expiationnet | 01. video.

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01. video.

[ The video flicks on to show one Claude von Riegan, having dispensed with his usual fineries of billowing fabrics and elaborate capes to more simple fare, simply a loose white linen shirt and brown trousers, seated at the desk of what looks to be an incredibly cluttered shop. Herbs hang from strings from the ceilings, the dark, burnished wood of the shelves covered in various dusty jars filled with strange liquids and ground plants and all manner of things; what little table space is not covered in these mystery jars is instead covered in stacks of books and parchment strewn about. It is, as some may be able to recognize, Aldrip's apothecary. ]

Hey, everyone. For as long as I've been here, I don't think I've ever properly introduced myself... so allow me to make up for lost time. My name is Claude von Riegan, and I've been here for, oh... three, four months? Longer than I thought I'd be stuck here, to be honest. But I've got more than simple introductions on my mind today.

[ He reaches into one of the jars and plucks out a few herbs, adding it to whatever concoction is in his mortar and pestle, the grinding of stone against stone a low, pleasant sound. ]

I'm sure you've all noticed that our humble hosts have been disappearing, one after the other. [ He holds up a paper, noting a date and time that has already passed, an invitation to meet with Those Who Were. ] This seems to be the culprit -- someone sending them missives, telling them to meet with their gods, or holy figures, or whatever else you'd like to call them. Something worth investigating, I think.

[ He pauses, putting a pinch of some other spice into his bowl. ]

But in the meantime, they've left their businesses behind. So I've gone ahead and temporarily commandeered the apothecary until they return. It's too important an institution to leave empty, and besides, this place could do with some organization. And some good dusting. And, frankly, some revamped bookkeeping, because it's just in shambles.

The thing is, though, is that my own knowledge of herbalism is confined to my own world -- and it's specialized knowledge, at that. So if you know anything about it, or know of anything I ought to be stocking, that you might be needing, do me a favour and let me know. [ He licks the tip of his pinky, dips it into his concoction, and licks it off, only to shudder in revulsion. ] Eurgh, that's nasty.

[ He clears his throat. ]

Or, of course, you can help me search for our missing persons. I haven't had much luck, but hey! Maybe you will.

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Did you just -- You cannot just go ahead and lick anything in an apothecary, Claude. Hrist does the same thing, and I have told her as such as well.

[Did he just ignore everything else. He sure did.]

[Ethlyn is watching this and nodding along. What Claude is saying makes sense, and she's definitely going to reply talking about what she's found, and it's smart of him to take the reins of such a potentially... dangerous....]

Claude! What is that you're mixing?

[NONE OF WHAT SURROUNDS HIM LOOKS LIKE HERBS DE PROVENCE OKAY]

[oh hey it's the guy who let him borrow a knife. And boy there is a lot of unpack here. Chronic disappearances have been happening? You can just take a place over? Claude's mixing either spices or drugs?

Huh.]

Congrats on your shop. So what's this about people going missing? Kinda like I did?

[that feels so fucking weird to say]

Oooh is it that forest again? That's really su-spi-cious.

[ A detail that might reveal Gogol caught one of the flyers as well. Interesting that it's the locals this time though. ]

Anywho, you got any of the good stuff?

[ What does he mean by "the good stuff?" Probably not what immediately comes to mind. The hint Claude gets is the universal thumb across the throat gesture. He sticks out his tongue to mock death for good measure. ]

They've been called to meet with their gods? That is... hmm.

[ Considering she's met with some of the so-called gods of her world she's not sure she can call it strange. ]

I would be willing to help look for them.

As would I. We have been meaning to explore, have we not?

[They even have supplies ready for the journey!]

...Though 'twould seem there is no location writ upon the paper...

A perfect opportunity if there ever was one.

[ She pauses, humming. ]

That does make things a little tricky.

Aye. It does...

Although... if a number of the denizens of Aldrip are receiving these messages, mayhap that in itself could provide us the opportunity. If we were to offer ourselves as escorts that they might reach their destinations unharmed...

If they will allow us to do so.

[He does this in text, he knows his name is attached to these things but it makes him feel better to not use his voice. Easier to pretend this is a normal, innocent question that way.]

what herbs do you have there?

[ Well, it's not like Ange knows even a thing about herbs. But it's not the apothecary that interests her here. It's the other thing Claude brings up - which is rather interesting.

Seems like this guy is at least always a good source of information, especially since Ange already thought he sure said some things that made sense back in the maze. ]

What have you done so far to look for the missing people?

[ In other words, she's willing to help with that - but she also wants to make sure she doesn't waste effort by doing the exact same stuff he's doing. ]

Medicine meant to encourage the vigor of one's blood, apparently! [ Claude says cheerfully, as though this is a perfectly ordinary and sensible thing to be doing. ] Angelica leaf for strength, cinnamon for warmth, hysop for clarity of mind...

[ He sets down the sheet of parchment. ]

At least, that's what this particular recipe claims. I can't very well go around giving it to other people if I'm not willing to try it myself, hm?

Kind of. But not quite. See, Chosen going missing is at least a known entity. I've honestly been operating underneath the assumption that there's at least a chance that we just get disappeared when we're sent back home. These, though? These are locals, born and raised. And not disappeared out of the blue -- disappeared with a note.

Those That Were. You hear much about 'em yet?

Hrist does too? [ His face lights up. ] Then I'm in good company! You've already told me that you guys are long lived, and clearly it hasn't killed you yet!

It sure is! I'm starting to think that all the stories about it being haunted might actually be onto something. But no matter how much I go out there and holler for ghosts to come say hello, they never seem to think I'm worthy of a visit. Rude, if you ask me.

[ He leans forward against the desk, giving the camera a fetching grin. ]

Of course I know how to make the good stuff. But I'm not in the habit of giving it away -- or selling it. If you want it, you'll have to go about it the old-fashioned way and make it yourself.

I'd appreciate it. Got any ideas as to where to start, though? I figure there's something we're missing about all this -- something to do with their customs, maybe.

I may not be who you meant to be speaking with, but allow me to interject. There is a location written here. They met with them at the edge of the forest. I saw evidence of people having met there, but they were long gone by the time I arrived. I looked around the forest a little while on my own, but if they were there, they didn't listen to my calls.

[ For all of Claude's willingness to learn new technologies, typing still doesn't come naturally to him -- and so he cheerfully responds to the text as though having a perfectly warm conversation with another. ]

All the herbs you could think of, I'd imagine, though these aren't exactly meant for cooking. Cohosh and feverfew, hawthorn and wort, palmetto and yarrow... and all sorts of animal products too, hooves and horns and fur and bone. What are you looking for?

Oh, hello, Ange. Nice to see you too, [ Claude says, wiggling his fingers at her to say hello, foolish as ever. ]

I've asked around town to see if anyone's seen them, of course. They don't seem as worried as I figured they would be, when hearing someone's missing, but they're pretty suspicious of us these days... even if they did know, there's a good possibility they wouldn't have told us anyway.

So I checked out the meeting place by the forest, walked around the forest itself for a while and called out for them. I only wish I still have my wyvern with me. I could cover more ground that way.

[Oh boy he knows like none of those. Though he's not really sure what he expected. He knows a few, though. ~~They're not what he really wants but they might help~~.]

lavender, tobacco or wild dagga?

[Angelica, cinnamon, hysop... whew. None of that is going to hurt him.]

All right... just be careful if you go looking for more angelica. It bears a passing resemblance to hemlock and that would do you no good at all.

[Angelica's leaves are bigger and hemlock has a ranker smell--probably a warning of its pernicious nature--but it is much better safe than sorry.]

I met any number of peddlers and local healers who would mix up anything that was strong of flavor and touted it as a potion for strength or vigor or clarity of mind. [...] Shockingly, some did work. But I think the nasty flavor is probably all you'll get from that one.

If they're going to the forest then that seems the best place to start. I don't know much about the people's customs here, but I heard talk of a bunker in the forest. Mayhap they have been taken there?

...Ah. Pray forgive my error.

[Mayhap it had been obscured before...?

...No matter. 'Tis better not to get distracted with unimportant details.]

...There is a boy who has taken up residence at the edge of the forest for some time. Know you of Med'an? Mayhap he might have more information on comings and goings into the area...

Aye... 'Tis important that we do not force ourselves into their presence against their wishes...

...How to best proceed...

[Eyes closing, Erichthonios quiets, sinking deep into his thoughts.]

To risk hostility by being up front, or to risk it from attempting to follow them... If only we knew more about how they feel...

Can't say I've ever heard of the guy, no. Is he one of us Chosen, or a local?

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