faderift | Step one: Grind the elfroot into a paste...

WHO: Adelaide & Whoever wants to attend
WHAT: Potions & Poultices 101
WHEN: Harvestmere 28, morning
WHERE: The Garden
NOTES: As advertised the day before.

Set Up

As promised Adelaide had a large kettle brewing of a simple black tea. It wasn't much but it was hot and it was bitter- sugar, honey, and cream weren't exactly in ample supply but there were a few jars of donated jam and honeycomb donated by the kitchens and patients. Her own supplies for potions and poultices are laid out on a makeshift table. To one side her apprentices finish writing out and folding instructions- basic recipes for healing poultices, salves, potions- and the principles behind simple healing spells. If you could throw a fireball, you could heal a cut. Anything more complicated took greater study but the basics? Should be well known.

Behind and looking somewhat uncomfortable but, well, present, Bruce stood minding the bundles of herbs, handing out what was needed. While not a mage the surgeon was trustworthy and, honestly, needed to get out more.

During

It was simple enough. Adelaide went over the information on the cards handed out by her apprentices, demonstrated the proper techniques for grinding, mixing, layering the poultices and brewing for potions. They did not have as many kits for the brewing as they did for creating poultices, but they should have enough for those with an interest to learn or to help. After going through those Adealide would motion the mages that wished to learn more of basic healing off to one side to walk them through the theory, using some of the not quite so injured patients to demonstrate. Volunteers, all- she was careful in her instruction and thorough above all else- the last thing they needed was anyone getting injured from an attempt at healing.

After

Packing everything away in the afternoon to return to her tent, Adelaide was available for further questions, commentary- or criticism if something seemed poorly done, presumptuous, or overly curt.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And give you time hide or find an excuse not to come?

[ It isn't something she intends to do often, honestly it'd been something of a spur of the moment choice- she'd been walking, he was there- it felt appropriate for him to join. Solidarity among the healers with and without magic. ]

There are others much more qualified than me to help out.

[Plus, he was pretty sure this was all mostly aimed for mages, anyway. Bruce may be a mage, but its not as if anybody actually knows - to them he's nothing more than a mere surgeon.]

Solidarity. A way to show that this is more than mages that care for the wellbeing of those in the Inquisition. You are well known for being a surgeon for all that you aren't a "people person". Having you here shows that we aren't trying to start up a sneaky mage club.

[ There's no room for Circles in the world- not as it is. Anything to dissuade the appearance of that is worthwhile. ]

[...as well meaning as the intentions are, Bruce can't help but be unsure what to think about himself being used as a statement like that. He just wants to do his job.]

I'm sure people have better ideas than thinking of starting 'sneaky mage clubs'. [The dryness is more than audible in his voice.]

What we think does not matter much, Bruce, but what is thought of us. If we appear cooperative it is...better.

[ Appear cooperative, compliant, harmless. The alternative won't end well for anyone. ]

Next time I will ask and be more transparent. I apologize.

It's fine.

[It's not as if Bruce doesn't understand, after all. Even if the reasons aren't something that he's going to share.]

Just--give me a warning beforehand. Me and people... [He trails off, trying his best not to make a face before drinking the tea in his hands.]

Do not get along, yes?

[ A poor mixture, she supposes. His reasons are his own and with the world as it is? There are many possibilities and it is not her place to speculate. ]

More or less.

[There are really a lot of reasons behind it, most of which Bruce is never really going to share. But even before all of this, Bruce was always better with books than dealing with actual human beings.]

Then I owe you a bottle of wine or a jar of honey or- whatever it is you would feel to be fair compensation for your time.

It's fine. [Bruce quickly waves off the need for compensation, already feeling uncomfortable with the idea of it. Last thing he wants is for people to feel like they owe him.] Don't worry about it.

No, I insist. LeBlancs pay their debts and for your time I am indebted to you. [ So many rules she can recall, none much matter any longer but that? She holds to dearly. ]

You really don't have to. It wasn't a big deal anyway.

[And the fact that she is making it kind of a thing is... well. It's awkward to think about.]

Which is why it'll be a jar of honey or bottle of wine, whichever you may prefer, rather than a blood oath of loyalty. Small debts, small payments. Large debts- I haven't incurred any so I would not know.

I mean-- [He pauses for a moment, making a bit of a face.] I mean, its nothing worth being compensated for in anyway.

Bruce. Accept the kindness and the compensation. Or I'll make it two bottles of wine.

[ Threatening him with more compensation shouldn't work but- with how he's being? It might. ]

I don't drink wine.

[It's pretty much the last excuse he can give.]

Two jars of honey, or jam, or whatever small luxury you permit yourself in your hermitage of a tent.

[ Which doesn't seem to be much. She's noticed. ]

[When you've been on the run for so long, its hard to really develop a habit of keeping anything.]

I-- [He starts, stops, then makes a face.] I really don't need it.

Which is why they are 'luxuries' Bruce. And that jam or honey would be a luxury for you speaks either well of your piety or your stubborn desire to make the rest of us look bad.

I didn't mean...

[Great, now he feels bad. Bruce frowns for another few more moments before he smooths his expression over and manages a nod.]

I'm fine with honey.

[Honey does have some medicinal properties that he can make use of.]

...teasing, Bruce. I was teasing. Honey you shall have.

[ She reaches out and pats his arm with a light touch, not lingering in the slightest. There and gone. ]

One jar.

It's more than enough.

[Way way more than enough. There's an almost hesitant pause, and then he adds on a further:]

...thanks.

I'll have it by the time we have tea this afternoon.

[ The daily break that she insists on keeping, for both of them. It isn't much- tea, food, quiet, but it's something they both truly need lest they grind themselves to the ground. ]

There's no rush.

[Bruce is very good at waiting. And with something like this, there's even less of a reason for him to really mind how long it takes. Honey doesn't go bad.]

The sooner it's done the less likely it is that I will forget.

[ She waves a hand, vaguely. Everything she must keep track of for the sake of her own sanity? It'd be terribly easy for it to slip her mind. The only constants she has are those her apprentices or Compassion remind her of. ]

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amygdalae - 2015-10-30 09:38 (UTC) - Expand