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“I, too, am a sucker for happy endings.” She answered him agreeably, finding that she liked him increasingly as the conversation progressed. He was handsome, polite, and she knew from his profession that he must be reasonably intelligent. He did seem a bit awkward, but under the circumstances, who wouldn't be? The male had a nice smile, and honest eyes.

Willowbreeze glowed at the compliment. “I'm so glad you enjoyed it.” The shyness with which he praised her was almost charming, and she found herself trying to catch his eye as she responded, “Ah, thank you.”

However, the apothecary seemed very determined not to look at her. She was a bit puzzled by this, but decided to let it go, instead steering the conversation to something more neutral. “Hollysong mentioned that you are an apothecary. That sounds like very interesting work. Do you enjoy it?”

Willowbreeze thanked him and sounded quite honest about it, but Drywood was too preoccupied with feeling uncomfortably hot to respond in any other way than with a very indistinct mumble, meant to explain that he really didn't know much about song or singing, but was unintelligible enough to be interpreted as anything, really.

Then she asked him about his task, and his ear tufts perked up significantly. Only too happy to find a topic of conversation that he felt truly comfortable in, Drywood couldn’t help but bob his head like an eager fledgling when he smiled up at her and replied:

“Oh, oh yes! I most certainly do! It is incredibly interesting work, really. Most sentinels actually have no idea of just how many different substances there are that affect our bodies, and in so very many different ways, too: there are poisons that shut down your lungs and heart, and poisons that shut down your senses, poisons that make you slow and disoriented and venoms that actually destroy the living flesh! Nature is a remarkable craftsman, and as an Apothecary, I get to witness and figure out some of its most delicate handiwork. Even antidotes and remedies are creations of art, where the slightest imbalance in dosage could do more harm than good-“ He pulled in a deep, quick breath and looked deep into Willowbreeze’s eyes, wishing with all his heart to convey how important a point this was to him, and hoping fervently that she could somehow grasp its enormous implications – without judging him a madbird for it, like others so often did: “But I firmly believe that even poisons or venoms, in the right dosage, could potentially do more good than harm, as well. This is the basis of all my research.”

He had quickly become so swept away by his own enthusiasm for the Task that he loved, that he had for a moment completely forgotten who he was talking to, only that he really wanted to impress her.

“Yes, Drywood’s work is very interesting indeed.” Hollysong joined in suddenly. “A pioneer, some say.”

Drywood had complimented her voice and she had shown interest in his task. Even if they didn’t quite realize it, they were both playing this game rather well. But Hollysong had a feeling they shouldn’t dwell on the younger Chestnut’s task for too long and it would be best if Willowbreeze became slowly acquainted with the details of poison testing after the apothecary grew on her. And there was still something to be said about that inopportune companion of his… if all went well, maybe he could still persuade Drywood to get rid of it. Either that or he’d have to arrange for a responsible Brooder to assist the couple.

“Willow dear, I don’t think I’ve ever heard about your territory. I had the pleasure of meeting Drywood at his (a lovely place near the great western open you should really see it!) but I only met you at your grandmother’s. Is it far from here?” the Storyteller’s isn’t exactly expecting anyone to be taken by the obviously fake innocence of his question but he still pulls out his most pleasant “I’m-just-a-cheeky-old-bird” smile nonetheless.

She turned towards the sound of Holly's voice, nodding as she aknowledged his words. "Very interesting." She repeated, looking at Drywood with obvious approval. He wasn't a large male, but he looked healthy and strong, and still had the size advantage over her petite frame. Yes, she could mate with him. He was not old, ugly or dull, as she feared he might be.

In fact... he seemed quite an acceptable mate. Suddenly aware that the Storyteller had asked her a question, Willowbreeze forced herself to focus.

"My territory is just a few minutes' flight from my grandmother's. It's rather nice, with a comfortable oak tree in the center. Not large, but in the fall the acorns bring lots of tasty little creatures around." She bowed her head slightly to the older Sentinel, "Of course, you are welcome to see it at any time. I'd be honored by your visit."

Willow's golden eyes drifted back to Drywood, who had become rather quiet. He was looking at her intently, but not in a way that made her uncomfortable-- if anything, he was looking at her with a sort of appreciation which made her feel faintly warm and pleasantly flustered.

Drywood puffed up a little at the praise. "Well," he added, bobbing his head slightly at Willowbreeze, "She wasn't only my apprentice. Very clever and enterprising girl, she made sure to learn from many of us." He cleared his throat and frowned inwardly for a moment. He felt as though he was supposed to do something, at this point. Something about being polite...

Oh right! Just like Hollysong had already done, he needed to talk about HER a bit. He could almost hear the voices of his old Teachers in the back of his head, scolding him for his self-centeredness.

"Ahem, and how about yourself, Miss Willowbreeze? You are obviously a competent entertainer-" he glanced around, remembering the sounds of appreciation that had followed her performance, "-But do you... appreciate your Task?"

Considering that she had asked him about his task, and how pleased he had been to answer, he deemed it perfectly safe to return the favor.

“Ah yes, though my interests have generally taken me in a different direction, it is very important that the old songs and stories are not forgotten. And passing them down in a way that the younger generations find captivating is a great responsibility… and you seem to have the skills to embrace that duty.” Hollysong nodded back to the young female, pleased by the reverence she showed him.

“And speaking of entertaining… Willow dear, will you be performing again tonight?” It was about time to cut the little experience short, the Storyteller thought to himself as he analyzed the young sentinels’ posture and attitude. Before the word “Serpe” got thrown in by accident. Before the details of Drywood’s work were revealed. He needed to separate the two, to leave space for a bit of wondering, dreaming, longing… these were young sentinels after all. He couldn’t really pull Drywood away from the encounter without a reasonable explanation, but he could start dropping a few hints here and there.

"Oh!" Willowbreeze replied to Holly, a bit flustered. "I'm afraid that I am so charmed by your company that I had completly forgotten! I promised one of the little ones that I'd tell the story of how Noctus made the forest."

She nodded to both the males, although Drywood was favored with a shy smile as well. "I should go. Thank you both for your visit, I hope we will soon meet again. Please stop by any time-- In fact, I will be performing with the bard Fjord at the crownleaf theatre on the next full moon, if you wish to attend."

Drywood was also pleased. Pleased to have found Willowbreeze such a charming and understanding lady, pleased to apparently have performed accordng to Hollysong's expectations and, though it might perhaps not be considered a good thing, he was also pleased to be leaving before the conversaton had gone on for too long. The briefer the exchange, the less the risk of saying or doing something inappropriate.

He exhaled inwardly as the Storyteller bid Willowbreeze good bye, waiting politely for his turn to speak. When it arrived, however, the words he had been preparing inside his head suddenly evaporated the moment that he opened his beak, and he had to buy time by clearing his throat, in order to recapture them.

"It has been a pleasure meeting you, Miss Willowbreeze. I enjoyed speaking with you. I will certainly be looking forward to seeing you perform - Crownleaf Theatre, next full moon, was it? I shall be there."

He hesitated for a moment, and then felt himself grow warmer again as he added in a quieter voice: "I, um... I hope you will sing a song with a happy end."