un: butterfly | text

[heavensnight]

Has anybody gotten sick here? Like the plague or the measles or that one disease where you cough up blood?

Just kind of wondering what happens if that happens. We got a doctor on call or we're relying on the robots?

[the doomed narrative caught up to her unfortunately.]

Comments

[heavensnight]

[she respects the honesty. Maria has been used to her lot in life and she's not expecting it to get any better. but it's worth a shot. what else was she supposed to do?

Maria doesn't know what to do but stay absolutely still. she holds her breath because what else should she do? she doesn't move an inch but she is surprised by seeing magic because there isn't anything like that where she's from. though she can't say she feels anything and she shakes her head when asked.]

I feel the same. But I don't know if I should know I'm experiencing a miracle right now. Well, miracle compared to where I'm from.

[tocastashadow]

More of a miracle than you might think.

[Given that Selûne has precious little reason to grant Shadowheart access to magic, it continues to surprise her that the goddess has not yet seen fit to withdraw her favour.

She frowns.]

I'll try a spell to remove curses next.

[She repeats much the same process as before as she casts remove curse, though the incantation is different, and she has to draw on more power from the Weave. Once the light dies down, she tilts her head, regarding Maria curiously.]

And that? Did that have any effect?

[heavensnight]

[she isn't sure what she should be feeling. what should feel differently. doctors hadn't known what was happening to Mary and so, whatever was going on with Maria (a much more cursed version of the illness) was just as mysterious.

but she does feel like there's a sort of difference. Maria has always felt strange. there was always darkness and heaviness surrounding her. coming here, it wasn't as overwhelming until she had started coughing. the darkness inside her creeps again, now that she knows she has not escaped what Mary could not either.

whatever Shadowheart did, she does feel lighter but something tells her it isn't gone.]

There is...a difference. It feels less smothering? [she winces at her own word choice and tries again.] Maybe I'm making myself believe it...[she sighs.] I'm a mess. I'm sorry. It isn't like there's rules or a science to what I am. It doesn't feel like it's gone but like it's been...pinned in place? Does this even make sense?

[tocastashadow]

I suppose it's a good thing I'm not a scientist, then.

[It does make sense. Shadowheart's own condition is "pinned in place," held in a magical stasis. The downside of which is, of course, that the stasis could break at any moment.]

I think I know what you mean. A disease's progression can be halted. Sometimes that lasts forever, sometimes it's merely a temporary reprieve. If that's the case, enjoy what time you have, since it could return at any time.

[There's that bedside manner again.]

[heavensnight]

[she's really okay with Shadowheart's horrible bedside manner. used to it with someone else honestly. it doesn't phase her.

and if anything, she's just grateful she got the help at all.]

Thank you for whatever time you did give me. It was very nice of you. I have no skills at all but is there anything I can do for you...?

[tocastashadow]

Consider it a favour owed.

[Perhaps she ought to let it go, make a go at pure altruism and simply feel glad to have helped someone for no reason other than to have helped. Some long-dormant part of her likes the idea, but her pragmatism tells her that even someone with no skills can come in handy, when they're in one's debt. But that long-dormant part of her prompts her to say:]

If you feel it worsen, do let me know.

[She whistles for Scratch, who bounds over to Maria in the hopes of receiving a few more pats, and turns to leave.]

[heavensnight]

[she had thought that this would be a one-time deal and it is obvious she is surprised that there was an offer to help again. she nods.

Maria had been solemn until Scratch comes to her and she smiles, offering the dog more attention. happily.]

Even if it's just helping out with this one, I'll help you. A favor owed, like you said. I'll remember this. I'm good at that.