AUDIENCE FOR: su jiuqing

[saturations]

Comments

[countermeasures]

What do you need done? Just leave it to me, and I'll do my best!

[she is already rolling up her sleeves to get to work.]

[saturations]

[a rumbling laugh comes from the general area of the statue.]

I'll give you two options. First, you can do an hour of work in the garden. Second, you can sit and have a cup of tea with me and tell me a little about yourself.

The second one is a little nicer, but it's good to have choices.

[countermeasures]

Let's have tea. And then I can do some work in your garden afterwards - I don't mind helping out, and it would be good to stay in practice.

Does that work?

[saturations]

Sure it does. Okay, hang on for a minute.

[they will wander over towards the cottage. there's a little table and chairs with a flower pot on the table set up outside. the cottage has large open windows, but for whatever reason she can't see in. they go to open the door and it's the same; she can't seem to see inside.]

I'll be right back.

[countermeasures]

[she will wait patiently and admire the flowers in the garden while they're gone]

[saturations]

[i took a long time on this tag for the realism

anyway, they come back after a few minutes, carrying a tray with two mismatched cups. one of them has a green curlicue pattern and one has a floral pattern but is chipped. the tray also has a small, worn teapot and some sugar and cream.]

You have a sweet tooth or do you prefer more bitter flavors?

[countermeasures]

I'm not picky, I'll drink either... though if I have a choice, I'm partial to sweets!

[she smiles]

[saturations]

Sweet it is.

[they mix a couple herbs and leaves in a pot of water looks like very hot water.]

Trying out a new blend. Good to have a second opinion.

[countermeasures]

You blend your own tea? How nice! What blend will we be having today?

[saturations]

Hmm. New crop of lavender grew in recently. Some chamomile, a little rosehip, some pot marigold. Mixes well with sugar.

[the tea is steeping pretty fast in the pot. they pour it after only a minute or so, offering her the cup that isn't chipped.]

[countermeasures]

That sounds delicious!

[she takes the cup of tea and brings it up, breathing in the scent before taking a small sip.]

...mm. And it tastes very nice, as well. You're skilled at this; I'm impressed.

[saturations]

It's a little hobby of mine, making new blends.

[but now that they have their tea.]

Tell me about yourself. Where you're from. What makes you so determined to have medicine.

[countermeasures]

Well... I'm from a country called Daxing. I don't imagine you've heard of it; no one else I've spoken to has, but likewise, I've never heard of their countries, either.

[she takes another sip of the tea, then continues to hold onto the cup, letting it warm her hands.]

I'm a doctor. Practicing medicine is how I've provided for myself, but it's also how I've protected myself and people that I care about. I've been in several situations in the past that were dangerous, but having the proper medicines or tools on hands have allowed me to save someone. So to have come to a place like this so unexpectedly, and to be without most of my supplies... it's left me a little ill at ease.

Especially since some members of the group are a little...

[her voice trails off. she tilts her head to one side.]

...reckless?

I'd like to not have to make use of my skills, but I want to be prepared in case they become necessary.

[saturations]

[they listen. it might be odd to watch a statue drink tea, but it seems as though it's possible.]

The people you've saved... are they the same as the people you care about, the ones you wanted to protect?

[countermeasures]

...some of them, yes. But others were people I'd never met before.

I learned medicine to protect myself and my mother, but it goes beyond that now. I'm a doctor. I find it difficult to turn away from someone who needs help, regardless of how I personally feel about them.

[saturations]

Once you learn how easy it is to contribute something that makes things a little better, it's hard to stop.

[they seem to empathize with this feeling.]

But there are more ways to accomplish that than the ones you already know. It's good you want to help, but you're pushing yourself pretty hard.

[countermeasures]

...I didn't think I was pushing myself that hard.

[a beat.]

I've actually been much less busy here than I ever was in Daxing...?

[saturations]

You asked for medicinal herbs instead of something to eat.

[that's pushing yourself.]

Maybe that's why. It feels strange not to be busy. It's good to have purpose.

[countermeasures]

[she smiles a little sheepishly at that, inclining her head; they've got a point.]

...that would make sense, yes. I don't really feel comfortable with idleness these days.

[saturations]

That makes sense. And for now, there's still a lot to do. But there's value in sitting for an hour and reflecting, too.

[sort of what they're doing right now.]

I'm not okay with letting people run around hurt, either. If anyone is really bad off, you can bring them here, and you and I can see what we can do. But until then, you can get some supplies from me. I'll keep you busy enough, if that's what you need to settle in.

[countermeasures]

Thank you... I appreciate that.

[hopefully no one will get really badly hurt! ...honestly, she's half-expecting garou to get into a dozen fights, but it's not like he's dropped dead or anything just yet, so it's probably fine.]

What sorts of things do you like? Have you always lived here? It's a lovely area, and you have a beautiful garden.

[saturations]

I haven't always lived here, but I've lived here as long as I can remember. It grew around me.

[they have to think about the question for a moment.]

I like plants. Like gardening, cooking, trying out tea. But I'm a bit like you. I like being able to help. Sometimes that means the body, but sometimes that means a conversation. For a lot of people, that works about as well as medicine.

[countermeasures]

That's true. Even scary things feel much less daunting when you're facing them with a friend.

[she takes another sip of her tea and smiles.]

You have a gift for helping people relax around you.

[saturations]

I think when you know who you are and where you fit in the world, it's easy for others to sense that peace.

[countermeasures]

That makes a lot of sense, too.

Not knowing where your place is or what your future will be is... daunting, to say the least.