Closed Of Mice and Medicine

[Kol]

70th of Spring, 514 A.V.
Medicine House

Kol and Dalia walked side by side, the resemblance between the two siblings not quite as noticeable as his others. Dalia was shorter, thinner, softer looking. Her face was round, and she had a less severe gaze then her siblings. Even her eyes were a brighter green, with less brown than the others. Her youth was noticeable as well. She was nearly 10 years younger than the man next to her. Kol tugged at the braid holding her hair together.

"Here." Kol held out his arm to let her know she should stop moving. He nodded, eyeing the medicine house. They stood in front of the structure, and his interest peaked. He glanced at his sister to see her reaction. Dalia was smiling.

"Why are we here?"

Kol raised an eyebrow. Was she not pleased? He could remember her confiding her interest in the medicinal arts. Kol remembered most things his sisters told him, "No?"

The female patted her brother's shoulder and went to slip inside. Kol stood outside for a moment, flashes of Tazi briefly flickering in his mind. That had been some time ago. He wondered if she would still be around. If she would have his shirt. He smirked, and soon followed in suit, pushing himself into the stilted structure. He nodded at the bouncer and his eyes quickly did a scan over the main room, seeking a particular face.

Dressed in a black pants and shirt, Kol was in much better shape last time he had seen the healer. His feet were in dark boots and his hair was tied into a neat pony tail. The bruises that littered his skin were gone, and even the gash on his hand had sealed. It took some time and there was some faint scaring, but he was okay. Kol's hands were wrapped in bright red cloth that stood out against his dark clothing. He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. Dalia's eyes were wide, and she spoke up first, "Can we look around?"

Kol didn't see the woman who supposedly ran the place. He thought her name was Traya. She was fairly well known in Taloba and had even cured him of a fever when he was a boy. That had been a long time ago. The large male shrugged, following after his sister as she tentatively made her way around. She poked her head into one of the rooms and like a protective shadow, Kol was right behind her.
---
Myrian

[Tazi]

Tazi found herself staring off again. It had been like this since she rolled into Taloba that fateful day, the 40th of Spring. Traya and the other women had fussed over her, eager to try new ways of repairing her broken nose. They had come at her with all sorts of contraptions, from linens covered in flower and water to mold to her face to puzzled together twigs. They wanted her to snort powders, drink teas, and become their test subject. All she had done at the time was nod and stare off. It was after she had had her wounds cleaned and dressed that Traya sent the other nuisance healers away. The conversation had been straight forward, as nothing could get away from the old woman.

"It is dangerous, the way you look at the walls. You will make mistakes Tazi, if you do not focus."

"I am focused Traya."

All she had given was a knowing nod and quiet mmmhm. Ever since then, she tried to keep focused with her work. Having correctly identified the leaves she had collected at the basin as Xelma leaves, she was happy to begin making fresh tea for many of the old, aching bodies. Not that she did not notice the watchful eyes that Traya kept on her from a distance. It was when she was not working that she would find herself staring at a wall, wondering what he was doing.

Today was no different, although it was busy. Some kids had gotten carried away with their training at the Arena. Separating them had been difficult for the medicine women until Kiyal intervened and practically bashed their skulls in on one another. They had straightened up then. Tazi was working with the young boy in a separate room. He had a large gash across his forearm where she sneaky girl had pulled a knife on him. Tenderly she washed the wound. "Did you learn anything from losing?" Tazi asked absently as she stood up to go through the various cupboards of medicine. She pulled out a clear salve and another that had flecks of leaves in a green mixture.

"I did not lose," The child growled at her as she set the materials on a table near him. There were some clean linen strips there as well for the bandage, some needle and thread if she deemed it necessary. Popping the lid off the green mixture, she began to apply it into the wound where fresh blood had already begun to leak out again. "Losing is not bad if you learn from it."

He winced, but kept his mouth in a tight frown. She could see it, the disappointment in his eyes from losing. Inspecting her work, she then applied the clear salve, coating the entire injury. "What are you doing?" The child finally asked. Placing a strip sized specifically for his injury directly over the salve, she pressed lightly to ensure that it was secure. Then she started at his wrist with a long strip, wrapping it around tightly to hold, but loose enough to fit the tip of her pinky under for swelling.

"The green stuff will prevent any further bleeding. The clear stuff will prevent itching. In a day, you'll have to take the bandage off so the salves can dry up and proper healing can breath." Tazi said, again absently. Once she had tied the bandage off, she stood up. Dismissing the boy with a simple nod, she turned her back to the door as he went running past some peepers that had been looking in on them. She dipped her hands into the basin to clean off the sticky mixtures. When she turned around, Tazi found herself turn to stone. There, in the doorway, was her friend with another woman. A younger looking one. So maybe Mouse was not living under a rock like he thought.

"Hello again Mouse," She purred, drying her hands on the pillow white linens of her new pants.

-----
Myrian

[Kol]

The last time Kol had laid eyes on Tazi, he had his lips pressed against her skin. And now, here she was before him. He took in her new appearance. She looked... Different with clothes on. Not bad, but Kol knew what hid underneath. Her face had cleared up from all the bruising and scratches and he could see her cheekbones and complexion. Before she was appealing. Now she looked beautiful.

She was in her element.

"Kol?"

The Myrian male broke the eye contact with Tazi and looked down at his sister who stared up at him, eyebrow raised. He could practically read her thoughts. He could see it in her eyes. Mouse?, they said. He blinked slowly and Dalia turned to smile shyly at Tazi. The younger sister waved quickly, taking a step forward, "I'm Dalia. Do you know my brother?"

Kol spoke up first, "Yes. Tazi." He sidestepped, moving past the door frame and into the room. Kol pulled the collar of his shirt to the side, revealing a dark area where a scar had formed on his shoulder. The same spot they had packed the wound. Dalia's eyes widened in realization, her mouth making an 'oh' shape. She had heard the story. Her on conclusions were something she kept to herself. Their sister, Peia, had been much more demanding of details, sure there had been more than just getting attacked in the jungle. The part about losing his shirt didn't match up for her.

Dalia, on the other hand, was much more accepting. She opened her mouth to say something, but stopped when she noticed Kol smirking. Odd.

Kol took the opportunity, "You found pants." He let his eyes drop, and his sister blushed, unsure what that meant. She had some ideas. Maybe Peia had been right... Kol continued, "Dalia is here to learn about your craft. Is Traya here?" Kol had no issues with Tazi helping his sister, however, it appeared she had her hands full with the others. He made sure to make a mental note that they didn't have to chew up their own paste. Back in his day... things were different.
---
Myrian

[Tazi]

If there had been anyone that knew Tazi, they would have known that something was off with her. Kol had his sister to make assumptions, Tazi just had the gods. For the most part, she had come out unmarred by their first interaction. Upon closer inspection she had noticed a slight deviation in the bridge of her nose from all the poking and prodding the other women had done. Most of the punctures she had sustained from the rocky claws of the Yukmen had healed up rather nicely. The only scar that she had to show was the jagged cut on the palm of her hand where she had held her dagger haphazardly. The injury had not been clean like she would have preferred, and it was a constant reminder of the adventure. Tazi absently rubbed her shoulder with that palm, taking in the strange feeling of her scarred hand.

Before she could answer, Kol had stepped in to identify her to her sister. When she acknowledged her name to the injury she patched, she recognized that she must have been mentioned once or twice in storytelling. So far, Tazi had been able to keep Kol's name from leaving her lips again. "I do. I am Tazi of the Scattered Bones. It is a pleasure to meet you Dalia." Tazi offered politely to the young girl. Her eyes left Kol's for a moment to take in the girl.

At least it was a sibling and not some significant other. That would have been awkward. She knew so little about Kol in general, so to assume he was single was a very big stretch. Of course, she didn't care. He would be worth fighting over, right? As she walked closer to the pair, she laughed. "Yes. After I shredded the last pair, I figured I could not walk around Taloba completely naked all the time. I have a shirt for you too. You'll have to remind me to get it out of my pack later."

When she had closed the distance, she realized just how young the girl actually looked. Tazi, for once, was taller. Being on the shorter end for most Myrian women, it was kind of refreshing to be taller than someone. Even if that someone was a child. Sweeping passed them to stand in the doorway, she looked back and beckoned them to follow. "Traya is busy at the moment with one of our patrons. He always requests her for his acupuncture afternoons. I can give you a tour if you'd like."

-----
Myrian

[Kol]

Shredded pants.

So, Tazi had been topless as well as pants-less when her brother and the woman were out in the jungle. Kol had left out that little detail in his retelling of the story when he came home battered, weary, and shirtless. Dalia looked between her brother and the rather pretty woman, trying to see them together. Kol caught her eyeing the two and when his eyes caught hers she looked at the ground.

What are you thinking, Dalia? Kol narrowed his eyes suspiciously, addressing the medicine woman, "Very well."

Although she had adverted her eyes earlier, Dalia was smiling, a thought popping into her head. It would have made Peia proud, "I would love a tour. Thank you Tazi. How long have you worked here?"

Kol had already begun to head towards the door but pulled up short after hearing his sister speak. Much like him, Dalia was known for speaking very little, and to talk to a stranger so freely... Something was up.

"You will probably be seeing a lot of Kol." Dalia's heart beat was racing, and she took a deep breath, getting nervous from all the socialization, "Once he starts training this season."

Training?

Kol searched his mind to figure out what the girl was talking about, and quickly came to a conclusion. He had been planning to begin boxing within the next week or so. While he didn't mind that Tazi had this information, he doubted Dalia was supplying it for any purely innocent reason. She continued, "Bloody noses, busted lips, a black eye or two..." His sister shrugged, laughing awkwardly.

"Stop."

Kol stepped in front of his sister, motioning to Tazi. His sister was obviously trying but he could sense her increased discomfort, and decided to intervene before the girl continued with her plot. "Lead the way."
---
Myrian

[Tazi]

The bubbly attitude of his sister caught her slightly off guard as well. Even though she did not know that this was abnormal for the young girl, it was pleasant to know that not all his family were stoic like mice. "Well, I have worked here since the beginning of spring. I am not good at fighting, so medicine seems to be a much better calling for me." Tazi chuckled. Sure, that was how she worded it to make it seem like this had been her choice. She had sought out the medicine house, but only after her mother had sent her away. The clan would not welcome her back unless she was a reputable member of society. Or dead. Whichever came first.

When Dalia continued on about Kol's training schedule, Tazi found a slight color hinting her cheeks. It would be nice to see Mouse around the medicine house. Even if it were under common circumstances. Of course, before the young girl could continue on, Kol was silencing her. His gesture made Tazi want to strike him. Dalia was pleasant, but even Tazi did not sense the young woman's discomfort in conversation. Leading the way down the hall, she found herself stating sharply, "She's fine Mouse. At least she is most talkative than you."

Tazi swept down the hall unceremoniously, her pants billowing around her legs save the waist band and tight angle bands. Her firm midriff swayed onto of her hips like a sail. Bent on impressing, she moved down another hall lined with rooms. "We have a number of patrons, from the sick and ailing to those with money that come for relaxation. Although I participate in medicine, Traya is very good with acupuncture. Then we have massage artists and cooks that design the best meals for our patrons. So tell me, Dalia, what interests you about healing?"

-----
Myrian

[Kol]

WHAT?

Was he really being reprimanded right now? Kol blinked slowly, a look of disbelief flashing across his features. He stared at Tazi, his eyes darkening in a steady glare. Kol understood getting scolded. It happened. He was a male and grew up in a dominantly female household. But he had been trying to help his sister. Of course there was an interest in his own personal agenda, but for the most part he was thinking of his sibling.

Kol crossed his arms as they made their way down the hall, his sister's voice filled with a hesitant tone, "Oh, um, I think it's an under appreciated art in Taloba. There are so many things in the jungle that I think could help our people." Her face was growing redder by the moment, and Kol stepped in, although not for aid. Or, at least not to directly help. After all, Dalia's conversation was better than his silence.

Sauntering down the hall with his arm closed, he peeked in various doors, seemingly disinterested. Broad shoulders relaxed, he leaned against one of the door frames and looked Tazi directly in the face, "Who gives the massages?"

It was hard to tell what game Kol was playing, or if he was playing one at all. His face was completely stoic, minus the slight raise of his eyebrow as he waited for an answer. Dalia looked between the two, deciding on staying quiet for this one.

"How much are they?"
---
Myrian

[Tazi]

Tazi smiled to Dalia's words. She was right. Medicine was under appreciated in Taloba. If not for talented women and men to patch and mend, the Myrian race would mostly die out due to their blood thirsty ways. "You would be correct. The jungle offers many opportunities to heal and learn. It surely is an under appreciated art." Tazi purred. This girl was timid, and she was beginning to see the error in silencing Kol so quickly. Yet, she would not give him the satisfaction of being right. That simply would not do. "What do yo-"

Tazi was abruptly cut off by what seemed to be a disinterested man in their tour. He had gotten ahead of them a little as they meandered down the hall to something more exciting. Kol's words irked her a little bit, but in a very different when then she had anticipated. Oh, how she would have loved to be able to rattle that information off with her name entwined in the answer. Instead, she met his gaze. For mere ticks, she contemplated how to respond. Casually, she shrugged, beckoning them further down the hall. Not a word left her lips as she moved past him. If he was interested in women touching him, she would give him the best seat in the house. Soon, the were passing through an archway that opened into a large parlor. It was brighter here, with more windows and a pleasant cross breeze from the large open walls. Several beds, occupied by men and women with their bodies face down, lined both sides of the parlor. Men and women, dress in fine linens and silks, were rubbing the bodies of patrons as asked.

"These are the men and women that pamper our patrons. Depending on how long you require a massage will determine a massage. The shorter the time, the less the money. The better the masseuse, the higher the cost. There are many different things that they do with their hands..." Tazi trailed her voice off on purpose, leaving it to his imagination to figure out what she meant. Even though she certainly was not implying that the medicine house was a place of ill repute.

"Since you seem so curious about our massages, why not take one. There is a bed open. Since I am not skilled in this art, I will set you up with one of our expert artists. Gigi-" Tazi motioned to a woman standing next to an empty bed. She was a stocky woman, built on many years of hard labor and battle. Her face was wrinkled with scar, her arms covered in tattoos. Tazi watched with a smirk as Gigi rubbed in strong hand together, taking the time to pop each knuckle slowly. She was a fine representation of a true Myrian woman. Very manly, proud, strong, and entirely eager to show just how good at her job she was. "-is very good with her hands. You will certainly feel relaxed when she is done with you."

He also may be tenderized and ready for cooking.

-----
Myrian

[Kol]

"There are many different things that they do with their hands..." Dalia was beginning to think Peia had not only been right, but that she had hit the nail on the head. Something in Tazi's voice and the side long look Kol gave the older woman made her clear her throat awkwardly.

Her brother's face scanned the room that they were shown, and Dalia's eyes dropped to Kol's hand. His thumb rotated, a slight twitch. Kol had a few tells when he was about to do something he didn't want to. He often ran a hand over his face or through his hair, usually after his thumb moved. It was barely noticeable, but she knew what would happen next.

"Very well."

Kol took a step into the room, nodding at the big woman in front of him. In no way was she Tazi, but his challenge had been met with another - one that he didn't plan to back down from. Kol prepared to take off his shirt but Dalia panicked. Common sense told her that this... Gigi woman was probably very good at what she did, but another part didn't like the idea of her brother getting squeezed by someone with hands bigger than tree trunks.

"Kol!" Kol paused from moving towards the table, looking at his sister, "What... Wh-What about that shirt?" She laughed, trying to ease the mood and delay further, "You're supposed to come with us, not leave me."

It was hard to make a decision between his pride and his family. When he hesitated, a slight sigh escaped his lips, and he nodded to Gigi and thanked her anyway. He walked slowly back towards the door where the girls stood, ready for the smug look that would be on Tazi's face, "Go on."

Dalia felt a wave of relief and skipped down the hallway, and Kol moved besides Tazi, "Maybe next time. The Myrian leaned slightly, purposefully bumping shoulders with his old companion. He smirked and Dalia pretended to not notice the two. This was turning out to be an interesting trip, indeed.
---
Myrian

[Tazi]

When Kol did not back down from her challenge, Tazi felt her heart plummet into the dark abyss of her abdomen. Gigi looked excited to get his hands on her back and chest, to feel a real man beneath her fingers again instead of the old patrons that came to relax. Her eyes roamed over his body shamelessly, and much to Tazi's great vexation. She seethed behind Kol, wondering if there was an easy way out of the situation she had so callously put them both in. Thankfully, it was Dalia to the rescue to prevent him from having Gigi's rough hands all over his body. Tazi turned away quickly as if to leave him there to prevent her facial features from giving away her thoughts. While she simmered down to a respectable level, he rejoined them. Tazi put on the best smug smirk she could find, but deep down, she was overwhelmingly relieved. Gigi looked disappointed, as another patron with an old, worn-out body settled onto her table.

Tazi allowed Dalia to take the lead, sauntering behind her with a gentle sway of her hips. When Kol's shoulder came in contact, she felt that familiar electrifying tingle crawl up from the point of contact into her chest. "Maybe next time I will have some training. Then again, why would I want to take Gigi's fun away from her? You looked like you would have enjoyed it." Granted, he never harbored any emotion that she could identify to date other than stone cold calculation.

Increasing the distance between them, mildly out of angst, Tazi tried to catch up with Dalia. "What would you like to see next Dalia? Traya may be in the acupuncture rooms. We also have fine sushi in the next building over."

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Myrian