| Herbs |
| Summary: | Avinashi brings some concerns for her personal affects to Septon Josse. |
| Date: | 10/9/288 |
| Related Logs: | none |
| Players: |
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| Sept of the Seven — Terrick's Roost |
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| The Sept of Terrick's Roost is not a grand spectacle but achieves its power through the feeling of community and peace within. Like any Sept, the mood is generally quiet so people might offer prayers or thoughts without interruption. Along the sides are the seven statues in life-size form of the seven Gods, each in its own particular pose familiar to anyone who knows of them. All but the statue of the Stranger have small offerings lain at their feet or candles lit. At the very head of the Sept is a large window that faces out across the water, the altar rising in front of it. Directly to its front are a few rows of pews and behind that is the standing room for the peasantry. In that area the floor is lain out with a bright seven-pointed star in representation of the Gods. |
| 10 September 288 |
An evening service has just let out, the scent of incense lingering long after most of the parishioners have left for the open air. Candles, left among flowers and other small items, are burning at the feet of almost every altar except the Stranger's — that one is not quite empty but has a noticeably sparse amount of offerings. Visitors looking for Josse will be pointed to the back of the sept and the small alcove he usually likes to sit in at night, while he flips through whatever book or scrolls have caught his attention that day.
Jacsen's food taster is not one for religious ceremonies or, at least, not those of the Seven, but the soft chiming of her anklets announce Avinashi's arrival as she steps into the incense-scented air with a cloth bag draped over one shoulder. She looks around at the altars, with their large and intricate statues, and though she walks past most, she pauses a moment to let her fingertips brush over the cool stone of the Stranger's cloak. Then she finds someone of whom she might ask the Septon's whereabouts and steps towards the small alcove where Josse reads. "Septon," she begins, her voice carefully lowered in respect for his concentration, "would it be an intrusion, to have a word with you?"
It's hard to tell whether Josse's concentration is more on the scrawled text or on the quill he's twirling back and forth over his knuckles. He looks up at the sound of chiming footwear and familiar voice, politely standing up from his chair. "Not in the least. Please, have a seat," he motions to the other chair at the small table. "And please accept my apologies; these chairs are nothing as comfortable as we find at Four Eagles."
Avinashi nods, walking over to settle into the seat and rest her bag on her lap. "I do imagine I shall manage, even under such trying circumstances," she teases with a faint smile. "You mentioned, before, an interest in learning more of herbs and I have a small concern for which I would request your assistance. I thought, perhaps, the two might come together."
Josse half-smiles, reclamining his seat once she's settled in hers. He sets the quill down in the open spine of his book. "Efficient, I like that. Please, do go on."
"As one who studies the nature of plants and what can be made of them, I keep a collection of such things as much be handy or of value to me," Avinashi explains, "But, some of these items could cause sickness if handled improperly, and in sharing a room with so many others, I am anxious my collection not be disturbed. Women are curious, Septon, and a locked trunk is not so much of a barrier as one might wish, when it comes to staving off such curiosity. And so, it was my hope that you might allow me to keep my herbs here, where they are less likely to be sifted through by those who know no better."
Josse chuckles under his breath. "Sometimes I find a lock draws flies rather than keeping them away. You're most welcome to keep it here, Miss Ruhi, and I'll assure you it won't be tampered with. I know just the place it can stay."
"My thanks, good Septon," Avinashi replies, offering a small dip of her head. "if there may be also a space, here, in which I may work, I would be most pleased to teach you what things I know that you may wish to learn."
"Very generous of you, Miss," Josse replies, with a very slight lift of one brow. "I'll do my best not to drive you mad with questions…I've been told I have a problem with that." He smirks a little. "Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors when you work?"
"That depends on what I work with and if the fumes could cause discomfort or irritation," Avinashi replies. "Indoors, for the most part, I would say." She smiles faintly before she continues, "You may ask your questions, Septon. I know full well that my choices invite them."
"Then you shall have a space inside, and also a spot outside for the times when you compete too harshly with the incense," Josse smirks a little. "Unless, of course, said fumes have the parishioners leaving happier than they came in, in which case I might just offer you a job."
For that, Avinashi laughs softly. "It is possible I could devise such a scent," she muses with a smile, "though in such a case, I do not believe happiness and wisdom would be hand in hand. Those plants that cause joy also seem to soften judgement at the same time."
Josse hehs. "I've found some people that claim to come seeking wisdom want anything but. Many decide it's better to be mad with the rest of the world than wise alone. I can't fault them too much. Softened judgment has its appeal."
"Well, in that case, good Septon, I will see what I can devise, if you wish," Avinashi says with another small chuckle. "It would prove an interesting project."
Josse sniffs slightly, the faintest smirk pulling at the right side of his mouth. "It just might, at that." He lets that hang a moment to close the topic — for now — before starting again. "Did you have a chance to try that recipe for Lord Jacsen, then?"
"In point of fact, I devised one of my own," Avinashi says, "though I do agree that the cayenne could be effective, it did not seem to be strong enough for certain times. I attempted something I hope may allow him better nights of rest, although cayenne may be a better choice for other times."
"Then I'm glad something worked, at least," Josse says, agreeably. "There's no point in staying with a tactic that doesn't work…much as that way of thinking seems to offend some." He smiles. "Well, Miss Ruhi. That spot that I mentioned I had in mind for you needs a little straightening, so I should likely see to it. It should be ready by morning if you'd like to bring your trunk down, and I'll show you how to get in and out without having to come through the main each time if you like."
"Thank you, Septon," Avinashi says, offering the man another small, warm smile before she begins to rise. "As such is the case, I will then see you tomorrow morning. This is a lovely space. I am delighted to claim a corner of it as my own for a time."
"As long as you like," Josse smiles, also standing up as she does. Polite reflex, or perhaps he actually does mean to go get something done besides reading. Miracles happen. "Be careful getting back. I'll see you in the morning."
