Originally Posted by Storm

"It is wholly new to me, I have never tended to plants before; and yet it is strangely familiar in many ways." Apedemak kissed her again, merely out of simply joy.

The Sudanese boy turned and reluctantly released Diabolica so that he could bow to Cassandra. "Yes Prefect Trelawney. As I mentioned in Professor Erickson's office, I would like to share my Soul Mirror with you."

Originally Posted by SeerCassandraTrelawney

Cassandra watched the obvious affection between the two... great someone else who would turn on her before of Diabolica. "Yes, I remember." She nodded, "Do you have it with you?" she asked, hoping to get to see it before Xana showed.

Originally Posted by Storm

"It is wholly new to me, I have never tended to plants before; and yet it is strangely familiar in many ways." Apedemak kissed her again, merely out of simply joy.



The Sudanese boy turned and reluctantly released Diabolica so that he could bow to Cassandra. "Yes Prefect Trelawney. As I mentioned in Professor Erickson's office, I would like to share my Soul Mirror with you."

Originally Posted by SeerCassandraTrelawney

Cassandra watched the obvious affection between the two... great someone else who would turn on her before of Diabolica. "Yes, I remember." She nodded, "Do you have it with you?" she asked, hoping to get to see it before Xana showed.

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Xana hurried into the student gardens and saw Diabolica, Apedemak and Prefect Trelawney standing together. She was late and hoped Apedemak wouldn't be too upset about that... and as she approached them she wondered what this was all about, anyway.

She braced herself as she approached; she hadn't spoken to Prefect Trelawney since their altercation and she knew the girl was unlikely to be pleasant to her. Not that that was anything new.

"Hello... I'm sorry I'm late; Apedemak, you wished to see me?" Xana said, smiling gently and nodding in greeting at the group.

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Xana hurried into the student gardens and saw Diabolica, Apedemak and Prefect Trelawney standing together. She was late and hoped Apedemak wouldn't be too upset about that... and as she approached them she wondered what this was all about, anyway.

She braced herself as she approached; she hadn't spoken to Prefect Trelawney since their altercation and she knew the girl was unlikely to be pleasant to her. Not that that was anything new.

"Hello... I'm sorry I'm late; Apedemak, you wished to see me?" Xana said, smiling gently and nodding in greeting at the group.

Originally Posted by DeathEater24601

"Good day, Xana... I hope you are well?" She smiled at Xana. Ah. Trelawney and Xana. Splendid... the two are like water and oil, for Merlin's sake. she thought, glancing between the two of them for a moment and returning her eyes to Apedemak.

Originally Posted by SeerCassandraTrelawney

Cassandra turned her back to Xana and merely ignored her... if she didn't speak to her then she wouldn't upset her.

Originally Posted by Storm

"Indeed, thank you coming. All of you." Apedemak took off his haversack and knelt, opening the largest pouch to dig through the contents. "It may have become apparent that I am a private person and have no desire to display my life or past for the entire school to see. However, there are a few that I have become close to and those precious few I wish share my stories with." After what seemed an unusually long time to search through the satchel, he retrieved a rather box that barely fit through the bags opening. Holding it with a certain reverence he opened the box and held it so those gathered could see inside.

Eighteen petals make up Apedemak’s Soul Mirror. The upper nine, forest-green in color, are broad and strong, reaching upward. Below them, nine dark orange claw-like petals grasp upwards, seemingly threatening to consume the upper half of the flower. Oddly the two distinctly different petals share a very small but distinct red line along the outer edge. Once one looks past the initial contrast of the brilliantly contrasting petals, thick black veins can be seen running up the plants stem.

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"Good day- I'm managing. I hope you are well, also?" She said with a smile.

Originally Posted by Storm

"Indeed, thank you coming. All of you." Apedemak took off his haversack and knelt, opening the largest pouch to dig through the contents. "It may have become apparent that I am a private person and have no desire to display my life or past for the entire school to see. However, there are a few that I have become close to and those precious few I wish share my stories with." After what seemed an unusually long time to search through the satchel, he retrieved a rather box that barely fit through the bags opening. Holding it with a certain reverence he opened the box and held it so those gathered could see inside.

Eighteen petals make up Apedemak’s Soul Mirror. The upper nine, forest-green in color, are broad and strong, reaching upward. Below them, nine dark orange claw-like petals grasp upwards, seemingly threatening to consume the upper half of the flower. Oddly the two distinctly different petals share a very small but distinct red line along the outer edge. Once one looks past the initial contrast of the brilliantly contrasting petals, thick black veins can be seen running up the plants stem.

Originally Posted by Storm

"I had spoken with Professor Erickson about it, unfortunately, he was not able to add further illumination to what this bland already shows." Holding the pot with one hand, he lifted the plant from the box. "I am two within one. I seek to grow beyond this curse that flows within my veins and yet is only ever a few steps behind waiting to consume me."

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Xana looked at him, seeing him with new eyes, feeling a great empathy for the boy and his plight. "The thing that attacked us, that came from within you... is it a curse? I mean, an actual dark curse?" she asked, confused. "I... I don't mean to be intrusive, I'm sorry... " She blushed. "But... is there any way that we can help you, to help you be free of this... problem?"

Originally Posted by Storm

"In the initial lecture, Professor Erickson warned us that curses would show up within the plant. I believe that is exactly what the black veins along the stem represent, as my father believes it is a curse that quite literally resides within our blood." Even as he spoke the black veins upon the plant pulsed slightly making the orange maw like bloom convulse, closing slightly upon the upper green petals. "I would welcome a panacea to the curse; however, it has been with my line for a very long time, even Gehdi's friendship with Mr. Altair has given no solution."

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"Do you know why it's in your bloodline? What the initial cause was, I mean?" Xana asked the boy, hoping not to be too intrusive but deeply curious and eager to help him if they ever could. of course if Slade hadn't found a cure... Still, it was an interesting challenge, and she would love to help Apedemak break free of it if there was a way.

Originally Posted by Storm

The Sudanese boy shook his head slowly, letting his golden orbs stare at the plant. "We have no story to tell how this curse was placed upon us, only that it has always been thus."

Originally Posted by Storm

Eighteen petals make up Apedemak’s Soul Mirror. The upper nine, forest-green in color, are broad and strong, reaching upward. Below them, nine dark orange claw-like petals grasp upwards, seemingly threatening to consume the upper half of the flower. Oddly the two distinctly different petals share a very small but distinct red line along the outer edge. Once one looks past the initial contrast of the brilliantly contrasting petals, thick black veins can be seen running up the plants stem.

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Xana looked at him, seeing him with new eyes, feeling a great empathy for the boy and his plight. "The thing that attacked us, that came from within you... is it a curse? I mean, an actual dark curse?" she asked, confused. "I... I don't mean to be intrusive, I'm sorry... " She blushed. "But... is there any way that we can help you, to help you be free of this... problem?"

Originally Posted by Storm

Apedemak's right hand instinctively reached out for hers, a heartbreaking smile spread across his lips. "I do not know if there even is a cure that can be found, but your detection to my plight honors me greatly and I am thankful for your devotion and help.

Originally Posted by SeerCassandraTrelawney

It was truly a beautiful plant. Professor Erikson's was more fascinating, but it was really a rather bewitching specimen. She remained silent as she examined the plant.



What in holy hades was she talking about?? Cassandra merely pretended to be too taken up with the plant to hear their converation... but she listened very carefully to every word that was spoken.

When they had ceased their discussion, Cassandra looked over at Apedemak. "I would like to thank you, friend, for trusting me enough to share your plant with me. It is really a beautiful blend of colors and shades. Mine is simpler..." she stated. She didn't look to Xana but her eyes fell on Dia... Seemed the girl had changed a little... Cassandra seemed to approve of the change. She turned and looked at Apedemak, "Thank you again for your trust, and if you have no further need of me, I assume you would rather discuss your curse more privately." She nodded to the Sudanese boy, waiting to be dismissed.

Originally Posted by DeathEater24601

"You are welcome...anything I could do, I'd be happy to." Diabolica smiled, her tone a bit more confident. She squeezed his hand gently, as if to assure him that she would, in fact, try and find some information or cure.

Originally Posted by SeerCassandraTrelawney

When they had ceased their discussion, Cassandra looked over at Apedemak. "I would like to thank you, friend, for trusting me enough to share your plant with me. It is really a beautiful blend of colors and shades. Mine is simpler..." she stated. She didn't look to Xana but her eyes fell on Dia... Seemed the girl had changed a little... Cassandra seemed to approve of the change. She turned and looked at Apedemak, "Thank you again for your trust, and if you have no further need of me, I assume you would rather discuss your curse more privately." She nodded to the Sudanese boy, waiting to be dismissed.

Originally Posted by Storm

The feel of her hand, the confidence and assurance that he touch conveyed. Apedemak simply had no words to convey all that she meant to him, but he hoped, as he gazed into her eyes, that she would be able to tell.

Originally Posted by Storm

"Of course Prefect. I did not intend to delay you from more pressing business; if you have priorities else where do not let me delay you." Apedemak bowed his head to Cassandra. "I would seek your counsel when your busy schedule allows for me to be a priority."

Originally Posted by Storm

"Of course Prefect. I did not intend to delay you from more pressing business; if you have priorities else where do not let me delay you." Apedemak bowed his head to Cassandra. "I would seek your counsel when your busy schedule allows for me to be a priority."

Originally Posted by DeathEater24601

She glanced over at Trelawney, completely giving her a look of utter abhorrence. How discourteous of her, especially for a Prefect who was supposed to be a role model for younger students... she thought, sighing inwardly. "Friends, especially when going out of their way to show you something very special and personal, should always take priority," she muttered under her breath, inaudible unless caught by a careful ear.

Originally Posted by SeerCassandraTrelawney

Cassandra's head spun to look at the boy... a rather nice way to make her feel bad. She was ready to reply when Dia spoke.

"Yes, and Friends, who invite you, tend to spend time talking to you as well as others, and not just his..." She didn't want to insinuate that Dia and Apedemak were dating, "other two friends... making the third feel... uncomfortable and unwanted." she smiled. How dare Diabolica Black give her lessons in manners!

Her head turned to the Sudanese boy, "Apedemak," she started, her voice calm and sweet, "If you wish me to give you my full attention, I suggest you give me some as well." Her head tilted like that of a bird's, "I have no idea of what you are talking about, therefor if you wish me to stay, I think it only polite to either explain to me what you are discussing, and include me in your conversation, or not discuss that particular subject at all." She smiled politely to him and gave him a courteous nod.

Originally Posted by DeathEater24601

"Ah, Prefect Trelawney, I'm sure we all didn't mean to make you feel unwanted, nor uncomfortable...I didn't, anyhow. I just presumed that Apedemak had told you as well, especially as he spoke so freely about it and invited you here. I apologize for venturing so far as to think you two are closer friends than you perhaps truthfully are." Diabolica smiled, her voice slightly honeyed. "Of course, you could have also spoken up and asked during our conversation." It would have showed that you actually did care about the subject at all, and hadn't just attended to appear polite. she thought.