[Flashback] Pungent Work (Solo)

[Oluse]

511 Fall, 14

Oluse had long sense earned the privileged to work alone, unsupervised. He reveled to that day in the freedom and confidence it offered his not unsubstantial ego. He knew it was perhaps silly to define himself by his success at the clinic. But, as summer slipped from his fingers and winter fast approached, he began to realize that it was really all he had. He could honestly say he was happy there, and he decided to leave his introspection of the matter at that. Though, at times his mind would wander on it's own accord and he would begin to philosophize on his life, as he was so prone to doing.

He was in particular risk of this fate on days such as that, when he was assigned to mind and ready the week's supply of herbs, from the unrefined supplies. Oluse showed his aptitude for the particular task soon after arriving at the clinic, to those that coached him, and still found himself praised from time to time for his work. It was not expert in quality, but Oluse found skill enough to work with proficiency. And with this skill, he always took the time to mix in some special attention as well.

Time, however, was often the only issue others took with his work. While many workers would run multiple calcinator at a time, and grind away at the mortar and pestle as they waited impatiently, finishing the job easily within a fraction of a day. Oluse found a much higher degree of attention for the job. He would dedicate an entire day to the task, and make sure that each mixture was prepared as precisely as he could possibly manage. What better way to learn?

[Oluse]

Shedding the layers of heavy leather adorning his developing body, Oluse descended the stairs into the warm underbelly of the Whitevine Clinic. The basement held a rather large furnace of it's own, constantly pumping heat out to the extremities of the hold like building. Careful to touch those portions that the main hall's majestic fireplace could not. Oluse fancied it to be much like the heart of the architecture. Though the stomach was the entrance way's strong crackling consumer of wood, it was the more finely crafted, but less ornate furnace, tucked secretly away below that pumped it's waves of heat outward, creating the perfectly tuned air circulation of the building. Oluse held that very amenity of the clinic close to his own heart, as one of his favorite elements of his workspace. Of the city, really. An element he wished the other Vantha made buildings would be more prone to possessing. At least the sick were warm.

The heat was a large reason for the herbal supplies to be held in the under croft of the clinic, but so was the moisture. Or, more precisely, the lack of moisture. The sanctuary was several feet underground, and lay protected from the moisture and cold from the weather above. The supplies knew no seasons, and knew no storms. They were cottled and protected below like some coveted herbal fetus encompassed in a protective stone womb. Oluse would do his best to respect them as such, as well. Oluse saw them as the source of healing, and curing. Many that walked through the doors of that clinic required nothing more than a strong infusion of herbs. Some common, and some imported from far off. Either way, they lay there in abundance, hibernating, and if treated well could be revived to their former glory. As potent as the day there were cultivated. This was Oluse's job, and passion.

[Oluse]

Granting a friendly smile and nod to the Icewatch that patrolled the lower level, Oluse worked his way to the workshop. Struggling with his heavy coat in one arm pushed the heavy door open with the other. As he did so holding his breath for just a moment. Once he felt the rush of air from the room, Oluse took in a swift and deep inhale through his nostrils. Many workers were staggered by the sensation, and as such unable to work in the herbal workshop. The pungent smell alone was enough to make most people lightheaded.

Oluse, however, amongst other oddities about him, rather enjoyed the sensation. The eclectic smell of hundreds of types of herbs lingered like a thick everlasting syrup in the air of the workspace. Though most of the dried herbs were preserved and sealed securely away, the room still filled with their essence. Oluse welcomed this with literal open arms as he stepped in, pushing the heavy door closed again behind him. Alone, he smiled and closed his eyes, drinking in the pure energy of the room, as he leaned against the sturdy closed door. Without opening his tender eyes, which were not immune to the irritation others felt in the room, he hung his excess layers up onto the strong hooks mounted along the door, and steadily righted himself away from the door.

Eyes still softly shut he felt the room with every fiber of his body, as he stood in the darkness, untouched by anything, separate from all but the faintest of noise. The smell seeping gently into his skin, covering him with warmth and richness. His skin itched slightly at the sensation, but only slightly, and in a pleasurable way. Oluse parted his lips, and let the complex taste of the room run along his sensitive tongue, as he finally exhaled his deep breath, feeling the intensity in reverse.

[Oluse]

He slowly opened his eyes, only partly, and reached for the lantern hung upon the wall near him. With a light kiss of a flame he brought with him the lantern jumped to life, flickering at first then growing steady. Oluse turned and looked out into the partially lit workspace. It was full of barrels, and bags along the walls and floor. The ceiling held, like constellations of earth's gifts, dried herbs that had been pulled out for his use, or just stored unsealed. In the center of the lab stood what looked much like a large butchers block, upon it the finest quality of herbalist's tools.

A serene smile graced his face as his closed his lips, and looked upon the scene as if it were some beautiful work of art. Oluse invited the scene into him, invited the herbs he would be working with into him. He asked for them to grant him clarity of mind to measure them, steady hands to fashion them, and more than anything else an open heart to understand them. Though his father would likely frown upon the practice, Oluse had begun to believe quite strongly that the intent a remedy is made with has much to do with it's effectiveness. If the healer's heart is in the wrong place, then they can not fashion a cure that is selfless, that is dedicated fully to healing another. A statement a respected healer of the clinic has made back when he first joined the clinic, and Oluse truly took it to heart.

Once he felt centered, in the right state of mind, he reached into the pocket of his hung coat, and extracted a set of folded pieces of paper, each holding scrolled across them in small print a prepared list of medications, and general herbal necessities to fashion. And, along with another flare of the lantern's flame on a short waxed stick, Oluse made his way to the work table, lighting the lantern upon it, then blowing the stick out so he could use it again later, without having to fetch another.

[Oluse]

Flattening the papers down before him, he opened an ink well, and retrieved a pen from a shallow rectangular box on the table. Then, from a large ream of paper held to the side of the table by a thin and ornate frame, Oluse pulled out a leaf and set it upon the table. Carefully he read out the first order, speaking it to the room clearly as if a declaration. Then, mumbling to himself he began checking over the math, the measurements. This part did not come with ease to Oluse, knowing only the basics of mathematics. As such, it was only a rare occasion that he spotted mistakes, and even then, they were often just fine to begin with, and it was only his error that defiled their integrity.

Still, for ever article on the list he began with checking the math. Then, he would set up the calcinator, pull out the mortar and pestle that fit his palm best, and retrieve a large carafe of water, which he would be using several of that day. Once the area was set up he began.

He found himself in a bit of a trance as he grinded and boiled his remedies, attentive and critical throughout. But, unaware of the outside world, and of troubles that others might face in those moments. Instead, he remained focused, and immersed with undivided attention upon his work. All that occupied his mind was numbers, letters, and the most sensual of all languages to Oluse. The language of nature's gifts, plants, herbs, spices, and oils. He had found himself in a bliss that was unmatched by nearly any other in his life.

[Oluse]

The entire day was filled with this labor, with breaks only to eat and visit the little herbalist's room when his bladder had had enough. As his work came to a close, some time after he was meant to leave, Oluse stepped back, and assessed his work. His fingers were stained a dark natural greenish brown, his eyes were red with irritations, and his mind was in a fuzz of strained awareness. His body screamed at him for attention, and he felt drowsy. Drowsy, and accomplished.

He had managed to fill three large wooden crates with labeled mixtures, refined ingredients, medical prescriptions, and basic infusions, as well as several carafes of multipurpose infection fighting water. He would need the next day to rest from his over exertion, and as such would need to find somebody to cover his shift. But, this did not discourage him from a nearly gleeful demeanor. He knew, with satisfaction, that the hard work was not in vein. He had done well for himself, despite what others might think. The work might have come naturally to him, but what he had produced was far above what most would consider his skill level. Consistently creating effective remedies one after another for hours on end. He would sleep well that night, and not fret over the work. He had double checked everything, and knew without a doubt that he had done the best he possibly could. He only hoped it was enough. Speed would have to wait.

[Liar]

EXPERIENCE AWARD I'm helping out Cheshire while she's away. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me. :) Oluse Skill Points Herbalism 2 Meditation 1 Mathematics 1 Lore Good Practice Takes Time The Spirit of the Herbs Boiling for the Essence Notes This thread was more internal than a practical medicine thread, so I couldn’t find you any Medicine points. That aside, your description of Oluse’s beliefs and passions are beautiful.