It's A Kind Of Magic, Att. Kahest

[Kahest Zho Avanae]

As Emily remarked on the nature of his shop, Kahest gave a a slight smile of appreciation at her with a hint of genuine warmth as her compliment played to his pride and ego.

"Perhaps you will educate the people too, not to think that alchemy means only turning stones into gold or gaining supreme knowledge, as we have been taught in school.” She said.

"Well, not exclusively, anyway." The man said with a chuckle that echoed hollowly. "However, I will say that turning materials to gold is, indeed, possible if difficult, and that it is generally the goal of all scientists to gain supreme knowledge in some way for one reason or another; though I do not speak for all."

The reporter then turned her line of inquiry to his distributors, the supplies required in his trade and any difficulty he might have in obtaining them. Before answering he took another false sip from his cup, wetting his lips but not actually drinking, giving forethought to his answer.

"Difficult? Yes, I would say that finding the materials that were so readily available to me on Rehnok has become increasingly more difficult the more I try to practice my trade here, on a world that has no inherent magic of its own. In fact, it's a wonder that we practitioners of magic are able to employ our arcane abilities at all on this world, however we are lucky because there are certain conditions that make it just so that it is indeed possible; however, I digress, your question was not regarding the unique situation of the practical application of magic in the Point and on Earth Prime." Joked the Lich, giving a small shrug of his shoulders. "You could always visit me at the University for that conversation another time."

"On worlds where magic is... natural, I think is appropriate to say, there are certain elements which are not present on other worlds that lack magic, such as this one. These elements, and the materials formed from them, are therefore unavailable to me by means of normal collection. Although, since alchemy is primarily a means of creating more complex materials from those that are less so, I have been able to create some of the complex materials necessary for my more advanced creations, though the it is quite difficult and produces a limited amount. For example, as a metallurgist might combine copper and zinc to create brass, so would I combine base elements here on Earth Prime with a touch of magic to create things that are not a resource on this world." Though his continuing explanation was quite verbose, the only pauses he made were part of his rhetoric, never for breath of which he never seemed to be out.

"Other, more mundane materials are easily obtained, however, ordered from the same companies that supply pharmaceutical, research, and even college laboratories. I simply put in a request to the offices of R&R and they buy the required items under a front business set up by and for the Point." Pausing to allow his partner to digest and make notes on all the information he was divesting, the man took another 'sip' before giving a soft, pseudo-embarrassed laugh as he again met her eyes with his own dark, false ones. "Forgive my lengthy responses, I do my best to inform as best as possible without straying from the topic, though I sometimes fail at that last part."

“Out of everything you have listed… what do you think is your shop’s all time best seller?” She asked, a question which was, in nature, simpler than her last yet more difficult for Kahest to answer seeing as he could not guess what the diverse people of the Point might think the more necessary product to buy out of the many he offered.

"Hmm... Difficult to say. Those who take pride in the way they look might favor the cosmetic items I offer, items which could change the way they look. Those who take pride in their health or their work might seek some of the supplements I have which could greatly improve the efficiency of their bodies, much like you sought something to give you energy for your work; which, by the way, you have my personal guarantee it will have effect." He said with a wink at assurance. "Also, many of the magical materials and items I synthesize and create are sought after by the magic department of the College, as well as other magic shops and magicians themselves. However, by and large, the items I've sold the most of has been my medicine, which has been purchased from me in quantities as large as I can produce by the local hospital, which they study for application and use for their patients. ... I realize I didn't quite answer your question, at least not in a straightforward manner, but I hope it will do."

[Emily Reid]

Emily enjoyed the company and the answers. He explained that alchemists were focusing on gold and philosophal stone exactly how she had learnt initially, but not only. Their activity was much broader.

“I guess all of us would want, if not supreme knowledge, at least more than we have,” she commented.

Kahest started to tell her how difficult it was to find here the materials and ingredients he had at home, then he launched an invitation to visit him at the University. His further explanation was interesting and feeding her imagination with what remained unsaid. Of course, nobody would admit openly all the secrets of his trade!

“I might answer your invitation some day, especially that it might mean having not only a discussion with you, but with other renowned professors too,” she smiled. Tell me, please, what is the most frequent question you got from customers – except the table – related one!”

Remembering the poster, the smile got into a good natured chuckle.

“I don’t mind long responses, I note down everything and it will help in writing the article,” she said. “Not every word you say will find its place in the newspaper, though,” the journalist tried to explain, in order to avoid disappointment.

His answer touched her question, and she nodded affirmatively. Yes, it would do.

“Cosmetics? How interesting!”

In her imagination, being something magical, it should have been the kind to turn the frog into a prince, or the ugly sister into the belle of the ball. Anyway, he wouldn’t lack customers, this was clear.

“And which is the most frustrating question you have got from potential customers?” she asked a last question.

[Kahest Zho Avanae]

As the interview continued Kahest found himself enjoying line of questioning, not only did it offer him the unique opportunity to explain many things of his professional life to someone eager to hear his words but he considered the questions themselves, as well as the comments, to be intelligent ones, lacking any sense of bumbling clumsiness others might have discussing such matters with a man like himself. The lich had only had the fortune to find people that he did not despise conversing with at the University as well as a few of the other mages who lived in the Point. To Kahest, the ability to offer intelligent discourse was just as valuable as his alchemy.

"Tell me, please, what is the most frequent question you got from customers – except the table – related one!” The reporter asked, again making the store owner consider the question before answering.

"Well, besides that question you mentioned, which I'm sure will become the bane of my existence before all is said and done, I mostly been asked questions regarding exactly how alchemy works. It's understandable, since magic is usually looked upon with fear or suspicion by those not familiar with it; also, people want to know what they are using is safe, that it will work just how it is supposed to, and that there won't be any undesirable mishaps or side-affects. My explanations to them is pretty much the same I have given you, reassuring that it is an exact science which I am extremely practiced in, that take every precaution and never cut corners. I strive for perfection in all my endeavors." Though he was merely stating a fact Kahest allowed pride to slip into his voice as he spoke, clearly proud in his work and skill.

At her mention of not minding his long answers he was pleased, knowing from experience that there were many in the point who were satisfied with half-hearted answers that truly explained nothing. Since coming to Earth Prime it was refreshing to find anyone who sought otherwise, people who hungered for the real knowledge behind the answer. After all, why ask a question if you don't really want to know?

“Not every word you say will find its place in the newspaper, though,” she said, to which the lich gave a dismissive gesture.

"Of course, of course, I'm fully aware that these things need to be edited." He assured her.

Emily also seemed quite interested at his mention of the cosmetic items he sold and he could tell that the potential for what he offered was not lost on her. "Yes, imagine an anti-aging cream that actually slowed your aging, or a one-use solution that actually changes the color of your hair instead of dying it. I've got something for everybody; I mean, I could turn you into a purple-skinned yeti with blue and orange polka-dotted hair a perfect complexion, if that was what you wanted." He said with a chuckle. "The possibilities are vast, I suggest to all of my customers that if there is something you want, just ask, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, because I might be able to work something out."

“And which is the most frustrating question you have got from potential customers?” She asked with an air of finality.

Again he had to think, because other than people constantly inquiring about the name he had chosen for his shop he couldn't think of any questions that had actually frustrated him. "The only one I can remember that wasn't about tables was when an elderly gentleman asked me how a mixture I suggested for his arthritis tasted. Of course, it wasn't the question itself, but when I told him that I had no idea how it tasted because I had never tasted it myself, he started to get rather ornery, claiming, and I quote, 'how are you s'posed to git anyone to buy yer medicine if you can't even tell 'em how it tastes?!' To which I had no answer. I merely assured him, over and over, that the medicine is effective and as long as it works, who cares what it tastes like? But he just kept get more upset and arguing about the matter."

The lich gave a sardonic smile to the reporter as he took a pause to take another 'sip'. "Whole thing was rather silly, but I've never met anyone quite so capable of getting under my skin, as it were, over such an innocuous matter... I suppose that's not really an appropriate story for the interview though, for all I know he could be a fan of yours, I apologize."

[Emily Reid]

Emily enjoyed the conversation. The man was intriguing and she was already anticipating how she might structure the article in order to gain the people’s interest.

“Well, I guess these are reasonable questions I have asked you too,” she smiled. “Apothecaries get asked about it as well. And I am glad to hear that it is an exact science. Be sure, sir, that I am noting down all these reassurances, so that people will know before entering your shop”.

Which woman in this world wouldn’t have been interested in cosmetics too? Even herself, who was not vain.

“Everything you are mentioning in the cosmetic fields sounds interesting. I think I haven’t started to worry about anti-aging creams… but I might ask you for cosmetics some day,” she said, not really convinced. “Not a yeti though, thanks, I think I am ugly enough as I am. Children used to make fun of my horse-like teeth in school, you know…” she confessed on a low voice.

She laughed at the story about the older man.

“Don’t apologize, you are completely right. I know in my country this was the current a hundred years ago, when doctors started to take the place of midwives in assisting births. It was more of an idea that if you can’t experience it, why trying to heal it… Besides, while going to uni I had to work in a shop too, the scholarship was too small… And I had some customers like this, so I fully understand you.”

She had no more questions, but she took pleasure in the magic man’s company and she wouldn’t have been the one to call the meeting over.

[Kahest Zho Avanae]

Pleased, Kahest nodded at Emily's understanding of his responses and the motives behind them. He was glad that she could sympathize and comprehend what he was trying to convey and did not take umbrage at his story about the elderly gentleman he encountered where others might. Admittedly he found her to be an intelligent conversationalist and made a note to himself that should he ever find the need for smart discourse, something he felt was lacking ever since he left Rehnok, he could always seek her out and hoped she would do the same.

“Not a yeti though, thanks, I think I am ugly enough as I am. Children used to make fun of my horse-like teeth in school, you know…” she confessed on a low voice.

At this the man arched an eyebrow and tilted his head slightly, clearly not having reached that conclusion on his own. "I do not find you aesthetically displeasing. You're not perfect, but who is? I think you self-deprecate, your appearance is above average." He stated flatly, making a point rather than giving a compliment. "However, if your teeth bother you, I can make you something to change that, for a discount, of course."

At her response to his story and an offering of her own little experiences taken from her own world he nodded in understanding, particularly the part about the doctors, having undergone persecution in his own world for new sciences and paths to knowledge that the other nations did not share. "There are always those resistant to change, resistant to venturing outside the bounds of the conventional, but it is only by breaking those boundaries can progress be made." He stated, realizing he was venturing off the topic.

Sensing that the interview was at an end, yet oblivious to the woman enjoying his company, Kahest waved over the waitress once again who appeared promptly with the check, anticipating what he wanted. "Here you go, Kahest, a pleasure having you as always." She said happily as she left once more to attend to the other customers.

"Well, it was stimulating conversing with you, but I must be the dutiful shopkeeper and return to my store. I insist on covering the bill, after all you are doing me a great service by endorsing my business." He said, rising from his seat, donning his coat and bag and placing the amount due as well as a sizable tip over the check. "Please, feel free to call on me again, for business or pleasure; you can always find me at the shop or at the University, otherwise I'm at home. Good day, Miss Reid."

With his short goodbye and a brief handshake the undead mage left, leaving behind the journalist, his payment and a full cup of coffee that had grown cold. He exited the diner, walked down the block to his store and opened it for business once again, returning to the book he had left behind.

[Emily Reid]

Time flew differently when having an interesting discussion. She blushed at the mage’s saying that he “dind’t find her aesthetically displeasing”, and that he considered her appearance “above average.” Knowing already that he was not human (even if she didn’t understand exactly what else, assuming a sort of android, a kind of robot) she understood that it really was a high compliment. And if it had been received from an ordinary man, she would have wondered about his motives more than she was now – especially that he had offered his services.

“Interesting to know… but how would something like this function?” she shuddered, remembering the dentists who had tortured her during the teen years. “Or rather… it is better not to know.”

At least not yet, she’d be tempted to think more in depth about it, while she had sort of got habituated with her look and with the teasings. There had been too many years… Perhaps changing into something else wasn’t a good idea… and the price... No, better not to know!

The conclusion about the progress of the society matched her opinions.

“I believe the same thing, progress is marked by extending those boundaries.”

Now that the handsome shop-keeper had paid the bill and bid good bye with regret.

“Thank you very much, I have enjoyed our discussion too. I wish you and your business the greatest success!”

And the success would start with her writing the article…

– THE END –