Potions and Poisons (Silver Court trial for Sepharvaim)

[Illya]

It was a lovely day in Marienburg. The sun was out, there were little clouds in the blue sky, the streets were crowded with merchants and vendors, shouting the praises of their goods to anyone passing by. A small boy darted through the full streets, ignoring the dozens of tantalizing purses hanging from belts as he passed by. He was, after all, on a mission for a very lovely lady. Before long he'd reached his destination, a nice tavern located near the Silver Court guildhouse. He pushed open the door, and walked over to the innkeeper.

"Morning, sir. I have a letter for one of your guests, Teodoro Valente," he said, handing the man a simple rolled-up and sealed scroll.

"Very well, young'un. He'll be down shortly to have breakfast, I reckon, I'll give it to him. Ah, there he is now," the innkeeper replied, pointing to the stairs, where a well-dressed man just came strolling down.

"Good morning Heer Valente, a letter has just arrived for you. Judging by the seal, I'd say it's from the Silver Court."

"Thank you, Signor Maasdam," the man replied, with a little smile. "I'll be having my breakfast now, if you'd be so kind."

"Certainly sir, I'll get right to it," Maasdam replied, hurrying off into the kitchen. Teo sat down at a table after pouring himself a cup of coffee, and opened the letter.

"To Signor Teodoro Valente,

I trust this letter finds you in good health. I offer my sincerest apologies in having to let you wait this long for a trial, but things have been... hectic. I have decided to let one of my associates take you along for this trial, as I am otherwise occupied myself. I'm sure you will get along famously, him being a native of your home country as well. His name is Tiberius Massimo Gianluca di Vincenzo, but he prefers to be called Massimo. His chosen profession is that of a Gold Wizard, or Alchemist, which is why he works for me. Please take his words as if they were my own. You will find him sipping wine at Meerschuim Café, between the 10th and 14th hour.

Best of luck to you,

Lady Aurelia Sylandris, Scholar Captain."

[Sepharvaim]

[FONT=Tahoma]Intriguing, the personal touch cast across the professionally worded message left for him. The intricately handwritten font a fantastical thing of beauty as it danced a feminine form, managing the suspicious scripture under dwindling candlelight. [/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]Teo sipped cautiously at his steaming cup of joe as the softly enveloping morning sun broke the freshly wiped windows. The staff here detail oriented in every branch of the term, furnishing spotless and lovely bar maidens disease free. The tidy nature of the abode was what brought Teo to stay here, his masked ego fit well here. Suffocating, the eyes of many.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]Hunched over the delivered letter upon his third internal reading he brought a grin to rest on his otherwise emotionless façade of a face. Home country… Lady Aurelia, the darkness you may never see. [/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]The creaking of boards overhead granted Teo knowledge of his temporary awakening neighbors. The bar maidens took the cue as well, wandering the tables, wiping down artifacts that had never seen so much as a speck of dust. One of the more particularly buxom waitresses began working upon his very table.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]The blushing bride. The description seemed fitting to the woman whose gaze he caught, the infatuation she directed at him obvious enough as a rosy hue decorated ivory skin upon her cheeks. Anneliese, she had introduced herself the first night of his stay. She formed a kind smile to the sight of Teo’s forced grin.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]“Annelie” Teo called her as usual before continuing, “It seems no matter how early I wake, you always manage to rise before me.” The over-the-top tilt of his head to follow only accented his forthcoming statement with a practiced social tone. “A shame such a lovely lady need work so endlessly.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]The red hue upon her cheeks darkened shyly as her breathing quickened against the strain of the supplied outfit of the inn. The flirtatious formation of his words worked to no end on numerous occasions with the young woman. [/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]“Until a willing suitor whisks me away, I need nowhere else to be.” Her gaze broke from his, regretful of her own statement as she continued to wipe the table down. How sweet the forbidden fruit would taste. But no, she was too close to home. He had come too far to lose to his true self here.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]“The Meerschuim Café, are you familiar?” he spoke now with a more neutral tone, daring not push her emotions too far. A woman scorned.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]Anneliese only nodded to this, her gleeful posture fading as she leaned to one side with a hand upon her hip. “Only so much as a hardy stroll north along the street, the first wide road branching north-east will bring you to the sign in no time at all.” She fidgeted here, suffering the discomfort of her costume before continuing “Would you care for me to send for a carriage?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]Teo answered with a brief gentlemanly shake of his head and rise of his spare hand in rejection of her inquiry. “A walk would do me well today” He stated, leaning back against his chair he sends a casual wink to his current companion before starting “My forthcoming station would likely not have much for a slothen hand.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]At my beckon she rises and falls. The gleeful resolution of the woman returned before leaving for her more pressing duties at the lack of a single word. He would no doubt be seeing her again before the day was through.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma]***********
[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]The morning chill brought forth by the shore did little to deter Teo from his approaching goal, arriving early as intended allowed him an advantage in the social proceedings to follow. An advantage he would not willingly shed this day.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]A propped open doorway and set of stone stairs led off the main road underneath a sign labeled as the Scholar Captain’s noted café. The stonework echoed out either end of the enclosed hall as his boots climbed the path at a lack of noteworthy haste.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]This is familiar. The linear hall had led him to a room most nostalgic to his own past. The open room, filled with more then enough furnishing for the early morning crowd as vegetation hung down from the wood boards built overhead for protection from the elements. I left this place?[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]The pillars holding the shelter above arched, taking obvious direction from a likely Tilean designer. A bar at the far end of the room held signs of a lazy morning tender as he sat upon one of its stools, minutes from sleep’s relentless embrace.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma]Finding a hand carved wooden chair against the edge of the roof Teo sat calmly in directing his eyes to the city around him. No, not home. He crossed his arms over the chest of his wealthy, robeless outfit of pant and shirt. It would be an hours time before the arrival of Tiberius, and likely longer for the production of a verbal menu by way of the plump bartender. A silence unmolested. His senses would take in the tantalizing nothingness in partial curiosity for a time to come.[/FONT]

[Illya]

About half an hour after Teo had left his tavern, another man had just set foot onto the crowded streets. The early morning sun was growing stronger, it truly was a lovely day. The man was tall, with black hair of average length. His face was handsome, high cheek-bones, a pair of observant green eyes, and a neatly trimmed goatee. Tiberius Massimo Gianluca di Vincenzo removed a non-existent speck of dust from his finely tailored suit, and checked his pocket-watch. The gold-plated clock had been a gift from a special lady, and a smile passed over Massimo's face as he read the engraved text, before snapping it shut and tucking it away in his waistcoat. Half past nine, plenty of time to reach the café. Aurelia had spoken to him the day before, telling him about the rogue who'd applied for the Silver Court, and how Nicolayeuth had disappeared as usual.

The Tilean put on the wide-brimmed hat he was holding on his hand, and strolled off in the direction of Meerschuim Café, his gold-tipped cane in hand. He paused by a stand to purchase a hot pastry roll, filled with chicken stew. It wasn't great, but it would serve as a decent breakfast for the day ahead. As he walked, he considered the plan. He was running low on various plants and herbs for his potions work, and since he was employed by Aurelia and her lover, he needed to replenish his stocks. Dintathra had been quite specific, some of his better clients had requested the virility potion that was Massimo's own creation. The ingredients weren't rare, but because of where they grew, hard to obtain. A rogue would be perfect for the job, preferably one who knew how to use a blade.

He strolled into the relatively empty café, and his eyes swiftly spotted the man matching Aurelia's description. Slightly over average height, slim, dark hair and a bad eye. Massimo walked over, and extended a hand as the man rose.

"Teodore Valente, I assume? I am Tiberius Massimo Gianluca di Vincenzo, though please, call me Massimo," he said in Tilean with a smile.

"I am indeed Teodore Valente, but please, call me Teo," came the reply, also in Tilean. "So tell me, what do you have planned for today?"

"Well, firstly, have you eaten? I had a small roll on the way over, but I'm still somewhat hungry." Teo shook his head, and Massimo waved over the waiter, ordering two plates of frittatas, a plate of hot cinnamon-hazelnut rolls and a can of hot, Tilean coffee. As the waiter scribbled down their order, and scurried off, Massimo smiled at his new associate.

"I like coming here, the owner is Tilean, and imports most of his food from there. They also have a rather fine collection of meerschaum pipes for sale, but also viewing. Even the architecture reminds me of home. But yes, the plan."

He paused, as the waiter deftly placed plates, cutlery, cups and saucers on the table, as well as a steaming pot of freshly brewed coffee. Massimo poured them both a cup, and sipping the hot, black liquid, gave a sigh of relief.

"That's the good stuff. Well, today we'll be venturing out of town, I am in dire need of various ingredients for my potions, if you've met Aurelia, you may have met her lover, Dintathra. He's a strict boss, I must say. The ingredients for this particular potion, are not rare, but there are some dangerous creatures in the swamps around Marienburg. A fellow like you, handy with a sword, would be most excellent company. What do you think?"

[Sepharvaim]

[FONT=Tahoma]A meal fit for a king, the suffocating aroma of the Tilean coffee overtook Teo’s senses. His chest tightened and eyes threatened to water as he inhaled the excess steam rising from the central pot and rented cup. He forced a kind smile to his temporary employer’s generosity, straightening his back in the carved armchair.

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]Teo’s dead eye kept in pace with its working compatriot as his gaze finally reached his own steaming cup of Tilean brew. A single hand would lift it cautiously to the rouge’s lips as he observed the man across from him for a moment, sizing him up. Deep pockets, many friends.

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]The cup made not so much as a tap when it reached its rightful throne upon the saucer it arrived with. Teo cleared his throat softly as the beverage settled aggressively. It was not that he disfavored the taste of the drink, but rather the discomforting effect on his patience. A haggler’s tool.

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]“Massimo…” Teo started in a neutrally hushed tone, contrasting the boisterously friendly nature of the man across the table. “You most certainly have me at a disadvantage that I so rarely enter.” Keep your cards close.

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]“My reputation seems to have preceded me, while I know so little of you beyond status and profession.” His smile grew a miniscule amount, forced as always in a manner most acceptable as he chuckled in a low volume.

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]A single ray of light broke the vegetative shelter above them, causing Teo to squint his blessed eye against it. The heat temporary pain did much to remind him that even though his morals were long since shed, his body was very much that of a man.

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]“Forgive me,” Teo continued taking a far more welcoming tone then before as he let his coffee rest in retreat of his hands “for not jumping to the occasion in aide of a brother Tilean, but…” I am no fool.

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]“…I like to know what I’m getting into before I’m neck deep in a trouble far above my station.” Or below.

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]He had not brought with him the flintlock that would commonly hang from his belt, nor the ammunition or powder that would hinder his movements and suffer meaningless exposure. His oversized blade of a knife kept at his side ever present on the city streets. I do not suffer fools.

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]“So, any information about this journey that you would willingly part with before I make my decision would be most welcomed.” He reached forward, again retrieving the cup to signify his reaching the point. “What exactly we are looking for and that which would make us a midday meal.” Could I outrun you if it overtook us? How loud would you scream before I shed you of your shell?

[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma]Again, the scorching beverage reached Teo’s lips as he took it in at a refreshing pace. The steam all but faded as it had fought its meaningless battle against time and the elements, yet the heat remained for now. His morbidly pleasureful thoughts causing neither an effect on his posture nor mask of humanity. Whom would you leave behind, Massimo?[/FONT]

[Illya]

Massimo paused for a moment, before replying. He reached down to his own slowly cooling coffee, and took another sip. Setting the cup down again, he finally opted to remove his hat, laying it neatly on the table.

"Well, Teo, I'll be honest with you. The swamps are full of these stupid creatures called river trolls. Big, slimey creatures, twice the size of a man. They're certainly not fast, and not very bright either, but they are always hungry. Have you ever seen one?"

Teo remained silent, his dead eye seemed to be glaring at Massimo. It was downright creepy, that eye. I've seen a lot of weird things, but that's just scary. Then he shook his head, and said: "No, I have not."

Massimo grinned.

"Well, like I said, they're vicious things. Despite their size, the marsh is deep in some places, and you can barely see them. Oh, and it's too deep for walking, so we'll be using a flat-bellied boat and a pole. I happen to own a rather nice one, with lots of space for herbs."

He paused, to sip his coffee, and smile as the waiter approached with two portions of frittatas, a Tilean dish that consisted of eggs, ham, cheese and herbs. The aroma rising from the hot food was mouth-watering. Massimo quickly cut off a piece, and popped it in his mouth.

"Well, would you look at this. Delicious! You should try them, really. But yes, the trolls. Well, they're dangerous but not immortal. Nor impervious to pain. So we can kill them," he said, and looked Teo in the eyes, "... but it requires a nerve of steel."

He smiled at Teo, his eyes twinkling with the glint of intelligence.

"That, is of course, the real meaning of this test. You are to be a rogue, after all. A knife in the dark. Collecting herbs in the swamps will not be your job, fear not. However, you might face some rather dangerous creatures of all manner should you in the end decide to join the Court, and if you can't handle a river troll, well. You wouldn't be the first."

Massimo fell silent, and looked down again at his plate, smiling and continuing his breakfast. The unspoken question hovered in the air between the two men. What will you choose, Teodore?

[Sepharvaim]

[FONT=Tahoma]His skin could have cried, the heat directed into the vegetation here along with the sea’s chilling breeze worked together to recreate the feeling of a dry sauna. It was not the cold he craved, it’s not clean.

He knew himself well, perhaps more then most, his own discomforts, his own root of thought, his own urges. This unnatural feeling brought forth by the weather, it was something he could not avoid even with practice. The sickening taste of stale air, the putrid scent of the city ablaze.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma]Teo nodded when appropriate, and squinted through the talk of trolls. He didn’t know them, how they bled, or even if they did. Being so unprepared caused a tightening in his chest, but… is there another way?[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma]He mirrored Massimo in silence for a time, picking peckishly at his own heated meal, appearing to be weighing the options, though he had already decided. The second he put forward word of his intention of joining the Silver Court he had decided to go all in, no matter the cost.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma]Teo stopped, he finished his latest portion of food and brought his hands back to his lap without a second thought. It’s all an act. A final clearing of throat would be cue to begin.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma]“If such is whats needed to prove myself, I have no qualm.” His language spoken of Tilean, though his accent had long since half-faded.

A tilt of his head proved to amplify the following, “And I have no doubt you, yourself are capable enough not to prove a burden of this excursion.”[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma]A sigh, a mimic of a typical man giving into a master socialite. His back relaxed into is chair, acting out the moment of truth as his right hand fidgeted with the left’s collar. An act for the world to judge, or applaud.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma]“I suppose the only thing I have left to ask is... when do we depart?” He could eat more, but that would break the illusion of nervousness. Something he had worked hard for to achieve.

The man across the table disturbed Teo to a greater degree then himself, the intelligence in his method of speech. Something required of the wizard’s profession, something more dangerous then any likely foe of muscle. [/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]I am not going to enjoy this…[/FONT]

[Illya]

"We'll leave as soon as we've finished our breakfast, of course. Can't work on an empty stomach, eat up, eat up!"

Massimo chuckled, and took another sip of coffee. Creepy fellow. But still, he is no doubt capable of the tasks Falcia will require of him. If not, well. He wouldn't be the first. He does seem a little nervous, though that might well be an act. Mr Teo is no fool, I'll wager.

The waiter approached with a tray of freshly baked cinnamon-hazelnut rolls, and a fresh pot of coffee. Both men sat silent as he removed their plates, placing new, smaller ones in front of them. Massimo grinned broadly.

"These are simply amazing. A perfect breakfast, wouldn't you say, Teo," he smiled, as the rogue took a slightly hesitant bite of the gently cooling pastry.

"Yes, they are rather good," came the reply. Not one for words, is he. Guess I'll do the talking, then.

"Rather good? Why, this is the closest you'll get to real Tilean food in Marienburg, Teo," the alchemist said, pouring himself another cup of coffee. "Almost as good as my dear departed mother, Verena bless her soul."

He leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand, waving and gesturing the fork at Teo as he spoke.

"You see, the cook and I have a private arrangement. He has a problem, one that," he chuckled, "makes his wife unhappy, and not to mention unsatisfied. So, I provide him with a little potion I like to call il Fuoco, and he lets me eat here for free."Massimo chuckled again, and leaned back, while Teo raised an eyebrow.

"The Fire?"

"That's right. Works like a charm, every time. In fact, those herbs we're setting off to collect shortly are some of the most important ingredients! Speaking of which, eat up, not only will you insult the cook, but we need to get going soon." Are you nervous, Teo? Or just pretending to be? I know you like the food.

"I'm quite satisfied, thank you, Massimo. We can go now, if you wish."

"Well, if you're sure, fine." Massimo reached over and took the half of the roll that remained on Teo's plate, and took a happy bite. "Off we go, then," he smiled, pushing his chair backwards and setting his hat on his head once again.

The alchemist gave the waiter a friendly nod as they walked out the door, and headed out into the street.

"So, Teo," Massimo said, as they headed towards the small harbour where his boat was docked, "please tell me about yourself. I know you're from Tilea, but where?"