Mia/Alex past for TrajectoryOfSimplicity!
Healing is difficult. Many in Imil believe it to be some divine power that requires no effort on the healer's part. They believe they just call upon the power and that is the work done.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Healing is extremely difficult, especially for two young Imilian healers who have the town's health and future riding on their shoulders. The strain often gets to them. Ply is not as simple as merely casting. It requires focus, locating the source of the sickness or wound or infection before applying Ply to it directly. And the seasonal flu that sweeps Imil is difficult to focus on.
It has built up some form of defence against Ply. It knows not to remain stationary. It moves and it changes in the host's body so that it cannot so easily be flushed out.
Young Mia often struggles with this, even with her father's help. She tries to focus on the source, but as soon as she starts to cast Ply it moves or it changes, and it completely disarms her and she loses it. She tries again, and perhaps gets a little further before losing it again.
Often, the young girl breaks down, unable to handle the pressure of being the sickly town's healer in her future. She does not believe in herself. She does not believe she is capable of meeting the town's need whenever the flu sweeps through. She cannot handle hearing those sickly and hacking coughs as she tries desperately to cure someone.
Her cousin though. He can. And he is there for her.
He holds her, and reassures her, and helps teach her. She always finds that it is easier when Alex is the one by her side. Sometimes, she thinks he is a better teacher than her parents, maybe because he is dealing with the same challenges and doubts she is.
She improves with his help, finally curing someone of the flu all by herself for the first tie. She celebrates, ecstatic and pulls her cousin into a rib-cracking hug for his help. Her parents ruffle her hair and say they are proud, and the patient thanks her, but she is the happiest when Alex hugs her back and he tells her he's proud of her.
Then, the horrible day comes. Her parents catch the flu themselves. There is nothing she or Alex can do, and they are forced to watch their guardians and teachers die. Mia cries, she breaks down and is unable to do anything but sob into her cousin's shoulder.
Alex though, he is quiet. He says nothing, does nothing. His actions seem to just be automated as he rubs Mia's back.
It is this day when he changes, when he first says, "No one is here forever. No one stays the same forever."
He continues to teach Mia after this day, while he throws himself into learning more, researching, trying to find more effective means of healing, possibly staving off death. He learns Mercury's powers once had a way, he delves deeper into research about Alchemy. He goes to explore Mercury Lighthouse. He stares out at the peak of Mt. Aleph, which he had read about.
Mia continues to struggle during his extended absences, but grows because she is without help and she needs to. While he is there, she gains a little more clarity, learns a bit more.
It is not long after though, that Alex is finally gone. He left no word, his room was largely untouched. A few pairs of clothing were gone, as well as a map, but that was it.
Mia is alone and she is scared.
Initially, her attempts at healing are spotty at best as she attempts to deal with the loss and care for the new apprentices who have shown some control over her Clan's power. Eventually though, through perseverance and another death of a patient, Mia begins to change. She becomes stronger, calmer and more confident, and she can heal the town's people.
She teaches with care, like Alex used to teach her.
She is no longer the same, perhaps Alex was right. No one stays the same forever. Everyone changes.
Hope you like it, Traj!