The only reason why Diodoros found himself in Asclepiusâ Herbs was because he was under the impression that Ade was working, he brought scones and everything. It was a lame attempt at smoothing things over between them but in his present state it was the most he could manage. To the healer, it was no secret that the illness that had taken over his family was the act of some sort of malevolence. Not a curse or a hex as far as he could tell, and physically he was fine. But in practice Diodoros was feeling weaker and weaker everyday, there was a heavy weight in his chest as if someone was sitting on him at all times, a cough that had persisted for well over a month, and a pounding headache that followed him from dawn until dusk. He worked at the hospital, getting sick was nothing new to him, heâd devoted his life to healing others, the body, and the mind. But this was different.Â
The bell signified his arrival as Diodoros crossed the threshold into Daphneâs shop, the pungent aroma of herbs and poultices greeted his senses first, followed swiftly by the presence of dark magic. The healerâs brow furrowed as his gaze landed upon Daphne, rebellious, intelligent, talented. Always running off with Miri and Adelaide - a bad influence but an extension of their family just the same. Their elements were contradictory - fire and water, not at all unlike him and Miri. Now instead of the fondness heâd felt when he saw her before, all Diodoros saw was the potential of what she could have been. âDaphne.â Dio said, he was here, and apart from wishing to make amends with his sister, he was also running low on supplies. âWhereâs Adelaide?â
It wasnât news to the genasi that there had been some recent turmoil within the Vidalis home, given Adelaideâs word and the last time she had seen Miriâ sniffling and sneezing as she walked down the main streets of Corinth. What was a surprise, however, was seeing Diodorosâs paled face as he held a pastel box that she recognized heading towards the shop. Daphne and her father had long agreed to allow the Vidalis witch time away from the shop to heal herself, along with the dealings of the covenâs personal life. Though that didnât stop the Onassisâs from shuttling medicine to them in hopes that it might lessen the symptoms they all had been feeling. Hektorâs presence hadnât been helping much in that endeavor and as many herbs as she sent with Ade, nothing proved to be much luck. Even her father was stumped at what could actually make a difference. Maybe the healer had also noticed it within himself, the inability to kick this illness. Out of them all, Diodoros was the last on the genasiâs list to peg as needing assistance to fight what they all thought was just a bad cold. Especially with his position at the hospital and unique abilities that granted him the covenâs healer in the first place.
She took in a deep breath just at the sight of him, not having been in his presence much since the ritual and hadnât realized how nervous that would actually make her. It was known for decades the stance the Coven of Delphi took on someone such as herself and that had leaked into most of Anastasiaâs children. Hair stood on end as the bell chimed, the witch walking through the threshold and peering around the room. A forgotten memory of a summer at the estate, begging Dio for a late night fire to roast marshmallows as the fall breeze took hold of the bayside, dancing in her mind. Pieces of her longed for those days again and that feeling of acceptance, knowing that even deep within Adelaide there was a seed of disappointment. She tried to shake it off before speaking, not wanting to show him any weakness, and took a casual stance behind the counter. âSheâs not scheduled,â hazel eyes fixing themselves on him while the box revealed the name of the local pastry shop, âmy dad gave her some time off since sheâs not feeling well. I hope sheâs home resting and watching reruns.â But it was like Ade to sneak off despite this, so the genasi couldnât exactly be too sure, âHave you tried calling her?â