Playing Hard to Get

"Just mix the powder up twice a day, apply for twenty minutes at a time, and that should clear it up in about a week," Natasha explained patiently as she accompanied a young woman from one of the backrooms. She then chatted a little with her while making a follow-up appointment to check the problem had cleared up properly and then walked her to the door.

When she was gone, Natasha turned around and then saw the young man with candy coloured hair waiting quietly.

"I am so sorry. I hope you haven't been waiting long?" she said in greeting, her very cultured tone tinged with a slight Russian accent.

"I'm afraid my receptionist is away for the day. Did you have an appointment?" Natasha, dressed in a 50s style fitted gingham black and white sheath dress and heels, inquired politely.

"Ahh, that explains why I didn't recognise you then," Natasha said as she eyed the young man openly now, looking him up and down, taking in his attire, body language, everything. And after a few seconds of this, Natasha finally broke into a smile, one that was warm and welcoming.

"I am afraid, we don't get many tourists here at Lockwood," she finally said jokingly as she closed the scheduler.

"Were you interested in alternative healing, or just curious about what we do here?" she asked pleasantly as she gestured for Sprinkles to follow her to a table off the reception area where customers could relax and have an herbal tea if they wanted.

Natasha regarded the young man for moment, then seemed to accept his words, feeling them to be truthful.

"Have a seat. I will be just a moment," she stated politely as she took some herbs, among them holy basil and chamomile and made them a relaxing herbal tea.

Coming back to the table, Natasha placed the cup of fragrant liquid in front of Sprinkles and sat down across from them. "Tea, basil and chamomile." she said, "It is safe to drink," she added, eyeing the nek0 knowingly.

"I'm Natasha Lockwood by the way, the owner of Lockwood Magica," she said introducing herself with a tiny smile after crossing her legs and sitting up straight in her chair. Old court habits never seemed to die.

Natasha nodded approvingly, quite pleased when Sprinkles appeared to appreciate the tea she had made. It was her own special blend, just slightly more basil than chamomile and just a hint of lemon balm.

"You are Sprinkles?!" she remarked, arching an eyebrow, clearly surprised by this. "My daughter, Kiyomi, has spoken quite well of you," Natasha informed him, warming quite visibly as some of her cooler more professional demeanor dropped. Any person Kiyomi saw as a friend, Natasha had decided to be welcoming to too.

"Well, alternative medicine works basically with your body. It's more specific, tailored perhaps to what your body needs and can handle than what we call "traditional" medicine, which is basically a "one cure fits all as best it can"... which is fine for a lot of people," Natasha explained, being as diplomatic as possible about modern medicine.

"However, because alternative medicine also tends to be less aggressively harmful, with fewer side effects. It can be better for those whose constitution is more delicate, or has extremely specific needs or intolerances."

"For example, you are a nek0," she stated very matter-of-factly, "and normally for a cold, I might suggest chrysanthemum tea and honey, but cats and cat-like creatures like yourself, a manticore or werecat could become quite ill from ingesting chrysanthemum and so, the better and safe better bet would be chamomile and honey."

"Of course," Natasha smiled at Sprinkles in understanding. She knew not everyone was convinced by what she did, and truthfully, she didn't expect them to be, nor did she preach about its benefits. She had seen the positive results of what she did, and that was enough for her.

"Alternative medicine isn't for everyone, but as you say, it makes more sense when more than half the population isn't quite or fully human."

Having felt a tiny and very momentary ping of envy or jealous, Natasha looked at the nek0 and wondered what had made Sprinkles feel that way.

"Yes, Kiyomi mentioned you wanted to be a journalist, and that you were on the cheer squad if I remember correctly?" Natasha explained as she looked at him for confirmation.