• Closed • [Scholars' Nook] Cram Session

[Niv]

32nd Ashan, 717 Arc (Early morning)

“If you need anything else just ask, okay sweetie.” The kind waitress replied to Niv as she set down a small pile of Chemistry books on the small table Niv occupied.
“Yes yes, Dank you so much.” Niv shot back a frantic reply as she forcefully pulled the first book from the pile.
“You seem a bit frazzled dear, can I get you a tea to calm your-“
“Yes! I would love deh tea thank you.” Niv interrupted the women as she pushed open the cover of the book, not once stoping to look up.
“great I’ll bring you a fresh cup of Scalvblack.” The waitress was unfazed but the interruption and frantic behaviour, likely from dealing with many other intellectual types. She nodded her head and went on her way to get the tea allowing Niv the focus she desired.
“yes yes” Niv faintly, not realizing the women was already out of earshot.

It was trial two of Niv’s cram session at the Scholars Nook, and it was starting to take its tole on the poor Tunawa. The vines atop her head were full of knots and a single wilted petal she hadn’t bothered to brush away. Her clothing was unkept as well, with a few spots of visible dirt sprinkled about her shirt and pants. Her appearance didn’t matter not when she had so much to learn in such a short time. Niv knew most of the common reactions Esata Broca would bring up in the upcoming test but that was just the beginning. Her glassy eyes scanned through information on the types of reaction types, doing her best to think of ways to remember them.

“Synthesis..when two or more substances combine teh make deh more complicated substance..Decomposition..when a more complex substance breaks down into simple parts…” Niv recited out loud to drill the information into her mind.

Her glassy eyes were glued to the text and she knew little of what went on around her. Even when her giant friend approached with a greeting, Niv didn’t hear right away and continued to recite more information.

“...Single replacement..when a single uncombined element replaces another in deh compound..Double replacement when the Anion and cations of two compounds switch places and two..” Niv finally noticed the shadow cast over her and was startled like a raccoon caught in the light. “Oh Amaris!” Niv looked over her friend with wide eyes. “What are you doing here?” Niv spoke more bluntly then intended and quickly corrected herself “I mean are you here teh study too?”

Art credit to Yoshitaka Amano

[Amaris]

Amaris’ concentration saw to it that they would not look away from the simply riveting diagrams of hand scrubbing and drying in their surgical textbook. It had seemed like common sense that one should always clean their hands before dealing with open wounds, as to prevent infection, but apparently it was not if it needed to be reinforced. A good thing, that. Studying at home had been a bit of a challenge, for a number of reasons--some that they did not want to talk about.

They put off such thoughts as they turned to the chapter on surgical instruments. Scalpels, forceps, scissors; a good number of instruments were depicted and described. Optimal uses and how to hold them were also included, as well as helpful tips. "Scalpel sizes for incision types," they murmured, jotting the listed sizes and uses on a sheet of paper. They had just reached the conclusion of the chapter, ready to move on to skin preparation for surgery when they heard a familiar voice.

Niv seemed to be doing some studying of her own, muttering what the hybrid assumed were terms and definitions. Amaris considered the possibilities of leaving the tunawan be, but it would be nice to take a break--even if it was a short one. They collected their books and made the two-step journey over to Niv’s table.

"Hello, Niv," they greeted their small friend cheerfully. On the subject of what they were doing, they smiled and paused to let Niv speak once more. "Indeed, I am. Would you mind if I joined you?"

[Niv]

“yes yes!” Niv flailed her arms about in a peculiar expression while wearing a pleasant but tense smile. “Sit Sit” Niv motioned to the chair directly in front of her.

Niv waited politely for her friend to sit down and get comfortable before continuing the conversation. As Amaris did, Niv noticed the book in their possession and tried her best to read the title.
“Oh reading medical books are you?” Niv smiled up at Amaris. “I know a bit about deh medicine.” She paused and looked down at her fidgeting fingers. “though…I’m not very good at deh surgery..too tiny.” Niv held up her hands to demonstrate that they were indeed very tiny hands.

“Sorry if I’m a little strange on dis trial, I have a test dats making my vines curl more that usual.” Niv bit her lip and her brows strained for a moment as she thought of all she needed to accomplish. “You’re studying at deh university too right? how are your classes going?”

The waitress returned with a steaming cup of tea in a child size cup which still came to about Niv’s knee caps despite being very small.
“Sorry Sweetie, I wish I could find you a smaller cup but this is all we have i’m afraid.” The women frowned genuinely as she set the tea cup in front of Niv.
“Umm…could I actually get a bigger cup..It will be a little cramped for me in that one.” Niv raised her hand as she spoke like she was in one of her classes.
“What do you mean?” She asked but her face suddenly changed as it clicked in her mind what the Tunawa wanted. “Oh never mind I read a book on tunawa biology once, fascinating stuff definitely recommend. I’ll be back with a new cup in a moment.” She gave an apologetic bow “sorry about that dear.”
“It’s okay” Niv smiled.
The waitress turned to Amaris. “And is there anything I can do for you Honey?”


Art credit to Yoshitaka Amano

[Amaris]

Their tunawan friend did seem worked up currently. Test stress had a way of getting to people, they knew. Amaris lowered themselves down into the seat, setting their books down on the table in a manner that would not take up too much space. "Oh, yes. I'm a little better with the basics, but surgery hasn't always been appealing." Certainly not in recent times. They could do without the sight of blood for a few trials more.

"I completely understand, Niv. Some assessments are more stressful than others." They hoped those words would be a comfort to their much smaller friend. A waitress arrived with what the hybrid assumed was Niv's order. They did not catch on to the comment the tunawan made initially, perhaps not for some time. Some things came a little slower for them. "A cup of apple tea, please."

The subject of classes was something to brighten Amaris' expression, and also dampen their mood. Classes were going well, yes, but they could be better. Self-studying as they had been before was something they had to work themselves out of. "My classes are going alright. Aside from this one vexing test, how are yours? Any professors you'd advise I avoid?"

[Niv]

“ Surgery not your cup of deh tea ether, eh?” Niv nodded her head at Amaris slightly with her eyes closed in understanding. “I wish I was more capable of doing it, dey..organs…” Niv hesitated and looked in Amaris’s eyes for affirmation on the correct word before continuing. “-of you’s tall people seems interesting. Tunawa mostly just have deh sap in our bodies. none of that other stuff.” Whenever Niv heard about anatomy or saw charts depicting it, she was always surprised at how complicated it was. It was captivating to see all the different organs and how they worked together in unity. At the same time it was better to have less squishy bits, less things to worry about.

“Dey really are!” Niv puffed out her lower lip and pinched her eyebrows into an exaggerated pout. “Dis one is really getting to me but just talking to you for a bit is making me feel a little better.”

The waitress scribbled Amaris’s order down and assured them that is was coming shortly before briskly walking towards the kitchen.

“I’m sure deh tea will help, tea always relaxes me.” Niv let out a blissful sigh as she thought of the steamy tea she would soon soak in.

“oh!” Niv practically bounced with energy at the next question. “Esata Broca is Evil!” the little tunawa exclaimed with a wide eyed expression and excessive hand flailing. “She asks us all deh hard questions and her tests are so stressful!”

“Oh I hope I’m not interrupting anything..” The waitress approached with a slightly nervous smile and set the tea cups down in front of the pair.

“Oh no sorry..” Niv responded sheepishly and turned to the opposite direction of the female server. “thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” The waitress bowed and proceeded to leave.

“Okay what was I saying..oh yah! She’s an evil teacher and you should avoid her or she’ll make you cry.” Niv continued to rant but started to tug her shirt off over her head as she did. She slipped her pants off and left them carelessly on the counter before tentatively poking her hand into her tea cup to test the waters.

“Oh hot!” Niv recoiled in pain and stated blowing on her hand.


Art credit to Yoshitaka Amano

[Amaris]

It wasn’t that surgery wasn’t their cup of tea. It was just...not the most present thing in their mind these last few trials. Amaris wasn’t entirely sure of how to express this particular sentiment, so they held off on it. "I’m sure there must be something convenient in just being filled with sap. You certainly have less to worry about in terms of internal damage." Damage to internal organs was usually not that far from internal bleeding, which could cause a number of problems to persons with...squishy bits to worry about, as Niv might put it.

Their polite smile widened. “Glad to be of help in relieving your stress.” They proceded to watch Niv bounce around with vigor, letting them know that Esata Broca was not to be trusted in the test department. Hard questions were meant to provoke more thought, but if they were as stressful as the Tunawa made them out to be…

Amaris thanked the waitress as their order arrived. The scent was soothing enough, relaxing the crease in their brow that they had not noticed before. They watched with obvious curiosity as Niv began to strip down to get into the tea. “Careful; it might be--” This was said far too late as Niv recoiled from the teacup. “Too hot,” they finished softly.

A sip of their own caused them to recoil as well. “Looks like I should have taken my own advice.”

[Niv]

“ “yah Inter-naaal ..um damage on deh inside doesn’t really happen to Tunawa. It’s big problem for deh Cun’ahee doh, eh?” Niv looked down with a subtle frown and sighed in sympathy at the notion but quickly looked up with a pinched brow. “How do you help with dat sort of ting?” Niv asked.

“I bergot teh blow on it..” Niv mumbled with her burnt finger now finding relief in the corner of her mouth. The bark on her cheeks started to glow a touch with embarrassment before she began to suck in air and release it as hard as she could. She did this a couple of times before putting her hand over top to feel the temperature of the rising steam.
“Much better.” She exclaimed with a smile before attempting to slide in again.

“Still burny but not so SO burny, just tiny burny.” Niv announced as she eased herself in fully, still seeming tense because of the temperature but her face beamed in satisfaction regardless.

“Do you know much about Chemistry or are you more into deh Medicine?” Niv asked as she placed her crossed arms on the rim of the massive cup and nestled her chin on top. “I know a bit about both, though mostly Medicine, not many talk about deh chemistry in Desnind.” This was putting it lightly as Niv was fairly curtain most didn’t know what chemistry even was let alone have much knowledge of it. When Niv first heard of it she thought it was a silly made up word until someone explained the meaning.


Art credit to Yoshitaka Amano