Knock at Door

The temple is cool and yet not /too/ cool as it always is. The temperature carefully monitored by the clerics who need to ensure that it is cool enough for there to be no passage of sickness, but warm enough that the patients don't catch an illness by that means. A careful balance that Zeke understands, and thus he finds himself toting a handful of blankets into Aya's room.

It is not /just/ Aya's room of course, but currently it is unoccupied by any other patients thanks to the fact that not many come to the Temple of Eluna for healing. He patiently pads toward Aya's bedside, and puts the blankets which are clean into the cupboard there before taking the top one off and giving her a quizzical look. "How are you feeling Aya?"

Zeke's voice holds none of the reproach that it certainly could have given that they both know that her health has taken a turn for the worse. Instead he holds the blanket in his claws and looks at her placidly in a way that's almost worse. If he would admonish her at least... But he does not. "Would you like a fresssh blanket?"

The cooks in the althean temple were well used to making food for those with specific needs, and so The other sith-makar cleric made a request that morning. A request that did not take too long to fulfill, and was short to finish out of necessity. In her hands was a set of bowls and a plate of crackers, along with a steaming teapot. She made her way to the Elunan temple, where she and Aryia had dropped off Aya the other day. And at the door, she balances the tray in one hand to knock gently.

If it were any consolation to Zeke (which it likely is not), any admonitions he could have added are doubtful to make Aya feel worse, judging by her appearance. She may well look worse than she did when she first approached him for assistance; at least she was ambulatory, then.

Now she is a lump under a blanket, slightly propped on one end, and topped with a scowl. A tired scowl, which somehow makes it even more unpleasant-seeming. "No. No more blankets." Her lack of tone implies that her ired expression isn't directed at the Sunguard... or that there isn't enough energy to provide the usual wry, snark, or other intonations.

Aryia was, yet again, a ball of worry ever since Aya all but collapsed in front of her and Seyardu not even a night ago. She spent the morning out of the temple once Zeke was informed, and was running around the city.

She runs into Seyardu knocking at the door, her waiting a moment before skipping formalities and opening the door for the silverscale, knowing her hands are full. A familiar scarred mul'neissa steps in, dressed in black slacks and a silvery sheened vest, white sleeves rolled up to hold a bag in her hands, a strap over one shoulder. She moves off to the side, kneeling down to rifle around in the bag, her giving a small, worried wave over to Aya and Zeke.

Zeke turns toward the opening door and there's a brief look of near-exasperation on his features before it smooths away and he puts the blanket into the cupboard with the others. If Aya does not want it, he will not force it on her. "Peasssce on your nessstsss. Thisss one will warn you that ssshe isss not well. You mussst do what you can to not upssset her, and sshe iss to have /no more/ exersise." He says this last very firmly then blinks at Seyardu. "Oh, Sseyardu. Thisss one hasss... hoped to ssshare wordsss with you. Come in, come in."

Seyardu nods to Aryia in thanks as she follows into the room. "This one has no intention to upset her. " Seyardu explains. "Aya vomited last night, which can lead to dehydration if not careful. So this one had the althean temple make some soup which would be gentle on the stomach." She explains as she sets the tray down on the bedside table. Tomato soup and beef broth, with a small plate of crackers. Seyardu tilts her head slightly.

"You wished to share words? Of course, Zeke, this one will listen."

She turns to Aya then, seeming concerned. "Are you up for something to eat, Aya? It is important to remain hydrated for your recovery. I made some more of the tea, if you need to settle your stomach.

Aya's scowl pans to the latest entrants. It still is not truly directed at them individually. In fact, as she focuses on a recognizes Aryia, she removes the scowl.. by pulling the blanket up over her face. "I am fine..." she asserts with a lack of energy that it's doubtful even she believes it.

Cesran slowly makes his way into the Temple of Eluna on his carpet of flying. It's got pillows on it so that Cesran can sit comfortably as he too is still weakened from his last adventure. He's been coming to the Temple of Eluna a little more regularly too since coming back from the Sea of Mana. He has heard that Aya has taken ill and he's come to see if she needs anything or if there is anything he can do to help since he is also suffering from mana poisoning. He uses the carpet to maneuver around and is directed to Aya's room. He politely knocks on the door with the butt end of this staff.

Aryia fidgets a bit under the scowl, knowing that Aya didn't truly mean anything by it. If she were sick, she'd bit snippy too. She pulls out a book, a somewhat used one as she quietly walks over to the corner of the room. Not wanting to crowd.

She does, however, raise a brow at Zeke's intentions. What did he want to speak with Seyardu about?

Zeke hears the knock at the door and lifts a claw to his head. Glancing at Aryia and Seyardu, he makes a mental calculation. He says nothing on the subject for the moment but motions for Seyardu to follow him to the door. He trusts that Aryia will not say or do anything in the meantime to upset Aya. "Thisss one did want to-" He stops as he opens the door and finds two people standing outside. The two men get a quizzical look, but the second... The second one gets an ireful look from Zeke that warns Seyardu at least that the healer is inches from harming someone.

"Merek." He says shortly, and gives the man a look. "You will not enter thisss room with that... THAT." He points to Merek's cigarette. "That you have brought it to the healing rooms ssshowss thisss one that you ssstill lack common sssenssse."

Aya lowers the blanket from her face and blinks owlishly at further knocking and additional voices. Her scowl doesn't deepen much around her lips, but her brows furrow further. And it darkens further her eyes.

"Get. Out." It's not a yell, per se, though she may just not be much more vocal than Aryia at the moment. The darkening around her eyes then seems to spread as the room, itself, dims significantly. This causes her scowl to turn into a grimace, but she doesn't loose another sound, even when blood trickles from the corners of her eyes.

Cesran hmms, "Oh sure whatever you would like Merek if you have need to talk to me. I'm here because I heard that Aya was ill or rather more ill than before. I just wanted to check to make sure she was okay, and offer my assistance if needed. Not that I know much about healing, but.." He's cut off as the door open and Cesran looks up at the sith'makar, "Oh hello. I'm Cesran, I'm here to see that Aya is all right. We were both on the same adventure together. I can come back later if she's indisposed." He says right before the shout. "Ah well I see that she is. Aya, it's Cesran. I hope you feel better." He calls out and then gives a smile to Zeke as he starts to slowly back the carpet out.

Seyardu says, "Aya, you will be fine, yes. But not eating enough is not conducive to being fine." Seyardu warns, but they smile with the warning. She nods to Zeke. "I will return shortly, perhaps Aryia can help you to eat some, so you will continue being fine."

She sniffs the air, finding the scent before the door was opened. She was about to greet, but she was caught off guard even further when Zeke greeted them so harshly, and when the room fell to darkness.

"Ah, apologies, Aya. I will see myself out." She says to where the bed was, before she guides herself along the wall to and out the doorframe.

She stops, adjusting to the dimness, sniffing the air and immediately having a scent of concern and worry. "This one smells blood." She speaks quickly to Zeke. <Draconic>

Merek will put the cigarette out, and doesn't seem to even be mindful of the shout, "It's medicinal, but it's out." Then he nods to Cesran, "I'm just checking to make sure people are alright." He does hear Aya's voice and looks that way, "Hey Aya. It's Merek. Just wanted to check on you with Cesran. I'm back." He notices Seyardu and nods to the woman, "It's good to see you. I'm alive again and all." Then he's backing up along with the mage, "Do you think it's worth channeling it out of you? We might be able to assist the others, though that was an excessive amount you took in."

Aryia ducks her head as the number of people present increases. But her head whips over to the door. She blinks, blinks again. "... wh-t th- f-ck...?" she whispers to herself, eyes settled on Merek past the door. The casualness of their reappearance making a few gears in her head lock up.

The patient's declaration makes Aryia tense up, like her new attire was suddenly over starched. Her eyes flicker in a glimmer as the lights dim down, Aryia instead taking a step back into a dark corner of the room, the book clutched to her chest. She wanted to aid, help in some way, but doing anything of the sort seemed to be a bad idea. But she didn't wish to leave just yet.

Zeke bristles somewhat. This woman is /his/ patient, and her care is first and foremost on his mind. The sharp scent of blood only serves to make him even more irate, but his demeanor calms. "Sseyardu, thisss one would have you sstay, ass you are actually helping thisss one with care." He looks at Cesran and then Merek. "You are disssturbing thisss onesss pateint. Thiss one musst inssissst you leave."

Zeke's words are punctuated by a young cleric poking her head out into the hall from the room across the way. She looks very unhappy with the group of people gathered at Zeke's doorway and hushes everyone firmly. "Thisss hall mussst remain quiet." Zeke states firmly. "For the sssake of the patientsss. Go. Aya hasss assked and thisss one insssists." With that, he closes the door. Seyardu firmly on his side of it. Merek and Cesran... on the other side.

Cesran nods to Zeke, "Of course." He says quietly and looks over to Merek, "I guess visiting hours are over." He says as he deftly maneuvers the carpet around, "I'm fine overall, just weakened, but getting stronger by the day. By next week or so I should be back to my old self. I've heard there is going to be a resurrectionist meeting tonight. Will you be attending?"

Seyardu blinks, looks to the door in confusion. "You were dead?" They ask before the door is shut. Seyardu sighs and turns back to the bed. And she steps over to gather some clean cloths, and a basin of water. "Would you allow me to clean away the blood, Aya?" They ask. There was a lot on their mind, but the most pressing matter was the Mul who had most likely just used magic.

Merek is a lot less confrontational than Zeke might remember. "I understand, I am glad you are alright. And her. Do take care of her, she put a lot of work in and we all owe her a lot." There's a quiet offer of if he needs anything, he can ask. Then he takes a look along to Cesran, "You probably saved my soul, since there are like five groups that want it. Ya, I'll be there."

The man seems to ponder the door and Seyardu's words. Well, Aya can explain it, and Aryia. He is a picture of calm, like he was at the fight, still within there is a lot upon his mind. Dancing amid time, and space. In the Sea of Mana. It's not like he can really go back to what it was like when he first came to Alexandros. "Mmm. I can't remember what timeline we're in. It was the only way to save everyone and the world." He coughs a bit into a glove while he then hides the hand, so that Cesran will not see it. "And we've still got a lot of work to bring Animus back."

Aya doesn't object to Seyardu, nor anyone else, as her head relaxes back into the pillow. The room immediately regains its illumination and she closes her eyes with a heavy sigh. She's not crying! even if it currently very much resembles that. She is still awake, but otherwise quite for the moment.

Zeke can still hear Cesran and Merek talking in the hallway - in spite of his request for silence - but Aya is his primary concern for the moment. One of the other clerics will deal with that situation. And does. The cleric that stuck her head into the hall gives the pair a cold glare and pointedly points them toward the exit. They can speak outside if they have things to discuss.

Meanwhile Zeke heads over to Aya, looking at her and shaking his head. "Let Ssseyardu tend you Aya. You will not be disssturbed again. Thisss one will ssee to it."

Aryia relaxes slightly as the light comes back, but she frowns a bit at the door as muffled voices were still heard. Could the mages not hold their tongue until later? A sigh. Didn't seem like Aya was in any condition to hold any meaningful conversation. She steps forward, carefully placing the slightly used book she had been clutching onto the bedside table.

The title reads: "Handy Signs for Everyday Use."

Seyardu nods and begins wetting one of the cloths. She leans in to gently wipe away the bloody tears, moving the cloth to keep it clean while her other hand rests on the bed. And to rest slightly against the side of of her neck. Catching the Mul's heart rate without her knowing so she could hide it under the pretense of being fine.

"Yes, it is fine, Aya. Please be sparing with your magic. If you need it darker, we can put out some of the lanterns."

Aya remains still for the cleansing, though her pulse rate is high. It does slow during the process, at least. Aya then cracks on eye slightly, perhaps at the sound upon the nearby table. A hand snakes its way from under the blanket, around Seyardu, to be pointed towards the other mul and make a single, simple sign. "thumb" <unknown>

Post-mopping, Aya then manages a slight nod to Zeke before her eyes creep back open to look up at Seyardu. She doesn't comment just yet and simply exhales a long breath in a sigh.

Zeke shifts, watching Seyardu care for Aya, and holding back for now. He trusts that she knows what she's doing, and what Aya needs most at the moment is some peace. "What would you like Aya? Sssoup? Tea? The lightsss turned down? We are all of usss here to care for you." This at least seemed mostly true.

Feeling like she was overstaying her welcome, Aryia quietly steps back, scarred hands folded together. Though a motion from the bed stops her at a singular step. She blinks, then smiles wide, her retracting a step to linger nearby. Within sight, but out of the way for the professionals.

Finally, with some peace, she glances to Zeke. "What you say before..." She searches for a simple sign, hand floating freely in the air. Mage? No, too complicated. Interruption? Eh, that was involved. There was.. ah. A hand chops a few times in the space between her thumb and index finger. "Annoyance?" <Handspeech>

Seyardu discards the now soiled cloth in a nearby container, and takes a step back. There was not too much to do aside from adjust a few pillows, and she looks to Aryia, Zeke, and back to Aya. "Yes, we are here for your assistance, Aya. Would you like something to eat or drink? To speak, or to rest?" She offers. "And yes, there was something to be asked. But it can wait, still, perhaps?"

While they waited for Aya to respond, Zeke looked curiously at Aryia. It took him /several/ long seconds to determine what her hand-signs meant, and even once he'd figured it out, he couldn't quite grasp what she'd meant by it. Then Seyardu spoke, and reminded him of what he'd said earlier and it clicked. "Oh! Yesss." He glances at Aya and then looks at Seyardu, pulling a paper out of his pocket. "Thisss one found a posster requessting information about your location from sssomeone in Mictlan."

Aryia cocks her head to the side, her interested piqued. Someone was seeking Seyardu out specifically? She pulls a chair up to beside beside Aya, the mute woman looking up at the two scaled ones expectantly.

Aya looks between the trio, and seems briefly overwhelmed even with only the three of them, or the combination of options presented her. She takes a moment and sits up (or, rather, slides up a bit further upright on the pillow) and considers. "I... the soup can stay. Perhaps some tea." She pauses as Zeke's comments of posters are parsed. "You can stay and speak, or not, as you wish."

"Whether we stay and speak or not, is up to what you would wish, Aya." Seyardu replies with a glance back to the bed, and a slight nod. Though she does look back to Zeke, tilting her head. Confusion, and more concern.

"Someone is looking for me in Mictlan? This one has not returned there in a while. Is something amiss?" They ask.

Zeke glances at Aya, hands the paper to Seyardu, and pours out some tea for the former. He does not give her a cup, but rather settles down at her bedside and offers to hand-pour it for her. "Thisss one doesss not know. Isss the name Urypalax familiar to you?"

Aryia tilts her head to the side as she settles into her chair, her glancing to Aya, then to the hand that told her that she could stay. She reaches over, scarred hand resting atop Aya's as the two sith-makar converse and care for the sickly mul'neissa.

"It is fine," Aya comments quietly to Seryardu, perhaps as close as she can get to her prior statements of her own health and still be believed. Quiet conversation does not seem to bother her and she casually listens, or is merely present (she isn't going anywhere).

Her focus shifts to the tea with some interest, and it seems Zeke is making it even easier for her to reach. Which she does reach for, only pausing when she grasps why he has lowered so near. "Zeke..." She eyes him, though there isn't enough energy for a glare. "I will not drown myself..." The same lack means that it is exhaled as more a plea (whine?) than a demand nor derision.

Seyardu steps away further after taking the note, and she shakes her head in response. "This one does not know the name, no." She replies after a moment of silence, the concern growing. "Why would they be concerned about what this one is doing? Did something happen in Mictlan while I was away?"

"No, you will not drown." Says Zeke very calmly. "Nor will you drop thisss hot tea on your-sself, becausse thisss one isss here to help you." He offers Aya the tea again, but his green eyes flicker toward Seyardu with her ever-growing concern. Gently, he tries to calm her, tail shifting his calming scent toward her. "Thisss one doesss not know Sseyardu, but thisss one will go with you to Mictlan if you like. Thisss one hass buisnesss there in any cassse."

Aryia raises a brow. She herself had not been to Mictlan, as it more than likely wasn't a good idea to show up there anyways. She wasn't well versed in Sith culture, so she scratches her head and dusts off her vest. She does turn to give Aya a supportive look, one that she usually gave when her mentor secretly needed a hand getting around. The same one that gives a light squeeze to Aya's own hand.

Nor does Aya wish to add a blistered lap to her list of corporeal grievances. That does not make her fully inclined to be fed her tea. Regrettably, she is aware that she has not the energy to argue, much less resist.. and she is becoming more aware that Zeke can be rather stubborn. Following Aryia's assuring squeeze, she carefully adjusts herself more upright.

"Very well." She leans slightly towards him, leading with her face. The quickest path through the discomfort is, in her mind, to tear off the bandage and get it over as quickly as possible. Perhaps the sith conversation will distract them some from her intolerable near-helplessness.

"Should this one go?" Seyardu asks with another shake of her head. "The note did not state for me to go in particular, even if it is referring to me. And the orders of Durrankar still stand. This one thought you already went there as well, Zeke."

She turns her attention away for a moment, and back to the bed. "Is the tea alright? It is made of grated roots and a few other herbs. I can leave some with the clerics here, should you wish for more another time."

The blue-scale helps Aya first and foremost. Helping her to drink the herbal tea at a pace that is not going to end up with her choking on the liquid. He has been doing this long enough to tell when she's had enough, and pulls the cup away again. "Thisss one can not be scertain that the note isss for you. Perhapsss Durrankar sssaid that you ssshould not bring trouble to Mictlan... but if thisss one goesss with you, perhapss it will be sssafe enough. You have a right to return home, and Mictlan isss not with-out defenssesss." He shakes his head. "Thisss one hasss not been to Mictlan yet. There isss much that thisss one mussst do, and thisss one findss preoccupation too easssy."

Finding the conversation slowly getting out of her sphere of knowledge, she instead direct her attention to Aya. Once tea was taken care of, she gestures slowly, as to not jostle the patient. "I brought you a book to practice, so you don't get too bored," she motions, ending with a finger twisting at her nose. <Handspeech>

Aya takes the majority of the cup, but chooses not to press her luck, this time. There is no bridge rail convenient at present. She gives Zeke a slight nod in acknowledgement, perhaps even thanks, not otherwise interrupting the sith-makar sharing words.

After lowering herself back to a more comfortable(?) lounging, she then nods to Aryia. Her arms stay atop the blankets, making it easier to respond in kind. "flick down left right left up finger thumb finger" Two conversations ongoing, all calm and relatively quiet, and there are no burning weeds in the room. Aya's preferences are not exceptionally stringent. <unknown>

"Then perhaps, it may be safe enough. You are welcome too, Aryia. If you would like to see the place." Seyardu offers with a light sigh. "I would not interrupt your rest however to take your healer away, Aya."

She chuckles a bit at the offer, looking to Aryia, and to Aya. "You could learn much from her. I think Aryia would be a good teacher if you are willing to learn. She picked it up quite quickly herself."

Zeke nods. "Another time." He will not forget however, that this is a thing that needs doing. "Though Aya will need her ressst sssoon." Which means that they should - all of them - leave her to her peace soon enough.

"Take him," Aya offers a shooing motion at Zeke while commenting softly to Seyardu. "I suspect that I will still be here when he returns..." There is an edge of annoyance and exasperation in that, though it fades as she adds, "Yes, she is." Her head tilts back to Aryia. "A tolerable chaperone, as well."

Of course, Zeke had to go and remind her of rest. It may be mostly her subconscious that actually listens, but that may be enough. She settles a bit further, and her eyes droop. Perhaps the tea helped, also.

Aryia gives a small sigh and bows her head. Zeke was right. The praise draws her lips upward. "For now, yes. You need sleep," she motions slowly as she rises to her feet. "Get better. The water owes us money."

She winks, and makes for the door with soft steps.

"Maybe I can go if you want me to," she mentions to Seyardu as she passes by. <Handspeech>

"If you would want to, yes." Seyardu offers, not pushing it. And she nods to Zeke. "I will leave the tea, and take the soup so it does not go to waste."

She lifts the teacup and kettle off the tray, setting them down so she could take the tray. "Let us depart for now, then."

She offers a wave, and a smile to the bedridden mul. "You will get even better with time, Aya, so please be patient. Peace on your nest." She offers in farewell, opening the door and holding it for the mute mul and blue makari to join her outside

-End