Winter-time studying | Open

I AM A JUDAS AFTER ALL, @open

Dimitri liked keeping his plate full. If he stopped working, stopped studying...If he took enough time to 'smell the roses', his mind slowed down, and the memories of his past began to seep in. The phantom sensation of blood upon his fingers or the vague scent of it in his nose...All were things that motivated him to keep doing something, anything, to keep himself distracted. Even when he was prostrate in prayer, he was focused on the act of it, his mind a-whirl with mantras and fervent begging for salvation. But unfortunately for the born-again Catholic, his body required rest and he couldn't keep up optimal activity twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. So he struck a compromise. Studying would be his 'relaxation' time.

Thus he had picked out a spot in the Academy's courtyard, cleared off some snow on a bench and settled down. It was chilly, yes, and most people would have opted to be indoors for the sake of comfort but...Dimitri was prone to taking the more difficult or uncomfortable option if one presented itself. That was just the way his psyche operated after the incident a couple years ago. He was bundled up in warm clothes, nothing truly flashy, a pea coat and some slacks along with gloves and a scarf. His wavy hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail to keep it out of his face.

As much as he could, he got comfortable on the chair, long legs pulled up onto the seat with him. He had settled his back up into the crook formed between the back of the bench and the arm of it, and nestled into the angle. His legs were partially bent to act as a platform for books. On the seat a foot or two from him was his messenger bag, simple and sturdy black leather. Across his legs was a book on anatomy, which he had opened to the musculature section, and was reading rather intently.

Soft white wisps of air spiraled upwards with each breath, and his cheeks were lightly flushed from the chill air, but for the time being, he seemed unperturbed.