[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/LRTXGTr.png[/img]
_________________________________[i][b]Master[/b][/i]_________________________________
Church Hilltop
[@Scallop][/center]

Lighting a small lamp, the light it released wasn't natural. Instead, it was a soft blue, and not a natural light. After all, Xerxes kept his little lab in darkness. But for a guest, it seemed right to have some light. Ludwig had managed to be a rather interesting individual, while the odd man above had been... Well at least Darius seemed to enjoy cooking. The other master though, he was still a bit of a mystery to Xerxes. The one he hadn't really managed to pin down yet. But Ludwig. He knew all about him. 

The room itself was rather well furnished. Due in part of having been a study for the odd priest who worked in the church for a time. The lights had been turned off or covered, mostly for Xerxes own benefit, and a large cloth had been set up to split the basement in two. Clearly to protect the plants he was growing from the odd patch of light from above. A desk rested against the wall, where Xerxes seemed to place his belongings, and a bed had been made out of sleeping bag. Clearly the doctor managed to find a way to sleep properly on even hard floors. In the corner though, there was the fake master, having been placed in Xerxes care earlier. He had been drugged, mostly to keep him asleep while the doctor focused on ridding him of the mental interference placed upon him. 

[color=fff79a]"Ah, I see you've noticed my little... Hobby."[/color] Xerxes said, bowing a little as Ludwig entered the room. [color=fff79a]"Naturally you wouldn't find this plant in any of your books."[/color] The plant itself was rather odd. It grew out into spindly branches, as if it was a vine. The shoots were still green, despite how they seemed to lack a need for sunlight. [color=fff79a]"This is actually a plant from my homeland. It grows on mountains. The roots are where it gathers the nutrients it needs, and it digs into rock and stone. Naturally, I can't have it digging into the foundation of the building, so I set up a area for it."[/color] He explained, keeping it rather simple as he knelt before one of the branches, and snapped it. [color=fff79a]"Now, it's not ready yet. But this is called the Haoma."[/color] 

[color=fff79a]"You did at least bring me breakfast, right?"[/color] Xerxes said, lifting an eyebrow in the low light. Pulling a curtain across, the room, he hid the plants from sight, as that was not really the reason he wanted to speak with Ludwig. [color=fff79a]"I could smell it even from here. I'm guessing something involving eggs. I actually had to raise my own chickens after I left my family. You'd be surprised just how delicious food can be when you no longer have to live off the few things you can cook in a cave."[/color] It was then that a plate was held out from the doorway, Berserker to the rescue with some rescued breakfast. [color=fff79a]"Thank you, Berserker."[/color] Xerxes smiled, and nodded to the king of Persia. with a small fork, he dug into the meal, and sliced it apart bit by bit. [color=fff79a]"Hmmm, rather good. Could use a bit more dill, but that's just personal taste for you."[/color] Xerxes lamented. and placed the plate onto a table and eating from it while he spoke. 

[color=fff79a]"You see Ludwig, it's about the fake master you brought to my attention."[/color] He said, bringing up a conversation from about nine hours ago. The choice had been to keep the man sedated under Xerxes care, tied to a chair of course for his and the Doctor's safety. [color=fff79a]"In the short moments I woke him up to speak with, I've had a great deal of time to work on removing the mental interference placed upon him. It was difficult, but I believe we may soon be able to chat with him. Since you found him, I figured having you with me when I did the interrogation would be best, wouldn't you agree?"[/color] 

Finally finishing his eggs, Xerxes brought the plate back up to Berserker, who promptly dropped it into the sink, where it would most likely be saved from shattering by one of the archer servants. "[color=fff79a]But, for now... I wanted to just get to know you. After all, you saved a man's life, when you didn't have to. I owe you a debt of gratitude. Since this war started... I've only managed to get people killed."[/color] With a sigh, he brushed a hand through his hair. [color=fff79a]"But forget that. I'm curious about your work. You are the heir to the Krauste Family. You must have quite a labratory of home. Why would you come all this way to a warzone just to practice your craft and help your servant? I'm not much of an alchemist myself, but surely it must be difficult to work on your potions in such an environment?"[/color]