001 - Astragalus Root

[blatantlies]

[Well, this is a pretty new face, although the voice might sound somewhat familiar.]

In light of the difference between this world and my own, I find myself with many questions. At the moment, I only have need for one to be answered.

You see, I am an apothecary by trade. However, I have little idea of how many of you might prefer my services to that of modern medicine. Kindly contact me if you are interested.

Comments

[happiestberry]

Are you like a magic man?

[blatantlies]

I am just a simple medicine peddler. Why do you ask?

[happiestberry]

I dunno I just got really curious.

[blatantlies]

Oh? I don't think I look particularly magical, do I?

[happiestberry]

You do to me.

[blatantlies]

You still believe in magic then?

[Increasingly few did, as far as he'd experienced.]

[happiestberry]

Yes yes of course I do!

[blatantlies]

[Well, well. So it seems the girl is a bit more interesting than he had initially thought.]

Increasingly few seem to. Have you perhaps met a sorcerer for your belief to remain this strong?

[happiestberry]

I never met one in real life, but I feel like they must all be hidden.

[ruffntumblenut]

What's the difference?

[blatantlies]

Nearly a century of rapid progress, it would seem.

[ruffntumblenut]

That's...alot of progress.

So what, they use magic now?

[blatantlies]

Of what use do people have for magic when technology is so clearly serving them well?

[Or at least he's pretty sure that's how humans see it. Not that machines do much to save them from spirits.]

[ruffntumblenut]

They aren't the same thing?

[Because anything Ruffnut can't explain is magic. That goes for the magic lights in her apartment and how the doors at the mini mart open on their own.]

[blatantlies]

Many...perhaps most...would say no. Whether this is so or not, both can be powerful tools in the hands of those who understand how they work.

[There is a pause just long enough to make it appear he's finished speaking, but no, he has one more thing to add.]

I fear my partner has a far better understanding of things such as these D-terminals and refrigerators than I do.

[He's suspicious enough of the washing machine that he's opted to wash his clothing in the bathtub instead. Old-fashioned perhaps, but he's... considerably older than he appears.]

[ruffntumblenut]

Oh yeah, that refrigerator thing is pretty cool.

And the water gets hot so fast I totally burned myself the first time I took a bath. It was awesome.

[blatantlies]

Yes, the refrigerator and self-heating baths are certainly my favorite pieces of modern convenience.

[ruffntumblenut]

Modern huh?

I guess that's a good word. Hiccup was pretty "Modern" back home so it makes sense he fits in better here then me.

[Video]

[notmyprophecy]

Just what is an apothecary?

[blatantlies]

One who sells natural remedies for all the body's ails.

[notmyprophecy]

You mean...like herbs?

[blatantlies]

Yes... Among other things.

[Some of which may or may not be illegal in this day and age. Ah, how the laws change with time.]

[notmyprophecy]

That's what we use back home!

[The one talking has face-scars and cat-ears. ...Yeah.]

What kinds of herbs work on humans? I've missed using them so much.

[blatantlies]

[Well, considering his own set of ears and the markings on his face, it should be no surprise that the Medicine Seller remains utterly unfazed by her appearance. He does seem somewhat pleased to be speaking with another traditional healer though.]

Quite a wide variety are effective for healing purposes. Ginseng is commonly used for a variety of ailments, as is astragalus root. There are many others in addition to those, but how many are available locally I could not say at the moment.

[notmyprophecy]

Ginseng, and astragalus root. I've never heard of those. Perhaps they only work on humans? Oh, if I could learn about herbs here, too...

[blatantlies]

I imagine they work on some who are not human, but there has been little occasion to ask before I arrived here. Perhaps there are books on the subject we can consult.

[notmyprophecy]

Really... I'd have to ask Waver to help me read them, but even then most books here are in a language he can't read. Do you think these herbs work on cats?

[blatantlies]

Perhaps... Though they may not have the same effects as they do for humans, so I would suggest some caution.

[notmyprophecy]

Yes, yes, and I wouldn't be able to test them anyway... I'll take note, though. Could we talk more? About herbs? I want to try matching up what the ones I know do for humans.

[Video]

[the_lion_roller]

An apothecary, huh? That's cool.

[Modern medicine is what he's most used to, but then again there don't seem to be too many traditional doctors around here. And he's never one to underestimate the healing abilities of Mother Nature.]

[Video]

[blatantlies]

["Cool" is an unfamiliar term, but the tone suggests a compliment, so he shall take it as such.]

It is always good to see those who still appreciate the old ways.

[Video]

[the_lion_roller]

Yeah-heh, that's not an occupation y'see everyday.

[Not where he's from at any rate.]

H'well, there aren't really too many doctors around here.

[Or any really. ...That he's met, anyway.]

So anybody with any kind of healing experience could probably do a world of good.

[Especially since there are still those recovering from the fighting.]

[Video]

[blatantlies]

Yes, I suppose that would increase the value of my skills... Wouldn't it? A pity I must resort to theatrics back in my world to attract attention to my wares.

Such is the lot of the peddler, I suppose.

[A mix of lies and truths, but which is which? Or perhaps they're one and the same?]