RP:Healing The Healer

This is a Healer's Guild RP.

Summary: Callum reaches out to the Healer's Guild in hopes of finally joining and furthering along his career in healing, both herbal and magical. His letter is received and a meeting with the ice genasi, Emilia, takes place. Through careful plotting on Emilia's end, somewhat minor mishaps occur and Cal's test to join the guild is given in the form of dealing with Emilia's wounds. After seeing his work and speaking with him, Emilia offers a membership spot within the guild, though Cal still has a long way to go in different areas of the craft.

The Restaurant, Kelay

It wasn’t a very good idea for Callum to go to the House of Ara, all the way in Larket. Well, what with him being a witch and all now. He’d been intending on joining the Healer’s Guild for some time now, but… things had gone awry as they often do. In order to keep his head afloat and focus on other things, he managed to convince Meri that he was indeed -not- going to Larket, but was, rather, sending them a letter in hopes that they might send one of their higher ups to speak with him in Kelay, at some place rather public. And so, he did. The letter detailed his history with magic, including going to a college for it back home, what type of magic he dealt in (water and lightning, mostly, with some minor uses in other parts of those two sections of the arcane), and the fact that he was a botanist, a well-known selling of herbs and flowers in the Kelay-Sage, Cenril, and the Enchanted regions, and previously worked in Larket (before things there went even more sour than usual). His history with healing did not quite go as far back as his teen years, and he made mention that he was still studying it, but he was finding that he was doing well in both magical and herbal healing (that happens when your woman, ie: Meri, gets into trouble a bit). After all of this, he asked for someone that might determine whether or not he might be admitted to the guild would meet him at the restaurant in Kelay, and if it was needed for him to show these skills, he’d certainly go elsewhere. As long as it wasn’t to Larket. On the designated day and at the correct time, whomever would show up would find the dark-haired, blue-eyed Catalian sitting at a table for two, sipping coffee and reading the “Big Book of All Things Werewolves and Probably Some Other Facts No One Cares About”. It was a very thorough book on that particular subject. A situation had popped up at home and it seemed, as the book was now telling him, that he very unfortunately overlooked the part of upping doses of herbal concoctions for werebeasts, as they were very powerful creatures. He sighed heavily, closed the book, and set it next to his satchel that was currently seated on the table next him before returning to his coffee.

Emilia had received a very detailed letter from a man with request of finding a home within the Healer's Guild. It had stolen her interest that not only did this man practice magic of the arcane, but was also skilled in the herbal world. Perhaps if this lad did pass her approval, which is not too hard in these days, she would invite him for a cup of tea to her greenhouse in Frostmaw where she had a personal stash of nearly ever plant known for healing from every region growing. The letter itself also smelled of Cenril, a city she had recently been working very hard in to build a brand new healing center that was very similar to Ara only not in Larket. Another worker here had her mind reeling at how great it would be for her, one less body to track down. In order to test this new interest the Genasi had lettered ahead to the restaurant in Kelay to allow only this man, the staff, and herself during this meeting time with a heads up something would be happening of interest that she did not wish to burden other eaters with. As the time hit the door to the restaurant opening bringing with it a swooping chill of winter that came with the Genasi, Emilia. Standing in the door the woman stood barely five feet with more tangled white curls than being dressed in simple grey robes that were much too big and concealed her missing right hand. The door slowly closed behind her as the Genasi spotted Callum at his table with what appeared an interesting book. Approaching the Healer stopped next to him with a faint smile on death blue lips, extend a left hand that was as cold as a block of ice, and introduced herself, “Callum, is it? I am Emilia, a leader of the Healer's Guild, pleasure to meet you.” Just having this woman next to him was like standing outside in winter as the chill of winter leaked from her. Seems Callum did get his higher up and not just any, but a leader.

Callum shivered quite visibly once the genasi wandered up to his table. Blinking a couple times at the woman beside him, he’d motion to the chair across from him and nod. “You can call me Cal. It’s nice to meet you too. I’d offer to shake your hand but I’m afraid I might get frostbite,” he said with a chuckle. “I honestly didn’t expect to get a leader. I’d been meaning to meet with Sabrina for a bit now, but things in Larket got a bit… not good, to put it nicely, and my fiancée and I had to move. Despite no longer having that job with the monarchy there now, I still keep up a botany business, so I figured even if I don’t get into the guild, I’d still like to offer my services there. I help supply the Paladin’s Guild as well, so…” Was he rambling? He felt like he was rambling. His last introduction to a guild he’d intended to join had not gone nicely and was one of the reasons why it’d taken him so long to get this far in the first place.

Emilia nodded in a polite fashion as she took her hand back at the rejection of a shake, not good manners, but understandable reasoning this time. Taking the chair opposite the man the Healer listened to his rambling without interrupting him. It was as he finished that she spoke, “First off, I may be a bit chilly, but unless I want you to suffer frostbite I am able to control magic better than that. Second, Sabrina has not been seen or heard of in many months and as such I am at present the only leader. I am sorry to hear about whatever happened in Larket to you and your other half, but you would be interested to find that in a few weeks if progress continues a healing center will be having a grand opening in Cenril. I am not sure where you stay, but perhaps this location would be a better working location. I do have a grand greenhouse full of herbs in Frostmaw, but I am indeed interested in your skills as more than a supply horse. Chaos always plagues this lands and the Guild would be foolish to not have skilled hands in it. So, I will gladly offering you a spot within the ranks. I believe you are skilled from what asking around I have done, but per all new members you would be a novice in the guild to start. Show what skills you have and we will adjust you along the right path of your choosing. I hope this would be alright with you? Also, I would ask to see a sample of your talents tonight, if that is alright too.” Em finished her own ramblings with a soft smile on those frozen lips. As cold as she was the Genasi was excited at having Callum become apart of the guild.

Callum nodded somewhat, offering an apologetic smile, “Sorry. I’ve just not met someone like you before, I wasn’t sure. I didn’t mean to offend.” He would listen to what she had to say, nodding along here and there where needed. He couldn’t quite hide his own excitement when Healer’s Guild leader mentioned she had a garden of her own. “Really? I’ve only made it up there once or twice. With the witch hunts going on lately, I’ve been trying to keep as close to home as possible with my botany business. I would certainly be up for working in Cenril.” Cal was definitely pleased with this new information, but his pleasure didn’t last too long. “And, I’m assuming this test of my abilities will lean more towards the healing side of things--though I guess that should be obvious. I tried to join the Mage’s Guild awhile back, in an attempt to learn magical healing there, and things did not transpire quite the way I thought or hoped they would. But, that person was neither a leader like you and I’m not even sure if he was enough of a high ranking individual to be making the judgement calls that he, and someone else there, were making.” He shrugged though, “All that to say that, while the anger from that has subsided, the burn that the encounter had left had not quite vanished yet and it sort of messes with my nerves a bit. I’m sure that’ll get better in time as I learn more, if I do indeed pass your test. And when it comes to the ranking within your guild, that’s perfectly fine. I honestly still consider myself a bit of a novice.” After a brief inhale and exhale to calm said nerves, he gave yet another nod, “I’m ready whenever you are to begin.”

Emilia raised a brow as he began to ramble again this time about the mage’s guild, but she listened because to her it was important to know and understand her people. While he spoke she waved her hand toward the serving girl signaling she was ready for her hot drink. “My dear, Callum. Healing is something that steams from both inner knowledge and practical use of that knowledge. Some things heal better with salves and stitches, in fact some people react adversely to magic and cannot be healed via magic, so if you wish to show me now what skills you have with the aide of the arcane magic in your talents then proceed with that or if you find that your skills of botany is better served with mundane practice then show me that. And if you find that both are needed as is the case many times then use both.” It was in the middle of this opening for Callum to show what he felt comfortable with that the serving girl had brought Emilia over a cup of piping hot tea, fresh off the fire. As the drink was being set down on the table there was a jerking trip motion as the lady stumbled and spilled the boiling hot drink over the forearm over the Genasi. Somehow it seemed like an accident, yet like it was done on purpose. The fabric of the sleeve mixing with the burning liquid melting the fabric into the frozen flesh beneath. There were mumbled apologies before the lady was back to the kitchen. Frozen and numb to the world the Genasi didn’t even flinch to the searing pain that must be happening. Years had passed and the lady had gone numb to pain sensation. All the Genasi could say was, “Oh, deary. Looks like we don’t have to even leave for you to demonstrate yourself.”

Callum listened intently to the frosty female, nodding along to the things that she was saying that he knew to be true. “A bit of both, I think,” was all he managed to get out before the hot drink was spilled directly onto Emilia’s arm. Cal, being the somewhat sensitive guy that he was, cringed at the burn, not even realizing that maybe, just maybe, this might be some sort of a setup. No, it did not seem to occur to the Catalian at all. The witch scooted his chair over a bit, closer towards the Genasi, while also keeping a respectable distance, his hands moving towards her to take up her arm gingerly when she allowed it, “Definitely a bit of both.” An orb of water was summoned up and stretched somewhat, as if it were made of clay, and wrapped around Emilia’s forearm, “You don’t… feel it at all, do you?” Cal’s curiosity was clear as he set about to cool the scalded skin beneath briefly (as he assumed Emilia didn’t need much more cooling) and plucked a pair of tweezers from his satchel, ever so carefully peeling away the fabric of her robes from the burn itself.

Emilia allowed her arm to be taken by the male sharing the table with her without a second guess that Cal knew what he was doing. Those icy eyes watching him, studying his thoughts as he went about his actions. She was made of ice, it was a delicate balance for him to manipulate water that close to her flesh without it turning to ice in the process. She waited until he was using his tweezers to start removing the ruined fabric sleeve that Em replied, “I am the best and worst subject to practice skills on. I can sit awake and watch you work without a flinch, but I give you no real challenge is bedside manners or pain reactions. It can be both a good and a bad thing, but better to work on someone like me first. You are correct, I cannot feel the burn of that tea on my flesh nor can I feel what I assume is the awful pain of having fabric removed from burned flesh. I was human once, ya know. I used to know the sensation of pain, but since the ice settled I have not really felt anything… Forewarning, I have no right hand so don’t let the stump startle you.”

Callum tilted his head somewhat, side-eyeing Emilia as she spoke, while keeping the majority of his attention on the wound. “I see. I’m sure it’s definitely a boon in most cases--especially if you’ve lost your hand.” There was a small chuckle before he continued, “How does one become what you are? I’m aware of the ways that vampires and werewolves are made… is it something similar? You must not have any problems with going to Rynvale if you can’t feel any sort of pain, heh.” Once the cloth was removed, he reached across the table into his bag again, pulling a burn salve from it. “Made this not long ago. Meri, the fiancée I mentioned a bit ago, had a bit of a nasty burn. Bit of honey to keep the bacteria out, bit of aloe to keep it cool, a few other things for the pain itself to help with the aloe, and some mint so she wasn’t smelling awful from the whole concoction.” The salve would be spread carefully and somewhat thickly across Emilia’s burn, making sure that all parts of it are covered, “I’m afraid I didn’t bring any bandages with me though.”

Emilia watched him work, replying between his words, “To become like me I suppose that you need to get stabbed in the stomach by bandits and taken across on the land dying to only be healed by an ancient undead Shaman that releases the ancient binding spell placed on your false human body and slowly turn into an ice monster? I mean I am not sure that is the exact way it happens, but that is what happened to me. And it is okay, I don’t think I will be turning anyone into an ice monster anytime soon, rest assured.” It was about this time the what looked to be a black spider came crawling along pulling a satchel along with it. Looking closer one would realize it was no bug, but a animated black hand made of ice. Emilia’s right hand as it were. “Ah, there in my bag you will find plenty bandages and all sorts other medical things. Not wise to be a healer and travel without a small medicine bag.” Part two of watching skills would come as soon as Cal took his eyes off the Genasi. Promptly the lady picked up his tweezers, painless stabbed herself with them and tore the flesh open to provide a fresh medium deep laceration. “Meri?! I have not seen that blonde in ages! You must give her my regards and tell her that Emi says hello.”

Callum laughed at her mention of not turning people into ice monster, “Honestly, it’s getting to the point where I think I’m less and less scared of the those classified as “monsters”. There’s a fair share of humans in Lithrydel that tops any of that. Mind you, I’ve never been to Vailkrin, and I don’t intend to go, but that aside… humans are definitely ranking as one of the worst species at this point.” He did blink once or twice as that hand appeared, resisting the urge to poke at it a bit, “When you said you were missing a hand, I didn’t think you still had it.” As he spoke, he plucked the bandages out of her own bag… only to find when he returned his attention to her that she’d added another wound for him to attend to. “It would appear I’m going to need to be in the market for a medical bag of my own soon, as I’m without a needle and sturdy thread as well.” He quickly tended to the burn, wrapping it just so before eyeing the new wound. “And I will certainly tell her. Her and I have mostly been sticking to home lately.” He felt he could trust Emilia enough to ‘come out to her’ as it were, while he snatched up the cloth napkin beneath his own drink, and used it to apply pressure to the gash, dealing with whatever amount of blood might’ve come from it, “The witch hunters I mentioned, they were hunting me, as well as some others who’s statuses as such are pretty well known. It seems like they’ve gone for now, doing who knows what, so maybe I’ll try to get her to get out more, besides going to visit that sister of hers in Cenril.”

Emilia could not help but laugh watching Cal’s expression of her hand, “Meet Righty, my semi-missing hand made of black ice, but it was that way before I chopped it off. It never really stopped being reanimated from the necromancer in that arm saving healing event.” It was an odd explanation of how it was she still had her hand and would be fun later to explain the third hand she also had when she wanted. Then she was back to listening again as he spoke about Meri, a sister, and witch hunters. Seems trouble followed them both in one way or another. Luckily for Cal Em bled slowly with that almost slush like blood as it was exposed to the air, partly freezing and partly melting all at once in a most unique way. She would not tell him yet, that like some creatures the Genasi healed at an unnatural speed without help unless something major happened. “You will find everything in that bag and then some. It is spelled to be a bottomless pit for whatever is stored in it. I am sure you might find one handy. You will have to let Meri know for me that I would greatly love tea sometime. I have not seen her in a long time. Does she still practice inkwork? I feel I need some more, but without my right hand actually listening to me I cannot really do it myself.”

Callum did indeed note that her arm stopped bleeding a hell of a lot faster than most people--especially his leg after that bout with the witch hunters a few months ago. This was jotted down in the back of his head to be brought up later, the napkin peeled off and into her bag he dug again. “Indeed. I’m, uh, glad I was never really swayed by dark magic like some are. It seems to be nothing but trouble. But, it did give you a companion, though, I suppose.” The needle and thread was found, the two entwined together before the pointy end of the needle sought out Emilia’s skin, “She’s fallen out of it, actually. I’m not sure if she’ll go back to it or not. Maybe for special people only and not the public. But, she seems to be mostly done with art in general. She’s recently taken up archery and joined the Ranger’s Guild. I think she might’ve just needed a change of pace for awhile, but who knows.” Carefully, he sewed up the laceration, making sure to sew it up tightly enough that it’d heal together. Once that was finished, the same salve used for the burn was also used here, “This should still work well enough to heal it up. Beside Meri’s burn, I’ve used it on minor cuts I’ve gotten from cooking dinner or pruning the garden or whatever else.” A bandage was added to this as well, and then he finally looked to Emilia, “My skills range more in the herbal, obviously, but I’d very much like to gain more skill in the magical too. There could be times where I don’t have a medical bag on me and I’d rather not let someone die because of it.”

Emilia half closed her eyes listening to Cal talk about Meri a bit. Memories of old flashing briefly of a time when she spent sitting in that woman’s chair for new artwork upon flesh followed by the good ol’ days when she herself shot a bow with great skill. There was a sigh, sad perhaps, “I find that using a bow doesn’t work one handed and that some days I miss the feeling so I am sure I can tell what thrill Meri gets from her change of pace. If she is no longer doing art then perhaps I will just have to settle and be happy with the art she has left me with thus far.” It was easy to ramble while someone mended your flesh, but it was his conversation skills while working that she was paying attention to now. It was then he was finished, “Well, I think if you accept yourself into the Healer’s Guild, which I am now offering to you,” She said pointing to Righty which was holding something to him from the floor, “that you will find a way to expand your carrier in herbs, but also to be taught by wonderful people in the magical arts as well. Someday, perhaps you will be teaching students yourself once you have gotten a better hand at the arts yourself. I would suggest that when presented with a burn and a bleeding gash you should pause for pressure to the more dangerous wound even if that is asking for help if there is some for a moment. You have a good knack for which way to go and where to do things. In time I see you doing wonders with the right help at your disposal.”

Callum smiled somewhat as Emilia mused about Meri, “I can assure you that the ‘new Meri’ is just as much of a she-devil as the old one.” She’d continue on, shifting the conversation back to the original topic at hand, about the Healer’s Guild, and once she’s finished, he’d nod and voice his agreement, “Of course, I accept. And yes, I will definitely keep that in mind. I do see you’re point about practicing healing on someone like you. I got much too adapted too quickly to the way your body seems to work, especially with the blood flow. I’m sure it’ll be different with others whose blood isn’t quite so thick.” Another smile was offered to the Genasi before he peered down at the hand, blinking before grabbing the object Righty offered.

Emilia flashed a smile, “Glad to hear she is as troublesome as ever. I miss her.” It was the last bit she was going to say about his other half. It did so make the Genasi glad she picked someone with an ability to tend to wounds, even if not at a high skill, to take care of someone she knew. Cal would be accepting a pouch, magical in nature, that would once filled oddly never run out of the herbs stored along with another item tied to the strings, but easily taken off. “Showing that piece on the pouch will get you access into the guild’s most top secret areas and some other things in time. My blood is no thick than yours, that I can promise you. It only acts differently because I didn’t want it to freeze the wound shut on you so that you could place in the stitches yourself. Which, you did well at, minus forgetting to sterilize the needle first, if there is time of course. You will find yourself learning new technique with my flesh under your hands for trial runs I expect. A quick healing person that doesn’t feel pain is almost like working on a corpse only alive? Not smelly? Something of that sort.” A chuckle as Righty had taken off with Em’s bag, back to who knows where. It was now the Genasi would stand herself up from the table. “It has been a pleasure meeting you and I am I most certain that it will be a pleasure in the future too. Welcome to the Healer’s Guild, Callum. I must be going for now, but I will be in touch soon. Take care and please, don’t forget to give Meri my regards.” Em would nod with a smile before taking her leave, pausing as the door if only to collect Righty and her satchel as well listen to any last words the man might have before she slid out the door.