nerdeology | IC Communication

[Belthazar's been a little out of the loop lately, so he's not even sure if Mikleo came back-- but he's hoping that he did.]

Hi, Mikleo. I'm... not sure if you're here, but your name is still in the registry, so I...

[This is going swell already.]

I hope you're doing well. I'm-- I'm thinking of holding a potluck. It was Sorey's idea, a couple weeks ago. I invited him to make something with me to... distract him. In the end he made me feel better, but I guess he's just that kind of person.

A-anyway, I'd really like it if you came. If you can't, that's fine, too. I can bring you leftovers or whatever you'd like. I don't mind.

[He isn't sure what else to say. They weren't especially close, but Belth likes him, and he's absolute rubbish at showing it. So the message ends there.]

[Mikleo's response isn't immediate, but it's within a day or so, at least. He'd honestly debated whether or not to use voice at all, but Belthazar sounds nervous enough already; his answer might come across as less sincere if he didn't respond in kind.

Thus, even though he still sounds tired and not yet at full strength:]

Thank you for the invitation. I appreciate you thinking of me, and even more so for helping Sorey. I know he really needed the support at the time, and I-

[You know what, nevermind that.]

...I can't give you a definitive answer yet, unfortunately. I'm still recovering, and eating has been- [impossible] ...difficult. If I can come whenever you decide to arrange it, though, I will.

[He feels an immense surge of relief when Mikleo replies. Belth isn't even worried about the dragon part. He's just happy that his friend is okay.]

I tried my best. I made him a very large cake in hopes of stoking his appetite. I am... not sure if I succeeded, though.

[ANYWAY MOVING ON.]

I understand. Are you... having trouble cooking? I was thinking we could try the sundae... project, sometime. When you are better.

Er...

[There's probably no way around this; if he hasn't gotten himself properly sorted by the time they have this potluck - assuming he can even attend - it'll come out then, anyway.]

I haven't... been able to eat since I came back, so I'd prefer not to have anything to do with food. I don't know when we can cook together... I'm sorry.

[There's a stunned moment of silence, but if he puts the pieces together it makes sense.]

... Ah... I'm sorry for bringing that up, then.

[He's learning to just smile through it.]

We can do other things besides cook. I'm-- considering picking up frost magic again. But you are still recovering, so... it can wait.

Is there anything I can do for you? Anything at all?

[He's glad for that- the waiting, that is. He hasn't had the strength to use any seraphic artes since returning, either, but that's a physical issue, rather than psychological. No sense in bringing it up and disappointing his friend further, though.]

Well... have you been to the waystations at all since we landed? I'm in need of some new materials, but I'm mostly bedridden these days... if you happen to go, and see anything interesting, I'd gladly reimburse you for it.

[He hates to be inconveniencing people, but he doesn't really have a choice while he's recovering.]

[Belth is absolutely eager to help in any way he can. Being given a chore is very, very good; he spent five years or so apprenticing a magister, and often found himself running these sorts of errands.]

I haven't, but I can certainly look.

Only if you feel so inclined, and if it's safe to do so. I can send you a more specific list of things to look for.

[He'll attach it, since he's already given one to Sorey, but he suspects Belthazar will have a better eye for quality with this sort of thing.]

Please don't feel obligated or anything- there's no rush. And if you want to take time to explore the planet instead...

[Sorey had been so excited to go- he doesn't want to rain on anyone else's parade.]

I can handle myself. [... Mostly. But he perks up again when he gets a shopping list.]

You want me to document everything, right? I always do that! If I still had my notes from the last time we were on a planet like this, I would absolutely give them to you. [A sigh.] But it disappeared when I did.

I had so many recipes for magical elixirs...

You... disappeared?

[Was he around for that, or was it long in the past? He doesn't recall.]

And wait, you know how to make elixirs?

... Yes. Hiro and I both vanished from the Bishop in March. The common theory is that people go home when they do, but I-- I don't know. I woke up on the Marsiva two months later or so, around June, and everyone said I had gone. All of my things were gone, too... except for the amulet my father gave me. I had that.

[There's a gentle flipping of pages. Someone's looking through his journal.]

Yes. I've studied alchemy and herbology for a while now. I've never been able to use healing magic, so I compensated for it by making potions and salves.

Edited 2016-10-12 06:46 (UTC)

I see... I'm sorry that you lost your notes, then.

[Hmmm. Well, he can't do as good as an elixir, but...]

They're nowhere near as powerful as elixirs, but- do you know Stefan? He and I were able to piece together a recipe for curative gels. They're useful in a pinch, especially when you're without magical alternatives.

It's all right. My memory isn't perfect, but at least I have that. I can tell you about the planets I've seen if you are curious.

I don't know Stefan... [Belth doesn't know a lot of people, though.] That sounds like something I should look into until I've replenished my stock. I'm getting there, slowly.

If sometime down the line you find some kind of rare, potent magical ingredient... I am sure I could make some amazing things with it. Whether it's an innately magical flower, or a powdered unicorn horn-- something like that.

Most of the herbs I've collected are fairly basic medicinal ones, and a little magic goes a long way.

Edited 2016-10-12 07:53 (UTC)

I'll keep an eye out. I'm pretty good at finding medicinal herbs, actually.

[With how often Sorey used to get into trouble, and how many years it took for him to really perfect healing spells, it was a useful skill, growing up.]

Don't think I've ever heard of powdered unicorn horn, though.

Just make sure they don't attack you. That happened to me, once.

[Fuckin singing planets.]

I've never seen it myself, but I read it in a book once. Just about anything with magical properties can be utilized if I get my hands on it.

[???? the plants? holy crap.]

I'm not sure how to keep an eye out for something I've never seen before... but if I notice anything on display that bears the name, I'll let you know.

IC Communication

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