open and closed

[medicinemaster]

Who: Yaone and you!
When: April 7th - 14th
Where: Various locations on The Far Shore
What: Yaone's making housecalls to the Temple of Li Tieguai and potentially meets people along the way. Also, just a general catch-all for February.
Warnings: Warnings for Hakkai's past in the linked network thread in one of the prompts but besides that, nothing particularly noteworthy.

A. Across the Far Shore - OTA

[It's been roughly two weeks since Yaone arrived on the Far Shore and most of that time has been preoccupied with treating a mysterious ailment afflicting youkai and rendering them comatose. The call to arms from Amaterasu and her agents had come and gone unanswered. The only authority Yaone recognizes and follows is that of Lord Kougaiji - and he is not here. Ultimately, she has decided that whatever war that erupts in this Heaven is not hers to fight. She will remain neutral, at least, for now, and focus on matters of concern to her and those she chooses to protect.

Right now, the people Yaone chooses to protect are her fellow youkai from her own world. Even if their memories are mismatched, even if under normal circumstances they would be trying to kill one another, this is not those circumstances. Here, they are both without their leaders and their respective goals are firmly out of reach. Without a prince to fight for or priest to steal a scripture from, there is simply no reason to fight that Yaone can see. It would be more prudent to put aside their differences and work together for survival in this place, in her mind.

And it's with that desire in mind, that Yaone keeps paying visits to Li Tieguai's temple in the Central District. Over the past couple of weeks, the youkai woman's been a familiar sight as she passes through on her trek from the west, medicine bag in hand. She smiles and waves politely to anyone she happens to see, regardless of whether they're strangers or people she met at training, new gods or old gods, or even look to be a sociable mood.]

Good day. It is lovely spring weather we are having, isn't it?

[By this point, Yaone knows the route well enough that she could easily teleport there but she could use the fresh air and exercise of simply walking there.]


B. Temple of Li Tieguai (Closed to Residents)

[What had initially begun as a simple repayment of kindness to a tentative friend had quickly snowballed into daily housecalls. After her initial examination and interview of the temple residents to gain a better understanding of Hakkai's condition prior to his collapse, Yaone had come over every day for about an hour to administer acupuncture treatments to the comatose youkai. Sometimes her visits ran longer as she holed up in his medicine room, compounding medicines and perusing Hakkai's collection of medical texts for any sort of cure. As fascinating and educational of a read as they'd been, nothing Yaone had tried seemed to be having a significant effect.


At least, until Hakkai had finally awakened.


However, now he was refusing to take her medical advice. The prolonged stay in bed had left Hakkai with weak muscles, however, and even while Yaone wouldn't force treatment on a someone capable of making their own decisions, however ill-advised they might be, she has a second patient to look after now and shinki to advise on the care of the first. For all of Hakkai's skill as a healer himself, he should be focusing on his own recovery and leave Goku's care to her.


To this end, Yaone can be found in the temple's medicine room preparing a second supply of the medication she'd prepared for Hakkai. During her time, she's allowed the residents to supervise her and done her best to answer any questions they might have about what she's doing. Some of the replies Yaone's given might not make much sense to those unfamiliar with traditional Chinese medicine practices but she's still done her best to explain things as clearly as she can.

She can also be found in Goku's room, checking his vitals and administering the same acupuncture treatments she'd given Hakkai in the hope that the young man will awaken sooner rather than later. When she's actually interacted with others here, Yaone's facade of polite professionalism has never wavered but at now that she thinks she has a moment alone, she's dropped it, revealing the weariness, concern, and strain she's been hiding underneath.

Feel free to interrupt her.]


C. The Park, Evening

[At the end of her rounds, Yaone stops by the park on her way home. She can be found sitting on a bench, her medical bag sitting beside her, scrolling through something on her phone. During the past two weeks, she's spent a good deal of time learning about the internet and while there's much she's yet to master, she's become fairly adept at using search engines in her quest for more information about the mystery illness that seems to be afflicting youkai in this world. She's also been slowly but steadily browsing the BBS backlog to try to gather more intelligence.

At the moment, Yaone's completely engrossed with her phone and oblivious to anyone who might be looking over her shoulder. From the playing audio, it appears she's watching a video confession from a certain new God of Fortune about his murderous past. However, the second Yaone realizes someone's observing, she abruptly stops the video and turns to greet them.

While her smile seems friendly enough, it doesn't quite match the forboding glint in her eyes as she cooly stares the person down.]

Can I help you with something?


D. Wildcard

[If you have an idea for a thread you'd like to do, feel free to hit me up on plurk at mimarin or hit me up via PM!]

Comments

B

[reformedsinner]

[Exhausted or no -- and he is exhausted, although, as usual, he'd rather be flayed with a blunt knife than show it on his face -- Hakkai's footsteps are still almost silent. He pauses in the door of his compounding room, watching her as she works, until, after a few seconds, he clears his throat.]

You should let me help.

[His tone is light; he steps in, and reaches to turn up the dim lights.]

Our divine titles may be a bad joke, but I've found a medicine god's work is unusually effective. Is that for Goku?

[He's fairly sure he recognizes the odor of the concoction: stale and earthy with ground mushrooms. It'd been heavy in the air of his own sickroom.]

[medicinemaster]

[Yaone schools her expression into one of careful neutrality before turning to greet him with a faint, professional smile. He might be trying to hide his weariness but as the doctor who'd been treating him, she knows better than to take that act at face value. However, politeness is far too deeply ingrained in her to simply throw Hakkai out of his own compounding room, even if it would be in his best interests for her to do so. She'd tried to convince him to take her medical advise but so long as he's being stubborn, there's little she can do directly. Yaone does, however, make a mental note to continue to inform his shinki.

She doesn't respond immediately, instead regarding him thoughtfully a long moment, before finally gesturing for him to come forward to the table. Yaone's still trying to understand the divine powers they've been given, along with the odd physiological changes she's noted. If Hakkai's powers as a god can help her current patient, she's obligated to let him try for Goku's sake. Of course, she'll be be watching Hakkai like a hawk throughout to make certain that in his weariness, he didn't mess up and include an ingredient or dosage that could potentially harm Goku instead of healing him.]

Yes, it is and very well. You may assist me.

[She steps aside to give him some room. On the bright side, this will give her an opportunity to assess the rate he's recovering his muscle strength after being bedridden for so long.]

[reformedsinner]

[His eyebrows inch up as he moves to the bench. His movements are no more or less controlled than usual, his balance as precise as it is drunk or sober. Still, as it is when he's drunk, it's taking much more effort than usual to maintain that control and precision.

It's deeply irritating. He's going to find himself shouting at Chikusa if his shinki doesn't stop insisting on compounding the annoyance with actual frequent rest.

At least Yaone isn't kicking him out of the room, although he can't stop himself from noting, mildly:]

Assist? It is my workroom.

Not that I don't appreciate all of your help.

[medicinemaster]

I am glad to hear that.

[Hakkai's moving well enough but she's sharp enough to pick up on signs of strain he's trying to hide. She's the personal apothecary to Lord Kougaiji; this is hardly the first time Yaone's seen a patient pushing himself to the limit out of stubborn pride. It's a good thing that Yaone's experienced with dealing with that particular trait and finds it sort of endearing in its own way.]

However, I am Goku's doctor. Until you are in a better state of health yourself and I have witnessed your credentials firsthand, you are an assistant.

[There's a slight teasing bite to her tone but it's nowhere near sharp enough to draw actual blood. Besides, Yaone's not out to forbid Hakkai from helping out of malicious intent. She's just completely unwilling to place a patient at risk to assuage his ego. And if he interferes too much, she will simply spirit Goku away to her own temple and use her own workroom instead. That she is permitting Goku to remain here at all and not insisting on residence in a guest room until he awakens is charitable enough as far as Yaone is concerned. At least, here Goku can get the medical treatment he needs and Hakkai is able to oversee all of her work.

Despite her words, she does, however, step aside to give him more space to work in, and waits patiently for Hakkai to start compounding whatever medication he intends to make.]

So show me what you can do, Mister Hakkai. Coma patient - no discernible reason or cause for his malady. Unknown physiological changes that limit diagnostic tools. How would you begin treatment?

[reformedsinner]

Unknown physiological changes? Ah, that's right, you've only been here a few weeks...

[Challenge his credentials, Yaone, and he'll challenge right back, although he's doing it in a teasing tone to match hers. Her work on Hakkai's behalf has built enough goodwill that he's allowing her to treat Goku in turn, but he hasn't forgotten that she is, in fact, an enemy.

Technically, he's tried to kill Goku himself more times than she has. But she's done it in colder blood.

He reaches for one of the worn notebooks on the shelf, thumbing through it to a page he'd marked when he'd been looking in on Yona in her long, inexplicable sleep, some months ago.]

It's not uncommon for the new gods to suffer from lengthy periods of coma. I suspect it's related to our nature.

[Let's see: ginger, angelica...]

I haven't found anything that can wake them, so physical support is the priority. [The set of ingredients he's assembling are clearly for a rejuvenating, energy-increasing tonic; he reaches for one of his medium-sized mortars and pestles, and begins to measure careful quantities into the bowl.]

[medicinemaster]

[For Yaone to be able to kill at all, she must allow the blood in her veins to turn into ice. There is simply no other way she can bring herself to take another person's life.

As for the teasing rebuke, she takes it in stride, the corner of her lips quirking up in sardonic amusement. He's right and it's fair to bring her own credentials into question on that point. And fortunately, when Yaone acts as a doctor, her pride takes a backseat to the patient's welfare and she will factor in any and all additional information as long as it's reasonable and sound.

She watches him work, noting the ingredients and amounts he's using. So far, so good but Hakkai's not completely out of the woods just yet.]

That was my thought as well in addition to correcting the body's chi flow to help optimize the medication's effects. It seemed to help you, at least.

[Perhaps Hakkai's physical condition wouldn't have deteriorated as much had Yaone arrived sooner but at least, she was present from the onset of Goku's case.]

I did what I could to treat bedsores and prevent your muscles from atrophying any further than they already had. I manipulated your joints as much as I could without injuring them but I fear that some contraction may have already occurred. However, I am confident that Goku will not have the same issues when he awakens.

[Yes, Hakkai, she knows you're trying to hide just how much of a toll the coma had taken but at least, she's not directly chastising or pushing the issue. Instead, she simply continues speaking.]

I had not known that such comas were common. Mister Goku and your shinki were so distressed by the state you were in that I had assumed it to be an unusual occurrence.

[Which in hindsight had been a mistake on her own part but she'll know better for the future.]

[reformedsinner]

Yes, well, I'm afraid they're prone to excessive concern.

[Hakkai's tone is long-suffering in the extreme. Yaone's not being subtle about listing out all of his own symptoms, but they're all things that will resolve with time and exercise; he tilts his head, glancing over at her, and adds in a lighter tone:]

It's certainly not the first time I've spent a few weeks bedridden. I'm grateful for your excellent care, of course.

[The mixture in his mortar is in the right proportions; he picks up the pestle, beginning to blend it.]

As for chi manipulation, I won't try to emulate your techniques.

[He has his own, more direct ones -- and they haven't done much for the new gods' occasional periods of unconsciousness. Her acupuncture's done no harm, at least.]

-- I apologize, by the way, for being in no shape to greet you when you arrived.

[medicinemaster]

[They are all things that are fairly easy to resolve over time which is why Yaone's simply turning her focus to another in need of aid. Hakkai's a grown man and while she might not entirely approve of him pushing himself so soon after awakening from a coma, she's only in a position to advise, not make decisions for him. What he says about those around him being prone to anxiety is good to know; Yaone will be certain to take that into consideration during future discussions with them.

The long-suffering tone does spark some genuine empathy from her. Having been on the receiving end of Lord Kougaiji's over-protective ways, it's an annoyance she can certainly understand and relate to.]

It is all right. I understand that you were preoccupied with other matters.

[Another quirky smile. As far as excuses go, being comatose and bedridden is a good one. Besides, she's managed well enough all things considered.]

I am just glad that you are awake and appear to be doing as well as can be expected in present circumstances. It is nice to have another opportunity to speak with you.

[You know, without battles over sutras or other forms of interference in the way. That sort of thing makes it difficult to properly get to know someone.]

You are doing well.

[A bit of a non-sequitur as she points to his mixture.]

[reformedsinner]

This stillroom isn't decorative. I've had some practice. [His tone, fueled by wounded ego, is very dry as he continues to grind the medicine. Still, it's true that he wasn't a pharmacist earlier, and there's a reason he still refers to the books. He doesn't know how much of the evident magic of his medicines is in the precise ingredients, and how much in the hands that compound them.

He supposes he can always recruit Yaone to test the question, now that she's here.]

But it is good to meet you under, ah, quieter circumstances.

C

[handsome_genius]

[ Yoon is actually rather shocked he noticed her. Whether it's his age, his stature, his demeanor, or being a shinki, most people pay him no mind at all. ]

I thought I recognized your bag, is all. The voice too.

[medicinemaster]

[It's just a boy. A teenager around Lirin's age, maybe, give or take a few years. The hard glint in Yaone's eyes softens a little.]

I see.

[She opts not to chastise him for listening in. Hakkai had clearly intended for this confession to be public to the residents of the Far Shore. He had not named specific parties but Yaone knows the story of how Cho Gonou massacred Hyakugan Maoh, his clansmen, and those that assisted him well enough. It had been a day of silent celebration and relief for Yaone when she'd first heard the rumors. However, she had not known that Cho Gonou and Cho Hakkai were one and the same until now.

She's not sure how she feels now but figuring that out can come later. Right now, she has company.]

This is my medicine bag. I carry it with me when I travel or rather, one like it. I found this one in my temple and I am using it for the interim.

[Her smile's a little wooden but she's trying her best to be personable and move on from that initial moment of surprise.]

Are you a healer, then?

[handsome_genius]

I wouldn't say that, exactly. I've made sure that people don't bleed out and helped cut out blight from a shinki, that sort of thing. It's usually in very bad emergencies - like when Amaterasu's temple caught on fire.

[ That's become his most significant memories - all of the chaos moments. ]

I've been trying to learn more about modern medicine at the library and Hakkai's school though, that's why I recognized his voice.

[medicinemaster]

I did not know that Mister Hakkai ran his own school here in the Heavens.

[Yaone hasn't really had much of an opportunity to speak with Hakkai in much detail about matters other than his own condition or Goku's. Of course, their encounters in their own world have usually involved some manner of conflict.]

I did not know that the Heavens had a library, either. That is good to know.

[Her own temple has a small library and she'd grown somewhat familiar with the medical texts at Hakkai's but Yaone still has much to learn before she can confidently administer proper treatment to gods and shinki.]

How impressive. Being able to retain a cool head during a crisis and administer emergency care are not easy tasks to perform.

[Especially for one that looks so young, though Yaone's too polite to comment on his age. Judging by his appearance, he looks to be around the same age she'd been during her apprenticeship.]

[handsome_genius]

[ He looks a little proud before lifting his chin again. ]

Well, someone has to, you know, when traveling in a large group. While others are recklessly starting fights with their crazy powers.

[ The momfriend. ]

It's the job I'm best suited to, that's all. He's the one who warned me about the risks of traveling alone in this place when I'd first arrived... so of course I trust his judgement in most matters, including catching up on things at his school.

[medicinemaster]

I see. Mister Hakkai is a very intelligent man and skilled healer. I am certain he is an excellent teacher.

[It's a little awkward hearing a young man state so clearly how much he trusts Hakkai's judgment after Yaone had only just finished watching his video confession of mass murder. She knows better than many just how dangerous Hyakugan Maoh and his enablers were yet it's somewhat worrying to hear that one of her world's most infamous mass murderers holds this much sway over young minds in this one. The Sanzo Party's actions truly cannot be judged so simply. Yaone knows that truth very well.

So for now, she attempts to mask her discomfort behind a polite, neutral smile, focusing instead on the boy's other statements. Cho Hakkai, Cho Gonou, and Hyakugan Maoh are all subjects she'll need to process privately.]

It is important for every group to have a person that can be calm and ratonal during a crisis. It is difficult to think of tasks and solutions with a clouded mind.

[handsome_genius]

[ Her even response simply engenders respect from Yoon. The weight of it impresses him. After a moment, he finally speaks. ]

You sound like you know what you're talking about.

[ He debates how to phrase his next question, or at least the extension of the same... ]

Like, you also come from somewhere with crisis after crisis. Not everyone here does, I think.

[medicinemaster]

I have been preoccupied with caring for my shinki and patients. I have not had many opportunities to get to know others here yet.

[But she'll make time for it in the future, once Goku has awakened and Hakkai has recuperated. If Yaone is going to be of any use to anyone, it's crucial that she take care of herself, too, and sunshine and light socializing are important parts of her self-care regimen.]

I suppose one could say that about my world. It can be a very difficult place to live for some.

[It's part of why protecting and supporting Lord Kougaiji is so important among other reasons. He unites her divided people in a way no other leader has.]

However, I am a doctor. Preventing and stopping crises is part of what we do.

b, how did so much time pass

[kokuyoyo]

[Out of all the teenagers which seem to live in Hakkai's house, it's been the tall lanky one that's clearly been taking a more leadership role with the god out of commission. Even now, when Hakkai is conscious, Chikusa is still upholding a role of watching over the household. Out of everyone in the temple, he's the only one who can keep a cool head (generally speaking) and also the only one with any domestic skills at all.]

[So whenever Yaone has come to visit, Chikusa has left watching Hakkai up to Ken and the cats, instead dedicating his time to trailing after the woman or watching her sharply. The good news is that he's honestly on his best behavior. If there's one lesson to be learned, it's that one doesn't harass the doctor in the room.]

[Chikusa knows this being something of an emergency medic himself, if only because feral children on the outskirts of society have to make do.]

[Usually, he leaves her alone when she's not messing directly with any of their rooms or the kitchen or.... Well, Chikusa doesn't often leave her alone, okay, fine, but he's left her alone to some degree in favor of watching over Hakkai. That's probably why she's been able to go into Goku's room unimpeded, taking care of him...]

What is it?

[Until he practically seems to just pop out of thin air, although it's clear that he's slipped in through the door, those dully eyes of his focused on Yaone. Chikusa is a worryingly silent by with almost no presence, when he's really trying.]

Has he gotten worse...

it is a mystery

[medicinemaster]

[For all of Chikusa's hovering and scrutiny, Yaone's taken it all in stride. He's not the first concerned friend or family member that she's had to accommodate while she's at work. The boy's better behaved than some people she's had to deal with and he's known better than to interfere with medical treatment.

Though she'd been focused on her present task of removing hair-thin acupuncture needles from their placements on Goku's body and putting them back in their case and hadn't heard Chikusa enter, Yaone simply looks up with a reassuring, if somewhat professional, smile.]

Hello, Mister Chikusa. Mister Goku's condition remains stable and shows no further signs of deterioration.

[Without pause, Yaone simply launches into an explanation of her treatment as has become something of a habit. In her experience, simple transparency can go a long way to easing the worries of loved ones.]

After consulting with another healer who has treated this condition in the past, it would seem that others have awakened naturally after a period of time.

[Yaone will hold off on mentioning that the boy's god was the healer she'd spoken with, at least for now. Besides, Hakkai had simply confirmed that a treatment course Yaone had planned to take regardless after eliminating awakening as a feasible goal.]

However, I am continuing treatment until Mister Goku awakens. The current focus is to fortify his body, regulate his chi, and prevent muscular atrophy. When he awakens, Mister Goku should not experience the same physical weakness Mister Hakkai is.

[Yaone might not force medical treatment on Hakkai without consent but that won't stop her from tattling to his exemplar.]

[kokuyoyo]

[As usual, Chikusa listens to the explanation carefully. For all that he's always been the sole medic between him and Ken, and that his weapon of choice heavily utilizes needles... Acupuncture is never something he's really had time to learn about. Possibly because he grew up in Italy, if he had to guess. Such a practice isn't super commonplace, although he feels certain he saw at least one or two.]

[If it's something he technically already has the tools for... Maybe he should learn more about it. Just in case.]

[All of that is put to the side, however, when she mentions Hakkai, and Chikusa's gaze gains that special dead quality where he's super fucking done with his god being a stubborn jackass.]

...I'll take care of it.

[He's going to ruin Hakkai's god damn life]

...So those needles can do that much?

[medicinemaster]

They can when they are used properly to stimulate the body.

[It's a complicated art and for all of Yaone's knowledge, she is not specialized in it as some other practicioners. Enough that is she able to use it confidently enough but it's not the tool she used best.]

Mister Hakkai needs exercise to rebuild his muscles and regain his strength but he should be careful not to push himself too hard. If he is being particularly stubborn, he may need to realize his limits for himself but please keep an eye on him in case he collapses and requires aid. If this happens, simply encourage him to rest and drink a tonic to improve his vigor.

[Chikusa seems like a very diligent, hardworking young man in regards to his god. What Hakkai had said about his shinki being overly concerned with his welfare is fresh in her mind, too.]

Please be certain to attend to your own health as well when you are able, Mister Chikusa. You, too, also need rest. Mister Hakkai will recuperate with time and patience.

[kokuyoyo]

Even when he's aware of his limits... It's not like he actually pays attention to them.

[Hakkai-sama is the particular kind of idiot, in Chikusa's opinion, who is well aware of his limits but thinks it's fine so long heading straight for it... up until he goes tumbling over the line.]

[That Chikusa is also this kind of idiot is something that the teenager remains blissfully aware of. Or maybe willfully ignores. Because at her statement of concern, he just blinks slowly at her.]

...I don't need that much rest.

[medicinemaster]

I believe that Mister Hakkai might make a similar claim.

[Yes, Chikusa, she has noticed a certain resemblance between god and shinki during her visits to the temple. And he isn't the first hypervigilant family member or friend of a patient that Yaone's spent time with.]

Even if you feel that you do not require rest, it would be prudent to do so just in case your god chooses not to. It would be unfortunate for your own health to fail when Mister Hakkai needs you, would it not?

[kokuyoyo]

[Yaone, how dare you use basic logic to thwart him. His eyes twitch just enough to be recognizable as a squint, directed right at her.]

...My health has been failing ever since he made the first stupid health decision.

>[That is... probably a joke.]

At any rate... I can still function regardless.

[medicinemaster]

For how long? It will catch up with you eventually. I hope that for both of your sakes that it does not occur during a critical moment.

[She won't push the issue any further than that, especially if he shares as much in common with Hakkai as he seems to.]

The other young man that lives here... The fellow with the wildness about him. What is his name?

[She has to make his acquaintance yet and an idea has been slowly but steadily forming during the course of her interactions with this household.]