Apprentice to a Shadow (For Passionate Shadow)

[LadyLoki]

Lucian Silvers was a brilliant man. He was one of the best at his craft, that being potions and the hidden mysteries they contained inside their complex recipes. Few could ever come close to mastering their intricacies, and as such Lucian did not take apprentices often. The ones he had soon proved to be useless, unable to follow his commands to his specifications. He retreated into his lab, eventually become known as 'The Shadow'. Soon enough, he found hope in a small boy of about 10. A child named Tempo. Lucian was fond of the child, who showed great promise. Tempo did however, occasionally demonstrate his hidden little naughty side, but Lucian was fond of him all the same. He was on his way to wake the child up now...the sun had risen and it was the optimal time to pick sundew berries. Tempo had begged to come along, and he'd indulged the boy.
"Tempo, wake up Child. We need to leave soon."

[Passionate Shadow]

As Lucian entered the room Tempo's elongated ears twitched to the subtle sounds. Almost immediately after those soft spoken word's left Lucian's mouth Tempo's bright roseate colored eyes fluttered open. It took him but a moment to focus on his surroundings. He sat up feeling that familiar hazy grip of sleep upon him. Tempo rubbed his small fists at those large glassy eyes trying to push any and all remnants of sleep. Recalling just what day today was, Tempo snapped right out of that haze. Quickly he tried to get to his feet but in turn tangled himself within his blanket causing him to stumble out of the bed hitting the floor with a thump.

The flabbergasted runt was quick to recover as he darted over to a small chest and pulled on his day clothes moving with speed that could have only come from the motivation and prospect of doing something 'fun' for once. "I'm awake , I'm up!" He chirped in that high pitched melodic tone as if to assure his master he was cognizant.

[LadyLoki]

Lucian chuckled as his young apprentice tumbled out of bed and sprang right back up. "Careful Child." He cautioned and watched the child get dressed without incident. "I can see you are awake Child, come. We shall have breakfast and proceed to the forest to pick the berries." He placed a gentle hand on Tempo's head and the two walked down together. "Eat some oatmeal Tempo, we will be gone for quite some time." He advised, watching to make sure the child ate something other than the sweet pastries he usually favored.

[Passionate Shadow]

As Tempo entered the kitchen he tapped his shoes on the ground making sure they were on correctly. "Oatmeal is for horse." He stated letting a little bitterness enter his tone. He made his ay towards the cabinets to fetch some wooden plates and other dinning compliments to set the table for two. It seemed he was on top of things this morning and behaving much like a young gentleman with out really being asked to. "So, what are we going to be doing with the Berries?" Tempo asked as he started to set out the objects he collected placing them in the right order. "They aren't the kind we can put in to pies are they?" He asked ears twitching gently as they shot up with interest. Ah yes, the questions were beginning. If there was one thing about Tempo it was that he was a very curious little person and he hadn't seemed to have out grow that stage of asking over five hundred questions a day.

[LadyLoki]

"Oatmeal is also for young boys who need energy to tag along with their guardians." Lucian said, smiling fondly at the child. He was impressed with the child's behavior this morning and assisted him with setting the table for breakfast. He sighed as the questions began yet again, but he enjoyed Tempo's inquisitiveness. "No, they do not go in pies Child. They go into a rare potion that can create a strong healing potion...occasionally extending life in some instances." He said, going into his master mode. "They can only be picked today...as it is the summer solstice. The sun allows them to grow for a single day." He set the child on top of the table, handing him a small chocolate pastry to go with the oatmeal. "Eat Little One."

[Passionate Shadow]

Tempo sighed resigning him self to his morning meal as he sat down at the table. He reached out and pulled the warm bowl towards him begrudgingly. Quietly he started shoving spoonfuls of oat meal in to his mouth. Once he'd eaten about a forth of his meal he pushed the bowl away setting the spoon side turning his attention to one of the window's in the room letting his imagination lure his attention away. Tempo was a small child and didn't tend to eat much.

[LadyLoki]

"Can you manage one more bite Little One?" Lucian asked the smile child before clearing the table. "Put on your shoes Tempo, and we will head off." He told the small boy, smiling at the energy. He put on his own shoes and took his student's hand. They began the trek to the reclusive spot where the berries grew. "Stay close young one." He ordered, voice stern.

[Passionate Shadow]

Tempo had darted off to fetch his heavy boots and was eager to run right out side but instead a hand was offered to him and he sighed heavily taking it none the less to follow along quietly. All the while his attention was drawn by the sweet bird song that filled the air. He enjoyed the out doors and started finding himself longing to simply run, just run and never stop running in the fresh air. "The wolves only come out in the evening and the night right?" Tempo asked curiously keeping close to his Master.

[LadyLoki]

"Yes, but there are other creatures in this part of the forest that could do just as much harm, if not more." He instructed the child. "You must stay close and not wander as you are wont to do. You know what will happen." Lucian warned the child as they moved deeper into the forest. Finally, he saw what he had been searching for. "Ah, Child look." He pointed. The berries were a beautiful gold, glowing in the sunlight. They were extraordinary, almost celestial looking.

[Passionate Shadow]

Tempo nodded his head softly in understanding and followed along. He paused setting his gaze on the berries. "Wow... they're rather pretty aren't they?" he asked ears flicking up wards to attention from their previously lax position. "Do we have to be careful with how we pick them?" he asked curiously looking up to the taller.