----------------------------------------------
OUTSIDE THE CLINIC - MORNING
----------------------------------------------
Doc Plume sits on the covered porch outside the clinic as they just relax with their morning cup of tea, happy to have a bit of quiet time now that May and Brun are both over the worst of their recoveries.
Louma is happy to be anywhere but her office, slithering along through the street as she makes her way toward Plume's clinic, dressed in standard, but well fitted guard garb and carrying a large pouch. Approaching the clinic, she spots Plume sitting outside, raising an arm in greeting until she's closed the gap. "Good morning, doctor." The way she's carrying herself in the public eye is stiff and official.
Doc Plume waves a free hand to Louma. "Ah, good morning, captain." They set down their teacup and get up to meet Louma in the street. "How are you doing today? There's not much new to report about Brun's condition. Slow, steady improvement, but healing will take a lot of time. We have a good line on some local herbs that will keep the scarring to a minimum as well."
Louma nods, her shoulders seeming to relax a bit at the good, though not surprising update. "I'm glad to hear it, and that's a good part of why I came to see you." She opens the drawstring on her pouch and reaches inside, pulling out a sack of coins and a set of rolled up forms, holding them out for Plume to take.
Doc Plume takes the coins and papers, looking at the latter curiously. "What's this, then?"
Louma barely suppresses a sigh looking at the document. "Nothing to worry about, just a blank report to record Brunilda's injuries and expected cost of recovery. The gold there is for the same, but please fill in the full amount." She raises her eyes to the doctor's face, expressing exaggerated pain, while her voice manages to remain level; "Take all the time you need filling that out, please, the mountain I already have to deal with is threatening landslide."
Doc Plume nods. "Of course. I'll just get it prepared and you can pick it up when you have time for it." The move back to the bench and set the papers and coins on the empty flour barrel that serves as a makeshift table. "Would you like some tea? I wouldn't mind getting to know you a bit better if you have the time."
Louma hesitates for a moment, but considers her other options. Option. Paperwork. A look of happiness briefly crosses her face before she restrains herself and moves up onto the porch. "I would be most grateful, in fact, for the distraction."
Doc Plume picks up the paperwork and coins again, along with their empty teacup. "How do you take your tea, then?"
Louma: "Three sugars and some milk, if you have it, please." She settles on the porch opposite the chair Doc had been occupying, coiling up her tail and resting on it. "You don't mind if we drink out here, do you? No offense meant, but your clinic is a little cramped for me."
Doc Plume shakes their head. "Not at all. That was the plan. I like to give May and Brun some privacy when I can, either out here or up in my apartments." They step into the office to put on the kettle. Not too long after, they come back out with a tray with a teapot, two cups, milk, sugar, and even a small plate of biscuits.
Louma is at the edge of the porch, quietly but sternly lecturing a guard as they hastily fix their drooping uniform, sending them on their way as soon as Louma notices that Plume has returned. She seems slightly flustered as she coils back up in her spot, shaking her head slightly. "Terribly sorry, it never ends."
Doc Plume pours the tea for themself and Louma and shakes their head. "I know the feeling." They sit down before handing a cup over to the coatl. "It's nice to have another hybrid in town, by the way. I felt a bit out of place, I'll admit."
Louma takes the cup with a slight bow of her head, "Thank you." She hides her involuntary sour reaction to 'hybrid' by taking a sip of her tea, relaxing at the taste. "I can understand that, it seems a bit strange when you grew up with others like you and then go somewhere only to be a bit odd."
Doc Plume nods as they sip their own tea. "I mean... I know hybrid isn't the right word. I'm no more half fox than you are half snake, but by looks we are." They look Louma over again. "I'm afraid that you'll find that my knowledge of reptilian anatomy is still a bit lacking, but I'm studying whatever resources I can."
Louma nods and smiles slightly, looking at Plume. "No offense taken, I know you of all people don't mean anything by the word, and at least it's better than half-breed. Which I'm positive Nesseth uses just to get a rise out of me at this point."
Doc Plume blinks. "Nesseth? Why would he do something like that?" Their face betrays a small frown, which they try to hide behind their teacup.
Louma grins a bit despite trying to keep her public image intact. "Our people have a bit of... Animosity, which colored our relationship a little bit when he arrived. We're fine now, just some teasing, but he knows he can cheat in some ways to get my feathers up."
Doc Plume nods a bit. "I see. I'll have to talk to him about that, then..." They nibble on a biscuit and sigh a bit. "Nesseth and I are... a couple. Best that you know from the start."
Louma blinks, looking a bit startled but composing herself. "Oh hm. I don't mean to get him in trouble with you, and I'm positive he has no problem with hybrids." She looks away from Plume, thinking for a moment. "His people and mine had a war 60 or so years back, there's some deep rooted hate there. The two of us got through it more because we were forced to to keep our jobs."
Doc Plume nods. They ponder over this, trying to remember their limited studies of history. "Fair enough... so what brought you to a place like Respite anyway?"
Louma takes a long draw of her tea, considering the question. "Well, the shortest way to put it is issues with my family and trouble fitting into society." She looks at Plume, "What about yourself?"
Doc Plume nods. "Much the same. This is the farthest post I could find away from Vamas."
Louma nods, looking down into her tea. "At least we're not alone, that seems to be a common thread in this town. Everyone here seems to be fleeing something at home or seeking something that isn't there." She smiles genuinely at Plume, forgetting her 'guard captain facade' briefly. "And now you've got one more common experience sitting beside you."
Doc Plume nods a bit. "I don't hate my family, I just hate the expectations they placed on me. But that's the price of having a legacy to protect, I suppose..." They shake their head and smile. "At least studying surgery was respectable enough to get them off my back for a while."
Louma hums. "My family's legacy wasn't something I wanted anything to do with, and was probably going to destroy... Well, anyways, making your own way in life is the best thing about it, right?" She stiffens up as a patrolling guard makes their way by, returning their salute.
Doc Plume nods. "I'm not interested in a lot of my family's legacy, but it'd be worse for me if I actively opposed them. I'd rather make my own way in the world for now without them one way or the other."
Louma relaxes a bit as the guard moves along on their route, though not fully. She peers into the remains of her tea, swishing them around for a moment. "You seem like a skilled, professional person, and I'm glad that someone better than Hooktail was sent to take his station." She smirks briefly, "Talk about someone throwing around the half-breed word a lot." She drops her facade again, taking on a mocking tone and gesturing with her free hand, "Snake! Bird! Where does it end, where does it start?"
Doc Plume shakes their head. "Yeah, he was from a different time, certainly..." They frown a bit before pouring fresh cups of tea for both parties. "But I'm not here to take his place. I'm here to serve the residents of Respite, and that's what I'm doing. Whatever Hooktail did before me is his business. I'll at least thank him for keeping legible notes, at the very least."
Louma nods, sipping at the fresh tea. "Of course, he was good as a doctor, I just couldn't stand him as a person. Maybe the threat of dealing with him helped me keep from getting hurt for so long." She giggles at the concept.
Doc Plume shakes their head. "Let's hope not. I do my best, but I'm still a new doctor. Please, if I ever seem to not be pulling my weight, talk to me. I need to be held accountable."
Louma looks to her tail, shifting slightly until the fresh bandages are at her front. "I believe you'll be fine, these little cuts don't even sting any more thanks to you."
Doc Plume blushes a tiny bit. "Thank you." The pair continue to chat aimiably for a while on the porch until Doc's next appointment shows up a while later.
----------------------------------------------
THE THIRSTY MINNOW - AFTERNOON
----------------------------------------------
Xochi slips into this 'bar' that several residents have recommended to her in her inquiries around town. She has spent the morning investigating her new home, trying to find where all the necessities are, and now she simply desires some sort of food.
Erika is sitting at a table, half-reading what seems like a herbology book and half daydreaming. Mostly daydreaming, really. She has a soft glow about her and the seemingly permanent smile on her face.
Xochi hums, glancing around the establishment before making her way to the bar, foregoing a seat to wind her tail beneath her. She waits a moment as the barkeep stares at her, awaiting an order. "Hmmm? What is expected of me? Prepare me your best entre, please."
Erika blinks from her reverie at the sound of a newcomer, looking up. She tilts her head, looking at Xochi curiously.
Xochi waits patiently. Peeking around the room, she gives a slight bow to the horned mammal at the table who seems to be looking at her, but otherwise doesn't add much.
Erika gives a friendly smile and a wave at the snake: "Hey there. New to Respite? I don't think I've seen you before, and I see most folks sooner or later." She blinks: "Well that sounded a bit silly. But anyway!"
Xochi tilts her body back towards the creature talking to her and smiles, "Oh, greetings! Yes, quite new, only just arrived in Respite. I am Xochi, and so it seems now you have seen me, yes?" She laughs, that same harsh noise.
Erika nods with a smile, looking the snake up and down: "Yup, now I definitely have seen you. I'm Erika!"
Xochi folds her hands in front of her and dips her head, "Erika. I am most delighted to meet you. Respite is now to be my home."
Erika grins: "In that case, welcome!"
Xochi smiles once again, "Thank you. You are a resident here, I am to believe?"
Erika nodnods: "You can believe that. Been in Respite all my life. Well, all my life minus the three first years, but since I don't remember anything about that it doesn't count."
Xochi 's tongue darts out a bit as she watches Erika. "Hatchling years are a difficult time to be recalled. I remember little of my own time in those early years, so I can understand. You enjoy this town, then?"
Erika shrugs with a grin: "Precious little comparison points, but yeah, I do think Respite is the best place. Wouldn't live anywhere else."
Xochi hums, "This is good. I have no intention to live anywhere else now, so I hope Respite is most pleasant."
Erika shrugs again, leaning back on her chair: "It's a bit dry at times, and a bit wet at other times... though I guess that's the case in most places."
Xochi chuckles, "I am from the jungles. It is always wet there. And hot. Heat seems in no short supply here, though."
Erika smiles and nods: "Yup, it's pretty warm in here. Don't really like cold, so works for me."
Xochi nods, "The cold is less then good for myself as well. I seek peaceful, quiet, hot, and... remote. Here is all of these things."
Erika looks at Xochi, curious: "Remote? I mean, this certainly is from those big cities somewhere. Any particular reason?"
Xochi frowns slightly, "Several. I wish to enjoy retirment most of all, though."
Erika shrugs, smiling: "Fair enough. It's usually pretty peaceful in here. Barring the occasional incident, I guess."
Xochi 's frown becomes a little curious, "Incident? I suppose all places have incidents of some kind."
Erika muses a bit: "There was some kerfluffle at the town generator, and now the power is a bit wonky and there's this lightning near there... I dunno really."
Strix has been working pretty hard recently, but like all people, he needs a break now and then. He enters in briskly, not looking around, before ordering himself a large collection of meat and a juice drink. Waiting for that to be ordered, he looks around at everyone, deciding if he knows them/wants to talk to them.
Xochi thinks on this a moment, "Oh! So the lightning is not a normal feature of the town? How curious..." She glances over at the newcomer and seems to perk up, "Ah! This explains things! You are here to take my order, yes?"
Erika blinks, looking at Xochi, then at Strix, then back at Xochi: "Err..."
Strix: "Stix not servant. Snake Lady mistaken" He squints at Xochi "Strix forgive Snake lady for mistake. Strix suggest Snake lady get own food" This is..incredibly rude coming from a kobold, who back 'home' were always total suck ups and seemed to actively enjoy helping out. "Strix serve Strix. Nobody else"
Xochi seems taken aback, not upset so much as confused. "Get my own... well, that is what I am trying to do! I can't know what everybeing here does. And you are a Kobold..."
Erika looks at Xochi, confused: "What's him being a Kobold have to do with anything?"
Strix: "Back home, Snakes enslaved kobolds, and made them do all the jobs they didn't want to do" Strix explains, taking a large steak, and eating it down "Strix left that. Came here. Make Shinies"
Xochi frowns deeply, "Not slavery! Not for many, many years now! ...but it is true that often Kobolds have sought the more menial jobs of my home."
Erika looks between the two, frowning a bit: "...huh."
Strix: "Could kobolds get other jobs?" Strix takes a moment to pause "Snake Lady Rich Snake Lady? Have Lots of Kobolds?"
Xochi seems to shrink a little, "Oh uh... there were... certainly some Kobolds where I resided, yes... but they were valued friends... not... um..."
Erika tilts her head: "...less valued friends?"
Strix takes another bite "Still made kobolds do all bad jobs"
Strix: "Strix curious. What big house Snake Lady from?"
Xochi wilts, and lowers her head. "I... uh... it doesn't matter anymore which house." She pauses for a rather long time, then starts back up and answers rather hurriedly, "House Tecolote. Of course."
Erika feels a bit lost in this conversation. While part of her wants to follow up, there is a bit bigger part that desires to leave before any fireworks begin. She gets up and sneaks away as the two are focused on each other.
Strix: "Interesting" Strix appears to accept this at face value "Strix not mean bad to Snake Lady. Strix understand Lady not mean bad. Good bye to other lady too"
Xochi seems rather crestfallen regardless, but waves a hand to Erika, "Ah uh, yes. It was good to meet with you, Erika."
Erika absently waves at the others as she goes, her mind already in search of certain someone.
Xochi bows her head to Strix, "I indeed mean no bad to you, either... Strix? I am come to Respite for my own escape, not to do ill to others."
Strix: "Yes. Strix is Strix. How did Snake Lady know?"
Xochi pauses, unsure if this is a trick questions, "Oh... I thought you had said?"
Strix: "Strix doesn't question it. Lots of people good at guessing Strix's name"
Xochi lifts a hand to her chest, "And I am Xochi."
Strix: "Good to meet you Xochi. Strix hopes you find the city well"
Xochi nods, "Most pleasant so far. Many folks have been kind to me without knowing me, I must hope that I can treat them the same. Only one... 'incident' thus far."
Strix: "What incident happened to Xochi?"
Xochi shakes her head, "I am certain it is nothing, just my imaginings. But upon my arrival to town, a guard chose my wagon for 'random searching'. I would think nothing of it, except... they were a lizard."
Strix: "Strix does not understand. Lots of Lizard Guards"
Xochi frowns at that comment, "Lots? I hope that is not a problem. There remains tensions there. It would be difficult to seek one out for... help, were I to need it."
Strix: "Why? Not at home. No reason to be angry at each other"
Xochi sighs, "I hope there is no reason. Those wounds are deep." She clenches a fist tight, "Some of us still feel those pains."
Strix: "Then go to doctor if still have deep wounds" There's a metaphor there...or he could be just talking about literal wounds
Xochi lowers the fist, her tongue darting out. "I do wish to meet the town Doctor, yes."
Strix: "Then that should help. Doctor very nice"
Xochi smiles, "Excellent to hear. So... what does Strix recommend for food from this place? I do not know a menu, nor what I do to place the order? Do I just ask the barkeep?"
Strix: "Strix eat the meat, and drink the juice. Ask barkeep. Very good at knowing what to give"
Xochi turns to the barkeep and nods, "Then yes, meat and juice for myself, please." She puts a few coins on the counter as the Barkeep nods and takes her order.