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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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...]

Entry 595; Day 1177

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