[Job Thread] The Art of Healing [Empyrean]

by **Tazi** on March 7th, 2014, 6:18 pm

3rd of Spring, 514

The dirt beneath her feet was barely noticed as she ran. Tazi was frantic, running through the jungle. Sharp sticks cut into her legs, thorns ripping through her skin. Rocks dug into the soles of her bare feet. Something had scared her, but for the life of her, she couldn’t remember what. Ahead of her was nothing but dark jungle. Looking over her shoulder, she tried to figure out what was chasing her. Something caught her foot, tripping her up. Instead of cracking her head against the ground, she kept falling. Darkness pulled her down. Tazi could have sworn she was screaming, but all she heard was silence.

Before she woke, she could have sworn she heard her mother laughing at her.

”Myri help me!” Tazi shouted out, vaulting into a sitting position. Her heart raced as she stared in the growing light of morning. Once she realized it had all been a dream, she pulled her knees to her chest. It was just a dream.

It took her a moment, but she was finally able to compose herself. Crawling out of her tent, she looked around the area she was currently “squatting” in. Taloba was big and had plenty of room for all her children, but it was Spring. Tazi was quite content to allow nature to wrap her in warmth. After all, Falyndar was a hot area. It would only get hotter. Zaza whickered somewhere behind her as she stretched.

”Today is a big day Zaza! I’m going to ask Traya for a job. Maybe I can actually start moving forward with my life…”

Moving about her small campsite, she managed to break it all down relatively expediently. Packing everything onto her mount, she paused a moment to look around. Soon, she would be able to pick a spot and settled down for a while. Asar would be able to join her, and maybe they would be able to go out on their adventure. She so badly wanted to get out of Taloba and meet new people. There had to be a world for her out there. Before she left, she combed her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail. One final dusting of her clothes and a quick fastening of her medicine bag to her hip, she headed towards the Medicine House.

She had walked along these paths as a child many times. Zaza bobbed her head to their stead base, rotating her head once in a while to grab various plants. Tazi would give polite nods to those that acknowledged her movement, but otherwise kept to herself. Soon, people started to thicken as the foot traffic became heavier towards the military compound. Although she was shoulder to shoulder with Myrians heading towards the training facilities or to their bunks at the barracks, she turned off from the constant flow early and began to walk alone again. The compilation of houses on high stilts loved over the shorter trees. It was becoming more fragrant as the smells of herbs began to thicken in the air. Smells from the Sushi house tempted her, but the small ration she plucked at this morning was more than enough. Besides, until she started bringing in a true income, she could not waste her money on frivolous expenses. Tazi tied Zaza to a post at the base of one of the houses, pulling some plants to make a small food collection for her friend. Then, she walked up the spiral stairs to one of her personal temples.

Tazi took a deep breath as she finished climbing the steps. Silently, she looked around. For the most part, the medicine house was relatively quiet. It was still early, and she doubted the patrons that stayed overnight were even up yet. Of course, the one body that could be depended on to be around was Kiyal. Tazi didn’t really pause to speak to the bouncer. She was here strictly to speak to Traya and didn’t want to cause trouble. Besides, as far as she was concerned, she had set up an appointment with her hopeful employer several days ago. Now, she just had to make a good impression. Just before she stepped into the room she knew Traya would be in, she patted her medicine for luck.

I’m following in your footsteps Zaso. I’m going to make you proud.

”Traya?” Tazi murmured as she stepped through the door. She didn’t say much more beyond that because she was not sure what the medicine woman was doing. The last thing she wanted to do was interrupt her concentration. When she was younger, Tazi would watch Traya do acupuncture, and was often amazed the older woman did not miss the location she was aiming for. Naturally, it was her mountains of skill that made Traya respected. That was why Tazi was here. To learn from the best.

by **Empyrean** on March 8th, 2014, 7:02 pm

There was hardly ever a slow day at the Medicine House. Though the military had its own place for its wounded soldiers, ailments and injuries suffered from both young and old outside service always needed tending to and they knew exactly where to go. The stilted collection of buildings promising relief for both the soul and mind rose in a welcoming fashion over the area of thicker jungle within Taloba. Its path was smooth and well traveled by the constant coming and going of its visitors, the hot and cold springs at ground level usually filling well before the twelfth bell. The establishment was quite a place of luxury by Falyndar's standards. The food served was fresh and each patient taken well care of with capable hands. Even the dedicated tobacco smokers were quick to rave about their positive experiences within the smoking house.

Traya was carefully plucking a jar of herbs from a small shelf with her shaky fingers when her name was called. Her dainty feet shuffled as she turned to find Tazi waiting in the door way, a look of curiosity meeting her eyes. The cloudy jar adjusted itself firmly in her wrinkly hands as she approached the young woman.

"Ah, you're here and right on time," She commended the girl warmly and outstretched her hand to touch her shoulder. Her old eyes studied Tazi's face carefully and sized her up before finally speaking again. "You used to come here as a child if I remember. What can I do for you? I gather you are not here for my services."

by **Tazi** on March 9th, 2014, 12:50 am

Ah, childhood. How she missed coming to the city with her father to run around the markets looking for treasures. Of course, the Medicine House harbored some of her favorite moments. Trailing the Konti’s shadow, watching from the corner as the trained staff worked as masseuses and acupuncturists. This was a place of mystery. Although it wasn’t magic, sometimes, she saw it as such because most Myrians did not understand this practice. Yet Tazi did, and it made her feel special.

”You would be correct Traya, as always,” Tazi started, bowing her head slightly as the woman touched her shoulder. Age may have gripped Traya’s body, but sometimes Tazi thought she had a spirit far younger than hers. ”I come seeking a job, and guidance. I want to become a healer, like you. Like my father.”

Had her mother been in the room, Tazi was sure she would be beaten to within an inch of her life. In this matriarchal society, Tazi was seen as an outcast. Maybe Traya would be different. Following in her father’s footsteps may not be the honorable thing to do by her Clan, but sometimes, people had a different calling. Myrians needed healers too. One day, she would make them all see just how important she could be.

by **Empyrean** on March 9th, 2014, 4:00 am

Traya's warm grin widened at the woman's response. She removed her hand from her shoulder to aid the other with the jar, her old eyes shining exuberantly in Tazi's direction. The old healer's expression was knowing and had grown a bit more solemn. After a moment of carefully thought silent, the Medicine House manager nodded her head.

"With all the young blood running for the barracks there's always great need for those with a healer's touch," Traya explained openly and turned to stride back further into the acupuncture house, gesturing for the young Myrian to follow. "There is plenty to be done and learned around here, child. There are plants to be gathered, cures to be made, muscles to ease, and minds to sooth." She shuffled to a new shelf and removed a curious bottle of liquid. After removing its cork and some ground specks from her jar, the herbs were poured into the concoction and shaken. Its clear colored immediately changed to a musty brown.

"So what is it that interests you most? I could use you in any house you might choose, that's for certain."

by **Tazi** on March 9th, 2014, 8:19 pm

Part of her immediately relaxed when Traya became very open to the idea. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding, smiling to herself. Now why couldn’t Traya be her family instead of her actual mother? Tazi wondered what it would have been like to live in a different clan, to be respected. She also wondered if Traya had ever had kids of her own and what they would have been like. Shaking her head to bring her back to the now, she followed her summons into the acupuncture room.

”Well, I have some skill in medicine and herbalism, but it is probably best to keep me away from sushi,” Tazi chuckled towards the end, watching Traya with intense curiosity. The liquid and the herbs created something she had not seen before. Not surprising, since Traya had years of experience on her. ”I would also be curious to learn other trades. May I ask what you are mixing up?”

by **Empyrean** on March 10th, 2014, 12:55 am

"If that's what you wish, though I must agree there are some that spend far too much time at that Sushi House." The elder chuckled warmly at Tazi, then turned back to her with a mischievous look in her eyes. "But between you and me I always find time to steal away for a snack...or two."

Her guilty smile spread without shame across her weathered face. At mention of her mixture, she gently shook the jar. The unknown herbs within the water swirled about lazily, the larger pieces slowly disintegrating thanks to the fluid. It was indeed a peculiar concoction, but a strangely simple one. Too long had it been since new blood circulated into the Medicine House. It was almost refreshing to share even the most basic of knowledge, especially with one so eager to learn.

"Oh, this? It's something strong to clear the sinuses." Traya slowly popped off the lid and held out the jar for Tazi to inspect. Though far from finished, the herbs already gave off quite a pungent smell. Within a few ticks she took the liberty to pop the lid back over the scent and shuffled onward. "You too will learn to make your own cures. A lot of it will be experimentation, some of it from watching your peers," She continued as she walked out of the room and slowly down the steps. "Everything that ails us can be cured by the jungle. Most of your supplies must be foraged. I trust you're capable of this, yes?"

by **Tazi** on March 10th, 2014, 3:39 am

Tazi giggled a little when Traya hinted that she would steal away for a sushi snack. She knew it was good, remembering the tantalizing blend of raw fish and strange herbs the chefs would put together for her and her father. Zaso used it as a treat her to a small snack when they came to the Medicine House. One of the few luxuries she had gotten to enjoy as a child.

As Traya held the jar out for her, Tazi leaned forward to take a quick sniff. Her nose wrinkled quickly as the powerful smell ravaged her nostrils. Thankfully, Traya was quick to put the lid back on. Tazi walked slowly behind the old woman, making sure to stay at the appropriate distance where she could hear the wise words.

”I am looking forward to learning new things. I cannot wait to start!” Tazi could not contain her little blurt of excitement. Reprimanding herself internally, she continued with an appropriate tone. ”I ave been out in the jungle many times before, traveling between the Clan lands and Taloba. I recognize some plants to use, but not all of them. If I am shown once, I’ll be able to search for it in the jungle. My horse, Zaza, will be able to carry me to the basin where I could bring back some different plants as well. The water-loving kinds of plants.”

by **Empyrean** on March 13th, 2014, 7:39 pm

Traya chuckled quietly at the girl's excitement, shaking her head at the energy of the youth. Her slow walk continued toward the next house as she gave her next response.

"I'm afraid Zaza will be of little use for the rarer finds. Since the Djed Storm much of the jungle has reclaimed what few paths we had carved out, making it tough to navigate by horse. Though I do trust with such an animal you'll have no reason to come late," She walked up the stairs to the acupuncture building slowly, one hand sliding up the railing. Her ridiculously large ear accessories jostled within her ears on her way. "You may begin tomorrow at Syna rise, Tazi. Meet me here in the Acupuncture House to check in and I'll send you off for some work. Your aid is much appreciated."

Then she turned at the top of the steps and gave her one final parting smile before she turned back on her heels and strode through the door. Already awaiting her was a haggard looking male more tense than a nervous Tskanna in its pen. He bowed his head deeply and uttered some kind of humble greeting. Traya merely made a gesture and he feel in behind her like an awe-inspired puppy at her heels. Work was never slow in the Medicine House, and despite her age, neither was its manager. There were always tired, pained bodies and minds needing a healer's touch. It had long since become the old woman's purpose to tend to them. Perhaps it would be Tazi's purpose, too.

OOC:Okay, this is my final post for this thread. Feel free to post a response if you'd like. Afterward I'll make sure it's in line for grading! You may write Traya and the NPCs around the Medicine House throughout your own threads how you like. Good luck!

by **Tazi** on March 16th, 2014, 11:51 pm

Tazi hung her head briefly as Traya corrected her about the forest pathways. Since Tazi had been so caught up in her excitement, she had forgotten what the Djed Storm had done to Falyndar. It had made things extremely difficult when it came to traveling. At least the basic routes were back intact. It made it easy for many of the clans to travel back and forth from the their own lands to Taloba. Drawing her mind back to the present, she watched Traya begin to shuffle up the steps to the acupuncture house.

"I will be here Traya. Thank you so much for the opportunity. I won't let you down!"

With Traya heading off to work, Tazi headed back out the way she came to collect Zaza. She politely smiled to the patrons that were entering the house, nodding courteously to the bouncer. She had a lot of work to do before she needed to be here in the morning. Namely, finding a place more permanent then living out of a tent. That would be a good start.

OOCThanks! I think this is my last post. I'll submit it for grading. Sorry this post is not great. My muse has officially died.

by **Traverse** on March 19th, 2014, 1:15 pm

Tazi

Skill	XP Earned
Horsemanship	1 XP
Observation	3 XP
Socialization	3 XP

•	Lores Earned
•	Medicine House Holds Fond Memories
•	Traya: A Kind Skilled Woman
•	Djed Storm of 512 Covered Most Traversable Pathways in the Jungle
•	Becoming Employed at the Medicine House