(no subject)

[jaimemieux]

Even as September marched steadily on, summer clung to the fields and woods outside Darrow. The last flowers of the season were still blooming, the grounds lush, and the leaves on the trees stubbornly green, though the air hinted at autumn. Soon, the days would turn cooler still, and the opportunity to collect specimens in the wild would be gone for another season. What better time for one last walk in the nearby wilderness?

“Now, what was this project you mentioned for your biology class?” Combeferre asked his twelve-year-old companion as he offered her a hand, helping Flavia up a steep incline just off the more usually trodden paths. Quick-witted and keen-eyed, she made for an excellent compatriot on Henri’s exploratory walks. In addition, he supposed it was better that someone knew which poisonous plants she was collecting for her chemical arsenal. Just in case. “Is there something we can find while we are out here?"

Comments

[jaimemieux]

“Nevertheless, let us not test my aptitude today,” Combeferre suggests with a wink and a grin. “At least not until we are better equipped to handle such an experiment.” Taking the mushroom’s other half, he wraps it carefully in paper and puts it among the other samples in his satchel. While there is nothing particularly unique about it, the specimen adds to the record of their day.

[spirit_of_vitriol]

“Miss Crawley would be a bit cross if I had to tell her you’d been poisoned,” Flavia agrees, as soberly as she’s able. “And I think Ophelia would have your head if I was the one poisoned.” Watching him wrap the mushroom and stow it away brings a small, proud smile to her face; while it’s entirely possible he’s done it merely to be kind, it’s still a scientific contribution they’ve made—together—to the day.

“Speaking of poisons,” she says, looking at a stand of trees a few yards distant, “I think there’s a yew tree over there; shall we investigate?"

[jaimemieux]

“She is a fierce one when provoked, your sister,” Henri notes in thoughtful agreement, a grin twitching at his lips when he thinks of the way that Jehan has been swooning over her recently. But there are some things little sisters probably do not need to know.

He looks where she points and nods in agreement. “Describe by Linnaeus and beloved by woodworkers. Lead the way, mademoiselle."

[spirit_of_vitriol]

"I've wound up on the wrong side of her fury enough times to know that's true," Flavia muses as they strike out for the copse up ahead. "Did you have any siblings, growing up?"

[jaimemieux]

“Two sisters and a brother,” Combeferre answers, smiling faintly, sadly, at the thought of the siblings he will never see again. Even if he somehow left this place, he knows what his future holds. As dreadful as it is, he would never dare attempt to steer if off-course.

But this is not the time for such melancholy thoughts. He offers Flavia a conspiratorial grin. “All younger. So do not say anything too disparaging about elder siblings, mademoiselle, or I shall be quite offended."