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RESPITE CLINIC - AFTERNOON
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Xochi winds her way down towards the door of the clinic, having been desiring to meet the town doctor since her arrival, but only recently learning the location from a (non-lizard) Guard whom she asked rather cautiously. She apporaches the door and slows, then knocks.
Doc Plume is sitting at their desk working on patient files and enjoying a small snack when the knock comes at the door. "It's open," they call out before standing up and moving to the door to greet whoever it is .
Xochi gently opens the door, then slides herself in, letting her full length through the door before she lets her tail close it behind her. Her hands are folded passively in front of her, and she bows her head, "You are the appointed physician of Respite, this is correct?"
Doc Plume is about to greet Louma when they realize that this is, in fact, a different serpentine patient. "Oh, um, yes, I am. Doc Plume, at your service, ma'am." They give a little bow before giving the snake a once over.
Xochi appears to be a rather ordinary example of her kind, emerald green in color with a light-tinted belly, small patterns of blue and yellow along the back of her tail. She is wearing a series of simple, but well-crafted, jewels and cloth, which are slight in size, but there's not terribly much to conceal on her scaled form.
Xochi: "I am Xochi, new to this town. It is a pleasure to make an acquintance of you."
Doc Plume nods. "And you, Xochi. Did you just come by to meet me or do you actually need assistance?"
Xochi dips her head. "I wished to meet you, simply in case of emergencies, such that you would have knowledge of me. If you are not busy, that is?" She almost seems as if she has more to say, but glances away from Plume as she appears to thinks better of it.
Doc Plume shakes their head and smiles. "I have time, yes... not too many folks think to ask for appointments on weekends." They walk back to their desk and sit down again, taking out a fresh sheet of paper and readying a pen to take notes. "So, what brings you to Respite Falls?"
Xochi glances back and smiles, "Oh! I am fortunate in this regard, retirement. I've come to Respite seeking... respite." She chuckles to herself at the joke, a strange, quiet sound like a strangled cough.
Doc Plume jots down a few words and nods. "I see. Any chronic or pre-existing conditions I should know about?"
Xochi pauses momentarily, seeming unsure. "...no. None."
Doc Plume makes a note and looks up. "So what sort of emergencies are you worried about, then?"
Xochi lifts a hand to her chest, "As you may see by my length, I am old. This climate is new to me as well, and circumstances require a changing of diet. I would like advice on these, if any can be made, so that such things do not become emergencies."
Doc Plume makes more notes. "Ah, of course. I'm no nutrition expert, but as far as climate goes, I would limit time spent out in direct sunlight. It's nice and warm, but also very dry here, so you'll dehydrate quite quickly..."
Xochi extends her tongue for a moment and nods, "That also is a concern, yes. Home was very humid. Heat does not bother me as much as the dryness. Quite different."
Doc Plume nods. "Beyond that, I'm afraid my knowledge of snake-specific ailments is limited. I'm working to expand my knowledge, but it's not an area I've studied before. Your best bet in that regards would be talking with Captain Louma."
Xochi narrows her eyes slightly, "Captain? Guard?" She pauses, tongue flickering for another moment. Her voice is a bit bitter. "Another lizard?"
Doc Plume shakes her head. "Captain of the town guard, yes... but not a lizard. She's... mostly snake. A snake-swan mix, I believe..."
Xochi seems to be quite taken aback by that, "Another..." She shakes her head, "Most curious. A rare sort, to be certain, and one I would not expect to find in such a place as Respite. Do... they ever have issues with wings?" She glances along Doc's body. "Or you, upon this same matter."
Doc Plume ruffles their wings a bit. "I don't think they do, no. I do sometimes, since I don't fly often. I've taken to weekly practice to keep my flight muscles from atrophy, though..."
Xochi 's expression falls at the mention of 'atrophy', "Damage from disuse? I had not considered such a possibility. Sounds... unfortunate. Have you ever experienced... pain or discomfort from wings becoming cramped? Idle curiosity, forgive me."
Doc Plume shakes their head. "Cramped? No. I've always been able to stretch them out. Even during exams, I could still move them around enough."
Xochi leans back, thoughtful and disturbed by something. "I see. That would make sense, yes."
Doc Plume cocks their head. "Why are you so curious about wings?"
Xochi starts out of her thoughts, then bows her head, "Forgiveness. Amongst my people, wings are a sign of divinity, of esteemed bloodline. All our nobility was once of the Coatl... with such beautiful wings..." She dips her head, "They... are all dead now, the pure ones. Slain. Executed. Perhaps it is for the best."
Doc Plume cocks their head again. "If they were divine, they wouldn't have any issues with their wings though, would they?"
Xochi chuckles again, but does not lift her head. "No. I suppose they would not..."
Doc Plume makes a few more notes. "I can only speak to my experience, though, and my wings are far from divine..."
Xochi lifts her head back to gaze at Plume and nods, "They are divine, in a sense. Things of beauty, Doctor. You should be proud of this. Cherish it."
Doc Plume spreads their wings a bit and smiles. "Thank you. They do require care like any other part of me..."
Xochi looks upon the wings and smiles, though her eyes are pierced with a deep sadness. "Yes. A practiced skill, I am sure. Ah... well... such is the way of things."
Doc Plume settles their wings on their back again, not sure where to take the conversation now. "Well, is there anything else?"
Xochi shakes her head. "No, I think not. I shall see you again? Not as patient, I hope." She chuckles again.
Doc Plume nods. "I look forward to it. I do recommend that you talk with Louma, though, she's been in town a lot longer than me and will know more about the risks to you specifically."
Xochi nods as she rises from her makeshift seat, her tail unwinding expertly. "I shall seek her out at your recommendation, Doctor Plume. Thank you for this time today."
Doc Plume stands and shows Xochi to the door. "Of course. It's what I'm here for. See you around, I hope."
Xochi follows, dipping her head respectfully as she heads through the door. "I shall hope as well. This has been most pleasant."
Doc Plume closes the door behind Xochi and heads back to their desk, pondering the newcomer's odd fascination with wings.
Xochi leaves, stopping to gather herself before heading away. She glances back at the Doctor's door, hands falling to her side. She looks down to where one would have wings, were they not properly bound, disguised with magic, forced to atrophy and wither away. She forces back tears, and nods, whispering to herself, "It is for the best.", before she sets herself back on the path to her new home.
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RESPITE FALLS MARKET - LATE AFTERNOON
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Xochi winds her way through the market, keeping a cautious path with her tail, though most folk seem to be giving her quite long form some space. She seems to be stopping rather frequently, examining each market stall and then moving on, just getting a sense of what is where and what is available to her now in the town.
Vix is sitting behind her market stall as usual, almost dozing off while she neglects any effort to draw in customers. She still hasn't found anything to replace the parts she no longer stocks, so her item selection seems more sparse than usual.
Xochi winds up to Vix's stall and peers across the sparse selection, then smiles at the cat, tongue flickering out. "Hello! I am Xochi! What is it that you have available?"
Vix jumps a little as the large snake woman snaps her out of her daydream. "Oh! Um...I've got some herbs over here...some uh...second hand clothing...and a few snacks if you'd prefer."
Vix: There is clearly more miscellaneous items on the table, but Vix seems too scatterbrained to list them out
Xochi slips backwards slighlty, "Oh! I am sorry! I didn't meant to startle! Are you alright?"
Vix scratches her head. "Yeah, I'm good. Just spacing out a little. It's kinda hot out here..."
Xochi hums. "Yes, quite so. Heat doesn't bother me, but this dryness is horrible... does this town have a means of bathing? I have not washed properly in a month, and soaking in the heat would do my scales well."
Vix hums and digs in her bag. "There is a public bath house! Here, I happen to have an old brochure..." She pulls a faded and wrinkled slip of paper from her bag. "I'll include it as a bonus with your purchase~"
Xochi 's eyes widen, and her smile grows, "Oh! This is very considerate! Ah, what then to purchase? Perhaps a snack of some kind? I am feeling peckish."
Vix points to some cups of fresh berries, small round biscuits, and some strips of jerky. "Lunch special is one of each for 5 gold!"
Xochi grins, raising her hands to clap, "Ah! then I will not have to choose!" she reaches into a small bag tied at her 'hip', and counts out coins, placing on the table five ornate golden coins bearing the symbols of a feathered serpent on one side, and a sun rising over a pyramid on the other.
Vix holds one of the coins up in the light. "Huh...Where are you from, lady?"
Xochi shrinks down a bit. "Ah... formerly? Orela. ...Tepetlkoatl. Though, I think they simply call it Tepetl, now. I am new to Respite as being my home now."
Vix works her tongue around the name. "Te...tepetl...ack, bit my tongue. I've never met anyone from there!"
Xochi dips her head, "Some find our tongue rather difficult without... our unique tongues, so to speak." She flicks her tongue out for emphasis, then laughs, a throaty choking noise.
Vix chuckles as she collects the coins. "Say, you might get along with a friend of mine. He's a scaly hunter who lives around here, though he's not quite as uh...as long as you."
Xochi smirks, taking one of the cups of food in exchange. "Is that so? I would be delighted to meet with him, I am sure."
Vix grins. "It's a small town, so you'll probably run into him eventually! He's usually doing guard duty on the wall!"
Xochi lets out a deep hiss at the mention of 'guard duty', her voice going low. "You don't say. A lizard, I presume?"
Vix hesitates a little at the change in tone. "Uh...y-yeah! He's really nice though..."
Xochi 's tone could freeze water in the midst of this heat, "I'm sure he is. A hunter, you say? Hmph. Beware where he points that bow, friend. Lizards prefer to shoot when your back is turned."
Vix blinks. "Um...okay? "
Xochi seems to shiver, face twisting a bit, but she shakes it off, reaching a hand down to scratch at her side for a moment before she sighs. "Argh... I should go... I am sorry, uh... I did not hear your name. Our people have... bad blood, lizards and snakes. I am certain your friend is fine. But they will not like me. Nor I, them. That is the truth of the matter."
Vix blinks again. "O-oh...I see. I guess there is some history there. Sorry about that..."
Xochi shakes her head sadly, "This is no fault of yours."
Vix nods. "R-right." She slips the wrinkled pamphlet over to Xochi while she gathers up the rest of the coins. "You'll have to tell me more about your hometown someday. Would you like to buy anything else while you're here?"
Xochi slowly takes the pamphlet, then shakes her head. "No... I think this shall be enough for today. My... hometown." She frowns slightly. "Yes, another day, perhaps." She turns to go, wincing slightly at something, and begins to slither off slowly...
Narrator: As Xochi goes, something seems to fall out from behind her, floating down onto Vix's table is a brillant mixed blue and purple feather, damaged as if bent in half...
Vix holds the feather up to the light then looks back at Xochi. She puts the feather between the pages of her ledger, for later.
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OLDHAMMER SMITHY - LATE EVENING
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Cavro is toiling away at his workbench late into the evening, a burst of focus and energy driving him on into unusually late hours. That, or the mind numbing repetitive task of hammering out boring, straight nails has once again made him completely lose track of time. Of course, such an item is in high demand in a growing town, and Cavro doesn't really want to start in on any longer projects now that the challenging task of generator parts sits tantalizingly close ahead. He pauses after tossing what feels like the thousandth nail of the day into a crate of similar product, wiping his brow with a cloth before his stomach reminds him of other needs. He sets his hammer and gloves on the workbench and wordlessly trots out the door, heading up the street to his home.
Cavro wanders through his cluttered front room, stuffed with a personal workbench that is surrounded by various small projects, only a handful in states less than complete. Reaching an immaculate kitchen, he toils for a few minutes at making a quick sandwich before heading back out. He manages to down half the meal before meandering back into the smithy, pausing to let the forge-sourced warmth strip away the coolness that evening had wrapped around him.
Kira is squatting on Cavro's workbench when he returns, staring into the forge in a state of awe. They're a small pale green moth with tranlucent wings and purple accents along the top of those wings. Her yellow frilled antennae twitch in the heat, showing that she's not just a statue or otherwise lifeless. Sat next to the 3' tall moth on the workbench is a small tin lantern housing a flickering flame inside of it.
Cavro stops when he spots the stranger sitting on his bench, nearly dropping his sandwich in surprise. He takes a few moments to gather himself before slowly moving to see them from the front. "Um... Excuse me? Hello? Uh why why why are you sitting on my bench?" The automated bellows are running slowly, the weight just now dropping to push the paddles together and send up the flames with a renewed burst of light and heat.
Kira blinks only when Cavro moves between her and the forge. She seems to shake herself out of her reverie and jumps back a bit, grabbing her lantern as she flutters to the ground. "Ah! Sorry! It was just.. bright... so nice... never seen it lit up before..." They look around and then up toward the rafters, the small fragile thing seemingly thinking of escape.
Cavro turns to look at the forge, letting the familiar heat wash over his face before turning back to the moth with a small smile. "I I I understand, it's pretty cool outside." He shakes his head to come back to the present situation. "But what do you mean by 'before'?"
Kira shakes her head. "At night... it's closed here. No light. But not tonight." They still seem half nervous and half entranced by the forge. "It's such a big lamp... almost like the sun..."
Cavro steps aside from the forge, smiling a bit at the description. "Oh, yes I I I don't usually work into the night, just feeling up to it I I I suppose. As long as you aren't here to to to steal anything. I don't think I've seen you before."
Kira manages to turn away and look at Cavro. "I didn't mean to cause problems. I just wanted to see your lamp. I can go now." They look a little ashamed as they clutch their tin lamp against their chest.
Cavro shakes his head, intrigued by the unique visitor. "You don't have to, you you you just surprised me is all. I don't mind you being here. I am Cavro, what's your name?"
Kira looks at Cavro and cocks her head. "Most don't want me around.. think I'm a pest or try to eat me..." They set down their lamp on the workbench again as they give their wings a little flutter. "Kirakira... but just one kira is okay too..."
Cavro tils his head with a slight grimace. "Eat you? That's unpleasant to think about." He shudders at the thought, trying to recover with a subject change. "Why do you have that lantern with you?"
Kira looks down at the lamp. "Oh... to keep the town glowing. I light the lamps at night. Usually I only have to make up for problems with the ICEE but now I get to light them all myself. It's nice. I know all of them now, keep them fed and lit and glowing and put them to sleep again in the morning..."
Cavro blinks, forgetting his sandwich. "Oh, I I I never thought about that before, that's pretty incredible. The whole town every night!"
Kira nods. "And what do you do with your big hot lamp, Mr. Cavro?"
Cavro chuckles with a snort, looking at the forge. "My lamp? I get it hot enough to melt iron and make things like the lantern in in in your hands or the lamps you light."
Kira blinks. "Oh... interesting. It's dangerous to go too close to the fire, though, even though you always want to." They look at the forge and frowns. "One that big, it would be so easy to go in... just... meet the light." They shake their head. "But I wouldn't do that..." They turn away from the forge. "I should go. I need to light up by the south gate still..." They take their lamp in hand again and make sure that their belt which holds various pouches and vials is secure before turning to go. "I'll visit you another night if you want, though..."
Cavro smiles and nods. "I would actually like the company. If you you you see the forge running at night, feel free to drop by."
Kira smiles. "OK. See you later." They flap their wings and head out into the night without much of a sound.
Cavro watches Kira take off. "Have a good night, and thank you for your hard work!" He waves the sandwich, surprised to rediscover it when a piece of lettuce lands on his snout.