Doctor Mikasi to see Doctor Schuldig|Malagard

[Kender Bard]

Mikasi grimaced when he teleported outside the palace in Khelek. ~Blasted cold weather~ he 'muttered' to himself. ~Schuldig, it's me, Mikasi. I'm here for the massage therapy you ordered. May I come in?~

[Darastrix]

Schuldig was holed up in his sitting room and contemplating indulging in some more Mindmelt as his last conversation with Crawford played through his head.

"Enough, Schuldig. Enough! I know how you feel--you know I do--but you're missing the greater picture."

"You want me to think Efil's leaving was for the betterment of mankind or some bullshit like that?"

"That may very well be, but no. I'm talking about the fact that you still have Filly. You love her, you have her, and she loves you. She's not going anywhere. That's a lot more than some of us have ever gotten."

"That doesn't change what happened. She showed up, told me she still loved me, then she told me she was leaving me. For good!"

"But you still haven't lost everything. And one day, you'll give up being the Swan, and you'll die after that. Days later, years later. If you ever were Force-damned before, you're not now. You'll see her again then, if nothing else."

"Bastard."

At Mikasi's call, he pushed the memory back and locked it away. When he replied, his mental voice sounded muffled, as though he were projecting and shielding at once. It was pointless to do, he was going to let Mikasi in his mind soon, but he did it anyway.

~Yeah. Come here.~ He sent the image of the room he was in to Mikasi, so that the other Mind could teleport to him.

[Kender Bard]

Mikasi brushed his sign and teleported to the man's room, pack and all. ~Hello Schuldig~ he greeted, glancing around the room a little before smiling a little at him. ~It's been a while. You know, normally I don't do long distance personal calls, but you're one of the exceptions. So... When did you want to begin? I just need to put my things somewhere... Will I have a room here or shall I go reserve an inn room?~

[Darastrix]

"You can stay here; it's not like we're short on space," Schuldig said, his fingers idly stirring a pair of dried seed pods around in a little bowl. He looked tired and a little drawn. Tense. "The room you stayed in before is free. And we can start whenever you're rested enough from teleporting. I'm free all day."

[Kender Bard]

~I only need a little time, really.~ he glanced at the seed pods and frowned, thoughtfully. Had he seen those before somewhere? ~Was this going to be a one time thing or were you looking at a series over a period of time?~ His brow furrowed a little. ~Is that Mindmelt?~

[Darastrix]

"Mindmelt," Schuldig confirmed. "A priest in Anarlina introduced me to it about a year ago. And since I did just drag you from Sensatia to Khelek in the last month of winter, we can make it a series and make it worth both of our whiles."

[Kender Bard]

Mikasi nodded but was still frowning a little. ~You know you should be careful. That stuff can be very addicting and very dangerous.~ He grabbed his pack and flipped it open, taking out several bundles of incense and setting them down. ~While I put my things away, you go ahead and select which incenses you'd like me to use. I got some new ones; very good quality of course. Only the finest.~

He smiled a little and added, ~And while I'm resting, could you tell me where Filly is? I'd like to say hello and catch up a little with her.~

[Darastrix]

Schuldig snorted quietly at Mikasi's warning. He could eat the whole damn plant and be perfectly fine the next day. Holding up one finger at Mikasi, he picked up one of the bundles at random and sniffed at it while he reached out to Filly.

~Filly? Where are you right now? Mikasi's here and he wants to chat a bit while he rests from the trip over.~

[Kender Bard]

~Oh, Mikasi!~ Filly exclaimed in clear enjoyment, though she avoided saying where she was. ~I'll be over shortly. Just tell him to meet me in my workroom.~

The bundle gave off the fragrant scent of jasmine.

[Darastrix]

"She said to meet her in her workroom," he said, setting the incense down and picking up another.

~I told him, but where are you now?~

[Kender Bard]

Filly's answer was not immediate but a few moments later she answered, sheepishly, ~The orphanage... I'll be there shortly.~

The incense was myrrh.

~All right~ Mikasi answered cheerfully. ~Um, where is it? It's been a while. And er, where's my room again?~ He smiled nervously.

[Darastrix]

~Just make sure none of them 'follow you home,'~ he said, then blinked at Mikasi. Oh, that was right. He hadn't been there since before Locket and Nagi's wedding.

"I'll show you," Schuldig said, and got up, rubbing at his shoulder. He'd been slouched in that chair for how long? Too long, probably. He set the myrrh bundle aside and picked up the Mindmelt pods to slip into his pocket as he headed out of the room.

[Kender Bard]

~I know better than to do that, Schu~ Filly answered with a mental sigh. ~Besides, if I were to have another--and we both know I'm not--I'd want it to be with you anyway.~ The statement was followed by a loving touch of affection. She teleported to her workroom and began to put things away that she'd taken with her in a kit.

~Thank you~ Mikasi answered as he walked along. ~Did you want to talk about what prompted you to ask for me now or later? Your letter was very cryptic.~

[Darastrix]

~I wasn't being literal,~ Schuldig said, with a sigh of his own. It was too hard to get irritated after getting the mental equivalent of a cuddle, and he really didn't want to be irritated at the moment, so he left it at that.

Schuldig was quiet until he'd reached Mikasi's room. "Honestly, I'm not sure you'd believe me if I told you," he said, opening the door.

[Kender Bard]

~Perhaps I would~ Mikasi answered, walking inside and setting his pack down. He gave a long stretch. ~You'd be surprised. I've come to see some pretty strange things in my other work. Say, do you think I could get some hot soup? It'd perk me right up. After that and a chat, I'd be ready to begin.~