Sherry
<<  

**Now in the forest,**

**Henryk's eyes returned to the Dryad's own. She was larger then him to say the least. She couldn't quiet fit in this cart, but, they made do. He wondered if she was heavier then him, or if her larger frame was actually deceptively light. He didn't comment on her appearance, not once since they met he made any sort of remark towards her physique. He didn't care. They were both individuals— he himself was often marvelled at. He understood what it was like to be looked at underneath a lens. To be vivisected by the eyes of strangers.**

**He gave way for Midelia to comment on what he said thus far. They were conversing. It was a time killer. He'd give her a surface level view of his life, but, he would keep his skeletons locked deep within.**
Darren
```She would think about what he said, not even having the funding to deal with the lower classes? Ah the first inadequacy of "Civilized" Medicine she thought to herself, the methods seemed quite expensive if not even your average lad could afford it. Midelia would think of a response to this and eventually her mind would produce one. Her mouth opening as she stares Henryk in the eyes, her awkward way of moving and looking would match his.```

**S-so you struggle to help everybody? I-i did not ex-expect that really.**

```A comment was all the dryad could really muster as she had nothing really to say on it for now, in her mind she would be a tad bit disappointed, as with her forms of medicine and her own natural abilities there would be no such problems. While herbal medicine on it's own is often weak with the usage of her magical talents and a few other more methods taken from the fae realm itself, the fae-spirit would not have to worry much about lacking the needed resources. Perhaps she would share this with him? For now tho she'd rather keep the more detailed and complicated parts of it all to herself.```

**Yo-you how long have you been doing this?**

```A question from herself, while she would be content with just sitting here and waiting their arrival it would be quite an awkward ride then. So she amused Henryk's attempts at socializing or well pseudo-attempts if she could read his true intentions, her voice would stutter noticeably less. While it's still obvious she isn't exactly super comfortable, she would be a lot more laid back then before.```
Sherry
"I only struggle because there are _so many_ people." **Henryk responded rather simply, taking yet another draw of smoke from his pipe. The smoke rolling from his mouth after a couple of seconds of festering between his lips.** "The population of Findara is within the _thousands_ if not more. Meanwhile, there are only so few Biomancers— let alone _Alchemists_ in the world." **The Doctor let out a sigh. This topic made him feel awfully pessimistic. To think of how many people need helping— he wished he could treat them all. But alas, it is a futile dream. One that was within the realm of impossibility.**

"I've been learning the 'Healing Arts' since I was around. . . 13 or 14 years old. I'm _23_ now, so, approximately 10 years or so." **Henryk would reveal.** "I practiced under supervision of my mentor, but, by the time I was 17 I was autonomous at that point." **The gentleman would lean deeper into his seat, getting comfortable.** "What about you? You're a Biomancer, no? How long have you practiced, Ms. Midelia?" **Henryk shifted the conversation towards her now. He didn't want to be the centre of attention— it was also a deliberate ploy as to not get into too much depth about his _mentor._ There was a slight taste of disgust in his mouth when thinking about the old man. He had many fond memories of him, yes, but in recent years things have gone sour.**

**Besides, he was curious of the Dryad. He wanted to learn a bit more of the 'Natural Medicines'. He hoped, perhaps, he would be able to take something useful for her— perhaps his grievances could be rectified with her insight.**

**He took yet another draw of smoke. He hasn't realized that the Dryad found it disgusting yet. This was one of _his_ vices. Smoking helped calm him— truth is, he is a highly stressed individual.**

**He listened to what she had to share.**
Darren
```A slight chuckle would exit Midelia as she didn't expect Henryk to be this young, albeit a look of impression would appear on her. He did seemed to have quite the talent and willingness to help those who require it a precious trait, one which must be nurtured in Midelia's eyes. Her soft voice would speak again to comment upon his statements, her jade eyes would remain locked on his as it seems she adore eye contact in such situations.```

**Ah you se-see i am quite old in reality, 257 Lucidien years. Not tha-that old for one of my kind tho.**

```She would breath in a couple of times as she straightens herself attempting to make her current sitting position more comfortable, her hands would be by her side providing her with some support. The long autumn-leaves that would masquerade as her hair would be resting upon her arm and thighs as she gets ready to respond to the young biomancer again.```

**I have been pra-practicing it most my life. It's th-the only school i've given attention to re-really.** 

```Noticing that the conversation was shifting more towards her she would try to find a middle ground to discuss upon, for a moment she would be silent thinking before something snapper to her head and her quiet voice would speak again.```

**Yo-you see i adore helping those who need it, tha-that should really be the only usa-usage of biomancy and we-well medical knowledge. Do-do you not agree?**

```A slight look of disgust on her face would be noted due to the smoke hitting her, she did not like this at all but would do her best to keep herself calm. It was only smoke no fire or anything dangerous like that, rather quickly she would compose herself and faint a slight smile as she awaits a response from the young yet eager biomancer. In all matter of fact there wasn't much Midelia could learn from him outside seeing how the city-dwellers deal with medicine, yet that is all she really wanted and perhaps she could even impart some knowledge with Henryk.```
Sherry
"I agree." **Henryk nodded his head.** "Medicine _should_ be used for the longevity of one's life. A sick child may one day become a country's greatest general. Preservation of life is the School of the Healer's motto, anyways." **The young doctor noted her slight flare of disgust— the smoke hitting her face accidentally. The gentleman would promptly smother the smoke and dump the ashes over the carriage.** "Apologies." **Henryk would say, feeling slightly embarrassed that smoke had been breezing up against the Dryad's face.** 

"257 years old." **He would repeat.** "You've eclipsed my lifetime multiple times as is. With the way you carry yourself, I would've sworn you were my age— or younger." **Henryk would comment.** "Would you consider yourself a _young soul,_ Midelia?" **Henryk would ask. It was a seemingly random question, but, a question nonetheless.** 

**The gentleman stowed his pipe and tobacco away. He would refrain from smoking the rest of the ride, coming to grasp that maybe a Dryad wouldn't appreciate to be caught around someone who smoked. He didn't come off as shocked, only a little surprised that her age was as advanced as she claimed it to be. Perhaps she was just an incredibly nervous person, or sheltered. He wondered if she had any children— maybe even a husband? But, for some reason, he doubted that. The way she carried herself didn't leave that impression.**

**Eyes met with hers again. Maintaining eye contact this time. Studying. Those were indeed an interest set of eyes she had. They gave him the impression she was a 'youthful' individual. Despite her advanced age in contrast to his, she did claim she was young for her species. It gave Henryk a clue that in this world, his life was a simple _breath_ in the larger scheme of things. A motivator for him to leave his mark.**

**He pondered how far he could take Biomancy. Maybe there'll be a day he could concoct an immortality elixir? Would he even _want_ that sort of longevity?**

**His mind went astray. He focused back onto the conversation at hand.**
Darren
```She would nod at his apologies, adjust herself a bit more to the left as to avoid the smoke hopefully, she would look upwards to the sun for a moment revealing more of her bark and what seems to be rather sturdy neck. The fae would stretch a bit, the sound of wood creaking heard quite clearly almost like a tree falling over. She would answer his coming question while continuing to look at the sun.```

**Ah qu-quite so my ki-kind usually lives till they are 600 if not 700 years, of co-course with the rig-right magics that cam be extended even more.**

```She would look down and stare him in the eye again as she ponders for an answer, she wasn't really certain if she was a young soul anymore. Midelia was very much aware of her own flaws and issues and how she might act much more younger then her age shows.```

**Ah- sort of? I-i am young but ah perhaps for you i am ancient.**

```Would be all she could really say in response to the rather strange question, she would sit there awkwardly for a bit obersving Henryk in his more casual attire a bit more. She would speak again as to attempt to continue the conversation, as to not fall into awkwardness.```

**Di-did you think i was much younger?**
Sherry
"Lets just say you have a _young soul_ in my opinion." **Was what Henryk responded.** "Those who I consider as _elders_ usually have a sense of maturity and assuredness to themselves. You, on the other hand, appear to be a nervous being." **The young doctor pointed out.** "Perhaps I shouldn't judge one based off their age, but, undeniably you've likely experienced far more than I ever have." **He maintained that eye contact with her. There seemed to be an emphasis at looking at one's eyes. It's said it's the gateway to one's soul— that the eyes reveal all intentions. She had frantic eyes. Nervous ones at that. Was she scared, uncomfortable, or perhaps felt inadequate in a way? No, she was probably just uncomfortable with the current circumstances. She was a fish out of water. Someone who was outside their usual element.**

"I've only received a taste of this world, compared to you." **He broke eye contact to look at the trees pass by as the carriage hauled the two along the road.** "My life is but a eye blink to others. It's... Frightening to say the least. One morning to you, I am but 23 years old. The next, I lie in my death bed while you still have many years ahead of you." **He'd shut his eyes, sighing softly.** "I've accepted that though— or at least try not to think about it too deeply. I still have time to make a difference in the lives of others. That's what matters to me, anyways. Making that difference." **Henryk would have this melancholic gaze to him as he viewed the scenery around them. He hadn't realized it, but, he opened himself up a bit there. Life and death— two prominent aspects of his life that always taunt him. What lives he saved, and the lives he couldn't. The constant expectation to be able to cure the needy and the meek— to engineer miracles in his laboratory. His life was stressful. He was always thinking of how to brew the next best healing solution— always calculating the correct ratios of ingredients in his blends.**

**As he stared out, he remembered the smoke. The smell of crimson rolling into his nose. Those battlefields he fought on— the soldiers he failed to save still cling onto him desperately as he couldn't do anything to save them. Henryk was marked with the black taint of death.**

**Compared to Midelia, he had an _Aged Soul._ Old, despite such a smaller lifetime.**

**His thoughts lingered on this for a moment, before finally snapping out of his daze. He opened himself too much. He would attempt to reserve himself some more— this was a guest, not his therapist. She needn't not know the deeper details of his life. To know his inner-machinations. His fears.**

**He looked at her again. It was evident that his gears were turning at the moment. Thoughts continued to linger.**