Twelfth: Pick Your Poison (Video; un: Caster)

[colchismagecraft]

Good Afternoon, Avalon. For those I haven't met yet, I go by 'Caster' here.

[Despite her gloating in the aftermath of the Celliwig 'event', Caster was in an unusually somber mood...

Still, she gave a subdued smile as gestured with her staff to the vineyard around her, and the cute-yet-ominous little shop attached to it. Despite her insistence that she wasn't a witch, it very much looked like a witch's potion shop!]

I had hoped to wait for a better time to make this announcement but, well, I think there's plenty of people who could use a decent drink at the moment. So- I've finally been able to open up my Potion Shop and Winery here. I call it 'Pick Your Poison'.

[She gives the address.]

I'll be selling potions that I've managed to brew during my time here, which I hope will prove useful- there's some that can be used for helping keep a house clean or improve your sleep better, others that improve your vision in darkness or help you resist fire. I will be adding to my stock periodically, so do keep your eyes open.

The wines I'm selling are those that I have brewed in-house, trying to get as close to traditional Colchian wine as I can. There will be free samples available to anyone who wants to try before buying, so do come and see what you think.

...And if the name of my Homeland means anything to you, I don't object to answering questions, so long as its kept private.

[After all, admitting she was a Sorceress hailing from Colchis narrowed her identity down quite a bit...perhaps that was the closest she'd get to being public with her True Name, at least for now.]

On a...different note. I want to do something for those who've disappeared from this realm. Many people have come and left, and I can't be aware of all of them.

I've left a large book in the entranceway of the shop, so, feel free to write the names of those you miss here who have returned home, if you wish. I don't know exactly what to do with it just yet, but it seems callous to simply forget them.

Ah. And I can't say I'm usually the sort for public announcements like this, but-... but Homura's disappeared, to those it may concern.

[Caster went quiet for a brief moment, before recovering her focus.]

If you have lost someone close recently and feel comfortable enough to tell me, the first bottle of wine is on me.

Comments

private; video

[hegemonwings]

[ well, this is a post with some ups and downs. ]

Congratulations on the opening. I... [ byleth pauses, shakes her head. ] Would you like company, Caster?

[colchismagecraft]

Thank you. I am rather proud of it.

[Ups and downs were Caster's speciality. She hadn't been intending on a post like this when she finally got things opened up, but... despite her achievement, she didn't feel much like celebrating.]

That's...company would be nice.

audio; un: hypnos

[verytired]

[ Hello, it's time to sass a cousin. ]

Caster! [ he almost never calls her that, it feels weird ]

Congrats. Did you use that sleep aid to help you rest personally?

[ after he told you to go rest, he means, and he's sure she knows ]

[colchismagecraft]

[Sassing her, Hypnos? How dare- Don't mind her huffing on the other end of the call.]

...It did help with that, yes.

And the potion to stop me sleeping was useful in avoiding your wrath as well.

[Just putting that out there. Just a little tiny bit of sass please don't be mad at her??]

video; un: shepherdess

[troubadamsel]

[ Is congratulations proper when Caster is also clearly grieving the loss of a friend? Where's the safe middle ground? ]

If there is ever any way I can assist in your wares, please don't hesitate to ask. While I'm not used to potions, I'm more than willing to learn, or do to whatever else you need assistance with.

Video -> Private

[colchismagecraft]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[She meant that, really. This time...this time perhaps she should be honest with her friend that she was hurting, rather than let it burn her up inside.

So, she locked the feed.]

...After this announcement is settled I might...come back and get a little more sleep.

[VOICE]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin spares Caster the sight of his haggard appearance. But from the sound of his voice he's exhausted.]

You wouldn't happen to have anything fit for a memorial, would you.

[Perhaps Caster's heard the rumors of the Celliwig memorial site being put up one marker at a time in the dead of night?]

[colchismagecraft]

...You sound awful.

[Just putting that out there, Darin.]

I know some cultures pour wine on graves to commemorate the dead, is that what you were thinking?

Video; un: 𓅃

[hor]

Perhaps you wouldn't mind having your shop affiliated with our alchemy guild? We seek to share information, teach and learn, and offer a small shelf space for affiliates to offer top sellers to entice new customers.

[ Horus offers a confident smile.]

And I have the most traditional Egyptian beers to trade for wine, if you're interested.

[colchismagecraft]

Oh, you're-

[Her voice caught in her throat. She'd seen him around, and truth be told, she had no idea how to react to him. He was a God, yes, but not one from her culture.

And that made this a complicated matter, for many reasons.

For now, she lowered her head a little in respect.]

...I would like that. I visited your guild once before, it would be nice to visit under less pressing circumstances, if you wish to talk matters over with me.

And- yes, I am curious to try that beer.

Video // un; Chassuer

[resistetmords]

There seems to be quite a few people who disappeared this month.

[A pause.]

I certainly wouldn't mind trying some of your wine.

[colchismagecraft]

It feels that way, doesn't it...that was partly why I thought we should be writing those names down.

...I'd be curious to try some of the brewing you've been working on, as well. I meant to ask you about that.

text; anonymous

[peninhand]

you dont sell memory loss potions per chance

[colchismagecraft]

not currently but it is something i could look into

it depends who is asking and what they had in mind

video | un: maruchan

[fujimaru]

As long as there's no kykeon, I'm there!

[ Listen... listen. She doesn't know if Caster is as inclined to it as her teacher--frankly, Ritsuka's knowledge of the food of the region is next to nil--but she knows what she's going to avoid! It's fine, Cierce's not here to know. ]

Especially if you've got anything that's like... uh, I guess for purifying water? Just in case.

[colchismagecraft]

...I'm impressed you've even heard of kykeon. I can't say I didn't think about trying to make it here, but I didn't think it would sell too well.

Purifying water, hm? That shouldn't be too difficult.

Voice; un: Koromaru

[whatsamada]

I see, thank you for letting me know that Homura-san has left.

[...]

Are you going to be okay?

[colchismagecraft]

...She was a friend of yours?

[Not answering that question- and that was probably telling in itself.]

private

[morganknight]

Well, now I know why she's not showing up for lessons.

You at your shop? I wanna see it, plus you need a hug.

private

[colchismagecraft]

I am, yes.

[A pause, before her voice cracked. He wasn't someone she needed to hide that grief from, after all.]

...I want to see you.

text; un: beaumains

[beaumains]

I'd be happy to share some wine with you, my lady. I could make a proper bread, to go with it.

[ They'd both lost family. "family". However it was. The point remained that they could both use a drink. ]

Text

[colchismagecraft]

id like that if you have it in you to bake

[Gareth was the sot to stress-bake, wasn't she...?]

my door is open whenever you want to come by

Video // un; E.A. Poe

[quotetheraven]

[Potions? And what was up with that sketchy shop name? Seriously Medea can you pick anything less ominous sounding??? That's not what had originally caught his attention. He didn't put much stock in potions, coming from a time with charlatans, snake oil salesmen, and general demagogues were rampant. No, he was most interested in the wine she mentioned.

But even that got placed off to the side.]

Colchis?

[The ancient kingdom, long since gone by his time, relagated to myth? Should he be surprised? No, and there is very much a flash of recognition in his eyes. And a momentary pause, as the mention tickled his fancy. Greek myths huh? And a now vanished person who was obviously dear to this person....]

Helen, thy beauty is to me
Like those Nicéan barks of yore,
That gently, o'er a perfumed sea,
The weary, way-worn wanderer bore
To his own native shore.

On desperate seas long wont to roam,
Thy hyacinth hair, thy classic face,
Thy Naiad airs have brought me home
To the glory that was Greece,
And the grandeur that was Rome.

Lo! in yon brilliant window-niche
How statue-like I see thee stand,
The agate lamp within thy hand!
Ah, Psyche, from the regions which
Are Holy-Land!

[A pause and a stroke of his beard in further thought.]

Hm... my apologies. Perhaps not the best one to pick, given the recent occasion and your evident loss.

Video -> Private

[colchismagecraft]

[Well now... this was a message, wasn't it? She headed inside and took a seat so she could listen to his poem properly. Caster certainly hadn't expected someone to recite poetry to her today- one that harkened back to the myths of Greece. The Trojan War was a little after the voyage of the Argonauts, but she knew most of the Greek Legends well.

And as she listened, a thought occurred. It was painfully clear, then, that this person would know her legend, and she wasn't sure how that made her feel. Not as nervous as she thought she would be- and that surprised her.]

Yes... the Kingdom of Colchis. I did wonder if the name of my Homeland would mean anything to anyone here.

[And with that, she locked the feed- just in case he had any intention of asking her any further questions.]

...But you don't need to apologise. I enjoyed it. There was something a little nostalgic about that poem, at least to me.

video; un: gentlerose

[reincarnatedprince]

Congratulations on opening your own shop, Caster. If you need ingredients, I'm a green mage, so I migt be able to help.

I'm sorry for your loss. Two of my friends disappeared just recently, too.

[colchismagecraft]

Ah, thank you... I may have to take you up on that offer.

[And then there was a small frown.]

Two of them? I'm sorry to hear that... If you want to stop by, I'll have a bottle of wine waiting for you. It might ease the pain a little.

video; un: redsaber

[umuperor]

[ well, that is... an eerily similar face to a certain someone's popping up on screen. ]

Caster, is it? [ though her voice and bearing are... not in line with that other saber's. and colchis. could it... hm. ] I will be sure to come by when I have the coin for it. My purse is still too light for my liking. [ saber smiles a little. ]

I have only had Lazican wine once, but I was quite taken with it.

[ the latin name. even calling it colchis wouldn't cross her mind. ]

Answer: 0.5 seconds

[colchismagecraft]

Saber-

[No, wait a moment, not only did this one sound like she was greeting her for the first time, but that voice and demeanour weren't like the one she knew.]

...Yes. Caster. So you must be another Saber-class, then. Hmhm, you Sabers certainly are cute.

[Even in her despondent mood, Caster could at least appreciate the woman on the other end of the call, and she returned the other Servant's smile with one of her own.

Lazican, hm? Interesting.]

Well, I certainly wont object if you'd like to come by and try what I've made. I could use a second opinion on how close I've got to those from home.