Chapter 14 ~ Suturing

An open wound is a connection to the soul.
To truly understand another's pains is to show you commiserate with those around you
and to have one's pains be known is to prove you entrust those closest to you
yet at the same time, great harm and sickness can spread into the body from its wounds.
Do not hide your wounds in shame,
nor silently endure through clenched teeth and tearful eyes,
but instead let the world know the truth of your flesh
while keeping oneself clean of the miasma of sin.

An apothecary of the Augeo Demesne was subject to the rulings and interpretations of many texts. Some were very literal, others were entirely metaphorical, and most of hem had multiple interpretations that could even contradict one another. The consistency did not matter, nor did having a strict canon for the many apothecary texts out there. They were not doctors, those highly educated professionals rigidly bound by strict laws. All anyone had to do to become an apothecary was accept legal responsibility for whatever their treatments led to. Many times a single bad case could end a career or even one's freedom altogether. There were also cases where no harm was done, but some nuance of behavior or treatment was found lacking and so they were taken to court anyways. It wasn't unheard of for the apothecary to be put on trial with no clear reason given, beyond the obvious bribes given to judges. Even when they weren't being taken to court, they could always be robbed or victimized in other ways. They were just as much at risk as their patients were, oftentimes.

Still, risk never stopped anyone in the city. While an apothecary was putting their life at risk with any new patient, they made bank doing so. For the average denizen of Augeo, better to spend a week's paycheck on a local apothecary that probably is fine enough if they haven't been chased from the neighborhood, rather than spending multiple months' wages on a licensed doctor who isn't even guaranteed to fix it either. Apothecaries had such a wide range of experience and knowledge that most people only would go to one that they know from a friend of a friend. People were less likely to cause trouble when they live in the same neighborhood. Less likely, but never zero.

Irene Rellick was one of the rarer types of apothecaries in several ways. First and foremost being that she had a patron in the form of Meus Selland. That alone covered her bottom line, letting finances hardly be a concern. It also gave her a connection to higher end clients, who preferred house calls while generally being safe enough to do so with. The smoggier places in the city were putting your own life at risk if you actually accepted any of the shady requests for house calls; this weeded out the greenest of apothecaries. For the rest of Irene's clientele, they showed up at her small clinic. Many of them couldn't pay. They were welcomed all the same. It also helped that she actually knew about proper medical practices.

The most that Meus Selland asked of her in return was that she'd consider helping out with any requests for treatment that he sends her way. It wasn't even a strict requirement, but she always dutifully carried them out all the same. After all, they were people in need of help. It was through several of these requests over the years that she became more than acquainted with Meus's maid, who found now himself in her capable hands once again.

"Mhm... Looks like the emergency restorative worked on a foundational level, however..." Irene held Robin's bare hand in her own gloved one, peering over the entire puncture site. The stab wound itself had already closed; basic first aid draughts at any respectable household could handle that much. The finer points of the recovery process naturally required a defter touch. "...You did say you only just changed the bandages before I arrived, yes?"

"Of course. I change them out regularly, every six hours as always." The maid kicked his legs, which were actually sporting trousers for once. Only trousers. While boys wearing dresses wasn't the most normal thing in the city, it was hardly strange enough to bother Irene compared to some patients out there. The only problem it gave was covering up his torso too tightly, and so off it had to go.

"Mhm... And might I see the old ones?" She gazed doubtfully at the scorch marks accenting his shoulder.

"Why would you want that? Do you really ask your patients to start digging through garbage while they're in recovery? I can't imagine you get many repeat customers," he remarked teasingly.

"...Be frank with me. Have you actually been bandaging properly before I arrived?"

"And you accuse your poor suffering patients of lying too?! You wound me!" He could only keep up the faux surprise for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

"..." Pinching the bridge of her nose, the apothecary let out the sigh that had been building up. "You're such a twerp, Robin. Remind me to circle and underline 'pathological liar' when I put it in the report to Meus."

"Hey, hey now, I told you from the start that I'm fine. I did all the first aid procedures and took my alchemical draughts. If the master wants to waste all of our times, at least let's not take it so seriously. I know how to pour a potion and wrap a bandage."

"Yes, then you can start by actually wrapping those bandages, then."

"Ugh..." He really did walk right into that one. "Sure, fine. I'll work it in between flossing five times a day and eating twenty bushels of veggies. Thanks, Granny Rellick."

"Okay, that one's actually going too far." She crossed her arms. "I'm not even a decade your senior, you know that." Her hair was greying, but it was very premature.

"Oh, uh... Sorry then. But there really aren't any medical problems, right? I just get bored when the master gets this overprotective over nothing."

"No, there actually are some faults in the recovery." She shook her head consolingly. "I'm not telling you to bandage up just to sound professional. Your recovery has slowed considerably, and there are some signs pointing to a risk of infection. I'll be able to—" Irene's finger was now on the trigger. As she whipped around, it would have been over in an instant had this figure been armed at all.

A woman in slobby clothing, no holster shown nor any visible weaponry. No signs of magic radiated off of her, active nor otherwise. Robin jumped, startled. Irrelevant. This woman, her hands were empty. Mild surprise for an expression, yet without fear nor any major shock. It morphed into a smile, a look of familiarity in her eyes. Irene only gazed daggers in response. She had never seen this woman in her life. This stranger showed no signs of being an immediate threat, and so Irene slowly lowered her flintlock. She did not holster it.

"Do not. Ever. Sneak up on people like that," she snarled in reprimand. "You would have had a hole in your head if you were so much as carrying a butter knife. What are you doing barging in like that? This is a private medical examination. I also don't remember Meus saying anything about a young woman living here now. Is she an intruder, Robin?" the apothecary asked, not taking her eyes off of this newcomer for a second.

"Gods above, Irene, don't scare me like that!" the maid rested a hand against his chest. "This isn't the rookery, you know? You don't need to be so jumpy."

"...When you get the twitch, you don't get to turn it off." She finally broke the stare at the intruder, glancing over to Robin. "But really, who is she?" She carelessly pointed at the woman with her pistol. It was only now that she realized she should probably holster it.

"...Uh... Well, sh-she's our guest, you see..." He prevaricated, feeling it would probably be a bad idea to say too much about the novae in front of anybody else. Even revealing she's the pupil could be problematic considering that change was last night.

"It's me, Irene!" Kurai merrily chimed in. "I'm the pupil you met yesterday. Though I figured you wouldn't recognize me." Right, another bad idea for Robin was letting the pupil have the chance to say anything ever. It was dumbfounding to the point he actually began to draw blanks in his mind after hearing her blurt out something so brazen.

"...The nameless pupil? What?" The apothecary was dumbfounded in a different way. "There's no way you're that little boy who was with Lord Meus yesterday. I know people can transform their bodies nowadays, but not to that degree overnight. What are you trying to pull?"

"Ahaha, sh-she's just making up a joke! Hey, honored guest, why don't you go tell the master that joke too, I'm sure he'll love to hear it!" It was a flimsy attempt to defuse the situation at best and it clearly wasn't helping.

"No, no, no. No running off." Irene shut that down in an instant. "Really, what is this all about? Are you trying to impersonate a little boy? Or... could you be a different pupil of Lord Meus's? But I know I only met one pupil yesterday..." She was looking increasingly irritated at the situation, enough to make Robin worry she'll draw iron again at any moment.

"No, I'm the same pupil. It was..." She paused momentarily, looking at Robin. The poor boy seemed like he was dying on the inside. Right, for all he knew, she was just waltzing in here blind and dumb, giving away secrets for no reason. "Ah, sorry, but I should say first that I already spoke to Mr Meus before this, Robin. He knows. You don't need to worry yourself." She poorly stifled a giggle. "But yes, Miss Irene. It was, in a sense, an illusion yesterday. You know how Mr Meus is with all his experiments? Well, you saw one taking place then. I'm sorry that we couldn't tell you it sooner, but it was only my appearance that was deceptive. I really meant everything I said, and I did take all of your advice to heart. It's also why I wanted you to meet the real me."

"...I hope you understand I'll be speaking to Meus about all of this, so you better not be making anything up. Even if this is all true, how do I know this is the 'real you' and not another illusion?"

"Well, it's funny you should ask that. I trust the sense of touch should suffice? Maybe even in the form of a hug?" Kurai spread her arms wide, anticipation in her grin.

"I'll pass," Irene said with a scowl. "Don't get cute when I still don't trust you. I don't know if you even are the same person. In fact... how about telling me the last question the pupil asked me yesterday? Don't skimp on the details."

"...Ehe... Alright." She tried her best to not look dejected. "I asked if you're good at singing. Really, if every woman was supposed to be good at singing. I'd love to be that way myself, but I'm... well, I'm still working on my own voice. I hope one day I will be able to make it into a treasure that I can share with you."

"...Hm. I suppose that is fairly close to what happened." She stroked her chin contemplatively.

"Ah, also you asked Mr Meus to demonstrate with his own song. He very much did not want to." It got a chuckle out of Robin, at least.

"Alright, fine, you definitely were there." She seemed almost defeated in having to accept such a thing. "I'll admit, this is very different from what I expected when my patron asked for help with a 'lost soul in need of guidance'. I'm guessing you still don't remember your name, though?"

"Yeah, no name, we just call her 'pupil'," Robin explained nonchalantly.

"Actually, my name is Kurai."

"I lied. I was actually making a joke just now," Robin explained chalantly.

"Ehe, I was going to re-introduce myself when I walked in, but then you got all jumpy. Sorry again for that. I forgot to knock until I was already through the door with Mr Meus too..."

"Your name is Kurai? It sounds like something from Zhongyuan. In fact, if you are from outside the Augeo Demesne, that would explain some of the communication issues, as well as some other things..." It was the golden eyes primarily. Kurai definitely had other assets that were very prominent as well, but just like with Meus, Irene didn't show any fascination with that.

"I understand that Mr Meus wrote about me having memory issues in his letter to you? Well, I can't say I've ever been outside of Augeo, but my memories only go back a few months," Kurai admitted. It wasn't a lie on her end, even if it suggested something other than the truth. "And, well, I'd really rather not focus on all that. I just wanted to say 'hi' again and thank you for the words of wisdom. Sorry if I was interrupting anything."

"...Right, well, it's nice to see you again too. Though now that you mentioned it, I should get back to work. I was finishing up with Robin's treatment."

"Ah, right... He got wounded on my behalf. I really hope he's doing okay." She lingered her eyes on the maid, sympathy writ clear. "How bad is it looking?"

"I can't say, Kurai. There's the matter of patient confidentiality, so I would prefer you didn't ask me such things. There's also the fact I need to focus, so please..."

"Sorry about that then! But is it fine if I stay and watch? I won't bother anyone. I'll be a good girl."

"...I suppose I don't mind either way, but that decision would be up to Robin."

"...It is rather stressful as it is, even without an audience. But I could endure it with some help, and as the pupil said earlier, a bit of touch should suffice. Even a hug from two cute girls after, perhaps?"

"Sounds fine to me!" "Not happening."

"...From one cute girl, perhaps?"

"Still sounds fine to me!"

"Whatever the case, both of you please stay quiet while I handle this. Robin, lie on your back. Careful, this will get cold."

After the warning, the apothecary removed the top off a nearby flask, briefly swirling it as she briefly closed her eyes. The liquid began to swirl less and less, until it had congealed into some sort of slime. It was this substance that she poured over Robin's shoulder. It oozed over his scorch marks, though rather than drooling down to the side, it descended directly downwards through his skin, as if being absorbed instantly. He sharply inhaled, wincing as some odd sensation was clearly at play. Irene stared in deep concentration as her right hand gently swayed to and fro, up and down. The process lasted about a minute before her hand ascended slowly, bringing the gel to the surface of Robin's skin again, at which point she collected it in a jar. The slime once again softened into liquid. It was far filthier now, with bodily fluids being met with various black detritus. Irene examined it blankly.

"...That's got to be obsidian. You were covering yourself with your own earth magic instead of wrapping your wounds up..." She didn't seem delighted. On the plus side, his shoulder was looking far healthier already after her cleansing.

"It shouldn't be that big of a deal when the healing draught already did its thing..." he weakly defended himself. "It just doesn't hurt when I shield them with my stones. Everything else I've tried, gauze wraps and all, they always sting when I'm doing any real work..."

"That's because its your body's way of telling you to stop doing all that work. I know Meus wouldn't be asking you to push yourself like this. All you're doing is worsening the risk of infection while also crippling your recovery. You're lucky your master brought me here to purify your injuries now and not when they began to sphacelate." As she scolded him, she opened another flask to repeat the process with Robin's injured hand. Once again, the fluid went in clean and came out messy and unflattering, being deposited as a dark goop into the same clear jar the last batch went into. She didn't repeat her reprimand, though the disappointment was writ on her face. "Looks like you're all cleaned out now. I'll be leaving a box of medicated bandages with Lord Meus for use throughout the week. I recommend using them unless you want him to arrange us another 'chat' next week."

"Thanks for the warning. Really, why does it always have to be such serious 'chats' whenever you come over? You might have fun hanging out if you... y'know, actually tried it. I wouldn't mind."

"You know I don't stop by for social calls even with Lord Meus. Why would I want to start doing that for his slave?" Irene's tone was far more incredulous than anything condescending, and it wasn't until she said it that she realized what she had said. She shifted nervously before quickly adding "Sorry, that came out wrong. I didn't mean it like that."

"No, no, you're right. I shouldn't be asking for things above my station so carelessly. You don't need to backpedal. You were just being very... honest." There were only small hints of bitterness. Overall, the maid sounded more resigned than anything else. An awkward silence filled the room as neither of them looked at each other. Thankfully, they weren't alone.

"...Say, Miss Irene, what if you were to stop by to visit me sometime? And if Robin just so happens to be nearby, he could join in too!" Kurai's tone was as cheery as it was forced. Still, the room did brighten quite considerably.

"It's not about him being a slave or anything. What I meant was that I don't even do such things to the owners of any estates. It would certainly be odder to do so for one of their... staff members." She leaned back against one of the tables, arms crossed. It seemed like a relief to have an excuse to explain herself. "And the same goes for you, Kurai. No offense intended. I'm just not a sociable person. The work day alone gives me enough human interaction to leave me drained. I prefer spending my free time with my own peace and quiet."

"Ohh, I see. Then what if you stopped by for work and we could hang out then!" she asked, all too excitably.

"I really hope you don't plan on malingering to get me to come over. There's going to be some serious problems if you're thinking of wasting my time over something so frivolous..."

"No, I-I didn't mean as a patient!" Kurai protested. She might have even been telling the truth. "I was curious about the healing methods you were using just now. Would you mind teaching me a thing or two about it sometime?"

"...I'm not a teacher, Kurai." With apparent indifference, the apothecary went over to her medical bag, beginning to put her supplies away in silence. It didn't last long before the novae quickly continued.

"It's not just the medical practices! Though that was interesting too. I was more curious about what you did with the water. That was water magic, wasn't it? I've read a lot about the magical fields, but I've never seen them in practice until now..." She glanced over to Robin, giving him a consoling smile. "Well, almost never seen them. Still, I'm not asking for something as drastic as teaching me an entire school of magic! I'd just like to hear about your experiences with magic."

"..." Irene continued to put the supplies away, not so much as showing any indication of listening. At some point, she set out the box of pre-soaked medicated bandages. She didn't look up at either of them as she spoke. "Change these out at least twice daily, preferably fourfold. If the pain ever becomes unbearable, take 300mg of acetylsalicylic acid every four hours, no more than 4 grams total a day. In fact, it should stay under 2 grams if you're following my advice. Do not take laudanum or any other opiates. Not while recovering nor in general for that matter. Bad stuff. Scarring should be light and barely noticeable in a week's time. If any signs of infection or complication appear, have Lord Meus send for me again."

"...Alright, I'll keep that in mind," Robin responded, flashing a look of incredulity to Kurai as he tilted his head Irene's way. For her own part, Kurai seemed to be getting upset at the blatant ignoring.

"...If you don't want to, that's fine, but could you at least say something?"

"Kurai, please, I need time to think." She gave a big huff as she finished packing her things, strapping the medical bag across her shoulder. "...Tell you what. Thursdays tend to be the least busy days at the clinic. If I happen to be free in the afternoon and you stop by... We'll see about doing something. And if Lord Meus happens to send a guide with you..." Irene glanced over to Robin. "I suppose they can join us."

"Wait, really?! Yay! Here you were making me all worried with how you were acting."

"It's hard to know what to say sometimes. And like I said, all of this is only if nothing is going on at the clinic. If someone is there with a medical concern, they will come first." All of a sudden, the apothecary held a hand up. Presumably to curb Kurai's visibly growing enthusiasm before she went from looking ready to give a hug to actually giving one. "All that being said, I do need to give Lord Meus the medical report and get going. I bid you both a good day."

The other two in the room bid their farewells in turn, but Kurai's affection was not so easily quelled, only redirected. This time it was aimed towards her favorite maid boy in the world. As he finally hopped up from the table, he found himself captured in a particularly squishy embrace. It only took him by surprise for a second before he closed his eyes and gleefully returned it. It was such a warm and comforting hug.

Really, it was so much of a hug at that. Over a minute went by and Kurai didn't seem to have any intent on letting go. It didn't feel unpleasant at all, but it certainly raised Robin's eyebrow the longer it kept going on, seemingly no end in sight.

"...Haha... You... really like hugging now, don't you? Not that I'm telling you to stop, but... I didn't think we'd still be doing it."

"Ehehe, hugs are just the happiest little miracles in the world, aren't they? I should have started doing this sort of thing a long time ago." She m sounded like she was almost proud of herself for such a discovery. "...Ah, right. I guess this is going on too long, isn't it?" With a final cuddly squeeze, she stepped back. "Sorry, Lord Meus had to tell me when to stop earlier too. Guess I've still got some things to learn about you humans, ehe."

"Mm, well, some things are more forgivable when you're looking like this." He seemed perfectly satisfied with life, if but briefly.