Collab with @TheQueensGuard and @Lillian Gray
Razzeck blinked, slightly confused. Not many people would just dismiss payment for work that was already done. Well, at least the people he was accustomed to. Before the Horned healer could say what she'd rather have him do, the heavy footsteps of the armor-clad Lord High General came into the tent. Razz gave him a quick salute and stood quietly while he addressed Tolainnea.
The dwarf was determined to pay the healer for her help in whatever way possible, yet he didn't dare interrupt whatever business she and Arterion had planned. Perhaps it would be better to return later?
Before Razzeck made up his mind, the blurry orange and white outline of a cat darted towards the healer. The dwarf frowned and took a step back. He never really liked cats, they always made him itchy and their hair made it hard for him to breath. The footsteps of another person drew his attention and he glanced over his shoulder too see an unfamiliar person.
He didn't look to be a soldier, nor a healer. In fact Razzeck did quite know
where he would fit in. Perhaps he was a friend of the Generals? The dwarfs hovered over his belt where a handaxe hung, incase the stranger had some sort of malicious intent.
"Oi lad, not another step.. Razzeck raised his hand and stood as tall as he could in front of the stranger in an attempt to block his path. As Tolainnea expressed her concern towards the crowded tent, Razzeck nodded in agreement.
"Miss Tolainnea is right, I'll escort the stranger out and return shortly."
"Do what you like." Tolainnea eyed the strangers warily. She had become quite distracted stroking the orange and white cat's head, so she stood, quietly watching the room without a word not knowing what to say as she listened to the soft pur beneath her ashen hands. "Before you go, Sir Dwarf, if you want to give the coin to someone, I suggest you simply pass it on to Ninra herself. The funds can be used for healing supplies instead. Ninra Nothedash."
"I can return as well." Her posture hardly changed, though her eyes shifted focus to subtly stare evenly at Arterion through the slits in his helmet. "When the time is more convenient. I do not want to be a bother." The Horned woman offered.
Tim paused, almost thoughtful, then reached out for the cat anyway, shooting the dwarf a grin over his shoulder. "Escort? Nice offer, but I won't waste your time a moment longer. I simply need this--"
Arterion coughed. "Leave, both of you. I have matters to discuss with Lady Tolainnea." His helmeted head tilted, visor turning on Razz. "If you would..."
"But, the cat! The bird showed me, so it must be important! It can be! I just need to hold it, just a moment."
With a growl, Arterion said, "Lady Tolainnea has it now. Get out."
Tim's hands curled into fists, his once empty expression becoming a scowl. Oh no, he would not leave without this cat. How he wanted that cat, but for what purposes, he wasn't sure yet. He would decide on the way out. As if his strings had been cut, Tim relaxed, smiled, and leaned over to pat the cat on the head before the horned woman could react.
"Alright," he said, looking to the woman. "I will see you later. I have so many questions."
He was gone in the blink of an eye, and Arterion felt as though he'd upset some terrible monstrosity that would surely bite him in the ass later.
Razzeck gave a small nod to Tolainnea
"It will be done!" He swung his pack back onto his shoulders and stashed the coins in a pocket. As the High General ordered both he and the strange man to leave, Razz gave a small bow and headed towards the mouth of the tent and disappeared outside.
Tolainnea hardly moved at all. She simply waited, watched, as everyone else moved around her. The strangers had not introduced themselves, simply finding it appropriate to barge into Arterion's tent as she had. Only, she did not know how they were related to the General. The woman paused. What was it that she wanted to say first?
"Good morning." She said, finally looking to where she assumed Arterion's eyes had to be. "Now, I have brought my personal effects and supplies, Doctor Nothedash's letter of transfer, and I need nothing from you but your cooperation."
Tolainnea bent over, setting down both her pack and the cat, who, reluctantly slunk away from her arms with his tail flicking slowly in the air. She quickly bolted upright, arms held together in front of her.
"Take off your armor." She all but demanded.
Hiding his surprise, Arterion scoffed, moving toward his desk to sort through the written orders he'd prepared for the watchmen. "I don't know if you realize, healer, but now is not the time for that. These men need guidance, and I cannot guide them looking like a fool. You are excused, as I have work to do."
Gathering up the parchment, Arterion settled in behind the desk, still fully armored and seemingly perfectly content. When he looked back up and noticed the healer hadn't moved an inch - no one could exit a tent within seconds after all, but he was feeling particularly impatient today - he sighed.
"If you can't find a tent, do let me know."
Tolainnea frowned. She was used to resistance, but this was unusual for a one on one assignment. Had she misread his desire for a healer? Had she done something wrong? No. Perhaps the rumors were true. Arterion Landrak was just as, if not
more, stubborn than she had heard.
Nevertheless, she ignored his dismissal and dropped her belongings on the floor of the tend and let her shawl fall away from her shoulders. Her white medic apron was tied at the waist, armband pinned in place, and with a practiced motion she began to braid her hair so it wouldn't be in the way.
"I do not know if
you realize, General, we are not at battle and the body is not foolish, but a man can be. It is also foolish to not take proper care of both body and armor." The woman tied off her hair and looked to the back of Arterion's head, a stern look in her eye. "I will ask again, take off your armor."
His fingers twitched, agitation rising. But he had brought her into his service, and to back out now out of some desire to… what? Keep his dignity? There was no real reason he couldn't comply. But she was looking rather fierce now, and Arterion was far too exhausted to verbally battle this out. With a heavy sigh, he shoved aside the parchment and stood from his chair, his hands going to his helmet to pull the latches.
"Make it quick, then."
He removed his helmet and set it aside on the desk, then got started on the breastplate. She was the only one who'd see. What harm would it be?
If he hadn't been upset with her before, he certainly was now. Tolainne's face relaxed slightly with his compliance, though she remained as bored looking as she usually did. She waited, and he began to pull on the various latches and ties on his armor. Normally, she would have assisted without any hesitation, but seeing him, actually
seeing his face for the first time caught her off guard. She had expected someone rugged, with strong features and a commanding aura. While his aura still called to be attention, the other details weren't what she had expected. They were softer. More pleasant.
Arterion was pale, enough where she could see a faded outline of dirt where the slits of his helm allowed light to pass through to his skin. He had longer dark hair, a stark contrast to his light complexion. She made note of the scar on his left eye, but didn't ask. It was common for soldiers to have scars. No, Tolainnea was making a mental note of the uncommon gray eye color. They were just details, unique qualities that defined Arterion from another soldier, but it was far better than conversing with a helmet.
Tolainnea snapped herself out of her prolonged observation and extended a hand to assist Arterion without a word, he could have stopped her if he wanted.
"Thank you, Arterion." Tolainnea replied. "It is good that I know you, your body that is. I know it is inconvenient, but it is important."
With his armor gone, Tolainnea could finally focus on the very basic of her intentions. She placed her hands on his chest. The white tattoos on her hand began to glow, as they did with every arcane interaction, all the way up her arms and face until she could hear his heart beating instead of her own. If it were anyone but Tolainnea they might find the situation quite invasive and rather…
Awkward.
"It may feel warm." Tolainnea explained. Her eyes stared through him, focused on listening to the rhythm of his heart.
With a huff, Arterion gave in to the inspection, if only to speed things up. No one would dare walk in without a summon, but that didn't assuage his fears that someone would catch a glimpse of… this, and think something improper was going down. His fingers twitched idly at his sides in search of his blade, which had already been set aside. Damn. His threats here on out would have to be verbal until she let him go.
Her assessment was not wholly terrible. The typical healer's touch was somewhat pleasant, and this was no different. His impatience got the better of him, as always, and he turned his head back to look at her-- only just then realizing that she was nearly at eye level.
He blinked owlishly and looked away. "You've done this for some time, haven't you? Don't answer-- the healers don't take on just anyone, and Vraenor is careful about her healers."
"You are correct, in both regards." Tolainnea agreed. She still answered the former question, because she had another of her own. Something that didn't quite make sense given his irritable attitude towards her. "I have been practicing the art of healing since I was a child, much longer than most students. You could not have known that it seems. If I may, I would ask you a question."
She moved one of her hands up and tentatively brushed some of the hairs from his forehead, before gently placing her middle three fingers in the center of his forehead. It didn't take long for her to determine he was exhausted. Had he slept at all recently? She frowned. Perhaps that was the reason he was irritable. Tolainnea focused and allowed him some of her own energy, keeping her hands steady, one still on his chest, the other still gently on his forehead. Her golden eyes finally seemed to be looking at him rather than through him.
"Perhaps another time." Tolainnea slowly removed her hands and stepped away from Arterion. She took up his helmet from the desk nearby in both hands and held it out for him. "I will return tomorrow."
"Yes," Arterion murmured thoughtfully. "There will be time for… chatting, tomorrow. Perhaps there will be time to further discuss your arrangements then." Feeling exposed without his armor, especially now that her touch still lingered, Arterion bid her goodbye, and fetched his armor.
He would indeed be resting well protected when he got the chance..