Diane
An unnamed, worn-down clinic with only a singular staff member. Within the Exile's Watch, medical talent is a rarity amongst rarities, and as such, despite the great demand for medical care, there are little-to-no doctors within the village. Despite this, however, the unnamed clinic continues to run, day-in and day-out, despite its lack of proper staffing. 

Shoddy, yet serviceable architecture forms the exterior and interior of the clinic, which provides a narrow, yet long-spanning hallway-esque interior, with curtained dividers separating cramped sickbeds on either side of the central walkway. At the very back of the structure, opposite the entryway door, is located a cylindrical workspace and a makeshift operation-room for the clinic's sole physician.

A clinic is at its best when its empty. Such was true in the moment that Foster entered the shabby-old building which could only be identified by the single nameplate with the translated text **`PHYSICIAN`** Upon its face. Upon examination of his surroundings, Foster would note that there were no patients within any of the sickbeds along either side of the clinic, their respective curtained dividers open and untouched for seemingly some time. Despite the absence of any patients in the beds, however, there did seem to be a few people within the cylindrical space further within the clinic — vaguely, he could make out the figure of a man, and a...

...What was that, even? Its form was... So strange, that it lacked words to aptly describe it. It was tall, large, and with a most odd form... Almost like a giant... Slug?

Withwhat their distances were from Foster himself, combined with the lower light levels within the clinic, he'd be unable to catch clear sight of either of their figures. However, he could overhear them speaking, quietly, yet in such a disturbed nature that it seemed almost like they were arguing.
Cynthia
`Aw, what the fuck?` The man immediately thought as he saw the slug-like creature further into the room. It was arguing with someone seemingly, Foster seeing it as a perfect time to eavesdrop and perhaps get some intel on this god-forsaken land. He began to slowly creep closer to the two, taking note of the lack of patients. `There ain't no people here... Something up with this doc?` Chills were sent down his spine as he moved closer. Would he need to fight in this state if things went awry? As a backup plan, he determined the slug was probably an easy mark. The man maybe not.

He crept closer and closer... Now starting to be able to make out a few of their words. He needed to get closer though to get the full picture! Gently he moved, now holding his breath...

**SHATTER**

`Son of a...!` A small glass cup was knocked by his elbow, tipping over and rolling down onto the ground with a loud shatter. `Just my damn luck!` The man, in a panic, quickly straightened his posture, wincing in pain from his swift movements. "A-ah! My bad—I was going to ask if I could see the doctor here, and saw you two arguing. I wanted to get your attention, so I came closer and well..." His head shifted to the glass which scattered the floor, "Guess I accidentally knocked into that. Apologies!" He gave a lighthearted laugh, smiling. "Ignoring that though—who's the doctor here? As you can see," He pointed to his left shoulder, "I'm a bit injured."
Diane
*"...You piece've of shit...!" It's not much 'm asken'-y' for, you **STUPID** Bastard...!"*

Foster, progressing through the clinic, could hear the noise of the two figures arguing more clearly. The scratchy voice of the man opposite to the slug-like figure was most loud, boisterous, and quite obnoxious in the enclosed space, easier to hear in the enclosed surroundings. He rattled on and on, arguing, before being interrupted:

*`"ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ. ɪᴛ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴍʏ ᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ. ꜱʜᴇ ᴍᴜꜱᴛ ꜱᴛᴏᴘ ᴄᴏɴꜱᴜᴍɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ʜᴇʀꜱᴇʟꜰ. ʀᴇɢʀᴇᴛᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴇɴʏ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇᴅᴏᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴄʜᴏᴏꜱᴇ?"`*

The voice was strangely resonant; not quite gurgly, yet wet, low, and reverberating. The latter, masculine voice spoke slowly and carefully, each word enunciated with a slightly strange inflection that gave equal stress to every word in a given sentence. Despite its oddness, it possessed the essence of acuity, as if from one with great knowledge.

*"You blooded, dense **Moron!** Didn'tcha fucken 'ear me, uh?! **It's fucken' tearing her apa—**"*

**SHATTER**

*"...Wh-..What in the 'ell...?"*

...The man opposite the slug-like figure turns to view the origin of the noise, stomping towards him.
Gloria
*"**Who the fuck are you, uh?!** I ain't in the mood for your **Bullshit!** I ought to fucken'..."*

With a clearly furious expression on his face — perhaps from the built-up frustration he had experienced sometime earlier — the dark-elven glared angrily at Foster, briefly sizing him up. Stomping forwards, he placed his hand on a sheathe at his left hip—

*"..."*

*`Shit.`*
*`I left my dagger back there.`*

*"...You right-rabid little bitch. Don't you fucken' come any closer."*

Aatkei sneered at the man who had suddenly appeared in the clinic, interrupting his business with the local physician. It seemed that Aatkei, himself, was somewhat injured — a strange scar akin to some sort of acid-burn across his bare chest, his shirt likewise melted away through a similar method — yet, he appeared unhindered by his wounds. He had come to the clinic for an unknown, much more personal reason, and thus was not in any sort of mood to deal with Foster's interruption. Yet, as if due to the fact that he was lacking a weapon, he forcefully calms, pacing back towards the strange slug-like figure in the distance.
Luz
`"ᴍʏ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴇꜱ."`

***The figure of the slug-like individual s l i t h e r s towards Foster.***
_ _

*`"ᴘᴀʀᴅᴏɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴀɴ'ꜱ ʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴀɴɴᴇʀꜱ. ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅᴀʙʟʏ ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴ ᴀɴ ᴀᴍɪᴄᴀʙʟᴇ ᴍᴏᴏᴅ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ɴᴏᴡ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ɪɴᴊᴜʀᴇᴅ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ."`*

The masked slug-man, Zocheiz — the physician of the clinic — invited Foster to the rear cylindrical room within the clinic. Were he to follow after, he'd be greeted with the full sight of the workspace: surgically-clean operating tools were lined neatly on sealed, glass shelves to the left, a refined, metallic table positioned to the right, several well-in-shape chairs besides said table, and a bed at the very back of the cylindrical room upon which to operate. Sharply contrasting the messy exterior and unkempt sickbeds earlier within the clinic, the room which Foster could assume to be the operating-room was on a level of cleanliness to rival the standards of Earth's own operating procedures. Every aspect was carefully controlled and maintained, and it even seemed that Zocheiz had an understanding of microbial infections — there was, what appeared to be, antibiotic ointments and cleansing-solutions within the instrument-containing shelves to the left. Quite impressive, considering the nature of the Vektet.
Gloria
The elven man, now silent, yet still seething with anger, was positioned to the left of the operating-table at the far-back of the room. Beside him — and atop the table — was the figure of an unconscious woman, who appeared slightly similar to Aatkei himself. Her injuries seemed minor — for she bore only a single bandage on her chin and nothing else — yet she was soundly unconscious.
Luz
*`"ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴇᴀᴛ... ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛᴇɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴡᴏᴜɴᴅꜱ ɪɴ ᴀ ʙɪᴛ.`"*

The slug-doctor slithers across the floor, utilizing his six-digited hands to precisely manipulate what appeared vaguely similar to a hypodermic needle.
Cynthia
He looked in anxiety as the tall elf began to approach him, "I-I'm just a guy looking for some help! No need to get vio—" His eyes locked onto the elf's hand as they reached for their weapon. Instinctively, his right hand gripped the hilt of his sword, the man yet again wincing in pain from his swift movement. As he began to draw the blade, he stopped halfway, the elf appearing to... Not have a weapon? Foster calmed himself at the relieving sight of Aatkei's lack of weapon. He sheathed his sword, "What can I say, you just got unlucky friend!" He laughed with a smile on his face. `Finally, fortune favors me!` His expression screamed intense glee. Foster had always been a unusually unlucky man, but in this moment... Fortune had favored him!

Calming himself, he put his right hand up, "Alright, alright. I don't want to start anything with you friend. I'm injured, that's all." He gave a straightforward explanation of his situation, hoping the man would understand his intrusion. Though, it was a _public place_; was he really intruding on anything? His attention then turns to the otherworldly slug that began slithering towards him. Unnerved by the creature, he gave a skittish smile towards the creature, trying to appear friendly. "Ah—thank you!" He responded to the strange creature's apology, following it with caution. He did not make eye contact with Aatkei as he passed, afraid of angering the elf more.

_ _
As he entered the room, he was taken aback by the state of it. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen! Not even the countless hospitals he's been to could compare to this singular room! It was like something out of a sci-fi novel! The cleanly nature of the operating room eased Foster's concerns about this doctor, the mercenary also noticing the abundance of equipment. This _had_ to be a doctor of at least _some_ merit. The slug even had antibiotics! Foster refocused on the slug as it began to speak, "Sure thing, doc." He responded with a smile, sliding into a seat next to the operating table. He of course was still wary, but his trust of this doctor had increased at least _tenfold._ He waited in patience as the slug fiddled with the needle-like object.
Luz
Allowing Foster to enter further into the cylindrical room and seat himself on one of the several chairs besides the table, the doctor briefly glanced towards Foster to ensure that his wounds were not immediately life-threatening. Briefly analyzing the extent of the damage — the shrapnel did not appear to be deep enough to pierce any major blood-vessels — the doctor gives a nod, and diverts his attention back to the hypodermic needle. 

Six digits did the slug-man possess, on each hand, and quite precise with each he was. Possessing a slow and, literally, sluggish body that might cause one to believe that the doctor was unpossessing of an acute, dextrous nature, such an observation could not be less true. In fact, the doctor possessed two opposable thumbs for the specific purpose of the meticulous, fine control of instruments, which he aptly demonstrated in his handling of the syringe.

*`Ps-schk.`*
*`Sssp...`*
Gloria
*"Oi. What the **Hell** Do you think y—"*

Aatkei loudly objected as he witnessed the doctor begin to administer an injection, yet was, himself, interrupted in return:
Luz
*`"ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀꜱᴋᴇᴅ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ᴅᴏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴏɴᴇ ʀᴇʟɪᴀɴᴛ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀᴀʀᴇɪ ᴘᴇʟʟᴇᴛ. ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇꜱᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ."`*

—the doctor interrupts, curtly responding to Aatkei's objection, as he administered a shot of a clear, bluish liquid to the unconscious woman atop the operating-table. The nature of their conversation had little context, but Foster could likely pick up a few clear clues suggesting the nature of what, exactly, was going on here. Aatkei had brought the woman to the doctor for some sort of blunt trauma, and then brought up the topic of her reliance on the *Taarei* Pellet — a drug which Foster would likely have heard of from Che — and thus requested the doctor do something about it. The nature of the strange serum was unknown, yet it likely had to do with the effects of the *Taarei* Pellet, itself.

*`"ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ ᴘʀᴏʟᴏɴɢᴇᴅ ᴜɴᴄᴏɴꜱᴄɪᴏᴜꜱɴᴇꜱꜱ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇxᴄʟᴜꜱɪᴠᴇʟʏ ᴄᴏɢɴᴀᴛᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀᴀʀᴇɪ ᴘᴇʟʟᴇᴛ'ꜱ ꜱᴏᴘᴏʀɪꜰɪᴄ ᴇꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛꜱ. ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ, ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇʟʏ ᴅᴜᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜɴᴛ ᴛʀᴀᴜᴍᴀ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ ᴄʜ—"`*
Gloria
*"Yeah, yeah! I know, y' grotesque, lard-assed blooded bastard. Keep 'yer stale-slang abracadabra-fucken' bullshit to yourself, you monstrous bitch."*

Aatkei murmured, incredibly aggressively, as he slowly paced towards the operating-table, scooping up the unconscious woman who was left atop his surface. From the moment that Foster had first set eyes on him, up until the presence, and even inferred through Zocheiz' comments, it was clear that Aatkei was in a more-than-aggravated mood. While he wasn't a cordial person in the first place, it seemed that, now, especially, he was *Angry.*

With no further context, however, he would be left only to wonder. No further a word, Aatkei placed the woman's arms about and above his shoulders, wrapping them about his neck and hoisting her on his back. Pacing off with the same angry look in his eyes, and a wrathful step in his gait, he leaves without further quarrel. Perhaps it was a blessing that he was leaving...
Luz
*`"ᴜɢʜ."`*

The doctor appeared slightly annoyed, even behind his mask. Yet, nonetheless, as a dutiful physician, he would attend to Foster. Zocheiz slithered across the room to the seated Foster, garnering a deepened ascertainment of his physical state. Deeply glaring at the shrapnel embedded into his left shoulder, the doctor makes a few analyses...

*`"ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛᴏᴏ ʟᴏɴɢ."`*

So he said, turning, and slithering over to his shelf of many instruments. Opening the glassen cabinet, the masked doctor withdraws a clean cloth and an opaque flask, whose contents he doused the cloth with. Further, he grasped a pair of tweezers, and a small kit, containing a needle and some stitching.

Slithering back over to Foster, the doctor patted the region about the injury with the doused cloth. With a potent, herbal scent, it would initially induce a slight burning sensation in Foster's open wound, yet as time passed, it seemed to **Numb the pain.** Once such effects had settled in, the doctor used the pair of tweezers to **Carefully remove the shrapnel from his flesh,** Acutely following up with the needle to stitch the wound in record time. Quite the proficient doctor, he was — his talent was especially impressive in a location such as the Exile's Watch. Could an exile truly possess such incredible talent in the medicinal field?

*`"ɪ, ᴜᴍ... ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ʜᴇʀᴇ."`*

Slithering backwards and away from Foster while still keeping his eyes from beyond his mask upon him, the doctor questioned with a subtly nervous tone.

*`"ɪ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴘʀʏɪɴɢ; ᴀʟʟ ɪ ᴡɪꜱʜ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ɪꜱ ᴘʀᴏɢʀᴇꜱꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪᴇʟᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴇᴅɪᴄɪɴᴇ. ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴍᴇᴛ ᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ... ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ, ʏᴇꜱ? ᴏʀ ᴀᴍ ɪ ᴡʀᴏɴɢ..."`*

Curiously questioning without any apparent other sort of malicious intent, the doctor awaited a reply.
Cynthia
Still suspicious of the reputability of this doctor, he let the slug examine his wound, watching as it slithered away shortly after. _`Am I really going through with this...?`_ He gave a light, nervous laugh under his breath as the doctor treated the other patient in the room. His attention was caught immediately by the elf's outburst, perking his head up at them. Although he thought it best to mind his own business, it was hard not to listen in on their conversation _somewhat._

He heard mention of taarei pellets—Che having told him about the effects those drugs have. He inconspicuously tilted his head to get a look at the girl laid out on the table. _`She a friend of that guy? Hard to imagine that asshole even has friends.`_ He listened as the doctor explained the situation that the girl was in, having suffered blunt trauma as well as being under the effects of the taarei pellets. He couldn't help but feel bad for the stranger, but in the end, he had little care for the people of this land.

As Aatkei stormed out of the room with the woman, a wave of relief consumed Foster, the mercenary glad that the elf had finally left. Noticing the doctor's annoyed state, he spoke up, "That guy come here often? Looks like a real hassle to deal with him." He turned his body in the chair, allowing the slug to get a better look at his wound. The mercenary had decided to trust the doctor, watching as the slug began to remove various medical tools from the cabinet.

_ _
Once the doctor had returned, the man grimaced upon the cloth making contact with his open wound, the burning sensation being a slight pain. Miraculously though, his wound had _numbed_ shortly after. Did the denizens of the Vektet truly have access to numbing medicine of this quality? The man felt no pain whatsoever as the slug operated upon his shoulder, the shrapnel coming out like it were a mere splinter. It was truly incredible just what this doctor was capable of, his wound being fully stitched shut without an ounce of pain. He slowly rolled his shoulder, feeling it out; it was day and night to its former state!

"You're quite the incredible doctor, huh?" He complimented the slug's medical prowess, standing up from his seat. Shortly after, he was met with a disastrous question: where he was from. He thought for a split second, "I uh uhm... I come from... The, second floor! I'm here on... Business terms, you see? Real annoying stuff!" He gave a nervous laugh, placing his hand on the back of his head. Telling the slug that he was from _outside the Vektet_ seemed like the wrong choice to him, most residents of this place being hostile to his kind. Though... Would his lie work?
Diane
Positioned at the entrance of the clinic, Kuouo would be met with a sight similar to such.
Harvey
```fix
"Howzabout that... As shoddy as the woodwork is, this is still kinda advanced for the supposed era this place is in, ain't it?"```

Kuouo whispered to himself, somewhat impressed of the similar architecture of the clinic. The empty sickbeds were a good sign — Though, it could be a bad thing too. The bandit reminisced a pessimistic view of his world's medical system; one where humans avoided seeking the care they needed in fear of becoming drowned in debt. He shrugged it off, knowing he'd probably find out sooner or later. Kuouo squints his eyes, peering a thet two figures in the office placed at the far end of the corridor. He barely makes out their silhouettes before sniffing the air. Beyond the clean scent that permeated every doctor's office were four more scents. The smell of an unknown human, the faint scents of an angry elf, his cohort, and a slug's... Slime? The scent wasn't nice nor unpleasant, but it did interest the bandit in a positive manner. After all, he has yet to personally meet any monster-like beings like himself on this floor.

```fix
"Eyy, sorry for bargin' in, ya mind if I come in t' ask you a couple questions? Yer the doctor, right?"```

Kuouo called out, his left paw right beside his snout to direct his voice down the corridor as he powerwalked to the makeshift operating room. He pokes his head in, holding onto the doorframe and tilting his head.

*``That is definitely a human, from outside the Vetket. Ain't no doubt about it. If I stuck out like a sore thumb, this dude would definitely the smashed finger on the other hand, daheheheh.``*

It was puzzling, *Peculiar* Even. Kuouo did not remember even sensing a trace of this guy when they all entered the Vetket. Could he have arrived late? - No, the timeframing was too awkward... Unless he entered way earlier than the rest of them...

```fix
"I uh, hope I ain't interruptin' anything too important doc. The name's Kuouo."```
Luz
*`"ʏᴇꜱ, ʏᴇꜱ... ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ʜᴀɴᴅꜰᴜʟ... ʙᴜᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴋɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ. ɪ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ʙʟᴀᴍᴇ ʜɪᴍ ꜰᴏʀ ʜɪꜱ ᴀɴɢᴇʀ. ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ ꜱᴄᴀʀᴄᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴀ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ. ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅʀɪᴠᴇꜱ ʜɪᴍ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅꜱ, ꜱᴏ ʙᴇ ɪᴛ."`*

He responded to Foster's comment on Aatkei, his tone slightly slowed in frustration — he was, indeed, slightly displeased with the words of beratement his patient had left him with — yet, the doctor, Zocheiz, in the latter portion of his statement, seemed more understanding than angered. How sad it was to lead a life on the First Floor... Growing so accustomed to the dreary setting, Zocheiz had become much more understanding of the ill-tempered within the Exile's Watch. It's hard to find something to be happy about when one's neverending life is spent in naught but squalor and vain struggle.

While Foster could not see his face, the doctor seemed pleased with Foster's compliment on his operative work. With patients like Aatkei leaving wounding remarks about his beastly nature in exchange for the *Free, unrequited, and exemplary service* That he provided them, the few remarks of graciousness that he received would be all-the-more impactful. The doctor, with a slightly pleasant aspect about him, slithers back to the cabinet, dipping the set of tweezers and needle he used for stitching into a cleansing solution, placing the rest of the equipment he had taken into their respective storagespaces.
_ _

*`"ᴜʜ... ʙᴜꜱɪɴᴇꜱꜱ... ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ...?"`*
*`"ʏᴇꜱ... ʏᴇꜱ, ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴇꜰɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇ..."`*

...He didn't buy that one bit, but wouldn't pry any further. *See no evil, hear no evil...*


- -


Then, the arrival of another patient — no, just a curious individual? The furry bandit made his presence known, and so the sluglike doctor perked his cloaked-and-masked head to view the new arrival to the clinic. 

*`"ɴᴏ, ɴᴏ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ɪɴᴛᴇʀʀᴜᴘᴛ ʜᴇʀᴇ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴍᴇᴅɪᴄᴀʟ ᴀᴛᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ, ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴏɴ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ʜᴇʀᴇ."`*

The doctor invited Kuouo to the rear, cylindrical portion of the clinic, and offered him up a chair.

*`"...ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ..."`*
*`"ɪ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴇɪɴɢ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ᴇɪᴛʜᴇʀ..."`*

*`"ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴏʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ɴᴇᴡꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ, ᴀʜʜ..."`*

*`"ᴍɪꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏɴ?"`*

...The doctor questioned, a slightly puzzled tone in his slow and resonant voice. It was indeed quite often that Zocheiz would simply *Not be informed* Of the changes that happened within the Exile's Watch. Many discriminated against him solely due to form and not by act; his sluglike nature was unsightly to those of the First Floor, and so, despite his unconditional services, he was oft despised. These people seemed to have their doubts, yet had no such prejudices... Which was yet another defining trait that made them so strange. They were not at all like the rest of the exiles, and Zocheiz himself had never seen them within the village, up until now.
Cynthia
. . .

_`He didn't buy it, huh?`_

Likewise to his lie, the slug's disbelief was obvious. Luckily for the man, the doctor seemed to care not that he told a lie. The man stood up, stretching out his back, "Well, thanks for the treatment, doc. 'Bout time I get goin—" His speech was interrupted by the new voice that had made itself known in the room. His gaze affixed itself upon the yellow furred goat that had entered the room.

_`Wait... Is that...?`_ He squinted his eyes at the goat, his eyes widening in surprise at who it was. "Hey, you're that bandit, aren't you? I swear I've seen you a couple times on the news!" Foster interrupted the goat's conversation with the slug, approaching Kuouo with a hand offered, "Name's Foster, but you can call me Fost. Just as you're a renowned thief, I'm something of a legendary mercenary, you know?" Unlike his previous lie, his words were much more coherent and spoken with confidence—as if he had told this lie countless times before. He rested his left elbow upon the bandit's right shoulder as he moved beside him, "Now, don't go around tellin' everyone... But I've killed quite a few dangerous people here, y'know?" He whispered to the goat, "Guy with _biiigggg_ metal gauntlets—killed 'em in one strike," He backed away from the bandit with radiating bravado, his hands held up as a grin was plastered on his face. "Hard to believe, I know! But like I said, _I'm a bit of a legend._" He finished his lie, smirking at the bandit.

He had his reasons for telling such a lie, one of them being to acquire a competent ally such as the renowned bandit, Kuouo. It was obvious he wasn't going to make it through this hellscape alone after all. On a more personal note, Foster preferred to be on equal or greater terms with those he spoke to. With Kuouo being a well known bandit, the mercenary wove his own story, using Kaazaa as evidence to his legendary status.
Harvey
Kuouo accepts the doctor's invitation to the empty seat, stepping into the office before the human fixated his eyes onto the bandit. He tilted his head, unsure why the man stared so intently at him before being greeted with reverence. He smirks, shaking the man's hand firmly and taking his seat.

```fix
"Daheheh! Yeah that's me. Nice t' meetcha Fost. Damn man, the way ya stared at me for a sec I thought you were gonna make a break for it."```

Kuouo let go of Foster's hand, pulling the hood of his cloak back as a subconscious gesture of letting his guard down around the familiar human — Well, familiar in the sense that they originate from similar circles anyways.

```fix
"Legendary merc huh? Well no offense, I haven't heard of ya. Maybe Raven does since she's closer to yer line of work, daheh."```

As Foster made his way to the bandit's right hand side, he cocked his head slightly to the left, allowing him to register Foster's soft manner of bragging a bit easier through the floppy ears and fur. Kuo's eyes widen, a surprised smile fixated on his face.

```fix
"Hoho! Ya took out Kaazaa in one strike? Lucky! Err, lucky for me of course. Jus' means I ain't gotta fight 'im, daheheh. I ain't a coward, but without any monster food on me it means I've definitely gotta watch my step."```

Kuo shifted in his seat, looking towards the doctor he thought to be of monster-kin.

```fix
"Which is actually why I came 'ere doc! I hope ya don't mind, but as y'can see, me an' my pal here Foster come from outside the Vetket. I was wonderin' if ya had or knew of a similar substance 'r... Substanence I guess?"```

Kuouo raised an eyebrow, unknowing of the fact that he just absolutely *Blew* Foster's cover. Which, to be fair, anyone with a decent comprehension of context clues could've figure out beforehand.

```fix
"ITEM, yes, an ITEM that resembles food made of magic - And in turn, when ya eat it, it INSTANTLY turns into energy and restores both yer health and stamina. Sounds a bit too handy for somethin' like that on the Exiles Watch, but I thought I might take the shot in the dark."```
Luz
*`"ʜᴜʜ..."`*

The doctor remained, for the most part, silent, as the two conversed about increasingly-concerning topics within his witness. The strange man, Foster, backpedaled on a rather obvious lie — though the doctor, for the most part, did not mind to pry in the first place — then continued to follow up with quite a series of worrisome statements. A *Legendary mercenary,* A *Man from beyond the gate* — the titles that he granted himself, as well as the clues that could be gathered from the connotations of his statements, revealed facts that were ever-worrisome when placed into proper context. The doctor, his face hidden behind his mask, gives a most perturbed and confused expression, yet such would not be revealed to either Kuouo or Foster.

Then, Kuouo went about introducing himself. And, just as Foster had (indirectly so) revealed... He stated that he, too, was from *Beyond the expanses of the Ark.*

The doctor pauses for a moment, going without a statement or a noise, as he processed the significance of this revealed information, applying it not only to himself, but to the entirety of the Exile's Watch. *`Two men have intruded from beyond the Ark and made their way safely into the Exile's Watch. Then, that must mean...`*

*`"...ᴀʜ..."`*

There would certainly be *More.* And each were strong enough to pierce beyond the Embrace of Sol. Further, Foster claimed that he had *Slain Kaataa* — one who was oft acknowledged to be amongst the strongest of exiles within the First Floor. He was more a feared man than he was revered, brutal in every sense of the word, and without an amicable nature in the slightest. Yet, it would not be true in the slightest to say that his passing was of no detriment to the Watch. Kaataa, as it would be made clear by his key positioning on the bridge to the Ascent to the Second Floor, was a centerpiece of the village's guard, even despite his vehemently violent and quarrelsome nature.
_ _

*`This is m... Most dangerous.`*

...Well, they did not show any hostile intent. *Yet.* And that was more than what could be said for even some longstanding residents of the Exile's Watch, or even the floors beyond the First. Still, *One had bloodied their hands with the life of a pillar within the village's community.*

*`"ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ, ʏᴇꜱ... ɪ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ, ʀɪɢʜᴛ..."`*

The doctor spoke with a subtle twinge of nervousness in his voice, slithering towards and facing the glassen cabinet at the left of the room, restructuring its interior organization — as to give himself something to do while speaking with the others, and additionally to ease his nerves. 

*`"ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴋ... ɪ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴀʏ ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʏᴘᴇ."`*

Zocheiz commented, still deeply disquieted by Foster's offhand boasting about him having *Murdered* A man. Nonetheless, compliance seemed the route most applicable to circumstances such as these, and so the doctor would continue in conversation with the two, replying to Kuouo's request-of-information about something akin to... An `"ITEM"`?
_ _

*`"ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴜᴘᴇʀɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴀʟʟʏ ʀᴇꜰʀᴇꜱʜᴇꜱ ᴏɴᴇ'ꜱ ᴅᴇᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴛᴀᴍɪɴᴀ, ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴜʀᴛʜᴇʀᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪɴᴅᴜᴄᴇꜱ ᴀ ꜱᴘᴏɴᴛᴀɴᴇᴏᴜꜱ ʀᴇɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴇꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛ...?"`*

The doctor attempted to rephrase and rationalize the wording that Kuouo had used, reasoning throughout his mind with the altered phrase if something of the likes was even *Physically possible.* 


*`"ɴᴏ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ɪᴍᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴍɪʀᴀᴄʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴇꜰʏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪᴇʟᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴇᴅɪᴄɪɴᴇ'ꜱ ʟɪᴍɪᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ."`*

_ _
...He responded, dismissing the thought entirely. He could hardly believe that Kuouo could come from a land with so-called 'items' that could do such things. Even *Healing magic,* A rare and complex arcane artform that required both considerable talent and immense skill to properly utilize, could not perform such tremendous feats *Instantaneously.* Indeed, it seemed an almost ridiculous request in the first place, that an *Item,* Which could so freely be used without any sort of skill or practice, could perform what hundreds-of-years' practice in magic, surgery, and medicine took *Hours to do,* In mere *Seconds.*

*`"ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ..."`*

The doctor interrupted, slowly rummaging through the large catalogue of items within the glass cabinet. At the top, front-and-center, there were indeed a variety of tools, yet as he went lower and lower within its midst, its contents shifted to that of, what vaguely appeared to be, *Potions.*

*`"ɪᴛ ɪꜱ, ɪɴ ꜰᴀᴄᴛ, ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ɢᴏᴀʟꜱ, ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ... ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴡʜᴀᴛ, ꜱɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ, ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴀɴ ɪᴍᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴘʟᴀᴜꜱɪʙɪʟɪᴛʏ."`*

Zocheiz stared at the very bottom of the cabinet, where dozens of cryptic, curiously-marked bottles filled to the brim with strange liquids of various colors were held. Some were clear, others were a bright blue, but most were a strange, greenish hue.
_ _

*`"ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴡʜʏ ɪ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴀ ᴅᴏᴄᴛᴏʀ, ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ... ꜱᴏ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴀᴄʜɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴀ ʜᴇɪɢʜᴛᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇʜᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ."`*

*`"...ɪᴛ ᴏɴʟʏ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴍʏ ᴄᴀʟʟɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ɪᴛꜱ ᴍɪɴᴅ-ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛɪɴɢ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴀʀʀɪᴠᴇᴅ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ ᴏꜰ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ."`*

*`"ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ᴄᴀʟʟᴇᴅ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ... ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀɴ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴀꜱ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ, ᴄᴏɴᴅᴇᴍɴᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟᴇ ꜰᴀᴛᴇꜱ, ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇᴍꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ... ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ʟᴀᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ʜᴇʀʙᴏʟᴏɢʏ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʙʟɪɢʜᴛꜱ."`*

*`"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴏᴜᴛꜱɪᴅᴇʀꜱ, ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀʏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ... ʙᴜᴛ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴇxɪʟᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ, ᴀʀᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴅᴇᴍɴᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟᴇ ꜱɪɴꜱ ᴀɢᴀɪɴꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴜᴇ."`*

*`"ʏᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴘᴀɪᴅ ʟɪꜰᴇᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱɢʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ... ᴍᴀɴʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ɴᴏᴡ ᴀʀᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴡᴏʀɴ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴇxɪʟᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴄʀᴜᴇʟɴᴇꜱꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴀꜱᴛ ꜱᴇᴠᴇʀᴀʟ ʟɪꜰᴇᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ."`*

*`"ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ... ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜʏ ᴏꜰ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ꜱᴏ ʜᴀʀꜱʜʟʏ... ꜱʟᴀɪɴ. ᴡʜᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛɪᴄᴇ ᴏʀ ɴᴏᴛ."`*

The doctor, who was once welcoming and without prejudice, seemed now deeply at disease with the two; it was almost as if he was indignant with their nature in their individual statements. He stared, from beyond his mask, wistfully, at the bottles within his cabinet.

He thought they might be of different mindsets, considering their lack of prejudice against his sluglike form...

But now, he was certain.

*He was wrong.*
Cynthia
The mercenary watched the slug continue to fiddle with his various vials, easily picking up on the hint of nervousness behind his voice. Foster had always been gifted when it came to reading and understanding living things. _Was it cause of what he said...?_ From what it looked like though, that barbaric brawler didn't seem the slightest bit friendly... So why was the slug nervous? All he did was kill an enemy after all. The man thought to himself in silence as the doctor continued their speech.

_`"They are not to be so harshly... Slain. Whether you think it justice or not."_

That line had answered his suspicion; the doctor's avoidance of the two seemed to stem from Foster's murder of Kaataa. For the goat, he wasn't too sure—perhaps the knights from the tower? His pondering was interrupted by the bandit's voice, focusing on what they were saying.

_`Despise killing people...? Establish a good connection with the exiles...?`_

. . .

***Foster glared at the bandit, his expression one of animosity.***

Snapping his gaze towards the floor, a smirk grew on his face, the mercenary chuckling, "Bandit, meet me outside when you're done messing around. I wanna have a chat," The mercenary spoke, his tone giving off a foreboding aura. The mercenary turned his back to the two, leaving them alone without saying another word. The door to the clinic swung open violently, Foster leaving the building.

_`Stupid bastard...`_

He stopped immediately outside the clinic, leaning against the wall to the left of the door and waiting for Kuouo to finish whatever business he had with the slug.
Luz
*`"ᴜɢʜ..."`*

...The doctor gave a subtle, yet slow and prolonged sigh, the subtle traces of disappointment and remorse within his breath as he watched the legendary mercenary leave the clinic. Following Kuouo's heartfelt clarification of his intent within the Ark, Zocheiz paused, his gaze set on the door of the clinic as he gave a prolonged, somber moment of thought. The aura of the room had shifted in an instant, and Zocheiz seemed unintent on giving any sort of immediate rebuttal. All he would do is watch, wait, and remain silent in thought... There was much to take in.




`[...]`




*`"ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʀ..."`*

Zocheiz broke the prolonged silence following Kuouo's statement, beginning the single word with a sense of conclusion, yet faltered before he could continue his reply, his words briefly choked up by the nervousness and anticipation of the moment. The doctor adjusted his gaze towards the empty operating-bed, and sighed again, gathering himself.
_ _

*`"ᴏᴜᴛꜱɪᴅᴇʀ..."`*
*`"ɪᴛ'ꜱ... ᴡᴇʟʟ, ɪᴛ'ꜱ... ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ꜱᴏ ʙʀᴀꜱʜ ᴀꜱ ʙᴏᴀʀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴋ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ᴀꜱᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ... ᴛᴏ ᴄʟɪᴍʙ, ᴛᴏ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴄᴏᴍᴇ, ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ..."`*
*`"ɪɴꜰᴀᴄᴛ, ɪ... ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ..."`*

He paused, his words pausing, yet his resonant tone of voice persisting in a low grumble, as if he was finding his own words.

*`ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀᴍᴇ ᴛᴏᴏ. ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴀɴʏ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴀɢᴏ... ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ꜱɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ ᴀꜱᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ. ɪ ᴅɪᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴅɪᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ᴛᴏ ꜰᴜʟꜰɪʟʟ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴀꜱᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ... ᴀʟʟ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀʀɴ. ꜱᴏ ɪ ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʀꜱᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴋ... ɪᴛꜱ ʜɪɢʜꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴏᴡꜱ, ꜱᴇᴇᴋɪɴɢ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀꜱ, ᴛᴏ ᴍʏ Qᴜᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴ."`*

*`ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ... ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ ɪ ᴄᴀᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ɪᴛꜱ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ... ʙᴜᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ.`*

*`ʏᴇᴛ... ꜱᴇᴇɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪ, ꜱᴏ ᴅɪꜱᴘᴀꜱꜱɪᴏɴᴀᴛᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴅɪᴅ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ᴍᴇ. ɪ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴇᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ.`*

***`ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏ ᴀꜱᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴠᴀʟᴜᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ.`***

The doctor painedly, yet emphatically spoke, as if one confessing. There were no words more true to the doctor himself, and yet they seemed applicable in this situation, and so he spoke them in earnest.

*`"ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇʟʏ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴠɪɴᴄᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴛᴏᴘ ᴄʟɪᴍʙɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴋ. ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ."`*

*`"ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ."`*

The doctor replied, understandingly, giving a slow nod as he stared towards the floor. Indeed, it seemed that his words did reach, and that was the most he could ask for. Many others would simply disregard his explanations, his requests, and his pleas, all for the search of some greater aspiration. To climb, to reclaim glory, to grow stronger, to grow richer, to grow wiser... Uncontrollable, selfish aspirations that would burn away all opposition was all he had, until this point, been familiar with. The wearied exiles sought something to make their lives worth living — they *Needed* Such aspirations to continue existing, and so they would pursue them unto the ends of the earth. It was a brutal, self-destructive, and harmful path to follow to its end, and oft one that left one's greatest desire unfulfilled, those around them only hurt by the result of their determined clawing forth.

The bandit whose demeanor he first assumed to be solely aggressive towards the inhabitants of the First Floor was actually one of understanding. Even if his aspiration was to continue climbing, and to seek whatever riches his heart desired, he could be convinced beyond such aspirations, and made to see empathy for others. To finally see one who could understand that there was a world beyond their own desires, something to pursue besides their own personal ambitions, was quite refreshing. 

The doctor gives a low sigh, not of sorrow, remorse, guilt, resentment or displeasure, but of relief.
_ _

*`"ɪ ᴅᴏ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇᴄɪᴀᴛᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏꜰꜰᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴀꜱꜱɪꜱᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ... ᴀɴᴅ, ʏᴇꜱ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀꜱ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴡɪꜱʜᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴜʀꜱᴜᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴅᴇᴀʟ ᴏꜰ ᴛɪᴍᴇ. ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴜɴᴀʙʟᴇ. ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴʟʏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ꜱᴇʟꜰʟᴇꜱꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ... ʙᴜᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ, ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴏ, ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴘᴜʀꜱᴜᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴇɴᴅꜱ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴀɢᴏ."`*

He spoke thankfully, staring at the bottom shelf of the open, glass cabinet. Withdrawing one of the blue tonics from within, he lifted it to the faint light within the room, demonstrating it to Kuouo.

*`"ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ... ɪ ꜱᴇᴇᴋ ᴀ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ. ᴛᴏ ʀᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀꜱᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇᴅ ᴜᴘᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴄᴇɴᴛᴜʀɪᴇꜱ... ᴛᴏ ɴᴏ ᴀᴠᴀɪʟ. ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴀꜱ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴇʀʙꜱ ᴀꜱ ɪ ᴀᴍ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ɪ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ."`*


The doctor elucidated, with a slight sigh. How long had he searched for answers, only to turn up nil? How many times had he ventured to solve this riddle, only to realize he has been following a red herring? Dead-ends were at every corner. And, worse yet...

*`"...ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛ, ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴍᴇᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ... ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴅᴇꜱᴘɪꜱᴇᴅ, ʏᴇꜱ. ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟ ꜰᴀʀ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄʟɪɴɪᴄ..."`*

*`"..."`*
_ _

...He paused, as if questioning whether or not he should have stated that in the first place, but continued nonetheless.

*`"ʏᴏᴜ... ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴡɪʟʟɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ. ɪ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ. ᴀɴᴅ... ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ."`*

*`"ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ʀᴇꜱᴏᴜʀᴄᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ʀᴇꜱᴏᴜʀᴄᴇꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʀʙꜱ, ᴛʜᴇᴍꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴇᴀʀᴄʜᴇᴅ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴜɴᴅᴀɴᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱᴍᴜɴᴅᴀɴᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ, ʏᴇᴛ ɪᴛ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ɴᴇᴇᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇʜᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ... ᴄᴏꜱᴍɪᴄ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ, ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ. ɪᴛ ɪꜱ... ᴀɴ ᴇɴɪɢᴍᴀ."`*

*`ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴍᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴍᴇᴛʜᴏᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇʟʏ ᴏɴ, ʙᴇꜱɪᴅᴇꜱ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ ꜰᴇᴇʙʟᴇ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ. ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ, ɪɴ ꜰᴀᴄᴛ."`*

*`"ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ... ᴀ ʙʀᴇᴡᴇʀ. ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ... ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ. ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɴᴏᴛ ᴡʜʏ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴇxɪʟᴇᴅ, ʏᴇᴛ ɪ ᴅᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ᴀ ʀᴇᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴀʟᴄʜᴇᴍɪꜱᴛ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀɴʏ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ʜɪᴍ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀᴛᴛᴀɪɴ. ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴀʙʟᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰɪᴇʟᴅ... ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴇᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇᴇɴ ɢʀᴀᴄᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ʜɪᴍ, ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ."`*

*`"ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ... ɪ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴜꜱᴇʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀꜰᴜʟ, ᴘᴜʀɪꜰʏɪɴɢ ᴍɪʀᴀᴄʟᴇ. ᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴛᴀᴠᴇ ᴏꜰꜰ ᴏᴜᴛᴇʀ ɪɴꜰʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇꜱ. ᴀʟᴀꜱ, ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ ɪᴛꜱ ɴᴀᴍᴇ, ɴᴏʀ ɪᴛꜱ ɪɴɴᴇʀ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇꜱ. ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴜʀᴛʜᴇʀ ʏᴇᴛ, ɪ ᴀᴍ ɪɴᴄᴀᴘᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ɪɴᴄᴀɴᴛɪɴɢ ᴍɪʀᴀᴄʟᴇꜱ... ʀᴇꜱᴇᴀʀᴄʜᴇʀꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʙᴜᴛ ꜰᴀɪᴛʜꜰᴜʟ. ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ... ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇᴀʙʟᴇ ɪɴ ᴀɴʏ ꜱᴏʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴍɪʀᴀᴄʟᴇ, ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴀ ᴘᴏᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴀʟ ᴘᴀᴛʜ ᴛᴏᴡᴀʀᴅꜱ ᴀ ʀᴇꜱᴏʟᴜᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ' ᴍɪꜱᴇʀʏ."`*

*`"ʟᴀꜱᴛʟʏ... ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀꜱᴀʏ, ʏᴇᴛ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴠᴀꜱᴛʟʏ ꜰʀᴜɪᴛɪᴏᴜꜱ. ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ, ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴇꜱᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ... ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀɴ ᴇɴɪɢᴍᴀᴛɪᴄ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴋᴇᴇᴘᴇʀꜱ. ɪꜰ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ᴇxɪꜱᴛꜱ... ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ɪ ʀᴇQᴜɪʀᴇ."`*

_ _
So he proposed three paths to pursue. Each could, potentially, have a chance of failure — yet so too did they possess the potential to be viable means to cure a Branded Exile. Kuouo, knowing that the Root-Crown himself was branded by the nature of the blue root, could very well infer that curing him could be a viable path towards the Ascent to the Second Floor.
Harvey
Kuo withdrew his hand, his eyebrow subconsciously twitching once from being left hanging for the third time in the Vektet. ``'i guess it must be a cultural thing...`` 

Nevertheless, the doctor respected the terms Kuo laid down, the bandit leaning by the wall next to the doorframe and awaiting further details from the slug. Now accustomed to writing information about the Vetket down, he takes his notepad and pen out from his inventory and starts jotting down the potential leads on the new page, _``THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE ROOT``__, complimented by a tiny sketch of Zocheiz's mask and cloak next to it. He glanced up, inspecting the mysterious liquid the doctor held up in the light. He now had a visual represntation of the medicine he strived for: a thick, glowing blue liquid brimming with light in a clear glass vial. It... Might not look like that in the end for all he knew, but it shimmered in his mind as bright as treasure.

```fix
"Yeah, I'm sure that bottle's one attempt of many, huh?```

He asked before the doctor relayed his common experience traversing the Vektet during each attempt.

```fix
"... Yeah, I get it. Monsterkind is pretty looked down upon outside of my own city, daheheh."```

He lightly chuckled, his mind flashing back to the time he punched a waitress at a Waffle House when he drove to Alabama for Ruby Hyde's wedding. She had called him a 'monstrous *Thing* ', so he knocked out her front teeth.

``daheh, try calling me *TH*At again bitch-``

Of course, the bandit is more than competent to handle any prejudice that the doctor couldn't handle during his outings through both a strong sense of pride and battle strength. 

```"ʏᴏᴜ... ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴡɪʟʟɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ. ɪ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ. ᴀɴᴅ... ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ."```

Time to get to the nitty-gritty. Like any rational person would, the doctor sought a greater understanding of any subject matter in their hands. When one can't break the threshold of their own understanding, then it's reasonable to reach out. Although the bandit had a *Far less* Understanding of herbalism and its usage through medicinal practices, it was his job to seek out those who had a *Far greater* Understanding than the doctor — or any alternative routes to the answer altogether.

```ini
[ 1. A brewer - Man named Sheto ] — wait```

Kuouo's eyes widened, his grin extending into one of positive disbelief. He already knew this would be the easiest lead to chase; after all, Sheto could be coerced into being indebted to the goat after his own contribution to the whiskey-making process. Not only that, but Kuo knew he could further *Sweeten* The deal with by enlightening the brewer with the *Varieties* Of alcohol. Kuouo would continue his note-taking process, allowing the doctor to finish before announcing his lead.

```ini
[ 2. Powerful, purifying miracle from Knights of Sol??? Required incantation... Magic??? Means going to Tower A or Tower B to look 4 lead. ]

[ 3. Rumor. Requires going thru forest in search of a man who might not exist. If true tho, immense knowledge about the root. ]```

Three paths to pursue, the bandit indeed inferring that it would eventually lead him to the Root Crown - Someone dubbed extremely *Dangerous* By the all-knowing Vaazva. Not only would resolving this mystery free those branded by the root, but it very well could pacify the Root-Crown and lead the bandit to the Second Floor of the Vektet. This was not just important for the residents of the Exiles' Watch, but himself as well. Without monster food or healing magic, it was imperative for the Bandit to avoid grave injury or *Death* At all costs.

** **
```fix
"... Daheheh, well lucky for you doctor, I've already established connections with the brewer Sheto. Just about a half-hour before I came in 'ere, I left the Merrymans' tavern after establishin' a connection with him. I gave 'im some cash information about a brew similar yet different to the tea they drink down 'ere — Which, by the way, if it hits the shelves, I recommend giving them lotsa fluids with IVs and keepin' 'em well oxygenated... Speakin' from experience here, daheheh... But anyways, I'll kick outta here and talk to him first. I'll jus' take this to 'im and see what he says from there. If it turns out moot, then plan B. Is t' look for the guy while I'm on my way t' both towers."```

Kuouo said, taking the brew from Zocheiz's grasp and placing it safely within his inventory. 

```fix
"Should I like... Tell him the list of ingredients you put in this thing?"```
Luz
*`"ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ. ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ. ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇꜱᴛ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ɢᴏᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ꜰᴜɴᴄᴛɪᴏɴɪɴɢ ᴄᴜʀᴇ... ʏᴇᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇɴᴛʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴇꜰꜰᴏʀᴛ ᴘᴜᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴇʟɪxɪʀ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ-ᴛᴏ-ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ..."`*

The doctor responded to Kuouo's initial comment on the nature of the elixir, which was, indeed, a product of many-hundreds of trials. He spoke with slight disappointment in his voice, yet still retained the essence of understanding towards his failure. Of course, being a researcher, and one who tinkered with many sorts of experimental methods, Zocheiz had become quite accustomed to the process of failing, failing, and failing again, endlessly, in pursuit of a *Single* Successful trial. That was the nature of research, after all — and there was truly nothing he could do about it... 

*`"ᴍ-ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀᴋɪɴᴅ??"`*

The doctor questioned confusedly in response to Kuouo's choice of words. It took a moment for the doctor to come to the realization that Kuouo genuinely stated something in *Self-reference* — he referred to his type of species as *Monsters, so freely?* What an odd thing to call oneself... To an outside viewer, it almost seemed degrading. Though, the doctor too understood that there were likely cultural differences between the two, and that the connotations could be well-different from what he was used to. Rubbing the back of his cloaked head, the doctor simply gave a nod, and continued:
_ _

*`"ʀɪɢʜᴛ, ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ."`*

The doctor watched as Kuouo *Carefully wrote down the many details he had shared with him!* It was such a little thing, yet even that simple notion of coordination and attentiveness would go *Miles* Towards both pleasing and impressing the doctor, so easily moved by small gestures of appreciation. Further, it proved that Kuouo was all-the-more an elaborate and coordinated individual than Zocheiz had seen him to be, just moments earlier. The doctor gives a slight smile under his mask, speaking:

*`"ᴀ ᴠᴇʀʏ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ɪᴅᴇᴀ... ɪ ᴀᴘᴘʟᴀᴜᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ. ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ꜱᴇᴇᴍ ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ɪꜱ ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴏʀɢᴀɴɪᴢᴇᴅ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ."`*

The more he got to know Kuouo, the more camaraderie he could feel being established between the two. It was incredibly comforting to see a like-minded person on the First Floor, not only in his nature of empathy and pacifism, but too in the nature of an elaborated, calculated approach towards solving issues.



Beneath his mask, the doctor would give the closest gesture to raising his brow that a slug-like individual could manage. Giving a quiet *`hmm?`*, the doctor seemed to process what Kuouo's latter statement entailed, carefully apprehending it and mentally noting it away for future use.

*`"ᴏʜ? ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀʀɪᴢᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴀʟᴄʜᴇᴍɪꜱᴛ, ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ? ꜰᴀɴᴛᴀꜱᴛɪᴄ! ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀᴄᴄᴇʟᴇʀᴀᴛᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ ᴄᴏɴꜱɪᴅᴇʀᴀʙʟʏ! ᴀɴᴅ... ᴀꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇꜱᴛ... ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ. ɪ'ʟʟ ᴛʀʏ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ."`*

*`"ᴀꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇʟʟ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʟɪxɪʀ, ɪ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ʜᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴏᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴀʟ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛᴏ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ ʜɪᴍ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴠɪɴᴄᴇ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ, ɪ'ᴍ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ᴡᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴄᴏᴏᴘᴇʀᴀᴛᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴜʀᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ᴇꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴇʟɪxɪʀ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴅ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀɴ ɪɴᴄʀᴇᴅɪʙʟʏ ᴄᴜʀɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴍᴀɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴏʀᴏᴜɢʜʟʏ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʀʙᴏʟᴏɢʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇʟɪxɪʀ-ʙʀᴇᴡɪɴɢ."`*
Harvey
```fix
"Alright! If that's the game plan, then so be it. I'll head down t' the Merrymens' and try to find out where he is. After I told 'im about concoctin' some whiskey, he basically stormed out the door like there was no tomorrow, daheheh! Somebody like Vaazva or that chick runnin' the tavern in his place oughta know."```

Kuo slid the notepad and pen back into his inventory, rubbing his paws together. It seems that even before stepping out of the door, the plan was coming all together. He stepped out of the cylindrical office before Zocheiz could say anything else, asserting his voice loud enough so the doctor could hear,

```fix
"I'm outta here doc! I'll either be back with yer man OR a disappointin' progress report on how things went t' shit. Hopefully everything's gonna be cash money though, daheh."```

Kuo progressed through the hallway, his smile fading into a straight face as he approached the door. Waiting outside, there was still a displeased mercenary of legend wanting to talk to the bandit. As mentioned before, Kuouo didn't know the exact reason for the human's soured mood, but there was only so much he had said at that point. He came to the conclusion that Foster was indeed *Hostile* Towards treating the people of the First Floor without prejudice. ``'But why?'`` Kuo shook his head, internally sighing as he pushed through the door and looked to the mercenary hanging to his left.

```fix
"Alright, Foster wasn't it? You wanted t' talk, so let's talk."```
Cynthia
The man pushed himself off the wall as the bandit left the clinic, turning on his heel to face the goat. "That's right, Foster," His piercing gaze did not let up, staring directly into the eyes of Kuouo, "Tell me—what do you seek to gain out of risking your life for these creatures? Why not kill them if they attack you? You were hired to explore this place, weren't you? Shouldn't you kill whatever impedes your mission?" The man paused, looking down towards the ground and thinking to himself.

Upon first arriving here, Foster had determined that he'd only interact with the denizens of this... Place, if it meant assisting in his survival. First was with Che, and now that wretched slug; he had a bit of knack for lying, utilizing a mixture of obvious deception _and_ dubious deception. His clear as day lies only served to strengthen his true lies, allowing for the man to easily get along with Che and the slug at first. However, he'd now been faced with something he never expected to meet: a mercenary who was truly empathizing with these creatures. He shook his head, turning back to Kuouo.

_ _
"First minute I stepped foot in this hell, those I came with were already dead. Cut down without compassion or sympathy by those knights. After that, I realized the people here don't care about me. Nor do they care about you. I won't force you to understand me, but I'm only looking out for you, Kuouo. Eventually, your attitude towards these creatures will wind up getting you killed," The mercenary sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets as he began to walk away, "Can I expect to see you at the Root-Crown? The way to the second floor's through him. Neither you or I are gonna be able to take him alone, so I hope to see you there when whoever else is here makes the first strike," He would wait for a response from the bandit, before inevitably leaving Kuouo to his own devices with one last remark, "Consider my advice, yeah? It'll save your life—promise." Foster had taken his leave of Kuouo, heading back to the plaza.
Robert
*```cpp
"...Maybe."```*

Sheto spoke in response to Kuouo's initial comment on attaining a better method to protect himself. Maybe he had a point. It wasn't too uncommon for Sheto to find himself on the threatening end of a blade, during his time in the Exile's Watch... Though, to invest in purchasing and honing skills with a martial weapon would be... Well, a *Waste of his time,* Or so he once thought. Nonetheless, he would think it over. *Maybe,* Indeed.

As the two progressed towards the physician's clinic, he would respond to Kuouo's latter query:

```cpp
"The Veirok is not for alchemists or for physicians to cull."
"There is a special sect in the Arue dedicated to that sole purpose. They are dubbed the Root-Tenders. It is their job to do so."
"Cynical men like myself ought to stray away from the work of a religious order. It never results well, to interfere in their domain."```

The alchemist spoke, as if from experience. Still following after Kuouo, he would remarkably manage to keep pace; he, was, indeed, one born with a body ready to fight. His maximum sprint speed was quite a sight to behold, though it seemed that those within the Vektet, in general, possessed above-average human traits.

_ _



*`[...]`*




_ _

So the two enter the Physician's Clinic. Sheto briefly gazed about its interior, gleaning what he immediately could from its structure — architectural type, organization, scent, and all sort of data that he could gather in an initial moment of surveillance with the five senses. He was studious to his core, and, while with a most falsely-angry look when doing so, was genuinely curious of his surroundings. There was much to be gleaned, here... He hadn't ventured much beyond his own residence, or the Merrymens', after being personally scouted by Vaazva.

```cpp
"Quite a pathetic state of affairs. Hm. I shouldn't expect much in terms of equipment. Perhaps I'd ought to bring this physician back to my workshop."```

He commented, slightly disappointed, yet overall unemphatic in his tone. Pacing forth, between the emptied beds of the clinic, he glared down with slight suspicion in his eyes as he continued. He would progress forth, nonetheless, his gaze hidden in the reflection of his slightly blue-tinted — or blue-*Glowing(?)* — spectacles.
Luz
The slug-like doctor, who was briefly preoccupied with managing some of the equipment within his glassen shelves, swiftly turned to view the entrance, as he heard its door suddenly swing open. His gaze first landed on Kuouo, the one most familiar to him, yet it would quickly divert to Sheto, the much more preeminent man within the room, being both a stranger and a man who was a fair margin taller than both of the two.

*`"ᴏʜ—ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ—ʙᴀᴄᴋ, ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴘʀᴇꜱᴜᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ?"`*

The doctor spoke with some surprise in his tone, adjusting the mask set over his face as he swiftly attempted to apprehend the appearance and demeanor of Sheto. He looked... *Very displeased!* The notion was very alarming... Had something upset him? Had the bandit's diplomacy gone awry? Had Zocheiz, himself, done something wrong...?!

*`"ɪ, ᴀʜ.. ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀɴʏ ᴛʀᴏᴜʙʟᴇ."`*

He spoke in response to this precarious situation presented before him, lightly bowing towards the bandit to whom he spoke. Kuouo, himself, did not appear too displeased, yet Sheto very-much so did... Hopefully relations did not sour between the two. He earnestly needed Sheto's whole cooperation in this complicated process.
Robert
*```cpp
"Not really."```*

The man curtly responded, as he entered the cylindrical doctor's-office space at the end of the clinic, his sharp glare shifting about its interior, analyzing the equipment and overall state-of-affairs. This, in sharp contrast to the shoddy hall that preceded it, was quite workable. Maybe he wouldn't have to return to his own workshop, after all.

```cpp
"I have quite a few select words for your techniques in drug procurement. I suppose they can wait for later, however," He said, briefly shuffling through the doctor's drawers uninvited.```
Luz
*`"ɪ... ꜱᴇᴇ."`*
*`"ᴛʜᴇɴ, ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴡᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴ—"`*
The doctor would question, before almost instantaneously being interrupted—
Robert
*```cpp
"One moment. I'm acclimating to my work environment."```*

He spoke, continuing to shuffle through the shelves, slowly gleaning all that he could from the doctor's equipment...
Luz
The slug-doctor awkwardly and slowly slid towards Kuouo, and leaned in for a whisper, seeing as Sheto would not spare him further a response...
*`"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ... ꜱᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ?"`*
Harvey
```fix
"Yeah, I don't fucks with religous bullshit all that much either.```

Kuouo, after increasing his speed little-by-little within 90 meters or so, breaks into a full sprint after seeing Sheto was more than capable of keeping up - Although holding back on the parkour stuff for ease of keeping track... Not that he doubted Sheto's abilities, of course. Something Sheto said did, however, cause the bandit to recall Zocheiz's third option: ``'The Root-Keepers.'`` Upon mentioning ``'Root-Tenders'``, the bandit couldn't help to wonder if they were the same.

*``'Maybe I'll ask 'em later...'``*

Kuo pushes through the door to the physician's office, making a beeline to the cylindrical office placed in the back of the rickety-ish building, eager to show Zocheiz his man while Sheto noted his own observations of the building. Standing next to the slug doctor, Kuo patted the monster-like being on the back and waved.

```fix
"Sheto! This is... Uh, this is the doc.```

Kuo chuckled, patting Zocheiz twice more... It seems that his impromptu introduction faultered, the bandit realizing only now that he never actually *Learned* The doctor's name. The alchemist steps into the office, immediately taking control of their new project and 'acclimating' to his new work environment. The slug slowly crawls over to Kuo, the bandit bending his knees slightly and leaning his ear closer to the doctor's whispered skepticism.

```fix
"Mm-hmm. I went into his house man, it was like a damn labyrinthe. I know the dude looks kinda grumpy an' shit, but I think he's just got like... Resting gangster face or something."```

Kuo quietly snickered before telling the rest of his interaction with the alchemist.

```fix
"I eventually find the room he's workin' in, and like, a quick misunderstandin' happens. He's cool, I'm cool. Dude has a cool ass visor or somethin' and was able t' sample the liquid I gave 'im. He said your brewin' kinda sucks, but he said he'd be able t' use his previous research on the third floor and apply it to yer formula!"``` 

Kuo was now just, whispering loudly - Perhaps somewhat eager to see what comes of these two minds working together.
Luz
*`"ᴢᴏᴄʜᴇɪᴢ—ᴍʏ ᴅᴜᴇ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴇꜱ, ɪ ꜰᴏʀɢᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍ ʏᴏᴜ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ɴᴀᴍᴇ. ᴢᴏᴄʜᴇɪᴢ. ᴀ ᴘʜʏꜱɪᴄɪᴀɴ."`*

Zocheiz introduced himself in full for the first time, interjecting when Kuouo rested on the *Is* Of his introductory sentence. How unprofessional of him! The goat, himself, had made an introduction, and was most courteous when it came to conversation. Yet the one who should have shown more courtesy than any — the doctor, himself — failed to do so! Quite a blunder he had made... Well, he was sure that he wouldn't hold it to heart. There was, nonetheless, more pressing business to attend to, here.

*`"ᴏʜ... ᴏʜ ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ɢ-ɢᴀɴɢꜱᴛᴇʀ... ᴜʜᴍ... ᴏᴋᴀʏ."`*

He knew that Kuouo had no purpose to lie to him, yet could not help but, even in slight, have his doubts about the man named Sheto. He... Didn't seem the type. Yet, as soon as that thought entered his mind, the physician shook his head, tapping his six-digited right hand against his mask twice, as if to disdain himself. *How could someone like himself judge by looks alone?* He was the *Last person* Who could think something like that. And, furthermore, this was neither the place nor the time for such careless doubts. *`No more,`* The doctor determined. Even if it would later prove to be foolish, he would place his trust in even the angry-seeming man named Sheto. Especially now that he had been granted further description of his character by the furry bandit before him—yes, indeed, from how he spoke of him, he did indeed seem the type to be an alchemist.
_ _

*`"ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ᴀᴍ ɴᴏᴛ ᴠᴇʀʏ ꜱᴋɪʟʟᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴇʟɪxɪʀꜱ. ꜱᴜᴄʜ ɪꜱ ᴡʜʏ ɪ ʀᴇQᴜᴇꜱᴛᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ'ꜱ ᴘʀᴇꜱᴇɴᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄʀɪᴛɪᴄɪꜱᴍ ɪꜱ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴊᴜꜱᴛɪꜰɪᴇᴅ."`*

Kuouo's repetition of Sheto's words were indeed true. Zocheiz' brewing did, indeed, *Suck.*

*`"ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀꜰᴜʟ ɴᴇᴡꜱ, ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ... ᴏɴᴄᴇ ʜᴇ'ꜱ ꜰɪɴɪꜱʜᴇᴅ, ᴇʀ... ᴀᴄᴄʟɪᴍᴀᴛɪɴɢ, ɪ ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏꜱᴇ, ᴛʜᴇɴ ᴡᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ʙᴇɢɪ—"`*
Robert
*```cpp
"I'm finished."```*

Sheto interjected before Zocheiz could continue his private conversation with Kuouo, some distance behind himself. Finally finishing his analysis of the workspace and the contents of Zocheiz' glass cabinets, he seemed slightly more confident in pursuing the process of brewing a cure for a Branded Exile within the midst of the otherwise-shoddy clinic. With a slight nod, he slowly lowered his glasses, tucking them away into a cloth and into his left pocket, before reaching for the visor — still hung at his neck — lifting it to his eyes, affixing it into position with a ***`CLC, CLC, CLAC.`*** With some swift and tidy adjustments of the visor's optic settings, the alchemist seemed quite prepared for the process to follow.

```cpp
"I would first like to compare notes with you."
"You use a finely-grinded particulate form of the Veirok —" He paused, before clarifying, "...Blue root... Within your brew. Why?"

"I personally pursued a cure. My processes were immensely different to yours. I rather intended to find a way to sever the root from the cognizance by temporarily rendering a patient comatose. It was an incredibly crude method, but with some refinement, it was a potentially powerful method to approach curing the Veirok's corrupting properties."

"You seem to be approaching it from a different angle, entirely. For what purpose do you use the root in your brew?"```
Luz
*`"ʀ-ʀᴇɴᴅᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴏɴᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴀᴛᴏꜱᴇ? ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ... ʜᴍ. ᴡᴇʟʟ, ɪ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ɪᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀʏ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴇᴇᴍꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪᴛ... ɴᴏ, ɪ ᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴄʀɪᴛɪᴄɪᴢᴇ ᴏɴᴇ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ. ᴍʏ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴇꜱ."`*

The doctor seemed incredibly leery of that method, entirely. It was difficult, but he had to suspend his disbelief in Sheto's words. He was, after all, one who was worthy of the title *Alchemist,* Even despite the fact he was inevitably exiled from the Third Floor. And, there was some merit to what he said, in the end. Zocheiz, himself, already apprehended the very basics of the blue root — it seemed to fester throughout the mind, feeding off of its waking, cognizant thoughts, as a twisted form of sustenance. Still, medicinally rendering an individual comatose... It certainly wasn't hard to see how that could go wrong.

*`"ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴇᴡ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴꜱᴛʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ, ɪ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴜꜱᴇ ᴏɴ ᴀ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ. ɪꜰ ɪ ᴀᴍ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛʟʏ ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛ... ɪ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴏᴡ ɪᴛ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴇᴅ. ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ꜰᴏʀɢɪᴠᴇ ᴍʏ ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴘᴛɪᴏɴ."`*

The doctor subtly bowed, yet swiftly explained himself further.

*`"ʙᴜᴛ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴜᴘᴏɴ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴇᴄɪꜱɪᴏɴ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ."`*

*`"ᴍʏ ᴍᴇᴛʜᴏᴅꜱ... ɪ ᴅᴇʀɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴀ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴘʀᴇᴄᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴏᴜʀᴛʜ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ... ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴋᴇᴇᴘᴇʀꜱ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʀᴇᴄʟᴜꜱɪᴠᴇ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ — ᴀ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴀꜱ 'ʙᴀᴘᴛɪꜱᴍ'. ʟᴜᴄɪᴅɪᴛʏ ɪꜱ ɪɴᴅᴜᴄᴇᴅ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀꜱꜱ ɪɴɢᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛɪᴄᴜʟᴀʀ ʜᴀʟʟᴜᴄɪɴᴏɢᴇɴɪᴄ ꜱᴜʙꜱᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʟᴏɴɢꜱɪᴅᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴜʙꜱᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ, ʟᴀʀɢᴇ Qᴜᴀɴᴛɪᴛɪᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ."`*

*`"ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇꜱᴜʟᴛ ɪꜱ..."`*
*`"...ᴛʏᴘɪᴄᴀʟʟʏ, ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ."`*

*`"ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇꜱꜱ, ᴀᴄʜɪᴇᴠᴇ ᴀ ʟᴇᴠᴇʟ ᴏꜰ ᴇɴʟɪɢʜᴛᴇɴᴍᴇɴᴛ. ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴍɪɴᴅꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ʟᴇᴠᴇʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟʟᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴇxɪꜱᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ ʙᴜʀʀᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴍɪɴᴅꜱ."`*

*`"ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴘʟɪᴄᴀᴛᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ꜱɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ, ʏᴇᴛ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴇᴀꜱɪᴇʀ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴅʏ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴜꜱᴛᴀɪɴ. ᴀ ᴛʏᴘᴇ ᴏꜰ ʙᴀᴘᴛɪꜱᴍ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ, ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ, ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴇ."`*
Robert
The alchemist deeply, *Deeply* Pondered, and while his face was hidden, that which remained of it to be seen would seem to suggest that his brow was thoroughly furrowed. He folded his arms, and placed his right hand to his chin, closing his eyes hidden beyond the visor as he continued to think. He hashed through the possibilities, matching the newfound information against the information he had already gathered, and used it to calculate a potential solution to the problem at hand. The result?

***`AN EPIPHANY.`***

***```cpp
"You may be a genius."```***

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Sheto learned something that genuinely intrigued him to his very core. He popped his neck, and gave a *Slight smile,* Seldom seen.

Without further a word, the alchemist swiftly retrieved several of the identified chemical agents that he had spotted in the doctor's cabinet, as well as a handful of basic tools that were held within. Laying down a variety of liquids and empty flasks atop the workshop ahead of himself, Sheto, at breakneck pace, began to work away at *Something...* A *Conclusion that he had reached.* Each piece of the puzzle had been laid before him, the manifold research he had performed prior to this day bubbling to the surface of his memory, as his hands worked faster than they ever had before.

He'd make a proper damn brew, alright. And a brew that would do *So much more* Than get a few exiles high.
Luz
*`"ᴏ-ᴏʜ, ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ?"`*

The doctor, who had, up until the point of Sheto's declaration, been anticipating perhaps words of criticism or of fault, was pleasantly surprised by words of praise. He placed his right hand to the back of his hooded head, rubbing it slightly, with a small laugh — yet his pleasedness would be swiftly interrupted by Sheto's *Rapid action.* Before even consulting the doctor, the alchemist had taken to brewing the cure before his very eyes! Just what in the world did he learn from that basic statement?!

*`"ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴀɴʏ ᴀꜱꜱɪ—"`*
Robert
*```cpp
"I work at my peak alone. You've given me assistance enough."```*

He swiftly dismissed the offer for help, continuing to work at an incredible pace upon the surface of the workspace. A splash of a liquid here, a heating of a liquid there, the forming of an *Entirely new chemical* Here, all-the-while shaving small, fine particulates of leftover samples of the blue root into a small container. Then, perhaps one of the more surprising ingredients he would add to the mix — ***Taarei**,* Some of which he had on his person to be used as cash. He never thought he would be using it to resolve one of the longest-standing questions in his entire career.

The process would take quite some time, yet he had a straight-shot goal in sight. *It was only a matter of time.*










*`[. . .]`*










```cpp
"Yes."
"This is the way."```

A refined, luminescent, light-blue vial of liquid, glistening with the glow of the blue root, yet not the same in its azure hue. It was as if it had been purified — made *Whole,* Into something that it once should have been. The alchemist lifted it to his visor with deep pride roused within his chest, adjusting his optics so that he could stare at its glorious form with his bare eyes. It was the answer to his question, the solution to one of the greatest problems within the entirety of the Vektet...

***A cure to the Veirok's corruption.***

It hadn't been tested. It didn't need to be tested. That was something that the alchemist would never, ever, no matter how confident he was, in the past. But in this moment? ***He was certain.***

```cpp
"It's complete."
"..."```

Sheto gave a deep sigh. Relief, absolution, and exhaustion... Now that there was the lack of the epiphany's driving force forwards, now that his greatest question had been answered, all that was left was weariness.

```cpp
"I'll fill you in on the details of how to replicate it later."
"For now, however——I want to see it 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥."```
Luz
*`"ɪ-ɪ... ʏ-ʏᴏᴜ... ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ... ᴀʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ!"`*

The doctor stared in utter amazement at the sheer speed in which Sheto had resolved the task at hand. This was something that he had dedicated dozens of years, if not *Hundreds,* To pursue. The blue root was a subject of his study for so many many times, and, and... To see it solved in an instant? 

*It was unbelievable.*

And, even then... His happiness could not be greater. The doctor, who had found himself empathic for those who he once never would think himself to be emotional for, had seen the resolution to one of their greatest problems. The Branded Exiles, few in number, yet degraded and ever-wearied by the cruelty of the Ezer, as well as the many others within the Ark that had found themselves corrupted by the azure glow of the root...

They could know peace, for once in their lives.
_ _

The doctor slowly approached the alchemist, and, with deep reverence and caution, plucked the vial from his presenting hands. The doctor stared down at the mixture with awe and interest, his eyes captivated by its strange, light-blue glow. Its form was yet a mystery, and it held an eternally-valuable purpose to the society of the Ark. It was the dose that would likely be granted to the Root-Crown, changing the First Floor forever... In a vial, before his eyes, was *History.*

Yet it was not history for him to make.
The doctor swallowed back his pride, closing his eyes briefly, as he slowly turned to the bandit behind him. How ironic was it to think — an intruder to the Ark being the instrument to whom its future owed its change for the better.

The doctor, with deep solemnity in his heart, extended the vial for Kuouo to take.

`"ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ... ᴍʏ ʟᴀꜱᴛ ʀᴇQᴜᴇꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴋᴜᴏᴜᴏ."`*

*`ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ.`*

*`"ʙʏ ᴠɪᴏʟᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴏʀ ʙʏ ꜱᴘᴇᴇᴄʜ... ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ ɪᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ. ɪ ʙᴇɢ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ. ᴀᴅᴍɪɴɪꜱᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙʀᴇᴡ ᴛᴏ ʜɪᴍ."`*

*`ɪ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ... ɪ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ɢʀᴀɴᴅɪᴏꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴜɴᴅᴀɴᴇ. ɪ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴇᴀʀɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ."`*

***`"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴀᴠɪᴏʀ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ. ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ, ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅꜱ."`***
Harvey
Kuouo stood up from the waiting chair; the professionals had finished colliding their minds' work together with Sheto reeling from the effects of his pure insight. *``'And whaddya know? It does fuckin' glow!'``* He blinked multiple times, fixing his gaze towards the luminescent vessel in its wholeness. Compared to the cloudy, opague vials organized within the doctor's cupboard, there was no doubt about it — The brew ***Radiated*** Certainty.

The doctor picked the cure from Sheto's hands, admiring it with the caution and wonder of holding a prophetic newborn — In a sense, it was. Before Zocheiz even spoke, Kuo knew what to do. He spoke to the bandit with great earnest and reverence in his chest, granting the bandit the one-and-only — At least for now, — cure for the Veirok root. Kuo held it in his furred paws with nearly just as much caution before rummaging around the doctor's cabinet and plucking a stopper. With that, he seals the cure, pressing the cork down with his thumb before safely putting it into his INVENTORY.

```fix
"Yeah, doc — Zocheiz. I gotcha."```

Kuouo took a deep breath, knowing that this was only the second step forward. Of course, the thought of a challenge exhilarated him, but this time, there was far more weight hinging on his success - Not only his life, but the lives of Sheto, Zocheiz — And everyone he has and hasn't met on the first floor thus far. *Even Foster.*

```fix
"You guys are the pros at this, so first I jus' wanna say... Thanks. Second, I wanna know how I'm goin' to apply this. Do I apply the dose t' the root itself or do I have t' make this guy drink it? I'm practically goin' in blind into the throne room of a guy that's been told t' be one of the most dangerous people here on the first floor. If I can't talk 'im into it, then I gotta make sure I have a goal to the game plan set in mind. Everything else'll have t' be made on the spot."```

Kuouo turned towards Zocheiz, kneeling onto the ground and putting both paws on the doctor's shoulders, furrowing his brow into the most serious gaze the doctor had seen from the bandit. There wasn't any doubt about it - Kuo was deadset on going through with this mission.

```fix
"If bad goes t' worse, I'll hafta make a tactical retreat if I'm still alive. Please doc, I don't have magical healin' food on me anymore, I need ya to be ready for me at the door in case I've failed but managed to live, alright? That's yer end of the bargain."```

Kuo stands up, pivoting towards Sheto.

```fix
"And Sheto, if the doc doesn't have those liquids and antibiotics an' stuff you have, please support 'im with it. I need you two to be absolutely prepared for the worse case scenario."```

He says, only saying 'worse' because the 'worst' case scenario is that the bandit dies without being able to give the Root-Crown the serum. Of course, he had hoped for the best case - Being able to talk the Root-Crown into drinking it on his own accord - but,

```fix
"Bein' in this type o' business, I gotta be sure I've got backup ready. Can I count on you two?"```
Luz
The slug-doctor gave an affirming nod as he witnessed Kuouo tuck away the vial into whatever sort of intriguing slip-space storage mechanism that was in play. He hadn't seen such interesting ways to store items before, and was almost slightly alarmed to see the vial vanish into nothingness, yet was confident that whatever spell or machination the bandit used to acquire such means simply originated from a world beyond what he, himself knew. Zocheiz was not familiar with the capacities of outsiders, that of those from any of the worlds beyond the Ark, itself — Foster, then Kuouo, were his first two experiences. How much there was left for him to learn... Ah, but that wasn't the most important thing to be focusing on right now.

*`ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ Qᴜᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴ. ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴀᴅᴍɪɴɪꜱᴛᴇʀ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴄᴜʀᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ʙᴇ Qᴜɪᴛᴇ ʜᴀʀᴅ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ᴛᴏ ᴡɪʟʟɪɴɢʟʏ ɪᴍʙɪʙᴇ ɪᴛ. ʜᴇ ɪꜱ... ɴᴏᴛ ᴇɴᴛɪʀᴇʟʏ ɪɴ ᴄᴏɴᴛʀᴏʟ ᴏꜰ ʜɪꜱ ꜰᴀᴄᴜʟᴛɪᴇꜱ. ꜰᴏʀᴄɪɴɢ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ɪɴɢᴇꜱᴛ ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴇꜰꜰɪᴄɪᴇɴᴛ ᴡᴀʏ ꜰᴏʀ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴇꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ꜱʜᴇᴛᴏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʟɪᴋᴇʟʏ ʙᴇ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢ—"`*

The doctor spoke, briefly elucidating for Kuouo, hoping to smoothly segue into a comment from the brewer of the cure, himself: Sheto. However, before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by none other than the man that he intended to shift focus to. It saved him some time, but it was a tad rude...
Robert
```cpp
"So long as it enters the Root-Crown's bloodstream, it doesn't matter. Ingestion or injection are both viable methods."```

The alchemist interjected, slowly removing the visor from his face with a swift series of *`clics`* And *`clacs`* That resounded from several dials and clasps upon the helm-like apparatus about his eyes. Sliding it down along his neck again, Sheto rubbed his fingers on either side of the ridge of his nose, his fingers pressing lightly against his closed eyes. Reasonably wearied by the extensive session of deep-thought, analysis, and brewing that he had been processing through for quite some time, he slowly paced beyond the dimly-lit cylindrical office, beyond Zocheiz and Kuouo, pacing towards one of the vacant beds within the clinic. Before he continued, he would take a well-earned rest, easing his body atop one of the beds as he sat down.

```cpp
"Despite that, the dosage is absolutely relevant. 𝓥- has given me rudimentary descriptions of the Root-Crown. He is very large."```

Slouched forwards whilst sat down, Sheto recollected some of the basic information that he had acquired from Vaazva some time ago. Intertwining the fingers of each of his hands as he clasped them together, the alchemist would close his eyes once again.

```cpp
"There are injective needles in the physician's cabinet. Use those, if it does come down to it."```
Luz
*`"ʏᴇꜱ. ʀɪɢʜᴛ, ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛ."`*
*`"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴜꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ. ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ, ɪᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴀ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛʟʏ. ɪ... ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ ɪɴɢᴇꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ꜱᴏ... ᴛʀʏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʙᴇꜱᴛ."`*

A pause, and then came Kuouo's request. A heartfelt one, an understandable one, and one that indeed spoke to the doctor's empathic nature. The doctor took a deep breath in, his throat tensening. He gulped down the fear of potential failure, and nodded his head in response to the bandit's appeal.

*`"ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴅᴏ ᴍʏ ʙᴇꜱᴛ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴀ ᴘʜʏꜱɪᴄɪᴀɴ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ. ɴᴏ ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ, ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴠᴇ, ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙʀɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴅɢᴇ."`*

He reassured, not only to Kuouo, but to himself. The thought of the plan failing, after all this, was indeed scary. And if Kuouo were to be critically injure... The guilt that would weigh down on the doctor's shoulders would be tremendous. He was a stranger, an outsider, and one he had only known for but the lesser half of two-to-three hours, yet he had proven himself a noble person, and a reliable ally. Now, he could not forgive himself if he saw him in a state in which he could be saved, yet failed to do so. The doctor's loyalty was deep, even if only founded a short while ago.
Robert
*```cpp
"..."```*

...How long has it been?
Since someone relied on him, that was.

Vaazva was the first in many, many years... But his desire went no further than a business proposition.
On the Third Floor... Could he even recall? Was there anybody?
On the First Floor, in exile... There were, definitely, none...
Was there, anywhere, anybody?
Anybody who made such an earnest request?
What was it, the last thing that he had been requested of...?
Information? Services? Grunt work? Right, there were those who sought out his strength and his experience. Traits to be employed; put to work in one way or another.

But there was never one who requested his *Support* In such a manner. 
*There was never one who truly relied on him, as a comrade would lean on the shoulder of another comrade.*

*```cpp
"...Yeah. Yeah..."

"...You can."```*

Sheto clasped his jaw, and hid his mouth in speaking those words. These days—no, just in these very moments, it felt like many things he knew were changing. In himself, and in the entirety of the Vektet. 

```cpp
"Go on, then."
"𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙."```
Harvey
```bash
"𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙."```

... Kuouo's face released its tension, his mouth cracking with a smirk. To say that he was at ease, however, was a massive overstatement. From that statement alone, it made the bandit realize there was a gravity in his chest, one not from the selfishness of protecting his own way of life — The same that motivated him to fight against Syyth and the order — but rather...

**"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴀᴠɪᴏʀ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ. ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ, ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅꜱ."**

The bandit recalled the doctor's words in his mind. For once in his life, he was putting his life on the line for something that didn't affect his profession or the people he surrounded himself with. 

```fix
"Daheh, yeah. I'll go for it. Either that, or I'll die tryin'."```

Kuo lightly smiled, seemingly not worried about the latter part of his statement. With Sheto's directions, he makes his way to the cupboard and snatches a pawful of needles, storing them next to the all-important vial. Without another word, he flourishes his cloak and makes his way down the shoddy corridor.

Upon exiting the clinic, the bandit knew it was time...

***The game plan.***

His trusty notepad shows its pages once again, the bandit looking back at everything he hadn't written down. Indeed, the easiest course of action was to make the Root-Crown ingest the brew, but everything he's learned about them so far has implied that it was *Dangerous* To even approach them as an outsider, much less ingest a strange liquid. With that in mind, he took an injective needle and stuck it through the sponge-y wooden cork keeping the ***Veirok Cure*** Locked inside the vial, preemptively pulling the liquid into the syringe. He places everything back where it needed to go, looking back towards his notepad.

```ini
[ 1. Big guy, most likely need to deliver cure in one whole shot. Multiple syringes increase risk of them breaking and messing up the dosage. ] He makes a quick doodle of himself dual-wielding needles and crosses it out with a big 'X'.

[ 2. Sheto said earlier that the roots can't be killed thru "Conventional means." If this guy can control roots, I probably will have no other option other than 2 dodge. ]

[ 3. Look out for Otaaraa, u havent seen them yet. ]
```

Kuouo pondered for a bit more, nothing else coming to mind. As he said to Zocheiz before, everything else will have to be made up on the spot. The notepad disappears into his storage, Kuo setting his eyes on the overgrown tower standing tall in the distance. He takes a deep breath, fiery mana pooling under his feet once more...

***With everything set, the HERO makes a beeline for
Terry
By the time he had reached the clinic, his feet practically dragged across the ground, his breathing had become laboured, he was finally starting to notice the weight of Kuouo and his injuries.
```diff
- "Alright,.. Thats enough of tha', 1 leg is enough to hobble through the door." -
```
With a great effort he put the bandit down, but still allowed him to lean on his shoulder for support as he dragged towards the door.
He went to grab the handle, before remembering he was down an arm.
He sighed
```diff
- "Can you get tha'?" -
```
Robert
The door swings open, and the first sight that the two are greeted with is the image of Sheto, who seems relatively well-rested, compared to his somewhat exhausted state following his several-moments-long epiphany that allowed him to conjure the ability to craft the cure which Kuouo utilized. The man with a resting scowl that would suggest aggression yet possessed no emotion further from such an appearance adjusted his glasses as he gave a long glare toward the one who shouted, lifting a single brow and opening his eyes wide as he heard the news to follow.

Adjusting some equipment that he appeared to be tinkering with on the metal desk at the very end of the clinic, and within the doctor's workspace, he would finish up his business and swiftly turn to view the two who entered, and what could almost faintly be described as a smile appeared on his face.
Luz
Beside the quite taller and more imposing silhouette that was Sheto, was the significantly shorter and more modest figure of the slug-like doctor, Zocheiz, who seemed to be studying alongside Sheto at the desk upon which they both seemed to be working fervently before the pair of outsiders had entered the clinic's midst. The doctor swiftly wriggled to turn to view the two, and placed a single of his slightly wetted hands atop his clean mask, adjusting it, as he, too, finished his business up with whatever project the pair had set their sights on following their creation of the cure.

*`"ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ɪɴᴊᴜʀᴇᴅ—"`*

—but he was a doctor first and foremost, and could not help but notice the two's less-than-tip-top shape with a single glance of his trained eye. Still, he would nod, and approach slightly as Kuouo continued, and it could certainly be said that, even without visual confirmation, he smiled beneath his mask.

*`"ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ!"`*

The doctor continued to approach, still concerned of the two's less-than-tip-top shape, apparently taking mental notes of the most apparent injuries that he could identify on either of their persons'. He held his right hand close to his breast and slightly tucked in his doctorly garb...

...And yet, would immediately stop, upon Kuouo's mentioning of a particular name.

*`"..."`*
Robert
Perhaps one's judgment on the tells of Sheto's facial expressions would be skewed due to how he persistently and unconsciously carried himself as though he were angry, yet the notion of shock — and almost the nature of *Animosity* — reared itself as Kuouo spoke upon what was, to the Exile's Watch, one of the most *Despised titles in its long history.*

```cpp
"What..."
"Did you just say?"```

He questioned, his brow exceptionally furrowed, his posture affirmed as he stared forth, taken aback by Kuouo's mentioning of *His* Name, and attributing *His* Name to the *Root-Crown,* Of all people, no less.

*`Aazkue.`*
Luz
The doctor glanced over his shoulder as he heard the tones of anger enter Sheto's voice, and swiftly turned back to Kuouo, who had lain himself atop the patient's bed. His eyes shifted back-and-forth between the two twice, before he raised both hands, shaking his head in an attempt to shake the shock that had overtaken him in the moment that Kuouo made such an outrageous claim.

*`""ᴘ... ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍɪꜱᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ... ᴏʀ... ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍɪꜱʜᴇᴀʀᴅ.""`*
*`""ᴀ..ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ ɪꜱ... ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. ꜱʟᴀɪɴ, ʜᴜɴᴅʀᴇᴅꜱ ᴏꜰ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴀɢᴏ, ʙʏ ᴜᴋᴜᴇ... ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ... ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴄᴄᴏᴜɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ.""`*

Zocheiz spoke half in utter disbelief that what Kuouo said could be true, and half in sheer anxiety that what he said *Might* Be true. Still taking measures to tend to Kuouo — retrieving medical supplies and a flask filled with a tonic — he moved effortlessly, as if unconsciously, despite his extraordinarily nervous tone.
Robert
Sheto slightly clenched his teeth, squinting harsh at Kuouo — not angry at *Him,* But at what he had *Said.* The alchemist would take a moment to compose himself, sighing harshly, as he turned to face the countertop again.

```cpp
"No, it's possible."
"In all honesty, it would make more sense that Aazkue survived, and that the Knights of Sol forged their account."
"The Eclipse Guardian and the Solar Guardian were bound by more than blood..."```

He shook his haid, closing his eyes, and seemingly took a moment to calculate the answers to the questions before himself. His pause would be prolonged, and enough so that both Zocheiz and Kuouo would be granted a long while to speak before he continued.
Luz
*`""ᴍᴍ.. ᴍᴀʏʙᴇ."`*

A bit of work to adjust Kuouo's splint, to improve it, and to ease the pain with some medicine procured ahead of time by Sheto, and Kuouo was a long way further on his recovery than he would have been without the doctor's assistance. Six digits on each of his hands, the slug-like doctor possessed an incredible dexterity and proficiency in the art of medicine honed for a time well-over what many humans could even hope to *Live,* Let alone *Study.*

The physician shifted his sights toward Cumhall, and would swiftly — without warning — begin to take measures to tend to his wounds, as well. A miracle-worker, he was, and even moreso with the assistance of Sheto's brews, but still, he could not help but to continue worrying about what the outsider had said. 

*`"ɪ... ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴇxᴘʟᴀɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ. ʀɪɢʜᴛ."`*
*`"ɪ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ꜱʜᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏʀ ᴅᴇɴʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴏᴛɪᴏɴ, ʙᴜᴛ..."`*
*`"ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ʜᴇ ɪꜱ... ʜᴀᴛᴇᴅ, ɴᴏ. ᴅᴇꜱᴘɪꜱᴇᴅ. ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇꜱ."`*

There was a brief pause in his words, as he shook his head in disapproval.

*`"...ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴏɴꜱɪʙʟᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴇꜰᴜʟ ᴛʀᴀᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴇxɪʟᴇ ᴀꜱ ᴘᴜɴɪꜱʜᴍᴇɴᴛ. ᴇᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ʟɪꜰᴇ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴜꜰꜰᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ."`*
***`"ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍɪᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀʀᴅɪɴᴀʟ ꜱɪɴ ᴏꜰ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴢᴇʀ'ꜱ ʟɪꜰᴇ."`***

*`'ɪꜰ... ɪꜰ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴀʏ ɪꜱ ᴛʀᴜᴇ... ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ɪꜱ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ᴛʜᴇɴ..."`*

*`"ᴡᴇʟʟ... ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴀɢɪʟᴇ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴᴇᴅ ᴋɪɴɢ — ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇᴠɪʟᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ — ᴇꜱᴛᴀʙʟɪꜱʜᴇᴅ... ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ"`*

*`"ᴅᴇꜱᴛʀᴏʏᴇᴅ."`*

The doctor deeply sighed as he finished tending to both Kuouo and Cumhall's wounds. The work which he completed within mere seconds rivaled that of which would take modern doctors several minutes to perform.
Terry
He shuffled his way into the building, dropping his rifle, the VARET and various other pieces of equipment onto the nearest surface.
```diff
- "3, ugh, broken ribs, more s- spraint, couple toes n' a finger." -
```
He pulled back various levels of armour, metal alloy, ceramic, Kevlar and allowed the doctor to attend to his wounds. He grimaced and took another swig of alcohol, before putting it away for later.
```diff
- "Arm was.. Already gone, Nice to uh, meet you by the way." -
```
He listened intently as the 2 strangers discussed the gravity of the situation, more valuable intel but there was something that did not sit right.
```diff
- "So, you're tellin' me, you, developed a cure specifically for this guy, then you cure him, but you were not aware of who he was?" -
```
His manner of speech was formal again now before the strangers.
```diff
- "Why?.. What was the point in curing this, random guy?, and uh unrelated side note; you wouldn't happen to have any tools around here for uhm, intricate work." -
```
Harvey
Kuo lightly shut his eyes, a sigh of bliss escaping from his snout as he felt the near-immediate pain relief from the fruits of Sheto and Zocheiz's hard work and loyalty. He smiled, glad that he was able to entrust the two with any injuries he dragged back along with him. Finished with his short mental break, he sits up in his bed, his smile dampening the more he read the room. Zocheiz especially displayed an air of anxiety, an uncertain tone for what the future held *—* *``'But the Root-Crown was cured, right? Shouldn't we be celebrati-'``* 

And that's when the words of both caretakers finally registed in the bandit's mind.

```fix
"So yer tellin' me we've cured the first guy — Someone who, and tell me if I got this right — tried to assassinate someone really important and is responsible for people getting exiled in the first place...?"```

Kuouo deeply sighed, hanging his head. If the exiles despise Aazkue for his actions and the magnitude of the butterfly effect it brought forth for the centuries to come, then what change was to come forth? He shook his head, certainly not thinking it was going to be anything for the better.

```fix
"If ya really think about it, I'd say the state Aazkue was in before he got branded was a lot worse than the quick fate o' death. I dunno why these 'Knights o' Sol' would want to hide that fact, but usin' him as an eternal guardian — an 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 pawn branded by that shitty root to protect the ascent worked out for the most part — They just didn't think anyone was smart enough down 'ere to actually get rid of it. For me though, that jus' brings the question... Why lie about it? Who's this Ukue responsible for slayin' him?"```

Kuouo slid off the bed, now standing up straight with the ability to put a bit of weight on his fractured leg thanks to the massively improved splint and painkillers. He stood there for a moment, putting his paws into his pockets before addressing the elephant in the room last.

```fix
"And with Aazkue awake, what does this mean for the Exile's watch? His legs are shattered, he's confused, and doesn't know a damn thing goin' on... 'Spose that's what happens when yer asleep for centuries. Dude was almost in a frenzy 'bout it, askin' for some 'Vareektaak' and...```

The bandit paused, shifting towards the slug doctor with a furrowed brow. He knew the doctor wouldn't be too eager for what he was about to tell him.

```fix
"Doc, I mentioned you in passing. He... He wants t' see you."```
Luz
*Broken ribs, broken ribs...* Zocheiz had memorized the treatment for this well. Taking care to note the injuries that Cumhall described, the doctor would briefly return to the glass cabinet within the office at the back of the room, withdrawing several tools appropriate for the situation, before swiftly returning to the patient and tending to his wounds. Swiftness and intricacy found its way in equal parts into the doctor's works, and, with some finesse, he would get to work on patching up the outsider without even having first heard his name. This was, simply, how he saw a physician should act — outsider or not, Cumhall was one who was injured, and one who he could assist. Assist him he would, and to the best of his ability.

*`"ᴡᴇʟʟ... ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴇᴇ... ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅᴇᴅ ᴇxɪʟᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴍᴇʀʟʏ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ, ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟᴇᴅ, ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴀɪᴅ, ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ..."`*

*`"ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ... ᴡᴇʟʟ, ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ."`*

The doctor elucidated, a renewed stability found within his tone of voice, as he seemingly began to compose himself following the utter shock of the news that Kuouo brought. Continuing to tend to Cumhall's wounds, he would have him in a state much better than the one he was in before — though, even as skilled as the doctor was, nothing he was capable of could instantly repair all three of his broken ribs. The pain, however, he could nullify, and speeding up the recovery process vastly was very much so possible.
_ _

*`"ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪɴ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʜɪꜱ ᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ꜰᴀᴄᴜʟᴛɪᴇꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ʀᴇɴᴅᴇʀᴇᴅ ɪɴᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ᴍᴜꜱᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴇɴᴛɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ʜᴇ ɢʀᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴡɪꜱᴅᴏᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ. ɪ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴜʀᴇ ʜɪᴍ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏ ʟᴏɴɢᴇʀ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴜꜰꜰᴇʀ."`*

Continuing in his explanation, the doctor slowed his words, and slightly bowed his head, briefly pausing. That *Was* The goal, and it *Is* Now the past. He had succeeded in his endeavors, for the most part, but, quite to his dismay, he could not celebrate over such a tremendous achievement.

*`"...ʏᴇᴛ... ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ᴏꜰ ᴀʟʟ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ... ʜɪꜱ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ, ᴀꜱ ɪᴛ ʜᴀꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴅᴇꜱᴄʀɪʙᴇᴅ... ɪᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴀʟʟ ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴜᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ᴄʀᴏᴡɴ ʜᴀꜱ ᴀᴄᴛᴇᴅ."`*

Finishing up the wound-tending, the doctor slowly slithered away from the outsider and back toward his workstation, commenting in passing in response to Cumhall's request:

*`"...ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏᴏʟꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀʙɪɴᴇᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ'ᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʏᴘᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ꜰɪɴᴇ-ᴛᴜɴɪɴɢ ᴍᴀᴄʜɪɴᴇʀʏ. ᴍʏ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴇꜱ."`*

—so he spoke, formerly taking note of Cumhall's intriguing technological devices and mechanical limbs which instantly caught his eye. Having studied on the Third Floor, origin of all mechanical creations and technological developments, as well as serving as the home of the very architects who fabricated the *Ark,* In its entirety, the slug-doctor was, at the very least, basically familiar with these sorts of devices, even as alien and complex as they seemed.

The doctor again adjusted the pristine mask set over his face, closing his eyes and furling his lip with some anguish over the points that Kuouo brought up. Still recognizing that now was no time for idle panicking or groveling over the perplex and unfavorable nature of the circumstances before them, the doctor would cast aside his hesitation, and conjure up as coherent and swift an answer as he could.
_ _

*`"ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛ. ᴇxɪʟɪɴɢ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ᴛʀᴀᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴʟʏ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ, ᴡᴇʀᴇ ɪᴛ ɴᴏᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ'ꜱ ᴄᴀʀᴅɪɴᴀʟ ꜱɪɴ. ᴛᴏ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀᴀᴇ ᴄʜᴇɪᴛ ᴇᴢᴇʀ'ꜱ ʟɪꜰᴇ... ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ ʙʟᴀꜱᴘʜᴇᴍʏ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴜᴇ."`*

*`"ɪ... ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɪɴᴛʀɪᴄᴀᴄɪᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ'ꜱ ʟᴏʀᴇ ɪɴ ᴀᴄᴄᴏᴜɴᴛꜱ. ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴀᴄᴛꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴀ ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴄʀᴀᴘꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇxᴛ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴄᴀᴠᴇɴɢᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀᴍᴏᴜɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ... ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ, ᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴀꜱᴛ."`*

...So he spoke, taking a deep breath, before giving a long-winded, deep explanation on all the facts which he had painstakingly aligned up until this moment. This was, for most people in the *Ark,* Common knowledge, however — for the tale of Aazkue's rebellion and subsequent destruction at the hands of the omnipotent *Ezer* Was spread throughout the midst of the *Ark* Was a warning to all those who would think likewise to disobey against their Lord. For Zocheiz, it was no different; for those within the Exile's Watch, however, this common knowledge was oft not spread, especially to those who had been born within its midst, severed from all the rest of the diverse cultures of the *Ark.*
_ _

*`"ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ʜᴜɴᴅʀᴇᴅꜱ ᴏꜰ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴀɢᴏ, ꜰᴏʟʟᴏᴡɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇᴛʀᴀʏᴀʟ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴏʟᴀʀ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅɪᴀɴ, ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀᴀᴇ ᴄʜᴇɪᴛ ᴇᴢᴇʀ ʙᴇꜱᴛᴇᴅ ʜɪᴍ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍʙᴀᴛ. ᴛʜᴇ —...ᴏᴜʀ— ʟᴏʀᴅ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ɪɴ ᴀ ꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴅᴏʀᴍᴀɴᴄʏ, ʜᴀᴅ ɪɴꜱᴛᴇᴀᴅ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴜᴅʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ʙʀᴀɴᴅ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴇʀʏ ꜱᴄᴏᴜʀɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴅᴇᴍɴꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ."`*

*`"ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀʀɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰᴀᴄᴛ... ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴍɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʜɪꜱ ᴘᴏꜱɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅɪᴀɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴍʙᴜᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅ."`*

*`"ʜɪꜱ ꜱʜᴀᴍᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ꜱʜᴀʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ, ꜰᴏʀ, ᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴏʟᴀʀ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅɪᴀɴ, ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴢᴇʀ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙʀᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ʟᴀꜱᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇᴍ, ᴀꜱ ᴡᴇʟʟ..."`*

*`"...ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴘᴜʀɪᴛʏ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴇʟꜱᴇ. ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟᴏʏᴀʟᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ, ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ᴘᴀʟᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴀʀɪꜱᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜰᴇᴀʀ ᴏꜰ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴅᴇꜰɪʟᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴜᴇ ʀᴏᴏᴛ."`*

*`"ꜱᴏ ᴛʜᴇʏ ꜱᴇᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇᴍꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ ꜱᴘʟɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ, ꜱʜᴀᴛᴛᴇʀɪɴɢ ɪɴᴛᴏ ꜰʀᴀɢᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʟᴏꜱᴛ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ. ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ʀᴇᴍᴀɪɴᴇᴅ ʟᴏʏᴀʟ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ꜱʟᴀɪɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ʟᴇꜰᴛ ʜᴇʟᴅ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇꜱɪʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ."`*

*`"ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴍɴᴀɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘʟɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴏʟ ʙᴇɢɢᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟɪᴠᴇꜱ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴇᴇᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴢᴇʀ. ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ꜰᴏʀɢɪᴠᴇɴᴇꜱꜱ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴢᴇʀ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ꜱᴡᴇᴀʀ ᴏᴀᴛʜꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇꜰᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ɢᴀᴛᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟɪᴠᴇꜱ, ᴜɴᴛᴏ ᴇᴛᴇʀɴɪᴛʏ."`*

*`"ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ꜰᴏʟʟᴏᴡɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴏᴀᴛʜ, ᴜᴋᴜᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ʏᴏᴜɴɢᴇʀ ᴛᴡɪɴ ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ, ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴᴇᴅ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʜɪꜱ ᴠᴏʏᴀɢᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ꜰʟᴏᴏʀ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʜᴇ, ᴛᴏᴏ, ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ʜɪᴍꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴊᴜᴅɢɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀᴍᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘʟɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ꜱᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇᴍꜱᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇʟʏ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ'ꜱ ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴜᴋᴜᴇ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʀᴀᴢᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴍɴᴀɴᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ ʙᴜɪʟᴛ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀ ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ'ꜱ ʀᴜʟᴇ, ᴄᴏɴꜰʀᴏɴᴛɪɴɢ ʜɪꜱ ʀᴏᴏᴛ-ʀᴏᴛᴛᴇɴ ꜱᴇʟꜰ, ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇɴ ʙᴇʜᴇᴀᴅᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴜᴋᴜᴇ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍʙᴀᴛ."`*
_ _

*`"...ᴛʜɪꜱ, ᴀʟʟ, ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ, ɪꜱ ꜰᴀʟꜱɪꜰɪᴇᴅ. ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴀɪᴅ... ᴀᴀᴢᴋᴜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ."`*
Robert
```cpp
"...Like I said," Sheto chimed in for the first time after a prolonged moment of quietness,
"The account of the Knights of Sol is probably inaccurate."
"Ukue and Aazkue were accounted to be two of the same blood, order, and soul."
"Twin sons born from the most virtuous soul known to life before the Ark, the Hero of Sol, Eikokue..."
"I'm terribly doubtful that their bond was weak enough to be broken by something of that nature."```

Leaned against the wall within the workspace of the clinic, the alchemist remained with his arms folded and his eyes glaring with a slightly angered intent at the wall opposite himself. Everything about this situation was dicey, and, even if perhaps with retrospect understandable, was chaotic and worrisome in the nature of its origin. As one might expect from a person who often works with chemical reagents and alchemical brewing, unexpected and uncontrollable factors were, to Sheto, most despised. He wasn't so thoroughly intertwined with personal plots of revenge nor so childishly emotional as to shift his blame for being exiled upon the name of Aazkue, and so he did not wish to escalate the state of the Exile's Watch into all-out war against him. Still, the alchemist still could not help but be irked by the fact that the Root-Crown was someone with such a tarnished reputation as him.

Sheto gave a sigh, and let the doctor continue in his explanation.
Luz
*`"...ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʀɪɢʜᴛ."`*

*`"ᴀɴᴅ... ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ Qᴜᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀᴇᴅ. ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ...?"`*

Zocheiz pondered, and, himself, gave a deep and exasperated sigh over the whole debacle unfolding before himself. Kuouo's question was indeed valid, and valid to such a degree that the doctor himself did not have an answer to give. He shook his head lightly, slowly slithering in an idle pace about the room, thinking, thinking fast, and combing through all the worrisome facets of the matter before him.

*`"ɪ... ɪ ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴜɢɢᴇꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʀɪᴄᴋᴇʀʏ ɪꜱ... ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴀ ᴠᴀʟɪᴅ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛᴏ ɢᴏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ, ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ..."`*

*`"ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ʙᴇ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ... ᴀ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ. ᴛᴏ... ꜱᴏᴍᴇʜᴏᴡ..."`*
Diane
*```fix
In the moment that those words were spoken, the presence that Kuouo and Cumhall could feel watching over them suddenly spiked in intensity, before dissipating entirely.```*
Luz
...

*`"...ʜᴇ ᴡᴀɴᴛꜱ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴍᴇ, ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴀʏ... ʏᴇꜱ."`*

*`"ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ... ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄʟɪɴɪᴄ. ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ʜɪᴍ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ... ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴏᴜᴛ."`*

*`"ɪꜰ ʜᴇ ɪꜱ... ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴀɴᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ɪᴍᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ꜱᴇᴇᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ, ɴᴏᴡ ᴄᴜʀᴇᴅ..."`*

There were a plethora of emotions held deep within the shaky tone of the doctor's voice. Fear, anticipation, dread, slight guilt, hopefulness, doubt... Swirling, in a terrible blend of indeterminateness, which Zocheiz himself could not coordinate. He was a physician, and so sought to help as many people as he could, but could *He* Truly talk through this? Did *He* Possess charisma more than someone such as Vaazva, enough so to convince an elder Guardian of the First Floor to dramatically change his viewpoint? Did *He* Hold such authority that *He* Could take the fate of the Exile's Watch into his own hands? Did *He* Hold the wit and manner of speech capable of bringing people's dreams of peace and freedom to fruition? Was *He,* At all, *Worthy* Of this burden?

...He began to doubt many things.
Harvey
The doctor, blessed with an intricate six fingers on each hand, impressed the bandit with ease. Watching the doctor work on the injured man's ribs without doubt or prejudice hindering the immense speed and quality he delivered made the goat even more appreciative of the slug and the link they had established in such little time. Truly, someone Kuo could rely on...

Zocheiz finished up his work on Cumhall with newfound balance in his voice, reminding Kuouo of the so-called leadership and words of enlightenment that would slip out the Root-Crown from time-to-time with an added disbelief that it was Aazkue this whole time.

```fix
"Yeah, that's true ain't it? What with the ferocity and mindlessness Aazkue attacked us with, I'd completely forgotten that it's been said he does that every once in a while. I gotta say, I wish I'd gotten approached with some of that wisdom... Not that I think he has much to say that matters t' me, but it woulda definitely made things a little easier on my body..."```

Kuouo lightly groaned, releasing the pressure off of his legs after taking a seat in one of the guest chairs lined up against the wall within the cylindrical office. The slug confirmed Kuo's assumption, the fact that exilement's existence was solely from the direct actions of Aazkue's attempt to take the life of this 'Taae Chit Ezer', a being inferred to be of absolute reverence within the entirety of the arc. He looked up at the slug, awaiting the doctor's further exposition of the fall of the Solar Guardian.

. . .

It was, angering to say the least. For Aazkue to speak out against the Veirok root-brand, whether it be through actions or words, and to be completely betrayed by everyone he thought to be loyal to him... Kuo didn't blame the Knights of Sol acting the way they did, for being branded by the root is truly a terrifying fate worse than the release of death. Burning eternally in Hell was uncertain, but this - The Veirok Root - was absolute in bringing about excrutiating suffering, ringing true in the Root-Crown's harrowing cry in pain. It once again quaked Kuo down to his very SOUL.

```fix
"... Yeah, inaccurate or just downright lyin'. Sheto's got some truth to his word. I'm sure just like it is in my world, twins are known t' have an almost unbreakable link with each other, even to the point where they're able to complete each other's sentences with ease. If their twin-sibling dies, it leaves 'em empty, never the same again... I dunno much about this Ukue, but I'd figure he'd have trouble killin' his brother... You might as well be dead when branded by the root anyways."```

Kuouo shifted his eyes back onto the ground, leaving Zocheiz to address the four-meter guardian in the room - `` ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ...?`` It certainly left the doctor wordless for a bit, pondering for a solution. Eventually, the slug conjured something up, a solution that didn't *Exactly* Line up with Zocheiz's honest ideals in order to cool the possible inferno that this information could spark within the Exile's Watch.

```fix
"A secret, huh?...```

Kuouo clapsed his paws together, thinking on it for a second before shaking his head. Although the doctor suggested the idea in good faith, Kuo knew it was far from an ideal solution... Though he didn't have any better ideas himself. Gladly though, the doctor was willing to make the trek in order to speak with Aazkue.

```fix
"Sorry, doc. Don't think that's gonna work. Like I said before, you got a thirteen foot beheamoth with shattered legs who doesn't even know what the Exile's Watch is... The town under his rule was razed, but he still doesn't have a clue... Whatever happened in the past, centuries ago, is the only thing he can recall. Hell, I'm sure you saw the light from that hell of a spell... What was it, 'Quetaa Ezuek?' To those who know, he's already made his presence kno—"```
** **
Speaking of presence, the eyes weighing on Kuo's back dig deeper, causing the fur on his back stand straight. His eyes widen, the bandit hastily standing up from his seat and looking around before the feeling disappeared without a trace. The bandit beared his fangs, growling and kicking the chair halfway down the hallway with his bad leg.

***```fix
"HEY, SHOW YERSELF YOU FUCKIN' COWARD!"```***

His voice echoed down the shoddy corridor to no avail. He clenched his fists, the ache radiating through his leg once more - A subconscious punishment for mingling the instinct earlier with fatigue and pain.

```fix
"Dammit, I shoulda known... I felt it earlier but... 𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒈𝒉𝒉!!"```

Kuouo clenched his paws tightly, smoke smoldering from his palms as he controlled his heavy breaths. After barely managing to compose himself, he turned to Zocheiz with a frustrated look in his eyes.

```fix
"Huff... If you wanna talk with Aazkue, we better do it 𝙣𝙤𝙬. I'm more than one hundred percent sure someone tailed us and just listened to everything we just said. I shoulda fuckin' known, I was just too damn occupied with all of this... Damn it!"```
Olga
```diff
- "You ask so many questions, about what this means for the watch, the VEKTET as a whole but, why does any of it matter?" -
```
He began to fix his armour back into place as he spoke making careful not to upset his injuries.
```diff
- "If this thing is an Ark as everyone says, then surely nothing in here matters, it has served its purpose has it not?, the purpose of an Ark is to protect life in the face of a calamity, and then once the danger has passed to release said life into the new world, you have reached the new world, so why does no one depart?" -
```
He stood up, stretching and massaging his muscles and picking up his belongings as they prepared to leave.
```diff
- "What, or more likely, Who is stopping you from leaving this place, this squallor that you fester in and stepping into our world, i mean yeah to be fair its not that much better but theres a bit more breathing room." -
```
Robert
```cpp
"Most people would think that."```

Sheto spoke, shifting his gaze toward the second of the two outsiders — Cumhall — and nodded slightly, responding to the second of his three statements. *Most people would think that, indeed.* He agreed, in part, with what he was implying, yet continued further in explanation as to why such an approach wouldn't exactly be that easy. If it were... Hell, the Exile's Watch wouldn't have a single soul in it following the first few years of its creation. Who in their right mind would continue living in this sunless land of severance and torment of their own volition? 

```cpp
"The majority of the Watch's population would probably agree with you. The Ark provides little benefit to any of the First Floor's residents. Nearly everyone here would flee at the first given opportunity."

"The issue then lies in the fact that we are incapable of leaving."```

The alchemist spoke, tapping his fingers with a slight, yet understandable frustration against his arm. Lifting himself up off of his leaned position against the wall, he pivoted to directly face the other three within the clinic, briefly pacing forwards, so as to close the distance and make his voice easier to hear. 
_ _

```cpp

"Most are familiar with the fable of all-binding vows — the Ezer is divine, and thus all vows made unto him are contractually binding to the soul. Each resident of the Ark, and by extension their offspring after them, have sworn an initial oath to the Ezer, that they would '𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘬'. It is the only oath that each and every resident of the Ark has taken, and the source of our immortality."

"Still, it's not the type to bind us. Anyone who has taken this oath is still very well capable of leaving its midst, at the cost of their eternal life..."

"...𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 we Exiles."
"Each Exile is forced into a vow against their will to the Ezer. A binding vow. One that prevents us the use of the Ground Gate to flee the Ark."

"In short, the only way of our escape is up. Beyond the Ascent to the Second Floor, and beyond that, to the very peak of the Ark..."
"...Most wouldn't even get past the first of those steps."```

Sheto squinted as he finished his explanation, averting his gaze back toward the wall as he awaited for the three to coordinate themselves. He had already played a crucial part in shifting the course of the First Floor's history, and yet he would likely again be called to assist in further measures far over his head. The alchemist was hesitant to continue assisting the outsiders, and, while compliant enough to explain to them the basics of the *Ark's* Inner society, was still mulling over his potential future participation in their quest...
Luz
*`"...Qᴜᴇᴛᴀᴀ, ᴇᴢᴜᴇᴋ..."`*

The doctor bowed his head slightly in response to the mentioning of such a spell. Kuouo's mentioning of the fact that keeping this whole situation under wraps would initially bring some confusion to the doctor's hidden face, yet the following response would cause the statement to sink in fully, and crush whatever hopes he had left of preventing this knowledge from spreading throughout the *Exile's Watch.* It may take a while, but someone would *Eventually* Investigate the source of the furious, crimson-red light.

...Still, holding onto whatever fragment of hope he had left, the doctor rationalized. Perhaps, even if it was an inevitability that someone would investigate the matter, they still had enough time to speak to Aazkue bef—

***```fix
"HEY, SHOW YERSELF YOU FUCKIN' COWARD!"```***
_ _

—the words brought an immediate sense of alarm to Zocheiz' unprepared self, and he visibly flinched as Kuouo suddenly shouted out within the clinic. The outsider's sudden panic and frustration only further served to compound the doctor's own anxiety, and he lifted each of his six-digited hands to his side, recoiling in slight, as his thought process had thoroughly been derailed. The doctor was only granted a fraction of a moment to collect himself, mustering the first syllable of a question—

*`"ᴡʜᴀ—"`*

—but Kuouo had already continued further, granting, at the very least, a vague sense of reason and explanation as to what happened. The doctor scarce had a moment to take it all in, yet swiftly nodded his head in agreement. *Time was of the essence here.* And, indeed, if they did not act soon... Disaster may soon be to follow. He was unaware of the very *Presence* Of someone eavesdropping on the group, and he was further unaware of their *Intent.* *Who, and why?* 

...These were questions he likely would not be graced with an answer to, and questions that he did not have the time to spare to thoroughly ponder over.
_ _

Instead of wasting what little time they had left, the doctor hurried to slither toward the front door of the clinic, hesitating, partially — he had feared to leave the clinic for quite some time — yet would soon dash away such hesitations, proceeding forth. He had to speak to *Aazkue,* And quite soon.
Harvey
Kuouo, despite the splint holding his leg straight, began moving hastily out of the cylindrical office. With someone eavesdropping on their entire conversation, there was no telling what could happen next. The information was beyond crucial to life on the first floor; if not handled delicately, the Exile's Watch could take a turn for the worse — A struggle that the three had put their blood, sweat, and tears against within not only these couple hours - but *Centuries.* The bandit started shuffling quickly down the hall — But not before braking in his steps and turning around, facing Sheto with a frustrated but determined glare.

```fix
"Sheto... I appreciate all you've done. I'm assumin' yer not gonna head out with us — Although yer welcome to. If not... I jus' wanted t' say thank you. I know this reveal jus' came outta the blue, but I think we can still pull through. If the doc gets through Aazkue, then we'd've taken the first step t'... Ya know, changin' the world. Still hopin' all goes well.. I wanna go down t' The Merrymen's and chow down on some food, I'm fuckin' starvin'. Daheheh-"```

The goat dryly chuckled, his face falling back down to one of seriousness and uncertainty. Not waiting too long for Sheto to say anything back, Kuouo power-walked behind Zocheiz, keeping his paw close to the hilt of his dagger as his escort. With everything set, the bandit opened the door, moving in front of the doctor with hasty intent.

```fix
"Normally doc, I wouldn't mind carryin' ya since it'd be kinda faster that way. Guess we'll just to make do. Now, I do wanna say this - We're gonna talk to him first, make sure everything'll be fine and work it out from there. His legs are torn from the waist-down, over-exerted t' stop the both of us from approachin' the Ascent. I know yer first instinct'll be to help him — And I commend ya for that, I really do! But he can really put up a dangerous fight, even without those legs. I'm sure, even at my full strength, he coulda killed me within three minutes... I 'spose y'could say it's best t' keep the dude in a mutual state the best we can 'til we figure everything out, y'know?"```

Kuouo followed the path, looking in-ward... ``'I'm sure, even at my full strength, he coulda killed me within three minutes, huh?'`` The bandit didn't actively seek strength, opting instead for powerful utilization of his abilities to not fell most of his enemies, but rather incapacitate them one way or another. His time spent on the first floor lacked strife — at least compared to his other adventures... But it'd be a lie to say if it wasn't the most hardest fought in a while, the hero's mind briefly recalling his skirmishes with The Order and the battle with Syyth himself, still ranking them higher. Nevertheless, it left Kuouo questioning if all of his cards were enough to continue traversing the Vektet as is.

```fix
"... Well regardless doc, I know ya said you don't get t' go out much, so fer now, enjoy the fresh air before the possible storm up ahead. Dunno what's ahead of us, but I believe in ya, aight?"```

Kuouo put those thoughts aside after noticing the doctor's anxious movements, uneasiness and uncertainty infecting his body language, the goat moving to calm Zocheiz's nerves a bit and encourage him. Wouldn't want him tripping over his own words and have Aazkue misconstrue the group's intents, after all.
Terry
There were so many questions, and so many things flooded his mind. The exiles could not leave, but what about the other floors? As far as he knew no one had been recorded leaving the structure, so why did they stay? Was immortality really worth spending all of time constrained within 1 structure seeing the same sights every day?
He had no reason to help the exiles, his mission was to find out what made the structure tick.. But a nobler part of him felt the need to help, he cursed himself internally, he had avoided the village for this reason, as soon as he had spoken to them he felt the need to help, but helping these people might very well mean fighting a god, or something close to one.
Nevertheless he began walking.
```diff
- "This is a shot in the dark but,.. Aazkue, he's.. Well I don't actually know but he strikes me as, not a bad guy I suppose is the easiest way to put it. I mean sure he comitted the first sin or whatever biblical nonsence but, he must have had a reason. " -
```
He sighed gazing around at the squalor of the watch.
```diff
- "Maybe if we told him everthing, well minus the bit about destroying his city that might upset him, but what the deal is with the exiles and the watch and the fact you cant leave this place. Maybe he'd help us, at the very least he might let us into the tower, if that truly is the only way out. " -
```
David
As the group exited the clinic, the drone came trundling up, beeping excitably as it reported it findings on the watch, it removed the broken arm from Cumhall's belt and began to do some rudimentary repair work, the best it could do without apposable thumbs and with a limited set of mechanical tools was to restore its primary function; being an arm, extra bells and whistles would require a bit more work. And even then it would not be finished before they reached the tower again.
Robert
The alchemist folded his arms, and only could stay silent in witness of the physician and the outsiders departing, colluding in business that was far beyond what he had initially signed up for. Certainly, it was no trifling matter to go and cure Ezer's dreadful root-brand, and, indeed, he was one driven with great devotion toward his craft, but still... *He could not assist them any further.* To say that he wouldn't follow them because he lacked drive could not be farther from the truth — no, instead, it was for fear that what they were about to do was going to chaotically impact the Exile's Watch, with perhaps horrific consequences to follow. 

He was, indeed, an alchemist from mind to heart; where there were chaotic and unexpected factors within a problem, he sought to control and negate all such factors, working to make the problem as controllable and consistent as possible. Such is a trait expected to be seen within those that delve into the art of science and study — control and consistency are virtues sought out by any self-respecting researcher. In the field of alchemy, and the procurement of the cure, he was capable of maintaining this essence of control over the subject at hand. In what the three were *Currently attempting, however?*

They were about to entangle themselves in perhaps the greatest political upheaval in the entirety of the *Ark.*

```cpp
"..."```

This, he could not control. *Not even in the slightest.* And this, he could not assist with, nor was he even interested with *Attempting* To assist. All he could do is give a blank glare at the group, a slight squint, and his silence, as they departed...
Luz
*`"...ɪ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ."`*

As the two began their departure, the doctor spoke in reply to Kuouo's statement — that he would have to suppress his instinct to come to the injured Aazkue's aid. It was, indeed, not even remotely within his nature to comply with such behavior... But, perhaps, for this scenario and this scenario only, he would have to make an exception. They were... Tinkering, in a domain, that could well cost them not only their lives, but the lives and outcome of the entire Exile's Watch, too. 

Following such a statement came shame, and with such shame, silence. The doctor would not speak further a word as they continued toward the Ascent to the Second Floor...
Diane
The building marked 'Physician', as Gaige had seen, was, indeed, what appeared to be a clinic on the inside. Unoccupied beds lined either side of the walls as he first stepped in, yet deeper in and opposite to the door, there was what appeared to be a cylindrical office, and one right to be a workspace for a physician. Indeed, many parts of the small workspace that the so-called physician had prepared seemed much more advanced than what the initial appearance of the *Vektet* Would seem to suggest, and yet...

...The one who worked such instruments would be all too strange for Gaige to call the place familiar to Earth.

Indeed, for the physician who ran this clinic, appeared *Sluglike* In form, and remained facing away from Gaige, who had just entered. Even despite his calls out to the physician, he remained silent, instead staring down at the table ahead of himself, masked and cloaked in his attire. He couldn't get a whole glimpse of the strange physician, and yet his silhouette was unmistakably inhuman, instead apparent as a legless, sluglike form, save for two arms and two hands, both with six digits each.
Earl
As he entered, the supposed weight that had been lifted from him went unnoticed by the hero, him eyeing the slug-creature. Oddly enough, the individual didn't seem to hear his calls. Was he focused on something? It'd be rude to continue to disturb the slug, but he needed to act with haste. The appearance of the physician didn't irk the hero in the slightest, having grown used to the strange nature of the denizens of the Vektet; the Desecrated, Che, and those he passed by in the Exile's Watch had all granted him a sense of understanding within this world, mixed with his past adventures.

Once more, he'd shout—taking a few steps closer, "Helloooo? Doctor?" He waited for the slug to react to his shouts. His head continued to pound, but luckily remained manageable for the time being.
Luz
Madness comes in many flavors, but perhaps the worst of them is the flavor of madness born in delusion.

How long ago was it, that he, Zocheiz, had come to this floor?

How long had he had to accustom himself to this society?

How long had he dissociated himself with it?

How long had he gone blind to his surroundings?

How long had he quelled that eternal gnawing, that trepidation, and that fear that clawed deep, deep wounds into the back of his mind?

How long...
Had he deluded himself, to believe
That this hatred, so potent...
*Did not exist?*



Zocheiz was deep in thought in the moment that Gaige entered, and would, initially, again not turn to view the one who entered. Instead, he seemed trapped within some sort of trance, focused, staring down at nothing atop the table ahead of himself. Yet, as Gaige approached, the doctor seemed to snap in a sudden breath to reality, his head perking with a shivery nervousness toward the new visitor to the clinic. All manner of stress and anxiety invaded the doctor's already troubled mind as he was made aware of a newcomer's presence in the lobby, as he instantaneously pondered a plethora of possibilities within the singular moment that he realized *Someone else but him was in the clinic.* Each, all, seemed grim, and each all, poisoned by the venom of anxiety, seemed to speak to Zocheiz words of doom, and of hatred, and of further fear.

He could hardly compose a response to Gaige's presence, stammering out several quarter-syllables as he finally turned, shaking his head slightly, as he took a deep breath in.

*`Above all else...`*

...He paused, staring at the floor, clasping the garb about the abdominal region of his sluglike body.

*`...I am a doctor.`*
*`Right. Right. That is right.`*

Another deep breath in, and Zocheiz seemed to come-to.

*`"ᴡ-ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ."`*
*`"ɪꜱ ɪᴛ... ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ—...?"`*

The physician groaned, and shook his head slightly, barely managing to meet eyes with Gaige.
Earl
He watched in slight caution as the doctor slowly turned his alien body, his eyes almost failing to meet the hero's. "Bad time I see... Sadly I'm in a bit of a rush," Gaige spoke, recognizing the doctor's present dismay, "I was wondering if you perhaps had any supplements that I could just take with me. Ever since before I slept, I've been having this strange headache," He rested his hand upon his forehead, "At first, I thought it was just overexertion, but it hasn't died down much since then and randomly flares up." He lowered his hand to his side, "As I said, I don't really have much time to go through an entire procedure, so do you have anything you believe might help that I can take on the road? If it helps at all, the pain is... In the front of my head mostly." Gaige finished his request, waiting for the doctor's response.

If his request was met with naught, he decided he'd have to press on despite the headache.
Luz
*`"ʙᴀᴅ ᴛɪᴍᴇ..."`*

The doctor echoed, as if in question.
*Was it truly that obvious?*—he questioned, mentally, his head perking slightly in silent inquiry, and yet he could muster no more than a slight sigh to follow up.

Still, Zocheiz had a duty to perform. Indeed, Gaige was correct — he had arrived at quite a bad time. Perhaps one of the *Worst* Times for a person like him to show up. Zocheiz was not typically one to complain about those who entered his clinic, and was usually much more amiable and helpful toward people who were injured. Now, though, he hardly could muster the idealistic mindset of blindly helping those who came to his front door regardless of what they offered him. His recent encounter with the boiling *Hatred* Of the Exiles had some tarnished his carefully-orchestrated mindset, and he thought to take some time to recover from the terrible exposure. Yet, in this moment of vulnerability and recovery, he, himself, had fallen prey to the mindset that he wished to avoid with every ounce of his living being.

Blind benevolence had eluded him for a moment, and he sought excuses to turn Gaige away.

*`"..."`*
_ _

Zocheiz locked gazes with Gaige from beyond his mask, pausing for what was much longer than a single comfortable moment.





*`"ᴀ... ʜᴇᴀᴅ-ᴀᴄʜᴇ. ʀɪɢʜᴛ... ɪ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏꜱᴇ ɪ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ."`*

There was a prevalent languish in his heart and tone, but the doctor's code seemed to shine brighter than even his momentary troubles, as he found the energy to burn through his dread, and to assist the patient, even if imperfectly. Zocheiz slowly slithered across the floor of the workplace at the rear of the clinic, staring up at the large glass cabinet with some enervation. Plucking through the storageplace, the doctor would withdraw a new addition to his collection of tools and medicines — a tonic-base, one which was prepared in-excess by Sheto, and one which was used as a catalyst for the acting ingredients in the cure to the Root-Brand. Indeed, the base was inert as it was, yet its primary purpose was to deliver a payload to the blood-vessels within the brain. As such, with some simple modifications, even the alchemical novice that was the doctor could manage to make a basic tonic to assist in Gaige's woes.

A swift pour, a *Very small fragment* Of a *Taarei* Pellet, and a quick stir, and the doctor had prepared a small dose of a functioning tonic. It was makeshift, but Gaige would have to make do with this for now; the doctor could hardly manage any other effort beyond this.

The doctor wordlessly offered the transparent, slightly bluish tonic contained within a clear, glass vessel to Gaige. Upon its likely consumption, he would not notice any immediate effects. Some time after its digestion, however, he would notice slight relief, and a wave of imposed calm, as brought about by the *Taarei's* Naturally-soothing and sleep-inducing nature.
Diane
Three reasons why:
- air strike shield
- 
- odl woman gas lighting dementia

Four reason why - ezero is a cool blade
Earl
Gaige eyed the vial that the slug doctor had offered him. It was no doubt a risk to trust a doctor from an alien world, but surely they had a form of ethical code to uphold as any good doctor would. He felt an unusual sense of calm and comfort around Zocheiz, relieving him of the vial as he raised it up to his eyes and peered into it. Squinting his eyes, he eventually gave a lighthearted shrug before downing the vial with no questions asked. It had a strange metallic taste to it as it slithered down his throat, Gaige visibly reflexing in response. He gave a large gulp as he struggled to keep the medicine down, shaking his head as he faced the doctor.

"...Bleh, couldn't have given me anything to wash it down with? Maybe gave me a heads up?" He ran his tongue across the roof of his mouth repeatedly, attempting to be rid of the vile taste. "You put a taarei pellet in it, right?" He had noticed the doctor slip the small fragment into the concoction, "I was taught a bit about them by a man I met outside of town. Medicine of that potency isn't given out as openly in my world. Kinda prefer it this way honestly!" Gaige gave a warm smile to the slug. He set the glass vial down on a nearby table, stretching as he let out a deep breath.

"How long does this medicine usually take to kick in, doc? Any side effects I should be aware of as well? Oh—and if possible, could I trouble you with asking for some to carry with? Like a... Prescription, you know?" Gaige pummeled the doctor with question after question, not even thinking of discussing the topic of _payment._ It would be of great benefit to Gaige if he could acquire some of this medicine to take with him on his journey; it seemed increasingly unlikely that his headaches would subside anytime soon. Though upset, he would understand if the doctor wasn't willing to bestow him with more vials.
Luz
The slug-doctor furled his gloved hands together, their six-digited forms clutched uncomfortably against one another as he stared beyond his mask with an ingrained sense of unease and anxiety. Something still remained, pressing harshly on the doctor's mind, even as he was merely standing in Gaige's presence. It was hard to tell whether the hero, himself, perpetuated this stress, or it was merely the continuation of the languishing that Gaige had seen innately expressed in his posture from the moment he stepped foot in the building. As Gaige himself had said, and as the doctor had implicitly confirmed with his silence, it seemed indeed that this was a bad time.

*`"ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ, ɪ..."`*

Zocheiz shook his head, rushing his words and just slightly frantic in his demeanor. He turned to the table and went silent once more — though he subconsciously made sure that Gaige properly ingested the medicine and it had no adverse effects on him — his hands pressing against the table. There, the doctor briefly paused, looking about shakily, wholy uncertain as to what to do.

Gaige could hear the doctor taking a breath. One deep, very deep, with some difficulty and some added depth as wrought by the physician's own alien, sluglike physiology. There rested centuries' worth of thoughts upon his mind, and such was reflected even in his breathing. That weight pushed against his mind, and it pressed against his breath; with the exhale, he let it push beyond himself, the doctor alleviating some of his own burden as he cleared his mind.
_ _

*`"...ʏᴇꜱ. ʏᴇꜱ, ᴀ ᴛᴀᴀʀᴇɪ ᴘᴇʟʟᴇᴛ."`*
*`"ᴛᴏ... ᴀ-ᴀʟʟᴇᴠɪᴀᴛᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴ. ɪᴛ... ꜱᴏᴏᴛʜᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪɴᴅ."`*

His voice muffled slightly under his mouth, the doctor began to fidget with some of the instruments, the vials, and containers on the table before him. Almost unconsciously, he began to prepare another dose.

*`"ʏᴏᴜ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏᴛɪᴄᴇ ɪᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏᴜʀ."`*

With a clatter and a pour, another bluish tincture formed. Sheto's neutral tonic had already aided the doctor three times despite Zocheiz only having met him less than a day ago. A smile would have come upon the doctor's face at the thought, and yet he was all too preoccupied with other emotions. Nonetheless, he offered Gaige yet another dose, yet did not humor him further a response beyond what generosity he had already shown him and had continued to show him. Though gaige had asked for a prescription, he was only given about two extra vials, for that was all that the physician seemed keen to procure. That, and he was running low on stock.
Diane
A hum, completely and clearly audible, resounds all throughout the *`Exile's Watch,`* As a bright-though-not-blinding crimson light cascades through the single window at the far end of the clinic. An incredible arcane energy suffused the light, almost immediately granting a warmth to the air it touched against — subtly heating the interior of the clinic — and similarly-subtly stimulated a magician's sensitivity to changes in magic dnesity. To Gaige, however, its sensation would be much more familiar: *It was that of a Solar Miracle.* And not just any miracle, nor one merely cast by just some anybody... It was incredibly familiar. Familiar to the sensation he had felt at an earlier time, when he tread into the realm of memories not his own.

The miracle—
***`QUETAA EZUEK.`***
And its caster—
__***`...The Solar Guardian.`***__
Earl
A radiant light shined through the windows of the clinic, the warmth of _`QUETAA EZUEK`_ permeating throughout the room. Gaige's head spun on his shoulders, quickly adjusting his gaze away from the doctor and towards the windows. This feeling... _it was familiar._ Quetaa Ezuek was a miracle he was familiar with, having experienced its use in another's memories, as well as during his own testing of the purifying magick. The strength of the miracle being used presently far eclipsed his own however. Though, Gaige had once cast this spell before at the same level of potency—no, not Gaige himself, but he had felt it during his out of body experience within the forest. It went beyond just feeling the strength of the spell though; Gaige had felt this exact warmth whilst in the forest.

_**He had cast `QUETAA EZUEK` at this level during the memories of the Solar Guardian, `AAZKUE.`**_

Gaige quickly pieced together all he had learnt during his time within the Vektet, possessing depths of knowledge into the machinations of Aazkue. There was no doubt that the miracle outside was cast by the Solar Guardian himself. Gaige dared not stare directly outside into the now-star that enshrouded the land in its light, backing away from the window.

"...Huh," He turned back towards the slug, happily relinquishing them of the two additional vials they had procured for him, "I appreciate it, truly. I need to get going though—hope you get over... Whatever's going on!" Gaige jogged towards the door with a wave to the doctor, exiting the clinic without another word.