Emmy is a Lamia. She reached at around 5ft 2in, significantly shorter than Daire. If she straightened her tail though and stood up, she would likely be taller than him. Her eyes were yellow with diamond pupils like a lizard's. Other than that and her bottom half cutting off around her waist, she was a typical teenager. Normal brown hair, two ears, a nose, a mouth. No forked tongue that Daire could see.

Daire wondered how much Lamia differed. Maybe Emmy has inherited more human DNA than her ancestors. Do other Lamia exist? Like from those old XCOM games on Earth, they are basically just snakes with arms. Do they differ in size? Are there tiny lamia's only an inch or two tall? What about a Lamia over a thousand feet long. What about male Lamias?

Many questions were bumbling around Daire's head, intensely curious. However, it wasn't a smart move to ask insensitive questions right out the gate. Feeling the pain in his arm again, Daire directed his questions to Emmy, who was walking...er, slithering, in front of them.

"Where's the best place to buy simple bandages and medical supplies?"

"Hmm. Well, adventurers usually have items stocked in the guild that they can purchase. I get most of my basic supplies there. Otherwise, bandages can be found at the Tailors shop or the local Barber. They would be more pricey, however. The General store should sell bandages cheaper."

"What about medical supplies like thread, suture, and salves?"

"Thread and suture? The places I just mentioned have them. Salves are either applied by healers, or an alchemist might have them."

Daire bit his lip.

"What about healing magic?"

Emmy's voice rose an octave.

"Healing magic? Well, you could try the church or put in a request for a healer at the adventurer's guild, but..."

Emmy paused in her steps, er... sliding. Rotating around.

"Priests usually request donations. And adventurers who know healing magic charge enormous rates and don't even heal outside their parties save for extreme circumstances. There is a sort of stigma surrounding magical healers. It usually isn't an option for most people. Why do you ask? Are you injured-"

Emmy's gaze went to Daire's leaking bandages. Her eyes bugging out.

"Holy knickers! What happened? That looks bad. Why didn't you say anything? It must hurt a lot. Oh, what do I do? What do I do! Umm... Uh.. Hrm. Quickly, let's go to the Barber! He should be able to treat it."

Emmy rotated frantically, tripping herself up, trying to find the correct path.

Daire was torn. He was glad she noticed but felt awkward at how frazzled Emmy was. Daire had been biting back the pain this whole time. But it didn't hurt a lot.

It wasn't excruciating...

...He hasn't passed out yet.

...

It hurts like a motherfucker!

He'd been sweating profusely and appeared very pale if one paid attention. He counted himself lucky no one else pointed it out. Especially Violet.

Daire was a man. He couldn't cry; it wasn't socially acceptable. He grew up hiding his pain. Violet had seen him cry because Daire was unaware she was watching. Daire had decided last night that there would be no more tears from him. A man needs to set an example.

He needs to lead with a smile. Make others feel comfortable and safe.

Resolved, Daire gave a true, genuine smile as he looked at Emmy.

"Take your time. Once you know the route, we can go to visit the healer."

Emmy decreased her frantic searching and managed to work out the correct path.

"This way, please follow me."

"I trust you. Lead the way."

A few people gruffed as a young lamia pushed past them, making her way westward. The civilians were more bewildered by a pale-faced man jogging awkwardly after her, accompanied by a tiny woman with paper wings flying next to him. They then immediately scurried out of the way as a giant bear pulling a cart trounced after the trio.

=

There was no way he would not be in pain. Violet just wanted to respect his efforts. If the idiot waited any longer to get treated professionally, she would have spoken up, but it turned out he wasn't a complete idiot.

Daire wasn't the only one that was changed by yesterday's events. Violet came to terms with how utterly useless she was. Being just a pretty sparkler wouldn't cut it. If she couldn't manage to fetch water, then what use was she?

Earlier, when writing in the notebook, she had gone through Daire's notes on magic. He detailed extensive notes on Earth magic, but Violet didn't think she was suited to use Earth magic the same way. She saw his notes on the other elements were lackluster—mostly theory.

Violet decided the best way to improve her utility was to use the air element to levitate or transport objects via a version of telekinesis. So say Daire's notes.

She kept a close eye on Daire as they traveled through the roundabout streets. Emmy led from the front at a hurried pace, slow enough for Daire to jog after relatively comfortably. He looked haggard, but since he wasn't complaining, Violet wouldn't either.

After about five minutes of jogging, they all stood in a narrow alleyway littered with trash and dung, facing a dilapidated building with a boarded-up window. Above the door was swinging broken sign that read "Bar."

Violet was momentarily confused about why Emmy took them to a Bar. Then she put together that the broken sign used to say "Barber" but was cracked off.

Can a barber heal people?

Violet still didn't realize but decided to take a backseat for now.

"Is... Is this... the healer?"

Daire wheezed. Terrible stamina.

Emmy nodded quickly, making her hair bounce.

"Yes. He is, um, eccentric. People say he experimented on people who only wanted haircuts, but he is the only person who can treat your arm without going to the church or Adventurer sanctioned healers."

"How much do they usually cost?"

Emmy squirmed a little bit, glancing at her feet several times before whispering.

"...a few thousand gold."

Daire's complexion paled even further, adopting an odd olive green tone. Violet sputtered.

"Thousands of gold! We only made a handful of silver from selling rabbits. Even if we sold all of them..."

Violet's words trailed off, counting her fingers. Her expression grave.

"That's why I brought you here. The doctor is strange, but he wouldn't charge so much gold."

"Is he qualified?"

Daire was still catching his breath.

Emmy started squirming again.

"...No one has ever died in his care."

Violet sensed something fishy with that statement, but Daire spoke before she could.

"Good enough for me."

He pushed his way in.

Or at least he tried.

*Bang*

=

Violet and Emmy both winced as Daire whammed into the door, falling.

Emmy slithered forward.

"Here. Let me. I'll open it for you."

Daire laid on his back, staring up at the sky. Emmy pushed open the door.

Or at least she tried.

Faceplanting into the door, Violet had a more challenging time keeping the laughter in. Why they both pushed so hard was beyond her.

"Ow."

Emmy groaned as she slowly removed her reddened face from the cheap wooden door.

"It's locked."

Rubbing her forehead Emmy peered down at Daire, hurt.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Daire was trying to hold in his mirth.

"I didn't think you would just walk into it."

Emmy puffed out her cheeks and pouted. Violet intervened.

"Why don't you knock?"

The duo looked over to her with realization dawning on their faces.

"I forgot."

"Doors are usually open during business hours. I just assumed..."

Why did Violet have to be the one to point it out?

Emmy decided to take the advice and knock. Moving back to the door, she raised her fist to the door, but it swung open.

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOCK SO LOUD!"

"AAAAH!"

Emmy punched.

=

Trinket and Pebbles waited outside. The inside wasn't as terrible as the outside. It wasn't clean per se, but it was organized.

There were a few stools along the left wall accompanied by a coffee table. On the opposite wall was a large chair in front of a mirror. There were several sharp and pointy objects, strange contraptions, and what looked like meat hooks. This was likely where he did his barber business.

Above the only other door in the room, mounted on a plaque, was a bear's head, caught in a deathly roar.

Violet gulped, thinking of Trinket.

A lanky and grizzled older man wearing a coat three sizes too big stained beyond recognition stood awkwardly in front of them. Long messy hair sprouted in several directions, an equally wispy beard, odd goggles on his head, and soot somehow covering his face. He was missing a shoe.

"So?"

The doctor currently had his legs crossed and a hand on his crotch, in pain. His other hand held a liquor bottle.

"Did you come here just to harm my jewels?"

Emmy's chin was buried in her neck.

"I'm sorry. It was reflex. You scared me."

"Well, you didn't have to knock so loud either. I was right here eating breakfast."

The doctor pointed to the table in the corner, spilling a little liquor in the process. There was a bowl of gruel where flies were swarming around. Violet looked to the liquor bottle in his hand with a raised eyebrow.

Daire put up a placating hand.

"We apologize. We are at fault since we were in a hurry. I heard you're the only healer who is affordable, so we rushed here."

The odd old man attempted to stop swaying in his drunken stupor as he examined Daire more closely.

"You don't look so good."

Violet felt the need to facepalm.

Daire gave an amused smile.

"I burned my arm badly and can't afford to heal it."

Daire moved his bandaged arm forward. It was still leaking. Which was more than a little disconcerting...

"Oi. Not on the floor! I just cleaned this place! Go through the back door."

The doctor gestured to the back door.

"You four!"

He pointed a wobbly finger at Emmy and Violet. His voice was unusually stable.

"Don't. Run."

They both stiffened.

Nervous laughter.

Daire tried to take their mind off the strangeness.

"I'll get treated real quick. Just take a seat and relax. Violet, can you explain the list of things we want to get done today to Emmy. We can have her can plan a route for us."

"Sure. I can do that."

Daire gave a reassuring smile before walking to the back door. Violet watched the doctor tap his foot while waiting. At least he tried to... but couldn't stay still and ended up doing a one-footed tap dance.

She watched worriedly as Daire disappeared through the doorway, the doctor stumbling in behind, slamming the door.