poly_chromatic | Entry 595; Day 1177

I had forgotten the depths of the cruelty of which the City was capable.

~C.

[ooc: tl;dr incoming--Cain just had to kill a ghoul version of Suzette. It all happened off-stage, but (gore warning; proceed with caution)...she seemed almost to have just arrived in the City as another newcomer. This, of course, is not true at all, and Cain was suspicious, though also hopeful--maybe she had been brought into the City. But, she attacked him, of course. Cain tried to shoot her (having taken to carrying his pistol with him after the ghouls starting showing up), but failed in striking her sufficiently in the head or heart (perhaps as much because he couldn't bring himself to as anything). Caught in her grip and trying to escape, he ended up having to beat the ghoul to death with a fireplace poker. She did succeed in biting him--several times. So he'll be feverish fairly soon hereafter. If anyone needs him, he'll be sitting before that same fireplace with (or perhaps watching over) the manged remains, still bloodied and bruised and bitten. Please consider all responses to be somewhat delayed in coming. Also: no filters!]

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[Yeah, but now he's backing up. Exasperated:]

She attacked me--what do you think she came for? Afternoon tea?

I kinda figured that, but I meant.... Never mind. It's not really important, I guess.

You should really consider a shower, though.

[He looks down at himself, at his clothes.]

I should clean things up in the room first.

[And he passes a weary hand over his eyes.]

Isn't there someone else that can do that? That creepy little guy?

I don't think you should be cleaning right now.

If Riff were here--

[But, of course, he isn't.]

No, I think it falls to me. Perhaps it should.

[And why wouldn't it? There are always corpses around him.]

It doesn't have to.

[Setsuna looks at Cain, studying him carefully, imploring.]

I can help you, okay?

[A long look, as he considers.]

We're going to have to burn the remains.

That won't be a problem. Where you wanna do it? Outside isn't too safe right now.

There's a fireplace in the kitchen. It ought to be big enough. I never use it for anything.

Alright. [This is so grim. He hates seeing Cain like this, even if he's not the chipper sort to start with.] You gonna show me where the mess is?

Are you certain you even want to see it?

I don't, but I can handle it.

Besides, I want to help you. And that's part of it.

It's upstairs. In one of the sitting rooms.

[He goes to lead the way.]

There's a carpet there--under her...under it. We can carry it all down on that. We'll burn the lot of it. I don't care.

Might be best. We can roll it up.

[No visual. When they enter the room, Setsuna grimaces a little, but that's the extent of it.]

[It's too gory to relate, really.

Cain sighs--a tired sound.]

Here: you take the other side.

[He crouches to roll up the carpet (perhaps it was fine once, but it's faded now, and ruined even more).]

Sure. [Setsuna gives a quick nod, then starts on the other side. The sooner they get it taken care of, probably the best. He lifts his head from time to time to watch Cain, keeping his eyes balanced between his efforts and worrying over him.]

[Cain presses on, no matter how pale or flushed he might seem. They roll the carpet up, and that contains...things.]

If you'll take that side, I'll take this one. The kitchen isn't far. There's no fire in the fireplace there, but it's fast enough to light one.

[Setsuna doesn't really want to think about it, just does as Cain tells him, dragging their grim contents.]

[When they've deposited it in the kitchen fireplace, Setsuna spokes, voice a little low.] Step back.

[Cain is...uncertain what's to come next (though he has a inkling--he's been in the City long enough). And he does step back, as he is told.]

[Setsuna starts with flames on his hand, then lowers it to the rug, before stepping back himself.]

I've gotten a little better at that. Still, not exactly the way I wanted to use that ability.

[The rug catches... And burns...]

No. I can imagine it isn't.

[And Cain falls silent. What is there to say, really?]

[It's not the time for words, Setsuna feels, falling silent for a change as he watches the fire work its way through the rug, ash falling off in its wake.]

[The fire burns and Cain is silent for a long while.

After a time:]

Thank you.

You're welcome. Least I could do.

[A shrug and a sigh. He almost wants to hug Cain again, but best not to.]

Now what about you.

What about me?

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