#pharmaxreader

"Yep! They thought if they filled it with herbs, flowers, and spices that would keep the miasma-or bad smells- out because they thought that's what caused disease." You say, tapping away at the keyboard of your laptop, trying to finish your essay from your desk.

Pharma scoffs and rolls his optics, "How primitive..." he says turning the mask again, "I'd imagine they weren't very effective then." 

"No, not really. Apparently of the 18 doctors that were in Venice, only one was left by 1348, a few actually died from the plague. The others went missing, so no one really knows what happened to them," you say, monotoned, as you continue to type, "They did have the good idea to use a cane to examine and direct patients so they wouldn't have to have physical contact with them though, that probably saved them from catching it sooner."

Pharma raises up, "Do you think any of them tried to beat the plague out of their patients with those canes?" he half-jokes, looking back at you.

You pause for a moment, "Probably?" you answer, the sound of tip tapping fills the room again, "I mean… I'm sure at least one had to try it at some point. Especially since not all plague doctors were actual doctors."

"What?" Pharma chuckles, "You're not serious are you? They really just let anyone run around in these get ups and claim to be a doctor?"

"Well… yeah. It was a dark time, many people were dying and no one really checked credentials because they were scared and ready to believe anyone claiming to have a miracle cure for them and their loved ones."

Pharma chuckles again, "The more I learn about your kind's history the more unbelievable it is that humans have survived so long." He says, laying back down, "No offense of course."

"Eh, I understand, I'm a little surprised at how durable we can be too sometimes." You stop typing and look back at him over your shoulder, "Besides, I could say the same about you Cybertronians with your 4 million years of war." You give a teasing smile before going back to your work.

"Touché." He smiles back, "Still, even if it wasn't exactly effective, I do rather admire the aesthetic of these plague doctors. Perhaps I should look into getting a mask of my own in the same style?" He muses, "One that actually works at keeping disease out of course."

"Maybe," you say, "I do think it'd look very good on you."