Finally-A Brightening Off

[Ariston]

Late Immanis
Winter of Era I
Era XV P.F.

It was the first brightening in some time that he actually had nothing to do. No work, no class, and no studying. And so, in celebration, and no small amount of boredom, the one armed half-elf had decided to take a few crowns and explore the mercantile district. Perhaps, he had thought, he would find something of interest. And if not, then a stop by the Leap of Faith would at least provide a good lunch.

So far, he had been fairly disappointed. Having just left the Dragon's Breath Bazaar, at which he found nothing that realy caught his eye, he had decided to walk further north. He realized, as he walked, that in the months he had lived here in Demios, he had never fully explored the place. And soon he had found himself walking along unfamiliar streets.

And to Ariston, any brightening that you discovered something new, was a good brightening. He wandered about, browsing the small shops and occassional stall, but, still having little luck in finding anything interesting enough to buy. It was nearing lunch, if the rumble in his belly was any indication, and sighing at his still full money pouch, he decided to meander his way to the Leap of Faith. Perhaps, he thought, he might find something along the way.

[Whisper]

Posted on a nearby wall were a variety of posters and flyers. Help wanted advertisements, lost and found notices, sketches of dubious characters lurking around the city, and so forth. Since Ariston was near the city's main square, these sort of things were quite popular.

Right smack in the middle of the board was this notice:

Sick? Injured? Feeling under the weather? Dr. Zupiof can help! Dr. Hammel Zupiof has been a Healer for over forty eras. He has experience treating victims of war, famine, and even arcanic curses! He will provide consultation, treatment, and medication for affordable prices. Fees are determined on a sliding scale to best suit your needs. Come to Dr. Zupiof's for all your Healing needs!

Listed below the advertisement were handwritten directions from the very spot where Ariston stood. Should he follow them, he would come upon a little cottage. A line of about five or six men trailed out the front door. They shivered in the winter chill.

[Ariston]

The flyers and posters caught the half-elfs eyes, and, for lack of anything pressing at the moment, he stopped to peruse them. Most were of little interest to him, and he read through them rather quickly, sighing at finding nothing worth his attention. The last thing he read was an advertisement for healing services. He nearly dismissed it out of hand. After all, he wasn't sick or in need of any medical treatment. He turned to walk away, to head to the Leap of Faith for lunch.

Then he paused. An idea formed in his head, and he thoughtfully scratched the wooden prosthetic that replaced his right arm. Perhaps this Dr. Zupiof needed an assistant. Or better yet, an apprentice. It couldn't hurt to improve on his meager healing skills. Turning back to the poster, he took note of the directions, then headed off in search of the good doctor.

Before long, he was there, and found himself at the back of a line leading to the front door. Pulling his cloak tighter about him, he waited untill he could see Dr. Zupiof.

[Whisper]

When Ariston got closer, he would be able to see that the men were in various states of disrepair. They looked as if they had survived a savage wolf attack, or something of that nature; each bore his own share of scars, bruises, cut lips, and bloody knuckles. One man's arm was sticking out at an odd angle, and another was sporting a wound on his arm that was beginning to turn a very odd color. The man at the very front was having a bad coughing fit. They hardly paid attention to Ariston as he got in line behind them.

"There you are, Mr. Leem," came the voice of a young woman, who appeared in the doorway pushing an elderly man in a wooden wheelchair. Both of his ankles were bandaged thickly, and a blanket lay over his legs. She said to the attendant who came to take her place at the handles, "Make sure Mr. Leem gets into bed right away, and help him get the fire going." To the men remaining in line, she said, "Please, come in. I'm sorry about that, it's very crowded in here..."

The men ahead of Ariston shuffled into the house, which appeared to consist of only a few rooms. The living room in which they were being seated by the young woman appeared to have doubled as a waiting room for Mr. Leem. The pretty Baijani girl was folding a cot that had been set up in the center of the room. An odd array of cushions, chairs, poufs, and divans cluttered the perimeter of the room, providing many places to sit awkwardly with one's elbows touching his neighbors'. On the far side of the room was a tiny fireplace, which--when the windows and front door were closed--kept the place comfortably warm.

A little podium by the entrance to the next room served as the girl's desk. She shuffled around for papers before calling for a 'Remilon Lark.' The coughing man from the front of the line shuffled into the next room.

The girl heaved a sigh and arranged her mess of papers on the podium. She brought a stack of these with her and laid them on her lap, plopping down into a chair across from Ariston. When she glanced up, she noticed the newcomer with a look of surprise.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you! Do you have an appointment with Dr. Zupiof?"

[Ariston]

The men ahead of him piqued his interest, and he found himself studying them closer, which, luckily perhaps, did not seem to bother any of the men, as they paid very little attention to the half-elf. They looked as if they had been in a fight with a wild animal, and had come out on the losing end. His curiousity was about to get the better of him, and he was set to ask the man closest to him what had happened, but, instead, his attention was drawn to the front door, where a young woman wheeled an old man out in a wheelchair.

Moving along with the rest of the men, he entered at the girls request, and, after the others had found a seat, he slid into an empty chair. His eyes scanned the room, noting that Dr. Zupiof must have a healthy list of patients, despite working out of his home. Or what Ariston assumed was his home. After all, he had an assistant, who herself had a desk. Or rather, a podium that seemed be serving as a desk. Not to mention the several men there at the moment waiting to see the doctor. If he was lucky, he thought to himself, then the doctor would need an extra assistant, and he would learn much from the healer.

Honey colored eyes watched as the girl sat, or, more accurately, plopped, down in the seat across from Ariston. She was pretty, without a doubt, and when she looked up and noticed him, he smiled a boyish smile. "That's alright. No, no. I don't have an appointment. I saw his advertisement, and, to be honest, hoped he might be in need of an assistant." He unconsciously scratched his wooden arm near the shoulder as he spoke. Habits, he was finding, were hard to break.

[Whisper]

"The advertisement!" Whereas the girl had looked flustered and exhausted before, a smile of relief spread across her face. "Goodness, we didn't think that anyone would ever respond. What wonderful news! Yes, he has been looking for a healing assistant for some time. I would do it, but I have hardly any training, and someone needs to keep track of all of these..." She gestured to the papers in her lap, which she promptly put aside on the divan next to her.

"My name is Lyla, by the way. I'll be right back," she said to Ariston, and went into the adjoining room. The previous patient exited as soon as she entered, no longer coughing and instead clutching a bottle of pale, steamy liquid in his hand. In a few moments, Lyla motioned for Ariston to enter the room.

It looked to be a renovated bedroom. The bed, covered in white sheets, was presumably where the patients sat, because there was a bottom-sized indent on the blanket. Dr. Zupiof sat in a wooden chair at the desk, which was covered in bottles, swabs, bandages, and jars. A pair of crutches and a folding stretcher were propped up in the corner, and the rest of the wallspace held shelves and shelves of supplies, both common and rare.

Dr. Zupiof stood, smiling through his thick grey beard. Warm green eyes regarded Ariston curiously. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were looking for treatment!" he said, hoping that the arm wasn't a touchy subject for Ariston. Dr. Z clearly didn't mean for it to be; his voice was kind, and he reached out his hand to shake Ariston's. "Dr. Hammel Zupiof. It's a pleasure, mister...?" he paused for Ariston to insert his own name.

"So, Lyla tells me that you're looking to help me out. What sort of healing training do you have?"

[Ariston]

He saw the relief spread over her face, and realized how much the poor girl probably had to deal with. From the number of patients here, and the stack of papers she was going over, he was sure she was stretched thin. He smiled sympathetically at her as she hopped up and walked to another room. The coughing man walked past and Ariston gave him a friendly nod, then returned his attention to the door.

At Lyla's beckoning, he stood and entered the room. He looked around, taking stock of what he assumed to be the examination room. He smiled at Dr. Zupiof and accepted the man's hand in greeting. He took no offense at the mans quip. No, he learned long ago to laugh at himself. Honey eyes met the doctor's green orbs. He chuckled. "Cestra. Ariston Cestra."

Nodding, he replied. "That is the reason I'm here, yes. I learned the basics of healing from Herbi Vore, at the Institute for Higher Learning. Sadly, I've not much practical experience. Only treating minor scrapes and bumps for a friends children." He smiled and continued. "Which happens to be the reason I came here to talk to you. I would like to further my studies in healing, preferably with a more hands on approach."

[Whisper]

Dr. Zupiof nodded in approval. "Yes, healing training always needs to be complemented by practice. Lots of practice. And you'll get plenty of experience here.

"I've been looking for an assistant for quite some time. There are a lot of sick and injured people in Demios, and as far as I know I'm the only healer on the whole island!" Hammel chuckled. "It's hard work, but someone has to do it. It will be much easier with another set of helping hands. Well... you know what I mean." He winked. "I'm afraid I can't offer much in the way of repayment, however. Will 30 crowns per cycle be enough?"

[Ariston]

Ariston listened, thinking about the doctor's offer. He held a job, currently, and it was a job he was quite fond of. And then there was his classes. He had come here for this reason, to get the opportunity to practice his skills as a healer, but, he still wanted to keep his job at the Spring and Summer.

He scratched his wooden prosthetic, thinking things over. "I've a full time job already. And, to be honest, it pays more than you offer. But, I need to get the experience if I'm going to become a healer myself. At least, a healer anyone would want to come to..." He hated having to decide between something a job he knew he enjoyed, and a job he desired. "Perhaps, if you could use me part time? If not, then I will simply have to inform my employer of my resignation."

He sincerely hoped that he would not have to do that, he loved Lala and Jackers, but, he had plans brewing in his mind, and sometimes sacrifices had to be made.

[Whisper]

"That's certainly an idea. I have been able to manage on my own, and I'm happy to take any help I can get. I can pay you 3 crowns per brightening that you come to help, whether it be once a cycle or five times. I understand that you don't want to leave your job, but I'm happy to offer you what payment I can when you are able to come and aid me."

Lyla poked her head in through the door, smiling apologetically. "I don't mean to interrupt, doctor, but the patients..." It was true, there were several men waiting outside for their appointment. Dr. Zupiof nodded, and looked at Ariston for his decision.

[Ariston]

Ariston didn't hesitate at Dr. Zupiof's offer. "That is fine with me, Doctor. Usually, I can give you two full brightenings a cycle, and a few candlemarks each afternoon after I get off at the Spring and Summer, except for when I have a class."

He noted the patients stacking up outside the door and added, "And I can start now, if you wish? Just tell me what you need me to do."

This would work out wonderfully, he thought. He would get some much needed experience with healing, as well as some extra coin. Coin he needed to help get his sister and he a new home. The single room hovel they currently shared was just not big enough for them both.

[Whisper]

OOC: Approved to earn 10c/cycle (50c/month) from Dr. Zupiof. I also added the Spring and Summer wages to your SOF.

Dr. Zupiof smiled and shook Ariston's hand. "Welcome aboard! Now, let's get to work."

Lyla sent in the first patient. He had scratches on his arms and face, and some of them had blue and green discolorations in close proximity. He grinned at Hammel, and the doctor returned the smile with a chuckle.

"One of my favorite return customers. Gio, this is Ariston. He'll be helping around here." Gio raised his hand to Ariston in greeting, but it caused him visible pain. "Now, what shenanigans have you been getting yourself into, son?"

"Well, um... It was the Weaver's Woods, doctor. It was a dare from the gang."

"Goodness," Hammel breathed. "It wasn't one of the spiders, was it?"

"I dunno," Gio shrugged. "It was dark. Felt hairy, though."

Hammel raised an eyebrow. "Then we'd better get to work!" He glanced at Ariston, gesturing theatrically towards the boggling array of equipment available for the new assistant to use. "What first?"

[Ariston]

Arisotn smiled in return and after shaking his new employers hand, he quickly stripped off his cloak and stashed it out of the way. He turned to see Gio walk in, and raised his own hand in greeting. Immediately his attention was drawn to the discolorations around some of the scratches. To his rather inexperienced eye it did not look good at all.

He had heard of the giant spiders in the Weaver's Woods, but, since coming to Demios, he had yet to see one of the creatures. He hoped that if he ever did see one, he would fair better than Gio.

He nodded to Hammel and turned to where the doctor's equipment lie. A moment of searching and he found what he was looking for. Collecting a clean cloth and some salt water, he turned back to the patient and Dr. Zupiof. "Cleansing the wounds, first. But, " he glanced dubiously at Gio's infected scratches. "I'm not very experienced with treating poison, if that's indeed the problem."

[Whisper]

"Not many Healers are, but you'll have to learn to treat poison--spider poison--if you plan to hang around Demios for very long." Hammel grinned and gestured towards Gio. "If you will begin to cleanse his wounds, I'll tell you a bit more about treating poison." Obediently Gio took off his shirt; there seemed only to be bites on his cheeks, shoulders, and arms.

He got up and went over to the window, where a short shelf of plants sat by the windowsill. Even in winter, they absorbed the pale sunlight. "It's helpful to have a rudimentary knowledge of Herbalism if you're to be a Healer, but it isn't necessary. Tools and knowledge will not always cure everything--you have to rely on nature to help with the rest."

He held up a green potted plant with one upright stalk and small white flowers. "This is basil. Freshly picked leaves laid on venomous bites will draw out the poison. Why don't you try?" If Ariston followed through and laid a leaf or two on Gio's bites, the leaves would begin to look damp as they soaked up the clear venom. Hammel pointed at one of the wounds before Ariston laid a leaf on it. "There, see? A pair of bite marks indicates spider bites. Don't bother laying leaves on the others--they just look like scratches to me. They won't be poisonous. Deep poisoning can often result in fever, nausea, vomiting... even death." Turning to Gio, Hammel continued, "You're lucky that these bites don't look very deep." Gio, who was looking rather nauseous, nodded. "If the patient gets dizzy from the poison, you can also crush the leaves beneath their nose. The pleasant aroma is often distracting."

Hammel went to replace the basil on the windowsill as he said, "Basil is the easiest herb to find to treat poison, especially on Demios. There are other, rarer herbs that you can use, but they're either hard to find or expensive."

[Ariston]

The would be healer began dabbing the wet cloth over Gio's wounds, cleaning away the blood and filth. He listened closely to Hammel, intent on learning whatever the doctor could impart to him. Indeed, with all the giant spiders on the island, learning to treat poison seemed to be a valuable skill. He looked up at the plants that Hammel now stood before.

He finished cleaning Gio's wounds and disposed of the cloth as he studied the basil plant, trying to commit it's appearance and the properties Hammel described to memory. He took the leaves from the healer and laid them on the bites and watched, a little amazed, as the leaves did their job and pulled the poison from the wounds. Who would think that something as simple as laying leaves on the wounds would do so much good?

"Where does basil typically grow? And is it hard to grow yourself?" He gestured to the pot that held the white flowered stalk. It would be a good idea, he thought, to keep some handy at his home. After all, the Weaver's Woods wasn't -that- far away.