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* Dawn alternates between panting and taking slow, careful breaths as he climbs the stairs to his room in the Velvet Pillow. By the time he gets to the door, he's waxy-pale and sweating from the effort. * Dawn opens the door to the room, his hand shaking as he turns the key. He closes the door carefully behind him, turns the lock, and then sinks to his knees with a grunt. "Fuck." * Bienca sits up slowly, her eyes wide. "Oyeha?" <Dawn> ::draws a ragged breath:: Get out the kit, love. ::He struggles to his feet and comes a little further into the room before sinking into a chair and starting to unbutton his singed and blood-soaked shirt.:: * Bienca slides awkwardly off the bed onto the floor to rummage around under the bed. "Snowman's out. He decided to take Calis and Violet out for something to eat. Violet's still convinced that he's going to tear her head off and use it as a basket, so I was surprised she went." Her inane chatter seems normal enough, until a closer look at her face shows her to be ashy. <Bienca> ::digs out the kit:: I guess she must be really bored... or hungry. I'm not sure. Anyway, they should be back in about an hour, maybe longer... oh Dawn! What happened? * Dawn curses again as he tries to lift his injured shoulder to take the shirt off, then manages one-handed. His makeshift packing falls away from the new hole in his chest. "Assassin. My head's worth five dots, apparently." * Bienca gets to her feet with the kit, her eyes wide. "Oh." She helps him as much as possible with the make-do bandage work. "Here." She opens one lead-sealed jar of pain medication. * Dawn shakes his head. "Nope. Can't. I've got work to do, when this is done. Got a letter from Jewel, finally." <Bienca> ::neutrally:: All right. ::she caps the medication and begins inspecting the wound:: Hold still. ::she covers a pad of clean linen with antiseptic, then begins wiping around the wound gently:: <Dawn> Aye. ::grips the arms of the chair and hisses through his teeth while Bienca cleans the wound:: Looks worse'n it really is... If it wasn't for the fucking pois-OW! No, I'm fine, keep going... ::trying to distract himself:: So, how was *your* day? <Bienca> Dull. Boring, even. Snowman's restless as hell. Actually suggested - seriously, I think - that I should go to bed with him. I suggested - also, seriously - that he should go out. <Dawn> ::frowns:: How hard did he -OW!- did he push? <Bienca> ::bites her lip:: Not hard enough that I had to hit him. ::she gives him a quick smile:: This is... going to hurt. Bit of your shirt's torn off inside. Lean back. ::she gets out a pair of tweezers:: * Dawn obeys, closing his eyes and tightening his grip on the chair's arms. "Fuck. Good thing they got Sylvie." <Bienca> They did. That's good to hear. Why'd she send you a letter? ::she puts one hand firmly on Dawn's chest, then begins the delicate process of removing the material:: <Dawn> Didn't say. I assume- ::pauses for a moment to grind his teeth as she digs out a stubborn bit:: FUCK, that hurt... I assume she tapped herself out. Angel's wounded. They want me to give them a ride home. <Bienca> ::grimly:: Seems to be going around. Are you going to be able? <Dawn> Should. Assassin was counting on surprise, so it wasn't a full scale battle to take her out. <Bienca> ::snags the piece of material:: Ah! Got it. <Dawn> ::very softly:: ....ow... ::more normally:: Thank you, love. <Bienca> ::eyes the material, then lays out his shirt:: Let me make sure I've got it all. The last thing you need is to end up with gangrene there. * Bienca takes out a clean sheet and spreads it out on the bed, then presses his bloody shirt out over it, checking to see if the small swatch of material matches the hole. "I'm not really very good at this, Oyeha. Only what... only what Dusk taught me." <Dawn> ::nods, opening his eyes to watch her, eyeing the ashy tone of her skin. Surprisingly, he does not wince at the mention of Dusk's name:: You're doing fine. I'll get Iselyn to look at it later, and owe her another favor. ::pause:: I'm... I'm sorry, Bienca. <Bienca> ::softly:: She will own you, at this pace. ::glances at him:: Were you careless? And is the one who attempted to collect dead? <Dawn> ::half-smiling:: She can't have my heart, at any rate. ::shakes his head:: I don't think so. She was good. Professional. And yes, she's dead now. <Bienca> Then you have nothing for which to be sorry. ::begins wrapping the wound, winding a long bandage around Dawn's chest:: You did not start this war. It is, however, on you to finish it, before more is lost. <Dawn> ::looks at her, a little startled, then nods, his expression resolved:: I will. That, and more. * Bienca knots off the bandage. "Are you certain that you can 'port them? I will be very angry with you if you vanish into nothingness because you hadn't the strength to be casting such spells." * Dawn grunts as she ties the bandage, then sighs. "I should rest a little first, and probably eat something. But I'll be strong enough in a few hours." He leans forward in the chair to cup her face in his hands. "I promise. I'm not going to die *that* stupidly." He smiles, and kisses her. * Bienca shivers. "That's good. You don't have my permission to die right now." She turns away from him, blinking rapidly. <Dawn> I'll keep that in mind. ::his good arm steals around her waist, and he pulls her onto his lap and nuzzles at her shoulder.:: Did you say they'd be gone another hour...? <Bienca> ::laughs:: About that, yes... would serve him right to walk in on it, if he's early... ::she kisses Dawn warmly:: ----------------- <Angel> ::Andello estates is not exactly a sprawling manor house, having only five extra bedrooms. Thus, when Dawn appears in the sitting parlor, he is immediately aware of two warm bodies, one sleeping on a long sofa, the other - a child - curled up on a pile of pillows on the floor:: * Dawn frowns at the child, then frowns harder at the child's bruises. He sighs soundlessly, then begins to make his way through the room according to directions he received from Snowman the previous evening. <Sylvie> ::a basket of damp wash under her arm, she walks down the hall towards the back door:: Oh! ::she runs smack into Dawn, nearly spilling her laundry everywhere:: * Dawn curses softly but tightly as Sylvie runs right into his bandaged chest. "FUCK, ow, shit, fuck... Sylvie. Why are you doing the gods-be-damned wash before sensible people are even awake?" <Sylvie> ::rebalances her basket, resting it on her hip in a very traditional, and yet fetching manner:: Because I'm not sensible, Dawn. I thought you knew that. ::she gives him a smile:: Sorry about that. Are you hungry? I think Claudette's got pancakes going. <Dawn> Gotta check in with himself, first. Got a note that they want to go home. ::pauses, rubbing at his chest absently, and smiles at her:: Glad to see you're all in one piece. <Sylvie> ::nods:: Better than some, at least. I've got a houseful of homeless whores, thieves, and musicians. ::bites her lip:: And pardon my saying, but you don't look exactly in top shape. <Dawn> ::nods:: I've been better, aye. You coming back with us, or are we sending Snowman back home? <Sylvie> ::her eyes brimming with sudden tears:: He's all right, then? ::rushes on:: No, no. I'm coming after, in a wagon. With my new friends. Angel's made arrangements for some mercenaries to guard us. We can't really stay much longer. Tower's place was right next door. <Dawn> ::softly:: Fuck. Aye. ::he leans forward to kiss Sylvie's cheek:: He's fine. Worried as all fuck, but fine. Want to show me to their room? <Sylvie> ::puts her basket down, then grips Dawn's arm:: I... need you to do something, if you would. <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows:: <Sylvie> ::sighs:: I told Jewel, but... Geremi's going to need someone not to coddle him over this, and I don't dare tell Angel right now, as bad as he's hurt, he'd try and get up and... I don't think he'd live much longer. <Dawn> ::snorts in surprise:: You want *me* to kick his ass? Sylvie, I adore you, but Snowman'd clean the floor with me if I so much as put a finger on him. <Sylvie> ::glances down the hall:: Dawn. It was Lyegen. Who kidnapped and tortured Tarish. Who left her body here for Geremi to find. It was *Lyegen*. <Sylvie> ::dropping her voice:: You have to tell Geremi. He needs to know. <Dawn> ::blinks, and then his jaw drops open:: He- Fuck. ::deep breath, ended with a wince as it stretches his wounded chest:: Aye. All right. I'll tell him. <Sylvie> ::nods slowly:: Thank you. He was... planning the same for me. Come on, I'll show you Angel's rooms. He's pretty badly hurt. Jewel said there were... quite a few of them. He's got a nasty cough, we're all concerned. <Dawn> ::frowns as he follows Sylvie through the halls:: Well, at least there are priests, back home, we can call on. ::mumbling:: Bienca's right; Iselyn's going to fucking *own* me... <Sylvie> ::laughs lightly:: She's not a bad mistress, though, if you're going to be enslaved... <Dawn> ::shoots her a look:: I was really hoping to avoid it entirely, actually. But we'll see how bad off he is... * Sylvie indicates a door. "This is his suite. And if you won't miss me too much, I'm going to finish the laundry. You have no idea how much wash is generated by more than a half-dozen women. Maybe Rosin is awake... she'll help me. <Dawn> Rosin's here? Good news. Please tell her Violet is... doing well. <Sylvie> ::nods:: All right... ::she starts to turn, then goes back to Dawn and kisses him, thoroughly and without the slightest hesitation:: Give that to Geremi, would you? <Dawn> Fuck no. I'm keeping it for myself. ::he grins at her:: <Sylvie> ::snorts:: Scoundrel. ::she walks back down the hall towards her laundry:: * Dawn grins, then turns to knock on the suite door. <Jewel> ::there's a muffled noise and a thump from within the room, and then Jewel comes to the door, blinking sleepily:: ...Dawn? ::she sounds confused, and peers around him to look down the hall:: <Dawn> ::straight-faced:: I have come, as summoned, m'lady. * Angel didn't even twitch at the knock. He is laying, half-propped up on a stack of pillows, on the bed, a light sheet draped over him. Despite the relative coolness of the interior rooms, he is lightly beaded with sweat. <Jewel> ::yawns hugely:: Give me a moment. ::shuffles back into the room and returns a few moments later with a sort of a housecoat over her somewhat grubby-looking shift:: What... time is it? What *day* is it? * Jewel pulls the door quietly closed behind her. <Dawn> It's about an hour past sunrise. The fifth. I actually got your message yesterday, but Bienca, ah, suggested I should wait until this morning to come and get you. * Jewel nods, still attempting to process this whole "morning" concept. Aside from looking sleepy, she looks tired-- there are dark hollows beneath her eyes, and her hair is far more mussed than she would normally allow. She stares a little stupidly at her chest. "Why... forgive me, not... not at my best in th' morning..." She stifles another yawn and frowns in thought. "Fifth. Right. Healer said... he could be moved now..." <Jewel> ::glancing over her shoulder, biting her lip:: He's still asleep. Are you... that is, are you in a hurry? * Dawn looks around for a chair and sinks into it, rubbing at his chest wearily. "Not especially. Though if we're going to be more than an hour or so, Bienca's going to worry, and I'll expect you to tell her it's your fault. I don't need to be in any more trouble with her." <Jewel> ::frowns, puzzled:: Did you... did you have a fight? The fire! Did everyone make it out okay? <Dawn> ::nods:: Everyone is safe. I had... two fights. Cleared out their sunshine house... ::his face darkens:: Twenty-fucking-six kids. Handful of women, too. And then Tower sent Bloody Mary after my fucking head. ::he snorts:: Apparently, it's worth five dots. <Jewel> ::eyes wide, she swallows the first thing she was going to say:: Well... ::a little lamely:: At least you've come up in the world? ::weak grin:: <Dawn> ::snorts, his eyes wandering to Angel, inert in the bed:: Please tell me he's faking it. Or else on heavy medication. <Jewel> ::following Dawn's glance to the mostly-closed door:: The chirurgeon gave me something for his pain. But... ::still sounding faintly awed:: Dawn, there were twenty men there. He took them *all.* * Dawn looks astounded. "How... How bad is it?" <Jewel> He... I think they wore him down, towards the end. One shoulder's pretty badly bruised... he took a sword in the other shoulder. Lots of smaller cuts... the chirurgeon said he lost a *lot* of blood. ::frowning:: He's been coughing... I think he had blood in his lungs. He's gotten a little better, though. <Jewel> I'm sure all that smoke didn't help, either. <Dawn> ::sighs and rubs at his own wounded shoulder:: Aye. How long 'til he wakes up, then? <Jewel> ::consults the nearest window, squinting at the slanting early rays of the sun:: Another hour or so before the medicine wears off, I think. Less, if he starts coughing again. ::looks worried:: I... I suppose I could wake him. <Dawn> ::considers:: He doesn't actually have to be awake for me to move him. <Jewel> ::a touch dryly:: I'd prefer he be wearing clothes. So would you, I imagine, unless you intend to 'port the entire bed with him, which Sylvie might object to. <Dawn> ::shrugs:: I'm taking us back to your flat, and I've seen naked people before. <Dawn> But it's up to you. * Angel shifts slightly. The sheet slides down his stomach, coming to rest just under his hip, revealing that, one, he isn't wearing anything, and two, the livid red re-birthmark over his hip. <Jewel> ::strokes her lips with a finger, considering:: I don't want him catching a chill, either... let me see what I can do while he's still asleep. Wait here a bit? <Dawn> ::shrugs:: Like I said, it's up to you, as long as you're the one explaining it to Bienca if she worries. * Jewel smiles and nods. "Will do. I won't be long." She disappears into the room again, hunting around quietly in a few of the drawers until she comes up with a loose set of drawstring pants and a light shirt. * Dawn leans back in the chair, resting his eyes as he idly rubs at his shoulder. <Jewel> ::muttering to herself:: Dammit... psychokinetics would've been *really* useful, great-grandmother... ::she kneels carefully on the bed, easing clothes onto her limp and restless husband as carefully as she can, keeping her curses to herself.:: <Jewel> ::her fingers linger thoughtfully on his rebirth mark for a moment before she tugs the pants up over his hips and ties them.:: * Angel stirs again, saying something in a language best described as 'sleepmud'. * Jewel slithers off the bed again, panting a little and leaning on one of the bedposts, watching to be sure none of his bandages are sporting fresh bloodstains after her little exercise. * Angel coughs a few times, not even opening his eyes to do so, a thick, wracking bark. * Dawn opens his eyes at Angel's cough, looking into the bedroom with a concerned frown. * Jewel winces at his cough, putting a calming hand on his chest, moving forward to stroke his hair gently. * Jewel waits until he is quiet again, and gives a last look around the room, collecting the medicines, Bastian's knife, and what other little nasties she was able to recover and clean, as well as the city clothes they'd changed out of. She slips back out through the door, shouldering the satchel. "Alright. Did you see Sylvie on the way in?" <Dawn> ::nods:: She's looking well. ::almost smiling:: She always did thrive best when she had someone to take care of. <Jewel> ::snorts a little:: Well, she's certainly "thriving" now, then. She... ::stops, and shakes her head:: She's quite a woman. <Dawn> ::in a fair imitation of Snowman's tones:: A fuckin' peach. * Jewel smiles a little, although her eyes are worried. <Dawn> Ready to go, then? <Jewel> ::nods:: I think so. ::faint smile:: I'm sure you won't mind popping back quick if I forget something, right? <Dawn> ::snorts, carefully levering himself out of the chair and heading into the bedroom:: You'd think I was a fucking errand boy. I don't see a single thing in this room you couldn't live without for a week or two. <Jewel> ::softly, putting a hand on his arm:: I'm kidding, Dawn. ...thanks for coming. I... ::she glances at the bed again:: I'll feel a lot better when we're close to some clerics we know. <Dawn> Right. ::sighs and pats her hand:: Things've been a little tense in Marsember, the last day or so, and if that bitch'd come an inch closer to her mark, I'd be meat. And I've got word of at least three more places that need shutting down. <Jewel> ::raises her eyebrows:: *Three*? Well... at least we're getting word of *something* now. He's got to be hurting, after this. Wait 'til you see the coffer Sylvie chucked out the window! ::sighing:: Well, what help I can give is yours, soon as I get him settled again. I don't intend to be leaving him alone while he's like this, though. <Dawn> ::nods:: I know. We'll get you two home, and then I'll go see if I can find a priest for him. I don't like that cough. <Jewel> ::looking at Angel again, worried:: I don't much care for it either. ::sighs:: Well, we'll see how it goes. The chirurgeon gave me instructions... I'll feel better, back in the city. <Jewel> ::smiling a bit wryly:: I *am* turning into Guild. Angel's right, we're sitting ducks out here, and I *feel* like it. <Dawn> Aye... ::he smiles, faintly, then eyes Angel's sprawl on the bed, rubbing at his face:: Sit here, next to him, and hold his hands. <Jewel> ::nods, following Dawn's instructions, leaning down to whisper in the sleeping Angel's ear:: Home soon, love. Rest easy. * Dawn climbs onto the bed, kneeling beside Angel, opposite Jewel. He puts one hand on Angel, and reaches across to put the other on Jewel's shoulder, wincing as it stretches his bad shoulder. "Should've thought that through a little better... No, don't move." * Jewel freezes in the act of trying to move a little closer to Dawn to ease his reach. * Dawn mumbles the spell almost perfunctorily. They shiver out of existence, and then reappear in Jewel and Angel's flat, on their own bed. Dawn has misjudged the precise position by about a foot, however; as he solidifies, he finds himself kneeling on approximately half an inch of bedding. He curses, flails, falls, and lands on the floor with a solid THUMP. <Dawn> OW. As if the gods hadn't spit on me *enough*. * Angel opens one eye. "What... exactly. are you doing?" His voice is almost non-existent, a faint rasp of a whisper. <Jewel> ::straightening up:: Dawn!? <Jewel> Angel... ::twitching a blanket from the bottom of the bed and pulling it up over him:: Sorry, love, we weren't going to wake you.... <Dawn> I'm tucking your wounded ass into bed. Show a little fucking gratitude, or I'll spill the hot cocoa on you after your story. ::he rolls over and starts to stand up:: Fuck. That hurt. * Angel sits up, then starts coughing again. He finally lays back, flushed and sweating. "Thanks." <Jewel> ::firmly, tucking the blanket over Angel's shoulders and putting a hand in the center of his chest:: Stay *down.* You've been sweated and coughing all night, I'm not letting you stir so much of toe out of this bed until we have you warmed up again if I have to break both legs to keep you here. * Dawn gets to his feet. "Right. Going to get Iselyn now. Bienca can work out a rental agreement for the bits of me she finds useful, I suppose." <Angel> ::glances at Dawn:: She's turned feral on me. Took out four of them herself. ::he blinks, then his eyes sharpen slightly:: What happened to you? <Jewel> ::colors and mumbles:: Not *entirely* by myself... <Dawn> Short? Took down the main sunshine house. Then almost wound up on the meat tray. You know some bitch, calls herself Bloody Mary? <Angel> ::nods:: Bounty-hunter... sometimes she's even legit. ::he starts coughing again, nearly doubling over with the force of it:: * Jewel looks a little frightened at the force of his coughing, sitting on the edge of the bed and supporting him until it passes.:: * Angel blots his mouth with the back of his hand, leaving a red smear. <Dawn> Not any more, she isn't. That was yesterday. ::watches Angel cough up blood, and his mouth tightens briefly:: The rest of it can wait 'til you've seen a fucking priest. <Jewel> ::bites her lip, taking his hand in both of her own and wiping it off gently.:: That does it... we're getting you a cleric. <Angel> ::nods, then taps the gold chain around his neck that bears Nacheyla's symbol:: Talarin... <Jewel> ::blinks:: You're right... she would... ::sighs:: We *really* need to pay a few more casual visits, from time to time... Dawn? <Dawn> ::blinks, then smacks himself in the temple:: Why didn't I think of that? Fuck. ::grimaces:: Brains turning into offal. Wonder if that fucking poison was more subtle than I thought... ::glances at Jewel:: You want me to go? <Jewel> ::looks meek and nods:: If I contact Bie and let her know we're all back, could you run this last weensy errand? Pretty please? <Dawn> ::nods wearily:: Tell Bienca. But I'm fucking walking across town. He'll live long enough for that, anyhow. <Jewel> ::nods:: Be careful? Oh-- and she should probably come with escort. Both of them, to be on the safe side. ::gives Angel a Look:: And you'll be polite to the nice family saving your life, yes? * Angel glowers at Jewel. "Yes, mother." <Dawn> ::scowls:: I'm not going to let her get hurt. They can leave feathers-for-brains at home with the babies. No sense getting him pissed off as soon as he's able to breathe again. * Angel mouths 'thank you' at Dawn from where Jewel can't see him. <Jewel> Well... ::bites her lip:: Just... be polite how you ask? Please? * Dawn winks at Angel, not caring if Jewel sees. "Yes, mother." <Jewel> ::sighs:: Don't know why you don't like him, anyway... I think Master Diya's very sweet. * Jewel scowls at both of them and makes shooing motions at Dawn. * Angel is spared the indignity of coming up with a plausible explanation by going into another coughing fit. * Dawn grins and leaves the apartment. * Jewel expression melts back into worry, and she wraps her arms around her husband again as Dawn departs. |
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