+Potions+ [Class]

"Yeah." She agreed, "It'll give us more time- or at least, it'll give me more time to figure out how to explain this." Mai rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, "I'll have to keep an eye on my brother- well... All the students, really- but... Kohaku is my brother. If I don't look after him and something happens... It WILL be my fault." Her eyebrows furrowed again, something in her face hardened. "How am I supposed to tell the headmaster? I mean, I barely know him so- how do I know he'll believe me?"

Jarus pulled a stool next to the desk for her to sit on, then grabbed one for himself. "Mai," he said slowly, "you're teaching at a school that doesn't accept students or teachers unless they have some kind of special power. There are Alchemy and Combat classes available. His daughter can manipulate ice. I think he's pretty well suited to believing in the supernatural." He began to dish out the fried rice, his voice returning to normal. "Besides, I've been developing a rapport with him and his daughter, so if I vouch for you, he'll listen."

"Good point." She plopped down onto the stool in the clumsiest way possibly, somehow nearly smacking her head against the desk. If she had actually accomplished smacking her head against the desk, that would have been worthy of applause. Mai crossed one ankle over the other in a way that was distinctly ladylike, and placed a napkin on her lap- a habit most likely acquired by living with French aristocrats. "I shouldn't be worried about him trusting me or not, because even if he doesn't believe me, it wouldn't stop me from trying to figure out what is going to happen... And trying to stop it before it does, if it hasn't already started."

Jarus handed her a plate, and reached into his backpack for a plastic bag that held plastic utensils. He handed her a spork, and took one for himself. "Well, considering that school hasn't yet begun, I feel it's pretty safe to say that it hasn't already started happening. Only those of us who need to prep classes are here yet, and I think I'm the only one that lives on the premises." He shoveled a bite into his mouth, thinking for a moment. "Which makes us damn lucky that you had your vision today, before school started. Now we can be prepared. And I can do a little investigating on the grounds."

"Yeah, I guess." Mai muttered, now quieter than before, for now she had food to concentrate on. By her standards, it was excellent- and she could be quite the picky eater, so that was saying something. "This is really good, you know." She stated in a casual manner, before going back to the previous subject. "You do know I won't let you investigate alone. How do I know you won't end up disappearing while trying to investigate?" She inquired, fiddling with a piece of rice. "It'll be safer if you don't go alone, I hope."

He felt a small stir of pride at her compliment, but he pushed it down as they continued their discussion. "Well, we don't know what's safer until we encounter something. And I don't mean anything negative by this, but I couldn't ask you to come along. If it does end up being dangerous, it might be better if I only have myself to look out for. I would not forgive myself if harm came to you because of this."

"And I-" Her eyes narrowed darkly, "I would not forgive myself for even letting you know in the event that you do get hurt for going without me. I am /not/ going to be the cause of somebody else getting hurt. I refuse to. You're not asking me to come along, fine. I'll invite myself." The side of Mai's lip twitched, "I get these visions because I am supposed to know what is going on, so therefore if anybody goes alone, it'll be me. You don't have to look after me at all. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."

Jarus was taken aback for a moment at the ferocity of her statement. Then he gave her a wry grin. "Well, I'm certainly not going to let you go alone. In that case, Miss Biladeau, I think it will be a pleasure to work with you." He finished the last bite of his fried rice, then sat back with a grunt of satisfaction. "So, chat with the headmaster, and then a little campus exploration. Shall we begin?"

"Good." Mai said curtly, cleaning off her plate. "Thank you for the meal; it was great, really. It's not often I get to eat a meal cooked in a lab." She jumped to her feet and eagerly walked towards the door, looking back to make sure Jarus was coming. The way she walked was rather unusual- either on her toes, or from toe-to-heel. But never, never did she walk from heel-to-toe like a normal human being. "The sooner, the better, I think." She frowned, "If we don't get to talk to the headmaster, then I think we should go ahead and explore."

"Sounds like a plan," he replied opening the door for her, then locking it behind them. He noticeably did not use a key to do so. Then he led the way down the hall toward the doors that exited the building, walking with an elongated, purposeful stride. "Since we want to learn as much as we can, we might as well go the quick way up to the manse."

She stopped for a moment to allow him to catch up. To tell the truth, she didn't really know where the mansion was, so it would be a better idea if Jarus led the way. Mai mentally stabbed herself for her own stupidity. "Well, I assume you know the quick way, so I'll just put my trust in you and follow." She somehow managed to crack a smile. At this point, it seemed like smiling was almost a habit for her, for Mai could barely go five minutes without some sort of positive expression on her face.

Jarus returned her smile and opened the door, letting her exit before him. Then he led her forward until they were in a clear space, nothing around them, and nothing above them. He took a look around and nodded, satisfied. He turned back to face her, putting a friendly hand on her shoulder. "You don't happen to be afraid of heights, do you?" he asked, his expression slightly unsure.

"Afraid of heights? Moi? Of course not." Mai grinned confidently, but then that confident grin quickly transformed into a slightly twitchy, unsure one. "Why are you asking? Are you planning to throw me off a cliff or something?" It didn't even occur to her that perhaps his telekinetic powers were strong enough for him to lift his own body and, well, fly.

Jarus gave her a funny look, then let out a short, choking laugh. His face displayed a cross between bewilderment and amusement. "Mai. First of all, there are no cliffs near here. Secondly, we're coworkers, and hopefully soon, friends. Why would I throw you off a cliff?" He shook his head, continuing on without giving her a chance to respond. "No, my strange acquaintance, I wish to know because the fast method of travel involves a trip over the grounds of the school to avoid the pesky obstacles like buildings, paths, and trees."

"Well, half of the people my age and older that I meet tend to want to kill me." Mai laughed, "I just have that effect on people." Though what she said may have sounded like a joke, there was something in her tone that may have hinted towards some sort of truth. She gazed at Jarus in confusion, "A trip over the grounds? Well I do enough tripping myself, and trust me- falling flat on your face is not the fastest way to get anywhere." She rested her hands on her hips, "Besides, wouldn't it be easier to trip over tree roots and stuff instead of the grounds of the school- I mean-" Suddenly, it dawned on her, he was not talking about the clumsy sort of tripping, but the traveling sort of trip. She buried her face in her hands and laughed, shoulders shaking.

"That's not the kind of trip you're talking about, is it?"