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Post by Shea on May 30, 2014 12:24:18 GMT
Left to his own thoughts, Jaime wondered just how far Dominic had been before he'd let go of the dark. From his understanding, the harder you'd fallen, the harder it was to get back up, just like nearly any other addiction -- though this one was far more dangerous. He'd been told, and read, of some sort of... elixir, he supposed, that kept the temptation somewhat at bay. It'd been described as worse than foul, causing pain every time it was ingested, which why was some antihealers, even the ones that had only started to delve into darker things, were so loathe to take them. Some insisted they could come back on their own. And that's when they'd fall harder and be struck down before they could rise as something damn near unstoppable.
To be fair, Jaime didn't know just how much magic Dominic had pumped into him. The more he used, the more he'd be tempted to slip back. But some recovery healers, if that was the word, could barely manage a minor spell before the temptation nearly made them hysterical. Sierra could heal major wounds for days on end, and still not feel the temptation. But she'd never gone dark.
Dominic had.
How much of a strain was having to heal Jaime putting on him, he wondered? When, or would, it be too much? They were dark thoughts that Jaime didn't enjoy, and when he heard Dominic coming back down the hall, there was trepidation coursing through him.
But the healer looked less wild, if still a little pale, but Jaime still gave him a cautious look. "Everything... alright?" he asked, and felt bad. Dominic wasn't evil. Not anymore. Anything he was feeling, was because of Jaime. Shamed, he glanced at his hands. "Sorry. Are YOU okay?" he corrected, looking back to the man.
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Post by Lizzie on May 30, 2014 12:41:38 GMT
Dominic gave a sad little smile at his request. It as obvious what he was asking. He could remember a time when such things as he'd done for Jaime wouldn't push him too far, too fast. But, once you went dark it always clawed at your brain. Being dark was easy, it was satisfying and that was the worst part about it. Still, he walked closer, holding the clean robe and bandages in his arms.
"I'm fine, sorry for the worry, Jaime." He gave a small smile, brushing his own slightly damp hair from his face. "Being an old man like me, sometimes you need a break. How are you feeling? Are you ready to get out." He moved to place a hand on Jaime's shoulder but thought better of it and pulled away. The dark things that had started to creep into his head from earlier made him feel guilty even though they were only thoughts.
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Post by Shea on Jun 4, 2014 1:53:12 GMT
Jaime rolled his left shoulder in a half-shrug, it being one of the very few parts of his body that didn't hurt. "In theory..." he started, "I'd like to get into clean clothes and sleep for another week. But then that means I have to get OUT of here first, and that I'm not looking forward to."
Dominic wouldn't be able to dull the pain this time. Jaime hoped like hell he wouldn't pass out. But it wasn't like he could just sit in the bathtub. His skin was already starting to prune.
"So... I guess. Let's gets this over with now, before I lose my nerve?" Right then the thought of clean clothing and a soft bed were more appealing than the nervousness of the pain to come. He knew that would change in an instant, but he tried not to think too hard about it.
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Post by Lizzie on Jun 5, 2014 2:19:17 GMT
He tried to hide the look of pity. He hated that he couldn't help dull the pain, but there was a limit of what he could do and he'd crossed that line once today. Dominic reached down into the tub, pulling the plug to let the dirty water drain, With gentle hands he took Jamie's arm and looped it around his shoulder. "I know it might be somewhat uncomfortable, but what I'm about to do is much better than you trying to strain yourself to get out of there. We've torn your stitches once."
The healer explained, not giving the naked and wounded hunter much time to argue before curling an arm under the other's legs. Picking Jaime up from the water was much easier than he thought it might be, the man weighing much less than he'd expected. Dominic was as careful as he could be as he lifted him up and to his chest, carrying him to a daybed that sat in front of a window covered by thin white curtains that let the sun stream into the room.
"are you okay? I might have some remedies that can kill the pain if it's too much. Hopefully I wasn't too rough with you." The healer commented, ignoring the man's bare body as he turned to retrieve the medicines, clothes and dressings he'd brought for his wounds.
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Post by Shea on Jun 5, 2014 2:57:07 GMT
Jaime couldn't say he was happy about the idea, or happy at how easily the healer managed to pick him up. But in the moment he was too busy biting his tongue to keep from making a sound. Every step the healer took jolted him and shot pain through his body, though thankfully it wasn't nearly as bad as he himself attempting to move torn and aching muscles.
It took him a moment to respond, brain slow to process the words. "Yeah, I'm okay." The words were clipped, but as he settled against the soft sheets in the warm sunlight, he slowly relaxed. "Anything you have would be nice," he added. Normally he preferred not to take anything, worrying it might mess with his reaction time or perception, but he doubted anyone, even someone looking, could find this place.
He almost cracked a joke about he enjoyed being treated rough, but Dominic wasn't Markus. They weren't long-term friends that cracked comments like that at each other, but considering Markus (and recently, Viveka) were almost the only social interaction he had, it was sometimes hard to not slip into that demeanor. "I know you weren't TRYING to hurt me," Jaime said instead. "Though... I would very much appreciate those clothes before anything," he pointed out, suddenly starting to feel modest.
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Post by Lizzie on Jun 10, 2014 15:16:44 GMT
Dominic chuckled at Jaime's modesty to which drew his own attention to the scarred, dark skinned man's body. He was attractive..and young. He'd faced a great deal of things in his life from the various ages of his scars....though it left Dominic to wonder how many more scars the lovely man held mentally and emotionally. Being a hunter wasn't an easy job. He should know...a long time ago his son had been a hunter but that was a story for another time and a pain he didn't feel like revisiting as he gave the man a smile. "Sure, give me a moment." And with that he gave a nod as to dismiss himself to walk across the room.
There he picked up a rich red tunic and the gauze he had brought. Draping the red fabric over his arm, the healer walked to a cabinet, pulling free a few herbs and medicines that might help combat infection and the pain Jaime felt. Tucking the various vials and bottles into his arm, the tall man made his way back to the window, making sure his gaze didn't linger on the man's body as not to offend or increase his modesty. "Here, I'm not sure if crimson is your color but hopefully it'll suffice. It's a bit medieval but that's mostly to make it easier on you without the embarrassment of a hospital gown."
He set the vials aside and held the garment up for Jaime to see. "And don't worry, it's just me here so no one to question your masculinity. After all, we wizards wear robes and pointed hats all the time. Hardly ones to judge." His lips pulled into a half smile at his own little joke before asking. "Would you like me to help you or would you like to do it yourself?
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Post by Shea on Jun 11, 2014 1:21:38 GMT
Jaime had to wonder what the healer was thinking when he paused. He didn't quite look him over, but it wasn't hard to guess the man's thoughts were on him. Being a hunter, Jaime was used to being perceptive, relied on it more than anything, honestly. But he didn't say anything, just watched the man retreat and return with a few things.
"From what I've heard, blue is more my color, but to be honest I've never really given my wardrobe much thought," he said with a smile. "And trust me. My masculinity is a little more hard to hurt than that. If carrying me like your damn bride to the bath didn't harm it, I'm sure it will come out unscathed from wearing that as well."
Reaching out to take the piece of clothing, Jaime ignored the unpleasant pull of sore muscles. It wasn't nearly as bad as when he'd tried to stand, so that left him worrying that most of the damage had been done to his spine. The last thing he needed was to mess that up and end up crippled. He'd sooner be dead.
It was a slow process, but Jaime managed to squirm into the long shirt and pull it down enough to quiet his modesty. The healer had already seen everything he was, well, made up of, inside and out, but it still made him feel a little more in control. Funny how that worked, he supposed. "There we go," he said, arching an eyebrow. "Look at me go. Dressing myself already. I'll be crawling in no time."
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Post by Lizzie on Jun 11, 2014 2:14:29 GMT
Dominic's lips pulled into a smile and his chest shook with a soundless chuckle. "That you will, but you won't be leaving here until I'm sure you're well enough to go wondering into another den of hell." he urged Jaime to have a seat again, not wanting to have to catch the hunter if he happened to fall over...that would do more harm than good and the floor wouldn't be too kind either if the healer's reflexes were too dulled by the foul concoction he'd drunk down only moments before.
As he did so, the healer set about mixing a few things. Some wouldn't be useful to him until later when he could get the other to drink some tea to dull the flavor, others he managed to pack into makeshift pills..and he wasn't without modern medications either. There were perks to having a few grateful patients. Handing The hunter the makeshift pill and two human tablets he looked into his eyes. "Take these, you're going to have to be on these a while to help with pain and fighting infection. If you don't stay here until the treatment is done, it could be detrimental. So please don't think you're all better and then try to run away."
As a show of goodwill and a little bit of affection he didn't mean to show, he placed a hand adopt the other's damp hair and walked to place the bottles of herbs and pills away where they should be. "Would you like some tea when I get you back to your room? It'll help you sleep and the herbs help prevent dehydration and help keep your muscles strong even though you aren't using them much."
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Post by Shea on Jun 11, 2014 2:35:15 GMT
Jaime downed the pills easily even without something to drink. Over the years you got used to a lot of things. Again, he wondered what was going through the healer's head. He couldn't tell if the man was just affectionate, as he'd learned quite a few were, or if it was something else. A lost loved one that Jaime reminded him of, maybe? But he wasn't one to pry.
At the mention of sleep, a wave of exhaustion hit him again. "I don't think I'll need anything to help me sleep, but I do appreciate it," he told Dominic. "And I promise I won't try running away as soon as I'm able. I don't like having to sit still, but I know pushing myself is only going to land me in a worse situation. I know it's hard to believe, but not EVERY hunter has a death wish."
Not so long ago, he had something similar to one. But those were a dark time that he'd mostly gotten over. Now, he just accepted that one day death would come for him, too.
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Post by Lizzie on Jun 11, 2014 3:18:52 GMT
"You, my friend, would not believe the number of hunters I've had to save from my wards because they got themselves lost getting out and then even more so trying to get back. It sets back the healing process quite a bit." He could only hope that Jaime wasn't as foolish as some of the other's he had treated, though he didn't seem as foolish. Jaime seemed to be a lot of things that most hunters he had met weren't.
Still, he smiled as he wheeled the chair across the room to him. "But I'm glad you don't have a deathwish. As you get better I'll try to help you with some physical therapy so you expend some energy but you don't overdo it. For now, back in the chair, as much as I wish I was a strong enough man to carry my 'bride' across every threshold, the chair will have to do. I hope you are't too offended." He teased with a charming hint of a smile, offering a hand to help him as the other hand steadied the chair.
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Post by Shea on Jun 13, 2014 0:01:15 GMT
Jaime arched an eyebrow at the healer. "Bride, huh? I'd make one ugly bride," he laughed, settled in the chair and grateful for it. He was exhausted. It was pathetic, how little it had taken to drain him. He hoped like hell he would recover quickly.
"But I promise. I won't set back your hard work by being an idiot. I'm a lot of things, and while I've been called one, I don't think I am. Idiots in my line of work, and I'm still alive," he said, and paused. "Well..." he amended. "Maybe I am, since I would be dead if you hadn't taken pity on the human that got himself in over his head."
He didn't mention Markus' contact had been bad. He and Viveka had gone in expecting 4 or 5, not the entire horde that had been waiting for them. It made anger spike in his gut, and worry. Who sold them out, and why? It was just another thing he'd have to look into when he healed enough.
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Post by Lizzie on Jun 13, 2014 6:18:48 GMT
"An ugly bride? Nonsense. You'd make quite a fetching bride..just a muscular one. You know, there are some cultures that would find your ability to lift them off the ground and hurl them across the room to be quite the valuable trait as a bride." Dominic teased. The Healer placed a firm hand to his uninjured shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze. "I'm glad you'll play things smart. I know things happen and I'm sure there was more than a good reason behind why you got hurt. Sometimes lady luck is just not so forgiving."
Wheeling him out of the bathroom and back down the small hall with their shelves that sat stacked with books, Dominic looked ahead with his brows furrowed ever so slightly. "But, I think lady luck forgave you in the end since I found you just in time. I promise your little vacation from the world of supernatural creatures and beasts will be as pleasant as I can make it. And, if you get tired of my babbling you can just tell me to shut up and go read a book."
Dominic guided the chair back into the 'clinic' side of the cottage, moving to a new cot that had fresh linens. "This one is better for the sun, and if you get tired of sun, I can pull heavier curtains to make it easier for you to rest...I know when" he stopped himself, remembering how his son used to get ill and always ask his father if he could sleep near the window wit the sun streaming in. He loved the outdoors, nature and the sun made him feel so much more alive and made the dread of illness wash away. But he did't want to talk of it and instead finished with. "A patient of mine preferred the sun to be able to shin in a bit. I think it gives a little bit of hope and helps warm you up for sure."
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Post by Shea on Jun 13, 2014 15:48:04 GMT
Jaime had to laugh. "Me, in a dress? I'd split it at the seams. And I think that might be a valued trait in a WOMAN. You know. Someone to bear them strong children. I lack the equipment for that. Thankfully," he added, thinking back to how much of a hassle dealing with a period was for the female hunters he knew. Between the moods swings and the cramping, he remembered how much Viveka had constantly needed an actual restroom, whereas he and Markus just needed a damn tree. No, he'd much preferred being a man, thanks.
Letting his eyes wander around what he could see of the house again, he realized he was looking for a way out without really meaning to. It was just something his brain did on its own now, so used to needing fast escapes to keep himself in one piece. He forced his gaze to his scarred hands, and didn't look back up until they made it back to the room Dominic had turned into a clinic.
"No, I enjoy the talking. Most of my acquaintances aren't much for idle chatter. I don't get much social interaction that isn't killing," he said it teasingly, but afterwards he realized how pathetic that must sound. But, again, Dominic was a hermit locked away from the world...
The sight of the sunny cot made a soft smile grace his face, and again when the healer paused and changed his words, Jaime didn't ask about it. It wasn't his business. Everyone had secrets and pasts they didn't wish to remember. "Everyone could do with some natural light. I'm not sure anyone feeling unwell could sit in warm sunshine and not feel just a bit better."
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Post by Lizzie on Jun 13, 2014 17:00:00 GMT
Jaime amused Dominic in a way that no one had in a long time. He enjoyed his company, their talking and the back and forth. Not many hunters, from his own experience, were very friendly or talkative. Pushing his hands into his pockets, he looked toward the window with a bit of a smile. "I'm glad someone else can appreciate that. Maybe it'll encourage your body to heal faster so you can get better so maybe I can actually let you go outside."
Offering a hand to Jaime once more, he looked down into the other's face and over that soft smile he found there. Not many had smiles like that, that came through here. It was, in it's own way, a bit uplifting. "Come, Let's get you in bed. You need some more rest, I think we've had enough of an adventure for one day. While you rest I'll go see if I can find a trace of that friend you mentioned and probably a new salve for those wounds." He pulled something from his pockets, a small vial with what looked like a blue glowing liquid. "If anything goes wrong while I'm gone, with your body at least, drink this. But only in emergencies and only if calling for me doesn't reach me. It should help enough to keep you out of the worst of trouble...Otherwise You should be safe to rest while I'm busy. No one can find this place. If those beasts from before so much as try...well you definitely would have to worry about them anymore."
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Post by Shea on Jun 13, 2014 17:41:56 GMT
Getting back into the bed was painful, but finally being able to let his battered and exhausted body collapse against the soft sheets made him let out a relieved sigh. It wasn't the most comfortable bed in the world, but being used to ratty motel mattresses, it felt like a cloud. He watched Dominic set the vial of the oddly colored liquid on the table next to the bed, and then watch the way the sunlight settled against the white of the sheets.
He wouldn't admit it, but he was a little worried at what the healer would find. That had been a big group of vampires. And they didn't function like humans. They could kill Dominic, if they all went after him. And what if Markus had coming looking for he and Viveka? Markus might pause, but the men and women he'd have with him wouldn't. And Dominic would be forced to kill or be killed.
Looking up at the healer, he asked, "Be careful? I know you're a big bad healer... but those vampires are old. Probably older than you. They're not what I thought I was hunting. And... if someone has come to look for me..." he let that trail off. They both knew Dominic had nothing to worry about with any hunters.
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