Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer had fallen silent in the presence of Kiga, who had indeed given the demonkin a little fright upon entering the room. The guy seemed to have such a wealth of enthusiasm that the prince wished he could borrow right now, since he still felt fatigued from the whole Lord of Light ordeal. Never before had Tauer pushed himself to those limits and hopefully he would never have to again.
The demonkin smiled in spite of his weariness. He remembered how jealous he'd been back when he'd watched Kiga and Neko scout ahead when they had come across the first encampment. Seeing them together now made Tauer think how silly he had been.
"What are your plans now, Sir? Are you going to be staying here in Wistvale?"
The demon prince was worried that now Mister Ravenhurst had been reunited with his daughter, and once he was up and on his feet again, he woud head back home and take her with him. Then what would Tauer do? He didn't think he could bear being parted with his feline friend. Would he go with them?
Shen's arrival was heralded by a thick, grey plume of smoke which he exhaled with a slightly agitated sigh. It was a bitter and not altogether unpleasant smell, which left one to question what the contents of his pipe might in fact be. He entered the room, which was now running out of space for occupants no doubt; and looked about. He had met Neko, knew of Kiga due to his association with Ely and otherwise; knew no one here. It was all rather strange.
He thrust his pipe at Tauer in expectation of the young lad grabbing it with a "Here."
He then took his glasses from his face and began wiping the lenses slowly, without so much as looking at Alex's arm. Once done, he sighed again and placed them back upon his nose.
"Hmph. Tell me you're just wanting that awful wound mended."
::Alexander's eye trailed up the body of the man with the pipe like a merchant taking inventory. He registered the man's stance, his clothes, the scar on his chest... Everything he could see was cataloged and used to some up an opinion of this "Healer". He did not look the part he was claimed to play, but Alexander had lived long enough to know that appearances could be decieving.
The man seemed to him to radiate a certain confidence that more than bordered on arogance. Yet he appeared to have no need or desire to flaunt his postition or abilites with fancy dress or titles, as he did not even bother with introductions. No flowery words meant to soothe the weak and sickly. A combat medic background of sorts, perhaps? He did not know, nor did he really care outside of the fact that the sum of all this reasoning brought him to the conclusion that this was a man who cared little for rules and regulation. And would therefore be willing to bend or work around them. He was exactly what he had been hoping for. Provided he had the skill... And he could convince him to assist.::
"Actually, I would like to discuss... alternative methods of recovery."
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
::Her eyes darted back and forth between Shen and Father. She had seen the Healer's softer side once in the presence of a dying woman and her nephew. She hoped she would see the same here and that he would be willing and able to help. But he was also much like Father in other ways. She hoped it wasn't something that would get in the way.
Looking over at Kiga and Tauer, she smiled a halfhearted smile to try and hide her worry and stepped closer to the door before waving for them to follow her. It was getting crowded in here, and she had the feeling that whatever was about to be discussed would do best to land on as few ears as possible. Even if those ears belonged to friends of hers...::
Kiga looked on with what appeared to be a rather detached amusement. He still smiled and didn't apparently register any tension in the room. Nothing, of course; could be farther from the truth.
Kiga knew of Shen. With Grayell's usual fastidiousness replaced with injury, Kiga had been more resolute concerning his own Vanguard duties. He'd seen to Wistvale, as was his duty always; but had taken on the mantle of leadership more now than prior. All manner of information came his way and much of it, due to long hours patrolling and watching. It had cost him some luxury too, he had spent less time with Ely; but nothing had escaped his notice so much as he could tell.
That being the case, he didn't consider Shen to be a threat. With a slight nod to Alex and Shen both, Kiga slipped out the door to catch up with Neko.
Shen took the liberty of dragging a chair closer and sitting in it, having snatched his pipe back. He seemed altogether focused on it, rather than Alex; and spoke in a very matter-of-fact manner. If Alex appreciated Shen not mincing about like the usual clerical-healer type; then he may well be simply charmed at his tendency to get straight to the point.
"Firstly, I don't work from the goodness of my heart. I don't bow to some all mighty deity and won't pretend to be charitable and then ask for a sizable donation in return for work done. I like gold. You can keep your gratitude.
Secondly, you aren't ready for anything that drastic. Your arm is a terrible mess and without me at least staving off that infection, you're going to find yourself settling for much less; very soon.
Last and by no means least..."
Shen took a very long draw of his pipe then, his eyes settling on Alexander's own stare.
"If you're proposing you replace that arm, the obvious question might be just where are you going to find a spare arm laying about? I can assure you, such trade is not permitted in Wistvale. You would need one of two things.
You would either need a legally acquired donor limb. It's not unheard of that someone will give up such a thing in return for another kindness, so to speak. That could, of course; take months to source and won't come cheaply.
Or you're going to need a great deal more gold. I won't ask where it comes from and you won't tell me. You'll pay me quite enough to remove any such interest from my mind and to keep me sufficiently plied with alcohol so that I am not inclined to utter anything of the matter.
Either way, this is going to cost you."
Shen offered the tiniest smile then and it was as kind as an angry mother's finger, driven into the chest to be very certain her harsh words were heard.
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer was a little grateful for the exit opportunity, he was beginning to have the need for fresh air. He didn't even want to know what was in this pipe that he'd been so nicely asked to hold.
The demon prince wanted to say something to Mister Ravenhurst before he left, but he just thought he'd get interrupted yet again. It didn't matter. Neko's father had more important things to talk about with the healer than he did with the silver-haired demonkin.
So he followed Neko and Kiga out of the room. This could actually be a good time to properly introduce himself to Neko's white-haired ninja friend.
::She led the two men down the hall a bit to get away from the door before turning and hugging Tauer. She was so greatful he was here and alive. They had gone through much to rescue Father, and she had thought her she might lose her friend along the way.
When finally she pulled away from the demonkin, she offered him her bracer so that they might speak better and perhaps he could talk to Kiga for her. She wished to thank him as well.::
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer happily accepted the hug AND the bracer that allowed him and his feline friend to communicate. The demon prince hadn't had a chance to talk with Neko like this since they fled the Light Worshippers. Fleeing had been at the forefront of their mind back then and once the weary party had returned they had all gone their separate ways.
::He gave a very matter of fact nod to show he understood, accompanied by a dismissive wave. He had assumed as much when offers to graft a new limb had not been offered previously to this. Some cultures saw it as taboo. Others did not think it possible. He saw it more as a "waste no, want not" situation...::
Money is not a concern. The wholeness of my body is.
I am aware that there is an order to things. A process that needs to be followed. Work your healing. Rid me of the infection and prepare me for the grafting process. I can aide you where I can if that would help as I am not unfamiliar with the concepts. As you work, we can discuss the next steps and see what preparations we can make so that we are ready when the time comes.
This is a house of Healing is it not? Surely there are those that have...failed to respond to the workings of the Healers. Could not a suitable match be found among them? Or is such efficient and logical use of source material frowned upon in this society? If so then inquire about and see what you can find. Perhaps there is someone willing to help in exchange for a donation to the poor soul's family.
If no "suitable" ((Read "legal")) donor can be found by the time we are ready, then we can discuss the increase in your payment.
Does that sound reasonable to you?
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Kiga wasn't terribly fond of hanging about with little purpose. He was too driven by purpose to be standing about idly, unless he was watching and gathering information.
So, rather than stand there like some forgotten piece of the furniture; he walked past Tauer and Neko without a sound and made for the door. They were obviously terribly fond of one another and he wasn't about to break up their fun.
He snuck his hands into his pockets and whistled gently as he headed out.
Shen rounded the bed then, dragging the chair with him. He slapped it onto the floor and dropped into it again before placing his hands on Alex's arm leftovers. His eyes were locked on it now as he removed the bandages, analyzing things that Alex likely would not have noticed.
"Hm. It's clean at least. You've used dark magic. I have to say, that was foolish. You've nearly tainted the wound. I should hope you'd know better, if you're going to practice such knowledge."
Shen had unraveled the bandaging now and cast it aside and was lifting the limb, which undoubtedly had to hurt a great deal. He squinted and grunted, pressing his glasses further up his nose to look at the condition of the wound. He didn't look impressed. Whispering something of little consequence, the lenses of his spectacles glimmered and then shone with a suddenly amplified reflective light; and he now had the means to see more clearly every last detail. He clicked his tongue and shook his head as he set the remnant back down.
"Blood too, I'll wager. That's a sure fire way to reduce your capacity to heal. Bleeding out might be life threatening, but it won't distort and clot your arteries in the most horrific manner. Some of this may need removing, if it's to be given a chance at mending properly."
Shen shrugged and sat back in his chair then, leaving the arm for a time as he spoke. He packed his pipe and lit it again, took a long draw and then, in a very rare gesture; offered it to Alex. He began to speak again, whether Alex accepted or not.
"You might find someone perhaps terminally ill who would depart with a limb in return for adequate compensation. The thing is, if we can attach a foreign limb, it stands to reason we could cure such a person. You could look into the scientific specimen route, but that won't procure you anything nearly as fresh as you need. I cannot reanimate a singular dead limb easily, no one could. It also brings up the moral reservations people have and that dreadful fear people have of anything to do with reanimating what is dead. That's considered necromancy by people who are smart enough and demon's work by the uneducated. I cannot imagine the social stigma you would suffer should we go through with this.
Now, you can live with a missing arm just fine. It would be cheaper for you to have me make you a prosthetic. If you're insistent on replacing it with... a real substitute, then we will need to proceed carefully. In all honesty, speaking to people less... reserved in what they trade would be the easiest option. But you'll be funding murder.
As for me being paid more? I am not sure you can afford what it would take for me to personally see to such a thing. I have a very finely harvested reputation and whilst it's comfortably grim, were such a thing to be known it would ruin my career."
Shen took his pipe back then and savored it a short time longer, letting Alex think upon all he had said. Then he grinned, just a little and not in a pleasant manner.
"Your problem is that you don't know anyone capable of seeing to such an act. They can parade about with sinister clothing and dangerous weapons all day long, but I rarely see a killer on the streets. And a killer is what you're likely going to need."
He laughed then and waved his hand to shake off the suggestion. Perhaps he wasn't quite so macabre. Perhaps.
"I digress. We should see if we can source an arm without such sour complications. We might just get lucky."
Shen took a very long draw on his pipe then and removed a small flask from his belt. He slowly uncorked it and held it well away from his nose. Removing a small patch of clean cotton from his pocket, he dabbed it with the pungent contents.
"This will see to this infection. I am going to let it drain and then we will clean it properly and dress it again. Whilst we wait, you can divulge the particulars of your budget. I apologize, but I simply don't have faith in people to hold up their end of a bargain."
The smell was entirely putrid, but Alex's wound started to weep and bubble, black blood, green puss and plasma weeping from his tattered arm. At least Shen had placed a small bowl beneath it to catch the mess. Shen paid it little attention, it seemed his pipe was far better than smelling the linament or the putrid waste from the wound.
(I used the following:
Singeweed Linament. - This linament smells very pungent, the odor is quite hard to remove and can lead to nausea if used in a closed space and in excess. - It is an extreme antibacterial and removes infection, causing to to bubble to the surface and drain from an open wound. - Only works locally, it cannot purify the entire bloodstream.)
-I'm doing as well as can be expected, I guess. I just want Father to be ok.-
-Tell Kiga, "thank you" for me please. I could not have done it with him...or you.-
::She turned to look for Kiga with a smile, but it faltered as she realized he was already heading for the door. She would have called after him if she could, but all she could do was reach out as he too far away to catch before he would be out the door.::
::He watched Shen as he moved. His good eye moving between the man's hands and his eyes. Normally he is a firm believe in the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, but the blasted doctor's glasses were reflecting the light so much it was hard to get a good read on the man. But his hands were deft and spoke alot to his skill and experience.::
"When your options are to bleed out and die, or risk infection by trying to survive a few days more. There is not much choice. But I shall take your words under advisement, should I ever find myself in a similar... situation."
::He winced as those last words came out and gritted his teeth together to keep from yelling as Shen moved his arm to look at the wound. His good hand clawing at the bedsheet as a way to distract from the pain. Gods it hurt. He had forgotten how painful humanity could be...
When the pipe was offered, he took it with a nod of thanks. Taking a few short puffs at first to taste the flavor and his bodies reaction before returning the pipe to its owner for the time being. He had listened well to the man's words and understood the importance of reputation. Both good and bad...::
Prosthetics? I did not think this world capable of such. How functional would such a device be? And would we be speaking of a technological or magickal device?
::He laid back in the bed now, closing his eye as he focused on the blood flowing through his veins. With a practiced sense brought on my many many years being highly aware of one's blood he sought out the impurities Shen had mentioned and tried to direct them towards the open wound so that the Linament could better draw it out. He let out a soft sigh as he focused his blood and healing magic to work slow and gently. He was still weak from his imprisonment and did not wish to wear himself out too quickly. Therefore he did not push, but instead slightly directed the flow. When he spoke now, it was hushed as his mind was on other things.::
I currently have a few hundred gold I could contribute to the finding or making of such an item. It matters little to me if the replacement is living or some creation, provided it functions at least as well as a normal arm would. Especially the hand. One needs to be deft in his movements when calling upon the Arcane. I have no wish to lose my life over faulty work.
Should you find something suitable, I shall include a "finder's fee" as it were.
Should you prove incapable of finding something to my liking, I will pay you for the healing you have provided plus a little extra for your trouble, and search out a solution on my own.
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer was a little surprised to find Kiga leaving without saying a word. That could have been considered rather rude and, judging by Neko's reaction, she too had been caught off guard by his departure. The demon prince smiled; his attempt at being upbeat.
"He's probably gone to get your father some flowers or something. You can thank him yourself when he comes back. In the meantime, is there anything I can do? Are you hungry?"