A Visiting Sage (crystal)

[~echo~]

Eros stepped into the capital city of Arinia, looking about him nervously. He stood out among the darker-colored animals, being a snowy white fox himself. He was visiting the nobles and kings to try to garner support for the sages, who were not widely liked by the animals in the kingdoms. But first, he had to take a meal. As he was looking for somewhere to eat, he noticed the weird looks he was getting from the others, and he sighed. This would be harder than he thought.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Are you alright, sir?" said a voice from behind him. The sage was easily recognizable in his long robes, identifying him as White Sage. Others watched the white fox suspiciously, but the coyote viewing him seemed merely curious.

[~echo~]

Eros turned around and saw a coyote regarding him curiously. He breathed out rather nervously. "Well, truth be told, I do not know my way around very well."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The coyote gave him a friendly smile. "I'm Sorrell. Why don't you come back to my shop with me? You look a bit hungry."

[~echo~]

Eros dipped his head gratefully. "Thank you, friend. I am quite fatigued from my journey." He followed the coyote.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell led the way back to her apothecary shop and opened the door for the sage. She ushered him inside and then slid the deadbolt closed behind them to keep out unwanted patients complaining about splinters and toothaches.

[~echo~]

"Thank you for your kindness," Eros said quietly. "How can I repay you?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Don't worry, sir," Sorrell said as she bustled over to her storage shelves. She started distributing her new supplies on the organized shelves, leaves and vials of various liquids going into their respective places.

[~echo~]

He blinked and them nodded appreciatively. "So, what is your name?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Sorrell," she said. "I'm a local healer here." As if that wasn't obvious from the shop.

[~echo~]

"Greetings, Sorrell," he replied cordially. "I am here to garner support for the Sages with the nobility of Arinia, but I'm afraid I need to straighten up a bit first."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell paused in her work, her hand resting beside a jar of golden substance that looked like honey. "To garner support?" she repeated without looking at him. Slowly, she turned to face him. "Why?"

[~echo~]

He gazed at her with his deep eyes. "It is no secret that the sages are not well liked. But there are many of us, and we struggle to meet our basic needs. Plus, the nobility can convince others that we are trustworthy and that we can help you."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell remained silent for a few seconds, her face creased with worry. "You may try and speak with Lord Atru, but I don't know if he'll listen. You might not even get an audience with him."

[~echo~]

Eros bowed his head slightly, looking at the ground. "I have to try, for the sake of my sages."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell nodded slowly. "The palace is north of here, near the edge of the city. I can show you the way tomorrow morning."

[~echo~]

The sage nodded. "Thank you," he replied. "Are you inviting me to stay with you? I understand if not, I can find somewhere else."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell waved her paw. "Don't you worry. I have a spare cot in the back."

[~echo~]

Eros smiled. "Thank you," he replied. "I appreciate your hospitality. But why don't you fear the sages, as most do?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell paused again, looking thoughtful. When she began to speak, it was slow and calculated. "My father always said not to fear the things you don't understand. To treat them with caution and respect, surely, but not to fear. I don't know you, and until you show me otherwise, I have no reason to fear you."