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* Tarri's clinic is located only a few blocks from one of the main market squares, wedged into an alley and conveniently next door to an apothecary. The front room is surprisingly homey, decorated in soothing shades of blue and green and walnut-colored wood. * Glossaria strolls-- or perhaps "waddles" would be the more appropriate term-- slowly into town, consulting a slip of directions at one point before locating Tarri's clinic. She steps within and takes a moment to catch her breath and look around (hopefully for a nice, tall chair). * Tarri is puttering around, straightening up after her most recent patients, putting various jars and supplies away in the cabinets and re-winding bandages. She breaks off humming under her breath as the door opens. "Good afternoo- Gloss!" She rushes across the room to embrace her friend, and then helps her to a chair that is not entirely troublesome for the heavily gravid. <Glossaria> ::smiles, and sinks into the chair carefully with evident signs of relief:: I thought I had recalled your hours correctly... my memory's been troublingly spotty of late. I *do* hope it's not a permanent defect. ::fanning herself with her hand:: This was a longer walk than I remembered. * Tarri smiles knowingly. "I understand the memory returns, though it may feel like it hasn't, because you'll have this new distraction around..." She rummages in a drawer and finds a cheap wood-and-paper fan, which she offers to Gloss. <Glossaria> Well, for the sake of my profession, I certainly hope it returns. ::shudders a little:: I've always had a horror of developing amnesia. ::smiles again as she accepts the fan:: You're equipped with everything, I see. This is lovely... did you choose the colors purposefully for their calming effect? Has business gone well for you? <Tarri> ::sitting in one of the deeper chairs:: Things are picking up, actually. Spring is a good time for healers... Things are busy, but they tend to be minor things. Simple injuries, colds... <Glossaria> ...cabin fever? I do hope you've a remedy for that, because I think I'm acquiring it. <Tarri> ::grins:: I wondered why you walked all the way out here, and in your condition... Or has the Tower obligingly moved inland for you? <Glossaria> Ha! He's moved a bit, but, of course, he needs a large enough footprint to rest upon, and one can only come so close to the city before that becomes impossible. ::sighs and rubs her belly absently:: The men in my life have been remarkably accommodating, though. <Tarri> I'm glad to hear it! ::cocks her head slightly:: Unless you mean to imply that the women in your life *haven't*? Is Lady Natovna being difficult? <Glossaria> Oh! No, of course not. I admit, I felt a great deal of hesitancy in admitting the fact of my pregnant state to her, knowing her, er, lack of predilection for interface with the immature. But she was most pleased, and has been very supportive, between her studies. * Tarri pauses a moment to sort this out, then nods. "Oh, that's good. Have you picked out names yet?" * Glossaria bites her lip and averts her eyes. "Well... there is a limited list to choose from, as this is my first and there are certain... familial traditions to be upheld, you understand. But..." She touches her head and smiles with embarrassment. "I've had a small difficulty with decisions, of late. And... I want to know what it *looks* like, before I label it. That is part of good library practice, after all, when cataloging." <Tarri> ::giggles:: You could just say, "no," you know... So, what *did* bring you in? This *is* a social call, isn't it? ::Suddenly, she looks slightly worried:: <Glossaria> ::waving a hand with reassurance:: Oh, yes, I'm only 234 days pregnant at this date. I have... approximately another 6 weeks to go, give or take, until my due date, according to Goody Beatrice. <Glossaria> ::smiles a little:: Although Val calls them "don't" dates. <Tarri> ::grins:: It *is* pretty rare for a baby to come "on time." Early, late... but hardly ever right on time. * Glossaria scowls a little, leaning forward to rub her lower back with a grimace. "I don't understand why. Women have been having babies for millennia. Surely they could come up with a better predictive system by now." She looks thoughtful. "Haruspicy, perhaps..." <Tarri> Maybe it's a preface to the unpredictability of being a parent. <Glossaria> ::looking alarmed:: I certainly hope not! <Tarri> You don't... think that parenting is *predictable*, do you? <Glossaria> Of course... ::another worried frown:: There are some... anatomical differences, in my case, that could affect the birth. That alone would make prediction difficult. The Goody mentioned that my birthing sac seemed... different to her, somehow.... ::cocking her head:: Well, Loria's offspring seem to have developed a schedule. Of course, it doesn't mesh with their parents' sleep schedules or with each other, but it is predictability of a sort! <Tarri> ::looks amused, but decides not to pursue the point:: What's unusual about your birthing sac? - Purely professional curiosity, you understand... Does she think there'll be a problem? <Glossaria> She said that it seemed rather fibrous to her experience. She called it unusual, but does not wish to "borrow trouble" by idly speculating in the face of scant evidence. ::frowns a little, leaning forward to massage her back again:: I wonder from whom one would borrow trouble, and why they should wish the loan to be returned? <Tarri> It's just a figure of speech. ::frowns:: Has your back been bothering you much lately? <Glossaria> ::shifts in her chair and nods:: On and off, but it's a bit worse than usual right now. Sweet Erdian... surely there could be a more efficient method to carry live young? Ow. Perhaps I overdid it, walking today. ::frowns:: <Tarri> I should think so. ::she drags another chair over:: Put your feet up. I'm going to arrange for a carriage to take you back. <Glossaria> ::nods with relief and starts to swing her legs up onto the chair one at a time:: I believe I would appreciate that. I was beginning not to look forward to the wal-- OH! ::breaking off with a gasp of pain, a hand going to her back again as she tries to swing her second leg up:: <Tarri> ::looks back, her hand on the door:: Gloss? Are you all right? <Glossaria> ::panting lightly, her voice faint and a little frightened:: No... I don't believe so... it hurts. * Tarri comes back over to Glossaria's side, her expression serious but calm. "So I see. Here, let me..." She slides a hand behind Glossaria's back, feels around a little, then pushes, hard and steady. "Does that help at all?" <Glossaria> ::nods and takes a breath as the pain eases off a bit:: Yes... yes, that's much better. What did you do? <Tarri> Well... Your back hurts because the baby is pushing against your spine. I'm pushing back. It's not bad for the baby, I promise. Try to get your feet up, now. This is too much pain for so early. You need to rest a bit before you go home. <Glossaria> ::nods, looking faintly anxious, and hoists up the other leg. She sits still a moment, taking an experimental breath:: It doesn't hurt so much now. I... ::bites her lip:: You think I should lie down? Would it be too much trouble to send a message to Val? I... I'm concerned. <Tarri> ::nods:: Yes, I'll send a message to the Tower right away. Just let me... ::she leaves the room for a moment, and comes back with several pillows of varying firmness, which she tucks around Gloss to keep her feet high and help make her comfortable. ::firmly:: You are not to get up for at least another hour. Let me know if you have any more pain. ::she goes to the door and opens it, looking up and down the street for a convenient messenger:: * Glossaria nods obediently and settles back, concentrating on breathing. |
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