Learning To Live As A Cultivator

The sun rose above the horizon of the ocean, spreading its light to represent the new day upon the gently drifting waters, the golden sands and the grassy dunes beyond.  At some point later, the light reached the mountains, shining upon rock and peeking through abundant trees.  A short while later, Leon stumbled out of his small hut, his red tinted eyes sheltering within slightly black circles.  In contrast, Jin Li followed seeming fairly refreshed.

There was a hint on concern in the black Phoenix eyes that fell upon his small alchemist, but as usual, he failed to express his feelings well.  "How is it that after one restless night, your face has turned so ugly?"

Leon ignored him and just yawned.

The alchemist originally had plans to complete the order for improved blood pills, but being so sleepy, he felt that he would not be able to concentrate on making pills.  He had already produced a stock of forty, so decided to take them down in mountain in advance and buy herbs in order to make more.  He felt guilty about using school produced herbs to make pills he intended to sell, so had only used the dry seeds from their stock.  Everything else came from his garden.  However, there was only so much his herb garden could produce after all and it would need a few weeks regrowth once he had harvested everything before he could count on it once more.

Jin Li was aware of his plans and as usual had decided to follow.

The two youths headed towards the stables seeing as no griffins were available to use this morning; they had come to late to join the crowds of students heading down the mountain today, they could only seek other ways.  In truth, Jin Li did not need a mount, his feet were swift enough, he could descend more quickly than the base mounts stabled in the alchemist outer school.  Leon was the one needing four legs beneath him. 

Leon yawned once more as Jin Li spoke to the stable hand on whether there were mounts available to ride into town.  Leon's sleepless night was indeed mostly the fault of Jin Li and his unexpected behaviour the night before, but Leon should also accept some blame.  His mind dwelled overly on reasons Jin Li had acted so... and over the hours he had come up with several excuses such as Jin Li not wanting to push him too fast, or perhaps because Jin Li had only just accepted his own feelings, he wasn't ready for physical intimacy... Eventually he had fallen asleep due to sheer exhaustion, but it seemed to be only moments long before Jin Li had risen and demanded breakfast.

The stablehand glanced at the shattered Leon and asked; "You be wantin' one mount or two?"

"One, I doubt his ability to ride," Jin Li said with a slight sneer, though actually he had other reasons behind his decision.  Seeing Leon yawn again, the stable hand nodded and produced a saddle that would be comfortable for two.

"Students can only use the school owned Baku," the stablehand mentioned and took them towards a rather sturdy mount, before being summoned by another regarding the Equines.  Jin Li was capable of saddling a baku, so he thought nothing of doing this task himself.

"Ah, it's Jin Li!" A girlish voice called out and Jin Li tested the last buckle before turning to see a girl in lilac riding clothes with a stablehand carrying a decorative blanket and fine saddle behind her.  She cheerfully made her way over to the martial artist, who frowned while trying to figure out just who this girl was.  The girl smiled then looked around him.  "Where's Leon?  I thought that you would be with him!"

Jin Li was inwardly startled and glanced around to see that his small alchemist was not beside him.  Wandering off without his permission!  How dare he!

A strange neighing sound captured their attention, as if a horse was trapped in the echoing dark of a ravine and calling out to anyone who could here.  It was the braying of a mesmyr.  There was only one in the stables and the stablehand panicked, thinking that the mesmyr was about to attack an idiot, who approached it.  He dropped the girl's saddle and blanket upon the straw covered floor before rushing over towards its stable.  Jin Li quickly followed, suspecting he knew who the idiot was and the girl sighed, but followed at a more sedate pace.

"Ah, Teacher Pitre's Mesmyr is quite fond of Leon," the girl mentioned as the beast and boy came into view. "It was probably just excited to see him." Sure enough, the noble creature had half-lidded eyes as it pressed its long nose into Leon's arms. Jin Li frowned. Were Mesmyr's not ridiculously proud accepting only the touch of the rider that tamed them? Then what was he actually seeing?

Jin Li turned to notice the calm, smiling expression upon the girl's face and finally recalled who this girl was. She was the one who insisted on hanging around his alchemist. His stomach immediately turned sour and he stormed forth to capture his small alchemist in order to remind him just who he belonged to! Unfortunately, the Mesmyr was not to pleased with this idea and after pushing Leon towards its chest, it took on an offensive stance. Its crown rose from its relaxed position upon its neck and presenting forward, each tip sharp and deadly. The surrounding stablehands became panicked.

Leon pattered its neck and whispered soothing words, just as another broke in booming tones across the stables. "Just what is going on here?!"