[ OPEN ] split tomorrow from today

[godshattering]

Who: Claude and various
When: November + December
Where: Nocwich, Cadens, TBA
What: Catch all for both months
Warnings: None currently, will add/mark as needed


( Open and closed starters in the comments! Also good with prose or brackets and please feel free to wildcard into the open prompts with something else. If you'd prefer plotting first, you can find me at indech, arboria#1862, or by PM at any time! )

Comments

[godshattering]

[ The mention of Steve sketching it himself gets his curiosity, if only because in his experience it was the apothecaries providing him with sketches and not something he was responsible for beyond paging through library books for research. When Steve pulls out the notebook Claude leans closer, meaning to peer at it before it's presented for his examination on the page in question.

It's a good sketch. Only a second or two goes by before he nods in recognition as he sits back. ]

Sure, I've seen that variety around. It's not usually too difficult to locate but it's even easier at the moment since it's the only kind blooming right now. Apparently that's part of why it's so prized. Are you to bring in just the stems and leaves or the flowers?

[ Or both; that's always a possibility. If it's one or the other then they might as well haul each back since someone will pay Steve for it if the apothecary in question's only requested one. Either way, Claude nods his head to some nebulous direction off to their left. ]

Last I knew there's a patch of those cacti not too far from here where the rocks turn more into hills. Shouldn't be long of a walk or too difficult to collect, so long as you have some gloves for the latter. The needles are rather tenacious.

[assembles]

[ It is odd for any cactus to be flowering at this time of year, Steve would guess (not that he's a botanist or anything close to it). It stands to reason that a cactus that persistent would be useful for a variety of things. Once Claude's taken a good look at the sketch, he shuts the sketchbook and tucks it back into his pocket. ]

She only mentioned the flowers, but if other parts of it are worth grabbing too, then I might as well. [ He could have done more research into what else could be harvested from the cactus before he left the city, but it sounds like Claude might have a decent idea himself. It's impressive that he's already familiarized himself so well with the flora accessible in the desert. ]

Sounds like I lucked out by running into you, then. [ He quirks a smile. ] The least I can do is help you find whatever you're looking for, too. [ He shifts in his seat on the boulder, itching to get going but aware that Claude might still have some work to finish up on those arrows. ] And yeah, I brought some gloves.

[ Impervious as he might seem at times, he's well aware that the needles of a cactus would slice into his skin just as easily as anyone else's. He pats the pack slung over his shoulder to indicate he's come prepared. ]

[godshattering]

I would. If she won't buy them then someone else likely will, or Nadine can always take them for her clinic.

[ No reason not to, really, in Claude's mind. Even if Steve's not particularly hurting for coin it'll only help someone else out in the end, and that's a net bonus in his mind. The next part of his arrow assembly he needs to concentrate on just a bit more to finish it up properly so Steve's spared him running his mouth - for a short while, anyway - though he shoots a grin right back at the mention of luck.

One last piece of fletching slipped into place to balance it out to ward off any misfires later on (with any luck) and Claude slides it into the quiver with the rest. ]

Good call on being prepared since besides the cactus needles, there's some plants out here with something in the leaves that'll irritate your skin if you can't wash it off right away. Which... [ He'll trail off here with a wave around them to the desert in all directions before pushing himself up into a standing position and start dusting himself off. ] Better safe than sorry, I say, though the truly poisonous things out here are things you have to ingest. Or so I've heard.

[ Not that he's about to volunteer any info on poisons unless Steve asks, so he flashes the other man a smile before starting the path back down from the boulders they're perched on. ]

If you happen to know where the desert lilies are out here from one of your own treks around, I think they're still on my list to bring back for my own apothecary friend.

[assembles]

[ Of course Claude also knows Nadine. The Summoned are a close-knit group in the Cities, with most of them having at least heard of each other even if they're not personally acquainted. Nadine is also the sort who likes to make newcomers feel welcome, and it would be a bigger shock if someone hadn't heard of her clinic. ]

Yeah, good call. I'm sure she'll take all the materials she can get.

[ Plants that will irritate your skin, plants that will poison you if you ingest them — this desert is making it pretty clear that it doesn't want people exploring it, especially when all of the fauna are taken into consideration too. Of course, that won't ever stop humans.

When Claude makes it clear he's ready to go, Steve hops to his feet and skids down the side of the boulder with little hesitation. His boots hit the tightly packed sand and he falls into step with Claude. ]

Desert lilies? Do those grow near water?

[ If so, he does have an idea of where there are some small oasis areas further out, since caravans usually stop at them to rest and organize supplies before continuing on. ]