Chapter 48: Help with Conditions
***
Dismissing the two kids, Vlad takes the bag of herbs at the lower deck of his caravel, where he begins preparing for Grabert's ointment in a closed room which in theory would be for the sailors of the crew, but at his instructions Nelmon shifted the whole structure of those sailor rooms, to become his Laboratory.
It was a decently sized room filled with various equipment and glassware for the solutions inside. Grabert who stepped inside looked with slight amazement since he never expected for a Laboratory that gave the vibe of a doctor's room to be fitted inside a ship.
From everything in this room, only the operation table, the working table, and the familiar mortar and pestle were some of the tools in this room he could recognize.
"Grabert, you can stay and watch, but once I tell you to leave the room, you leave without questions. Understood?" said Vlad in a calm tone continuing on his preparations.
"Sure."
"Good. Titania, bring me the gloves and mask."
With his cute assistant starting to fly around the room, it didn't take long for her to return with a "large" pair of gloves that were almost the same size as her, followed by the mask she carried with ease. Those were the basic equipment for any alchemist or doctor, if they were conscious of their shortcomings and wanted to protect themselves from certain accidents.
Once he had his mask and gloves on, Vlad had Titania remain close so she could learn from him alchemy and the effects of the herbs he selected, such that hours passed and Vlad was constantly responding to Titania's curious questions with regard to "Why was he doing that and not the opposite?"."
Their dynamics was observed by the old blacksmith who soon found himself being woken after 1 hour of watching Vlad prepare the herbs and plants.
"It's time to leave old Grabert."
Placing in a specific order the plants he cut or crushed with his pestle inside a glass recipient, Grabert who was outside of the laboratory room could feel a wave of hotness exiting out from the room, making him confused.
'What's going on inside? Why could I feel hot so suddenly?'
Meanwhile, inside the laboratory Titania began complaining when Vlad placed the minced hot pepper.
"You really had to do it? Ahhhh, it's hot. Too hot." said Titania starting to flutter around her hands, just so she could relieve herself of the hot sensation around her face.
"Mhm, it's hot." said Vlad in a stoic manner, who started tearing up from his blind eyes, a weird sensation he had never felt since his first life.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'it's hot.'? YOU DIDN'T EVEN ASKED FOR MY SUGGESTION!" shouted Titania while mimicking Vlad's stoic way of speaking, while fluttering her hands around her mouth.
"Don't speak, the capcassin particles are released in the air." remarked Vlad, while continuing on his alchemical product, and without thinking much about it, he told Titania.
"Can you clear my eyes of those tears? It's getting annoying."
She wanted to slap his head for giving her orders in those moments, but she flew at his face and began clearing his eyes, until she got spooked by him.
"Stop it! Stop it now! Huhhh, you forgot to clean your hands before touching me."
Vlad could feel his eyes burning after Titania cleaned his involuntary tears, and with him his voice raising a bit, it scared the Fairy who took off from around his face, confused as to why Vlad would get angry at her or at her hands.
"Hey, you jerk! My hands aren't dirty! You told me to clean your eyes of tears, I did it."
"... It's not that you, woman. Your hands can or not be touched by the capsaicin, it's clear it did because my eyes are burning."
"Ahhhh, was this such a thing? Then … maybe you'll regain your eyesight like this."
"If you take me for a fool, I will punish you, little Titania."
Titania started nagging Vlad after getting his mean remark, telling him that he should have used the Ghost Pepper and the fact he wasn't in the place to scold her.
"You baddy! It's because of you that I feel so hot."
Seeing that she was ignored by the alchemist, she pouts and flies toward a location of his laboratory where a ventilation opening was located, where the breeze of the sea hitting the shore of the harbor delivered a moment of breathe for the young woman.
Nevertheless, the hotness couldn't be stopped so easily, and while fluttering her small hands around her face, she took off her blue shirt, beginning to do the same movement for her perky chest, something Vlad could notice in between his work.
"Titania … Dear … Can you come and make some wind for me? Maybe a bit around my neck area."
"Hmph, you are so shameless."
"I will do something you like the most."
"Stop trying, you angered me." commented Titania feeling satisfied that she was having Vlad playing to her wits.
"Then, you'll not get any massage from me anytime soon. I was thinking of doing it tonight because of all the work you've done. I have to reward my Fairy. Now? I might think about it." said Vlad with an evil smile on his face, clearly not allowing himself to be the one played.
"You … This is blackmailing! You can't take my rightful payment, my reward."
"I am the captain here. I can take and give however I like."
"Tsk, but it's clearly too hot at your workbench. I'll not risk myself receiving that hot blast. I barely recovered after staying at this opening."
Titania took some deep breaths of clear air from the opening, where she could see the clear sea, and after minutes of building up her courage, she returned herself to the radiative zone fluttering her small hands in an adorable way, while wearing only her bra, the blue jeans, and her heel sandals.
"You better reward me extra tonight." told the young woman who started waving her shirt around Vlad's neck and ears, making him breath out satisfied.
"I will, my dear. I will. You'll become one with the Moon again."
.
Grabert, who was out of the laboratory for about 35 minutes, eavesdropped on the conversation inside, and came up with a decent observation in his mind.
'Those two are lovers … My, my. The youthful spirit of those two youngsters, sure, is nice to hear. However, can he make love to her? I mean where would he be able to stick it to that young lady.'
'A man and a small dwarf with wings … This is too weird.'
Standing and doing nothing, the old man could hear the two bickering, and then came Vlad's moan of pleasure, which instantly made him think about his earlier thoughts.
'That came from something pleasurable. Wew, so he can get sexually satisfied by the young lady … What a beast, not showing any mercy to the pure, innocent girl.'
He was with his refreshed thoughts about Vlad and Titania, and after another couple of minutes, he saw them exit from the laboratory, shattering his storm of thoughts.
On Vlad's shoulder he could see Titania wearing nothing but her underwear which spotlighted a delicate and beautiful body, whereas Vlad was only wearing his black trousers showing off his upper body muscles and menacing scars, yet one particular thing was evident for the couple, their long hair was soaking wet from transpiration.
"You used that thing, right?" asked Grabert, who too was touched a bit by the effects of the Ghost Pepper when he was eavesdropping on them.
"Indeed. This is an alchemist's curiosity of seeing if his creation would become a better version. Still, for a result I am rather satisfied. The ointment is exactly what I was looking for."
"That is great, young man."
"Mhm, now follow me to my cabin. I have to write you a prescription and healing plan."
"You'll write it for me? Not your lover?"
Vlad opened his abyssal eyes when Grabert mumbled that part, and both him and Titania started looking at one another.
"Lover?"
"Well, aren't you two lovers? You seem to be a match for one another." remarked Grabert who was still with his thoughts that Vlad and Titania were lovers from the interaction he could eavesdrop.
Titania got rosy in her cheeks, surprise could be read on her beautiful face, and reverted from looking at Vlad, but the young man was collected, mentioning to the old man who
"Old Grabert, where did that come from? Do we look like a husband and wife to you?" asked Vlad, dismissing this thought that he and Titania were something more than traveling partners.
"Ahem, don't mind me, I am a senile old man who likes to think about various stuff. So, you aren't?"
Titania looked at Vlad with some desire to know what she thought about him, besides the teasing part that was something they were doing to each other on a daily basis.
"As far I am concerned, right now, not yet." when she said that Titania took off from his shoulder to hide her embarrassment and rosy face.
"I see, then I wish you two good luck. There are always ways around doing that."
"... Old man, you are imagining things. You are thinking about random stuff that shouldn't be of your concern, such as my private life." commented Vlad in a cold tone, as he moved out of the lower deck, climbing the wooden stairs up, and only after some minutes did Titania follow him to the Captain's Cabin, time that she was holding her chest which was beating fast.
'Not yet, meaning we can always be together.'
Her face got even redder, as she started imagining something she desired deep in her little heart.
An image of herself being the same size as Mary holding Vlad's hand while walking on the streets of Picodras. He was smiling at her with a pure smile, while his black eyes had life in them, no longer being the gloomy abyss, the blind ones.
'Ufufufu, yes my little heart, we'll be fine. Both of us will be normal and be together even when we get old like mister Patrick.'
Titania's mind was filled with various thoughts about what Vlad considered their relation to be, and with the 'Not yet' it gave the young woman a lot of boost in her confidence, and as she returned to the Captain's Cabin she landed back on his shoulder, back with her normal attire.
She took steps in advance to assist Vlad, such as handing him the piece of paper when he got to his office table, even handing him the fountain pen.
"Something's wrong, Titania?"
"What do you mean, Vlad?"
"I didn't ask you to give me those things, but you are right, I was about to pick them up."
"Would you look at that? I am capable of reading your thoughts. Besides, you don't want my help?" remarked the young Fairy with a smug face as she stood on his shoulder waving around her legs in a pleased manner.
"Of course, I just didn't expect you to be so into it today, especially after the alchemical process."
Grabert, who was part between the back and forth of those young ones, couldn't help but smile a bit, but then his smile collapsed when he heard Vlad's cold voice telling him specifically.
"You'll not be smiling so much after you begin your treatment. In general, the ointment I've created will last you one month if you use it according to my prescription, and it is indicated you follow my instructions to the letter."
"... Things seem to be serious. What should I do now that you've concocted this alchemical ointment?"
"Simple. You or someone else who wants to help you, will spread around the ointment in small quantities each night in the area you feel giving you discomfort.
Each night, meaning everyday, you should remember to use the ointment, otherwise, if you skip a day, all the progress you've made will be lost."
"This does sound quite serious. I understand, but could you, for example, give me a demonstration on how I should apply it?"
"You want a demonstration?
"Yes, it would help me fully understand what I should do."
"Fine, get up and walk to the bed, also pull down your trousers." mentioned Vlad in a straightforward manner taking the old man aback not expecting this youngster to ask him to start stripping.
Gazing into his expression which was dead serious, he coughed, got up from the chair and walked slowly toward the royal bed, and after he got seated there, he also moved slowly into taking his trousers.
"Old Grabert … What are you doing?" asked Vlad, confused as to why the old man would move so slowly and timidly.
"This is my first time stripping in front of someone besides my wife. Take me slowly."
"Hah?? Old man, I am blind. Also Titania isn't interested in you, an old man, so what's your point? Get down your trousers already, or I will not be able to show you how to spread the ointment."
As if he was grabbed by his shirt neck and raised up, shaken a little bit and pushed to the floor, this is how Grabert felt in those moments after receiving Vlad's cold remark. Nonetheless, once he got into his underwear, he heard Vlad say calmly.
"Titania, bring me a pair of surgical gloves from the box."
She took off, and landed on an opened box full of sheep intestine gloves which he brought just in case he would be supposed to do a surgery on someone on his journey, only being required to use just one pair on Charles Vane, now a second use old Grabert and his ointment that he was sure would give him a burning sensation on the palm.
'No need to feel myself burning for an entire day. My fingers are already on fire from checking the viscosity and thickness of the ointment.'
The old man saw how casually Vlad put the weird gloves that were crafted from something which smelled like sheep, but not wanting to get scolded again for asking random stuff, he kept quiet as Vlad approached him with the jar of ointment.
"So, you take one finger, just like what I did. Can you see it?"
"Yes, I am not blind."
"Good, you better not. Then, after you've taken a small amount of ointment, you go to the inflamed area, such as your legs. If I remember correctly it should be about here."
As Vlad was talking, giving the vibe he was teaching a stupid kid what he should do, he placed his left hand on the area which pained Grabert, and then afterwards he used his right index finger to spread around the ointment on the knee and joints area.
The first effect Grabert felt was a chilling freshness to the touch, but as Vlad's hand moved slowly, giving him a small massage, he felt his legs burning literally.
"Bear with it, old man. Just like I did, you'll do it for the following month, and you don't have to be afraid of any aftereffects since there's literally none besides the burning sensation."
"Boyyy, are you messing with me right now? My legs are burning! Is like I touched molten iron or I stood inside the forge at the highest temperature ever."
"Yes, I understand it is hot. That's how it should be. And the medical reason for that is related to your body which reacts to the substances composing the ointment I've created for you."
"That's all you need to know." added Vlad in a cold tone, making Grabert feel conflicted about the personality of this youngster who would at times be warm and at times be ruthlessly cold.
Grabert was gritting what teeth he had left because he was grabbed and pushed straight to hell by seemingly an angelic sensation that was the Icevein Flour's effect.
"Mhm, you can remain inside the ship, old Grabert. At least until the effects of the ointment slowly decline."
"Thanks boy … Damn it! Does it have to burn so much?"
"No, this is just a trial test, and a successful one at that." commented Vlad, making Grabert believe he was set-up to be an experimental pig.
Nevertheless, Vlad ignored for the most part the whining old man, and went about to continue with the rest of his daily activities, resuming by reading a new book that he got his hands from Skyfruit Temple.
Titania was in a great mood for whatever reason and didn't complain whatsoever when she was asked to read the book. He started pondering as to what might have triggered this, and he remembers the moment where he promised to reward her greatly, and the moment Grabert mentioned if they were lovers.
'And my answer was? 'Not yet', just to avoid annoying questions about me and Titania. Well, she is a pleasant young lady to be around regardless of her stature.'
'Having a good personality is all that matters.'
By the time night came to Athkatla, he and Titania went through half the story about some adventures inside West Blue where it was talking about the life of an Actor who traveled between the many republics.
With the night Grabert who recovered from the initial burn blast, also took his leave, holding in a paper bag the jar with the Hellish Ointment that he baptized and another sheet of paper that he packed smaller to fit into his pocket containing a detailed plan from his recovery.
Then when it was midnight the people around the harbor couldn't help but stop to stare at the medium-sized Caravel that was in itself a great work, for the only reason from exactly that vessel, the sound of a cat crying to the moon didn't stop.
The guards of the city stationed at the harbor couldn't help but comment between one another.
"That girl must be in Heaven right now. She's moaning like this for at least 25 minutes."
"Hahaha, the guy working down at her must be good."
The group of guards looked with some envy at the caravel anchored at the port, imagining all sorts of visions in their heads based on the sweet moans released by the woman inside the ship, and it is not like they were stopped from imagining various scenarios since they had nothing better to do.
Lazing was the best source of drive for imagination.
They stood up looking out for Vlad's ship anticipating the moment a young woman would exit the ship, but, when the morning arrived a bunch of kids with ages ranging from 9-12 appeared at the harbor wearing rags and started making noise around the caravel.
"MISTER! We came to play! Come out!"
The guards called out "Nice" in their heads since those kids would get whoever was inside the ship, giving them the chance of seeing the woman who sang a melody of ecstasy to their ears all night.
Yet they saw a man with flowing black hair, wearing only a pair of trousers and black boots, showing off his chiseled upper body, but the guards could also notice how scarred his body was.
"What do you want, kid?" asked Vlad who opened his black eyes to "gaze" at the 5 kids who came to visit him.
"Didn't I tell you I will come with my friends to visit you? I kept to my promise."
"Cut the pleasantries kid. You come asking for cookies?"
"... How come you guessed?"
"Simple, I was also your age and can see what's on your mind. Now, tell me why should I give you something?"
"Because I helped you with the books?"
"Sure, but I rewarded you yesterday for your work. Now why should I give you something? Do you think I am some good person caring much about you kids? Hmph, I have better things to do than catering to you kids."
Hearing Vlad's cold words, a little girl with short blonde hair, wearing some rag of clothes that weren't really her size, pulled on Atkhan's monk robe sleeve, and told him with some worry.
"Khan, are you sure this mister gives free food? He doesn't seem to be a nice person. What if he is a pirate?"
Vlad heard the voice of the little girl, and turned his attention on her, where the girl who was clearly timid and shy, noticed her body getting heavier when his cold eyes dropped on her.
"HEY CUT IT OFF! Don't stare like that at my friend!"
"Boya, are your friends orphans?"
"Does it matter?"
"Respond to my questions brat." said Vlad in a cold tone that made the monkey boy get goosebumps, and before he knew the tall, young man who was 1,92 meters, towering before the little kids, appeared standing next to them like a ghost.
*Click*
*Click*
The new group of 3 kids who all wear dirty rags, composed of the blonde girl whose hair was cut short and measly cut as if someone did it on purpose, and another girl with brown hair, who had shoulder length hair, and a little boy with violet hair looking the same.
"Yes, unfortunately, my friends don't have parents, just like myself." responded Atkhan, feeling the pressure wash over him when Vlad extended his large hand toward the blonde girl who panicked and screamed in fear.
Yet when she felt Vlad's hand touch her softly, caressing her head gently, she opened her eyes to stare at the tall man whose body was full of scars she could see with her small eyes looking up at the mountain of a man.
"Monkey boy, I don't know what gave you the impression I will help your little friends, but I will do a small check on their health and give them some food. This is all I will give you, understood."
"This is all I will do for you. If you want more, you have to offer something for me."
"Offer you something? But I don't have much, all my money is spent buying food for my friends."
"If you show me your Temple abilities I might not mind trying a bit harder on helping your friends." said Vlad casually while patting the head of the blonde girl which mellowed down especially when seeing the gruesome scars on his body, making her think it must hurt this "mister" a lot.
"..."
Akam gave Atkhan a look, but remained silent, unknown what was on his mind, and the monkey boy looked at his friends, then at Vlad who looked to get interested in his closest friend in the city, Mariegold.
'I know mister has the ability to help Mariegold, Diana, and Sanzo. I understand that because he is a doctor and a person who makes cures for people, he earns a lot of money. For sure he can help them, unlike those cheap old men at the temple who don't even want to let them inside.'
'But, if I tell him, Akam will for sure snitch on the Elders since he is always scared about the consequences.'
"Will fighting you suffice?" asked the young boy considering his options rather calmly, something that surprised Vlad who never expected for the all-over-the-place monkey to know how to process information.
A small creepy humm could be heard coming from Vlad, and taking off his large hand from the little girl's head, he replies casually. "Sure, it will work. Follow me."