A medical emergency

[fadingworld]

A deep navy cloak hides his features and the more ornate tunic the courtesan usually wears to greet his clients. Mal hunches his shoulders and slides through the crowds hoping to avoid notice. He keeps his head down until he reaches the home of the doctor and wraps smartly on the door. "Open up," he calls in a voice that expects to be listened to.

How much time did he have? He could not have a client bleeding out. Not this one. Not one who had come to him for help, to be treated privately.

Comments

[fadingworld]

"It sounds like a delicate balancing process," Mal says with a faint smile. "And requiring a steady hand. Do you find being a barber helps with that?"

[mandragoraspiritus]

"It is rather the other way around, I think," he muses. Talking, about anything really, does seem to help Mal. "The steady hand comes from this. Cutting someone's hair or beard doesn't need it quite as much - the stakes are certainly not as high - but it it does benefit."

[fadingworld]

Talking will always be a refuge for Mal. While he's talking, he can push some of the pain away to a secondary thought. The only noticeable indications of pain are the curling and uncurling of his fingers.

"Which came first?" he asks.

[mandragoraspiritus]

"Taking it as an actual profession, it came at the same time. There was no going from one to the other. However, I was a bit of a fop in my younger days." He gives a crooked smile. "Very mindful of my appearance. I would cut my own hair and trim my own beard, and often do the same for my friends. Any interest I had in medical matters were one of simple curiosity at the time."

[fadingworld]

There was a giggle, quickly cut short as the ribs protest, over the image. "What age did you present yourself as then and what did you consider handsome?"

[mandragoraspiritus]

"Oh, we are talking over three-hundred years ago, you realize?" Again that crooked smile, not putting any fangs on display. "I did appear much younger then. Late twenties, perhaps. Early thirties. Not a gray hair in sight."

[fadingworld]

"My age," Mal says with delighted amusement. He drops his head down to the pillow again to rest more comfortably. "Were the hairstyles outrageous?"

[mandragoraspiritus]

"They always are, if you venture into the aristocracy. I did not so I was spared the most elaborate styles. But I did wear it fairly long back then."

He already had needle and thread set out in a small dish. Now he picks up a flask from his satchel, pouring some of the fluid over it. The smell of alcohol is strong. It's the strongest he's managed to distill.

He looks apologetically at Mal, holding up the flask. "This will hurt quite a bit I'm afraid. But I need to properly disinfect the wound before I suture it."

[fadingworld]

Mal would like to hear more about the hair styles. But he is not going to open his mouth to ask questions while this is done for fear he might just scream in pain.

He glances up at Regis, surely this could not hurt as much as receiving the wound itself. He retreats into himself a little in preparation to handle the pain. "I understand why it must be done, who knows what that Chort picked up in the forest. I am ready."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Perhaps it is a warning of just how much it will hurt, when Regis lays an arm across Mal, high up on his chest to be able to keep his shoulders pressed down against the bed.

He pours quickly, then tosses the flask aside to free his other hand to press down over Mal's hips to keep him as still as possible. He fears for his ribs in this but it must be done.

[fadingworld]

For all of his self resolve, Mal finds himself screaming into the pillow, trying to wriggle desperately against the hold. "I can't.... I can't. Make it stop."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"I'm sorry, Mal, I'm so sorry." Regis isn't at all sure that Mal even hears his softly spoken words, as he leans over him to firmly hold him down. Truly, he thinks it would be better for Mal if he fainted, and had he had more time he would have brewed up something stronger to knock Mal out before doing this. But they don't have that much time, and they are out here far away from most of Regis' supplies. They have to manage, somehow.

"I can't make it stop. But I promise it will pass."

[fadingworld]

Mal shakes his head, fighting the urge to faint, fighting the pain. "I feel like I am on fire." He hasn't heard Regis, his ribs protest as he sobs and tries to twist again.

It is relief when Mal does faint as the pain reaches it's peak.

[mandragoraspiritus]

There is both relief and a sharp wave of fear when Mal does lose consciousness. Even though Regis can hear Mal's heart still beating he does lay his fingers to his neck to check for a pulse, tension leaving him when he feels it.

Regis works quickly, then, taking the time now that Mal won't feel it to stitch the wound closed, then gently and mindful of his ribs he lifts him to be able to wrap bandages securely around him, covering the wound and providing some support for his ribs.

After that it is just to wait for Mal to wake, time Regis spends cleaning up and burning all the blood-soaked rags and cloth he has. He must try to clear away the still heavy scent of Mal's blood. It shames him that even now he finds it tempting.

[fadingworld]

It is relief to his body and mind not to feel anything for a little. When Mal comes to he no longer feels like he is being burned alive from the inside out. There is a steady low burn as he looks around for Regis.

"Can I have some water please?" A pause to wet his lips, "Are you okay?"

[mandragoraspiritus]

"You needn't worry about me," Regis tries to assure him softly as he ever so carefully lifts him somewhat so he can drink some water from the mug he holds to his lips. But in truth, Regis looks worn. He always does to some degree, in part from the fact that he is still regenerating ever so slowly from the incident years ago. But he looks worse now, strained.

"Are you in much pain now?"

[fadingworld]

Mal takes slow slips gratefully. He reaches for Regis' hand. "It is much better, and definitely bearable." His eyes search the dear face. "I do worry," he says softly, "You do not look quite yourself."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis tries on a tired smile. It doesn't look very happy. "It can hardly be surprising that I am worried, can it? And... It pains me deeply, that I had to cause you so much pain."

[fadingworld]

Mal draws the hand in and kisses around the knuckles. "You saved me," he says firmly. "I am sorry I could not make it easier on you. Trust me when I say I am glad you did what you did?" He is starting to see the truth in the words it is easier to be injured than watch someone you love hurt.

[mandragoraspiritus]

It is hard, having to see Mal like this. Regis isn't powerless in the situation, he has already done much to help Mal, but he still feels terribly powerless. Humans are such frail creatures, especially compared to vampires. They are easily harmed, and heal so slowly.

"I only wish I could have made it less painful. Had I had better supplies, more potent drugs..."

[fadingworld]

"Had you gone for those the consequences would have been much worse," Mal reassures him in a warm steady voice. "Do not regret what you have done." Regret. As Mal says the word it seems to take on a life of its own. It had not been his choice of word exactly...he had felt it was right. Now he feel it radiating a little from Regis.


Perhaps the drugs had been stronger than he had thought.

"You have more than done right by me."

[mandragoraspiritus]

He had done what he could, to the best of his ability. A part of him can accept that. But another part wishes he could do more. It's the same part that keeps hims him working as a man of healing, more often than not among the lower classes, to make up for all the blood he spilled and the lives he wasted in his youth.

"Hopefully it was enough, but I fear that we will have to remain here for a time, until we can find a way to make the journey home."

[fadingworld]

"It will be, I am strong and not prone to sickness." He wishes he could lean up and kiss Regis and push some of the negativity to side for a moment.

"How soon could I walk out or stand horseback?"

[mandragoraspiritus]

"You might get up on your feet for a bit tomorrow, but you will not be in any shape to make the walk home." That was far too far. Grated that Mal had been carrying a pack here, but the trek to this place had been enough to wind him somewhat.

"The same with being on horseback, even had we had horses here. No, our best bet to leave here any time soon is if I make a stretcher."

[fadingworld]

Mal will accept the stretcher. He wonders if going to Regis' pace and accepting the decisions will make it easier for the vampire.

"Would you prefer the stretcher or to make this our home for a little?"