A medical emergency

[fadingworld]

A deep navy cloak hides his features and the more ornate tunic the courtesan usually wears to greet his clients. Mal hunches his shoulders and slides through the crowds hoping to avoid notice. He keeps his head down until he reaches the home of the doctor and wraps smartly on the door. "Open up," he calls in a voice that expects to be listened to.

How much time did he have? He could not have a client bleeding out. Not this one. Not one who had come to him for help, to be treated privately.

Comments

[fadingworld]

Mal leans back into those hands. "How did you end up in your profession?" he asks curiously, enjoying the attention. "Did you care for someone close to you who was ill?"

[mandragoraspiritus]

"No, nothing like that," he says more quietly as he continues working his fingers over Mal's neck. "I had a rather misspent youth, I am ashamed to say. But after an incident left me with ample time to think I realized that I had to change my ways. This was the best way I could think of to atone for my wrongdoings, by helping and healing those in need around me."

[fadingworld]

"What type of incident?" Mal says his voice low and inviting. "I pass no judgments in here." He had found that people found him easier to talk to than those nearest and dearest. Secrets could make a person very lonely and isolated.

He wondered who Regis had around him these days.

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis shakes his head but knowing that the young man can't see it he goes on to speak. "It is something that shames me to this very day even though it is many years in the past, so you will forgive me that I choose to not speak of it."

[fadingworld]

"There is nothing to forgive," Mal says gently. "I hope you find relief from the shame in your own time." He breaks the massage for a moment to twist and smile up at the older man. "Everyone deserves some release from pain."

[mandragoraspiritus]

How could he even begin to explain. Those wrongdoings were centuries in the past, and though Regis has come to terms with them and with himself, they do still shame him.

He smiles down at the young man, more wistfully now, and since by turning his head Mal had stopped the massage, Regis decides to end it there. "That is very kind of you," he says. "Do you feel any better?"

[fadingworld]

"I feel as good as I do when I have a week's holiday," Mal says. He turns fully and takes a hand drawing it up to his lips to kiss the back of it in simple thanks.

"I see so many people come through here carrying burdens. I like to send them away a little lighter."

[mandragoraspiritus]

The kiss on the hand has Regis raising an eyebrow even though he doesnt actually pull his hand away. It's a gesture that is only natural for a courtesan he supposed, one that he will not read much into.

"Is isn't so much of a burden anymore, but I thank you all the same."

The jar of ointment isn't returned to the satchel but rather left on the table. With that Regis has exhausted his reasons to stay.

"Our patient is sleeping as he should. Still, until he wakes I shall return every three hours to check on his progress."

[fadingworld]

"Would you like a bed arranged for you here so you can be on hand?" Mal offers. "Or are you happy to make the trips?" He's preparing for no more than catnaps himself.

His eyes twinkle, "You won't often get offered a free night's sleep in a courtesan's room."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"It is a first, I must admit, but nevertheless it is an offer I shall decline. A mere tension headache doesnt much warrant me to be on hand. But, as my abode isn't so far, I do not mind the trips." He makes another slight bow, hands again loosely gripping the strap across his chest as seems to be his habit. "I advice that you give yourself some rest as well. So, until later."

[fadingworld]

Mal returns the bow with a low sweeping one. "I will take the medical advice," he says, "And look forward to your return."

An easy pattern settled in over the next few days. Over each visit Mal was awake and alert and he handled the some what crochety Duke with ease. He ignored the comments the Duke made to rile him, ignored the suggestive touches. But by the time Regis came to clear him to return, he was heartily sick of his guest.

Regis' visits had been little points of light. Someone different, someone fresh who was interesting to talk to. Even if that had become more constrained as the Duke became more alert.

He waved the Duke off out the door with a smile and turned to Regis with a relieved smile. There are tired circles under his eyes but he's happy. "If he said one more time that the power of sex would speed his healing, I might just have repoisoned him myself," he confides.

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis smirked somewhat crookedly, relieved as well to see the duke be on his way. "At the very least I could have given him something to make his manhood falter." He wouldn't have been above it had the duke pressed matters more than he already had. But as it was he was more than a little impressed with the young man's abilities to handle the duke.

"And now I must strongly suggest that you make sure you get a full night of undisturbed sleep. Will you need anything to aid that?" Perhaps odd, but even with the routine of coming and going every three hours, Regis doesnt seem very tired. Either he has fatnaps down to an art or he simply doesnt need much sleep.

[fadingworld]

Mal laughs, "I think I might have been hanged if anyone found out I had access to the alter a man's prowess in the bedroom." But the sentiment does give him a warm feeling. Is it possible that he might be making a friend.

He does consider the offer, still feeling wired to stay awake. "You look like you could go another few days, you have more stamina than I do. The offer is tempting, but will it leave me groggy tomorrow?"


He gestures to a piece of paper on the small table. "I resume my duties in the early afternoon."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"I can give you a small enough dose that it should help a restfull sleep rather than outright induce it, without leaving you drowsy in the morning." He would have preferred the man had longer to rest, but he doesnt have the authority to order it, not when there has been several days already. "At least no more drowsy than some strong, sweet tea should alleviate."

He glanced at the drapes covering Mal's bookcase. Two of his own books nestled in there now. He'll leave them there. "Do call on me if you are in need of my services again."

[fadingworld]

"That will do me, thank you," Mal says. He brings over the bag of gold for the services rendered and hands it over. Then he pauses somewhat awkwardly.

"I know you were here on work," he begins, "But you have also have my thanks for conversations and information that you have brought me."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis smiles then, warmly. "Just because there may have work there is no reason to forego civil and pleasant discourse." He has rather enjoyed himself at least in the times the duke has been out of it.

He gives his bow of farewell, still smiling. "Until next time, hopefully under better circumstances."

[fadingworld]

"I am not sure what good circumstances would bring us another meeting," Mal says. His expression brightens with a thought, "I will make one to return your books at some point and ask for new recommendations."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"There you have it." The bow deepens a fraction. He would be sure to have some good recommendations for Mal by then, and might even insist on lending him another book.

"Until then." With that he takes his leave, unaware that their next meeting would take place under even more grievous circumstances.

[fadingworld]

Mal sees the meeting as something which may happen in month upon months time. His hours are neatly controlled and filled. Short excursions are made with a guard for 'protection'.

When the country season begins and the rich make their way out of the city, Mal is hired for the first house party. THere is a great deal of lethagry in the house and two have been confined to their rooms to get over their 'cold'.

The trip and the party are disaster from the beginning, plagued by small mishaps. It is cut short after two days with a promise to reconvene in a few weeks when there is more pray for hunting.

Mal can't pretend that he isn't glad to be making his way home. The cool breeze and fresh air have done nothing to lift his spirits and he is alarmed to find himself shivering in the stifling hot carriage.

He directs the carriage towards Regis' practice as they pass under the city gate thinking to pick up some tonic to cool his skin and ease his headache.

He enters the building and drops into a low seat to wait for Regis to finish with a lady who he is speaking with.

[mandragoraspiritus]

The lady in question is a not too old widow come in to seek help with a burnt hand, and who is actually flirting a bit with the grizzled-looking doctor as he wraps up their business and jovially but still firmly escorts her to the door and out. He sees no issue with the light banter and flirting, but it still isn't something he readily encourages.

Once the lady is out the door, however, he turns to his new guest. Or, by the looks of him, his new patient. "Mal. I understand that it might be rather rude to tell someone of your profession that he doesn't look very good, but as you have come seeking me out I can venture a guess that you are in fact unwell. Please, come in." He gestures for Mal to step further inside the dwelling with its wafting herbal scents, into a room with a high and narrow cot and where shelves line the walls, filled with bottles and boxes and packets.

[fadingworld]

Mal brings his light travel bag with him, looking around him with a somewhat languid curiousity. "I will admit that I feel a little funny," he owns. "I hope you've got a tonic that I can pack myself off to bed with and wake up fresh as a daisy again."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"It is possible that I do, in fact, have something that could help. But let us first ascertain just what it is that ails you, shall we?"

He gestures that Mal should take a seat on the cot while he himself sits won on a stool opposite him. "What seems to be the problem and when did it start?"

[fadingworld]

Mal settles down, smoothing his clothes out, sitting neat and correct. "I've been feeling tired this week," he says, "I thought I was just working too hard." He shrugs gracefully, "It happens around this time of year and a trip into the country usually sees me right."

He shivers and wraps his arms around himself. "Instead I've come back with a chill."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis can already tell from Mal's complexion that something is wrong, and upon standing and laying his hands to his face, feeling his forehead and neck, it is clear that the young man has a fever.

"You are certainly running a bit fo a temperature," he murmurs, checking Mal's pulse and gently lifting his eyelids just briefly.

"Is there anything else? How about other people around you? Have anyone taken ill recently?"

[fadingworld]

Mal shakes his head, "There was a general tiredness and a few colds when I left three days ago." He swallows and thinks back on the last few days.

"Those who I have been with have been in perfectly good health apart from their tempers." He groans, "I don't have time to be sick."