More News, Less Soup [Attn: Novice Amaranie Tice]

[Bella]

"It is," Isla agreed, almost...nervously? Why would she be nervous? Her own emotions confused her. But as she thought about it for a few moments, she realized she recognized it. At least, she had felt it before. But she wasn't entirely sure why she was feeling it now. She pushed it aside for now, not wanting to bring the mood down.

She held her hand out, gesturing at the trees and interspersed bushes blooming with just those blooms, and all three colors in their various shades were represented.

"I've come here just to take in some air," she said. "I used to spend much of my time outside, before I came here, and so I felt I needed that again when I could. It helped me feel better. I've also done some studying and work here, when the books and papers were not so heavy and excessive that I couldn't carry them."

[Alianora]

Amaranie

The flowers Amaranie had been admiring on their way seemed to be all around her now, and the novice liked the effect of it. She could understand Isla's attraction to the area, though she couldn't imagine how the other girl ever got any studying done out here. Wouldn't it just be distracting? Amaranie smiled at her friend. "Thank you for showing me this place." she said. "It almost seems cheerful here, doesn't it?"

Amaranie walked further into the clearing, pacing a slow circle so that she could look at everything blooming around her. When she was done, she ended up back at Isla's side. "I've never spent much time outside," she said. "If I stay out too long I always end up getting a sunburn, and usually that results in a visit to the infirmary, so I try to avoid it." She wasn't afraid of the place like she'd once been, but it still wasn't somewhere Amaranie wanted to be outside of lessons. "I think I might try to come back here sometime, though. I'll just have to be careful."

[Bella]

Isla didn't tend to suffer the affliction of sunburn, but she had known those who did. It always looked like a very painful thing to have to deal with when it went too far, the skin angry red and peeling like an upset lizard. She didn't want to imagine her friend having to go through that, so she tried to think if she had any advice.

"Perhaps invest in a big hat," she commented thoughtfully. "Plus, this place is fairly good with the tall trees. In the green months, it has a decent canopy. Keep to the edges, nearer the bushes, and you'll usually be able to keep to the shade." She pointed around them where the shadows of the trees on one side extended into the clearing.

She looked back to Amaranie. "I think it's good to get fresh air when you can," she said with a small smile. "As long as you can avoid the sunburn."

[Alianora]

Amaranie

Even as Isla spoke, Amaranie decided her advice was a good idea and followed it, shrinking back into the shade offered by the surrounding trees. She doubted the shade would stop the sun, but she thought it might allow her to stay out just a little bit longer. She shrugged at Isla. "I don't know if staying in the shade will help," she told her friend, "but I'll try it and see what happens." The worst thing that could take place would be an infirmary visit, after all, and that wasn't such a terrible thing, if not exactly pleasant. Amaranie looked out of the clearing to where the garden paths led by it, and wished those had more trees among them as well.

She stayed outside a while longer, remaining in the shade to try out Isla's advice, and then it was time for another round of chores. "I'm afraid I have to go now," she said to Isla. "There are some dishes in the kitchen waiting for me." Amaranie didn't sound unhappy about this, as she really preferred the dishes over some of the worse chores she could have been assigned. "It was good to see you again, Isla." She smiled at her friend, then left the clearing to continue with her schedule for the day.