The messenger knocks on the door of Efwin's Salves, Potions and Elixirs.
No response, a second knock and the door opens abruptly, allowing a puff of bluish-white smoke to emanate from the room inside, as the smoke clears Efwin stands in the open doorway "By the nine hells man, we aren't open yet." He waves his hands at the smoke dissipating into the street "And now you've gone and ruined a perfectly good concoction!" He glares at the man outside his door, "Well, speak up boy! I haven't got all day and I have plenty more work ahead of me, unless you intend to volunteer to be my assistant for the day."
From inside the shop a soothing, woman’s voice is heard "Master Albaster, please do not frighten the young man." Moments later a petite hand finds its way to Efwin's shoulder as a lithe, young beauty with flowing silver hair steps into view. "Perhaps I should handle this while you get back to today's stock?"
Efwin glares at the boy a moment longer before swiveling around with a huff and storming back into the shop. Asura smiles at the messenger "You must forgive him, he's not really a morning person and can be... a little rough around the edges. What is it you bring?" She nods and maintains her smile as the messenger explains his purpose and hands over the missive. Asura smiles, taking the letter "Thank you for your effort. I shall be sure he reads this over." With that she turns and closes the door.
Walking back into the shop she finds Efwin already back to work, mixing different liquids together over burners and distilling other liquids into bottles. She waits for a pause in his work, as she has learned to find, before speaking to him "You know I may be new to all this, but it generally doesn't help being gruff with anyone who comes to the door." Efwin shrugs "Well, serves the boy right for interrupting me in my work. You know how important my work is... Aside from keeping the stock up I still haven't been able to get out with a good group to assist me in collecting more specimens for my research."
Asura nods listening to his complaints "Well perhaps this may help. The messenger has a letter for you. It must be reasonably important as the messenger had very precise instructions and even a really well done drawing of you." Efwin turns in his stool to look at Asura, his interests peaked "Hmm... well then hand it over, don't just dally there."
Asura hands over the letter, allowing Efwin time to read and digest the information. A slight grin finds it's way to Efwin's lips before vanishing and with that he stands, rolling up the message and standing. "Well seems like some fool wants to pay me to come listen to some pitch, then pay me more for my assistance." He puffs up his chest, shaking the message in the air "Says here I have a great reputation."
He nods to himself then looks to Asura, stuffing the letter in his coat "Suppose I should go look into this and see what it's all about. You can handle finishing up here and getting ready for our customers I trust, that is of course what I hired you for." Asura bows her head a moment before agreeing "Of course, I may not be a master of alchemy like yourself, but you've taught me enough to finish up the simple stuff and we both know I'm much better with the customers than you anyway."
Efwin starts to move toward the door "Hmph, I suppose, in any case I'll be back once this is over." Efwin leaves the shop, not worried leaving Asura in charge as he sees to this message. Walking for some time down the streets of Nerosyan he thinks to himself I sure hope this will not be a waste of time. The gold is nice and all, but my time is most definitely more important. Perhaps this will provide an opportunity to gather further specimens for my research making it at least worth hearing about I suppose. He eventually finds his way to the House of Restful Sleep.
