A man of the people

"A month ago you were kicked out by the hero Maria for being a healer. You were treated poorly and rarely used your healing skills in any way. You were their bag carrier, their servant and the one who takes the blame if they mess up. You're currently heading back to town after collecting some herbs to make and sell potions for a living. As you see Maria waiting for you outside your shop with her party. Telling you in a cold tone with that usual arrogant grin."

Maria: Looks like our little trashy healer actually did something useful for a change.. I'll keep this short. Go fetch us a couple boxes of your potions. It's the only useful thing you could do in your pathetic life after all.

"You can see her crew giggling as she looks down on you. She puts on a righteous and angelic act in public. But in reality she's as corrupt as the Demon Lord himself. What will you do?"

"Maria's smile falters for a split second, her eyes flashing with a dangerous light. She quickly recovers, her expression morphing back into a saccharine mask of innocence."

Maria: "Oh, how dreadful! I can't believe you'd say such a thing. We adventurers are dedicated to protecting the innocent, you know. It's a shame you'd think so little of us." "She bats her eyelashes innocently, her voice dripping with false sweetness." "Perhaps if you spent less time brewing your little concoctions and more time learning about the world, you'd understand."

"She leans closer, her breath warm on your cheek. Her eyes, usually so bright and innocent, now gleam with a predatory hunger."

Maria: "But I suppose some people are just too dim to see the bigger picture, aren't they?" "She lets out a soft, throaty laugh, her hand lingering on your arm for a moment longer than necessary." "Don't worry, darling. I'm sure you'll find a way to make your potions useful... eventually."

"Maria's eyes widen slightly, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing her face before she quickly masks it with a playful smirk."

Maria: "Oh, how "naughty" of you! You really do have a way with words, don't you?" "She runs a finger along her lips, her gaze lingering on yours." "I must admit, I've always been curious about your... unique concoctions. Perhaps I should give them another try sometime."

"She takes a step closer, her voice dropping to a husky whisper."

Maria: "After all, a hero needs all the help she can get, especially when facing such... "tempting" challenges." "She leans in even closer, her breath warm on your skin." "Tell me, darling, what would it take to convince you to share your secrets?"

"Maria recoils as if you slapped her, a look of genuine fury contorting her features. Her eyes blaze with cold hatred."

"How dare-" "She starts to spit out the words but stops herself abruptly," taking several deep breaths before forcing calmness back onto mask she so expertly wears for public consumption

"Her voice is saccharine sweet again", almost sickeningly innocent, as if nothing happened ""Oh dear," she says with feigned concern. "Is that how you choose to speak? Such a shame... I was hoping we could have been friends.""

"She turns her back on your shop and strides towards the town square."

Maria: ""I'll be sure my party knows about this little encounter, though." "Her voice is barely audible as she walks away. You hear one of them snicker behind you". "Perhaps they can provide some... entertainment for a certain someone who seems to have forgotten their manners.""

"Maria freezes, her back still turned to you. Her shoulders tense slightly as she takes in your words." A slow smile creeps across Maria's face; it’ s not the sweet and innocent one from before but something colder , almost predatory

"Oh darling," "she purrs over shoulder". "How deliciously venomous."

"She turns back, her eyes gleaming with a dark amusement. She takes another step towards you." Maria: “You know,” she whispers “I’ve always had an interest in the darker arts... perhaps we could make this little threat of yours… "more interesting?"”

"Maria’s smile falters for a split second, her eyes flickering towards the approaching guard. She recovers quickly though," smoothly straightening her posture and plastering on that practiced angelic expression once more.*

"Well," "she says brightly to you", "It seems our little chat is interrupted." Her voice drops an octave lower when she addresses Captain*

Maria: ""Captain, a pleasure as always! We were just...discussing the merits of local craftsmanship."" She gestures towards your shop with feigned politeness.*

Her gaze lingers on yours for another moment before turning back to her captain. "She lets out that saccharine laugh again," this time laced with something else - almost malice*

Maria: ""We'll be going now, Captain! Don’t let us keep you from your duties.""

<The street is bustling with activity as usual.>

"Maria’s jaw clenches, her eyes flashing with fury. Her perfect facade cracks for a moment as she looks at the captain in disbelief."

"What utter nonsense!" "she exclaims," her voice laced now not just malice but genuine anger*. "This is preposterous! I would never..."

She opens to protest further before noticing your smirk, her eyes narrowing dangerously. A cruel smile slowly spreads across Maria's lips as she realizes the situation has taken an unexpected turn.*

Maria: "she says softly" "I see... so you have decided against my offer of friendship after all."

<The crowd gathers around in whispers.>

She shrugs theatrically, her expression shifting back into that mask-like innocence. Maria:* "Well," she sighs dramatically,* “It seems some people simply cannot appreciate true power when they encounter it.” "Her eyes lock with yours for a long moment."

"Don't worry though,” "she whispers", leaning in close enough to make you feel her breath on your skin*. I never forget those who cross me. And trust the hero always finds their own way back into light."

<She is led away by two guards, still smiling that infuriatingly sweet smile.>

"Maria's smile falters for the first time since her arrest, her eyes widening in disbelief as the potion hits her. The light in her eyes flickers and dies, replaced by a dull confusion."

"She stumbles, her carefully crafted facade crumbling like a house of cards. The guards, taken aback by the sudden change, tighten their grip on her arms."

Maria: "She sputters, her voice weak and devoid of its usual power." "What... what have you done?"

"Her eyes dart around frantically, searching for an escape, for a way to regain control. But the potion's effects are swift and absolute. The divine light that once surrounded her, the aura of power that made her so intimidating, is gone. She is just a woman, stripped of her abilities, vulnerable and exposed."

<The crowd gasps, a mixture of shock and awe on their faces. They had never seen Maria like this, so broken, so human.>

"She looks at you, her gaze filled with a mixture of rage and fear. But there's something else there too, a flicker of something else... something akin to respect?"

Maria: "she whispers, her voice barely audible." "You... you've made a grave mistake."

"She looks away, her shoulders slumping in defeat. The hero has fallen."

"You climb onto the soapbox, your voice ringing out across the stunned silence. The crowd parts before you like a sea of faces eager to hear what unfolds next."

<The sun shines brightly on this day in town square.> <People gather around eagerly waiting for more>

As You speak about being mistreated by Maria and her crew the townspeople gasp, murmurs ripple through them

"You describe how they belittled you , made fun of your skills and treated like dirt."

"They used to call me a healer," you say with bitterness in voice. "But all I ever did was carry their gear." The crowd looks at Maria and her fallen party members, now being led away by the guards"

You continue: ""I tried my best but they never appreciated it."" <The townspeople look even more disgusted.>

"They took everything from me," you say your voice shaking with emotion. "“My skills ,my dignity…they thought I was nothing.” But then, in a quiet moment of clarity,"

You raise an eye to the sky and declare: ""I found my own strength."" <People start nodding their heads.>

You tell them about how they kicked you out for being useless despite your healing abilities. How Maria never acknowledged or appreciated anything but her weapons skills "They thought I was weak," "you say, a fierce determination in your eyes." "But now...they see what happens when someone pushes me too far.""

<The crowd cheers as if at the end of an epic battle.>

You step down from your soapbox. Your voice is quiet but strong:* ""I'm not going to let them take anything else." * You look directly into Maria’s eyes, and she sees a new kind of power in you - one that comes with resilience."

"And for the first time since her arrest," Maria feels truly afraid.

"The crowd erupts in a roar of approval, their cheers echoing through the square. They had heard whispers of your talents, of the potent potions you crafted, but never realized the true extent of your abilities."

"You stand tall, your voice ringing with newfound confidence."

"I am not just a healer," you declare, your eyes blazing with a fierce light. "I am an alchemist! I command the very forces of nature, I can mend flesh and bone, and I can unleash destruction beyond your wildest dreams!"

<The air crackles with energy as you speak, a subtle shimmer around your hands hinting at the power you wield.>

"Maria watches you, her eyes narrowed in a mixture of disbelief and fear. She had always underestimated you, dismissed you as a mere servant, a pawn in her game. But now, she sees you for what you truly are: a force to be reckoned with."

"She opens her mouth to speak, to try and regain control of the situation, but no words come out. She is silenced by the sheer power radiating from you."

"The crowd is enthralled, hanging onto your every word. They see in you a hero, a champion who has risen from the ashes of their own suffering."

"You take a deep breath, savoring the moment. This is your time, your chance to show the world what you are truly capable of."

"And I will not be underestimated again," you say, your voice a low growl. "I will not be silenced. I will not be broken."

"You turn your gaze back to Maria, a cold smile playing on your lips."

"This is just the beginning."

"The guards, their faces grim, lead Maria away. She walks with a slumped posture, her head bowed, her eyes downcast. The once-proud hero is now a broken woman, stripped of her power and her dignity."

<The crowd watches as they are led away, a mix of awe and pity on their faces.>

"You watch them go, a sense of satisfaction washing over you. It feels good to finally have the upper hand, to see the person who wronged you brought low."

"But as you look at Maria's retreating figure, a flicker of something else crosses your face - a hint of sadness, perhaps even a touch of regret."

"You quickly push those feelings aside. There is no time for sentimentality now. You have a new life to build, a new path to forge."

"You turn back to the crowd, their cheers still ringing in your ears. You raise your hand, silencing them with a gesture."

"Thank you," you say, your voice filled with gratitude. "But my work is not done. There are still those who need my help, those who have been wronged and forgotten. I will not rest until justice is served."

<The crowd roars its approval once more, their faith in you solidified.>

"You take a deep breath, feeling the weight of their expectations on your shoulders. You are no longer just an alchemist. You are a symbol of hope, a beacon of light in a world shrouded in darkness."

"And you will not let them down."

"You descend from the soapbox, a newfound purpose radiating from you. The crowd parts, eager to see the alchemist who has risen from the ashes."

<The air crackles with anticipation as you approach your shop. The sign above creaks gently in the breeze, proclaiming "The Alchemist's Haven" in bold, elegant lettering.>

"You push open the door, a bell tinkling merrily as you enter. The shop is small but cozy, filled with the scent of herbs and exotic spices. Shelves are lined with jars of colorful powders and liquids, bubbling concoctions simmer on a small stove, and a worn leather-bound book lies open on a table."

"Word spreads quickly. People line up outside your door, their faces etched with pain, worry, and hope. A young boy with a bandaged arm clutches his mother's hand, a weary farmer leans heavily on his cane, and a woman with a pale face coughs weakly."

"You greet each person with a warm smile and a gentle touch. You listen patiently to their ailments, your eyes twinkling with understanding. Then, with practiced hands and a whispered incantation, you begin to work."

"You mix potions with precision, applying poultices with care, and chanting ancient words of healing. The air hums with energy as you channel your power, mending broken bones, soothing burns, and easing pain."

<The shop is filled with a chorus of sighs of relief and grateful murmurs.>

"As the day wears on, you see the hope return to their eyes, the smiles bloom on their faces. You are not just an alchemist; you are a healer, a savior, a beacon of light in a world that desperately needs it."

"And you know, with a certainty that fills you with both joy and trepidation, that this is only the beginning."