Completed A Steamy Morning (Caela Dorin)

[Kechaiya]

Timestamp: Fall 22nd, 514 AV Location: Aquillar Hot Springs Time of Day: Around the 9th Bell Kechaiya awoke early deciding to get some rest and relaxation in before another long day. There had recently been intense violence between the gangs that spilled out into the streets, and Kechaiya had been left weary treating broken bones, knife stabbings, concussions, and the like. Her supplies were running low, her body ached, her back and hands especially, and she knew today would be the same shyke. So before she went back to that grind, she made her way to the Aquillar Hot Springs, shortly after the sun had risen. Thankfully, being so early in the day, there would be very few people here. Kechaiya wasn't shy being in the spring with anyone else, just preferred less people over more. She, like always, had brought her backpack with her medical supplies tucked away within it, hidden beneath her hooded cloak like a sort of hump. Her dagger was in its usual spot, tucked in the waist of her skirt at her right hip. She made her way to the southern hills, slowly and cautiously, trying to avoid any renewal of violence. Soon enough, the little bathhouse came into view. She paid her five coppers to the the woman up front and made her way to the communal spring. She found it empty, much to her surprise, figuring that there would be a few others here. She removed her cloak, folding it, and setting it next to the water's edge. Her backpack was set next to it, and clothing followed shortly thereafter, neatly folded and placed upon her cloak, boots sitting upon the other side. Her body was riddled with large, splotchy bruises courtesy of the previous days' violence. Slender frame settling into the hot water next to her belongings, sitting on a submerged rock, and relaxing with a deep exhalation. Kechaiya attempted to clear her mind, her eyes closed, ears listening to the noises of the nearby woods.

[Caela Dorin]

The dancer was starting to think that her training was doomed to failure. The gods--or her own clumsiness--were determined to prevent her from honing her body. The previous day it had been accidental face plants and the arrival of an unwanted bystander. Today it was the agonising pain in her right side. The young woman had barely started her attempt at a workout when something had gone wrong in the area. Once again she'd gone through a series of stretches, jogging on the spot and jumping up and down before trying to do a push up again. Once again Caela had failed miserably although with a softer landing for her face thanks to the cushion she'd made from her cloak.

Her unexpected visitor from the previous day put doubts and suspicions into her mind, the blonde made paranoid as she once again expected someone's eyes upon her. The imagined sound of someone's approach had made her twist at the waist and her paranoia had been rewarded by what she assumed was a pulled muscle. It was an inconvenient injury because of her line of work but it was the pain that she focused on as she dragged herself up into a standing position. Her right side seemed to be on fire, every movement seeming to be hampered by a too tight muscle. "Oh gods, oh gods," was repeated like a mantra as she made slow painful progress towards the bathhouse. Warm water could work well on sore muscles she knew, not necessarily strained ones but she was willing to give it a shot. If there was a chance of relieving her pain and without having to go too far to do so then the dancer would seize it.

Halfway through the entrance to the place she remembered her discarded belongings and nearly close to tears the young woman went to retrieve them, the only thing stopping her from abandoning them the fact that her means of paying for the bath lay with them. A panted query concerning any male occupants in the communal bath led to her forking out five copper mizas rather than something of higher value and finding herself in the more public bath with only one other occupant. The other woman didn't interest her, the Sunberthian girl too caught up in her own suffering to pay her much mind, especially as all of her remaining energy was focused on trying to actually get into the bath.

Her belongings were thrown down without much regard for where they landed, the woman just glad to be free of the burden of them. Undressing was an ordeal, the movement of her right arm hampered by the pain that occurred every time her torso shifted. The removal of her blouse left her panting, nearly crying as the pain grew worse with each new movement. She had to pause, left hand pressed to her side as she tried to gain the breath to struggle onwards. Deep breaths and then she'd continue her endeavour again until it was complete, until she could actually slide into that bath. It just might take awhile to get to that stage. It was certainly easier planned than done.

[Kechaiya]

After a short while, her relaxation in silence was broken by approaching footsteps. Still enjoying the water, her ears picked up the painful exasperations of an injured person. Ebony eyes opening, she glanced over at the newcomer. A young blonde, beautiful in every aspect, watching as she struggled to undress. She studied her movements, watching which ways her limbs twitched when pain struck. After a short bit, Kechaiya assumed it to be an injury in the right side. Being a doctor, and always looking for profit, she decided to extend her help. She moved across the spring to bring herself closer to the woman, but not so close as to unduly surprise her. In her broken Common, "You injured? I doctor, can help, for small price. Will do exam for no mizas." She slipped down lower in the water, waiting and watching, pondering what it could be. There were several possibilities until she could get up close and personal. The most severe that came to mind was infection of the appendix, but that was beyond her level of treatment. If she was lucky, it was a broken rib or strained muscled, both of which she could work on with what was in her pack. There were other, more unlikely options, back injuries, parasites in the intestines, etc, but those were more rare, especially in a young Sunberthian female. Deciding to continue her bargaining, "What you do? How long hurt?" She really needed to improve upon her Common if she wanted to be a successful doctor. But like anything, simply took practice and time. "Want exam or no?"

[Caela Dorin]

Her struggles had not gone unnoticed by the bath's other occupant although her struggles had prevented Caela from noticing the other's interest. Her eyes snapped to the figure who had moved across the pool so as to be closer to her, the other woman scrutinising her with... black eyes. The dancer started, staring at the strangely exotic female that watched her from the water. She spoke in broken Common, offering her services to the injured young woman. She'd obviously picked up on her injury by watching her movements so her claim of being a doctor was probably true. Either that or she was very observant. The offer and the small price for the other's services gave her pause. How small was this price? She knew that doctors would charge an arm and a leg and for one to offer their services for what might be a lower price than normal put her in doubt of the extent of this one's skills. She could be a quack for all she knew.

An examination couldn't cause her any harm but yet she still paused, considering. The further questions spurred her to answer the other woman at last and so she set about explaining as best as she could, hoping that the other could actually understand more than she could speak of the language. "I was exercising and I twisted too far, too fast, I don't know. Maybe I didn't stretch enough. I haven't been hurt long. Twenty chimes, half a bell maybe. I was only just outside but it took awhile to get in here." The throb of the injury had abated with the lack of movement and so she shifted her weight as she talked, forgetting the pain that it would cause. The pain flared up again, worse she was sure than it had been before. She swore, pressing her hand against it and trying to find a way to stand that was least uncomfortable as she tried not to aggravate her injury again. She had no idea how serious it could be but it certainly felt serious enough. Better to know than to be left clueless.

"I'll take that exam but how much will you charge for treatment? How many mizas?" If she negotiated a price with the woman before she checked her over then she might be able to get a greater bargain. Even if the treatment was a simple one and they decided on a higher price than its worth, Caela was sure that she'd get a better price than what she'd pay to another doctor elsewhere. The young woman wasn't sure what she should do with herself if she was going to be examined though. Should she stand, sit, get into the water? "What way do you want me for the exam?" She wasn't sure if that question would be too hard for the black eyed foreigner to grasp so she tried to simplify it. "Want me to stand, sit, what?" Hopefully the other would understand enough of what she was saying.

[Kechaiya]

Kechaiya listened to the woman's explanation, surmising that it was likely a strained muscle. Being so recent, she would want the woman to cool the area, to reduce the swelling and pain it would cause. But that wasn't an option this time of year. The woman would just have to make do. The woman was now asking about the price, as many of her patients did. She wasn't desperate, so wouldn't pay anything. "Probably pull muscle. Maybe bad appendix. If muscle, one gold. If appendix, find different doctor, maybe die. Stand up straight." Kechaiya lifted herself out of the water, unashamed at being exposed in front of this stranger. She moved around the woman. "I lay on hands. You do stretch, slowly. No stretch too far, cause more pain." She knelt down next to her, waiting for her to stand. When she did, Kechaiya would place her fingertips firmly against the injured side, searching for the firm contours of the muscles. She was feeling for swelling and spasms, both indicators of a strained muscle. There was the off chance that the muscle was completely torn, but she doubted it. The woman wouldn't even be able to stand if that were the case. "Begin stretch."

[Caela Dorin]

The dancer's jaw dropped at the other's bluntness. Caela didn't know what an appendix was but apparently a bad appendix was a deadly thing to have. Yet this doctor--if that's what she really was--had talked about the possibility of her death as if it was nothing at all. The blonde was frightened now and couldn't care less what it cost as long as it wasn't this appendix thing. She was too young to die. Far too young. Swallowing she complied with the woman's orders, straightening her posture even as it sent pain shooting through her side.

The foreigner emerged from the water, her nakedness hardly registering in Caela's fearful eyes. She didn't understand what the doctor meant by the first thing that she said but it came when fingers were placed upon her side, tepid wet fingerprints left upon her side. She wondered how she was supposed to stretch. Should she lean to the side? Lean to the left? That'd stretch the muscle out wouldn't it? That was what she wanted she assumed. Did she start now? Surely the foreigner would give her some signal if she didn't do anything so the dancer waited for further instruction.

When it came the dancer began to lean to the left, lean away from the kneeling doctor. The movement was slow, gradual but it still set her side ablaze. Even though it caused her pain--which was to be expected--she was unsure if she was doing what she was supposed. "Is this right? Did you mean stretch like this? This won't cause more pain?" She gasped as the pain suddenly spiked and so the blonde stopped her stretch. If it hurt that much then it probably meant that it had been a little too far.

Her stomach churned unpleasant, anxiety leaving its mark on her body. What if it was indeed her appendix? What would she do? This woman had told her to find another doctor and going immediately would be the only option. She didn't want to have to go to that loon in the city, that mad doctor who could harm as well as heal or so she'd heard. Would it be better to wait and die or go to him? It was a morbid thought. Hopefully it would be a muscle. If it was a muscle then she'd only have to forfeit one gold rather than her life and she'd take that offer any day. Maybe if she understood what might be happening with her then she wouldn't need to fear. Maybe it would take awhile for the black eyed one to figure out what was wrong. In the meantime she didn't have to be worrying herself to death with possibilities that she didn't fully understand.

"What's an appendix?" the dancer asked, her voice taking on the tone of a questioning child.

[Kechaiya]

Kechaiya could immediately see the fear in the woman's eyes, that fear of death. And the ebony-eyed doctor did nothing to alleviate that fear, for it kept one alive, kept you smart. She watched as she straightened, looking for signs of pain and weakness to indicate what she suspected to be true. Kechaiya kept her fingers next to the woman's obliques, firmly enough to feel them, but gentle enough to not affect the outcome of what she was seeking. The woman began to stretch, and Kechaiya's fingers were feeling the contours of the muscles, just beneath the skin. She could feel them moving as they were supposed to, which could be good or bad. It could mean none of them were completely torn, and it could mean it was still the appendix. Kechaiya worried for the money she might not get if this woman couldn't be treated by her. She prayed that her fingers would feel the signs, swollen muscle or spasms. But none seemed to be appearing. Her left hand was removed from the woman's side, touching the far side of the woman beneath the arm. She began gently pulling her back toward herself, indicating to come back to resting position. "Appendix is useless organ. Sometimes get infected, burst. Poison spreads through body, die painful death. If infected, must be removed." Her other hand meanwhile kept searching, moving toward the front of the woman's body. In a different setting, the woman might think the touch sensual, emotional, but this was more desperate. Pulling the woman upright, she thought she felt a small jump. Not from the most exterior muscle, but the next one down. She pressed just a bit more firmly, feeling a hint more resistance than expecting. None of this probing would hurt to the touch if it were the muscle. And the woman hadn't cried out in pain when she'd touched where the appendix was. Then it jumped. And jumped again, rapidly, like the heart of a thief who'd been caught red-handed. Her hopes were confirmed. She removed her hands from the woman, and sat back on her haunches. "It not appendix. It muscle," she pointed to the area a few inches above the right hip. "Muscle deep down. Second or third muscle. Small tear. One gold, then I treat."

[Caela Dorin]

The young woman was still terrified. The doctor didn't answer her question about her stretching and so she could only assume that she was doing it correctly. That was one less thing to worry about she supposed but it was the least of her worries. The woman said nothing about what she was doing, just simply pressed her hands against her side and moved her when she needed to do so.

Her description of what the appendix was didn't make her feel any better. So something that wasn't worth anything to her, that was absolutely useless, could possibly lead to her death. Wonderful. And this onyx eyed woman could talk about it so casually. Well it wasn't her appendix after all so what did it matter to her? Caela could only hope for herself that it wasn't this organ because this woman probably didn't care. But then again if it wasn't a muscle then this woman would get no money and she was sure that that wasn't what she wanted. She was searching earnestly, looking for some sign that the dancer wasn't aware of. She knew nothing about medicine, knew nothing of what this doctor could tell from her examination. She could only wait impatiently and anxiously for the woman to give her verdict, either announce her impending death sentence or else tell her that she would live.

Fingers probed, an odd sensation but not uncomfortable. It didn't hurt her as hands roamed over her side and adjusted her posture. It just made the dancer hold as still as possible, hardly daring to breathe in case she did something that interfered with what the other was doing. When her hands were removed from her side, the blonde waited for the other to tell her what the problem was. The diagnosis came and the young woman was afraid that she'd misheard. Not an appendix. She wasn't going to die. A smile spread across her lips as the realisation fully dawned upon her and she breathed a sigh of relief. It'd be fine then. She could give this woman money and she would fix her. Presuming that she could actually do what a doctor was supposed to do. She hoped that she wasn't a quack but then one gold miza wasn't too much to part with if the treatment wasn't quite up to par. She'd risk it.

With difficulty the woman bent down to access her bag, bending at the knees so as not to strain her side. Her purse was taken out, pulled open to allow the dancer to fish around in its contents for the gold coin that she wanted. The yellow shine was found within, dulled by the grime that covered it but it was still recognisable as a gold miza. She pulled it out and offered it to the foreigner. "Definitely not appendix?" Her voice showed her uncertainly although her expression showed that she hoped she had heard correctly. "It will really only cost a gold? And what will this treatment be?" The coin was almost withdrawn but then it was re-offered, ready for the taking. She'd have to trust that the woman would do as she said. She could take the money and provide the treatment, whatever it might be. It was her job after all.

[Kechaiya]

Kechaiya was unperturbed by the fear in the woman's eyes. She was going to be fine, and yet was still wary. When she offered her payment, Kechaiya took it and stood up fully. "No get in spring yet. Will make worse. Be right back." Not minding her own nudity, Kechaiya went back into the building where the proprietors were. She found Max within who seemed a little surprised at her lack of clothing. "Have ice? Will buy." The man nodded, dipping through a doorway to where the tavern portion of his building lie. He returned with a small, wooden bucket of ice, likely from an ice chest. "One silver ma'am." Kechaiya felt that was a bit high for some ice, especially since she wasn't going to be keeping the bucket. "Five coppers." The man's eyes narrowed, knowing this became a negotiation rather than a sale. "One silver." Kechaiya smiled, she liked when men were stubborn, they reminded her of her father. "One silver, you bring two redberry juice outside." The man thought about it, and nodded. Kechaiya handed him the gold coin, and retrieved the bucket of ice and her change. She left him, making sure to sneak a glance over her shoulder to see if he was watching her nubile form. Back in the spring area, she grabbed an empty sack from her pack, depositing the nine silvers. She dumped the ice within, placing the bucket out of the way. Lifting the small sack, she sat down next to the injured woman, placing the impromptu ice pack against the muscle area. "Hold here for ten chimes. Then take off and get into spring for ten chimes. Try not move that muscle." Kechaiya herself slipped into the warming waters, once more relaxing upon a submerged rock. Max came out with the drinks, offering one to each woman. Kechaiya wasn't normally generous like this, but she figured if she were, this fearful woman might come back to her for future healing. She turned her dark eyes to the woman, "When done, I'll bandage. Then send you to friend who make you drink for pain."

[Caela Dorin]

Payment was snatched quickly from her fingers and then the woman was gone. She knew that she hadn't been fleeced because the doctor had left the place completely naked so she obviously wasn't doing a runner. It was still strange that she'd gone out where anyone could see her in the nude. Caela wouldn't do it but then she wasn't this foreign woman who apparently had no shame. The young woman was left feeling self-conscious despite not having the same level of exposure as the other. For one thing she hadn't walked out into an area where everyone would see her if they came in, although Caela was in the public bath and so the same could be said of herself. She was also only stripped to the waist whereas the other had foregone all clothing and gone out the door dripping. She could only wait idly by and lament the loss of her money. The bath would make the injury worse and so she had spent her coppers for nothing. You wouldn't have found a doctor if you hadn't come in for a bath. It was the only good that she could take from it but at least there was some good in a bad situation.

Her arms couldn't be crossed over her chest to cover herself and so she anxiously expected the arrival of some stranger at any tick and very nearly leaped from her skin when Black Eyes returned. She seemed to be carrying a bucket of ice, whose contents she dumped into a sack and handed it to the dancer. Her instructions were carried out dutifully, the chilly surface pressed carefully against her side. It was unpleasant against her skin but she held it there all the same until not only her side but also her hands grew so cold that they were left numb. The foreigner had returned to her place in the pool, sinking beneath the surface while she waited for the time to pass.

The dancer considered starting a conversation to pass the time but Max, one of the proprietors, came in before she had a chance. The young woman averted her gaze and tried to angle herself away from the man but he offered her a drink directly. She was forced to free one of her hands to take the drink and she was glad to see the back of him after he'd offered the same to the doctor. Redberry juice. She'd had it once or twice and found that she had a taste for it on occasion. It didn't come free though and a glance was cast in the direction of the doctor. She'd bought it? Caela was surprised by the gesture but also pleased. A sip was taken from the drink before her attention was turned to the woman in the pool.

"I was lucky to find a doctor when I did, wasn't I? Without you it would have been bad?" The blonde smiled slightly at the other before continuing. "I'm Caela. I didn't catch your name though. You are...?" The ice pack had been on for awhile now she was sure, long enough that it seemed to stick to her skin when she tried to peel it away. It had obviously left her skin quite cold and she supposed that numbing was the object. She didn't know whether of not to risk removing it but if she took it away and made a move for the pool, her doctor would warn her if she was too early.