terrariums | open; 2024

"One would think that collecting mermaid tears would be an easy task, but it isn't as if I can simply cry on command. When needed I often have to take fairly extensive measures to collect just the right amount and of the right quality. They have to be genuine, after all." And mermaids so often live in the water which adds another layer of difficulty. If a mermaid cries underwater then there might as well be no tears at all...

Usually he would just squeeze Floyd, but for some reason his twin has been avoiding him whenever he's in his lab gear lately. A shame.

"I was considering using the milkweed to encourage additional tear production so that I have some extra to attempt my personal pursuits."

Imagining Jade crying, even for something as important to him as an ingredient for a potion such as this, was almost an impossible task. No wonder it wouldn't be an easy ingredient to get, despite being the very type of being that could produce it. "Hm. I suppose that makes sense." And, no, Riddle was not going to offer to help without being asked first.

Not for someone like Jade, someone he was already to wary around.

"That may work. How are you planning to help direct the production of specifically tears? Some form of eyedrop may work, though I don't believe milkweed or any potion of the sort including it would be safe for the eyes.... then there would be the added difficulty of extracting the tears from the drops they'd inevitably mix with. So, then, what sort of mix are you thinking? Potions tend to be indiscriminate unless you manage to use the right additives."

"That is true. I have no interest in damaging my eyes, but I am willing to undergo some discomfort in the pursuit of my work." Crying because of pain or dealing with other unfortunate... leaking... is something he can handle with some time and care. A well-concocted antidote being a feasible option.

He turns a few pages backwards in his notes to a much more specific page. Each note with an added line with numbers, grams, mL, every sort of fraction. It's no surprise that so many go to Octavinelle for potion notes and supplies, is it? "I was considering a mix that would trigger either a potentially painful response, or to concentrate on one's negative feelings to induce tears."

As they'd discussed, potions can do wonders for human and non-human emotions. Negative states just happen to be more useful.

Hook, line, and sinker -- Riddle was interested. His eyes do their best to scan the page quickly. He finds himself leaning in closer to Jade to peer at the notes better. If he was going to have them open, to sit here with him, then Jade would have to deal with the way the Housewarden peeks at them, trying to gleam any and all of the secrets from the pages.

His pen comes up, the side resting lightly against his bottom lip in thought.

"This particular ingredient I am about to bring up can be highly poisonous and toxic to humans if not diluted properly," Riddle prefaces his words, before shifting to grab one of the many books he had laying out on the table. Flipping through it, he comes to the page for Baneberries, a plant that was within the Buttercup family, with attractive red or white berries depending on the variety.

"Baneberries, when ground up, can be used in a several different ways to achieve what you're looking for. Both pain and negative emotional states. You have to dilute them and make sure to use another additive to be sure you don't drop dead. No matter if you're human or non-human, you have to be careful." There's a momentary pause, before he adds, "You also need to be careful of the concentration, for your emotional wellbeing. Something like that... aren't you concerned it could possibly push you into such a negative headspace that you'd end up with a major accumulation of blot?"

"Not for such a short exercise, but I appreciate the concern. At worst I could prepare a concoction that will garner the opposite effect." Which would hopefully leave him feeling neutral until both versions wear off. If he considers the right additives to make sure that they don't react to each other, though...

He loves it. Potions are such a fascinating subject.

"Baneberries would be a rather interesting option. If I considered my weight and length in my true form..." His own pen comes to his lips, the diamond clear gem of his magestone pressed against his cheek. "It would be a careful balance, but hardly impossible."

Even if Jade was sure he could avoid the nastier effects by neutralizing it... This ingredient was particularly nasty. It wouldn't be right of Riddle to suggest using it without offering some level of concern, of worry for his classmate.

As aggravating as the Leech brothers were, he wouldn't want anything terrible to happen to the two of them.

Pointing his pen out towards Jade, his expression becomes stern. "If you use them, you must have someone with you. Whether to test the potion on them and be ready to administer something to combat the adverse side effects, or to have them available to do the same for you."

"If I find out you've taken this advice and used it in any way that could bring harm upon yourself without having someone watching over you, I'll have your head. It doesn't matter that you're not under my purview as Housewarden." It would be terribly irresponsible of him to leave this as it is - he has half a mind to demand he be the one to oversee Jade... but that would require spending more time with him, which was not something Riddle was inclined to do.

"Thank you for your concern. I look forward to your assistance in my project." Because clearly this was an offer, yes? Not at all just a case of Riddle being a concerned classmate or even a tentative friend. He has experience with blot and a knowledge of potionology that there is no reason not to put himself in Riddle's capable hands.

He'd considered asking Trey for assistance before, but decided against it in favor of more personal views.

"In exchange, how about I give you some of my tears?"

What? His assistance? His? Oh, Seven, what had he gotten himself into?! Hadn't he been careful enough with his words, to keep something like this from happening? The change of expression from stern to annoyed.

"What do you mean my assistance? I never said--!!" Riddle's voice pitches up instinctively, before he cuts himself off, glaring daggers at Jade. Still, the terms of this... by helping Jade, he could make sure that his advice didn't end up hurting the merman in any way, that he wasn't irresponsible with those ingredients for the sake of completing the project, and he'd earn some of his tears, an ingredient with so many different uses.

Gritting his teeth, Riddle thinks it over.

"Fine. You won't give them to me right away, but when I need them. To give me full flexibility over when I use them." He huffs out, tilting his chin up as if to look down his nose on Jade. This merman was too tricky at times. To understand him, his actions, his whole being, would be impossible in one glance. Still, Riddle knew to be careful.

"I won't owe you for them, correct? You said 'in exchange', but I want to make sure."

open; 2024

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