.... Well, the nap was nice while it lasted. The baroness pulled herself from the sheets and adorned her robe again. It took a few moments to pull herself together, and fortunately no one seemed to be willing to blame her for choosing an afternoon for herself.
Then she stepped from the room and sent the servant to bring the visitor, who she was informed was the one that had been sent for by the marshall Susumu, to be brought to one of the open rooms for tea.
The servant was a chipper sort of young fellow, who seemed as happy to fly as he was to run. He darted through the coriddors, lacking some of the polish of others, but he landed, and he managed to avoid the priceless art that was about the estate.
On coming to a stop within sight of the alchemist, he stopped and bowed lowly. "If you will follow me, sir, the regent will see you."
The lad then spun on his heel and began to lead the way through the estate, to the room where the regent was sitting, and where tea would soon arrive.
cotton shorts kid
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 2:08 pm
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
Needless to say the baron was enthused to see and meet the regent. He'd heard a few things, and to be invited to her manor was in itself an honor regardless of her personality. Perhaps he'd caught some of the sprightly helper's energy had infected him, for the baron was nearly rejuvenated by the time he got to the regent's room. He held onto that cresting energy as long as he could.
So impressed was he at the art in the complex that he was reminded of home. It seemed what the Zalton artists were able to do with the opulence of their media was approached in the finessing of the somewhat lesser materials here in Ethe. Though, could it really be said that marble and clay were poor media? He kept his gasping to a minimum as he passed each installation.
Finally, he was face-to-face with the regent's tea room--one of many, he had to know--and he felt very much at home. This was a place where stress from the world did not reach, a dimension of quiet thought and peaceful, caffeinated reflection. Potions indeed. The baron bowed and waited to be spoken to before greeting the regent.
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
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.
Having succeeded in leading the alchemist to the meeting place, the excitable youth bowed again and then excused himself with a flurry of motion that caused him to vanish from sight, somewhere into the simple corridors of the estate, or perhaps into the central courtyard.
There waiting was the baroness, with a cup of tea braced on her fingers and a distance in her eyes that suggested thought. When the visiting baron arrived, she greeted him with a polite smile.
"Vōku Almin, I presume?" She inclined her head in a bow before gesturing to the seats that were across from her, of which he could take his pick. Between them was a simple table, and upon it was a teapot of simple design, yet that had feathers woven into the pattern painted on the side.
"How was your flight to Kaishin? Well, I hope." She moved her fingers from her teacup, letting it rest on the table to reach for the pot. "Would you like a cup?"
cotton shorts kid
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 4:59 pm
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
"Yes, your eminence," replied the baron, rising from his deep bow and beginning to shuffle into a rather plush seat. He was distracted for the briefest of moments by the subtle elegance of the room; his eyes snapped to the regent's alabaster face--nearly lost himself, wouldn't you know?--and answered somewhat hurriedly, "Y-Yes, milady!" He blinked, punishing himself internally for balking like some frightened hen, and corrected himself. "--if it wouldn't be too much trouble."--clearing his throat sheepishly.
When his drift finally did arrive, he took the slightest of sips so as not to seem borish. He held his cup in his lap, finding the warmth a welcome layer of comfort in the room. "You have a beautiful country," said the baron, offering what had been due to regent several dozens times over--perhaps each day! "I had meant to praise your work sooner. Surely, it is impressive."
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
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.
He seemed nervous, though whether it was because he was in this place, or like Dixon sometimes boasted, it was because of an artist's eye and the beauty of the area and the land, she couldn't say. It might also have been that her reputation and the temporary title might have been intimidating.
It was no trouble at all to pour him a cup, for it had been her intention, otherwise she might not have offered it. As it was, it was polite for a host to offer a drink to a visitor. She lifted her own cup of tea gently and carefully, to taste the brew and to savor its flavor.
Youkimi allowed herself to smile, again finding the familiar pride in her country and her land's efforts at the compliment that came. She bowed her head, grateful that he said so, but she would not presume to take the credit. A goddess granted life to the land. Her people worked to maintain its beauty and they still worked to the benefit of themselves and to establish the prosperity of future generations. She worked to make this possible and to be the face of the nation for the other leaders. A very different kind of work from that which made a country prosperous or beautiful.
"You flatter me, sir. But yes, I am very grateful that this is my land, though I cannot take full credit for how far it has come." Though, she imagined that talking about the land and not directing the conversation to his area of experience might keep him on the edge of being anxious. From what she understood, this keen man had the skills and medical knowledge to craft a cure for the illness that came by the water. She was grateful that Chusi had reached out first.
"I've heard stories, but I wanted to hear more from the source. What can you tell me about your work and talent?"
cotton shorts kid
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 1:48 pm
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
And there it was. The letter from the knight Susumu had mentioned something about the talents of the baron; Vohku knew deep down from the outset that the conversation would head to that business stage at some point, but he was mildly surprised with the regent's forwardness. It wasn't at all unpleasant.
"Ah, yes," the baron adjusted slightly, leaning up in his cushiony seat just a bit and propping his elbow on his knee to articulate with his hand better as he spoke. "My house has been using our alchemical knowledge for generations to stave off invading creatures from our land--as I'm sure you're aware--and the burden is now mine to be the best leader in for my generation in the field..." He seemed to draw inward, curling his fingers and face into one another for the slightest of moments; though it seemed to be very productive; his face brightened significantly as he rejoined saying, "--civic use! That's the key. I specialise the bulk of my work for the average civilian. We don't need to boost the draconic forms of our warriors any further; some good paying civilians would like to turn invisible for an hour, or to know flight when they have been born with only human form..."--finishing with an et cetera flipping of the hand.
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
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.
Perhaps it was her background as the daughter of a merchant and knight clan. Perhaps it was simply how she was used to handling affairs these days. In any case, she was grateful to find that he was forthcoming with his information and also seemed to have no guile as he shared his understanding and the emotions that were attached to them.
"It sounds to me as though your knowledge has a wide breadth of uses, if I hear you correctly." Off of the top of her head she could think of many who would be very interested in the wide range of things a person could accomplish, especially if one included the ability to go invisible from an alchemist's potion into the possibilities of healing, and flying for the landbound. Certainly many of these things could be utilized militarily, though she hazarded a guess that he expressed the word civic for an express reason.
"I will admit, my knowledge of your art is limited to my understanding of how tea is brewed from leaves and their combinations." She lifted her glass slightly. The only comparison she could draw was that alchemy utilized the aspects of nature and in combination with other things. What came to her mind had to do with plants and leaves.
"Nevertheless, I cannot deny its benefit or its use. I believe Ethe has your house to thank for your cure of the illness that came by the water."
cotton shorts kid
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:53 pm
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
A wide breath of uses. Yes, this was exactly what he wanted others to see. He saluted the regent's good taste with a silent smile, tasting his tea and finding the flavors as pleasantly refreshing as the conversation; he felt less comfortable staying quiet about her next thoughts. Raising his soft hand, he began with a slight lyricism in his voice. "You'd be surprised how simple it is to apply the principles past generations of the Almin family have discovered." He let his hand fall, muffled clap filling in the space where words might have crowded the aroma of the leaves. "What is difficult is to move forward--always more difficult..." He seemed to turn inward again, only awakened by the coming praise from the regent.
"It was an honor to help those in the realm," he said somewhat softer. One might look to his eyes and see embarrassment, but there was an honor hidden away that kept his words true.
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
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.
It was interesting to see the change in his demeanor as she expressed, and tried to confirm, whether he was the one to thank for the cure, as the report held it. Was it humility that caused him to go silent or was he caught off guard by this?
He said, before this, that it was simple to apply what previous generations of his family had learned. Perhaps it was easier for him because he had that wealth of knowledge to make use of. Similar to her set of skills with handling people, negotiating, and arranging deals between people and groups, she mused.
What is difficult is to move forward.
There was something familiar in that idea and that concept. Did he mean to say that innovation was difficult?
"I believe there is much you can still offer the realm." Youkimi moved her emptied cup to the table and refilled it carefully and with smooth gestures that made it seem as though little energy was lost in the motion and not a second was wasted, though she did not pour or return the cup to her lips with undue haste. "What do you think makes moving forward difficult in your case?"
Perhaps it was some who wanted to use his knowledge in poisons? On the other hand, if people were not the barrier, was it the knowledge? New things were harder to discover, she was led to understand.
cotton shorts kid
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 3:34 pm
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
Vohku simply shook his head, seeming to be disappointed in something, someone, himself. "Only that I am not as talented as my forefathers as a scientist." He allowed a slight pause, stifling a grimace against the rim of his cup. "They were so talented, all of them. They were the ones who invented techniques we use to-day, like the one that brought the cure, and things I can only begin to describe." A soft sigh followed.
"However, I have to agree with you. There is still plenty to be done." His smile peeked out of his eyes, as if to check on the room. "Do you have anything in mind?" Work was very nice, after all.
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
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.
Regret..? Undue comparison of oneself to their ancestors? Not every generation called for a new and rising genius. And this besides, if someone constantly compared themselves to the work others did, they hardly allowed their own work to stand on their own feet. One might feel overwhelmed by the things others had acomplished. It was also a disservice to the work one did, and was able to do, because others were brave enough to start.
But, this was also a battle for a person to wage on their own. ... She still struggled, sometimes, against the legacy of Ophelia and the crown of Ethe. Especially with all that she had been doing and all the changes she had made.
"I was trying to understand what you wished to accomplish next. Perhaps Ethe might be willing to fund your research and any expansion of your knowledge." The baroness smiled over to the visiting baron. It was interesting to consider that they were of equal rank. How long had it been since she sat down with someone she didn't feel the need to fuss over rank with? "There is a lot of promise in what you do, in addition to the knowledge that you have, and that of your ancestors."
cotton shorts kid
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 9:00 pm
Vōku Almin
-═≡≣☰⚘☰≣≡=-
Apothecary
A drier chuckle swelled and popped at the edge of the man's chaffed and coral lips. His eyes seemed to lock onto Youkimi's for just an instant, just long enough to see the thought past and, rebuked to his own slow-ticking thinking again, was formed in the face to the casual severity of his tone: "In so many words, my staff could not convince me of my importance." He had adopted the tick of tossing the low puddle in his cup in the big circles and small force which they embodied, and his legs grew as roots in the fabric of the couch there, becoming lost--and here it was with a certain relieved joy that the man realised he had sewn himself in, to perpetuate, and to damn some of the room's 'ness--and likely his own as well--when he left--and here it was that he began to find the thought of his ancestors truly engrossing.
"If I have any aim, other than to be seen as one as skilled as my ancestors," said the dragon somewhat coolly, "it would be to bring alchemy to the home, away from the battlefield." He allowed a smile to bud and slip from his ashen face. "Funding from Ethe...?" Tilted head; the dragon was definitely intrigued by this. He gestured in hoping the regent would continue that thought.
┈━┈━┈━~═☆
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.
Youkimi did not interrupt her visitor's thoughts as he relaxed and as he seemed to distance himself for a while. His thoughts escaped her understanding and she did not feel it was necessary to pry into why he felt the need to disclose to her concerning how his staff couldn't convince him of his importance. This suggested either a very high sense of pride, an extremely low one, or some other measure of importance.
In any case, there was something they agreed on when the conversation turned to his aims and motivations. To bring alchemy to the home and away from the battlefield. This was intriguing, indeed, and spoke much to his character.
She long wished that blades could be forged that needed to never shed blood or be tasked to rend space and the air with the potential to end a life.
It was a very heavy weight for her shoulders, to know that at her word, so many blades could slaughter, war, and die.
"Ethe is intrigued with your understanding of medicine. And considering our recent distance with the empire, we have desperate need of a better understanding of healing practices. We beg your assistance in training us in the ways we can utilize healing, mending, and other such methods of using the land to strengthen and protect our citizens." Her smile was hopeful, but she didn't want to become too hopeful. "We would fund all the necessary supplies and for your time, and offer you board for as long as you are among us."
