daybreakacademy

Entry tags:

[open]

Who: Hieke & OPEN
What: Setting up some security (?) and practical lessons.
Where: Around campus! In the classroom!
When: Early March
Warnings: Self-inflicted injury in the classroom prompt. I’m sorry Hieke’s like this.

a little bit of caution; around campus

[At the end of February, Hieke has an idea. It’s a perhaps questionable idea, but it’s one he takes and runs with.

Sigils.

Daemon-summoning sigils, specifically. They’re easy enough to craft, easier to use, and get installed in various hot spots around the campus. The training grounds, the dorms, even the cafetiera and some hallways have sigils.

Each is marked with a sign - “Use in case of emergency.”

What entails an emergency? Well, that’s up to you.]

thrown to the wind; the classroom ((reiterating warnings for self-harm!))
[This class starts the same as any other. Hieke’s already leaning against his desk, patiently waiting for students to file in. Particularly keen-eyed students might notice the desk is completely empty except for…

A dagger.]

Alright! Today’s class is going to be a little bit different. We’ve done a lot of talking about theories when it comes to healing, but theories only go so far to get you prepared. What we need is something a bit more practical.

[He straightens up, taking the knife in hand. It’s an elaborate dagger - the blade is carved and the handle is dotted with gems - and Hieke holds it like he’s held it countless times before.]

We could go out into the Outlands or to a nearby hospital - but one of those is dangerous and another one would give away too many secrets, so your patient for today will be… Me. All you need to do is mend the cut.

[What cut? Why, the one he slices into himself at that statement.]

But don’t worry. If you don’t manage anything, it’s not that deep.

[But it’s definitely deep enough to bleed.]

one year older; the infirmary

[There’s a moment on March 1st where Hieke is out of the infirmary - called away on an emergency. A personal emergency. Because, yes, he has his own life outside of this school.

So anyone who wanders in will get quite a peculiar sight - a mushroom, about a foot tall, trying to lift a plate onto Hieke’s desk. It seems to have made a set of stairs out of boxes and books, and is pushing and pulling the plate (which has a cake, of all things, on it) up the stairs. It has very, very spindly arms, so it’s kind of a struggle.

A second mushroom is standing by the door, and it wobbles for a moment before letting out a few alarmed spores.

Whatever it is you’ve walked in on, something’s up.]

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This is why it's important to make sure you get enough rest.

[It's directed to the class, and he motions for Héctor to take a seat.]

It's okay, it's okay. It happens to the best of us. But you did a good job! I'm all healed up.

[He laughs awkwardly.]

I'm glad that actually worked out.

[The expression shown to Hieke is somewhere between apologetic and grateful. He immediately goes to sit, slumping down in the chair and on the desk. He's sure the lesson's not over so, for what's left of class, he opts to become part of the background again, no pitching in this time.]

Of course it did; you've got some talent, Héctor.

[But he'll let the man slink off into the background, turning for the next student to demonstrate their abilities.]

[He laughs. He isn't all sure he believes it and probably shows on his face in some way but nonetheless.]

Thank you, señor.

[Over time, his head sinks down, settling in his arms upon the desk. It's not a true tiredness, not like what claims most students. There's no gaining back that energy now (later, once he's done for the night) but he can disperse it somewhat. By the time class gives out no one should be able to tell the difference.]

[If Héctor thought he would be getting out of a conversation, he's sorely mistaken. Hieke waits until class is over and the rest of the students leave, and then he settles himself next to Héctor's desk.

He gives him a moment, before speaking.]

So, what was that all about?

[No one should be able to tell the difference, he thought, but that was apparently a lie. For one, he only starts to lift himself just as the rest of the class is heading out. For two, Hieke is already there, by the desk.

Oh...

He puts on a bracing smile. It's more of a wince, really.]

Would you believe it if I said I really was just tired?

[Not everyone is oblivious, Héctor! Some people live and die by their ability to make sure people are okay.]

Nnnnoooope, wouldn't believe that at all.

[Especially not when you're making a face like that.]

[Yes, well, clearly Hieke should make an exception.

He sighs and slumps.]

Sorry. For throwing off your class. It's my magic. It does a really specific job so when I do these kinds of things like spells and runes, I have to sort of divert it a little. It takes a bit out of me but it's never done that before. I'll be more careful next time.

[No.]

It didn't throw anything off. [He shakes his head.] But you definitely need to be more careful - you don't want to hurt yourself, or be unable to do something if things get really dangerous.

Sí, Señor Hieke. [He says like a child who's been scolded.

He pauses, then looks up, brow lifting. ]

But then you're one to talk with the knife thing.

Edited 2019-03-28 11:18 (UTC)

[That's weird and he doesn't like it.]

What's so bad about the knife thing??

[Too bad.]

Ay, well, for starters, humans get really uncomfortable about that sort of thing. Blood and organs and- I guess bones too, to normal people that's all supposed to be on the inside and when they see it on the outside, they freak out. And that's if they've never had any bad experiences with blood or knives!

For two, infection's no joke, you know. You could get sick! And if there's a mess to clean, that's a big biohazard for the janitor too!

[His arms fold and he nods his head.]

The students are going to see worse than a cut that small - that's the whole point of testing them.

[He Doesn't Get It.]

And I shouldn't get infected, unless someone did a very bad job...

[He stares, dumbfounded. Then shakes his head.]

No. No, no. No.

[He can't believe this is a thing he has to explain.]

That's not how this works, that's not how you test people. It doesn't matter if they're going to see worse, you don't prepare them or anyone by throwing them to the sharks, especially not when it could be something that really sets them off. And I'll remind you that these are kids!

For that matter, you shouldn't be risking your own health like that. "Shouldn't get infected" doesn't mean "can't".

[Hieke stares back, just as dumbfounded.]

They might be kids, but they're still expected to perform-- aren't they?

[He really doesn't get this concern for his own health, either.]

I'm fine. [He holds up his arm, as if to prove a point.] See?

[Geez, Hieke, who raised you? He just barely resists asking that aloud. He knows the outlands are a factor here but still.]

You're missing the part in the middle here. People can have whatever expectations they like but a child's got to be willing to actually preform whatever is and they can't be afraid of doing so. You have to support them! You have to guide them so they can get to that point and take those steps alone!

It's like a bike! You want a kid to be able ride it on their own but first you need to start them off with the trikes and then the training wheels and taking one off after a while and then eventually letting them go! You've got to give them the equipment, the kneepads, the helmet, teach them the safety rules. You've got to ask them if they're ready both to go and for you to let them go and you keep watch as they go down the street...

[His voice gradually bleeds into something mournful and wistful, eyes glassy and distant. He's silent for a second then shakes himself roughly. Now it's time to address that arm.]

Anyway, you're fine now but if there's a chance you could become not fine you should always prepare for those chances. Getting sick like that is no joke!

[Daemons raised him.

For a little bit.

Hieke falls quiet, pressing his lips together as Héctor talks. It all sounds...very human. Which, he supposes, makes sense, because Héctor is very human.

Sometimes he wonders if things would be better if daemons were more like humans.]

I'm sorry. That's...not really how things worked, in my experience.

[He blinks a bit, frowning.]

And it'd be fine. Someone could take over, if I needed time to heal.

[His fervor slips away, face falling. There's a twinge of guilt now. He really should've figured someone who lived in the outlands wouldn't understand.]

Well...if you need help, I can help you. I am here for that, you know. [His head tilts to meet Hieke's gaze ] I don't know anything about healing or magic except what I've picked up here. But, I know people. And I've spent most of my life on earth. That's why they have me TA sometimes.[The human element, at least in the night. Because god knows he has no handle on this part of the world.]

And I'm not worried about you as a teacher, I'm worried as a person. People can take over a class but no one can take over for you. Do you understand what I'm saying?

[He doesn't understand all the concern, more than anything. Héctor shouldn't be worried about him. There's nothing to worry about. He's just a daemon from the Outlands, trying very hard to be anything but.]

Not really?

[He laughs, as if this is all some joke he doesn't really get.]

It's just...I'm just me. Nothing special, so I don't see why I'm not...completely replaceable.

[Hieke may think this a joke but none of this is funny to him. Is it because he's from the outlands? He'd have to assume so but even still.]

You're a person. No person's replaceable. You're the only you there ever was and the only one there ever will be again. The experiences you have can't be redone and can't shape a person to be exactly as you are. Which means there are things that people could only ever learn or gain from you. If you go, those chances and experiences are gone forever. Some of them may be more valuable than you realize. Do you understand that?

[No. He doesn't understand that. It goes against everything he ever thought he knew about the world.

People like him are only as good as what they can do for others - and if he stops being useful, someone else will just take his place. Everything he's seen, everything he does, none of it matters as much as what he can do.

But he doesn't say any of that. What he does, instead, is press his lips together and nod.]

I think I get what you're saying.

Do... you?

[He looks uncertain.

But if the man says he is...]

Then you understand you can't do any risky thing like that anymore. You've got to be careful with yourself and with the other students. ¿Si?

[You should never trust anything Hieke says.]

I get it; I'll try to be more careful.

[He sighs, shaking his head.]

And you should take better care of yourself, too.

Yes, yes, of course.

[He waves a hand. Let him just focus on worrying about the living!]

Well, I better be going in either case. Thank you for the catch and cover back there.

[He can't believe he gets lectured and Héctor gets to just leave. What kind of world is this!!]

I'm serious! Next time you might not have someone around to cover for you!

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unpocoloco - 2019-04-07 07:05 (UTC) - Expand

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