OPEN | Our battles, they may find us

[keenly]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Colin
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Announcement
WHEN: Present
WHERE: Gallows
NOTES:

Seeing as the quarantine keeps me from going to market, the lunches I serve daily at my shop are being put off till it's lifted. In the meantime, I'm setting up in an empty office across the hall from the infirmary. It won't be my full shop, it'll be everything I need to make potions and tinctures, and also it'll be refreshments for anyone working. Tea, cookies, the kind of thing I can make from what stores we already have. And as it's the Inquisition's stores and not my own, given to me generously by the kitchen staff, the food will be free of charge. The tea is mine, and it'll be five bits a cup and three for healers. The shop will be closed. If you need anything from it, I'll get it for you.

With potions, I could use an extra set of hands or two. If anyone could volunteer to help me make them, I can give you all the instruction you need. I mean, it's mostly 'put herbs in, pour spirits in, put cork in.' [And discreetly cast Haste on the bottles, because tinctures aren't made in a day.] I'll measure everything out for you.

Annnnd lastly, I know some people are sort of...unsettled, about being stuck in here, especially mages. My advice is go up on the roof and take a breather. It all feels less restrictive when you're up in the sky and can see the horizon all 'round.

Comments

[motherfucking_ghost]

I...could make some shit up for you, yeah. Anything to be useful. And remembered. I mean I still try and do, like, my usual Gallows-y duties but also people are kind of freaked out a little bit by all the sick people and I also don't want to be stuck in a bed all day.

I'll try not to sweat or bleed blue on everything.

[keenly]

[Who is this guy, again?]

I suppose, I mean it's not exactly taxing work and I'd be keeping an eye on you. All right, come on in. What's your name?

[exsecutus]

[Regarding the above--]

Not that it would be a personal hardship to me, but if your intention is to allow a bleeding, sweaty man put hands all over potions that you will have fed to the Inquisition, then I will have to give up doubly on this entire operation.

[And then, second most important:] Why charge for the tea at all.

[keenly]

First, I charge for the tea because I'm not taking a loss on it, and a few coppers is plenty for one cup of tea.

Second, I'll put gloves on him. So far, he's my only volunteer and I can't turn away help. He's not going to give the sickness to anyone who doesn't already have it.

[exsecutus]

[The argument for the coppers is good enough that Nikos just gives an unimpressed mmm at it. He could argue mild price gouging in a mildly desperate situation. He could also argue that tea is a luxury, and anyone concerned with it at present is a velvet-wrapped twat. So he doesn't argue at all.]

Whether or not any of us are contagious remains a debate. Thus the quarantine. And yet, even if we were all free men, I would still prefer not to sip sweat with my potions.

Please keep him away from the tea.

[keenly]

[A quiet sigh through his nose. He opens his mouth to reply, but it comes out different:]

Keep who away from the tea? [He has no idea what this man is talking about.]

[exsecutus]

The Champion of Tantervale.

[boy]

Your new assistant.

[keenly]

[Did someone volunteer? Did he miss something?]

I'll make sure of it. [Whatever. Better to say yes and avoid conflict.]

[exsecutus]

Much appreciated.

There's about a dozen other efforts going on. The Inquisition is very thorough and repetitive, as a sprawling organization. Perhaps you could ask the few remaining division heads if they can find clean hands to bottle potions.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Church. Rifter extraordinaire. Which means, whee, quarantine city, and I need to not sit on a damn cot in a healer tent all day or I will find a way to light myself on fire.

[keenly]

You'd be surprised how many mage healers have lit themselves on fire. They might be able to give you advice. But come on up, you'll have to wear gloves and stay away from the food table but it might actually be good for your health if you're busy.

[keenly]

Yes, milord, I can notify the remaining division head. [Singular.]

[exsecutus]

[wh

one sec as he throws up in his mouth a little]

Nikos. And I'm helping you. Not ordering you around, you idiot. There is a difference.

[keenly]

[Oh. Kostos' brother, that makes a degree of sense. Colin's tone is absolutely innocent, if slightly impatient.]

I'm glad to hear of it. When does milord intend to arrive to help make potions?

[exsecutus]

I don't know your lord's schedule. Ask him yourself.

[keenly]

So...you're not a nob. [There's genuine surprise there.]

[exsecutus]

[for fuck's sake]

I am a person.

[keenly]

Yes, milor--ser. Um. [Colin really just wishes this man would come out and tell him which manner of arse-kissing he prefers.] Sorry. Ser. Serah. Sorry.

[exsecutus]

[He sighs, sharply.]

Nikos. I have a name. You may use it. It isn't even difficult to pronounce. And what is yours?

[keenly]

[Thank the Maker.]

Nikos. Yes--no! Colin. Mine is Colin, Nikos.

[Can this be over yet? Colin gives a sigh of his own.]

So when can I expect you?

[exsecutus]

For?

[keenly]

For helping with potions? Like you said?

[exsecutus]

Right around when the statues in the courtyard come to life and pitch in.

[keenly]

I can tell you are very funny, Nikos.

[exsecutus]

I am.

Though the funniest part is, I wasn't being funny.

[keenly]

So...what are you being?

[exsecutus]

I would like to be drunk.

[keenly]

Then unless you want to buy wine from my store, I'm going to have to get back to work.

[exsecutus]

[now wait]

You didn't say anything about wine.

[keenly]

[A lengthy pause. A deep breath through his nose. He can't turn away help.]

You can have free wine if you help me make potions. [He still has a bottle left of a sampler a wine merchant gave him.]

[exsecutus]

Mm.

[Half acknowledgement that an offer has been made, half a grumble.]

Not the most depressing arrangement.