Battle Hymn of the Republic

From her place atop the wall Mealla watched the young Maelgwyn scamper off. It was always interesting to chat with new Druids. Each had their own quirks, and each added some new life to the Order. With a smirk the Keeper Chief considered how interesting the next few years would be to watch the apprentice grow, and wondered how long her chihuahua-esque energy would last while training with Ruarc. Basking for a moment in the cool pre-noon Scottish air, Mealla sighed before making her way down towards the other end of the wall.

Not too long afterwards Ruarc had parted with the other Keepers. Making his way indoors once more he quickly reached Drysi. He had handed off his training gambeson and had his cloak folded and tucked under his arm. While his spell had helped him dry off a bit he was still somewhat damp, and thus was letting his underclothes dry a bit more. A burgundy henley, dark denim pants, a sturdy belt, and comfortable shoes. His hair was still a little wet and summarily messed up.

“Ready to head down to the Lab? Or want to watch a few more Keeper exercises?”

Drysi snapped her little notebook shut, a confident air projected despite the lack of practice for her presentation. Ruarc would see a mighty energy from her. It was the kind of swagger that one had after spending time with Maella Brennan.

"Ready? I was just–," she started, before stopping short. Her posture crumpled and her swagger evaporated as her fingers went up to her lips. In the duration of a blink, she had gone from big-dog chihuahua, to nervous chihuahua. "How did you know I was watching you with Chief Brennan?"

"I'll fight every fookin' one of ya"

The Irishman was chuckling as he motioned for Drysi to take the lead.

“Mister Williamson’s familiar was near you two, and apparently couldn’t resist sharing. And Roan shared it with me as a pep talk,” Ruarc’s tone was light, but Drysi could hear the hints of fatigue creeping into his voice. If any of that carried over to his movements it didn’t show. For having sprinted up a mountain several times he seemed pretty spry as the two druids made their way through the Main Hall and into the stairs downward. With a trick his mother had used with him, he let Drysi lead so that she could set whatever pace she felt comfortable with on her way towards something she was nervous about. Down and down around the spiral they wound.

Sublevel Three felt much the way it did before. Calm but not stagnant, a gentle breeze like a slumbering breath passed them by, and the thrumming that could be felt through the stone beneath their feet had slowed from the day prior almost as though the Keep itself was relaxing on the weekend. Drysi once again found herself in front of

Lab One - Mastrogiacomo

The redness on Drysi's face was legendary, so much so that, for once, she pulled her hood down instead of her scarf up. She was grateful that she could take the lead, just so she could collect herself. If she had known that it would make it back to Mr. Flynn, she would have settled for a couple of V's instead.

"Wait, did he say pep-talk?"

Drysi stopped, suddenly.

"You were proudly on his side when a lot of others were making a point of not being," said Gideon. "Keep walking, we're in the middle of a hallway."

"It's just so embarassing…"

"I wouldn't look at it that way. The Master-Apprentice relationship isn't one way. He teaches and you learn, he works and you support him."

The triclops hadn't thought of it that way before, a feeling Gideon could sense. As they descended the stairs, Drysi kept looking back at Ruarc, just from the edge of her hood. She almost gave no thought to the next step, until Gideon urged her to focus. If she didn't think of something, she'd be doing this cold.

Yet, the placard of Lab 1 appeared much faster than Drysi was expecting. It made her realize the wisdom of blowing off steam at the courtyard, because the anxiousness she felt then was real. More than the first time, Drysi felt nervous to see her Chief again. Now, there were expectations and Drysi didn't want to meet them.

She wanted to exceed them.

"My feet are stuck."

But boy was she nervous.

“It can be pretty intimidating,” Ruarc affirmed. He had halted once he was standing next to his apprentice, and looked at the lab doors. Drysi was still pretty new to all of this, so it made sense that she’d be hesitant. “Talking to a Circle Chief can be a weird experience, but, as Engleby likes to teach, the Chiefs should be as approachable much the way you were chatting with Chief Brennan. While they can seem unapproachable due to the perception of their station, they are Druids just the same as us. Representatives chosen by their Circle as a face for their values and goals, and a source of guidance for the Druids they serve. Think of it less as you going to talk to your boss, and more talking shop with a colleague.”

Ruarc seemed to pause.

“Of course, I might also be a little spoiled on that matter, Chief Brennan being the way she is. So, seeing as your feet are stuck, I’ll double down on advice with some that I got from my Grandpa as I was finishing my own apprenticeship.”

“What is the most important step a person can take? It’s the next step. Never stop moving forward, never stop improving yourself. You can get turned around or find you need to backtrack, but always take that next step.”

"Ough, why is this so hard?"

Drysi's feet still felt heavy.

"You know Mastrogiacamo is intelligent."

Frustrated, the triclops answered aloud, "Gid, what's that got to do with anything!?"

"Intelligent people are scary. They can make the strongest mage feel small. Their expectations and perceptions are different, and they can cut people down pretty easily if they aren't careful. And you're about to show your intelligence to the Chief of the smart people."

"What… what do I do, then?"

"I'm just validating your feelings, Drysi. Your Master has already given you the answer you need."

That made her mouth flatten to a line. Her feet felt heavy, and nothing anyone was saying was making her feel better. She began to clench her fists as she felt a tantrum building. Trying to head it off, she took a deep breath…

… and inadvertently took a step forward.

Her eyes were wide, but the greater surprise was the ease in which the next step came. Riding the high, she began her stride into the Chief's lab.

Ants. Oh goodness, there were ants everywhere.

As Drysi pushed through the lab doors there was a veritable army of ants winding around much of the lab. Chief Mastrogiacomo stood alone in the center of the lab working at a station completely unperturbed by the apparent infestation. Upon closer inspection the ants appeared to be working as various battalions marched along using teamwork to transport items around the lab.

“Good day, Miss Maelgwyn; Keeper Flynn,” Mastrogiacomo’s voice flowed through the room, though she didn’t look up from her work. “Mind your step.”

The high suddenly plummeted.

Drysi clenched her sharpened teeth over a shriek once it all settled in, and back-pedaled so hard into Ruarc she bounced. Her legs worked in reverse, trying to distance herself from all the bugs.

"Ah! Aigh! Ough!"

When she couldn't go back any further, on account of Ruarc, she bounced on her toes, once, then twice up into his arms. The Irishman found his apprentice throwing her arms around his neck, trying to support herself in some way.

"Um!"

The shock was beginning to wear off, but the sheer number of ants was giving her hives.

"Good morning!"

Her three eyes searched around the room, remembering Mastrogiacomo's title.

"Chief!"

Spindly fingers dug in tightly to Ruarc to keep her steady, as her rattled voice tried to finish her greeting.

"You have… a lot of… ants… in here!

Ruarc was caught off guard by many things. Like Drysi his eyes went wide at the sight of all of the ants, but unlike his apprentice he didn’t budge; after all, they were just ants. Then he was surprised by Drysi trying to clamber onto him like a cat avoiding rising water. It was as he was working on prying Drysi off from around his neck that the third thing to catch him off guard occurred. Mastrogiacomo laughed. It wasn’t a big laugh, but it was, well, it was cute; as she lifted a loosely balled hand to cover her mouth, her eyes closed, and her cheeks rose. It was brief, but Ruarc felt oddly refreshed for having witnessed it.

“Francesca, have everyone take five,” Mastrogiacomo said aloud. Almost immediately in a radius that extended from the Chief the ants began to pause, and then turned to make their way towards the wall near her desk. “My apologies if my lab assistants startled you, Maelgwyn. It’s quite convenient, you see, having a couple million helpers. Now, they are quite harmless to you. Do come in.”

Ruarc would find Drysi a determined barnacle. Each time he got one of her hands loose, it just whipped out and clamped on to somewhere else. This would continue until the legion of ants made its way to the wall. Assured of their distance, she slowly eased herself down.

"Ahem."

She patted herself, trying not to act too embarassed.

"I was just… admirin' the work… from a better… view. My master is a lot taller and…"

"Rambling."

"...I'm just rambling."

She paused, lingering on the moment until she started thinking, "Okay, time for the hairclip rip cord."

"Nooooo," Gideon pressed against her jaw, "take a breath, and make sure she's even wearing a hairclip. Compliments are a double-edged sword with superiors."

The apprentice tried not to grumble at that, but instead tugged out her notebook and the chain. She leveled a careful glance at Mastrogiacomo's hair. "I was hoping you had time for my report."