Phoenix Maplewood genesis

The woman spots him, startles, then calms. She speaks, kind and patient.

The mention of Sapphique especially eases his nerves.

He lets out a quiet sigh, the tension dispels and a sheepish smile finds its way to his lips. Christ. I thought you were someone else.

I'm from the Rise. You a healer? He asks. Normally, he would be quick to turn down any charity. Yet the Rise had only an aspiring healer—perhaps the woman could teach him something to impart on the others back home. I'll take what I can get, if it's no trouble.