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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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?

Fair enough.

[Being led by the hand? Cain wonders if this is really necessary. He's surely not that ill. That's impossible.]

I am--I've He-Who-Kills guarding the opera house, for one thing, and I know my father's tricks well enough. I knew to break rather than drink the bottle of wine he sent at my birthday. And there weren't any needles hidden in the--I suppose I'll call it a 'gift'--that he sent at Christmastime. I'm safe enough. I'd rather I had Riff, but I've managed on my own before and I can manage it now.

[No, Cain seems that ill. And it makes Setsuna feel a little better. Besides, he figures if Cain allows it? Then, yeah, he's that sick.]

As long as you're safe, then. [There was a cold set to Setsuna's eyes at the idea Cain had to be so overcautious, though. Once outside, he wrapped both arms firmly around Cain, dipped and started to carry him. His wings appeared once more, and lifted them, while ghouls moaned.]

But if you ever need any extra help, let me know. Not sure how much I can be, but...I want to.

[To Cain's credit, he doesn't squirm, but he does tense up as they lift off--and he does grab onto Setsuna's arms where they're wrapped around him.]

I will. Since you can light fire without matches and you've wings, I would be glad of any help you might be able to give, should I be in need of it.

[Setsuna notices, and just keeps his hold steady and strong, without crushing.]

Good. I feel a little better knowing that. [He can't imagine Cain would reach out for help often, though. He doesn't seem the sort, but after this.... Hopefully he will.]

Thank you for this help, though. All the same.

[A pause.]

All the help you gave, really.

You're welcome.

It's not any problem, either. It's what friends do, right?

Yes, I think it is what friends do...

Then you don't even need to thank me.

[They land soon at the hospital, but Setsuna doesn't leave immediately.]

You got anyone else here that might wanna come check up on you? I don't want to just take off on you.

[He's looking worse now than he did even a little while ago...]

Rosella is as likely as anyone to come and see me--if it's safe enough for her to leave the Warehouse. I should be all right. Why else am I going to a hospital if not to be looked after?

Yeah but.... [A stare around the sterile place.] Hospitals just seem so lonely, that's all. Anyway, they said they'd help you out.

I'll try to check in with you, okay?

Yes, all right, if you insist.

Mind yourself out there. If I know the City, it's bound to get worse before it gets better.

I do insist.

[A grin.] Don't worry. I'll be careful! Nothing can really hurt me, anyway. [And with that, Setsuna finally leaves Cain's side.]

[Cain will very soon be in the grips of the fever and its attendant delirium. He will call for Riff, beg for Suzette's forgiveness, ransack the bedclothes for a weapon to use against his father, and plead with his Aunt Augusta. He'll be wretched and exhausted, but he'll survive. He'll be thinner and paler the next time Setsuna sees him, but he will survive...]

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Entry 595; Day 1177

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