70th Day of Summer, 513 AV
The sky was void of any clouds, what one would say to be a beautiful day, but the sun’s blistering rays beat down on Ollic’s back incessantly, his comfort level decreasing dramatically.
Birds were chirping reverently, their flamboyant feathers causing a mild distraction to his mind’s tenacious thoughts. They collided into one another, sending signals of vexation to his brain’s coherent system. A headache was forming and Ollic was becoming displeased at its terrible timing.
He had woken up not more than an hour ago for his first day attending his job as a healer’s assistant. He had thought it was best to bring his equipment, snatching a hold of his healer’s kit and cloak before heading out the door of his apartment.
Once down the steps and out the door of the Solar Wind Apartments, Ollic’s mind had been thrown into over-drive, the whirl-wind of thoughts taking pleasure in inviting questions. He had been told that he was to be working with a partner, helping others with their medical issues. He had always wondered what it would be like to work with someone else, rather than by himself, for he was such an independent person and didn’t ever think of the idea to have to rely on someone.
Perhaps this mental argument was good for Ollic. It was something to keep his mind occupied on, stabilizing his slight anxiety by keeping it at bay. He wondered if having a partner would be good for him, whether he would be around them a lot of perhaps use them just as a consultant for medical tips on individual patients. He didn’t know who they were or what they would act like, and this anonymous idea made his heart race and his jaw muscles tense up.
He had told Hokato to stay home, a dish of water and a dish of food next to the door. It was a long goodbye, since Ollic was one who needed friends, Hokato was the only one who had been with him since the start.
“I am going to work now,” he had told her before he walked out the door. Then, he had rushed back in and had hugged his companion for endless chimes before he mustered up the courage to shut the apartment door and lock it.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” he had whispered as he trampled down the stairs. Hokato would never run away, but Ollic wasn’t always genuinely optimistic. Professionalism aside, Ollic was extremely pessimistic, always doubting himself. Herbalism and healing were the only things he could be confident in, and that is why he has a strong desire to peruse those careers.
The infinite steps up into the massive building of the Catholicon had reached Ollic’s feet all too soon. The sky was still clear of any shrouding clouds and the sun still simmered down onto anything wearing dark colours. Ollic’s heart was racing, but mainly from the long walk it took from his apartment to where he stood now.
He glanced up at the building, shielding his eyes from the glare of the yellow star, and looked back down at his feet, taking a step onto the first of the many the stairs provided.
Chimes to bells, to endless seasons or years, it felt like forever before Ollic had hobbled to the top of the climb he had pushed himself to crawl up. The doors glistened, and so did he, for sweat fell from his forehead like a waterfall before he wiped at it with his sleeve.
Breathing deeply, he pushed the doors open, his body being flooded by cold air and enormous room. The whole place looked so divine and professional, much like a library, with many different floors and rooms to hold people. He felt comfortable with the expansion it had. He had feared the place would be small inside, claustrophobic as it closed in on him like shadows do in the winter’s night.
“Hello, may I help you?” A woman called from the centre of the room, her hair frazzled and her eyes a piercing green. His own irises turned a deep shade of green from their smouldering orange. He was dedicated to starting work, and this woman was just what he needed to get there. It was him and her, the barrier set in between him and his first day as a healer’s assistant.
He walked slowly, yet confidentially over the woman, his eyes glazed over, yet his body present. “I am here for my first day as a healer’s assistant.”
The woman nodded her head and without looking, pointed over to the right at a young female not much older than twenty years of age. In fact, she looked just old enough to pass as an adult. However, he facial structure spoke of difference. The adamant features shouting at him of determination and maturity. She could be anywhere from a teenager to a thirty year old woman and he wouldn’t have known any better.
Ollic tugged at his vest’s collar with his index finger and nodded his head, acknowledging the secretaries gesture. That young woman, skin as flawless as a porcelain doll, hair as bright and light as is the sun had kissed it too many times. Her eyes were a dull blue, downcast at an angle as if trying to look away from something persistently. She looked slightly taller than Ollic, but nothing too noticeable, and her choice of attire was fairly simple, unlike Ollic’s multi-colour vest and dark slacks he wore on this special occasion.
He started shuffling over to the girl, whom was soon to be his partner in office. He needed to get to know her if they were to be working with one another, yet Ollic’s mind was tumbling with commands. He didn’t like getting to know people; he was afraid of what people would say to him; he wasn’t very good at making conversation and he always somehow said the exact wrong thing at the exact wrong time.
He coughed, trying to get the young woman’s attention before he stood at a respectful distance. He cleared his throat and stuttered his welcome, introducing himself.
“Hello,” he whispered before raising his voice a few pitches. “My name is Ollic Rimesage. I will be your new partner in health.”
