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RESPITE CLINIC - AFTERNOON
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Teis had gotten a letter from Plume requesting her presence, though with her stint of staying locked behind the estate's walls up until recently, Teis is rather late responding to it. Dressed in her lab attire, she enters the clinic, on the hunt for the head doc. "Hello? Doctor?" Teis calls out as she steps forth.
Doc Plume is just putting away some patient files when Teis enters. They turn around and smile at the cat, giving a friendly nod. "Ah, Miss Bouquet. Thank you for coming. I assume this is in reference to my letter?"
Narrator: The lab-cat nods with a smile of her own. "Yes. Sorry for. . .Taking a while to respond. It's uh, been. . .An interesting week, suffice to say. But I might be more or less sorry depending on what this is about? Your letter didn't specify."
Doc Plume finishes filing away the last folder before closing the cabinet and then returning to their desk and gesturing to one of the chairs in front of it. "Please, have a seat. Would you like some tea?" Regardless of the answer, they turn on the gas and set the kettle over it before taking a seat at the desk. "I can understand that you've had a lot going on. Nesseth has kept me somewhat informed on the whole situation with the doppleganger. As for the letter, it's in reference to Tarbin. I understand you've been working with him to break the curse?"
Teis: "No, I'm fine, thank you. I've just come in from lunch." Teis replies as she takes a seat, sitting cross-legged on it and leaning forward on her arms set atop her legs. Science Teis does not sit properly! That is a job for Proper Teis. "Oh, good. Then you know?" Teis questions. "I mean, I was working with him. But ah, it's hard to continue breaking a curse when it's already broken. Tarbin's cured."
Doc Plume cocks her head. "Completely? I haven't seen him since he was brought in after the incident. I was hoping to get some insight about some scales he had shed then, but if he's completely cured, then it hardly matters, I suppose..."
Teis: "Mm. The elemental helped cure him. . ." Teis hangs. ". . .What do you mean, ah, shed scales?"
Doc Plume opens a drawer on their desk and pulls out a small envelope that has a few things written on it: Tarbin's name, the date and time of collection, and the location on the body from which they were shed. They slide the envelope across the desk. "See for yourself." At that moment, the kettle begins to boil and Plume stands up to turn off the gas and start preparing a pot of tea. "They sloughed off on the way to the clinic."
Narrator: With a curious tilt of her head, Teis takes the envelope and opens it, carefully sliding the scales out onto the desk, noting the odd lavender colouration of the scales immediately. "You sure these are Tarbin's?" Teis questions out loud, though her attention is still firmly on the scales. "He's not known for lavender scales. . ." With a free hand, she reaches for a pocket, pulling out a glasses case.
Doc Plume nods. "Unless Nesseth lied about their source, but I have no reason to disbelieve him." They sit down with their tea and watch Teis looking over the scales. "I have a microscope if you'd like a closer look?"
Teis: "Not sure if I'd benefit from a microscope. . ." Teis muses, opening the glasses case and pulling out her lesser mana lenses. "Well, not unless it's got the same lenses as these in it." Teis unfurls the arms, putting them on. "And I'm not really in the field of biology. I figure you're asking me for magical expertise, yes?"
Doc Plume shrugs. "I suppose. Mostly just wanting your insights on the matter since it's magic manifesting an illness... or was I suppose? I need to get Tarbin back in here, it seems." They sip their tea and watch Teis. "And you've been involved in the whole process with him."
Teis takes a glance over the scales, giving herself a little nod. Dull energies, but. . .The signature is similar to the curse energies. Not identical though. "Hm. . ." She muses. "Hm?" She snaps back up to Plume. "Oh, uh. Yeah. Magic can do that, either intentionally. . .Usually accidentally though. Half of the infirmary was dedicated to muffins blowing themselves up, others messing up a super-speed elixir and giving themselves the. . ." Teis catches herself. "Ahem. That one's kind of disgusting, but, yeah. I'm sure you can imagine, given that you're a doctor."
Doc Plume nods. "Yeah... I've had to fix a few of those things... Magic is marvelous, but it's can't make your body not a collection of muscles bones and tendons. Over extend it too much and the body breaks before the magic does. It's not pretty." They give Teis a little smile. "I'm a surgeon by training, so I doubt there's much you could say to turn my stomach."
Teis: "Less about your stomach, more about mine." Teis replies. "I just ate, so while I'm sure you've seen your share of. . .Fluids. . .I'd rather not add mine to that list at this precise moment in time." Teis explains, staring back at the scales. ". . .These scales certainly, at least on the surface, appear to share the same magical signature as Tarbin's curse. But. . ." Teis hums again. She takes off her mana lenses, placing them on the table. ". . .There's, like, a difference? As if there's a second signature mixed with the first." C'mon Teis, two plus two. You can do it.
Doc Plume ponders. "Interesting. Perhaps the death of the elemental had some effect on him?"
Narrator: Plume's words sparks the connection. "Oh, muffin duh." Teis lightly bumps her own forehead with her palm. "It's probably Melia's signature mixed with the curse. If I had her here, I could confirm that." Teis ahems. "That ah, reminds me. The Elemental isn't dead, she's in Tarbin. Also her name is Melia."
Doc Plume blinks. "In... like a parasite? You're sure? Nesseth was convinced that he was deluding himself."
Teis: "Not really like a parasite? The magical equivalent of a parasite would be a curse." Teis replies. "No, I mean. . .When Tarbin unbound Melia from the tree, Melia bound herself to him. And then used her power and new connection with Tarbin to break his curse. So much for me becoming a curse breaker, right?" Teis chuckles. "But, yes. I'm sure. I've seen and confirmed this for myself."
Doc Plume sips their tea as they think. "All right. I'll need to talk with Nesseth about it again. Perhaps you could too? He's still quite torn up over everything..." They sigh and shake their head. "Sorry, I really shouldn't mixing work and personal life, but well, small town and all..."
Teis nods with a solemn sadness. "Yeah. . .Given how miserable I was. . .I can imagine. . ." Teis sighs. "I can do that. As for the scales, mind if I keep them?"
Doc Plume cocks their head, pondering the question. "Officially on loan, but yes." They smile at Teis. "And thank you... so where is Tarbin these days? I should pay him a housecall for a followup."
Teis nods in thanks of her own, collecting the scales back up and putting them back in the envelope, followed by folding up her mana lenses and putting those back in her case too, then putting the both inside her lab pockets. "He's. . .Somewhere outside the west wall, I think. Something about being closer to nature and all that."
Doc Plume jots down that information on a notepad. "Understood. Thank you. Now then, since you're here, how is your health? Any complaints?"
Teis: "Uh, physically?" Teis questions, tilting her head briefly. "I'm fine. Been taking extra care not to do anything too hazardous to my health ever since the incident two months ago. . .Plus it's kind of hard to date with a punctured lung or missing ha-Wait, no, Enver manages just fine. . ." Teis hums, now lost in her own thoughts.
Doc Plume blinks. "Oh? You know Enver? That new hand of his is frankly miraculous..."
Teis: "Oh, yeah. We're uh, dating, or. . .Something? Honestly it's confusing. But yes, the hand is pretty nice. I'm looking forward to meeting it's creator, but, uh. . ."
DocPlume: "Yes?"
Teis: "Well. Enver told me he's skittish, and only meets with people he wants to meet with, which I guess isn't me at the moment, so. . .I'm just gonna have to be patient on that one."
Doc Plume nods. "That's true, but I think I heard that he had opened a stall on the edge of the market a few days ago. You might try looking for someone selling shinies there."
Teis: "Oh. Really? I'll have to go looking, then, b-but tomorrow! It's time for study as soon as we're done here. Which, uh. . .It kind of sounds like we are? Not to be rude. . .Just on a schedule nowadays is all."
Doc Plume sets down their teacup and stands, walking around the desk. "Of course, I understand. I have an appointment soon. Thank you for coming, and please, come see me any time you need help with anything in my field."
Teis nods, with a smile as she stands. "Will do, Doctor."
Doc Plume sees Teis to the door before preparing for the next appointment.