poly_chromatic | Entry 595; Day 1177

Current Location: Opera Abandoned

Entry tags:

godchild - cain hargreaves

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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[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?

You sure you're okay?

No scratches? Bites? You've been mostly avoiding those answers.

[He turns, still somewhat dazed, still somewhat in shock, now growing feverish, to face Setsuna.]

This needed doing first.

[He looks at the fire again and then seems to come back to himself--indeed, he even shakes his head, as if to clear it.]

She--it fought me, obviously. Half this blood must be mine. But as to whether... [A pause.] No, it did bite me. She--it. It seemed set on biting me above anything.

[He immediately undoes the cuff of his shirt and rolls his sleeve up. Yes, clear as day, there at the top of his forearm just near the elbow, the shape of teeth--and deeply too, deep enough to make him bleed.]

[Setsuna watches Cain's movements, wary, worried. When he rolls up his sleeve, Setsuna grimaces.]

That doesn't look good. You got anyone to look at that? Mend it up? I can do minor stuff, but I'm no doctor.

[Cain's still looking at the tooth marks...]

No, I--

[And again, that sting of loss: Riff would have tended to it in a moment. If he were here. The only greater cruelty the City could have done to Cain would have been to have sent Riff instead of Suzette. Perhaps there are small mercies yet.]

No, I don't have anyone to look at it. I suppose I ought to go to the hospital...

I can take you there, if you want me to. Then you don't have to deal with the...whatever they are. [A wave towards the nearest window.]

We should still probably patch it up before you go, anyway. Where do you keep your bandages and antiseptic?

I likely should go. I've no idea what a bite from a monster like that might do.

[He points towards the kitchen sink.]

I've a few things under the sink there... [More quietly, a little embarrassed.] From when I was first learning to fend for myself in this city.

[There's not much there--more the sort of thing one might use on a burn from the stove or a cut from a kitchen knife, but it might do.]

The better sorts of things are all back upstairs again.

I'll take you after we wrap that up, then.

[Setsuna looks under the sink while Cain talks, bites his lip.] Are they in your bathroom? I can go get 'em while you wait here. [Going back upstairs is no big deal, to him. But in Cain's condition...yeah. He should just stay put.]

In fact, sit down.

Yes, in the cabinet, along with everything else.

[Yes, now he's starting to wobble and sway on his feet. And so he does sit down. Almost unbidden.]

[It was a good thing he had, or Setsuna might've been tempted to lead him to a chair. He takes off to get the supplies, and returns pretty readily with it.]

I'm sure you know how this goes. It's gonna sting, yadda, yadda. [At least he starts with dabbing, gently, with an alcohol soaked towel.]

Yes, I know. I promise I won't cry.

[In fact, he manages a wry smile. But, admittedly, he does flinch: it does sting, after all.]

[Setsuna's own expression softened as he dabbed at the bite wound, cleaning it out.]

But you know, it's okay if you do.

I don't need to cry anymore. Riff dried my tears a long time ago.

[And he's more grateful than ever, suddenly, that the City sent Suzette instead of Riff. Immensely more grateful.

He keeps quiet a while.]

That does sting.

Sounds like you and this Riff person were really close.

[Setsuna thinks it's sweet. Starts patching up Cain's wound with gauze.]

And that part's all done.

We are. I hope that either I'll be able to go back to London to him or that he'll be brought back into the City with me. Either way, so long as we can be as we were, as we ought to be.

[Ah, yes. Of course. Setsuna doesn't remember those times from before, when he was here and met Riff. Setsuna won't recall Merry either, of course. And there are so many who've come and gone, beyond them, whom Cain alone perhaps recalls--and only vaguely sometimes. Of course.]

Is that the worst of it, do you think? I think the doctors can see to the rest.

It doesn't even matter if you return home...? [Was that the vague feeling Setsuna sometimes had? He would still return, though. He still had things to do.]

Yeah. They should be able to handle the rest and look after you. Hopefully you won't need stitches.

We made something of a life for ourselves here before. If I'm not to go home again, ever, I think I could endure if it he were here. I'd know my sister was safe, and the greatest of my enemies is here. I could finish everything I need to do here and be content with that.

[He's getting feverish now. Hence the babbling.]

I've wanted that before.

[He touches the outside of the bandage...experimentally.]

Hopefully not.

Hm. [A playful smile.] And here I tried to marry you without knowing any of that.

[A little more solemn.] One of your enemies, though, huh? Bet that makes living here a little uncomfortable at times.

And come on. We need to get you to the hospital. [Reaching to help Cain up.]

Yes, I know. I have to wonder what Riff might have thought of that. Anyway--I've almost got used to having my father here. He's the enemy, you know. He's been here for so long. He turns up from time to time, but I feel like he's rather...diminished here... It's strange.

[Ah--being helped up? Oh, okay. He goes along with this. Sure.]

Ah--yes, of course.

Your father? [Setsuna goes a little stiff at that. Sure, he has issues with his parents, but enemies? That's horrible. He's imagining somewhat a lot like their God. He's also not so oblivious he doesn't realize how much Cain is sharing with him. He's definitely not well.]

At least that means he's not done much damage, right?

Now...you think I can carry you? You're not gonna squirm too much, are you? [Cain looked like he weighed more than himself, but not by so much Setsuna couldn't handle flying him for a little while.]

I suppose.

[One has to wonder what question that's meant to answer

Anyway: Cain might be taller, but he can't be all that much heavier. Oscar made a few quips about that from time to time...]

I don't mean to squirm if I do. I won't squirm so long as you don't drop me.

Alright. I won't drop you, just don't squirm. [Setsuna doesn't fully mean that squirming will lead to being dropped, though. Firmly, he takes Cain's hand, and starts to walk to the front door, first.]

But, really, are you safe with your dad here and Riff gone?

Entry 595; Day 1177

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