Helping David

Time passed as Kol observed David create his potions. Though David followed the instructions as best he could, his ingredient preparation was abysmal, to say the least. Chunks of redcap instead of finely sliced, watery instead of paste-like consistency and he was unable to get the timing of heating the apparatus when mixed.

Kol couldn't blame him since this was his first time preparing such a potion. Everyone started this way. Concluding the only reason, he was able to accurately copy the potion was because he had help in the delicate preparation by his hand. Otherwise, it would take an experienced alchemist to achieve such a feat.

"I'm not cut out for this potion-making stuff." David said, "I prefer the hacking and slashing type of activity."

'Hacking and slashing?' Kol thought.

"Why did you join Ross's class?" Kol asked.

"It's because of my dad," David said, with a visible destain when mentioning his father. "He wants me to be like, a city guard. Climb the ranks you know."

Both of them sat by the tree's roots covered in shade.

"Recruitment won't start until 8 months from now so I figured I'd spend my time doing something else," David says while picking up a pebble to throw. "It doesn't hurt to go against my dad's wishes. He hates wizards you see."

'Hates wizards? Why?' Kol thought, then a wave of realization fell as he remembered the brutality and inhumane procedures Peter subjected his victims to for the benefit of 'knowledge'.

"Yeah, I don't blame him," Kol said without thinking how it would affect David.

"I never expected that from you."

"Based on what I've read so far. There are some pretty despicable wizards out there."

David falls silent. Throwing pebbles every few seconds.

"Listen, if you do join the town's guards, I'm sure you'll be excellent. Especially with a background of being a first-year wizard, you'll be unbeatable." Kol says in hopes of lightening the mood.

"Oh, I know I'll do great," David said with a smile.

 (Insight D20 + D4 roll) – 6

"Good, now what do you say we finish this assignment of yours?"

They both stand. Refreshed from their short recess, Kol made a few notes for David to follow and even demonstrated a few of the parts that would otherwise be ruined If not done properly.

After a few hours and a few bags of trying, David was able to recreate the potion, although not perfect it is passable by Kol's standards.

"Dude, you're the man. I don't think I would be able to pass this task without your help." David as he plops down to the dirt out of exhaustion.

"I'm sure you'd be able to do it… eventually."

"Nonsense. I can see why you want to be a wizard. You got the talent for it."

'Talent?' Kol thought.

"No. I didn't know any of these things. Not until recently."

"Wait. Why did you become a wizard then?" David asked. "If you didn't know you had the talent for this stuff why risk it?"

"Well. I don't hide being an orphan. I've been here since I was a baby." Kol said as he stared at the orphanage, the once bright paint now filled with tattered and filled with old and new drawings. The window on the 2nd floor creeks from the wind revealing bunk beds inside.

"I want to be a wizard because I want to change the faith most people would impose upon lowly orphans like us. No birthright, no backings, no parents, or no family doesn't mean the bottom is the only place to be."

"You weren't put up for adoption?" David asked.

"No, people usually adopt kids because they need help with chores or work. I can't do physically strenuous activities because of my build so I remain indoors, and even then, I can't do household chores. Who would want to adopt a useless boy who only knows how to read?"

The backdoor swings open taking both of their attention. Angel comes out with – another angel.

Holding Angel's hand, her tall and curved features, her light gold skin exposed from her tight black shirt that ran just above her belly. Her shorts were of no help as well in covering her skin. Not that she needed to. Her elf ears now pronounced gently carrying portions of her black hair. It was June.

"Kol! Another one of your friends showed up!" Angel shouted.

Kol and David quickly ran towards them.

(Perception D20 + D4 roll) – 13

Catching the last bits of their conversation as they grew nearer.

"Oh really?" June says.

"Yeah, her name was Nicole," Angel replied. "But Kol says they are just friends."

"Looks like you made it. Now that I finished my assignment, I would be happy to help you with yours." Said David cutting the conversation between the two girls.

'What was Angel telling her?' Kol thought as he looked at June.

June approaches the boys but only looks at Kol.

"You seem different today," Junes says.

Unaware of what June means, Kol just stated the obvious.

"I lack sleep. I stayed up late making the potions."

"Oh? And did you finish?" June asked.

"Yes." Kol stiffens up.

The way June looks at Kol and her manner of speaking feels almost like an interrogation. As if Kol was caught doing something he wasn't supposed to.

"I can help you if you want." Kol offered.

"That won't be necessary. I've already finished mine." June replied. "Since you are finished. I would like to ask for your accompaniment tomorrow."

'Accompaniment? Tomorrow? Just the two of them? A date?' Kol's mind raced as his face went red.

"Both of you." June clarified.

"Why do you need us to come?" David asked.

"I just want to be ready. I don't have that many clothes for a few nights in the woods." June replied.

"Why do you need clothes for the woods?" Kol asked.

"Look, I am already in an advantageous position and I will not jeopardize by answering that question." She replies. "I am however willing to admit that I need help navigating the port town south of here. so would you accompany me or not?"

'Advantageous position? I thought I was competitive; this kind of thinking is just crazy.' Kol thought. But it wasn't below him to decline a request from a girl. Especially from June, who barely talks.

"Alright, we'll show you around," Kol replied.