Apothecary

There is no bell that rings when they enter the apothecary.

Rainier held the door open for the Young Master, and the Young Master walked inside. The servant observes that he is seemingly more... excited, than usual, despite what had just happened outside the carriage.

Neo was very excited. The smell of dried medicinal entered his nose and he secretly inhaled deeply. This musty scent of a medieval hospital clinic was like perfume to him.

So many magical ingredients and usages, so little money to spend, Neo thinks as they passed a shelf full of Hydrengi Palloweeds. He really should have brought more money.

Alas, he didn't come here for selfish reasons. The money he brought with him is to be used for more important things, such as the greenhouse development and his research. He will require not only specific medical plants but also hogroot and snakeweed.

That's right. Neo was going to recreate the Slave Emblem.

Prior to coming on this trip, Neo had reviewed his journals. He had played with the idea of burning the notes--with their devious concoctions and dangerous poisons, researched and penned by his past self.

It was full of things that should not have existed in the first place.

Who knows what would happen if anything inside it were to be revealed to the public? Not only would he be condemned as a danger to society, but the chances of his notes getting into the wrong hands would be the biggest issue.

He should have never made that journal in the first place, but alas, his past self was foolish and now he has to pay for what has been done.

Now, the notes are his only clues on how to erase Rainier's marks.

Ortho and Artho Apothecary may look like a simple herbal shop, but Nazareth stumbled upon it by accident through sheer stupid luck. It was with even bigger luck that he had recognized some not-so-legal plants being sold there--on a back shelf meant for special clients, he had noticed a jar of Dotted Poppies and pointed it out--and the rest was history.

Hogroot and snakeweed are two poisonous plants that he purchased, but they were of the lesser evils compared to the plants that Neo bought from the shop later in life.

Yes, he was that trashy scum who once demanded the Serpent's Pearl from the shop.

Serpent's Pearl, otherwise known as Rosary Peas back in the modern world, is a deadly poison by no means is it a lovely pearl.

Red like the fires of hell, yet innocently small and round, like a small ruby pearl, its seeds contain a toxalbumin known as Abrin, a lethal protein that only takes 3 micrograms to kill an adult.

This is less than the amount of poison in one seed. Once the protein enters the human body, either through consumption, or a simple prick of the finger, it prevents protein synthesis within cells and can cause organ failure within four days.

Nazareth had used it on a few troublesome people who dared to try and poison Aurelion in the past.

It was an interesting arc in his life, getting vengeance for the brother he wanted out of his way.

Despite the fact that he hated his younger brother at the time and wanted him dead, he didn't appreciate others doing the job for him, especially when it wasn't on his orders.

Neo smiles ruefully as he thinks back on it. He was a little shit.

But of course, he isn't buying any Serpent's Pearl today, nor does he desire to kill anyone at the moment.

(Now that he's thinking about it, has he killed them already at this point, or does the poisoning event happen next year?)

(Neo sorely hopes that he won't have to kill anyone in this lifetime.)

The front desk of the shop looks ruddy. It was surrounded by numerous white flowers, blooming beautifully despite the poor lighting. As Neo gets closer to it, he can smell the sweet tang of hallucinogen coming from the blossoms. He smirks.

Must be Malark's doing.

The curtain behind the front desk parts, revealing a tall man who looks too much like a noble and less like an apothecary.

What was most striking about him was the shock of white hair on his head, contrasting with his tanned skin. Neo couldn't properly make out his eyes, which were covered by his hair, but he could see a small sneer forming on his lips.

He blinks. That face... they really are siblings...

The man greets Neo, although his tone was anything but polite. "What may this humble one help you with, Good Sir?" It was a tone of mockery.

Rainier bristles at the blatant disrespect. "How dare-"

Neo holds a hand to halt the servant. It was uncharacteristic for Rainier to act out in the state of passion, and he is well aware of why this is.

Rather than answering the apothecary, he points to the blooming flowers surrounding the desk, "Is there anything you can do about the flowers? I may be allergic to the pollens."

The man pauses, a calculative look overtaking him. He then tilts his head owlishly, as if he was seeing a rather strange animal.

The sneer begins to form downwards, from the fake and comical frown of disgust into a blank and dull look.

Neo watches this transformation and thinks of Vespera. Then again, all the expressions on this man make him think of his Step-Mother.

"Step-Nephew." The gentleman states, his voice slow and soft.

His expression then morphs into a wicked-looking smile that is usually meant for trouble. "What a surprise to see you, lad!" The feral grin was paired with a deeper, yet chipper voice. He brushes his hair to the right side, revealing a scar streaking down his left eye.

He comes out from behind the desk to greet them once again. "Sorry about that. Malark has upped security as of late. How are you? I almost couldn't recognize you!"

Neo smiles, ignoring the confused glances that Rainier sends his way. "It's been fine, Uncle Artho, Uncle Ortho. I assume it's Malark's turn to man the shop today?"

"Right you are, lad." Artho chuckles, making his way over to the flowers around the desk.

"Is everything alright for you as well?" Neo asked, staring curiously at the flowers, "What events would lead to planting Lurmiere's Dream Blossoms around the shop?"

Artho cuts off the blooms with a pair of garden scissors. "They won't affect you if you know what they are. Narcissists, these flowers are." He grumbles out.

The blooms close in fear after witnessing Artho cut off one of its blooms, halting the distribution of its hallucinogen temporarily.

Artho turns to Neo and Rainier. "Come, I'll take you to the tea room."

They are led to the back of the store, where a set of chairs circled a little coffee table.

"Wait here. I'll go make some tea." Artho states, hurrying away to a table counter.

It took a short few minutes before Neo and his Step-Uncle sat together across from one another, tea served, and Rainier dutifully standing behind his Young Master.

Neo takes a small sip of tea made by Artho, hid a small grimace at how sweet the brew was, and opened the conversation. "How are sales? Are the clients troubling you?"

Artho sighs into his cup. "It's been rather dangerous lately. We've been only selling to familiar clients now since the activities in the underworld are beginning to create quite a stir. Many people are coming in for this and that, but we've warned everyone of our neutrality in this war for power."

"Wise choices," Neo nods, "Things aren't getting better as we get closer to the crowning of the next Emperor. We will be entering into a state of chaos very soon."

Malark Ortho Arcadia. Owner of Ortho and Artho Apothecary. He is also known as the infamous Apothecary of the Rhine during the Lesser Kreig War and coincidentally also happens to be Vespera's two older brothers, and older brother-in-law.

Neo's three Step-Uncles.

In all honesty, this is just a case of three individuals trapped in a singular body.

"I couldn't agree more," Artho eagerly nods his head, "We're heading into dangerous times, lad. Say, just the other day-"

Suddenly, the wicked smile on Artho's face shifts, turning soft and mellow and cold, before he was a completely different person.

Raising a brow curiously in an elegant manner, this new person brushes his hair to the other side of his face, covering up his scar. From his pocket, he takes out a pair of glasses and dons them, all in one swift motion.

Neo smiles easily at the shift in character. "Hello, Uncle Ortho."

"Yes. Excuse me for the intrusion. Artho talks too much." Ortho greets, his face is passive, yet stern. "Step-Nephew does not need to concern himself with us adults. We can solve our own problems with our own solutions. Step-Nephew should need only to worry about school and friends, understand?"

Neo helplessly chuckles. "Of course, Uncle Ortho."

Ortho nods in satisfaction. "What brings Step-Nephew into our humble shop today? Are you creating another one of your spells again?"

"On the contrary," Neo replies, "It is a counterspell for that Friendship Emblem."

Nazareth may have fibbed and told his uncles that he required the Hogroot and Snakeweed for a friendship emblem rather than its real purpose.

Ortho hums, "So Step-Nephew has done some soul-searching. You have given up your past goals, I presume? This Uncle is proud that you are not taking the path of a deviant."

Neo can only breathe with resignation. So his uncles did know of his past intentions. Well, this will make things easier.

"I realized that my actions have wounded many people. I'm seeking to atone for it."

Ortho snorts. "Better now than never. You remind me of your uncle Artho. He used to be quite the troublemaker back in our day-"

"-but you still married me, hah!-"

"-but he is better now. Please go back inside, Artho, it's my turn." Ortho finishes.

Neo looked on with an air of acceptance as he watched his uncles speak with one another through one body.

Rainier tried his best to look unperturbed. The sudden appearance of Madam Vespera's older brother is quite a shock. He's heard rumors that the man was crazy, but to see it happen right in front of him... well, the Young Master seems happy enough.

Neo caught Rainier's expression and smiled, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Curious?"

Rainier cocked his head. "Young Master?" He inquired.

The youth continued, "The three of them share the same body. Uncle Ortho is the main owner of this place and takes care of the business aspect of the apothecary, but Uncle Artho is the actual apothecary. Uncle Malark was the one we saw first. He grows and harvests the plants." Neo explains simply.

"Is that so." Rainier could only reply, looking at the bickering man--men?--strangely.

"Uncle Malark is Mother's older brother. He's the original owner of the body, but after Uncle Ortho appeared, he hardly comes out anymore. He doesn't like me all that much, but he doesn't like anyone, really, unless you're Lady Elleanor."

"Lady Elleanor?"

Neo shrugs. "She's an herbalist from the Polska Nation. I believe her family is a prominent member of their noble society, but I'm not quite sure. Uncle Malark married her after the Lesser Krieg War. Apparently, despite being on opposing sides, the two of them found love in the battlefield."

Rainier can only nod along.

"Uncle Ortho is Mother's second older brother. He appeared a few years after Uncle Malark started his education at Noble Academy. Uncle Artho split off from Uncle Ortho during the war, and he's Mother's older-brother-in-law. Uncle Artho isn't related to Uncle Ortho and Uncle Malark, but he and Uncle Ortho are lovers."

Rainier almost sputtered and stared at this Young Master of his. How in the world does his Young Master come about information like this?

Neo keeps silent about how he knows all this. His current self is technically unaware of Malark's actual situation, but in the past, he figured it all out due to his dabblings in the underworld.

His uncles were one of the good things in life that he took for granted.

They may be his step-uncles, but Nazareth didn't dislike them. Hell, he didn't even hate Vespera. Intimidated? Yes, but there wasn't any hatred involved.

No one in the last generation was bad, really. Being Neo gave him time to contemplate this lifetime, and he came to the conclusion that it was just a series of unfortunate events.

His Father slept with his Mummy at a brothel when he was eighteen. He hadn't even met Vespera at the time. His Mummy--bless her wonderful soul--decided to keep him. And through some coincidence, his Father found him and realized who he was and brought him back to the house.

After reviewing these events through the eyes of Neo, no one was to blame for anything, because no one actually did anything wrong.

Mummy wanted to keep him because she wanted something to call her own.

Father didn't know of his existence, but he was only a teenager freshly graduated and dragged to a brothel for the experience. Sexual education wasn't a thing either, in this world, and his Father looks like the type to be eaten rather than to eat...

Vespera didn't even know who the hell Gareth was when Nazareth was conceived. She didn't mind that he was her husband's illegitimate child either, though, when word came around that Neo was of Odum blood.

She was the one who consented for him to come to stay at the manor.

Vespera has always been like that. She fought in the war. She saw the orphans. She wouldn't leave an unfortunate child if she could help it.

In summary, Nazareth had been somewhat close to Vespera's family, even if he hadn't appreciated them as much as he should have.

Life was a funny thing, but by the end of that lifetime, everything had spiraled into a chaotic tragedy. They were only children, too young to play adults, yet...

It was all very unfortunate.

"-Enough, Artho! Don't you have things to do?"

Ah, it looks like Ortho was done talking with Artho.

"What is it that Step-Nephew needs for his endeavors?"

Neo takes a sip from his cup. "Father has given me a greenhouse. I was wondering if the three of you can supply me with these? I'm growing a medicinal garden." He pulls out a list of plants.

Ortho takes the list and looks over it, nodding his head. "For most of these, I can provide you the seeds, but you may have to wait for the Feverfew Bellas. They're popular this time of year."

Neo shakes his head. "No problem. I can always come back when they're back in stock."

"I'll send word once we get more."

"Thank you."

They sit there in silence for a few more moments.

Neo breathes. "I'm sorry for this, but I'm also in need of Hogroot powder and Snakeweed Nectar in order to reverse engineer the 'Friendship Emblem'."

"Those again?" Ortho asked, raising a brow.

The youth looks down at his lap, feeling guilty with his request.

"I'm so sorry-"

"I thought you would never ask."

His head snaps up to meet Ortho's gaze, only to find eyes that are full of mirth.

"Boy," The man states, "Don't think I'm ignorant of your change. You will need the spell before even thinking about counteracting it."

Neo draws in a breath. "Thank you, Uncle Ortho."

"Mm. Now, I'm sure your Uncle Artho-"

Artho comes out before Ortho can even finish, grinning like a predator. "You're more well-mannered than usual, lad. Have you finally got your life together?"

"-Artho, the plants-"

"I'm on it, you nag. I'll be right back, lad."

As the gentleman talked seemingly to himself while disappearing behind a large stack of crates.

Neo smiles as he watches. He should have visited them sooner.

"Here you go, lad. Careful with the special ones. Your favorite Uncles have given you a few seeds for each of these so that you can grow your own. I'm sure Malark threw in some instructions."

Neo looks at the nicely wrapped herbal packages in awe. "You're really letting me grow them?"

Artho smirks. "We trust ya, lad. You look happier than you've been in years."

Neo felt his eyes water slightly. Must be the pollen, he thinks.

"Thank you..." He bows his head.

He feels a large hand on his head. "Enough, enough. Off you go, lad. On the house, this time. We will await your next visit for the Feverfew."

"En."

This time around, he won't use his uncles as a means to supply himself with wicked concoctions. Last time, they went to prison because of his blunder and eventual downfall.

Neo takes one last peek at the dingy-looking shop.

Yes, he'll be sure to protect them this time around.

---

"Where to next, Young Master?"

"Let's go buy some flowers for Mummy."

The bell rings when he enters the flower shop.

"You're back!"

Sutton Graham greets them with a sunny smile.

"The usual, I presume?"

They were standing in front of the front desk.

Sutton finishes wrapping up his flower bouquet.

Neo smiles brightly, taking it from the other boy's hands. "They're lovely, as always. She will love them."

Sutton shakes his head. "You say that every time!"

"Because it is true."

"You...!"

Sutton's face seemingly reddens.

Ah, it would seem Neo had angered him.

"You..." The other boy sighs, "Make sure you don't talk like that to strangers. There are too many creepy old guys out there."

"I'll bear that in mind."

Internally, Neo was rather bemused. Not many people liked him all that much, and the people at school usually stay away from him or stares at him judgmentally, as if he'll kill someone the moment they look away. It's all very.. intense.

The bell on the shop rings.

Sutton looks over. "Welcome to Graham Florist! How may I help you?"

Neo turns to see who it is.

Black hair and Vermillion eyes. A stoic expression and a white ribbon around his neck.

"Julius?"