to Clifford. "Now, I want you to stand at dueling distance. Everyone here should note that this vine is too short to accomplish what I did before at such a distance. Clifford, cast something at me. I care not what it is, though do know if you think to dry an Unforgivable, it will not go unnoticed." He smirked. |
Clifford listened intently to Profesor Erikson's instructions, praying he didn't mi anything important. If something went wrong infront of the whole class.. well, things could get a tad embarrassing. Doing as he was told, he moved to stand before the teacher at duelling distance and drew his wand unsteadily. He had to cast something at the scary man. Oh Merlin. "Expelliarmus!" He said, casting the first thing that popped into his brain and pointing his wand right for the Professor. |
Armand dropped down to dodge the spell. And now that he was lower, he had the perfect shot. He threw the stiffened vine at Clifford's feet, getting them tangled. Then with a smirk he held a hand out. "Accio vine!" The strength was as he predicted with the stability of his magic, and the boy was dragged then dropped to the floor, being saved from undue pain by the cushioning charm. |
After he cast the spell, everything happened super duper fast. One second he was there, perfectly stable with the ground nicely beneath his feet - just where he happened to like it best. Next thing he knew, he had the crazy vines tangled around his ankles and literally dragging him to the ground. "Whoooaaa!" He managed with a huff as he landed backwards on the cushioning charm. "That. Was. So. Coooool!" At least now he knew what the cushioning charm had been for. |
He couldn't help but laugh at the child. It was nice to see children who still enjoyed such things. "Indeed." He made his way over and released him from the bonds. "Of course, who can see the limitations in using this vine for combat? Particularly outdoors?" |
"Cheers, Sir." Clifford thanked the Professor when he released the vines that had been digging into his ankles. His volunteering work, seemingly over for the day, he jumped back to his feet and slipped back behind his desk. What could be the problem with using that vine in combat outdoors? Hmm. |
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Noticing the lack of response from fellow students, Apedemak spoke without raising his hand. "The vine loosened when you touched the plant's wound to soil. If used outdoors the vine would likely slacken soon after the victim hit the ground. Though, I do not understand why soil has such a reaction on the vine?" |
Alex smiled, "Couldn't have put it better my self." |
"Very good. Two points. Not to mention, if you need the vine to loosen, and the dirt does not have a neutralizer, you've other problems. Carrying around a handful of dirt can be a nuisence." He grabbed a pole and allowed the vine to wrap around it. "These plants have been bred to have a weakness to iron pyrite, which will neutralize them whenever it is introduced to a wound. But only from the wound to the tip. On first discovery of the plant, they had to be conditioned to it. Don't ask me how, but they managed. I hear pyrite is soothing to them somehow. But wizards needed a weakness if they wanted to use the plant." |
Garret had snickered at Clifford's downfall, that vine thing was wicked awesome. He couldn't wait to show Heath! Tarzan would go absolutely bonkers for it, and then maybe they could perfect their technique and try it on Masterson. They needed to keep the old man on his toes, after all. And then maybe they'd work on their vine swinging. |
Iggy frowned, "But Sir, who carries around Iron pyrite?" He knew he didn't have any pyrite on him. He preferred the real stuff, to Fool's Gold. |
Jason thought to himself, he can thank the professor for figuring out how to get to the girls side with the swinging vines. |
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Garret actually came up off his chair in his haste to get his hand up in the air, "MEMEME!" He waved his arm to emphasize his excitement, ooooooh vine-swinging! Heath was going to positively die of envy now! |
Alex raised his hand with non-chalance, "I've done stupider things before." |
Will's hand shot up so hard and fast that he actually stood up on tip toe. "I'll do it, sir!" he shouted eagerly. Never mind that he was always a little afraid of Professor Erikson... VINE SWINGING? Oh HECK yeah! He wondered if, should he be picked, he should change his uniform for one of those loincloths like in the black and white muggle movies his grandpapa showed him... Zoltan, the jungle man, wasn't that his name? He waggled his hand in the air to make sure Erikson didn't miss noticing that his hand was up, up, UP in volunteer mode. |
Barry put up his hand "It can`t be that bad" |
Erikson couldn't help but laugh at the reactions that he got from the students. "Alright, then. Billium, I believe you mentioned it first. You can have first go at it, then I'll let everyone else have a shot. Get over on that table over there." He pointed to a table to the right of them which was a good four feet off the ground. |
Will jumped up and sketched a quick salute at the professor. "heee hee HEEE..." he squealed happily as he dashed over and climbed up onto the table. He contemplated the loincloth thing- they had learned a charm for changing clothes last term, after all... But then, really, he didn't feel like being that exposed. He rolled up his sleeves and readied himself for his great flight. "How do I do it, sir? Do I just grab a vine and go?" He wasn't sure if the plant would get offended or something and he didn't want to end up tangled into it and bound up, if he could help it. Or worse, strangled. |
He chuckled lightly. "No no. Here." He handed the pole-like vine over. "Hold it at the base, then lean it over onto that bar right there..." He pointed up to a beam that had been put there for the sake of the class. "Then give it a tug to make sure it's latched on. Once it is you can hold onto it a little higher up. Then hold tight, jump off, and aim for the table on the other side, alright?" |
Will listened intently and nodded. He was glad to see Professor Erikson looking more relaxed than he had in recent times, smiling and chuckling even. At least if this went badly, perhaps Will wouldn't lose points like in that disastrous charms class. "Yes, SIR!" he said. He carefully followed the instructions, attaching the vine and tugging on it. It seemed secure. He grabbed it up high above his head and shoved off from the table, hard. In an instant, he was sailing through the air! He couldn't resist the moment, giving out his best Zoltan, Jungle man, yell. "Aaaaaaaaa-aaaaaaah--haaaaa-aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" he cried as he crossed over toward the other table. Not really thinking, he let go with one hand to beat his chest like he'd seen the man do in the muggle film. He immediately started sliiiiiding down the vine. Will panicked and grabbed the vine again- just as the vine grabbed at him. Thankfully, his feet hit the safety of the other table at that moment. He balanced on the table, letting go of it with one hand. "That. was. AWESOME!!!!!" he said happily. "Can I queue up to do it again?" |
He chuckled slightly and walked over, using the soil to get the plant to relax... the particular length let go of both Will and the other vine it was attached to, causing the hanging bit to come swinging down. "Talk to me after class. Everyone else, get in line and take turns. Be careful not to hold it too high up." He reattached the vine to the swinging portion and brought it back to the table for the other students to have a turn. "First come, first serve, one time only." |
Will nodded, hopping down. He suddenly liked Professor |
Barry got into line hoping he was next. And guess what he was he asked the professer "May I swing on the vine?" |
Clifford watched Will's vine swinging show in awe. The Prefect sure made it look cool. He was sure he hadn't looked quite so cool being dragged to the floor, but hey. "Woooo!! Go Will!" He grinned, claping enthusiastically when the show ended. "Dude, you rock!" |
Will bowed low at Clifford, grinning. "Thank you, thank you. I'm here all week- try the veal!" He laughed, leaning back to watch the others have a go. |
Erikson nodded. "Up on the table, Barry. I'll hand you the end after." |
Barry got up on to the table no one knew but he wasn`t great with hights even if he was up in Ravenclaw tower he mumbled "I`m ready" |
He handed the boy the vine and stepped aside. "Just swing for the other table, and be careful." |
Barry struggled he held on to the vine firmly and when he was sure he was firmly atached to the vine he leaned forward and flew off towards the other table despite his fear of hights. He felt the wind across his face and he shouted "WHOO-HOO" and jumped a little to land on the other table he said "That was great I must do it again some time" and he climbed off the table to see who was next. |
Tancred watched as the Slytherin and Ravenclaw swung on the vine from table to table. He was immediatley reminded of Tarzan and George of the Jungle from the Muggle universe. Heath would've died to get a hold on the vine, but it looked like Garret would manage to jump on before Heath would get the chance. Anyway, it looked like vine swinging was a lot fun. Maybe he would be given the chance to swing, though the tables would probably need to be set farther apart. With him and his long legs, he probably could just jump from table to table. Thankfully this school had high ceilings ... "Mind if I have a go, Professor Erikson?" Tancred asked before he moved on to something else. He needed to try this out before it was too late. |
He chuckled. "Of course, Tancred. Though you may need to hold on a bit higher. Just be careful." |
"My turn! My turn!" Garret exclaimed, jumping up and down behind the taller seventh year. He had lost all his pretenses of being "cool" now, when faced with the prospect of being able to swing from the vines. Looking Tancred up and down once, Garret frowned and asked the professor in what can only be called a wistful voice, "If he breaks the vine cos 'e's so big... will I still get to go?" |
Tancred gladly walked up and stood up on the table. Yep, thankfully this place had high ceilings. If the ceiling was any lower, he'd hit the thing for sure which would not have been any fun at all. He smiled and noticed that he had beaten little Garret to the table. If he breaks the vine cos 'e's so big... will I still get to go? Tancred couldn't help but laugh quietly to himself. The vine was probably strong enough for him. If it could hold up the Slytherin Prefect, it could hold him up for sure. "Don't worry, Garret," Tancred said, waiting for Erikson to hand him the vine. "You'll get your turn. I think this vine is plenty strong enough to hold me up." He then looked at Erikson and rolled his eyes. First years worried way too much and they were just so ... strange. He held out his hand for the vine. It was now or never. |
"Professor Erickson, I would like to swing on the vine when Tancred is done, please" Jason asked politely. |
"Goodness... Don't worry, everyone will get a chance if they want to. Jason, you're after Garret." He handed the vine to Tancred, standing aside for him to get a chance. "Garret, get on the table once Tancred's swung over." |
Antwone looked around the classroom, confused on what was happening. |
Ignatius sat in his seat. He frowned at what Erikson had said about pyrite. It would make the soil rather acidic were the pyrite to break down. Sulphuric acid isn't something I want in soil. Especially one that I will be handling. I would watch some other people handle it though. He scratched his chin with a finger, and watched the vine swinging. He really should have a go. Possibly get points. But then he wouldn't still be in the negatives. |
Finn thought the vine swinging looked like amazing fun. He decided to enter the queue to get a shot. He wondered if he should yelll like Tarzan or hit the tree like George of the jungle. |
Garret hopped from foot to foot, resisting the urge to stick his tongue out at the Gryffindor. He was massive and would probably easily crush Garret with a foot if he wanted to. Rolling his eyes, Garret placed his hands on the edge of the table as if he was going to climb up, "Come on, Tanc! Hurreeeee, I wanna go!" |
Jose stayed sat down vine swinging in class good job Borr wasn't here. |
Finn looked over at Garrett and couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's excitement. |
Tancred laughed quietly again as Garret told him to hurry up. First years were so impatient these days. He rolled his eyes and grabbed hold of the vine that Erikson finally handed over to him. He guessed that he might as well do it now before Garret would decide to jump up on the table and take the vine from his hands. He gripped on the vine plenty high enough for him and leaned back. Then ZOOM! he was off gliding from the table he was standing on to the other table he was supposed to land on. He couldn't help but laugh as he felt his feet leave the table. He had never done this before, but he wasn't expecting it to be like this. So this was how Torzan and them felt when they swung on vines and such. How fun! He was a little upset that the little ride ended so soon, but he had a broomstick to make up for it. Then THUD! both of his feet landed on the table. He smiled, let go of the vine, and jumped off the table. He had a huge grin on his face when he went back to his desk. "Alright, Garret. Go ahead!" |
"WOOHOO!" Garret didn't even wait for the older boy to get out of his way before he scrambled up onto the desk. He grabbed the vine and paused. Now... what? He glanced down at the Professor and smiled a little sheepishly, "How am I supposed to hold this, sir?" The poor eleven year old really didn't need to knock into a desk and get ANOTHER black eye! |
Maddox was waiting his turn. He thought that this class was one of the better classes that he had had this term. Which is strange for him becuase generally hes not good with plants. |
"Hold it right here," he said to Garret, pointing to a spot on the vine. "Keep your grip tight and make sure that you hold it close to your chest. Keep your legs up and pointed towards the table as you swing." He stepped back and looked around. "Jason, you can climb up once Garret's over." |
"Sorted." Garret grabbed the vine where Erikson pointed and before he could even think about how much his mother would disapprove, he pushed off with his legs pointed straight out in the air before him, "Woooo-hoooooooeeey!" He watched his feet pointing forward toward the high ceiling, catching blurry glimpses of greenery as he went flying. The wind whooshed past his ears but all too soon he was coming back down again. The vine swung back down, accompanied with a disappointed, "Awwwwwww". His feet missed the table for his landing and he ended up swinging back and forth weakly until finally he was hanging on to the vine while it spun round slowly, "Hu hu... Professor..." he twisted his head round while the vine turned the other way, "Help?" |
Armand laughed and made his way over to the child. Carefully he helped the boy down from the vine, though some part of it sent a shock through him as he thought of Damian, one time when he had to help the boy down from a bookshelf he couldn't get down from. As Garret's feet touched the ground, offered the boy an empty smile, hoping to hide the sadness in his eyes. "More careful next time, alright?" |
Safely on the ground now, Garret grinned up... WAAAAY up at the professor, "Sure thing, next time..." He cackled in his head, next time he'd go vine swinging in a loin cloth in the Forbidden Forest! Do the whole wild child thing, now that would be too awesome for words. |
Apedemak stayed seated while the majority of the other boys took turns swinging on the vine. Watching their youthful exuberance suddenly made him feel very old; allowing a slight smirk and shake of his head he returned his attentions to his notebook. The professor's lesson was not lost upon him; but, he doubted iron pyrite would loosen everything that had been constraining as of late. He would have to speak with Professor Erickson privately after class. |
Watching Garrett swing with joy made Finn laugh. He thought, It was good to not have much to concern yourself with except learning and fun. Finn missed the days when that was his lot. He hoped that the thoughts which jumbled his mind would allow him to enjoy this moment of respite. |
Jason decided to swing on the vine, he tries one-handed but almost falls off so he uses to hands and yells "Whoo- hoo" Jason stops. He thinks of way to get the girls side with this idea. |
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