Lady Chusi Chhatrapati clothing: Leather top and bottoms, fur boots, Fur cap
The woman bowed her head "of course, it is no trouble" she said as she would wait for a moment while two others joined them, another with the bearing of the moon along with frosty white hair and golden eyes, quite possibly the male twin of the woman. They spoke softly in Ethen before the man (also stocky in build) gave Voku the same bow with the incline of his head "Stay close" was all the warning the Baron would get before his two escorts would burst into twin white flames, the male would take on feathers first and launch into the sky followed by the woman and they would lead Voku out.
They would fly over many small villages all roughly about the same size. they would travel south and down the edge of the world, passing over four larger villages along the way as the land visibly changed from lush green rolling grass to yellow grasses and then to stiff grass and orange rocks. From then on it would be seen in the distance, two large rocks, one by far larger but the other just as tall but thinner as if making an exclamation point. As they neared fine details would begin to emerge, they weren't holes in the rock, they were large carved out arching windows and the rocks had been altered more then just that. Six major towers struck out from what could only be deemed a fortress as if it was trying to bleed the sky, what had once been assumed to be two rocks now came into the know of having been one that had been asymmetrically cleaved in order to carve out a stone bridge that connected the thinner rock to the larger one. It was an impossing structure that clearly predated the current building methods of Ethe and most of (if not all) the kingdoms, having costed a fortune twice over if one took in the heat that came with being so far into the desert. The Fortress had been built for Kings, but no king had ever been allowed (or likely desired) to live within such a megalith, the up keep alone was likely to keep them away.
~~~
From not to far out of the reach of the fortress a golden phoenix appeared out of thin air, launching itself up into the sky before vanishing only to be replaced by a falling dark speck, appearing again, and doing the same. It was rhythmic and calculated the way the phoenix would appear at roughly the same height over and over again before falling a good twenty feet and appearing once more.
The male phoenix split off from Voku and the female and flew in the direction of the falling black dot, letting out a screech of warning so as to not startle the person. Once the white phoenix met with the golden one it to started to do the same, transforming back into human shape before taking wings once more.
The female phoenix, Vasu, lead Voku on passed the two phoenixes and the golden phoenix and Vasu's male counterpart would soon fall in behind them. They would land on the bridge that connected the two rocks and Vasu would be the first one to return to human form, followed by the male. The golden Phoenix would follow suit. Once the two pale phoenixes were sure the Chusi was on her feet they would head toward the smaller of the two rocks and vanish within the large doors. Chusi would look over at Almin and bow her head slightly "Baron Almin, I am surprised to see you so soon" the duchess said by greeting as she placed the large bow, almost as tall as she was, down "Are you at all opposed to some hot wine and steamed buns? The meats caught fresh just yesterday and its normally prepared rather well." she said to him, a passive smile upon her face. She would look over at his men that brought the equipment and she jerked her head to them as well "They are more then welcome to eat as well. Though I'm not sure how our food will sit with you, it tends to be a tad spicier then others, even in Ethe, so im told."
Cotton Shorts Kid
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:03 pm
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
When a guest in a foreign land, it is best to capitulate as much as possible; Vohku had been exposed to such platitudes at work in his life more times than he cared to dwell on--thankfully, he didn't need to in order to absorb their message. He was, however, impressed with the speed at which the duchess' staff moved. Such little dallying! If he was smiling at Vasu or her fellow helpers during the trip, it was because he was fondly admiring a castle of his own in which things were running as smoothly and as timely as this.
He'd need such a façade. Before he knew it, they were off and flying at full steam to reach their destination. Without the stamina of his companions, the baron found himself lagging slightly behind despite his most desperate efforts. Unable to spare space, the men travelling with him couldn't carry the baron. Unfortunate indeed; and he wasn't much able to marvel at the ruins before him or the pastoral lay of the land--much less the curious aerial stylings of the duchess herself under the obscuring brightness of midday.
"I... I apologise for not sending more notice... milady." Vohku Almin was a heap of heavy breaths and sighs, chest billowing out of cadence with the rest of him, cheeks ablaze in protesting strawberry atop his somewhat slumped body. He'd taken a moment to unfold himself from his doubled-over pose after the landing--and, of course, he knew it would be a shame to waste his herb to remedy such a condition so early in the day--and was clearly still struggling for the benefit of the duchess through some of their conversation; he couldn't think of food...
"--Oh! Quite kind of you, but I believe only my men would be interested. The men, now transformed out of their dragon forms, stood on the rock and tried to balance the belongings as best they could, wary in anticipation of another sudden departure. Vohku, unable to show a blush, was taken with the proud, tanned beauty before him who was so good to offer him food (did it look like he was malnourished?); he looked away long enough to motion for his men to join them.
"Actually," rejoined the baron, finally with air enough to speak in full sentences, "I've plan on making my own salad from greens I find along the way."
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
Stock:
❧[1] Clover
--Lucky and more charismatic than usual. 0/5 turns (inactive)
❧[2] Narcissus
-- Grants user the ability to transpose a shadowy copy of themselves across a distance which extends by 100m ever turn for 5 turns. After this, the copy vanishes, wherever it is. Takes 2 turns to activate after ingesting. (inactive)
❧[3] Hypernemia solution
-- A mixture born out of necessity in order to manage the master’s low stamina. With this potable at hand, the lung dragon finds himself seldom short on breath. 5 turns per bottle--stamina jumps to 30. 3 turn cool.
❧[4] Stone Cloves
-- These handy snacks are ideal for raising defense in a pinch. Once ingested, the skin and hair of the user will turn to solid stone for 3 turns. Cooldown: 3.
❧[1] Kit
-- When studying new areas the young baron can’t be caught out of the science-ing, and so this mid-sized bag is fitted with all manner of testing equipment to get an alchemical handle on the situation quickly.
Lady Chusi Chhatrapati clothing: Leather top and bottoms, fur boots
Chusi smiled at Voku and she quickly removed her hat and tucked it into her thick belt "Perhaps some other time then." She said to him "After the demonstration is completed I'll have food brought for your men" she said to him "We're quite far from the river but we do have some water from the river that you can show me how you work your alchemy upon" she said to him "Come" she said as she turned around and walked into the larger side of the fortress.
She would walk into the fortress, pushing the heavy stone doors in with her shoulder and walking into a large dining room lit up by the natural light, several barrels of water stood just off center of the at least two hundred feet in length with high arches sporting a huge chandelier that had been carved from the stone to resemble a large phoenix with wide open wings, the canyonstone having been covered by only a few large pieces of amber that fitted its two wings, its body, and its long arching slender neck as the phoenix chandelier had been modeled after a swan. Chusi went over to a chair and pulled it back in order to sit at an old table, also made of stone and carved this time from the ground.
As she sat Chusi sighed, she had wanted to show Dixon Nasr Fortress and Pandia, the Chhatrapati family had been big into architecture for a good century but it was the Pandia kings that had been into art, particularly stone work, that she knew would catch his eye, but she had left in such a rush after that embarrassment that she doubted she would ever bother to bring it up. She would look up at Vohku once she sat and smiled slightly "We're in the middle of some hunting games at the time so having you at the river right now could prove to be rather chaotic. People here aren't use to seeing dragons, at least not the good kind."
Just at that moment Vasu came into the large dining room followed by the white haired male behind her and they put several plates down on the stone table, two plates of steaming hot buns covered in some sort of brown sauce that smelt of wonderfully roasted meat and the third plate looking like some sort of hot salad. Two large jars were also brought in and sat down as well along with some plates "Steamed Caracal buns with Spiced Jujube sauce and Nopales. The drinks of course are heated spiced wine and coconut water for any that would like refreshment" she would nod her head then to the two white haired people "Thank you Vasuki...Takshaka, you're dismissed" she said, the two servants bowing a head before turning around and leaving without another word.
Cotton Shorts Kid
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 11:32 am
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
Was he used to being a guest? Only in the royal court. The way this woman carried herself, it was as though all she ha seen was under the dominion of her carefully crafted grasp on the history and identity of this nation. At least, this is how it appeared to this humble foreigner. It was also worth noting the way she seemed to take his compliance as to be understood. Yes, said the baron silently to his feet as he walked with her, this was the way things were to be, and it wasn't really so bad. So far, so good, as they say.
It came to strike him as odd how the land-made leviathan was nestled in the backwoods of the neighboring nation. Why on earth would such a thing be left out here. Clearly it was old, but the state of it just underscored the richness of history implied by that age; he didn't have to appreciate any of the architectural devices employed here to understand their significance.
However... There was the matter of the phoenix. Such a large, elaborate decoration! He would have to ask about it in due time.
Did she say they had river water? Contaminated river water? My... That was convenient, wasn't it. He made a mental note to laud the family's preparedness and professionalism in his official report to the crown back home. He thought of this in the moment, perhaps blankly nodding and appearing to study daydreams projected onto the stone walls there; gestures were made and the men, after bringing him his leather satchel full of all manner of odd-looking instruments, were seated in his stead at the table.
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
"I understand," nodded the lung quietly, letting the acoustics of the room carry his voice to the duchess. "It has taken time to install even basic things like trade amongst our kind. Trust is a different matter." These things, so simple to say, so easily replicated a truth that the understanding was perhaps watered down in platitude, were easily conferred for their worth as the baron went about unpacking vessels and tongs and stones and herbs with mortar and pestle without breaking his focus.
His hands worked nimbly, seeming to trust that the water he was testing was on its way soon and that he would need to be prepared for its arrival. Several kinds of dried herbs--flowers, clovers, square-stems and round--found their way into his bowl and were turned to powder. "--I'm not sure if you're familiar, but I had a hand in developing the potions that saved Lady Marigold's life--"a portion of the powered herbs was poured out onto a flat stone and met with a soft, yellow spark. Its glow was very slight, but it did smolder enough to coat the man in its smoke. Several stones, seeming to be a very carefully chosen and obeyed order, were introduced to the small flame that had budded there.
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
Stock:
❧[1] Clover
--Lucky and more charismatic than usual. 0/5 turns (inactive)
❧[2] Narcissus
-- Grants user the ability to transpose a shadowy copy of themselves across a distance which extends by 100m ever turn for 5 turns. After this, the copy vanishes, wherever it is. Takes 2 turns to activate after ingesting. (inactive)
❧[3] Hypernemia solution
-- A mixture born out of necessity in order to manage the master’s low stamina. With this potable at hand, the lung dragon finds himself seldom short on breath. 5 turns per bottle--stamina jumps to 30. 3 turn cool.
❧[4] Stone Cloves
-- These handy snacks are ideal for raising defense in a pinch. Once ingested, the skin and hair of the user will turn to solid stone for 3 turns. Cooldown: 3.
❧[1] Kit
-- When studying new areas the young baron can’t be caught out of the science-ing, and so this mid-sized bag is fitted with all manner of testing equipment to get an alchemical handle on the situation quickly.
Lady Chusi Chhatrapati clothing: Leather top and bottoms, fur boots
When the people that had come with Vohku would sit and eat (if they would eat) they would find that the food was indeed far spicier then that in Zalto, it would taste good, well cooked, but the spiciness was of a different quality. it wasn't spiciness meant to make one suffer but to add to the all over flavor of the steamed buns. The salad wouldnt be spicy but it would hold a tangyness to it that would only come from cooked cactus.
At the mention of Lady Marigold Chusi grimaced slightly, she had been trying to forget about it all year "ah...yes" she looked at Vohku "Thank you for saving her life, I heard that Argus had done a very bad number on her ribs" she said, letting out a loud and heavy sigh "I do not think Solidon will be able to shake what he did for a few years if not a generation." she said to him. She would then stay silent as she watched him put out all his herbs and flowers, a quizzical look upon her face, how could such plants help in such a detrimental way?
Turning her head slightly Chusi would speak to the door "Vasuki? The water?" she called out. it would take a moment longer but Vasu and the white haired male would come back in with a large barrel of water and they would set it down before once again leaving.
Cotton Shorts Kid
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 1:22 pm
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
---One by one they were arranged in a circular pattern around a glass flask and a few other vessels meant to capture and distill vapor into a purified liquid.--"For what it's worth, milady," began the baron, refusing to let the proud woman indulge in any form of self-pity, "I see such things as being very far in the past, as long as all set their eyes on the work ahead..."
---Hands made deft by experience were turned quick by necessity. Water from a canteen was poured into the flask, and underneath a flame was lit so that it would come to a boil in a few moments. The rest of the still was set up and Vohku moved dutifully over to the barrel of river water--plenty to complete the vaccine, for sure.
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
The men, content to enjoy the duchess' hospitality, were quite overtaken by the spices of the state. Making their best effort, the guards tried their best to focus on the flavors--which may have been delicious indeed--but their tongues, Zalto tastes, would only just prefer to test the antidote than to ask for seconds. Their faces, lit with a stifled fire, smiled to stop from shouting, nodded to keep from beating their brows on the stone table.
"Thank you for being so patient," offered the baron as he took the water in a large, shallow glass spoon. Back to the still. Vohku produced a stick of what might have been sage, lit it with spare fire there, and dropped the infected water on the cherry as he puffed on the narrow end, drawing a large amount of smoke into his lungs. With breath held, the dragon uttered something in his native tongue--perhaps it wasn't? It was something deeply impactful and mystical, that was certain--before blowing the smoke into a separate chamber on top of the still, very possibly contaminating the whole batch.
A few moments longer and the baron had what he needed. A small dropper was fished out from the equipment bag, and a sample taken from the antidote there. A few drops were taken under the tongue, and the ceremony seemed to be over.
Almin was packing up now, setting things aside just as the men were happily onto the salad. This, with its natural appeal, was more to their liking as it reminded them of the desert, of home. "That should do it. We'll know if a bit if it worked." When all else was put away, the baron did the honor himself and took the rest of the contaminated water from his spoon, very much risking it all on the antidote he'd made. A small shrug and a dorky smile; the man's job was done; he finally took a seat next to his guards.
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
Stock:
❧[1] Clover
--Lucky and more charismatic than usual. 0/5 turns (inactive)
❧[2] Narcissus
-- Grants user the ability to transpose a shadowy copy of themselves across a distance which extends by 100m ever turn for 5 turns. After this, the copy vanishes, wherever it is. Takes 2 turns to activate after ingesting. (inactive)
❧[3] Hypernemia solution
-- A mixture born out of necessity in order to manage the master’s low stamina. With this potable at hand, the lung dragon finds himself seldom short on breath. 5 turns per bottle--stamina jumps to 30. 3 turn cool.
❧[4] Stone Cloves
-- These handy snacks are ideal for raising defense in a pinch. Once ingested, the skin and hair of the user will turn to solid stone for 3 turns. Cooldown: 3.
❧[1] Kit
-- When studying new areas the young baron can’t be caught out of the science-ing, and so this mid-sized bag is fitted with all manner of testing equipment to get an alchemical handle on the situation quickly.
Lady Chusi Chhatrapati clothing: Leather top and bottoms, fur boots
Chusi would watch Voku with interest as she reached for a steamed bun and then leaned back in her chair, her eyes following his every move as she tore open the bun and put one piece into her mouth, unlike the men that had come with the Baron Chusi didnt seem to even flinch as she ate the spicy meat filled bread. She would finish it within a few minutes before reaching for another one "That you see things that way is a fresh thought" she said to him as she began to eat the second bun while watching him.
Once he had finished and Chusi was on her fourth bun she tilted her head to the side "what does that do? how does it work?" she asked.
Cotton Shorts Kid
Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:01 pm
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
"This?" The baron, stopped with the slight surprise that came when someone did not immediately recognise his workings, pointed to the small bottle he had produced which stood in for his equipment at the moment. "Well, it's really nothing--"
Loosening his cuff, the man swirled the contents of the newly minted antidote in the dusty light of the monolithic edifice serendipitously so that it caught a spectrum of scintillations from the amber and stone and blue sky in its own estuary of light. "--It was simply a matter of distilling the water imbued with the energies I called forth. It forms the base of any antidote," said Vohku matter-of-factly. "Next is to introduce the poison in a safe way to the base. If they energies took--" he gave a thumbs up--"... if they did not--" the baron made a choking sign and feigned a quick death.
"... To explain how it works, I'm afraid," offered Vohku with a somewhat befuddled chuckle, itching the side of his face softly, "is a bit more complicated a matter."
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
Stock:
❧[1] Clover
--Lucky and more charismatic than usual. 0/5 turns (inactive)
❧[2] Narcissus
-- Grants user the ability to transpose a shadowy copy of themselves across a distance which extends by 100m ever turn for 5 turns. After this, the copy vanishes, wherever it is. Takes 2 turns to activate after ingesting. (inactive)
❧[3] Hypernemia solution
-- A mixture born out of necessity in order to manage the master’s low stamina. With this potable at hand, the lung dragon finds himself seldom short on breath. 5 turns per bottle--stamina jumps to 30. 3 turn cool.
❧[4] Stone Cloves
-- These handy snacks are ideal for raising defense in a pinch. Once ingested, the skin and hair of the user will turn to solid stone for 3 turns. Cooldown: 3.
❧[1] Kit
-- When studying new areas the young baron can’t be caught out of the science-ing, and so this mid-sized bag is fitted with all manner of testing equipment to get an alchemical handle on the situation quickly.
Lady Chusi Chhatrapati clothing: Leather top and bottoms, fur boots
Chusi nodded as she reached for another spicy bun, the food seemed to be a favorite of hers "I see" she said to him with a small smile as she took a bite of the bun "Lets hope that it works then" she said as she looked over at him. She would swallow the piece of bun that she had and then look over at him "Why is it that you are helping cure the sickness from the river anyway?" she asked him curiously "the affects are flowing down river and its only hurting Ethe and Bellris, Zalto is likely not to get it." she said and then took another bite from the bun.
Cotton Shorts Kid
Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:40 am
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
Certainly not shy, this one. Vohku began to wonder if all in this region--heck, even the country, given how the count seemed to shoo him away--were like this. Mind, it wasn't so much a bad thing. Getting to the point, he'd thought for some time, would be something he would want to see more of in his circles. Something in the duchess' blunt demeanor seemed to charm the young baron, who held her gaze with the remnants of a smile (perhaps the pale reflection of some inward laughter).
"Ah..." though it was an easy problem for him, perhaps she did not see it the same way. The slightest hint of disappointment was inevitably encased in that monosyllabic shell of thoughtfulness; Vohku adjusted himself so that he was leaning forward slightly, perhaps to relay that what he was about to say deserved some more delicate wording (despite the earlier laudation of her straightforwardness), that to deliver his feelings on the matter required him to loosen up, if only just a little. "--that is something to consider, yes, but to lose more lives in the empire would only mean more of a burden for we who are well off." A small flick of his hand relayed his simplicity on the subject: "I'd sooner keep old clients than to force those in my circles to deal only internally--it's not good business... or ethics."
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
Stock:
❧[1] Clover
--Lucky and more charismatic than usual. 0/5 turns (inactive)
❧[2] Narcissus
-- Grants user the ability to transpose a shadowy copy of themselves across a distance which extends by 100m ever turn for 5 turns. After this, the copy vanishes, wherever it is. Takes 2 turns to activate after ingesting. (inactive)
❧[3] Hypernemia solution
-- A mixture born out of necessity in order to manage the master’s low stamina. With this potable at hand, the lung dragon finds himself seldom short on breath. 5 turns per bottle--stamina jumps to 30. 3 turn cool.
❧[4] Stone Cloves
-- These handy snacks are ideal for raising defense in a pinch. Once ingested, the skin and hair of the user will turn to solid stone for 3 turns. Cooldown: 3.
❧[1] Kit
-- When studying new areas the young baron can’t be caught out of the science-ing, and so this mid-sized bag is fitted with all manner of testing equipment to get an alchemical handle on the situation quickly.
Lady Chusi Chhatrapati clothing: Leather top and bottoms, fur boots
Because of the thunderstorm she had been forced to remain in her regular home in Solidon Greater. She didn't like being here, she wanted to go back to Nasr. Ever since the day in Aragune she hadn't heard from Dixon. And now she had heard rumor that their was a woman staying with him.... She flinched slightly and almost crushed the feather in her hand. "Its just a rumor..." she whispered as she looked down at the white feather. But was it really? She hadn't heard from him since the day in the museum, it wasn't like she has tried to reach out though.
Chusi shook her head, she was trying to rationalize everything and make it her fault. The Duchess' lips trembled slightly. How did Chai do it all? She would have gone into deeper thought if the feather didn't start to burn her. As if in an act of defiance she held onto it. It was Chai's and she wasn't going to drop it. She should have, she had never felt burning pain before. She stood up and ran to a corner of the room and threw up her breakfast. Then the burning stopped. She stormed back over to the table and put the feather down, what had just happened. She looked at her hand, she had no blisters from the pain. The feather then flew off the table toward the North and Chusi frowned. Looking out the window at the storm she nodded her head. She was a strong flyer. Picking up the feather and putting it just under her leather clothing against her chest she called for her attendants and told them to close the window behind her just as she leapt out and flew the way the feather told her.
