second ☕✨ text (opening a clinic & a game!)

[cadeuces]

Guete Morge, everyone!

I will try to keep this brief. I've posted once before but I imagine it's more likely that if you know me, you've met me in person or know a mutual acquaintance; my name is Angela Ziegler. I'm the doctor that has opened the Second Nature Clinic on level 2. It has officially been set up and I've worked up a preliminary amount of basic medications that should be familiar to most such as allergy medication, pain management, decongestants, and other such things.

More importantly, there is no charge for any of my services if anyone ever needs to come by or contact me. I'll also gladly come to you if you're not comfortable in medical facilities or don't wish to leave your apartment. I think we all know by now the effect we can have on others, depending on the time of the month. I want everyone to know that they're welcome, for any reason, whether it's for questions, concerns with the moonblessings this place bestows upon us, medical aid, or simply for a cup of coffee and some fresh pastries for the company. We are all here on our own and it's the least that I can offer to support others.

( You know, Understatement Of The Century™️, but moving right along. You can practically read the warm little smile like to be on her face if she were speaking this aloud. )

I've seen countless posts here seeking commiseration on feelings and effects people have experienced, worries, concerns— and nowhere else to put them. I hope you're all well and have found the answers you need. While I am primarily a surgeon and combat medic, I never mind listening or offering another perspective if you ever wish for something more private and a touch professional. You could call it part of my job to assist others in shifting their typical way of thinking into something a little more positive after a life-changing injury and its recovery.

I do plan on joining the trip so that a medic is present, so the clinic may be closed for a few days. If anyone wishes to post their contact information on the door for others remaining in Prismatica, please feel free to do so! I would rest easier knowing that there are eyes out for all of us, across both places.

And if you wish to know me a bit better, why don't we play a game? Two truths and a lie. Let's see, I'll start...

1. I once won a spider-catching competition.
2. I've spent more time camping than living in my house.
3. My favorite color is yellow.

Comments

[cadeuces]

( It doesn't damper her massage just to hear he can't really feel it; the benefits far outweighed that, nearly as good as actual exercise to manipulate his leg into something resembling movement and encouraging circulation.

His heel rests on her thigh as one hand rubs up and down, the other still at his foot to encourage the roll of his ankle and stretching the proper flexors, only looking at the strange scarring with the pass of her thumb for a moment before he's speaking again. )

Oh, no, sweetheart— it isn't bad. Every case is going to be different and there are so many different types of damage that result in different things. There are nerves all along the body that detect sensation and relay it back to your brain. But there are tendons along the limbs that allow us to move that can be damaged and result in a lack of movement without affecting the nerves, or nerve damage that can develop from multiple diseases without any physical injuries sustained, or from back injuries to the spinal column. ( Every time she names something, she's indicating it with touch, tendons running up the back of his ankle and touching his waist to indicate his back, the curl of cool fingers waving up toward his head. ) It's just a question that tells me a little bit more about the nature of the injury.

( And so she slips his loafer back on and replaces his leg in the chair's stirrup, then reaches to repeat the massage on the other, shoe slipped right off to rest his heel on her lap again. )

This scarring is quite unique; was it acquired around the same time?

( She's careful in how she asks questions; it's never prying, just simple yes or no confirmations for roundabout information gathering on the topic at hand. )

[opalcrown]

[ He actually seems to nod, following along with her explanation. Momentary bouts of clarity show on his face clearly before she moves onto something else, and he tries to keep going with her. It's a bit of a difficult course, but he is understanding.

He tries to be the same to her - she may not be prying, but he knows that his doctors always wanted as much information as he could give them. ]

Ah... yes, it's because of the magic that was used to heal me. As even healing magic hurts me, it left behind scarring while saving my life.

Thank you for explaining. I think I understand. You're checking both legs in case they're hurt differently, I assume?

[cadeuces]

( She doesn't mean to keep throwing so much information at him, trying to keep it in manageable pieces with enough to indicate what she speaks of, but he seems to be following just fine. It's essentially an anatomy lesson condensed down to just a few functions, and they're about on par with one another's distance when he speaks to her in turn of magic. )

I'm sorry to hear that, but still— I'm glad it wasn't worse, and it did manage to save you. I apologize as well for the impromptu anatomy lesson, haha. Bodies are complicated things at the best of times.

And, yes and no; massage like this is nearly as good at exercising to keep the muscle moving and supple. Just as you water plants and give them sunlight to "feed" them and keep them from withering, so too do you move your body and keep it fed and watered to keep it from withering the same. Even if you don't have the ability to move your legs yourself, the act of having them moved will keep the muscle functioning and halt its atrophy. I already saw to one, so I might as well take care of the other.

Was the medical staff at the Scientia not doing this for you? It's quite basic therapy.

[opalcrown]

No, they seemed to have some trouble not applying magical remedies to my situation. I have a tendency to be a bit reckless, so... they have their hands full treating my injuries, most of the time.

I have had some treatment, thankfully, but... not like this, no. I suppose it's something I'll have to do, I've been ignoring them...

[ Though he truthfully doesn't sound very enthused to have to do so. ]

[cadeuces]

Well, you have me, now. ( It's spoken gently, fondness already warming her tone as one hand slips up above his knee to knead at the muscle there, just so he had something he could feel more readily. ) No matter what happens, I'm sure I'll be able to tend to it.

( And because she hears that lack of enthusiasm for the treatment needed: )

And I'll never turn down company as often as you wish to drop by; my days are often quite slow. Besides, I enjoy the chance to dote on my friends.

( Which is the roundabout way of offering to do this for him as often as he feels like accepting. She can't quite tell if it's that he doesn't want to be the one to touch his own legs or if he just doesn't like them being touched in general, but the offer stands. She'll take care of him to the best of her ability. )

I never did ask what your country was like, did I? What it looks like, and what sorts of foods you have.

( Boy is that an obvious distraction or what? )

[opalcrown]

[ The touch makes his muscles jump slightly, but he laughs it off with good humor, genuinely seeming pleased with the touch. ]

That's kind of you to offer, but that would qualify as 'work', and I don't want to not reimburse you for your efforts. I very much appreciate all that you're doing for me.

[ And that's honest, painfully earnest, even. It's hard to see him as a king when he falls so easily into personable manner; he has the air of a doting father and someone's clumsy husband before he seems to take on the air of royalty.

He sees the change in conversation for what it is and looks around with a tease on his lips - ]

Are you calming me down for a shot? [ He laughs and shakes his head, demeanor much more chipper and full of overwhelming love for his home. ] My country is full of lush greenery and forests with rolling hills. The sea is on the east coast and travels the length of it - with the most beautiful beaches you'll see. The sand is so white, but... during the spring, there's pink tinges to it because of all the blossoms and festivals.

I miss the food, truth be told. Nothing here is as spicy as it was at home...

[cadeuces]

( There, that's more like it. Her smile softens to the turn up in his mood, clearly just as pleased to be able to cheer him up with a touch, and then she's laughing just as softly. )

I must not have made myself clear before, I'm sorry. I don't charge for my services here. I'm compensated well enough by the government here to more than live comfortably and support this little clinic. I have nothing else to do with my time other than give back to those here like us. So well and truly, Belias, it's no trouble at all. Besides, your being here like this is generating chroma on its own, isn't it? This place is so strange. ( But the fact of the matter is that they're both being paid for this, compensated for the chroma created between them for something akin to some facet of intimacy. That's why she doesn't bother charging. Touching people is a necessity for doctors to feel out injuries and tenderness, and gentle as she is, she doesn't cause anyone pain— it seems to be enough. ) But I promise I'm not picky, if you ever feel the need to bring anything by in exchange.

( He's wonderfully sweet in how earnest he is. She won't outright turn him down on "paying", in some form, but she's also trying to make it clear it isn't necessary. Some people need the chance to compensate others when they feel they're being done a service or feel like they're burdening someone. She understands. And when she changes the subject and he's teasing her right back, she laughs more openly, for as much as it turns to a giggle. )

No shots, on my honor. I just wanted to get to know you a bit more. ( Which is why she listens so intently, lashes lowering as her focus shifts to a middle distance, clearly trying to conjure an image up as he describes it while she continues to knead down his calf and his foot, other hand just idly stroking circles with her fingertips just above the knee. ) That sounds gorgeous; was it hot? Humid?

( She assumes, from his tawny skin— people closer to the equator always developed darker skin to protect them from the sun's exposure. She can perfectly picture a Mediterranean paradise. )

I may have to see to that challenge and take you to some of my favorite curry places, here.

[opalcrown]

[ The notion of the government paying her seems to surprise him - though after a moment of thought, it's not so foreign that he's sent reeling. They paid quite a bit for their academies, it made sense that other places would do the same for other sectors. Maybe they should pay their healers across the country... especially now that they had expanded...

He shakes his head slightly and extends a hand towards her. ]

Then when I visit, I will bring you something of my own making. I hope to open up a bakery of my own, if they allow me a business permit - I'll let you have my specialties first. I only think it fair for the time you spend on your work. Though if you intend to challenge me in a battle of spice, I'll be glad to join you, but I can't say I didn't warn you.

[ He bows his head to hide his chuckle. ] Petir is very temperate, actually. We have mild springs and summers and very cold falls and winters. The capital city is high up on a hill and the palace even higher, settled atop a waterfall. We see a lot of snow come winter. The city is stationed right near the sea, so humidity is unfortunately a given.

[cadeuces]

( Isn't it how this place functions? They generate and process the chroma energy that goes back into the city and its livelihood, and the Prismals compensate them in turn. Angela's an active individual to say the least and she has no shortage of money in this place from her natural demeanor and want for companionship with those she cares for as well as her Iris-fueled desires. It isn't that they're directly funneling funds toward her clinic; she's just paying for it all out of pocket.

But when he extends a hand to her, she takes a moment to slip his other shoe back on and place his leg back where it had been, straightening his clothes before taking it, touch cool in his palm as her eyes meet his. )

I'll be greatly looking forward to your visits, then, more than I already would be. It sounds like we have a deal. Maybe next time I'll tempt you onto the massage table proper for a back rub to convince you to go a little easy on me.

( And it would make up for the distant sensation of her kneading his lower legs by rewarding him with something better he can actually feel; it seems fair enough. )

It sounds like a place I'd enjoy very much; I'm from a country that sits in a plateau between a large mountain range. It's quite north and often sees snow as well, so it sounds rather perfect to me. Though the last handful of years mostly saw me in and out of deserts.

All right, Belias, I've probably stolen enough of your time for today. Thank you for indulging my curiosity, and please feel free to message me over the devices or call in whenever you'd like to come by once more. I'll be sure to have everything ready for you in a couple of days, so anything after that is at your leisure.

( She has that sign to go fix, after all, and he probably hadn't intended on sitting in her clinic for the better part of an hour. )

[opalcrown]

[ He hums lightly - ]

Deserts can be devastating. I'm glad this is more temperate, I'm not sure I could handle all of the dry air and heat - I'm sure you can understand.

[ But he does, after she places her hand in his, turn hers over for a polite kiss on the back of her hand. He still has his manners as a king. With that, he drops his hands, and Nisha scrambles up, already knowing they're going to get to leave and go back to his beloved walk. ]

Thank you for your time and consideration. I feel much more at ease in your hands. I hope the sign doesn't give you much trouble. Come on, Nisha. Ah - no, don't bother her for more treats -

[ Bad dog. He fusses slightly with his harness, but after some huffing and puffing the dog is maneuvering them both out of the clinic, with Belias giving her a light wave. ]

[cadeuces]

Mm, absolutely. It takes the body a long time to grow accustomed to other climates.

( But he's kissing her hand to depart and Nisha's looking up to her for one more piece, and who is she to resist? She passes him another and gives him a good scritch behind an ear before going to open the door, offering him a graceful (and playful) little curtsy. )

I hope I'll do well by you; have a wonderful rest of your day, Belias, and thank you for stopping in. It was a pleasure.

( She'll head back in for those tools and hunt down that sign. On his next walk past, it's repaired perfectly with fresh silver welding. )