second entry 🌱 she heard someone say 'research'

[multidisciplinary]

Sender: Zelda
To: Jude Mathis
Subject: Anti-Noctaere Research (Quest #1204)

Good day, sir.

I hope this message finds you well.

I happened upon your notice on the Dream Board and wanted to inquire if you are still seeking information or assistance in your anti-Noctaere research. While I fear I have little to offer in the way of information or experiences of my own- [ This is actually untrue. ] -I am adept in the studies of botany and chemistry.

In reading your notice, I was given the impression that you have already identified some manner of flora or fauna in Songerein that possesses the desired anti-nightmare properties. Is that the case? Or do you otherwise have reason to believe that such a thing exists at all. In my own expeditions to the Wildlands- [ Read: in her only expedition to the Wildlands. ] -I encountered numerous plants that struck me as unusual, which may be worth closer study. As of yet, I have not collected any samples.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Zelda

Comments

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda sets down her quill for a moment and grabs her mug, which by now has sufficiently cooled to be drinkable without scalding her mouth. She nods along while Jude speaks, lifting the mug to her lips. The scent of peppermint and ginger mingling together is so potent that it makes Zelda cough. Wow, that certainly clears the sinuses right up! She clears her throat, hoping to disguise the source of her cough as just a tingle in her throat, then takes her first sip of the brew.

The princess coughs again as a taste as equally strong as its scent hits her tongue. Zelda hadn't known what sort of flavor to expect from the mixture of peppermint and ginger, but the end result is unexpectedly menthol-like. There's no disguising her cough this time. Zelda carefully puts down the mug and covers her mouth with one hand. ]

Excuse me. [ She apologizes with a muffled rasp and clears her throat while she composes herself. Not wanting to offend Jude and his clearly unique taste in tea, Zelda offers no remark on the source of her coughing and instead picks up their discussion about the Glowing Dawn as if nothing happened. ]

Yes, I agree. An visit to the Dawn's natural habitat is irreplaceable. I am most keen to join you on your next expedition.

[ She quirks a suspicious brow when Jude mentions that he wants to run this trip by 76 first. That implies two possibilities to Zelda: one, that the cave where the Dawn grows is 76's property (the idea of owning part of the Wildlands rubs Zelda the wrong way); or, two, there is some sort of secret related to that location that 76 wants to guard. ]

May I ask why this would necessitate Mr. 76's permission?

[spryite]

[.............



Y-yeah. Well to his excuse, it WAS a pretty effective kick when he was looking for a strong refresher after an all-nighter! Which WERE sometimes necessities when you're running on a deadline, less so when you're in a dream world and everything seems to meander on at their own pace. But well. Semantics. Details. He'ssorryhe'llfindsomewaytoapologizelater--]

...No problem.

[ANYWAY--]

I know he's been out in the Wildlands relatively often and is still wary of the Ents that seem to inhabit and guard the cave, I was thinking of asking him if he's visited of late and noticed any developments with them. They didn't detect us or showed any signs of aggressiveness when we went together, but it's best to be safe than sorry, I think. I can hold my own in case anything happens, but we can all agree we'd want to avoid combat inside the cave if we can help it.

[He honestly explains without hesitation, it's really not so much asking for permission as giving the man a heads-up and asking for potential updates, since 76 is out and about more than your average Songerein resident. That hopefully clears up the potential for a trickier misunderstanding?]