”Yes,” the pale man agreed ruefully. ”I’m still poking my long nose about, but I spent my first week discovering just how small this little world is. I’m hoping there might be more clues hidden in the Atheneum’s histories but…” He gave a one-shouldered shrug. ”Who knows what language they’ll be in, or if anyone here now can read it?” It was a rhetorical question and he shook his head to forestall any need to answer. ”But I’m getting ahead of myself. As you say, the challenge of the barrier, however satisfying, won’t be solved by the likes of me after so many others have tried and failed so far.” He gave an oddly self-deprecating shake of his head – odd, in that he didn’t usually show such pessimism to someone he’d only just met. He was still a little flustered from getting caught by surprise, and his public face was slipping dangerously.
He deliberately brought his smile back, offering a deep nod for Isla’s calling, followed by a quirk of one elegant brow at the description of the seed pod. ”An honor as well as a pleasure then, Isla. I have great respect for professional healers, and I would be happy to help you for a bit. One never knows when the services of a medic might be needed, and I’d prefer you had all the medicines on hand in case I wind up seeking out the infirmary some day.” He carefully closed the herbal on a scrap of cloth that was serving as a bookmark, then offered his pencil and notebook to the woman. ”If you can give me a description of the seed pod or sketch its shape I can join the search. The volcanettes seem harmless so far, and I can continue with them later… though now you have me wondering if they have any sort of medicinal properties that could assist you as well?”
He deliberately brought his smile back, offering a deep nod for Isla’s calling, followed by a quirk of one elegant brow at the description of the seed pod. ”An honor as well as a pleasure then, Isla. I have great respect for professional healers, and I would be happy to help you for a bit. One never knows when the services of a medic might be needed, and I’d prefer you had all the medicines on hand in case I wind up seeking out the infirmary some day.” He carefully closed the herbal on a scrap of cloth that was serving as a bookmark, then offered his pencil and notebook to the woman. ”If you can give me a description of the seed pod or sketch its shape I can join the search. The volcanettes seem harmless so far, and I can continue with them later… though now you have me wondering if they have any sort of medicinal properties that could assist you as well?”
