"Sweet Tea and Bitter Water."

Cast: Suleiman (Clay) & Seed (Deme)

TLDR: They drink tea and discuss staves.

Support Points Earned: 1

[8:30 PM] Happy Robot: ===RP START=== The midday sun was beating down on Pachima, covering the town in a sweltering heat. There was no wind to mitigate the weather, and not a cloud in the sky to stop the barrage of the sun. This was especially inconvenient for Suleiman, with his dark-navy robes only serving to bake his own body, and his black skin frying every part of him that wasn't covered by his robes or wings. While the Jera were a uncommon sight in this town, having a Jera that looked as insect-like as Suleiman was even more unusual. He caught a couple of sideways glances from the locals as he stood under a cloth overhang infront of a cafe. Suleiman was pre-occupied looking at a map, seemingly confused by it's contents.(edited)

[9:01 PM] LadyDeme: Across the sun-baked cobblestone streets walked another unusual figure; there were no crowds to part, but locals who were relaxing in whatever shade they could manage still gave first their glance to the Jera, and then another, to a figure wilting in the heat. Literally. His leaves drooped down his neck and shoulders, and turning sadly at the ends of his branches. The purple flowers growing through it -- the herbacious, lavender-like smell radiated more strongly in the sticky air -- had taken on a velvet-like sheen. The florkana was tall, and while his thin, barky skin offered some insulation, his whole body felt miserably dry. So, then, to the cafe. He would pray to the goddess for a chilled drink, a juice, a water. Seed plodded along, the Florkana occaisonally glancing skyward to see if some cloud might appear above the horizon. He was met with wide, endless blue. At least he was dressed for it, in a light white shirt that draped gauzily around his shoulder-branches and down to his hips, and a pair of loose pants beneath that which stopped at his calf. As he approached the cafe, the Jera under it -- a strange-looking fellow, but he supposed the jera might have said the same for him -- caught his attention. The map caught his attention, and while that sweet oasis waited, he'd stop under the shade of the awning then. He didn't want to leave the poor fellow standing there, looking so puzzled. Even if it was rude, he had to ask. "Are you lost, sir?" He asked, in a tone of voice perhaps betraying his parched exhaustion from the heat. A little creaky, but comparison, and he was distracted for a moment by the sound of it. Water, yes, good.

[9:40 PM] Happy Robot: The Jera's head snapped to see a Florkana staring down at him, looking tired and wilted. For a moment, Suleiman's face shown confusion, before twisting into anger, with his wings fluttering as it changed. Why should this man assume that I'm a lost old man!? Does he think I'm going senile, just because I looked at a map for longer than ten seconds!? Suleiman tries everything he can to stop himself from saying these things to the Florkana. He snaps the paper away, rolling it under his arm with a surprising quickness, while continuing his scowl on the florkana. He starts walking away from Seed."I am not lost, sir. I am merely...." Suleiman says this with disgust in his voice. He gets two steps away before stopping. He sighs. "....lost. I am lost."

[9:54 PM] LadyDeme: Seed started at the sudden snap of movement and the scowl that greeted him when the screen of map between them had fallen away -- it was hardly as if the Jera's face had been hidden, from Seed's vantage point, but his eye had drifted to the map and come back, and there it was. Oh, you've screwed up now. "Ah... Well... That is..." It seemed, frankly, like a bad idea to continue. The florkana seemed like he wilted a little more, down to the slope of his shoulders. Still, it'd be ruder now to not offer assistance, since he'd gone and been nosy. Yes, offer it, he thought, with a breath to steady his nerves and to try and prop up his sun-melted disposition, And then allow him space. "I'm very sorry for bothering you, sir. If you need a second pair of eyes on that map or the like, I'd be glad to help... Otherwise, I suppose I should go get that drink I was stopping by for."(edited)

[10:07 PM] Happy Robot: The Jera turns to face the florkana as he says this, his face much less mad. He opens his mouth to say something, but he closes it before anything comes out. He lets out a grunt out of frustration at himself. The man looks to the ground. Now look at what you are doing! Not even one day in this dreaded town and you've already yelled at a person for no good reason! He couldn't be going on the rest of the trip like this. The least he could do is take this man's offer. "I..." He swallows. "I am sorry for the outburst, young man. I will take up your offer of assistance, if you wouldn't mind." Better hope the man doesn't beat you for your words! The old Jera starts walking back to the florkana, unrolling the map in his hands as he does so.(edited)

[10:21 PM] LadyDeme: The younger man -- not as young as one might think, but certainly younger than the Jera by a wide margin -- hardly had the temperment to beat anyone; he'd have been appalled at the suggestion, if it reached him. Instead, the grumpy moth's softening relaxed him visibly; his green-gold eyes crinkled at their edges as he nodded. "Oh, don't worry about it." It was over, and therefore, no longer of real concern.... Something like that. He'd have to be a little more cautious, next time. "Well, let's see what I can do, then... Where are you headed?" He circled the older Jera, taking a step or two behind him (back in the light, after that sweet blessing of cool awning; what a pity. He'd grown well in shade, always. But it wasn't as if it could really do him harm, much as he lamented it) that they could both look at the map, with Seed leaning slightly forward. The scent of his flowers filled the space between him as he scoped up the map, orienting himself with its compass rose and the sun -- which had, through the previous hours, been rising in front of the cafe: now it hung terribly in the center of the sky.

[10:50 PM] Happy Robot: Suleiman stood still while Seed circled around. As he unraveled the map, it's age became apparent. The paper was brittle, the edges were cracked, and the ink was both smeared and faded, making the paper incredibly hard to read. The ink shown a very basic depiction of the town, with only a few landmarks noted on the map. Not that this town had many landmarks, anyways. He points to a dot labled "Town Hall". "I am looking for the current abode of a person named 'Saarva'. I've asked the locals where that would be, and they've all said that it is left from the town hall. Unfortunately, this map says that the town hall should be on this street. However, I do not see a building that could call itself a town hall here."

September 10, 2017

[10:16 AM] LadyDeme: "You intend to join the investigation, I take it? I thank you." Seed bowed his head. How fortunate, and how inspiring, to see people deciding to do something of this -- while it was true that it could effect everyone, if things continued this way, Given his explosive reaction to being asked if lost, Seed felt the certainty that the map was not just out of date, but decrepit, as a clench in his belly. He needed to consider this one carefully, even if he had the answer in a term where his map would still be perfectly servicable. "Hm, I believe the map itself isn't wholly accurate... Perhaps they moved town hall recently? Either way, you're in luck -- I've been to see Saarva myself, and recognize the street he's on on this map. It's that one." His hand reached over Suleiman's shoulder and tapped a street, perhaps two streets over, on the map. With his other, he produced the proof he had of his words, the little wrapped candy he still hadn't managed to sit and enjoy. It wasn't much proof, but it was what there was -- perhaps he should have requested some sort of receipt. "His building has a sign posted on it concerning the investigation, so it'd be difficult to miss."

[4:29 PM] Happy Robot: The Jera sighed. He should've expected that this map would be wrong. Of course the maps from Neraida would be wrong; hardly anybody left the place willingly. After a second of staring at the street Seed pointed out, Suleiman rolled up the map. "Thank you, sir." He says absent-mindedly, as if on instinct. After putting the map under his arm, his attention drifts to the candy Seed was holding. He steps away and faces Seed. "Er... is that candy supposed to relate to Saarva?"

[4:48 PM] LadyDeme: "Yes. I acquired it from his office's candy dish a few hours ago, during my interview. I suppose, intended or not, it's something of a payback, in return for a small favor I lent the dragon himself." Seed stared at it, considering the candy rather more thoroughly than he had in the office. It was a hard candy, the sort that shattered if you bit it, and dwindled to sharp edges in when let to dissolve -- Seed had the patience for the latter, and for contemplating the odd numbness a candy like that would leave to whatever section of cheek it was left in for a while. It could last a while -- with any luck, the effects of the interview would linger as well. "It might have been something offered freely, but so was the favor. The candy is my only real evidence I've been there, for now." He shrugged and tucked it back into his pocket. It was an amusing way to think about it, but the thought brought a little wistful smile to his face, nontheless. There was perhaps a little work to be done in that, if only for himself.(edited)

[5:30 PM] Happy Robot: "Don't worry; I am not looking for much proof. I trust that you've been there; you've been saying much more about the place than anybody else I've asked." Suleiman lets out a small chuckle, smiling for the first time since the Florkana approached him. It quickly dissappeared into a more serious expresssion, somewhat shameful in appearance. He looks to the cafe before speaking. "I... should repay you for the trouble I've caused you." He looks up to the florkana, taking note of their withered looks. "Would you mind a drink?"(edited)

[5:52 PM] LadyDeme: "That's likely true," Seed said, shrugging once more; now that he was getting a more friendly face from the old man, his own internal knotwork and coils relaxed; from the surface, it would have made very little difference, save that the angle of his shoulder-branches might have gone slightly more outward, as his shoulders relaxed. While the thanks and offer were hardly needed, they were also hardly expected, and his leaves perked up a little just from the cheery little smile that fluttered onto his face. Even the sun seemed a little bit more bearable, knowing relief was in sight. "You don't have to, but I'd greatly appreciate it all the same, I could use a drink." he said, as he turned towards the cafe once more. The windows were open to help ventilate some of the summer heat, allowing the sound of clinking glasses to drift out into the street.

[9:20 PM] Happy Robot: Suleiman starts walking towards the cafe entrance, waving off Seed's suggestion. "Bah, don't feel guilty about it. We're both thirsty, and I have much more money and time than I know what to do with. Come with me." Suleiman walks through the door, not stopping to see if Seed was following. He only checked to see if Seed had followed when he had already sat himself down at a table, positioned in the middle of a room.

September 11, 2017

[9:58 AM] LadyDeme: Guilty? It was always on the table, sure -- but he'd understood the offer for what it was, without guilt or need for justification. As such, the judtifications and the bluster offered rolled over him, yes, yes, clearly, more money and time -- it did nothing to stifle his cute little grin. So he follows naturally and takes a seat across the table from Suleiman, glancing at the cafe's menu, written on a slate hanging from the far wall. They had a sun-brewed tea that sounded right up his alley. "If I could trouble you to know... What made you decide to attempt to join the investigation?"

[9:03 PM] Happy Robot: "Why I joined the investigation? Pri-err... Work, mostly." Suleiman stops for a moment to get the attention of a waiter. He turns back to Seed as he sees one of the staff walking towards them. "I am an advisor of sorts, back in my country. The people I worked for wanted me to provide assistance for this investigation, to show that Neraida had shown support for finding the culprits of the attack." The moth looks down for a second, then back up to Seed. Perhaps he should tell more; while everything he said was technically true, Suleiman had omitted several facts that would give some much-needed context. Better to not mislead him, he thought. "Well, that's not reall-" Ahem Suleiman is cut off by the waiter clearing his throat. The waiter had reached the table, and was expectantly waiting their orders. Suleiman mumbles quietly, displeased at his interruption. "Water, please." He grumbles. Suleiman looks to Seed. "You?"(edited)

September 12, 2017

[9:14 AM] LadyDeme: "The chilled tea, please," Seed handed off his order, letting the waiter return to the bar with it -- neither would take long, and so the window without interruption was somewhat brief. "It might be a little presumptive to say... But...From the Abor Aurelius, I thank you and yours." Suleiman was replied to with a full view of Seed's head, the flowers in his hair and branching crown properly on display. Already, the petals looked a little more plush, a little less crumbled into the color of dusk. That the situation sounded like there was something more complicated didn't make much difference to him -- not now, not yet, not when thanks were thanks... Nor did, Seed would like to believe, the feeling tugging at his heart -- his own motives were hardly worthy of thanks, or even of giving gratitude for it. Nor could he ignore it. The two sensations, of who he ought to be, and who he at least somewhat was, clutched at him. Then he shifted himself in his seat. When his head lifted, the gold ring on the outer edges of his eyes slipped into sight under his lashes like sunlight in the woods, trailing the rest of his face behind his gaze. The table was unset, wood a little more glossy than his bark. Its polish reflected briefly on the reflection of a cultivated smile like a slow-drifting cloud. Not the sort of smile normally paired with such curious and intent eyes. "But go on?"(edited)

[9:06 PM] Happy Robot: "You're welcome, I guess.” Suleiman chuckles to himself, his voice dry and gravelly. “What I said before was somewhat misleading. My appearance here wasn't a matter of a righteous cause; it was more a matter of convenience for my employers. As an advisor, I’ve been pushing for Neraida to open itself up to the outside world for a very long time. The people I’ve advised didn’t agree with me about this, and viewed my inquiries about it as a mere annoyance, rather than an actual arguement. They’ve grown tired of my views, and had sent me on this investigation to simply get rid of my nagging for a short while. I assume that my participation in this would also act as a way for Neraida to condemn the attack on the Money Tree.” As the moth says this, his expression gets more and more sour, ending with a sigh. He looks down at the table, trying to see if the table was glossy enough for Suleiman to see his red eyes glaring back at him. “They didn’t kick me out of their establishment, at least. That’s usually the best I can get out of the people I serve.” The waiter appears back at the table, the tea and water in hand. “5 gold, sir.” The staff member says. Suleiman slams the coin onto the table and, the drinks are handed out. As he takes a sip of water, he recoils before swallowing. He mutters something about sugar to himself before looking up to Seed. “I assume that you are applying for the job as well. What is your reason?”(edited)

[9:44 PM] LadyDeme: "I see... In terms of whether that gratitude still holds or not, I can't say that it makes much difference...Though..." His expression darkened briefly -- his lips lost the sort of animation that kept them smiling; his lids were a heavy shroud over his eyes. For what he was about to say, he felt it prudent... And he also felt like it might be a problem. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn... But it seems to me unfortunate, that they won't listen sincerely. Whether Nerida should open itself or not, I don't think it's my place to say, as much as I might like to see it one day... " In the gap between words, the honey-sweetened flavor of his tea hit his tongue, expanding touches of herbal bitterness and a sweetness from rosehips used in the tea. It was a fine drink, in his assessment, but he let it wet his dried-out mouth and little more, for the moment. "I think when it comes to an important question like that, you have to listen to people earnestly, even if you disagree." He paused for a longer time; his fingers moved to busy themselves with his glass of tea, but his arms stayed still. He didn't quite look Suleiman in the eye anymore -- he couldn't. Not when his own reasons were so...Base. "My reasons are... Well, I suppose I'd call them a mess. I don't think I can wholly answer, just yet; there's rings upon rings of reasons, risen over the years around me, until I had no choice but to act. But more prosaicly... For first... I volunteered because I'm a Florkana. I hardly doubt I'm the only representitive who chose to go, but there was a ... kind of mutual obligation that collected, between myself and...the people with whom I live." He could not call it 'his people. "I think I will be useful to them this way." He sighed, his hands finally, slowly, retaking his drink. When he brought it to his lips, he blowed a few sad bubbles into it, and watched them pop, before drinking. It really was...refreshingly cold.(edited)

[9:44 PM] LadyDeme: He owed it to be honest. He did. He shut his eyes for a moment, and the first word became a sigh. "The second is... Because there was someone I was afraid could be involved with this. I can't say for sure, only... That it feels like something I must do, to see if it's so."

September 14, 2017

[1:12 AM] Happy Robot: "So you are here for a more personal matter, then." Suleiman took another sip of his drink, wincing at the bitterness of it. "That could be good; having a personal stake in a job will increase your dedication to doing it. Though..." After a moment of thought, Suleiman shakes his head."No, never mind that." He takes another drink from the glass. This time, Suleiman swishes it around his mouth, trying to endure the taste. He fails to hide the disgust in his face before swallowing. "Speaking of the investigation, do you have any theories on who did it?"(edited)

[9:22 AM] LadyDeme: Faint ripples spread across the red surface of his tea as he sighed, dropping his worries as if into a bottomless ocean. Whether it was good to have a personal stake or not... It didn't feel good. It felt selfish. "It's not wholly personal. As I said, I think it's the right thing to do. As a Florkana, and...As a member of that community. I'm sure they accepted it to have me off doing something of worth for a change, too. But," He paused for a moment, and his smile slowly returned -- if rueful and self-deprecating. "I'd be lying if I said my reasons weren't horribly selfish." The second question gave him pause, during which he drank a bit more of his tea; by comparison, it was pretty enjoyable. "...I'm not entirely sure; I get the sense that we're not dealing with a singular national actor, nor are we dealing strictly with greed. The degree of profit in it in the long run is very weak, and the attack was fairly weak..." Seed steepled his long fingers, and shook his head. While he naturally worried about odds and ends, the whole situation was strange and wrong. But as for what it meant... There, same as 'why,' he led himself in circles. He couldn't tell who gained the most from this yet. "Rettati's actions in all of this are strange, and worth examination, but I'm...Well. I'm not ready to pass judgement." It could still be unrelated; it could be cooincidence; it could be a part of something smaller; it could have been individuals. But something was wrong. And it gnawed at him. Seed sighed at his own indecisiveness. The spring green of the core of his eyes drifted across Suleiman's sour face. "Something wrong?"(edited)

September 15, 2017

[1:18 AM] Happy Robot: Suleiman immediately gets defensive, crossing his arms. "Wrong? Is it because of my expression?" The moth sits back in his chair, unamused by the question. "I am fine; I'm just not one to get over-emotional." "I can see something backing the idea that the attack wasn't done by a country. It would be much too risky to try such an attention-grabbing manuever when you have an entire people to lose." Suleiman paused for a moment, thinking of a way to make sense of all the info he got. "I could see this attack being an attempt to frame a counrty not responsible for it. No country's leader would be stupid enough to try an attack so disorganised and risky. Too much to lose, and not enough to gain. But I can see a smaller group, like a mercenary band, being brave enough to try something like this with the intent to destroy the reputation of a country. Many people want an answer for the attack, and I think that many will flock towards the one that comes up first; regardless if the answer is correct or not." As he said this, Suleiman starts to think of how strange the entire attack seems to be. Why would anybody throw away so much resources on a risky-at-best framing job? And why would they want to destroy the reputation of a country? Would they want to start a civil war to gain power over that country? He thinks of pointing out these questions, but decides against it. Suleiman chuckles to himself. "But we don't know much of anything about it, so I guess this discussion is useless. Fun, but useless." He takes another sip of the water, wincing a tiny bit less than before. "I don't believe that we have ever exchanged names. Mine is Suleiman. Yours?"(edited)

[8:51 AM] LadyDeme: This did not seem entirely true, as long as one counts 'defensive anger' as an emotion. However, Seed simply dipped his head; his palms idly came together with a faint swift-swif sound as he played them against each other. The friction was warming, but the need to apologize for disgusting him still felt cold. A ceaseless gnawing, in which he chewed away at his own selfishness as something other than worthy of such a face. "I'd meant about your drink, but... I apologize for troubling you all the same, for bothering you." After a pause, he took a deep breath and tried to perk himself up. Unemotional, Seed was not, but one had to perservere. The air around him, caught in this breath, smelled as much of the cafe's selection, which had few of the more exotic scents one could expect in a larger town -- instead, it was warm and cozy baking goods, that brought him back to a calmer state, tucking aside that unclean feeling for now. So when he looked back towards Suleiman in the breath after his apology, he was smiling, attentive, his 'normal' self again. "I think the framing notion is interesting -- but twenty ships is a rather lot for a single mercenary band. What attracts my attention in the reports is the magic involved; I worry we might not have seen anything that really was afoot... But as you say, it's not anything we can be certain of, at this stage."
The wince again at the water, and not at the conversation, was heartening, and he tried picking up steam, even if his own internal systems were smarting. The glass of tea had been vanishing all the while, dwindling heavily now -- frankly, on his own Leaf he perhaps should have ordered a caraf of the stuff -- and he was in general looking perkier, with his leaves more brighty and glossy and his movements more fluid than they had been outside. "I am Seed Viridius -- Seed, to most in my acquaintance. It's a pleasure to meet you."

[6:18 PM] Happy Robot: “Oh, the water? It is just that I am not accustomed to the taste, that's all. Us Jera, we don't have the same tastes as other races. Water, by itself, tastes incredibly bitter to us. Traditionally, we mix it with other ingredients before drinking.” Suleiman takes another sip before clearing his throat. “However, since I’ve yet to see anybody outside of Neraida make a tea fit for a Jera, I've decided to get used to the cheapest drink available.” For a moment, he smiled at Seed. He seemed to be enjoying that drink he bought him. It wasn’t a waste of money, at least. “You like the tea?”

[8:51 PM] LadyDeme: Relieved, Seed looked about. Many cafes that would serve more exotic beverages might offer a sweetener, but for a place with tea or juices, it didn't seem assured. The tea was brewed with additions made-in, and even if he'd wanted a milk tea, he suspected he'd be provided with tea with the milk used to brew, which had its own benefits. "You will have to try some of my tea sometimes, then -- I can make something that runs rather sweet, though I don't know how it would fare on a Jera's tongue. I'd like to see, though. But I'm sure they have honey or somesuch they could add to the water to take the edge off." Seed nodded contentedly. The thirst that had driven him here -- a sort of stiff ache in his skin and center, clinging in the roof of his mouth, had vanished, and in general, he seemed rather recovered from the heat. "It's not a bad little tea, and I can certainly pick up an idea or something from it... But most of all, it's wonderfully refreshing to just have a cool drink in weather like this."

September 18, 2017

[6:20 PM] Happy Robot: As she says this, Suleiman's eyes go down towards the glass infront of him, now halfway empty. "I know the feeling. Nothing worse than being without a drink in the heat. Well, I suppose you could get mauled to death by a bear, but that's besides the point." He takes a sip, and fails to keep a straight face while it goes down. "The weather almost makes my drink bearable. I guess I would have to parch myself further if I really wanted to enjoy this." He sets the glass down, and looks back to Seed. "I may be interested in trying your tea out, if I get the chance. I've been dying to get something good in my body for a week now. What do you put in it, exactly?"

[7:37 PM] LadyDeme: "Frankly, there are a lot of things worse than not having something to drink in the heat... But the sun has the claws of a bear, the sharp streaks that cut the sky.." Seed said, momentarily turning his head towards the window -- turning his eyes sunward briefly. In heatstroke, in the danger of a desert sun, in the dizzyness and dryness of limbs gone stiff -- was there some comparison to make, or was it the stars that were more meant for bears? Then a little puff of air escaped him, and the thoughtful expression on his face melted into a smile, and he could turn back almost apologetically. "Of course, a simple hot and sunny day rarely deserves that metaphor." Melodrama or no, he'd make a note of it; there might be something he could tease out. Down went the last of his tea, turning him to his tea. "Ah, I make a few different blends, and much of it depends on what I have cultivating at the time, or what's seasonal; right now, I've got a peach and chamomile that might suit you... But I think I might reccomend a blend I make for guests, that's, well... my tea... On all levels. The current batch is mostly flowers and leaves, but with a little of the mint I'm watching over now."

[8:40 PM] Happy Robot: "Peach and charmomile? That... Yes, that could work for my tastebuds. I've had something like that in Neraida before. Quite nice." As he says this, Suleiman's gaze drifted off above Seed's head. It was too long since he'd had any good food or drink. It was the only thing that he still missed from home. If he could find some good replacements for the food, then he could finally get away from that city. A small smile creeped onto his face. As he stares into space, his eyes turn towards one of the flowers on Seed's body. Say, they almost look like you could use them in... His face suddenly turns to morbid realization. He speaks without moving his gaze from the flower. "Err... If I may ask, what did you mean by 'My Tea, on all levels'?" Suleiman says. His voice sounded like he was trying to hide his worry behind a polite tone.(edited)

[10:49 PM] LadyDeme: Seed was glad his suggestion seemed promising -- it was hard to anticipate someone's tongue, especially after even the bare non-taste of water had seemed so bitter to the jera. The suggestion alone "I mean made from my own leaves, fruit, and flowers. As I said, what I've made most recently is mostly leaves and flowers, but I have some of a tea made with my fruit as well," he explained calmly. His hand briefly rose to frame the poet's wreath of green leaves and pale purple flowers, each the color of an early winter's dusk; he seemed a little proud, judging by the smile of his face. Of course, the little quaver of Suleiman's voice caught his attention. He blinked and realized, with a smile, that it probably sounded strange to someone who didn't know Florkana well. "Don't worry; it's nothing unusual or unhealthy, and I don't mind sharing. Making even my body into a source of something crafted with care is rather gratifying."(edited)

September 19, 2017

[12:43 AM] Happy Robot: Suleiman maintains a confused and disgusted face throughout Seed's explanation. "That is... how do I put this... a bit strange from my point of view. I am unused to the culinary traditions of the Florkana. I would perfer to have the peach and charmomile tea when we meet." Suleiman shakes his head, and assumes a more professional posture. He could not help but be wierded out by how casually Seed had explained the process. Not only that, but he was smiling about it! Was it that normal for Florkana to use their own body parts to brew tea? Truly, they are a strange race. Still, if downing a cup of his body-tea would mean a good-tasting drink... "But, if nothing else is available, I suppose I could try out that tea." He forces out, with is eyes closed, and a disgruntled look on his face. This wasn't a good idea. This couldn't be a good idea. How could a tea brewed from him taste good?(edited)

[6:42 PM] LadyDeme: "Don't worry about being delicate about it -- it's something I've encountered often enough. It's something most people of other races might not experience much, except in stories, so if you haven't heard that, it certainly sounds strange," Seed's smile might have been a notch thinner, that artistry rebuffed quite so easily; measured in the flames of a candle, what had before been a high and steady flame was trembling in the wind. "Perhaps one day, as you travel more, you might change your mind on the topic, but it'd be unfair to force you to be comfortable with the custom. Compared to other fruits, that of the Florkana is especially delicious, though." He could go on, but he rather got the impression it wouldn't land well -- not yet, anyway. Perhaps one day... But in the meanwhile, he folded his hands and nodded towards the drink on the table. "Certainly, we'll try the peach and chamomile, if the opportunity ever arises; it'll be fine payback for today's treat."(edited)

September 20, 2017

[11:37 AM] Happy Robot: “Err… thank you.” Suleiman had a careful expression on his face, trying his best to remain polite, despite being uncomfortable. It was fairly obvious that he was still weirded out by the idea of a “Florkana Tea”, despite Seed’s reassurance that the ingredients are normal. Actually, the fact that Seed was insistent on the quality of his ingredients was the main thing that weirded Suleiman out. Would it not be seen as strange to be eat something made of another person? My oh my, this person was strange... “Now, if I may ask, what skills do you plan to bring to the investigation?”

[1:42 PM] LadyDeme: That was something Seed didn't quite know how to recover from, not without the conversation really being present -- it was, fundementally, a cultural difference, and not one common to the inner circle, but such was life. "Ah, another interview?" He chuckled. "I got asked that question earlier, as well. I've lived at the Arbor Aurelius for a few years now -- but I have a few patrons and contacts in other regions who might be willing to lend assistance and information where they can. I've got a wonderful touch with words that may serve for missives and negotiations, though my skill is practiced for poetry, more than dealing with others directly... In addition, I know a little magic, and am experienced with healing herbs and staves." Under a little less pressure, he could lift the answer he gave during his interview and stitch it together quickly; he hoped he didn't come off as terribly arrogant. "And yourself? It'll be good practice."(edited)

September 21, 2017

[7:57 PM] Happy Robot: Suleiman's expression slowly turned into worry as Seed went on about their skills. He lets out a nervous chuckle, before putting his face into a glare fixated on the glass infront of him. "Healing and diplomacy. That is just perfect. I was going to advertise those same skills myself, funnily enough." Suleiman lets out a sigh. "Let's hope that, for whatever reason, they really need two diplomats on the investigation. Otherwise, I think that one of us won't be getting a job." He takes another sip of the water, before giving it a small shake. It was nearly empty now, the water only rising halfway up the glass as he shook it. He sets it back down. "So, you can heal? Did you learn healing through the church, or are you self-taught?"(edited)

[8:32 PM] LadyDeme: "I'll hope so," Seed said, chuckling nervously, a sort of two-beat noise that escaped him when his own face dropped to one of concern and worry. What would they need? A leaf twirled in the light, flashing between his fingers as he fidgeted. Would their skillsets overlap until the two of them had no place to stand? The dull and shiny side of the leaf caught the light. For a moment, all he could do was wrestle them down in his throat. When the question came, his shoulders sank back down and took a breath. His eyes took a dreamy quality, as he recalled far-away days. His fingers came away from the leaf that grew in amongst his verdant hair, and folded together in front of him once again. "Neither, actually. Or, perhaps somewhere between the two. At first, I was..." Seed debated explaining all of his history, atypical as it was. All the same, he'd been thinking about it around the time of his departure, and his own words echoed through him. But instead, he focused on something fond that ran through him: an old man with whispy white hair in a tonsure, directing Seed's hands over a staff, firmly correcting their placement, trying not to laugh at the Florkana's clumsy pronunciation. The first person in the world's hands had been so different, so warm and thin. Seed sighed. "My first teacher in healing, as in many things, was a priest who had retired to a hermitage; from there, I read a good deal, and practiced a fair bit."

[10:55 PM] Happy Robot: "Huh, Interesting. So you've been doing this since a young age, I asssume. I hope it's been useful for you, in your time. I've lived in the city for most of my life, so I've only really used it on victims of muggings. It's amazing, what those staves can heal. Anything, essentially." His expression saddens slightly, and his eyes look down to the table. "Almost anything." "Er... I was rambling, wasn't I?"

[11:12 PM] LadyDeme: "Hmmm... It must have been young -- sometimes I feel the passage of time is a funny thing, fleeting and lingering at its own whims, a current that runs swift over rocks and sinks and circles in deep pools," Seed said, his eyes gradually settling back to the present. He didn't concern himself with his own age -- he was young compared to the Jera, and older than some, and settled in his time. "...There certainly are things that no staff can ever mend." Shadows crossed his face -- the eyes were a green water at the bottom of a deep well. His expression was sad as the Jera's was -- probably because the Jera's was, though he'd healed -- and failed -- more than muggings in his day. Eventually, he shook his head. "No, not at all. Even if it hamstrings my efforts, I wish you luck in your interview."

September 22, 2017

[12:03 AM] Happy Robot: The ends of Suleiman's mouth curl up as Seed speaks. The man was somewhat strange, but at least he seemed to be an understanding person. "Well said, sir. You should write poetry with those words; if you haven't already." Suleiman empties the glass with a final sip. He swishes it in his mouth a little bit, savouring the cold feeling on his toungue. He sets the glass down. "Thank you, sir. I wish you luck as well. Hopefully, we can both get accepted to this investigation team. Though, I doubt that the people there value words enough to hire two diplomats." He stands up. "Speaking of which, I suppose it is a good time for me to go and set up a meeting with this 'Saarva' person. I'll be taking my leave."(edited)

[5:42 PM] LadyDeme: Seed chuckled; when his smile returned, it was no fragile, flitting thing. He accepted the compliment with a flourish, a half-bow, and a smile that reached the crinkled corners of his eyes. "I actually am a poet, so I'm glad I seem suited to it." With that, though, he rose to his feet; the drink had hydrated him enough that the day seemed worth enduring now, and he'd had an interesting conversation. Between these things, the day looked a little little brighter than it had before... Even if he now worried about someone taking his place in something Seed was still personally worried over. "Thank you very much for the drink; it was quite nice... And I hope we'll both manage to do what's needed of us." Seed gave a deep nod and left the cafe, leaving the faint sound of the door's bell behind him.

[5:57 PM] Happy Robot: Suleiman watched the Florkana as he went out the door, a small smile on his face. "See you soon." He said, before leaving through the same door shortly after.

[5:57 PM] Happy Robot: ===RP END===