• PM To Join • [Krome] Our People

[Xander Andaris]

14th Ashan, Arc 717

Breakfast had been nice, a bowl of oatmeal with some rather tart cranberry jam mixed through it in the bowl. He was following what the giant mad had told him in the forest that day in Cylus, he had been stronger then anyone else he had ever met so it made sense to listen to him. The necessity to eat something that burned long through the day providing him with a steady release of energy to fuel his labour, at least that was what he had been told. So, he had moved away from his old standard toast and eggs and instead was now eating Oatmeal in order to help him grow his strength and not grow fat. He was to be married after all and he most certainly did not want to end up like his father, the fat oath was a disappointment in Xander's eyes.

He had been especially bad recently, since the night of the fight he had seemed different and his attention had been oddly focused on Celeste. He had caught his father gazing at her multiple times, he just couldn't tell quite what it was that he was looking at her with. It just made him uncomfortable, he knew the sickness that plagued his father. He was corrupted by greed and the gaining of everything he could want, Xander doubted he had been told no in arcs and that situation can turn great men to little more than a shell of their former selves. This was especially bad for his father as he had not been the greatest man to begin with, although, originally not cruel or sadistic he had never been a man of compassion.

Today's plan was to visit the village again, this time on a much more sorrowful note than the last. News had reached Xander the trial before that a sickness was spreading through the region, something that seemed to be spreading far too quickly. So, Xander had approached Celeste to ask her if she wished to accompany him in visiting the people this trial in order to try and treat them and help them. He was no doctor but maybe showing the his face and representing his family would show the people that the nobles do care, very important in such troubled times. Xander had been very surprised when Celeste had laughed at first, he thought he had made some kind of stupid suggestion. Until she explained that she had heard from her servant the news and was just about to come and suggest the same thing to him.

Now had come the time to leave, he was waiting by the door with his brown trousers on, knee high black boots and his warm blue coat. He was ready to venture out into the chilly outdoors, now all he needed was his future wife who he had sent Badon to retrieve from her room. He watched the stairs and awaited her arrival so they may exit, he believed she had already eaten up stairs or so he thought he had heard the kitchen staff talking about it.

When she emerged he greeted her with a smile. "Good morning, Celeste." He stepped forward to the bottom of the stairs as he looked up at her. "I hope you slept well, you will need the energy today when helping those who have come down sick." His face became more sorrowful now, sickness was close to his heart and it managed to dredge up the sorrowful memories of his sister. Those were memories he would rather keep buried, hidden from the world as those had been the darkest times of his life. "Are you ready my Lady?" He forced a smile as he readied himself to open the door and let them out into the fresh air.

[Celeste Andaris]

Xander's father was looking at her in ways which Celeste really did not like. He was a powerful man, in so far as he was a man with power and Celeste recognised the look. Peake had looked at her like it, after all, her own father too. She looked so like her mother, after all. They'd both told her it, although her father had resisted, mostly. What would Xander's father do? She did not know, not at all, but she knew that she did not want to be near him. So, Celeste ate her breakfast in her room and mostly did not come out of there unless she needed to.

However, Gwen, her new ladies maid, had told her about the illness which had started to sweep Krome and a frown settled over Celeste's face. "Tell me more, please, Gwen?" Gwen, it turned out, was an excellent source of information and she was able to provide Celeste with all the details she needed. "I'll be going to see Lord Krome straight after breakfast, Gwen. I think we'll pull out the cream dress today, is that washed?"
"Yes, Lady Andaris. What will your make up be?" Celeste sighed and looked at her new maid.
"Gwen, will you ever call me Celeste?"
"No, Lady Andaris." Celeste looked at the woman she believed to be human and she pursed her lips.
"Light make up, please, Gwen. What do you think looks better?"

Gwen and she discussed the colours then. She was wearing a cream dress, so Gwen suggested a dark shade on her eyes, but a small amount of it. "The young Lord Krome likes your eyes, Lady Andaris." Celeste looked up in surprise.
"What makes you say that, Gwen?" Her expression showed the honesty of her question.
"I have eyes, my Lady. He is fond of you." Celeste looked at Gwen and said nothing more. Dark lines on the eyelids, just slight ones and minimal make up anywhere else. Gwen assured her and, as she looked at herself in the mirror, Celeste had to admit that the woman was right.
"You are becoming invaluable to me, Gwen. I thank you." Celeste smiled at her maid and continued. "Would you object if I asked Lord Krome if you might become my maid permanently?"
"It would be my pleasure, Lady Andaris," Gwen smiled.

So, Celeste went to see Xander, to tell him that she thought they should go and visit the sick, find out what the problems were. As it transpired, she found him on his way to find her, to tell her that he was going to do just that and to ask her if she wished to accompany him. When he told her that, Celeste had laughed and he looked most surprised. Yet, she was delighted that their minds had been thinking along the same lines, considering the same things. It was so typical of her Xander that he was already thinking of what was best for Krome and its people she thought and then, as she pulled her thick coat on around her, Celeste stopped.

Her Xander? When did that happen?

Still, she turned to Gwen, who made the final few adjustments and nodded. "You are beautiful Lady Andaris. Lord Krome knows it and appreciates it. Your gloves."
Celeste took the gloves, nodded her head and then stepped out of the room. Did Xander consider her beautiful? Why did it matter to her if he did? Celeste Andaris was her father's daughter, her brothers' sister. She did not care what people thought of her but here, they were going to visit the sick and she was delighted that he had already been doing so. Sickness, after all, took them all and she knew that. She, who had watched her mother wither and die in front of her ~ the only woman who had ever been gentle or kind with her daughter, Celeste missed her more than she had words for.

Yet, she stepped down the stairs and there he was. Xander Krome, who would be her husband. Celeste looked at him and she could not quite help that she recognised a slight feeling of anticipation at seeing him. "Good morning, Xander." Her voice was soft and she spoke to him only. "I slept very well, thank you and it is my hope that you did also?" Her tone was formal and yet, as he had fourteen trials previously, Celeste stepped forward and she placed a brief, chaste, but nonetheless there kiss on his cheek. "I am, my Lord." Ready, that was. She looked at him and she thought that his blue eyes looked sad.

"When my mother was ill, a kind word meant a lot. However, we were fortunate, Xander. We had everything that money could buy. I thought that perhaps it would be, if it is acceptable to you, my Lord." She looked up at him and her brown eyes were concerned for what he would think. "I thought that, for those less fortunate, some good food would be a very welcome gift, for the sick and those who care for them. There are kitchens here and there are staff who will produce a rich and hearty soup which will feed many people. A gift from Lord Krome?"

Was it an opportunity? Yes, it was. Was it a political move? No. It was an opportunity to be humane and to offer practical support the only way they could. After all, as the young woman who was much more than she seemed to be knew, the keening wail of a grief stricken child is the same no matter what family the child came from. If they could help, then they should.

Off Topic

Gwen has been approved here

[Xander Andaris]

He smiled and took her hand as she reached the bottom of the stairs, as always she looked lovely. He appreciated her more simplistic style, it was much like his own which helped him to feel closer to his intended. The commonality was important for them if they wished to succeed as a couple, which he had gradually found himself wishing to be the case. Somehow in the trials since they met Xander had grown surprisingly fond of Celeste. So when she said she had slept well he was happy to hear it. "I did sleep well thank you, then again I rarely don't in the colder parts of the Arc." He rubbed his stubbled chin and listened as she began to speak again.

He had not known how her mother died and learning it was of some sickness struck and resonated deep within Xander. His own pain from the experiences with losing a loved one to illness still burned and simmered under his many layers and strong facade. She gazed at him with an apparent appearance of concern while his own eyes were filled with sadness, it was possibly he could excuse it with patriotism but eventually the truth would come out. Yet, he would tell her another time as currently they needed to get some soup made.

"I think that is a great idea Celeste, the people would be most appreciative for that. Not to mention those unable to work will be in need of the food, I will go to the kitchen now and get some made." He squeezed her hand briefly and then released it as he made his way to the kitchen and informed the staff of what they would need. Being informed it would take around 30 bits Xander returned to Celeste and invited her to wait along side him by the fire in the hearth room.
The time had passed and during which time Xander had discussed with Celeste how she was finding her stay. He asked if her room was adequate and the food to her satisfaction, they drank tea while they waited and Xander made sure to keep a healthy conversation flowing as best he could. After the discussion of her stay being up to scratch they moved to talk briefly about people of Krome and the sickness. Eventually the soup was ready and with the help of Badon, Xander managed to load up a small pull cart from the garden with a large pot of soup and a couple of loaves of bread. Then began the walk, Xander would work to pull the cart and Celeste walk along side him.

Due to the addition of the cart onto the walk it would take them longer than previously to reach the village, Xander would begin to feel the burn in his arms around a quarter of the way. His back would also ache somewhat from the strain it had pulling him backwards. However, he knew that the pain was good it meant he was using his muscles and they would become stronger from the work and effort. They eventually reached the village and it was straight away obvious that sickness had over run the place. The streets were more empty than usual and the sound of coughing could be heard from nearly every house, apparently it was worse than they had originally believed.

Xander looked to Celeste as he placed the cart down and looked for somewhere he may find gathered patients. "It appears the severity and extent of the sickness was severely under exaggerated." He brushed his fingers through his hair making sure it was all out of his face as he looked around for a doctor or nurse or just anyone who seemed to know what they were doing. "Keep your eye out for someone who knows what they are doing, sadly I am not medic and would not know where to begin but I suggest we head there," he pointed to a small gathering of shivering and sick people outside the tavern,"and offer them some soup." He again took up the cart and began to head over.
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[Rita Fenyo]

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Rita

14th Ahsan 717

I am writing this record of events in the hope that academics will be able to study how the infection played out in Krome from the first official case on the 13th of Ahsan 717
The identification and treatment of diseases have improved drastically over the years, with more accessibility to medicine and free sharing of treatments. Most of what heals use come from nature, garden herbs, common vegetables and most of all honey. Exotic plants and flowers are more efficient but come with a higher price. Whenever there is something we can't treat, there is nothing more we can do than comfort the patient and let things work out.
On the 13th Ashan, I received a patient with what at first seemed like a cold with a runny nose and sore throat, I noted side symptoms of muscle ache and fatigue. I never considered the two as one single disease until the fifth patient. Other doctors and healers in the local area reported it by day's end. I remembered that some academics worked out a formula for how fast plague will spread. With my area as a model, I predicted that all parts of Krome will be infected by the 15th. My math was either off or the sample was insufficient as today the whole of Krome has officially been infected. To clarify for future reading this does not mean that every person has been infected but rather a certain percentage of each area. With much better numbers all of Rynmere will be infected by the 17th-21st. Best case scenario it is a seasonal infection and will pass by the end, worst case scenario it's a full plague. I shall be keeping this record of events for better understanding for future healers. Studying how this works is above my skill, however, with adequate details, this can be passed on to appropriate academics. I have attached a copy of all permitted medical reports with names redacted to comply with patient privacy, all other details that remain are to assist with analysis.

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There was little rest for Rita during the night, it seems her holiday had come to an abrupt end. The first two patients arrived first thing. They were lovers with the same illness and it didn't take an academic to figure out how the two became infected. It wasn't until the fifth person that she became concerned about how quickly it was spreading. By the end of days light, she was over capacity, as much as she tried some of those that were 'okay' refused to stay, taking medicine and leaving. A few patients were experiencing fevers and they were very cooperative. A handful of messengers came to her throughout the day from other healers reporting the same event. She sent her own messengers to advise them to record as many details as possible on the event and quarantine whoever was willing. She begged and pleaded with an infected trader not to leave, his hand undecided on whether trouble with the guards was worth cutting her down for insolence. Her stave hand was undecided on whether she was justified in restraining him to prevent the risk of infection. Both parties walked away. The ithecal barely fed herself and spent the night recording all the day's events. Before next light, she had barely four hours sleep before things got much worse.
A scream woke her, halfway down the stairs before the second and sounds of fighting. Club in hand, sliding around the corner. One of the patients was wide-eyed and clearly delirious. Wandering around, bumping into things and mumbling something about a cow. Slowly, Rita put down the club and moved towards him, signalling for the others to back away.
"Hey there, my name is Rita, I am here to help." he looked towards the voice, eyes slightly glazed and looking past her rather than at her. He was still talking about the cow, asking if she had seen it, making no sense in the situation and barely making proper sentences.
"Okay, Can you just sit down for me, please? Then we can talk about your cow how does that sound?" His eyes focused on her, considering things for a moment, before nodding and sitting on the closet chair. At first, she thought he was sleepwalking, but his reaction to her was more from delirium. "Let me get you a drink and then we can talk about this cow." She looked to another patient, silently gesturing to the deranged man.
He nodded understanding, Rita slithered into the kitchen, putting a mix of sedatives in with a warm drink. a sore throat, runny nose, aches fatigues, fever and now delirium. Fever is the worst as it can kill very quickly. Still, only day two into this so hopefully it will get better She returned to find one of the others talking to the patient and keeping him calm. The drugs worked quickly and soon he was asleep. Apparently, he had woken and started wandering around, startled one of the others and walked into a table.
"Any history of this, sleepwalking? If anyone knows of course" Those awake looked at each other for answers, upon finding none one of the farmers offered an explanation.
"Not that any of us know. He's mostly a hermit tending his herd for meat, a simple solitary life. He was in the market first thing and then sick come afternoon, just like all of us." The ithecal sat back, clasping her hands together.
"Did you all attend the market? or have you all eaten the same thing? Been in contact with anything?" All nods to the first question, the second took some discussion but turned out to be nothing, and the third was nothing unusual. Rita had worked hard to work in the idea of hygiene, if the doctor worked for free then why not listen to her. She suggested they all try and get some more rest before daybreak.
The morning came quickly, Rita came down the stairs to find one of the elderly women was already up, frying up slices of apples with something baking. Rita tilted her head in wonder as she slithered down into the kitchen.
"Well it's only fair you see," She went to explain, "You keep us well so we give something back. Many a time have you helped without greed. This is no different. Besides, in any case, you'll be infected too." Rita nodded her thanks. It was indeed true that she had extensive contact with the infected, her Ithical blood probably responsible for keeping her well so far. Returning upstairs, she prepared for the day, washing and getting dressed. Her armband from the war came back on, satchel and bandolier, with the last minute, thought of grabbing a thick handkerchief. She could crush some herbs and roots into the fabric to stop her spreading the diseases, just because she wasn't sick didn't mean she couldn't infect others.

--------------------

The streets of Krome were eerie and quiet. Very few people moved about, posters were plastered all over warning of the plague and anyone that was moving had taken precaution to cover their faces similar to how Rita had hers covered. She had dismissed all her patients earlier, Krome had enough infected people that a quarantine would do nothing. Those with fever she made sure were well looked after, the farmer with delirium she had managed to get some of her friends to offer him a place to stay so as not to hurt himself. He was just as bad now as when he awoke in the night, confirming it to not be sleep walking. Beyond what she had already done there was nothing to do, so she headed north at the request of a healer operating in a small town.
It was a while before she managed to reach the town, the streets were mostly deserted, the letter explained that those infected were moved to the town hall for better management of the large group. She 'strode' into the empty streets making her way towards the hall, out of the corner of her eye spotting two well-dressed individuals pushing a soup cart. Curiosity got the better of her, slithering towards them.
"Can I help you two?" Keeping a reasonable distance, slightly confused but still polite in tone. To the couple, Rita was taller than the male, with dark brown skin and more simple, practical, clothing.

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[Celeste Andaris]

He liked the idea of the soup and Celeste smiled in pleasure as he moved to get it organised. They had thirty bits to wait so they sat together, near the fire and they chatted. It was pleasant, surface chatter and Celeste was well versed in it. She knew how to hold meaningless conversations, which was what they were doing now. What she was less sure of was why; thus far they had tended towards talking more honestly, more openly. But then, when they had spoken in the hall, Xander had seemed somewhat sad, more perhaps than he might normally in these circumstances. Perhaps he had lost someone to illness, too, she thought. That might be the case and if it was it was an interesting piece of the puzzle which was Xander Krome. She did not ask, though, he would tell her what he wanted to when he was ready. She would do the same in return.

So, they chatted and they considered the illness and how it might impact the people of Krome. Celeste voiced her fear that, so soon after the biting colds of Cylus, the most vulnerable would be impacted hard. Once they were ready, though, Celeste watched as Xander and Badon loaded up the cart and then they started to walk. As she walked next to him, Celeste considered not saying anything, but then she decided that she should. "A lot of noble lords would have at least instructed someone else to do this, you know." Not him, though, the more that she knew him the more that she realised that he was about his own actions, not someone else acting for him. "You are an impressive man, Xander Krome." Then, with a slight quirk of her eyebrow and assured that they were quite alone as they were walking along a deserted road together, Celeste added. "For a wolf pup."

Slowly, the pair of them moved forward in their relationship and Celeste considered that it was rather like they were both pulling carts behind them. Neither one of them trusted easily, they both had baggage which they brought with them. Yet, each trial they took a slow and steady step together. Thoughts of that and things like it disappeared, though, as they entered the village. "Indeed," was her only response to his comment about being under informed of the severity. "That makes sense." So the two of them made their way towards the Inn, where there were a group of people.

They were making their way over to the group when they were approached by a.... Celeste had never seen an Ithecal before, that she recalled, but she understood that was what the woman was. The Ithecal asked if she could help them and Celeste smiled. "Good trial. We have come to help where we can and have brought soup. It is rich and full of vegetables, there is warm bread from the oven, also."

Celeste looked around and sighed, slightly "It is worse than we had been informed. Is there a central place which is providing medical care, blankets and food, do you know?" She smiled at the Ithecal woman and then realised that she had not said the most important thing. "Forgive me. My name is Celeste, this is Lord Xander Krome." This was Krome, these were the people of Krome. It was important that she did not muddy the waters with too many names, so she kept it focused on Xander, quite sure that he would afford the same to her, were they in Andaris.

[Rita Fenyo]

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Rita

The ithecal listened, watching the two figures, their tone, build, posture and clothing told more than words alone. Evidently, from a rich upbringing, soft hands not used to manual labour by the apparent strain that was starting to show on the male from his labour with the cart. A big pot sat on top and she could indeed smell the vegetables from here, she could also smell meat which would definitely be welcomed by those less fortunate following the colder season. The woman looked around, sighing in what Rita could guess was sadness with a hint of frustration at the situation.
"It is worse than we had been informed. Is there a central place which is providing medical care, blankets and food, do you know?" Rita enjoyed her voice, it was soft and sweet almost like honey. Whilst rich she was also a good person, acting in the interest of others, being kind and compassionate and acting against the norms of the rich helping the rich, or so Rita assumed from what she could see and hear. "Forgive me. My name is Celeste, this is Lord Xander Krome." The woman added in retrospect.
Rita nodded politely, "Celeste and Xander, good to meet you both" Leaving a small pause to see how Xander would react to his title being ommited. The Ithecal took a deep breath before continuing."Well, Krome is regarded by us healers as completely infected. That means a large percentage has this disease, I myself have had more people in a trial then I usually get within a fortnight. Currently, symptoms are runny noses, sore throats, aches and fatigue combined with a mid to high fever. The last being the most problematic. I believe that they have been moved to the town hall to care for those with the worst symptoms. " Gesturing idely in the direction, the building itself hidden behind housing. She tilted her head remembering something.
"Probably too late now but you may want to cover your mouth and nose with a thick handkerchief. Some physicians think that it stops you catching them, I'm not too sure but I know it reduces the chance of you spreading it" Smiling at the pair before gesturing for them to follow. "Help would be appreciated, yes. We can go together, either of you delt with sickness before?"

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[Xander Andaris]

The Ithecal was fascinating, at full height she most likely stood at least a foot higher than Xander but as it was she seemed a little slouched. Xander had never seen one of her race before, it was a sight to behold and he wondered how useful a tail might be. Of course it also most likely came with multitudes of problems, like riding mounts and using stairs. He did not envy when she had to go up and down stairs, he had no doubt that was a nuisance. Yet, still, she was impressive to look at and he smiled in greeting.

Xander was more surprised at Celeste's omission of her family name than the Ithecal's omission of his, he did not mind when people left out his last name. In truth, it made him more comfortable when people did not know he was noble at first, he preferred to reveal his noble background after impressions were made. If he was known to be noble from the outset and the name Krome was heard people tended to make assumptions about him, most assumptions they made were wrong. Therefore he was actually thankful for the omission of his name, it gave him a chance to make an impression of himself and not the name he carried. "May I ask your own name?" He quickly added this before her question about their experiences with sickness and the beginning of the walk.

"Once, in my past I was ill myself in a way much similar to this. As were some others I knew and I once recovered did my best to help them. Although, I was only a boy and could do little, I hope I can be a better help now as I am an adult." He followed Rita's lead and pulled the cart along with him, the heavy cart straining his muscles more as he lifted it again. He moved towards the town hall, he had been there multiple times before and so he knew how to get there. Still he let the medicine woman lead the way, she may have useful information to provide them.

He wondered what she could use them for and so he asked, better to ask than remain in the dark. "What can we do, obviously we have the soup to give but is there anything else we can help with. Maybe there is something I can do that Celeste cannot. I do not wish to say that women cannot do the jobs of men but if there is something I could be useful with I offer my services to the people."

[Celeste Andaris]

Celeste smiled at the healer when she asked about experience, her demeanor as calm and controlled as always. "I have cared for sick relatives, but other than that, no. However," she put her hand on Xander's arm and glanced at him. "We are here to learn and help in any way that we can." Xander asked then if there was anything which he could do that she could not. If he was concerned that Celeste would be offended by that, she was not. It would be dreadfully hypocritical of her to be, after all. She hadn't even offered to pull the cart because that, in her mind, was his job.

It was a good thing, she thought, if there was something which they needed help with and Xander was seen to be there, helping. It would help him, she thought, too. Somehow, there were things here which he needed to do, for himself. "I am more than happy to deliver soup or work in the kitchens. I brought with me the recipe."

As they got to the town hall, a place Celeste had not been, the extent of this was more and more obvious and her brown eyes turned to Xander with compassion in them. However, before she said anything, Celeste's gaze caught sight of a young girl, maybe five or six arcs old who was sitting in the street. She looked totally lost and Celeste nodded to both the medic and to her fiance and then she moved over to the little girl. "Hello. Are you hungry?" The child nodded silently and Celeste noticed that her feet were bare and she was shivering.

So, the young heiress in the expensive dress and good clothes opened her arms and the grubby child just lifted her arms. Celeste wrapped her up in her arms and came back to the others. As she walked, the asked in an almost casual way. "What's your name? My name is Celeste." The little girl whispered into Celeste's ears and she smiled.

"Hello you two. This is my friend, Ala'ni. Ala'ni, this is a doctor who is here to help the people who have become sick." The little girl did not speak, but she looked at Rita with wide eyes. "And this is Xander. He and I are going to be married." Ala'ni leaned and whispered again into Celeste's ear and the Celeste smiled, although her gaze at Xander was almost shy. "I'll tell you when he's not listening," she promised and Ala'ni nodded with a very serious expression. "Well, I've promised Ala'ni some food, so we had best hurry. I think I can feel her tummy rumbling, you know." No, it didn't provoke a smile from the serious child, but she lowered her head into Celeste's shoulder and held on tight.

[Rita Fenyo]

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Rita

"Oh, apologise, my name is Rita. " Pausing for a moment before explaining, "We Ithecal don't often carry last names. I did for a while, from a man that saved my life, however no longer. " That made her mind wander again. She was glad that these two did not use their names as power over her and were willing to show compassion towards those less well off. She then asked her question, listening to what they knew which was, unfortunately, little more than anyone else. Still, she could use the help but considered on the flip side that their rich blood might put them more at risk. Something Xander said made her curious. Taking out her notebook and turning to a fresh page.
"You mentioned this happening before, would you be able to give details? it could help us find a cure or cause. " Slithering and observing those that were still out on the streets or working, either a natural immunity or a resistance, or perhaps something else was protecting them. She'd have to look into that later. Xander spoke up again.
"What can we do, obviously we have the soup to give but is there anything else we can help with. Maybe there is something I can do that Celeste cannot. I do not wish to say that women cannot do the jobs of men but if there is something I could be useful with I offer my services to the people." Rita chose to laugh looking back over her shoulder with a smile.
"Perhaps learn when to stop making things worse. " Leaving a pause and turning back to her notes. Grinning at a thought "Washing males that are bedbound is a good one. Cleaning chamber pots that are 'too heavy for us fragile woman to lift' " She jested. "In all seriousness, I get what you are trying to say and yes there will be jobs that you are better suited too, as there are for the lovely lady." Laughing as they continued to move, nodding at Celeste's suggestion of cooking.
The town hall was a large building of simple construction. Hung from the crossbeam was a flag, bearing the healers mark, with people outside rushing between errands. Rita moved towards it with a little more haste, unsure of what she would find inside.
"Hello. Are you hungry?" Turning back to the couple behind her, looking where Celeste was and just about making out a young girl, in dirty wet clothing and looking underfed. Stave comfortably in hand, the ithecal moved innocently to a position where she could cover the woman. Rita had fallen into a trap once, street gangs using children to get the coin off those compasionate enough to help. The girl was shivering, bare footed and lips slightly blue, possibly hypothermic. Celeste picked up the girl caring not for her clothing, part of Rita was still uncertain of her intent, however, nothing had happened yet. Celeste managed to talk to the girl, getting her name.
"Hello you two. This is my friend, Ala'ni. Ala'ni, this is a doctor who is here to help the people who have become sick." Bowing towards the girl, smiling both politely and amused by celestes jab at her fiance.
"Perhaps we should wrap her up and bring her inside. Poor Ala'ni looks cold, wouldn't want you to get sick would we?" Nodding towards the town hall. "Do you have parent's? Or someone who cares for you? " Rita was a little unsure what to do next, for now, she would warm the girl up and then check her for any sickness. Something else might be wrong with the little girl.

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Template made by Aelius for Rita

[Xander Andaris]

It had not exactly happened before, it was just that he had been sick and his sister afterwards. To his memory it had not spread to anyone outside of his household, it had been a long time ago so he could be wrong. "It was not exactly like this, just myself and some of the people in the household." He was still not comfortable with talking about his sister and so he did not. Instead he just spoke of the illness. "It had a few similar symptoms, fever, cold and aching, however, it did not have any of the other symptoms in common really and instead caused the throat to tighten and swell inside blocking the airway." He was sure they were different illnesses but then again he was no doctor and he did not know everything about the current symptoms of this present sickness.

Xander had no problem with her joking around his comment, it could certainly have been considered sexist. Of course he had intended no such thing by his comment he just knew that he, especially in comparison to Celeste, was better suited to certain jobs. For example he was stronger and could much easier help with carrying, be it like the Ithecal's joke of chamber pots or a much more sombre act of carrying bodies away from the sick to avoid causing fear and stop new infections spreading. He could also move beds and carry boxes, he would offer his services where needed as was his best option.

Xander was surprised when he saw Celeste take up the very unwell looking girl. Even Xander could tell she had been underfed and was suffering from the cold, it may have been Ashan but the cold of Cylus still lingered somewhat. He had never seen Celeste with a child before and he had not known what she would be like with them. Of course, he knew that one day she would be carrying his own children around but he had not known whether she would be good or not. Until now, it appeared she had motherly instincts and that motherly humour, something eh had not experienced in his own childhood. He was glad to see that at least his children would have a better mother than himself. He was sure it would make a big difference to them when they were adults like him now.

He smiled and bowed his head to the small girl, ignoring the clear shyness she presented towards him and merely shaking his head at Celeste's comment. She was right though, they indeed should get a move on and so he continued to pull the soup cart and made the way into the town hall. Placing the cart where instructed he stood along side it and made sure the people made a queue who were able to do so in order to make sure there was no danger for anyone and that Celeste was not overwhelmed. If they all rushed at once she would have been unable to serve them.