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OUTSIDE THE RESPITE CLINIC - LATE EVENING
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Louma had been somewhat absent for the short slither back to the clinic with Plume, chin meeting hand often as she pondered the mysterious feather. Who this other snake is wasn't really much of a concern to her at first, but now she wanted to know what connections they had to be carrying a coatl feather around with them.
Doc Plume notices Louma's quiet pondering. "What's on your mind, Captain?"
Louma looks toward Plume, having briefly forgotten they were there. "Ah... Just thinking about some of our recent newcomers. To be honest, one in particular. A snake woman."
Doc Plume nods. "Xochi? Yes, she's an odd one. I think she's hiding something..."
Louma tilts her head slightly. "Ah, you've met them, then? I haven't had the opportunity, but I should probably make a point of it soon. What gives you suspicions, though?"
Doc Plume stops as they near the clinic's porch. "Well, she came to visit me, just to introduce herself, but she had some odd questions about wing atrophy and disuse. I know that there are winged snakes, but she isn't one... but her questions were very specific..."
Louma stops with Plume, turning to face them properly as they speak. She crosses her arms, humming. "So this Xochi doesn't have wings, but is carrying a feather, and seems highly concerned with wing health. She's also carrying Orela coins rather than exchanging them for local currency, so possibly unfamiliar with the concept?" She scratches her chin again, then ruffles the feathers on her head with both hands and honks at her chest in frustration.
Doc Plume shakes their head. "It's odd indeed... If she's hiding wings somehow, it's likely dangerous to her health to keep it up for too long."
Louma sighs, looking back up at Plume as she quickly pats her feathers down. "Yes, you're right. However, what if she's not hiding anything? What if Xochi is a servant to a coatl that has their wings bound instead?"
Doc Plume ponders. "Perhaps. In either case, the coatl's wings should be freed as soon as possible. But I can only help those who come to me willingly..."
Louma chuckles, smiling at Plume. "You really are a good doctor. Here I am concerned about political implications, and there you are, purely concerned about their health. That's admirable. So, it's important to both of us for whatever secret is being held to come out."
Doc Plume nods. "Unless she comes back for treatment, I'm afraid it's out of my hands." They climb up the stairs and stand by the door to the clinic. "And to be fair, I had enough of politics growing up, so I try to just care for those I can help."
Louma nods, finishing with her preening. "Good to know. Thank you for letting me bounce my thoughts off you for a bit, Plume. Have a good night." She gives a small bow, turning to head on her way after a few moments.
Doc Plume unlocks the clinic and heads up for that bath they're in desperate need of.
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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - EVENING
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Xochi sits in the a corner of the bar, lounging upon her coils rather than any of the seats. A bowl of hot soup is set before her which, after one boiling spoonful, she has backed off from, waiting for it to cool.
Elizabeth walks into the bar, holding a hand on her back. Sleeping on a hastily-acquired mattress in her 'mansion' has not been the best. A glass of wine may not be medicinal for her back, but her mind certainly wants some now. She looks cranky upon entering, but manages to find a bit of a smile upon noticing Xochi, nodding at her.
Xochi bows her head in greeting, smiling, "Ah! My companion for travel! Elizabeth! I hope you are well this evening."
Elizabeth acquires said glass of wine from the the Barkeep, then heads over to Xochi's table, smiling: "Well, aside from getting used to new sleeping arrangements that are less than ideal, I suppose I am fine. How about you?"
Xochi nods knowingly, "I am finding a new bed difficult as well. But it is quite liberating. I had to restraighten the sheets this morning!" She giggles, amused at herself.
Elizabeth raises an eyebrow, but her smile doesn't wane: "I'm glad you're having fun, at least."
Xochi leans down over the soup and flicks her tongue out, then pulls back up. "Hmmm. Yes. Not so fun then for you?"
Elizabeth sighs a bit, deflating on her seat as she holds her wine glass, looking at it a touch morosely: "Sadly, my 'mansion' was slightly less than expected. I have a lot of figuring out to do, and I'm not sure I am up for it right now."
Xochi frowns slightly as she tilts her head, "Less? I see. This is all new to me, so I don't have much known in what to expect. I simply sought... shelter. No mansion. I am sorry to hear things have been different for you."
Elizabeth sighs and looks at Xochi with a definite defeat in her voice: "Unfortunately, I paid a fortune for a barely-together pile of wooden shambles."
Xochi 's frown deepens. "Do you need aid? I have coin, if it is gold you need."
Elizabeth looks at Xochi in mild suprise, but shakes her head: "No, I... I don't want... I mean, I can't..." She pauses, not even sure herself what to say. "...why?"
Xochi tilts her head again. "I'm not sure I understand the question...? I thought friends helped each other? Or did I misunderstand?"
Elizabeth sighs, a bit of dubiousness creeping into her voice without her realizing it: "No, it's just... why do you want to help me? Why does anyone?" She looks away, trying to gather her thoughts some more.
Xochi shakes her head, "I don't know? I have no reasons, other then the fact that 'I have'. I am still learning how all of these things work, however." She slumps a little sheepishly, then picks up her spoon again and tests her soup.
Elizabeth looks at the snake curiously: "That... huh. I guess it's just... different, here. You're not the only one who's offered to help..."
Xochi slurps her soup quietly, making a pleasant hiss at the taste now that she isn't burning her mouth. "Ahh. I cannot say. Everything is different from home for me."
Elizabeth nods, musing on this: "Certainly is... I am still not sure if for the better or not."
Xochi smiles sadly at Elizabeth. "Ah. Different for me. It is all better. I could be sleeping on rocks under the stars, and it would be better. Forced to catch my own food, devouring vermin, and still better. Because... I am free. Perhaps this sounds silly to you, but it is the most important journey I have ever made."
Elizabeth looks at Xochi in mild surprise: "Huh. That's... one way to see it." She frowns, looking at her glass: "Depends on how much you lost, I guess."
Xochi takes another sip of soup and chuckles, "Everything." Her expression drops slightly, and the laugh turns into a sigh, and a much quieter, "Everything..."
Elizabeth looks at Xochi, considering for longer this time: "...Hmmh. We're in the same boat, then. Fugitives." She swallows a bit of bile at the word, not exactly fond of accepting the idea.
Xochi hums slightly at the words, then nods. "I suppose so. This is my life now. But it is my life. No one elses. I live and die by my own, now."
Elizabeth shakes her head slightly: "My life has ever been my own. Maker of my own destiny."
Xochi lifts her head to glance at Elizabeth curiously. "Then why a fugitive?"
Elizabeth freezes for a brief second, then something in her makes her relent, if only slightly: "I... angered wrong people. Powerful people."
Xochi does raise a hand to stop Elizabeth from continuing, "No need to tell me more. We all shall keep our secrets. I was merely curious to the reasons." She sighs. "Complications. I merely wish to live a simple life now." She taps the spoon against her bowl, "I do not need banquets. This will suffice."
Elizabeth leans back on her chair, visibly relieved. She looks a the soup bowl: "...I imagine that is what I will have to get used to now too."
Xochi lets out that same harsh laughter, "I am not 'getting used' to it. I am experiencing it anew. This is 'chicken herb'. I have tasted of game fowl before, and yet never eaten chicken. I do not even know what the herb is!" She shakes her head, "I see it all as new, adventure. Living. I have done none before. I am sorry that for you, it is less good."
Elizabeth blinks and considers the snake's words: "...I don't know. But really... I'm not sure I know anything anymore."
Xochi laughs louder, "Then you are in the same situation as me, after all! Order some soup! Think of it not as a change for the worst, but as something new, something you may even find enjoyment in! Do be careful, though, it is served very hot."
Elizabeth blinks again, but then can't help but chuckle at the idea: "...you know, you may not be wrong." She stands up from her seat and goes to the bar to order a soup as well. Returning to her seat, she smiles slightly: "Life is what we make of it."
Xochi grins, "Yes, this is the idea! I shall make the most of this, learn new things, meet new people. I plan to live the best life I am able here. And it will be a good life, I am promising." She hums to herself, and nods. "This is all I wish."
Elizabeth raises a curious eyebrow: "...there might be a kernel of truth to that. This is my last place of refuge, so I do have to make the most of it."
Xochi nods. "Respite. If it cannot be found here, then where?" She chuckles to herself and continues to eat her soup.
Elizabeth hums quietly as she gets the soup in front of her. She stares at the soup for a moment as though hoping it contains answers, then shrugs slightly and starts digging in. Or attempting to, anyway, as the soup is indeed very hot.
Xochi chuckles at Elizabeth's initial reaction. "I did warn you, even if the barkeep did not."
Elizabeth smiles wryly at the snake: "You did, yes."