[ P ] Ginseng for Memory

meph

@Ahkoris

"I think it will suit your partner well," she said with a small dip of her head, her smile sweet and delicate. It did not serve to show too much emotion in front of customers lest they think you desperate. Rather, she had to appear uninterested but competent if she was to draw in the nobles. It was a luxury, almost, to be the type of salesman no longer screaming from the edge of her fabric in hopes of catching a customer unawares. Then their social graces would force them to stall and, perhaps, buy something.

Months of hardwork had earned her something of a customer base. It wasn't strong, but her herbs were high quality... and she'd begun to learn some of the local tastes as well. The wolves here enjoyed decorative flowers amidst the set-up of goods. It brought a sweet scent and drew the eye—and some nobles had even started buying her dried flowers as gifts to their loved ones. A flower that is forever, had been the by chance slogan she'd used once.

Now it was a staple in her sales.

As she looked to the side, demure in front of the gentleman as he mulled over the purchase of a dried red rose. When he agreed, she resisted the urge to wag her tail.

"Come again."
Her accent was getting better. She bowed only her head, not the whole of her body. This society prized itself on little things—not the strong displays of servitude and loyalty that had been ingrained in her to start. Here, such low bows were embarrassing and far "too much". That was okay. She was adapting.

Glancing up, she smiled at the thought of how much she had saved. Could they purchase a shop soon..? The thought made her giddy, so much so that she smiled brightly as she walked to the far corner of the fabric she'd laid out. When a man approached amidst the throng of wolves, she greeted him with her classic customer service smile. "Do let me know if I can help you sir, I have an herb for everything! Sleep, concentration, memory—there's a tincture sure to cure."

this table scrolls!

ahkoris
the slow-burning ember

Ahkoris was overwhelmed. The voices, the laughter, the presence of so many others crowding around him -- this had been a horrible idea. But it was the general consensus of his family that he needed to get out of the house for his health. Maybe if he walked amongst familiar places, saw familiar things, it would help. But he did not really believe that to be true. Instead, it just made him aware of how little he felt he belonged here. The streets of the Highlands were the ones he knew. Those Highlander faces were the ones that was familiar. Though he now smelled like a Mainlander, he could not shake the feeling that he still did not belong.

He drifted somewhat haphazardly through the street, trying not to step in anyone's path, attempting to remain on the periphery of everyone's attention. In doing so, he brought himself close to the vendors selling wares alongside the buildings. There were all manner of things here. It was truly spectacular, the amount of things to be sold. There was something for everything, and everyone was trying to sell it. Ahkoris had not stopped anywhere yet, though his mother had given him some coin to use (he had tried to refuse, feeling like a pup) in case he saw something nice.

As his eyes scanned the street, he realized he had come upon a girl selling what looked like spices or herbs or some concoction of both. Before he knew it, her eyes were fixed upon him and she was flashing him a dazzling but demure smile. He was about to grimace apologetically and keep moving, but then she spoke. "do let me know if i can help you sir, i have an herb for everything! sleep, concentration, memory—there's a tincture sure to cure." This caused him to pause, keeping eye contact. Memory? A tincture sure to cure? He felt something flutter in his chest, some desperate, little wisp of hope. "Did you say you had something for memory?" he asked. He did not move any closer, but regarded her warily from his current position. Maybe it was too good to be true. He doubted anything as simple as an herb could bring back his entire life.


"speak"

meph

@Ahkoris

Most wolves moved on, that much was to be expected. Some offered polite but apologetic smiles, others barrelled past without a single glance. Sakura, to her credit, didn't mind either approach. A wolf that took so very little of her energy was not one to dwell on. The wolves that inquired, took up her time, then bought nothing were counted among her greatest annoyances, however. It was far better to just leave in her opinion.

This man seemed prepped to carry on but something in her spiel had caught him. It caused her to focus on him more fully and, inside, she felt that same spark of excitement that burst whenever a potential customer neared. Part of this joy was from avarice, that was true, but she liked the detective work of it. Hunting for something the other might thoroughly enjoy or help them was a reward in and of itself. Plus, she could then showcase her knowledge about one of her greatest passions.

"Yes, of course! The brain is an organ like any other, it makes sense that there is medicine for it, no?" Her eyes twinkled with joy and, internally, she hoped that he might enter what she had considered the buying zone of her stall. Once customers had their toes up against the cloth, they were practically sold.

"Ginseng root is the most powerful. I have a collection of dried ginsengs from my hometown that can make for a most effective tea. Consistent use can boost energy and help reduce the effects of memory loss!" Sakura paused for but a moment. "Have you ever felt like you recognized something but couldn't quite place it? Or that sensation of... deja vu? Consistent ginseng can bring great clarity in those moments!"

Perhaps he was studying for an oral exam. He had a kind face, one she could imagine on a doctor or a medical student.

"Green tea leaves and rosemary work as well—they are less effective, but far more affordable." She added in case her hunch was correct and he was a student—and therefore poor.

this table scrolls!