(closed) I found my laugh and took a lifetime to perfect it

[dashing]

WHO: Herian, Stephen, Cosima, Kostos and Tav who was always here
WHAT: visiting a rift for Tranquility reasons (+ corgi logistics)
WHEN: gestures vaguely to make it work for everyone
WHERE: Hissing Wastes
NOTES: CW forced tranquility stuff

The Hissing Wastes, so named for the hisses of displeasure that travelers make as their boots sink and slide in the sand as they attempt to ascend the rolling dunes, and when the sunlight glares off the sand.

Herian had indicated Franklin should stay at the Gallows, however, any effort to separate him from her once preparations commenced were not particularly effective. Though she does not feel, her disapproval of his attendance and its impracticality was clear, and... yet. Once he has run enough for the day, and when the sun's height in the sky makes the sand like to burn his paws, he is hoisted into something like a backpack, content in his own personal shade. His head pokes out whenever someone drifts close enough by that he might get pats, huffing dramatically if they are focused on getting up yet another hill and dropping back into the pack.

She hasn't complained but, somehow, her affect seems even flatter when finally they make camp. The corgi, for his part, immediately bee-lines to every other member of the party to offer morale and relieve them of any treats that might be weighing them down in the journey.

The next morning, there is only a short distance to traverse to the oasis. The serenity of the location is at odds with the sickly green light and bursts of noise.

Comments

[portalling]

Working with Herian has been such an odd experience; Strange doesn’t consider himself a particularly sentimental man, but next to her, he now seems downright emotional in comparison.

“Anyone at Riftwatch can feed and shelter him. Hell, I feed him, and he’s not as attached to me as he is to you. They’re hopelessly loyal, but also good judges of character, so I think it still counts. I’ve heard of people whose dogs never liked the new boyfriend who turned out to be an abusive shithead.” The man sweeps some sand off his trousers — ah jesus, it’s going to get everywhere — and watches as Franklin just sags back to the ground. He’s had enough of walking, it seems, despite the little booties they put on per Farnon’s recommendation to protect the dog’s paws from the hot ground.

His reply to her next question takes a moment in coming. It’s not the most flattering answer, but here’s the other side-effect of working with Herian Amsel the Tranquil: she doesn’t judge.

“And— in a sense, yes. It literally paid better.”

[dashing]

"A plentiful purse is more motivating than the qualities of your patients."

Not a question, as she considers Doctor Strange's comment. "That better aligns with medicine. To treat based on the patient's capacity to pay for their treatment, rather than their merits as a person. Though some go without, payment ensures ongoing means to practice their healing."

Herian remains impassive, the disconnection between her own past (the alienage, the poverty) and her own words lost on her.

Franklin whines, poking at Herian's leg with his nose. Automatically, she passes him a small piece of bread, part of her own rations for the journey.

[portalling]

“I— no, that’s not what I meant—” Strange sounds alarmed, his gaze snapping up from the dog toward Herian instead, trying to figure out how to backpedal and fix this interpretation. Is he accidentally recreating privatised medical care in Thedas? Shit.

“That doesn’t align with medicine at all, Amsel. Just because that fueled my initial decision doesn’t mean I was right at the time. I was selfish, and wanted to fund my luxurious personal lifestyle. I’ve had the time and space and distance from it to admit that now. Doctors swear an oath to help anyone regardless of means. That’s what we should be striving for.”

And deciding to pre-empt another potential logistical problem at the pass, he adds, “And that’s how we’ll be operating as healers within Riftwatch, by the by. If someone in the field isn’t able to recompense us or something, don’t demand it from them. We’ve resources from the organisation; we’ll make do.”