Chemical Brother (Q/P)

[drift]

SPOILER: Click to show

"Initiation into Herbalism is a simple process, and one ANY Player Character can pass with a bit of wit! After contacting one's local Botany Institution, a licence is petitioned. Once approved, you will be required to make a series of randomized mixes, with the hopes of proving yourself. Once a Storyteller gets you through all of this, simply request a Mod to approve and you're set!"

It is another clear sunny day in Kusagakure, a few white clouds drift lazily through an otherwise clear blue sky. The sun shines merrily down and all around life thrives. The day is just perfect, a fine day to begin a quest. Wishing to become a herbalist you must first travel to the botany institute within the village to petition for a license. The institute is located on the eastern side of the village, a large building with many parts made of glass. A few workers and other candidates are about the area but other than that there is a notable peace here that evades the rest of the village. The plant life is also more abundant and exotic.

Once inside the institute you will find signs painted out to lead the way, a short walk will see you to the reception area where a charming blue haired girl sits studiously writing notes, cute with a bookish appearance she ignores your presence for a short while. Proper questioning will see the commencement of your quest. Looking upon you with a smile the girl will halt her work for a moment. "May i help you sir?"

[Kildred]

The building was imposing, certainly, but held a charm about it, the way that all the plants grew in and around it. Once he found his way inside, he looked around at the workers and their shuffling about. It was quite different to any other administration building he had been in. Still, he was here for a reason. Following the signs and approaching the desk, he stood in front of a desk. He looked for some kind of form to fill out, but was interrupted.

"May I help you, sir?"

"Ah, yes. I was hoping to, uh...to apply for an herbalist license?" He forgot if it was a license you had to apply for, or if you just needed to be approved. Damn it, why didn't he look these things up before going ahead and doing them?

[drift]

The bookish blue haired girl would turn at your words to a rack of shelves behind her stacked with numerous forms. Rolling over expertly in her chair she pulled out a form with a deft hand and rolling back with an elegant turn her hand would extend to you. The form was composed of half a dozen blue sheets with numerous questions that needed to be filled in along with experience and any prior knowledge in the field. "Fill this out and hand it back then i can run it for approval upon which you'll need to pass a short exam to gain your license, if you fail you won't be able to apply again for a period of thirty days." The girl said without stopping once, she then returned promptly to her work.

"You'll pass if you have a decent enough line there's a seating area behind you any mistakes and you'll need another form." The seating area made up the back half of the room, a row of chairs were lined against the wall with a few tabled put in front. A few fellow nin sat here or there the odd one also with a blue form. This would be the first step of your journey over, and after would become the practical side.

[Kildred]

Usio nodded along with every word from the girl, taking the form and looking it over as she continued. Once she finished, he thanked her and took a seat from the row. He gave a polite nod to the few other ninjas who noticed him. Once seated, he looked over the forms. A few sorting questions, such as age, address, and what-not. Some which seemed to try and glean any information off of him regarding herbs, salves, and the like. He wasn't quite sure if being a farmer counted as experience, but he noted it down anyway. He wasn't especially confident, since he hoped to have maybe a class or two before actually moving to get a license, but he wasn't exactly sure how the process here worked.

It was quite some time since he sat down before he managed to fill out all the questions. Anxiety ran high as he worried about any and all possible mistakes he could have made. What if was off by one question? Gah, all this worrying wasn't doing him any good. Shuffling the papers back in order, he stood up and once again approached the front desk. He softly cleared his throat and presented the forms back to the blue-haired girl. "I've finished filling these out." He simply laid them on the counter in front of her, awaiting whatever was next. Was he to return after the forms were inspected? He really needed to stop thinking so negatively. Every time he went down that way of thinking, he depressed himself.

[drift]

The blue haired girl who still deep in her work would sigh grabbing the forms whilst sipping some hot chocolate which was odd as she had seemed to have never moved any nobody had come in. Scanning over the papers she would seem to take in all she needed after a minute or two. Nodding her head she would swivel on her chair and walk off without so much as a word. Ten minutes would pass, then fifteen and finally the girl would return with a different set of papers and a small card. Sitting back down she would hand it to you.

"You've qualified for a license however to be a herbalist officially it must be validated for that there is a short test. Here is a standard copy of a guide to herbalism you'll find a list on herbs both harmful and helpful, the key is to memorize and recognize them. There's a short demonstration of the proper way to go about mixing and creating poultices and potions." She would give you a smile and let everything sink in. "Follow the signs to room 3-A in forty minutes and don't be late. After that you'll be told where to go for the practical test, good luck." She would then return promptly to her work once more.

[Kildred]

Usio took everything in. The wait had been nerve-wracking, and he was plenty relieved to here he had passed the written exam. Accepting the new paperwork, he thank the girl and sat down again. He had forty minutes to go through all this and memorize it. There were several herbs, and more than a few of them looked similar. It was the subtle nuances you had to keep an eye out for. The edge of the leaves, certain patterns across the stem.

Committing to memory what he could, Usio shuffled the papers together and followed the signs as instructed. It wasn't difficult to find room 3-A, though the trepidation he felt stopped him momentarily. A few breaths to calm himself down, and he twisted the handle of the door. Opening it about halfway, he stuck his head in to see who or what was there. "Y'ello?"

[drift]

The door would swing open revealing a set up much similar to the ones the shinobi Academy kept, rows of seats some occupied would give way to a stage area where up high was a table, a blackboard and all manner of vials and jugs containing god only knew what. Standing behind the table with a wisp of white hair on an otherwise bald head stood an elderly man. His gaze would shoot in your direction eyes studying the new arrival. "Sit please." he would say gesturing to one of the remaining empty seats. Other eyes would track your process as you moved to find a chair.

Upon being seated the man would begin whacking the blackboard with a long thin stick, it gave a crack and under it he had written his name. Umei Hasuka. Then the old man began to rummage through an old leather satchel he worse on his waist, after a moment or two old shakey hands withdrew a small plasic container holding a number of leaves within. Moving around the room with surprising agility for someone of his years Umei placed a single leaf on each occupied desk. Once he had finished he withdrew to the front of the class and simply asked "Identify your leaf, each is different. Failing to identify the leaf will result in instant dissmissal, i do not tolerate fools." He then when pointed to the occupying shinobi askign each about their leaf and occassionally asking about properties of the leaf.

Soon enough your turn would arrive, you would need to correctly identify the leaf before you or risk being sent out and failing before you had truly begun. Luckily you had been given time to look through the proper material aswell as previous farm work. This leaf was purple and rather large and a faint memory suggested that it had some healing properties. "You, what is the name of your leaf boy." Umei would ask all eyes now on you. You would need to produce the correct name or Umei would boot you out faster than you could blink and all that paperwork would have to be....re-done.

[Kildred]

Gazing into the room revealed a class already in session, which was one of the things he hoped to avoid. The old man at the head of the class, whom he presumed to be the professor, stared him down before telling him to sit at an empty seat. Not two seconds after taking the seat, the old man whacked the board to present his name and started bringing out plants to every student. It was almost difficult for him to keep track of where the man was, and before he realized it, he had one of his own and Hasuka had already made it back to the front. Describing the challenge before them, Usio instantly felt nervous. An auto-dismissal upon failure? He hurriedly studied the leaf before him.

It was familiar, so he knew that he had read about it in the material given to him by the girl at the front desk. As a matter of fact, he could have sworn he had seen this plant while outside the village once. It was rather rare, so he equated it to a four-leaf clover. A large, purple herb that typical sported three leaves. If he was right, then it would be the one he read about in the fourth page of materials. Breaking him out of his thought process, Hasuka stood before him, posing his question. "You. What is the name of your leaf, boy?" Man, this guy was intimidating. He wasn't even all that tall! Lifting his leaf, Usio wagered the best answer available to him.

Oh, for the love of all that is holy, let me be right.He swallowed before speaking."This is, uh...this is a Gara leaf, sir."

[drift]

Old Umei's eyes would narrow and he would lean in closer before shouting "Correct", he would then continue asking the others sending the few who failed out of the class. As the final nin left with a sigh another smack upon the blackboard would gain the remaining nins attention. Written upon the board where his name had been were the words Duty's of a Herbalist. It was nearly impossible to tell when he had written that but as he scrawled on the board at an almost unthinkable speed you would begin to see how you might have missed it. Old Umei was speedier than he appeared.

A list of duty's were now written, they covered things such as the proper use of herbs for remedies, spotting new herbs and going about the discovery of their properties and odd things which related specifically to the duty's of a herbalist to his village. "A herbalist is not so unlike an Iryo-nin, we can both give great help or if we choose cause great harm." The old man began taking long strides circling the classroom he would continue in an almost arrogant tone. "We can dispense death in an instant, brew life, slow fevers and halt disease. We can also poison and cause numerous negative effects on our enemies. In times of war we are healers, saboteurs and assassins. The role of a Herbalist is not to be taken likely."

Finishing his lap of the room Umei would once again stand at the front, old wrinkled hands gripped the table before him with surprising strength. "Now i will show you how to brew potions properly and how to prepare poultices as well as how to properly store and utilize them." On cue two other shinobi would enter from a rear door one carrying two large satchels and the other vials and a small burner. Both wore the Herbalist badge on their standard uniforms. As the two began to set up the necessary equipment and array of herbs Umei would take down a swig of something in a silver canteen. Once finished the two other Herbalists would withdraw to the back of the room and wait patiently until they were needed. Umei would shout again. "Come sit closer, everyone on the front row please, you will need to pay attention closely unless you have the eyes of a hawk." Placing a beaker of water on the burner he would watch the remaining nin closely as they moved, the water in the beaker beginning to boil.

[Kildred]

Usio silently cheered as Hasuka moved to question another student. He knew the leaf's name, but he always had that nagging bit in the back of his mind. He watched the rest of the class get cut down to just a handful of students, then looked over to the board where the professor had already written down a number of bullet points regarding the duties of an herbalist. Where did this man get that speed from? He went on to explain the very duties he had written down, comparing the profession to Iryo-nins. It made sense, though he believed Iryo-nins relied more on chakra for many of their techniques. His words carried a sense of pride. Being an herbalist probably meant more to this man than simply working with plants.

Now at the front of the class again, Hasuka announced his intent to show the students how to make, store, and use poultices, and called upon all of them to move to the front row. There was plenty of room, now. If he recalled correctly, a poultice was soft substance spread on cloth to aid certain parts of the body. This would certainly be interesting, but Usio couldn't help but notice the professor taking a swig of something from a canteen. Did he need medication? Well, he wasn't here to wonder about his professor's state of health. Taking a seat to the left of the table, he watched two herbalists prepare certain items and leave. Waiting for everyone to finish sitting, he kept his eyes on the beaker Hasuka placed down.

[Jun]

Four aspiring herbalists sat before Hasuka. You, Usio, were one of them. From a well organized leather briefcase the mentor withdrew both a motar and pestle. "We'll brew a Gara salve first, as it is one of the more elementary healing potions. That and well. . .it's likely the one you'll be using most." He'd say, rolling up the sleeves of a white lab coat. Your teacher began the process immediatly after, grinding up the purple leaf until it was to his liking. It wasn't until after he checked everyone's eyes to make sure you were all on the same page that he poured the midnight substance into an already bubbling beaker, its color quickly spreading throughout the heated glass.

It was stirred a bit to even things out. Hasuka had gloves on and rightfully so ~ using a metallic grappling tool he removed the beaker from the burner and dispersed said contents into several, small vials. "Oh, and might I ask? How much liquid can be stored per glass vial?" He threw a question in there to make sure you were still alert. Afterward he capped them and handed each student their own portion of the Gara salve, telling you to study it thoroughly before tossing yet another challenge at your way. "Alright, now that you've seen it with your own eyes, it's your turn," he began. "The other proctors have provided you with the equipment necessary to brew your own salve, as well as the plant itself. I'll need to see one vial from each of you before we continue on with this lesson. You will be given one try and have ten minutes to do so. When you're done come to the front and show me your work." That said, he motioned you all away from where he stood, your own tools awaiting you at the desk you had first occupied upon entering the room.

Good luck.

SPOILER: Click to show

lol, I dunno if you're supposed to put the herbs in a heated flask. (seems like it would dilute it, right?) The herbalist profession isn't really all that clear to me though, so I guess we'll just go with it?

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[Kildred]

Usio sat with his three fellow students, each of whom he did not recognize. He didn't get out much anyway, so it was to be expected. Hasuka began the process of brewing a salve with the Gara leaf, grinding it down and placing it into the beaker, which was already heated up by this point. He kept an eye on the water, watching the powder become displaced throughout the water and coloring the entirety of the contents. After a bit of stirring, he grab what look like some tongs and used it to pour the concoction into different vials, throwing them a question as he did so. It was simple enough. One ounce for each vial. Once he got a vial and studied it, it was time to brew his own, though he had only one shot.

Placing the beaker with water on the burner, he set it aflame and set to grinding down his own leaf. It took a bit of effort, but he managed to get it down to an appropriately powdered form. The water seemed to be boiling nicely, so after a few more passes with the pestle, he poured the Gara dust into the beaker and watched the resulting spread. So far, it looked similar to how Hasuka had done it. Putting on some gloves, he moved to stir the liquid, and watched as the swirls of purple took hold of the rest of the water. Once he finished, he set up a few vials in a row, just in case. The brew looked ready to pour, but it seemed...lighter than he remembered his teacher's salve being. He poured it into the first vial, using the tongs provided, and placed it back on the burner. Capping the vial, he looked it over.

Hmm. Well, it didn't look like the vial he was given. Odd. He glanced out of the side of his vision, watching as one student went up with his vial. There was still a bit of time left. Maybe he could try again? He turned back to the vial and...wait. Its color was a bit darker now. Did it change based on how long it was kept on heat? Shit. It was closer to the vials color now, but it still seemed off. He poured it into a second vial, and immediately placed it back. Two different colored vials, and little time left for mistakes. The fire flickered under the beaker, heating the insides with abandon. The color slowly shifted, only slightly, but just enough that Usio could register the change. This one was the closest yet, and there was no time left to wait for another. Pouring it into the third vial, he capped it off like the others and took all three in his hand.

Holding each one between his fingers, he examined them as the other two went up with their attempts. If it was too weak or too strong, he might be failed. Herbalists were held to strict standards, much like medic-nins. Yet another comparison that could be drawn. Sighing, he placed the other two on the table and stood up with the third. It was the most similar of the three, and had the darkest color. It held the best chance of being correct, so that's what he would choose. Walking up to Hasuka after the last student, he held up his vial. "Here is my vial, sir." The anxiety kicked in again, wracking his brain with thoughts. Was it simply that this man held such authority? Or perhaps he didn't want to fail, regardless of the circumstances? Whatever he thought, the final verdict would be given here and now.

[Jun]

The herbalist professor took another swig from his flask. It was no salve, but to him sake was as good a remedy as any. Then he gritted his teeth ~ an abrupt shatter of glass came as anything but pleasant. Foolishness. One clumsy student had managed to knock his beaker off of the table, another set his burner to the highest setting and somehow scathed his hand. Was preparing remedies that difficult? Both amateurs were escorted out of the room a mere 5 minutes into the exam. Perhaps they would have better luck in 30 days. Yet, a girl with chocolate hair tied in a loose bun was the first to deliver her final product, and simply put, it was a success. It seemed there was hope for the new generation after all.

"Here is my vial, sir."

[/right]

You approached him next, with all but 1 minute to spare. He claimed your vial and looked it over keenly, a gentle hand soon removing its cap so that he could waft its scent toward his nostrils. The color was adequate, its smell of the norm. "Very good." he said sternly. Still, Hasuka could hear the apprehension radiating from your voice, but that was understandable considering the pressure you were under. "Confidence is key, young sir. Imagine mixing the wrong ingredients for an ill patient - you can't afford to be skittish." A fair warning he gave. Standing up once more, your teacher stepped in front of a well-kept suitcase again with the intention of schooling his two remaining pupils."Well done, both of you. Though, since you were the slower of the two, how about you identify this leaf here?" He pointed, raising a blue, four leafed plant in front of him. If by chance you were familar with it, he'd continue on with the lesson. "Tch, I'm not much a fan of poisions, I'd rather not teach you two to be assassins. I'll coach you the right way and let you decide to go the wrong way yourself." While speaking he started the cycle of grinding down and creating the appropriate salve. It was a blue vial he handed both of you this time and after allowing a few moments for you to examine it Professor Umei Hasuka relayed to his students your follow-up task. "Now this herb is a little more delicate. I suggest decreasing the heat setting a few knobs. Also, you'll probably want to spend a little extra time stirring this one. I'm only giving 5 minutes this time however. Begin."[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/font]

[Kildred]

Usio received both praise and an admonishing for his vial. One for being successful, the other for a lack of confidence. When he opened his suitcase once more, he was tasked with identifying a different leaf, though this one was also one he had seen. They must both have been native to Grass. It was also mentioned on page six of the materials. Mith. Hasuka continued with the lesson, though this time it seemed it was a poison they would be making. A few pointers were given on how to go about brewing this one, along with a warning of the time being reduced by half. Given that there were only two students left, he briefly wondered about the successful graduating rate of Herbalists. There was a full class when he started. How many were repeat students?

The burner was turned down about three clicks once he went back to his station. He moved to grab his tools, but stopped. Everything there was used to make the Gara Salve. He couldn't use them for anything Mith related for fear of contamination. Setting the used beaker, vials, and such aside, he grab fresh, clean instruments and prepped them as quick as he could. The Mith leaf he had set to grind right after putting the beaker on. It would heat up enough in the time he took, and once he made the powder, he poured into the water. Grabbing a new stirrer, he started to swirl the water around, noting how long he did so last time. About a minute and a half, so he'd increase the time by half for this one. He'd have just enough time to finish, as long as he didn't drop anything.

The liquid took on the blue hue of the powder and darkened considerably. With the seconds winding down, he didn't even bother to check on how the remaining student was doing for comparison. He grabbed the tongs and poured the contents into a single vial. This would be his only attempt. Capping it off and holding it in front of him, he marveled at the brew for a second. It was a wonderful color, the deepest of blue. "Huh. Something that looks so beautiful can be a poison." He remarked idly to himself. With a quick glance, he moved over to where Hasuka was sitting and presented his vial. "My second vial, sir."

[Jun]

OOC ~ Eh, it was supposed to be a salve but whatever. Almost there!

---

5 minutes. Ha, now that was a milestone .Yet the two youngsters before him held a lot of potential. He wouldn't be surprised if they one day became the finest herbalists in Kusagakure. Especially the lass ~ such flourshing green eyes and soft lips. Hasuka threw back more sake; hey, she was over 18, he was allowed to dream, right? Gah! He was getting side-tracked! The professor jolted up from his seat and came to stand behind you, watching as your trained hands underwent herbal surgery. He glanced directly over your shoulder, right into the beaker as the cereluan powder began to influence the water. Indeed it was a lovely color, though hopefully you wouldn't choke under the prospect of being watched. Next he made a quick glimpse over in the direction of Akemi, though there was no need to view her work so closely - she was a prodigy.

"Huh, something that looks so beautiful can be a poison."

[/right]

Hasuka grinned. It was a beautiful concoction, one of his personal favorites as a matter of fact. Right after capping it he removed it from your grasp, swashing it around in admiration of your eye for detail. "Nicely done." He said, just before his other student came to deliver her own vial. Hers was just as professional, as it appeared he'd have 2 graduates today. It was a strenous course after all. "Impressive. Your speed is nearly on par with my own. Care to learn a nifty trick?" Your teacher retrieved his suitcase then slid your work materials to the side, replacing them with brand new ones. "If you're going to create poisons, it would do you well to know how to mask them. It's fairly basic, but I'm about to teach you how to remove color from the liquid. Observe." It was the same process as earlier in terms of preparation of the Mith, however as it was stirred he'd reveal a small bottle of unknown substance. Two drops were added ~ after that the sapphire experiment went from its normal, mesmerizing hue to a mere translucent color. To the naked eye it appeared to be nothing more than water. "Interesting stuff, eh? How about you two give it a try? But this time I'd like you to work together - to get acquainted, if you will. Akemi, you'll do the stirring, and you Usio," He narrowed his eyes. "You add the drops. I'll be generous and allow 6 minutes for completion. You may begin." With his directions given he signaled toward the 2 proctors near the entrance of the classroom. They nodded and stepped out for a moment, already knowing what to do.
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