[Game Thread] Lord Windos’ PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Source post here

....Until you were stopped as a man approached you, wearing a black turtleneck, kaki pants, black shoes, and a ring on his left hand. He had short, spiky brown hair, and his eyes were brow and...anxious as rubbed his hand together nervously with an apologetic smile. 

"S-so sorry, Sir Scimitar, b-but might I have a moment of your time? I-I just want to ask some questions about y-your Un-n-n-icorn is all...."

Huh? Very well then. "Don't be shy and ask anything you want. For I am always there to aid those who seek more knowledge and wisdom..." Just in case and as a safety measure, Bernhard remains attentive and keeps a close eye on their surroundings AND on that anxious man. For you never know...

The nervous man let out a relieved sigh at not being turned away - it was not uncommon for Magi to refuse to deal with strangers - and gave you a small, nearly faltering smile.

"I...I....thank you, oh wise Scimitar. I'll...I'll b-be quick, and not w-waste your t-time. *Deep breath, exhales...* ....Is it true about what they say about Galarian Rapidashes? That they have special healing powers, to cure the sick and grant health and vitality to those in need? That their...horns have miraculous healings properties, if used right?"

He says this all in a breathy, tremulous voice - their was a faint hope suffused in his tone, as well as a long suffering sense of despair and uncertainty.

For your part you know for a fact that what he asks is True - the Veil Color alone is potent in all sorts of brews and creations, and between the Species' Ability and natural Healing capabilities and Affinity doing all sorts of revitalizing magics with them or their aid is a relative breeze, even unpracticed as you are in the Healing Arts. More importantly, though, what he said about the Unicorn's Horn was true - It indeed is a potent Healing Ingredient, if willing given and harvested. Otherwise it is a source of potent curses or unsavory magics - G-Rapidashes are creatures of purity and Fae, and Intent matters very much when dealing with them.  You haven't harvested one before - only in recent times have you become well Bonded with Nirix, and you are well aware of the systemic fear and reservations him and his kin have about giving such things to others. Their is a very good reason why Unicorns and other magical creatures like him are so Rare now in days - being hunted down to near extinction does that to such wonders of Nature, tragic and infuriating as the covertness and avarice of Man can be.

How, exactly, are you going to Answer this man?

Hmm. Bernhard does certainly take their time to respond, seems to contemplate and consider their answer for quiiiiite a while. For long, there was nothing but silence between them and that man, making it seem like Bernhard refuses to answer. But as they eventually do, a certain sense of pride rings through.

"It is true to a certain degree and depending on you intent, dear citizen. Very much and especially so on the latter: The more pure and honest your intent, the better the results and the healing properties. Their presence alone is enough to ward off poisoning, and what essence of their veil my exemplar has granted me is a prized source when it is coming to healing and revitalizing creations. Their HORN however..." *another long pause* "...more so, though ONLY if received in an intent as pure and honest as Galarian Rapidash itself. As a gift or token of trust, to be specific. Unsavoury acts, hunts of unspoken force, being driven away into constant and utmost waryness, all done to these unicorns when the species was higher in numbers than it is nowadays even in its home region Galar, and fake horns - or medicine made of it - sold at horrendous prices are still sought out, even in today's time."

"Do excuse my open question and assumption: Are you or a close one, perhaps, in need of these healing skills? For I have solely the afforementioned Veil Color - something to be used in my arts; it is useful for healing arts and medicine to be specific - and my own magical and alchemistic talent to offer you. Nirix has been with me for long, quite long - though not long enough to part with their horn yet. Too strong and rooted is the species' waryness and reservation towards humans that have done unuttered harm to his kin..."

It is not so that Bernhard is beyond helping those in need - he will, if it is possible for him and if he's approached in a polite and respectful manner like that man did (twice so if you butter Bernhard up further with a decent reward, triple so if you're a fellow Magus). For Bernhard certainly did pick up the desperate and faint hope in that person's voice.