[Job thread] Apothicary

[Koruma]

OOC: Season of Fall, Day 12, 514 AV, Sunset Quarters Viper. Ashed eyes gazed down with wavering uncertainty at the scratches that identified the letter's recipient. The penmanship was as rough as the client who had hired him and Koruma half hoped that he was reading the letters wrong. His package this time was a thin post, no more than a simple letter wrapped up to hide the contents. Curiosity mixed with the boy's nervous denouement as he gently cradled the letter. Did he really want to meet someone named Viper? Sunberth was filled with all sorts of vile and wretched types and anyone named Viper was not likely to be an exception. Koruma shoot his head as he tucked the letter away. One hand ran through the long tendrils of his hear as he glanced up at the sky. The temperature had decreased rapidly in the past few days, peeling the heat away from Sunberth as the fall took over. Even the sky looked a little cold, despite the fact that not a cloud marred the pristine blue. Koruma had taken to wearing his white shirt and dark blue pants, almost sad to put away his relatively new trousers. Koruma shifted his weight, his shoulders rolling as he adjusted his dark cloak. Although the temperatures weren't quite enough to warrant the use of his cloak, the young courier enjoyed wearing it all the same. He felt that the cloak gave him a sense of mystery and hid his smaller packages from prying eyes. Besides, the cloak gave him a sense of safety and security. It was why he loved to wear it, even if it was only a false feeling. With a quick sigh, Koruma emerged from his resting place and merged with the crowd. His tongue flicked out as he licked his chapped lips. One hand rested on the hilt of his dagger as his fingers drummed against the hilt. The other was raised as he pushed his way through the throng of people. By the time he reached the Sunset Quarters, his cheeks were puffing and the trapped heat made him sweat slightly. A groan escaped the boys lips as he trudged down the streets past the half broken houses and pathetic shacks that made up the majority of houses in Sunberth. Finally, he arrived at the doorstep of Viper's house and he squeezed his eyes shut for the briefest of moments before sucking up the courage to knock. His wispy knuckles wrapped against the door and he took two steps back as his he clasped his hands together in front of him. The child's grey eyes flicked rapidly over the frame and his lips pursed together as he waited patiently for an answer.

[Sherashadiss]

Shadiss was intending to go out to the wilds upon this day, a hand lifting to ruffle the grey strands of her short hair. The ends barely grazed her ear lobes and black strands could occasionally be seen through out the mass of grey, but it wasn’t often. A simple sigh fell upon her lips as she pulled her back pack close to her before settling it upon the bed. She tucked her diary, quill and a small bottle of ink inside of it. She would then tighten the flap of the pack after she had slipped a couple of small sized containers inside of it. Why was she going out to the wilds and risking a wild creature attacking her, when she could just simply buy the ingredients? Mostly because it saved her mizas, the more that she collected the poisonous herbs, the more she saved. Who knew, perhaps she could maybe buy a house and run her own business out of it. A smirk fell upon her lips at that thought as she turned towards her clothes lying upon the bed. Indeed, she was only standing in her underclothes, but she wasn’t worried about anyone seeing her in such a state, not that she would ever be embarrassed if someone saw her, for she wasn’t exactly one for modesty.

Silently, she began to pull these items of clothing on. First, her black pair of pants, quickly followed by her white shirt, she would then turn to seat herself down upon the bed, leaning forwards to pull on one boot at a time. As she went through these familiar motions, poisons and their uses went through her mind. It was her routine actually, to fix her mind upon a set goal for the day. Whether it be poisons, pleasure of the flesh, or even pain. These were the three main activities that the poisoner participated in, the only activities that actually interested her. Although, ever since she had been within Sunberth, she was slowly beginning to learn that even thieves and gangs had connections, they had to in order to survive. A goal that the poisoner was working on, however, finding connections that she trusted was hard. For Sunberth wasn’t known for its trusty people. Shadiss knew, for her clients occasionally wanted poisons to poison leaders. Indeed, the city had taught her to never aim too high, for if one created too much of a difference, it created too many rivals that were out for your blood. Something that she wanted to avoid, for she wanted to remain under the radar, but it was rather hard to fly under the radar when people talked.

A knock sounded on the door and it stilled her hands that had been lacing up her boot. She pressed her lips together, as she tried to remember as to who knew that she was here. No one that she knew of, knew that she had a room at the Sunset Quarters, so by rights she shouldn’t be receiving any knocks upon her door. Unless… A curse fell upon her lips as she quickly finished lacing up her boot and stood up. She would then shrug on her long black coat before she reached out to grasp the hilt of her dagger from her desk. Quickly, she strode over towards the door, pausing before she opened the door. Crimson eyes stared down at the boy standing there and the corner of her lips twitched just a little. He stood at about five inches, maybe a little more but not by much. He had a thick mop of auburn hair and grey eyes stared down at her. She would then grasp the edge of the door with her left hand as she tapped the flat edge of her dagger against her right leg. ”Ssspeak boy, I don’t have all day to ssstand here.” She finally said after a long, drawn out pause.

[Koruma]

Fingers drummed against the hilt of his dagger and Koruma tipped back on his heels. He clicked his tongue in a soft repetitive manner as he fought the urge to trace the scar hidden behind his bangs. Part of him hoped that Viper wouldn't be home and he could return the letter to his client. It would mean the loss of money, but at least he could avoid getting face to face with a shady character. Another, smaller voice chided him for being such a coward and reminded him that he had to suck things up and be a man. A third, even quieter voice argued that he was only 15 and not really a man. Koruma's internal debate was broken as the door swung open to reveal a woman who stood was around his own height. Her grey hair was patterned oddly with black strands that contrasted with her pale skin. Blood red eyes glared at him as she grasped the frame of the doorway, her dagger tapping against her leg. Koruma glanced up at her briefly before letting his gaze drop. His hands folded in front of him and his fingers began to fiddle with one another. Yeah, she looked like a Viper. An awkward pause lingered between them before her harsh tongue finally broke the silence His ashen gaze flicked to the dagger and back to the ground repeatedly as he cleared his throat to speak. "I ah, have a letter for Viper. Are you she?" He had tried his best to force his voice out as something other than a squeak, and managed to only be marginally successful. His words were still soft and hesitant and his agitation only grew. One hand rose to trace the scar on his forehead, his thumb pushing against his bangs at it ran across the numbed skin. Koruma was once again reminded that he really didn't want to be there. People like her, killed kids like him. Without the gang at his back to protect him, he felt vulnerable and alone. He couldn't fight very well and his small weak body did little to deter predators. Not to mention his uncertain and flighty personality made him the favorite target for those who would take advantage of him. That small pessimistic voice echoed in his mind, wishing that Viper would end things for him. Yet Red Wolf's words emerged from his memory and fought off the tiny demon. He couldn't give up just yet.

[Sherashadiss]

His gaze lifted before it dropped to view their feet and she pressed her lips tightly together as she observed his fingers begin to fiddle while an awkward silence pressed between the two. She wasn’t one to feel awkward, so she simply stood there, glaring at him with her crimson gaze. She noted that his gaze seemed to linger upon the dagger that she was tapping against her leg and a smirk fell upon her lips. She must intimidate him, it was the only explanation for his drawn out silence, finally he spoke and her brow knitted together in a simple frown. A letter? For her? That bloody client was going to find out that he was going to have to find a new poisoner, she didn’t appreciate messengers. In fact, she despised them, they talked too much and talk was something that she wanted to avoid. Shadiss paid no attention to the fact that his voice sounded a little funny, but she did note that his voice had been soft. ”Alright boy, hand over the letter.” She said after another pause, her left hand letting go of the door frame to hold out to him.

Once he had given her the letter that was plain to the sight, she lifted the dagger to then place between her teeth, biting down upon the blade to hold it. Lucky for her, it wasn’t double edged, so the flat edge of the blade was pressed against her lips, while its wicked edge was facing outwards towards the boy. Silently, she flipped the letter over twice, noting the bad handwriting and she drew in a deep breath before she held the letter in her left hand, her right reaching up to grasp the hilt of the dagger. Her teeth would let go of the dagger as she pulled it away from her mouth so then she could break the seal on the envelope. The dagger was then placed back in between her teeth as she pulled out the letter, pocketing the envelope inside of her coat pocket before she set out reading the letter.

Viper,
I require your poison making skills again.
Please make me a poison that will make a man choke on his own vomit. It is very important that I get this at your early convenience. The courier boy can deliver your poison back to me.

This man had nerves, she thought to herself as she glared at the letter with her crimson gaze. He thought that he could now simply summon her to do his bidding, then he was surely wrong. Leaving the door open she turned to her bed, tucking the letter with the envelope underneath the mattress. She grasped the dagger from between her teeth and tucked it into the sheath on her belt. The woman would then slip this around her waist, underneath her coat and grasped the backpack from her bed. She slipped a strap over her shoulder and walked briskly towards the door. She paused for a moment as she realized that the boy was still standing at the door and she indicated for him to take a couple of steps back so then she could get out of her own room. Once he had done so, she exited the room, turned and locked the door behind her. Finally, she faced the boy for a moment and pressed her lips together. ”Alright, thisss isss how it’sss going to go down. You will follow me around until I tell you to deliver sssomething for me.” She held up a hand to stop any protests, ”I don’t want to hear it. I have ssso much to do and I’m not even ready for it, now let’sss get a move on, time is wasssting away.” She glared a warning at him to not hinder her progress and she started off at a brisk walk in the direction towards the Seaside Markets. ”Keep up! I don’t want to have to drag you everywhere!” She called back at him.

[Koruma]

To say that she didn't look happy was an understatement. Koruma had not been at the courier business for very long, but he had always assumed people would be happy or at least content to receive letters. The idea that someone might dislike or downright hate something he delivered was both surprising and frightening. Especially when said person had a gaze the color of blood and seemed to bore a hole into his head. Her demand for the letter sent Koruma fumbling, his scraggly fingers frantically digging into his pocket to retrieve the parcel. Fumbling, he ended up partially bending a corner of the letter as he struggled to retrieve the letter. Koruma offered her an apologetic smile as he sheepishly handed her the letter. Ashen eye watched as she carefully worked around her dagger to open and read the letter. The scowl on her face was frightening and he ducked his head as he waited for her to finish. Koruma had been told he would return with a package for his client, but the nature of the package and Viper's work remained a mystery to the young teen. Frankly, he would have preferred to never find out. One hand cupped the other and his fingers twitched and fiddled with one another. His gaze glanced between Viper and the ground as he waited in silence for her to finish. Without saying a word, the woman twisted and walked back into her home. Koruma craned his head as he watched her form disappeared into the inner chambers. His left hand rose, brushing against his scar as he contemplated following her. Yet she reappeared mere moments later. Koruma stood at her door, unsure of what he should do. She waved him back and Koruma obediently stepped away to give her enough room to lock the door. One arm crossed over his chest and grabbed his elbow, rubbing the upper arm as he waited for her instructions. Surprised coated his expression as she spoke, his eyes growing a little wide. She had a lisp. He hadn't really ever heard anyone talk with a lisp before and the cadence of her words was fascinating. In an instant he was hanging on her every word, listening with fascination to her accent. Koruma nodded as she ordered him to follow her, his mouth opening to agree. Yet she stopped him with a hand, speaking as if he might have tried to protest. Koruma just shut him mouth and nodded. As fascinating as her lisp was, she was still terrifying. Viper's glare had him cringing as if he had been struck and his head ducked between his shoulders. Twisting on her heel, Viper strode off at a rapid rate, forcing Koruma to scramble to keep up. Although there wasn't much of a height difference between them, Koruma found himself jogging slightly as she weaved through the streets. "Okay," he replied obediently as he stumbled. His body pitched forward and Koruma had to do a slight hop to regain his balance. Racing, he caught up to Viper and did his best to remain in-step with the woman. As they walked, Koruma kept at least one pace behind her. "Where, ah... where are we going?" Curiosity had gotten the better of him and Koruma almost immediately regretted asking. His voice cracking he quickly added, "If I may ask."

[Sherashadiss]

Shadiss had noted that the boy was shy or very tentative. Maybe that wasn’t the problem, however, she didn’t exactly have time to deal with someone’s problem about dealing with people such as herself. In all honesty, she wasn’t exactly surprised that she intimidated the boy, her crimson gaze normally reminded people of blood and they would create a circle as they stayed out of her way. Which reminded her, her hands lifted to grasp the edge of the hood of her coat and drew it up over her head. She tugged at it to make sure that it firmly covered her facial features, she didn’t need to draw suspicion to herself, especially now seeing as there was a man hunt for live Dhani. Really, she was insulted that her own race was only worth one hundred gold mizas alive. Now if it was a man hunt for humans, she would be sure that they would find that they too would be insulted that they were only worth one hundred gold mizas. Thinking of humans, she angled her head as she glanced to the side, her gaze lingering upon the boy beside her. She didn’t trust him, not one bit, in fact she half expected him to turn upon her, even though he was tentative in behaviour. She assumed that he was a boy, mostly because of his lack for stubble; he was too clean faced to be an adult human male.

She listened to his words, but remained silent for a moment. She preferred to think over her questions instead of just rashly answering questions, mostly to avoid giving away or hinting to her nature. She wanted to remain under the radar and so she would continue to exercise caution. She glanced back to their path, her right hand tugged on the strap of her backpack, to make sure that she still had it. Thieves, they crawled all over this city and she turned her attention to the people, her gaze sliding over people of different heights and weights. It was interesting to learn the many different reasons as to why someone became a thief. The most common reason, was because they didn’t have the talent or coin to pick up a weapon. They didn’t even have the education to do something else, so they resorted to stealing. Honestly, Shadiss couldn’t blame them due to the simple fact that begging didn’t seem to be very profitable from what she had seen.

Her silence only lasted for so long before she turned her gaze to the boy that seemed to be walking a step behind and a smirk fell upon her lips at this. It amused her, because he must find her intimidating, especially seeing as he was walking a step behind. To her, that was a sign of respect and seeing as she didn’t know him… ”We are going to the Ssseasside Marketsss. There are a few ingredientsss that I need for a client that will be getting a sssurprisse when you deliver it back to him.” She paused for a moment as she turned her gaze back to the streets, her left hand silently tugged at the edge of her hood once again. ”The only variable will be you. However, you ssseem hardy enough to complete it.” While it was mostly a lie, she believed that it was somewhat true. He had become a courier instead of becoming a thief, a trait that was notable on its own and she thought that in a city full of thieves and thugs, it was a trait that needed to be commended. There was, as always, a hidden agenda behind such a compliment, for she didn’t normally look for something within a person without reason. Some things needed someone to have a confidence boost and she needed this courier to be somewhat confident in order to deliver the message that she had planned. ”Ssseeing asss you will be ssshadowing my footsstepsss for the day, I would asssk for a name to call you.”

[Koruma]

A deafening silence stretched between them in the wake of Koruma's question. Although sounds from the bustling city filled the air, there was nothing but the echo of boots against the streets to act as conversation between him and Viper. Koruma struggled to keep up, his natrual gait smaller than the confident woman. His tongue slipped out between his licks, licking the chapped skin as he walked one step behind Viper. Ashen eyes glanced up at the back of her head, covered by the hood she had previously raised. Koruma was secretly glad that her eyes were hidden from him. The striking red color was unsettling to him. Such a color could not belong to a human, but what Viper might be was beyond him. Maybe she was a Dhani. A small chuckle came from the boy as he shook the thought away. He had never seen a Dhani, at least, not one that he knew was a Dhani. Besides, it seemed to be common practice in Sunberth to take on nicknames that had something to do with animals. Red Wolf wasn't a wolf, or at least... he didn't think she was. In the end, it really didn't matter. No matter how unsettling Viper's eyes were, they couldn't actually hurt him. He really should focus more on her weapon than on her race. The silence was finally broken and Koruma's thoughts interrupted when Viper looked back at him. Koruma glanced away and his hand reached up to rub the scar on his forehead. He relaxed slightly when she started to explain where they were going and Koruma hung on her lisped words. His expression fell when she spoke of giving his client a surprise, the words sounding more like a threat than anything else. "Uh...." He closed his mouth, swallowing as he decided that he really didn't want to know. No matter what, he was going to have to deliver the package. The less he knew, the less likely he'd get in trouble for whatever Viper was planning. This wasn't his business either. He just delivered packages, no matter what their contents. Viper threw a comment at him, claiming that he seemed hardy. He gave her an incredulous look, clearly not buying into her compliment. Koruma knew what he looked like, and it was not hardy. He was a stick of a kid who couldn't even look people in the eye for very long. Still, she was his client and he kept his thoughts to himself. Although, he made a mental not to deliver her package as quickly as possible and get out before things became sticky. He just hoped that he could get paid well enough to make all this trouble worth it. At first, Koruma didn't really register her question and remained quiet for a moment. His eyes went wide and surprise dawned on his face as he realized what she was asking for. "Oh! Ah, yeah. Sorry. I'm Koruma."

[Sherashadiss]

Viper’s crimson gaze spotted the look that the boy gave to her and a simple shake of her head was given. She had seen the scar that he seemed to enjoy rubbing whenever he got a bit nervous, she had also seen the small scars that seem to litter his arms. She wasn’t going to ask about them, but she did wonder as to what exactly that the boy got up to when he wasn’t doing his job. To Shadiss, scars generally meant that one was strong enough to survive an ordeal, a trail of some kind. He had survived and continued to do so while on the streets of Sunberth, he had to know some kind of technique in order to have survived this long. Then he mentioned his name was Koruma and she couldn’t help but softly chuckle at the boy. ”Who on earth called you Koruma? Your mother mussst have hated you.” She had said this, mostly to evoke a reaction from the kid, if not ensued, she would just continue on as if the words were not hurtful in their own nature. The woman was not likely to coddle anyone, for the world was harsh and it was best that one was prepared for it.

Finally, they reached the markets and her brisk steps had her stopping by a stall that sold herbs and her gaze flickered over the selection before pointing out four of them. Emilvirute Milk, Heldrog Juice, Fauxsil Leaves and Aletrid Flowers; she requested that the vial containing the Heldrog juice be covered in paper. She didn’t want it evaporating before she had combined it with the Emilvirute, although that would be a process on its own. She had worked with Heldrog before, its smell wasn’t something that someone enjoyed, but its effects were something that she was after. While she had just simply bought the juice to save her some time, the actual plant is an erect plant with a smooth woody stalk, its leaves were feathery to the touch and when it bloomed it had tiny white flowers. Once the goods were handed over to her, she opened up her back pack and pulled out a simple container to gently place them within, closing the lid and sliding them back into her bag before she paid the man. She also paid for the piece of paper used to cover the small vial of Heldrog juice. A small cost in order to make sure that the full effects of the juice was kept unharmed.

She finally glanced back at the boy before she slipped the bag back over her shoulder and began to walk a few stalls down. ”Tell me sssomething, why ssstay in Sssunberth where death isss around every corner?” Indeed, she believed that the boy had so much potential, if only he could believe in himself. Although, she didn’t feel any responsibility for the boy, mostly because she felt that he was digging his own grave. He was nervous, that much was for sure and lucky for her, she had bought some Fauxsil leaves to help calm him, she didn’t need a jittery kid in her room while she was trying to work her poisons. She stopped at one more stall and bought three candles and ten sheets of parchment, for she had a feeling that she would need the two when she was done. The woman would pause after she had also placed these items within her bag to glance around them before she would then begin to make her way back. ”Oncce we get back, I don’t really care asss to what you do, ssso long asss you do not go sssnooping, that isss jussst asssking to have your hand cut off.” She snickered at this, as her right hand tightened around the strap of her bag.

Ledger1 oz of Emilvirute Milk: -15 SM
1 oz of Heldrog Juice: -15 SM
1 oz of Fauxsil Leaves: -1 SM
1 oz of Aletrid Flowers: -5 CM
1 Sheet of Paper: -4 SM
10 Sheets of Parchment: -2 GM
3 Standing Candles: -6 GM
Total: -11 GM, 5 SM, 5 CM

[Koruma]

Koruma's scars weren't a source of pride for him, but rather a reminder of failure. Most of them he had incurred during training accidents or because of his clumsy nature. The scar of his forehead was no exception. Although he tried to hide it with his bangs, his nervous habit made doing so near impossible. The boy's hand froze when Viper questioned the origin his name. He blinked as surprise washed over him. "Ah..." His brows furrowed together and he began to chew on the inside of his cheek. His thumb began to move faster as he rubbed his scar, the wheels in his mind turning. It had been a long time since he last thought about his mother. Finally, Koruma dropped his hand and gave Viper a shrug. "Don't know. Maybe she did. I can't really say for sure." Koruma's gaze drifted away from her as it wandered through the crowd. There wasn't any sadness or distress in his gaze, just quiet reflection. "I don't really remember her." His earliest memories were of the Orphanage and the Gang. He knew he had questioned his Masters and Calyn when he was younger, but he had gotten little in the way of answers. After a while, he simply stopped asking. Their pace slowed as they entered the market and Koruma diligently followed Viper to the herb stall. He waited, hands clasped behind his back as he bounced silently on his toes. She picked out several herbs that he didn't recognize them, her expression thoughtful as she gathered them together. Ashen eyes watched the exchange, observing the careful placement of one of the strange vials. When she was finished, they turned away from the stall and conversation began again. "Because Sunberth is my home. I was born here and it's all I know. Leaving would be just as dangerous. Besides, I still have one more year in the orphanage. So there is no reason for me to leave." Koruma glanced up at Viper for the briefest of moments before he continued. "I-if I may ask... why do you stay... in Sunberth that is." Their quest took them to another stall and Koruma waited just as patiently and silently as he had at the last stall. His fingers drummed against the scabbard of his dagger and he chewed on his lip while he watched her shop. Once finished, she turned to him and gave him instructions. He swallowed at the mention of getting his hand removed. Nodding, Koruma replied in a soft voice, "Understood."

[Sherashadiss]

A soft scoff crossed her lips as she approached the room that she rented and nudged the door open, entering it. She didn’t bother with the door, for she expected Koruma would just simply close the door behind him. She would gently set the pack upon the bed and open it, her fingers darting within to pull out the container, taking it over to the desk within the room. Once it was settled upon the desk top, she opened the top and gently pulled out the contents settling them down beside each other. The Viper took extra care when she set the paper wrapped vial to the side, for she didn’t want to accidentally break the vial and spill the contents all over herself. It was then that she pulled the chair out from underneath the desk and placed it across the room for the boy to sit upon. ”Sssit.” She finally said after a moment, her fingers grasping a hold of a Fauxsil leaf and she turned to follow the boy’s movements. Once he was seated within the room, she held out the leaf to him, ”Eat, it’sss not poissson, jussst a little sssomething to take off the nervousss edge that you ssseem prone to having. I don’t need a nervousss boy hanging around while I work; nor do I need a nosssey one.”

Her crimson gaze watched the boy for a moment before she turned around and she began to prepare for the distillation of the Emilvirute milk. She turned towards her bag and gently pulled out a standing candle, settling it upon the desk’s top. She quietly lit it so then a soft glow would flicker over her work area. While sunlight was not wanted, a soft glow from a candle did fine, for it wouldn’t be able to damage the Emilvirute milk. She would pull an Alembic close to her, it was a bulb shaped glass, with the bottom of it being flat so then it would sit there upon its own when over a heat source. At the very top of the bulb, was a long thin neck that started at the top and went on a slight decline away from the bulb. At the end of the bulb, a distilling coil would be attached so then the liquid would go through a long process of cooling before it would end up into a small dish where she would mix it into the Heldrog once she had also finished with that. Indeed, the process to come would be a long one, but as with all poison making process, it would always be long. So, patience was to be had in the long process, which was why she had given the boy only one Fauxsil leaf. It was to calm him, but should he wish to nap, he would be able to do so without feeling as if she would turn on him.

As tempting as it was to eat an orphan boy, she had to restrain herself for she was sure that this one would be very much missed. It was then that she decided to answer his question as she pulled on an apron and a set of gloves, while her thoughts went to Palaren for a brief moment. ”I ssstay in Sssunberth, becaussse I like it. People ssstay out of my buisssnesssss and that’sss how I like it.” Silently her fingers then reached for the vial, unwrapped the paper and settled it to the side. The woman would then begin to uncork the vial before tipping the contents into the alembic. Once that was done, she corked the now empty vial and set it to the side, for she would have to wash it out with care later. It was then that she settled the alembic over some heat, after she had sealed the opening of where she had poured the milky substance into with a cork. Then, she pulled the distilling coil over, settling the top of the coil around the end of the neck of the alembic. Afterwards, she settled a dish underneath the bottom end of the distilling coil and she leaned back onto her heels. Now the wait began.