To Treatment

Marine looks taken aback at my question. “Oh my. That’s uh— When you said you lost all your memories, you really meant it. Where to begin?”

Sig interjects before she can continue. “I think that is going to be a long conversation. For now how about we focus on treating the memory loss and with luck we won’t have to explain all of— that. If it comes to it, I’ll explain everything to her later.”

I nod. Agree with Sig’s idea. I have things to discuss with him later anyway. Most importantly, if he knows who Cara is. But understanding this mana, affinity, channeling stuff would be helpful too.

Marine shifts back to doctor mode. She directs our attention back to the flaming mirage. She points out some spots along my spine where excess heat is building up. I act like I can see it. But truthfully, I can’t. Her skill for understanding the fiery image is beyond me.

After scratching more notes, she dismisses the flaming version of me. I’m instructed to lie face down on the table. I trade places with Sig to do just that.

Marine explains the treatment to me. I expect it to be similar to Shuri’s treatment. That is to say, extremely painful. But apparently not so. She is simply going to remove the excess heat. She tells me it will feel mostly like a massage. I can’t remember what a massage is, but I also can’t bring myself to ask. I don’t want everyone to think I know nothing. Even if that seems to be the case.

I find out through experience, a massage is like kneading dough. But I’m the dough. It doesn’t take Marine long to finish. Which almost makes me wish I were more injured. The massage was highly relaxing. Also painful, but in a good way. I sit up and stretch my back. Release a happy groan.

“Well?” Sig asks.

All eyes are on me. Waiting with bated breath. Right. I feel so much better, I almost forgot the point of the treatment, to restore my memories.

“Eeeh— sorry. Still no memories. But I feel less sore now!” I say encouragingly. My attempt at adding a silver lining.

The tent releases a collective groan of disappointment. Not one to give up easily, Marine tries a few more treatments, but my memories stubbornly refuse to return.

Sounding more irritated by her lack of success than discouraged, Marine says, “I thought for sure I could at least trigger a memory, a flashback, something. A four aspect healer may be required to treat you after all. Or at least someone with a different skill set.”

“What about Shuri?” I ask without thinking.

“Me!?” Shuri starts.

“Well, yeah, you treated my sun scorching. You’re a healer too, right?”

Shuri answers, “A healer, yes. A doctor, no. Besides, that was different. Water just happens to be best for treating burns. I didn’t actually do a great job. I was frazzled and just brute forced the treatment by channeling as much mana as I could into it. Even then, I had to treat you three more times while you were unconscious before you stabilized. And so we’re clear, it was your stubborn tenacity more than my healing that saved you. There’s nothing more I can do for you. To get your memories back, you’ll need help from an actual doctor, like Marine.”

Marine looks up from her notes at the mention of her name. She rubs at her neck and says, “Yes, well, actual doctor, Marine is stumped. I know I’m the one who said time is of the essence, but I’m going to need some time to research and discuss with my colleagues. Let’s call it a day, and reconnect tomorrow. But first.”

Marine takes a little glass bird from her pocket, smaller than Shuri’s. She holds it out to me. I go to take it, but the little marvel hops to life first and flutters to my hand on its own. It pecks my palm, and Marine instructs me to tell it my name.

“Mythriel.” I say to the trill.

“Mythriel.” The trill echoes back to me, in my own voice no less.

I gawk at the little bird. I still can’t wrap my mind around this magic glass stuff. It all feels so mystical, despite the fact that I should be intimately familiar with it. Losing my memories has been a dizzying experience. It’s been more akin to entering a new world, rather than just forgetting who I am.

The trill flits back to Marine’s hand. She says, “There. Now I can contact you. Though it would be easier if you had a trill too. We could communicate instantly, rather than me sending my trill to find you.”

“Oh!” Sig chimes. “In that case, you can link with me until we get Myth a new one.”

Sig takes out his own glass bird. His and Marine’s birds give each other a tiny peck on the beak that produces a delicate ting. Then say their names to the other’s trill. The whole interaction between the birds is adorable and renews my desire to have one of my very own.

As Marine usher’s us all from the tent, she says to me, “Sorry I couldn’t do more for you. Hopefully I’ll have something better for you tomorrow. Until then, try to relax and rest. A good night’s sleep can do magic than you might expect.”

“Right. Rest. At my house…” I drawl.

“You don’t know where you live, do you?”

“Nope.”

“But I do. I’ll take you.” Sig offers. “There are some personal matters we should probably discuss anyway.”

I agree. I have much to discuss with Sig. My Cara, our engagement, mana, channelling, cats. I’m still quite certain cats are small furry animals. Not magic glass. But maybe that should be the least of my concerns for now.