prick! goes the scorpion's tale

Hello.

   THAT COMMENT EARNED HER a light chuckle from the doctor. It was not a subject for “civil conversations” but he showed no sign of offense or concern. 

      ❛   IF BY INTEREST YOU MEAN PRACTICE, no, I don’t. But I’ve built my career in the medical practices, so I am familiar with the effects of most toxins.     ❜

“Oh, really..? Do tell. You have my utmost attention.” There were twinkles in her eyes, showing how excited she was after learning Julian was medically knowledgeable. “That is, if you don’t mind chatting over a few drinks? I’ll even treat you.” Fa Xian offered, hoping he would agree and take the bite. 

    The ride was long, the day wearing on with little end in sight. Ruolan’s back was sore, the stink of horses overwhelming her senses, but she fought back the urge to complain - the last thing she wanted to fill Fa Xian’s first impression of her with was whining. 

    Still, she breathed a sigh of relief when they stopped to scout the area. “What, are you hoping for trouble?” she asked, managing a smile as she clambered off her mare. She followed close behind her, fingers idly curling around the sword sheathed at her hip. 

    Though no botanist herself, the peculiarity of the area struck Ruolan in an instant. Where there had been only dry grass and dirt before, the smell of rich earth and damp, water-swollen greenery suddenly flooded in. It seemed out of their way, and time was of the essence, but-

    “I’d say it’s too weird not to have a look at.” Maybe it was only self-serving curiosity, but she wanted to explore if only to see what waited for them further down the path. “Lead the way, Lady Fa. I’m right behind you.”

Excited to explore new territory, Fa Xian wasted no time leading the way. Beyond the path, Fa Xian found more beautiful greenery surrounding the area with an array of various coloured flowers spread out - oversized flowers, even. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. She absolutely had to examine the plants and study them! Perhaps she would even find a better cure than what she was searching for Cao Chong. "Lady Diao, isn't this wonderful?" Fa Xian asked in total amazement. "Why haven't we been made aware of this area? We must inform Lord Cao Cao when we return!"

Elated like a child surrounded by new toys, Fa Xian went to examine the plants and admire their beauty, and cut some samples (from the petals, leaves and the stems) to take home with her. She occupied herself with those plants for a good few minutes, until she came across a particular plant with a rather potent aroma. While she was attempting to retrieve a sample from its thick stem, the knife she struck with did not budge out. It was as though something was drawing the blade into the stem, for Fa Xian was finding it difficult to pull out. There was something that caught her eye; red liquid dripped from where she struck, which she found peculiar, because none of the plants she cut from had done that. It almost reminded her of...

"... Blood?" Fa Xian touched the red liquid with her hand, and could confirm by its texture that it was indeed blood. "Lady Diao, this is most fascinating... I've never heard of a plant that could bleed." She turned away from the plant to show Ruolan her red stained hand, but before she could present her hand to her companion, Fa Xian's eyes grew wide at what she was seeing: something was about to strike Ruolan from behind. Two thick, long vine-like figures with thorns around their bodies and razor sharp teeth dripping hot saliva. On one hand, Fa Xian felt excitement in her heart, because she had never witnessed such a thing in her life; but on another, she understood it meant trouble for both her, and Ruolan.

My activity will be slower than usual because this month is crunch month and then I have finals next month and to be honest I’ve been pretty bad about getting my work in (I mean, I get them in by the due date, I just haven’t been spending as much time and putting in my best effort - procrastinating) and that’s pretty bad and it’s been making me feel bad as a supposed hard working student. My grades are still pretty safe, but I don’t wanna fall off the wagon, you know? 

Hello!

Replies are in process, and possibly an open starter! 

Before she had the chance to respond, let alone reiterate the problematic nature of Fa Xian’s reasoning and solution therein, the subject matter was swiftly brushed under the rug, leaving Wuyin’s cautious protectorate feeling wary. No less, feeling that she had already done enough damage as it were, Xialiao bit her tongue and simply nodded in favour of escorting the other–but not without hesitation.

“Lady Xian,” she urged, jaw clenched uncomfortably before gesturing to her current state of dress. She was in no real state to go gallivanting around–especially not anywhere overtly populated. Her garbs were neither clean or blemish free, and were, in fact, caked with dirt from assisting the neighbouring villages with tending to and maintaining their crops. To enter into Luoyang, let alone deviate from its agricultural outskirts in such an undignified condition would only bring disgrace and reproach unto her husband’s shoulders. 

“I am unfit to do so.” She insisted, giving the skirt of her attire a simple, albeit futile brush with the back of her hand, “–please understand that I am unable to leave these fields for the time being.”

Fa Xian sighed, admitting her defeat. Once Xialiao was hard at work, it was impossible to pull her out of it. Fa Xian found Xialiao's hard work ethic admirable, but she was concerned about her comrade working herself too hard. Oh well, if Xialiao didn't want to walk with Fa Xian, she supposed it wouldn't be a bad idea to get her hands dirty as well. "Then, at least let me assist you, Xialiao. I can substitute walking with gardening; I get good exercise, either way."

She set aside little Wenze in a safe area and propped him so that he was sitting, as though he were gazing out at the field and watching farmers tend to their crops.  "Rest assured, I won't sneak in any seeds that will grow into toxic plants. I will not taint the hard work these farmers put into giving life to these fertile fields." Fa Xian reassured Xialiao, rolling up the sleeves of her casual wear, indicating she wasn't concealing anything. "See? I am innocent. I could further prove myself, but we are in public. Strange as it is, I never could get into exhibitionism.” 

     “I beg your pardon?”

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