Narwrocki is an OC. I designed him to work in any story so I could always pull him out when I needed someone to… fill this particular role, I guess, is the only way I can put it without spoilers. I'll explain more once we learn more about him.
Excerpt from the Beige Prognosticus:
Trust is a funny thing. The only way you know for certain whether to give it to someone is revealed after you've already given it. Trust should be extended cautiously, but by no means should you be stingy with it...
Life is full of regrets, and those will include misplaced trust. Never loose heart; for every time you extend a hand of trust, there is a chance that he who wouldn't deserve it suddenly decides he does.
"Report, minions," said Count Bleck, standing on his pedestal in the meeting room. "How were your missions?"
"I finished filing all of the damage reports we received from Flower Fields," said Nastasia. "All of the restraining orders are valid for another 73 days."
"I fixed Brobots fan belt so he won't overheat," said Mr. L. He was wearing a mechanic's smock over his overalls and covered head to toe in grease.
"We found a whole bunch of mushrooms," said Mimi, "but on our way in Charlotte ate some of them."
"She is now more powerful than ever before," said Dimentio darkly.
"But the rest are in the kitchen!" Mimi finished proudly.
Count Bleck turned to Nastasia with a pleading look.
"It's no use," she said. "I called Bowser and he said if we tried to bring her back he'd throw us in the lava moat."
Count Bleck sighed.
"So," said Tippi. "Now that business is out of the way, can you ask about… well, that… well, you know."
"Oh, yes," said Count Bleck, "you mean that hideous pile of foliage sitting on Dimentio's pedistal."
"Yo," said Nawrocki with a slight wave.
"Yes, I see you. I assumed I didn't want to hear the answer."
"He totally saved my life!" Mimi squealed. "I totally would have been left to rot in the woods if he hadn't saved me!"
"That ain't what happened, yeh ungrateful—" O'Chunks started.
Count Bleck raised his hands and the minions silenced. "I'm not in the mood for this today," he said sternly.
"If I may explain," said Nawrocki. "Mimi was hit by a paralyzing arrow in the Forest Maze. I was doing some work in the forest, and when I realized that there were non-locals there I checked on them. And then I saw one of them had been injured, so I gave her a potion. It wasn't very serious."
"Oh, I disagree," said Dimentio in his voice that's so cheerful it's actually creepy. "What you did certainly deserves the attention of Count Bleck. Doesn't it, oh Count?"
"A potion, you say?" Count Bleck said thoughtfully. "Interesting. You are a Potion Mixer, then?"
"Yes," said Nawrocki. "There are many things in the Forest Maze that can't be found easily in any other part of the world. I make and sell many kinds."
"Yes," Dimentio added. "I thought you, of all people, Count, would—"
"I know your intentions, Dimentio," said Count Bleck darkly. "And I do not appreciate them."
"Honestly, I'm just here for yuks," said Nawrocki with a shrug. "I don't know what's going on with you people."
"I apologize, Good Plant," said Count Bleck. "The reasons are very complicated, and I can explain to you at a later time if you like, but I would like to ask you to leave now. I am grateful to you for helping Mimi, and Nastasia will give you your reward as she shows you out, but I'm just not comfortable having you near me."
"I get that a lot," said Nawrocki. "Uh, here's my business card." He pulled it out from somewhere and offered it. "If any of you need any potions—"
"Thank you," said Count Bleck curtly. "I apologize, I really do, but—"
"Don't," said Nawrocki. "Don't worry, really. I totally get it."
He jumped down and onto the floor. "I don't know my way back, so…"
Nastasia jumped down next to him. She took his business card and said, "I will show you the way out of this dimension."
"Thank you."
"Hey, I wanna come!" said Mimi. "I have some questions about those potions!"
"Me, too," said Mr. L. "Uh, can I be excused, Count?"
"Fine," said Count Bleck. "Everyone who wants to follow the plant may do so."
Mimi, Mr. L, O'Chunks, Dimentio, and Tippi all jumped down to the floor to follow Nastasia and Nawrocki. Count Bleck, expecting that, disappeared.
As soon as they were on the floor, they bombarded him with questions. He crawled in the middle of the pack, surrounded by curious minions.
"Hey, Nawrocki? Do you make, like, love potions and junk?" asked Mimi. "Can I see a price sheet?"
"No, I don't," Nawrocki replied. "They always end in heartache and the scorned ladies come after yours truely. It's a CYOA legal move."
"Are your potions supplied with magic?" asked Dimentio.
"Yes," said Nawrocki. "100 per cent unfiltered. No corner-cutting in Nawrocki Industries."
"Got any that can help me unleash the full potential o' me flyin' chunks?" asked O'Chunks.
"Absolutely," Nawrocki said. "Unleash your full potential with Nawrocki's Special Blend. Every talent potion comes in a collectors cup."
"Ooh," Mr. L piped up, waving his wrench in the air. "Do you have anything to help my crippling inferiority complex?"
"No," said Nawrocki. "You'll want a pharmacist for that."
"Oh. Then, do you have one that makes me invisible?"
"Yes, I do have those." He reached into the folds of his leaves and pulled out a small stack of paper. He handed one sheet to everyone present. "Okay, here's my menu. Everybody take one and look it over, and if you want to buy something, call the number on the bottom. Pleasure doin' business with you. It looks like I'm on my way out."
"Yeah," said Nastasia, looking over her sheet. "So, I'll just sign you out and you'll hear from me in six to eight business days. I'm especially interested in this never-ending inkwell…"
"Actually," said Nawrocki, "It lasts for a designated amount of time, no matter how much it's used, but then it does end. I have one, five, and ten year plans available."
"I'll have to run some numbers to see if it's a good investment."
"Okay, I know where I am now," said Nawrocki as they stepped outside. Charlotte came bounding up, barking loudly as she defended her territory from the stranger. Nawrocki disappeared while Nastasia slammed the door behind them.
Count Bleck was relaxing in bed. He felt fully justified in jettisoning the plant from his presence, but he also felt guilty. When Tippi returned, he'd talk to her about it to ease his conscience, or else find a way to make it right. She was very good at that, keeping him on track.
Someone appeared in the room.
"Doors," said Count Bleck with a sigh. "It's very rude to enter someone's room without knocking. That is why we have doors even though we can warp."
"Sorry," said the plant-man, "but my aim is off."
Count Bleck jumped up, and found that it was wasn't one of his minions at all!
"We weren't formally introduced. I'm Nawrocki, of Nawrocki Incorporated." He offered a vine. "And you are…?"
"Count Bleck," said Count Bleck. "What are you doing in my room?"
"I'll be out of your hair in two shakes," Nawrocki said. "I just wanted to tell you, I've heard of you."
"I know," Count Bleck said darkly. "The Dark Prognosticus's choice to fulfill the prophecy. If you want my head on a patter, there's a waiting list."
"Uh, no. Different reason," said Nawrocki.
"Oh." Count Bleck was surprised. "I must be getting paranoid." He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. "This is the list of people who've threatened to kill me because of what I did."
Nawrocki looked at the list. "Two of the names are already crossed off?"
"Well, they exacted their revenge."
"I see." Nawrocki nodded wisely. "Well, anyway, I've heard a lot about you. I know your wife used to be a human and is now a pixl."
Count Bleck's eyes widened. "Where did you hear it?" he asked. "I mean, it's not a secret—it just isn't getting around very much."
Nawrocki shrugged. "I can't remember. Is it true?"
"Well, yes—"
"I can help her."
Count Bleck shook his head, too cautious to hope, but too hopeful to be cautious.
"A potion," he continued. "It takes 28 days to prepare, after collecting the rarest of ingredients, but if it works, she'd be human again permanently."