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Collei looked at some Pardisarahs growing in Pardis Dhyai with great interest, noting that they seem lively and strong under the bright sunlight. She recorded down the details on her notebook with a smile on her face, it was always nice to see these flowers growing on their own.
She's been in Pardis Dhyai for quite some time now, unable to find the time to leave due to Haypasia. Her condition is at a standstill, and she can't go back to Gandharva Ville without curing her of her madness like state first and foremost. Otherwise, the Akademiya could label her as a Mad Scholar and banish her. And she couldn't afford for that to happen.
She made sure to try and send some letters to the ville when she had time, though it's been difficult to find some trustworthy people who were willing to deliver them. Luckily, sometimes some of the Forest Rangers would come by and offer to help her out with that, so she doesn't have to worry about having to find someone to do it for her.
It's been days now, and she starts to wonder how things are going with the rangers. The recent letter she got from them in return seemed to suggest that... with a few, but disheartening details added in.
One of those details were related to Tighnari.
Collei heard about The Doctor's return to Sumeru, and it pained her to hear that her student was growing paranoid about him somehow finding him again. She wished she was still there to console him, but she had to remain in Pardis Dhyai for an indeterminate amount of time.
She can only hope that the rangers would be able to secure his safety, if The Doctor were to come back for him.
"Pardon me?" A voice called out to her, a touch of arrogance found in his tone. Collei had to hold back a sigh when she heard the voice, a part of her hoping that it wasn't one of those scholars that have big, fragile egos thinking she's lesser than them because of factors that were both in and out of her control.
"Yes? Can I help you?" Collei turned around to face the person, and felt her eyes nearly bulging out of her head when she saw who it was.
Tall, a mask covering his eyes, blue hair, in extravagant clothing perfect for resisting the cold of Snezhnaya...
The Doctor. He was smiling at her, towering over her and making her feel small in comparison.
Collei felt rage building up inside of her the longer she stared at him. Everything Tighnari told her about what he did to him came flooding back, and she wanted to throw her boomerang at his smug face for all the horrible things he put the ranger trainee through. The fact that he was smiling at her made her even more furious.
But then she remembered Haypasia. She was resting, and she needed to sleep if she were to ever get better. Besides, The Doctor was clever, strong, and shouldn't be underestimated no matter the circumstances. If she lost her cool around him, she would be too blinded by rage and the need to avenge her mentee. Too blinded to think straight. And if that happens, she doesn't know what would become of her.
So, she took in a deep breath and recomposed herself, forcing herself to remove any traces of anger from her expression.
"There is something that I need to attend to here, for I am required to be back in Snezhnaya very soon."
Collei felt her eyes widen slightly. "You're leaving soon?" A burst of relief and delight pooled inside of her. If he's leaving, then Tighnari can be safe.
That pool dried out by a harsh sun of realization.
Wait...could that mean...no, snap out of it. The rangers would've mentioned something to that degree in their recent letter, right?
"Indeed, otherwise we could've talked a bit more, Forest Watcher Collei." Dottore's ever present smile infuriating her. She wanted to scream at him for everything he had done to her friend, but she had to keep her cool, which only made her angrier.
"How do you know my name?" Collei asked, facing away from him and crossing her arms. "I don't believe we've met."
"The Akademiya speaks highly of your name, for the most part." Dottore said. "The positive aspects of you were drowned out by the more...negative facts."
"Oh, I can only imagine." Collei muttered, turning her head back to face him. She can picture all of the students and teachers gossiping to each other about her, saying that she would be better off staying in Sumeru City and not risking her life as a Forest Watcher. "Regardless of what you hear others say about me, you have a reason for coming here before departing, so speak of it at once."
"My my, so hasty aren't we?" Dottore placed a hand under his chin. "But yes, I am on a time crunch, so I will make this quick." He walked away from her, looking back at her slowly with every word he said. "Have you've been taking care of a scholar named Haypasia?"
Collei bit her lip, her eyes darting to the glass dome Haypasia was resting in. What could he possibly want with her? He's not going to experiment on her, is he?
She would not let that happen. She refused to let The Doctor harm anyone else.
"You must have many experienced informants working with you if you were able to obtain that information." Collei had to choose her words carefully, her anger wanting to be released at once. "Yes, I am treating her."
"Pardon me for the intrusion, but how well is she at the moment? Are you quite sure she is recovering well?"
She swore he was mocking her for her way of treatment.
"Why do you ask? Do you have something to add?"
"I'll be frank with you then. I wish to take Haypasia to Snezhnaya."
Collei's heart dropped. This cannot mean anything good. If Tighnari's experience with The Doctor was anything to go by, he was lucky to be able to remain in Sumeru. But if Haypasia ends up in Snezhnaya...
You...cretin of a man!
"Don't you know that the transfer of a patient is no easy task? You're a scholar, aren't you?" Collei could not hold back the anger in her voice. She may only have her boomerang and bow, having left Cuilein Anbar behind for Tighnari, but she was ready for a physical battle if a fight between scholars could not settle this.
"My my, your lack of faith in me is unbecoming of a young lady like you. I am completely aware of this, mind you."
"You're the only one who made that kind of request."
"Well, allow me to shed some light on this." Dottore said. "I can guarantee her safety all the way to Snezhnaya. In addition, I can promise that under my care, she will receive the most efficient and advanced treatment under my supervision, and her recovery will be most swift. Is that reasonable and fair to you? I heard you have your duties as a Forest Watcher to attend to, and it would be a shame to be so behind in those tasks."
If she didn't know what sort of monster he is, Collei still wouldn't let him take Haypasia. The nature of such a request like that is dubious at best, and extremely dangerous at worst. As her caretaker for the time being, she had a rule to never let anyone else oversee the treatment unless they were trustworthy enough. And The Doctor was most definitely untrustworthy.
His last words made her feel queasy. And she started to fear for Tighnari's safety. The meaning behind those kinds of words were hinting at a potentially catastrophic event that's either already happened or is taking place right now in Gandharva Ville.
You're overreacting...yes that had to be it...they couldn't have found him...right?
"Haypasia was born in Sumeru, and is still a scholar at the Akademiya. Her condition isn't severe enough for a need to transfer her to another nation. Sending her to a far away nation is risky, and though your list of arguments are tempting, the benefits to all parties are still unknown, and thus I cannot agree to your conditions as her caretaker." Collei sent a glare his way for emphasis. "Your proposal is reckless, inconsiderate and unacceptable."
A silence falls over the two of them. Collei couldn't help but feel smug that she managed to stun The Doctor into silence.
Dottore chuckled.
"I see, I see. Your opinion makes perfect sense." He wrapped his arms behind his back, chuckling still. "You're stubborn. You're not quite what I had expected, but it doesn't surprise me. The results can often differ from what you expect to happen after all."
Collei stayed silent, keeping her glare on him.
"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't just let you off the hook like this, but unfortunately, I'm in a hurry today — what with Her most noble Majesty, the Tsaritsa, calling for our return." Dottore began to walk away, monologuing the whole way.
"Luckily, there is still some time left for me to take care of everything before I leave." He paused in his walk, turning to look at her.
"It's just as the Akademiya said — you're a responsible and gifted scholar. Sadly, even with all of that, you're still lacking a bit of shrewdness, as well as good health."
"And that's also why people like you can never realize that sooner or later, everyone must pay the price for what they've learned."
With those last words, he finally exited Pardis Dhyai.
Collei had a feeling that wasn't the last time she would see him.