<i>A boy with a very odd outfit almost akin to that of a performer's would be bent over away from the crowd near an especially thick part of the ice. He had a sharp metal tool in his hand which seemed to serve the purpose of excavating the deepest parts of the ice. Next to him was also a cooler that seemed to be for storage of whatever it was he was gathering. He almost seemed unaware of the commotion surrounding him, as if too focused on his work to notice. With a sigh and a shiver, he would finally look up for a moment.</i> I've always hated the cold. Why does the weather have to be like this still? I just need to finish this and then I can go back. <i>It would be at that moment that the odd boy would finally notice the gathering of people nearby.</i> What's going on? A performance? No... Those are...police officers? There the guards around here so... Well, this looks interesting at least. Maybe I'll observe for a while.

<spoiler>OOC: I apologize for not having kept up with posting. Was waiting for Dahlia to post again but seems they got busy. Not sure how else to respond right away if not in reaction to their next post, to be perfectly honest.</spoiler>

<i>Alt would walk over to the covered painting and seem to be thinking while staring at the curtain covering it.</i> &quot;No, actually. Curiosity is one of the most important aspects of an alchemist. It would be hypocritical for me to say curiosity is bad. Perhaps if you're curious then... Have you ever heard of a mysterious painting? They're paintings with breathtaking scenes depicted in them. Usually, they'll have a certain feeling to them that's different from average paintings.&quot;

<i>Within the workshop would be many bookshelves lining almost every wall. They were all filled to the brim with many books concerning the topic of the natural world, plants, and minerals. There seemed to be no end to them as they extended to the ceiling of the workshop. Over near the entrance was also a desk with many unlabeled vials of different colouration. Some of the flasks were bubbling and others were simmering silently. On the right wall of the workshop, in the only spot not filled with books, was what looked to be a painting covered by a large curtain. Finally, to the left was a large cauldron with a boy sitting in front of it with a book in his hand and a box of random materials at his side. He seemed to be heavily focused on what he was doing as he at times would add another material to the cauldron and then go back to reading. He didn't even seem to notice that anyone had entered the workshop.</i> So, if I add in this then...

<i>Alt would look around for a moment. He remembered he had come out to the forest to collect wood but think about it, he hadn't really explored the rest of the forest in detail. Who knew what rare materials might be hiding further in. He'd begin walking towards where the trees seemed to be more spaced out, in the opposite direction of where he entered the forest from. This direction would eventually lead him to the shrine's location as well.</i> Strange forest, makes me feel a bit like I'm being watched. Probably why everyone else just avoids this place. More materials for me to collect anyway.

<i>The boy seemed to jump a bit for a second upon being asked. He seemed genuinely surprised that someone had entered without him noticing.</i> &quot;Someone's here? When did you come in? Nevermind, it doesn't matter I suppose. I was in the middle of synthesising something new. I wanted to see if I could change the properties to get an interesting reaction.&quot; <i>Finally he'd turn away from the cauldron to greet his guest accordingly.</i> &quot;I'm Alt, an alchemist living here. and this is my atelier. Since you didn't know what I was doing should I assume you weren't aware of what this place is?&quot;

<i>Alt would seem hesitant to answer her question but would eventually carefully place his hand over the curtain. He'd carefully remove the curtain to unveil a painting that seemed to depict a strange looking desert. The sky in the painting was a vivid violent and cogs could be seen littering the ground. There was also strange orbs floating in the air in the painting:</i> https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/atelierseries/images/5/58/Etel_Nepica.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/640?cb=20180430044610 <i>The painting would seem almost lifelike in a way like one could simply jump into the frame and walk around but its surface would be that of a painting nonetheless.</i> &quot;This is <b>Etel Nepica</b>. A world where the past can manifest itself before those who enter. It's possibly one of the strangest of all the mysterious paintings and a dangerous one for those who would rather forget their past. Though all mysterious painting can be dangerous in some ways regardless.&quot;

<i>Alt would continue explaining the painting and it's properties though he'd take note of the reactions it had garnered.</i> &quot;I've been inside this painting once or twice but there's still a lot about it I'm uncertain of. The only way to enter a painting like this is for someone to approach it and wish strongly to enter the world within the painting. The method is definitely strange but they say the paintings can detect people's desires.&quot; <i>He'd finally look over to the young girl who just entered.</i> &quot;Book store? I guess it kind of looks like one in here but if you were looking for the book store then you wandered pretty far. This is an alchemy workshop. The closest book store would be somewhere back in town.&quot; <i>Alt tho0ught he saw someone else outside for a moment too but he wasn't too sure. Whoever they were, they seemed to be hiding. He thought it may not matter for now so he ignored it.</i>

<i>Alt would simply watch as Dahlia picked up the orb. He was certainly curious about its odd movement and the strange way in which she seemed to acquire it. He almost wondered if he could use the strange object as a material as well but it seemed much more interesting to see what they intended to do with such an object instead. Not having truly joined the crowd yet he would also be able to observe the third individual join the crows, but only out of the corner of his eye. His attention would mostly be fixed to the object in question so he'd only briefly note the appearance of the strange individual.</i>

<i>Alt would sigh a bit at Maria's response realizing that she reminded him of someone else he had trouble dealing with.</i> &quot;Alchemy is a bit more complicated than just magic stuff, science might be a better way to describe it but isn't quite right either. Though I can't really blame someone who calls it magic based on some of what can be created. Anyway, did you just come here out of curiosity or is there something else I can help you with?&quot;