An Ideal Place
Sylas: So this is the Mistholt I've heard such tales about. I can scarce believe so many rare plants grow here. It's a veritable treasure trove of herbs and the like; I'm truly jealous that Luca gets to live here.
Luca: Crap! Crap crap craaaaap! Gotta hide, gotta... Muh? Sylas? Is that you? *poke* Hey, it IS you!
Sylas: I will thank you not to poke me, Luca. And I see you are the same as ever.
Luca: Hey, so long story short here, I'm gonna hide up in that tree while you try to trick my sister. Okay? Okay! Hnnngh!
Sylas: I'm certain I have no idea what you are talking about.
Sarisse: Where are you, you blockhead?! ...Whoa! Sylas!
Sylas: Hello, Sarisse. Do you need something?
Sarisse: Just to find and murder my brick-stupid brother for eating all my apples again. I went to teach him a lesson but good, and the jerk took off on me!
Sylas: *sigh* I see.
Sarisse: Do you know where he scuttled off to?
Sylas: I'm afraid I haven't seen him.
Sarisse: Rrrr! So annoying!
Sylas: By the way, Sarisse, are you familiar with the method used for catching an Alberian beetle?
Sarisse: Err...no? Can't say I do.
Sylas: If one wants to capture an Alberian beetle, one needs merely to kick the tree it resides in as hard as possible to have it come tumbling to the ground. Observe! *kick*
Luca: WAAAAAUUUGH!
Sylas: Now THIS is a rarity! Instead of a beetle, we had a Luca fall out.
Luca: Gah, Sylas! BETRAYAL!
Sylas: I tricked her once, which seemed enough. Now then, don't you think you owe your dear sister an apology?
Sarisse: I guess it makes sense you'd be hiding in the same place as a stupid bug.
Luca: Oh, uh, Sarisse! Heeeeey, girl! Fancy running into you here!
Sarisse: You are the biggest butthead of a brother a girl could ask for. Hiiiii-YA!
Luca: I'm...s-sorry... *thud*
Sarisse: So now that I've dealt with that little issue, what are you doing here, Sylas?
Sylas: I've been curious for some time as to what manner of plants grow in this area. It also seemed like a chance to visit some familiar faces. Speaking of which, I brought this aromatic as a souvenir.
Sarisse: Ooh, is this a new one you made? Exciting! I'm gonna light it up the minute I get home.
Sylas: Isn't that nice, Luca? Sarisse seems to be in a much better mood.
Luca: I would've been happier if you just tricked her. Uuurgh... Buuuut since you're here, you're more than welcome to come kick it at the castle. We'll have Cleo make you some tea as thanks for the aromatic.
Sylas: Well, assuming Cleo is all right with the arrangement, that sounds lovely.
Luca: I'll lead the way. Follow me!
Sylas: ...So this is the Halidom, eh? The rumors do not do it justice.
Luca: Yeah, we're pretty great.
Sarisse: Don't strut around like you had anything to do with it, dope!
Luca: Regardless, I know a little something you're just gonna LOVE. Come with me!
Sylas: Is this...a vegetable garden?! In the castle courtyard?!
Luca: Sure is! Veggies, fruits, weird plants— you name it, we grow it.
Cleo: Hello, Luca. And you as well, Sarisse. If I'm not mistaken, the person currently accompanying you is...
Luca: That's my buddy, Sylas. What're you two up to?
Aeleen: Picking rosemary for herbal tea.
Sylas: You cultivate edible herbs? Delightful! If it's acceptable, I'd like to take a look.
Aeleen: Fine by me. I'm also cultivating other rare medicinal herbs, if that's something that holds your interest.
Sylas: It does indeed!
Luca: Sooo...rain check on the tea, then?
Sylas: Yes, yes. We'll do that later.
Sarisse: He's gone gaga for gardening.
Luca: Ha! He's just as tunnel-visioned about that stuff as he was back in the day.
Cleo: I had him pegged as a level-headed type, but he might have more Luca in him than I first suspected.
Luca: Huh, you think so? Oh, say, can you bring tea for three to my room later?
Cleo: Very well. I'll brew something excellent with the herbs we're picking.
Sylas: ...This herbal tea was made with the rosemary from your garden, yes? I can taste and smell the quality of the herb, as well as the care and skill that went into tending the garden.
Luca: Hahaha! Yeah, we're pretty amazing.
Sarisse: Again, why are YOU bragging about this? Nevertheless...*sniff* Oh man, your aromatic smells sooo good, Sylas!
Luca: Yeah, your smelly dealies have always made me feel oddly relaxed.
Sylas: Aromatics aren't just about enjoying the scent. The natural powers of plants often have a rejuvenating effect on tired bodies. However, I'd someday like to produce an aromatic that heals not only fatigue, but also the ravages of illne... Good heavens! Was that an explosion?!
Sarisse: Oh, don't worry about that. Happens all the time around here.
Luca: Probably Kleimann's lab going out of control again, or maybe one of Sinoa's experiments getting all 'splody.
Sylas: You have researchers here?
Luca: Sure do. You're always walkin' into rooms filled with one egghead or another.
Sylas: Research and a garden within the walls, and a jungle of rare plants without...
Luca: How's that, buddy? You kinda did a weird mumble, trail-off thing there.
Sylas: Luca, where is the lord of this castle now? The one called Euden.
Luca: He's out exterminating fiends. Oughta be back soon, though.
Sylas: Well, when he returns, I would very much like to make a request of him.
Euden: I'm back, everyone! ...Oh, hello, Luca. Er, did you need something?
Luca: Sorry to jump on you the second you walk across the moat, but my buddy here needs to pick your brain for a few.
Euden: Hey, this is your childhood friend Sylas! I'm glad you came to see us.
Sylas: My thanks again for your recent help, Prince, but I fear I have a rather impudent request to foist upon you. May I stay here?
Euden: You want to stay in the Halidom?
Sylas: I have a scientific objective, you see. I aim to create a healing aromatic that cures illness as well as fatigue. To that end, I require a great number of components, including aromatic herbs, medicinal herbs, and various vegetable oils for compounding. I've been conducting my research in my village thus far, but have been unable to obtain all the components I require. However, your castle is surrounded by the Mistholt—which contains a trove of wild herbs—and your garden also boasts a rather exceptional bounty.
Euden: In other words, the Halidom is the perfect environment for your research.
Sylas: I don't mean to lodge here free of charge, of course. Poor though it may be, I shall offer the full extent of my aid in battle. So I implore you, please allow me to conduct my research here.
Luca: I, uh, implore you as well! I mean, this guy may not be as tough as me, but he's as skilled as they come.
Sylas: That's enough help from you, Luca.
Euden: Heh. Well, you've all convinced me—not that I needed a great deal of convincing. You're more than welcome here, Sylas.
Sylas: I owe you my gratitude, Prince.
Luca: And hey, if you need a science lackey to help out with the beakers or whatever, I'm your man!
Sylas: Thank you, Luca. This may open new paths forward, and even save countless lives.
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