[三十六]

[followvoices]

Bloodletting was a common practice during the Middle Ages on Earth-That-Was. It was, in fact, practiced up through the 19th century, and continued through the latter times as phlebotomy. The principle behind the practice was that diseases and illnesses would be "let out" along with the blood.

I feel better now.

ELDER SISTER, I need someone to

Comments

[piskiestix]

Don't go doing that again River. That was pretty fucked up.

Yeah, it's a letter, and you probably met Cecil. He lives with us.

[followvoices]

[River is sprawled on the floor, looking dreamy.]

It's the eleventh letter. A, B, C, D...

[counting on her fingers.]

E, F, G, H, I.

[pauses.]

Eleventh. Eleven is a prime number, Kaye. That's very important.

[piskiestix]

Is it?

[She's not really sure where this is going, but she's making tea and doesn't mind the talking.]

[followvoices]

The first number that cannot be counted by a human being using fingers and thumbs, although you could take into account the additional ten toes....

[out go her legs, off go the hugeass boots, and wiggling go the dirty toes.]

Or devise another method of counting, such as using the phalanx bones to add digits...

[she trails off, staring in the direction of wherever Cecil last was.]

Hendeca, undeca. I know his secret.

[betterassister]

I'll come with you, to get it out.

I'll make sure no one will hurt you.

[followvoices]

that would be very nice because in ancient practices they would never use anasthesia. it's really only common recently, as is the hippocratic oath which asks them enver to hurt you. don't hurt you, but they have to cut into your skin anyway. they have to break it and let out all of the damaged blood, because it's, it's damaged, Nani, and that's not good. can't keep damaged things. they're just no good anymore and you can't keep them.

[betterassister]

You'll be safe...it'll be okay. Shh...no more of this talking about blood now.

[followvoices]

they used to use needles for helping. needles just

inside the skin

not too far in, nani, just enough and you wouldn't even feel it. it's completely harmless. they're just tests and they won't hurt you, because we're your doctors, dong ma? yes, it's alright, now just close your eyes.

[maplemaple]

A-are you all right?

[followvoices]

Oh, yes, I'm much better NOW.

[xandinvisible]

River. Are you alright?

[followvoices]

Hello, Ai.

[xandinvisible]

Hello River. Do you need anything?

[followvoices]

A doctor. But a nice one.