Chocolate did help with stress, that was true. At least with the mental effects. Probably one of the substances in the delicious food was responsible for that. That, or just it being delicious in general. I finished the cookie I had and took another one, bowing my head to Miss Hyperion as I did so. Then Madison sat forward, and outlined a proposal for me, and I raised an eyebrow as I thought it over.
The deal was...strange. It seemed to favor me far more than it did her. Perhaps she valued her privacy that highly? Or also a possibility, she was that much of a proponent of alchemy that she didn't mind helping another alchemist out. Still, I felt a bit bad about taking advantage of her like this when she was offering to help me out in such a way. But...how to make it more equitable? She was offering to bring these things to me, how could I...? Ah. Her focus perhaps? She had studied diseases, whereas I focused more primarily on healing agents and the like. Was she then, offering to help me out in this way, in exchange for future favors, possibly for information on discoveries I make? Hm. My head swam for a moment and I shook it, trying to focus back in on the conversation.
"That... sounds like quite the beneficial arrangement, Miss Madison. I can't deny that not having to come out here to gather supplies would increase the speed with which I do research on the plant life in the area - there is only so much I can carry by myself after all. I'll have to think of something I can offer you to even the bargain but... I don't think that will be now... Apologies, it's becoming...." Ah. If she wasn't offering to help me in the future, I might have thought that Madison and Hyperion had poisoned me. I dropped one hand to my leg and pressed against the artery there, trying to check my pulse - it seemed only mildly elevated, so I wasn't reacting to something unknown. I shook my head roughly, bringing the women back into focus as I stood up. My motions didn't seem unsteady in the least, just difficult to think straight.
Likely a result of the adrenaline rush that I had experienced running through the woods from....whatever had been chasing me. I frowned. That was strange. I remembered being terrified, but of what? I couldn't picture what it was that had chased me....where? I remembered...water? But.... I was near the sea. Maybe I fled from something by the ocean? There were certainly enough predators in the waters that could be a threat, and the ocean was something I hadn't put a lot of time into studying yet.
"Perhaps I should take my leave now, ladies. I seem to be rather exhausted, and I believe i should make it back to my camp and rest. By your leave?"
