The second sun was high in the sky by the time Absidae looked up from her book, her neck sore from being bent over for so long. She laid her pen on her notebook, looking over the eleven or so pages of notes, sketches, and ideas. When Sid finally pulled her eyes away from her books, she noticed Tristan sitting at his large, oak desk, also bent over piles of books and pages of notes. His hair had fallen from its usual tail at the base of his neck and was now scattered around his shoulders and face, giving the allusion that he had some kind of green feathers being blown around him by some unseen wind. Quietly, Absidae stood, trying not to disrupt Tristan in his work. Her black leather boots make it easy for her to pad softly to the door, and Sid was nearly there before Tristan noticed.
Tristan smirked, amused by her attempt to sneak past him. "You don't have to worry about being quiet around here. I'm used to working in chaos; the fairies from the garden have a tendency to visit and bring me different herbs and plants to try in various potions and salves. Plus, now that you're my student, you're free to come and go to the tower as you please. You do, however, have to tell me where you're going?" A green eyebrow arched over one of his stunning, copper eyes.
"Just down to find a snack," Sid murmured, her eyes downcast shyly. Tristan waved her on her way, and she descended the stone stairs softly. As she padded down the steps, a wave of calm melted over her; she was finally doing what she wanted to do. With the power of her mind, Absidae could ease people into a deep serenity, and with the abilities she would learn from Tristan would only make it easier to heal those who were hurting. Paris made the right choice, she thought to herself, as she made her way into the kitchen, I know I'll do them all proud. Sid smiled to herself, grabbing a large mug for tea from a cabinet and turning to the stove to see if any tea was warmed.
"I just poured the last mug from that kettle, but I started another one," Orion announced, frightening Absidae to the point that she jumped, dropping her mug. The werebear moved swiftly, grabbing it before it could hit the ground. He chuckled, handing it back to her. "You spook as easily as a cat, Sid," he joked, smiling kindly down at her. Absidae tentatively took the mug back from him, but he suddenly clasped her hand. "You don't have to be afraid of me, not of any of us. We won't hurt you; everyone is here to learn. We're all friends," Orion lifted his empty hand to the side of her face, tracing the scar there. "Whoever hurt you was a vile thing, and I swear here, no one will ever hurt you again," he murmured, his eyes locked on her. Something between them felt almost electric, and it shocked both of them, but not enough for either to break their intimacy.
The sound of Sinclair clearing his throat from the garden door was enough to separate them, and Sid swiftly poured herself her tea, grabbed a slice of cinnamon bread, and glided back up to her tower. "What was that all about, eh Moon Bear?" Sinclair teased, shoving his friend playfully. "Got a little crush, have you? It's no doubt she's pretty, but is she really your type? Frightened so easily when Cedar nearly cried the first time she saw you as a bear?" His prodding was meant to be in jest, but Orion turned to him fiercely.
"What's it to you if I do like her?" Sinclair held his hands up in surrender, and the young bear finally saw the look in his friends' eyes. He softened, and shook his head. "Look, if Cedar could entertain a Lizard Lover like you for more than an hour, I may yet have a chance," He shoved Sin lightheartedly, and his yellow-eyed friend shook his head, making a rude gesture before Orion chased him back into the garden.