[Her reply is a bit indifferent, but it isn’t disgusted or fearful, and that’s worthy of continuing this conversation along a more interesting path.
He glances up at the spider again, but then brings his pencil up to… hold in-between his teeth as he uses both hands to turn his sketchbook towards Amelia.
The drawing of the spider is gestural yet lovingly drawn; Henry’s is pretty good at capturing its essence even without putting in too much detail.
He speaks, a little awkwardly with a pencil prised in his teeth, looking at her:]
I’ve been sketching all the ones I’ve seen in your garden so far.
Amelia isn't sure what to do at first when Henry willingly shares his artwork of the arachnid. But the way he reacts lets her know that this is important to him. It gives her the impression of a closed-off student finally opening up to her (sorry, teacher mindset).
There's no way she can ever turn away from a moment like this. Her green eyes fully focus on his drawing and the marks that were carefully and deliberately made.]
Henry... This is really skilled. And there's more?
[Though her opinion on spiders isn't strong when he mentions that he's been drawing the ones he's seen, well. She wants to know what he's been observing and watching during the hours she's away and letting him be.]
Have there been different types of spiders in my garden? Like, sizes, coloration, etcetera?
[A closed-off student opening up isn't a wrong comparison. Henry lights up a little when he's talking about spiders in this way, something far more sincere in his eyes than the polite little mask he likes to wear ninety-percent of the time. Even if she's only humoring him, he doesn't seem to mind it, the way he flips to another page before turning the sketchbook to face her again, nodding. (He still has his pencil in his teeth.)]
I drew a lot when I was younger. And there wasn't a lot to do in the lab, either.
[The page he shows her is full of smaller sketches.]
Crab spiders, jumping spiders. I even saw a wolf spider, once. They're busy keeping pests out of your gardens, you know.
[Destroying insects; devouring them.]
Browns, blacks, beiges. Sometimes a little iridescent red on the jumping spiders, though they're so small.
[Is this a milestone? A breakthrough? Whatever this is Amelia's kind of fascinated by how absorbed Henry is when it comes to spiders. He's on a roll now so she's not going to stop him. It's the most open he's been with her since the psychic started living with the witch.
Her fingers reach up to lightly touch the corner of the page he's showing her of the smaller sketches. He's done a good job of making each one distinct.]
That's why I pay them no mind if I see them in my gardens. I know they're doing their job. And if you've been finding this many I think it means they like it here.
And I'll take it as a compliment.
[Even though she does use magic to keep her flowers and other plants pristine and vibrant Amelia allows natural processes to do the rest. She finds it a good sign if other (normal) creatures are attracted to her garden like bees, birds, and well, spiders in this case.]
Do you think we can find some of these today? I might as well check on everything now that I have the time.
[His fascination with spiders definitely runs deeper than a passing interest. Henry has a tendency to fixate, and these are creatures he has fixated on for years, now. The reason is underlying, having very deeply to do with how he relates to them; as key figures in keeping nature in balance, as predators. So seen in her garden on a smaller, minuscule level.
They make more sense to him in so many more ways than humans do.]
You should take it as a compliment. Your gardens are... idyllic.
[Thanks to her magic, he realizes. It helps. But Henry knows it's also attributed to her care and attention to detail that this place thrives.]
Sure. They're... [He finally takes his pencil out of his mouth and eases into a stand.] ...easy to find if you know what to look for. You really don't have anything else to do today, though?
[During the school year, Amelia is focused even with major supernatural distractions and detours that are inevitable as a witch. So it's just work, work, work... But she's been able to learn how to pull on the brakes and enjoy her idle hours and the end of the school year is a great way for her to actually relax.
So she nods at Henry's question.]
Mm-hm. [She holds up both of her hands and waves them.] Free as a bird.
[Kind of an odd sight, what with her usual drywall face but that's the witch for you.]
Let's go say hello then. I'll follow your lead since you know what to look for.
[...He watches that gesture. She's a silly woman sometimes, he thinks, so contrasted with her stern teacher-esque nature and the power she houses within herself. It's odd to see, but humans (and witches) are just a conglomeration of contrasts and hypocrisies, aren't they?
(That includes you, Henry Creel.)
But he smiles, obviously undeterred by his usual cynical thoughts. Because! Spiders!
Great. I don't want to miss a day of recording what's out here.
[And while that's true, maybe he just wants to make her work a little, too, if he's going to bring here to and fro across her own garden -- because he's curious. Can she draw, too? Even if not, her doodles might make an interesting collection to his sketchbook.
(Yes, it's his sketchbook now, the only thing he's really taken ownership over since his arrival in this world.)]
Come on. I'll show you the crab spiders. You'll really have to lean in to see them.
[...And he does, leading her to a bright array of blossoming flowers where they can be found beneath certain petals, or hiding beneath little strips of tree bark if there's a tree or two growing nearby.
In fact, he'll do this multiple times with the various species he's found. If Amelia doesn't get bored, he'll even point out where he found a scorpion burrowed under the shade of a propped-up rock. It's small and brown and just chillin'.]
If it's recording you want to do, well. I can deliver.
[All of Amelia's doodling in her tiny notebook will come in handy!
She wordlessly follows him and each time they pause, the witch does a quick gestural drawing of each. Not only that if Henry mentions a factoid or two of each, she's quick to jot them down next to the relevant spider with neater writing than she would do in her own notebook. They're basically mini-diagrams on the page he's given her.
She's so absorbed in it that the scorpion finally gets her attention again by virtue of not being a spider. Amelia had been squatting down and she frowns tapping the pencil against her forehead.]
[She's thorough. Her sketching might be more gestural than his, but her notes aside each drawing is a neat touch. Almost makes it into a diagram, in a way.
He squats down next to her now that they've come upon the Scorpion Hurdle.]
Why do you say that? It's a little more complicated, but it still has eight legs. [He says liltingly, teasingly, knowing it's not so simple.] Try, and if you need help, I'll guide you.
It sure is scorpion-shaped. A little bit. Henry's lips twist, but he's not mean enough to laugh outright at her valiant effort, so clearly is she trying to do well.
Okay, that's not true. He is mean enough to, but he has enough self-awareness to keep that amusement tamped down for now. Besides, he intends to keep his promise.]
Here, try this instead...
[He scoots a little closer, leans in to the side just close enough so he can reach over and clasp his hand around her fingers, gently guiding her pencil along where the ridges of the scorpion should fall, more evenly than before.]
Henry's hand over her own startles her but only internally. She allows herself to be guided but wills herself to focus on the very tip of the pencil lead and the marks on the paper instead of whatever this was.
Don't make it weird Amelia Eva Steinbeck.
She watches the changes he makes and nods.]
Okay. I think I see it now. Can I try it on my own again?
[And why would she! There was nothing odd going on there.
He smiles though. He has to tease a little:]
Besides the fact that your scorpion still looks like it’s wearing oven mitts, you mean. But it is an improvement. You should refine that talent of yours.
She can't stop the flush in her cheeks. Talent? As iiiif. But she struggles to retort because she doesn't want to fling his words away. They're benign which is what Amelia is bad at going against when it comes to teasing.
She'll opt to bow her head so her bangs cover her face and she taps the end of the pencil against her forehead, muttering.]
I only doodle for notes. I'm not trying to be good at it.
[Oh, is she blushing? The teasing has hit its mark. Henry can't help but feel a little self-satisfied upon seeing that, but at least she's right — this teasing is benign coming from him.]
I’m just saying you could be.
[If she wanted to. But he supposes she doesn’t always have the time to wander out into her backyard and doodle spiders. Henry does it because he enjoys the company (yes, of spiders), but also because there is so little else that appeals to him right now. The hot weather is so contracting to a lichy eldritch man.]
Assuming you don’t have other hobbies that get in your way. Like… [Hazarding some guesses here:] Your gardening and… reading? If not, you could spare some time out here with me.
[And he's inviting her to his personal activity too? It's a day of firsts between them. She seriously considers his offer and then... Yeah, she nods.
After all, she of all people has time in the world to pick up a new skill.]
I may visit friends and there's the matter of you going back, which by the way I should have an update soon... In the meanwhile, this might be nice. I'll have a reason to wake up early again. [Since it's cooler in the morning and Henry can handle that. Amelia straightens herself and looks at him expectantly.]
[Well, why not? He doesn't need anyone to speak about spiders with, but it's a novelty if he does. And Amelia still interests him in a way that makes him compelled to at least offer; he wouldn't be terribly put-off if she said no.
But she agrees, and he stands and half-turns, expecting her to follow him to the next spider. (He notes the possible update on the state of being sent back home, but they can loop back around to that.)]
You have friends?
[...Henry at least realizes how rude that might have come out, and for once, he did not mean to phrase it backhandedly.]
[... A very good question to ask. Her shoulders comedically slump as she follows Henry in their continued search.]
Well... I already have mentioned in prior conversations I'm not easy to be with even as a friend. But against all odds Henry, yes. Yes, I do have a few.
There's Berna for one, another witch. She's the one helping me regarding you by the way. She's much older, much more experienced, and... Probably difficult in her own way.
[She answers way too quickly. But she has a reason!]
... Well, our personalities are different. She's a few centuries older than I am and with age comes idiosyncracies.
But I've always been of the opinion that when individual magickind hit the three digits in age, they become incorrigible. I know that's rich coming from me, but as you know, I was human before becoming a witch. I can sort of say that because I'm looking from the outside.
[Another tell that Amelia's getting accustomed to Henry; at least obliquely referring to her past in a casual way.]
[A few centuries. All that time to learn more, to accumulate more power. He wonders just how different in many things this Berna is to Amelia.
In between two flowering shrubs, he leads her to another spider on its web. This one's big, black and bright yellow. And this time, he actually reaches out for it, casually extending a hand and nudging it into awareness with a finger. Gently.
It seems Henry doesn't have many issues handling spiders, either, if that's his intent.]
And she wasn't? Human, I mean.
[Yes, he notes the way she talks about her past today, even in a roundabout manner. That's good, right? Some manner of progress. Maybe he can ask a little more later.]
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sunfloras2023-04-20 07:42 pm
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He glances up at the spider again, but then brings his pencil up to… hold in-between his teeth as he uses both hands to turn his sketchbook towards Amelia.
The drawing of the spider is gestural yet lovingly drawn; Henry’s is pretty good at capturing its essence even without putting in too much detail.
He speaks, a little awkwardly with a pencil prised in his teeth, looking at her:]
I’ve been sketching all the ones I’ve seen in your garden so far.
no subject
Amelia isn't sure what to do at first when Henry willingly shares his artwork of the arachnid. But the way he reacts lets her know that this is important to him. It gives her the impression of a closed-off student finally opening up to her (sorry, teacher mindset).
There's no way she can ever turn away from a moment like this. Her green eyes fully focus on his drawing and the marks that were carefully and deliberately made.]
Henry... This is really skilled. And there's more?
[Though her opinion on spiders isn't strong when he mentions that he's been drawing the ones he's seen, well. She wants to know what he's been observing and watching during the hours she's away and letting him be.]
Have there been different types of spiders in my garden? Like, sizes, coloration, etcetera?
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I drew a lot when I was younger. And there wasn't a lot to do in the lab, either.
[The page he shows her is full of smaller sketches.]
Crab spiders, jumping spiders. I even saw a wolf spider, once. They're busy keeping pests out of your gardens, you know.
[Destroying insects; devouring them.]
Browns, blacks, beiges. Sometimes a little iridescent red on the jumping spiders, though they're so small.
no subject
Her fingers reach up to lightly touch the corner of the page he's showing her of the smaller sketches. He's done a good job of making each one distinct.]
That's why I pay them no mind if I see them in my gardens. I know they're doing their job. And if you've been finding this many I think it means they like it here.
And I'll take it as a compliment.
[Even though she does use magic to keep her flowers and other plants pristine and vibrant Amelia allows natural processes to do the rest. She finds it a good sign if other (normal) creatures are attracted to her garden like bees, birds, and well, spiders in this case.]
Do you think we can find some of these today? I might as well check on everything now that I have the time.
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They make more sense to him in so many more ways than humans do.]
You should take it as a compliment. Your gardens are... idyllic.
[Thanks to her magic, he realizes. It helps. But Henry knows it's also attributed to her care and attention to detail that this place thrives.]
Sure. They're... [He finally takes his pencil out of his mouth and eases into a stand.] ...easy to find if you know what to look for. You really don't have anything else to do today, though?
[Must be a lazy day for her, then.]
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So she nods at Henry's question.]
Mm-hm. [She holds up both of her hands and waves them.] Free as a bird.
[Kind of an odd sight, what with her usual drywall face but that's the witch for you.]
Let's go say hello then. I'll follow your lead since you know what to look for.
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(That includes you, Henry Creel.)
But he smiles, obviously undeterred by his usual cynical thoughts. Because! Spiders!
He holds out his sketchbook and pencil to her.]
First, how well do you draw?
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She takes the sketchbook and pencil and purses her lips thoughtfully.]
I can make an attempt. Probably better than expected once I put my mind to it.
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[And while that's true, maybe he just wants to make her work a little, too, if he's going to bring here to and fro across her own garden -- because he's curious. Can she draw, too? Even if not, her doodles might make an interesting collection to his sketchbook.
(Yes, it's his sketchbook now, the only thing he's really taken ownership over since his arrival in this world.)]
Come on. I'll show you the crab spiders. You'll really have to lean in to see them.
[...And he does, leading her to a bright array of blossoming flowers where they can be found beneath certain petals, or hiding beneath little strips of tree bark if there's a tree or two growing nearby.
In fact, he'll do this multiple times with the various species he's found. If Amelia doesn't get bored, he'll even point out where he found a scorpion burrowed under the shade of a propped-up rock. It's small and brown and just chillin'.]
Not exactly a spider, but a close cousin.
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[All of Amelia's doodling in her tiny notebook will come in handy!
She wordlessly follows him and each time they pause, the witch does a quick gestural drawing of each. Not only that if Henry mentions a factoid or two of each, she's quick to jot them down next to the relevant spider with neater writing than she would do in her own notebook. They're basically mini-diagrams on the page he's given her.
She's so absorbed in it that the scorpion finally gets her attention again by virtue of not being a spider. Amelia had been squatting down and she frowns tapping the pencil against her forehead.]
That one... Might be difficult for me to draw.
no subject
He squats down next to her now that they've come upon the Scorpion Hurdle.]
Why do you say that? It's a little more complicated, but it still has eight legs. [He says liltingly, teasingly, knowing it's not so simple.] Try, and if you need help, I'll guide you.
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I'll give it a try though.
[And there is An Attempt. It's... Something. Vaguely scorpion shaped. With clubs instead of claws.]
...
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It sure is scorpion-shaped. A little bit. Henry's lips twist, but he's not mean enough to laugh outright at her valiant effort, so clearly is she trying to do well.
Okay, that's not true. He is mean enough to, but he has enough self-awareness to keep that amusement tamped down for now. Besides, he intends to keep his promise.]
Here, try this instead...
[He scoots a little closer, leans in to the side just close enough so he can reach over and clasp his hand around her fingers, gently guiding her pencil along where the ridges of the scorpion should fall, more evenly than before.]
Don't worry about it being too perfect right now.
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Henry's hand over her own startles her but only internally. She allows herself to be guided but wills herself to focus on the very tip of the pencil lead and the marks on the paper instead of whatever this was.
Don't make it weird Amelia Eva Steinbeck.
She watches the changes he makes and nods.]
Okay. I think I see it now. Can I try it on my own again?
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After a moment, Henry pulls his hand back, nodding.]
Of course. See how you do now.
[He'll watch.]
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Amelia refines the lines they went over with some sharper edges and more confident strokes. The scorpion looks much more acceptable now.]
There we go. It won't win any awards but it's a lot better. Thank you, Henry.
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He smiles though. He has to tease a little:]
Besides the fact that your scorpion still looks like it’s wearing oven mitts, you mean. But it is an improvement. You should refine that talent of yours.
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She can't stop the flush in her cheeks. Talent? As iiiif. But she struggles to retort because she doesn't want to fling his words away. They're benign which is what Amelia is bad at going against when it comes to teasing.
She'll opt to bow her head so her bangs cover her face and she taps the end of the pencil against her forehead, muttering.]
I only doodle for notes. I'm not trying to be good at it.
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I’m just saying you could be.
[If she wanted to. But he supposes she doesn’t always have the time to wander out into her backyard and doodle spiders. Henry does it because he enjoys the company (yes, of spiders), but also because there is so little else that appeals to him right now. The hot weather is so contracting to a lichy eldritch man.]
Assuming you don’t have other hobbies that get in your way. Like… [Hazarding some guesses here:] Your gardening and… reading? If not, you could spare some time out here with me.
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After all, she of all people has time in the world to pick up a new skill.]
I may visit friends and there's the matter of you going back, which by the way I should have an update soon... In the meanwhile, this might be nice. I'll have a reason to wake up early again. [Since it's cooler in the morning and Henry can handle that. Amelia straightens herself and looks at him expectantly.]
So? Next spider then.
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But she agrees, and he stands and half-turns, expecting her to follow him to the next spider. (He notes the possible update on the state of being sent back home, but they can loop back around to that.)]
You have friends?
[...Henry at least realizes how rude that might have come out, and for once, he did not mean to phrase it backhandedly.]
I mean, who are your other friends?
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[... A very good question to ask. Her shoulders comedically slump as she follows Henry in their continued search.]
Well... I already have mentioned in prior conversations I'm not easy to be with even as a friend. But against all odds Henry, yes. Yes, I do have a few.
There's Berna for one, another witch. She's the one helping me regarding you by the way. She's much older, much more experienced, and... Probably difficult in her own way.
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[It makes sense that there’s more than one, of course, and yet this thought doesn’t really strike him properly until now.]
Is it required for all witches to be “difficult”?
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[She answers way too quickly. But she has a reason!]
... Well, our personalities are different. She's a few centuries older than I am and with age comes idiosyncracies.
But I've always been of the opinion that when individual magickind hit the three digits in age, they become incorrigible. I know that's rich coming from me, but as you know, I was human before becoming a witch. I can sort of say that because I'm looking from the outside.
[Another tell that Amelia's getting accustomed to Henry; at least obliquely referring to her past in a casual way.]
cw; spider photo
In between two flowering shrubs, he leads her to another spider on its web. This one's big, black and bright yellow. And this time, he actually reaches out for it, casually extending a hand and nudging it into awareness with a finger. Gently.
It seems Henry doesn't have many issues handling spiders, either, if that's his intent.]
And she wasn't? Human, I mean.
[Yes, he notes the way she talks about her past today, even in a roundabout manner. That's good, right? Some manner of progress. Maybe he can ask a little more later.]
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Henry rolled a nat 20...
the irony of that is too real
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