薬草剤

Steady gaze remained upon the man. No, not the one upon his knees, groveling and begging for forgiveness. Already did the medicine vendor know that it was likely that he would receive no such mercy, not from the taller man enshrouded in pink. This palace had been uncharacteristically empty to the naked eye but the seller had seen plenty; minor ayakashi and others that he would refuse to waste his time upon. After all, the apparitions were as numerous as the deities of the sky and earth and every little thing – it would be foolish of him to pursue every single one. But even as he stood as a witness he could glimpse something else, focus shifting to behind the tall and conniving ruler, a shadow composed of white that hovered almost protectively, string-like appendages reaching and sapping off of the blood that had been spilled. Feeding.

What a case this would be to solve. In no uncertain terms could the seller hide and conceal his presence, having been spotted after the unfolding of – likely inevitable – events. But no fear was reflected in his eyes or beneath kabuki-styled paint upon pale and delicate features. At last he spoke, tone even and calm. Yet what he provided were not words of explanation as to his entry to the palace or apology for lingering.

What a nasty scene that laid before them, blood and remnants of someone scattered about the alleyway. It was good that night had fallen to conceal the most gruesome details, most folks leaving the bars too intoxicated to notice. Perhaps they didn’t care – the medicine seller didn’t hold high expectations of the empathy of pirates. However one individual donning a hat with an uncommonly cute motif stood only nearby the vendor, glimpsing the same outlandish gore as himself. No surface had remained unmarked by violence.

literally kicks down door-

here to hunt down mononoke and serve medicine and sass and i’m all out of thing to hunt!!

      “ Oh? ”

      The warning was curious, they wondered what power was held within this one. They were surely interesting, and perhaps interested in them as well. Curious eyes bid from intrigued perspectives. Yet they wished not for pity to hold them ever dearer to that step into grain filled plain.

      “ Death eats away anyone, though most wish for it to never take them. Yet the resistance or outward wish for it end with the same result. ”

      Their voice was a negative wick, a burning flame that had long way till it burned the candle down to it’s final puddle. It burned yet smelled with sweetness that drew any and all of weakened will. Their patience had to remain, oh but so pestilence was lust to their mind.

      “ When it comes, it comes…Ah, but who are you to know much? I am curious of your background in that way… ”

Words were rarely from a place of sympathy nor compassion, for having glimpsed the worst of humanity upon a regular basis tended to rob one of such sensations. Now pity and mercy were rare commodities for the medicine seller, spared only for exceptional situations when he understood the naivety of most he encountered. Would this individual be different from the others, he had yet to tell, for desiring for an end to it all was hardly a new concept to many.

“That is true. Death and the fear of the unknown keep many awake at night. But not all are lucky to receive a predictable outcome.” But it seemed that this was not foreign territory for the other – though the medicine seller would not pry at this noteworthy acquaintance. Even as they spoke, a tiredness lingered in their essence, one acquired from what must be years upon years of patience being worn away, like water eating away at stone until a cavernous river has been formed. 

     Uncertainty was not without its merit. In adventures, in leaping without thinking, there was reward to risk and an open mind. Restrictions were no different from a cage meant to keep possibilities from soaring. Lulubelle considers the current happenstance a fortune and, as luck would have it, receives guerdon from her choice. Already does tension begin to ease, enough to draw a smoother breath, content to sit down without the feeling of harsh contortion within the abdomen. She inhales fresh air and turns formalities back into casual mannerisms with the relief that slowly but surely finds her. Another curious look given to his request, the thought of payment, and already generosity begins to roll grateful expressions across the mind like coins across a table.

     ❝ Certainly. Without a doubt things are destined to continue as they are well into the future. ❞ Such was the life she had chosen for herself, what felt right amidst choice and fate. To be free of the burden and return to the comfort of the nest was a dream within a dream. ❝ I often do not have the luxury to rest for long, but the pace at which I have exerted myself has been much too strenuous. It would be unwise to continue without some sort of change. ❞ As if with purpose, hand uncurled, its index rolls and blossoms into scales, coming again to a talon’s tip, deadly as it is delicate. The vision lingers briefly, returning, only just shy of an illusion amidst their reality. ❝ But is that truly all you desire of me? Surely there must be something else I can offer in exchange for further attention while I remain here. It would not settle right within my spirit to leave things so simple. ❞

     Thus if she was capable amidst treatment, from company to light foraging, the offer was a willingly open one.

Exhaustion still seemed to permeate the woman’s being, formality at last gave way to more mellow body language that came with the sensation of relief. It seemed the herbal concoction he had prepared was already beginning to work, relieving his customer’s burden of pain albeit temporarily. He could not soothe a spirit with herbal remedies no matter how one may wish; no external force could do that for an individual. It seemed she accepted her chosen lot in life without struggle nor regret, admittance of her fate spoken with casual tone. If only all humans had the strength to do so, the will to make do and create the best they could with their lot in life, for he had seen the spiral of many who struggled against the cruel conditions of the world. Justice and fate were not the same coin, one a construct of imagined morality, and the other simply a fact of the universe.

Though the medicine seller had to only nod in agreement, understanding wordlessly but perfectly what Luluebelle had meant by the notion of change, he admired her strength. Not nearly as much as he admired the visual distortion before him, witnessing an occurrence of shapeshifting with his very own steady and unyielding gaze, curiosity piqued in the quiet vendor’s mind. Were they of similar origin he might have sensed the truth that was concealed, reality different for every individual’s perception – but this was different, and they were not the same. He would display no such surprise regardless, for he felt none at the sight. However the woman was correct after the subtle demonstration. Not all payments were meant to be monetary, it seemed. Head lowered slightly, calm smile passing the seller’s lips as it seemed almost something knowing or mischievous danced in his eyes. He would bite, accept the bait.

      Galapagos’s expression never shifted from the soft smile, her cheeks glowing briefly then growing dim as she bobbed on her toes and watched as the man took the herbs from her little hands. The name of the herb came of no surprise, with the quiet whispers of the plant prior to actually picking the herbs had told her such. Only assisted by the already wide knowledge of flora by the young anyagi. Despite her youthful age.

      “ o oh…! k know little… i it told me t though… ”

      Herbs were far less talkative, they were wiser that the fair share of flora, aside from trees or some fungi. A wonder of martyrs within the soil, while some sprouted in their assistant glories. All so interesting and fun to learn and talk to. Though the exacts to what the feverfew was used for aside from ‘ medicine ’ was beyond the knowledge of a child. She’d learn in time, however.

“ ... ... ... I see.” What a wonderful gift this strange child held to be able to converse with plants; he would ask no further details or inquiries into that ability. It would be too much to ask the small girl with horns of answers she may not be aware of yet, childhood a rare gift that must be cherished. Regardless, the medicine seller still wore his patient, mysterious smile. “I wonder, then, how the plant knew of its own properties?”

Slate gaze fell upon the feverfew and its delicate white flowers before the seller’s other hand plucked one of them from the bunch. Reaching over, he tucked the flower behind Galapagos’ ear to be held by her soft and fluffy hair. A delicate complement to the child’s strange appearance. 

☷ @somftchilds​ sent ➺

‘  w want  some?  ’ galapagos held out a few herbs, freshly grown ( hey i'm also giving u a goat, ily )

Subtle smile passed his lips before he crouched down to accept the unexpected gift from the small... child, much more able to converse now they were closer in height. Delicate fingertips took the freshly picked herbs from small hand before the seller took a moment to study the fragile white flowers.

This ties to Buddhism itself in the general sense that to achieve Nirvana, you must face first yourself. Meditation may be spent on understanding yourself thoroughly, as the ultimate goal is to ripen your spirit and enrich your character whilst on the path to enlightenment. (Keeping in mind that practically, many of us never achieve enlightenment.) That is why kindness, wisdom, and awareness are three of the main traits of Buddhism as to understand your own pain, you know suffering, and in knowing suffering with empathy, you are careful to not inflict it upon others.

To kill a mononoke attached to or part of a person (as seen in the Umibozu arc) is to kill one’s very own soul as it is said, very in line to Buddhist belief of destroying your own ego with the awareness that our self-image is inherently warped, such as the denial of one’s truth/true feelings. Bearing in mind the show represents this destruction quite literally given it is a visually-based format. So as a result, the medicine seller does not easily seem afflicted by others’ emotions – he himself may not be Buddhist nor follow the Eightfold Path. After centuries of witnessing the worst of humanity as an outsider, he doesn’t seek to better others’ lives or teach them any paths to enlightenment – he only digs at emotions as they are related to mononoke, nothing more. His empathy is doled out upon a limited basis, reserved for individuals who are more open-minded and perhaps showcase the better traits of humanity. 

     Vast palate combined with heightened senses make even the most intricate of scents and flavors pop against the sinuses. It was surely not a preference, much as perishing to unknown substances, but Lulubelle was open enough to taste and trust. Reassuring words, despite blasé presented in tone, return the curious smile to her face. Hardly the hesitant sort to begin with, a mix of conversation and dull pain in the limbs is more than enough to quiet any misgivings.

     ❝ Very well. ❞ Respectful nod given in exchange for the drink, gratitude in passing silence before taking both in sequence. Bitterness striking, bland then powerful, hushed with the flow of fresh water and a heavy breath filled with stuttering clears of the throat. Fingers tapped to sternum, getting over the surprise of the strengthened impact upon the senses before settling again. ❝ Ah ─ yes, it’s quite bitter indeed. But I do not mind it. ❞ Even despite the previous display, appealing to tastes other than the usual made for a nice change of pace. ❝ Something to soothe the aches so that I might fly elsewhere safely and rest in peace is more than enough. Thank you. ❞ A bow instead this time, flourished with personality yet yielding no less respect than the gestures before. ❝ I’m very grateful. ❞

The woman’s doubts at last assuaged, she accepted the water before taking the herbal concoction he had prepared for her. Patient yet indecipherable gaze watched as she swallowed first the herbs then the water, taking a deep breath no doubt to chase off the bitter aftertaste. Things that were good for you rarely were pleasant – but she knew that, didn’t she? If she were any stranger to discomfort perhaps she would have protested more, but had gracefully accepted the medicine’s taste with little more than the initial hesitation. 

Further words spoken by the other piqued curiosity, signified by only the subtlest lift of the seller’s gaze. There were always new sights and wonderments to behold in the vast scale of humanity – flight would be something different to witness. Lips curled up in calm smile, now looking something more than just placid, but he only initially returned Lulubelle’s bow, body language remaining very formal. Gratefulness aside...

Nova was surprised that he was trusting her with the merchandise. She held it on the tips of her fingers, as tenderly as spun sugar. With her other hand she softly brushed their dry surface. Their sent was strong too, but it was unfamiliar and made her a little dizzy.

“…Coltsfoot…”

She nodded along with his explanation, testing the name on her tongue, but it was clear she was entranced by this strange little herb. There was just a hint of a smile on her face behind the wonderment, but the moment didn’t last.

“….Is that so?”

Nova carefully handed it back to him, warm smile growing again.

“I do have a few others… but I am unsure of how they would react with such a flower.”

One dried flower bud would not constitute a loss of profit should the woman abscond with it – if anything, it would speak more to her character than his own. But she held it so gently, fingertips treating it as softly as the petals themselves had once been when alive. If he was not mistaken, it was almost a sort of reverence before she then smiled, passing it back.

It seemed his form of herbal remedy was new to this area, and not many cared to know the details. Even if he didn’t make a sale today, he would have made an acquaintance of sorts, and have had an interesting conversation. His knowledge was not his own to hoard, not when it came to apothecary arts.

Upon hearing Nova’s admittance that she had herbs at home, the vendor gave a nod, lithe and slender fingers raising to his face, wrapped around his chin as if feigning thought.