Joseph
3:00 PM
All the filth flowed downwater. The trash, wastrels, mud, and poor alike all made their homes here. But that was alright. Joseph was no stranger to a little dirt! He walked down the streets, a slight smile on his lips, and offered his services to anyone who would have him.
Sometimes it was the homeless. A festering disease of the blood could easily be purified. Then he simply had to undo the years of degenerative effects to the bone and muscles, remove the decay in her teeth, and rid the body of its various other maladies. With nothing but a touch a woman stood taller and happier than she had for years. A healthy sheen to her skin that couldn't have existed. Quite pretty. She was in such good condition that he'd have considered parting her with those limbs a few years ago. Hahahah, that was before Joseph had learned to properly work with his body! No good at all, really.
Sometimes it was the needy. Rundown houses, leaky roofs, it was easy to get sick there. Children were so vulnerable despite their adaptability. Growing out the father's long since amputated arm may have been a surprise, but it certainly seemed welcome! He trusted Joseph enough to examine the child later. It was such a treat to, really. The illnesses were so strange, but the bodies were even stranger. With blood like molten iron and skin tough as steel, it was hard to operate on him. So interesting. All the way down to bones of forged glass and yet he was still sick. After all these years the alchemist could still learn amazing, wonderful things about people. They could be so different. No, they really all were quite different. Especially in this strange city. It made his skin squirm in excitement. But, well, there was at least one thing everyone he had treated recently had in common.
None of them would be missed.
Joseph chewed over the thoughts, wondering how to pour molten blood into the husk of a chimera as he memorized faces and places alike. It just wouldn't do to forget any of this. They really were so happy sometimes.
Something rotted in him at the thought, but that was normal now. The panicked beating of his heart, the sweat on his skin as disgust welled up in him, the pain as he slowly decomposed breath by breath. His smile didn't shift at all. There was no relief, but his magic would make sure the pain would be gone for a while yet. Just a little longer.
Ah, but he had missed something! There were a few places like this, houses hidden by one sort of power or another. There was nothing saying he couldn't help. So Joseph walked up to the door and knocked politely, as anyone should. Advertising was so important these days; it really was strange. "Hello? Is anyone home? Do you need any healing? I know medical magic and will cure all your ills for free!"