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Post by Stix on May 19, 2009 15:48:57 GMT -5
The simple message, hand-delivered by courier, had brought Hadrian to the doorstep of the Lower Ward curiosity shop after the day's work was done.
The air out of doors, heavy with humidity and pollution, had hurried his step, refraining from entry. Within, a more welcome aroma: the ever-present fine herbal tea, underscored by... something else.
As the Bleaker enters, the bespectacled arcanaloth looks up from the unusual thing in front of him.
"Hello," he murmurs quickly, his overly-gracious and affable demeanor subsumed by an intense curiosity. The tea tray sits on the nearest table, filled and ready to serve, but neglected. The fiend's muzzle is once again quickly pointed at the object of his fascination: a small trough, full of dry potting soil, its level surface broken by a single black stalk that bends with the weight of a bizarre-looking "fruit". Four bean-shaped... things sprout along the length, each about as long as a man's thumb, red in color, bearing a striking resemblance -- even in odor -- to internal organs. The plant, if it is indeed a plant, bears no leaves.
"Tell me, Hadrian... do you know much of agriculture?"
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Post by exile on May 20, 2009 12:24:16 GMT -5
“Hello, A’kin,” Hadrian replied in kind as he shook off the hem of his robe upon the fiend’s doorstep. Making his way quietly through the proprietor’s ever changing collection, careful not to disturb anything with an errant tread or sweep of his arm, the aasimar settled himself upon a high wooden stool near the object of A’kin’s fascination. His brilliant blue gaze swept over the ‘thing’ without the slightest glimmer of recognition, but Hadrian’s smile was warm and ready and he seemed at ease.
“Agriculture?” he repeated, as though untrusting of his ears. “A little, though I suspect far from most. All living things are the purview of the Allfather, and hence his servants. Few would ask me to plan the harvest however.”
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Post by Stix on May 20, 2009 14:37:33 GMT -5
"A pity. We shall have to find a third."
At length, the arcanaloth looks up from the object of his interest. "This... curiosity has found its way into my possession. It bears fruit remarkably similar to living flesh. From what I have deduced, they can clot blood, cleanse wounds, and withdraw disease or toxins.
"This specimen is the only one of its kind that I have ever seen -- perhaps unique to the entire multiverse. If it can be reproduced, its impact could be staggering... but it appears to bear no seeds."
Lifting a teacup delicately in his talons, A'kin motions for Hadrian to help himself. He lifts the vessel to his muzzle and carefully sips, giving the Bleaker an opportunity to speak.
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Post by exile on May 21, 2009 11:06:19 GMT -5
Hadrian absently pours himself out a cup of tea, spilling a tiny bit of the jasmine scented concoction onto the saucer. The words spoken by the arcanaloth have evidently caught his attention. “Such a plant would be invaluable indeed if it could be cultivated. Tell me cutter, if I can ask, from where does this specimen arise?”
The possibilities stemming from this unique creation were indeed staggering. Curious that A’kin should think to come to him first however. The aasimar raised the tea cup up to his lips and swallowed back a draught with a contemplative expression upon his countenance.
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Post by Stix on May 23, 2009 16:08:11 GMT -5
"A fine question," the yugoloth says with a weak shrug of his shoulders.
"I have reason to believe that, if fragmented with surgical precision, the fruit could be made to multiply, much like a worm or fungus. If I were to have the task attempted, I should like it undertaken with both medical and agricultural expertise." Noting the small spill, A'kin is quick with a clean rag from under his desk to dab it up.
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Post by exile on May 30, 2009 12:04:22 GMT -5
“I will gladly supply the medical expertise if a horticulturist can otherwise be come by, A’kin.” The bleaker stared down at the small cultivar a moment longer before turning his gaze on the arcanoloth. “This is an opportunity I couldn’t rightly refuse. I can return to the gatehouse and speak to the gardeners there if you wish – unless of course you had someone else in mind, cutter?”
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Post by Stix on Jun 10, 2009 13:10:05 GMT -5
A'kin frowns contemplatively, considering the possibility. "I mean no disrespect... certainly, maintaining grounds with tainted rain and no sunlight is deserving of recognition." He pauses to sip his tea.
"The greatest of my worries, I suppose, is a political one. For the Believers, the Signers, or the Harmonium to discover that a project of this magnitude was placed -- by a fiend -- into the hands of a pair of Cabalists... it could be our mutual undoing. As it is, we're liable to rile the Sinkers if our discovery should become public.
"It should be someone outside of the Bleak Cabal and their allies. Not necessarily an enemy, but a neutral party."
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Post by exile on Jul 10, 2009 13:44:43 GMT -5
"A interesting puzzle then," Hadrian replied. "For I know of none. I shall consider it for the present time, and if you know of one then send for me again." Not a bleaker or one of their allies - Hadrian didn't know very many members of the other factions, and certainly none who could be said to have a green thumb. Still, he could make inquiries.
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