Rather oddly, the Glowing Point medical facility was run by and made for Divine Guardians. Places run by Divine Guardians were somewhat unusual, mostly because they were normally busy looking after Life Goddesses. This hospital seemed to be run by a collection of rather small, scaly creatures with four eyes but the patients were of all sorts of different races, about half of whom seemed mechanical. Litvir was glad that at least some of the other patients were made of flesh and bone the way he was.
“Hmph. Decayons. Uncommon here!” a blue scaly creature exclaimed as Retvik led Litvir to the accident and emergency area, not really sure where else to take him. Arkay remained on the ship, he had dropped Retvik and Litvir off at the entrance and gone and found a place to park.
“Is that a bad thing?” Retvik asked.
“Not really, no. Generally good thing. Means less Voidborns!” a green scaly creature behind a desk also exclaimed. “What is problem? You need help?”
Litvir tutted then approached the desk. “Hello, medic. We were attacked by a while Voidborn which contained an unknown corrosive liquid, some of which I got on my arm. We cleaned the liquid off with water and Amalgam Mimic saliva but it has left a lingering burning sensation on my arm.”
The green creature glanced at the blue one. The blue one frowned, then whistled. This summoned a purple creature, who teleported in from thin air.
“Is whitestuff again?”
“Yes, whitestuff.”
“On organic?”
The blue creature inspected Litvir some more. “You organic?”
“Yes. I am of flesh and bone.”
“Oh good. Come come!”
The purple creature took Litvir by the hand and led him off. It only just managed to do so, Litvir and Retvik both towered over the beings. However, when Retvik tried to follow, the green creature at the desk tutted.
“No no! You stay here! Big flame. Stay out of way.”
Retvik grunted. “You want me to wait here?”
The green creature pointed at some seats. “You wait there. Or somewhere. Out of way. Now.”
“Fine…” Retvik made his way over to one of the seats and quickly realised he was too big for them. Standing around was also a bit of a problem, so Retvik decided to just go and stand outside.
Litvir though followed the purple creature, who led him into large ward that was split up into smaller rooms via large white and blue sheets and curtains. The creature pulled a curtain to one side then nudged Litvir and told him to sit on the bed. They then disappeared briefly, then reappeared holding a bottle of some sort.
“What is that?” Litvir asked.
“Cream. Show arm, please.”
Litvir held up his arm. “I can see that. What sort of cream is it?”
“Milk cream.”
“Milk, as in, a liquid that comes from the mammaries of an animal?”
“Yes. Somewhat.”
Litvir had a lot of questions. The creature ignored Litvir though and just put a ton of cream on Litvir’s arm, then rubbed it all in. It felt very cool and calming, but Litvir could also feel his skin and plating healing, and that sensation was rather uncomfortable. The creature massaged the infected area until most of the cream was gone. It bothered Litvir that his body had absorbed whatever that cream was.
The creature though was satisfied with the results. They put some more cream on, then wrapped Litvir’s arm up in a bandage.
“Okay! All done!” the creature chirped. “Will answer questions now! But have question for you first. Was you in Perilit Straight?”
Litvir thought for a second. “Yes, that was the name of the sector.”
“Ah. Is bad there. Home to Aspfthora.”
“Home to what now?”
“White corruption. Is bad. Not too bad for us. Easy fix. Bad for mechanicals. Nomnoms them!”
“Is it actually Corruption?”
The creature shrugged. “Not sure. Is bad. But small and contained. Is not problem for us.”
“And what are all you beings?” Litvir enquired.
“What is you?”
Litvir bowed slightly. “I am a Rethavok. An armoured, intersex being that used to breathe both oxygen and nitrogen.”
“Oh!” the creature beamed. “Like us! We do those things. No armour though. Scales. We are Fteli. Made by Life Goddesses. Lots of us to help local Mothers. Many beings here serve Mothers. Mothers argued with Makers, who created the mechanicals to serve them. Was silly mess but we all friends now!”
“That is good to hear!” Litvir smiled. “That cream you used, what is it?”
“Milk cream.”
“From what animal?”
“From Mothers.”
“Well, of course. But what mothers?”
“No no. From Life Goddess Mothers!”
Litvir’s smile faded. “Oh. Life Goddess milk.”
“Yes yes! Anyway! You is fixed now! We go back outside and join your on-fire friend. Will give you cream. To put on every five hours. Then you will be fine.”
“Ah, good. Do you have a name?”
The purple creature paused. “Name?”
“Yes. Your name.”
“No. No name. Am Fteli. All Fteli. All same!”
The creature perked up, then left the room. Litvir tutted, then got up and followed. They led Litvir back into the waiting area. Retvik had clearly been watching from outside, and made his way back in as soon as he saw Litvir.
“Is everything alright?” Retvik immediately asked.
“Is all good!” the purple creature beamed.
“Do you require payment?”
The creature blinked. “Payment?”
“Yes. For fixing up my partner.”
“What? That is very silly!” the purple being chittered. They rushed off briefly, then returned with a tube of cream, which they shoved into Litvir’s hands. “We no do payments. Mothers provide for everyone!”
“Very well,” Litvir replied as he bowed to the little creatures. “I very much thank you for the assistance and the swift work.”
“Is not problem! We just do our job! Is just weird corruption, is not problem. Is easily fixed. Anyway, you go now. We have other patients.”
Litvir bowed again, and Retvik dragged him off, back outside.
“So everything is fine?”
“Supposedly. Those creatures did not seem to be concerned, so I think I am fine as well. However, the antidote for all of this is… concerning.”
“How so?” Retvik grunted as he led Litvir back to the ship, which he had spotted in the distance.
“This tube of medication here contains milk from a Life Goddess. Anyway, come along now. I want to tell Arkay that I am fine, because I can feel his anxiousness from here.”
Retvik blinked, then stared at Litvir as he walked off. But with a shake of his head and a tut, he decided to save his other questions until later, and instead just be happy that Litvir was fine.