Aurum in Fairy Robes eating noodle; Yes, this illustration was supposed to be switched with the 3rd chapter.
Tale 43: The Small Apothecary (chapter 5 - The Moon 5/5 ) part 8. Stories of Dreams
The next day, Qilin sleep; unable to adjust to the time-zone change. He reluctantly got up, to start his work. Firstly, he asked various people what elixirs they might need. Qilin knew the local doctor required remedies to naga venom, flu symptoms, and bone repair; And others wanted light viles and water clensing; Things the traditional village lacked. So, next it was time to gather. Even if no recipe called for it, Qilin looked for specialties. Some mid-day golden dew, from the ruffled Dok Cahmpa was right there; beaming light the light of dawn. Good for pain, and only found in Doi Veng. These were the yellow flowers he dreamed of. But for the final request, he was comissioned sugar plum jam for sleep.
Qilin walked to the ever blossoming orchard; Various cherry, plum, and orange fruit fey, were planted neatly together; A fluffy arching crown of plush purple and pink. They sweetly whispered above a pool of lucky carp. But the enchanted fish no gave scales of fortune; they rejected every coin. Even the frosted plums forbid Qilin from having a single pome. With a despondent sigh, and empty basket, Qilin realized he needed a witch. For his recipes, the fey had to consent to being picked. Their gifts have different properties if taken without asking. Qilin preferred asking. He considered it violent, to steal pieces of fey.
Having lost, Qilin’s left the orchard in search of Aurum. It was his lucky day; He saw golden silks glow from the corner of his eye. Aurum was riding his familiar off the butte top. Qilin gasped, and ran after him. He had completely forgotten Aurum was showing him the water temple today.
The walk was silent between Qilin and Aurum. Qilin’s thoughts were busied by finally being able to perform traditions from his people. Also, the consuming frustration at current barriers to his craft. Meanwhile, Aurum shuddered at the thought of his neglectful mother being there; He was equally irational in the moment. Ironically, Aurum’s mother came to Doi Veng for the same reason as Qilin. However, money had corrupted her, and she succumb to depression while destroying Doi Veng. She was the very reason they fey acted so cold. For this reason, she now tended the temple and retired from magic.
At the temple, the walls crumbled as nature grew through them. But inside, there was a hall with carved jade walls. There was a set of bells, large gong, and trough of chalk, before a powdery wood floor. Light shone through the gaps of the pillars, and holes above the red beams. Pixies were sleeping about the ledges, that wafted of rose and sandalwood. Their honey would be perfect for making hex incense. Qilin was overwhelmed as he looked above, and walked closer to the chalk.
“How does this work?” Qilin inquired. He bumped into Aurm who was kneeling. Qilin decided to join him. The sound of a steam silently echoed, and Qilin felt himself merge with the moment. His previous thoughts now smothered. His face bright. Then, Aurum’s deep breaths ceased. He had never met someone of the Eastlands, who didn’t know how to give gratitude.
“Um, you grab the chalk in your palms, then slam your hands while bowing, and gently interlace your fingers behind your neck. Then reflect on what satisfies your being in that moment,” Aurum said, his head tilted. “Then meditate on the phrase ‘I am greatful for...” He demonstrated. The thud of the bow, and puff of chalk, nearly made Qilin second guess the ritual. He performed it perfectly, powdering white into his black hair. Soon, a singing bowl rang through the room. They sat up as one, in a state of serenity.
“What are you grateful for, Lin?” Aurum grinned. His own father would always ask the same. You can tell a lot about a person from what they appriciate.
“Having the opportunity to live here with my family. You?” Qilin smirked. Aurum stalled, and looked into the brushed bell brass before him.
“To see the colour yellow.” He said calmly. He gently got up, and left to the courtyard. Qilin tip-toes in suit. They sat in the shade of the clensing gingko, growing into the a wall. Crossed legs, well poised, silent, and resting.
The novelty of meditation, wore off quickly for Qilin. His mind wondered back to the rejection of the plums. He fidgeted with the urge to ask Aurum for aid, while unsure if disturbing meditation was allowed. He had meditated little in his life, aside from breathing exercises in school programs. Despite reading the teachings within the poetry of water. Qilin opened his eyes, and turned to Aurum. Tears were streaming down Aurum’s face, as his steady breath trembled. It came from the chest, no matter how hard he tried to use his stomach.
“Why are you crying?” Qilin whispered.
“It does not matter why I am sad. I get sad sometimes, then it goes away. I concentrate only on emptiness.” Aurum sighed, melting into his posture.
“Then how do you process emptiness? How do you let go?”
“Maybe I cry, because I am sad that I have let go. Purhaps right now, it is time to greave.” Aurum said, opening his eyes. His mother was adjacent, and smiling slightly. She wore orchid, with shimmering lotus trim.
“I’m bad at letting go.” Qilin shrugged. “Like, I can’t let go of those stupid sugar plums. This place was supposed to be....perfect.” He petered out. Aurum nodded, having already assumed as much. Aurum’s mother readjusted.
“I’m going now. Those are great thoughts to practice sitting with, Lin. Thoughts that when overcome, make you one with nothingness. Letting go, requires wisdom of what we cannot control. The world will not end because the fey are hesitant, and we feel strongly.” Aurum said, walking away. He seldom took his own medicine, despite his effort. To Qilin, those words made him go red from frustration.
Aurum didn’t fully embrace a single thing he touted most days. He had only been practising for a few years. It can take a lifetime to act on such beliefs. Aurum may need two lifetimes; He had a lot of issues: Feeling incompetent for being coddled, traumatized for being imprisoned, and hard feelings towards his parents for their mistakes. He knew being in the moment would prevent looking back, and alternatively the now is not always pleasant. Like Qilin, Aurum also struggled to sustain his meditation. Aurum radiated a dark presence as he rode back to the village. Like he would block out the sun for anything that dared to near him. That stupid boy was summoning Aurum’s pain with all those questions. Testing his ability to remain present. The flaw of the ways of water, is that human hearts are responsive, thus creating desire and hate. People seek opposites, and fulfillment. They are not like fey. The flow of all things, is inconsistent with humanity’s stubbornness.
Aurum spent three hours coaxing the trees to give up a few plums to help Qilin.
“I don’t believe he is a greedy wizard. He is not from my family. I think he is like our village’s people. He wants simplicity, and your charity, to aid us all. What If I ask you for plums? As your mage who adores you, am I worthy? Am I able to receive your gifts to help the forest?”
“We will trust you for now, mage. But if this boy misuses our gifts, we will gladly have the more mobile fey scare him off.” The orchard threatened. It was so unlike them. Fey catastrophizing? Often, the childlike neutral nature of fey, made them the best teachers of embracing each moment’s wonder and joy. But like people, they know fear and desire. Nothing is immune. Aurum was only able to procure half the ingredients Qilin needed.
“Can you give him more? I want to sleep.” A familiar voice called into the trees. Kugu was feeding rice cakes to the lucky carp, while listlessly humming a lullaby to endear them. She wore her same printed pastel clothes. The trees dropped more flowers and fruit. Aurum’s gaze lingered on Kugu’s forlorn face. He snapped out of it when she thanked them.
Aurum walked over to crouch next to Kugu; The garden was empty in the afternoon. All they heard was birds and fey whipers.
“I just want a regular sleep cycle.”
“No, I mean for going outside so we can smile with you. You even helped Qilin,” Aurum said, looking at his reflection in the pool. “Honestly I’m sick of only seeing you stare at the wall, each time I sneak in to rid the goblins from your yard.”
“I don’t need pity.” Kugu scoffed.
“Maybe you need tea? I’ve heard good things about tea. I’d love to make some for you some time.” Aurum tensed. Kugu laughed a little. The carp gave them scales.
“Maybe after you give that apothecary his ingredients, and my father overcomes his worry. He should go to the temple too,” Kugu growled. “I like to think it’s working for me. I hope magic can cure me. I should’ve never studied in the city.”
“Should is a toxic word. Like always and never. Best advice my nanny ever gave me.” Aurum said, examining the orange scales. He got up to leave, and waved goodbye. Kugu tried to smile back. Even lost in his glow, she couldn’t do it quite yet.
Qilin nearly feinted at the basket of goods; He could start brewing this very night. There was an encouraging note from his mother. Qilin read it while setting up. The plum jam needed to be brewed under a full moon, all night; Qilin would need to multitask to stay awake. As the sun set, he got to work cutting and grinding. Sugar plum, frosted orange peel, and starlit sugar cane. He had brewing flasks, vials of every material, and all the tools and stoves he needed; Including a pot to make smoked fish rice, as he missed dinner.
After a night’s work, the jam had turned white. To test, he put a spoonful on a plate; It froze the entire table. The plums hadn’t fully consented to sharing their gifts. The elixir could be used in small does to cool food or make ice, so it wasn’t a full loss. But Qilin was deeply disappointed. Not only did he fail brewing for the first time in a year, but the fey didn’t like him. As dawn came, Qilin staggered back to the temple, and feel asleep while meditating until midday; When he could make the golden dew. He was given a singing bowl for the very task. If had a fierly lusture from the dragon forged bell brass. However, Qilin’s confidence was shattered. He lost his posture. Having awoken, his breathing was uneven, but still deep. Like a gasping fish.
“Why are you crying?” Kugu asked. Silence.
“Well, I cry for failing to get a degree, and believing for a moment such things mattered when places like this exist.” She continued. Qilin looked up to see her undone hair and calm face. She wore a silver satin sabok skirt, that glimmered like the moon. She looked nice today. Their eyes met. Qilin’s tears soaked his dirty emerald wrapped pants and sash; He wore only the pants of his dirty wizarding robes.
“You don’t have to share.” Kugu shrugged.
“I cry, because today my mind reminds me I can fail.” Qilin admitted.
“The plums hate everyone. You’re not special,” Kugu snorted. “Well, they like me I guess; Enough to give the other half of your ingredients when I requested your potion.”
“Thanks. Now tell me your secrets. The fey here are resistant to friendship.” Qilin grined.
“I would have ascended to the next spiritual plane, if I knew the ways of fey.” Kugu rolled her eyes.
“Well, me and Aurum know the ways of fey, and I assure you we’re both currently incompatent.”
“He offered to let me watch him burn himself on a stove; To make tea to warm me. Something about it having special properties.”
“Probably something my mom said.”
“I think I said yes, even though I have trouble bonding with people. But with that workaholic, whose smile and misguided mind; He makes me weak. It feels like he’s always there for me. But I can’t get myself to-”
“bonding and getting attention? Just crawl into his window uninvited! I got a week’s detention for that, and I wasn’t even the one naked. The guy didn’t return my textbook, and I had a test the next day. You’ll never forget a moment like that. That’s the secret to bonding with someone.” Quilin suggested. Kugu finally managed a smile.
The following week, Qilin decided to earn the trust of fey the old-fashioned way: bribery and proximity. He failed fey studies, but was a believer in power of confidence. Qilin was now desperate to gather ingredients; Preferably without Aurum or Kugu. He watered and tended the wondrous flora daily. Trying to tell himself it’s ok if they don’t give him anything. It’s just a low rank potions, he’d repeat like a new mantra. When he dare feel the frustration boil, he decided to seek other useful ingrediant.
Thus, Qilin stood at the graceful falls on the red lacquer bridge, being misted gently by the cleansing water. He wanted one of Goober’s golden scales, to make glistening dye; dragon-yellow was good at thermoregulating houses. Useful in tropical climates, like here in the Eastlands. Summer, was indeed upon the baking butte; Making Qilin’s cloths stick to his every inch. Goober requested a watch. Qilin didn’t have one. Like Aurum, Qilin shook an open palm over the rail, and into the pool below. The bottom was littered with clocks. After wading to the shore, Qilin sat there causing at the universe between breaths.
Meanwhile, Aurum had melted into his sleeping mat. Finally, he was able to let his trains of thought come and go freely. One with existence. He felt the come and go of joy, in this accomplishment. Calming gratitude for the sun and Kugu’s courage, and Qilin’s spirit. His breath deep and relaxed. He was lost to the world, for what might have been ninety-minutes. Even the crash on his balcony, and tumble through his open shutters, didn’t stir Aurum. Must be the birds. He thought in passing. Kugu was angered Qilin’s advice didn’t work.
Kugu had crawled out of bed for nothing. Like those around her, Kugu’s ability to be one with acceptance, was being tested. She sat an inch from Aurum’s face for fifteen-minutes before stillness left her. She ran back out the window; Not before seeing the entire kitchen littered with burnt pots, and random perfectly clean tea cups. Kugu wondered if he washed things with soap, cleansing water, or just alchemized dishes as he needed them. Once again, a train of thought brought someone out of the moment, and over a rail. Kugu fell into a mundane gingko, and then landed her tailbone on the walkway. She covered her face in embarrassment, and pain, as she passed people who weren’t watching.
A week later, Qilin gave the cooling jam to the local cook. His brother was baking in the back, and mocked Qilin’s chalk powdered hair. The temple had quickly become Qilin’s favourite spot between brewing.
“Are you sure you don’t need it? It will keep food from spoiling in the heat,” Qilin insisted. “One drop in the centre of a room each day, should keep any place a cool.”
“Brilliant! But... Why can’t a mage do this? Wouldn’t a winter spell, or whatnot, be permanent? How can I be sure a wizard used ethically sourced ingredients? I don’t have money to pay you either.” The cook questioned.
“Words of thanks, or food, will be payment enough,”Qilin smiled. “Potions are made to be used. I would never waste goods made from the gifts given by our local fey. Besides, Aurum can be busy, now that Whitestead is not in Doi Veng. Sir, I assure my elixirs are fit for our current needs.”
“I supose.” The man smiled. Qilin smiled back, as he handed over the potion. The man gave him his day’s worth of calories in dumpling soup, and peanut tofu. Qilin decided to go home to sleep it off, since he was unable to brew anything that day. He had given in to his failure, and tended the fey only out of admiration. Which led to several baskets of ingredients, by Qilin’s side. He was admittedly content. Maybe he had gotten his Happily Ever After enchantment. Things seemed to bother Qilin less with time. Maybe Doi Veng was rubbing off on him, as he wished. Each moment became succulent. Even his mother and siblings seemed to be calm and rested.
After waking up from meditation, Aurum decided to eat some leftover stuffed buns, and ride his familiar to the greater Doi Veng area, outside the gate. He had nearly forgotten there was a large town nearby. Everyone in Doi Veng forgot about it eventually. Which is good, because the town felt sad. Aurum attended magic school here, and got a witchery masters. When Aurum arrived, and gave a beaming aura as he walked. It contrasted with from the roughed up neighbourhood. He decided to buy incense for the temple, and as gifts. Aurum received some nasty looks. The people even walked around him, or switched sidewalks; People feared mages. Aurum could feel their impulsive reactions, through the traditional smiling greetings. He briefly remembered those things used to bother him, then moved on. Aurum decided to go back with taro rolls, offer the incense, and return home.
In his abode, Aurum examined the tea he bought. He had no clue if Kugu liked tea.
How does one know if something is made with love, or rant serenity? He held up the box, and looked at it vacantly. Aurum felt the unsteady breath panic. But he had a resolve of independence. A desire to become a calm grown individual. His nanny was gone, and taught him many things.
How hard could it be to make tea? I know magic after all! Surely making tea is easier then cooking or bartering with dragons. Aurum thought, tensely exhaling.
Instead of sitting with that, he ate the rest of the taro rolls like hotdogs, while watching Qilin appease the foliage. They were now trying to give him too many gifts, of which he would refuse.
“You wanted their gifts so bad… Why are you turning them away?” Aurum asked.
“Because I don’t want thing I won’t use. Their to kind to reap...” Qilin shrugged. There was a pause as he commanded winter water, from his wand; Sprinkling the garden with glittering dew. Water spells always have an explainable lustre to them. Like living glass.
“Actually, I’m also scared I’ll mess up, Qilin confessed.
“It’s pretty hard to truely mess up.”
“ But I botched the jam, and now I have to wait another lunar cycle to have a full moon. The cooling potion was the best I’ve ever made, if that were what I was making.” Qilin grumbled.
“That’s a lot of looking forward and back. I hate when I do that too.” Aurum said. “For example, I don’t know how to make tea, and I offered it to Kugu. To help her. Because I like her. The thought of failure is intrusive... Wait! You brew stuff, Lin; Any hints?”
“Great. We’re on the same page. The human attachment to time and social pressure. Well, since one of us has to succeed: First you grab a pot. Then you fill the pot two-thirds with water. Then you heat the water until it bubbles, and-” Qilin started. “Are you taking notes?”
“Yes. Keep going.” Aurum smiled innocently. He had summoned his mage journal and ink. Qilin looked into middle distance as if a wind of lukewarm essence flooded into him. Or perhaps a sneeze; It can be hard to tell sometimes. Qilin’s vision greyed, and hearing blurred, as he provided instructions. What sort of person doesn’t know how to make tea? Is that a judgment... Wait, should this man even be near fire?
“Thanks! I knew an Apothecary could help! Are you ok, Lin?” Aurum said, bending a little to look into Qilin’s eyes.
“Yeah, that’ll happen when you become aware of your stupidity. Happens often.”
“Stupid? Actually, I think I was thinking too hard; You don’t possess the skill of tea brewing. Do you struggle to wash your clothes? I keep meeting people who can’t wash clothes...” Qilin huffed. Aurum gave nervous laugh.
“Yeah. Um, anyway, I meant you looked consumed by regret. Are you embarrassed that you forgot the full moon is actually tomorrow night? We do encourage forgetting time here. Don’t feel too ashamed.”
“WAIT. WHAT.” Qilin yelled.
By Evening, Kugu sat quietly on the mat by Aurum’s tea table. Jewel coloured walls, and dusty wood floors. His possessions were few, and the minimum quality needed to function. Every object traditional second-hand antique. The glaze on the ceramics had crackles, and the wall scrolls faded. Wood furniture losing lacquer, and cushions nearly flat. It gave the room personality. Kugu was intentionally not watching Aurum, who was behind her in the kitchen. He had burnt himself twice. But at last, he sat across from her.
“I’m sorry, it’s um, steeping.” He said. “How was your day?”
“Fell from a tree, again. Now I am here. Again.”
“I am not here. My mind is presently in that kitchen, watching the tea brew, worried you’ll hate it.”
“We offer tea because it’s neutral. I neither love nor hate tea. I actually have very few opinions. Which is why I have no friends, and ended up here.”
“Then you’re in the right place! I lack the full concept of most things, but I try my best to be ambivalent and absorb each second of being. Like being uncomfortble from tea.”
“Do I talk like that now, too? Without any emphatic words?”
“No. I normally don’t. I just hope that if speak like that, it will sink in. It’s super hard. I feel it might be working. Sometimes.”
“huh, never thought of it like that. Also, tea only takes three minutes to steep. You should check on it.” Kugu laughed. Aurum jumped up and dashed to the kitchen. There was more swearing, shattering, a little sobbing, some silence, and then Aurum returned with a white pot and two simple cups. He set the table perfectly. Kugu went to pour before Aurum could offer. She filled his cup, then hers. She put down the smooth warm pot, and went for her beverage. Then she noticed the tea was clear. She drank it to be sure. After a swallow, Kugu made eye contact with Aurum. He had also dranken it, and tensed with nerves.
“This is hot water.” Kugu said. She tried not to snicker. She took another sip, maintaining eye contact.
“Um. Nah. It’s tea! Brewed with love.” Aurum said calmly. His face was calm, and holding back nervous laughter. He finished the cup. The soft tap of his cup on the table sounded, before he gently poured himself more.
“It is warm, and maybe burnt. A little calming. Things we make for others, are of lesser quality; But still valued.” Aurum continued. Kugu put her hand over Aurum’s cup, before he could pick it up. She had started giggling. It’s contagious nature causing Aurum to join her.
“Alright, fine. I dropped the previous pot and improvised.” He admitted. Kugu took her cup and also refilled it. It was like a child’s tea-party. They drank simultaneously.
“Thank you for the tea.” Kugu bowed. Aurum put his cup down.
“It’s hot water.” He looked down biting his lip. Holding back both laughter and embarrasment.
“Yup. Just boiling water. That’s uh… Yup.” Kugu requited. “You tried though.”
“Hm.” Aurum wilted. “But did it work? The new lady said tea made with love brings inner peace.”He continued. Kugu reluctantly nodded. She thought herself above being swooned by such tomfoolery.
The following evening, Qilin held his basket of requested plums. His lab was fully prepared. Thus, it was time to brew. He didn’t need the sleeping elixirs himself anymore, but knew it was useful enough to make regardless. He remembered Kugu showing interest. While Qilin worked by the stove and couldon, and the sun set, and sweat dripped. His mother silently entered while her son was lost in his craft. Smiling, she sat by the table.
“Mind if I watch? Your brothers said they find people using magic unsettling, and refused to visit. I brought your sister though.” She gleamed.
“You want to stay up all night, watching me brew random things, cook rice, and make mystical jam?” Qilin checked. His mother nodded, and little sister smiled.
“I want to see why you love it. I always wondered where potions came from. You turn all these pieces of fey, into substances that help us. Like making tea, that cna make anything happen.” His mother said. Qilin lit the stove with moon fire. She flinched, but held her ground. Qilin smiled to comfort her. He enjoyed her company, but didn’t need to say it. His inner child was happy to have his mother to himself, after so long. She was his greatest blessing.
“Is Doi Veng what you dreamed? Is being a wizard what you imagined, Lin?” His mother asked. They shared rice while they watched the pot simmer. It had a crisp and sweet scent, akin to pure vanilla.
“Well, no. It was really exciting, I guess. But somehow, I thought wizardry would be cooler than cooking by another name.” Qilin sighed. “Doi Veng is as magical and whimsical as I thought, but it doesn’t feel that way. It’s simply another place now. I think I got my Happily Ever After, and everything lost its flavour. In a good way. It melted into perfectly still water.”
“I like it here. I came because you inspired me, Lin. You’re full of good ideas. Once I came here, I became content with the flavour of my life. It had been so long since I felt that. Like the rain no longer stops me from going about a day. It’s so colourful, and the things speak. I find the clothing comfortable, and have time to paint more scrolls. Now that all my babies are grown, I have time to spend with them.” Qilin’s mother explained. He gave a small chuckle and stirred the pot; Scrapping the thickened jam on the side back in.
“I have no clue what made me choose any of this, nor why I’m ok with it. I almost hate that it worked out so nicely. You gave me doubt. Maybe something inside, decided I wanted to do something random, right that minute; I kept saying yes, and I ended up here.” Qilin said, checking his watch. He looked out the window, as a soft light illumined the village. Qilin pulled his mother in, and they looked into the pot.
“This is the best part; And what separates a cauldron from a crock-pot.” He jitterred. As light beamed against the cracks of the roof, the jam went from purple to opalescent blue. Qilin jumped up in laughter, hopped in circles, and hugged his mom. Success!
Qilin’s mother and sister watched keenly, as he used a small spatula to pour the elixir into violet labelled vials, with floral caps. They shimmered like his smile. Around him, the glassware glittered brilliant colours, in every inch of the shop; Glistening jewels, that made one see more the longer they looked. A memory being made.
“This must be the best part.” His mother said.
“Actually, it is one of many good parts.”
dededos
origamiaround
janainaart
turnnoffyourmind
dailybridgerton
kaledo-art
prguitarman
romaincrisis