Entry tags:

alastor, felisa, karina

Chatting Herbs
Healer Master Alastor and Felisa meet up in the bathing rooms and talk of -- what else -- gardening.

Bathing Room Autumn. Rain. 36F / 2C.

The bathing room is warm and damp as one might expect. There are two large, sunken pools with room enough for twenty people if necessary; sand on the bottom keeps the rocks from being too slippery, and the pipes embedded near the bottom keep the water constantly circulating. Beyond the large baths, there are a few small chambers connected to this with raised tubs of porcelain or rock, also fed by pipes, for people who prefer more private baths.
A small, wood-screened alcove in the back leads to the steam room.

---

The middle of the day may not be the most obvious time to take a bath, though it does have the advantage of not being crowded but Master Alastor seems quite oblivious to any oddness in his schedule. In fact, he seems fairly oblivious to most things, leaning back against the side of the large pool, with his arms drifting outwards and his eyes closed, as he relaxes, up to his neck in hot steaming water - from which, in his vicinity at last, the characteristic fragrance of numbweed is rising along with a less common herbal aroma.

Felisa makes a bit of a face at the numbweed smell, but it doesn't deter her for long. She is muddy, as is usual this time of turn, and after doffing her clothes, slides into the pool, trying to to cause any ripples which might disturb the Healer.

Perhaps not that oblivious after all, Alastor opens his eyes. Seeing Felisa, he smiles. "Another seeker after cleanliness. It is a virtue in which my Craft has a vested interest. Welcome."

Felisa says, "Thank you, Master Alastor." She begins half-swimming and stays at it for a few minutes before dunking her head under. When she comes back up she says "Harvest season is almost over, once again."

Alastor has, by now, adjusted his posture, and is studiously not looking in Felisa's direction as she swims. "So it is," he agrees. "Has your garden produced good crops? We are still to some extent reliant on what we grow, I understand, with one of the major holds still not tithing. In any case, I have a personal theory that really fresh vegetables provide the best nutrition."

Felisa finally settles in and begins scrubbing herself with soapsand. "It's done very well." In a mischievous tone she confides "I have a theory that fresh vegetables just taste better." Becoming serious again, she asks Are the herbs we grow just a supplement now, or do you still need every bit that comes up?"

"I don't need to deprive the kitchens of the ones that are also culinary herbs, if that's your concern," Alastor replies. "I should have enough stock laid in for the winter. But they aren't really a common tithe item, and in any case, I would rather be sure that the plants were harvested and where necessary dried to best advantage. Did you have any particular herb in mind?"

Felisa shakes her head. "It's just that my sister likes to play with dyes, and I was wondering if she might have some of the less desireable herbs once harvest is over. If they're needed, though, she'll just have to deal. Good thing I'd not mentioned the idea to her yet."

Alastor's eyebrows rise and he seizes on the new potential topic of knowledge with enthusiasm. "Does she? How interesting! I shall have to talk to her about that. What would she want to use? I'm sure we can find something that can be spared. In any case, I believe a number of dyes can be derived from parts of plants that don't in fact have other uses."

Felisa says, "Feverfew was the one she harvested one time when I wasn't there." Felisa doesn't mention who taught her sister how to harvest the plants, in theory. She adds quickly "I've since asked her not to harvest from the gardens, though if you say it's all right, I imagine she'd be your new best friend."

Alastor nods, considering. "Well, that grows like a weed, but it would be as well if she asked first." He purses his lips thoughtfully, as if considering a grave problem. "Perhaps you could divert her to dyes that come from the bark and leaves of trees - or vegetables. I believe even such humble leavings as finger-root tops or onion skins can be pressed into service, though I have never made a study of the matter."

Felisa nods. "I think she's going for the new and exotic, though. I've also reminded her of all of the Weaver dyes available here. Should I send her to talk to you?" Now all squeaky clean, Felisa climbs out of the pool and towels herself off, then gets back into her slightly grungy clothing. As a nod to his earlier mention of cleanliness, she washes her hands once the clothes are on.

"By all means: I would be interested to know what she has tried." Alastor shows no sign of moving yet, and flexes his shoulders as if working out stiffness in the hot water.