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

Comments

[cardarchitect]

Potions office hours? This could be useful; potions was next on Near's list of subjects to investigate.

"Hello?"

[degeneratewolfe]

"Come in, sit down, and have a snack if you wish," he says. "How might I help you?"

[cardarchitect]

Near's recent run-in with ensorcelled chocolates was enough to put him off random snacks for a while.

"It's about your class, Professor. Are you holding one soon? Are there any books on the subject you would recommend to me in the interim? I'm taking an interest in potions and I'd like to be well informed."

[degeneratewolfe]

Probably a fortuitous coincidence. "I am planning to hold one soon, yes. You are of course free to peruse the library's selection of books on potions and their applications, but the initial class will not be based on those. However, should you continue with the class, those sources will prove valuable. I can provide you with a list, if you'd like."

[cardarchitect]

"I would appreciate a list, yes." His brow furrowed slightly at the suggestion that the first lesson would be different. "Are there any books that would apply to the initial class?"

[degeneratewolfe]

He scribbles down a few titles on a scrap sheet of parchment, then hands it over. "The last one listed deals with the first class," he says. The last book is called Ayahuasca: Human Consciousness and the Spirits of Nature. "It may not be found in the library here."

[cardarchitect]

"Thank..." The title of the last book makes him pause. "Ayahuasca?" He's heard of it. It's not something he'd expect tp be covered in class.

[degeneratewolfe]

"A type of tea used by shamans in South and Central America," he says, in case the student doesn't know. "I won't be accused of being ethnocentric in my teachings."

[cardarchitect]

"It's not the origin that concerns me, it's the psychotropic properties. It seems a bit ill-advised a subject."

[degeneratewolfe]

"When you come right down to it, aren't all potions or medications there to affect one's mind and body? I fail to see how partaking in a shamanic tradition is any less ill-advised than requiring students to brew a cheering potion and judging the efficacy by having them drink it and measuring the results." His voice has just an edge of chill to it.

[cardarchitect]

"Ayahuasca seems to be rather more comprehensively mentally alterative than the formulas I had thought we'd be studying." Diplomacy isn't Near's strong suit, but he's not trying to be insulting. "Surely it would be difficult to properly record the results while under the influence? Or are you suggesting that some students partake and some observe?"

[degeneratewolfe]

"Dictaquills will be provided for the purpose of recording the experiences of those partaking in the class. Observation will be allowed, though not overly encouraged." Besides, he has a plan involved in grading the ability of the students to follow the instructions for brewing the tea.

[cardarchitect]

"I prefer to cultivate my observational skills. I've never felt the call to study entheogens on such a personal level, as fascinating as they may be." Which is ultra-polite for, 'I don't want to fry my brain, thankyouverymuch'. "But I am interested in making notes on the results."

The CIA had done experiments with LSD, after all. It could be informative.

[degeneratewolfe]

"In that case, you would be allowed to attend and take notes provided that you did not disrupt the class. Bringing D.A.R.E. propaganda will count as disrupting."

[cardarchitect]

"Oh, I have no intention of interfering with the lesson, Professor." Near smiles, not particularly warmly. "I'll see you in class, then?"

[degeneratewolfe]

Valentine smiles back, making sure to inject just the right amount of coolness into it. "I look forward to it. Might I get your name, so that I'm not surprised when the time comes to match faces to the names on the sign-up sheet?"