[Eastern Sea] Pins & Needles

[Yeva]

72 Zi'da 719

The beach was empty and dark as they laid anchor and rowed small boats towards the shore, the main vessel bobbing in the choppy water. Scooting closer to the Avriel beside her, Yeva shivered beneath her Order cloak, eager for a fire.

"It's harder to sail in Zi'da," Azrael whispered, wrapping his wings around her shoulders and pressing his forehead against the top of her red hair, "Harder to see land. Easier to crash."

Of this, Yeva had no doubt. The men who had given them passage had dropped anchor farther out, unable to gauge a safe distance from the cliffs without proper light and now had to push their rowboat further before jumping it. Snow had begun to flurry the air, Yeva was terrified at the idea of falling in, "Isn't the water dangerous?"

They answered her without pause, "Aye."

Open, dark, freezing. She shivered again, "Won't it hurt?"

"Aye."

She looked at Azrael, who shrugged against her, "These men know what they're doing," he reassured, stroking her hair, "Let them be."

The medic wasn't so sure. If that was the case, she would still be tucked in her cot, dozing off with her journal laid across her chest and her quill fallen to the floor, dripping ink. Instead she was here, as a member of a healing faction, with the intent of helping a woman who had become injured while scouring the patch of land and its surrounding water for food. And those were usually harmless!

"What about sharks?" she whispered, unable to stop her fretting.

One of the sailors, having overheard her, looked over his shoulder while powerful arms pumping the oars beneath the dim glow of the hanging lantern, "There are much worse things than sharks in these waters."

"Leviathan," a second added, puffing on a pipe that stayed pinched between chapped lips. She remembered his name as Jones, a short man in his forties with a voice lined in gritted sand. The singular word felt absolute among the group, consumed by the lingering shadows and lingering on the waves. She couldn't help but ask:

"What's a levia-"

Azrael cut in, "I think we should stay focused," the last thing he needed was Yeva to begin fearing open water. There were reasons to be cautious, but superstitions and sailor tales would not help her in the upcoming job, "It won't be long. Yeva, do you have what you need?"

lores

Seafaring
The Challenge of Zi'da Darkness While Sailing

Swimming
The Dangers of Cold Water Shock
Watch Out for Leviathans

[Yeva]

72 Zi'da 720

Yeva frowned, straightening to pat her medical kit slung faithfully across her chest, where it sat weighted in her lap, "Yes." Her curiosity begged her to know more, to ask more. Leviathans? Were they as they sounded? The small boat rocked against the waves, the sound of cold breath and tense shuffling and the occasional cough breaking the silence that settled over the group. Her mind wandered and she caught herself glancing at the water in reluctance. Images of great beasts with sharp scales danced in her mind; Flippers larger than the boats of men, a throat that could swallow buildings whole, and teeth... what kind of teeth would they have? Rows upon rows of sharp monstrosities capable of tearing sharks to ribbons!

Yeva gasped when something warm touched her hand, and looking down, she saw Azrael's hand encasing her own. His claws - talons - curled gingerly around her soft flesh,"We're almost there," his thumb ran along hers, "We'll lift the woman to the boat and go back to the ship."

She nodded in silence.

Azrael frowned, "Why are you scared?"

"Yeva don't know," she admitted, trying to speak in Lorien. Azrael may not have been the most dotting man on Idalos, but he was observant. He knew her moods well and could tell when something was wrong. The sailors were such hardy men, salt-worn, nearly carved from the seaside cliffs, that admitting weakness before them made her heart patter in anxious shame, "Yeva no swim."

"I," he corrected, watching her face.

"What?"

"I can't swim."

She scoffed, "Azrael!"

He relented, eyes like flashing silver coins in the dim light, "You will be fine. I can fly. You are safe. Now, make others safe," while he spoke with easy fluency, Yeva struggled with piecing together the message, he pointed, and sure enough, past the men rowing was a dark figure hobbling along the shore and into the water. Had it not been for the dying fire flickering in the sand, she would have missed the silhouette entirely.

[Yeva]

72 Zi'da 719

Yeva wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but it hadn't been this. A woman, with hair the color of tar, swam and rose from the water like a siren in the night. Her skin shown silver in the moonlight, and her ears were long and pointed, even for a biqaj, "Help me up, ya bastards!" she grunted, droplets sloshing from her clothes and squelching as she was brought into the tiny vessel.

"Are you okay?" Yeva sat forward, pulling away from Azrael's warmth to look over the woman, who by first glance, appeared in proper health. It wasn't until her legs joined her and the biqaj' feet were laid out that the red haired medic saw the damage. Barbed spikes protruded from swollen flesh that puckered at the points of impact.

Oh, gods!

"You were still swimming?" With this injury? Every kick of that foot must have been agony, "We could have rowed closer." Honey brown eyes searched the other men for confirmation, but it was too late. The damage was done.

"Of course I was! Better than walking in the dry sand," the biqaj woman snorted, pushing back her wet locks to reveal a face decorated with metal. In the soft glow of the lantern, Yeva saw that she was beautiful in a devastating way, with pierced brows, cheeks, lips, and nose. She had adorned what she could, sometimes in multiple ways, "I like a bit of pain," she seemed to have taken notice to Azrael who watched from a cool distance. The Biqaj woman curved into a smile, returning her attention to Yeva, "This time it's the poison that's got me worried. Sometimes an urchin's harmless, sometimes it can be toxic. In the dark, I couldn't tell."

"Sea urchin?"

Yeva looked over her shoulder at Azrael, more contemplative than seeking.

He glanced at the woman once, "Some are dangerous; the spines burrow into your skin and secrete a poison."

"Look at you," the woman cooed, chin upturning as she smiled through her pain, "Quite the water bird, eh?" then, to Yeva, "You don't think I could get an air lift to the main ship? It's awfully hard to stretch out on this tiny rowboat."

"That's a good idea," Yeva admitted, turning to Azrael who looked far from pleased. He wasn't a courier service, "Do you think you could lift her. With the waves, it would be faster, and she wouldn't have to climb the rope."

"Yeva..."

"Please? This is medically necessary, Az," she added that he could fetch her after; it would only take a little bit of his time, "We need to get her foot treated as quick as possible, we shouldn't risk it." She didn't voice it, but there were concerns about if the toxins spread and destroyed muscle tissue in her foot. Her knowledge of sea life was limited, but that meant more reason to act quickly.


"Yeah, Az, pleeeease? I'm sure those strong wings of yours can carry a little girl me."

The other sailors on the boat snorted, muttering in Rakahi. Whatever they said made the woman shoot them a glare.

"He can carry you," Yeva decided, clapping her hands together, "Get her to my cabin, I'll meet you both there. Oh, and she should get into some dry clothes. It's the middle of Zi'da after all."

► Show Spoiler

Poison
The Spines of a Sea Urchin Secrete a Toxin

[Yeva]

72 Zi'da 719

It took some arguing in Lorien, but eventually the Avriel agreed, huffing as he snatched up the flirtatious Biqaj woman and took to the skies. If his abrupt departure hurt her, she kept it well hidden, although Yeva shouted at him to be careful even as he swooped towards the main ship and his moonlight shadow melted into the darkened waves, "He'll be fine," she grumbled, smiling awkwardly as she settled back in her seat and shook from the cold. Azrael had also taken the warmth of his wings with him and her teeth chattered among the men speaking Rakahi.

"Here," one of the men said, scooting from his spot to pass her a dark canteen. The rowboat wobbled under his weight, but he stood with easy balance, watching as Yeva slowly loosened the bag, "That'll warm you up."

"T-thanks," she looked down and the smell wafted to the air; familiar, alcoholic. Yeva couldn't tell without seeing its coloring but it brought back memories of drinking with Darius and Balthazar, so she knew it must have been strong, "I..." she shuddered, relenting, "I suppose one drink wouldn't hurt."

He smiled and Yeva poured a bit into her mouth, a small dribble trailing down her chin, and she squealed when she passed it back. It was thick. Oh gods, "What is that?" she coughed, ready to gag as a fire was ignited in her belly.

The sailor shook his head, "Yari drink. Best if you didn't know. Strong, innit?" He took a swing as if it were sweet as honey, licking his lips, "First time I drank it, I threw up all over the floor."

Yeva looked horrified, sarcasm dripping from her lips, "Charming." Thank the fates, they were nearly pulling up to the main ship. Lanterns patrolled the deck and a face popped over the railing to look at the group.

"They're baaack," a man roared, just as a rope bridge lowered.

"Ladies, first," the sailor said, "We'll finish up here."

Nodding, she took the rope and began to climb.

[Yeva]

72 Zi'da 719

Azrael had taken the woman to her quarters, where Yeva hurried the moment her feet touched the deck. She was relieved to be back on the larger vessel and ignored a few whistles from working sailors as she made her way down into the ship's belly. Standing outside it, red faced in fury, he looked up at her approach, silver eyes flashing, "We need to talk."

"What is it?"

"Her!" he snatched at Yeva's arm, yanking her closer, face inches apart as he fumed, "Don't you ever make decisions for me again."

"Az-"

"No! You had no right!" he shook her, and when she tried to pry away from his grip, he seemed to regain some control. He let go, but his wings were open, blocking her. Yeva looked at him in fear, searching for the right apology but he shook his hair, grumbling, "She's in there; I got her some of your clothes... Don't... Don't leave me with her again."

What could the woman have done to have gotten such a response from him? "I'm sorry, I didn't know. I just... I was just thinking of her foot. I-"

"Just go..." he muttered, taking her arm again, but this time to rub away his aggression. He sounded tired, frustrated, "I'll join you after."

Yeva tried to search his face and grabbed at his shirt when he went to step back, "Wi..." she realized the way her question would sound and felt her embarrassment rise. She wanted to talk to him, calmly, when they could, "Will you be coming to bed?"

Azrael had turned away, but looked over his shoulder, past his wings to pin the woman in place, "...Is that what you want?"

"Well..." she blushed, opening her door, "Yes." She had gotten used to having someone sleeping beside her, and his wings kept her so much warmer than the scratchy blanket. It felt awkward to admit, after previously the mere suggestion would have sounded too intimate to suggest.

When Yeva slipped into her bedroom, she saw the brunette smiling, and how the grin faltered when she saw the medic, "Ah. It's you."

Huh? "That's a problem?"

"I was hoping your friend was coming back," she stared hungrily at the door, pulling back the sheet that was draped over her leg to better reveal the injury. She sighed, "I suppose we better tend to this first. Can't hunt an Avriel in poor health."

Yeva furrowed her brow, tugging her medical kit from under the bed and opening it up. She began sterilize her hands with alcohol and found a pair of tweezers, some cotton rags, a bandage, and scalpel, "Hunt?" Her concern rose, "What are you talking about? You're going to hurt him?"

"On the contrary," she said, grinning, "I want him to hurt me."

[Yeva]

72 Zi'da 719

'Sorry to disappoint.'

Yeva made her way over to the cot and began to tie back her hair, observing the puckered skin and inflamed affected area. While the spines themselves looked mostly superficial, there didn't seem to be a rotting smell coming from the wound, nor did it appear a toxin was beginning to kill the surrounding tissue, "We'll have to keep an eye on this," she muttered, turning to grab a bottle of liquid and a set of tweezers from her bag, "These appear mostly superficial. I'll remove the spines, and then I'll wrap the foot in a vinegar bandage."

"What are you talking about?" the biqaj protested, trying to sit up, "How in U'frek's name is vinegar going to help?"

Yeva furrowed her brow, unused to patients challenging her, "Well, the acid should dissolve any of the cursory spines once I've removed the others." After a bit more convincing, the medic began to clean the wound with fresh water to rid the surface of blood and sand grit, taking her time to remove the needle points while whispering soothing words of comfort. It didn't seem to help; the woman cursing with each barb plucked free and dropped on a cotton rag, "I'm sorry, I'm almost done."

Treating the woman was more difficult than she imagined, the biqaj threatening to kick, causing Yeva to take frequent stops. How she wanted an Avriel to 'hurt' her was beyond understanding, "Last one," the redhead exhaled, wiggling the tweezers and pinching at some of the swollen area to cut it away, the last barb just out of reach, "Try to breathe, alright?"

Switching to her scalpel, Yeva felt the woman tensing beneath her and without thinking, barked for her to stay still, grabbing her ankle to force it in place while she cut a tiny incision along the base of the urchin spine, fully focused ad she dropped the blade and grabbed the tweezers, fighting while the woman shouted and whined, a mix of guilt and determination keeping Yeva's hand steady, "Got it!"

She held the little barb up triumphantly, met with glared daggers and heavy breathing. Yeva gathered the others and began to wrap them up and prepare the bandage, "Looks like now you can go hunting," Yeva came back with a saturated bandage, "Although, if I were you, I'd wait.... hm, five to seven trials?"

[Doran]

Yeva:

Knowledge:
Surgery
Restrain Patients for Safety & Surgical Efficiency
How to Remove Painful Barbs From Skin
Using a Scalpel

Swimming
The Dangers of Cold Water Shock
Watch Out for Leviathans

Seafaring
The Challenge of Zi'da Darkness While Sailing

Loot: -
Lost: -
Wealth: -
Injuries: -
Renown: +5 treating an injured woman
Magic XP: -
Skill Review: Appropriate to level.
Points: 10

- - -

Comments: Yeva is such a brave woman even if she might think otherwise. She is worried about the leviathan, and she can’t swim, but she does her job anyway.

I like the interaction between Azrael and her and how he was there for her and reassured her.

The biqaj woman that they had come to help was quite a character. When she called them bastards and claimed that she liked a bit of pain, I was quite amused. And when Azrael told Yeva not to leave her alone with that woman again … oh my …

She was quite a difficult patient, so I’m impressed by how patient and professional Yeva was.

This was a very entertaining thread.

Enjoy your rewards!

P.S.: I might have added “Resistance” to the list of skills used as Yeva drank that Yari drink and was affected by it.