Doctor Who? (Solo)

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

11th Spring, 511 AV Emerald eyes opened slowly to the world around him. He heard the crashing waves and lull of the sea. He smiled and stirred some testing his limbs. They ached some and Ildin had told him to find purpose in his life. And he figured he would try and get some work at the Opal Temple. He ran through how he was going to do this in his head while he gently woke. He rolled over and put some things in a backpack. He got his small mixing and philtering kit along with some herbs that he had collected. He figured it would be good to bring them with him to the temple. He dressed and then set into the city about a few miles north along the west coast. Serrif hadn’t been to the Opal Temple in a good time now. He wasn’t impressed with what he had seen from the lower level practitioners. From what he saw it seemed each stuck to a single practice; when it was far more important to cross train. It was important to know how to be a doctor; a herbalist and sometimes a poisoner as well. The skill of poisoning came naturally; because if you knew how to heal you knew how to kill as well. What is important is how you use that knowledge. He knew that his skill set was enough that if he stretched he could do good. He wanted to learn but he wanted to practice his skills under a competent individual even more. But he would have to find a competent teacher; he knew the basics of medical and knew a decent amount of herbalism and a small amount of poisoning as well. He figured his skills could be of some kind of use to the Temple. And perhaps he could find some income in all of it. A small income would be grateful. He didn’t believe in taking classes as much as he believed in practicing. He figured that would be the best way to go about learning. He wasn’t sure if he would get any kind of payment at first at all. But he knew that eventually he could or would. He wanted to be a part of this society; these people. And he believed to do this he needed to show them he had a skill set that the society needed. He knew that they regarded those that could heal highly. He knew that this was a rare opportunity and place for him to learn the art of healing the body. He planned to do so by using medicine and surgery. But the surgery part was something that he didn’t know how to do very well yet. But he knew how to set bones gently and had decent bedside manner. So he thought his skills could be put to work. He entered the main entrance of the Temple and looked around. He wasn’t sure who he was to ask about offering his skills here. But he remembered a woman had greeted him last time. And again the same happened. “Welcome to the Opal Temple how may I help you?” He smiled and then spoke. “I am here to offer my services to the temple. How might I go about doing this?” He moved a little closer to close the distance between them some.

[Alice]

Merida greeted him with the same smile as ever. However, she already noticed that the sound of his steps was a little bit familiar. When hearing his voice, she was sure that he was the man who had passed by with a Konti a few days earlier to bring a little girl to the clinic. Consequently, her smile grew more personal.

“Hello again! Well, there are several ways. If you love healing, learning about medicine and herbalism and helping others, it’d be best for you to try and get accepted into the Opal Order. It is an organization with headquarters here at the temple and focuses on healing and finding new ways to treat illnesses. You’d have to work towards being marked by Rak’keli to be granted acceptance into the Opal Order though. If you’d simply like to be employed as a healer, that’s fine too. You will not face the duties, but will also not get the privileges of a full member, but you can sign up for lessons and use the library.” She paused for a moment, allowing Serrif to take everything in.

Then she tilted her head, dark hair covering the left side of her face. “Which path do you take? Regardless of your decision, I’ll get you one of the healers in charge.” Having said everything that needed to be said, Merida patiently waited for Serrif to decide. She was in no hurry. And it was quite the important decision to make, after all! Merida still remembered the time when she had tried to decide whether she wanted to be an Opal Order healer at any cost ... or not.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Serrif listened to her and pondered his options. He could join this order, but he wasn’t even completely sure what they stood for as of now. And his first interaction with these healers left him less than impressed; he could’ve done a better job healing Keyta himself if he had the supplies. He did admit that what he had seen was a little unorthodox but at the same time he supposed it got the work done. Nevertheless at times what he had seen had left him a little anxious. He was unsure and knew that if he decided to work toward acceptance in the Opal Order it meant he would be dedicating himself to something far higher than himself. He wasn’t again sure what this entailed but he knew it would come with guidelines for acceptable behavior. Of which he was unsure he could follow depending on what the stipulations were. As he thought he felt something churn over in his stomach. He felt a sudden rush of illness and his pupils dilated causing his vision to go a little strange. He closed his eyes and took a couple deep breaths as if he was trying to think over his decision. When in reality he was trying to prevent himself from suddenly vomiting all over the floor. He gained himself after a few seconds and then spoke. “I’m unsure what I wish to do as of yet. But let’s just say for now I wish to try and work toward acceptance into the Order; and render what services I do have.” Yep that pretty much summed it all up in his mind. He waited for her to get the healers in charge. As she did this he tried to center himself again. His body was screaming and his blood felt like it was almost boiling. His hands shook and twitched some as he clasped them together as if he was politely waiting. And while he was there was a far more interesting war going on inside his body. One he was still going to hide as best as possible. He didn’t want to alert anyone as to what his status really was. He was far sicker than he let on. But he was going to hide it all as best as possible and then deny it if he could. He would solve this predicament if he could. He’d enlist help if it came to that. But truth be told he was indeed a stubborn man.

[Alice]

The faint hint of a smile crossed Merida’s face as she listened to the man’s answer. Although she was no Konti, lacking the gift of reading emotions and thoughts, she sensed that he was still undecided and could relate to that. Many, many times she had stood at a crossroads in her life and tried to find out where to turn to. The result was the present Merida, a human living with Konti, a healer outside the Order. “This will most likely be no problem”, she said thoughtfully. “It’s fine if you work with the healers, get to know the Order before you make a decision. It’s wise.”

Then she wandered off, using her hands to feel her way along the walls and exit the room. In fact she had developed a complex system of moving her feet and hands to move forward without stumbling or tripping over unfamiliar obstacles, and she always practiced. Of course, the inner struggle of the visitor was lost to her white eyes.

About five chimes later she returned with the ‘healer in charge’ she had promised to get for him. The Konti was dressed in the Opal Order robes, naturally, and quite tall for one of her kind. Her eyes shone with the deep green of a forest lake and her features revealed the kind of intelligence that kept her calm in most, if not all, situations. While Merida got seated behind the counter once again, the Konti greeted Serrif with a relaxed bow and smiled. “Well, well, well... You want to work, heal others?” Suddenly she shook her head in theatrical sadness. “Ts, first of all you must heal yourself. What’s wrong with you, what about that stiff posture? Tell me. Fill me in on the details your body leaves out.” Strange enough, she was still smiling, obviously amused by the new visitor.

And a strange one she was, jumping to conclusions and forgetting to introduce herself. What use were names, anyway? She observed and she spoke bluntly. In fact she had a reputation for just that.

For the time being, however, she was both listening to his explanation and leading him through a nearby door, down a long corridor and through another door to the left. If Serrif was stubborn enough to endure the short walk, he’d find himself under the sky once again. They were standing at the edge of the herbal garden. Spring caused many flowers to bloom with fresh color and their scent mingled with the watery breeze coming from Silver Lake. Precisely, that had been the intention of the Konti, to let him relax and recover.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Serrif didn’t follow her; although he did debate if he should or not. He noticed again that she seemed blind. The way she moved using her hands; and she seemed to have the entire place memorized. And she would have to because she couldn’t see. He saw her move and every movement seemed to be planned; as if she had walked this path hundreds of times. Every pieces of furniture was evaded perfectly. He wondered if that meant the women here couldn’t move the furniture around. For if they did he was sure this woman would trip over a misplaced piece of furniture.. She was elegant even though she was blind. It was interesting to see her navigate the halls. She had to develop this way of movement over several months of navigating the halls. Eventually she brought him the healer in charge. She was dressed in the Opal Order robes; that was a good indication. She was also tall for her kind, but not as tall as he was; or so he believed right now. Her eyes were a wonderful deep green, like dark emeralds. She greeted him with a relaxed bow which Serrif mirrored. “Yes M’lady I wish to heal others.” His response was direct as he then watched her shake her head with a certain measured sadness as she spoke about keying her in on the details his body left out. She spoke about something being wrong with him. He then followed her to wherever she wished to bring him. Again this time not really sure where he was being brought. He had no clue what if any secrets this Temple held and what the layout really was. She was smiling though; maybe in amusement? It was an interesting thought but one that really brought his mind around full circle. It seemed the women here were generally amused and intrigued by him. Which was interesting because he didn’t think there was anything particularly special about him at all. “The list is so extensive M’Lady that I do not believe I could even begin the healing myself.” There was a strange truth to his words. He had been dealing with his sickness himself by merely ignoring it. But it same back every now and then. He learned to function much like a well-adjusted drunk. He had to operate even in the haze, sometimes it was ok and other times he was near sheer passing out. But he was going to deal with this on his own. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.” He confessed as she brought him out a door. He found himself under the sky and he could smell the flowers as well as the calm scent of the Silver Lake. He smiled and breathed deep calming his nerves. That really didn’t relax his muscles any. They were knotted up from the strenuous tasks Ildin was marching him through. His body relaxed but his muscles remained tense. They again had been worked nearly to the point of breaking time and time again. His body stiff but his nerves were winding out. He enjoyed this place for as long as the healer would let him. Maybe she’d notice the interesting scarring around his neck, it was visible. The scarring would only come from a dagger or thin piece of wire being stretched and drawn tight across the neck. It was likely he had several other scars like this. His wrists, the scars of iron shackles that were on too tight; these same scars were found on his ankles. There were only two places one got scars like this. Jail or slavery. He didn’t seem to have the mentality of a criminal, no he seemed beaten and downtrodden. And his intrigue into helping others…a criminal wouldn’t pursue this. No he was likely a slave, an escaped slave. But from where? Nevertheless it would explain why he had fled here. None would come after him on Konti Isle. A slaver wouldn’t knowing set foot here for any reason.

[Alice]

“Interesting”, she remarked with certain dryness, making it hard to discern whether she meant it or was just joking. So he had a lot of issues with his body, but still stood and walked and talked to people as if he was perfectly healthy? She considered that to be quite something. Making a mental note, she was glad that this time she has stumbled upon someone stubborn and self-confident. Not that the Konti weren’t self-confident, but... most of them were not what she was looking for, sadly.

Inhaling the scent of the flowers, she started examining his body with more care. Her eyes were trained on recognizing physical illness and injury. The scars didn’t go unnoticed as her emerald gaze lingered around his neck for a while and then continued to his wrists and ankles. A former slave. Now, that was really something. When others would have smiled, she merely raised her eyebrows and corners of her mouth in anticipation.

First, however, he needed to reveal everything... or as much as was necessary for her to put him into a category and find out where he’d fit best. “Well, you’ll learn how to heal most people, including yourself. However”, her stare never leaving his eyes, she came closer, “it is necessary for the Order to know everything about your physical condition before we consider accepting you as some sort of apprentice. We need to know if you’re fit enough for hard work and long bells of studying. If you can take orders, do independent work and if your motivation is strong enough. Tell me everything, show me who you are... and I will teach you everything I know.”

Oh, she had said it! Was that an offer? Still Serrif didn’t know anything about the Konti whose face lingered only inches away from his – except that she smelled of peppermint and some other herbs –, but his senses told him that she would at least be a good superior. She didn’t beat around the bush, was honest and had expectations. Now, whether she would accept him or not depended on the words he chose.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

She wanted to know if he was fit enough for an apprenticeship? She couldn’t be serious right now could she? Long bells of studying? And if his motivation was strong enough? If only she had known what he had been through, maybe she wouldn’t question his ability so much. A slight smile formed as his mind concocted an answer. Like Tetris blocks each one fit perfectly with the rest forming a structure that he could indeed deal with. Making an answer that conveyed exactly what he wanted it to. Even as she looked into his eyes she could see the physical manifestation of how insanely stubborn he was. She could see his body was still in pain; something was indeed not right. But what exactly…well that was impossible to tell until he put everything in context for her. But he pushed it away; like he just wouldn’t allow himself to die. No, he never gave in. As was perfectly captured by his short but to the point crafted statement he offered her. “My condition came about from years of being held a slave and poisoned on a nearly nightly basis. They would poison me with some new concoction then try and see what remedy they could fix up. Sometimes it would work, sometimes not; and if I was really unfortunate it would make everything worse. But still somehow I would survive; because I wasn’t going to let them take me.” He broke and then got his train of thought going in the right place again. “My motivation is the people I saw suffer there; not the suffering you would normally see. No; it was different. The kind of suffering you can feel and smell it’s so thick it nearly takes on a physical form. I would’ve done anything to relieve their suffering. I learned herbalism by necessity; I eased the suffering of those around me first. None disserve that treatment, none disserve to suffer. Not in sickness when it can be cured with a good remedy. When I escaped one night I ran for days on end until I reached a port; my feet bloody and my body starved. I served as part of a crew on a ship and got off at its first stop. That was here. And I’ve found peace here in Mura. It settles my nerves and sooths my mind.” There was a good pause as he then formed the last simple sentence. “I wish to ease suffering through healing.” A good summary if ever there was one.

[Alice]

The Konti’s expression lit up when Serrif finally told the truth, although she didn’t smile. Getting the apprentice to spit out any secrets he might hold back was the first step. Her methods were unusual, obviously, but she wasn’t marked by Avalis and couldn’t take any risks. Healing and saving lives was of the utmost importance, and she wanted every potential apprentice to understand that.

While Serrif spoke, she stayed silent and observed him closely. There was no hesitation, no doubt or pause in his speech. He was absolutely sure that he had found his path and would pursue it, no matter what. She liked it.

When he had finished, she took a step back and gave an approving nod. “This is more than enough.” In fact it was an understatement. Serrif had not only satisfied her curiosity and need for knowing his motivation and story, he had also impressed her. That was something few apprentices ever managed to do. She considered it a success. “Good, you’ve passed the interview. My name is Lym, and you’ll be my secretary, apprentice and student until the Goddess marks you and you pass the test.” But before that, she wouldn’t let anyone take him away from her side. Returning into the shadow of the corridor, she waited until Serrif followed her. Then she walked down several corridors and descended a staircase. After opening a door, she invited Serrif to enter a room.

A large table filled with bowls, plates, knives, vases, test tubes and sheets of parchment dominated the room. The left wall was covered in bookshelves, although it contained more herbalism equipment and small scrolls than books. To the right several batches of dried flowers or leaves were hanging from wooden balks on the ceiling and filled the room with a fragrant mixture of their scents. Serrif would discern lavender, elder and vian scents, among others. Two windows at the back side provided a spectacular view across the herbal garden and the southern part of Mura.

Lym walked to the table, turned around and raised her arms. “My laboratory. My main hobby is philtering research and experimenting. I’ve been toying with the idea of looking for an assistant. If you want to write the scripts and reports, assist with experiments and tending to the herbs, I’ll teach you a bit about philtering and herbalism in turn. If you want to learn from the best instead, tell Merida you want to register for classes, although they’ll charge you.” She narrowed her eyes, remembering his story. “Giea teaches poisons. If I talk to her, she might accept you as student. Anyway, would you want work here?”

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

An interview; even a passed one generated a slight amount of anxiety. Sure since coming here to the isle he had been revealing his past to a good many people. Some saw the scarring and asked others just asked outright. Bu it almost always started with the scarring in some fashion. She didn’t ask; but he knew that she knew even without him saying. Her eyes spoke that truth even if she didn’t. Her approving nod was a welcome sight, seemed Konti didn’t just hand out praise. The only other mistress or Konti over him in any way was Ildin. And the most he had ever gotten was a nod from her. Well that he saw. He wasn’t sure what she spoke of him when he wasn’t around. But then again he wasn’t sure what anyone spoke of him when he wasn’t around. She introduced himself and he smiled. “I am Serrif.” He said as he then watched as she began to walk somewhere. He followed as it was somewhat obvious to him that she wanted him to follow. He made a mental map as to where they were heading and where they went. The fact was the more he found out about this temple the more he noticed there was a seemingly endless network of hallways and staircases. This meant that he needed to take notes in his own mind on all the relatively important places. And he figured this was likely an important place…wherever she was taking him. They descended a staircase and again he followed behind her. Not too close but close enough so that people wouldn’t question what he was doing. She opened a wooden door and well invited him inside a room. Walking in he was stunned. The room smelt wonderful smells. He could only discern lavender, elder and vain at the time being. He was sure if he walked around the room he would be able to smell even more. But what caught his attention almost immediately was the large amount of tools and alchemy related items. There were bowl, plates, knives, vases, test tubes sheets of parchment among a deal of other things. There was also plenty of glassware that he was sure could be used to craft medicine. What held his interest was the good amount of small scrolls. There was plenty of things he could imagine himself doing here. Although he was going to be a secretary, apprentice and student he knew that he was going to be learning all kinds of interesting information from her. He was impressed by her laboratory. It was the perfect place for him to learn and grow in. And indeed there was plenty to learn. He knew this for fact. He wanted to learn more than just the relatively primitive medicine that he used when he was captive. His methods were harsh then but here he could refine his methods and well make more use of the skills he already had. He listened to her intently as she explained what his options were. He formed his next statement carefully as always. He looked around a smile on his face. “I would much rather earn my way with you. One thing I learned is that there is no ‘best’ only ‘different’. And I would much rather learn here with you then in a class; it seems more practical to me. As far as Giea is considered; I believe it would be a good idea to learn from you before her. I am honored Lym.” He said as he then looked around and then to her. “Where shall I start?” He asked ready to start immediately as long as she had work for him.

[Alice]

Lym nodded her approval. He definitely had interesting opinions; perhaps he could teach her a thing or two about life outside Konti Isle and Mura while she was teaching him her craft. It certainly was a good bargain. As Serrif inspected the laboratory and gained some sense of orientation, she was already thinking about the details of their employment contract.

Eventually she folded her arms and put on a thoughtful expression. “I believe this is a pretty good bargain even without payment, but what about five mizas a day? You can get a couple of free days per season if you want, but not more than ten.” Although she didn’t tell him, she was offering money from her own purse, basically paying him from her private funds. Since she saw him as a private assistant, she could live with that. Having ‘discovered’ him, Lym wouldn’t release him too long. She wanted to know more about him, his potential.

Upon his question, she smirked and gestured towards the vials scattered across the entire table. “As you can see, I’m the kind of person that keeps their workplace in a messy state. Strangely, I always know where the things I need are. Still, you can start by sorting out the empty or used vials and putting them in the bucket over there. Seems like we need to do a washing day soon.” Without really noticing, she had already switched to the familiar ‘we’. Had she been looking for an assistant so badly?

One never knew. As Serrif started working, she’d bring some order in the half-finished projects lying around, look at the plant bundles and generally assess the situation. They were a team now – and the Konti would present the best of her knowledge to Serrif.

And so the rest of the day passed faster than expected...

OOCWith your okay, we can end this here, I'll add the xp award and you can do some training threads if you want.