RP:Medical Reinforcements
Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc
Summary: Sabrina and Josleen meet by chance and the elfess discovers that Josleen leads the medical bay at Hildegarde's military camp in Xalious. Supplies of Frostmawian origin are hard to source these days and the women discuss hiring a smuggler to sneak into Frostmaw and steal medical supplies. Sabrina also agrees to station a healer's guild representative in Xalious.
Chemist's Shop, Xalious Village
Josleen sits behind the counter at the Xalious Chemist’s shop reading a book while old man Terry (shop owner) stocks a shelf on the shop floor. A closer inspection at Josleen’s book’s cover would reveal a risqué illustration of a woman in a sheer gossamer nightgown in the loving embrace of a muscular, armored paladin. The sun sets behind them setting their flesh aflame. The lust in his watercolor stare says all you need to know about the genre of the novel. The reader herself wears a simple floral dress and pulls back half her hair with a barrette. A bell above the door announces potential customers. Josleen glances up without moving her head, but does not greet them. Terry doesn’t want her too. He doesn’t want her doing any work, and only hired her to satisfy that pesky Emelyan. This arrangement is fine by Josleen, who could use the break from all of her other stressful activities, such as managing the healing services of Hildegarde’s military camp in this very same village.
Sabrina pushes open the door, having rarely traveled to Xalious it was no wonder she missed this shop in passing. The bell chimes, announcing her arrival and the smallish elfess enters. Minted hues scan the small storefront, her eyes focusing on some familiar items and some very much not familiar. She spies the woman sitting behind the counter, recognizing her from what had to have been weeks ago. Temporal displacement had a knack for a loss in the concept of time. She smiles anyway, directing her attention to the halfbreed and then making her way to her. She did not don the same garb, or even remotely similar as to that night, having replaced the swaths of nearly indecent white fabrics with full floor to neck leathers complete with matching gloves. “Are you feeling better then?” One would only hope that by now she should have lost all residual effects of the healer’s touch. None this far had it linger as long as it did, and it was a curiosity way back there in the Elfess’ mind ever since.
Josleen looks up from her book. She folds the novel into her lap and squints at Sabrina as she tries to place her. “I’m sorry, but have we met?” The terror of that day blots her memory, in particular obscuring the new faces she met that day. Just as Sabrina presumably is about to respond she cuts off the elfess to chirp, “Oh yes! I remember now. Yes, I am feeling better. Thank you.” She smiles genuinely, then more of her memory returns slowly and she recalls how silly she behaved. The smile turns sheepish. “I rather made a fool of myself.”
Sabrina dismisses Josleen’s discomfort with a wave of hand. “Different people respond in many different ways. If it makes you feel better, a soldier in Frostmaw actually wet himself. But that was a long time ago. I have more control now, or at least I thought I did.” She pauses while she mentally organizes the many factors that would result in Josleen’s reaction. She would leave it alone for now, it was not in her nature to pry. A quick change of subject was obviously the best distraction. “I came in today to earn some direction as to the leader of Xalious. The Guild is strong, and I send some of my best this way but I am in need of a permanent placement member to stay on top of things.” She looks to Terry who appears to be undressing Josleen with his eyes. She clears her throat, raising her voice an octave “You wouldn’t happen to know anyone looking to fill this position, would you?” She is looking at Josleen while she says that, her eyes flickering to the male as if to ask are-you-serious?
Josleen laughs at the anecdote about the Frostmaw soldier, but isn’t sure if she believes it. It sounds like something you say to help someone feel not so embarrassed. Still, even so, it’s a kind gesture and much appreciated. “I tend to react strangely to some types of magic,” she replies to mirror the kindness. Josleen chews on the inside of her bottom lip as Sabrina mentions the leader of Xalious. “Recent catastrophe ruined the last attempt at an election. I suppose…” She hesitates before conceding, “I suppose the Mage’s Guild is still the authority around here.” Her lips purse at the admission. When Sabrina goes on about presumably another guild, Josleen’s brows crease. “I’m sorry, but I’m a bit confused. What guild are you talking about? What position?” Throughout her employment Josleen has learned to just ignore Terry’s harassment; it simply isn’t worth it to fight back. Yet she can’t help the small smile that overtakes her lips as Sabrina shoots Terry a judgmental glare. She gives Sabrina the conspiratorial look of women silently trashing a man in the same room. Isn’t he the worst? her look asks.
Sabrina nods, she could see how all the political action around this place would cause a cease in current ongoings. “The healer’s guild? I have been sending a few couriers but they return with no news about making an official clinic in Xalious and I am afraid I find it quite necessary. In order to do this, I need someone with the basic skill-set to remain stationed here. Really I would like to see who has been heading up the care at the medical tent… among other things.” Her eyes venture once again to Terry, a little more disgusted at this point being the outspoken elfess she is she asks “Don’t you have something to do?” It would seem she had fewer qualms about being rude than most. She takes out a piece of parchment, a list is growing of people she needs to contact ‘Mage’s Guild’ is added under ‘Warrior’s Guild’ and ‘Smuggler.’ She tucks away her notes and relieves herself of her bag, placing it on the counter and pushing it towards Josleen. “Seeing as you seem to know your way around, can you see that these items make it to the Camp Coordinator?” If Josleen were to peer inside there would be a small collection of Frostmaw stores, some not as fresh as others, but useful nevertheless. “There is a correspondence in there, how to get ahold of me and whatnot. If they are interested.”
Josleen blinks as Sabrina inquires after the medical coordinator at the camp. “That would be me, for now. With Eleenin trapped in Frostmaw… Hildegarde entrusted me with coordinating that. I’m there most of the day and come here in the evenings as a… break. Of sorts. There’s a few healers volunteering there now, but we could use more…” She accepts the bag and looks inside. Her eyes bulge wide and she stands abruptly in her excitement. “Is that blessed blue iron dust?” She lifts the bottle of gray-blue dust to her eyes for closer inspection. “I haven’t been able to find a good substitution for this. I’ve been researching substitutions… ice cap mushrooms, artic poppies, and so forth. But nothing quite sets giant bones like this. My good Sven… Thank you.” She wipes a hand over her mouth as she looks back up at the elf. “So you lead the healer’s guild, then? You’re Sabrina? I’m Josleen.” She offers her hand.
Sabrina’s eyes grow a little wide, what are the odds. “You?” She looks over the halfbreed almost in judgement but her gaze is coupled with an approving nod. She indicates the aforementioned dust “Guardian Dragon Bones…. If you are looking for something most comparable. You have to grind them to a paste and let them set for about two weeks… but in most cases it can be quite helpful if you run out. Nothing really beats the instantaneous weld of Blue Iron.” A beat “That is all I have left, in the meantime…” She leans in closer due to the tentative nature of Terry’s unashamed stares “… I am looking for a smuggler who can get in and out of Frostmaw to attain more stocks.” Upon introduction she smiles, “I am, it is a pleasure to meet you.” She eyes the hand, and with glove appendage of her own she takes it up, offering an awkward shake like she isn’t accustomed to the act in the slightest.
Josleen rubs at her collarbone in a nervous tic as Sabrina appraises her. “I’m not the most experienced healer, I admit.” She nods eagerly at talk of a smuggler. “That would be ideal. I don’t know who would be qualified. Someone with cat like agility and reflexes I suppose.” Kahn? She shakes the thought out of her mind. The sabercat still hasn’t fully earned her trust. “Perhaps the pixie Kovl. He’s an illusionist. Could get in and out unseen? He’s a member of the Mage’s Guild and lives here in Xalious too.” After floating the name she broaches the subject of the camp again. “The camp could use a more professional healer.” Her eyes sparkle with hope that perhaps Sabrina could fill that role, or someone in her guild. “Eleenin himself trained me during the last two wars in Frostmaw, but I have never properly trained as a healer outside of that. My skills are limited, but I think I’m all the camp has for now. They could use someone a bit more professional, I suppose.” Someone like her recent ex, Ansel. She’s been too prideful to recruit him personally. Her heartache is too severe, though Sabrina would have no way of knowing. Josleen is a better trained actress than healer. “Actually, perhaps you can reach out to a man named Ansel Anesko to be your representative here.” The way Josleen talks about him, you’d think she hardly knows him. “He’s a doctor.” Beat. “I believe he lives in a cabin on the north east outskirts of town.” A cabin which was recently her home too, but again, who could tell? The bard is perfectly poised, almost stiffly so.
Sabrina shakes her head at the pixie, aside from her predisposition to dislike the playful nature of the species she was more concerned about his size. “Any trip worth making would require the smuggler to carry a hefty load. I have considered propositioning a pirate from Cenril… if I could only stand the smell.” She is tempted to station herself here, but other regions would suffer if she broke the supply line for something she could station a person to handle day to day tasks. Upon the mention of the name ‘Ansel’ Sabrina cocks a brow and retrieves her notes once more. “Yes, you are the second to propose this gentleman. Though few have a real assessment of his qualifications. I would need to see him work.” On a more deepening note she adds “Eleenin trained me as well, along with Yerrel, Gregory, and several other elders according to their region. His (Eleenin’s) skills are vast, don’t think for a minute it is limiting.” It was clear she had upmost respect for Eleenin, one of the few healers that could successfully heal the elfess herself since few were practiced enough to work on an Ardent and live to tell about it. She washes some seriousness from her face “One recommendation is usually suited enough, two unrelated recommendations is enough cause for me to seek out this Ansel and likely appoint him here if he already has ties. I trust you can bring him up to date? Maybe enter the guild yourself as his second?” Again, she would need to see both of the at work, but as members went, she was welcoming to any who showed an interest and fundamental know-how. Anyone who trained under Eleenin would merit automatic entry, no questions asked.
Josleen has seen Ansel work and could tell Sabrina more about his qualifications and training, but doesn’t have the strength or resolve to get through such a conversation. She chooses to say nothing. When Sabrina suggests Josleen contact Ansel, and work as his second, she already knows her answer is no, but to profess a ‘no’ would require a reason and Josleen can’t bring herself to talk about Ansel at length without cracking. So she nods, smiles falsely, and says, “Of course.” She already knows none of this will happen. She won’t find Ansel. She won’t be his number two. If he volunteers at the camp, she’ll schedule them on separate shifts. Josleen is ready to do Hollow’s version of ghosting, as hard as it may be in a village as small as Xalious. Time to change the subject: “I’m glad you trained under Eleenin. I have so much respect for him. I’ll keep an ear to the ground for a smuggler. Kovl is still my best recommendation. He can shrink things to carry more, by the way.”
Sabrina was no good at sensing dishonesty, though she was also not very good at expecting people to do as they say. She would find Ansel on her own, and appoint him to the station pending Hildegarde or Josleen’s approval since they two were the only ones she could think to report to. She hadn’t thought about shrinking the items, and she had no idea what it would do to the structural integrity of the load, still, right now it was as good of an idea as anyone had, in the past several weeks. “The smuggling job pays well enough, if you think he would like to talk specifics he can send a Raven to the House of Ara in Larket. But do keep it hush-hush. I don’t need reinforcements at the gates.” It was clear she expected Josleen to communicate with all her resources, aside from the fact it would be awkward to walk up to a perfect stranger and ask them to do something potentially illegal or life threatening. “I’ll tell you what. I will worry about my enlistments. If you would be so kind, become the mediator between this Kovl, and myself.” Whether Josleen realized or not, her presence would prove useful in a great many things.
Josleen is glad to be able to nod and smile genuinely. Enlist Kovl in illicit activities? Yes, please. The pixie will love it. Suddenly a sound clatters from the backroom and Terry goes to investigate. Unbeknownst to Terry (and possibly Sabrina too) the bard made that noise to get the old man to leave the room. “I’ll let Kovl know as soon as possible. He knows how to be discreet. He too has volunteered for Frostmaw in the past,” she says mysteriously. “I should probably get out of here before Terry returns. Closing up shop with him is...” She shudders to make her point. “It was great to meet you, Sabrina. Keep in touch.”
Sabrina felt like this short interlude had accomplished a great deal. A smuggler and a possible apprentice, as well as a lead on a future guild member. She might have been pushing it with the apprentice idea, this woman seemed to have her hands full. Recognizing the need to be gone before the male returns she gives a knowing nod. “I will be in contact with you shortly.” She gives a bow of thanks and exits abruptly.