RP:A Healer's Chatter Box
This is a Healer's Guild RP.
Synopsis: Penelope and her tutor Mr. Fennigan are coming back from Frostmaw when they find a pregnant teenager in distress on the side of the path. Penelope analyzes what is wrong with the girl and determines whether she is going into false labor or not. Having not enough strength to get the teenager down the mountain alone, Penelope picks and prods Krice to help her. However, she cannot seem to close her mouth and learns that she needs to focus more on the patients rather than the other distractions around her.
Krice walked along an unwritten path from north to south, enshrouded in black robes that moderately protected him from the snow of Frostmaw. He was dusted by ice and sleet but seemed none too perturbed by the resultant chill, continuing along the snowy path leisurely and unhurried. On his back sat the familiar, ever-present katana, sheathed with the hilt reachable over his left shoulder, retrievable at a moment's notice should the need arise.
Penelope had been away from home for multiple days. She had been covered in a thick grey dressy coat with a thick black and white checkered scarf that hung loosely around her neck. She was dressed nicely yet bundled as warm as she could be considering she was forced to wear clean attire. Sabrina’s demand. Behind her, a man – half elf – following her every step. He looked about as young as she was, maybe a year or two older. He was blabbering about some sort of recent Healer’s Digest journal. All the while, the human was scoping the area instead. Up ahead on the path down the mountain, a woman was sitting on a nearby rock, her body swaying back and forth. The strange woman’s hands rested on her overly large belly and she was singing a soft tune. Penelope comes for a halt and stops the man behind her. She mutters something back towards the man. “Does… she look pregnant to you?”
Krice continued southward, the snow eventually disippating as slightly warmer climates lent themselves to harder, rockier terrain. He was naturally quiet in his movements, and neared Penelope and her companion as she muttered something about the big-bellied woman seated on a nearby rock. As Krice passed by the opposite side of the conversing pair, he glanced past them at the woman who had caught Penelope's eye, his gilded stare sweeping her figure as if checking for confirmation of her pregnancy. She certainly -did- look more swollen than was otherwise normal.
Penelope was hesitant, but the man behind her had gave a nudge towards her shoulder to press forward. As the other man came into view, she only avoided his stare, she was focused on the woman at hand. As the human neared the pregnant woman, the singing was shaken and forced. Words were being squeezed through her teeth and she would hiss from time to time. Penelope lowers to her knees trying to become eye to eye with the… girl. She was younger than Penelope. That was for sure. The pregnant woman seemed barely in her twenties. “Hi… are you alright?” The apprentice would ask and suddenly the girl looked up in pain. “Ssss… Yeah… j-just…” the pregnant girl pauses. “I was… err, trying to make it… down the mountain,” she breathes out. Penelope frowns at this reaction. “Are… you in labor?” The teen shakes her head. “No… I just… need to sit.” The teen seems unsure, and Penelope looks uncertain, and automatically looks at the tutor for assistance.
Krice wasn't staring at Penelope, merely looking -past- her at the woman on the rock. He halted as Penelope approached the uncomfortable female, just a couple metres away from the elf tutor, and looked on as the two ladies interacted. When the healer glanced back at her companion for what appeared - by her expression - to be some sort of assistance, the warrior lifted his chin and his expression shifted to one of thoughtfulness, but he lingered no longer. The pregnant woman was clearly in capable hands, and he was simply a passing traveler who held no business with any of these people, nor was he required. Stepping forward, he continued south down the mountain.
Penelope blinked as Finn steps forward. “Remember the steps, Penelope. Where are women supposed to feel contractions…?” Penelope then looks at the girl. “Where does it hurt most…?” The girl explains her pain, how she feels the pain more in the lower abdomen. The contractions were not timely. Penelope glances at the half elf. “It’s false,” Fennigan nods to Penelope’s observance. “We need to get her to a healer right away,” he confirms. Penelope looks unsure. “I don’t think she’s in great shape for exercise down the mountain.” She then looks at the man who is wandering in the distance down the path. “I’ll be right back.” She then quickly maneuvers down the path, trying not to slip on any pebbles. “Sir, sir,” she was calling after Krice. “Sir,” she was like an alarm – an annoying fly. “Can you help us…? This girl needs help down the mountain, unfortunately, with all of our gear it’s going to take more than two to get her to the nearest doctor. Please?”
Krice didn't need to be called a fourth time. He stopped on the first, turned on the second, and locked his eyes with Penelope's by the time the third 'sir' reached his ears. He regarded her with a level stare, but her request drew his attention to the ailing woman, visible past the healer's shoulder. After only a few seconds, the warrior issued an acknowleding 'right' and stepped forward to approach the unwell female, bending beside her to draw her into his arms; left arm at her back, right arm beneath her knees. Only once the woman was ready would he move her, reluctant to startle her body in any way - already suffering as it was. " Krice," he said, hoping to assuage her fears of being handled by a stranger. He locked eyes with the woman, or tried to depending on her level of focus, the gold of each iris warming an otherwise intense stare. " I'm going to carry you to a healer, alright?"
Penelope lit up like a child as he back tracked. He did not need to say anything, but as he passed her, she rocked back on her heels in a giddy fashion. She then shuffles after and takes off her satchel and stuffs it into Fennigan’s arms. He hmphs a little. “Oh hush,” Penelope orders, and automatically Finn rolls his eyes. She then turns to Krice who is now assisting the girl. “Alright,” pause, she did not get a name, but the girl knows what Penelope is searching for. Penelope was a doe eyed mess, beginning her etiquette and training was something to get used to. The girl answers, “Ka-Kara.” Penelope then smiles and gently speaks. “Alright, Kara, no worries… Krice is going to be extra careful,” she then turns to Finn. “Mr. Fennigan is going to grab me the nightblossom. Isn’t that right, Finn? And it should help the pain you’re feeling momentarily.” Penelope then grasps Kara’s hand. “It’s okay, sweetie, just keep those beautiful tunes you were singing. Thanks to Krice that he was here, right?” She is trying to make the mood light. She was all about easing up the concerning situations.
Krice slid his arms around Kara and nodded his acceptance of her name, before Penelope's instructions caused him to pause. He didn't want to move or do anything that would impede her ability to care for the unwell girl. The moment Penelope was ready, he lifted Kara gently from the rock and turned to proceed in the direction of the nearest healer. The ailing young woman would find herself wrapped up in the warmth of the warrior, an unexpected contradiction to the chill of their surroundings, and though he walked similarly to his gait before, the 'ride' was smooth and with little interruptions or inconsistencies. 'Thanks to Krice that he was here'...Though Krice had for all intents and purposes left caring for Kara up to Penelope and Finn. He hadn't earned any thanks.
Penelope eventually received the jar of nightblossom petals from the half elf, which made the woman let go of Kara’s hand. The petals were on their last stretch, so this made Penelope eager to use them more. The woman had opened the jar and pulled one out. “Oh, by the way, I’m Penelope. I forgot to give you a name, I’m sorry,” she chuckled to herself in a light manner, though it was clear Kara, by all means, did not care. The pregnant girl just kept shakily mouthing words to herself of song. She then neared the petal towards the girl wrapped within the man’s arms. “Open, chew. The juice will help ease the pain.” Without hesitance, Kara opened her mouth. Time passed eventually and Kara’s words are now calm from the herbs, but now Penelope’s attention then adjusts onto Krice after a while of silence. “I hope you had nowhere of importance, I apologize. Perhaps if it’s too much, you can switch with Finn.” She points and the half elf raises a brow at the gesture given. Disapproval to the informality, but he shrugs. Finn was willing to switch.
Krice made sure to keep Kara extra steady as Penelope fed her apparently pain-numbing petals. He had heard of healing and anasthetic properties of certain plants but didn't harbour the knowledge to identify this one. As they continued walking, he accepted her apology with a politely dismissive, " This woman needs help. I don't mind carrying her." He was stalwart and capable, and didn't tire - visibly, anyway - through the duration of their trek.
Penelope had actually learned this pain-numbing petal from a fox in the forest of Sage. One of those weird encounters that happened too frequently in this land. “Right,” she says this simply. He seemed short with words, while Penelope was a talker, well at least when it came to other people. Eventually, the mountain starts to even out towards the bottom and the hard steeping hill was over. Penelope can officially gain her balance. “Finn, here, let me carry that.” She then moves to gather their belongings from the man. “Krice, I’m not sure where you’re off to, but I can assure you, Finn and I can handle the rest,” she gives a crooked smile. Perhaps she was feeling awkward that she had spontaneously grabbed a (maybe random) man from the path and forced him to carry a girl that they all did not know.
Krice never once lost his balance, or tired under the weight of his charge; he was a solid man who seemed immeasurably unyielding in every way. As they reached the bottom of the mountain, Penelope's words caused him to slow and he turned to regard her over the top of Kara's head. His expression was one of distant bemusement, guarded but visibly confused. Why had they asked him to carry her in the first place if they could take over? Flexing his fingers around Kara, lightly, as if considering the option to pass her over, the warrior asked, "Are you sure? It's no hardship."
Penelope blinked once or twice at the warrior. She had to think about this. Keep him, or not? It was convenient instead of being the one who carried the bags. Then again, she was already carrying the bags, a yellow knapsack on her shoulders and two professional looking satchels around her torso. “Positive,” she finally answers. “Finn can carry her. I just don’t have the best balance, you see?” Meaning, she would have fell down the mountain if she was carrying a load of baggage. Penelope was smaller framed, she was getting her nutrition back, that was how thinned out she was. Carrying loads of books, medicines, and travel gear would have worn the girl out easier, and Finn (under Sabrina’s orders) and Linken were trying to prevent this currently. Penelope was not in the best shape, even if she portrayed herself to be. The human was stubborn, but she always sugar-coated it.
Krice wasn't in any position - or invested in any way to any of these three people - to argue. At Penelope's insistence, he passed a look toward Finn, who presumably would offer some sort of signal in agreement. The warrior stepped forward and lifted his shoulders to gently ease Kara into the arms of the awaiting half-elf. Once the transfer was complete, the warrior took a single step back to allow the trio some space, his gaze returning thoughtfully to Penelope.
Penelope watched the two exchange the girl. She was like a trade. The student wanted to snicker, but she kept her lips tight. She then stares at Krice with her mossy doe eyes. “Thank you – really. Don’t say it was nothing because it was something. Finn and I are very thankful. I would like to pay you, but unfortunately, I’m scraping by. However, if you stop by the bakery in Cenril, I’ve got the in on free goodies. Just tell them Penelope sent you. They’ll know.” She then pauses and squints at him. “You look awfully familiar,” she then waves her hand in dismissal. “Nah, I’m probably just crazy.” The way she was so abrupt and energetic really gave her the crazy-vibe. Finn then clears his throat to get Penelope to stay focused on the task at hand. “Oh! Right! Pleasure, Krice. I hope to sit down with you soon instead of this brief intro. You seem nice,” because he was doing selfless deeds for random strangers, that intrigued the girl.
Krice glanced between Finn and Penelope and offered them both a nod, ready to depart, though the latter's continued speech ensured that his departure was delayed. Only once the woman reached her conclusion did he respond, a small smirk touching the line of his mouth. 'You seem nice'. " I don't expect payment," he said, dismissing her guilt for being unable to compensate him for the assistance. The warrior lingered a little longer, though, perhaps drawn in by something about the woman. " You're familiar as well," he said, gesturing then to Kara in Finn's arms. "Focus on the girl. She needs your help." 'Now' was not the time for pleasantries or reunions. Turning, the warrior took his leave, departing eastward into Kelay at a brisk but relaxed pace.
Penelope canted her head to the side as he also said she appeared familiar, however he was also right about the girl and she twisted her pale full lips into a sheepish smile. “Right, right.” She was always getting distracted. Too many things had clouded this young woman’s mind on a daily. “Take care!” She chirped and then she pivoted. Her face becomes serious, the light was gone, and the nurturing instinct is back. “Well, let’s get a’going then, shall we?” The two then shuffle away from the assisting man and moved to their next destination.