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“You didn't have to escort me this whole way.” Kinich said, rubbing his bandages arms for a moment as he and Ifa stood at the base of the mountain.
“Eh, wanted to make sure you were alright, no biggie.” Ifa mused, waving his hand. “I wanted to make sure you didn't try grappling with those injuries.”
“...Ifa, I may be reckless, but I'm not stupid. ” Kinich said with a tiny glare.
“And must I remind you the line between those two can be verrrry thin?” Ifa retorted lightly.
“...Thanks, I can have Ajaw get me the rest of the way.” Kinich said, summoning the dragon’s larger form from his bracelet.
“Ughh! Again?! How many times must you reduce the Great K'uhul Ajaw to such a state?!” Ajaw demanded as he landed on the ground.
“Only until my injuries heal up.” Kinich said, before climbing onto his back. “Will you make it back to the Flower-Feather clan alright?”
“Of course! If things get late, I'll just stop by the Weary Inn.” Ifa said, “No need to worry about me. You just rest up, ‘kay?”
Kinich nodded before taking off into the sky. Once Ifa was sure the saurian hunter has flown over the top of the mountain, he took a breath.
Ifa's vision glowed before he gave the ground a heavy stomp with one foot. A burst of wind swirled around him angrily before shooting off into one direction. The wind was soon canceled out, and the crackle of electricity soon filled the air.
“That's quite the mastery of Anemo you got there.”
“And may I ask why you've been tailing Kinich?” Ifa asked, his eyes darkening a bit. A figure soon made himself visible from behind the trees. Pale blue hair, hidden eyes under a mask, and that distinctive black and white coat.
“Tailing Kinich? Most would assume I was following you both, or that I wasn't following anyone at all. Consider me impressed by your sharpness.”
Ifa summoned his claymore and pointed it at the man. “What are you doing here, Doctor? You look different from last time.”
“Ah! You remember me! I'm flattered.” Dottore mused, “And you even remembered what Segment Nine looked like. It's been so long.”
“What can I say? Some things are hard to forget.” Ifa said, planting his claymore into the dirt. “Not to mention what you did, what he did. Some of my patients still have nightmares from the way you treated them.”
“Nightmares? What I did would hardly count as such. Besides, I was just doing research. No different than you-” Dottore was cut off as a burst of wind exploded next to him. He simply tilted his head to the side as Ifa’s claymore shot past him and the vet was soon in his vicinity.
“You don't get to compare me to you. I take offense to that.” Ifa said lowly.
“But aren't you using Kinich as test subject yourself?” Dottore asked, “For that… abyssal corrosion medicine?”
“He was willing to, and knew what he was getting into. That's the difference.” Ifa said, “I don't kidnap saurians, and torture them for scientific advancement.”
“Ah… how is Cacucu doing nowadays?” Dottore asked, “Still no bigger than a tiny juvenile?”
“Stop stalling,” Ifa glared, “Either tell me why you're here, or I knock you out and toss you into the desert outside of Sumeru.”
“Tsk, temper~” Dottore tutted, “Shouldn't a vet be more gentle around his patients? ”
“Shouldn’t a doctor be more concerned with patients' health rather than biological experiments?” Ifa asked, tightening his grip on the claymore's handle.
Dottore chuckled, “You remain quite sharp, but be realistic for a moment hm? Can you really act good on your threats? I doubt you’re stronger then the bearer of Malipo.”
“You would be surprised,” Ifa said, “But I’m no idiot, what are you doing? What do you want with Kinich?”
“As a doctor, be it for animals or humans,” Dottore started, “The longer we stay in such a profession, the more we pick up. The more we can identify and take note of small… ‘nods’ per say. I heard you can diagnose your patients’ severity with only a glance now. Surely you can see what I see.”
“…Frankly, I don’t. ” Ifa said with a click of his tongue.
“Really? Are you sure?” Dottore mused, “Well, that’s quite a shame. You see, Malipo Kinich’s body has been modified to the extent that he's not… a normal human. He's not akin to a long lived being. It isn't like any other being or dragon or animal at all. Traces of Vishap now live in fractured portions, but even the composition is wholly unique to him and him alone. I have no doubt that dragon of his is the cause and well… having such a unique composition, any inquiring mind would like to see what secrets it holds. Surely you took note, and that's why you asked him to be your little ‘test subject' for that medicine. Did you not?”
“I haven't, the only person who would have such a twisted motive is something like you.” Ifa scoffed, “The fact you managed to wander around Natlan without catching any ire is surprising though. Did you just keep to yourself and stayed in the shadows?”
“Indeed, it was a little annoying, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” Dottore said, “Speaking of stalling, how long do you intend to keep me here?”
“As long as needed, the only reason I didn’t confront you earlier was to make sure Kinich didn’t catch wind you were here.” Ifa said, “His injuries… they were caused by you, weren’t they?”
“Oh? How did you come to that conclusion?” Dottore asked with an unnervingly gleeful smile.
“He was attacked by a highly mutated saurian.” Ifa said, “Normally, that wouldn’t be an issue, his whole occupation basically revolves around them half the time. However, this time around, the stage of mutation and corrosion was too intense. It’s development would conclude weeks without treatment, but there had been no sightings of it until that commission. Not to mention it was a qucusaur, they’re highly unlikely to be infected to begin with due to how often they take to the skies, not to mention easy to spot. I already treated one with a mild infection not long ago. A new one popping up, at the stage of mutation it was, it just didn’t seem natural. The only person who could be experimenting with abyssal corrosion here is the fatui. A mutated qucusaur, one of the most dangerous and aggressive of the saurians, at such a dangerous rate of infection, and a commission being sent to Kinich with advanced payment. It seems pretty obvious to me.”
Dottore clapped, his smile still wide. “You don’t disappoint, you truly are quite the doctor. Let me guess, concluding foul play, you heard of the commission and ran to Kinich’s location. Not only getting there to see him finish off that specimen, but also keep me from revealing myself. Whisking him away before I could.”
“You’re easy to read, even though I know the one I ran into was just a fractured piece of you.” Ifa said, “To think you’d show yourself here again…”
“Well, this land has always intrigued me, yet eluded me so much.” Dottore said, “You should know as well as me that doctors like ourselves strive for progress.”
“I don’t strive purely for progress, Dottore.” Ifa scowled, “All I care about is making sure each patient I see is better off than when they entered my clinic. Nothing more, Kinich is no exception here.”
“And that's why you're making sure I get as little information as possible. Sending him off and keeping me here so I don't know his exact location. It's a trivial matter though, the Scions of the Canopy is not that big of a tribe. It wouldn't be hard to find him by pure brute force if needed.” Dottore said.
“Doing any sort of brute force will make you an enemy of Natlan.” Ifa said, “And I doubt the Archon wants any more trouble.”
“Yes, yes… Capitano unfortunately blocked a lot of Fatui involved with his last will and sacrifice. Can't say I appreciate it, but he technically is my superior in ranking.” Dottore frowned, “Still, even if I cannot examine Kinich today, there's always a next time. You can't protect him forever you know, him and that boy with a fractured soul.”
Dottore didn't flinch as Ifa was on him again, the dim glow of his claymore held up and next to his neck as Ifa glared at him. Holding the weapon taunt but an eerie calmness in his eyes despite the fire burning in those turquoise pupils.
“I can, and I will. You are not touching them, Dottore.” Ifa scowled.
Dottore hummed, “If you say so. You're taking on responsibilities you cannot hope to bear. It's curious though, that fractured boy is still young and somewhat naive to the evils of this world, wanting to fulfill a childish dream of being a hero. In comparison, the boy bound to a dragon, is much too aware of the cruel realities of this world, and keeps himself grounded to an extent he never perceives the sky. And yet, here you are. A mediator of sorts, one who sees reality, yet holds onto a certain type of hopeful grandeur that you do recognize as futile.”
“Stop it with the analysis, Doctor. ” Ifa hissed, inching his claymore just a bit closer to the Harbinger’s neck.
“I never expected you to turn into such a curious person, Segment Nine never spoke of you in a manner beyond “that brat who ratted me out because of some stupid animals.” But I suppose we spent enough time here. I'll take my leave.” Dottore said, tapping the claymore with a finger. “You needn't be so hostile now, I've given up.”
“You're not the kind of person to give up.” Ifa said, “I will cut you down if you try to hurt anyone.”
“I don't quite understand what those two did to get you so attached to them, but I suppose I won't pry, for now.” Dottore mused, “You have a good evening, Doctor. Perhaps when we meet again, it'll be when our endeavors align. Good luck on that medicine development. I can't wait.”
Ifa lowered his claymore, and Dottore easily slipped away. Ifa just watched as the Harbinger quickly made himself scarce with a burst of Electro from that damn Delusion he carried around. He took a breath, before putting his claymore away.
“Damn it…” Ifa breathed, noticing how his hands shook. He sat on the grass as he tried to collect his thoughts. He didn't have long though, as new footsteps rustled near him.
“Woah! Bro!”
“Ifa, is something wrong?”
Ifa blinked and turned his head to see Ororon and Cacucu walking towards him. Ah, were they here for something? He knew Cacucu would be keeping Ororon company. Ifa shook his head and smiled at them.
“Nothing~ just taking a break. The trek from the Flower Feather Clan to here is quite a strenuous journey. Even with Kinich's help.” Ifa mused as he stood up. “So, what's up, bro? What are you and Cacucu doing here?”
“Cacucu was helping me find some seeds.” Ororon said, “I still need to repay Kinich for helping me cultivate foods that can grow even in wintertime. So I thought some local specialties from around tribes might make a good gift.”
“You two are getting along just fine now, aren't ya?” Ifa asked as he walked over. “Kinich should be home by now, I had to tend to some of his injuries earlier.”
“Oh, he got injured? Good thing I brought these then.” Ororon said as he rifled through a small bag he had on him. “I was going to show him some medicinal plants I grew, they're good for small injuries and a good supplement for healing bigger ones. Did you want to see him with me?”
“Nah, I was about to head back to the tribe anyway.” Ifa said with a wave, “You go ahead and visit with him. I need to get an early start for tomorrow anyway. Cacucu can keep you company, right bro?”
“Whatever you say, bro.” Cacucu chirped, making the two of them laugh a bit.
“I'll see you later, Ororon.” Ifa said as he waved and started to walk away.
“See you later, Ifa.” Ororon called out, “Be sure to get some rest!”
“I will, I will.” Ifa said, more to himself than anything else as he walked away.
He just… had to be a bit extra careful. He doubts Dottore can actually do anything since the Captain’s sacrifice. Not to mention Kinich is very strong. Still, it doesn't hurt to be a tad more vigilant. Just for now anyway.
He won't let anyone get hurt again.