Cynthia
Whatever someone expected to cross deep in the woods, it was likely not the sight that adorned the roadside that day. The sun was high in the sky - it was around midday when Tolius had decided it was time to go about foraging for the day. He was an elderly man, but he walked as though he had the youth of a young man. His green robes dragged across the ground, the hem collecting its fair share of leaves and twigs as he walked. Tolius did not seem to care.

He walked along the side of the road, his eyes scanning the grass in a methodical pattern. It was the pattern of a man that knew what he was doing, and he sure seemed to have the attitude of it. Echoing down the road was the tune he whistled, a somewhat calm and jolly one. He was enjoying the day, even if he was sore from the travel to Velaris. Tolius wasn't one to travel, but sometimes it was inevitable - he could only find certain plants around his home, and if what he needed was not available by trade, he would simply have to go find it himself.

As he walked, the man used a staff that was made of old gnarled wood with a knot at the top. It truly seemed to be slowing him down more than anything - he looked as though he would be walking much faster without it, but he did not seem to mind. He stopped for a moment, bending over and using his staff for support as he picked a mushroom off the ground, still whistling as he put it into a satchel on his side.
Marcella
Sweat beaded on the young elf's face despite the winter chill as he stared at an unopened flower bud before him. Between the difficulty sleeping lately and his lack of druidic expertise, he was struggling to help the little flower along to bloom. Having made up his mind that he needed to prepare to leave Velaris, he was trying to stock up on things he might need for the road, various potions and salves. This flower was the most potent option, in the winter months, for a good anesthetic salve; however, it only bloomed for a few days in the deepest midwinter, which was at least a month away. When well-rested, nourished, and sound of mind, Alcuin could generally work a little magic to help things grow. His brows furrowing, he was starting to think maybe it just wasn't going to happen today.

He was so focused, it took him a shamefully long time to notice the old man approaching about five feet away on the road up ahead. Observing the debris on his hem and watching him pick the mushroom, Alcuin couldn't help chuckling to himself softly; was this reality or the ghost of his future? ***It'd be nice if this... Madness, I guess, could give me such nice delusions***, he thought with some cheer he hadn't felt in a while. Once the old man got closer, Alcuin called to him in a soft voice, **"Good sir! You'll want to take care with that particular mushroom."** He gave a small smile, **"It goes bad quickly if it gets too warm. And it's a coin toss whether it'll make you sick or, uh..."** He trailed off and looked away, nervously scratching his head, then realizing he had a small twig in his hair, which he discarded quickly. He took another look at the bud in front of him, sighed deeply, and stood up.

He chewed his lower lip, as if considering something, then lightly shook his head before brushing loose grass and twigs off his robes. He gave the old man a warm smile that didn't quite touch his sad eyes, **"Can I help you with anything? I know these flora and fauna well."**
Cynthia
Much like Alcuin, Tolius seemed to be so invested in his work that he had not even noticed the young elf so close by. In fact, at the voice, Tolius blinked and looked up as if he had not expected to be spoken to. Clearing his throat, the elderly man gave the young man a curious look. He looked down at his satchel for a moment, almost as if it took him a moment to piece together what the young elf was even talking about. He must have been in some deep thought. 

At the young man's smile, though, Tolius gave him a smile in return, even chuckling quietly. "Ah, yes. It does seem you know these flora and fauna well." He said, seemingly unable to stop himself from a few more little chuckles. It was rather amusing to him, after all - this young man clearly didn't know the extent that Tolius did, or at least he assumed it. 

At the question about if he needed help, Tolius glanced back to the ground for a moment. In truth, he did not often like others doing his work for him - he was often afraid that they may not produce quite the same result. But, he was curious. This young man seemed interested in helping after all. "If you do have the time," He said after he cleared his throat, "I am looking for some hagsfinger and a few more of these mushrooms." The old man looked down to the bud on the ground, then back up to the young man with a smile. "If you help me find, oh... How about five of each, and I'll show you a thing or two to help with that bud there."