Open Greenhouse hours

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Even with a host of unfavorable things going on in the school, there was still the duties attached to being a professor to consider. Baron Harkonnen had reminded him of that, so with a feeling of genuine purpose, he hung the open office sign outside his office proper and the greenhouses, stating that he'd be in greenhouse four.

_{((OOC - Greenhouse four is where all the demonic plants are kept. It's safe to enter, but not exactly the most undisturbing of places. if your character wants to chat specifically in his office, the teahouse, or one of the other greenhouses, say so in the subject line.))}

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[babylonjackal.livejournal.com]

It had taken a little work, the house elves seeming to be afraid of him for some reason, but Akabane had learned that the kitsune was Kurama, professor of Herbology. He made his way to the school's greenhouses and was pleased to see the note proclaiming that Kurama was available. It saved him the trouble of a further hunt for his current employer, though there were some who liked to test him.

Just outside greenhouse four, he paused. He liked the feeling of this place. It was an interesting mix that resulted in just contained bloodlust. He savored it a moment before raising a hand to tap politely on the door frame.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Jackal," Kurama said, by way of greeting. The plants in the greenhouse seemed to 'look' at the visitor, but Kurama had his back turned, focusing on a tiny seedling he was urging to grow. he doubted much that Jackal would attack him here, and even if that were to happen, he'd have the upper hand in the situation. No-one beat him on his territory.

"Welcome."

[babylonjackal.livejournal.com]

Akabane smiled slightly. "So, you have found my name, Kurama," he said. He stepped into the room, his eyes somehow staying on Kurama even as he examined the rest of the room. When he completed his inspection, he slid his hands into his pockets. "Are you still wanting to hire me, then?" he asked. Some time later, it would be interesting to fight in this room, but now was for business.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

An ear twitched, and he smiled, but kept his focus on his work for now. "And you have found mine." the seedling finally obeyed him, and he stepped back, allowing it to grow to full height.. A barbed tree with silvery bark, jewel-like leaves, and vines twining about it that looked like golden laurels. A lovely addition, he thought.

"I still wish to hire you," he answered, turning finally to face Jackal. "The item in question is being commissioned as we speak. Within the week, it should be ready for transport." He beckoned for Jackal to follow, moving deper into the greenhouse. "As for your payment, you must tell me if you prefer it as cash, credit, or treasure." He was sure Jackal would forgo the treasure, likely for cash as the top pick. Difficult to trace, easy to store.

[babylonjackal.livejournal.com]

Akabane admired the plant. It was elegant and deadly, two of his favorite things. "Cash is the usual tender. It is less likely to tie you to me, and most do not wish to be associated with one of my occupation." He followed Kurama deeper into the greenhouse, alert but relaxed. "And you just wish me to return it here?" he asked. "Or is there another point you wished it dropped off?"

[woocha.livejournal.com]

That growling you hear? That's Wishbone growling at a plant for looking at him funny. Yeah. I typed that.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama waved the offending plant away, kneeling to scratch behind Wishbone's ears. "Hey, little friend. Haven't seen you in a while. Read any good books lately?"

[woocha.livejournal.com]

Yep. I saw Mr. Darcy! And I thought I saw Elizabeth Bennett too, but she's just someone with that name.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Darcy," he thought a moment. "Of Pride and Prejudice?" May it be noted that he would vehemently argue having read said book on his own. Required reading, surely. High school and all that.

[woocha.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Wishbone wagged his tail in delight. But who I thought was Elizabeth hunts zombies, so it can't be her.

[gourmetchairman.livejournal.com]

Did he want to go outside? Not really.

Did he feel like he was suffocating inside? Yes.

Hence the Chairman left his room and went outside, wand firmly in hand. Besides, it'd do him good to leave his room, proving he's not a coward.

He spotted Greenhouse 4 opened and on further inspection, found Kurama in there.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama quickly 'froze' the plants in the greenhouse, and while they did not look any more normal than usual, they didn't move to examine Kaga and the energy he gave off.

"Kaga-san," he greeted, unsure really of what to say. Asking if something was wrong would be stupid, worse if he inquired how Kaga was feeling. But he couldn't just say nothing. "Is... there something I can help you with?"

[gourmetchairman.livejournal.com]

He shook his head. "No, I just needed to get out of the castle and I saw your door open."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Then, please, you are quite welcome here," he gestured uselessly. "Or, if you like, the tearoom is a much less... savage atmosphere." The plants were starting to strain, anyway.

[gourmetchairman.livejournal.com]

"Yes, it would be better to be away from the plants." He edged toward the door.

[miranda-bnewski.livejournal.com]

((Does Kurama have fox ears or a tail?))
Miranda doesn't let a few akward moments with the Divination Professor stop her from exploring. She read Kurama's notice and headed to the greenhouse.

Stepping inside, she felt the muggy, hot air on her face.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

_{((Both. And if it's relevant, he's also absurdly tall.))}

Kurama was up in the rafters at this point, manually dislodging a stubborn creeper from a support beam. Creepers of this sort were corrosive to metals over time. It wouldn't do to have the greenhouse toppling down on them.

He caught sight of his newest visitor after a moment and peered down at her.
"I don't think I've had the chance to meet you yet," he said cheerfully. "Are you new here?"

[miranda-bnewski.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, Miranda is six foot tall.

"Hey," called up to the distant figure on the ladder. "I'm taking my first tour of the place!"

The place is full of strange plants vibrating with organic, slightly sinister energy, but what else do you expect in a wizard's garden?

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama skidded down the ladder, dragging with him most of the troublesome plant detritus to be tossed with the compost. A few of the plants seemed to look mournfully at the fallen vine before focusing (and closing in slightly) on Miranda and Kurama.

"Kurama," he introduced himself, offering his free hand. Tall drink of water she was, only about a head shorter than him. It was nice to not have to strain his neck to look someone in the eye. "Having fun so far?"

[miranda-bnewski.livejournal.com]

"Hey." She notices his ears first, but assumes they're decorations of some sort. Same thing with the tail, although...

"I've seen a few things I've never seen before." She waved a hand towards the plants. "Tell me, do many magic workers have tails?"

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

After being rudely interrupted (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/1786304.html"), I decide to track down Kurama first. As luck has it, he's easy to find today, and not doing things...

I need to stop that right there. If our conclusions about Kaga are right, then we need to get things straightened out and fast.

Just outside the door to greenhouse four, I pause and decide the better part of wisdom is to knock on the frame first.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama knew Mello was around, of course, before there was even a knock. Though he couldn't do much, he was shoulder-deep in what looked like a bush that had decided to try him for dinner, and irritatedly swatting at a flower who wanted dibs on his hair with his free hand.

"You've heard?" He could guess at Mello's reason for visiting.

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"Matt's sure he missed something. The details, no, though. Matt's news amounted to 'the shiny guy was attacked.' Conclusions were made. I need to know if they're right and how Karasu knew," I say. I stay by the doorway, though, until he has the plant trying to eat him under control.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"'Attacked' is a very mild way of putting it," Kurama said, scowling. He emerged from the shrub, pulling with him the bones of some poor dead animal the plant had gotten.

"Kaga-san is a link in himself. Karasu would be able to smell, sense, or deduce who among his obsessions or enemies Kaga associates with the most. By harming Kaga, Karasu in turn sends a message to the people he wants to get to. He knows Kaga would go to either Yukimura or Kusuriyuri for help. Karasu lusts after Yukimura, despises Kusuriyuri. And both of them are linked directly to me." His voice was calm, but he had began to snap the tiny bones in his hands, tossing them to the floor.

"There were lash wounds. Among other things, but... he was sending a very direct message."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

And he's handling this well. I watch him destroy the skeleton. "Are there others he might decide to use as further messages?" I ask. "Or will he be content with one?" I shake my head. "That's an unsafe and unfounded assumption. Strike the second question. Are there others who were not at the meeting we need to warn?"