Infirmary

@♆ Choi Seunghyun Seungwan looked at the doctor, "There are used surgical equipment here and they aren't sanitized," Then she walked closer to the blinds, "Also Doc-" She then unfastened the lock mechanism of the blinds to open the window as the sun brighten up the room. This may risk her reputation and her life but she wanted to confirm herself that the vampire doctor is not the vampire doctor.

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae knew that many people wanted to learn magic and be magical especially if they were always around people that were magical or had powers innately and they did not. It was only natural. Sae placed the iv needle and things off to the side as she was tending to his chest wound. "I did mention that I am innately a healing-based creature," Sae mumbled "My blood has healing properties that fuels my healing abilities - I use my own blood to make certain tonics or medicine to help people like yourself who are surrounded by individuals who heal quite faster or have regeneration properties," Sae shrugged as she finished wrapping his chest wound. "If the nurses need it then I offer to that patient and they usually switch doctors - but no, I don't openly just hand it out. Granted there are only two main doctors in the infirmary - so there isn't anyone else really to share it with," Sae answered as she looked at him. Sae understood that notion of not having a lot - before she was actually at the slave quarters she didn't have much either. "Food shouldn't be a luxury for anyone. It is a basic necessity," Sae gave him a look as she started to clean up her desk from the supplies that she had used and set them off to the side. "I can make you porridge again and it will be better this time as I'll have more ingredients than what I had on hand here," Sae chuckled as she nodded to him. "But, don't expect high level chef food - I am not an amazing cook but I get by," Sae added to him with a small nod.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ There is nothing in this world that is more powerful than knowledge. This has become Mackenyu's motto when he learned to read and gifted his first book about alchemy. He believed magic was not to be feared but only to embrace it. His kin are not as fortunate like other creatures. They are mere mortals who rely on sacrifices, potions, weapons and wit if they want to close tho gap between the supernatural and them. Quite an observant, Mackenyu watched her removed the needle with no issue. It pricked, as if an ant took a bite of his skin. But he dare not move when the good doctor tend to his wound. The once painful injury slowly turning to a nuisance. "It seems your concoction is healing me well." He said and stared at her beauty. "I doubt I would've survived the night without it. Please don't take offence on what I'm about to utter. Is this moonlight mixture exclusively for you to use? Or do you share it with other doctors?" He shook his head. "I can eat. It just I don't have much back at the arena, so breakfast is luxury for me. But I don't mind that porridge you cooked last night." He grinned warmly.

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae set up her supplies to check his stitches as she nodded to him. She noticed that he was reading the spell books again which meant that he was actually serious about learning more magic and not just wanting to learn it to be cool or win the black market fights that he was forced into. "Yes, it wouldn't be good if you messed with them or scratched them - that could risk hurting yourself or popping your stitches slowing down your healing time, and bleeding again," Sae easily pulled out the needle from his arm and placed a bandage over the small nick that was left from the needle being in his arm. She then moved to the gauze on his chest and started to cut the gauze away to check on his stitches. "I usually try to eat breakfast every day - but I won't lie. I also sometimes skip it as well," Sae chuckled softly, setting the cut piece of gauze to the side. She started to clean his stitches with some q-tips. "They are healing quite nicely - if you do want to speed up the process a little then every other day until you are completely healed - you can get a saline bag of my moonlight mixture which will cut down your recovery time but a lot," Sae offered with a small nod. "But back to breakfast, is there anything you really like to eat? Or can't eat?" Sae asked, starting to wrap up his chest again.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ Half-way through the book, the hang onto the page he was reading before turning to nod at the doctor’s direction. “Morning.” He said, sitting properly on the chair, eyes returned towards the book and did not dare glance back till the good lady fixed herself up. Mackenyu placed the bookmark she placed the night before and neatly put away the book on his lap. “I think my wound stopped bleeding. Though I have to suppress myself from scratching it.” He responded, placing his arm over the desk, but careful that his skin not touch the documents lying around the desk. “That’s so kind of you. But I normally skip breakfast.”

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae ears and nose twitched as she was sleeping there in her chair. She thought she had heard something as she stirred in her spot before settling again. It was very true that she often didn't take time for herself and the nurses were always giving her more patients as many patients sometimes didn't want to be treated by Dr. Choi or she was the only one around. She really only slept when she was at the cottage - and sometimes then she didn't even sleep if she got busy researching a new spell, potion, or tinkering with something. Or sometimes she got lost in a book or book series and simply lost track of time. She admits that she needs to manage her time better and sleep more than she did.

Sae eventually opened her eyes, blinking about then raised up her head to look around. She picked up her glasses and placed them back on her nose, feeling her ears trying to flop back up as a few of the charms on her ears were tangled in each other. She reached up as she untangled the charms on her ears not evening noticing that Mackenyu was still in the room. She glanced around as she blinked seeing him reading some of her spell books in one of the empty chairs that she kept around her desk. "Good morning," She spoke, rubbing her eyes from up under her glasses. She noticed the blanket around her shoulders assuming that he had draped the blanket around her shoulders. She kept it around her shoulders as she reached up again and fixed her hair a bit to look a bit more presentable than she did. "Are you feeling better? I don't think you'll need an IV anymore - so if you hand me your arm then I can take that out for you," Sae placed a few things in front of her to be able to take out the IV from his arm. She also moved around some files and put some things away to make the area a little more clean and organized. "OH, and when you feel like I should change your bandages and check your stitches again - then I can show you the cottage and get some breakfast or something. I think there is some food in the kitchen that I can make something," Sae mumbled mostly to herself on their schedule for the morning.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ That morning, her exhaustion was palpable, and he couldn’t help but feel a mixture of concern and admiration. Stepping quietly away, Mackenyu noticed the remnants of her day scattered across the desk: a spectacles on her lap and stacks of files waiting for attention. He couldn’t shake the image of her frazzled yet determined expression from earlier in the day—her efforts to juggle patients and administrative duties at times seemed superhuman. "Indeed she is." He whispered, hand touching his bandaged torso realising that he feels much better than last night. The bag of IV completely empty, and somehow the excruciating pain has become dull and bearable.

His instinct was to quietly leave a note or start tidying up, but something stayed his hand. He felt an urge to simply watch her for a moment, to witness the tranquility that came with her vulnerability. In that intimate space, he allowed himself to appreciate the toll that her dedication had taken on her. Here was a woman who spent so much time giving to others, yet rarely took a moment for herself.

As he stood there, lost in thought, a faint sound broke the silence. The gentle chiming of the hospital’s old clock echoed through the hallway, marking the approaching hour. Not wanting to startle her, Mackenyu took a slow step back, feeling a swell of respect for her. He couldn’t bear to wake her, but he also knew that the team had been discussing a potential evening shift for her patients that needed her expertise.
Mackenyu's heart softened at the sight of her—she was more than just a doctor in that moment; she was a person, one who needed support, who bore the weight of countless lives in her capable hands. He walked back to the bed and pulled the blanket gently placing it over Dr. Sae. "Ironic" He thought as he glanced at the door, fog coming in from the wall of ice she created last night. The man looked at the book of spells and decided to sit at the empty chair near the desk and read through the pages.

@⚜ Son Seungwan ¥ The demon has no patience for small talk nor has he desire to genuinely show kindness to the latter. The doctor grabbed a pair of clean scrub, walked behind the wooden partition and got changed. “Does it matter?.” Seunghyun said slipped into the green buggy in linen trousers, staring at the white painted walls. “Tsk.” He scoffed at the way she almost answered for him. The doctor raised a brow at the urgency of her voice. He turned and mistakenly walked closer towards the woman, sighing in exasperation with his head down and massaging his forehead. “What is it this time? Let’s hurry and get this done.”

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae's ears had folded over and curled up a bit as she was sleeping. She also had her hands curled up to her chest into little fists - and this rare sight but she didn't have her glasses on so you could see the small indent on her most from wearing her glasses every day. They had probably fallen off when she completely had drifted off so they were resting in her lap in the skirt of her dress. Up close her hair had fallen a bit out of the braids and buns that she had styled her up the previous day and you looked close enough you could see the small freckles of moonlight sparkles across her cheeks and nose probably from sitting in her chair and soaking up the moonlight from the window that was usually disguised away when she was wearing her glasses. Also, the distinction between the patches of her skin that were different colors or uneven showed more when she wasn't wearing her glasses - like some had been grafted to be there or the scared skin healed back to a slightly different shade of her normal skin tone. She breathed in and out as she slept small flakes of snow slipping out of as she did so. She didn't move from the slight touch of him brushing the stray locks from her face probably showing her body wasn't ready to get up just yet.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ The soft chirping of the birds filled the room as Mackenyu slowly opened his eyes. He had been lost in a hazy dream, but now the reality of his surroundings came into focus. Lying in the hospital bed, he found himself captivated by the sight of Dr. Sae sleeping peacefully at the desk near him. She was the one who had cured him, he realized, the one who had fought tirelessly to restore his health. Her dedication and expertise had been the driving force behind his recovery, and now, as he watched her slumber, a deep sense of gratitude washed over him. Carefully, he got out of the bed, slowly walked towards her, reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, marveling at the serene expression that graced her features.

@♆ Choi Seunghyun Seungwan walked inside and puts her knapsack by the vacant table, "Will check the operating room now, doctor." Then she walked towards the door of the operating room before she paused. "Ah, doctor." She called him, "Who's Mr. Pembroke? I've never heard of such names." Seungwan asked the doctor as she opened the operating door, seeing that all the equipment are well intact for the upcoming surgery, "Anyway, I shouldn't ask too much..." She chuckled lightly as checked all the possible weapon she could find. Then she looked through the cabinet and prepared all the surgery materials before she starts to call out the doctor. "Doctor Seunghyun, you might want to see this!"

@⚜ Son Seungwan ¥ The demon lost track of time just going through his own black book of death counting to ensure that he met his quota for the week. However, he missed the mark by three souls. With the Demon King growing impatient, the demon cannot afford to be in his bad side. The door burst opened with a panting Seungwan that the doctor snapped a look at her, face all scrunched up. "Ugh." He groaned, rolling his eyes that of a bright sun. The caught himself on the right time to appear sympathetic as his orbs turned crimson. "No harm done, Miss Son." Seunghyun said, closing the book and hiding it inside his drawer. "This is a letter for one Mr. Pembrook. He wished to be operated as soon as possible. Can you see to it that a operating room is available? And tell the head nurse we're operating at noon." Seunghyun got up and walked towards the wardrobe to see for a clean scrubs to change to.

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@♆ Choi Seunghyun Seungwan looked through the small hole of the wall to see the doctor is already there, she stretches her hands and shakes it off. "You can do this, Seungwan." She muttered under her breath before acting like she's exhausted from all the running to get here, she bursts the door open and panting with her knapsack. "H-Hello, Doctor!" She greeted while panting. "My apologies for being late." She bowed to the vampire doctor with an apology. "I am trying to make up for you last night since it was raining so... I want to be early as possible." She said as she looked at the doctor then to the opened letter on his desk. He read it seems.

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@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae nodded as she looked at him. "Alright, do let me know if you need anything," She answered as she glanced up at him from her desk. She turned back to her work as she did look at the clock as it was getting late. She stood up and replaced his iv so that maybe it could help his more of his injuries while she slept. She walked to the big chair that she had in her office and sat down opening up one of her books that she had been reading. Eventually, she found herself nodding off, simply curling up in the chair and dozing off. She had clutched the book she was reading to her chest as she curled into a little ball, her ears flopping over as she did so.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ His face that used to be stone-cold is breaking into a smile when the good doctor let out a chuckle. “Right.” He said looking at her with weary eyes. “I’m all set.” He pulled the blanket over his body and lay on the bed, deciding to not cause the good doctor any grief, soon after the man closed his eyes and snoring away.

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae knew that he might fight her about resting and going to sleep - but she was glad that he didn't give her too much lip or a bratty attitude when she told him that he should rest now. She gave him a look as she chuckled. "You can read more tomorrow - and so many more days after this," Sae told him, noticing him glancing at the books on her desk again. She watched him walk back to the bed, resting one of her hands on his elbow to give him some support as she helped him to the bed. She shrugged a shoulder. "I will rest in a little bit, I have a bit of work to do still - plus I'm on the night shift so I can't go to sleep. I might have a patient or an emergency that I have to attend to," She answered as she looked at him. "Don't worry about me and just go to sleep - let me know if you need any more blankets or anything," Sae walked back to her desk as she started to work again.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ So much to learn and remember. Mackenyu lost track of time, not even bothered by the yawn that escaped his lips or the fact that there is an ache around his head from head bend forward consuming all the information presented on those pages. He nodded when she offered to help but at that moment he just wants to read. Back at the slave quarters, there is no dull moment to spare for luxurious things as reading. The slave masters made sure that the man work like a donkey. "Pardon?" Mackenyu exclaimed, his dark eyes, peering at the woman and held the book tightly. He cleared his throat, quite embarrassed that she is treating him like a child. Or maybe it was him that is being childish. He glanced once more at the book on her desk before standing up and walked slowly back to the bed. "How about you? Don't you need to rest?"

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae watched him for a few moments as it was almost like a child getting new books for the first time or someone getting gifts on Solstice morning. It was endearing to see that he still had that small amount of excitement after everything that had happened today. "If you have any questions about what you reading then I can answer them for you," She answered. She went back to her papers organizing and putting them into folders - mostly patient forms that she was finishing or orders that needed her signature to sign off to get them through. She let him read for an hour or two more before she stood up again. She walked over to him, holding a bookmark in her hands. "I feel like a mother or something putting her child to bed - but Mackenyu you should get some rest. You can spend all day tomorrow after arriving at the cottage to study - but for now, you need to rest and heal," Sae reached out, gently taking the book that he was reading from him. She used the bookmark in her hands to mark his page and set the book to the side. She held out her arm for him. "I'll help you to the bed," She answered as she nodded to him.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ "Certainly." He answered ensuing her wishes. It would be truly awkward but the man halt his negative thoughts and realised that they'll be more than doctor to patient. A roommate. Both slaves. She pulled out a few books and handed it to him. Suddenly feeling of nostalgia, Mackenyu held the magic books, eyes twinkle with excitement as if this was that time a wise mage took a pity on him and taught him everything he knows at the moment. He cast his sight back to the doctor and nodded then begun turning the pages. Immensely captivated by the knowledge transcribed in those pages, the human did not even care for the itch crawling underneath his skin as the cold fluid of moonlight transfusion ran through his veins. It was probably of the soothing properties of the doctor's own concoction but definitely from learning new magic. "Mhmm?" He rubbed his head, turning his head looking up at the woman. "Uh yes of course." He cleared his throat and proceed on reading.

@⚜ Son Seungwan ¥ For the remainder of the night, the doctor stayed building his reputation as a healer of unusual ailments that attracted a string of patients who whispered of miraculous recoveries from the most bizarre conditions. The reality was kept hidden as his pal Chaos causing most of these illness. In comradely, the demons infested the night for what little time they were given. The storm ended and they were completely full from the fear, anger, doubt and disappointment collected from those who are in pain. Seunghyun's body despite it being immortal reached its toll. He lie flat on his back, staring at the ceiling, listening to Chaos and Deception reports from their latest operation. In his hand, a silver flask and on the corner of his mouth, blood trickled down. "The sun has risen, Doppelgänger. We are returning to the underworld." The bat-like creature uttered while the green snake wrapped itself around Chao's arms. "The princes might require assistance. Curse you." The s hissed followed by a fire that consumed both creatures and disappeared. The only thing that was left is a letter on the ground. Seunghyun got up and picked up the letter. An unsettling grin rests on his lips upon reading its content. "Mr. Pembrook. Never heard of him." He said as a cloak figure appeared behind him. "Neither have I." The creature spoke as if two voices were reciting together. "Agony. My dear friend." Seunghyun groaned. "What brings you in this part of town?"

"Tsk. Do not patronise me, idiot! I'm moving this soul to a different pit. He no longer gives me thrill." The creature holding a chain in his right hand. "Ugh. Do what you must" Seunghyun turned towards the man chained behind the creature, kicking him hard on the face that the man tumbled backwards. Agony vanish with the real doctor. Seunghyun opened his door as the unforgiving sun shone brightly over the infirmary's ground. The chirping of the birds on the trees matched with the freshness that lingers in the air after a rainy day. He did not dare stepped outside despite his eagerness to meet this Mr. Pembrook. With no one around at that time, the demon, reached a hand out and hissed to feel the sun burn his skin, revealing the greyish flesh that showed his true identity. Smell of burnt flesh spoils the scent of sweet flowers around him. He took a step back, putting his maimed hand inside his jacket and when he pulled it out, it was all covered in vampire's skin. The doctor glanced across the courtyard wondering if this body would survive the distance. "Noon." He scoffed and looked at the clock - sees that it reached the first light. "I wonder if she clocked in." He walked around to sit behind his desk, pulled a piece of paper and wrote: Have Ms. Son see me immediately. The doctor opened the enchanted chute designed especially for him to circulate messages quickly around the infirmary. he dropped it there and whispered incantation a witch gave him years ago. The paper disappeared and reached the main office.

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ "Just Sae," Sae told him after he had finished speaking. At this point, they were about to become roommates so he could simply call her by her name. She smiled at his words knowing that they were genuine and true. "Of course, you're welcome. I am not like some of the others here or others around here that judge others for their status - plus I am still branded a slave so I have to help my fellow slaves," Sae pointed out as she looked at him. She nodded as he said that if she needed anything then to let him know. "I will - and I hope that you'll come to me for the same thing. If you need anything or help - don't be afraid to ask for help," Sae pulled out a few books from her desk. "Here, take these - they are come basic magic books that can help advance your skills. And, once you know that specialty that you want to focus on in magic abilities then I can get you some more precise magic books to study with," Sae smiled at him. She noticed his slight wave in gait as he sat down. "I told you not to overextend yourself," She stood up as she checked his IV and replaced his saline bag with one of her healing moonlight transfusions - it was simple transfusions of a healing tonic and her own blood which had healing properties. "Once you feel a bit better, I'll help you get into bed so you can rest again," Sae couldn't help but flick the side of his head after she finished fixing his IV.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ "Dr. Sae." He said, his voice earnest, "thank you for not only treating my wounds, but for treating me like a person.You've done so much." Mackenyu smiled, a hint of modesty washing over him. "I know you prefer not to speak of it as it is your job." There was a pause, and then he added, “If there’s ever anything you need, please let me know." He braced himself, slightly lightheaded so the man pulled the extra chair in her office and sat there. "

@♆ Choi Seunghyun Seungwan left home to rest once the rain stopped, as she went home, she already fabricated a letter from a 'new rich man' in town. When the morning comes, she already sent a letter naming the sender as 'Mr. Pembroke' and wrote to the vampire doctor that he needs an immediate surgery at noon and he will pay him much higher than the usual tip that rich patients gave to Seunghyun.

As the morning came, Seungwan already back at the infirmary to do her daily work before she waits for the vampire doctor to come at noon. She might expects that the doctor already had received the letter by his doorsteps but the hybrid already knew that vampires sleeps in daylight that is the first fact that she learned from the slaved vampires, if the doctor came at noon, then it would be the first confirmation that the doctor is not who they really think he is.

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae watched him for a few moments as he was searching around in his bag. She had a feeling that he was trying to find some way to pay her back with money or jewels - or something else. She was going to try to not accept it - but she knew that from the little time that they had spent together, he was going to try and find a way to get it to her. She nodded as he placed the small bag on her desk. "Yes, it belonged to him - but I started to take care of it after he left. She shook her head. "It's not too much - I really only use the nook, the kitchen and the bathroom. Any other space I really don't use so I have a lot of space," Sae told him with a nod. She sighed as she glanced at the pouch. "I will take it - but it will go into a roommate fund for us to use in the cottage," She told him with a nod.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ Mackenyu grabbed a small bag inside his belongings as clinking sound filled the momentous stillness. With a grimace, he slowly stepped one foot then the other till he reached the doctor’s desk. He placed the bag on top of her desk, away from the papers laid on it - not intentionally messing the doctor’s work. “Does this cottage belong to your master?” He asked. “If it isn’t too much of a trouble. Then sure I guess. And..” He slides the bag across and stared at her. “Please take it. It is not much.”

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae had never let this slave status hinder her or affect her. She often even didn't bring it up or show that she was a slave. Of course, she wouldn't lie or anything about that - and she did live at the slave quarters until she was bought. She also wouldn't lie that she took advantage of the fact that she had been bought, but this was beside the point. "No problem," She answered as she sat down at her desk again. She made sure that her door was closed and had its enchantments so that no one could bother them or accuse her of anything. "I have mentioned that I do have a small cottage now - well, it's not technically mine - but at this rate, it should be. I don't use all the rooms - so you'd you can have one of them," Sae glanced over to him.

@⚜ Murase Sae ￥ Emotions bottled up. Mackenyu had enough of the mistreatment though this is the only way he’d survive all those years. Without money or title, he’ll still be begging on the streets and be treated worse than a rodent. Somehow being a slave has its perks. A roof over his head and they at least feed him three times a day with the same old bread and soup. Hearing the doctor’s reply, he shrugged. She went away for a few minutes and returned with his belongings. “Much appreciated.” He said before grabbing his satchel to make sure no one has taken anything from it.

@♦ Mackenyu Arata ¥ Sae glanced at him as she tilited her head to the side at his question. Like it was something new that she had heard before. Sae had been treated like this all of her life - she was expecting it and didn't know anything else. Ever since she was little - this was the treatment that was placed on her. "What do you mean? I've been treated like this all my life - granted this pretty light for me," She laughed as she looked at him. "I was treated worse when I was younger before I came here to Heleo - so please don't worry about me," Sae nodded to him as she stood up. "Alright, I'll be right back," Sae exited her office. She was only gone for about five minutes before she returned back to her office. She set his back down on the bag and leaned his swords against the wall.