myrrh

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Rhodes Island Ursus Outpost

*Yawn*... Morning meeting after hitting the hay at four last night? Gimme a break...

Why don't you look tired at all, Sussurro?

We were taught at school to put on a proper appearance at work, so—

So you had three cups of espresso first thing in the morning. Not exactly a healthy lifestyle, Operator Sussurro.

Ahem. Now that Hibiscus is here, let's start the meeting.

Wait, before that we need to introduce our newest colleague. Come on in, Operator Myrrh.

G-Good morning. I'm Myrrh, and I've just been made an operator. You can also call me by my real name, Adelaide.

She's been assigned to us after completing her internship. Operator Myrrh, meet Operator Gavial.

Good morning, Miss Gavial.

Just call me Gavial.

Glad to have you onboard. We can always use more medics. Can't even remember the last time I got a good night's sleep.

We're doing what we can to recruit more. Just try not to scare away the rookies before they even get settled in.

I-I'm ready for it. Dr. Kal'tsit told me that the job of a medic is really tough.

Good to hear you've gotten advance warning. Things are really hectic around here.

That's Operator Sussurro next to Gavial. She'll be your supervisor.

G-Good morning, Miss Sussurro. I look forward to working with you.

Right. Just so you know, us operators don't really call each other 'Miss'. And don't worry, we'll ease you in gradually.

I-I'll do my best. Please let me know whenever I'm doing something wrong.

Seriously, we're just thankful to have you here to take on some of the workload.

Ahem. Then shall we get to today's schedule?

The refugees' conditions are all under control on my end. If all goes well, we should be able to release some of them by next month.

What about you, Hibiscus?

Most of the patients are fine, except for one.

Who's that?

Mrs. Luba.

Ah...

Ah...

Is she doing badly?

Her condition isn't all that bad, but she's been refusing treatment.

Wait. She's sick, but doesn't want to get treated?

She's a superstitious one. When she first came, she told me not to waste my time because her village shaman told her she wouldn't live past seventy.

Seems a little dodgy...

She believes every word of it, though, even seeing everyday events as signs that the end is near.

She practically fled when she saw Kuro outside last Friday.

Apparently, seeing a black Originium slug is an omen that death approaches.

So that's why she was crying all day. Wouldn't even take her meals.

(Whisper) Maybe...

*Sigh*...

It's just a tough situation all around.

Excuse me, Sussurro? May I try talking to her?

Are you sure? It takes more than medical expertise to work with a patient like her. You need communication skills too.

There are many superstitious people where I'm from, and I've picked up a few tricks to deal with them.

Are you sure about this?

Why not let her have a go? Not like we've got any better ideas.

Hm...

P-Please. I want to do this.

Very well then, give it a shot. Gavial, could you bring up Mrs. Luba's patient history for her?

Thank you, Gavial.

Are we sure about this, Sussurro? I still think we should think it through.

Gavial's right though, we don't have any other ideas.

Be sure to report back if you encounter any trouble with her. We'll do what we can to support you.

Thank you. I'll do my best.

Welp, then follow me, Myrrh.

Was there anything else you wanted to say, Hibiscus?

Er, well, I'm still a little worried. Dr. Kal'tsit told me about some of her... quirks.

Such as?

Let's just say that she has some superstitions of her own.

Rhodes Island Field Hospital

Mrs. Luba should be here...

Enough! Take it away! I don't need it.

Excuse me, what's going on in there? She sounded angry.

Ah, you must be the new doctor.

I spilled a jar of salt. Apparently that's a taboo in Ursus, like it's really unlucky for them, so she's fuming mad.

Maybe you should come back later, let her get it out of her system.

Don't worry, I'm just here to say hi.

I said I don't need it! What are y— Oh.

Good morning, Mrs. Luba.

And who are you?

My name is Myrrh, and I'm your new doctor. I'll be working with you to treat your symptoms—

Get out, girl, and take your medicine with you! Stop wasting your time on me and let me go in peace!

Well, Mrs. Luba, I, er, didn't bring any medicine today.

Then what are you here for? Trying to talk me out of my 'superstitions' again?

No, not at all. I've never been very good at talking.

Then, what? You here to gawk?

Well, I, er, brought something for you. It's a lucky charm from home that I've been carrying for years. My clan chief told me that it brings good luck to whoever wears it.

(Takes the charm from her neck and gives it to the old woman)

Sorry if it's a little worn.

A little thing like this... Well, thank you anyway.

It's gotten me out of trouble so many times over the years.

I didn't think you young folk believed in these things anymore. Everyone's always on about 'science' and 'evidence' and that only backwards, uneducated folk like me still believe this stuff.

People always tell me that I'm superstitious too. I always go into a room with my left foot first, and the first thing I do when I move to a new place is set up some fowlbeast feathers.

I'm a little afraid to even talk about these things with my peers. Many of them graduated from med school, and they just sneer at this stuff.

They're too young to believe in fate. When you get to my age, you realize that some things that are just out of the hands of us mortals.

When I was little, a fortune teller said I was fated for hardship for the rest of my life.

I didn't believe it back then, but look at me now.

My village got caught up in a Catastrophe, my only daughter's dead from it, and now I'm sick in my old age. I'm not long for this world.

Oh, Mika... How could you leave your mother all alone like this?

(Takes the old woman's hands) Mrs. Luba...

What is it? Bored with my griping?

No, not at all. I want to know more. Tell me about your daughter. Considering how well you've aged, your daughter must have been truly beautiful.

And here you said you weren't any good at talking.

Right, my Mika was the jewel of the village. Her golden hair was like silk, so smooth and shiny.

Oh, my poor girl... life means nothing without her.

Everything tastes so bland these days. And each day is just about making it to the next one.

Would you like some sour apple pie?

Where's this coming from? What is it anyway?

It's a new item on the canteen menu. The tangy flavor really works up the appetite.

I'm not hungry. Just stay and chat with me for a bit.