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1[22:13] Inside the Hall of Knowledge, filled with books and imported décor, there was peculiar room on the upper level. The Exarch is guided by the butler-librarian, taken to a room with a distinct floral scent.
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3It's hard to track the numerous herbs kept within the room, hard to decipher through the scent. 
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5"This is the tea room." He comments sternly. Turning to face Nemerin, his hands clasp together following a crude smile. "It's time to change your mind about tea."
6(Juri)
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9[22:17] Change was not a word Nemein would describe himself with, for many good reasons. While everyone else seemed to be keen on changing the definition of stalwart at their whim, the Sparda did not see many reasons to change his stance on many things in life. Tea brewed with alessa and sinka being among them.
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11The nyeshk Ultra sword is removed from his back, set against the wall behind him as he promptly takes a seat. "My issue isn't the tea itself, Juri." The helmet is removed, letting the locks of hair spill out from under it. "My problem exists with certain ingredients used to brew it. Alessa and Sinka."
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13The helmet is sat on his lap, fingers tapping against the strange metal of the Phos helmet. Sharp emerald eyes peer at Juri from across the tea table, eyes making sure to track the butler's movements. "I am perfectly fine with ingesting tea that is not brewed from either or plants. I detest them for personal reasons."
14(Nemein Sparda)
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17[22:20] A fear for a particular tea. What could happen to the Exarch should he ingest it? Juri pondered it for a few seconds. His head shook letting go of the thought and he continues to smile. 
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19Clarification required. "I assure you, Nemein. You're fear is not unfounded, but it's fine. It simply depends on who makes it with those ingredients. So long as they brew it correctly." He laughs slightly, a hand waves dismissively.
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21"But oh well. Worry not, we'll be using a few other herbs... I'd like you to taste test."
22(Juri)
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25[22:24] His gaze does not relent, crossing his arms in front of his chest at the slight laugh instead. "It matters not the hand that brews it, but the ingredients used to brew it. Let's just chalk it to personal preference for now." It was better to spare Juri the long-winded speeches and expositions. As often as Nemein speaks, it always felt a pain to explain at great lengths.
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27"Though... I am curious as to why you've chosen me to taste test." The curiosity was always prevalent, even as Nemein nears his fourties. "Andromeda, Rissalle... Elijah, Valero... I'm sure you'd much rather share tea with them than myself."
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29The finer qualities of being a noble hadn't escaped Nemein. But to be requested to taste test tea felt like something best done among friends, if not close associates.
30(Nemein Sparda)
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33[22:28] Why not pick other people? Juri smiled shrewdly, wagging a finger to the Exarch. "Now, now that won't do. This is to express the appreciation of tea, and I'd like to have you appreciate it more."
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35He steps the side, shifting through cabinets and shelves to collect materials. Fire stones, water stones, and a leaves and herbs. "Any specific leaves you like?" He says with a cant of his head.
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37Poppylus, sugarcap, and soothe reed were set on a counter. "I'll just be adding in these herbs one at a time. Three teas."
38(Juri)
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41[22:33] The appreciation of tea was as good a reason enough. He wouldn't argue any further, watching with a relaxed gaze now set upon Juri as he expedites from one side of the other through the other. "I have no favored tea leaves, only ingredients I prefer not to ingest." Soon enough, three tea cups were set before him.
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43The poppylus tea is picked first, raising it to his lips and giving it a sample taste. A portion of the heat is sapped from his contact with the cup, refusing to sit around and wait for it to cool off so that he may taste it. "Mmm... Soft, gentle..." Another sup is made, putting the tea aside so that he may ingest more later.
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45The sugarcap is next to be consumed, intaking a generous amount as his countenance shifts amiably. "Sugarcaps? My my..." He shoots a sly glance Juri's way, deciding to finish the rest of the tea without a second hesitation. Last but not least, the soothe reed tea is taken in hand, analyzing it critically before he takes the first sip.
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47"Hmm..." A judging noise escapes him, taking another sip to judge it again. The shoulders ease, his body reclining into the red velvet cushion to receive the generously plush comfort. "Mmm... I feel... Ease... What is this?"
48(Nemein Sparda)
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51[22:42] A water stone for water, a fire stone to heat. Each brewed along side one another. It's no quick task, taking four minutes and thirty seconds for each to finish.
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53For the case of leaves? Earl grey for the Exarch. A bold, strong tea with a subtle citrus taste, that taste still lingering with the herbs added to the leaves. 
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55The first was poppylus. A comment made that it was soft and gentle. Juri wrote it down, nodding along with it. "That's good, it is harmonizer. It should slightly weaken taste and mellow out the flavor and bring it to a new taste. A good balancer."
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57Next sugarcaps. A sweet mushroom that would turn any tea into a sweet tea. The cap is used, cut up and decoct with the leaves to bring out the sweetness, though in truth there's a subtle hint of poppylus mixed to not have it completely overwhelm. The sly glance was noted, recorded as well.
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59Last was soothe reed. A calming herb to make any tea taste soothing and refreshing; too much would have negative affects. Again, he takes note of how Nemein eased in the chair. "That's soothe reed. The name says it all. It's what some people like to smoke to numb themselves. It's good for calming and it tea it won't be as overwhelming as smoking." 
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61With a crude smile he closed his notes. "Thank you- what did you think of each. How did you feel?" He inquires further.
62(Juri)
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65[22:48] The mention of soothe reed seemed to have caused a stir. The relaxing effects were not fought, but to have not known before hand what it did certainly seemed to put a spark under him. He doesn't leap out the chair and instead, turns his thought towards the various tea and their effects upon his state of being.
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67"The Poppylus tea called to mind a sense of peace, though not quite in a way that the soothe reed provided. It has a soft, sweet taste. Similar to Sugarcaps, though not as sweet and enjoyable." The bias towards Sugarcaps was difficult to hide, as he continues into the next one.
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69"The Sugarcap tea is excellent, especially so for those who are use to only drinking sweet drinks and consuming copious amounts of candy. A recommended introductory tea for children and young ladies with a sweet tooth." And supposedly, Exarchs as well. Last but not least, Soothe Reed. His jovial mood dissipates somewhat.
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71"Hmm... Itdoes its job of putting me at ease. I don't like the effects and how it seems to creep up on me like the urge to slumber. I recommend using a little less, if you intend to serve it someone of lower body mass." If the tea was intended to put someone to sleep, it was a job well done. His eyes dart back over to Juri, returning his attention to the poppylus teacup and taking it in hands.
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73"Was that all? Or will I be testing more?"
74(Nemein Sparda)
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77[22:54] And the notes are opened again. Writing down, taking notes and murmuring to himself. To see the butler genuinely enjoy himself; enjoy what he was told. His smile grew more sincere than crude. 
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79"Wonderful. Wonderful!" He closed the book with a beaming smile. "To think you'd truly enjoy tea that much. It is wonderful ah- your words were very useful. Every single word is necessary." He taps his chin, averting his eyes as he grinned. 
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81"Poppylus for calming. Sugarcap for sweetness, a little bit less. Soothe reede to mellow." Dark eyes glistened as they narrowed. 
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83Everything was coming together. 
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85"Just what I needed. I'll be able to create a new tea with everything. New, but not cheap, not at all." He waves his hand. "It is the most... blissful tea I could think to research. Would you like to hear about it? Everything you drank will be an ingredient while adding two more."
86(Juri)
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89[23:00] Poppylus, Sugarcap, soothe reed. It wasn't as strange a concoction as sinka and alessa, but to know that it was a combination for tea certainly sparked his interest in its creation. "I'd recommend more poppylus than soothe reed, if you're thinking of making blissful tea. Two stalks per one reed." The poppylus held a gentle taste, a weak ingredient that required numbers to overpower.
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91Though by no means an alchemist, Nemein was still acutely aware of strength in numbers. Though, it seemed Nemein wasn't the only one enjoying the banter and taste testing. "I have the time. I would like to hear about this new concoction of your's."
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93One leg is lifted to rest over the other, the Phos helmet put on the side of the chair. A soft curve of his lips forms a smile, patiently awaiting to hear the tale of Juri's discovery.
94(Nemein Sparda)
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97[23:10] What was it that he thought of? It might disappoint Nemein, or drive the exarch to fear. 
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99Juri rubbed his nose. Abruptly dark eyes sharpened, a crude fierce smile took over his face. His right hand raise, open palm lifting upward above his head, to grasp something above- the ceiling? The sky? The void?
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101No, ever further beyond! 
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103He starts wording off. "Poppylus to bring balance and harmony to the brew. Sugarcap to sweeten. Soothe reede to calm and mellow." And now the one that the Exarch hated. "Alessa to wash euphoria across the body." His hand slowly grasped into a fist. 
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105"Last but not least-" His smile twisted, turning deranged. "Fairy dust to amplify everything and rejuvenate the body." His hand closed, grasping whatever he saw above-
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107Grasping the heavens.
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109"And that is heaven's high." He says peacefully, his smile softening. The hand opened slowly, letting go. "To let people drift along the clouds. Drift along the heavens." The hand retracts, touching his lips. 
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111"To have a taste of the heaven."
112(Juri)
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115[23:20] The Exarch seemed content with the description thus far. Poppylus for balance, sugarcap to give it a sweet edge. Soothe reed to enrapture the mind and to lull one into a sense of peace. The countenance expressed nothing but approval as Nemein nodded three times, up until he heard the dreaded Alessa was being added into the mix.
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117Confusion hits first, then disgust. Then betrayal. The agonizing shift from one expression to another happened within the span of three whole seconds. Eventually, Nemein reverts back to neutral, listening with an unenthusiastic nod.
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119"I see... Though... PERSONALLY I'd say to with-hold the Alessa or substitute it. But fairy dust..." Though it was a shame to use the remains of what might be a stark few fairies in Esshar, the drink itself sounded simply divine. "I suppose the dust is better used to enhance taste than to just remain somewhere... Inhaled through the nostril or something to that effect."
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121A hand waves about, gestulating at nothing.
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123"Though... I wouldn't mind taste testing... If you not have not deign someone else for that role."
124(Nemein Sparda)
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127[23:27] Betrayal, alessa was far too important to give up. A herb used for an illicit potion yet useful for tea all the same. "I know you hate alessa. That's why just one leaf. One should be enough and poppylus will further balance it out." He waves his hand.
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129Though there's surprise, saying he'd taste test it. "Thank you for the offer." He shakes his head. "I need to test it myself first before any other. I need to make it just right- perfect." His voice harshened, yet burned with passion.
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131"Fairy dust has another use that is forgotten or not thought of much. It will be a key reason in why it's not a brew that can be easily reproduced. The more direct purpose is heightening the ingredients and giving a rejuvenating feeling to the body." He smiles gently. "Only someone with true devotion can create it." And he was devoted to tea.
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133"Now then, I can't make it yet. I'm still missing one more item. Something people don't think about..." His smile grew. "An orichalcum mesh infuser. That will amplify the properties to the final height."
134(Juri)
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137[23:39] The additive of alessa was going to have to be overlooked. For now. So long as it was just a leaf and not too much, it didn't seem to be that big of a breach to his personal code. Only time would tell what the effects would be when he ingests it.
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139"An orichalcum mesh infuser? Do you hope to have one made, or to find it somewhere?" In either case, the idea of retrieving such an item felt like a grand adventure. With Moonfall's silence and lack of action in the current, it only served to be the one path in which Nemein could put his focus towards other endeavors.
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141"If you need help searching for it, I would not mind lending my strength. There's not much else to do in the now." The lull in war has left Nemein anxious for action, anticipating when the Moonfallen would strike again, so that Osrona can handle them thusly.
142(Nemein Sparda)
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145[23:43] And there's offer for more assistance. Juri smile softly, bowing to the exarch. "Ah, you have much thanks. If this was an arcanium infuser then I'd have to search, or search for arcanium. It's not." He waved his hand.
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147"I'll have one created. Searching would take up too much time. Not many people do these things when they believe the basic tools are enough. Alchemists... they could amplify their craft if they used orichalcum. They don't." He shrugs. "So people rarely create artificer or alchemical tools from it. More useful but not cheap either." 
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149And the tea was one of the most expensive, what price? Priceless!
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151"Thank you for your help, Nemein. Your insight has been helpful. Ah- let's see." He takes out a few coins. "Perhaps buy some stew for yourself or something when you leave."
152(Juri)
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155[23:51] Orichcalcum, arcanium, both precious metals that seemed so simplistic for Juri. Though forging a sword of arcanium did come to mind, Juri's infuser brought a quizzical brow to be raised. The brow is raised again when Juri takes out a few coins and thinks to offer it to Nemein.
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157"No thanks." He politely declines, waving for Juri to keep his money. "If you need an artificer worth her name in gold... I'd recommend Agrien. When she's not busy crafting things for various other people, that is. I'm sure she'd be delighted to forge an infuser for you."
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159The malleable goldlike metal was certainly something that could be fine crafted by the Vandroy company's hands. Then another person came to mind, another mage that was skilled, though not quite as proven as Agrien. "If Agrien is busy, I also recommend Barca. She has a knack for smithing with no forge.... I witnessed her metal magic at work with my own eyes."
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161The request to buy stew, however, is politely forgotten as Nemein stands, retrieving the helmet and ultra sword on his way out.
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163"Thank you for this opportunity, Juri. I hope your infuser brings forth the greatest tea ever supped."
164(Nemein Sparda)
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167[23:52] Juri says, "Thank you for your time. I will note their names."
168[23:53] Juri says, "Oh- uh... a description."
169[23:56] Juri says, "Or work place."
170[23:56] Nemein Sparda asks, "Messaris, the clinic to the left when you leave the south gate. Second or first house... I believe?"
171[23:57] Nemein Sparda says, "Erm... Agrien has ginger hair, could pass for a boy. Barca has dark skin, brown hair, glasses... Usually carries a bow."
172[23:57] Juri says, "Okay, thank you."
173[23:58] Nemein Sparda says, "No problem."
174[23:58] Juri says, "I don't believe the door is locked. You can go now if you wish."
175[23:59] Nemein Sparda says, "I'd hope not. I'd be concerned."
176[23:59] Nemein Sparda says, "Do be well, Juri."
177[23:59] Juri says, "Take care."