Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. | OPEN.

[aldabeyoun]

It's a little odd to work out of her livingroom, but in Njoki's experience it's a good idea to have regular clinic hours set up for those that aren't comfortable with house calls. Most of what she does during these times is a bit of basic consulting, the occasional spot of under the table first aid, and listening to people talk through their own worries. It's never very busy, but this is her calling, not her job. Some of her friends and family have been helpful and discretely passed out her contact information and she knows that a little pocket money is a fine thing, but she doesn't believe she'll ever make a living off it.

As she fills and puts the kettle on, she huffs in amusement. At least it's a good excuse to make sure her flat is scrubbed and clean enough for company once a week.

Comments

[reticence]

Faolan truthfully doesn't want to be here. But he'd sooner be here than in hospital any day of the week. Even if he doesn't know this woman or what sort of tricks she has up her sleeves exactly. He's hoping he'll find out before he doesn't have any other choice in the matter. It always pays to have a good escape strategy, and he doesn't want to regret this decision, however much he needs the attention of some sort of healer.

He glances up at Njoki herself, than in at the flat beyond. Not taking another step inside just yet, obviously wary of the whole thing. "You're... A healer?" he asks, glancing back at her again, shifting uneasily. "That's what they said." He tries to hold himself straight, tries not to let on exactly what is wrong with him, but beneath the sleeve of his jacket, clear across his bicep, there's a pretty nasty gash that's only got temporary patching on it. And it hurts.

[aldabeyoun]

Njoki herself is tall and broad through the shoulders. 'Casual, but neat' describes her clothing and flat - nothing exceptional or extravagant, but practical.

"Depends on what's the trouble, but I can manage most of it. If you want me to have a look come in, get your shoes off, and we can sit in the kitchen." Healing tends to be messier than the usual chat and consult she does. If there's going to be blood, she wants to be over tile.

[reticence]

Faolan nods, giving the area a wary once-over again before he allows himself to be led inside. Rather than bending to unlace them, he toes his boots off, pushing them off to the side and out of the way with his foot. Perhaps it is noticeable, to the trained eye, that his right arm is held tight against his side and he hasn't bent to try and use either of them yet. Certainly not the right.

He isn't going to be presumptuous to lead her into her own kitchen. He'll wait to be led there himself. Standing awkwardly in the entryway, fidgeting slightly as he waits for what's next, he blurts out, "I don't have a lot of money. Whatever your fee, if it's high, you might as well tell me now and I'll be off and out of your hair."

[aldabeyoun]

As they walk through her place, she gestures towards the kitchen table and chairs before picking up a first-aid kit. Inside, it's mostly typical supplies like bandages, gauze, and tape, but there are a few oddities. Tucked into place alongside antibiotics, there are little vials of powdered and coloured chalk, dried herbs, a variety of threads in different colours.

"Dunno what you've heard, but I won't turn anyone away. If you can pay, that's great; if not, I'll live. Buy me a coffee sometime?"

[reticence]

In truth, Faolan hadn't heard much. He'd just gotten her business card and he'd heard that she had a talent for more than even that detailed. He'll be able to pay, some at least. And he doesn't mind owing her.

"Whatever you need, if you'll give me time, I can match it," he says, allowing himself to be led into the offered chair. Lowering himself into it, gingerly. Although he does not let on what's wrong, not yet. Waiting for her cue, waiting for her lead. Not wanting to let on what weakness he has when he doesn't yet know if he can trust her, not quite.

[aldabeyoun]

"I'm not a part of the NHS, but any doctor that can help and turns someone away is a real piece of work. Now, tell me what's the problem? Just something physical or do I need to worry about hexes or crosses?" Njoki doesn't like to put a specific dollar amount on her work, it's a little to much like buying and selling her skill. It's not morally wrong, per se, just a poor idea. That's how you end up ticking off the greater forces at play.

[reticence]

"Just physical," Faolan confirms warily. "No need to worry about anything coming after you for treating me, if you are." He falls silent for a few moments, trying to assess whether he can actually trust her with this or whether he should just get up and leave, take himself to a hospital, and risk the discomfort that comes from putting himself there instead. He knows that meeting with her isn't smart, given the company she's been keeping. He knows that letting her practice on him is probably even less smart. But what other choice does he have?

"...I'm going to need some help with this jacket though," he admits. "If you're going to want to take a look at it yourself." Possibly with his shirt as well, but he might as well start small and work his way up.

[aldabeyoun]

"Physical is messy, but easy. It's when it starts getting metaphysical that everyone gets a headache," she says with a wry twist before standing and moving to help him with his jacket. "I can't really help you out with painkillers either. If it's bad, I've got a little, but they're not something I can easily carry, you know?"

And most of her clients don't need or use them.

[reticence]

Faolan gives a one-shouldered shrug, ginger with his movements of the other one. It should be pretty obvious where he's hurt, once the jacket's slipped off. The shirt is torn and blood-spattered, with a makeshift bandage wrapped around the lot of it. He did the best he could at the time, but he's no medic. He knows when he's been beaten.

"I can manage," he says. "I just need this taken care of. Sooner rather than later. And I'd like to avoid hospital, if possible." He glances at her. "I've already been attacked once by a 'wild dog' this year. Two might be pushing it. Can't exactly tell them it was a vampire this time, after all."