Dawn
*Work as a merchant was never an easy job. Managing wares, talking to customers, haggling for prices and making sure that in the end - what you're doing is gathering a profit. For Bella - a lady with many a year of experience under her sword belt - she found it uplifting and entertaining. In her eyes, it was just an nice excuse to talk to somebody new, aside from being something that was otherwise a sustainable business for her.*

*However, following her recent decision to adventure out into the open world, things were a little different. No matter her experience in the bustling mercantile region of Kadho, she felt lost, all over the place. It was a day where she had gathered a small gain of wealth from her apothecarial goods, but it wasn't anything huge, just a little over what was needed for her to get her by back home.* 

*But as the sun was starting to set once more, Bella knew that her time to pack up and leave had started. Grabbing the rest of her equipment, she quickly packed up before she headed over to the tavern, visibly stepping through the door and into the comfortable environment bustling with chatter and the smell of ale with an optimistic spring in her step. Things would be better tomorrow... Right?*
Hank
*Bella sees a large man sitting at the bar, a scar over one eye, hair black and eyes grey. He gulps down an entire mug of ale and asks the barkeep for another. He looks as if he has been crying and yet he somehow still gives off an intimidating aura.* "And so I told him, you should of *Hic* Gone back home". *He seems to be talking to himself. He looks as if he is on the verge of tears again and the patrons of the tavern seem to keep away*
Dawn
*Immediately upon witnessing the large and imposing figure, a cautious look peppered Bella's otherwise plain and soft face. The tavern was never a place she truly was comfortable in, if only because of potential of seedy and shady faces who could otherwise hurt her. On one hand, Bella knew that it was good to be safe rather than sorry, but the man sitting down to himself frightening everybody else didn't seem to help with business. She let out a sigh.*

"Bella... I do hope you know what you're doing." *She quietly said to herself before the sound of her heels grew louder towards Marcus, as she glided over to the nearby seat - as tall as Bella was, she still didn't hold a candle in comparison to Marcus' size - before she took a seat.*

"Uhm, excuse me, is everything ok, sir...?"
Hank
*He turns to look at you* "Wsh yoush doing here?" *He is swaying a bit back and forth* "You knowish I have a couple of sisters that look just like you" *He takes another chug of beer* "I used to have a beautiful mother and father..." *He turns extremely red* "Then that bastard *Hic* Killed him! Goddamn nobles soon killed him! Couldsh not even do it *Hic* Like a man, killed him in his sleep because he 'couldn't take orders from a commoner'." *He starts crying* "Then my mother died when doing magic cause she could not keep her concentration with her grief!" *He takes another swig of beer*. "I will get that slimy bastard and cut him in half with this baby" *He takes a drunken swing of his halbard which causes patrons to back away even more* "I will get him *Hic* Back". *He turns back to you and smiles, immediately his mood shifts into one of happiness.* "So, what brings you here? I bet you have a great story to share" *Given Bella's apothecary knowledge, she can sense that Marcus is about to puke all over her if she does not do something to either help with his drunkenness or get out of the way*
Dawn
*Wow, talk about being open to someone. Bella was somebody who knew all too well about how powerful alcohol could be, which only became the reason why she was against consuming it. But seeing how it'd ravage another was definitely a little harrowing, so much so that the smell even caused Bella to shift in her seat a little, just so she could keep herself at a 'safer' distance from the man before her. But as soon as he swung his halberd - it was more than enough to show a visibly frightened expression on Bella, beads of sweat starting to form on her forehead... She had to soothe the savage 'beast' somehow.*

"Nothing too exciting, at least for today..." *She'd respond, her voice revealing honesty but a little bit of distress.* "My work has been enjoyable, to say the least. I've only been travelling for several weeks, but taking my business with me has been quite uplifting." *Trying to smile, she extended a hand towards Marcus, a little worried for what was likely to happen next.*

"I am Bella Gladstone, proprietor of the Gladstone Apothecary in Kadho and a travelling adventurer... And, uhm, who are you, Sir?"
Hank
*He almost pukes on you before noticing a bucket and puking into that, he composes himself a bit, no longer swaying as much as before before reaching out a hand* "Marcus Rommel, Mercenary Officer for the Ranger band. By any chance I see you have a couple of items in your satchel. Do you have anything to deal with *Hic*... This" *He points to the alcohol then himself*
Dawn
*Almost immediately at the thought of fixing Marcus' troubles with alcohol (at the very least, temporarily), Bella seemed to know what came to mind. A few nights she had witnessed her older sister testing and sampling alcoholic beverages for her various alchemical tests, and there was always something that made her feel better. She looked down towards one of her bags, before she opened it, revealing several vials alongside a neatly organized bunch of herbs picked straight from the forests.*

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Marcus. So, I have an idea on how to help you, but it'll involve me brewing some powerful herbal tea... The strong smell and the bitter taste should bring your senses back to reality, is this ok for you?"
Hank
"You think I can drink this crap, *He holds up a mug with only a few drops of alcohol left* And care what taste this tea has? Give me your best shot" *He waits expectingly*
Dawn
*Bella made note of Marcus' challenge of sorts. She certainly was no brewer of strong drinks, but her herbal tea was an exception - and a strong hangover cure. Smiling pleasantly, she removed herself from her seat before she bowed her head towards Marcus.* "I'll do just that then."

*And with that, she'd get to work, from asking the tavern vendor for an empty mug, filling it with water, heating it up to a comfortable temperature thanks to the help of a nearby practitioner of Fire Magic, and then mixing the appropriate herbal ingredients to the remedy. Things such as this were just a part of her element as an apothecarist, and barely anyone wished to oppose her. If she was trying to fix the issue at hand with Marcus scaring the customers, then she was more than welcome to make something to sober the terrifying alcoholic up, especially since she had the courage to talk to him to begin with.*

*Soon, an intoxicating smell filled the air around Bella as she moved the brewed mug of tea over to Marcus gently, before placing her own hands on her lap.*
"Here we go, sir. Enjoy!"
Hank
*He takes it down in one gulp, he does not do anything initially. After a few seconds, he pops up like something hit him and runs to outside the tavern while yelling. He dunks his head in the horse trough and then lifts his head out, his whole face soaked. He steadies himself before reentering the tavern. The tea worked, he no longer looked drunk but he did look like he just woke up from a very bad nap.* "You were not lying about the strength of that" *He says to Bella while taking a seat next to her again* "Mhmm, I really should drink less" *The bartender offers him another drink but Marcus pushes it away* "I apologize for my behavior earlier, it was uncouth of me and frankly unbecoming of what I strive to live up to as a mercenary officer. I have just had... A very complicated history that I need to control my emotions around. Pardon me but I heard you were a properwhat of something apothecary in Kadho and an adventurer?"
Dawn
*Bella couldn't help herself but to pleasantly giggle at Marcus' sudden reaction as the strength of the herbal tea overtook his alcohol-infused mind and woke him up with ten times the ferocity of any alarm clock. Nothing really did seem to beat the Gladstone formula, it seemed! But as Marcus was recovering from such an event, Bella seemed to be pleasantly enjoying herself as she placed herself back on her seat, glad to be rid of the smell of nearby alcohol and vomit.*

*As Marcus sat back down, she couldn't help herself but to smile in response.* "You're forgiven, sir. I wished that I didn't had to interfere... It's not often that I have to... Uhm, pit myself against a warrior such as yourself, but I'm glad that it was on these terms where everyone is happy in the end." *Breathing a sigh of relief, she cleared her throat with a soft 'Ahem.' before she looked back up to Marcus.* "You are correct though, I own a family apothecary in Kadho, and I am currently adventuring. I'm glad that you remembered!"
Hank
"Mhmm, that is indeed interesting, what type of adventure are you looking for? I know many young people who have died looking for 'adventure'"
Dawn
"I am well aware that many have died as a result of such adventures but..." *Bella suddenly let out a sigh, shaking her head.* "I to be honest, do not have an idea on what I could do. After a recent venture into the forest, I've been met with plenty of thoughts on what I could be doing as an adventurer... But nothing sadly comes to mind."

*Slowly, she'd lower her head down, looking at the palms of her hands set onto the table.* "I do not wish to go in recklessly, charging into battle like a fool without nothing bold to fight for... But it does limit my options."
Hank
"Indeed, indeed. Take it slow and carefully, you cannot be too careful." *He longingly looks towards nothingness* "You could probably start a business with these skills of yours. Why did you choose adventure over settling down?"
Dawn
"Well... The thing is, before I set off into the world, I was settling down." *Bella replied as she seemed to stare blankly into the empty void of nothingness as well.* "I lived my life in comfort prior to me finding myself here. I was just a merchant, and I still am... But as to *Why* I've made such a decision, it's for the sake of my sister... I want to do something that will make her proud. She, much like you, is a known mercenary, however her talents lean more towards alchemical creations, poisons and swordplay. It's what made her so effective both as a combatant and as a joint owner of the Gladstone Apothecary."
Hank
*When you mention poison his face darkens, he refrains from making a negative comment about your sister, although he probably would of said it if he was still drunk.* "Mhmm, interesting. I wonder what a combatant is doing at an Apothecary." *He looks really serious for a second* "By any chance does it manufacture poisons for nobility?" *He starts thinking of the mysterious poison the noblemen used on his father*
Dawn
*In spite of the tone of voice Marcus spoke in, Bella had gently shook her head.* "I'm afraid not, we're not necessarily the type of Apothecary that is in purposeful affiliations towards towards the government. As much as we are appreciated by some merchants back home in Khado, we're not under the iron grip of nobility. We do manufacture poisons, but if we were to do something with nobles, it'd merely be in the realm of business rather than a full partnership."
Hank
*He looks at you even more suspiciously, thinking that your sister may have done something with his fathers death* "May I ask the age of your sister?" *He looks at you with a piercing glare*
Dawn
*Bella took a deep breath. She maintained her composure. And then she answered.* "My sister, Jasmine Gladstone, is twenty-nine, only a few years older than myself." *Whatever this man was insisting, she was hoping that it wasn't as horrible as it would turn out...*
Hank
"When did she start her role as a sellsword and poisonmaster?"
Dawn
"As young as eighteen - the time of when she inherited the Apothecary. As for myself, I would work alongside her three years later, but studying and learning under her and the rest of my family about managing a business. Later on, she became a mercenary as a way to test out her poisons against worthy foes, but never towards anyone undeserving..."
Hank
"Noblemen tend to write history, and they are tricky with their words. Look, I do not believe you or your sister was directly involved, but I am trying to find evidence of where he sourced the poison. Any advice in this would be greatly appreciated. Your sister sounds like an interesting women, I would like to meet her someday. Now, are you a mercenary as well?"
Dawn
*Bella once more would shake her head in response.* "Sadly, I am not a capable fighter. All I am is just a merchant with a bit of knowledge in Nature magic... Jasmine Gladstone is the one who has more alchemical skills, both theoretically, and in combat. I just managed the business..."
Hank
"What brings you into Salvainia Bella? Some sort of business venture? I know of a lot of potential business opportunities in the empire. Unfortunately many of the roads are still infested with bandits"
Dawn
"So I've heard! But I'm here to find an answer... Well, not any tangible answer, more of something I could do as an adventurer. I've been wandering about aimlessly in search for *Something*, but alas... I have yet to discover something that could further my goal. My own place in the world as an adventurer, per say."
Hank
"I would offer you a place as a mage in my mercenary band, but it seems like you are trying to find something else. I really do not know how I could help you in this endeavor. Perhaps you need to do something you are not accustomed to. Perhaps you should consult your sister or participate in activities that you have never done before. In any which way I wish you the best of luck in what you are trying to find"
Dawn
"Likewise for you, Marcus." *Bella said with a hint of cheer to her voice as she extended her hand outwards towards the mighty warrior sitting beside her.* "I apologize if I was perhaps creating suspicion thanks to my background, but I do not intend to hurt others unless truly necessary. Being a part of a mercenary band just doesn't feel like something that I would be accustomed towards... Besides, my experience in combat is relatively minimal, whether with magic or with a weapon."
Hank
*Shakes her hand back* "Well, you can never be too prepared in this world. You should at least consult your sister so you know how to defend yourself or flee while traveling. I hope that we may meet again, your story and background has intrigued me. Perhaps I can meet your sister one day as well. Also, between you and me, try to keep the stuff I said when... Intoxicated to yourself if you can." *He looks a little embarrassed*
Dawn
"I do hope so too, but I would rather that it is on good terms, Marcus." *Bella responded in question towards her sister - both in seeing her again, and for perhaps to introduce her to her new friend.* "As much as I understand that you may be having your own issues, I would rather that you two will meet as friends, and **Not** As two people who will duke it out to the death."

*The thought that she managed to not just calm down such a drunkard - but also cause him to blush on the other hand - was more than enough to strike a smile across Bella's face.* "I'll pay no attention to your stories as well. I can understand if they mean a lot to you."
Hank
"Mhmm. Now if you excuse me, I have some business to attend to. Is there anything else you would like to add before I leave this establishment?"
Dawn
*Bella shook her head one last time before she removed herself from her seat, leaning down into a nice curtsey towards Marcus.*
"Not as of the moment, my new friend. However, I will say my utmost thanks to you today for the company, as much as it was a rough first impression that had caused us to first meet."
Hank
"Good day miss, I am going to need to get my bearings after your drink for a bit before I leave"