[b]“OWWWWWWWUCH!” [/b]

A small child wailed in pain as tears built up in her grey eyes. Marissa gave the girl a sympathetic smile. The fox understood that the ointment stung; but the girl had such a grievous wound on her leg that if it wasn't cleaned and treated as soon as possible, then it would get infected and the girl would suffer far worse than a short stinging sensation. Marissa continued to press down on the rag and the girl couldn't hold back the tears any more. She sobbed and Marissa put her free hand on the youngster's dirty cheek.

[color=fuchsia]“I know, I know dear. It will be all over in a few moments.”[/color] Her soft hand stroked the rough skin of the little girl and her thumb swept away the tears. 

The patient gasped and sobbed as she tried to be a brave person. She decided to focus on anything else that was not the pain or the wound. Her eyes fixed on Marissa's large white tail. [i]No[/i], that was wrong, it wasn't [i]completely[/i] white, was it? There was a subtle yellow in the fur. The tail stood proud in the air as though the Healer had made a conscious effort to keep it off the mucky ground. The child pointed to it and met Marissa's red eyes. 

“C-can I stroke it?” She quickly wiped snot on the back of her pointing-hand and returned to pointing at the tail. 

Marissa grimaced. [color=fuchsia]“I would rather you didn't-”[/color] The girl started to cry again and Marissa's large ears twitched and shot up. [color=fuchsia]“O-Of course you can! Don't cry, don't cry, if it helps you, you can stroke my tail.”[/color] She begrudgingly guided her elgant tail to the child's lap and continued to treat the wound; now applying a thicker salve before the bandage. 

“Yay! Thank you, Miss!” The grubby girl grabbed the tail, making Marissa cringe. However, the stroking was very soft and gentle and the girl looked a little more at peace. Marissa smiled and focused on her work. 

[center]~*~*~*~[/center]

After her final patient, Marissa was tired and groggy. She held her tail in her arms as she headed towards [i]The Lazy Dragon[/i] inn, and plucked dirt from her fur. She would have to groom it later. As she arrived outside of the building, she flicked her tail behind her and cautiously opened the tavern's door. Her eyes scanned the tables and bar, searching for individuals she should be wary of. Content that no-one looked too dangerous, she continued toward the bar and asked for a small cup of mead. 

As she waited for her drink, her attention was caught by the rustle of the curtain to the back room. [i]'Adventurer's guild'[/i]. She had worked as a volunteer for them before, helping heal up Adventurers for free for a chance to promote her potions and salves. Marissa tapped her fingers absent-mindedly against the counter as she considered peeping in to see if there was anyone she knew inside. Maybe she would watch it for a while first.