Oasis Chapter 1 Part 2

By: Mani Michelle McCarthy

When they make it to the boy's place, Nanai sits down on a chair waiting for him to do something about it.

"Have at it, I guess." - Nanai

"Okay, so I'm not much of a healer, but I've got some knowledge at least, and this should help a bit."

He starts to take out some things from his bag

"There's this herb that, if crushed, can be used as an ointment. Or a tea, so I've heard."

Then he crushed the herb and adds some water. Using a towel, he squeezes the remaining water left out.

"What's the herb" - Nanai

"Uh, I don't actually remember"

"...Really?"

"Hey, I said I wasn't much of a healer. Now we just mix it, and...Alright, smear this on your face"

"What? Go ahead."

"Do I really want to?" - Nanai

"Oh please, It Isn't poison. Just try it"

Nanai smears the ointment on his cheek when

"EW! Why does it smell?!" - Nanai

"It's medicine, not perfume. And from my experience, they've all been nasty"

"I've had plenty of medicine that smelled and tasted good." - Nanai

"Hah, then you haven't had too many kinds of medicine. And by the way, candy and sweets don't count, no matter how much you want them to."

"Please. I take a different kind every week."

While Nanai is busy fussing about the ointment being on his hands, the boy stares at him in confusion when Nanai started to complain more about having to have some weird ointment on his face.

"I definitely look worse. Starting to think i should've stuck with the swelling. It's a look" - Nanai

"Haha, yeah...Sorry about that"

"Oh, by the way, we've been talking this entire time, and I'm just realizing i have no idea what your name Is. Mine is Milo"

"I'm Nanai"

Milo began examining Nanai's face again and came to a conclusion bright and smiley.

"Hmmm... Congratulations! you're cured. Now you just keep that on there for a few hours. That should be plenty for the swelling. But if it doesn't go down by tonight, i'll be in the area for the next few days. So i can always give you...some more?" - Milo

"There's an angry lady glaring at us. Is she a friend of yours?" - Milo

When Nanai turn around to see his mother.

"Mother!" he cheered happily

"Mother?" Milo questioned.

She had long dark hair that looks as if soft and silk to the touch. Beaming yellow eyes and darkish skin just like Nanai. She was also missing her right arm but had a long thin sword hanging by her side laced with fragments of golden flowers.

"Yeah, thats her. She's been gone for a few weeks." - Nanai

"She...She looks angry." - Milo

"No she doesn't. That's how she always looks." - Nanai

Nanai's view of his mother was calming with a smile planted on her face however, Milo's view had her eyes glare at him almost as if she were to stab him with her sword and sell his organs in the black market.

"Nanai, I feel like my life is in danger." - Milo

"Haha...You're so weird." - Nani

Finally Milo was able to get at least some words of his mouth while Nanai waved continuously at his mother beaming with absolute brightness.

"H-Hello"...

"What's this?" his mom asked pointing to Nanai's cheek completely ignoring Milo

"I got punched in the face" Nanai chirped

"That's not something to be proud of"... - Milo

"And who punched you?" glancing over to Milo who was ready to take a shit in his pants

"It wasn't me."

"Yeah, he didn't do it. He gave me an ointment or something. It's for the swelling." - Nanai

"You're a healer?" she asked

"That's...Not exactly"...

"I'd hardly call him a healer. If he is we're all screwed" someone said.

"No one asked you" Milo replied back to the mystery man.

"Shoo, back to where you came from." - Milo

"The fact that you keep telling people you're a healer is why we have so many people staying with us. And its not like they pay rent. "

"We don't pay rent either. It was a one time purchase. Not a big deal." - Milo

"That's easy for you to say. It was my money. And what do you mean "go back to where you came from"? You told me-"

"So...You aren't a healer then?"

"I mean...I can be. I know a lot about it. More than most. But as for certification? No. I technically don't." - Milo

"Then...Thank you for your help. We'll be going now."

"Oh...Uh, yeah! If you need more ointment i'll be here for the next few days. So, hopefully i'll see you around."

"Bye Milo."

Nanai waved and Milo waved back as Nanai and his mother began walking further out and away from them.

"They probably left because you look perpetually pissed off." - Milo

While Nanai and his mother were walking around the town, he explained in detail about his cheek...

..."And that's how i got punched." - Nanai

"But it wasn't for nothing, at least. I got these too. And a few other things." As he

showed his mother his hand with some more earrings and piercings to add to himself.

"You shouldn't steal things, Nanai. You don't know who could be watching."

"Well, they kind of deserved it." - Nanai

"Kind off? And what determines if they deserve it?"

"They stole from geema. That's enough." - Nanai

"They take from everyone. It isn't worth the risk. Geema should know better. You both should. My point is... if you're going to do it, at least don't get caught."

..."Right. To be fair, I don't usually get caught. You just...It was a bad day for me." -

Nanai

"Ah...Then you must have many bad days. Just be careful...understand?"

"Yeah"... - Nanai

Soon they came up a set of stairs leading to their rooftop and as they arrived you could see the night sky and all the stars that filled it. Nanai the laid on his bed, resting his eyes for a moment.

"So, Nanai. I have some news."

At that said, he peered up from his bed and made way to his mother wondering what news she could have for him.

"Do you remember that old jeweller who helped you with your first earrings? You were so little when you begged to get them. I wouldn't be surprised if you forgot about him. Anyway, It's a small job, but he's paying to have something taken to his daughter. It's far north...At the border at Feiji De."

"That's..But you just got here he replied slumping back into his bed...When do you leave?" - Nanai

"We leave in two days. We'll gather the supplies we need tomorrow."

..."We?" - Nanai

"I think you're ready to start working bigger jobs with me."

Nanai smiled at the thought of travelling with his mother delivering supplies to others...until...

"On one condition" she spoke.

Tapping her shoulder she asked Nanai "Are you actually able to make the trip?"

"I'm fine. It hasn't acted up in weeks" - Nanai

Niraya being Nanai's mom couldn't help but feel worried for her son.

"I know you don't like talking about it, but...This will be a long trip, and ou can't overexert yourself anymore. If the flare-ups have been happening more often-"

"I'm fine...Its fine" - Nanai

I'm...Gonna go to the night market. I'll be back later" - Nanai

Niraya sighed as Nanai left the rooftop.