A Half-Baked Life 9 (Tamberlane Webcomic, Human!SI)
"This is the Rose Archipelago. It is the most eastward selection of isles within the continent," Callie explained as she went on with her geography lesson. "It is considered a lovely spot that has mild winters and warm summers."
The reason why I was also here during her turn with classes was due to the importance of these few hours of important lessons tied to the upcoming trip to the old ruins of the former Bally Bluffs. A long time ago, there was a larger section of the settlement well beyond the riverbanks.
It was meant to be a nice shelter for the previous village due to the present of sturdy houses and a wider area for agricultural purposes. Then the winters started to get rougher, and some aggressions unfolded back when pit-fights were still going on.
The old Treehollow got wrecked by a rebellion, with most of those causing havoc being shipped to Abroad and the rest of those 'salvageable' and the survivors being hurled into the new settlement. Smaller houses, warmer times, and a greater focus on trading compared to the previous field-tending that was the core of 'Bally Bluffs'.
"For this important week, you will all be given the means to learn more of what once was Bally Bluffs. Starting from its history to the importance of why violence is not the solution to anything meaningful."
A paw shot up as I was done saying this.
"Yes Jonas?"
"Why didn't we just rebuild over the ruins?" The bespectacled raccoon inquired. "Like, wouldn't it have been easier?"
"Easier? Not really. Old Treehollow had sustained a hefty amount of damage during the riots. While it could have been less expensive to fix it, the cold and the extent of the destruction made it impossible for that. Plus, the Parliament was quite upset over these events and deemed it fitting to just lead to a relocation."
The children all seemed intrigued by this, but Callie took over again.
"After these dreadful events, our ancestors moved on this very spot of the island," The lizard girl used her pointing stick to aim at the map. "And so that means our little town of Treehollow is here, at the very tip of the Rose Archipelago. We are going to learn a lot about Silver Sage and our home this week!"
Retreating the stick, the woman then shifted her attention to the students. "Now what can you tell me about Treehollow."
"It's cold!" Tamberlane swiftly replied and I nodded at her giddy eyes at the positive smile she got from Callie.
"'It's cold.' Genius, innit!" Cur parroted, making Jonas giggle quietly and leaving a few students irked at the disruptive behavior.
"One of our main exports is textiles!" Anthony, Piper's brother, rightfully added as he had his paw up.
"Very good, you two!" Callie replied happily, beaming as she ignored Cur and the rest of the 'silly trio'.
"What even is an ixport?" The rowdy boy asked with a mixture of confusion and silliness.
"It's the kind of product we provide to others via trade, Cur," I replied calmly. "Still, there's no reason to pipe in without raising your paw."
He rolled his eyes, but also appeared somewhat glad I hadn't pushed more on this. I turned to Callie, and the more experienced teacher was coercing Tamberlane to elaborate her answer.
"And why is it cold, Tamberlane?"
The girl hummed and patted a finger on her chin. "Because it's... Winter. And it's snowing."
"And?" Callie offered a supportive smile and the brunette beamed back.
"Because we're in the North!"
"Well done, luv."
"Thanks, Captain Obvious."
I huffed. "Cur, how about you tell us what you think of the topic rather than play this game?"
"Well," He snorted. "It's boring."
"School can be boring if you wish to treat it boringly. If you keep to yourself, smirking and giggling with your friends, you will not learn enough to get through school."
"I can easily make it through-"
"Then prove it," I replied. "By actually behaving with just enough maturity like your fellow classmates."
Unhappy but willing to comply for now, we shifted back to Callie.
"Now, now- we are almost done for the day. Starting from tomorrow, we will expand more about what your roots are and where do you come from."
"Roots? We- I have roots?" Tamberlane asked with a hint of unease.
I was about to say something when Marie and Piper suddenly hugged her up.
"Duh! You're our lil' ghost for well over a year. That's some roots!" The pipsqueak giddily pointed out, while Marie chuckled and nuzzled against her cheek.
"Over the next week we'll be making tree collage with things that remind us of our roots." Callie tried to get back on the topic but-
"An' wharrabout the rest of us blokes who don't know our roots, eh? We ain't all cute 'ghosties' getting our paw helded."
"Cur! Must I put you on Time Out again?!"
"I en't bein' smart-alecky this time, honest!"
"Then why are you so agitated about the topic," I argued calmly. "Cur, you're usual upset of many things, but what's with you today?"
He opened his mouth and then closed it. "Dunno, I just- I don't have roots!"
"Don't you? Don't you have a family here? Friends?"
"I do but-"
"Cur, you have those that love you. And those are your roots," I interjected with finality. "It's not perfect, it never is. But it doesn't have to feel like that for you to be at home."
He gave me a long look and... then gave up on the matter altogether. All seemed to shift back to normality until a new curveball came in our general direction.
"Now that this is out of the way, we shall focus on our trip for Bally Buffs as Mr. Jentzen and I will- Yes, Piper?"
"Miss Callie, what's Abroad?"
The kids were instantly given reason to whisper aloud about the topic, but where Callie looked absolutely unprepared for the topic, I was best suited to know what to say about it.
"Students, the topic is forbidden. We are also focusing on-"
"But why is it forbidden?"
I shrugged. "Legal stuff. Too complex and unimportant to today's lesson," I argued flatly as I regaled Jonas with a frown.
"Hehehe, good deflect, teach-"
"Kira, you're not off the hook yourself."
The boy huffed but didn't seem to mind the return.
"Now, back to the topic at hand-"
"Why aren't we telling them?" Jentzen asked, stopping mid-correcting the homework as we all turned to him. "They deserve to know, John-"
"Absolutely not!" Callie snapped, sounding very upset by this escalation. "The Edicts clearly states that-"
"The Edicts are wrong!"
...Fuck. No, like really, FUCK.
"Jentzen, you're suspended for a week!" I spoke loudly, my voice sharply cutting into the glare the two educators held to one another.
Jentzen in particular appeared puzzled by my interjection, while Callie looked unsure on how to press forward without further exploding herself.
"But-"
"Jentzen! Two weeks!"
My voice had gotten snappy and extremely loud at this point. Most would only hear the anger behind my barking, but the way my face was paling was not due to personal wrath- but fear. Why the hell is this dumb moron discussing of a topic that could warrant his exile and ours!?
"I-"
"Out!"
Surprise flared at the assistant, but he saw that this was going to only worsen for him. He scowled and then turned around to leave.
"I don't care, I quit! We should be able to state our opinions over stupid laws that have no sense in existing!"
I facepalmed, hard, and yet did nothing to further escalate this as Jentzen just left. And I turned to see Callie, thinking she would be still angry at the situation but I saw her mood had morphed out of that irritated expression and she looked spent.
"F-For the trip, I will be bringing the snacks and- and the beverages. Still- Still if you have favorite snacks, you can bring those to- to the camp. We shall discuss more of this tomorrow."
The kids could hear the trembling in her voice, and a few tears had started to form on Callie.
"But, Miss Callie, there's still some time before-"
"Early release!" She said, forcing a big smile, but the tears only made the scene even more unpleasant. The kids still left as requested, with Tamberlane going to be picked by Belfry as I was soon dealing with a mess of a situation.
Without the kids, Callie full broke into sobs. She didn't put any resistance as I scooped her in a hug and let her vent out against my chest. For a while, it was just quiet embracing but then she looked up and appeared hurt.
"I-Is Jentzen going- going to be banished?"
I frowned. "No. The Edict has not been broken, so I doubt that the Council will push on this. But... I will move to see this mess dealt with to avoid any of that. You are fine, Callie."
"W-We screamed in front of the students. That's not fine."
"Only because the situation was escalating. Things will be fine."
"Hmm," She groaned, pressing her forehead against me. "John, you're a life-saver."
"And you need to take a break for once. How about you enjoy the trip as a tourist other than a teacher."
Callie sighed. "As if."
...
"A-Also, just to make it clear, I will not try to do anything around Belfry."
"I am glad that we can address that," I chuckled, patting her head. "But if you play your cards right, cuddling may be an option."
She tensed up, then gave me a wide-eyed look. "R-Really?"
I shrugged and Callie groaned before nuzzling ferociously against my chest.
A small break from the panic and dread, as I would have to use the time where the group is out camping to get some chit-chat with the local council's members over what was best to say or do for a report about Jentzen without causing a big mess.
Because, if the news of the 'Abroad' Edict was broken was received by Parliament, then any member could come to check and... label me and Tamberlane as threats to the peace.
AN
Callie deserves to be cuddled in the middle of the bed. And headpatted to bliss.
