Helping a friend(Tocky)

[Iris Timandre]

57th of Summer, 512
Iris was taken back by Tock reaction at first. She seemed shock about the idea of praying to Rak'keli. But the Konti knew before hand that Rak'keli wasn't the most important deity in Zeltiva to the people. To Iris Rak'keli was everything. And as a member of the Opal Order, Iris studied the religion of Rak'keli and knew very well that the deities loved worship. The happier Iris' Goddess of healing was the better the day would get for the Konti herself.

Tock made a comment about not knowing how to pray. That confirmed that the two people were worlds apart in just about everything. Iris' entire life revolved around faith. Thanks to the Goddess, Iris had an advantage when it came to her career. A healer of Rak'keli was respected, that's what Iris wanted to think based on her long and tiring travel from her homeland of Mura to Zeltiva.

The woodcarver also made a second comment saying to "just heal them." Though Tock's accent was hard to understand for Iris she got just enough of it. When someone had to listen to that accent a certain amout of time they got used to it. But now that Tock said that, Iris knew she had no clue or any imformation about how Iris' abilities work or where she gets all of them.

The healer had a feeling she'd have to give a lesson on religion to Tock. And Iris was true to herself, she thought a lesson in faith would be good for Tock. Iris thought Tock not praying to Rak'keli was the reason for every last one of the injuries she had. Slowly the Konti wraps her fingers around the back of Tock's hand softly. "I'm afraid it doesn't work like that, woodcarving friend. I recieve my abilities from the Goddess Rak'keli. I pray to her multiple times in a day when I don't feel well on the spiritual side. And to be one hundred percent honest I think this would be good for you as well. Faith could make a difference in your life, Tock."

The healer believed deeply in her religion. She had no idea that Tock might have been against all of it. All Iris wanted to do was help her friend out in preventing future problems. Iris adressed Tock now knowing how to pray. That was the simple part. "You don't know how to pray? Alright, just repeat after me. The words are Kontinese, you don't need to understand them. Just say them."

Iris placed her free right hand over the back of Tock's hand. Her Gnosis mark of Rak'keli on the back of her right hand was visible, the twisted swirling sigil in shimmering opal. Iris spoke the words of her first language hoping Tock would follow along. "Dear ever giving Goddess, you are the light. I look to you for guidance. I wish you to put your blessing down on the folk before me, they're in need. You are my everything. I look to you. Dear Rak'keli."

[Minerva Agatha Zipporah]

Tock just stared at Iris like she was crazy. There were people bleeding on the tables, and she wanted Tock to pray for their recovery! As if that would do any good! The Gods didn't just up and decide to get off their fat arses and do something just because people asked them to! She wasn't a person of faith. She believed in the Gods... to the extent that she knew they existed, and knew some of their names (though with so MANY of them, who could memorize them all?) But she didn't have faith in them. They had never done anything for her, so she expected them to just leave her alone. She had never studied their teachings, or paid attention to people who rambled on about them. When people started talking about the Gods she tended to zone out and think about other things. But Iris insisted, and Tock sighed and went along with it, just to humor her. She repeated the Kontinese as best she could, not understanding a word she was saying. Which made the whole thing seem pointless... if she didn't understand the words coming out of her mouth, how would be make any difference to the Gods? Maybe they just liked to hear the words, and it didn't matter if there was any meaning behind them. After all, Iris could have been speaking a curry recipe for all she knew... So she spoke the words, fumbling a bit. She'd been around the Konti for a year, and while she hadn't picked up the language, the sounds were familiar enough to her. She recognized some of the words Iris used as ones she'd heard before, even if she couldn't grasp their meaning. She idly wondered if Rak'keli just didn't speak common...

[Iris Timandre]

57th of Summer, 512
Everytime Iris Timandre prayed to Rak'keli it was in her language, Kontinese. Only because Iris wasn't the best at speaking common, she only knew enough common to live. Sitting down and having that entire conversation in Tock's cottage was the most speech struggle Iris had been through in her entire life.

The healer watched Tock repeat the words. Iris honestly was very happy that Tock was going through with it. And it was her belief that Tock would have it a little easier now that she has prayed to the Goddess of healing and health.

Iris said something more to Tock, in Kontinese, wanting her to repeat it. "Rak'keli, I accept you in my heart. I'll carry out your will." The Timandre knew some of the common words to tell Tock the very last line of the prayer. Iris whispered to Tock Finally in common. "That last line means you've accepted the healing Goddess into your heart and your everyday life."

The Konti thought Tock would feel much better after a prayer to the Goddess. Because Iris herself felt good after it. The healer felt much more confident in her ability to make other's feel good than she did when she first entered the Imfirmary. Still, Iris knew she wouldn't be able to do much without the Doctor and Tock's help. She already worked hard on Tock and she had a limit. Eventually she'd screw up even worse.

Iris asked Tock in common, still holding the woodcarver's hand with both of her own hands. "Do you feel better, spiritually? Because I feel better. When we first entered the Infirmary I felt a surge of doubt in my own ability because of my past mistakes but Rak'keli made it right. Just as she always does. How do you feel, Tock?"

The Konti smiled and looked back at some of the bleeding men. The prayer wasn't just for Iris herself. It was for all of them, she wanted the ability to help them.

[Minerva Agatha Zipporah]

Tock repeated the words, but she didn't understand them. They were meaningless. So when Iris finally translated the chicken squawks and Tock realized what she had said, her eyes narrowed. She did NOT accept any Goddess into her heart any everyday life! She felt deceived. Tricked. Like she had been forced into making a promise and would now be held to it. It didn't count. It didn't mean anything. She couldn't be forced to follow some Goddess just because of words that were spoken. Sure, she was grateful for the healing. But there was a huge difference between saying 'Thank you' versus 'You can rule over my every day life...' Tock was pissed. And if there weren't men on the tables in great need of help right now, she might just have smacked Iris across the face. Then Iris asked her how she felt. Tock didn't even know how to answer that question. She didn't know if she felt anything spiritually. She only thought about her spirit when she was Animating, since the nature of her soul was such an important part of that process. But here, now, after praying? She didn't feel anything that came close to the feeling she had when creating a new life, creating a new soul from a piece of her own. When she did that she felt powerful, she felt like a new mother birthing a child, one that would love and obey her forever. Right now, all she felt was anger and impatience. "Aye," she lied, "aye I does feels a lil better. 'Ere..." she tapped her fingers over her heart. Hopefully that would satisfy Iris. And get her back to work. She forced a smile, trying to act grateful and 'uplifted'. "But 'ese guys needs ya, aye?" she said, nodding to the wounded men. Maybe all Iris needed was to think it had worked, and she could continue saving lives.

[Iris Timandre]

57th of Summer, 512
The men were all waiting patiently to be tended to. Iris was still busy trying to "make Tock's life better." And in the Konti's opinion, it was a complete success. She thought Tock was serious about feeling better spiritually. The healer thought she made a difference in someone's life for the better.

Iris tried to wrap her arms around Tock for a hug. Everytime she was able to do something like this for someone she felt as it it had become a personal bond. From Tock to Iris and finally to the Goddess herself, Rak'keli.

The Konti said to the woodcarver "I am so glad you feel enlightened. Perhaps Rak'keli's blessing shall rain down upon you now that you feel a bond starting to form." The Konti honestly had no clue she could have possibly been making Tock angry, back in Mura the rest of the Konti loved and worshiped the Goddess, Rak'keli. And her twin sister, Avalis. Even some of those that have came into Mura that weren't Konti worshiped the deities.

Iris turned back to a patient and reached her hand over his leg, this time, there was a very deep clean cut. He had been stabbed in the calve muscle somehow. Slowly Iris cleaned the wound of germs using her Goddess granted powers. But she could do no more than that due to the size of the cut and how deep it was. A small smile formed on the Konti's face as she looked back to her new human friend. And in her words "Fellow sister of Rak'keli."

"Tock, bless these men in the name of Rak'keli! Ask the Goddess, ask her to help these men." Iris waited for an answer or a result.

She then grabbed some of the water and poured it over the same wound she cleansed of infection. The Konti thought to herself, There sure are alot of sick people in Zeltiva. I wonder why. Maybe if I can get enough people to pray to the Goddess and worship things will start looking better for this beautiful place. At least I got Tock.

[Minerva Agatha Zipporah]

Tock reluctantly let Iris hug her because lives were at stake. She WANTED to strangle the woman. Seriously, there were men bleeding on the tables here, moaning in pain, and calling out for help, and the Konti thought it was hugging time? Whatever. Whatever made the magic work. Tock didn't get healy magic. Maybe Iris needed to be happy for it to work. Tock had an easier time Animating when she was happy, when her soul swelled with pride and joy and it was easier to transfer energy from it. So maybe this was like that. But there was no bloody chance in hell Tock was really going to start worshipping this Goddess. So she grumbled when Iris nagged her to ask Rak'keli for help. Biting her tongue, she held back an angry retort. If it kept Iris happy, and happiness helped her concentrate on her power, then Tock could fake it. "Uhhh, Rack-Kelly, 'elps 'ese guys out, aye?" she said to no one in particular. Then she looked right at Iris, getting an idea. "We's really needs yer 'elp right now, aye? Yer the only one what can does 'er. So, c'mon, an' git 'er done..." The words flowed sincerely from Tock's lips... because they weren't really directed at Rak'keli. She was talking to Iris. She could let the Konti THINK it was a prayer, but really she was just trying to encourage the Konti to work harder, and have faith in herself. Because she didn't 'get' that the healing power came straight from the Goddess. Sure, she knew Rak'keli 'made' the healing power... but she figured it was just like how the Gods 'made' the world, the people, and everything else. As far as she was concerned, what they DID with their lives was up to them. Like a child that left home and made their own way. Tock's Da had 'made' her, by giving her life, along with her mother. But she didn't need anything else from him, and she didn't think he deserved any credit for HER work! Likewise, she figured that while Rak'keli had given Iris the magic, it was Iris that used it, and she was the only one that mattered now. Petch the Goddess. Tock preferred to bless the person.

[Iris Timandre]

57th of Summer, 512
Tock was actually praying to Rak'keli, so Iris thought. This was quite the beautiful day. When someone converted their faith into Rak'keli or at least had some faith in her that made the Konti happy. Even though Tock's prayer wasn't exactly formal it was a prayer none the less. Good enough for the Timandre.

She said to Tock "I just knew you had faith deep down inside you, Tock. Keep that up and Rak'keli will start to notice you. Maybe even dedicate a woodcarving to her." Iris loved the idea of dedicating a work of art to her Goddess.

Slowly Iris placed her palm over another man's stomach which also had a deep gash. The wound didn't completely close up, it was only cleansed of infection. The doctor would have had to finish it off because he knew much more about wounds like that than Iris did. The first bad gash Iris saw in person was Tock's wound.

The Konti learned that books can only teach you so much. Behind the Opal Temple walls the Konti learned what she needed to to become a full member but she'd never treated real deep wounds before now. The real experience was something breath taking to the healer and she wished she could do something to help all of it.

Turning to face Tock and the doctor Iris had a worried look on her face. The infirmary had multiple injured people. Sick and wounded. It was like something extremely bad was going on in Zeltiva. Iris had never seen that many sick people. Iris thought the woodcarver, Tock, lived in Zeltiva for a long time. So she might have had an answer for all of the sickness in the city. "Answer me a question, Tock, and you too Doctor. Why are so many people ill and wounded in this city? It's much more than I've ever seen in my entire time living."

Hopefully, they had an answer for the Rak'keli follower. Her bright blue eyes shifted from side to side looking at the Infirmary docter and then at Tock.

[Minerva Agatha Zipporah]

Tock ignored the comments on faith. She didn't WANT Rak'keli to notice her. She preferred it when the Gods minded their own business and left her alone. Her life was NONE of their business! She continued playing nurse, handing the doctor bandages or thread when he asked for it. Her wound was aching, and she really wanted to sit down. But she dealt with the pain, standing on her good leg, knowing she was going to be sore tomorrow. When Iris asked about the recent outbreaks, she shrugged and said, "'Ow should I know? I ain't no doctor..." She had only been in Zeltiva for a season. For all she knew, this sort of thing was common, or still part of the consequences of the Djed storm. She didn't often talk to travelers from afar, or pay attention to rumors or stories. So she still thought the storm had only been a local thing. She'd been en route to Zeltiva when it happened, and didn't realize it had spread so much further than the city and outlying areas. "It is rather strange," the doctor said. "I've been in Zeltiva my whole life, and practicing medicine for half of it, and I've never seen anything like this... It almost makes me think we've angered the Gods, to have such a plague sent upon us..." Some of the more superstitious nurses made signs to the Gods to ward off ill will. Eventually, the emergency passed. Once the men were stabilized, Tock climbed back into her crutches, glad to be off her feet. She was sore, and tired, and wanted to go home. But she still needed to see Mikey before she left.

[Iris Timandre]

57th of Summer, 512
The Konti shook her head. She still didn't quite understand. Nor did she know of any God that would send plague like this to any town. It made no sense to the Konti who grew up around peace and worshipped Avalis, and the healing Goddes, Rak'keli.

There had to be something Iris could do. Maybe building a shrine devoted to the healing Goddess would be of help at times like this. Iris spoke to the doctor. "I'm working on a shrine devoted to the Goddess I and Tock worship, Rak'keli, Goddess of healing and health. I'm currently in the process of purchasing an old building but I have no building skills. I need people to assist me with it. That's where you come in Tock. But we'll get into that another time." Iris cut herself off.

She decided to save asking Tock to help her with the shrine for another day. After today, she highly doubted she wouldn't see Tock again. The two could have possibly bonded while in the healing process. Iris thought she showed Tock the light that is Rak'keli.

As Tock sat down Iris sat right beside her, clearly tired. But she turned her head to face Tock and said very lowly. "I can grant you another wish, is there anything else you'd like me to do before I retire to my room?" The Konti just needed to know if Tock was all set. Even though she was pusing her limits she wouldn't accept knowing Tock needed something and she didn't provide to the best of her abilities.

[Minerva Agatha Zipporah]

Tock was ready to hit the woman. As soon as it wasn't a life-or-death situation anymore, Tock turned on Iris and shouted, "Cut all o' 'at 'Goddess what Tock worships' crap!" She was red in the face, clenching her fists. "I ain't no bloody convert! I jus' done said 'at crap what so ye'd git back ta work, aye? 'Ere were bloody people what DYIN' out 'ere, an' ya done mades me stop in the middle o' 'elpin' 'em fer ta PRAY!? IS YA BLOOMIN' NUTS!?" She grit her teeth, shaking and staring the girl down. She liked Iris, she did. But right now, she was pissed off, and couldn't stand the fact that the girl had tricked her into praying, made her promise in ANOTHER LANGUAGE to devote herself to her dumb bitch healy Goddess, and was already going around preaching to everyone else that Tock worshipped the damn whore! She jabbed a finger into Iris' chest and said, "Ya bloody oughta learn what fer ta think fer yerself, Sook! Ain't needs no Goddess bitch fer ta tell ya nothin' 'bout nothin'! I know ya done gots ta been 'appy 'ow she gave ya the magic 'n'all, but now what as she's gives it ta ya, its yers, an' ain't nobody else's! Ya coulda 'ealed 'ose blokes all by yerself!" she threw her arms up in the air in disgust. Of course, she didn't know how it really worked. She didn't know that Iris's magic was a direct connection to her Goddess. She just figured it was something they had gifted to mortals, just like one of the Gods (she couldn't remember which) had taught humans how to write, or play music. But once the gift was given, it was humans who learned to make great novels and compositions with what they'd been granted. Disgusted, Tock turned and piloted her crutches away, seeking out Mikey's room.