Saryf smiled warmly. "See, now that's exactly what makes me so confident that you're a good fit for us. I don't know you that well, but you're already thinking about the safety of everyone involved. I like that."
Clearly, this was a very kind-hearted individual, someone who cares deeply about what they do and holds themselves to high standards.
"You'd be in charge of the potions. I'd make that very clear to the team. You wouldn't have to brew anything you didn't want to. We'll make requests, but they'll always be requests. As long as you're a contributing member of the team, we'll be happy. What potions are available to us will be your call; and if you're ever uncomfortable that's room for a conversation." Saryf continued to smile, impressed. "What's dangerous is really a matter of perspective. Even a night-vision potion is dangerous if it's been poorly brewed. It could leave the user sensitive to light for weeks. The fact that you take safety into consideration is a big plus for us. I've seen what reckless potion making can do, and trust me; that's not what we're after."
Saryf thought for a moment. He recalled the bathhouse and how Xavier had gently guided Saryf through his lack of protocol in the space. Saryf added, "We'd like to treat magic with the reverence it deserves. None of us likely know exactly how to do that properly, but if you're up for it; maybe you'll help us do the best we can."
Chapter 1
Re: Chapter 1
Saryf's wide, warm smile took Xavier completely by surprise. And, here, he'd been expecting some kind of rejection.
"See, now that's exactly what makes me so confident that you're a good fit for us. I don't know you that well, but you're already thinking about the safety of everyone involved. I like that."
Again, Saryf's response surprised Xavier, and he sat with mouth slightly agape looking at the man, though his own smile began to creep up his ears. Xavier nodded happily through Saryf explaining how the potion requests would go and how Xavier would get a lot of say in what he made. It was much more than Xavier expected from less-than-sanctioned racing teams. It really felt possible that they might be something of a community, the way Saryf talked about everyone taking care of each other.
Saryf continued, "What's dangerous is really a matter of perspective. Even a night-vision potion is dangerous if it's been poorly brewed. It could leave the user sensitive to light for weeks. The fact that you take safety into consideration is a big plus for us. I've seen what reckless potion making can do, and trust me; that's not what we're after."
That made a thousand questions run through Xavier's mind, but before he could ask them, Saryf added, "We'd like to treat magic with the reverence it deserves. None of us likely know exactly how to do that properly, but if you're up for it; maybe you'll help us do the best we can."
Xavier clasped his hands together in front of himself with a big audible inhale of breath. "I'd love that!" he said with exuberance, ecstatic at the idea and realizing belatedly that tears of joy were springing to his eyes, almost threatening to spill.
He wiped his eyes with a laugh and said, "Sorry, I just... I really didn't expect any of this! I thought the potion brewing, well, it's always just been a hobby. I didn't think I would make much of it myself."
After another moment, he added, "And I'll definitely remember to make sure the potions wear once the race is over. That's important!"
((OOC: I'm not sure how much they want to keep talking--maybe it makes sense to change the scene. I'm happy to continue talking if there are other fun places you want to go, but I'm good with whatever! Maybe it makes sense for them to plan to meet up with the team next?))
"See, now that's exactly what makes me so confident that you're a good fit for us. I don't know you that well, but you're already thinking about the safety of everyone involved. I like that."
Again, Saryf's response surprised Xavier, and he sat with mouth slightly agape looking at the man, though his own smile began to creep up his ears. Xavier nodded happily through Saryf explaining how the potion requests would go and how Xavier would get a lot of say in what he made. It was much more than Xavier expected from less-than-sanctioned racing teams. It really felt possible that they might be something of a community, the way Saryf talked about everyone taking care of each other.
Saryf continued, "What's dangerous is really a matter of perspective. Even a night-vision potion is dangerous if it's been poorly brewed. It could leave the user sensitive to light for weeks. The fact that you take safety into consideration is a big plus for us. I've seen what reckless potion making can do, and trust me; that's not what we're after."
That made a thousand questions run through Xavier's mind, but before he could ask them, Saryf added, "We'd like to treat magic with the reverence it deserves. None of us likely know exactly how to do that properly, but if you're up for it; maybe you'll help us do the best we can."
Xavier clasped his hands together in front of himself with a big audible inhale of breath. "I'd love that!" he said with exuberance, ecstatic at the idea and realizing belatedly that tears of joy were springing to his eyes, almost threatening to spill.
He wiped his eyes with a laugh and said, "Sorry, I just... I really didn't expect any of this! I thought the potion brewing, well, it's always just been a hobby. I didn't think I would make much of it myself."
After another moment, he added, "And I'll definitely remember to make sure the potions wear once the race is over. That's important!"
((OOC: I'm not sure how much they want to keep talking--maybe it makes sense to change the scene. I'm happy to continue talking if there are other fun places you want to go, but I'm good with whatever! Maybe it makes sense for them to plan to meet up with the team next?))
Re: Chapter 1
"Excellent!" Saryf smiled. The idea of having an alchemist on the team was something the team had dreamed of for some time. That aside, Xavier had good energy and was a clear good fit.
"We're not racing tonight, so if you can make the time, visiting us either this evening or in the morning could be a nice start. You can meet everyone and see what you think. No commitment needed. We'd absolutely be grateful if you'd brew for us for tomorrow night's race, but we'd understand if you need more prep time for that too. We weren't exactly expecting to have anyone brewing for us and we can keep with our original plans. What do you say? I tell you where and you can stop by at your leisure?"
"We're not racing tonight, so if you can make the time, visiting us either this evening or in the morning could be a nice start. You can meet everyone and see what you think. No commitment needed. We'd absolutely be grateful if you'd brew for us for tomorrow night's race, but we'd understand if you need more prep time for that too. We weren't exactly expecting to have anyone brewing for us and we can keep with our original plans. What do you say? I tell you where and you can stop by at your leisure?"
Re: Chapter 1
Saryf smiled, and it was almost enough to make Xavier agree on the spot. As Saryf gave some instructions on when to meet the team--tonight or tomorrow--and suggested that Xavier could bring some potions for tomorrow's race, Xavier's eyes grew wide. He had so much to get ready! Saryf said there was no commitment needed, and the team had certainly planned to go without potions, but Xavier needed to prove himself, right?
Surely he could whip up a few things, and he knew that his grandmother kept some base potions around that were ready for their final reagents. It wouldn't take long to get things to set up. He'd just... have to convince her that this was... a reasonable excuse for using up powerful magic and herbs. No problem, right?
Xavier stuffed too much of the savory flatbread in his mouth, suddenly eager to leave, even if Saryf's voice was nice to listen to. Xavier had work to do and grandmothers to persuade.
"Yah, wherefff..." Xavier stopped, realizing he was trying to talk with his mouth full. Not a very... uh... attendant spa boy mannerism. He chewed awkwardly and swallowed before taking a swig of his tea, his grin sheepish.
"Tomorrow morning would probably be better. And then I have a bathhouse shift in the afternoon. I can come back for the race. Where should I meet you?"
((OOC: I hope we can do a dice roll for persuading Xavier's grandma. Lol. And maybe the potion brewing, too. Does that makes sense?))
Surely he could whip up a few things, and he knew that his grandmother kept some base potions around that were ready for their final reagents. It wouldn't take long to get things to set up. He'd just... have to convince her that this was... a reasonable excuse for using up powerful magic and herbs. No problem, right?
Xavier stuffed too much of the savory flatbread in his mouth, suddenly eager to leave, even if Saryf's voice was nice to listen to. Xavier had work to do and grandmothers to persuade.
"Yah, wherefff..." Xavier stopped, realizing he was trying to talk with his mouth full. Not a very... uh... attendant spa boy mannerism. He chewed awkwardly and swallowed before taking a swig of his tea, his grin sheepish.
"Tomorrow morning would probably be better. And then I have a bathhouse shift in the afternoon. I can come back for the race. Where should I meet you?"
((OOC: I hope we can do a dice roll for persuading Xavier's grandma. Lol. And maybe the potion brewing, too. Does that makes sense?))
Re: Chapter 1
As Saryf and Xavier planned out the logistics and finished their assortment of sundries, Xavier felt a squirming sense of excitement worming around in his belly. He could barely stop thinking about how he would talk to his grandmother about the situation and what he might say if she challenged him.
Though he thought about alternatives many times, he ultimately knew he wanted to be honest with her. However much fun this night racing opportunity sounded, it wasn't worth risking his relationship with her.
Heading straight home after Saryf so generously picked up the check, Xavier walked casually until he thought he was out of view of Saryf, then starting to skip between the buildings and finally taking off in a full run as he made he way back to where he and his grandmother lived.
Their home was a simple set of rooms, just three very small bedrooms, the kitchen and adjoining eating area, and the potion room. Out of breath, Xavier found his grandmother with her large spectacles on, peering at a glowing concoction.
Xavier stood in the doorway catching his breath until his grandmother said, "Did you come to ask me something?" She hadn't looked up at him.
"Well... um... I... I was wondering if I could... offer to help you make some more of the base liquid so that I might start experimenting with my own potions." He said it so quickly that his words started running together near the end, which only added to his breathlessness.
"And, why now, Xavier?" his grandmother asked, finally turning to him.
"Have you... heard about the night races? I may have... um... gotten onto one of the teams as a potion master. Or, at least, I probably can get on, if I actually show up with potions."
His grandmother put a hand on her hip, the corner of her mouth quirking on one side.
"That's a quick turn of events."
"Yeah... it... uh... well, one of the drivers came into the bathhouse, and..." Xavier was blushing, and his grandmother nodded.
"It's a good thing you paid attention to me when I taught you what I know about reagents, eh?"
Xavier nodded sheepishly. "It does seem like it's going to come in handy."
"Tell you what, take half of what I have for now, and you can help with the next batch on the full moon. Don't draw too much attention; I like my position, and any day now, they could make those night races illegal."
"Yes, Teeta. Thank you, Teeta!" Xavier hugged her tightly.
"You show those know-it-alls what for," she added with a wry grin. "Non-violently, of course."
"Of course," Xavier said with a bow.
"I'll call it a day, then. I imagine you'll need the workshop. If you use the herbs, keep a list of what we're running low on. Your grandfather is going out gathering tomorrow."
"Will do, Teeta!" Xavier said as she sidled out of the room, leaving Xavier with the whole glass apparatus to himself.
Clutching his fingers into a fist, he did a little happy dance before he got to work.
---
Xavier spent the rest of the evening hard at work, gathering reagents and trying to think up creative ways to use potions in the races. He wanted to impress his new teammates, so getting this right was going to be important. His first attempt was a bit of a mixed success, and only barely, so the night vision effect he wanted was only half the strength he was going for. But, better to be a little under than too far over, based on what Saryf had said. By the second time Xavier tried, though, he had perfected the technique.
A few of his experiments didn't quite work, but he did pull off one genius plan that maybe not even his grandmother would have come up with. But, later, there was something he dreamed up that did he end up needing her help for. They stayed up long into the night trying to figure out how it would work, but in the end, it came out [i]perfectly.[/i] Xavier was certain that his soon-to-be teammates would be pleasantly surprised, maybe even stunned.
((OOC: I added potions to Xavier's inventory in his sheet. I think I understand the rules and such. These documents are really helpful! Thank you for taking the time to make them. We failed at two potions and just decided that Xavier ended up wasting some of the base potion, of which he started with 10. He has two extra base potions on reserve and six that have an effect (although two have to be used at the same time to work). You'll welcome to peek at our sheet to see what we drummed up. I think this a good time for you to set up the workshop. Thanks for playing!))
Though he thought about alternatives many times, he ultimately knew he wanted to be honest with her. However much fun this night racing opportunity sounded, it wasn't worth risking his relationship with her.
Heading straight home after Saryf so generously picked up the check, Xavier walked casually until he thought he was out of view of Saryf, then starting to skip between the buildings and finally taking off in a full run as he made he way back to where he and his grandmother lived.
Their home was a simple set of rooms, just three very small bedrooms, the kitchen and adjoining eating area, and the potion room. Out of breath, Xavier found his grandmother with her large spectacles on, peering at a glowing concoction.
Xavier stood in the doorway catching his breath until his grandmother said, "Did you come to ask me something?" She hadn't looked up at him.
"Well... um... I... I was wondering if I could... offer to help you make some more of the base liquid so that I might start experimenting with my own potions." He said it so quickly that his words started running together near the end, which only added to his breathlessness.
"And, why now, Xavier?" his grandmother asked, finally turning to him.
"Have you... heard about the night races? I may have... um... gotten onto one of the teams as a potion master. Or, at least, I probably can get on, if I actually show up with potions."
His grandmother put a hand on her hip, the corner of her mouth quirking on one side.
"That's a quick turn of events."
"Yeah... it... uh... well, one of the drivers came into the bathhouse, and..." Xavier was blushing, and his grandmother nodded.
"It's a good thing you paid attention to me when I taught you what I know about reagents, eh?"
Xavier nodded sheepishly. "It does seem like it's going to come in handy."
"Tell you what, take half of what I have for now, and you can help with the next batch on the full moon. Don't draw too much attention; I like my position, and any day now, they could make those night races illegal."
"Yes, Teeta. Thank you, Teeta!" Xavier hugged her tightly.
"You show those know-it-alls what for," she added with a wry grin. "Non-violently, of course."
"Of course," Xavier said with a bow.
"I'll call it a day, then. I imagine you'll need the workshop. If you use the herbs, keep a list of what we're running low on. Your grandfather is going out gathering tomorrow."
"Will do, Teeta!" Xavier said as she sidled out of the room, leaving Xavier with the whole glass apparatus to himself.
Clutching his fingers into a fist, he did a little happy dance before he got to work.
---
Xavier spent the rest of the evening hard at work, gathering reagents and trying to think up creative ways to use potions in the races. He wanted to impress his new teammates, so getting this right was going to be important. His first attempt was a bit of a mixed success, and only barely, so the night vision effect he wanted was only half the strength he was going for. But, better to be a little under than too far over, based on what Saryf had said. By the second time Xavier tried, though, he had perfected the technique.
A few of his experiments didn't quite work, but he did pull off one genius plan that maybe not even his grandmother would have come up with. But, later, there was something he dreamed up that did he end up needing her help for. They stayed up long into the night trying to figure out how it would work, but in the end, it came out [i]perfectly.[/i] Xavier was certain that his soon-to-be teammates would be pleasantly surprised, maybe even stunned.
((OOC: I added potions to Xavier's inventory in his sheet. I think I understand the rules and such. These documents are really helpful! Thank you for taking the time to make them. We failed at two potions and just decided that Xavier ended up wasting some of the base potion, of which he started with 10. He has two extra base potions on reserve and six that have an effect (although two have to be used at the same time to work). You'll welcome to peek at our sheet to see what we drummed up. I think this a good time for you to set up the workshop. Thanks for playing!))