First Day of Class II

Ezra hurried through the halls of Nevermore Academy, weaving between groups of chatting students. He was running late for his next class - Botanical Sciences. After the enlightening but somewhat overwhelming Werewolf Reproduction lecture, Ezra had lost track of time chatting with Enid before they went their separate ways.

Now he was navigating the maze of corridors, searching for the right classroom number. He passed a pair of vampires leaning against some lockers, their pale skin seeming to glow under the fluorescent lights. At last, Ezra found the right door. He took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The classroom was already full, students seated at black-topped lab tables facing the teacher's desk. Ezra scanned the room as he walked down the aisle between tables, realizing he was the last to arrive. There was only one empty seat remaining, next to Wednesday Addams in the second row.

Wednesday sat with perfect posture, her face an unreadable mask as always. She now wore a school except it was in her signature monochromatic colors. She had her long dark hair pulled back in two neat braids. Her deep brown eyes flicked to Ezra as he approached.

"Morning, Addams" Ezra greeted her. There was something about those fathomless eyes that made it almost impossible to look away.

"Morning," Wednesday replied tonelessly.

Ezra set his book bag on the floor and took his seat just as the teacher stepped up to the front of the class.

As Miss Thornhill stood in the front of the classroom Ezra studied the teacher. She was a petite woman with auburn hair and cat-eye glasses. A colorful scarf was knotted at her neck, paired with a tan sweater and long floral skirt. Everything about her seemed designed to contradict the macabre nature of the school.

"Good morning, class!" Miss Thornhill said brightly. A few students mumbled replies. Undeterred, she clapped her hands together. "I hope you've all done the reading on carnivorous plants because today we're going to see some of these fascinating organisms up close!"

She gestured to a row of potted plants on the lab tables. Ezra peered at the one in front of him. It was a small plant with leaves shaped like open mouths, the insides crimson and lined with needle-like spines.

"This is a pitcher plant, one of my personal favorites," Miss Thornhill explained. "Can anyone tell me why it's called that?"

Wednesday's hand shot up. "Because it uses a pitcher-shaped modified leaf to trap insects and small vertebrates," she answered in her usual monotone.

"Excellent, Wednesday!" Miss Thornhill said. She launched into a detailed overview of pitcher plants - their habitat, variations, and the ingenious way they lured prey. Ezra found it surprisingly interesting. Miss Thornhill spoke with real passion about the carnivorous plants, despite the gruesome details.

"Now I want you all to examine the plants on your tables," she said. "Use the lab handouts to identify the species and make observations."

Ezra picked up his plant carefully, mindful of the sharp spines within. He located the name on the handout - Sarracenia purpurea, the purple pitcher plant. Native to North America, it had leaves shaped like tubular cups with nectar-secreting glands inside to attract insects. Peering closer, Ezra spotted a few unfortunate flies trapped at the bottom of the pitcher.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" Miss Thornhill said, stopping by Ezra's table. "It's like its own little ecosystem inside the leaf!"

Ezra nodded. "How do the plants get nutrients from the insects though?"

"Excellent question!" Miss Thornhill's enthusiasm was contagious. She went on to explain how the plant secreted digestive enzymes to break down the trapped prey.

Ezra jotted notes and made a quick sketch of the purple pitcher plant. He noticed Wednesday scrutinizing her plant, a sundew, with clinical precision. For once, she seemed focused on something other than Ezra himself. The classroom buzzed with activity as students examined the carnivorous plants.

Ezra leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen idly against his notebook as he watched the other students work. Miss Thornhill weaved between the lab tables, peering at the carnivorous plants and asking questions.

Taking away his attention from the upbeat teacher Ezra picked up his pen again, peering into the depths of the pitcher plant. A few tiny gnats and flies lay motionless at the bottom.

"Fascinating, isn't it?"

Ezra looked up to see Wednesday watching him, her face unreadable as always.

"In a morbid sort of way, yes," Ezra said. "Brilliant adaptation, but still ruthless."

"Ruthlessness is an advantageous trait for survival," Wednesday remarked.

Ezra raised an eyebrow. "I suppose you're right, from a purely biological view."

Wednesday tilted her head. "Is there any other way to view it?"

Ezra shrugged. "Well, most would say there are ethical considerations as well. But I take your point - nature is indifferent to such things."

"Indeed." Wednesday turned back to her own plant. "Ethics are a human construct, irrelevant to the insect in the trap."

Ezra studied Wednesday curiously. Her perspective was so pragmatic, yet chillingly logical.

"I imagine you admire the ruthless efficiency of the carnivorous plants," Ezra commented.

"I respect their ingenuity," Wednesday said. "The way they turn weakness into strength is...poetic."

Ezra sensed there were layers to Wednesday's words he couldn't quite unravel. Everything she said seemed chosen carefully, layered with meaning.

"Still, part of me feels for the poor gnats who wander obliviously into the trap," Ezra said lightly.

The corner of Wednesday's mouth twitched ever so slightly. "You cannot blame the spider for enticing the fly."

Ezra laughed under his breath. "Too true. Although I hope neither of us meet such a fate."

Wednesday's dark eyes glinted. "Some would say school itself is a sort of trap."

"Is that how you see Nevermore?" Ezra asked with interest. "A Venus flytrap luring hapless students into its jaws with the promise of an education?"

"Nevermore promises knowledge and community for those who have been rejected elsewhere," Wednesday said solemnly. "But it also ensnares you."

A chill went down Ezra's spine at her ominous words. He searched Wednesday's face for any trace of humor, unsure if she was being literal or metaphorical. As usual, her expression was unreadable.

"Well, let's hope there's no actual man-eating plants lurking in the greenhouse," Ezra joked lightly.

Wednesday merely blinked at him. "Thus far, only the usual varieties."

Ezra wasn't sure whether to be relieved or concerned by her matter-of-fact reply. He glanced around at the other students, who all seemed focused on the assignment, oblivious to Wednesday's dark musings.

"Have you had a chance to examine the sundew?" Ezra asked, changing the subject.

Wednesday gently turned a leaf of the small plant before her, revealing the hundreds of reddish tentacle-like hairs covering the surface. "Drosera capensis, the Cape sundew. Native to South Africa."

"Impressive," Ezra said. "How does it capture prey?"

"Through a combination of movement and adhesive mucilage," Wednesday recited. "The tentacles are covered in a sticky substance and move in response to contact with an insect. The more the prey struggles, the more ensnared it becomes."

"Morbidly fascinating," Ezra mused. "Though a horrible way to die."

"A highly effective strategy nonetheless," Wednesday said. "The struggling prey exhausts itself, while the predator expends minimal effort." 

"Well, I'm impressed by your knowledge," Ezra said sincerely. "Botany clearly interests you."

Something shifted in Wednesday's expression at the praise, though her face remained neutral. "My mom is a carnivorous plants aficionado, I guess I get my red thumb from her. I find the study of carnivorous plants aligns well with my...sensibilities." 

"Is that so?" Ezra smiled. "Should I be concerned for my safety around you?"

The barest hint of a smile ghosted across Wednesday's lips. "The most dangerous plants require patience and care. Their traps are not so crude as to endanger innocent bystanders."

Ezra noticed Wednesday seemed to stress the word innocent but he ignored it laughing under his breath he replied. "Well, that's reassuring. Although I'll try not to accidentally provoke your ire."

Wednesday inclined her head graciously. "That would be wise."

The bell rang then, and there was a scraping of chairs as students began gathering their things.

"Don't forget, your lab reports on the carnivorous plants are due next week," Miss Thornhill reminded the class.

Ezra tucked his notebook into his bag and stood. Wednesday glided soundlessly to the door.

"See you around, Addams," Ezra said.

Wednesday glanced back, dark eyes glimmering. "Until next time...Ezra."

She disappeared into the crowded hallway, leaving Ezra staring after her thoughtfully. Shaking his head, he shouldered his bag and made his own way to the exit. He had a lot to ponder from his peculiar botanical lesson with Wednesday Addams.