∞ 11: Casualties

[chikaidestroyer]

...Someday, I hope we will be able to look back at all of this as an enduring nightmare.

If people must wander outdoors with this hunter around, take heed that it reacts with human senses and can be easily distracted, as per Stella's discovery. And as much as it helps to trap the hunter momentarily, it doesn't pay to do it just to die in the process. Martyrdom is a ridiculous notion.

That said, I wonder what kind of data the Malnosso gather from watching us die?


Private to Caesar

How are you faring? Do you need any medication?

Comments

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

True. And yes, fortunately, no one will have to.

I, um ... just left it in the kitchen. Haven't checked in a while, but I imagine it might be.

[chikaidestroyer]

I suppose I'll check in the kitchen for the tea, then.

[ooc: Painkiller Tea: Bringing brothers together since December 2007.]

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Awhile later, Albert's voice carries through the journal. His voice is distant as he talks while picking through the cupboards.]

There are a lot of teas here. I think you'll have to specify what it looked like.

[ooc: Caesar can expect a visit when/if Albert finds the tea. ♥]

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

Um ... plain brown sack, unmarked? It'll be the one that smells bad.

[chikaidestroyer]

Hm...

Ah, yes. Yes, I've definitely found it. Ugh.

[ooc: I'm sure he is, flat on his stomach with a wing growing in. XD]

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

...yeah. That's the one, all right.

[chikaidestroyer]

If I can stomach it, you certainly can. And I'm sure you've had worse as a child.

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

Ha. Probably, but I don't remember, so it doesn't really count.

[chikaidestroyer]

Actually, that's all for the better, because now I can tell you how much you enjoyed eating chalk and cat food.

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

Albert.

[chikaidestroyer]

[The door opens a moment later, admitting Albert with a tray containing a teacup, the tea, and a small kettle of hot water.]

That could have very well been true and you'd be none the wiser.

[ooc: XDD And Albert would totally say that with a deadpan expression.]

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

[Caesar wears a scandalized expression, though he still looks happy to see Albert.] I know it's not the first time you've used such a tactic, Albert.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert raises a brow as he sets the tray on Caesar's bedside table, looking down at the other.] I don't exactly need something groundbreaking for my bedridden younger brother.

How are you doing? Are the bandages uncomfortable?

[ooc: Oh, definitely. Infuriating Caesar seems to be his number one hobby, after all.]

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

[Caesar grimaces.] Truly spoken. And alas; any sort of retaliation is surely doomed to failure, so a surrender it is -- for today, at least.

[He frowns slightly -- his whole wing twitches rhythmically and he waits for it to stop, taking the time to evaluate himself before answering the question.] I could catalog the list of aches and pains, but it's rather pointless, anyway. There's still a touch of fever, and I think the bandages will need to be removed completely, soon. The rate of regeneration is increasing, it seems.

This process leads to a whole host of questions I'd love to have answered, though. Unfortunately, we'll get no answers.

[chikaidestroyer]

...Hn. How dramatic.

[He averts his attention from Caesar to his wing, looking at the ragged, and yet recovering, wing.] I imagine the discomfort will grow as the muscles and skin tissue regenerate faster. You may need something more involved than staring at your journal to keep your mind off of it.

What kind of questions? Beyond the obvious "why" and "how," of course.

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

Certainly seems that way, doesn't it? It seems it shouldn't be too much longer, though -- some of those attacked shortly before me seem to be recovered mostly, if not fully.

Heh, you may be right. I'm not certain what to do, though. It's ... a little hard to focus, sometimes.

[He lays his head on his crossed arms, looking thoughtful.] Why is it that the wings regenerate so quickly? Is it only when the entire limb is taken? If that were the case, if someone were to lose a full limb, would the same regeneration kick in and grow it back?

...things like that. There's no way to know without testing, and I doubt I'm going to find anyone willing to knock off a limb or two to check.

[chikaidestroyer]

If you really must find something to do, you can always use practice with your drawing skills.

I'm doubtful that our other limbs would grow back; I'm starting to think that our wings are vital to the Filials' powers, though there's no way to check... Unless you can tell me whether or not you can hear the animals speaking now.

[He looks around briefly, then finds a chair to sit in.] Hn. If Yuber were here, that would not be a problem, to say the least.

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

Heh. I suppose I could, at that. Something a bit more useful would probably be better, though.

I don't think so either. I ... I haven't seen any animals around in the last few days. Either that thing scared them away, or it's just too cold to go outside of their shelters.

[At mention of Yuber's name Caesar's eyes fly open, and his breath catches as he goes completely still.] N-no. I suppose it wouldn't, at that.

[chikaidestroyer]

[He begins preparing the tea.] You're not thinking very clearly in this state, though. Do you really want to make risks like that?

Very true. I suppose we'll have to wait for another opportunity to make those kind experiments.

[Albert frowns at Caesar's reaction, setting down the kettle.] Are you all right?

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

[Caesar turns his head to watch him.] Of course I wouldn't rely on anything I'd come up with in such a state without a thorough reevaluation once I'm recovered.

Sorry I couldn't be more useful.

[He shakes his head.] Fine. I was recently introduced to the man who shares a floor with us. He's ... about the closest a human has come to Yuber in terms of brutality. One of his friends is a telepath who decided to show me some of his work in great detail, and I was caught off-guard -- just a little fresh in my mind, is all.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert allows the tea to steep, silent as he mulls over what Caesar has been saying. Once he is satisfied the tea is ready, he sets the cup closer to Caesar and rises to go.]

I think it's best if you get those thoughts out of your head and just rest.

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

[Caesar watches him with half-lidded eyes, his mouth opening like he's going to say something -- in the end he shuts it again, nodding.] You're right, of course. Thank you, Albert. I ... really appreciate it.

[He offers a wan smile.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He makes a slightly disdainful sound as he listens, his expression blank.] I'm sparing you the awkwardness of drinking the tea and rambling at me.

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

[He laughs, though it's not exactly a happy sound.] Sure, that'd definitely be the most awkward position I've found myself in this week. I'll spare you the boredom, then.

Thanks again, Albert.

[chikaidestroyer]

[He nods, heading for the door before looking back.] Sleep well, Caesar. Call me if you need anything.

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

[He pauses, blinking a few times before his lips curve into a slight smile, the expression edged with both a touch of surprise and affection.] Aa. I'll do that.