expiationlogs | Green and imperfect June

Entry tags:

Green and imperfect June

Who: Ethlyn and thee
Where: Around Aldrip
What: Open log for throughout June (or backdating a little closer after the battle if you wish!)
Warnings: None to start with!

Go home and take a shave

[Normally Ethlyn works in a little clinic near the edge of town, but the one that's been set up up in the inn is much more active what with the chaos from Pessiria and this newer chaos from the party... and then the party potions. Ethlyn's not sure what she's supposed to do about being attractive to rats or sprouting whiskers that weren't there before, but...]

All right... what did you get into that you shouldn't have?

[She's just trying to be friendly, not judging. Much.]

Cleaning up

[The colossus from the forest may be gone, but like a strawberry plant or a lilac, its runners, roots, and suckers still have life of their own that needs to be weeded out. That's in contrast to the patches of wood and field that have been bled dry.

Ethlyn's walking beside her horse, Venture, with a bagful of seeds in her hands--in the saddle is one of the forest fae.]

Well, here goes nothing... [She tosses out a handful of wildflower seeds and takes a breath, channeling the fairy's borrowed power through her hand. In a moment, daisies, sorrel, and grasses begin spiraling up from the ground.] Oh, my.

[Elsewhere, however, you may find Ethlyn riding slowly through the fields, sword in hand and scanning the ground. She must have seen movement, because in a moment she dismounts and walks briskly to confront something in the weeds.]

Healers: take your own advice

[She's been doing the usual things you're supposed to do after losing blood from severe injury: eating eggs and liver and peas, and the novelty of a thermos has allowed her to take beef tea along with her in her saddle when she makes her rounds. So she's been eating the right things.

She hasn't been doing the other thing that she always admonishes patients with... that whole 'take it easy' business. But there's so much to do, obviously she can put off the rest... until her muscles take matters into their own hands and go on strike.]

Ah... blast.

[There's a bench nearby, and she sits down on it a little more solidly than her sense of pride would like. She unhooks the thermos from her belt and rubs her sore leg. She'll just sit here for a few minutes. Five, or twenty maybe.]

Wildcard

[Nothing here appeals? Toss in your own prompt, or hmu--I'm a PM away, and in the server and on plurk @

compassinks]

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[Leanne's exhausted herself by the events of the past couple of weeks, but she didn't get nearly as hurt in the fighting as some others. that just meant that, to her, she had to work harder.

even though her magic came from the life of the earth below her, it still cost energy to translate that into something healing. when she sees Ethlyn sit on the bench, she meanders over to do the same.

the bags under Leanne's eyes are... pretty dark. and is she some sort of shade of gray-brown now? maybe a trick of the light...

maybe.]

Got room for one more?

[Ethlyn is fatigued and sore, but that doesn't mean she won't notice when someone else is looking rough--and immediately make it her main concern. When she looks up and sees Leanne, she scoots over immediately to make more room.]

Of course. [She runs her eyes over the other woman. The bags under her eyes make it clear that she hasn't been getting enough sleep, but there's something else--her complexion is different, too. Is she ill?] You look like you've been running yourself ragged.

Edited 2023-06-05 22:53 (UTC)

[Leanne smirks over at Ethlyn.]

Same to you.

[but... that's the nature of people in the medical field, though. at least she knows she's hanging around a kindred spirit.]

Just don't try to nurse me, too. I'll be fine... [she glances down at the eyes the leg.] but you're favoring that leg, aren't you?

[Oh, Leanne, you got her. Ethlyn sighs, because she was going to do just that.]

You saw right through me. [In both ways.] Yes, I got in the way of some of that giant creature's vines when it attacked the town. It went almost all the way through the leg... I had some healing after it happened, of course, but--with the rebuilding and getting rid of the remnants, I haven't had time to rest it properly.

[listen. in the moment where she'd seen Ethlyn sit, she realized that there was a kindred spirit here with her.]

Then you should go ahead and rest it. It seems as if we've helped the majority of the wounded by now... it won't heal correctly if you keep on like this.

[a beat.]

But you should probably know that.

Yes, yes, I know that. [It's not said impatiently, but ruefully. She knows how hypocritical she's been the past some days over this.] I've been saying that to plenty of people myself since I was able to get back on my feet.

[She rubs her shoulder, one of the other places where her body needs more rest than she's been giving it.]

And I definitely need my arm and my leg to be fully better. Otherwise I might have to really slow down.

[Leanne gazes over the other woman for a moment, considering.]

You do. Maybe I could help push your healing along, but... it's not going to do any good if you're going to keep straining yourself. It'd be a waste of energy.

[she's not trying to be an asshole, and her tone doesn't suggest it. she's just being blunt, as she would to any other would-be patients she'd treat.]

[Ethlyn runs her eye over Leanne in turn. She knows Leanne doesn't want to be evaluated herself, but she's decidedly off-color, even if it isn't the sort of pale and wan look one usually sees with fatigue.]

I don't think I'd want to push you to that, either. If we're talking of strain, I think you need to let yourself get some of that energy back.

[She leans back against the bench.]

We're both hypocrites. All the warriors we've scolded in our past lives are going to come here just to laugh at us.

[Leanne huffs, but as she puts her hands back into her lap, she notices her complexion for seemingly the first time. she rotates her arm so that she can look at where her veins would be on her forearm, to find that they were starting to glow with a faint orange and dark red light.]

They will be.

[under her mess of hair that's fallen out of her braid, she moves to touch her ears. those too, have become more pointed in her exhaustion.]

I guess you're right. [she mutters, as she takes her hair out of her braid so she can start finger combing at her curls.] My glamor is starting to fade a little, it seems.

[Ethlyn watches as Leanne turns her arm around, nothing the glowing in her veins as well. That's... interesting. A few months ago she would have been shocked into an exclamation about it, but after the wonders of electricity and polygamous marriages, and riding on the back of a man who's part horse to save people from a plant-monster that towered above the forest...

...Ethlyn is still raising her eyebrows, admittedly, but she's not as shocked as perhaps she ought to be.]

I was going to say you're looking off-color, but it sounds like there's more to it than that.

[There was something off about her, and in silence, Astralin had been following her until she finally stops by at one of the benches. His eyes peering from behind one of the buildings, before he finally takes a step forward to reveal himself from behind the building. A look of concern appearing on his face when he's in view, and sits himself down against the bench that she sits on.]

I may be able to ease some of your pains, if you would allow me.

[He's thankful that his healing magic doesn't require any touch, or else he might not have been able to heal her properly. Still a bit awkward when it comes to using his healing magic on other people so closely, but a war, and centuries of healing students, teachers and soldiers certainly made it a bit easier on him than when he first arrived here.]

[Ethlyn looks up quickly when she sees Astralin appear and move to sit near her.]

Ah... is it that obvious? [The worry on his face is plain, so it must be. She sighs and leans back. She was hoping she could just take a quick, quiet rest, but if she's going to be honest... and she wonders if it's just coincidence that he showed up just as her body rebelled. She can't say she's been paying attention much to her surroundings for the past few minutes.] ...I suppose I ought to, since I'm always telling other people that they need to take better care of themselves.

Quite so. My apologies for being rather confrontational about it, but I could not simply stand by.

[He rests his hand on his thigh, and keeps his gaze pointed at the ground in front of him. Still unable to shake his awkward habits, since he had a hard time making contact with others. Still Ethlyn wasn't a stranger, so he manages to twitch his gaze toward her. Careful not to make her uncomfortable, since she was hurt, after all.]

Do you need some healing...?

[In spite of things, Ethlyn gives him a little smile.]

You're being a lot less confrontational than I usually am when I see someone who needs a hand. [As some of her encounters during the beast attack can attest, she's not one to mince words in such matters.] I did have some help when I got hurt, so my wounds aren't open. But they're not exactly all shut yet, either.

The healing sounds like a good idea.

Ah, that is good to hear. I would not want to put you in an uncomfortable situation.

[He listens to her in silence, before he finally stands up from his position beside her. This time, kneeling down in front of her, but keeping his eyes on her own with a friendly, but caring smile. Not hesitating to light up his hand so that he could heal her wounds, where she was hurting.]

May I? Will you show me where you are hurt, exactly?

Only inasmuch as it's embarrassing to be caught in a fit of hypocrisy.

[Oh, if only her brother could see her now--she's chastised him often enough for such antics.

She pulls up her skirt over her injured leg a little to show him the most currently troublesome spot. There's a bandage around her leg just above the knee. To her dismay, there is a little red showing, so evidently she's opened it up again.]

...Ah. I should really limit my daily travels more than I've been doing.

I would not worry too much. All of us are hypocrites in some way, are we not? It is nothing to be ashamed of.

[His eyes stare over at the spot that's revealed to him now. His lips curving into a frown upon noticing the red skin. Careful not to chastise her for overworking himself, since he too, knew how it felt to go beyond one's limitations. It's why he shakes his head, and simply brings his hand over to that skin.

He could easily just heal the wound, but for now, he forms a block of ice against his fingertips. The cold block of ice against her skin cooling down the inflammation first, before he starts the healing process.]

This is just to help with the redness. I will start the healing process in a moment.

Well, when you put it that way. [It does have to be said, healers tend to be the worst when it comes to slowing down and taking it easy. What else are they supposed to do when all the warrior types are trying to fight with their arms hanging by a thread?] I used to give my brother a hard time for picking up a sword before his sprained wrist was done mending, or opening up an injury by riding around with it. He'd love to know that the tables have turned.

[She looks on with interest at the little block of ice that he creates. Most of the ice magic she knows about is combat-oriented. It's new to see it used in first aid.]

That's a neat trick. How do you do it?

I do understand your plight. There are times where I must scold my husband and wife for constantly pushing themselves to their limits and injuring themselves further. So... I must admit, that I am used to this sort of care.

[He laughs softly, and lets the ice do it's job to ease the red skin underneath. It stays like that for a moment, before he pulls his hand away. His gaze shifting to look up at Ethlyn when she asks that question.]

There are different sorts of magic in our world. I use ice offensively, but I am able to augment the element to also be restorative. ... I suppose I can just will it to be offensive, or restorative.

[The ice disappears, and a glowing light is quick to replace itself with the ice. It's soft, and comforting, as his hand makes contact with her skin to ease her pains.]

This is nothing more than a restorative spell.

Ah. [Ethlyn laughs a little.] So this must be just like home for you.

[The ice does a lot to help the injury stop throbbing, and her expression looks noticeably more at ease once Astralin takes it away.]

If any of my mage friends come here, maybe we can brainstorm how to use their magic for healing as well as battle. [None of them use ice magic--well, Lewyn could, as the heir to the god of winds--but she wonders if thunder and fire might have some applications.] That feels much better--you're a good hand with this.

It brings back quite a bit of memories. Good ones, of course.

[He finally pulls away from her completely, and takes a seat right beside her once more. His hands resting against his knees, as he begins to ponder what he else he could do for her. Though, his thoughts are shifted once she speaks. Not being able to help but let out a little laugh.]

I have my share of experience... In the war, I was contracted with the resistance to heal their soldiers. I have saved many lives back home... Or have tried to. My powers are much more potent, as I am able to heal those from the brink of death. ... So, I suppose I am decent at this.

[He presses his back against the wall, and he smiles softly.]

I am just glad I could help you and my powers are still useful here.

I'm glad too. [She returns his smile.] It's a good feeling, when you can take a young soldier who's never tasted war, or a veteran with a family waiting for him at home, and keep him alive for a day longer than otherwise.

[It doesn't always work, of course. Some wounds kill at once or bleed too fast, and sometimes an injury not seen to in time will sicken, and then survival is down to luck.]

So your homeland was at war, too... Can I ask what happened to cause it?

Yes. The look of relief and happiness on their family's faces made it worth it for me. Although it expends my own life energy, it is something that can be recovered with a full night of rest.

[Oh. He wasn't expecting that question at all. It's been so long since the war, and now that a new one is afloat... Well. He'll talk about the first one.]

Ah... This woman, named Demetria... She sought out to kill my species in order to gain their powers to rule over the humans and mystics back home. Her conquest destroyed many lives, and she could have cared less... A young woman who was here in Expiation, in fact, was the one who created her seal and placed it upon her during a pivotal battle.

Unfortunately, the seal has been broken by some fanatic who sought to release her once more. I am... Worried that we are at the brink of another war, but I suppose that is for me to worry about when I am back home.

[He sighs.]

Was something similar happening at home for you as well?

Yes... nothing so horrific as the destruction of an entire race. [The thought makes her shiver. She knows that Grannvale was clamoring for the heads of all Isaach after their attack on the border, and apart from Jamke she has no good opinion of the people of Verdane, but the idea of wiping them out, for personal gain or any other reason, is unfathomable.] We were at war... an unprovoked attack from another country, and then an abduction that turned into a full-scale war.

But the followers of a dark god were behind it all--the one who laid waste to our continent long ago. [She recalls that the king of Verdane warned her brother about the Loptrians' ends. To what end the war brings his revival, she's still not sure.] So in that way, it sounds like what was happening in your world when you left it.

[Evidently Astralin survived the old war and hasn't been killed by the burgeoning one, which is a relief. She won't ever know how things turn out.]

[Astralin listens in silence, not too surprise that another world was plagued with war. It seemed to be a thing shared between worlds, which... Was sad, to be quite honest. Simply nodding his head at her words, and well. Abduction certainly brings back memories of his own past. The corner of his lips twitching softly when his memories come flooding back, but he tries not to think about it.]

A simple abduction turning into war... That is quite extreme, but it must have been a predominant figure.

[Or so he assumes, anyway.]

Yes, you could say that. It is quite similar, is it not?

[Astralin trails off into a soft laugh, and his fingertips grasp together as he sighs softly.]

I do wonder what else we have in common...

The daughter of a duke--and a close friend of my brother and I. [That's what made it important to Ethlyn, although she had a great deal of respect for Edain's father.] Naturally, he crossed the border right away with only our own household knights to rescue her.

[That was how Leonster got involved. Of course she had to save her reckless brother, and with her husband being a close friend to Sigurd himself, he rode right alongside her.]

We're both healers, and we're both from worlds ravaged by war--wars started for reasons beyond just land or philosophy. And we were both deeply involved in it. I don't suppose you were a duke, or someone else whose duty it was to lead men into battle?

Ah, I suppose that would do it, yes. I do hope that she returned safely?

[Who knows with that sort of thing, after all. As for that last statement... Ah. He almost wants to laugh, since she nearly hit it. A sheepish smile spreading upon his face, as he turns his head. Somewhat embarrassed to admit such a thing.]

... A prince. My family left the life of nobility when I was young, but had we not left noble life, my life would be... Very different. But I must admit, I do not have any ill feelings toward my mother and father for leaving such a life. They were... Unhappy, and often look down upon due to circumstances beyond their control.

We are simple, common folk now. I would not have it any other way.

Yes--we were able to save her before any harm came to her. My husband and I rode to Sigurd to help him, and a few others joined along the way.

[They seemed to gain more and more comrades, all with their own reasons for fighting. Lachesis' desperate attempts to save her brother from their own king, Tailtiu and Lex standing in opposition to their fathers, Lewyn trying to flee his responsibilities and Erinys following to bring him back to them. Now that she thinks about it, it was quite a complicated net.

But Astralin's own history--Ethlyn can't disguise the look of surprise on her face when he says that his parents walked away from their lifestyle--from their responsibilities. Lewyn tried, but in the end he followed his duty back to his homeland.]

So they--[Gave up are the words about to pop out of Ethlyn's mouth, but she catches it just in time. She doesn't want to insult Astralin's family, especially not after he's just helped her.]--Did they have a great deal of difficulty with their people when they made that choice?

[His world... Was definitely hard to describe. He wonders if he should go into length with immortality in their world, and all the other semantics that went into it. So, he's silent for a good moment, before shaking his head. After all, their titles were nothing more than just that. Titles. No real rule behind it.]

No... My people are immortal, so those who wish to reign for an eternity, can do so. My parents had nothing but just a simple title behind their name; my grandparents -- I loathe to call them that -- had no reason or no intention to dethrone themselves.

[Surprisingly, as relaxed as Astralin was, there is a hint of venom in his voice when he speaks about his Grandparents. Certainly a long story.]

Of course, I will not burden you with such a tale. But... I do thank you for telling me a bit of your own story. I would like to get to know you better, Ethlyn.

Want me to take a look at that?

[ Maybe Ethlyn wasn't expecting Claude, but here he is anyway, coming towards her as though out of nowhere. Maybe not out of nowhere; he's burdened with a couple of bags of goods, having clearly just gone through a stately jaunt through town. He sets the bags beside Ethlyn to stand before her, hands planted on his hips as he takes in her beleagured appearance. ]

I wasn't being humble when I said my healing skills don't amount to much, but I can at least help take the edge off.

[Ethlyn had been hoping to rest here for a few minutes without anyone realizing she's actually in distress, because the distress is temporary and she'll be fine soon, really. But no such luck. And she's not all that surprised that it's Claude who's spotted it--he's already demonstrated that he has a keen eye, and thinking on it, she's not exactly inconspicuous.]

Oh, hello there. [She smiles a little at his hands-akimbo pose. She's struck that one herself often enough, looking at someone else who's trying to wave away blood running down their face and whatnot.] I suppose I wouldn't be setting a good example as a healer if I said no, would I?

I wouldn't be too worried about setting a good example around me. But it would be pretty foolish to say no for the hell of it. Unless you don't trust me, of course, [ Claude says, kneeling down in front of her. ] Go on, roll up your pant leg.

[ Once Ethlyn does, Claude holds his hand just above her knee. In all honesty, he's never been a particularly adept healer. There's something in him that just resists it. He doesn't believe in the Goddess, but there's no denying the power that flows through him when he calls upon her for aid. Or perhaps it's not in her, but from some well deep within him? Either way, it's nothing he's ever been good at. He's always been close to flunking his healing classes, and even after all this time, he can only muster the barest of healing incantations.

He's simply lacking in the faith, he supposes. But his lack of faith doesn't stop the energy from coursing through him, hand gleaming with a faint blue glow over her knee. It's not a strong healing spell, but enough to ease some of the pain, strained muscles eased, inflammation soothed. Claude shakes his hand out, unused to the sensation. ]

Okay, how's that?

You're trying to blackmail me. What else am I supposed to say but that I do trust you?

[It's a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Of course she trusts Claude--well, maybe it's not wise to trust someone she's only known a couple of months, but she doesn't have any reason not to trust him.

Still, she rolls up her pant leg over her knee. The injury there is still pretty raw under its bandage--that it still needs a bandage shows that she hasn't been treating it as gently as she should--and there's a definite improvement when he casts his healing spell, as modest as it is.]

I think I'm still going to put ice on it when I get home, but it definitely feels better than a few minutes ago. That's not bad, for not using a staff at all.

Heh, thanks! I wasn't kidding when I said healing isn't my specialty. [ Claude says, opting to simply sit cross-legged on the ground where he kneeled in front of her instead of getting up. He's comfortable where he is anyway. ]

I don't think using a staff would help me much. I'm pretty happy being a combatant and a strategist anyway -- I'll leave the rest up to the likes of you guys. [ He nods at Ethlyn's knee. ] What happened there, anyway? Tricky run-in with a tree root?

Yes--I was trying to help a friend of mine who'd been hooked by the monster. I was trying to talk some reason into him, and then I got fed up and tried attacking the roots directly to see if it would break him of it.

[She sighs.]

In a way, it did--seeing me wounded by his 'master' seemed to break the spell.

[With a rare level of tact, Ethlyn decides not to name Noel as the friend. She doesn't think it's anything to be ashamed of, but it's his job to decide if he wants to spread the tale around town.]

So... wait. Seeing their friends get hurt helps snap them out of it?

[ Claude strokes his chin. It's easy to guess where his mind is going - and why it's a bad idea - but Claude has always prized risky but effective maneuvers over taking the safe route out. ]

Interesting. So, your friend -- is he just better now? How about all that black stuff growing on their limbs?

[ Allowing himself to get a little roughed up sounds a lot easier than having to bop them over the noggin. ]

[Ethlyn narrows her eyes when Claude strokes his chin like that. She's seen calculations like that on the faces of various people she knows.]

Yes, and it wasn't a pleasant discovery to make. I don't regret it, of course, but--[She had come very close to dying a second time. That's what happened. She finds herself unable to say it... as though the words stick in her heart before they can make it to her throat.

She shakes her head to cover the moment of turmoil.]--Don't go trying to do it purposely.

[Although she very much hope nothing like that ever happens again.]

I... don't actually know. To tell the truth I think he's avoiding me.

Don't you worry about that. I don't have a death wish, or anything of the kind. If I can get away with running away from something and not getting hurt, that's what I'm gonna do. But that doesn't mean that I don't want a contingency plan -- or a contingency plan for my contingency plan. You need to know all the cards you've been dealt before you make your move. [ He waves a hand. ] Besides, I'm hardly close enough to anyone here for little ol' me to snap them out of it.

[ Would he let others put themselves in harm's way for it? He wouldn't prefer it. It would be a last ditch effort. But he would if necessary, just like he'd put himself in harm's way. Like he said, it's all about planning for the worst and making sure he does everything he can to fix things. ]

Anyway... I can see why your friend would avoid you, after all that. But now's the time to hold your people closer than ever, right? Maybe you just need to let him know there aren't any hard feelings.

That's a little too many contingencies for me to keep track of. But I'm glad to hear that. I've spent so much time chasing after reckless warriors, it's a relief to know someone who knows what caution is.

Still, I'm sure you'll form bonds that close soon enough--although let's hope you don't need to test them this way.

[She's not sure any sort of contingency would have helped here. It seemed as though being badly hurt was essential to breaking Noel out of the creature's hold. But she can hope that most situations won't have such a drastic solution to them.

She looks away for a moment when Claude chides her gently for not doing more to seek out Noel in the aftermath. Maybe she's been avoiding him herself. It's nothing to do with resentment or blame. She can still feel her heart beating in the wounds, and when she does, she thinks about the desert. How it all went dark, and then the white room, and the meadows beyond town.]

...Yes, you're right. I should seek him out. I've been up to my elbows in work... so many others were hurt, and hurt more badly than me. [...] There's no hard feelings. It's just difficult to think about.

Ah, but how do you know how strong a bond is if you don't test it once in a while? [ Claude jokes, easy as ever, foot swinging cheerily in mid-air. He doesn't care to test it either, because it would be harrowing for everyone involved, but it's not just jest; there is no way to know how close a relatonship is without it being tested, in his estimation. How else can you trust it?

No, better not to put it to the test. And if that means holding people at arms length, that's still a pleasant enough way to live. Nobody said your friends and allies need to reach your heart when they can reach your smile instead. ]

Seek him out. I'm sure he just feels guilty about what he put you through. And in my expert opinion, being busy with work is just a really, really convenient excuse, [ he adds with a grin. ] It'll work out.

[ He believes it. Ethlyn is a decent sort, and he can't imagine anyone holding any ill feelings towards her for long. ]

Besides, we've seen where overwork has gotten you, [ he points out, gesturing towards her wounded knee. ] After something big like that, what everyone really needs is a celebration. Some good food, some good drink, some dancing... maybe less of the dancing, in this case, but still!

[Ethlyn gives Claude a keen look. He's cutting right through her justifications.]

I can see why you're an archer. Your insights strike just as true--and mercilessly.

[It's an acknowledgement that he's right, because when he puts it that way, she can't deny it. She doesn't blame Noel, but having to help the injured in the aftermath has been a way to hold off thinking about how she came close to death again. She doesn't want to think about that feeling. She doesn't want to talk to anyone about it. How would she even begin, anyway?]

You're right, of course. I can't imagine how badly I'd feel if someone had taken hold of my mind and used me to hurt others. It's a relief that they were able to get their minds back after all.

[She smiles a little when he mentions the idea of a celebration, though.]

That would be a wonderful way to lift people's spirits--and I'd be happy to take the role of chaperon on this occasion.

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Green and imperfect June

take your own advice

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take your own advice

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another one for take your own advice!!

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