Hop In Losers, We’re Going On An Expedition!

[Strazio Rockwell]

Valerie exhaled a held half-breath, expelling several minutes worth of pins and needles. This feeling of shattered eggshells and fragile plates was often accompanied by one of his pupil's legendary tantrums. As one well-versed in dataverse lingo would say, he has absolutely no chill. One would be hard-pressed to find something amicable about Strazio's disposition, but Valerie cared deeply for his student. Despite the man's sour demeanor and hostile tendencies, Valerie found something strangely poetic in Strazio's tortured existence. He always found a way to progress and move forward despite the constant anguish he suffered. The weight of his childhood and resultant metamorphosis into the Avatar of Anger had no doubt ruined Strazio's mind and subsequently body. It was only a matter of time before the roaring inferno that was Strazio burned himself to cinders in his quest for vengeance.

One could only hope that he would burn only himself.

Another slow deep breath cascaded from Valerie's green-painted lips, negativity out, positivity in. The thought of a frozen adventure sent prickles and goosebumps up his spine. It had been decades since he had felt the crisp kiss of frost upon his bare flesh, and it most certainly was by choice. Few flowers, asides from the occasional icespine and chillylily, would grow in such a harsh climate. Not that he was incapable of forcing plants to grow in such climate, he very well could for where there was blood there were plants, but the thought of damning such beautiful blossoms to a terribly ephemeral existence did not sit well with Val. But perhaps the Frozen Fields would bring a nice change of pace, after all there was no telling what manner of exotic flora might exist out there in the snowy peaks and plains.

“Companions!” Valerie exclaimed, “let us abscond from this hallowed domain and enter a more frigid realm in search of adventure!”

The mere thought of new and wondrous plants to add to his collection sent the Verdant mage's mind spinning. There was no more mystery left within his home world, he had scoured every inch of the planet in an effort to experience every plant it had to offer. But this Omniverse was fresh and exciting, it was absolutely teeming with miracles of nature. And to explore its depths with the greatest of friends was certainly an exciting prospect. In fact this group seemed to be growing every minute, with several new additions on board. It was a blessing, he supposed, to have such affable acquaintances.