Lessons. Lessons were an easy enough way to fill her days. It's a nice way to dose her interaction with the outside world, keep herself from getting too anxious, but also prevent herself from becoming entirely reclusive. All good things, even if she had to convince herself of it. The grey had been... wrose, lately. But she'd put on her kind, confident smile. She'd go about her morning chores, setting the fires beneath the pots where her students for the day would make their dyes, all tucked tidily away beside her market stall. The water would have time to boil. In the meantime, Halo dragged out the various ingredients. Best they choose their own colors. Watched pots never boiled, and she set about laying out samples of dyed fabric and paper while she waited. "Speech"

Dread's recent return with a potential treatment for the chickens had shown promise. Copper had eradicated the fungus in one of the individuals, but Jael couldn't justify going all the way back out to the source. He'd been kind enough to give him the name of a woman who may know more about just how to fix the chickens, close enough that she could convince Erish that it really was worth going.

Picking up Cal along the way, they made their way into the market. When Jael realizes that the woman she sought was, in fact, someone she'd met before... it makes sense. Not wanting to derail whatever Halo was setting up, she instead offers a trade. Two seats in her class (one for Jael, one for Cal), some information, and however many maple candies Wylan had left at the end of the day-- a big ask, on Jael's part.

In return? Jael offered a pile of fine stitching needles crafted from the carcass of the snake that she and Calliope had eliminated a few months previously. A bundle of crushed aluminum cans. A tidy stack of razor clam shells. And for Wylan? Scrap stingray leather lashed tidily together with driftwood, a sturdy practice sword. The trade goes swiftly, smoothly.

J A E L

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Calliope had been minding her own business, taking a nap within Fern Gulley, when Jael had passed by. Followed by her father's owl, the tiny dog appeared to be on a mission. Not that she cared to be following after the dog, but it didn't take much to convince her to be Jael's muscle while she perused the market. She didn't have anything better to do anymore anyway. Bored out of her mind, this would give her at least something to do while she waited for excitement.

Approaching the market, Cal is silent and has been for most of the trip. She's content to let Jael chatter when she wants, but otherwise, she has nothing to say. Instead, she's on full guard, eyes watching every wolf and corner they pass. No one would touch the dog on her watch. It is to her surprise when Jael approaches another small wolf who appears more timid than anything. Still, Cal is silent as a trade is made and then they're being led to a room where vessels bubble with boiling water and swathes of different colored material is laid out.

Canting her head to the side, she follows Jael's suit and goes to sit before one of the vessels, waiting oh so patiently for what was going to happen.

"Speech"

He had never actually been up to the Armada before. Both of his adoptive fathers had mentioned their market was a good place to find unusual goods. While his own homeland brought plenty of different variety of things to Tojo-Kai, he was curious to see what this northern market would provide. At the back of his mind, he also wondered if he could find something for Maki. As he left Heidinn lands, parting ways with the girl, he couldn't help but notice how sad she appeared. He was too awkward and polite to ask what was wrong, but still wondered if there was anything he could do to make it up to her. Even if it hadn't been his fault.

Easily crossing the border after a polite interaction with a few wolves that stood guard, Akito made his way down the aisles of the market. Sweet scents of candy and musky scents of leather filled his nostrils. There was much to choose from and he wasn't quite sure what he was interested in most. Not until he saw the familiar form of a dog he had met recently on his way to Heidinn. Once more, his mind went wondering why the Raider dog was here and with what appeared to be a rather large wolf as her guard. Approaching the interaction, Akito politely waits his turn. He greets Jael, a cautious glance toward the large pastel girl before introducing himself to Halo. After he finds out that she will be teaching a lesson in dyes, he offers some lotus stem as trade for a seat in her class.

Once the trade has been made, Akito promising he'll help show her how to make silk if she didn't know how, he takes his seat on the other side of Jael.

"speech"

Halo's eye is kind as she makes her way through the motions. A wolfdog that she'd met before, the first to arrive. She'd even brought a marvelous sword for Wylan, something she's certain he'll love. While they're supposed to be at odds with the Raiders, Halo has seen too much good in them to distrust her motives. Welcoming both to their stations, and then turning to a young man as well. Delight in her gaze as she takes in the lotus stem, Halo eagerly welcomes the boy to his seat. Taking in her class and offering a gentle smile, the little healer begins. "Hello, my name is Halo, I'm one of the healers and teachers here in the Armada." A gentle introduction. "Welcome to my basics in dye making class." Another deep breath, and then Halo launches into instruction. "The first thing I'd like you all to do is choose a color you'd like to create. They're all laid out here, with the corresponding material behind it." Halo waves them all over, indicating where the fabric swatches sit before bins of the plant material that creates the color. "While the color chart is there to help you, it's all about experimenting and having fun." She gave a bright smile, a little wag to her tail. "Fill up one of these bins with your plant material, and then return to your station please." The instruction is gentle, Halo's characteristically friendly tone filling the work space. "I pre-measured these containers, so we'll have two parts plant material and one part water. Colors with deeper swatches will usually have a stronger effect, so if you'd like lighter colors, make sure to use them sparingly." Her tone gentle, indicating the fabric swatches where they were displayed. "Speech"

There's a lot of information all at once, and Jael tries to... tries to not struggle to take it all in. At least she feels safer with Cal hanging by her side. Even if the lesson wasn't really what either of them had in mind... maybe it could be fun? Jael didn't know how to go about getting Halo's time otherwise, and at this point she was too anxious to ask. At least it was nice to take a seat after the long walk, and it smelled nice in here. Herbal, and the like.

Curiously following Halo's instructions, deciding she'd give it her best shot, Jael snags a container. Stuffing it full of beets and red cabbage. Would that turn purple, but like, a darker purple? Maybe. Hopefully. Brow furrowing a little bit as her opal gaze flicked to Halo for approval. The pale wolf gave a little nod. Returning to her station to await further instruction, it seemed like she was on the right track at least. This arts and crafts shit wasn't really Jael's strong suit.

J A E L

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Creating dye was not on Calliope's list of "things she wants to do." Her eyes widen, brow scrunches, nose wrinkles as she listens to the instructions laid out by Halo. She had to pick a color? Her eyes dart over to the swatches and she lets out an obvious grumble. None of this even mattered to her and figuring Jael would take it back herself, Calliope moves over to the bin full of plant material and takes out the measured amount of turmeric. It's stinky, but she deals with it anyway.

Sitting back at her station, she looks hesitantly toward Halo to make sure she's doing it correctly. When given a reassuring nod, Calliope dumps the turmeric in and gives it a little swirl with the stick that leans against the side of the warm pot. "You sure this'll work?" Cal asks, lifting her gaze to watch Halo for a moment.

"Speech"

Akito is pleased to do something knew. Even if its something he could have learned back in Tojo-Kai, learning from someone else was a positive. Not everything had to be done the same way by the same wolf every time. He was taking this as a learning experience, not only for the dyes, but also for how to act around others he barely knew. Plus, he would be able to give a good impression of what Tojo-Kai bred so when he returned to the bamboo, he could at least give Hattori some good news.

Once the instruction is given, he goes to the bin with the swatches and materials. Staring down at the options, he's unsure. Does he make dye for Maki or for Clove? Maki was so sad, she really looked like she needed a pick me up, but then again, he could get her something from the market instead... And what about Clove? Would she want some paw-dyed fabric? Maybe she could make a pillow out of it or... a scarf? Akito didn't know these things, but as he studied the different colors, he finally settled on the darker of the red cabbages. It was a pleasant purple color that he figured either girl would enjoy. Right?

Taking his chosen material back with him, he moves to sit back on his seat and wait for further instruction.

"speech"

Watching as each of her students pours over their colors and makes their choices, Halo prepares her own example batch as well. It's all red cabbage shreds, and she shows her students how to make sure they're properly packed down in the vessels as well. Making sure to fill up the entire volume, and squish everything down as best she can. To answer Calliope's question, Halo nods. "It will, there are a couple more steps though." Halo loves questions, she loves teaching pups. It's her favorite thing, really. "Next, you're going to tip your plant material onto the cloth that's on your station, like this." Halo demonstrates with her own bundle, tipping everything out in a tidy heap. Tucking everything in around the edges, and then making sure each of her students has done the same before moving on. "Gently tie the edges together, we want a little bundle that will stay together." Another demonstration, with Mr. Raccoon helping first Halo and then the others, should anyone need an extra set of hands. "Gently place the bundle in the boiling water. When you do this at home, it doesn't need to be bundled-- you can strain it at the end, instead." She offers the alternate option. A kind smile at the group. "I'll keep these on the heat while you shop, and bottle them when you're ready to leave for the day. The bundles of plant material can stay inside until this time tomorrow." Checking for further questions before she continues on. "I'll also send you home with a solution that will help the dye stick to the fabric better." Halo nods particularly to Cal, the answer to her previous question. "Speech"

The appearance of the raccoon from seemingly nowhere was a bit jarring, but Jael bounced back easily enough. Accepting help from the creature as she bundled the plant material onto the cloth, and they tied it together-- corner to corner, and then again. Corner to corner. It bundled together loosely, and Jael dropped it neatly into the boiling water. Curiously peering in after it, and then to Halo.

"What's in the solution?" Maybe she's jumping the gun a little bit, but the girl's expression remained open and curious. Even if it was a process that was probably too much of a pain in her ass to get wrapped up in doing much of, it would be worth knowing.

J A E L

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Akito sits patiently as he waits for everyone else to be ready. His gaze is on Halo as she then continues the lesson. He looks down at the cloth and his face visibly scrunches. What if he messed up? Taking a deep breath, he dumps out the red cabbage remnants onto the cloth as instructed. Okay, easy enough so far. Next was tying the cloth... Another scrunch of his face as he attempts to tie the cloth with his clumsy paws. Thankfully, Mr. Raccoon comes over to save the say. Tiny fingers expertly enclose the red cabbage into the cloth before the animal is off to help the next wolf. Looking back up to Halo, Akito watches as she places her bundle into a pot of boiling water. Surely his sister, Kina, would be interested in learning something like this. Following suit, Akito places his bundle in the pot of boiling water at his station. The process appeared simple enough, something he could manage if he were to ever need it again. Perhaps he could dye different colors for the lantern festival Hattori had mentioned. That would be pretty, no? With Halo's lesson over, Akito stands and approaches the small white wolf. Bowing his head to her, he offers her a kind smile. "Arigato, Halo-san. This was fun," he says, trying not to be awkward or weird. "If there is anything you'd like me to bring back from the market, I would be glad to help," Akito offers, waiting a few moments before turning to leave to head to the market to shop for different candies for a few special wolves on his mind.

Calliope meet's Halo gaze, the words the teacher speaks forcing her to purse her lips. A few more steps? Ugh, why did she agree to this? Looking down at her station, Calliope clumsily moves through the next steps. Some of her turmeric spreads out over the cloth, a plume of yellow dust enveloping her face and tinting her pale fur a dingy shade of tan. Coughing through the intense scent, she gives her head a shake before once more clumsily attempting to tie the cloth up. After getting frustrated and releasing a growl, Halo's companion, Mr. Raccoon, waddles over to help. Though his gaze is cautious around the fiery tempered girl, they are able to get the job done.

Plopping the small bundle into the boiling water, she lets out a huff. Finally, done. Looking up to meet Halo's gaze, she gives one of those snarky 'yeah, yeah, whatever' sort of looks that make her eyes crinkle at the corners. Standing up and dusting herself off, she looks over to Jael who is still asking questions. Letting out an annoyed sigh, she reaches over and bumps the dog with a paw. "C'mon, you can ask later," she snips before heading out the door.

"Speech"