He watched the spine with interest, studying it like a scientist would study bacteria under a microscope. The fish spoke to him worriedly, but he paid them no mine. Fish were terrible gossips. "You startled me," he replied flatly. "You didn't announce your presence when I arrived and you just watched me. What would you expect me to do?"
"Not reach for a knife perhaps?" she said sarcastically, before glancing at him quizzically, her eyebrow raised with curiosity as her head turned. "What are you doing so far out here, anyways?"
He seemed surprised that she asked, but cleared his throat, peering at his work with thoughtful eyes. "Collecting samples," he said after a moment, plucking a leaf from the fir tree before meeting her gaze. "There's a pest that's been targeting various plants in the woods and now we believe it's spreading to the animals. At this point, it's just rodents, but it seems that the threat is growing, and we want to confirm that it's correlated."
She frowned, a bit surprised his tone wasn't condescending or rude. Her lips pursed and she leaned onto a rock protruding from the water. "A scientist?"
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before returning his sights to the sample, holding it gently. "Of sorts," he said thoughtfully, holding the leaf up to the light. "My role in it is more of a public safety thing. You know, to prevent damage to the rest of my kind."
"Your kind, huh?" she said flatly. "Next thing you know they will be coming out with vaccines that only work for one kind." She shook her head in disgust. "I've best be on my way. It's new moon tonight."
He laughed sharply, but it sounded incredulous, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Yeah. I'm really concerned about the well-being of other species. You know, they've cared so much about us in the past." He shook his head, beginning to retreat deeper into the forest. "Enjoy your dance."
He would hear her huff, before a soft splash as she dove into the water, a glare on her face as she delved deeper, slipping nooks and crannies. "Sure," she thought to herself. "You're the one who decided I wasn't good enough for being a siren."
He rolled his eyes, clearly irritated as he slipped deeper into the woods. However, the siren quickly left his mind after he noticed a small mass laying still at his feet. He frowned, kneeling down next to it to scoop the small brown mouse in his hands, his brow furrowing in sympathy. It was curled in death, a small hole just under its left ear, and he touched it lightly before sighing and isolating the sample, stashing it in his bag. Standing up, he continued on his way, his mind swirling.
(Alright!) Sam scanned his book, his dark eyes bright as he read the spells, incantations, and potions. He swung his legs idly, as the stool was a bit too tall for him. The requirements of the apprenticeship required him to do one study on a creature of magic every two months. It was always hard to set up appointments, but luckily he had managed. He tapped his chin with his pencil. His client would be here soon.
Her wings fluttered behind her as she touched the ground, folding neatly against her back as she looked up at the door, her golden eyes sharp and curious. She raised her fist hesitantly before rapping her knuckles against the wooden door, pulling her hand back as she waited.
Sam's eyes flickered to the door and he looked up brightly. He put the book down slightly, readjusting on the stool. Her name was.. Eden. If he recalled correctly. "Come in."
There was a small pause before the door opened and Eden entered, her sharp, golden eyes immediately landing on him. Her wings shifted uncomfortably, and she raised one eyebrow. "Excuse me, but I'm looking for someone named..." She lifted her arm, reading the smeared ink name she had scrawled that morning."...Sam Collier?"
He gave her a small wave, his eyes warm as he pulled her a chair. "That's me! It's nice to meet you.. eh.. Eden?"
"That's me," she said quietly, sitting down on the edge of the chair, like a bird about to take flight. She looked around warily before her eyes flickered back to his. She seemed very alert, a sharpness accompanying her gaze. "So... what exactly do you need from me?"
He noted her behavior, cocking his head curiously. He brought out and pencil and a piece of paper, his fingers a bit clumsy. "Ah.. Should be just a few questions today! If that's alright, at least." His accent was very light. Barely noticeable. It seemed to be more apparent the higher his emotions.
She nodded slowly, noting the fumbling with a raised brow. Folding her hands, she held them between her knees to keep from fidgeting, the linen of her trousers coarse against her skin. "Of course. Do you mind if I ask what this is for?"
