He chuckled softly.  "Thank you for the bottle, and let me assure you that I have no intent of mixing any of my 'concoctions' near your powder."  He poured himself some of the rum, then sat the bottle on the table, in the center so that anyone could reach it.  "But, yes, I am an alchemist.  A pretty good one, if I do say so myself."<br/><br/>He turned to the Asian woman.  "And how did you end up here, miss, if you don't mind me asking?"