"Nova? Hello? Can you hear me?" Raewyn spoke into her phone.
A crackling sound greeted her, followed by intermittent bursts of speech, unintelligible.
"Nova, could you repeat that?"
The static lessened.
"Hello? Raewyn? Can you hear me clearer?"
"Yes, yes I can."
"Okay. Good. I am currently unable to pass it to you, but the point is that I have already made a medicine for you."
"And you can't pass it to me because?"
"I can't tell you. Not now anyway. I left it with someone trustworthy. Go to my store. I've got a relative helping me with the store. She'll direct you to the person I passed the medicine to."
"A relative? Who?"
"A distant relative." Nova said testily. "I don't really like her. By the way, to prepare you for her appearance, she looks like a kid. Forewarned is forearmed."
"Like Alice..." The words came unbidden to her lips.
"Who?"
"No, never mind. So to your store, from there I'll go to whoever it is that you passed my life-saving drug to."
"Yes. I can't talk anymore, gotta go."
"Wait, you're in a club, aren't you?"
"How'd you know?" Her surprise was evident in her voice.
"Well, it's daylight and only clubs keep it to the level of darkness you like, even though I know aritificial light won't hurt you. Plus, the crazy music blasting in the background."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, gonna have fun now, bye!" Nova closed the connection before Raewyn could say anything else.
What an odd bloodsucker.
"She was always very cheerful. I bet she met her death with joy."
If I had a second form of existence to look forward to, I'm sure I'd meet my own with joy too.
"Uh huh." She replied absent-mindedly as she made her way through the empty street. She reached the shop quickly and stepped into its dark boundaries.
"Hello." The voice of a small child rang. "What may I do for you?"
Raewyn looked down to see a girl, short blue hair, red eyes, a whitish-pink dress and fangs, looking up at her.
"Um, hello. I'm Nova's friend? You're supposed to direct me to someone?"
"Ah. Darling November's acquaintance. Yes. What is your name?"
"Raewyn. Raewyn Aesiflay."
"I see." The girl, though she was probably much older than Nova, walked to the counter and searched about. "Ah, there it is. November asked me to pass to you this note."
"Thank you."
The note was short and simple, stating an address, a name and several words. The words were "I hope you still remember him.". The name was a single word, no last name, just Arguil.
Oh, that guy. I thought you left the whole bunch of them back a long time ago.
"Not that long ago apparently."
"I beg your pardon?"
Raewyn jolted. She hadn't realised that the girl was still looking at her.
"Nothing. Might I know your name?"
"Names are not important. However, you can call me Red."
"In that case, thank you, Red."
"You're welcome."
With the formalities dispensed, she left and headed for the next address. It was quite close and she reached the block quickly. It was decrepit and had an aura of decay. But knowing the man she sought, it was likely on purpose, though only a single apartment belonged to him in the block. The lift was jerky as she rode it up several floors and the machine seemed as if it would fall apart at any moment.
Better take the stairs when you get out.
"Agreed."
I don't like this, Raewyn. Aida said, completely uncharacteristic of her.
"It'll be fine." She ringed the doorbell and waited. The door opened slowly and a hooded and cloaked figure of similar height stood out. The figure held in the right hand a staff, the end of which was the skull of a goat or some other cattle. The figure seemed to be carrying a small bundle on its back.
"Hello, Arguil. Remember me?"
Arguil pulled back the hood, showing a haggard face with a small skull tattooed onto his right cheek. His eyes were black as charcoal and the whites were streaked with red, the result of sleep deprivation.
"Wind? Is that you?"
"Yes, you foolish necromancer. Let me in."
"If not for November's message, I wouldn't have expected you."
"Nor I you, friend. How's the guild been doing?"
"Same old. Slanel's drugs are still selling well, the Shifter's still getting paid for protection, Liryc's off to Necropolis to do some song for undead weddings, Necros, well, I don't really know what he's doing."
"As always, eh? He ever was the mysterious one."
"Yes. And then you left." His disappointment was clear in his posture and tone and evidently persisted for several years.
"Yes. And then I left."
"You had so much potential, Raewyn."
"What as? I suppose I have the guild to thank for the basic knowledge of the criminal side of things, but there was not much else."
"Now you're just another bounty hunter."
"Who is rapidly carving a reputation for being the most efficient and the best, don't forget."
"Of course. However, your visit here today is not just to reminisce about old times, but to collect something." Arguil took out a vial and handed it to her. The vial contained a milky, thick liquid that flowed smoothly. "If I may ask, what's that for?"
In response, Raewyn pulled down the top of her leather garments. There was no embarrassment in the action, they as a guild had all seen each other in various states of nudity before.
"Dark." He cursed. "What's that?"
"A growth. It's somehow caused as a by-product between me and Libys merging."
"Damn. I assume that this then is your medicine."
"Yes indeed. Nova had to make it herself."
A wailing sound originating from behind Arguil came, high-pitched and young.
He reached behind him and then pulled the bundle he was carrying to his front. The bundle was actually a baby. A baby girl. A dead baby girl, to all appearances. A crying, dead baby girl whose tiny arms were wrapped together across its chest and several large needles stuck out of its sides at odd angles. It's grey pallor and unmistakable signs of some horrid infestation in between its discoloured teeth showed its true nature as one of the living dead. Arguil cooed to it and hushed it in a manner that was common to all parents, full of love and caring, extremely weird to see in this odd situation.
"Hush now, my sweet, go to sleep, this is a friend of mine. I'll wake you up when need be, dearest."
The thing stopped its crying and, as if dully obeying orders, closed its glassy eyes.
"Huh. Your kid?"
"My grave child."
"Oh so you got your license then."
"Of course. I am an established necromancer and no proper necromancer is without a grave child. They increase our powers to heights which we could only imagine without these lovely creations."
"I see. Have fun with your kid. I guess I'll make a move now then."
"Good luck then. I do hope you'll get better."
"Thanks, Skully."
"You're welcome, Wind. No problem. Do drop by the guild when you're free, will you?" He gave her a kiss, a kiss she gladly returned. The guild had been like the elder brother she never had and her heart ached slightly as she thought of what she had left behind so very long ago.
"Oh yes, before I forget, Nova said to tell you that it's to be applied, so don't drink it, okay?"
"Got it, boss." She smiled. "Thanks again."
"Like I said, do try to meet up with the rest of us."
"I'll try." She pulled her shirt back up and left, unwillingly and reluctant, remembering her own words, took the stairs this time. It wasn't that much better. The dirt and dead pests reminded her of her time in the slums and she felt slightly claustrophobic.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Management? Sounds Like Bureaucracy
The trip wasn't going the way they had planned, Cocytus thought. This was probably a mistake, organising the whole thing. He got stabbed, a friend got blinded. Permanently, it seemed. And another person had come along to take care of them, he supposed. At least, now he and his dearest Kestrel would have some time alone.
Dream on, Master Greywing. We're never completely alone. Not anymore. Kestrel thought along their connection and he jumped. He hadn't realised that he was thinking 'out loud' to all of the others and he instantly turned red.
Kestrel chuckled and finally came out of the bathroom, looking even more beautiful to him, with her wet hair and fresh bearing. She leaned against the wall and jerked a thumb towards the bathroom.
"Your turn, Master Greywing. Maybe a good bath will finally wipe off that sad face of yours."
"Right, whatever you say, Lady Kestrel, just don't get your hopes up."
Even though the day's events were stressful, to say the least, the hot water managed to soothe his body, as it always did. It unknotted his tense muscles, though it was a shame that he had to cover his shoulder from the water. He felt refreshed and re-energised. As he dressed and headed into bed beside the love of his life, he couldn't help but wonder what Lethe was doing. He knew that he himself and Kestrel would do nothing, both sharing similar views about waiting until after marriage, but he also knew that recently Lethe was starting to be an extremely lusty person and as Solciro had put it so aptly, "insatiable" and couldn't just stick to simple kisses.
Poor Solciro. He thought to all of them, making sure Lethe especially heard him.
Up yours, Iceman. I'm the poor one, not him. She shot back quickly.
Lethe was losing herself in the sheer intimacy between herself and Solciro, who had, it seemed, finally thrown away all semblance of self-control. He didn't mind when she touched him and instead responded with greater passion. However, he still kept his clothes on and Lethe knew that he would not give in to her. She, on the other hand, had no such restrictions and guided his hands, even his mouth, about the contours of her body, enjoying the sensual movements his fingers and lips made as they felt their way and completely giving in to the pleasure that she was feeling from him. The memories came into her as soon as it came to past and it felt as though she was having the physical pleasure of two people. She shuddered in anticipation of what she might feel when the two of them finally coupled.
Styx was being a voyeur, passively tapping their minds and concentrating her weak clairvoyance towards them in an effort to create the scene in her mind, while sending off the images to whoever was amused or interested. Cocytus and Kestrel firmly declined, as did Acherus and Phlegyas, but Acheros gladly watched. He enjoyed disturbing his brother by forcing portions of their quasi-lovemaking into his mind, leaving him no choice but to partake of the 'visual feast' as he called it. Lethe was simply too caught up in the whole act to take notice of the emotions travelling back and forth among the group. She moaned, even as Solciro stuck his fingers into her and set her nerves on fire. Euphoria flooded her and filled her long after she came, Solciro continuing his vigorous movements, ignoring her perfunctionary and superficial pleas to stop. Otherwise, it wouldn't be seemly. Lunare slept, not knowing what went on in the night, as did Grei, who had crept over to lie with her, though she had woken Lunare up in the process of navigating her way across and Lunare went over to carry her up. Grei seemed so vulnerable now. Somewhat helpless, though she did her best not to seem that way. She tried to do things on her own but they would just help her anyway, save for that which she could manage.
"Grei, wake us up if you need anything, we'll help you." Lunare looked at Styx. As far as she was concerned, Styx was meditating. "I will, at any rate. I'm sure Styx will as soon as she finishes whatever she's doing." She laid Grei down on her bed and tucked herself in, lightly hugging her.
"Good sleep last night?" Raewyn asked.
"The beds were springy." Lethe grinned.
"I suppose so." She felt much too ill to take notice of their words.
"You don't look good, Raewyn. Very pale." Kestrel noted.
"Yes. I know I'm sick. I've got someone still figuring out the medicine for me though. Which is the basis of what I want to tell you. I have to leave Darksun as soon as possible. I fear that my friend may have trouble contacting me in here."
"Oh. Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Then godspeed, Raewyn. May your friend have come up with something."
"I sure hope so. Here, have my number, I guess we'll keep in touch. Nice meeting you guys."
"And you too Raewyn. Good luck."
Raewyn, having brought a bare minimum of clothing and baggage, left quickly, coughing as she went.
"Well, she sure was weird. It's only what, her second day here?"
"Yeah. You know, somehow whatever happened yesterday dampened my mood a lot."
"Somehow? It dampened all of our moods. Ugh. I don't really feel like wandering around the whole place and having fun."
"It's hard to have fun now." Phlegyas agreed. "How now, Grei?"
She was curled around him as usual and she slid slightly about him at the mention of her name.
Phlegyas responded, "She doesn't really want to use her voice, but she says that she's not exactly fit to be our guide anymore, so we've got to go find Management? Then they'll decide."
"Oh Archon, so, now Grei, you've lost your job too...I'm so sorry..."
Grei shifted uncomfortably, rubbing against Phlegyas' neck.
"She really doesn't think any of us are to blame. The phrase she's thinking of is 'victim of circumstance'."
"I'm still guilty nonetheless." Styx said.
Grei made a small sound.
"What did she do?" Cocytus asked blankly.
"She sighed." Phlegyas grinned. "She finds you as exasperating as I. At any rate we still have to go find Management. Incidents like these have to be reported."
Dream on, Master Greywing. We're never completely alone. Not anymore. Kestrel thought along their connection and he jumped. He hadn't realised that he was thinking 'out loud' to all of the others and he instantly turned red.
Kestrel chuckled and finally came out of the bathroom, looking even more beautiful to him, with her wet hair and fresh bearing. She leaned against the wall and jerked a thumb towards the bathroom.
"Your turn, Master Greywing. Maybe a good bath will finally wipe off that sad face of yours."
"Right, whatever you say, Lady Kestrel, just don't get your hopes up."
Even though the day's events were stressful, to say the least, the hot water managed to soothe his body, as it always did. It unknotted his tense muscles, though it was a shame that he had to cover his shoulder from the water. He felt refreshed and re-energised. As he dressed and headed into bed beside the love of his life, he couldn't help but wonder what Lethe was doing. He knew that he himself and Kestrel would do nothing, both sharing similar views about waiting until after marriage, but he also knew that recently Lethe was starting to be an extremely lusty person and as Solciro had put it so aptly, "insatiable" and couldn't just stick to simple kisses.
Poor Solciro. He thought to all of them, making sure Lethe especially heard him.
Up yours, Iceman. I'm the poor one, not him. She shot back quickly.
Lethe was losing herself in the sheer intimacy between herself and Solciro, who had, it seemed, finally thrown away all semblance of self-control. He didn't mind when she touched him and instead responded with greater passion. However, he still kept his clothes on and Lethe knew that he would not give in to her. She, on the other hand, had no such restrictions and guided his hands, even his mouth, about the contours of her body, enjoying the sensual movements his fingers and lips made as they felt their way and completely giving in to the pleasure that she was feeling from him. The memories came into her as soon as it came to past and it felt as though she was having the physical pleasure of two people. She shuddered in anticipation of what she might feel when the two of them finally coupled.
Styx was being a voyeur, passively tapping their minds and concentrating her weak clairvoyance towards them in an effort to create the scene in her mind, while sending off the images to whoever was amused or interested. Cocytus and Kestrel firmly declined, as did Acherus and Phlegyas, but Acheros gladly watched. He enjoyed disturbing his brother by forcing portions of their quasi-lovemaking into his mind, leaving him no choice but to partake of the 'visual feast' as he called it. Lethe was simply too caught up in the whole act to take notice of the emotions travelling back and forth among the group. She moaned, even as Solciro stuck his fingers into her and set her nerves on fire. Euphoria flooded her and filled her long after she came, Solciro continuing his vigorous movements, ignoring her perfunctionary and superficial pleas to stop. Otherwise, it wouldn't be seemly. Lunare slept, not knowing what went on in the night, as did Grei, who had crept over to lie with her, though she had woken Lunare up in the process of navigating her way across and Lunare went over to carry her up. Grei seemed so vulnerable now. Somewhat helpless, though she did her best not to seem that way. She tried to do things on her own but they would just help her anyway, save for that which she could manage.
"Grei, wake us up if you need anything, we'll help you." Lunare looked at Styx. As far as she was concerned, Styx was meditating. "I will, at any rate. I'm sure Styx will as soon as she finishes whatever she's doing." She laid Grei down on her bed and tucked herself in, lightly hugging her.
"Good sleep last night?" Raewyn asked.
"The beds were springy." Lethe grinned.
"I suppose so." She felt much too ill to take notice of their words.
"You don't look good, Raewyn. Very pale." Kestrel noted.
"Yes. I know I'm sick. I've got someone still figuring out the medicine for me though. Which is the basis of what I want to tell you. I have to leave Darksun as soon as possible. I fear that my friend may have trouble contacting me in here."
"Oh. Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Then godspeed, Raewyn. May your friend have come up with something."
"I sure hope so. Here, have my number, I guess we'll keep in touch. Nice meeting you guys."
"And you too Raewyn. Good luck."
Raewyn, having brought a bare minimum of clothing and baggage, left quickly, coughing as she went.
"Well, she sure was weird. It's only what, her second day here?"
"Yeah. You know, somehow whatever happened yesterday dampened my mood a lot."
"Somehow? It dampened all of our moods. Ugh. I don't really feel like wandering around the whole place and having fun."
"It's hard to have fun now." Phlegyas agreed. "How now, Grei?"
She was curled around him as usual and she slid slightly about him at the mention of her name.
Phlegyas responded, "She doesn't really want to use her voice, but she says that she's not exactly fit to be our guide anymore, so we've got to go find Management? Then they'll decide."
"Oh Archon, so, now Grei, you've lost your job too...I'm so sorry..."
Grei shifted uncomfortably, rubbing against Phlegyas' neck.
"She really doesn't think any of us are to blame. The phrase she's thinking of is 'victim of circumstance'."
"I'm still guilty nonetheless." Styx said.
Grei made a small sound.
"What did she do?" Cocytus asked blankly.
"She sighed." Phlegyas grinned. "She finds you as exasperating as I. At any rate we still have to go find Management. Incidents like these have to be reported."
Monday, January 3, 2011
Injuries, Injuries, Injuries
The interior was a bright and harsh white, sterile and functional. The doctor carefully laid Grei on a table, the others standing by the side.
"Now then, you are Grei, yes? Just keep still and relax." He examined her eyes. "A bullet went through both of your eyes from the side." She shuddered slightly but otherwise kept quiet. He moved from her eyes to the rest of her body. After awhile, he went to talk to the group.
"Doctor, what's the situation? Can you restore her eyesight?"
"The only thing that saved her life was the fact that pseudodragons have their brains further back along the head, unlike us humanoids. The bullet went right through her eyes and all that can be done is to plug the wound. I'm afraid her eyes are permanently destroyed. The parts that we cannot grow back are destroyed. There is virtually nothing left of her eyes. Apart from that, she has no other injuries."
"Are you sure that there's nothing that can be done for her eyes?" Cocytus asked.
"Unless you want to graft a set of eyes for her, her original eyes are gone. And to the best of my knowledge, no artificial eyes that can be adapted for pseudodragons have been created. Now then, young man, your shoulder looks more immediate. Your friend's eyes are destroyed but she will not die. Consider her lucky." The doctor sat Cocytus onto a chair and went through the same full-body diagnosis.
"Hmm, I recognise those wounds. They are made from a katara, yes?"
"How did you know?"
"Those brigands have been growing bolder and bolder day by day. They used to be one of those small street gangs in the areas that people hardly ever frequent here in Darksun. The one who stabbed you with a katara, he had two, right? And it was very masterwork, obsidian blades?"
"Yes. That's the one."
"He's a monster, he is. I don't know what he is, but around these parts, he's known as the Twin." The doctor said, as he removed the crude bandages that they had put on his wound. "He's notorious for being in multiple places at a time, but if you ask me, he's the Twin because there are two of them. That's the most I've ever heard of at the same time. Good dressing you kids did, the bleeding was stopped effectively. Now, let's see what I can do for you."
The doctor cleaned, stitched up the wound and reapplied a bandaged over the shoulder, this one neater and tighter.
"Hold it up for me, will you?"
The doctor reached for several hooks to secure the bandage and saw Cocytus' hand holding up the end of the bandage. Specifically, he saw Cocytus' wrist.
"Archon. What is that?" The doctor quickly secured the bandage and took his hand.
"It's nothing, doctor."
"Is that.. that looks like your veins. Is it?"
"No, sir, just a little cosmetic accessory I wear." Cocytus pulled his hand away.
The doctor looked somewhat embarrassed.
"Ah, yes, of course, pardon me for my rudeness. Back to your injuries. You've got bruises on your shins and the hinds of your legs. Nothing too serious, but I'll prescribe some oinments for you. Use icepacks to lessen the swelling, simple stuff like that."
"Got it, doctor."
"Does anyone else have any injuries to declare?"
"Does emotional stress count?"
"Go see a psychiatrist for that. Any other physical injuries?"
"Nope."
"Then you kids go out to the waiting room. I've gotta clear up your friend's eyes."
They hesitated and then nodded.
The doctor came out of the room some time later with Grei perched on his shoulder. She had a white bandage over her head, obscuring her injury and seemed very unstable on the doctor's shoulder.
"Grei... Are you okay?"
"Better.." She croaked roughly. "I feel like I'm going to fall."
"Pseudodragons depend quite a lot on their sense of sight to stabilise themselves." The doctor explained. "Your friend's gonna need a lot of help from you guys."
"I'm so sorry, Grei, please forgive me." Styx said, exuding guilt with every word.
"Never mind that, Styx. I was your guide, I should have known we'd get mugged. I shouldn't have suggested it in the first place. I brought this on myself."
Before Styx could argue the point, Kestrel asked, "Was? Aren't you still our guide?"
Grei made an odd, repetitive sound. It dawned on them that she was chuckling.
"The blind leading those with sight? It'd be like a fool leading the wise. Though the wise wouldn't be all that wise if they wanted a fool to lead them."
Kestrel stared at her blankly, not comprehending her Draconic. "Acherus, what did she say?"
"She says we're fools for asking a blind person to lead us."
The doctor slowly lifted her off his shoulder and handed her over carefully. He moved away to tend to another patient.
"Right. Let's go pay and get the medicine." Raewyn said, prodding them to action.
Grei curled around Phlegyas as before, seeming to treat his warm body as a refuge.
They booked four rooms, two for each couple, Phlegyas and Acheron in one, the last for Lunare, Styx and Grei. Their rooms were right beside Raewyn's, who was determined to ensure that they were perfectly fine.
Who knew you had such potential to be a mother. Libys chuckled.
"Shut up." She mumbled in reply, too caught up in the examination of her own body. The taint had grown even further, completely encompassing the upper region of her right torso, spreading down her right arm, and her neck was almost totally covered. The growth on her back was faster and had already started to touch her left shoulder as well as covering at least half of her spine.
Raewyn. Calm down. Nova will contact us soon and you know it. She's bound to come up with something to stop this thing.
"It's already spread so far! What if it can only halt the growth? It's already covered up so much of my body, unless she can completely remove it, I'll forever be marked!" She was distressed, and rightly so.
Just keep calm. In the end, it'll all be okay. In her mind's eye, Raewyn could see Libys shaking his head ruefully. He was an optimist to the core, a major failing in a demon.
We'll just get back as soon as possible.
"But.."
You don't want to leave these kids.
"I never said that!"
No, but everything about you indicated that. I'm your skin, Raewyn, I should know very well what your intentions are. Generally anyway.
"I don't know.. I feel.."
You've grown attached to them. Funny.
She sighed. "I guess I just don't want to let them get hurt anymore. I've already caused Grei to lose her sight, I don't intend to make things worse for them."
I don't believe this. Raewyn Aesiflay is developing a conscience. Just great. What happened to the good old self-serving you? You may not want to make things worse for them, but what about yourself? If you don't return back and get Nova to hurry up, you're gonna die. As it stands, you're already sicker than a brothel full of prostitutes.
Despite her current circumstances, Raewyn could not help but smile at Libys' corrupt simile.
"Now then, you are Grei, yes? Just keep still and relax." He examined her eyes. "A bullet went through both of your eyes from the side." She shuddered slightly but otherwise kept quiet. He moved from her eyes to the rest of her body. After awhile, he went to talk to the group.
"Doctor, what's the situation? Can you restore her eyesight?"
"The only thing that saved her life was the fact that pseudodragons have their brains further back along the head, unlike us humanoids. The bullet went right through her eyes and all that can be done is to plug the wound. I'm afraid her eyes are permanently destroyed. The parts that we cannot grow back are destroyed. There is virtually nothing left of her eyes. Apart from that, she has no other injuries."
"Are you sure that there's nothing that can be done for her eyes?" Cocytus asked.
"Unless you want to graft a set of eyes for her, her original eyes are gone. And to the best of my knowledge, no artificial eyes that can be adapted for pseudodragons have been created. Now then, young man, your shoulder looks more immediate. Your friend's eyes are destroyed but she will not die. Consider her lucky." The doctor sat Cocytus onto a chair and went through the same full-body diagnosis.
"Hmm, I recognise those wounds. They are made from a katara, yes?"
"How did you know?"
"Those brigands have been growing bolder and bolder day by day. They used to be one of those small street gangs in the areas that people hardly ever frequent here in Darksun. The one who stabbed you with a katara, he had two, right? And it was very masterwork, obsidian blades?"
"Yes. That's the one."
"He's a monster, he is. I don't know what he is, but around these parts, he's known as the Twin." The doctor said, as he removed the crude bandages that they had put on his wound. "He's notorious for being in multiple places at a time, but if you ask me, he's the Twin because there are two of them. That's the most I've ever heard of at the same time. Good dressing you kids did, the bleeding was stopped effectively. Now, let's see what I can do for you."
The doctor cleaned, stitched up the wound and reapplied a bandaged over the shoulder, this one neater and tighter.
"Hold it up for me, will you?"
The doctor reached for several hooks to secure the bandage and saw Cocytus' hand holding up the end of the bandage. Specifically, he saw Cocytus' wrist.
"Archon. What is that?" The doctor quickly secured the bandage and took his hand.
"It's nothing, doctor."
"Is that.. that looks like your veins. Is it?"
"No, sir, just a little cosmetic accessory I wear." Cocytus pulled his hand away.
The doctor looked somewhat embarrassed.
"Ah, yes, of course, pardon me for my rudeness. Back to your injuries. You've got bruises on your shins and the hinds of your legs. Nothing too serious, but I'll prescribe some oinments for you. Use icepacks to lessen the swelling, simple stuff like that."
"Got it, doctor."
"Does anyone else have any injuries to declare?"
"Does emotional stress count?"
"Go see a psychiatrist for that. Any other physical injuries?"
"Nope."
"Then you kids go out to the waiting room. I've gotta clear up your friend's eyes."
They hesitated and then nodded.
The doctor came out of the room some time later with Grei perched on his shoulder. She had a white bandage over her head, obscuring her injury and seemed very unstable on the doctor's shoulder.
"Grei... Are you okay?"
"Better.." She croaked roughly. "I feel like I'm going to fall."
"Pseudodragons depend quite a lot on their sense of sight to stabilise themselves." The doctor explained. "Your friend's gonna need a lot of help from you guys."
"I'm so sorry, Grei, please forgive me." Styx said, exuding guilt with every word.
"Never mind that, Styx. I was your guide, I should have known we'd get mugged. I shouldn't have suggested it in the first place. I brought this on myself."
Before Styx could argue the point, Kestrel asked, "Was? Aren't you still our guide?"
Grei made an odd, repetitive sound. It dawned on them that she was chuckling.
"The blind leading those with sight? It'd be like a fool leading the wise. Though the wise wouldn't be all that wise if they wanted a fool to lead them."
Kestrel stared at her blankly, not comprehending her Draconic. "Acherus, what did she say?"
"She says we're fools for asking a blind person to lead us."
The doctor slowly lifted her off his shoulder and handed her over carefully. He moved away to tend to another patient.
"Right. Let's go pay and get the medicine." Raewyn said, prodding them to action.
Grei curled around Phlegyas as before, seeming to treat his warm body as a refuge.
They booked four rooms, two for each couple, Phlegyas and Acheron in one, the last for Lunare, Styx and Grei. Their rooms were right beside Raewyn's, who was determined to ensure that they were perfectly fine.
Who knew you had such potential to be a mother. Libys chuckled.
"Shut up." She mumbled in reply, too caught up in the examination of her own body. The taint had grown even further, completely encompassing the upper region of her right torso, spreading down her right arm, and her neck was almost totally covered. The growth on her back was faster and had already started to touch her left shoulder as well as covering at least half of her spine.
Raewyn. Calm down. Nova will contact us soon and you know it. She's bound to come up with something to stop this thing.
"It's already spread so far! What if it can only halt the growth? It's already covered up so much of my body, unless she can completely remove it, I'll forever be marked!" She was distressed, and rightly so.
Just keep calm. In the end, it'll all be okay. In her mind's eye, Raewyn could see Libys shaking his head ruefully. He was an optimist to the core, a major failing in a demon.
We'll just get back as soon as possible.
"But.."
You don't want to leave these kids.
"I never said that!"
No, but everything about you indicated that. I'm your skin, Raewyn, I should know very well what your intentions are. Generally anyway.
"I don't know.. I feel.."
You've grown attached to them. Funny.
She sighed. "I guess I just don't want to let them get hurt anymore. I've already caused Grei to lose her sight, I don't intend to make things worse for them."
I don't believe this. Raewyn Aesiflay is developing a conscience. Just great. What happened to the good old self-serving you? You may not want to make things worse for them, but what about yourself? If you don't return back and get Nova to hurry up, you're gonna die. As it stands, you're already sicker than a brothel full of prostitutes.
Despite her current circumstances, Raewyn could not help but smile at Libys' corrupt simile.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Ein.
I.
We were looking at the skies, counting the infinite passing clouds, the only things keeping our heads up; maybe that’s why they said we had our heads in the clouds, like every other dreamer. The clouds are part of our world. They never die, they never leave. They are permanent, infallible, unconditional, and eternal- like how true friendship was supposed to be, a real dream.
One day we will leave each other, perhaps we already have. You left me in the world of lost friendship to fend for myself and my world of clouds. Like the skies, we were always unpredictable; we wear different masks everyday, just simply for the moment. The slight difference made a true break; we are not infinite like the clouds of yesterday, today and tomorrow, we never were, never will be. Maybe by chance, we will float by each other but recognition is no longer a part of my dictionary.
II.
It was a chemical reaction, an idea for the sensibilities, the instant collision of two stars, once believed to be happening once in an eternity. Like the pendulum effect, we are connected, linked, and inseparable. The threads of time pull us towards each other, locking us in an eternal bond. Have you heard, my dear, the people who love you never really leave?
The threads of time spread far and wide, linking yesterday with today and today with tomorrow, connecting you and me with the soft beats in our hearts, synchronized, memorized, decoded. What happens when you leave permanently, maybe the world will end on my behalf, and maybe the sun will never rise again? The thought of “maybe” alone is heart wrenching, it’s like staring at a sea of stars, fervently trying to count them all, holding a hidden know that you will never be done, infinite. Infinite stars, infinite possibilities. It’s like shivering in awe of the unknown, the fear, the anxiety, and yet, the conviction that even if everything turns to stardust, we can never be apart.
This is the first of a random series of poems that lost their verses. :/
We were looking at the skies, counting the infinite passing clouds, the only things keeping our heads up; maybe that’s why they said we had our heads in the clouds, like every other dreamer. The clouds are part of our world. They never die, they never leave. They are permanent, infallible, unconditional, and eternal- like how true friendship was supposed to be, a real dream.
One day we will leave each other, perhaps we already have. You left me in the world of lost friendship to fend for myself and my world of clouds. Like the skies, we were always unpredictable; we wear different masks everyday, just simply for the moment. The slight difference made a true break; we are not infinite like the clouds of yesterday, today and tomorrow, we never were, never will be. Maybe by chance, we will float by each other but recognition is no longer a part of my dictionary.
II.
It was a chemical reaction, an idea for the sensibilities, the instant collision of two stars, once believed to be happening once in an eternity. Like the pendulum effect, we are connected, linked, and inseparable. The threads of time pull us towards each other, locking us in an eternal bond. Have you heard, my dear, the people who love you never really leave?
The threads of time spread far and wide, linking yesterday with today and today with tomorrow, connecting you and me with the soft beats in our hearts, synchronized, memorized, decoded. What happens when you leave permanently, maybe the world will end on my behalf, and maybe the sun will never rise again? The thought of “maybe” alone is heart wrenching, it’s like staring at a sea of stars, fervently trying to count them all, holding a hidden know that you will never be done, infinite. Infinite stars, infinite possibilities. It’s like shivering in awe of the unknown, the fear, the anxiety, and yet, the conviction that even if everything turns to stardust, we can never be apart.
This is the first of a random series of poems that lost their verses. :/
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Dark And Empty
Raewyn sat in the lounge of the luxurious Castan Hotel and lifted another glass to her lips.
You came all the way to the Darksun Carnival to drink.
"Yes.." Raewyn murmured unsteadily.
You could have drunk at home.
"I don't have any Kylmiri icewine at home." She took another draught.
Rarer by the plague eh? Since we're here, why don't you go and have some fun? Wasn't that your plan?
"Nothing like alcohol..." Raewyn's eyes were glazed and unfocused.
Don't tell me I have to metabolise it for you again.
"No.. Don't.. I'll sleep it off.."
You're turning into an alcoholic.
"I feel less sick when I drink..."
Libys forced Raewyn up, controlling her body and steering her back into her room.
Feeling better yet?
"Yes. Better. Thanks. I'm... sorry, Libys."
That's a first. You've never apologised to me before.
"Yes, well, no need to further crush my dignity."
So now you're going to go out and relax.
"That's the plan." Raewyn agreed.
Of course. Where then, do you- Raewyn. Don't bring it along.
"It makes me feel better. I feel less ill." She ignored him and put a flask into one of the pockets of her cloak.
You're not helping yourself.
"If I feel better, I can operate better."
You'll get drunk.
"It's a carnival."
So?
"Just shut up."
She headed out and turned away from the main street into a small alley. She heard a small commotion just past the turn ahead.
"Odd. The main part of the city's further than that."
Carnival. It's a carnival.
"It's a city. A carnival in name."
As she turned around, she saw the source of the disturbance. It seemed like a classic robbery scene. There were three people with their lower face covered, two holding guns and one holding a katara in one hand with another sheathed on his belt. The katara was a blade that was held in a position which favoured punching, street slang giving it the famous name of 'punch dagger'. It was widely recognised by its distinctive 'H'-shaped handle, three feet long on average. These looked as if they were of a high worksmanship, with its plain, yet exquisite obsidian handle and a blade of what looked like amethyst streaked through with lines of ruby and sapphire. Expensive. And likely deadly. They were facing a group of teenagers, probably around their eighteens or so. There were eight of them, four of each gender and a pseudodragon perched on one of their heads, the tallest guy there. The robbers were smart and were standing a short distance away from them, just out of their range save for the one with the kataras. As she watched, one of the females placed a small bag on the ground. She made to kick it to the robbers and at that moment when all eyes were on her, one of the teenagers quickly stepped forward and tried to punch the robber. The katara-wielder sidestepped and, without hesitation, stabbed his shoulder. He managed to parry and the blow went wide, but before he could do anything else, the robber kicked the teen's shin and rapidly followed up with another blow to the back of his leg. He fell to the floor and Raewyn heard a cry from one of the females. Evidently a girlfriend. Raewyn heard the person say, in a metallic voice, "Anyone else?". He was using a device to change his voice then.
Raewyn, stop, don't! It's not your fight!
Raewyn unsheathed Aida as she sprinted forward, not using her chain-morningstar for the first time. The two gunners saw nothing as she masked her presence from them. The one with the blades, however, has narrowed his eyes and sniffed. He turned and stabbed towards her just as she dodged to the side. To everyone else, it had seemed that he had overreacted and attacked thin air. Another of the teens, a dimunitive female, crouched down and concentrated. The two gunners quickly turned their guns on her while the third sniffed the air once more, seeming to able to sense Raewyn. He drew his second katara and looked directly at Raewyn.
He can see through your glamour!
Raewyn quickly took stock of the situation. The two gunners weren't shooting at the smaller girl yet, but they might at any moment. Raewyn ignored the man as he charged at her and she quickly ran towards the other two gunners.
"Hey boss, where ya' going?" was all the man managed just before the smaller girl leaped at him, teeth bared in an extremely primitive, savage and utterly unsettling way. But it wasn't the smaller girl, was it? She was still crouching there. But then this barbaric lookalike, who was she? The girl, no, her cruel mirror image, bit through the first gunner's throat. The second gunner was shot at her but his shots went straight through. He quickly aimed at the still crouching girl and fired. The bullet connected not with the short girl but rather, with the tallest guy, the one who still had the pseudodragon clinging on to him tightly. He fell, blood spurting out from the wound in his chest.
Raewyn saw all this and turned around. She was vaguely aware of the other teens yelling and running to aid the guy. A second shot sounded. A shriek of pain. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the feral version of the girl pounce upon the last gunner. Directly in front of her, the last robber raised an eyebrow and stabbed with lightning speed. Raewyn's response was just as fast and she raised Aida to block.
Ah, a battle, finally!
Raewyn did not share her enthusiasm as much and quickly attacked. He matched her blow for blow and his eyes flashed. She quickly jumped backwards, something the man didn't expect and she quickly intoned several syllables. Several iridiscent bolts flew from her free hand towards the man and he stumbled backwards as they flew through his face, blinding him temporarily. Her glamour dissipating with the spell, Raewyn pressed her advantage and attacked. He laughed and somehow managed to block her strike and followed up with a counterattack.
How did he see you? He couldn't see anything!
His smell! He relies on his sense of smell!
Raewyn let loose another spell, this one punching several bloody holes in his chest. He stumbled backwards and pulled down his mask, spitting out bloody saliva. He snarled, seemingly no less feral than the girl and turned and ran. Raewyn picked up a gun and started firing at his retreating figure but she missed every shot and threw the gun down in disgust. She walked over to the teens, who were tending to their friend.
"Are you kids okay?"
"Phlegyas isn't. He was shot in the heart, Archon curse it!"
"He's dead." The girl's voice was hollow.
"Are... you sure, Styx?"
"Yes." She slumped down beside the aforementioned Phlegyas and started crying. The rest of her friends looked equally shattered. Suddenly, Styx stopped crying and reached over to the dead kid, Phlegyas.
"Phlegyas? Phlegyas? You're alive!"
He stirred and reached for his heart.
"Ugh... My chest is itching."
Tears rolling down her cheek, Styx hugged him fiercely.
"Woah, Styxie, not so tight, can't breathe." He seemed somewhat confused.
The others stared, as did Raewyn.
"Hells, Phlegyas, you took a bullet to your heart! You died!"
"I feel better now." One of the teens, a Cain, tore open his shirt.
"Hey, Acherus, why'd you rip my shirt!" Phlegyas' voice was indignant and Raewyn could only stare.
His chest was bare. There was no sign at all of the fatal wound he had just received.
"Are you sure I got shot? It don't look like that to me."
Raewyn looked at each of them in turn. "How the hells did he manage to heal instantly from a fatal wound?"
Their attention was back on her.
"I... don't know ma'am, but we are grateful for your help. If not for your intervention, we could not have escaped relatively unscathed. Compared to them." Styx gestured towards the dead gunners.
"And you." Raewyn continued as if Styx had not spoken. "There were two of you. But the other you was savage. Feral. Barbaric. Primitive. What in the Archon's name did you two do?"
"Nothing."
Come on, Rae, do you really expect them to reveal their secrets about themselves to a complete stranger?
"Alright. Never mind. You kids watch yourself, okay? Wait, what happened to the pseudodragon?"
"Grei!" They looked about and saw the frightened guide lay on a pipe at the side. The Cain went closer first.
"Grei? Are you okay?"
The pipe was stained with an odd fluid. As Acherus touched the liquid, a horrible realisation dawned upon him.
"Grei! Grei!"
He quickly channeled small amounts of energy at her, unsure as to where her wounds were located. The guide moved her head slightly.
"Grei! Are you okay?" Acherus lifted his hand up and touched her face.
Impressions flooded him, darkness, pain, despair, fear.
"It's okay now, Grei. It's okay now. They're gone now."
She spoke suddenly, rapidly, so fast that he had trouble understanding her.
"Slow down, I can't understand you. Speak slowly, Grei. Relax."
Her tone was desperate and urgent. "What time is it? Is it night time already? How long have I been unconscious?"
"No, Grei, it wasn't very long, just maybe, fifteen minutes at most."
She started frantically clawing everything within her reach, scrabbling about.
"Woah, Grei, what're you doing?"
"I can't see! I can't see anything! It's all dark! Save me, I can't see! I'm blind! I can't see! Dark and empty! It's all cold and dark and I can't see anything! They shot my eyes! I can't see, I can't see!" She shrieked pitifully in rapid-fire Draconian.
Kestrel put her hands to her mouth. Acherus quickly examined her eyes and slowly shook his head.
"Nothing I can do. We need to get her to a doctor. Now." His voice shook slightly and he took several deep breaths.
"Take this. Use it for any bills. I should have been faster. I could have prevented all this." Raewyn held her hands to her face in guilt.
"It wasn't your fault either ma'am."
"Hells yes, it was. Your friend was the one who killed the two gunmen. I couldn't even kill that third guy. I could have been faster, I could have-" She coughed violently.
"With all due respect ma'am, you did what you could. And you don't look too good either." Cocytus said.
"Don't call me ma'am, I'm not that much older than you guys. And how's that shoulder holding up? It looked like one hell of a stab. I'm Raewyn."
They introduced themselves.
"No wonder you two looked so familiar. The two scions of the Terra family. I'm a noble myself."
"Really?"
"House Aesiflay. Glad to be of assistance."
"You're the Aesiflay? Raewyn Aesiflay? Sole inheritor of the entire Aesiflay fortune? The one who disappeared from public view?"
"Yes."
"You... You apprenticed under Karasondrias, right?"
"Hey, how do you know that? The press never said no nothing."
"Parents. Kara teaches us History."
"I think we'll chat later. We have to get Grei to the doctor." She had slowly kept quiet, withdrawing into herself, not responding to their words. But they could see her shaking. With fear, with anger, they did not know. As they put her onto Phlegyas' shoulder, they could hear her mumbling, "Dark, all dark. Blind forever. I'm blind. It's so cold. Dark and empty. Eyes gone. I can't see anything."
"Archon, my heart really goes out to her. She's blind all because I... just because I wanted to take a damned shortcut. Grei... I'm so sorry." Styx said, head buried in her hands.
"Styx, nobody could have known we would have gotten mugged. It isn't your fault."
"You jumped in front of me to protect me."
"And that bullet hit me."
"He fired again. It hit Grei instead. It's all my fault. Now she's blind."
"It's not your fault, Styx, relax."
"She's fucking blind! How the hells do I relax! She's blind all because of me!" Styx shouted.
"Don't be so arrogant as to claim all the blame. I could have moved faster. I could have. But I didn't. It's over now. I can't do anything about it except move on." Raewyn said quietly. "Calmed down? Good. Now, which hotel do you guys stay at?"
Phlegyas spoke up, "Grei wanted to bring us to the Castan Hotel. We don't know how to get there."
"That's where I've got a room. I'll take all of you guys later after the doctors treat her."
You came all the way to the Darksun Carnival to drink.
"Yes.." Raewyn murmured unsteadily.
You could have drunk at home.
"I don't have any Kylmiri icewine at home." She took another draught.
Rarer by the plague eh? Since we're here, why don't you go and have some fun? Wasn't that your plan?
"Nothing like alcohol..." Raewyn's eyes were glazed and unfocused.
Don't tell me I have to metabolise it for you again.
"No.. Don't.. I'll sleep it off.."
You're turning into an alcoholic.
"I feel less sick when I drink..."
Libys forced Raewyn up, controlling her body and steering her back into her room.
Feeling better yet?
"Yes. Better. Thanks. I'm... sorry, Libys."
That's a first. You've never apologised to me before.
"Yes, well, no need to further crush my dignity."
So now you're going to go out and relax.
"That's the plan." Raewyn agreed.
Of course. Where then, do you- Raewyn. Don't bring it along.
"It makes me feel better. I feel less ill." She ignored him and put a flask into one of the pockets of her cloak.
You're not helping yourself.
"If I feel better, I can operate better."
You'll get drunk.
"It's a carnival."
So?
"Just shut up."
She headed out and turned away from the main street into a small alley. She heard a small commotion just past the turn ahead.
"Odd. The main part of the city's further than that."
Carnival. It's a carnival.
"It's a city. A carnival in name."
As she turned around, she saw the source of the disturbance. It seemed like a classic robbery scene. There were three people with their lower face covered, two holding guns and one holding a katara in one hand with another sheathed on his belt. The katara was a blade that was held in a position which favoured punching, street slang giving it the famous name of 'punch dagger'. It was widely recognised by its distinctive 'H'-shaped handle, three feet long on average. These looked as if they were of a high worksmanship, with its plain, yet exquisite obsidian handle and a blade of what looked like amethyst streaked through with lines of ruby and sapphire. Expensive. And likely deadly. They were facing a group of teenagers, probably around their eighteens or so. There were eight of them, four of each gender and a pseudodragon perched on one of their heads, the tallest guy there. The robbers were smart and were standing a short distance away from them, just out of their range save for the one with the kataras. As she watched, one of the females placed a small bag on the ground. She made to kick it to the robbers and at that moment when all eyes were on her, one of the teenagers quickly stepped forward and tried to punch the robber. The katara-wielder sidestepped and, without hesitation, stabbed his shoulder. He managed to parry and the blow went wide, but before he could do anything else, the robber kicked the teen's shin and rapidly followed up with another blow to the back of his leg. He fell to the floor and Raewyn heard a cry from one of the females. Evidently a girlfriend. Raewyn heard the person say, in a metallic voice, "Anyone else?". He was using a device to change his voice then.
Raewyn, stop, don't! It's not your fight!
Raewyn unsheathed Aida as she sprinted forward, not using her chain-morningstar for the first time. The two gunners saw nothing as she masked her presence from them. The one with the blades, however, has narrowed his eyes and sniffed. He turned and stabbed towards her just as she dodged to the side. To everyone else, it had seemed that he had overreacted and attacked thin air. Another of the teens, a dimunitive female, crouched down and concentrated. The two gunners quickly turned their guns on her while the third sniffed the air once more, seeming to able to sense Raewyn. He drew his second katara and looked directly at Raewyn.
He can see through your glamour!
Raewyn quickly took stock of the situation. The two gunners weren't shooting at the smaller girl yet, but they might at any moment. Raewyn ignored the man as he charged at her and she quickly ran towards the other two gunners.
"Hey boss, where ya' going?" was all the man managed just before the smaller girl leaped at him, teeth bared in an extremely primitive, savage and utterly unsettling way. But it wasn't the smaller girl, was it? She was still crouching there. But then this barbaric lookalike, who was she? The girl, no, her cruel mirror image, bit through the first gunner's throat. The second gunner was shot at her but his shots went straight through. He quickly aimed at the still crouching girl and fired. The bullet connected not with the short girl but rather, with the tallest guy, the one who still had the pseudodragon clinging on to him tightly. He fell, blood spurting out from the wound in his chest.
Raewyn saw all this and turned around. She was vaguely aware of the other teens yelling and running to aid the guy. A second shot sounded. A shriek of pain. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the feral version of the girl pounce upon the last gunner. Directly in front of her, the last robber raised an eyebrow and stabbed with lightning speed. Raewyn's response was just as fast and she raised Aida to block.
Ah, a battle, finally!
Raewyn did not share her enthusiasm as much and quickly attacked. He matched her blow for blow and his eyes flashed. She quickly jumped backwards, something the man didn't expect and she quickly intoned several syllables. Several iridiscent bolts flew from her free hand towards the man and he stumbled backwards as they flew through his face, blinding him temporarily. Her glamour dissipating with the spell, Raewyn pressed her advantage and attacked. He laughed and somehow managed to block her strike and followed up with a counterattack.
How did he see you? He couldn't see anything!
His smell! He relies on his sense of smell!
Raewyn let loose another spell, this one punching several bloody holes in his chest. He stumbled backwards and pulled down his mask, spitting out bloody saliva. He snarled, seemingly no less feral than the girl and turned and ran. Raewyn picked up a gun and started firing at his retreating figure but she missed every shot and threw the gun down in disgust. She walked over to the teens, who were tending to their friend.
"Are you kids okay?"
"Phlegyas isn't. He was shot in the heart, Archon curse it!"
"He's dead." The girl's voice was hollow.
"Are... you sure, Styx?"
"Yes." She slumped down beside the aforementioned Phlegyas and started crying. The rest of her friends looked equally shattered. Suddenly, Styx stopped crying and reached over to the dead kid, Phlegyas.
"Phlegyas? Phlegyas? You're alive!"
He stirred and reached for his heart.
"Ugh... My chest is itching."
Tears rolling down her cheek, Styx hugged him fiercely.
"Woah, Styxie, not so tight, can't breathe." He seemed somewhat confused.
The others stared, as did Raewyn.
"Hells, Phlegyas, you took a bullet to your heart! You died!"
"I feel better now." One of the teens, a Cain, tore open his shirt.
"Hey, Acherus, why'd you rip my shirt!" Phlegyas' voice was indignant and Raewyn could only stare.
His chest was bare. There was no sign at all of the fatal wound he had just received.
"Are you sure I got shot? It don't look like that to me."
Raewyn looked at each of them in turn. "How the hells did he manage to heal instantly from a fatal wound?"
Their attention was back on her.
"I... don't know ma'am, but we are grateful for your help. If not for your intervention, we could not have escaped relatively unscathed. Compared to them." Styx gestured towards the dead gunners.
"And you." Raewyn continued as if Styx had not spoken. "There were two of you. But the other you was savage. Feral. Barbaric. Primitive. What in the Archon's name did you two do?"
"Nothing."
Come on, Rae, do you really expect them to reveal their secrets about themselves to a complete stranger?
"Alright. Never mind. You kids watch yourself, okay? Wait, what happened to the pseudodragon?"
"Grei!" They looked about and saw the frightened guide lay on a pipe at the side. The Cain went closer first.
"Grei? Are you okay?"
The pipe was stained with an odd fluid. As Acherus touched the liquid, a horrible realisation dawned upon him.
"Grei! Grei!"
He quickly channeled small amounts of energy at her, unsure as to where her wounds were located. The guide moved her head slightly.
"Grei! Are you okay?" Acherus lifted his hand up and touched her face.
Impressions flooded him, darkness, pain, despair, fear.
"It's okay now, Grei. It's okay now. They're gone now."
She spoke suddenly, rapidly, so fast that he had trouble understanding her.
"Slow down, I can't understand you. Speak slowly, Grei. Relax."
Her tone was desperate and urgent. "What time is it? Is it night time already? How long have I been unconscious?"
"No, Grei, it wasn't very long, just maybe, fifteen minutes at most."
She started frantically clawing everything within her reach, scrabbling about.
"Woah, Grei, what're you doing?"
"I can't see! I can't see anything! It's all dark! Save me, I can't see! I'm blind! I can't see! Dark and empty! It's all cold and dark and I can't see anything! They shot my eyes! I can't see, I can't see!" She shrieked pitifully in rapid-fire Draconian.
Kestrel put her hands to her mouth. Acherus quickly examined her eyes and slowly shook his head.
"Nothing I can do. We need to get her to a doctor. Now." His voice shook slightly and he took several deep breaths.
"Take this. Use it for any bills. I should have been faster. I could have prevented all this." Raewyn held her hands to her face in guilt.
"It wasn't your fault either ma'am."
"Hells yes, it was. Your friend was the one who killed the two gunmen. I couldn't even kill that third guy. I could have been faster, I could have-" She coughed violently.
"With all due respect ma'am, you did what you could. And you don't look too good either." Cocytus said.
"Don't call me ma'am, I'm not that much older than you guys. And how's that shoulder holding up? It looked like one hell of a stab. I'm Raewyn."
They introduced themselves.
"No wonder you two looked so familiar. The two scions of the Terra family. I'm a noble myself."
"Really?"
"House Aesiflay. Glad to be of assistance."
"You're the Aesiflay? Raewyn Aesiflay? Sole inheritor of the entire Aesiflay fortune? The one who disappeared from public view?"
"Yes."
"You... You apprenticed under Karasondrias, right?"
"Hey, how do you know that? The press never said no nothing."
"Parents. Kara teaches us History."
"I think we'll chat later. We have to get Grei to the doctor." She had slowly kept quiet, withdrawing into herself, not responding to their words. But they could see her shaking. With fear, with anger, they did not know. As they put her onto Phlegyas' shoulder, they could hear her mumbling, "Dark, all dark. Blind forever. I'm blind. It's so cold. Dark and empty. Eyes gone. I can't see anything."
"Archon, my heart really goes out to her. She's blind all because I... just because I wanted to take a damned shortcut. Grei... I'm so sorry." Styx said, head buried in her hands.
"Styx, nobody could have known we would have gotten mugged. It isn't your fault."
"You jumped in front of me to protect me."
"And that bullet hit me."
"He fired again. It hit Grei instead. It's all my fault. Now she's blind."
"It's not your fault, Styx, relax."
"She's fucking blind! How the hells do I relax! She's blind all because of me!" Styx shouted.
"Don't be so arrogant as to claim all the blame. I could have moved faster. I could have. But I didn't. It's over now. I can't do anything about it except move on." Raewyn said quietly. "Calmed down? Good. Now, which hotel do you guys stay at?"
Phlegyas spoke up, "Grei wanted to bring us to the Castan Hotel. We don't know how to get there."
"That's where I've got a room. I'll take all of you guys later after the doctors treat her."
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