folklorist | ϡ - Chapter Forty-Five; an aliment [action|voice|written]

Entry tags:

ϡ - Chapter Forty-Five; an aliment [action|voice|written]

[ When the feed initially comes on there’s merely the sound of pained labored breathing. It’s clear that whoever it on the other end is trying desperately to breathe, but it hardly seems to be working well. There’s another pause as the sound of feet crunching through the snow stops. A deep breath filters through followed by a very agonized, wet, and pained cough, which sounds a bit distant as the afflicted turns away. The voice that comes out is slightly Romanian in accent when the person finally speaks. It's shaky and pained despite the attempts to not sound too much so, as if Helios doesn't want anyone to know his aliment at the moment.]

Ah. It’s snowing. R-Reminds me of when I first arrived here. [ A few moments of soft coughing as he continues to walk through the snow. He isn’t really enjoying the snow as much this time around. ]

I’m s-sorry for taking so long to comeback, they k-kept me a bit longer then expected. [ Helios would be one to apologize amidst having something like this. Another few coughs before there’s some stumbling. His voice is soft and if it wasn’t so quiet out he probably wouldn’t even be heard. But talking loudly is just really far too much for him right how. ] Ah. How long was I away for, exactly? Did we g-get more new arrivals yet? If-if we have I-I suppose a welcome is in o-order. [ Another cough or two as he tries to clear his throat. ] W-Welcome to Luceti, if-if you have just arrived. I hope you g-get...get situated nicely.

[ He sounds out of breath as he tries to get it back. But his chest and lungs just are not cooperating. His panic is thinly masked, because he knows that something is terrible wrong. ]

I’ll be home- [ Another fit of coughing as he tries to steady himself against that tree. Each one sends a tremendous amount of pain through his chest that he really just can’t talk anymore. He’ll switch to writing then instead so as to not worry too many people. ]

[ Written ]

I’ll be home shortly. Raine. I. I don’t think I’ll be able teach at the school for the next few days. [ And with that nothing else comes from him. He would ask for assistance but he doesn't want anyone else to get sick, if they even can. He’s missed so much but it was probably best that he didn’t go to school like this. He’s barely able to stand as is and his chest hurts quite a bit too. If you couldn’t tell Helios is a bit under the weather one look at his pale, slightly damp face will show you everything you need to know. And should you happen across him making his way back through the village from the woods behind C2 you will notice how tired and utterly miserable he looks in that snow. Coughing fits will overtake him slowing his progress back to house 44. ]

((ooc; Helios has come back with TB. It's not contagious (ICly though that won't be known) or able to be cured. But it won't get any better or worse for the week or so that he has it. It's in a fixed state of the later stages of the disease. ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I always found Banshees to be fairly straightforward. They're up front about their motives and their purpose. But people will fawn over some of the Sidhe because they're attractive, even while getting screwed over by them.

[He laughs softly and nods.] Yeah. And I have a lot of relatives to be embarrassed by.

[He's glad that the spell's holding up well enough to let Helios laugh and the distraction from his condition is hopefully helping in some way.]

The world could use more people who think like that. Your school, it sounds like good place. A happy place.

[And he holds himself back a little from what he'd like to say, because much more gets into flirting territory.

He looks a little surprised by the question, and gives an awkward smile and a shrug.]

I like what I do, mostly anyway. I could do without accounts. And the occasional possession. It's not- it's nothing I'm kind of... bound to. It's not a calling.

Edited 2013-03-24 04:03 (UTC)

[ Helios will frown covering his mouth again as another wave of coughs escapes him. He listens to Max as he continues, it seems like their worlds are a bit different after all. The banshees in his world would never out right hurt people, but the sidhe were always on the fence about such things. ]

I see. Most of the mythological creatures in my own world would never out right try to take advantage of the humans that live alongside them. Of course every world is different, however. But it is true. The Academy and the students there, I think everyone is marginally happy. And that's all I couldn't really ask and I-I do try to make sure that that happiness isn't endangered.

[ He notes Max's surprise but he doesn't say anything on the matter. ] What do you think is, your calling I mean? I-I know that not everyone fully realizes theirs, and that it sometimes takes time, but if you had the choice what would you like to, ah, do.

[ He blinks in surprise from his own audacity; covering his mouth and turning away to cough again. ]

Oh, dear, I-I'm sorry Max. That was a bit out of hand, even for me. You-you don't have to say anything, if you don't want. I-I'm just rambling thanks to this-this illness of mine.

[He really doesn't like the sound of that cough. He has no medical training, but it doesn't take that to be discomforted by it.]

People take advantage of other people. The Sidhe might be less overt about it, but they have much longer to play games. There are plenty of people who think the Grand Alliance was a bad idea, even if it's rather gauche to say so.

Favours are trickier things than contracts too.

[He smiles warmly at that, and shakes his head.]

No, it's fine, really. [At least while he was talking he was distracted a little.] I don't mind.

I... I dunno. Never really thought about it. I was going to do my doctorate. Probably would've ended up consulting for the government on magical legislation.

Really, all I want to do is research magic, work with it. But after stuff happened... I dunno. It scared me a bit.

[ Helios doesn't like it either, it's painful and the fact that he's starting to taste what he believes is his blood only makes him panic more. ]

Favors certainly. I have known many a creature to have gotten caught up in paying off favors to humans and other beings as well.

[ He will give a slightly relieved sigh because he knows that it was rather personal to ask such a thing and he really should have known better. But perhaps it's the illness because normally he'd have more self awareness and control. Helios will frown his concern easily recognizable as he listens to Max's explanation, stuff happened, yes of course Max had mentioned some things during Valentine's Day. ]

I see. I-I'm sorry if I made you think about them again, that wasn't my intention. But you know after Elise passed away I almost thought about giving up magic as well. But I know that she wouldn't have wanted that. She knew how important and special magic was to me.

[ He'll look down at his hands and sigh tiredly as another several coughs sound through the silence. His eyes widen just a little bit as he notes the metallic taste of blood mouth in the few specks that dot his hands. His eyes tick towards Max, he does want to alarm the other but it's readily apparent that something was very wrong. He'll try to wipe away as much of the blood as he can hoping that it'll come off and that Max won't see it. ]

They're tricky things. I don't like being in debt to anyone.

[He offers a warm smile, reassuring. He doesn't mind Helios asking at all. He can trust him with that, and Helios seems to understand.]

I don't mind. And yeah, I gave it up for I dunno, a year maybe. But it's the same for me. It's part of who I am. I can't imagine living another way.

[His eyes narrow as another burst of coughs come from Helios. He looks worse even than a few minutes ago.]

Should I call someone to meet us? That really doesn't sound good.

I-I don't think I could ever give it up either. It's just something that's a part of you and in more than one sense. [ Helios will shake his head another string of coughs cutting through the air as Max asks that question. He'll wave the other man off, as if to not alarm him, before he continues walking. ]

No, no, I'll be all right. Just have to rest for a moment. Walking seems to take a lot out of me right now...b-but I'll be f-fine a few minutes. The cold isn't-isn't helping either I'm afraid.

[ And it was the truth because his breath was a little stilted as white puffs of exhaled air past into the open air in irregular formation. ]

A big part in my case, and yours I think. I was going crazy by the end of that year and threw myself back in.

[And it had been so good to try it again, like finding a part of himself that had been lost.]

Like I said, I can take away the pain, but the symptoms are different. Here, borrow my scarf.

[He pulls it off and holds it out to Helios.]

I think that would be the case for anyone. It's not even a habit but more of a lifestyle and habits are hard enough to break, let alone something that's been a part of your life for such a long time.

[ Helios had to admit that he could probably never give up magic entirely. It has just become a part of who he is. ]

It-it's fine. I'll be fine. You-you don't need to g-give me that. [ And even as he finishes that sentence the silence that follows is shattered with another series of coughs. Once he's gained enough breath to speak he will. ]

I-I wouldn't want you to get sick either. [ Or so that's what Helios is telling himself. He's more worried about getting said scarf bloodied or ruined somehow, and thus showing how badly sick he is, another added stress that Max probably does not need at the moment. ]

It's in my blood. It would be giving up a part of myself to stop.

[It was wrapped around the core of him by now, maybe it always had been.]

Yeah, I really do.

[Because when he coughs like that, it just reminds him how bad things are, even if he isn't in pain right now.]

It's just a scarf. And I'm not the one hacking up a lung here, Helios. Please, take it.

A-Alright. [ Helios will frown quite deeply as he looks back at Max and the scarf he's holding out for him to take. There's a small sigh that passes his lips before he finally takes it without any other objections as puts it around his neck. ]

Thank you. I-I'm sorry for being difficult. [ He really doesn't mean to be but he's really quite unused to such treatment. Helios will turn back to note that the house is only just down the road. ]

Oh! We're almost there I-I didn't even notice...

[He feels a little bad for insisting, but he'd rather be pushy and have Helios feel better. It's just a scarf. He offers him a soft smile.]

You're not. You're a friend and I lo- I care about you.

[He follows Helios's gaze and oh yeah, there it is.]

Amazing what a little pain relief can do, huh?

[ Helios looks a bit surprised as he turns his attentions towards Max. He can probably piece together what the other man meant to say...

He looks flustered for but a moment before covering himself with that scarf further. He nods and gives a faint smile, coughing lightly from behind the scarf as he does so. ]

Y-Yes. It truly is amazing, that spell of yours.

[Shit. He'd actually... oh hell, he had not meant for that to come out. It was supposed to be nothing, just... just a natural reaction to being around an attractive man who was smart and sweet and... and it was true, wasn't it?

He meets Helios's gaze for a second, a slightly apologetic look on his face because he'd known, Helios had told him, and he'd still fallen hard.]

It works for me. I got hurt fighting possessed Viking re-enactors once and it got me to the hospital. Which was good. I probably shouldn't have been driving.

Edited 2013-03-29 03:19 (UTC)

[ Yep. He definitely knows what that other word was. And oh dear lord Max still had feelings for him. But it's not like he had any reason not to, after their time together, especially in the hot springs and...

No. No. He really mustn't think about that. His face is getting hotter than it already is. Oh damn the Malnosso and their meddling in people's lives. Helios returns the look with something of understanding and compassion. ]

Goodness Max. You really ought to be more careful. I'm sure there's people in your world who would be rather upset knowing that you almost, ah...got hurt so severely. [ He might sigh, which turns into another cough or two, as he shakes his head. He definitely doesn't mean to sound chiding or anything but that's a scary situation to think about. ]

[Oh god... he wonders if he should mention it, talk about it, except how do you even start that kind of conversation? And what good could come of it?

Helios is blushing and that's good because Max is probably at least as red and... it's pretty damn attractive.

The look that Helios gives him isn't helping. It would be easier if he just laughed or something, but then he wouldn't be Helios, would he?]

I was fine. Thankfully the weapons were blunted. Got a couple of broken ribs. A few cuts and bruises.

[ Knowing these two neither of them will admit it or mention it. Helios is incapable of laughing right now, it might just send him into a coughing fit. Though he does manage one or two short laughs at Max's words. ]

Your definition of fine is a bit...skewed. That hardly sounds f-fine to me. But-but you sound like you knew what you were d-doing.

[Nope. Denial to the core. Because if they talk about it then things might change and he's not willing to risk their friendship over hurt feelings and awkwardness.]

It hurt like hell, but I didn't even have to stay in hospital that time.

I performed the exorcism. It stopped anyone else getting hurt.

[ Even if he kinda, sorta, might be having some residual feelings right now. Especially upon thinking about Valentine's Day. But, no, Max deserved someone who was much more capable than himself. He just had to keep telling himself that and he'd eventually believe it. ]

O-oh well, that's certainly good. I'm glad that you were able to stop it. It must have felt...very rewarding to-to be able to do so.

There's no one else that you could ask for help? I-I mean in the sense that you, ah, form a sort of team with them? It might even be easier on you as well. [ And there's no shame in asking for well needed assistance. ]

[Because ignoring things is always the healthiest way of dealing with things. Maybe it's safer that way.]

At the time it felt mostly like bruises. But yeah, I'm glad I could help. It was a good feeling.

Ah, not really. I mean, I don't think there's many other people do what I do. And I wouldn't want to bother the people I do know.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

ϡ - Chapter Forty-Five; an aliment [action|voice|written]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]