Learning by doing, or not

[traaaaaash]

WHO: Eda Clawthorne and YOU, mayhaps
WHEN: End of June.
WHERE: The Pariah.
WHAT: Hands-on learning.
WARNINGS: Minor explosion.


[ It hasn't been long since Eda got Hermione to lend her her book on potion-brewing in this world. Eda promptly took plenty of notes from it and has been studying them, but ever the impatient one, she has decided it is time to do less reading and more doing.

So, she has snuck into the kitchens and nabbed a small pot, probable ingredients and some kindling and also procured a fire-safe surface to light her little cooking fire on.

Now she's chucking stuff into the pot while poring over her notes at the same time, and rats, was her handwriting always this messy? She thinks that says 9 drops of squid ink, so she adds that to the pot --

And it explodes in her face.

Luckily, it's only a small explosion, but enough to produce quite a bit of smoke, making Eda cough profusely and desperately wave her hand to get rid of it. ]

So I guess that said five.

Comments

[intermingled]

[ He nods, though he's never heard of the Boiling Isles and he's unfamiliar with dimensional travel beyond a theoretical understanding. ]

She was human, yes. I take it you are a witch?

[traaaaaash]

Indeed I am. The most powerful witch of the Boiling Isles!

[ Her face falls a second after the bragging. ]

Well, at least I used to be.

[intermingled]

I see. Has someone overtaken you or are you merely expressing that you are no longer located in the Boiling Isles?

[ What a peculiar way to put it. ]

[traaaaaash]

I lost my magic.

[ A real bummer, that. But, well, she feels it's something that needs to be said every so often -- she's a witch who can no longer be of great help with magical things. Except potions. She can still brew potions. So she is here, learning how to do just that in this world. ]

[intermingled]

[ Spock nods solemnly. ]

That is unfortunate. Losing a part of oneself can feel like an ending. However, you do appear impressively adaptable.

[traaaaaash]

[ Eda puffs out her chest at that. ]

Of course! I haven't been on the run from the law for as long as I have for nothing! Gives you skills.

[intermingled]

[ Spock's eyebrow shoots up so fast it might breach his hairline. ]

And what sort of crimes are you running from?

[traaaaaash]

Not joining a coven. It's a whole thing back home.

[intermingled]

[ Spock hums thoughtfully. ]

I believe if my father could have made a law about my refusal to join a certain expedition, he would have, as well.

[traaaaaash]

Your own father? Yikes, that's rough.

At least I'm not related to the Emperor!

[intermingled]

Yes, we have not spoken in several years. He did not approve of my enlisting in Starfleet and would have preferred I remained on Vulcan and studied at the Vulcan Science Academy instead.

I do enjoy science, but I am able to apply it practically in Starfleet.

[traaaaaash]

I have no idea what any of that means, but good for you!

[ Fistpump! ]

[intermingled]

[ Something almost fond passes over Spock's face. ]

It means I have chosen my own path rather than concern myself over whether or not that choice might disappoint a man who has no concerns about attracting my own disappointment in him.

[traaaaaash]

[ That makes Eda grin. She likes you, fellow person of pointy ears. ]

Only way to live, really!

[intermingled]

Yes, I concur. To live for a single other person's expectations is illogical just as making decisions purely to spite them is.

[ A small pause. ]

Though I admit that when my decision caused him to believe I was doing it out of spite, there was a sense of gratification for that. I would not make a choice purely for that feeling, but it was satisfying.

[traaaaaash]

Nothing wrong with that! Spite can be a great motivator.

[intermingled]

[ There's a pause as Spock considers that. He doesn't like to allow his feelings to motivate him, but he cannot deny that it happens at times. ]

You are not wrong.

[traaaaaash]

Of course not! I rarely am!

[ Not one to brag whatsoever, this one. ]