[MINGLE] Worried/Sick 1: Symptoms Manifest & Reaction

[sixthiteration]

WHERE: Anywhere; multiple locations
WHEN: Apx. 13-18 November
OPEN TO: ALL - MINGLE
WARNINGS: Serious illness and reactions to such

IMPORTANT NOTES: This is the first of two mingles. Please see the timing and general event details here.

Illness Presents and Putting Heads Together will have their own top-levels in this post, but you may make separate top-levels for whatever you like! Anything is welcome, as long as it tangentially relates to the Worried/Sick plot.

Please keep in mind the established plot details, but creative license is welcome and encouraged as long as it doesn't step on toes.

Comments

[eaglesonofnone]

He laid the cloth over her back, letting the larger area be cooled by the water before he began to fan it. And then he asked, "What had this person done that was nearly worth their death?" in a voice that was nothing if not patient, lightly curious - as if this was a conversation he'd had before.

He thought he had. More than once, in fact. Usually with apprentices who were afraid of the instincts they were developing, the reflexes that, at one point, endangered their friends and their family. The ones who had not yet grown immune to startle.

[to_defend]

She's quiet for a couple moments, just breathing and feeling the cool cloth and thinking back on that moment. She felt a flutter of panic, but she's just too exhausted for it to manifest much further. And Altaïr was trusted. She pulls in a slightly larger breath, supressing a cough, and lets it out.

"He sent my friend out to die, because he was too curious about the world, and 'asked too many questions'. He put us all in danger because he was a coward that just wanted to hide." She grips the pillow, feeling the anger well up again. She'd been out on her own because of 1. "Not long after I was fighting for his life. His, and the others."

[eaglesonofnone]

He was quiet for a long moment. But then he was stroking her hair, pulling it back as he had seen Maria do time and again. Once she was able, he thought, he'd braid it for her. Maria had taught him, and he knew well how to make the crown of braid that she'd worn so often. Somehow, he was sure 7 would appreciate it.

For now, though, he gave it a gentle twist and coiled it at the back of her head, using its own weight and a careful bit of tucking to hold it in place before he stroked the cloth over the back of her neck. "Curiosity and bravery are not flaws to be punished by death. They should be tempered by wisdom and caution, but they are still virtues to be carefully tended. I am sorry that this person you knew did not see it in the right way."

[to_defend]

The sensation is soothing, the way he's stroking her hair, and she almost drifts of to sleep. He's right about the braiding; having hair in the first place is a new concept for her and being able to manage it would be an appreciated lesson.

"I miss 2. I miss all of them, except 1. I wouldn't be upset if I never saw him again. "

[eaglesonofnone]

"I miss my son," he answered softly. "But as things are, there are worse places I could be than here, where I can help."

She seemed so tired, but the cool water, the attention - both seemed to be helping, and that was more than enough reason to continue. He was gentle with what he did, as ever - swabbing her poor, scarred back. Wiping away the sweat of her neck. So many here pulled at his heart and he knew that he would always want to keep check on her. To make sure she would be well.

[to_defend]

"It's taken a lot of getting used to, but you're right; it's not so bad." The people, even aren't so bad. They're certainly not what she'd expected, but of course these were very different circumstances.

She starts to drift off again, pulling in a breath and letting it out in a contented sigh. There's still so very much that feels wrong about her body right now, but at least Alaïr was able to alleviate some of it.

"Thank you."

[eaglesonofnone]

Lightly, he squeezed her arm. "Of course, Bnti. Now rest if you can. I will be here until you are well asleep." And he would draw a light sheet over her when he left, something that would let her skin breathe and yet would... hide things if and when she sat up.

Ah, and he would wash her shirt, he decided, and have it dry. Then she would have something clean to wear when she awakened.