Potion Hunt! (mak/D)

[makuta15]

"Mmmm~"

Sharee sighed again with pleasure as the savory aroma wafted up from her stew-pot. The heady smell of roasting nye-berries settled over her small camp while she eagerly sat over her meal, occasionally stirring the mix in excitement. Her small knife flashed among the underbrush as she neatly sliced the thick, purple flesh of the fruit, making short work of the rapidly dwindling stack she had managed to harvest. Her enthusiasm left her fingertips stained a rich, brilliant blue, but it was a trifling price to pay to be able to properly taste nye-berries once more.

Once the last berry had neatly found its way into the pot, Sharee looked up with a grunt of satisfaction. There was nothing left to do but wait for the mix to finish boiling. With a lazy little stretch, Sharee leaned back against a mossy tree, idly surveying her modest camp: little more than a small tent for skinning what she hunted, an area cleared for the firepit aand stew-pot, and her hammock and belongings, safely stored among the branches. These northern forests were so different from those back home...come to think of it, she was surprised she had found any nye-berries this far north to begin with. She closed her eyes, letting the scent of the stew fill her nose. She missed her home, but until she found what she was seeking for, this would have to make do.

At least tonight she could have a proper meal, for once. Lying against the tree, a faint smile played across Sharee's face as she listened to the bubbling of her pot, eagerly anticipating the taste of nye-berries, hot and sweet in her mouth.

[The Real D]

Ahhhh, the great outdoors! What made it so great, anyways? Robyn Faire had never really been all that clear on the answer to that. Presumably, what made it great was that she was out in it, but what about when she was indoors? Or in a town? Was it just Outdoors then?

It was questions like this that would keep her up all night, if she could ever remember them.

Yes indeed, it was time for one of the great Salon Mistress' rare trips out into the wild world, beyond the safe(ish) boundaries of home and town. Sometimes the rare ingredients she needed to make her Salons Speciality Brand Beauty Products just couldn't be found without going off to get them herself. Once upon a time, Robyn had practically lived out here, camping out in the wilds, never stopping in her long, long journey to uncover the true secrets of beauty. Truth be told, sometimes she missed the old days. Sure, they were full of icky monsters, annoying traps and mind bending puzzles that had given her headaches even before she became the happy-go-lucky beauty she was today, but those trips had unearthed some truly awesome secrets that had gone into her Salon Treatments. And maybe there were more out there, being unearthed even now!

... But those days were behind her now. Nope, she had her Salon now, and she had work to do! The world wasn't going to beautify itself now, was it? Nope, it needed her help, and darn it, she wasn't going to ignore a world in peril! Robyn Faire, world Saviour! Defeating the crime of ugliness, one makeover at a time, yeah!

Smiling, the Stylist flipped up her (extremely fashionable) wide brimmed hat and looked towards the sky. Judging by the light coming through the tree branches, the sun was getting low. Soon, night would be here properly, and it'd start getting cold. While that wouldn't be too much of a problem, you never knew when monsters or bandits would take a lone woman wandering through the woods at night as an invitation to attack. Robyn was already quite tired of having to deal with the like. Quite often the very sight of an attacker would rouse her other half up to the surface, and while the Dark Robyn within was quite capable of dealing with any trouble, she didn't half leave a headache in her wake. It was, like, totally no fun at all!

Mmm. Yup, it was time to set up camp. She just needed to find a nice spot where she could set up her tent without having to lie on top of tree roots and bushes all night. Those tended to leave muscle aches in the really hard to reach areas of the back, where she couldn't massage them away. Maybe she should have brought Kimmi along...

An odd sound reached her ears, interrupting the thoughts of her Apprentice. (Though, generally interrupting Robyn's thought processes was not hard to do) Was there someone out here? Strange, she was getting pretty far from human civilization now. Maybe there was a bandit camp? Hmm... What to do ...

It was the smell that decided things for her. Robyn's stomach growled, deciding to inform her that it had been well over half a day since she had last eaten, and that she bad better fix that fact soon, or she'd be sorry. And since there was a quite delightful scent coming from somewhere up ahead, maybe whoever she could hear had food? They could totally share!

Yup, best plan. "Hey, is there anyone over there?" she called out, slowly picking her way through the trees towards the place where she thought she heard noise. Hopefully they'd be friendly!

[makuta15]

Lost in thought as she was, Sharee only had half an ear trained on whatever was crashing through the underbrush. The moment she heard it call out a greeting, though, her eyes flew open. In one fluid motion, Sharee grabbed her spear from beside her and shimmed up the tree. In a matter of moments, the clearing was deserted; only the pot, cheerfully bubbling away, gave any indication that this camp had seen recent use. It would give her away immediately, she knew, but she hadn't the heart to ruin her hard-won prize. With any luck, the scent would serve as a distraction, anyhow. If this caused her food to burn, though...her eyes narrowed, and she gripped her spear tightly as she returned to the matter at hand.

Someone had found her camp!

Tensing, Sharee trained her ears on the sound. Too little to be more than one person. And too loud; whoever this was, they were no warrior. Besides, they way they had called out...there was an odd, chipper tone to the voice, Sharee decided. Maybe some blundering traveler had just...stumbled across her path, somehow? It certainly was a possibility, but Sharee kept her eyes trained on the clearing just in case. Perched in the branches, she could see perfectly down below...and, with her spear raised, ready to act, if need be.

Watching carefully, she carefully waited for this intruder to reveal themselves.

[The Real D]

Robyn frowned cutely as she stepped into the empty clearing. Nerts, there wasn't anyone here. But yay, the food was still cooking! Awesome, had they just left it? Maybe they'd be coming back soon... Well, it'd be rude to just steal someone else's food... Maybe she could wait for them!

In her head, she felt her other persona roll it's eyes. For some reason it was expecting an attack, or something, because otherwise Robyn had no idea why she'd be awake. Ugh, so annoying. There wasn't anyone here! Tch, silly Robyn.

Ignoring her other half's antics, the Stylist wandered on into the camp, staring at the food hungrily. But no, no, taking someone else's food without asking was wrong! ... But it might burn if she left it... Maybe she could just check on it?

She glanced around. Still no sign of whoever made this camp. Well, then she'd be helping! Yeah, she should totally make sure their food didn't burn! She nodded, happy with her logic, and began moving closer to the bubbling stew-pot...

[makuta15]

Safely nestled among the leaves, Sharee grunted disdainfully as the intruder finally pushed her way into the camp. It was no warrior, that was for certain. She shifted slightly on her tree branch, eyeing the woman curiously. She obviously didn't mean any harm. Sharee was about to drop down and reveal herself when the woman suddenly made a beeline for the cheerfully bubbling stew.

Sharee's stomach growled, and her eyes tightened. It was a ridiculous thing to get worked up over, she knew, but she had worked hard to find those berries. Her tummy gave another rumble. And she was hungry to boot! She'd show that she was no coward, no nesting-bird to be poached from.

***

As the intruder approached the fire, a volley of stones snapped forth from the trees, thudding firmly into the sandy ground just before the firepit. At the same moment, Sharee dropped down from the treetops behind her target. She held her spear warily in hand, in a display meant more to intimidate than to harm. There was an edge to her voice, despite how she stumbled over the unfamiliar Northern words.

"Who you? Why come to camp?"

[The Real D]

"Oh there you are!" Robyn spun around, clapping her hands gleefully. If she was at all surprised or intimidated by the amazon-esque woman dropping down behind her, she gave no sign of it. "Hi there! I'm Robyn. It's nice to meet you!" she said, giving Sharee a guileless smile. Then she rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Sorry about barging in. I yelled out to you! I guess y'like, didn't hear me. It gets so loud around here at night, y'know? It's just been soooo long since I met someone who didn't want to hurt me, so I thought I'd come and say hi and maybe you'd be a nice person and we could chat!"

The Stylist paused for breath, readjusting her hat so that she could see the woman in front of her. Blinking, she put a finger to her lip and 'hmmmed'. "But, um... I think I'm forgetting something. Hmm. What could it be...?"

Behind her, the stew bubbled away.

[makuta15]

Sharee's fierce demeanor slowly faded into one of utter bewilderment as the intruder, rather than being intimidated upon confronting the tip of a Swift River spear (like any other sane person would be), instead continued to natter on in a high-pitched rapid-fire variant of the northern tongue. Sharee could only stop and stare as this woman cheerfully bubbled on...and on...and on...

With a grunt, Sharee lightly jabbed the woman with the butt of the spear when she could stand the sound no longer. She allowed the point of her spear to lower slightly while she circled the woman with a wary eye. She seemed completely undisturbed by her surroundings...in fact, she seemed relatively undisturbed by anything. Sharee rolled her eyes at the woman's incessantly cheerful smile. Northerners!

"This Sharee's camp, Sharee of Swift River. You do not belong here - not safe. Please go."

She gave the woman another light push. Behind her, she could hear the stew start to simmer. It would be well ready now, and if she didn't hurry, it might burn. Inwardly, she sulked. All the more reason to get this Northerner to hurry up and leave, then.

[The Real D]

Robyn looked over her shoulder as she was pushed along, still cheerful, if mildly put out. "Aw, come on, don't be like that. Can't we share or something? You like like a nice girl! And I totally have food, y'know. Besides, it's safer for two girls to be together than it is for us to both be out here alone, right? Y'know there's tons of nasty guys out there..."

"And if you don't go check on your food soon, it's totally gunna burn! Come on, we can be friends! What do you say?"

Ability: Don'tcha Wanna Be Pretty? 
Type: Passive
Hit Chance: 50%
Description: Oh wow, I have, like, such a totally cool idea! - Robyn knows style, and she wants to style you. With her looks and attitude, she can be surprisingly persuasive! If she makes a suggestion you don't want to agree to, you might just go along with it anyway just because she asked nicely! Choices directly resulting from losing to this ability deal half CC damage due to mild resistance.
NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ROLL IF YOU WERE GOING TO AGREE ANYWAY.

[makuta15]

(38)

Though still scowling, Sharee wavered. This Northerner was clearly...simple, after her own fashion. Surely, she posed no real threat? In any case, she certainly wasn't worth ruining her first taste of home since she left over. She gave the intruder one more piercing glance before hefting her spear back on her shoulder and swiftly turning to her cook-pot.

"Fine. Stay, go....no matter. So long as leave in peace." She lifted the lid, sighing approvingly as the aroma of roast nye bubbled up to greet her. She didn't spare her visitor a second glance.

"Saved," she muttered happily under her breath. Reaching for her bowl her tent, she went about filling it with spoonfuls of the hearty violet broth.

"Name es Sharee," she said, softly blowing on the stew to cool it. She still didn't look back at her intruder-turned-begrudging guest.

[The Real D]

Happy to be accepted, Robyn took a seat near the center of the clearing and let her heavy camping backpack fall to the floor. She watched as the woman began spooning her dinner into a bowl, before sniffing the air absently. There was something familiar about that aroma...

"Name es Sharee." The Jungle Woman spoke up, disrupting Robyn's train of thought.

"Huh? Oh." Robyn nodded, before noticing Sharee couldn't see her. "Uh, My. Name. Is. Robyn." She tried, speaking slowly. Apparently this woman wasn't great with words! Robyn could totally get that, there was stuff she wasn't great at too. Like Math! Ew, math.

She flashed her new friend a smile, before looking her up and down. She hadn't had a chance to really look at- Oh. Oh dear.

The Stylist tried to suppress a flinch. That hair. Oh, no. And those nails. Yikes, how could she live like this? She had to be helped! And Robyn was just the person to-

Wait. No. Bad Robyn. Sharee was letting her into her camp and being nice to her! It would be rude to start criticizing her looks right away!

She should at least offer food first.

"Um. I. Got. Food. You. Want. Eat. Lots?" She tried, speaking slowly at a slightly raised volume. Hopefully her new friend would get the message!

[makuta15]

That condescending slow-talk did not pass by unnoticed, and Sharee affixed her guest with a withering glare. She might have had trouble with the Northerner's impossible tongue, but she was a proud Swift River Sister, and refused to be treated like a doddering child! She returned to her food a moment later in silence.

Everything seemed better after she had the taste of nye-berries in her mouth. As the first spoonful crossed her lips, Sharee was filled with images of home, of being on the hunt with her fellow Sisters, of evenings by the River from which they took their name. The sweet berries mingled with hunks of savory meat, and Sharee sighed in contentment as the soft, warm flavors filled her up nicely. She couldn't wait until she was back home...but for now, she blessed the Gods and Goddess for this small happiness.

After a few more mouthfuls, Sharee glanced at the other woman - at Robyn - and suppressed a sigh. She did feel a bit better with a spoonful of nye-berries in her, especially now with her special meal no longer in danger and her hunger sated. She supposed she had been rather rude to her guest - although she felt no remorse about defending her camp, it was unkind to the Gods and Goddess if she refused to show the least bit of hospitality. Rising from a crouch to her feet, she walked over to Robyn for the first time. Besides, she admitted to herself, she was curious as to whatever strange Northern food the odd traveler had brought. It might be good for a laugh.

Sharee walked over and settled down on the log next to Robyn. She tipped her bowl slightly to display its contents with an air of indifference. "Es nye-berry stew," Sharee said, by way of explanation. "Favorite. What you bring?"

[The Real D]

"Nye-berry, huh?" Robyn repeated, tilting her head and staring into the bowl. There really was something super familiar about that dish, but she just couldn't remember what. How lame!

"Well, lemme see what I've got here!" She said, dismissing the thought and pulling her backpack around to open it up. Rummaging around through her supplies, she quickly found what she was looking for - her food supplies! Ok, she totally wasn't supposed to share these, she knew that! She'd been on tons of expeditions like this, and, like, when food got low it was such a pain. But she had plenty to spare for just in case, and she wanted to make friends anyways, so it was totally worth it!

'Sides, she'd totally looted all those bandits who'd attacked her earlier.

"Here we go! One Super Robyn Special Smoothie, just for you!" The Stylist smiled as she handed over a sealed flask filled with fruit juices and herbs. "It's good for you! In both taste and diet! You should totally try that first. And then... Um... Hold on."

She continued to dig through her bags, trying to find something Sharee might like. Fruit bars? No, too nutty. Soup? No, she already had her broth! Maybe... Ah!

Robyn grinned and pulled out a small, magically sealed box. "And here! Kimmie made these cheese sandwiches for me, so you know they'll be great! We can share them!"

Ability: Salon Juice Blend 
Type: Once per customer!
Hit Chance: Can be refused.
Description: Our Salon's very own brand of unique fruit juices and magical essences that promotes healthy growth of body and mind! - Robyn offers you a Healthy smoothie that raises the hit chance of "Don'tcha Wanna Be Pretty" by 20% for the rest of the RP.

[makuta15]

Sharee dabbed a finger into the offered smoothie curiously. This...this was food? She stared at the mixture on her fingers with misgivings - the old wariness of poison rising strong within her - before licking them cautiously. It was...very sweet. The concoction seemed to be made of a variety of fruits and herbs the amazon had no name for, and she smacked her lips a few times, trying to comprehend the oddness of the flavor.

"Thes...thes your meal? Where es meat? Where es nyataurl, for strength in journey?" she asked aloud, naming one of the herbs that could give a weary Sister energy to hunt on for three nights if need be. This, this drink would not sustain one in the jungles! There was no meat to show one's prowess in the hunt! How on earth could one expect to survive with such simple supplies? More and more, she was baffled by this bizarre Northerner. What was such a simple person - even by Northern standards - doing this deep in the woods?

When Robyn dove back into her bag for more "supplies," Sharee drew back, shaking her head. She'd seen enough of the silly Northern things for now. Setting the open flask and her bowl of stew down on the log, she rose and set to pacing around the camp.

"You...you have no supply, you move loudly through brush. What you doing here, Robeen?"

[The Real D]

"So you don't want any?" Robyn asked as the forest native stood and put her bowl down. Too bad for her; Kimme made the best sandwiches. 'All the more for me!' the Stylist decided with a smile as she slipped the box back into her bag.

It looked like something was bothering Sharee though. Robyn tried to pay attention, she really did! But there was something nagging at her about that stew... Something familiar...

Her other side, much closer to the surface after all the excitement she'd been through on her journey today, rolled her eyes and gave her psyche a sharp kick, sending an old memory bubbling up...

---

"I didn't come all this way to be held back now, Professor," Robin Faire said in a restrained voice, glaring at the reedy old man standing before her. Around them the sands of the eastern deserts shifted, the harsh morning sun already unbearable.

The man, Professor Chell, sighed and pulled at his collar uncomfortably. The robes the pair wore protected them from the unkind sun, for the most part, but they did itch something terrible. "Miss Faire, I do wish you would reconsider. These people are savages. There's no telling what they will do to you, even if their supposed rituals really do exist. As a man, I can hardly stand by and allow a defenseless woman like yourself to-"

He was cut off as Robin raised a hand, glaring. "I am hardly defenseless, Professor. I appreciate your concern, misguided as it is, but I have been searching for the 'Rites of Beauty' for some time now. I have every reason to believe these people are sincere in their words."

The Professor spluttered. "Be that as it may, My dear-"

"Yes yes," Robin was already walking away, heading into the desert village they had discovered out amongst the sands, "I will inform you of how things went when I return in three days time. Should I not make it back, you can assume you were correct in warning me and feel smug about it. Either way, it's win-win for you."

The Professor didn't follow her. Smirking, Robin withdrew a small container from her robes, studying the berries contained within. They were distinctive, rare things. She'd scoured every merchant bazaar she could find for months after she'd learned that they were a requirement for the rituals, and she'd only found this small stock by freak chance. The members of the tribe she'd spoken to had had even less luck than that, though. These berries represented the first time the rituals would be performed in generations.

Of course, it was debatable just how much use studying these rituals would be to her, given they required such a rare reagent... None the less, she was committed to her task. She would study and learn every beauty secret she possibly could. Anything else would be sacrilege.

---

"-brush. What you doing here, Robeen?" Sharee said, turning to face the suspicious northern stylist. Except said suspicious northern stylist had moved.

"Oh wow! Super wow!" Robyn gasped, examining the stew pot that still stood in the middle of the camp. "You've like, got a ton of these berries! I've never seen this many! That's totally amazing!" She smiled brightly, then blinked, her smile melting into a sad frown. "Awww, but you've cooked them... That's no good... Um... Do you, like, know where to get more of these?"

...Apparently she hadn't been paying attention to Sharee's question.

[makuta15]

"What you - "

Sharee bristled, turning to upbraid Robyn for her inattentiveness - only to find that the woman had vanished from the log. It took her a moment of whirling in confusion to find the flighty Northerner was now crouched in front of her cook-pot, staring at it's contents in fascination. Scowling, Sharee shooed Robyn away from her meal.

"Es my nye-berries! You no eat, Northern girl. You has own food."

Even as she hastily slipped the lid over the bubbling pot, though, she was surprised. Most Northerners had never heard of the things; Sharee had long since despaired of ever finding a properly prepared dish in the Northern lands. So why was this senseless little thing walking around with what was apparently only Sister knowledge?

Still, given her reaction, even she didn't seem to know much. "No good? Es Nye-berry," she explained patiently, as if she were talking to someone particularly dim-witted. "Nye-berry meat, juice, very savory, sweet. Make best seasoning."