Closed Taking Precautions (Leila)

[Tallis]

4th Day of Summer, 513AV Tallis had injured himself earlier in the day practicing his Auristics. He should’ve taken precautions, but a mixture of over-confidence and lack of foresight had resulted in a rather large cut. He had tried navigating using only his meager skills in the magical craft and had completely overlooked a dead branch protruding into his path. The branch had managed to scrape against his forearm, leaving a shallow but long cut. Of course, for anyone that asked, the story would be that he missed his footing and ended up tripping and cutting himself. No magic involved there. Although it was a little late for precautions now, Tallis decided that it was best if he had a professional (or at least someone more informed than he was) take a look at the wound. When the plague was at its strongest, people had suffered for smaller injuries. In his imagination, the wound could get infected and end up festering and rotting, resulting in the loss of his left arm. Tallis shuddered at the very thought. No matter what the costs, Tallis needed to make sure his arm ended up attached to him and in working condition. And he had just the place in mind. Having conveniently opened three days ago and being located on the affluent West Street was a humble looking shop called “Leila’s Soothing Salves and Clinic”. Leila’s clinic was a welcome addition and Tallis rather enjoyed the simple, earthen look to the store when compared to the gaudy and extravagant stores like “The Boot Boutiqe” and “The Elegant Lady’s Hosiery”. Leila’s store was practical and unpretentious and from what Tallis could recall, the owner seemed to reflect those qualities as well. Having to reveal weakness in front of a lady was always something that Tallis hoped he wouldn’t have to do. All ladies excluding his mother that was. But he needed his arm and he needed the help and so, mustering his courage, Tallis opened the door to the shop and entered.

[Leila]

"Come on Leila, twenty golds is plenty fair for this." Leila sighed, her hand resting firmly on the box sitting on the counter. "Thirty. You asked for the absolute best sailor's kit I could come up with, and this is what I made. You've got your dried barberries and bilberries, for when you thickheaded fools forget to eat your fruits and get scurvy. I even added in some concentrated juices of those, combined with lime juice as well for extreme emergency. I've got tea mixes in there, one made up of bitter leaf, montbresia, cayenne pepper, chamomile, and regular tea leaves. It won't be the tastiest brew, but it will treat any dysentery you may get. I've got salves for sunburn and sunstroke, jars of juice and herbs to stave off hunger for days, even a paste for boot root. It took me a long time to design this, to put it together, and it has a lot of expensive ingredients. If it weren't for the fact that you're associated with the Sailor's Guild, I'd be charging you fifty. I like you blockheads, but you gotta meet me halfway." The man laughed loudly, "I like the cut of your jib miss Leila. You would make a great sailor's wife one day. Thirty golds it is, and I'll take you out to dinner one day, maybe when I get back from our voyage to Syliras. Bunch of hoity toity knights out that way, and the woman are prudish. I've been around the world, but I'll take a fine Zeltivan lass like yourself any day." He pulled out thirty golds and slapped them on the counter, "I think I'll make you my good luck lass for this journey miss Hughes." He grabbed his kit and left the shop, Leila depositing the coins in her little chest behind the counter. When she looked up, she saw another man had entered the shop, one who'd attended her grand opening. "Hello, I'm Leila, how can I he--- you're injured!" Leila moved around her counter to the main, gingerly raising his arm to eye level. The injury wasn't severe, but it probably hurt and needed cleaned, though not near as much as one might expect. "How'd you do this?"

[Tallis]

Tallis had managed to enter the store rather quietly as a burly and loud sailor was clearly negotiating something with Leila. He was slightly relieved to see someone else in the store before him, especially someone so distracting. With Leila occupied, he had a chance to compose himself and run over his story. It also gave him the chance to observe Leila at work. In his opinion, Leila actually looked better in her work clothes. Dresses and corsets were so impractical. Finally seeing Leila in her plain old work-clothes, she seemed much more capable. And from the way she was dealing with the sailor, she clearly knew her stuff. Tallis could tell that she was serious about her business. He was in good hands. As he watched the sailor make his way out, he felt a sudden fear. Thirty gold? He didn’t have that money! If she were to charge him even half that price right now… His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when Leila rushed to check his wound. In response to her sudden inquiry, Tallis managed to mutter a hushed, “Uhm… well… you see…” Tallis had been caught off-guard when Leila had rushed around the counter to check his wound. She looked concerned. Tallis felt concerned. Still, the young man managed a sheepish smile. Oh gosh, what if this is serious? Just.. just stick to the story, you fool. Giving Leila the most honest look he could muster, Tallis began reciting the story as he had rehearsed it in his mind. “I was up in the forests behind the Storm Shrine. I felt like looking around, you know? Nice weather and all,” Tallis wasn’t very good at lying, even if it was just withholding information, he hoped that Leila would buy the story, “I’m terribly clumsy. I managed to trip and scrape my arm against a stupid branch. Is it… does it look bad?” He couldn’t judge how concerned Leila was from her expression. Perhaps it was her measure as a professional that she managed to keep herself from showing her patients her concern. Tallis just hoped his arm would be fine. It really wasn’t hurting that much as long as he didn’t move it, and the bleeding had slowed a bit in his opinion. That is a good sign, right?