Tamala's Dialogue

Well, hello darling. What brings an intriguing specimen such as yourself all the way out here?

It gets rather lonely out here in the woods.

I'd be thrilled to have a little company, especially when that company comes in such a fascinating package.

I bet your mind is like a gift just waiting to be unwrapped.

Darling, I know they say opposites attract, but I must admit sometimes I find your flippancy a bit...unnerving..

I would prefer my paramour a bit more grounded.

Oh, darling, I sense we are alike you and I. Ruthless through and through.

After all, even the most beautiful flower must have its thorns...

Darling, I know they say opposites attract, but I must admit sometimes I find your flippancy a bit...unnerving..

I would prefer my paramour a bit more grounded.

Did you know there are many Sernuk in the woods?

I've always been enamored by the Proudhorned Sernuk.

It has such a regal and majestic gait.

I don't need your company....but it would certainly be appreciated.

Did you know your people were said to have possessed great power?

Tales tell that they could even defeat death if you can believe it!

I've lived many sorts of lives, darling. Some you wouldn't believe even if I told you.

However... I find a great deal of solace in the stillness in this valley.

Up until you came, nothing had changed around here since Ashura opened the Inn.

That was nearly 40 years ago!

It's nice to see you again. I don't get that many repeat visitors.

It's been a very long time since I've done anything purely for enjoyment.

Maybe you can teach me how again?

Maybe one day I'll choose to teach you my art.

If you prove your worth...

You see this around my neck?

This is an hourglass filled with pure Flow. It helps me keep track of time.

When you get older, you'll realize time is our most precious resource.

Trust me, you shouldn't waste a second of it.

Have you met Sifuu the blacksmith? The two of us don't exactly get along.

Let's put it this way. That woman is not so much a woman as she is a one person sword factory.

Her entire identity is her work. I wonder sometimes why she even bothered to have a child!

I always wonder how many other worlds are up there in the stars.

I mean, if there are Grimalkin, who knows what other civilizations we could find in the stars?

Not to mention, what sort of power those beings might possess.

I don't need your company....but it would certainly be appreciated.

There are rumors of a mysterious creature prowling the Elderwoods to the north in the dead of night.

I would take those tales with a grain of salt. Next they'll be telling you the old well is filled with ghouls and goblins.

If you're looking for a recommendation, I must say you can never go wrong with a potion of charm.

It's so nice to have others hanging on your ever word.

You can get them to do practically anything you want.

So many people react negatively to certain bugs, without considering their purpose.

Take spiders, for example.... so many peopole find them "creepy" out of a primitive fear of what's different.

On the other hand, I see the little spinners for their beautiful silk.

I see you staring at the potions in my hip satchel.

Stick around long enough and I just might tell you what they all do.

I live out here because I like to be closer to nature.

After all, her treasures are the medium I work with in my art.

I'm not one to chit chat with strangers, darling.

Please come back when you have something of interest to say to me.

I'm never really "off work."

There's just the time when I brew my potions and the time when I look for new ingredients.

It's all part of the same toil.

I just love heart drop lilies.

Not only are they beautiful, but when given as a gift, they symbolize passion...

I first met Hassian when he came snooping around my cottage to hunt and sell furs.

I bought a Sernuk rug off him.

I asked him to help find where it would look best in my boudoir, and then -- well, what can I say? One thing led to another...

The story of me and Hassian is a long one...

...but the short of it is, the sad little puppy proposed marriage, and I was only in the relationship for a bit of fun.

When I realized how different our needs were, I was forced to let him go.

Some days I wonder what I ever saw in Hassian.

I suppose having him around was kind of like having a guard dog.

He's loyal and protective to those he trusts, vicious towards those he doesn't. That had its appeal.

You know...they say the Elder Clam Mushroom is a natural energy booster.

Many couples use it to keep their... spark burning strong.

The Order acts like they know everything there is to to know about magic.

In truth, they're just a bunch of stodgy old fools who wish to keep their advantage over the common folk by locking away the secrets of the universe.

Tonight, I'm feeling exuberant, with a bit of nostalgic ennui mixed in.

What about you?

Tonight I have to admit I'm feeling a tinge of melancholy. What are you feeling?

I have to admit I'm starting to grow fond of you.

When I look at you, I see someone who's curious and brave, not afraid to take a few risks.

Do I have you right so far?

Why don't you search the woods and see if there are any interesting potions ingredients?

I honestly wouldn't know what's there as I am usually asleep at this hour.

How strange to have so many people bustling about the Elderwoods these days.

It used to be my little secret.

...you wouldn't believe what I used to get up to under the weeping wisteria.

I can practically feel Sifuu's glare whenever she patrols past this area.

It's so cute she thinks I care about her little vendetta.

If I needed everyone in the world to like me, I'd have never made it as far as I have.

Now that I've open up my little shop in the Elderwoods, I hope I'll be seeing more of you, darling.

But not more of Subira... I can't stand that dreadful, uptight act of hers.

Oh well, I suppose you've got to take the good with the bad.

Some people might say the Elderwood is gloomy, but I like it.

The most beautiful things in nature are often toxic after all.

I have to admit opening this little shop has been somewhat fulfilling.

I mean, I do have to deal with the rude customer here and there.

But punishing them is far more entertaining than just walking back and forth from my house to a field all day.

I hope you like the furnishings in my boudoir.

The wardrobe is a 200 year old Keita family original if you can believe it.

It scares me to admit it, but I missed you while you were out.

If you hear people complaining that what I do is illegal, I'll have you know a few things.

The mixing of potions in and of itself is not prohibited, neither is selling them to Grimalkin or Humans.

Now, if a Majiri practitioner like myself were to sell a potion to other Majiri, that might be a bit more spotty...

If you find an old letter in my bedroom addressed to Tamala, I'll have you know that piece of paper belonged to my grandmother.

We happen to share the same name, you see.

You no doubt noticed the old Order robes in my boudoir.

They belonged to my grandmother. She was a potions master for them once upon a time.

I think it's time for us to both stop fooling ourselves.

You're clearly smart enough to know those things in my room weren't really from my grandmother, aren't you?

If you can't put two and two together, I really must scold myself for not seeking a wiser companion.

I suppose you want to talk about the letter you found in the cave.

Let's try out that little present I left you. I want you to say the meanest insult you can think of. Right now!

Regardless, I can see my spell still holds. Fantastic!

Subira approached me today. She gave this heartwarmingly sickening speech about how I need to keep my devious hands off you.

Any idea what that's about?

You can also tell her that I'll put my hands wherever I want.

If you see any more of those slime cores, be sure to bring them my way, darling.

The last couple of humans I sent out there to fetch them didn't come back.

Seems like not everyone is cut out for my dirty work.

You better not be dating both me and Hassian at the same time. That would be a very naughty thing to do.

Oh, this ought to be good. Go on, then. I'm waiting.

I do wonder if you exhaust yourself, trekking out here every day. It's quite far to go for little ole me.

Mm. You are a strapping young thing, aren't you? Tell me, how do you stay so fit?

Ahem, hem. Sorry, darling, I seem to have something stuck in my throat again.

Oh, darling. It feels like we haven't talked in ages. You aren't ignoring me, are you?

Mm, you're here early. Did you miss me that much?

You've been staring. Am I that irresistable to you, little lamb?

There's my favorite pet. I was wondering when you'd come slinking back.

There's something quite... thrilling, meeting in the dead of night like this.

We could get up to all kinds of trouble under the cover of darkness.

I can certainly think of a few things to do...

Why thank you, darling.

I will gladly accept your gift.

As well as the passion it implies.

Why thank you, darling.

I will gladly accept your gift.

As well as the passion it implies.

This morning I woke up to a letter in my mailbox, inviting me to the Maji Market.

As interesting as it sounds, I won’t be attending. I only venture that far from home for very important reasons. This is not one of them.

You can go if you like. Just don’t expect to see my face there.