Open The Slups Storm Clouds and Crossbow Bolts

[Berchar Fleetfoot]

Today was the day. After weeks of saving his coin scrubbing down tables, underselling the odd charcoal sketch, and explaining then filling out forms for illiterate residents of the Slups, he'd saved enough for a restock. Medical equipment had always been available on subsidy in the Academy and the army: even seasons on now the upkeep for independents struck him. Well, he could potentially have opted for the cheaper materials, but the jerboa was still resistant. Quality, after all, bore superior results.

That was exactly what led him out of the Slups towards the apothecary he's had his eye on for some time, medical bag in paw as he mentally rehearsed what tools, bandages and medicines he was going to require. No doubt it would be cheaper to visit a herbalist and make the more basic medications himself, but he'd hardly trust himself with the equipment in a small apartment, let alone his erratic flatmate.

The bell to the shop tinkled as the Jerboa entered. At once his ears pricked up at the sounds of chaos from the back rooms, and a quick glance at the counter confirmed his suspicions. Anxiously the jerboa hopped across the shopfront and poked his head around the door, eyes widening behind his spectacles at the sight. Oh, an emergency. It had been some time...

"Goodness..." Chancing a pace into the room, he looked from one face to another before nodding to the albino ferret. Habit urged him to do what he could; manners urged him not tread on her paws nor distract too much, especially while she was busy with the task of stitching. "Do you - do you beasts need another paw, here?" He raised his bag somewhat self-consciously, "I've some experience."

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

"Mum. M' s'rry, Mum."

Caden wished he could disappear in that moment. His chest tightened. Daniil's gaze swung around before landing on the marten. Swallowing, Caden did his level best to maintain eye contact.

"I can't tell'm."

Squeezing the todd's shoulder again, Caden murmured, "It's okay, you don't have to tell anybeast anything right now. Just rest, okay?"

He felt a flutter of relief as Daniil closed his eyes again. Hopefully that would be the end of any more ramblings before they became more personally detailed.

Another beast entered the back room of the apothecary. Caden blinked in confusion at the stranger, unsure of how to categorize the small beast.

"An experienced beast could be helpful, no?" Caden glanced in question at the ferret as she stitched Daniil's side.

 

[Aiken Brudenell]

The ferret kept working through Daniil's pain or drug fueled delusions, focused on the task at hand. The only changes in her expression were bouts of frustration, trying to sew his wound closed in the dim light, with slippery, blood-stained paws.

She didn't immediately react to the newcomer's entrance.

Aiken could do little more than stand by, through all this, staying close should his help be needed, but far enough away he wouldn't interfere with his presence. He saw the jerboa - a strange-looking creature, such as he'd never seen before - and called out to the apothecary assistant, in case she'd somehow missed Caden or the newcomer's words in her focus.

"Yfanti?"

"I heard them," was all she said back at first, retrieving her scissors to cut the excess from her stitching.

Seeing she was busy, Aiken looked to the beast himself, gesturing over to Caden.

"Caden's still got a bolt in his shoulder... if that's something you know how to work with. I can help, if you need another set of paws..."