"Ah, what a shame. But one cannot always indulge in all the pleasures the world offer. For one thing it starts to chafe after a few hours." Pieter's smile at Hani was white and innocent. But he noted down mentally her reluctance to experiment, or maybe it was just caution, for later. Both virtues and vices can are valuable in the right situation. The aphrodisiac would take a little while to wear off, and in the meanwhile he'd be just that little more attentive to her - and to the Captain. While that special hunger had to be forcibly ignore for a while, there was that extra bonus of the keener edge of observation. Glances to notice, breathing to watch, a bulge her and a stiffening there - Pieter had chosen his drug with care and would notice such things now. It's a kind of magic. And sometime, very useful. "But I can't help wondering. Those dreams that the elven brew favored you with... did they become true? One gets the distinct impression that anything less would be a shame." Again the white innocent grin. "However, the purple weed I know of. It is not on this tray but I have it in stock. Let us go rummage in the shelves on some other night. I might surprise you with my resources yet."<br/><br/>Then his attention slid back to Doryn, and nodded appreciatively as the Captain sampled the Elysian Tears. It was a product for which he had a market, especially among the younger nobles and the more social merchant circles. Used over sufficient periods the effect got stronger and longer. But if taken in careless amounts the effect just wouldn't STOP. Knowing the value in keeping his customers alive and returning for more, the merchant rarely sold it in bigger volumes. But you do not just say no to dukes so he was 'out' more often than not when certain customers demanded more. The same went for most of the more 'exotic' goods in Pieter's trade. Fortunately he was not the only one selling these goods; having a corner on the market is good but not when everyone knows you are the one controlling it. Better to be one among a handful. It lowers the prices but if and when a consignment starts killing the customers it's good to have scapegoats. In reality Pieter was balancing his position with as much care as back when he was trading with pirates. One wrong step, and the swords come out - but to be honest, the game of merchantry would have bored him to tears if it was just a matter of budgets and accounts.<br/><br/>Selecting another wafer, he dipped into the glass of elven wine and had a small taste. Had his luck prevailed the merchant could have gorged himself with it and then this meeting had been superfluous as far as his immediate plans went. But even the few drops of it on his tongue sufficed to toggle his memory and display a few pictures of his past clearly - and faint shadows of the future for just a moment. The spicy taste lingered longer than the images though.<br/><br/>Pieter followed every word of Doryn's accounting of his experiences with the elves, noting what was said and what was sidestepped. "I think we can agree that, withholding diplomatic terms for the moment, the whole lot of them, men and women alike, are an arrogant bunch. I like that. And occasionally you can find one among them with a sense of actual humor, and then one must hold on to them for your dear life." He pursed his lips. "A number of years ago I was voyaging over the Southern seas. Visiting their lands is generally discouraged by their navy, but they will let you in under the right circumstances. Preferably on a ship with an elven captain though. However, my ship was on other business and it was sheer coincidence that we came upon the wreck of one of their trading ships. Oddest thing, too. The ship itself was broken by a storm and was listing badly, its masts and sails trailing over one side. On board we found nothing of crew or of cargo. Except for one male elf, who had tied himself to the rudder. He was still barely alive by sheer determination alone, but spoke not a word to us." Pieter had one more wine dipped wafer, to refresh the memories. "Now, normally we might not have cared much one way or another beyond maybe offering him a berth in exchange for working his way to the nearest port. But this guy had the air of a noble on him; hands that were too soft to be a sailor, clothes of someone living very well and eyes that worried us working lads to no end. We took him aboard and we headed for the nearest elven port which happened to Perida. For sure our little two-masted schooner was brought up by an elven navy ship as soon as we got into their waters but once they saw our passenger they backed off. They flagged us to proceed to the docks then kept a distance which left us barely seeing them. When we got to the docks they were practically deserted but for an eight horse closed carriage and a couple of guards who whisked the noble away without a word. Damnedest thing; we were paid very handsomely in silver coin and allowed a week's stay in Perida. The latter would have been payment enough. There were other humans there, we found out, but they were kept under both open and more circumspect attention; mostly sailors and a few specialist artisans. Our crew spent most of the time in the dock inns; I found it wiser to spend my coin and time roaming through the stores and speaking with the innkeepers and merchants - stone faced lot as they were. Here is the real kicker though. We never found out who it was that we had rescued or what he had been doing. Was he trying to get back home? Or fleeing? Was he a hero, or a criminal? It does not matter to me; I made other friends then that have been useful in other ways. Although I did not touch an elven... woman... once during my visit."<br/><br/>Pieter grinned to them. "But here I am talking about obscure elves. To the matter at hand!" He looked speculatively at Doryn. "Ice Cobra Venom... Yes. I have heard of it, and it might have passed between my hands once or twice - but not recently. Tell you what. I will inquire among my business associated if a quantum can be acquired, and when I do I will be more than happy to see that some of it passes into your hands. Think not of payment. What are friends for?"<br/><br/>He sighed. "Speaking of procuring amounts of exotic and entertaining substances. Some times it can be such a bother, what with the dangers of transport and the dull pain of bureaucratic hassles and so on. I swear that some times it does not seem to matter whether it is wheat or wine; before the goods can be delivered to the hands of the needy sheer time will have ruined them." He looked into Doryns eyes like a man burdened with weariness. "Do you not agree that although society must be built with brick and mortar, there must still be a little room and time for the worker to find rest and restore his spirit? That even though excess is to be frowned upon, the odd pinch of salt or sugar will still improve on the daily meal?" Pieter's eyes roamed over the tray now. "Frankly I could use a little friendly help myself. Nothing overly strenuous or taxing on muscles or reputation, provided discretion is maintained. I would be... so appreciative."