Thread: The Witch and the Alchemist (closed)

The older woman just stood there ringing her hands as Lan stormed off, and she looked at Dorelia with sadness in her eyes. She understood where he was coming from but it was still wrong. He didn't have the right, despite his good intentions, it was just not appropriate. Sometimes, she wondered where he had learned his manners and social customs. It seemed he had little regard for a person's personal space when he was in doctor mode, and little to no tact when it came to speaking with people. But in all her years of working with Lan, she'd never seen him act this way with anyone. Of course, she'd never seen anyone slap Lan before, either. Usually people listened to whatever he told them to do. If he ordered them to undress for an examination, then they did, with only minor hesitation. Most people took his position as doctor almost as seriously as he did. But she'd never seen him so flustered and angry towards a patient before. Something about this girl must be setting him off. Abigail listened to what the girl said and saw the tears being held back in her eyes. I'm sure he does, sweetheart, she said, about Lan knowing she trusted him. But she wasn't so certain herself. He could be very finicky about things, and often saw people questioning him as an attack on him personally. But no need to have Dorelia worrying about Lan right now. No, no, dear, she said rushing to the bedside trying to reassure the girl. You were perfectly in the right with everything you said. He's just like a foolish child sometimes. Throwing temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way. I'm sure he didn't mean what he said... She patted Dorelia's arm giving her a small smile, sympathizing with the girl. I'll talk to him, alright? I'm sure he'll find some women in town willing to help with the bath. I'll be back shortly. And with that she started walking from the room as well, only pausing to pick up Lan's jacket that he'd left draped over the end of the bed. As Landon walked out of the hospital, he was fuming, unrolling his sleeves and rebuttoning his cuffs as he walked. Insolent... witch! he thought to himself. In truth, it was a silly thing to get worked up about--it was just a bath afterall, and women were silly, it was a well known fact. But then again, that's exactly what bothered him most about it It was JUST a bath and women were SILLY! Out of all the things she had to question him about... He shook his head and straightened his shirt with a groan. He approached the laundry watering hole where there were some women gathered, and coughed to excuse himself into the conversation. Ladies, he said with a respectful nod, hiding the anger still boiling within behind a mask of professionalism. Dorelia's fever has broken, he paused to let the women clamor in and utter their words of relief and joy at the news, before continuing. And now she desires to take a bath. Abigail cannot do it on her own, and I would like to ask that two of you go and give her your assistance, please. He frowned slightly when none of them batted an eye or made mention of 'why don't you just help her, doctor?', but shrugged it off as two women immediately stepped forward. Great, thank you, so much for your time. He gave them all a reserved smile, and nodded his head, as the two women hurried off. They were stopped momentarily by Abigail who came walking up, and told them to go ahead and start helping the girl, that she would be back momentarily. Hearing her voice, Landon turned from the other gathered women and started walking away, ignoring her. He was NOT in the mood right now to be lectured by her. Abigail saw his behavior and with a grim look on her face, hurried after him. You've got some nerve, you know that? she said walking along beside him, trying to talk to him despite his brisk pace. Lan glanced at her then, his eyes wide and shaking his head in denial. I've got a lot of nerve? he asked incredulously. What about you? Me? she asked, in affronted tones. What about me? I'm not the one treating Dorelia like an enemy to be wrestled to the ground and subdued every chance I get. I'm not the one losing my temper and hurting people! Landon looked away from her with a shake of his head. No, but you fight me about everything! he said angrily, trudging along as she tried to keep up. It's why she doesn't respect me and why she doesn't trust me! Because you keep disrespecting me and making me look like an idiot in front of her! No wonder she thinks I'm incompetent. Abigail stared stunned, understanding filling her eyes. But she was no less angry. She grabbed his arm and made him stop, taking him off to the side, so they weren't standing in the middle of the street while they talked. Did it not occur to you, that it has nothing to do with respect or disrespect? she asked, her tone calm, yet intense. He stood, looking around, like he didn't want to hear this, but she knew he was listening. She's been-- Abigail glanced around and leaned in close. She's been raped and tortured, Lan. I'm sorry to say but her trauma and not wanting to be touched and seen naked by a man right now--albeit a DOCTOR--has absolutely NOTHING to do with you. She's a foreigner in this land and besides that, she's told me things about her family that it's no wonder she has trouble letting down the wall around herself. Lan, actually looked like he was softening a bit. Yes, he knew about her family too, probably more than Abigail did. The fact of the matter is, Abigail said, her own tone softening as she saw him start to realize things. She DOES respect you and trust you. She was very upset by how angry you got about it and she has no reason to be. She did nothing wrong. You can't go around bullying people to get them to do what you want and then throw temper tantrums when people say 'no'. That made him angry again and his face hardened as he looked away. She was doing it again! Basically saying he was acting like a child, when he was doing no such thing! I do not bully people and I do not throw tantrums! he said with a scowl at her, and then was stomping off towards his house, leaving Abigail to groan and shake her head.