Compusive Herbalism

Sitting in the tree, enjoying his fruit, Errit thought about removing the mask but chose instead to break pieces apart and eat them separately. Studying the mask, he could feel it moving and adjusting. After a while, he felt something strange yet familiar.

The flesh of the Mask seemed to have been made from fresh animal materials, their skins and several different types of optical sockets were fitted to the outside of the mask. While it was on his face, he could see through them. It reminded him of his optics what were used back on Earth, Night vision, Infared, True-black and Radiation goggles were given to many of the special operations teams. Though, he couldn't understand what he was seeing at through the mask.

The fruit itself was giving off a trail of energy, looking out among the tree he could count another 39 fruits without having to search. Looking down at the grass carpet beneath him, he saw so much more.

Herbs, grasses, animals.. all living things in the area emitted a certain amount of the light. It was like he was seeing them for the first time, full of glory. Each more different than the last, some had small specs and motes, others had flowing streams that went either into or out of the bodies, leaves or roots. The world was teeming with energy.

Jumping down, he walked up to several grasses and pulled some of the hulls from its end. Chewing on them, he felt a sense of belonging to the land. He couldn't explain it at all, but he spent the afternoon gathering anything with what he perceived as a good light. Taking some of the grasses he quickly made himself a basket mat and rope to tie up his haul.

His appearance looked more like a plastic recycler from the inner cities back home, a giant mound of separated herbs filled his pack. Entering the Village, the villagers looked on with amazement. When they looked down at their own bounties for the evening, it was a stark difference. He had spared no moment during his search, working through the evening and near to the second sun setting.

"Why so many?" The Elder heard the commotion and came to see, he eyes glistened a little. "Hunter, you outdo yourself. Many thanks. The village will be able to have a great feast tonight!" He seemed rather energetic, Errit didn't understand what all the plants did in particular but he wasn't bothered with the decision.

Placing the pack down, he unrolled it and showed his haul.

The Village swarmed to see what he had returned with, Herbs could do a myriad of things.

"I had not intended to do such a thing, but I see no issue with sharing such things while I am here, though, I wish I understood why I went to get these." Errit shrugged and picked up one of the fruits, he put it away and stepped back.

The other villagers were not big on ceremony, they simply grabbed what they wanted or needed. Several stones laid on the mat, they remained, none of the villagers understood why he had packed stones.

"This is salt and this is something else. I tasted it, it seems pretty good." Errit picked up the salt and put it into a bundle for later. Looking around he saw someone that looked like they were making soup or stew. a liquid bubbled and smelled delicious. He placed the stone inside the pot gently.

There was an immediate reaction, the color of the stew changed dramatically. It grew lighter, and its texture began to evolve. A rich aroma of cream slowly to come out across the villagers, the hint bought the attention of everyone. Quickly they surrounded the singular pot, staring at the concoction.

"What did you do?" The cook looked excited, but the tone of their voice was of concern.

Errit grabbed a bowl and lifted some of the soupy substance into it. "I don't know, but it looks great, sorry beforehand if it tastes bad but something told me it would be okay." Taking a sip from the bowl he smiled, though they couldn't see it very well. He sat on a nearby boulder and tasted the soup again. 'that's great, thankfully I didn't ruin it' he thought.

"Let me try" One of the young ones grabbed a bowl and repeated Errit's actions, scooping it up into the bowl and drinking it.

Her eyes glittered. "YUMMY!" rushing off, the others started taking some of the food. More dishes were being made around the village. Music came from a far hut, a reed instrument of some sort played over the sound of the villagers sharing their meal.

"Hunter, we have you to thank. Such a strange thing, a rock in the food, to do such a thing we would not have dreamed." The Elder sat next to Errit. He saw Errit take the 'salt' from the bag and break small portions off, sprinkling it on the soup. "What is that you're doing?" He had questions, but the food was too good to ignore, the Elder took another sip and watched Errit closely.

"Its salt, it makes it .. salty." placing the rock into the the Elder's hand, he said, "when you're almost done.. sprinkle a few grains and then taste it again. Let me know what you think." Errit was enjoying the meal, everyone was friendly. The atmosphere was different than the ships he had spent most of his adult life on, these people shared everything.

"If you need me, I will be in the fruit tree behind the Village." Errit got up and left.

It wasn't his village, and he had already eaten. There was much to learn about his new world, The night would offer him a different outlook on the land, he could not miss it.

Sitting among the branches again, he could see the fields in front of him. His mask revealing their auras under the dark sky. The Night had come, sweeping the heat of the land away.

"What is that?" Errit jumped from the Tree and landed softly below. A thousand meters out and in the center of the field laid a dark red flower, blooming in the night air, its aura smoked like a beacon over the field. Drawing closer a radiant energy could be felt from its pedals. They burned at his fingers when he tried to touch it. 'Sentient plant?' he considered the possibility, but changed his mind when he put a stick nearby up close instead. It caught fire.

"Whoa." A voice came from behind, it was one of the children, the little girl who had been first to take a taste of the food. "Don't touch the Sunflowers. Do you want lose control of your energies? Those are Supreme Yang Flowers, only those with extreme Yang abilities should touch them."

She pulled Errit back from the flower. "They look so pretty right?!"

'Yang? Does she mean Yin and Yang?' a flood of information started to flood his mind, things long since forgotten. Television, cartoons, infomercials, and documentaries about ancient Chinese medicines, alchemy, black magic and more. Suddenly everything started to make more sense to him. Looking over at the child, he turned and shook her shoulders a bit. "Does magic exist here too?"

She looked at him with pity and confusion. pulling away she snapped. "Of course magic exists, you're wearing a magic mask. Don't you know where you are?" She saw the blank look on his face and started to laugh. "Magic, pfft. Go to sleep, in the morning I will ask the Elder to bring you to the Shaman." her laughing couldn't stop, she kept laughing as she made her way back to the Village.

"Shit, it was just a question." Errit looked at the Sunflower once more, then out a the field in front of him. More flowers started to come out in the darkness, their auras like flashlights marking their positions.

Errit started picking again.