the med tent is the hoppin place to be

[atouts]

Who: Childermass & open.
When: D90-D91
Where: Back at the carnival, in the medical tent.
What: Childermass had a bad time with a bear's claws and now he's stuck on bed rest.
Warnings: Mentions of violence, injury.

The tail end of the entire Eden fiasco is a blur to Childermass. He made a very poor tactical choice when dealing with Bezaliel, one of the Architects with far more power of the shadows than the magician could have ever imagined. One set of iron claws later and he only vaguely remembers being found by Syrlya and Lambert, bleeding to death in the forests of Eden. They brought him... somewhere.

The temple? He imagines it must have been, the one the healers kept, or else he doubts he'd yet be alive. Who and how he was brought back out of Eden is a mystery and one he hasn't inquired about. Someone carried him or the Ringmaster whisked everyone away, most like, and now all that's left is for him to lay still as can be in a cot and dwell on all the 'should haves' running through his head. In fewer words, sulking, although with his usual lack of emotion, it'd be hard to tell as much.

With his left side and chest all stitched up, along with deep scratches across that same side of his face and what's bound to be a brand new scar across his sharp beak of a nose, there's not much for him to do but wait. Eventually he'll be free to move without worry of popping a stich or two but until then, if he spots anyone approaching by foot he'll eye them and ask in a hoarse, gravelly voice:

"I don't suppose you'd be willing to help me escape back to my own trailer..." It's a pointless request. They wouldn't make it very far. "Or at the very least bring me something to read?"

Or if it's only someone else stuck there with him, well, he clearly can't ask them for aid. They're in as much a bad spot as he is, meaning the best he can offer is a curious look and then a somewhat pained shrug.

Comments

[atouts]

"I did and I was," Childermass can alleviate that worry, at least. "And perhaps it was for the best that I was... Bezaliel was not just a master of shadows, but Darkness as well."

There's a sense of an all-important capital letter there.

[chronosynthesis]

Weaponized darkness? That's not a far mental leap from weaponized shadows, he's pretty sure, and he's assuming by the way Childermass phrases it that it's where Bezaliel caught him off guard.

"I admit I am surprised," he says, with a tone that doesn't show any traces of judgement. Childermass isn't someone he regards to act recklessly, so... he assumes he's learned a lesson here on his own, and doesn't need Syrlya to reprimand him. "But I am glad you still came out of it alive. Thankfully, the fighting ceased once Lilith left so we have been able to focus on the injured."

[atouts]

It's a fair enough assumption to make, especially with the grim reminder the scars from this are undoubtedly going to leave behind. Even so, he shrugs some at Syrlya saying he's surprised, not really able to refute it. He isn't a soldier or a warrior by any means, after all.

"As am I, no matter how many second chances I have up my sleeve," he agrees with a quiet sigh, then turns his interest to Lilith leaving. "She really just left once the Mirror broke? But whatever happened to Eden?"

[chronosynthesis]

"I expect the realm will collapse, if it hasn't already," he answers with a shrug-- which he quickly regrets pulling at the still fresh wound across his collar. He tenses briefly.

Then he clears his throat. "It seemed to have shattered during their fight, and then the Serpent appeared in the sky. Perhaps Lilith felt outmatched, or... perhaps she already lost her faith in Eden and took the excuse to abandon it."

It seemed to have shocked the Honorables after all, what she did. Their faith looked pretty shaken too. "The Ringmaster is finding a new place for the Honorables to reside, I believe."

[atouts]

"Good," Childermass says, sounding pretty adamant about that, at least. He lets his eyes drift shut again but it won't stop him from carrying on a bit, not at all about to doze off. "Lilith's Eden was a stupid idea, making them search for something that just doesn't exist. You would think something even only half angel would not be such an idiot..."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya offers a crooked smile. "A lot of powerful beings seem to have surprisingly stupid ideas. Especially when they are not the ones who will have to suffer for it. I think all of those creatures will be happier not having to pursue the impossible under her thumb."

After all, they're getting to keep their sapience. Now without fear of what they'll lose if they disobey distant authority... assuming they don't recreate the power structure.

Hm.

[atouts]

"One should hope so," Childermass gives them that much, but he tends to fall on the side of wary belief in the best than any actual belief in it. "Has the Ringmaster mentioned where she'll be placing them? The Summerlands again?"

[chronosynthesis]

"I did not ask, although I am not sure how the Summer Fae will feel about more refuges brought to their doors. I'm sure she will find some place suitable, however, as it was part of our terms with the Furies."

If there's anything Fae do reliably, it's keep their end of the bargain. You just have to make clear enough terms.

[atouts]

"Oh, I don't know. The Summer Fae could use some variety..."

Although he has no doubt Syrlya is right enough. It was one thing to shelter damaged changelings, another to house strange animals created by some angel-demon demigod. At least the changelings were fae-related and, thankfully, without a master to chase them.

"Well, no matter where I suppose I wish them the best. Even if they were a little snotty about my art."

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya snorts, pressing his hand against his mouth to stifle further laughing.

"I am sorry to say I missed most of the crafts our own people were making." You know, on account of fucking off to the barrens and focusing on info gathering before that. "What as your talent?"

[atouts]

"Oh, just drawing," Childermass admits. "Nothing fancy. It mostly just amplified something I've dabbled in before, though it did help me realize I could make great, big sketches with shadows."