A Morning Stroll - 12/20/20
| Dmed by Blue |
[Blue]
| It's a particularly nice morning in the Lavender Beds. Nothing seems immediately amiss- just another day for the majority of residents who have made this area their home. An elderly woman sweeps the dust off of her front porch. A couple of Twin Adders stop at one home to ask a question of the homeowner about the finer qualities of wine tasting. Children excitedly rub the sleep from their eyes in favor of running and laughing and causing bits of friendly mischief. But there is one thing that stands out and seems rather out of place. |
| Gentle weeping can be heard amidst the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birdsong, and the conversations of residents seizing the day. It's faint, but the sound seems to come from a small little cottage nestled a short distance away from the larger, more active homes. |
[Vinalo]
It was a usual sight for most residents of the Beds out and about this time of morning. Resident plant medic (and healer 'on the side,' if you asked a few of them) Vinalo Mabunalo was out for their post-breakfast walk. They'd had a particularly good breakfast and was looking forward to a relaxing stroll through the ward. Maybe pass through the city for a bit. The slight chill of the season had come in, but it wasn't enough to keep Vinalo from their routine.
They were taking their usual route through the Beds, taking the time to gaze at the piles of fallen leaves along the path, when they heard the distinct sound of someone crying. This wouldn't be too out of place; it was a residential ward, after all. And they usually didn't care to pry into private matters. But something about the tone resonated in their mind. 'Suppose it couldn't hurt to go see,' Vinalo thought to themself. Breaking from their planned route, the Lalafell walked towards the small cottage the weeping seemed to be coming from.
[Blue]
| The weeping seems to lessen as Vinalo draws closer - had they just imagined it? It feels as if the whole world has suddenly gone silent. That is, until something goes flying for Vinalo's head, straight from an open window of the cottage in question! |
[Vinalo]
Maybe it was their sharp reflexes, or maybe it was just that they were a small target. Either way, Vinalo spotted the unexpected projectile before it made contact with their head and stumble-dodged to the side. They regained their footing and looked between the open window and the object, wondering what just nearly clonked them on the noggin.
[Blue]
| Vinalo successfully dodges whatever was thrown at them quite successfully! It plops onto the ground harmlessly a few ilms away. Upon closer inspection, the item in question looks to be a white ratty teddy bear with a yellow bow wrapped around its neck. The plush has certainly seen some wear and tear, with stuffing coming out of one of its ears, its big black beady eyes staring up at the Lalafell. |
| A series of bubbly giggles can be heard faintly coming from the open window of the cottage. Looking over in that direction would reveal the bright green eyes of a young girl peeking out at Vinalo. She smiles at them and motions for them to come closer- but is interrupted by the silhouette of someone obstructing the window. A series of protests - soon replaced with painful sounding coughs - can be heard. Not long after, the face of a worn-looking midlander woman appears briefly at the window, closing it shut with a somber sigh. |
[Vinalo]
Vinalo picked up the teddy bear, giving it a good look in its beady eyes. They couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the child's antics, though they didn't like the sound of those coughs. Wanting to at least see if they could be of any assistance (and return the bear), they walked up to the door and gave it a gentle knock.
[Blue]
| As Vinalo wanders closer to the home. they have plenty of time to observe it proper. The cottage is small but quaint, certainly overshadowed by all of the others nearby. It had certainly seen better days, with thick swathes of ivy coiling up every side of the building and various large weeds and grasses obstructing what used to be a nice stone path leading up to the door. On every windowsill rests a planter box filled with worn daisies, scraggly and barely clinging to life. Had Vinalo not seen the little girl and what could be presumed to be her guardian, one would think it a deserted home. |
| When Vinalo approaches the door, they can hear somewhat of a mild argument going on inside. |
| “But Mama, I just wanted someone to come visit. Nobody wants to play with me anymore..” |
| “Honey, that doesn’t excuse just throwing things at people who wander by. This is the third time today I’ve seen you throw something out that window!” |
| “…Yeah this time I threw Teddy…I hope he’s not lonely out there..” |
| The conversation quickly disperses. Soon, faint footsteps could be heard approaching the door. A hesitation, and then the door would slowly swing inward, a woman’s tired gaze resting upon Vinalo with uncertainty. |
[Vinalo]
The Lalafell couldn't help but look at the sad state of the plant life on and around the house. “Maybe I could help with those, too,” they mumbled to themself. It almost distracted them from the conversation heard just inside the door. They glanced down at the bear again, now wondering what else had been tossed out the window. The door opening snapped them back to attention.
“Ah. Hello! Don't mean to interrupt or such, but…” Vinalo started, holding up the bedraggled bear with a smile. “I think this belongs to your daughter. Almost had a really close meeting!”
[Blue]
| The woman manages a faint smile as she is greeted, opening her hands out in gentle welcome to the lalafell. The woman was a middle-aged highlander dressed in a simple yellow smock. Lengthy brown hair had been put up into an unkempt bun, and the features of her face looked tired and worn. Her eyes were especially puffy, as if they’d be prone to tears at any moment’s notice. She looks to the teddy bear Vinalo held up. |
| “Ah, I'm so sorry about that! My daughter’s been very lonely of late, so she tries to find playmates who happen to walk past our window. I apologize for the trouble, really.” |
| A long string of weak coughs can be heard from within the residence and the woman looks over her shoulder with concern. |
| “I’d better get back to her..” She hesitates briefly and looks back at Vinalo. |
| “If it’s no trouble..would you like to give her teddy back to her?” |
[Vinalo]
“Oh, it's no trouble at all! I've taken hits from worse things than stuffed bears.”
Vinalo sort of glances around the woman when the coughs start up again, getting more concerned as it continues longer than expected. The concern on their face was obvious when the woman turned back to them, though they were still smiling.
“And that'd be no trouble, either. I'll be happy to return it to her,” they said, nodding. “Name's Vinalo Mabunalo. Healer and often botanist.”
[Blue]
| The woman nods, though as they mentioned their profession, a hopeful expression briefly flashes across her face before she turns and leaves the door open for them to come in. She calls to them afterwards, “My name is Roselle Sadler. It's a pleasure to meet you, Vinalo.” |
| She closes the door behind them softly and turns to head towards a door nearby that was slightly ajar. The lalafell would have a few moments to digest the contents of the first room. |
| As suggested by the outside, the inside of the cottage was small but quaint. This room acted as both a kitchen and a living space. A lonely vase filled with wilted Lilies rested in the center of a round table surrounded by a set of wooden chairs. A large pot on the stove was boiling with something that might have smelled good were it not for the overpowering medicinal scent permeating throughout the entirety of the room. Closer inspection of the door the highlander woman had walked through would reveal colorful children’s drawings tacked onto it of various people, flowers, and animals. |
| Vinalo would be able to hear some light conversation going on inside as the woman seems to be coercing her daughter into downing something warm and soothing for her throat. |
[Vinalo]
The healer stepped into the home with an affirmative hum. “Good to meet you too, Roselle.” Their nose was immediately hit with the scent of medical herbs, several of which they recognized immediately. This did little to quell their worries about the young girl. Vinalo watched Roselle go on ahead, leaving them to their own thoughts for a moment.
“Those herbs all together… this potent…” they said to themself, very quietly. “She's desperate.”
Vinalo came up to the door and looked at the drawings covering it. A brief smile before giving a friendly little wave to the occupants.
[Blue]
| Vinalo would look upon a smaller, more intimate bedroom of sorts. It was clear that this was a child’s room, for there were toys strewn about the floor and a rather impressive collection of plushies perched near the window from which one particular teddy had been thrown out. Roselle sat in a lone red armchair sat beside a bed in the center of the room, a cup of something steamy in clasped in one hand as she looked to the lalafell with a smile. |
| In the middle of the bed, Vinalo would find find a young girl sitting up in ‘said bed smiling happily at them. |
| “You actually came!” |
| Roselle couldn't help but smile at the girl's outburst, reclining back into the chair as she motioned towards her daughter with her free hand. |
| “This is Meia, my daughter.” |
| Meia couldn’t have been much older than 11, with pink and green hair messily organized into twin braids and bright green eyes that looked upon Vinalo as if they were the most important person in the room. She wore a loose white dress, though most of that was covered by the gigantic bed comforter she’d slipped under. With a bubbly giggle, the girl looked to her mother excitedly. |
| “I knew she’d come!” She squints at Vinalo curiously. “Or he?” |
| Meia shakes her head firmly, still beaming. “It doesn't matter, wanna be friends?” |
| She stretches her hands out to them, fingers wiggling. |
| “And do you have my teddy?” |
[Vinalo]
Though the sight of a sick child in bed made their heart sink a bit, Vinalo put on a bright smile for the girl. The gathering of plush toys near the window caught their eye for a second as they walked over to the bed and held up the plush bear in plain sight as they spoke.
“Hello, Meia. Glad to meet you! And I wouldn't have come in here without bringing your friend back, of course,” they said, offering the bear to her carefully. “My name's Vinalo. And it looks like you've a lot of friends here already! But if you'd like another, then I reckon I'd be happy to.”
[Blue]
| Meia puffed out her cheeks playfully as she took the bear from Vinalo's hands, sweeping her gaze over to the pile of stuffed animals all around them. “They're okay…but not as fun!” |
| Roselle looked to her daughter. “Vinalo here is a healer and a botanist.” |
| “Bota..what's that?” She looked to the lalafell again. “But healers I know! A buncha healers come visit me! They just..stop coming back after a while..” |
[Vinalo]
Vinalo chuckled a bit as Meia harshed her stuffed friends. “Botanist is someone who grows and takes care of plants and such. Which I do a lot of. Sometimes care for other people's plants, too.”
They glanced to Roselle for just a second before continuing with Meia. “Well… I don't want to say much bad about other healers, but… maybe they weren't looking for the right thing. What's been wrong?” Vinalo asks, the question seemingly aimed at both the young girl and her mother.
[Blue]
| Meia brightened at the explanation, drawing her teddy up to her chest to hug mercilessly. |
| “Oh! That's what I used to do, before-“ |
| Roselle chose to interject, and it was probably for the best, for the girl's happy expression seemed to falter the moment and she struggled to continue her sentence. |
| Roselle looks to Vinalo briefly, setting the hot drink down on the dresser nearby and placing her hands calmly in her lap. |
| “It happened a few moons ago. Meia was picking flowers out near Sorrel Haven, which isn't so strange in itself. But one day…“ |
| Meia spoke up, closing her eyes. ”…Something bit me. I didn't see what it was, it was so fast. And it hurt but I felt fine, I went back home and everything!” |
| Roselle continued. “Since then, it's as if something is sapping her strength away and replacing it with illness. When this started, Meia could still run around and play with the other children. Now, it takes all her strength just to walk to the window and throw a teddy bear at somebody.” |
| Roselle smiled sadly and Meia shuffled under the safety of the covers, her green eyes blinking out at Vinalo quietly. |
[Vinalo]
The healer listened carefully to the story told to them. They started to frown hearing how Meia's strength had been mysteriously failing over time. They nodded slowly as Roselle finished the tale. A long hum as they tapped their chin in thought. Ideas bounced around in their head, none of them great. Regardless, they tried to put on a happier face before speaking.
“Sorrel Haven, huh? I know that area. Overlooks Everschade, my favorite place in the whole Shroud!” they said with a bit of enthusiasm, trying to help the atmosphere a bit. “But… something bit you. Really wish we knew what it was. Could be some kind of infection, or poison, or…”
Vinalo paused as their thoughts went a little bit further. An odd feeling in their gut. They shook their head a tiny bit and continued. “The Haven's a pretty big place. Meia, you remember where you were when you were bitten?”
[Blue]
| Upon Vinalo's recognition of the area, Meia seemed to elated once more, bouncing up from the bed, her hands flailing expressively. |
| “Yes! All the adults say its more dangerous and all but there are some real pretty flowers there and I liked to bring them back to mama cause she works so hard.” |
| Roselle laughed and shook her head. “My little wanna-be botanist didn't know that plants needed to be watered and taken care of. She'd bring back clumps of different flowers. It's a wonder any of them survived the trip!” |
| The mood was effectively lifted at the memory it seemed, enough so that when Vinalo asked about the whereabouts of where she'd been bitten, Meia coughed once and thought to herself. |
| “Uhm..it was over by that big pond…“ |
| “Hopeseed pond” |
| “Yeah! I don't get too close cause those big noodle toothy plants are around there. But I know it was somewhere like that!” |
[Vinalo]
Meia's flower-gathering habit made them smile again, this time without it being forced. 'She's got the spirit for it,' Vinalo thought. More thinking. A sort of mental itch creeped in. They didn't ignore it, but simply set it aside. For now.
“A botanist in the making, looks like! Maybe after you've gotten better, I could show you some of my plants and how I take care of them. I've got so many of them at home, I'm sure there'd be something you'd like,” they said, tone full of genuine enthusiasm. “But those big… noodle leafkin're Morbols. Good you've stayed away from them. If one of those'd got to you… well, things'd be a bit different.”
A brief pause to think. The smile remained on their face, but concern returned to their voice.
“But something else did. Meia… if it's okay with you, could you show me where this… thing bit you?”
[Blue]
| Meia's eyes widened, drawing her hands up to her mouth to muffle the excited little squeal at the invitation to learn even more about plants. She digested Vinalo's knowledge of leafkin with a happy bob of her head, though this seemed to elicit a series of harsh sounding coughs soon afterwards, the girl hunching forward on the bed. Her mother patted at her back and passed the hot cup back into Meia's shaky hands before directing her attention to Vinalo. |
| She reached over her daughter to grab one side of the bedspread and with some reluctance, spoke. |
| “It doesn't look pretty.” She warned them, bunching up the spread in her fingers before pulling away to reveal Meia's previously hidden legs- more specifically her right foot. |
| While most of the area seemed normal, it was at the girl's heel that there was an odd imprint of what looked like a pair of fangs. While the bites themselves seemed small, it was the area around it that promised something unusual, blossoming in a circular pattern that was blotchy and purple. At the edges of the circular pattern, little purple tendrils spread outwards. It looked like a very dark bruise in the shape of a sun. |
| There were also traces, faint traces, of something that was certainly not part of Meia's aether on this mark. It carried a rather malignant feel, yet not terribly overpowering. |
[Vinalo]
The enthusiasm laid bare in front of the Lalafell managed to raise their spirits, despite the situation. The way Meia's eyes lit up at the mention of more plants reminded them of all the many times they'd stood by a patient's side, ready to give them hope again. This is what they do. This is what they are. Vinalo braced themself as Roselle pulled the blanket back.
Their eyes widened. The sound. Faint, but there. Unmistakable. The mental itch slid back. They idly flexed their fingers. Taking a deep breath, they looked back up to the mother and her child, trying not to worry them with whatever their face looked like at the moment.
“Ah. This is… quite a bruise you've got, Meia. Can see why it's been so much trouble,” Vinalo said. They brought their hands up and clasped them together. A weak smile. “I might be able to get a better idea of how it is if I took a closer look. Aetherically. If it's okay with you and your mum, of course.”
[Blue]
| Meia visibly flinched at Vinalo's suggestion, a sudden jerk as she brought both legs up to her chest and re-covered them with the blanket. Her eyes flickered briefly, clearly fearful, and the girl would stumble over her next words in a cascade of stuttery murmurs, “N-n-noo!” |
| Roselle on the other hand, stood up slowly, and it was very clear by her posture that this was not the first time this sudden response had occurred, nor would it be the last. |
| “Vinalo, would you mind helping me with something real quick?” |
| She looks to Meia gently. “I'll be back in just a little bit, promise!” |
| The little girl sniffed and buried herself under the blankets, clearly inconsolable for the time being. |
| The midlander smiled over at the lalafell and gestured for them to come follow her out into the main foyer before making her way out the door. |
[Vinalo]
The young girl's fearful response did not shock Vinalo; their face now that of someone who's seen this more than a few times. A short sigh as they looked over to Roselle. They nodded to her request, but lingered for a moment to address their new patient.
”…That's fine, Meia. We won't do that, then,” they said in the gentlest tone they could. “We'll… we'll try something else. Just rest for now.”
Vinalo put on a smile for the girl, and turned to follow her mother out to the foyer.
[Blue]
| Roselle gently shut the door behind Vinalo before looking to them with a sad smile. |
| “I'm sorry about that. I know you want to help..” She made her way towards the kitchen area, peeking into the large bubbling pot for a moment before pulling it off the burners and onto a nearby counter. She'd slip a ladle into the concoction that now very much smelled like a vegetable broth of sorts. She ladled out a bit of the broth and a chunk of bread, moving to set it on the table and inviting Vinalo to partake if they were interested in doing so. |
| “It's just…you aren't the first who's poked and prodded at the girl, both physically and aetherically. We've had representatives of the Conjurer's guild come in, and no matter how gentle they tried to treat her, everything would hurt too much and she'd end up howling in pain every time.” |
| Roselle sighed, placing her head in her hands and staring down at the table. “I don't know what to do anymore..” |
[Vinalo]
Though they'd just eaten breakfast not too long ago, the smell (and offer) of fresh soup was incredibly enticing. “Maybe just a little bit…” Vinalo mumbled as they hopped up on a chair. They'd already dipped a piece of bread into the soup as Roselle recalled how things had gone previously with trying to treat Meia's ailment. Thankfully, they finished the bite before speaking.
“The Fane's already tried to help? Only a bit surprising, I suppose. They usually send out new conjurers to help people with minor injuries and such. Way for them to get training,” Vinalo said, tapping their chin in thought. “If they sent more than one, then I'm guessing more experienced healers came in eventually. I've… some issues with the Fane, but I don't doubt they all tried their best.”
A long sigh as they leaned back in their chair.
“I've a… feeling of sorts of what happened to Meia, but I can't be sure unless I take a closer look. She's my patient now, so I'll try everything I can.” Vinalo blinked a few times. ”…Erm, if you'd allow me to, of course,” they added awkwardly.
[Blue]
| Roselle nodded at their suspicions, drawing a finger to her cheek in thought. |
| “We've had a handful come in, from the inexperienced to the more knowledgeable. We've had proclaimed shamans as well, and a couple Astrologians drawn to this place after reading the stars..” |
| She shook her head. “I don't know about all that, only that they can't seem to get through to my daughter. She can't trust them when they bring her pain. Some of the Fane have been looking into finding what might have caused the bite those moons ago, but currently, there haven't been any leads. No other children or adults have been bitten and succumbed to this strange illness. I just wish it hadn't happened at all.” |
| Her eyes raise at their request, and she nods to them. |
| “I've no issue with your coming by to help my Meia but…you won't get far right now. Though she asked you to be her friend from the start, I expect she imagines she won't see you again after today. As she mentioned in there, not many people, healers or non, tend to return after their methods have failed. It hurts her. Her own friends stop visiting the moment she grew weaker and couldn't play anymore.” |
[Vinalo]
“Astromancers, even…”
Vinalo leans forward again, drumming their fingers on the table for a moment. Different thoughts and ideas cross their mind, some more feasible than others. They pick up the piece of bread again, but refrain from taking another bite just yet.
“Mhm, can see why she'd start to think that way. Everyone giving up on her like that. That's just terrible for her to go through,” they said, fiddling with the bread. They close their eyes as they take a deep breath. After a moment, their eyes open and are paired with a renewed smile. “But, I'm not any of those healers or friends. I saw how happy she looked when I told her about seeing my plants. I'll come back as many times as it takes to make sure she'll get that chance. Maybe they all missed something, or weren't looking for the right thing. Either way, I never abandon patients. And I'll not be starting now.”
[Blue]
| A look of relief washed over Roselle's face at the confident answer given. She couldn't help but smile, shaking her head a bit. “I really do hope you're different Vinalo. Maybe you really can find the cure.” |
| She shifts in place for a moment before standing up and looking to the closed door- or what should have been a closed door. A pair of eyes belonging to one Meia peeked out at the pair, eyes wide, her fingers curling around one edge of the door. |
| “You promise you'll come back? I…I'd like to see you again..” |
| The girl fidgets nervously, bringing up the back of her hand to her mouth to stifle a few raspy coughs. |
[Vinalo]
The Lalafell gave Roselle a confident grin and finally took a bite of the bread as she stood up. The sudden voice, however, caused them to quickly look to its source. They found themself looking right at their new patient, cheek still full of bread. Vinalo quickly finished chewing and swallowed before hopping down. They smiled at her hopeful tone, knowing the pain Meia was suffering from now, and walked slowly over to her.
“Meia. I swear by the Matron herself that I'll come back.” Vinalo continues to smile and slowly holds their hand out to the young girl. “I promise!”
[Blue]
| Meia didn't move from the doorway as Vinalo approached, her big expressive eyes looking into their own as if trying to see if they might be lying or messing with her. It seems that she couldn't see anything that dastardly however, and when the lalafell extended out their hand the girl smiled, dipping away from the narrow opening of the door to return with her Teddy in tow. She held out one of the plushie's arms to Vinalo and said in quite the serious tone, |
| “Teddy trusts you, so I should to!” |
| Roselle made her way over to the duo, teasingly knocking at the door her daughter braced behind. “It's been an fun and exhausting morning Meia. Why don't you go ahead and get some rest. And maybe no more throwing things out the window- just for today?” |
| The child looked up at her mother and nodded reluctantly. “Okay…See you soon Vinalo?” She questions the Lalafell, pulling her plush to her chest to hug. |
[Vinalo]
Vinalo tilted their head to the side as Meia disappeared for a moment. The bright smile returned as Meia did with her Teddy. They happily (but gently) gripped the bear's arm and gave it a little shake, sealing the promise with the plush companion.
“Well, I'm right happy Teddy trusts me that much already!” they said, sounding quite happy with having the bear's approval. Turning their head slightly, they looked right into the plush's little black eyes. “You take care of her until next time, okay?”
The Lalafell couldn't help but chuckle a bit at Roselle's request to cease with the projectiles as they stepped back a bit. They looked back to Meia with their gold-amber eyes as she asked about the days ahead. A quick nod.
“Yes. I'll be back for sure. You take care until then, Meia!”
[Blue]
| Meia showcased the brightest of smiles to the lalafell, hugging her teddy bear just that little bit tighter before turning and heading back inside her room. A small little thump! could be heard as the girl bounced on the bed, along with the shuffling sound of covers being drawn. |
| Roselle shut the door behind her with a little click and gave Vinalo a polite bow. |
| “We are both grateful to have met you Vinalo. Perhaps Meia is smart to be throwing things at strangers, just to see who's willing to come and visit.” She chuckled softly and moved past them, opening the front door for the lalafell. “You're a blessing in either case. Be well Vinalo, we look forward to seeing you again.” |
[Vinalo]
Vinalo simply smiled seeing the hopeful happiness out in full force. 'I can do this. She'll be able to run and play again,' they thought to themself, 'Just have to find the right angle.'
They stepped back to let Roselle lead them back to the front door, but not before a quick detour to the table to grab the piece of bread they'd already taken a couple bites from. The Lalafell turned to face up at Roselle before heading out the door.
“Sometimes life is odd that way, Roselle. Path takes us unexpected places. And in this case, mine brought me here to my next patient,” they said with a warm smile, “I live just across the ward in the Lily Hills, so not far if you need to find me quickly. Until next time, both of you take care of yourselves. Be well!”
And with that, Vinalo gave a friendly little wave and headed out.
[Blue]
| Scene 1 - Flying Teddy Bears - COMPLETE |
| Information has been updated below. See you next time, on Dragonball Z! |
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