CH 3 – AQUANTAINCES
Retsu awoke with a start. Where was he? Thinking for a moment, he recollected the events of the past days and frowned. He scrubbed a hand through his auburn hair as his frown deepened. That blue-haired woman must have done something. All his injuries were gone, except for a throbbing pain in his head. What was her name? Chirari? As if thinking her name was a summon, she entered the room carrying a small bowl and washcloth. "How are you this fine morning?" she sang cheerily. Eyeing her suspiciously he wondered if she had forgotten the earlier events. Perhaps she was pretending and had some sort of revenge set up for him? "Fine," he muttered wearily. Until now, he had not realized how tired he had been. "Really? I would have guessed you'd have a headache after going through such an ordeal," she replied calmly as she soaked the washcloth in the tiny basin. "Kazay told me of your little adventure. Quite reckless if I say so myself. Rude too, but of course, you do seem a rude man." Here we go, he thought, now we get to the heart of the conversation. Strangely enough, she said no more about it. "Where is Kazay exactly?" he asked, deciding not to pursue the subject. "Off on some errand supposedly, she never says much on the subject of where she happens to be headed." "Really…" he muttered thoughtfully. So where did that woman go and what is she up to?
A cold wet washcloth against his forehead immediately startled him out of thought. "Oh do hold still. It's not as though I'm wrapping this around your neck and strangling you," she said with enthusiastic exasperation. Cursing under his breath, he held still. How dare this woman mock me? he thought sourly, Just who does she think she is? For a moment he seriously considered just torching the place, but decided against it. "After another day's rest you'll be out of here in no time," she interjected into his thought path. "Good," he muttered once more. He sure is grumpy, Chirari thought, I'll be glad when he's gone. "So why are you in this out of the way village?" "What?" she said distractedly. "Why are you in this out of the way village?" he asked once more. Woman should clear her ears, he mused, slightly annoyed. "Well, because they don't have any medical aid," she replied in her singsong voice. That voice of hers was really starting to get on his nerves. "Well aren't you the Good Samaritan?" he sneered. "If you expect me to continue giving such aid," she paused for emphasis, " then you had better learn some manners. "It's not like I asked for your help," he snarled. "Well maybe you should just leave then!" she huffed, "If you're going to be so ungrateful, maybe Kazay should have just left you to rot instead of bringing you here!" "I'd have much preferred it!" he snapped. Chirari pointed at the door with the washcloth still in hand, dripping down the side of her hand. "Then get out," she told him with quite rage, "I help those who need it, and what you need is to learn manners. You're just taking up my time. Out!" By this time she was quivering from head to toe. "I will then!" he shouted tearing off the blankets. Stumbling over to the door, he whipped it open and entered the main room. Where Kazay had herded him in upon their arrival. Chirari meekly followed, unbelieving that he took her up on the offer. Almost out, he thought. Beads of sweat were beginning to form on his brow. What DID she DO to me? he thought as his vision began to blur. The door was right ahead, well… three doors anyway. Or were there more than that? Retsu lost count as he collapsed on the floor.
* * *
Retsu awoke in a bed once more, in a room that was beginning to feel too familiar to him. He could here two female voices conversing on the opposite side of the door. "I can't believe I didn't see it when I was analyzing him earlier!" Chirari's voice echoed, "I should have looked him over more slowly…or…. or…something!" She sounded stressed. Kazay's voice answered comfortingly, "Now, now, it's not your fault. You just….. happened to miss the fact that he was poisoned. It's a mistake anyone could have made." "No it wasn't, I was rushed. I hurried through his examination, because I couldn't stand to be near him. It was unprofessional. You're right Kazay, I am being childish." "Now you listen here Chirari, I don't blame you for hurrying, the man does seem to have an unpleasant personality," Unpleasant? He frowned, "but you've fixed the problem and he's fine now. You can probably go in there as soon as he wakes up and tell him that he can leave, once and for all." "It's nice to hear that you're so eager to get rid of me!" Retsu yelled through the wall. The two women jumped. "It would seem that he is awake," Kazay said, stating the obvious. Both of the female adepts entered the room. I am…unpleasant? He mulled the thought over in his mind as they entered. "Well," Chirari spoke, "you heard us. You can go." Strangely enough, Retsu remained silent as he inspected her. Unpleasant…I am not…unpleasant. Kazay waved a hand in front of his face. "Maybe he's gone into shock?" Retsu's reply was unamused, "I am not in shock, nor do I intend to leave so…soon." "What?" Chirari gasped, unable to keep the shock from her voice. The man merely looked at her. He just looked at her. "Miss Chirari," he said hesitantly, "I would like to…apologize…for being so rude to you earlier…and…I would like to thank you for healing me…"