Xiaozhi's clinic endorsement

(2:47:39 PM) Earthflame: It's been a long day for Xiaozhi... But it's not over yet. Still, she's not exactly tired from the walk back and forth between The Crimson Feather and her little clinic.
(2:50:35 PM) Xiaozhi: The route back to their compound has her using what's left of fences, low walls, and other assorted tall, narrow platforms for balance practice, humming to herself while her swaying tail helps compensate for each step.
(2:56:03 PM) Earthflame: Back to the busy compound of the Phoenix... But then comes a voice, oddly familiar but she can't place it, and a girl running towards her, smiling brightly. She's a short little thing with pure black hair, bright eyes and a smile, waving enthusiastically. "Xiaozhi!"
(2:57:18 PM) ***Xiaozhi returns the smile and wave...though internally she's panicking just a bit. Obviously the girl knows who she is, but she's drawing a complete blank...!
(2:59:45 PM) Earthflame: She pauses a little bit... Blushing and looking a little awkward. "...Right. I probably look different, now. And I don't think I ever told you my name... Not that I use it anymore. I'm... I was Rain's friend. We met, when we were smoking?" She raises a hand to scratch at her neck... Where the faded remnants of a Lotus brand still rests. "I... I've been looking forward to seeing you again..."
(3:07:29 PM) ***Xiaozhi blinks in shock. "Rain's...no way!" Her grin turns much more real. "Oh my stars how ARE you? I haven't seen any of you since...well, you know. How've you been? What have you gotten up to? Are you part of the Feathers now? How's your other friend? Have you made other friends? You look *fantastic,* I'm so glad to see you healthy and happy!"
(3:07:36 PM) Xiaozhi: The barrage of words actually comes to a panting end.
(3:09:13 PM) Earthflame: She smiles and hugs tight... Her own babble flowing forth in a similar way. "I'm better than I ever been! We were healing but I got better quick and started helping out taking care of the other girls, and then they started training me... I'm a nurse now! I get to help other people! The rest are still healing and rehabilitating and finding work outside, but I wanted to come back to help people
(3:09:13 PM) Earthflame: because I wanted to be like you..." She pauses at that last bit, blushing~
(3:11:33 PM) ***Xiaozhi giggles and squeezes the girl as hard as she can. "I'm super flattered! I'm glad you got better quick, and look at you now, just super cute! I bet all your patients are happy to see you, aren't they~?"
(3:13:49 PM) Earthflame: She blushes more at that, pressing into Xiaozhi, making her feel weirdly tall for a change. "Yeah... It's really nice..."
(3:17:04 PM) ***Xiaozhi smiles down at the top of her head as she hugs the girl into her breasts. This must be what it feels like to be Minx, she thinks, before speaking again. "So did you earn a new name yet? And you have to come to the teahouse when you have a break, I'd love to introduce you to the other girls and even Madam Ma, and...!" She actually gasps.
(3:17:08 PM) Xiaozhi: "Hey I know!"
(3:18:03 PM) Xiaozhi: "One of the reasons I came back out was to talk to someone in charge...I'm starting a clinic-thing on the other side of the city, closer to the old river. I really really need a nurse and assistant for when I can't be there...how'd you feel about a change of scenery~?"
(3:18:38 PM) Earthflame: Her eyes widen at that. "I... You... I could be..." Her face pulls into an ecstatic grin, and she squeals, leaping to hug Xiaozhi again.
(3:28:38 PM) Xiaozhi: She giggles and returns the hug with a squeeze of her own, then pats the girl on the head. "I still have to get the okay from the leaders here...I kiiiiinda want to tie my clinic to the clan, make it a stab for new territory where it's needed, but I need their permission."
(3:30:55 PM) Earthflame: She nods. "I... Right. I don't really have any say in stuff yet, but... I'm willing!" She gives her a sunny smile.
(3:34:34 PM) ***Xiaozhi ruffles her hair again. "C'mon, then. Let's go see who there is to see. If nothing else I need more supplies so we can hang out that long~"
(3:36:12 PM) Earthflame: She smiles, nodding and moving with her. "I guess it'd be the Madam Feather... Although she's meant to be an advisor, she seems like the boss around here..."
(3:37:54 PM) Xiaozhi: "That's as good a person to start with as any," she nods. "Lead on?"
(3:38:41 PM) Earthflame: She nods, going around to a small but rather nice building at the rear of the compound. "I don't think she has any appointments today..."
(3:42:14 PM) Xiaozhi: "We can hope, at least." She shakes her head. "I know I've been here a lot, but...it's always amazing, what they've accomplished here."
(3:42:57 PM) Earthflame: She nods. "But it always seems under attack... The guards come back hurt, pretty often." A pair of feather guards stand outside the door, but they recognize Xiaozhi, giving her a nod.
(3:47:48 PM) ***Xiaozhi returns their nod with one of her own, plus a smile. "Yeah. There's a lot of jealousy and ego in Hell, I think you know. Some people can't stand that the Feathers have territory like this, and want to see it all razed. Some are jealous of the same fact, and want it for themselves." She smiles at the girl. "But that everyone is still here is testament to their training...and efforts of people just~ like~ you~"
(3:47:54 PM) Xiaozhi: She taps her on the nose with each final word.
(3:49:17 PM) Earthflame: She blushes at that, looking down. "I, uh... I'll just wait here, outside, while you go in, okay?"
(3:51:08 PM) Xiaozhi: "You sure you don't wanna come in too? I don't *think* she'll bite...but just in case, I'll protect you."
(3:54:07 PM) Earthflame: She shakes her heads. "No, I'll be fine... And you needed supplies, right? I can go get a package ready for you."
(3:54:59 PM) Xiaozhi: "If you say so," she says gently. "You know, you never did tell me if you got a new name. I'll be waiting to hear it when I get out and you come back, kay?"
(3:55:41 PM) Earthflame: "R-right..." She nods, hurrying off.
(4:00:06 PM) ***Xiaozhi watches her go, then squares her shoulders and knocks on the small building's door. "Um, hello, I'm coming in," she calls, pulling the handle and stepping inside...
(4:01:26 PM) Earthflame: It's minimally decorated and furnished, but beautiful in its simplicitly... A small set of rooms, not a lavish villa, but with excellent use of space. It's probably the nicest little home in Hell. A warm, friendly voice calls from nearby. "I'll be just a minute! Please, take a seat."
(4:04:56 PM) Xiaozhi: "Kaaay~" she calls back, finding a place to do just that; she sits primly, tail idly swishing behind her and ears cocked and curious.
(4:07:37 PM) Earthflame: Cushions around a low table, subtly patterned and embroidered, the table itself with lovely inlay work in the wood. And around a corner comes a woman... Her hair is short and dark, cut just below the shoulder, with warm green eyes and a bright smile, wearing a simple set of robes, tied back to stay out of the way. "Ahh, Xiaozhi isn't it? How can I help you today?" She gives her a warm smile,
(4:07:37 PM) Earthflame: sitting down across from her... The de facto leader of one of the most militant groups in Hell.
(4:10:02 PM) Xiaozhi: "Pretty," she mumbles to herself, obviously taken aback, then returns the smile. "Um, yes, that's me! Honestly I'm surprised you know who I am, but...well, maybe I shouldn't be, half the compound does...anyway, um, I came to ask a favor of you. If I could. And not even that big of one...I think..."
(4:11:05 PM) Earthflame: "Oh? Please, ask." The woman smiles brightly. "Can I get you anything? Tea? And of course I know you... You've been a great help to us! I make a habit of knowing everyone who enters or leaves this compound... Even people like your mysterious friend, Midnight Rain."
(4:14:31 PM) Xiaozhi: She visibly wilts at that and mumbles something to herself, but gathers her countenance again. "Um...yes, okay, fair enough. Smart plan! Not that I'm in a position to judge your habits or decisions or oh gods I'm rambling..."
(4:15:34 PM) Earthflame: "Please~" The woman laughs again, waving a hand. "What can we do for you? I figure we owe you, after all... You're always around, helping out~"
(4:23:37 PM) Xiaozhi: "No, you don't owe me a thing!" She seems genuinely worried about that. "But, um...I was hoping...I opened a small clinic on the other side of the city, over by the riv--well, actually, you'd probably know. By Smoke's place. And because of where it is, I was hoping I might have your blessing to...align it with the clan here, like, not as an equal or anything but like an extension of the compound, so like it'd still be your control...
(4:23:37 PM) Xiaozhi: "...and fly your flag and everything, extend the reach of the Feathers and pick another location to start healing the city and everything. And you wouldn't even have to place guards!" Her voice picks up, earnest and laden with feeling. "It'd be up to me to defend it, because it's my place. Really there's not a lot you'd do for it except maybe allow me to borrow supplies or equipment. Not a lot of risk but more promise of reward 'cause it'd have your flag on it, so to speak!
(4:23:37 PM) Xiaozhi: "And, um, maybe I could borrow the girl I walked here with as a nurse and assistant?"
(4:25:24 PM) Earthflame: In response, she raises a single finger, leaning forward to press it to Xiaozhi's lips. Then she stands, and walks away...
(4:28:42 PM) Xiaozhi: She squeaks a little noise and goes quiet. Her expression is worried. Why'd she walk away? Was her request really that outlandish? Oh great, she'd made her mad with so much of that babbling again and now she's going to get laughed at and probably kicked out for being so forward...
(4:30:06 PM) Earthflame: ...And then she comes back, holding something that she offers to Xiaozhi. "Here." It's a plaque, enamel on wood... A beautifully crafted image of a crimson feather. "Take this, with our blessing. That place is yours, as much as this place is mine... But we will help you. Our people might come by for aid or assistance, but I'm sure you can deal with that, right?~"
(4:36:12 PM) Xiaozhi: She inhales so sharply it actually makes her start to cough. She clears it quickly and stares at the plaque with wide eyes. "...You mean it? I mean--of course you do, but...wow, I wasn't actually...I mean, I was, but...oh wow...and of course I can deal with that!"
(4:40:28 PM) Earthflame: She nods. "But... This will make you a target for some. And if you have one of our people with you, they are Your responsibility. Yours to protect."
(4:41:30 PM) Xiaozhi: "I'm already a target," she says softly, "by the Lotus if no one else. But I understand. I'll protect them all." Her flustered tone is gone, replaced with iron certitude.
(4:42:05 PM) Earthflame: The woman smiles at that. "Mm... I can see why she likes you~"
(4:44:45 PM) Xiaozhi: "She?" she echoes, tilting her head slightly to one side, the effect exaggerated by her ears. "She who?"
(4:46:28 PM) Earthflame: "Ohh, someone we both know... She was a mentor to me, before she went independent... And set herself up not far from here." The woman laughs. "You're a clever girl, you'll figure it out~"
(4:49:09 PM) Xiaozhi: "...Madam Ma? You've known her for that long? Wow...what was she like then?"
(4:56:09 PM) Earthflame: "Different, but... Well, people change, but some things always stay the same. She talks about you quite a bit~"
(4:56:59 PM) Xiaozhi: She blushes and fidgets such that, were she standing, she would be digging a toe into the ground. "...I'm not really anyone special, she's got lots of her other girls she could be talking about."
(4:57:45 PM) Earthflame: "But she chooses to talk about you. That makes you quite special indeed~"
(4:58:22 PM) Xiaozhi: Her blushing intensifies, but she does smile, a little bit. "...Thank you, for everything. I need to give Madam Ma a hug after this too, I think..."
(5:01:01 PM) Earthflame: "I get the feeling you'll give her more than that~" The woman laughs again. "But go now, run along... Pick up that nurse and whatever else you need. The only thing you need to do for us is to do a good job."
(5:02:29 PM) Xiaozhi: She nods, then rises, bowing...then impulsively dashes the
(5:03:15 PM) Xiaozhi: >few feet forward to give the woman a hug. "Thank you," she says quietly, again, before releasing her.
(5:07:34 PM) Earthflame: She smiles, petting Xiaozhi with particular focus on the ears. "No need. Just work hard and be there for my people if they need you."
(5:18:06 PM) Xiaozhi: She purrs into the touches, eyes sliding shut. "Nnnnaye will, I promise...Nyai won't let you down."
(5:18:50 PM) Earthflame: She laughs at that, hand drawing back. "Well then... Off you go~"
(8:48:05 PM) ***Xiaozhi looks disappointed in the cessation of petting, but she pulls away nevertheless, one hand quickly going to the collar around her neck as the other holds the plaque close to her chest. "Thank you again, for everything. I'll make you proud!" With that fiercely deterministic statement, she bows again, and backs out of the homely house.
(8:49:31 PM) Earthflame: "Goodbye~" She waves her away... And the door closes, the two guards standing at their posts. Both extremely pretty, strangely... All sorts work for the phoenix, and yet two beauties stand outside their leaders house... Neither of them particularly notable Xia, as far as she remembers. As if they're more like decoration...
(8:51:27 PM) Xiaozhi: If the leader knows Ma Sin, she reasons to herself, then she's probably almost as powerful, if not equally so...which means she really *wouldn't* need guards. And who wouldn't like to have pretty girls to look at all the time? It's why she's got Minx, after all... She spares the guardswomen a smile before traipsing away, seeking her dark-haired girl...
(8:52:31 PM) Earthflame: She finds her to-be nurse in the infirmary, with two bags- One that looks like it's full of personal effects, the other that she's stocking up with a mix of supplies. She doesn't actually notice Xiaozhi approach, apparently intent on her work.
(8:53:24 PM) ***Xiaozhi grins and pads silently closer; her feline nature and slightly altered body make the silent approach child's play, and she gets close enough to feel the girl's body heat before tapping her on the shoulder. "Boo~"
(8:54:59 PM) Earthflame: She squeaks, whirling around with a blush. "Oh- Xiaozhi! How did it go? I thought you'd be fine so I started packing anyway..."
(8:56:31 PM) Xiaozhi: She grins widely, and holds up the plaque. "You thought correctly~ She said yes AND she said I got to bring you along!"
(8:57:57 PM) Earthflame: "Ohmigoshyay!" The girl grins, leaping to hug her again. "You won't regret this I swear oh wow I wanted to do this so bad..." She pauses, biting her lip, holding onto Xiaozhi as she murmurs. "...I wish Rain could see this..."
(9:01:18 PM) Xiaozhi: She holds her closely and sighs into her hair, even her tail drooping. "...Me too. Sometimes I wonder how she's doing, but...the last time I saw her, we didn't part on...the best of terms."
(9:01:51 PM) Earthflame: "...You saw her? After you left? I remember you asking, after I saw that weird ghost girl... The one who took her away..." She sniffles.
(9:05:26 PM) Xiaozhi: She nods. "I followed the direction they went. She...was too far gone for normal medicine to save. The Hundred Ghosts promised to 'save' her, but she had to 'die' to join them. She...That's not Midnight Rain anymore. Whoever she is now, she left that life behind."
(9:06:14 PM) Earthflame: "..." She lets out a soft little sob at that, clinging to Xiaozhi.
(9:07:53 PM) ***Xiaozhi holds her tightly, the memory threatening to force tears down her own cheeks...but she lets the girl cope instead. Xiaozhi had already shed all the tears she could for Midnight Rain.
(9:08:46 PM) Earthflame: "R-right, sorry..." She wipes her cheeks. "Oh... I never did tell you my name. Call me Mimi." She smiles at Xiaozhi. "I... I'm not going to forget her. She was my friend... And I want to save people like her... Before it's too late."
(9:10:59 PM) Xiaozhi: "You and me both, Mimi." She gives her a brave smile. "I wish I had known more, to help her. I wish I knew more right now! So let's you and me work together and learn everything we can to save more people like Midnight Rain, hmm?"
(9:11:26 PM) Earthflame: "Yes Ma'am!" She smiles brightly, nodding enthusiastically.
(9:11:59 PM) Xiaozhi: "Atta girl! Okay, finish packing up, I'll be waiting."
(9:12:19 PM) Earthflame: She nods, and gets back to work... She does seem to know her way around the supplies.
(9:17:20 PM) ***Xiaozhi notes this approvingly; she'll really not have much teaching to do, more of it to center around diagnosing and applying the proper treatment than having to go back to the basics.
(9:18:08 PM) Earthflame: She's done soon enough... Trying to take both bags herself. "So! Where are we going?!"
(9:18:12 PM) Earthflame: She seems Very excited.
(9:20:10 PM) ***Xiaozhi swipes one of the bags--the lighter one, she doesn't want to make Mimi feel *too* badly--and smiles at her enthusiasm. "Well, the clinic is on the other side of the city...it'll be a bit of a walk, but I'm sure you're up to it. The real question is going to be finding you a place to actually live."
(9:21:26 PM) Earthflame: "I'll figure something out!" She smiles brightly. "I mean... You saw where we were living before. I can cope!"
(9:22:28 PM) Xiaozhi: "Well, okay, but you shouldn't have to cope!" She frowns. "There's space above the clinic, but it's tiny...I think I can get Ma Sin to let you use my old room at the teahouse!"
(9:23:48 PM) Earthflame: "I can deal witih tiny! I could set up a hammock or something... And if I sleep there, I'll always be around if people need me!"
(9:25:55 PM) ***Xiaozhi clearly wants to argue the point, but Mimi's enthusiasm kills her counter. "Alright. Well, like I said, we'll figure it all out when we get there. It'll be an hour or so, unless the Feathers also taught you how to fight and control your energies enough to make the big jumps...?"
(9:27:03 PM) Earthflame: "No. I mostly focused on meditation... Fighting the urges, you know? It might be out of my system, but... You never forget. But I'm clean, and staying clean!"
(9:27:56 PM) Xiaozhi: She ruffles her hair again. "I'm glad. I'll see if I can't help you control the urges too...ehehehe, I'm kinda gonna be your sifu, this is exciting!"
(9:28:57 PM) Earthflame: "I'm honoured... Sifu." The blushing girl smiles up at her.
(9:29:16 PM) ***Xiaozhi squeals happily. "Agh I'm never gonna get used to hearing that!"
(9:30:06 PM) Earthflame: Mimi laughs and squeezes Xiaozhi again. "Anyway, I want to get to the clinic! I really want to see it and learn the ropes and help you however I can! This is gonna be great!"
(9:30:59 PM) Xiaozhi: She giggles. "Well, if you're that anxious..." She stoops, and scoops the girl into a princess carry. "Hold on tight!"
(9:31:16 PM) Earthflame: She blushes pink at that. "W-what?!"
(9:33:01 PM) Xiaozhi: She grins...and, from a crouched start, leaps easily thirty feet into the air, touching down on a building roof before repeating the process, taking the Rooftop Highway across the lower half of the ruined city.
(9:33:31 PM) Earthflame: Mimi squeals in a mix of fear and delight as they go flying through the air. "This is amazing!"
(9:34:10 PM) Xiaozhi: "And if we get you trained enough, you could do it alllll by yourself~!"
(9:34:24 PM) Earthflame: "You really think so?" She blushes at that, clinging to Xiaozhi tight.
(9:34:40 PM) Xiaozhi: "Anyone could...all it takes is hard work!"
(9:35:10 PM) Earthflame: "I'll try my best, sifu!"
(9:35:50 PM) Xiaozhi: "That's all I can ask!" She's so ecstatic now, it's almost like she's floating. Well, ecstatic and her acrobatic leaping across the city.
(9:37:39 PM) Earthflame: And all too soon they're back at the clinic... And something brings Xiaozhi very much down to earth. The door is open.
(9:41:04 PM) Xiaozhi: "Well, that's...less good." She sets Mimi on her feet. "Wait here, please. I'm going to see who's inside." Without waiting for protest or acknowledgement, she creeps toward the entrance, senses on alert...
(9:41:41 PM) Earthflame: Mimi nods... Inside things seem empty, although there's signs of someone being through there... Her supplies being rifled through, and splotches of blood on the walls and floor... Black blood. Tainted and corrupt.
(9:43:24 PM) Xiaozhi: Her hackles are up as she surveys the invasion, the fur on her ears and tail standing up. She pads around silently, just in case whomever came by might still be hanging around, looking for something to identify them or at least confirm they've left...
(9:44:25 PM) Earthflame: In her general operating area... There's a lot of blood, the same black tint to it... Sodden bandages, used up painkillers, cotton wool... Putting it all together, someone broke in to patch themselves up, but it seems like they left again after doing what they needed to.
(9:45:47 PM) Xiaozhi: There was no lock on her clinic door; they mean less than nothing to even the least practiced xia...but the nature of the invasion leaves her feeling as dirty and soiled as the bandages on the ground, and she has to fight down shivers as she heads back outside to collect Mimi, get her off the streets.
(9:46:10 PM) Xiaozhi: "Someone broke in while I was out. I'll clean it up, you go on upstairs and see if you can fit, kay?"
(9:46:13 PM) Earthflame: As Mimi steps in, she freezes, staring at the black blood. "That... That smell..."
(9:46:33 PM) Xiaozhi: "Go on, get," she chides. "No recidivism for you!"
(9:46:58 PM) Earthflame: "S-sorry, just." She glances up at Xiaozhi. "...It smells like Lotus Dust. Or... Like we smelled... The addicts. I'd recognize it anywhere."
(9:47:58 PM) Xiaozhi: "I know, Mimi." She sighs, trying to sound comforting. "I smell it too. I know you're controlling yourself with your meditation, but I'd rather not expose you to it any more than you have to be, *because* you recognize it."
(9:48:20 PM) Earthflame: "...Thank you." She nods, getting away and letting Xiaozhi deal with the mess.
(9:50:27 PM) Xiaozhi: Some time later, as she finishes scrubbing away what she can of the blood splats, she tosses the sponge into a garbage bag and peels off her rubber gloves. It's times like these she wishes Hell had anything resembling a telephone network. She could really do with some Minx time after that...but she has an apprentice to see to, first. And a plaque to hang!