MorningLight

M O R N I N G L I G H T

Herbologist


An embittered herbologist that struggles to create a lasting positive impression. His outward apparent kindness and polite, albeit to-the-point, demeanor mask a burning longing for what he cannot have. He has found life to be an elongated series of injustices and looks towards future events with a pessimistic precaution.

---

That night after Scaretale's confusing performance came and went in a quiet blur. His song played out and drifted in so casually to my space from below; it crept in and took a friendly seat beside me. Except this friend reminded me of as many bad times as good, leaving me hollow and empty without a decision of how to feel. I just sank to the bottom of my own sea of locked emotion, numbed and stuffed way down. I'm fairly certain my soul detached from my body and I looked around my small chamber seeing only distant memories. Some friend, forcing me to drown in what I'd repressed.

I shouldn't have left you.

I needed to clear my head. The world was fuzzy, save for that pleasant and sad music flooding my ears. My notes lay in the same organized chaos I had left them before on my tables, untouched and waiting for me. Nothing on the pages made sense, however. I can't focus, I remember realizing after pathetically trying to piece my mind back together. My research and documentation would have to wait.

After what felt like an hour sitting there on my woven rug, I blinked and shook my head. The melody had faded quietly into its coda; it was time to come back to reality. How was I supposed to live in the moment when I couldn't get out of the past? Part of me wondered why Scaretale chose to play that song of all of the pieces he had demonstrated over the months. It felt strange and apart from his usual mood, but then again, it may have just been a request. I had never suspected that music would be quite as moving as this, but I shouldn't have been surprised.

A knock.

"MorningLight, are you accepting of company?" a cautious, familiar voice called. Who wanted to see me, who even cared?

I padded over to the entrance of my quarters, blocked off from the rest of the expansive cavern by only a heavy curtain. An inaudible sigh emptied my lungs, and the scent of an imperial came through -- one in particular; it was Hallasan's charcoal essence. I pulled aside the fabric.

"I suppose. Come in."

"Thank you, but I don't believe I could if I wanted to. If you don't mind, I was just hoping to pick your brain a bit, as well as see how you were doing." Her snout pulled into a meek smile as she settled herself into a comfortable crouch, much like some sort of cat.

"Ah, right," I dumbly looked around at the limits of my room; surely I was placed in here because it was the right size for a skydancer and not, say, an imperial. Stupid. "What are you wondering about?"

"Well, I was hoping you could give me some insight. I remember reading at some point, somewhere, that there was a flower in this region that bloomed in an array of colors. But near this time of year, it does not. I don't remember the reason why, but is that sort of sounding familiar?" She earnestly leaned in. It was obvious she didn't know what she was talking about.

"I mean, a bunch of kinds come to mind, but you'd have to be more specific. Are you looking for any properties of them, any uses? I could probably pinpoint what you're thinking of if you describe it sort of backwards like that." I sat myself down, somehow managing to recall my wits from the previous fog. This still wasn't making much sense, though.

"Okay, I think primarily it was used a century or two ago as a muscle stimulator when compounded with something else. But," she paused, studying the texture of the rock floor, "...it was also rumored to be something with more intimate applications." The look of embarrassed apology on her face was priceless.

"Hmm." I nodded. "That does ring a bell." Surprising also that she had read about such an antiquated practice.

This had begun to feel like a doctor-patient scenario. Why exactly were there no practiced, legitimate doctors in this clan? Too many times had I found myself in this exact uncomfortable position, but I suppose it is an occupational hazard.

"Do you know what I'm talking about?"

"Now I do, yes," I reassured. I wasn't quite sure what her intentions were, but I know I had considered this plant for my own methods many times. Whatever she wanted with it was her own business. "And you're looking for someone that can distinguish it from its very close look-alike so you don't poison yourself or someone else?"

She was visibly relieved.

"Yes! Exactly. I figured this was about the time where you would venture out for Winn to collect her herbs and spices, so I thought I'd catch you and ask that favor. I know it and it's look-alike are both rather difficult to find--"

"I mean, not if you know where to look,"

"--right, well, I thought you'd be the right dragon to ask. I can make the added search worth your while, if it's troubling for you."

"That won't be necessary, Hallasan."

"If you do manage to find it, could you leave it with Winn in her stores? I don't know where I'll be when you're back from your trip and I'd hate to trouble you further with tracking me down. You've got your own things to tend to."

I almost laughed. That was the best joke I've heard all week.

"It wouldn't be an issue, but I can see if Winn will be alright with holding it."

"That would be wonderful, thank you so much MorningLight."

She raised herself off the floor of the outer hall, apparently eager to move on from this encounter. Before turning completely away, she seemed to remember one other thing.

"And, I would appreciate your discretion with the properties of this plant… you know."

"Of course. I won't tell anyone you're probably looking for more satisfying organs than what you're presently experiencing."

She winced.

"Please, refrain from that, yes." She turned, ready to leave. "Thank you again, MorningLight. Until we speak again, have a pleasant trip and safe travels."

"Sure." I nodded, watching her pad along back down the walkway towards the lower chambers.

I turned around back into my room shortly after, searching for my gear and strapping my satchel across my chest.

She never did ask how I was doing.

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