castle on a hill ;

Theodore Pelletier Dubanowski Twenty Nine Durmstrang Alumni Halfblood Herbology Professor Herbologist for the Ministry of Magic

[elijahwesternberg]

"If you're about to be another person who gets great joy out of pointing out that I have earned another grey hair and therefore I am getting old, I may just cry." Elijah stated seeming in good humour despite his words. "I genuinely can't tell if the children are teasing me now or if it's a genuine comment. I might just choose to pretend its the former of the two options to save my vanity."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Do you know a lot of people who can notice a single grey hair just by looking at you?" Theo asked, "I can't even see it," he added after a moment.

[ingridhagen]

"Is that really so surprising?" her lips twisting upwards in a humored manner. "Do I not seem like the creative type?" Ingrid further teased. "But that's good. You're right, and especially around these parts, the people around here do seem to love a good party. And thankfully they're decent at throwing them– because that's not always the case in some places."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"No. I don't think you're not creative; I just didn't see you as the crafting type. There is a slight difference," Theo pointed out. "You're right and I think we need a good party in times like this."

[luciewolffe]

"You quite like my life? I'm curious as to what you think it involves." How did people see it from the outside? Perspective was always interesting. "But yes, lunch sounds good if you have time for me."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Oh I uh, I just meant that I quite like you being alive, so you don't touch any deadly plants," Theo explained, a light blush covering his cheeks, "Of course, I have time for you. I'll just pack up and lock up and then we'll go."

[cyrusclearwater]

"Which is saying something," he poked fun at himself. "Theo, seriously? That's huge! Sounds like this year is going to be one of your biggest yet," Cyrus grinned supportively. "I can't wait to go into a bookstore and be able to purchase your work. I've got a collection that means a lot to me and yours will be a proud addition."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Thank you, Cy. I mean, nothing is set in stone yet but it is the goal to actually finish it," Theo explained then laughed, "Oh, I appreciate that but it's going to be a book of research. You don't have to buy it if plants aren't your thing," he continued.

[rcphceltousscint]

"So what you're saying is I have to get the right paperwork. I mean, fine, I was trying to cut out the middle man but if you insist." He answered with a little shrug of his shoulders as he snapped the gloves off his hands. "And account for every leaf? Given their ability to grow, good luck with that one." Though he knew it was more a turn of phrase than anything else.

[thecdcredubancwski]

"If you don't already know that this is not how that works, you are in the wrong building. Paperwork is how this place stays standing," Theo replied, "I'm being dead serious. I count them every day and record how they many and how many I snip off - because I have permission to - and I record it all here," he explained, holding up the book, "So you can see why I'm not going to just cut out the middle man."

[natalyadolohova]

"Then don't act it." She responded with a smile, tapping the side of his head in a gentle action. "I would have told you should I have had other plans but I don't. It'll be nice to spend some time with you. We've not done that often enough recently. I'll even let you take the lead on what we do."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Ouch," Theo replied in mock hurt but then grinned, "Of course, I'm in. Let's do it but I am happy for you to decide where we go. I feel like my brain is too plant-addled to make decisions on where to go," he admitted with a chuckle.

[cyrusclearwater]

"That's very cool, Theo. Congrats," he replied with a smile. "Are you enjoying the work on it so far? Is it challenging you in all the right ways?"

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Thanks," Theo said and then nodded, eyes widening a little in excitement, "Yeah. It's perfect. I love this way better than teaching. It's great."

[ncahgreenwccd]

"I'm sure that'd make for a really interesting sign." Noah murmured, being careful to not get close to any of the plants in the room after the warning. In fact, he'd seemed to put himself dead centre of everything. "Oh ew. I suppose that a plant spitting is significantly less gross than a person though..."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"What? Danger: Poisonous Plants? That's probably what the sign would say," Theo replied, shrugging, and then he laughed at his reaction, "It's actually a really interesting plant but the spitting feature is certainly not for everyone."

[elenaflcres]

"You probably had to sign a bunch of waivers too, huh?" Elena considered with amusement in her tone. "A sign would probably be the smart call," she snorted softly. "However I'm sure it'll just make the plant more appealing to touch to others. People can be foolish like that."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Oh yeah. I would be in serious trouble is anything happened to this. Someone comes to check on it every week," Theo explained, "I'll get right on the sign then. If I have a sign, I'm less liable if people did touch it."

[huntercdcms]

"It's good to know that you have people in your life that will make you do that. It's necessary sometimes." He admitted because if it wasn't for the people around him, he wouldn't pause either. "At least you get caught up in something you love. It should mean that it will rarely actually feel like work."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Yeah, well everyone should have someone like that, I've found," Theo replied, smiling, "Oh definitely. That's why I left teaching to do this. Don't get me wrong, teaching kids about plants was great but this is even better and I don't have to mark essays every week," he added with a laugh.

[evangelinepickering]

"I bet you much preferred the students who favored having owls or toads," she considered with a light snort. "But agreed. I mean it's 2028, you'd think they'd have figured out a better method or formula by now."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Well I'm not supposed to have favourites but it did give them an advantage," Theo joked, "Perhaps I'll look into it as part of my research, cure all ills with plants."

[lyscndersccmcnder]

"Being you? Is that not enough?" Lysander responded dryly but they both knew he was winding him up and didn't feel that way. "Those grants are what allow you to do what you appear to love though. You can't really knock it."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Well I now I know you're taking the piss because I'm awesome," Theo retorted, grinning, "No, I cannot and I won't. I will brown-nose so they keep coming."

[luciewolffe]

"It's good that you can think about a second book already. I think that's quite difficult for a lot of people and yet you have surplus information at your disposal." Lucie pointed out. "I'd rather I didn't touch anything deadly either so thank you for the warning. I quite like my life most days." She said with a laugh.

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Well, it's more like the same book split into two but I suppose you're right. It could be worse, I could have writer's block," Theo replied, laughing, "I quite like your life too. What do you say? Shall we get lunch or something?"

[elenaflcres]

"I suppose that's fair. There's a lot of parties however, I'm expecting not to run into everyone the way I typically do because everyone will be doing their own things," she explained with a little shrug. "I am, thank you! It's nice to get out and mingle, especially with familiar faces. There's plenty for everyone to celebrate after all."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"That's very true but you know a lot of people, I'm sure you'll see enough of them," Theo replied, laughing a little, "You're right. These events remind us of all the good we've got going on, even if there's a lot of bad outweighing it at the moment."

[luciewolffe]

"Well it's better to have too much than too little I would imagine, though figuring out what bits are less important is a difficult job in itself. It's all in the definition I suppose." Lucie mused as she took a step back again. "I'm sorry to have trespassed on your space however. I didn't realise."

[thecdcredubancwski]

Theo shrugged, "I guess I need to consider two volumes or something," he paused and stepped toward her, apology dripping from his actions, "No, no. Lucie, you're more than welcome here any time. I just don't want you to touch anything deadly," he smiled warmly.

[jessetremlett]

"That's nice, thanks," Jesse said, moving to occupy the free spot. "You sure? I wasn't trying to scare you off of your bench or anything," he had paused slightly before eventually sitting down.

[thecdcredubancwski]

"That's okay, I don't scare easy," Theo replied, chuckling, "Better to share the bench that keep it all to myself. It would be a bit selfish, wouldn't it?"

[thecdcredubancwski]

❄️ - our muses get some fresh air from the celebrations together ( @jessetremlett )

"Oh hey, yeah. You can sit here," Theo said, gesturing to the spot next to him, "I'm not waiting on anyone. In fact, I can move if you are expecting to meet someone here. I was probably going to go back in in a few minutes anyway," he explained.