He didn't know what it was he'd just read or what it meant, but his ability to adequately decipher letters and symbols into the right sounds seemed almost strange. He didn't know how he'd done it, just that he did. Like waking up suddenly and knowing all the languages of the world. He doubted everyone here spoke the same language.
He hurried on and peered in through the shop's foggy windows. There was nothing on display, they were dirty and covered in years of grime that he found rather unpleasant. "It should be, that's what the woman said," he replied before stepping through into the door. The whole place was covered in smoke like there was a fire here recently. A bell chimed when they entered and soon they were met by a woman who stunk as bad as the shop.
"Excuse me. Is this a healers? My friend here is hurt and needs her wings mended. Do you think you could help us," he said, pushing Liadan forward to meet the woman.
She seemed dazed and old, her skin having definitely aged at least sixty-five years. The woman gave her head a tilt, inspecting the two of them before sniffing haughtily and nodding. She had a rolled burning stick in her hand which she puffed negligently here and there. "Yes, dearies, this is a healer's of sorts. Come on toward the back now and we'll get you all fixed up. Would you like some puff, dears? It's a wonderful supplement. I've just been so high strung since my brother died that I smoke the stuff every day. It's the only way I can get by. I'm Jasmine by the way, my dears." The woman called Jasmine sauntered out into the back room through a curtain of hanging beads.
Haelo wasn't sure if he should follow or not, but he didn't want to give Liadan a chance to get away. He crept behind them, looming like a giant, blonde brute. Jasmine turned and gave him a look like he should keep his distance. He did.
"Come, my dear. What is your name, winged one? Oh, please don't mind the dust and dirt. I haven't really had a chance to clean up. Have a seat, have a seat! Don't be shy. I can fix anything, I've been doing this for years...birthing babies, mending arms, taking off arms, you name it, I've done it. And you, big man, take a seat right there. If I need your help, I'll ask for it." She smiled nicely and took another long drag off the rolled stick in her hand.
"Er...madam. Maybe you shouldn't smoke that while you're trying to work... What if you fix something that isn't broken...or put her wing back in the wrong place?" Haelo said abruptly, wondering how this would affect Liadan's broken wing.
Jasmine gave Haelo a set of the sharpest black daggers he'd ever seen. "Don't be so presumptuous, young man. Don't tell me how to do my job! I'm just fine! Now have a seat! And you, dear, sit so that I may see your wings better, dear."
