Shadows of Bankor

Even with all the work that people had done, trying to get the city put back together after the earthquake, there was still a lot to be done. Petrus had helped out as much as he could, but was now walking home, stepping around debris as he went.

The sight of the clinic, something he'd passed many times but never visited, made Petrus pause. He'd finally met Juri, at least, at that art festival, weeks ago.

He wasn't quite sure why, but he found himself walking to the door. "Hello?" He called as he stepped inside, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the change in light.

A young woman allowed him entry, "Please come in, do you need immediate care?"

"Oh." Petrus smiled at the nice young woman. "No, I'm fine, thank you."

He cleared his throat. "Actually, I met Juri a while back...I thought you guys might need some help, sorting stuff out after the earthquake." He looked at her, his expression politely curious. "Do you work with Juri? My name's Petrus. Petrus Karath." He held his hand out, smiling.

"Just Delia, and I have been cleaning all day, I help her out around the office," she said to Petrus.

"It's nice to meet you, Delia." Petrus said sincerely. It was always nice to meet people willing to help out. Pretty, too.

"Uh..." Petrus brushed a hand back through his hair. "Well, do you need any help? If there's anything you need moved around, or anything." He shrugged. "But if you've got it, no problem."

"I think we are fine, can I get you anything?" she responded.

Petrus considered a moment. He didn't want to intrude, but he'd ended up here... surely he should trust the Force. And it might make her more comfortable if he did accept something.

"Something to drink would be great." Petrus said, smiling. He looked around, surveying the clinic. "This is a really nice place the two of you have, here." He said.

"Thank you, Juri should take all the praise, I simply help where I can," she responded as she got him some water.

"I've heard a lot of great things about how she runs this place." Petrus said, still looking around. "That she's skilled. But also that she helps out those who really need it." A sidelong glance at the woman.

"It's great of you to help her out, too."

The door opened, and the small Witch walked in. Her bright purple eyes looked to the pair. "Oh, hello Petrus." She spoke softly, pulling her satchel off her shoulder.

"Many are helping in the slums, it's good to see it." She spoke to the pair, breathing in the calm.

Petrus smiled. "Hello Juri. It's nice to see you again."

He waved towards Delia. "I had just stopped by to see if you needed any help cleaning. But it looks like Delia's gotten it all taken care of." He spread his hands, smiling. "And I've just been sitting around."

"I doubt you were just sitting around, Petrus." Juri set her satchel on a hook in the wall, her hands now tucked into the pockets of her overcoat. Her demeanor was chipper, perhaps bolstered by seeing so many hands working in the slums.

She beamed to Delia, her smile resplendent, then back to Petrus, "Thank you for coming to check on the clinic. It is very kind of you, Petrus."

"Well..." Petrus chuckled, waving a hand. "Yeah, I suppose not. But Delia had things well in hand here, anyway."

He grinned. "Hey, don't mention it. I was just walking by, thought maybe you could use a hand. Figured you'd be busy. You're the sort who helps out when people need it." He gestured towards the door. "I hope there's not too many injured?" She would probably know.

"Not many have had to come through, luckily. I think there's a feeling of neighbor helping neighbor here." She responded, "Which has probably been the cause for a lack of injuries."

Petrus smiled. "That's good. I'm glad."

He sipped from the water Delia had provided him with. "This seems like a nice place you have here. I mean, it's been a while since I've been sick or anything... well, very sick." Petrus cleared his throat. "But it's good to know you're around, just in case."

He looked curiously around the room, studying things.

The room was humble, but qell appointed. A few planets, shelves. Welcoming without being overbearing. A small tea pot sat a desk, over an inactive bunsen burner.

"While I am not happy that the need for my skills exists, I am more than happy to offer them." She stepped closer to Petrus, regarding him.

"People deserve to have someplace comfortable to go to, when they are experiencing discomfort."

Petrus' eyebrows went up as she stepped closer, but he smiled pleasantly, tilting his head to regard her in turn. His eyes were drawn first to her various pieces of jewelry, then her eyes.

"Yeah, I think so too." His smile was warm. "Especially when they're experiencing discomfort. It's not just the body that needs healing sometimes, right? Especially if there was violence."

"The mind and soul are just as important to care for. That's why bedside manner, truly listening, are so important. It does not matter how well I can stitch someone up, they are still hurting with stress."

The Hairpin, the earrings. Looking at them closely, one would have an easier time feeling that there was something more to them.

"That kind of pain leads to people wanting to give up their liberty for a strongman that promises security and peace."

"Yeah." Petrus said with a sigh. "I think you're right. Pain or fear, people would do almost anything to avoid them. And sometimes that's okay. But sometimes they need to be dealt with, instead. Or confronted."

He glanced at Delia, and then back at Juri. "Uh... can I speak openly here?"

She looked to Delia, a wry smile, then back to Petrus. "Whatever is said here is safe with doctor patient confidentiality." She then reached over, and punched him hard in the arm. "There is some bruising here from blunt force trauma. You are now my patient."

Petrus blinked, surprised, as Juri punched him in the arm. "Uh..." He began, only to have his question answered a moment later.

He laughed, openly and honestly, shaking his head. "Oh, man. Juri, I don't know if I've told you this, but I like the way you think."

His smile faded, his expression turning more serious. "If you're interested, I could introduce you to some people. People who want to do more to protect the people of Bankor." He looked at her, blue eyes wide, intense; just this much could probably get him imprisoned, if he'd judged her wrong.

But he was sure he hadn't.

"Your resistance needs to work on their sales pitch. A little more confidence in speaking out would be a good step." She smiled at him, those purple eyes vibrant and sparkling in the light of the clinic.

"Already told Mia that whenever you all need to get patched up, I'd do it. Which puts me squarely in your camp. At least, the Empire would see it that way." Gently she patted his shoulder.

"And it depends if your people want someone like me with them. Witches have a certain reputation."

Petrus grinned. "Hey, c'mon, I was really putting myself out there. It's not easy asking someone to be in the resistance. I always get all nervous and tongue-tied. Gimme extra credit for heart, maybe?" His blue eyes might not have been sparkling quite like hers, but they were certainly trying, good humor evident in them.

"Oh, Mia, huh?" He let out a breath. "I've known her for years." He smiled at the pat on his shoulder.

He looked at her, tilting his head. "What do you mean, witch? There was one on this holoprogram I watch, but I'm guessing it's not the same at all." Juri certainly wasn't a weird old crone, and she hardly cackled at all.