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.

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[fadingworld]

There is a sharp intake of breath from Mal. He shuts his eyes and says a quick prayer for the dead. Could the House ever recover from this?

He shakes his head dully. "The girls are known for their delicate beauty." He shuts his eyes. "I'm lucky I am here, with your sole attention."

[mandragoraspiritus]

A comforting hand comes to rest on Mal's shoulder, then. Even with his love of words, for once Regis doesn't say anything. Yes, Mal is lucky to be here, to not have to share a physician's attention and to have a physician that actually knows what he's doing. Regis knows of some of the doctors attending the courtesans and doe wouldn't give much for their supposed skills.

[fadingworld]

There are silent tears, reading into Regis' silence. "Do you ever think things happen for a reason?" he asks after a little.

[mandragoraspiritus]

"I do not know," he replies somberly. "I do not know if there are any Gods, or if the universe has a reason for us. Perhaps the purpose is no more than what we make for ourselves."

[fadingworld]

"Today, I like to think there is a purpose," Mal says after a moment. "That if I survive this...its because I can make a contribution some day."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis hand squeezes gently down on Mal's shoulder, the tips of those sharp nails just barely coming to touch skin. "You will survive it, have no fear, he assures. "You will find your way to make your contribution."

[fadingworld]

Mal thinks that Regis does not like losing anyone he works on. And yet...he feels that the touch on his shoulder feels like it is just for him.


He looks up at Regis, "You have confidence in me," he says with some wonderment.

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis does not like to fail, this is true, and he does have faith in his own skills. But he also has confidence in Mal.

"Naturally. If you did not have the strength and will to live and make it through this, you would not have lasted this far." Truly, Mal has been very ill indeed and is not out of the woods yet. But Regis still feels confident that he will make it.

[fadingworld]

"I certainly do not want die having only lived as courtesan." He does give into the impulse to curl up on his side, a much more natural resting position for him.

It dawns on him that he is naked and he looks amused. "I cannot believe I was asleep while you stripped me, I would have made at least 3 jokes had I been awake."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis leans back in his seat then, chuckling softly. "All the better then that you were asleep for it." All jokes aside, some professionalism might be in order.

"You will have to forgive me for not seeking your permission for it. I had to cool you down and you were far too deep into unconsciousness."

[fadingworld]

"No forgiveness is needed," Mal says easily. "I would have had no right to refuse you anyway." There is something heart breaking about the way Mal says it with no bitterness. He has a simple acceptance that he does not own the rights to his body.

[mandragoraspiritus]

That statement causes Regis to frown. "You always have the right to refuse," he says sternly. "At least here, you may always refuse and have your wish respected. I would perhaps question such a wish in circumstances like these, but nevertheless it is your right."

[fadingworld]

Mal shakes his head. "No, not according to my contract. To refuse and be found out would result in a whipping." He looks up, "You see I have to do everything to keep myself healthy and available. And in turn it is their duty to keep me safe, and punish a client should they break the house rules."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"We are not under a contract." A sharp-nailed hand gestures between them. "You have no such obligations towards me, nor would I ever wish you to. If you should wish me to return your clothes to you and to not remove them again, then I shall. If needed be I shall find some other way to keep you cool."

[fadingworld]

"I am under contract to the house, they would have things to say about," Mal says simply. "But be at peace Regis, I am not uncomfortable unclothed around you." He smiles up, "I trust you."

[mandragoraspiritus]

There is a reluctant acceptance to Regis then. It does please him that Mal trusts him and can be at ease around him, but the fact that Mal doesn't feel he has the rights to his own body does not sit well with the older man, not well at all.

He nods, perhaps somewhat curtly. "You should return to sleep, if you can. If you keep on improving, then next time we should see about getting some food into you."

[fadingworld]

Mal puzzles over the change in expression. Had he done something wrong? He settles down quietly. "Get some rest too," he says quietly and settles down to his own thoughts. They don't last for long and he's soon asleep again.

The sleep is more natural and he sleeps deper. When he wakes the next day he cautiously stretches his limbs out. "Good day," he says settling for a neutral time. He feels a little cooler nad thikning it would make Regis more comfortable he asks for a light blanket to throw over himself.

[mandragoraspiritus]

This time there is no immediate answer. A little distance from the bed in a chair by a desk Regis sits dozing. He has his legs stretched out before him, crossed at the ankles, arms crossed over his body and chin resting on his chest. It seems like the seemingly tireless barber-surgeon needs some rest after all.

[fadingworld]

Mal lifts his head, and spots him. It gives him a moment to study the other man. There is a sense of power to him even when he's resting and that interests him. He wasn't like his clients, there was no act that he could see. And he was handsome. Mal could see that, age was no barrier to him.

He takes an interest in the room. When he spots his desired blanket, he risks nemesis by getting out of bed and going to place it on Regis to keep him warm while he rests. It's not the wisest move for his body and it protests as he hopes to creep back to bed undetected.

[mandragoraspiritus]

It doesnt work. As soon as Mal turns to return to the bed Regis rouses. Within seconds he's on his feet, the blanket slung over one arm, steadying hands on Mal's shoulders as he resolutely leads him back to the bed. "A kind gesture, one I do appreciate even if it is a tad misplaced. Back to bed, young man." Once Mal is back to bed, Regis spreads a fresh sheet ovet him and the blanket on top of that.

"I take this to mean thst you are starting to feel better, yes?"

[fadingworld]

"I didn't mean to wake you," Mal says, a warm feeling spreading where the hand touches him. He settles down comfortably. "I feel like my body is no longer rebelling against me. It feels achy and tired but I can live with that."

He smiles up, "How about you? Have you rested enough? I don't want you falling ill from tiredness on my account."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"There is no risk of that," he assures and there really isn't. With Mal tucked back into bed, Regis checks him over as he's done so many times by now and is pleased to see that his patient does seem to be on the mend.

"Do you feel up for trying some food? I have some soup on the stove that I would like to see if you can stomach."

[fadingworld]

"I don't feel hungry but I will try it," Mal says. "If it is something you've made it will be worth trying. If it smells as good as your herb combinations I am sure it will tempt me."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"My medicines are chosen for thier efficiency, not for their taste. Luckily for my patients, a fair few doesn't taste so terrible."

He leaves the bedroom for a moment and returns with two bowls of soup. The smaller he gives to Mal, knowing better than to try to fill his belly too much. After this long asleep its better to start slowky.

It is good soup, the broth rich from the marrow bones that has cooked along with it.

[fadingworld]

It smells good, and after a spoonful Mal is able to compliment Regis on his cooking. After a couple more spoonfuls, he sets the spoon down feeling that he's had enough.


"Would you mind if I saved the rest for later? I honestly am full for the moment."