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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 19, 2007 1:12:11 GMT -5
I had made a few discrete inquiries as to a name of a good physician, and had been directed to the practice of a Siegfried de Strasbourg. Having made an appointment the day before, I stepped into the office with confidence.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 19, 2007 7:18:52 GMT -5
When I came in that morning, clad in practical grey breeches and marine blue jacket, my mind still full of Rae's sublime body, I found rather fascinating to see that my first appointment was the Duchesse Shahrizai. That Aramis' cousin need a consultation was... rather intriguing. But I filed the thought away, looking rather at the notes on my desk, reading more deeply about my last patient's condition.
I made a note to also send a note to Balm - I hadn't heard of Violette in a bit, and was concerned about the progress of her progress. On my desk, a book about Yeshuite bone-mending brought Joie to my mind, and I also noted to send her a note by the end of the day. I hadn't seen her since dinner - not even at the Fete, and it displeased me. She was a good friend, a fellow healer. I had been remiss.
The soft tingle of the bells indicated that someone entered, and soon enough, Joelle was over, telling me, "The Duchesse Shahrizai is here."
I stood, and opened the door to find Kusheline confidence and regality waiting in the room. "Your grace, what a pleasure," I said with a polite bow. "I am Docteur Siegfried de Strasbourg. If you will join me in the office?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 19, 2007 10:58:18 GMT -5
I nodded with a polite smile and allowed him to usher me into his office. "It is very good to meet you Docteur. I have heard only positive things of your practice."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 19, 2007 13:40:42 GMT -5
"You are too kind, Your Grace," I replied politely. "By all means, have a seat," I said, looking down at the Duchesse. As she sat, so did I, and I asked her, "So, how can I be of service this day?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 20, 2007 0:31:40 GMT -5
"To begin, I'd just like to say I'm about to be perfectly frank with you Docteur. I am... concerned for my cousin, and I am not sure what I should be doing to help her." I cut straight to the heart of the matter. I didn't want to waste his or my time. "She seems to be walking a fairly thin edge between reality and what she believes should be."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 20, 2007 1:51:16 GMT -5
The moment she begun talking, I took notes. But Anacrasia Shahrizai was rather cryptic, and I needed to have a clear understanding.
“Very well, Your Grace, let me see what can be done,” I said, quill in hand. “I need to ask you a few questions, before I make up my own mind. First, is your cousin violent, outside of an intimate setting?”
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 20, 2007 23:57:23 GMT -5
"No." I replied after a moment. "But like many of my family, it seems to lurk just beneath the surface."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 21, 2007 8:57:52 GMT -5
That wasn't very helpful. It was common knowledge that Kushiel's kin was violent in nature - and that had nothing to do with sanity, lest they all be declared insane.
I simply nodded, giving a small sound of ascent, noting it nonetheless, and asked professionaly, "Has your cousin expressed a tendency to experience negative emotions?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 21, 2007 13:41:49 GMT -5
My brows furrowed for a moment. I hesitated before answering. "No. Her... lover, for lack of a better term, was gone for a few months. I think she couldn't believe that he was gone. She spoke like he would return momentarily from a night's ride."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 21, 2007 14:42:40 GMT -5
Low Neuroticism, High Extraversion, I scribbled a note. Colerich temperament?
I looked up, and asked soberly, "Does the patient have a tendency to be overly joyful, particularly in social settings?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 21, 2007 15:44:14 GMT -5
I didn't know where these questions were leading, and hated being ignorant. But I stifled it, knowing it was for Sirena. "Not really. She's a bit rambunctious when the mood strikes her, but that has always been her way."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 22, 2007 10:03:17 GMT -5
My pen worked some more, crossing off the previous hypothesis, penning another on - that was contradictory to her previous statement, but more logical.
Low Neuroticism, High Extraversion, with a loud, but inconsistant personality. Sanguine!
Dropping my pen, I gave the Duchesse a much deserved explanation in my pragmatic, poised tone. "It appears your cousin may have what is referred to as a Sanguine temperament."
I paused an instant, and explained myself, "Sanguine indicates the personality of an individual with the temperament of blood, the season of spring (wet and hot), and the element of air. A person who is sanguine is generally optimistic, cheerful, confident, popular, and fun-loving. He or she can be daydreamy to the point of not accomplishing anything and can be impulsive, possibly acting on whims in an unpredictable fashion. Sanguines usually have a lot of energy, but have a problem finding a way to direct the energy. This also describes the manic phase of a bipolar disorder."
I sighed, and added, "I am inclined to think it may be the latter. It is not something that can be really cured, as it likely is part of her and will not go away. There are however measures that can be taken to lessen the… effects of her condition."
I paused, awaiting to see if my message had been clear.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 22, 2007 10:39:21 GMT -5
I listened to his words gravely, taking it all in and then seeing how it fit.
"Why do you think it's bipolar disorder?" I didn't know anywhere near enough to question his reason, but I still wanted to hear it.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 22, 2007 16:40:10 GMT -5
"The level of activity you describe, her reluctance to face reality, her extreme reactions... on both sides of the scale, I'll wager. Diagnostic is never an exact science, but this one seems rather straightforward," I replied soberly.
"I'm sorry to bear such news, but there are things you can do to help her," I added in a quiet tone that wasn't unkind.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 22, 2007 19:09:55 GMT -5
"You mean other than skirt topics that will upset her?" I asked calmly. "I'm all ears. Rage isn't a popular thing here in civilization."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 23, 2007 11:08:32 GMT -5
I nodded, "But of course, Your Grace. There are several things that can be done. The first one would be to draw blood, to lessen her sanguine nature. The second, is simply to keep her surrounded in constant attention at all times."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 24, 2007 2:12:55 GMT -5
The first I understood, but the second... "Why keep her surrounded?"
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 24, 2007 2:29:11 GMT -5
"Because if she is receiving constant attention, her mood will be kept high, and her inclinations for the less savory sides of her nature will be kept as they should be, in the sphere of privacy. It is the feeling of being left out, abandoned, that summons the fancies you describe," I explained matter-of-factly. "Keep her happy, feeling adored and loved, and you will find her condition will improve."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 25, 2007 14:12:18 GMT -5
I nodded, deciding to write to Tal, requesting he return to the City. I wondered if he would comply. I somehow doubted he would have left in the first place without a very good reason.
"And now I have to figure out how to talk her into drawing blood." I wasn't happy with that thought either, and sighed. "I'm sorry Docteur, it's not your fault. It's just all the family's wild cards are choosing the same time to act up."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 25, 2007 21:36:38 GMT -5
I smiled, she was pleasantly surprising, this Kusheline noble. "I understand, nothing to worry. I would suggest mayhap it be done in play? Otherwise, it can be conducted as a medical procedure - and I will assist you in the act, if you need me to."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 25, 2007 23:10:07 GMT -5
"If it would be done in play, I need an accomplice. I shall see what I can do. If that doesn't work, I'll ask her to come here. But I doubt she would thank me for consulting with you, Docteur." It would sting her pride something fierce. Tal? Even if he came back, I wondered if he would agree. And Yvan was so submissive around her, it was almost sickeningly cute.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 26, 2007 4:29:28 GMT -5
"It's a hazard of my profession," I said, smiling reassuringly. "And mayhap..." I thought, an instant, letting my ideas float to the surface. "Contracting a Mandrake adept would not do, would it? As for doing it in play... I'm afraid I would be rather useless - my tastes do not run as deep as they do for Kushiel's scions." I realized I'd said it aloud as it left my lips, and added, "I'm sorry, my lady Duchesse, that was out of line."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 26, 2007 11:39:36 GMT -5
An amused grin came to my face. "You haven't even met her and you're angling for her bed. Usually men wait to be in her presence before throwing themselves at her." I winked at him.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 26, 2007 15:21:59 GMT -5
"On the contrary, Your Grace," I replied, laughing. "I just told you I could not help you in that area... seeing as I can't possibly suit her tastes, and her mine."
My thoughts went to Rae a split instant. Indeed - she still needed to go to Mandrake, after all.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 26, 2007 16:32:51 GMT -5
My words had brought a crack to the surface, and I wondered for who he would want our tastes. But I left it alone. He was more useful on friendly terms.
"Thank you for your help Docteur, and your time. Does your secretary look after the financial end?"
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 26, 2007 16:47:14 GMT -5
"Indeed, she does," I replied, standing to accompany her to the door. "If I may see you out, Your Grace?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 26, 2007 18:12:18 GMT -5
I smiled my thanks for his politeness, and let him usher me out. On the way, I gave the woman a letter for my factor, authenticating a request for payment.
I turned back to de Strasbourg. "Thank you again for your help. I shall keep you updated on any progress."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Aug 28, 2007 1:40:01 GMT -5
"By all means, do, Your Grace," I replied courteously. I opened the door, and gave a rapid instruction to Joelle.
"My assistant Mademoiselle Murat will assist you with the financial side of things," I said, by way of leave.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 28, 2007 2:48:52 GMT -5
I nodded, said a few words to her about where to deliver the envelope, murmured my polite thanks, and left. My mind was churning with half thought through ideas. I wondered how I was going to make this work...
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