• Closed • Guilt & Thirst

[Levinia]

1st of Ashan

Levinia was feeling quite guilty but at the same time justified. So she had given Qaerris a bit more painkiller than he needed. It wouldn’t harm him, not a man his size but it would definitely knock him out and leave him groggy. Not to mention that whatever knots or tension he may have had in his muscle tissue would be gone for good due to the relaxing effect of the poppy.

“Don’t look at me like that, Biscuit.” She had frowned at the white cat, who seemed to be judging her. It was not, of course, but her guilty conscious was tearing at her. “I’m going to go check on him right now for your information.” The cat responded with its usual ‘meow’ and began to clean its paws as it sunned itself by the window. It was a particularly sunny day, so sunny that even the darkest of alleys were lit up.

The little healer picked up a clay jar of water that she had mixed with a bit of salt and flavoring that would hydrate Qaerris. It would also help with any lingering affects from the poppy medication. She also grabbed a satchel of a few more bottles of other things she may need, including more ointment in case the man still had some lingering pain. “I think I’ve got it all.” She told herself and her cat who, again, was too busy grooming to really care. What humans did was none of his concern unless it affected him, and in this case it did not.

Levinia shook her head at her cat, “Take care of the place.” She asked and then left, locking up her door tightly. The walk to Qaerris home looked differently in the sunshine and by the time she arrived her arms were tired from holding the jug of water. She placed it down, adjusted her clothing and knocked on the door. Hopefully he was awake and most importantly, alone.

[Qaerris]

The sweet pull of painless sleep had gripped Qaerris for the entirety of his night. The painkillers did their job pi]very[/i] effectively, leaving the harlot in the abyss of dreamless sleep, only to emerge with the intense sensation of thirst backed with the happy incident of having no other pain to deal with. When the harlot woke up, the very first thing he sought after was his waterskin, the Mortalborn bringing it to his lips draining it of what was left. However, his thirst was not sated. Tempted to leave the house and find his way to more water, Qaerris cast his gaze about in search of a shirt to wear, but he quickly came to realize that the sensation of swimming that plagued him shortly after waking up and due to the after-effects of the poppy would do him no good in the world.

Rather at a loss for what to do, Qaerris decided to simply lay in his bed for a time, staring up at the ceiling before boredom gripped at him. He'd turn his body and face towards his mirror, catching his gaze in the reflection. From there, the Mortalborn began making faces at himself, first a frustrated expression, followed by a cheeky grin which quickly dissolved into a flirtatious wink. The expressions were done unconsciously, for he would need to keep his features sharp and his appearance immaculate to continue along with his profession in the correct manner. Of course, Qaerris need not worry himself about going to work today. He'd ensured that his client knew that he was taking this day for himself, not that it was any of her business as to why. If he chose not to work, he wouldn't.

The benefits of being self-employed. Even if that employment is prostitution. It's not a bad thing.

Reasoning it out for himself, Qaerris tilted the mirror slightly to let him see the contours of his well-toned chest and abdomen, the man noting the presence of slight scratches that had not yet healed. They'd fade in time, but their continued presence was quite unwelcome. In truth, the marks were quite invisible to most, though Qaerris' self-obsession would be fooled by no optical illusions. However, the thought of the scratches faded immediately once the harlot heard the knocks on his door. Turning his body, long, fluid steps took the courtesan to the front door, pulling it open to see how who was looking for him. When he saw Levinia, the Mortalborn pursed his lips slightly, the woman's attempted assault upon him still standing fresh in his mind, for it was the last sober memory he had of her.

"Yes?" he called out to her, not yet stepping aside to let her through. However, once she stated her intentions, he would allow her to pass, closing the door behind her.

[Levinia]

Levinia self-consciously fixed her white tresses and gave the tall man the sweetest smile she could manage. “I-I’ve come to check on your, sir.” She responded and leaned over to pick up the clay pot filled with the water. “As I promised you last night.” It was not difficult to read the look he was giving her and it was not hard to understand why he would be angry with her. Still, his hands went a bit too far and Levinia’s temper flared a bit too much. Both events seemed to combine into great big mess. Perhaps the second time will go better.

Blue orbs flickered over the man’s body, searching for further injury, then up to his face searching for a bit of forgiveness. She sighed with relief as he moved out of the way and let her in, shutting the door behind her. Levinia looked around and set the jar down on the tabletop she had gotten to know the night previously. She then removed her cloak and turned to Qaerris the smile still on her lips although she was slightly afraid that he was still very angry with her.

“I’m sorry about last night.” She began, “I didn’t mean to cause you pain. I was reacting to your..um..attentions. You must understand, sir, I am not that type of girl and have never had such attentions from any man.” The white haired girl gave him a worried look, her dark eyebrows furrowing with anxiety. She opened her satchel and took out a bottle of what looked like painkiller, infact all of her bottles had that same dark brown look that prevented light from affecting the contents. “Are you in any pain?” She asked, hoping they could move forward and perhaps correct the mistakes that were made.

[Qaerris]

In truth, the entire expression of anger and resentment upon his features was nothing more than a facade. There was no real reason for the Mortalborn to be angry at this woman, if only to make her feel guilty and in turn, amuse Qaerris with the unmistakable signs of such. For Qaerris, his association with this doctor, aside from her application of her medical acumen, was little more than a clash of wills, a game of seduction and playful maneuverings on Qaerris' part that spelled trouble for the woman. Of course, it was not his prerogative to bring trouble into her work place, nor was it his problem to absolve her of anything. However, he could 'forgive' her this once, for a crime she did not commit. A chuckle parted Qaerris' lips, silent and easily concealed yet again by his stony facade before he let the expression drop.

And of course, now that she had apologized, a whole new game could begin.

The self-surrendered information that Levinia was a virgin did not shock the Mortalborn in the slightest. He'd figured it out last night without needing any kind of admission, and now that it was out in the open, it truly didn't make a difference. However, in order to test out her reaction, he'd continue to play a part, a role. It was by no means a marvelous performance, but surely it was an enjoyable one.

"Oh, my. Is that true, Levinia? Is our beautiful, white-haired doctor a virgin? What a shame..."

The last sentence was carefully emphasized, the Mortalborn nearly accompanying it with a sigh, but in the last moment deciding against it. That was simply too theatrical. Too out of the ordinary. And this was, of course, an ordinary situation. Leaning forward, the harlot let two fingers trail lightly along Levinia's jaw, playing at her cheek for but a moment before his touch went away. As if to respond to her inquiry, Qaerris lifted his right arm, and though it seemed to have bettered since the day prior, Qaerris now able to raise his arm over his head, the light tremble and the inability to raise his arm entirely over his head showed that the Mortalborn's recovery was not entirely complete.

Chances are that I'll be able to return to work tomorrow... Or tonight. Levinia's satchel of medicinal wonders will surely assist in that endeavor.

"I forgive you, my dear Levinia. However, it would do you some good to loosen up once in a while. It doesn't take being a harlot to liberate yourself from the constraints of prudishness."

[Levinia]

Levinia tried not to blush at Qaerris inquiry as to her bedroom knowledge, or rather lack there off. It wasn't uncommon for a common girl to remain pure. Whatever the noble class did was up to them. They had the wealth and status in life to do just about anything they wanted, this was not always the case with girls of her status. Men in this group tended to be more picky since money didn't always seem to come with girls like Levinia. All they had to offer were their skills and, yes, their purity. Levinia was no different, besides, there had been no one she had been interested enough to have invested her time and efforts on. Let alone her body. She ignored his quest for further answers and focused on his acceptance to her apology.

"Thank you, sir." She nodded politely as she studied the movements of his arm and shoulder. The stiffness had lessened but some of it was still there. "May I?" She asked as she reached out with her dominant hand, her right one, and tested the muscle gently with her thumb. There didn't seem to be any knots and as she continued to probe she responded to the last part of his statement.

"It has nothing to do with prudishness, sir." The white haired girl pursed her lips as she stifled her temper and continued, her eyes looked up into his, "I just haven't had the time or rather, have not had the 'need' too." That was basically the truth. Need implied a physical reaction to something lacking or perhaps something wanting. She had not wanted to have sex with anyone and when she did her mind would jump into future scenarios; all of which ended badly. Levinia lowered her arm, the examination over, but continued to look into those brandy brown orbs that thought they knew everything. Perhaps they did.

'Well, he doesn't have to be so smug about it.' She thought, but out loud she added.

"I think that another slight massage and some lighter pain killers would do, and you should be as good as new by morrow." The young healer nodded as if confirming to herself as well as to the Harlot. She handed him the bottle of carefully measured medication, "A pinch of this in your tea would be enough, but not more than a pinch. You should have about ten doses to use now, or perhaps in the future."

Levinia then went through her satchel and took out the bottle of ointment and uncapped it until the room filled with the smell of basil and something minty. "Would you like me to apply it?" She asked, her violet blue eyes almost dared him to back out. Would he trust her again, did he truly forgive her?