Open RP: Potions office hours!

[degeneratewolfe]

Valentine had hoped to be holding a class before now, but there had been a few hang-ups in tracking down and negotiating the purchase of a particular vine that he plans to need beforehand. He's been assured that his supply is on the way, though

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[ijk_mno]

Knock knock.

Who's there?

L. Looking interested, respectful, and placid all at once.

[degeneratewolfe]

"Come in!" Valentine says in a sing-song voice. He's seated behind his desk, daintily nibbling on biscotti and staring straight ahead. (He is predictably seeing things that are not there. It's nice to never be bored.)

[ijk_mno]

"Thank you." L enters, and glances about for a chair.

"These are open office hours? Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

[degeneratewolfe]

Valentine waves a hand at the chairs stacked to the side of his desk. There are a few different kinds, scavenged from all over the school, just in case there was ever a group meeting in his office. "Of course, dear boy. Consider me at your service. But first, may I have your name? You know mine," he says, nudging his polished brass nameplate to a more prominent position on his desk."

[ijk_mno]

"Ryuuzaki," he says, and he's twenty, which is old enough to not appreciate being called a boy, and also old enough to know not to quibble the details.

"A brief explanation of your lesson plan would not go amiss. I find some classes... difficult to apply to the real world. What would you be teaching and how would it be of use?"

[degeneratewolfe]

"What an interesting name," he says, tone indicating that he's not honestly interested in any story behind it. It's not like he's never heard weird names before. Come on, his name is Valentine.

"Excellent question. I plan to first take the class on a journey of self-enlightenment using magic typical of South American shamans--" read, People are going to be brewing hallucinogenic tea, "and after that classes will be more mundane with a focus on commonly-used potions. I will also encourage independent study and will award students based on creativity." He smiles easily.

"As for practical application... well, there are many potions that could be useful in everyday situations: healing potions, for instance. There are some with more specialized uses: truth serums, Polyjuice potions, luck potions... and then there are some with purely recreational useage. Those happen to be my favorite sort, naturally. Additionally, I believe that independent study promotes creativity and self-motivation, along with a very interesting study for me

[ijk_mno]

"Essentially, your field of interest is the effect of substances on the human experience?"

Read; you're obviously such a drugee.

"That is very enlightening. Well then. Could you tell me more about truth serums."

[degeneratewolfe]

"That's it exactly. I enjoy transcending mere human experiences and finding the particular substances that allow me, and those with my interests, to do so. Did you know, for instance, that by adding an extra three grams per ounce of hellebore to the Draught of Peace that it can be used as a tranquilizer on par with a strong dose of Valium?" Triple that and you can figure that he's found himself a new source of depressants lately.

He sits back in his chair and steeples his fingers, smiling happily. "They do exactly what their name hints that they should, causing an altered state of mind in the subject that makes them more susceptible to being truthful. The magical varieties are all more reliable than the muggle varieties, particularly sodium pentathol. There are a few varieties, with Veritaserum being both the most potent and the most intensive to make in terms of both time and effort. Why the interest, dear Ryuuzaki?"

[ijk_mno]

"Professional. I am a detective. You can obviously see how it would be useful, in my line of work, to be able to detect the truth from a lie with chemical ease. Nothing really reliable exists that is non-magical."

And it's much, much messier that way.

[degeneratewolfe]

"I can indeed see, and I commend you for taking the initiative in looking for methods to ease your job."

[ijk_mno]

"For justice."

He smiles, and glances at the baked goods, then up at Valentine questioningly.

"If this afternoon was not a good one to pursue spiritual enlightenment, then which of these would you advise I take? Or should I perhaps abstain?"

[degeneratewolfe]

"Mm," he says noncommittally. He's never been too keen on justice, personally.

"If you truly did not want to attend the first class, it's no bar to you attending future classes or pursuing independent study. Knowledge should be pursued at its own pace." Also, he has absolutely no desire to write up a lesson plan more detailed than what it is he's planning to have the class cook up. He's practical that way.

[ijk_mno]

"You have sparked my interest. I will attend, if not necessarily partake." He has an aversion to drugs.

"However, if you could recommend supplementary reading, I would appreciate it."

[degeneratewolfe]

"Excellent! I can of course provide you with a list." He scribbles down several titles that can be found in the school library, and at least one that can't. "I do so hope that these prove helpful for you."

[ijk_mno]

"Thank you."

He climbs to his feet, and extends his hand to take the list.

"You have been most helpful."

[degeneratewolfe]

"I'm pleased," he says, handing the sheet over. "I look forward to seeing you again in the future."