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 Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:32 pm
Eurig hadn’t slept well for much of his journey to Matori. There had been a few nights where he’d caught more than an hour's worth of sleep, but often he would wake before the sun just to start moving again. If he’d waited to leave with a proper caravan then there would have been security at night, someone to build a proper fire, another with any sort of knowledge of Oban plants, and the like. Instead Eurig had taken off as soon as he’d filled his pack and left the tavern in the more than capable hands of his Aishan kin.
By the time he’d made it to the refugee camp Eurig was road worn and exhausted. The Talean had wanted to find his family above all else, but a few well-meaning volunteers had seen him to a bedroll first. They knew his family well enough to assure him they were alive and accounted for; and that they’d much rather see him in the morning than in the dead of night.
Even hours later, after a hearty nap, Eurig’s reddened eyes crinkled at the edges under the Matori sun. An older healer, a crooked crone named Tyra, led him to a tent posted near the southern edge of camp. She pulled back the flap, motioning him inside before following behind. Eurig’s pulse quickened. He didn’t know what to think. She’d said there were already dozens that had gone back to Belrea and more that hadn’t survived the night, but this was still so many people....
“They’re right this way love,” Tyra waved a hand and he followed. Keeping pace with her wasn’t hard, even despite the height difference. Eurig didn’t think he could have gone faster if he’d been prodded. “Mind your step.”
Mind my-? Eurig sucked in a breath as he very nearly knocked his knee against a bucket of water. A bucket of water soaked red with bandages hanging off the edge. Bandages coming from a woman whose skin was being gently coated in an ointment so more wouldn’t be pulled off with the bandages...
Eurig dutifully turned his eyes forward and kept walking.
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:33 pm
[Scar via Discord]
Despite Eurig being warmly received by the volunteers the night before, news hadn't made it to the family of his arrival by the time they all split apart to their various 'jobs'. Isaia and Maritza were healthy enough to be ushered out of the tents and into more permanent housing where they had some privacy, but were still too weak to make the journey home by ship. Zadia was doing her part in helping the other volunteers - Lioe and his Aishan ... friend... had only recently arrived, with his youngest Marcella in tow, and Uquin's first task had been to ensure she was kept far, far away from these tents.
Uquin, as a healer, was immediately conscripted without his permission (not that he wouldn't have given it), and was put to work. ... Despite the fact that somehow, between leaving the camp to go fetch his wife and the time he returned with her by his side, he'd somehow mutated.
There was far too much going on, and yet the old healer still had to suffer the stares of the more aware patients who realized his long Talean ears had morphed into that of a aldabuck - the same tint as his red hair, instead of the olive tone of his skin.
The man he was working on was both lucky... and unlucky. He had been a passenger on the airship when it crashed, and somehow had avoided the burns and crushing that many others fell victim to. However, he was one of the most recent rescues - meaning he had been stranded in the ocean until just days ago. His body, though free of burns from fire, was severely crisped under the sharp sun of the Matori sea, and dehydration had him close to deaths door when he was found.
And there Uquin was, sleeves tied back to bare his forearms, trying not to sneer at the tiny volunteer who was trying to help him sit the patient upright. "Careful! His skin is delicate, you keep grabbing him like that you'll tear it."
The patient whimpered, eyes flicking tiredly between the stressed looking woman and the surly, inhuman healer.
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:34 pm
[2]
The voice came to him before the sight. Eurig had been so focused on keeping his eyes locked on Tyra’s hunched spine at he hadn’t dared to look up. What few times he’d given a side eye to passing cots and bedrolls left him feeling nauseous. In his line of work it took a lot to make his stomach roll, but the memory of a woman begging a healer to just leave her, that she would rather die than to receive more treatment...that left him weak.
“Maybe some help with a thicker hide would due you better.” Tyra commented, her eyes drifting over the distressed woman as much as they were focusing on the curt man. “We found this one last night; I believe he’s yours?” She gestured toward Eurig-
-who just...stood there. Openly gawking. With a mix of horror at the patient and his grandfather. “W-what-?”
“Stop staring and go on. Help them.” Tyra urged.
“Right...of course.” Eurig swallowed the lump back in his throat and awkwardly moved around the bed. He did his best not to get too close to Uquin’s assistant, even muttering an apology when his arm touched her own, but when he followed her own movements to the patient it was with far more support. As if he’d been drafted to do this very thing multiple times before.
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:35 pm
[Scar via Discord]
Uquin sighed at the call of a now familiar voice, shifting so he could look back at her - only to blink. There, standing awkwardly beside her, was his grandson Eurig - his large frame curled as if to attempt to make himself smaller, and not take so much room between the rows of patients. Uquin might have pitied the boy, looking green as he did, if he hadn't been so surprised to see him. "That he is - my eldest grandchild." Uquin said proudly, lip quirking into a tired smile.
Uquin then arched a brow at the boy, but didn't need to prod at him, Tyra did it for him. His assistant blushed as a very handsome, very strong young man came to her aid, but also sagged in relief to be out from under Uquin's scolding - and together she and Eurig had the patient propped upright.
Immediately, with careful but quick movements, the healer applied a thick glob of a cool smelling salve over the man's boiled and peeling shoulders and neck, not seeming bothered in the least to be touching the shining, wet flesh. It looked like it would be painful, but the patient sighed blissfully and sagged a bit.
With Uquin's direction, the man was shifted onto his belly so his back could breath, and once his hands were washed clean Uquin fetched his beads, magicking the water in the patient's water bowl into fragile ice. "Wash your hands, then feed him these chips until they're gone." He directed to his assistant, finally standing from where he'd been kneeling with a groan.
"Good work. A shame more of you didn't make healing a family business - a good bit of the brood have showed up and been roped into volunteering, not just you."
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:36 pm
[3]
Only once had Eurig seen skin like this. One of the servers at his mother’s tavern had accidentally tipped a pot of boiling water on herself during a shift and he remembered the scream. The way her skin had instantly reddened; how he’d sat with her while his mother ran to find a healer. That had been a much smaller area, with burns that weren’t nearly so deep, but he could still remember the way she shook. How much pain had this patient endured? If his grandfather was with them now, how had they looked before?
The sympathy gave him clarity enough to keep them supported as Uquin worked. Occasionally his eyes would travel away from the boils to those ears before going straight back.
He was relieved to see some of the tension leave the man as he was settled. Eurig took a moment to look on, his mind momentarily out of his body, before Uquin speaking brought him back. “I was never any good with magic. I know enough to stabilize a person til they can find a healer, but I’m not much good here.” He nodded toward the patient. Hearing about the others brought a flush to his skin and Eurig shifted on his feet, shamefully looking away from Uquin. “Sorry I didn’t make it sooner. I’ve been traveling between Tale and Jauhar, trying to get things set up after the move, and I missed a lot of the missives. By the time I got them most of the family was already here.”
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:36 pm
[Scar via Discord]
Uquin hadn't meant to make it a reprimand, but it seemed to come out that way judging by the shuffling Eurig did. The healer sighed and shook his head, reaching up, up, up! to pat his tall grandson's shoulder. "No apologies. I want to hear about this move of yours, hmm? And I can tell you how everyone is doing too."
He led the taller man through the narrow rows, back the way Eurig had come - and out the tent. It didn't feel fair to have a reunion amidst so much pain, and he could tell his uncomfortable Eurig was. Outside the tent, a few paces away, was a rest place for the various volunteers. A few cots were set up where people took turns napping, and there was a small fire and kettle for tea - which Uquin floated to like a man dying of thirst.
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:37 pm
[4]
Some of Eurig's awkwardness faded at the contact. He missed his grandfather, crotchety attitude and all. If it wasn't for the distance Eurig might travel and see him more, but life had a way of making things harder.
"It's nothing compared to yours. I just decided to settle in Jauhar and I've taken up mom's tavern. She never really had an eye for business so I thought I'd give it a crack." It was the first time in Eurig's life he would be staying in one country fully and admittedly that was a little daunting. He was so used to floating between his father in Tale and his mother in Jauhar that leaving the man behind felt like a betrayal.
"Can I ask about...the ears?" Or was that too blunt? Too sensitive?
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:38 pm
[Scar via Discord]
Uquin busied himself making tea, squinting as he cast around to find the tin that contained the leaves, but he paused to look at Eurig with interest. "You'll do well there, but you have a lot of your mother in you. " Uquin pointed out with a soft smirk. Namely, he had the same love of travel as Ujana. Padma had inherited Uquin's more homebody personality, and rarely seemed to leave her husband's 'territory' these days.
He broke away to pour the heated water into two ceramic mugs, still a bit damp from where the last ones to make tea had washed them, then pulled two small metal balls from his pack.
He may not enjoy life in Belrea to its fullest, but he did grudgingly adopt some of their inventions, including their tea strainers.
At first he pretended not to hear his grandson, but an ear flicked in annoyance. Apparently, these ears were more... dexterous than his old ones were.
He finished the tea and passed a cup to Eurig, taking a long drink before he finally answered. "Apparently, there is... a rare phenomenon that leads to strange... anomalies. Like horns growing, or new markings or patterns. The spirits have, apparently, seen fit to recognize me. The last Talean to be blessed was lucky enough to inherit the pupils of a predator."
Another angry ear flick matched his sneer, showing just what he thought of this blessing.
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:39 pm
[5]
Eurig settled onto a sturdy log of driftwood that had been drug closer to the fire. There were a few scattered chairs, but anything of true comfort he wanted to leave for those actually working here. Even if his body ached Eurig would have felt guilty taking that from them. "I like travel, but it gets lonely after a while. I don't know how she's kept it up as long as she has."
While Uquin busied himself with the tea, Eurig stripped off his travel cloak and folded it beside him. When he thought his grandfather wasn't looking he tried to smooth some of the more wild edges of his hair, but to little avail. Whether he thought it actually needed the attention or maybe he was trying to divert from the fact he'd been brazen enough to ask such a question who could tell.
"The spirits blessed you?" He murmured, graciously taking the cup but not drinking just yet. Instead, Eurig softened and his smile warmed. "Of course they did; I can't think of anyone more deserving." He took a small sip, his eyes never quite leaving the ears though. "They're...unique. I like them. Do they help with your hearing?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:40 pm
[Scar via Discord]
Eurig's words were briefly lost in the flurry of Uquin's surliness, but the boy certainly knew how to smooth out ruffled feathers. It made sense, as so many in his immediate family had roaring tempers. Uquin forced himself to relax, reminding himself that it wasn't Eurig he was upset at, just ... those ears.
"As if I needed better ears to hear my patients." Uquin scoffed as if insulted by the spirits for such a gift. "... But yes." Finally, Eurigs earlier words came back to him, and Uquin was glad for the distraction.
"Lonely? Ah. So you haven't found a partner yet on the road?" Surprising as Ujiri had managed to find a bride (another Aishan, sadly), so why not Eurig? "Well, perhaps you'll find someone to travel with, running the tavern. If that's even something you want for yourself."
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:41 pm
[6]
"Patients or hunters in the woods," He offered with a light laugh, then thought better of it and focused on the tea instead. It was an earthier blend than what he was used to in Jauhar and far better brewed. Eurig had never gotten the hang of a good cup of tea and his immediate family....well, tea wasn't their drink of choice.
Eurig swallowed back the lump in his throat, his esophagus burning a little from the tea as his cheeks heated. "Still single, I'm afraid. A few have come close, but it never amounted to much more than a few awkward dates and half-written letters." So many in his family had an odd charm that drew others to them. Eurig just...didn't have that and he wasn't particularl worried over it. It would either happen or it wouldn't.
Admittedly having a younger sibling step into fatherhood already put things into perspective but still.
"I don't think Ujana's too pressed over it. No partner means less grandchildren." He smirked and sipped his tea.
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:42 pm
[Scar via Discord]
The comment was so unexpected from Eurig of all people that Uquin let out a sharp, surprised laugh at his gumption. "Watch it, brat." He warned, without any heat or true offense. Besides, he'd retorted with a tender question of his own so he'd consider them even.
"Spirits." Uquin sighed and took a deep drink of his tea. "If she thinks she's got it bad, try having six children. With any luck I'll be well in the ground before Marcella gives me grandchildren."
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:43 pm
[7]
"How is she? You said there were others but I didn't think to ask who." Seeing his Aunt wouldn't be an unwelcome thing, but given the circumstances for this current reunion he hoped she wasn't here. Walking into that tent had been enough to turn Eurig's stomach so he could only imagine how she might feel.
"The letters mentioned injuries, but they didn't go into detail. I didn't even know that Maritza had been found until I arrived." All he'd known was that his Uncle was gravely injured, his step-grandmother was missing and that he'd needd to leave. So, Eurig had, without question
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:43 pm
[Scar via Discord]
Uquin inhaled slowly, clearly as an attempt to keep himself calm and not overreact. "Zadia accompanied me when I heard the news. Lioe and Marcella followed after, and arrived only a short while ago. She..." Uquin had kept her far from the tents, but she had a charmed life back in Belrea. She wasn't used to things here. "I'm not sure. She's been with Isaia for the most part."
"Zadia is stressed but had been a huge help here. Isaia suffered burns and his knee is... not likely to return to full strength. He is thankfully recovered enough to be moved to a cabin we've been lucky enough to use while we are here.
"And Maritza..." He swallowed, sitting up just a bit straighter. "She is better than she was. Her arm is... was lost. And they have both been through a lot, and need healing of a deeper kind."
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:44 pm
[8]
Eurig lowered his cup to his lap as his grandfather recounted the events. He loosely wrapped both hands around it, leeching the warmth from the tea as his blood started to chill. "I knew things were bad, but..." The leafling let the sentence trail off. What else could he say? Words would never adequately describe the trauma his family had endured. Was still enduring.
So Isaia would likely never walk freely again and Maritza could never return to the work she'd dedicated herself too. In truth he wasn't even sure he would want either of them too, given the nature of things. "I don't know how to help." Eurig murmured at last. "I want to, anything I can do or have is yours, but this..." This level of tragedy was beyond him. He was no more a physical healer than he was a mental one.
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