“Oh, my pleasure. I may not be certain how long I’ve been adventuring, but I do know you don't let a member of your party go off alone.” Elric winked. “Besides, it was very educational. Getting to find even that vague of a reference… it’s better than having nothing.”
"I'm glad you found it, then. It was educational for me, too. There are lots of natives plants around here I would love to get."
“Have you always been passionate about plants?” Elric asked interested.
"Medicinal ones, yes! They're interesting."
“They are.” Elric agreed. “I only know a few myself but… is that one of the reasons you became a healer?”
"It is! One of many. I think they're especially interesting because most medicinal plants also have poisonous or toxic parts of them."
“Very true. I remember hearing that certain assassination guilds use the same herbs and plants to make their poisons, and antidotes, as many healers use in their medicines.” Elric paused. “Though the only examples I can think of are belladonna and nightshade plants.”
"Those are both good examples! I love the nightshade family. I've built up a bit of resistance to their toxin, too! Not much- a lethal dose is still probably going to kill me- but a less-than -lethal dose won't leave me as sick as it would you."
“Lucky you.” Elric chuckled warmly. “Unfortunately, I don't think I have much in the way of poison resistance… so I assume that I haven't been in a position where I've been poisoned.” he shrugged, thoughtfully. “Of course, what I remember and what is fact is kinda blurry for me right now.” he chuckled again.
Daisy nodded slightly.
"I'll do my best to help you figure out how to remember more. If you want me to."
“I appreciate the offer. But I… I feel like that is something I have to do myself.” Elric sighed. “I’m already clinging to the hope that… there is the possibility that if the mirror can be destroyed, one of two things could happen. One being I stay the way I am now or the other being I go back to who or what I was.” he explained with a shrug.
"Alright. I can understand that. The offer stays open, though, if you change your mind," Daisy said with a smile.
“Thank you, Daisy.” Elric smiled softly in reply.
"Of course. I'd be glad to help."
She looked around, checking if they were close to the inn.
“Hey! Daisy, over here!” Charlie called out waving as she spotted Daisy and Elric before leading Irae towards them.
(have they already heard talk of Irae's name or will they in a moment? I'm good either way)
Daisy waved happily!
"Hey! Did you do anything fun while we were gone?"
Irae remained silent.
(I was leaning towards having Charlie and Irae already overhearing that while they were wandering around… kinda keeping Elric in the dark a big longer so we can keep the story going. But I'm flexible)
Elric met Rae’s gaze, smiled, and gave a polite nod in greeting.
“We were just wandering. Taking in the sights.” Charlie replied. “What about you guys? Have a good time at the library?”
(Sounds good to me!)
Rae nodded slightly back, slightly adjusting her cloak.
"Yeah! There are a lot of local plants I want to go foraging for while we're here. I was thinking I could take you or Rae to do that tomorrow. We also wanted to go back to the library for a while tomorrow, if that's alright?" Daisy said, smiling.
“Sure. Sounds cool.” Charlie nodded. “I know a little about foraging so I’d be up for it. Unless Rae would rather go…”
“And we found a bit of information about our… problem.” Elric added carefully.
"I don't care either way." Rae muttered, her attention moving completely to Elric. "What did you find?"
"Well… it's not much, really." Elric admitted, "but it seems like it's caused a similar problem before. Only the one who… ended up in my situation was put away because all the evidence, without this context, pointed towards him being insane." he explained. "Let's go back to the inn, and I'll show the passage I copied."
Irae nodded, her attention back to scanning their surroundings.
Daisy nodded as well, smiling softly.
"Let's go."
Charlie took Irae’s hand in hers as the group headed back to the inn.
Irae squeezed Charlie's hand slightly, glad to be holding it.
Daisy stayed walking next to Elric. "You're welcome to come foraging with me instead, if you want. Just thought you might want to get to now Rae or Charlie better-"
“It's ok.” Elric nodded. “I understand and appreciate the thought. If they don't mind, I’m up for getting to know them.”
Charlie shot Irae a small reassuring smile.
Daisy smiled. "Oh, good. I'll take Charlie with me then? And you can talk to Rae."
Irae smiled tentatively back at Charlie.
Elric nodded. “If Rae doesn't have any objections, then that's fine with me.”
“It's going to be ok.” Charlie whispered to Irae.
"I- thank you," Irae said softly back, looking at Charlie, offering a small smile.
"I don't have any objections to that, no," they said louder, directed back at Elric and Daisy.
Daisy smiled and nodded. "Great!"
"That's good." Elric almost sighed, glad that Rae had agreed.
Charlie smiled back, giving a slight nod. "I can see the inn from here." she said, changing the subject. "I can't wait to hear what you found out at the library."
Irae nodded, falling silent again. Daisy watched them curiously for a moment, able to tell she was on edge. When they got to the inn, Daisy spoke up again.
"Should we go to your room or ours to talk?" She asked Charlie.