6.63 – Extraction I

6.63 – Extraction I

Zoey didn't have to stand outside Rosalie's room for long as the two sisters had their private conversation, but even a few minutes felt torturous when she didn't know what was happening inside. When Rosalie emerged and invited her back in, she was immensely relieved to find Rosalie seeming calm and Charlotte, while still eying her, not as aggressively as before.

"So, uh," Zoey said. "Everything cleared up?"

Rosalie nodded, and Charlotte pursed her lips.

"I won't fault you for mistaking us," she said. "It's reasonable, all things considered." Dryly, she said, "It's happened enough by people other than you, who should've known better. We do look rather similar."

"It's still my bad," Zoey said. "Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

Charlotte sniffed.

From there, they made less hostile introductions. Charlotte didn't stay long; she'd only stopped by to say hello to her sister, and, having recently returned from a shard, wished to retire to her room and rest.

Afterward, Rosalie explained that their private conversation had gone well enough, and that Charlotte wouldn't be giving them away to Enzo. Zoey breathed a sigh of relief.

"Just be more observant, next time," Rosalie said dryly. "That could've gone badly." She poked her on the shoulder. "Since when have I worn my hair in a bun?"

"Thought you were trying something new," Zoey said with a blush. "And I will be, promise."

Zoey had only visited Rosalie's room to catch her up on her meeting with Enzo, so after that, she departed with a goodbye.

Her next stop was Sabina's workshop. Or rather, the d'Celestin's workshop, which Sabina was using until she could set up her own again. Arriving, Zoey found the space empty except for her tall, antlered alchemy teacher, who glanced up upon her entering. She didn't seem to be busy, instead having been holding a clipboard and studying what she had written there.

"Zoey," she greeted. "How can I help you?"

"Nothing urgent. Have news on the temple, spoke with Enzo. Also, I finally have a free moment, so ..." she shrugged. "You know."

Sabina's lips quirked up. "I've been blessed with the privilege of making my extraction, have I?" She nodded, pleased, before Zoey could be embarrassed and protest that it wasn't like that. "Good," she said. "How long of a free moment? As I've mentioned, giving away rewards is not how one inspires a student. You have time for a quiz?"

"I'm in no rush," Zoey said, trying and failing to stop the grin.

"First question," Sabina said. "Infusion versus decoction. Explain the differences."

Zoey raised an eyebrow.

"Reminders of the fundamentals are important," Sabina tutted. "Repetition is the basis of learning. It's not disrespectful to prompt you for a description of simple terminology."

She was right, of course.

"In reagent making," Zoey said. "Infusion is creating a reagent by boiling something in water, to make it fuse and create a solution, usually consuming the original ingredient. Decoction, however, is the process of extracting via the process of boiling, specifically some sub-part or element of what is being boiled—the reagent is what is extracted. Similar, but not the same."

Sabina nodded. She followed up with the second question without pause. "Why is silver commonly used in purification potions?"

"Because silver is associated with purity," Zoey said.

This time, Sabina raised an eyebrow.

"It's true," Zoey said defensively. "It's recursive, I know, but that's the full and complete answer. Are you asking why silver is associated with purity? Does the origination behind a sympathetic connection matter?"

"Not from a practical standpoint," Sabina admitted. "Still, understanding one sympathy might give insight into another. So the 'why' certainly has a purpose. Nevertheless, you are correct. I would accept such an answer, if that's all you have to say."

Zoey would hardly back down from the implicit challenge. She considered. "Well, it doesn't tarnish or corrode easily compared to other metals, and since it's valuable, the connection to the concept of purity is even stronger. Plus, weapons made from silver have known properties for being effective against undead or abomination-type monsters, and killing undead implies purity—though that might just be feeding back in on itself again, and not an intrinsic characteristic." It was hard to tell what was 'magic' and what was 'natural,' in these discussions. She frowned. "So I guess the first part is the largest factor."

"A sufficient answer. I would also have mentioned silver's association with the moon, a celestial body linked to cycles of purification and renewal." She inclined her head. "Which is also recursive. Most descriptions of sympathy tend to be. I simply wanted to hear what insight you had to offer."

Sabina stood.

"As a reward," she said easily. "Would you prefer me to remove my top, or my bottom?"

Ah. So it was starting. Zoey shifted in her seat, a grin rising to her lips.

"Top," Zoey said. "Definitely the top."