- Shari -

So we made it back.

Surprisingly without incidents.

I feel like Nia was mentally quite exhausted when we arrived, but she pushed through the stroll.

Once we're all settled, I get to brewing.

Actually, I was almost a bit anticipative of this time.

The craft goes quite easily for me, is a nice distraction, and I feel like I'm becoming more professional the more I practice.

Also, to make it especially exciting, I'm all stacked up to try some new recipes.

Or well, one.

But that one sounded good.

Well, it's still quite mundane, but nonetheless interesting.

Not to forget, essential for most treatments.

Painkillers!

Or narcotics, as one could refer to them.

And before anyone says something, it's not like there's even the option for me to misuse them.

The core ingredient are trania roots.

Personally, I'm more of a fan of herbs.

The way the plants separate themselves from their environment, taking on distinct and inconceivable forms, I always found this has a certain elegance in nature.

Mushrooms are a bit too mushy for my taste.

Though, they can at least gain some favor by occasionally looking quite distinctive.

Roots, on the other hand, remain buried under the earth.

They don't present their unique potential to the world, which makes them less likable in my opinion.

However, one can't deny that they have their own effects one shouldn't ignore.

This one in particular is known for numbing the mouth if eaten, aside from a musty taste, followed by a period of slight disorientation.

Yet it's less a mind thing and more like the senses become sluggish.

While this property makes them a less-than-perfect meal, it's quite convenient to knock someone out without knocking him out.

For example, if you need to set bones or do something similarly painful.

However, there's a tendency for misuse, as it makes people a bit delirious.

In short, it's a welcome addition to my arsenal.

However, they are also great for creating a proper numbing potion.

Quite the right thing for someone you shouldn't heal right away, but who's still not supposed to writhe in pain, or to throw at someone you don't want to stay coherent for the time being.

At least, I heard that alchemists use such concoctions quite regularly as a typical staple point and the book reads that varieties of this particular mix are rather effective in helping with pain, dull sensations, or suppressing hysteria.

Given what's the usual reaction I cause if the other party is aware of what I am the last part kept me particularly interested.

Therefore, I'm thinking about adding it to my assortment.

However, that's not for now.

Instead, I cook something up for the one remaining human under my roof.

Of course, afterward, I look for Nia.

Just to be sure how her energy reserves are.

"So, today was probably quite strenuous. Can you manage?" (Shari)

"Are you joking? I got to stroll a bit and you even bought food for me! It could hardly be better! Seriously, what are you so meek and sulking for?" (Nia)

I probably still feel a little responsible about the fact that I had to transform her.

"Well, as I mentioned earlier today, Liqu and I will again have to leave you alone this night. I know, I can't really keep you from doing so, but I kinda hope you're grateful enough not to steal my stuff." (Shari)

"You really think we'd do that?" (Nia)

I'm still not completely convinced, especially, as parts of their explanation regarding how they turned my home into a potion shop were a bit muddy.

Not to forget that we now have established that Nia can, in fact, move outside again.

"Let's say I'm cautious. However, to give myself a little more peace of mind, how about I sweeten the deal for you a bit?" (Shari)

"Uh, I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'm not one to decline free stuff." (Nia)

"You see, due to our occupation, Liqu and I won’t be able to tend to the shop in the future. We hadn’t even planned to do so, and if you recall, the idea came from a certain someone. This leaves us with few options. Now call me crazy, but I think it would be good if someone could watch over this place in my stead. Would you perhaps know a slime who’s in need of work?" (Shari)

"You want to give your shop to me!?" (Nia)

"Lend. Keep in mind, I expect you to take care of it. However, it's not like we could do much with it in our absence, so instead of letting someone else in this area claim it, I think this would be preferable. " (Shari)

Also, it would make me feel better to know they have some shelter even without us.

"Still, you don't just give someone a house. Also, how do you expect us to take care of this place? I mean, I’m in this state and would only slow down Okin." (Nia)

"Well, with the deal with Tamarah, you should be able to receive a regular allowance, but I think you're correct. We need to set you up right." (Shari)

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Ehm, I think you lost me there." (Nia)

"I know this might be a bit too high-spec for you yet, but what would you think about learning to make potions? A little bit anyways." (Shari)

"Uh, me? Brewing potions?" (Nia)

"As difficult as this now seems to you, you are in a somewhat advantageous position to make it work." (Shari)

Because I remembered something that could help her.

"Ehm, I don't really know anything about this stuff. Nobody would even let me near things like this." (Nia)

"There is a certain peculiarity about your, uh, new state of being that you should probably know about." (Shari)

"Right, as if being made of slime and having to dissolve stuff inside my body wasn't enough already. What else is there to know?" (Nia)

I can understand her so well.

Was for me too quite hard to keep up at the start.

"You already noticed that your core gets hot if you strain yourself with the things you're doing, right? The core is what does all the thinking and processing of actions for you. Being aware of this, you probably already figured out that this thing isn't at all similar to a brain. It has some noteworthy differences. Foremost, of course, is that human brains don't get scorching hot from thinking alone, especially not to the levels of a core. It's a warning signal you should mind." (Shari)

"Right, my body isn't like a human's. I was that far before." (Nia)

"Okay, okay, I was getting to something else. As the thing doing your thinking is different from before, so is your thinking. This includes certain slime instincts, actions that will come naturally to you, and the ability to get into a state I call 'high-speed processing’, where you can think tremendously faster, which is good in a pinch. But most importantly here, your memory is also different." (Shari)

"High-speed processing? Wait! What about my memory!?" (Nia)

"It's like this, slimes learn stuff, not by remembering, but rather by ingraining. You basically have to press the information you want to retain into your core, otherwise you’ll shortly forget it. This process isn't so easy, as your core is too rigid to soak up information. On the other hand, it also won't easily let go of what you ingrain there. So to say, even if your overall memory should be much worse now, if you actively memorize specific information with great effort, you probably won't ever forget it again. You can see how helpful this can be for learning a craft, right?" (Shari)

"I won’t be able to remember..? But I can learn better..? Wha-?" (Nia)

Oh my, seems like I overloaded her a bit.

"Ehm, I basically only wanted to say that if I can teach you one or two basic recipes then you might be able to make those potions yourself. This way, you could feed yourself and your brother even if we're gone." (Shari)

Also, it might do some good for the reputation of slimes if they do something credible like helping people with those potions instead of stealing.

Yet now she looks like she's close to collapsing.

I can see that even with her slime face.

"Ahem, are you alright?" (Shari)

"It's just a bit much, okay?!" (Nia)

"Uh, okay." (Shari)

"Glrrlbl... Sigh. This might get difficult to deal with. But you're kinda funny with how meek your responses are. I mean, I know you can be a super tough killer if you have to and are kinda professional if you need to, but then you act sometimes like an easy mark who’s new in town and completely over her head." (Nia)

Well, even if it's true, she could've worded this more nicely.

But if it helps her come to terms with everything.

"So you really think I could learn to make potions?" (Nia)

"The absolute basics? Probably. Might require quite some practice and repetition, but you only need to get the knack down. Slimes even have some advantages in that regard. I'll show you the ropes and once you think you have it down, I'll let you give it a try." (Shari)

So we get to brewing potions.

I set up a new cauldron to start a fresh batch with her.

Okin, meanwhile, mans the counter.

So it's good that we're getting him some more wares.

I try to work with her by the book, which gets heavily impeded by the fact that she can't read.

So I first have to carefully explain its contents to her, the same way I did to Liqu.

I also try explaining to her the letters and make her recognize the most important words to understand the processes.

However, she doesn't get quite as quick of a grasp of it as her senior slime did.

I only manage to explain to her the most rudimentary information.

After that, I brew another batch of my most classic potions to show her the practice.

I carefully explain my whole working process to her, especially the things I'm doing special because I'm a slime.

How I dissolve the ingredients in a specific way, prepare my slime to be a good foundation, and let everything dry afterward.

Though, I'm not sure if she can really grasp the specifics.

"Damn, this is so difficult. Especially that fine control stuff. Can't we just take the shortcut again?" (Nia)

Oh no!

Not that!

That's nothing to get hooked on, young lady!

"I understand where you're coming from. However, this time I'd like to refrain from using linking. Not just because it's gross, but also because of the risks and side effects." (Shari)

"Side effects? Do I want to know?" (Nia)

"I think you should. You might already be aware of it, but linking is like super concentrated communication. Thoughts, emotions, and ideas get directly exchanged. This makes it super intimate, which is already kinda awkward. Especially, if you don't think that way about the other. Yet what you might not be as aware of is that such an intense exchange leaves traces. I, well, I noticed it with Liqu. Both of us become more understanding, knowledgeable, and even slightly similar to each other the more we do it. It's presumably not going to overwrite my personality, but it's quite the influence. In your case, you are also much younger than I, so I fear the consequences could be worse for you." (Shari)

"Uh, yes, that's concerning. So no easy solution. That's unfortunate." (Nia)

"Yep. We can only keep on practicing. Besides, you need to learn, well, how to learn as you are now." (Shari)

So we continue until the space within the pots turns scarce.

Not sure how well Nia could ingrain the concept, but I'm sure it brought at least a bit of progress.

Once we're done, it's time to refill by consuming our scheduled meal.

It's convenient that we could get rid of the low-energy slime during the alchemy session before.

Of course, Okin gets something as well.

I also take this chance to tell Nia again that doing exhausting stuff, especially the kind that requires high-speed processing, will drain her faster.

Yet at this point, Liqu jumps in.

Literally.

"Liqu!?" (Shari)

"I barely had any time with you! Can't we be together too?" (Liqu)

"But you don't even like alchemy!" (Shari)

At least that's what I gathered from her comments about it.

"I would if I could be with you!" (Liqu)

"Liqu, we're going to spend the whole night together. Isn't that something?" (Shari)

"Mhm." (Liqu)

She's clearly not convinced but stays reasonable.

So the time arrives.

I gather the two kiddos to give them one last check before I depart.

"You two, we have to be on our way now. Can I rely on you to look after the house while we're gone?" (Shari)

"Sure. We're not that unreliable. Right, Okin?" (Nia)

"Totally! It's not even the first time!" (Okin)

Okay, if he says so.

"I believe you. Then goodbye. Come, Liqu." (Shari)

"Yes, yes!" (Liqu)

I hope this will work out with these two.