folklorist | ϡ - Chapter ThirtyEight; Interested questions [Action|Voice] (backdated to the 18th)

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ϡ - Chapter ThirtyEight; Interested questions [Action|Voice] (backdated to the 18th)

[ Helios has just gotten back from his most recent mission and he has comeback with a bit more than a few scratches. He’ll be making his way back towards house forty-four as he was deposited in the town square with his makeshift sling. His arm was broken in the final day’s fight and he might have some slash marks across his upper torso from shift hunters. He looks bruised, worn, and extremely tired for a man of his age far too old and far too gone to ever get back his lost youth. And yet, and yet he still manages to smile and keep on going. But he’s not going to make mention of those injuries delivered by the shift hunters or the nightmares that are likely to follow tonight. He should really not sleep at the house but he has nowhere else to stay. Maybe the clinic could work…

His arm he can’t really hide, although, he does stop by the clothes shop to pick up a new coat to hide his arm under. There’s stiffness to his step as he makes his way back to House 44 most likely too out of sorts to really try to go off the well trotted path, making him a very easy target. He’ll walk slowly inside, making sure not to disturb anyone as he enters. It’s only in the afternoon where his voice will come over the journal. ]

It’s strange isn’t it? Knowing how small ones planet can be here. I-I mean there are so many other places and beings here from worlds unknown. It makes you wonder just who is out there on this planet as well. S-So many other villages probably and who knows if there’s other versions of ourselves or even p-people we know in our worlds. I-I’m not sure if there can be two versions of one person in the same plane of existence. I’ve known it to happen and nothing good has ever come of it unfortunately. If you met yourself one day…and you were an entirely opposite person it would be strange, wouldn’t it?

[ A pause as there’s a finger tapping against a table on his end. A sigh before the tapping stops and there’s some shuffling as a book in taken out of a shelf and then placed on the table with a thump. The turning of pages fills the silence for a short amount of time before there’s another reply. ]

They say seeing ones doppelganger is an omen. I’m not sure if that’s true or not but…has anyone ever encountered something like a double of themselves before? There are myths and legends in my w-world about them but, well, I’d be curious to know if anyone else has something similar. Fetches, Fylgia, vardøgers. Ah. There are so many instances of doubles.

Oh! Yes before I forget. [ Said with a tiredness to his voice which is masked underneath all that excited air. ] Speaking of myths and legends the book club has been on an-an extended hiatus these past few months. But, well, I’ve recently taken up the duty of running the library a-and well the book club as well. A-Anyone who has an interest to read or loves to do so is very much welcomed to join us; we meet on the third Thursday of every month. It’s open to everyone here of course and I might be trying s-something new for this next meeting of ours. Especially to all you newcomers out there I-I’m sure you’re all wondering what there is to do here. We, um, d-do try to make things for people to join in on this is one such case. A-And if there’s anything either I or anyone else in Welcome Center can do to help don’t hesitate to ask! [Not as though Helios can be of much help right now as it is. But that's hardly ever stopped him before. ]

It’s, um, a pleasure meeting you all and welcome to Luceti. I-I know it's probably hard, getting used to this place, but everyone here is very nice s-so there's no harm in asking questions or needing help doing something. We're all very open towards helping one another.

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Do you mind loosening your collar? I could just inject you through the fabric but I'd rather avoid damaging your clothing or contaminating the injection site. Just enough for me to get the needle in. I will be quick, I promise.

[It was the least she could do and let herself rest easy, knowing that she has done something to help. A mild dose of painkillers, a proper sling. Perhaps something stronger in the morning if he's still too tired to mend himself on his own.]

Oh. [ It takes him a second to register what it is exactly that Adele's asked of him. ]

Oh of-of course. [ He'll undo his collar just enough for Adele to easily access the site for injection. He looks a bit tentative as he shifts in his seat at the sight on that needle. Having none too happy a memory associated with them. But, no, this was the least he could allow her to do and he knows how terribly unfair he's being right now with all of this. He knows that as a surgeon and a doctor to deny her giving him treatment is almost like denying him the use of his magic. It's unfair, terribly so, but he just can't do it.

He's far too weak that way. A frown touches his features as he looks back at Adele, watching the other with apologetic green eyes. ]

[She waits until his collar is open, until she approaches. Syringe in hand, but out of sight. He's anxious enough for so many reasons, and she'll not give him another. Not when all she wants is to help. Not when he's always been so kind. The fabric of his shirt is held away from his skin, she finesses her other hand inside and even blind, the needle slides home. A small pinch, then? Relief as she depresses the plunger.

Sweet soothing morphine at the core of his pain. It's the most she can do for him, well. The most he'll allow. And the least she'll let herself get away with doing.]

Give it a few seconds. If it aches yet, I will give you more. As I'm not entirely certain as to the extent of the damage I cannot in good conscious give you more than this in one go.

[ He manages to repress that wince as Adele injects him with morphine. The burning sensation travels down his arms, torso, to his legs. It's an odd feeling, one that he hasn't felt in a rather long time, and one that he didn't think to feel after so long. The terrible pain and aching dulls to a minor throb and then to an almost pulled muscle sort of feeling. Helios lets out a tired sigh as he slumps a little in his chair. Looking slightly better but still worse for wear. He'll look up at Adele with a small smile. ] That, ah, that h-helped a good deal. Th-thank you Adele.

[ He doesn't move for a few seconds only shifting slightly in his seat after a moment or two. ] I-I think I'll be alright f-for now.

Soleil, use this sling. And...go to bed. Rest. Mend yourself in the morning if you are able. If not? I will give you more painkillers. But...please try to rest. You need it.

[It's all she can do. Urge him to rest. Keep him comfortable. If she was stronger with Nala perhaps she could help more- but. All she can mend are mild bruises. And it takes quite a bit of focus and time to manage even that much. She relies on her craft, what little she's allowed to use, here.]

Will you need help up the stairs, or would you rather use one of the rooms down here for tonight?

[ Helios nods at the recommendations. Rest is the one thing he can do right now. He's positively exhausted as is, even if he wanted to stay up he probably couldn't. ] I-I will. Rest I mean.

[ He says that as sincerely as possible. ] I-I'll be alright going upstairs. Y-You don't, ah, you don't have to w-worry.

You know me Helios. I always worry.

[She offers him a half smile as she sets the syringe aside. She'll wrap it later, dispose of it properly. For now she'll make a kettle of tea, and wait downstairs for an hour. Keep an ear out for disturbances in Helios' room. Stay up and mind the house for awhile.]

I-I apologize for, for making you do so even more than-than normal then.

[ He sounds so terribly guilty. But once the pain subsides and Helios comes down from his room after a long shower and changing into a fresh pair of clothes he'll look...slightly better. But he's still awake and well there was tea which could probably be used to help him relax some more.

So to the kitchen he goes. ] Adele. Those...all those locks. What-what are they f-for? I-I have a barrier around the house. Is...did something happen?

...

[Right. Those.]

Nothing happened...yet. I simply had the time and drive to add a few new ones over the past few days and feel more secure with the locks. And.

[Honesty. Be honest.]

I may have been having night terrors the past week or so. Again.

Nothing...yet? [ That gets a frown along with the admittance of having night terrors. Boy does Helios know how it feels to have those. ]

Adele. I-I can help you know? I do have a barrier around the entire house. If, if there's someone or-or something you're not comfortable with being inside I fully understand. [ A tired sigh escapes him as he sits back down in one of the kitchen chairs. ]

I also might h-have something to help you with, with your night terrors if-if you'd like?

I am not entirely certain if you have noticed Helios, but I am somewhat paranoid. It comes and goes depending on a great many factors but...

[But. Scorpius. The dreams. That accidental attack by Peeta. That lingering fear of some of the less savory individuals she'd heard whispers of in the village.]

...I. Thank you, Soleil. When I can properly organize my thought and concerns in a way that might help you sort out what you would need for the barrier I will let you know.

[A beat.]

I've been taking mild sedatives. It's not helping but I do not wish to take anything stronger should I be needed late at night. Anything you could think of to help? Would be greatly appreciated.

I, ah, h-haven't really. [ Though Helios is admittedly an absentminded person even on his best days. A frown at those 'factors' he doesn't know about many of those things taking place and he probably should given that they live with one another. He almost feels...guilty about not being there for her at the worst of times. ] Um y-yes of course. I-I wouldn't mind that all a-as much time as you need.

[ He looks back at the teapot still steaming on the stove. ] It's just...a simple little concoction of t-tea that, that Giles used to make me sometimes. When I...when I- [ had night terrors ] -c-couldn't sleep either. I can t-try to make it less potent because it really does have quite a kick to it.

[A great deal of what causes her stress is outside of their home. While she's in the house, all is well. More or less. Then the only things that cause her anxiety are in her own mind. And she's trying to work on that, really, there is no one at fault here but herself.] I- thank you Helios. I'm not the easiest person to live with, and I know this, but. Thank you for your patience.

[The least she could do is offer him some of the same, really.]

Any kick is a good kick at this point. Sleep has been...elusive for the past few days, even with the sedatives. Sometimes all it does is make me dream that which I'd rather not the entire way through instead of waking.

[ Helios manages a very tired laugh at that. It's almost a bit more chipper than previously but that might just be the drugs in his system at the moment. ] Adele I live with a dragon god back home that has set fire to my clothes one too many a time to count, and is rather insufferable on his best days. You're anything but difficult to l-live with.

[ He looks at her with a understanding gaze a nod at her words. ] Have you...ever tried meditating right before going to bed? I, ah, find it to be rather soothing and calming actually. S-So maybe...maybe you could also try something like that. [ It's not a normal convention for insomnia but...after what happened Elise Helios used similar methods and it did help at least for a little while. ]

N-Night terrors are...always hard t-to combat I've found. B-But I also tried meditating and it...it does work.

A dragon...god. I. I do not think I wish to ask tonight, otherwise neither of us will sleep for your explaining and my asking questions. [She manages a very soft, terribly fond laugh, because she would ask. About everything. Helios's world is fascinating to her, and his earnest explanations always make for excellent conversation.]

Meditating? Meditating- Helios I think you may have seen my attempt at Meditation before with Ben, yes? And how well that had gone for us? As in. It went very, very poorly. Calming my mind does not come easily to me- it smacks of being idle. I need something to focus on, and my breathing doesn't quite measure up to the usual cycle of concerns and anxieties playing a constant loop in the back of my mind at any given moment.

But. Should I ever master the art of meditation? I think it would be more than worth a try.

Perhaps when we're both a bit better rested I can tell you more about it. [ Ra was always an interesting topic for conversation to be sure. Helios gives Adele a sad smile. It wasn't for everyone, meditating, but Robert was able to do it, he even contacted Nala. It wasn't impossible but it was different for everyone. ]

I-I understand. It-it isn't for everyone. But I do think you could do it. Robert even, um, learned how and he's...well he's always used to think, it's not easy for him to calm or still his mind e-either. But if it's any consolation? I-I think you can do it.

The morning, if you are feeling up to it.

[She'll be the last person to push Helios into anything even remotely taxing, physical or otherwise, while he's injured.]

In time, I might. Right now it isn't coming to me easily but. Time and practice will tell, yes? My habit of being constantly worried isn't healthy in the slightest. And your faith in me is appreciated Helios. If you think I can? Then I'm certain I will manage it.

The morning then. [ You can count on it because Helios isn't going to able to do much after all is said and done. So maybe being storyteller for a week or two is better than nothing. ]

Time and practice, yes. I-I mean look at how far you've come with cooking and you said your food was a lethal weapon at one point, correct? [ He manages a light laugh. ] Worrying isn't healthy, no, I-I know it's hard but the saying worrying yourself sick is somewhat true. [ But telling her not to would be extremely contradictory of him, because Helios worries so much about everything and sometimes with the smallest of details that he can understand Adele's actions. ]

M-Maybe you should...take a small break too, go to the hot springs or beach. Both are rather lovely this time of year.

IF three months ago you would have told me I was a tolerable, if not decent cook? I would have laughed at you. [She snorts in turn.] You have been an excellent instructor and coach in this regard Helios. Your faith in my abilities has given me all the more reason to continue to do well.

[The last thing she'd want to do is disappoint him.]

I think, perhaps, we both could use a break. All of us. Once your arm is healed we could make a trip up to the springs? Sabriel and I could soak, you could warm your feet again.

[Because asking him to strip down and relax with anyone else around wasn't going to happen, ever.] Or we could have a fish roast on the beach.

[ Helios looks a bit sheepish at the praise. ] N-Not really. I just...had a very good attentive student is all.

[ He nods at the suggestion though. ] Those both sound lovely Adele. Offering for others to come as well would be nice too. An extended invitation you know? Just having a nice peaceful relaxing evening out on the beach. [ It sounds rather perfect and probably something they all would need at some point. ]

We could roast fish, ice fruit and just enjoy a lovely day on the shore. Everyone would enjoy that and...it's been roughly four months since I made the open invitation to the hot springs. Another similar invitation might not be remiss.

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ϡ - Chapter ThirtyEight; Interested questions [Action|Voice] (backdated to the 18th)

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