Lion Head Mesa Zinnia

@Machiavelli <3 backdating a wee bit

Well, why hadn’t she thought of it before? It seemed so simple now!

She only needed a potion. A concoction. Then Charmion might return her feelings. Then mother and father and her siblings would never leave her again! Some used potions to terminate their enemies. The princess sought a potion to make love eternal.

For this, she needed him.

“Excuse me,” the young voice approached from down the hallway, her pawsteps light but flanked by the thunder of a mazoi’s march

The man sat within the recesses of the sesh's den, mashing a collection of berries and mushrooms against the rim of a tortoiseshell bowl.

He turned, luminous gaze landing upon the small figure curiously. Shifting to pull himself into a stand so that he might bow, the dog's voice rumbled low against the stone walls: How might I help you, Highness?

She admires the quilted coloring of him as his head lowers, the silken fur with a luminous quality.

“Please, be at ease,” the amiirad directs, her fiery eyes melting to a warm rose with a gentle smile. “I’ve heard about you. You’re Machiavelli— is that correct?”

Curious, the princess steps into the physician’s rooms and bends a wondering nose over the shell mortar for a closer look. “You see, I have a very important task for a fellahin named Machiavelli.”

She reminds him of Safiya, when she was still small all those months ago, and is warmed to her in an instant. The girl's soft expression is returned. Machiavelli to all, but to friends—just Machi. He stands, pulling the bowl away from the twitching nose with a quiet warning of its danger.

I was not aware I had made a name for myself here, but to know it is an honor. How might I be of service?

“Machi,” she grins, only more encouraged by this game of keep-away. “I am amiirad Satriya Merneith.”

She steps forward, giving her guards a little wave before turning around and pushing her mouth to a pointed ear to whisper:

“It’s confidential—  you are sworn to secrecy!” No one could find out!

He lowers his head to meet her, ears pricking, and eyes wide at this confession, Oh, dear me. It must be quite serious then.

Very well, Miss amiirad Satriya Merneith, I swear it.

“It’s… a love potion!” The little princess reveals, biting the inside of her lip and hoping desperately he wouldn’t laugh.

Once more the briefest of looks over her shoulder to ensure the guards had given space, then Neith returns her focus to Machiavelli with the steadying force of a goddess. “You see, Machi. Everyone’s been leaving lately, but I figured out a way to stop it! One little sip, and everyone will fall so madly in love with me that they’ll never find it within themselves to leave ever again!”

“Well, can it be done?” The garnet eyes sparkle intensely!

The dog let out a low hmm, tapping a paw to his chin as he looked around the room thoughtfully.

We can certainly attempt it, Highness, but I must warn you, and his expression grew grim in his warning, while your intentions are pure, it is a very wicked thing to remove another's will in matters of love. If the potion does as you wish, would this be something you could carry with you?

The little golden face storms with hesitancy. Denying anothers’ will… well it sounded grave! She didn’t want that, did she?

But they would forgive her certainly! What she asked was for the greater good of all Akashingo! And so when at last the mouth opened again it was with great confidence.

“Yes,” she breathes, enchanted then with what those magical paws might do next!

He nods solemnly. Then let us begin, and he turns to produce the largest container that might be found. Since this is your potion, Highness, you must assist me in its creation.

What do you think we should use for it's base? There are many options, such as water, honey, sap, or wine—or perhaps there's something else that you believe would better suit?

"Cleansed water from the serpent. As well as milk from lily blossoms," she says assuredly, so her loved ones would be reminded of her sweetness!

The princess whisks from the room, an invitation for the mysterious botanist to follow her down to the river's edge in hunt for their required ingredients.