Who ⬤ Emily and open! What ⬤ Monthly catchall - clinic work, music club, etc. When ⬤ Over May. Where ⬤ Across the city. Content Warnings ⬤ TBA if needed.
[ There is a near immediate brightening of her expression, marked by surprise as she perks up to peer over at Emily. Aerith's attention shifts seamlessly from her work to the other woman, brows raised and green eyes glimmering with a sudden shock of inquisitiveness in the sterile lighting of the clinic. It's a moment before she realizes what she's actually being asked. A sheepish sort of smiles coaxes it's way onto her lips. It's small. ]
Well... that's the thing, really. It's hard to sleep when you've got them around. Kind of a surprise, to tell the truth...
Have they been causing you undue trouble? Appearing in your apartment?
[that won't do at all. she can hardly ask Aerith to keep moving under these circumstances - being haunted by these curses can't be good on anyone.]
If you're exhausted, you can rest here, you know. A young man actually set up some wards over these rooms - I haven't seen a single one of those objects since he did. It'd be a safe haven.
His name is Matoba. You'll know him by his serious demeanor and the eyepatch he wears, also his preference towards more traditional clothing. He's part of my clan, so you might see him on business.
[a pause, though, and she puts what she was dealing with aside.]
Why did you bring the dolls home with you? Did someone ask you to protect them?
[she's trying to figure them out, and it's hard to get much more than "bad vibes" off a doll.]
[ Hm, noted. She puts that description to the back of her mind; this ward sounds very helpfu, indeed. Settling down onto a free bed, Aerith hums softly. Her back is to Emily when she speaks. ]
Mmm... Enma was tasked with collecting them. [ So, they're of interest for that alone, to her. But... ]
And they're cute. [ Just saying. ] Isn't that weird?
I wouldn't say that. If they endear you, so they do.
[it's not strange, if Aerith does genuinely find them cute. there are a number of oddities that Emily has seen that others might not find of interest, but regardless of her own personal feelings, why should she be initially dismissive? particularly when they were already haunting her friend. no need to voice her own thoughts.]
The Department might find them dangerous, however, given what even this short-term exposure is doing. And then there are those I've seen unconscious....
A little. I know they're where those without a clan go. That it's harsh to survive there, that it is a great punishment to be sentences to die there. And I'm not sure if you know her, but there's a particular medicine maker who's getting her more specialized ingredients from out there.
[the rabbit who was so eager to have people try her products.]
I'm not sure of her connections, but it says that there's something there, though likely not meant for us.
[ An earnest answer is what she gets after a moment of deliberation. ]
I don't know, but so what? It's worth it to ask, don't you think so? Besides, if she does know... [ Something shifts in Aerith's expression— through the exhaustion, all the hard word, the talking, the trying... she feels something like determination. ] I want to know.
And so do I. First thing in the morning, I'll look for her, I remember where she is. I'll do what she likes if it helps her trust us with the information - take her medicines, or perform some task for her, but I want to know the same as you.
[she nods once, firmly, adding it to her mental checklist.]
If whatever she asks of me requires someone else, can I count on you to assist?
[ Their hands meet, and Aerith sleeps sooner than later. By the morning light, she's missed Emily, but there's enough to keep her busy in the clinic. Work makes the day go along faster, and when Emily comes through with her pained expression, Aerith is deep in conversation with a youkai that seems to be entirely made up of hair. It's whispering to her animatedly about a sashimi place hidden in one of Enma's official looking buildings. It's arm is wrapped tightly. A sprain, maybe?
Excusing herself, she rushes over to Emily. Concern is written into every corner of her face. ]
[she makes herself take a deep breath, smoothing her skirt down. it's not that bad, she'd only gotten a little spooked, but her mind had taken it as something else entirely.]
I found our...friend, and asked her about what we spoke of. And she made it very clear to me that it's something we should be leaving utterly and truly alone.
[whatever it is, it's dangerous. and she doesn't need dangerous near this place - not by a very long shot. it'll only survive if she stays above reproach, as well as most of the other healers. they need to keep a reputation intact.]
[ To Aerith, that sounds like both a business move... and a threat. While Emily gathers up the remnants of her shattered nerves, Aerith thinks. Her gaze falls to the floor, focusing on the sterile tiling. Puzzle pieces begin to connect.
Finally, she speaks. ]
So, she knows something... Probably the black market. [ A short beat before she continues, brows raising and knitting with the thought patterns she's picking out. ] The Wastelands might be where the black market gets everything. Wonder if she knows who is bringing the haniwa in...? [ Oh, but— not to be one-track minded. Sorry, Emily. ]
You look really spooked, Emily. You want some water or something?
I'll be fine, if you give me a moment. My point is, she's not going to talk to us anymore, even if she does know. Her words and actions were utterly clear on that point.
[a breath, and she folds her hands on her lap where she sits.]
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no subject
Well... that's the thing, really. It's hard to sleep when you've got them around. Kind of a surprise, to tell the truth...
no subject
[that won't do at all. she can hardly ask Aerith to keep moving under these circumstances - being haunted by these curses can't be good on anyone.]
If you're exhausted, you can rest here, you know. A young man actually set up some wards over these rooms - I haven't seen a single one of those objects since he did. It'd be a safe haven.
no subject
[ She fidgets, but the idea of rest does hold her attention... for a moment. Aerith shakes her head. ]
Wait, wards...? Hey, who did that? [ She's got some familiarity with wards, actually. ]
no subject
[a pause, though, and she puts what she was dealing with aside.]
Why did you bring the dolls home with you? Did someone ask you to protect them?
[she's trying to figure them out, and it's hard to get much more than "bad vibes" off a doll.]
no subject
Mmm... Enma was tasked with collecting them. [ So, they're of interest for that alone, to her. But... ]
And they're cute. [ Just saying. ] Isn't that weird?
no subject
[it's not strange, if Aerith does genuinely find them cute. there are a number of oddities that Emily has seen that others might not find of interest, but regardless of her own personal feelings, why should she be initially dismissive? particularly when they were already haunting her friend. no need to voice her own thoughts.]
The Department might find them dangerous, however, given what even this short-term exposure is doing. And then there are those I've seen unconscious....
no subject
The Department wanting them is what sounded weird to me. [ She's being a little cheeky. Forgive her. ]
They're cursed. But... it's hard to tell with what. And I heard some interesting stuff about it. Do you know anything about the Wastelands?
no subject
[the rabbit who was so eager to have people try her products.]
I'm not sure of her connections, but it says that there's something there, though likely not meant for us.
no subject
She's selling mochi, now, isn't she? [ In other words, she does know. ] Hey... Emily. The Haniwa... they're from the Wastelands.
no subject
[if they understand the problem, they can treat the illness, or at least alleviate it.]
no subject
I don't know, but so what? It's worth it to ask, don't you think so? Besides, if she does know... [ Something shifts in Aerith's expression— through the exhaustion, all the hard word, the talking, the trying... she feels something like determination. ] I want to know.
no subject
[she nods once, firmly, adding it to her mental checklist.]
If whatever she asks of me requires someone else, can I count on you to assist?
no subject
You know it. We got this! [ Sounds like a plan, Emily. Pumping her fists once, Aerith then raises her hands, palms out, to wait.
For what?
A double high five, of course. ]
no subject
...except, of course, the next day, when Emily comes into the clinic, her face looking a little pinched. clearly, something didn't exactly go right.]
no subject
Excusing herself, she rushes over to Emily. Concern is written into every corner of her face. ]
You don't look so good. Sit down. What happened?
no subject
I found our...friend, and asked her about what we spoke of. And she made it very clear to me that it's something we should be leaving utterly and truly alone.
[whatever it is, it's dangerous. and she doesn't need dangerous near this place - not by a very long shot. it'll only survive if she stays above reproach, as well as most of the other healers. they need to keep a reputation intact.]
no subject
Finally, she speaks. ]
So, she knows something... Probably the black market. [ A short beat before she continues, brows raising and knitting with the thought patterns she's picking out. ] The Wastelands might be where the black market gets everything. Wonder if she knows who is bringing the haniwa in...? [ Oh, but— not to be one-track minded. Sorry, Emily. ]
You look really spooked, Emily. You want some water or something?
no subject
[a breath, and she folds her hands on her lap where she sits.]
Please, Aerith - whatever you do, be careful.