Forbidden Fruit

Special Chapter 6: Palladium's Thoughts

There's been so much going on with the tests and the sudden malfunction that I've barely had enough time to do anything else. And today I'm supposed to go take care of the plants in the garden. Good thing I'll have Flora there to help out. If it was Onyx, it'd be quite the challenge...

I catch myself smiling at the thought of her. No. This is not right. I bring my hands up to my face and sigh.

"Professor Palladium! Is something the matter? You look more worried than usual."

I look down to Professor Wizgiz who was passing up me in the hallway. I try to put on my best attempt at a smile.

"It's just that I feel very swamped with everything that's been happening."

"Yeah. It's not fun having that little accident happen during the test. That machine malfunctioned not once, but twice! It's just that second time was because of Onyx' magic being a bit too strong for it. Maybe we should build it to accommodate Ankelons from now on, haha...!"

I zoned out after that. When Professor Wizgiz starts talking, it's very hard for him to stop.

I head to the garden when Flora is already there. I smile, seeing my student working so diligently.

"I see you've already started without me."

Flora turns to me and smiles.

"I just couldn't help myself. There are so many rare and beautiful plants here."

We both then work together, checking the plants and making sure they're all healthy. I got to say, this is taking less time than usual. Flora really has a very special bond with plants. I see her looking after some plants a bit further away. I lose sight of her after that. That's fine. I trust she can handle things.

After working for a bit, I notice the plants becoming restless. Some of them started drying up really fast. What's happening here? I check them with my magic, trying to communicate with them, but it's as if... they're frightened. Maybe Flora would know something about this.

"Flora! The plants are acting strangely. Come see."

I wait for a bit and see her reappearing. I look back at the plants and see the life coming back to them.

"Yes, Professor Palladium?"

I tilt my head in confusion.

"Strange... The plants seem fine now. Just a few seconds ago, they were completely frightened."

"Oh... Actually I know why that happened."

I look up to her.

"Really? What happened?"

"Onyx was just here."

My eyes widen slightly as I come to the realization. She probably wanted to come see the garden, but realized that she couldn't because of her nature...

"It looks like she left right away, though."

"Yeah, she didn't seem like she was doing well. She's been feeling quite down lately."

Why? Is it because of me?

"You don't seem to be looking too good either, Professor. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah. Let's just get back to work..."

The whole time while we worked, I couldn't stop thinking about Onyx. I just hope she's not feeling too down. I wish I could see her... Hug her... Comfort her... But this is all just my selfishness. I just want to feel her body against my own. I want to keep her in my arms and share each other's warmth. But this is all wrong. I cannot fall in love with my student. After we finish up, I go back to my office and try to not think about her by drowning myself in paperwork...