When Caleb follows the line of Yussa's gaze, his smile warms and he gives a slight nod of approval.
"Come down, Merric," he says, beckoning. "What would you like to be?"
Merric is a half-orc, tall and wide-set, and generally quiet except when he has a pertinent observation. But his work speaks for itself, and his enthusiasm is clear; he has told Caleb more than once that he intends to specialize in Transmutation. He glances between Yussa and Caleb as he comes forward, clearly surprised to have been picked. "I can choose anything I want, Professor?" When he joins him at the front of the room, Caleb rolls the silk cocoon in his hand into his fingers to prepare to cast.
"Ja, within reason. Polymorph does not cover dragons, for example, but it can do large lizards of other sorts." C-Rex will return one day--just not here. "Think of an animal you like, and it is probably possible."
What he decides on his very simple: a bloodhound, because his family keeps them and he has always wanted to know what the world is like from their perspective--if it is as carefree as it looks. Caleb laughs, because he can relate. So he turns him into a bloodhound, and one of his friends follows him around the room as he investigates it, nose to the ground. Someone brings out a ball to play fetch with.
As Caleb thought, there is no getting back on track as they play and chatter excitedly among themselves, so he wraps things up quickly by reminding them of the reading they need to finish by next week and then sending them on their way slightly early. Quite a few stay, though, to talk with him about the spell, and all of them give a polite farewell to Yussa as they leave. Merric and his friend remain until last so Caleb can take a few minutes with them after he drops Polymorph to ask Merric about his experience. Eye-opening, apparently, and oddly freeing, which Caleb tells him is a perspective he shares. Judging that he seems happy and well in order, he lets the two of them go as well, and watches as Merric bravely stops to thank Yussa directly before he goes.
When the room is empty except for the two of them, Caleb looks to Yussa with clear fondness. "Good choice, Master Errenis. You really do have an eye for talent."
no subject
"Come down, Merric," he says, beckoning. "What would you like to be?"
Merric is a half-orc, tall and wide-set, and generally quiet except when he has a pertinent observation. But his work speaks for itself, and his enthusiasm is clear; he has told Caleb more than once that he intends to specialize in Transmutation. He glances between Yussa and Caleb as he comes forward, clearly surprised to have been picked. "I can choose anything I want, Professor?" When he joins him at the front of the room, Caleb rolls the silk cocoon in his hand into his fingers to prepare to cast.
"Ja, within reason. Polymorph does not cover dragons, for example, but it can do large lizards of other sorts." C-Rex will return one day--just not here. "Think of an animal you like, and it is probably possible."
What he decides on his very simple: a bloodhound, because his family keeps them and he has always wanted to know what the world is like from their perspective--if it is as carefree as it looks. Caleb laughs, because he can relate. So he turns him into a bloodhound, and one of his friends follows him around the room as he investigates it, nose to the ground. Someone brings out a ball to play fetch with.
As Caleb thought, there is no getting back on track as they play and chatter excitedly among themselves, so he wraps things up quickly by reminding them of the reading they need to finish by next week and then sending them on their way slightly early. Quite a few stay, though, to talk with him about the spell, and all of them give a polite farewell to Yussa as they leave. Merric and his friend remain until last so Caleb can take a few minutes with them after he drops Polymorph to ask Merric about his experience. Eye-opening, apparently, and oddly freeing, which Caleb tells him is a perspective he shares. Judging that he seems happy and well in order, he lets the two of them go as well, and watches as Merric bravely stops to thank Yussa directly before he goes.
When the room is empty except for the two of them, Caleb looks to Yussa with clear fondness. "Good choice, Master Errenis. You really do have an eye for talent."