• PM To Join • I for one, want to find out! (Part 2)

[Nalin Marit]

Nalin Marit
10th of Ashan of the 718th Arc

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"Common" "Common Sign" "Scalveen"

Nalin blinked in the realization that they were actually at the Academy. He'd been that spaced out? That wasn't good. Sure he could attribute some of it to being deep in thought, but maybe he was still feeling the effects of his illness. To be honest, that had been the most sleep he'd gotten in a long while as well. Most people would be astonished that he had been able to keep going after basically tiring himself out to such extents.

He almost stumbled as he walked through the door, his sister just stepped in to make sure that he wouldn't fall over, when he didn't she went back to standing a distance away from him. He looked at her confused a moment but looking to Volker when he realized that Volker wasn't the best at talking with people.

He had to hold back his laughter this late at night, to be honest, it was a surprise that the secretary lady was still there. Though it did look like she was starting to pack up for the night. She looked up to the motley assortment of visitors and frowned a bit. "It's you people again!? You've been in here almost every trial since the night of the 2nd. Do I need to call the guards?"

Nalin froze a moment and then shook his head. "No.. No.. here find Faith? Healer! Please, must find Faith, told to find her!" He stepped forward a bit and the lady looked at them skeptical. Especially at Volker, if she were a cat, she'd have her hackles raised.

"That would be the medical wing, on the other side of the building for a healer. Don't know if Faith is in right now. But you can ask them down there," She looked back at Nalin, pointing down a hall. "But if you were told to visit her, then I have to assume it's something that no normal healer can help you with. Hurry, out of my sight, your.. guard gives me the creeps." The entire time, her hand was on her bag. As if ready to brandish it.

Nalin nodded swiftly and hurried to Volker's side, grabbing his hand before he could think, setting a brisk pace to get out of the ladies sight, looking for signs that said Medical Wing or A door that said Faith's name on it. Trying to be careful about running into anyone.

Lavender rushed after them both, a slight look of envy could be seen on her face, her eyes on the connection between the two men.

[Volker]

Date

Volker really didn't like the way the woman was being so uncooperative. He was eyeballing her, wondering exactly how hard it would be to yank her fingernails off, when Nalin rushed up and explained what they needed. Despite the language barrier, Nalin was much better at explaining himself than Volker was. It was clear to see that the secretary and Volker didn't like one another in the slightest. Volker bared his teeth slightly at her to show his displeasure. He growled at her outright when she labeled him 'creepy'. He wasn't creepy. Not to himself anyway. Not to Nalin, and he didn't need her putting those thoughts in his head.

It was fair to say he was completely shocked when Nalin grabbed his hand. At the fact that Nalin would do such a thing and do it without any regard for his own safety. He remembered the way Amaris looked at him and he didn't think someone could pay her to touch him like that. He stared at Nalin for a moment, not thinking to stop or resist the pull. He was just...surprised. It wasn't often someone caught him off guard like this. He squeezed Nalin's hand a little and slowed his pace to get Nalin to slow down. "There is no point running." he told him. "You are weak and I do not know how far I would have to carry you if you collapsed."

Volker wasn't quite sure what to do about the hand thing. No one had disarmed him like that before. The last person to grab him willingly was his own father and even then, that had been on the upper arm and had left bruises. He wasn't even sure how to properly hold Nalin's hand, and ended up stiffly grabbing his palm like he was about to haul him somewhere. He continued the walk down the hallway slowly, trying to enjoy it.

Oor, meanwhile, had stepped back to appear next to Lavender. 'I wouldn't feel threatened, your brother's going to run for the hills when he starts biting. I've tried to teach him what normal-people affection looks like. Never worked.'he told her. 'Just enjoy the awkward cuteness for what it is and be there for your brother when he shows up with bite marks. If that makes any sense.'

[Faith Augustin]

Faith was in her office, waiting for her husband. He was working late and she had things she needed to be getting on with. She was standing, in an office with the words "Professor Faith Augustin" on the door, looking at the wall. It might be a strange thing for some people to do but the wall was covered in maps and she had pinned a clear overlay atop one on which she had marked the prevalence of a particular disease across Scalvoris. There was a pattern, she was sure of it. She just wasn't clear what it was, yet. It would come to her, that common denominator. Sometimes, standing and staring at the wall helped, other times, less so.

To-trial, it was not.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Faith breathed in and sighed slightly. Not to-trial. She had looked at this for she did not know how long and it was not getting her anywhere. So, she tidied up in the room, put her books back on the shelves and then was in the process of unpinning the overlay when she heard a noise out in the corridor. "Padraig?" Faith called but she knew it was not her husband. Thanks to the various means they both had of knowing information about each other, she knew that it wasn't him. It delighted her to know that he still got that sensation of anticipation as he walked towards her office, but right now he was perplexed. Him and her both, she thought with a smile. So, it was probably just someone else working late.

But no, that was not the sound of someone working or ... what was that?

Faith turned and opened her door. She was rather surprised at who she saw out there and she frowned in surprise. "Come in, sit down." There were three of them, two males and a female. One of the males she recognised. The rude man from the council meeting just a few trials ago. Hm. She hadn't met the others, yet judging by the look of them, they were related. "Sit down, there you go." The man from the council meeting looked as healthy as he had then, so she mostly ignored him in terms of her gaze, once she had ascertained that. The other two, though, both looked frail and unwell. "My name is Faith, I'm one of the professors here." She would usher both Nalin and Lavendar to a chair, and gesture for Volker to take one too. "What seems to be the problem? Are you looking for someone particular?"

The woman who introduced herself as Faith was short and had a very slender build. There was another woman in the room with her, a tall biqaj woman who stood and watched, not helping but not getting in the way either. Faith had a few noticeable things about her. Namely, she had tattoos on both wrists, identical intricate patterns, and same pattern around her throat. Her nails, too were unusual and did not fit in with her style of dress. She was itching to get to have a look at what was wrong with these people, but they were all lucide and, as such, she would not do so without consent.

Off Topic

Just to clarify, because of a specific thing, Volker's Harvester can't see Faith, hear her etc. She's completely invisible to it. Thanks!

[Nalin Marit]

Nalin Marit
10th of Ashan of the 718th Arc

[/b][/googlefont]

"Common" "Common Sign" "Scalveen"

Nalin blushed in realization as Volker took the lead and slowed him down. He'd been in such a hurry to make sure that Volker didn't just outright start a fight that he didn't think of the implications of grabbing his hand or anything. But to be honest, Volker was correct in his thinking. Nalin was starting to feel weak again already. He could feel the spread of the disease almost as surely as he could feel his heartbeat.

Lavender did not look amused at Oor's idea of 'Pleasant Conversation'. She looked over her brother, than Volker, then her brother again and very visibly sighed. She looked to Oor, pointed to the boys, pointed to her fake smile on her lips and then made a motion that looked like she was gagging. She then let her hands drop as she saw a door open in front of them.

Nalin was actually quite glad when a door opened. Though the actions of the lady caused him to let go of Volker's hand inadvertently. He couldn't really think about it though because of the name that spilled out of the woman's mouth. Before he could say anything though he was forced into a seat next to his sister. Lavender looked happy about that but did nothing more than smile.

Nalin spoke up after being asked the question. "Look for you Faith. What luck. Xiur grace us with hope yet." He smiled brightly. But his breathing, though quiet, was definitely labored, and he looked like he was starting to sweat profusely again. "Lavender" he pointed to his sister, "Nalin." He pointed to himself, and then looked to Volker. "Volker help us find you. Very grateful." He nodded to Volker with a bright smile before looking back to the apparent professor.

"Told... come find you. Lavender.... help her." He stopped right there but flinched as Lavender smacked his arm. He pulled it to him and grabbed it with a chuckle. "And... me. We.. no have lot nels.. But can give all we have if have to..." He looked to Lavender, she was still frowning, crossing her arms.

Faith would probably notice two things off the bat. Lavender, hadn't made a single sound, and Nalin's Common was... quite off, like it was a second language, or better yet, like a child still learning it's first language.

Nalin looked to Faith and took a deep, slow breath as if working through some pain. "Lavender... Mute since birth.. Want to see.. if Faith can help... As for... me." He cleared his throat. "Illness... Called Ink Bloom." He flinched just then, he was having a harder time now hiding the pain, he gripped the arms of the chair. Lavender looking at him with worry, but he waved her off. His eyes falling to his lap before looking back to Faith, the pain evident in his eyes even if he was trying to smile through it. "Heard of before?"

[Volker]

Date

Volker instantly recognized the woman from the council who had shouted at him. He hadn't made a good first impression with her at all, and he eyed her suspiciously. He didn't like that the door opening had made Nalin let go of his hand. He'd been enjoying the small bit of contact, and he'd wanted it to last longer. Instead he let Nalin sit and stood behind him. He didn't feel comfortable sitting in front of the doctor. He wanted to keep his footing. It was a sign of how uncomfortable he was in front of Faith; he didn't take his eyes off of her. It wasn't the same way he looked at Nalin. It was downright predatory.

"This man needs help. He has a severe infection on his chest and he is weak. He has been coughing, and unable to stand. I had to carry him to a room." Volker told Faith. "His illness is severe. He also has an injured shoulder he has been treating with snow compresses. This one seems strong, she just has no voice." He spoke of Lavender dismissively; the bigger issue here was Nalin.

"You will help him. They have little money, but you do not need such things. You are a councilwoman and a doctor in high regard. Your office is more expensive than most citizens see in a month." Volker told Faith. He put his hand on Nalin's shoulder and squeezed slightly. He was worried. He liked Nalin. He couldn't have him leaving now. "Whatever you need that you cannot find, I will find for you." he told Faith. That was hard for him to do; he was normally no one's errand boy. But he would do it for Nalin.

'Jeez when you have crushes you have them bad.' Oor muttered. 'Who are you talking to anyway?'
Volker looked at Faith.
"You cannot see her?" he said softly.
'I don't know what the fuck you're talking about. I assume there's someone standing there but hell if I know who you're talking at.'

[Faith Augustin]

The patient, Nalin, and his sister Lavendar sat, and the man stood behind Nalin. Faith was listening to the young man speak, watching him carefully and diagnosing with her eyes, watching his breathing and his pulse, considering his words. The man looming behind him was offputting but he was trying to be so and so Faith ignored him.

Until he spoke. Then, Faith looked up at him and her silver eyes were unwavering. She had not raised her voice to him in the Council chambers, she did not do so now. "Do not presume to understand who I am, and do not give me orders. Your words have no power here, none at all. There is nothing I need from you, I assure you." His nonsense about the office was just that, it wasn't hers it belonged to the university and the position on the Council was a voluntary, non-paid one. The man liked to make demands based in ignorance and it wound Faith right up. "Be polite, or leave. You are distracting me from my patients. One more demand, order or aggressive action and my companion here," she motioned to the Biqaj woman who was watching him, very carefully indeed, her hand resting lightly on her weapons, "will be escorting you out. Now, fetch me the text on rare diseases on the shelves. Fourth shelf from the floor, twenty third book from the left. Author is Sioned Darksbane."

Faith turned her attention back to Nalin and she nodded. "If I can help you, both of you, I will. Let's have a look, shall we?" Assuming that Volker complied, and made no aggressive moves, then Faith would go about a careful and thorough examination of Nalin and then Lavender. If Volker did not comply, however, Alissa would step forward and would very much be taking command of the situation, including raising the alarm if necessary. She seemed... twitchy, in fairness and not at all prone to letting Volker anywhere near Faith.

"Ink Bloom? I have seen it mentioned, in that book, but I have not read it fully." Faith was pulling together some herbs and so on. "I'm going to treat your symptoms, Nalin, but I think they are part of something bigger. This Ink Bloom possibly. So, we need to get looking there." She turned to Lavender and smiled. "I'll do everything I can for your brother and you, I promise."

Off Topic

Since the situation is so tense, I didn't want to take it any further. Hope that's ok - but very much what happens next depends on how Volker reacts. The NPC is Alissa, she's in my CS xx

[Nalin Marit]

Nalin Marit
10th of Ashan of the 718th Arc

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"Common" "Common Sign" "Scalveen"

Nalin was flushed now, and not for the reason Faith was probably thinking. He put his hand on Volker's hand, the one on his shoulder and gripped it. Shaking his head, and putting a hand out to the guard. "Please.. No... fight. Here to ask help of professional.. every right to be paid." Nalin said weakly, looking up to Volker.

"Please.. Do as told." His blue eyes were icey now, not in anger or anything, they just seemed to be dying slowly, like he was likely to pass out again if there was too much excitement. "Politeness.. when asking for something...key.Just like said.. No more demands. Only request... Can't force her to do anything." He smiled up at Volker and patted his hand softly before looking to Faith again. "Just.. let me... talk all through.."

He could tell that she was already trying to assess him, which he could only take as a good sign. It bolstered him that Faith seemed to be raring to go and was even looking at his sister. Closing his eyes for a moment he seemed to start to breath easier. "Symptoms.. part of Ink Bloom... no question.. But.. getting progress worse. Cylus 3rd... first time..pass out, middle of work.. over heat." He leaned forward and shrugged off his jacket which had just been laid across his shoulders.

He then slowly, and with quite a bit of effort on his part, took his shirt of. There was a sort of practice to it that might raise some question in some minds but Nalin just slowly eased off his shirt. Lavender suddenly stood up with eyes wide when she saw, she was startled. Volker might even be able to tell why. The Bloom had grown, considerably in the time of the last trial.

His shoulder which had been like the rest of his pale skin was now grey and flaking and the black bud at his heart, which had just been maybe the size of Nalin's palm, was now larger than his hand, and more splotchy across the skin. Some parts seemed far worse than others. The skin incredibly dehydrated even with the rest of his body sweating profusely. Nalin blinked and looked up at Lavender confused for a moment and then froze, looking down at his shoulder and chest. He blinked once before looking to Faith, moving slightly in his chair, and bending over to right the chair that Lavender had knocked over from her getting up so suddenly.

Lavender, grabbed Nalin's arm with both her hands, he could feel her shaking, and if he looked up he knew what he would find. The words that came next were coarse, and tired. "Just like first time little flower.." He slowly looked up at her, moving her hands from his arms and putting his own hand on her cheek before helping her to sit back down in the chair, "Need you smile." But the tears on her face wouldn't stop. She shook her head no vigorously and grabbed his arm and hand again, pressing her cheek into his hand.

After a moment, Nalin looked to Faith. "I... Sorry.. looks like... find why it's been worse." His smile to her was weak, like he was trying to keep himself together with threads. It was obvious he was shaken, and it was obvious he hated seeing his sister like this, but there was nothing he could do for it, and he knew it. Not this time.

[Volker]

Date

Volker calmed down when Nalin put his hand on his shoulder. Not many people would be so brave, but it calmed him considerably. Especially given that Faith had already agreed to help. Had she refused he might have done something stupid.
'One day I will beat social norms into you.' Oor muttered. 'I cant hear her but that other woman just tensed up. Threatening is like handshaking to you people. Hasn't anyone owned dogs before?' Volker shook his head shortly and violently. He growled at the Biqaj woman, but it was more of a customary reaction to her putting her hand on her weapons than anything else. He eyed the bodyguard, but moved to get the book at Nalin's behest. He bared his teeth a bit at the swordswoman to get his point across, and examined the bookshelves. This...was a mystery. He counted fourth up from the floor, and squatted to get a better look. Twenty-third book from the left.

'Shit, when was the last time we went over this.' Oor muttered. He'd been responsible for the majority of Volker's education. He'd been with Volker since the age of nine, and Volker's mother had barely taught him letters and numbers. The Harvester had tried his best, but it was difficult with a child who had lost both parents and was more concerned with where he would eat and sleep. Not to mention Volker had a bad habit of just ignoring things he didn't like...like alphabet lessons. Somewhere in Volker's twenties Oor had given up entirely.

Volker squinted at the titles. Oor sighed and put his hand on the book. 'This one.' he told him, for once without any mockery. It wasn't Volker's fault. He wasn't a stupid man, he'd just had his education left to a creature who hadn't the slightest clue how to raise a child let alone educate one. Volker picked out the book, stood up, and set it on Faith's desk.

When he glanced back at Nalin he froze. It had gotten so much worse in a shocking amount of time. Had he known he would have carried Nalin to Faith and waited at her door, and damn giving him rest. He went to Nalin and butted his head gently against the other man's, trying to provide support in the only way he knew how. His form of affection might have been strange, but it was the only thing that made sense to him.

[Faith Augustin]

"It's alright, Alissa," Faith said, quietly. The biqaj woman had stepped forward at Volker's growl, ready to get him out of here. Faith, however, simply looked up from what she was doing, smiled at the biqaj and then turned to Volker. "The next time you growl, or snarl or bare your teeth, threaten in any way whatsoever, Alissa is going to escort you out. While I am explaining that to you, I am not helping either of these people. If you can not or will not accept those terms, I suggest you leave now as it will be the most expedient in terms of letting me get on with helping." Faith took the book, then, from her desk. "Thank you for fetching the book," she said. Her focus, obviously, was entirely on Nalin and Lavender and she resented the foolish behaviour of the man who was distracting from that, even for a moment.

Putting the book next to her, for a moment she ignored it, and she spoke to the two of them. "I understand that this is very frightening, but I'm hopeful that I can help you. So, this is what I'd like to do, Nailin. There is a place called the Order of the Adunih. It provides free medical care, there will be no cost to you. I work there, as a volunteer." She glanced, then, at Volker. "In the same way that I volunteer on the Council." His assumption that she had a lot of money because of her Council role had been something which she had encountered a lot. She didn't like it as an assumption, so she pointed that out. "I would like you to stay there for a few trials. If you would, it's up to you. I would like it if you both would let me have a look and see what we can do?" She looked to Lavender then and smiled. "I could put you both in one room and see if I can be any help to either of you."

Thinking about it, Faith considered what questions they might have and tried to answer them before they asked. "It would be for.. maybe five trials. You would be allowed visitors, but you must be clear," she said to Volker. "If you speak to the staff there in demands, if you snarl or growl, then the guard will be called and you will be arrested. We are helping people and there is a no tolerance policy to threats. If you can not control your behaviour, it is better that you do not visit as arresting you would only upset them." Faith's gaze was unwavering and she spoke in a soft tone, yet she was very assured. "So, Nalin and Lavender, what do you think? Will you let me try and help you?"

Off Topic

We have agreed a date change to the 10th Ashan.
Also - if you agree, we can take it to the order in your next post if you want?

[Nalin Marit]

Nalin Marit
10th of Ashan of the 718th Arc

[/b][/googlefont]

"Common" "Common Sign" "Scalveen"

He really hated how tense everyone seemed to be. Either because of his illness or Volker's actions. He didn't care which, the air in the room was actually quite uncomfortable for the man. He leaned his head a bit into Volker's and took the man's left hand with his left hand. Taking a slow deep breath as he listened to what Faith had to say.

He suddenly turned to her though when she mentioned how long. "Only 5? I understood Faith great healer but... 5 trials for a ... presumed incurable... deadly disease?" The disbelief was obvious in his eyes. A frown on his face. That was when she felt his sister's hands slide off of his arm, causing him to turn to her.

"Please translate what I'm about to say, exactly what I say to her."

Nalin looked at her, then her hands then her's again. "I can... try best. Common still not greatest." He watched as his sister just smiled at him and nodded slowly before looking Faith directly in the eye. She knew that her brother would be watching, and be able to see the signs from where he was very easily. She went slow, steady, as if her hands were articulating everything so that Nalin could have a chance to translate everything to her. As Lavender moved her hands, Nalin spoke.

"She says, I no care how long takes. My brother life on line. I can live without voice, he no can live with Ink Bloom tearing apart him." Nalin was starting to slowly choke on his words the further his sister went, but he pushed through. "Take us where needed, ask what help you learn what needed. Help brother sleep better, breath better, not feel pain of burning. Skin may stay black, but if healed, I be more than grateful. I want you focus on Nalin, my voice able wait."

Nalin suddenly moved his hand over hers. Enough, that's what it meant. He shook his head and took a slow, deep breath, collecting himself. He breathed out and choked out some soft laughter before looking to Faith. "Well.... that what Lavender said. Let's...just start with getting there." He pulled his hands from both Volker and Lavender and started to put his coat and jacket back on the way it had been on. The jacket just barely hanging off of his shoulders. Now that he was aware of why he was in so much pain, well at least part of the reason for it, he seemed to be a little more at ease.

A break or four later

As soon as they had been assigned a room together and had made it to the room, Nalin had unfortunately passed out with another black out. All of the effort and all of the pain from the past few trials finally piling up on his worn out system. It was obvious that he had a lack of sleep on top of everything else.

He woke up from passing out on one of the beds. He looked around breathing heavy as a hand slowly went to his head. He assumed that Volker had helped by putting him into the bed. He looked around assessing who was in the room before asking. "How long been out?" His voice more of a groan of pain than anything. From his state of undress, he assumed that Faith might have actually gone ahead to check some things out, that and they probably needed to get him out of his sweaty clothing.