Part 16 - Enforced Detox

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12:51 AM

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Able had need to clean his space. The weasels had been getting into more and more things from around the spire and down from bookshelves and generally just making a mess. He didn't enjoy this, but they were starting to get into more dangerous situations and that had to stop. Able took to putting away books, and notes from the bandaged on various lectures regarding society and good manners. Able had noticed they had been rather lax on more and more lectures, and wondered if perhaps he was running out of things to say. Able scoffed. That man could never run out of words, he loved to hear his own voice, Able snickered to himself. It took a good portion of the day to get everything neat and tidy, though he wondered how it got messy in the first place. He would have to teach the weasels some good manners himself! He sighed, placing books on the shelf, before coming across a familiar item. A box. He tilted his head, confused, it was dusty. Certainly it couldn't have been that long since he'd started staying here... Regardless Able took it down, and moved to his bed to open it.

they02/04/2020

As soon as Able opens the box, the candlelight and the light of Parabola glowing upwards from the bedroom carpet dims. Inside the box there is a knife. The knife doesn't look like anything Able has ever seen, however; the handle is curved, as to fit perfectly in the palm, and the blade looks like glass dyed an eerie-blue glass. Even in the dim light, the knife glows bright, illuminating the nearby area as good as any candle. Resting underneath the knife, there is a folded up bundle of fabric; based on the candlelight dimming, it's certainly made of thirsty bombazine, yet it seems to be lined with weightier pieces of iron trimming the edge. Lying on top, there is a note written on vellum, in a familiar ink that Able has seen many times before (though the Violant seems to have faded). "My dear apprentice, It is typically traditional on the Surface that one's master in an apprenticeship, in a gesture of goodwill, provide one's apprentice another way out if the line of work doesn't work out. At least, in my area of the world; whether or not this is true is irrelevant. You came here as a thief, and so I've decided to bring you a gifts befitting thievery if I decide you are not fit to be taught. Inside, you'll find exotica that I have obtained from a former player of the game of Knife-and-Candle: - There is a Knife of Lost Sky, colored blue like the sky on the Surface above. It'll illuminate when needed, so long as its uncovered. - There is a Shroud of Midnights, a cloak that will allow you to escape from unwanted attention in the cover of darkness (from the bombazine soaking up light) and silence (from the whispersteel corroding sound). If, for whatever reason, I let you go as an apprentice, you are permitted to keep these gifts; they will serve to keep you safe, out among London. Yours truly, [???]" There is a signature of some kind scribbled at the end, but the writing is so bad as to be illegible.

.

The boy02/04/2020

Able reads over the note a few times, again and again. Did a different man write this? He looks at it for a long time. He feels like he shouldn't have opened this. Able puts the items back into the box after inspecting them, and closes it, putting it back onto the shelf. Able heads up stairs, grabbing his ladder, of which he hasn't used in some time, and sets it up below the bandaged's bedroom hatch. He starts heading up, and when he gets close enough he knocks softly on the ceiling.

Able: Hey can I speak with you?

they02/04/2020

Through the hatch, Able can hear some groaned rustling, and the creaking of wood. After a moment, the hatch opens up just enough for a single eye to peer back at Able.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- Mmh? . .who's. . .who's there? . .ah, it's you. . .yes, how're. . .how're you doing?

The boy02/04/2020

Able looks a bit off, sighing.

Able: Unsure of myself. May I come in?

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man snorts.

The Bandaged: -Muffled; wheezing.- Hff. . .yeah, you. . .sure, come on in. . .

The eye withdraws from the hatch; in the next moment, it opens jerkily, catching on itself slightly as it opens. A noxious, vaguely chemical smell billows out over Able as the bandaged man walks around their freshly painted room, falling back into their bed.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- Ough. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able sighs, wincing a bit at the strong smell, but climbs inside regardless. Able moves to their bed, sitting at the edge of it. He's fiddling with his hands, not sure what he ought to say, if anything. He didn't want to avoid these thoughts, though.

Able: I.. Well I opened the present you gave me, when I came here. It felt a bit odd, like the tone had a sense of... mocking, I suppose.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man lifts their head off of the bed, staring at Able with tired eyes.

The Bandaged: Mh? . .oh. . .that. . .that box, from the beginning . . ? . .mmh. . .

The bandaged man lowers his head, resting it in the pillows of the soft bed.

The Bandaged: -Muffled; groaning.- . . .yeah, well. . .I thought ye'd just up an leave. . .after takin' what you wanted. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able: I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it.

He looks at the bandaged man.

Able: Ah, though you don't do well with doors, so I figure I might as well stay, mh?

Able is trying to keep his composure with poking fun, but he still looks rather upset. He cannot decide how he feels.

Able: Hm... It was a very nice gift, though. Shame I only ever got to it now.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man snorts (which renders as a horrible flapping of silk fabric, given that they're face-first in fabric).

The Bandaged: Heh! . .at least yer the only one who stayed. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able: Staying is easy, you've certainly been making it very difficult to leave.

Able moves to sit a bit closer to the bandaged.

Able: A whole door? Goodness. However could I leave..

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man groans.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- Hhh. . .it was a piss poor idea anyways. . .

The bandaged man pushes their face harder into the pillow, groaning harder.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- I'm so out of touch with everything. . . The Bandaged: -Muffled; choking up quietly.- I can't even remember how to use a door. . .doors existed up there, too, it's not like. . .it's not like magical stuff existed up there, I could. . .I could at least turn a knob up there too. . .

The bandaged man grabs the side of their pillows, pushing it up along the sides of their head and putting it onto their head. They're mumbling incoherently, too muffled for Able to hear them.

The boy02/04/2020

Able places a hand on the bandaged man's back, gently rubbing, trying to soothe him.

Able: Ah, well good thing I'm here then, mh?

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man groans, pulling the pillow harder over their head.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- I feel like I'm losing my mind. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able: Perhaps, you could stand to stop drinking so often, you might find some things are easier to do.

Able sighs, feeling a bit sad, laying his head on the bandaged man's back.

Able: Too many good people hurt themselves with it, I think.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man groans into the bed, sighing quietly.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- Being drunk is so much better, though. . .

The bandaged man shudders under Able.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- . . .I'd rather just be out of my mind, all the time, and not know about it. . . The Bandaged: -Muffled.- . . .I don't want to know I'm losing it. . .I don't wanna think about it. . . The Bandaged: -Muffled; trailing off.- . . .I don't want to. . .to know that. . .I'm still. . .here. . .

The bandaged man quits shuddering, and starts lifting themselves up, before falling onto the bed again.

The Bandaged: -Wheezing.- Oof. . .Able. . .Able, be a dear and. . .go and rummage in that. . .that dresser, over there. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able sits up, sighing, moving over to the bandaged's dresser.

Able: Mh? What are you needing?

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man points at the dresser, keeping their head buried in a pillow.

The Bandaged: -Muffled.- There's, uh. . .there's some medicine in there. . .I'm gonna need it, if I'm gonna sleep well tonight. . .it's a black bottle. . .looks like oil. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able stops, turning to the bandaged.

Able: ....Honestly.

Able moves back over to the bandaged, grabbing him roughly, turning him over.

Able: If you expect me to play into that you clearly think I'm sort of fool.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man groans, but stays limp and. . .worryingly light in Able's grip.

The Bandaged: Ghhf. . .I'm serious, honest. . .I promise to ye', it's not wine. . .I don't have any more left, else I would've just let myself sleep peacefully. . .

The bandaged man points towards the dresser again.

The Bandaged: S'. . .s' an old bottle of medicine, that one of the Masters gave me. . .Mr. Cups, me thinks. . .or maybe Wines. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able touches the bandaged man's face, concerned.

Able: What is it?

Able looks serious, pushing aside some of their bandages to get a good look at their expression. He hold's the mans head, though gently, to make sure he didn't look away.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man's face is pasty, their eyes narrowed.

The Bandaged: -Groaning.- Ghh. . .'s Correspondent things, mostly, you wouldn't understan'. . .it's got some Irrigo, if you know what that is. . .it helps me feel better, that's all. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able sighs, annoyed a bit, moving to lay on top of the bandaged man, resting his head on their chest.

Able: Suffer through it a bit, I will be here instead.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man groans, whining as they push Able off of themselves and try lifting themselves up.

The Bandaged: -Wheezing; whining.- No, get. . .get it for me, please. . .I don't wanna know. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able rolls onto the bed, groaning, sinking into the bed. He forgot how comfortable it was.

Able: Hhf.. Absolutely not.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man wheezes, pulling themselves off the bed.

The Bandaged: -Wheezing; breathing raggedly.- Then I'll. . .I'll get it myself. . .

The bandaged man slides off of the bed, and starts crawling pathetically on the floor, wheezing with each quiet wriggle.

The boy02/04/2020

Able sits up, and moves over to the bandaged man, lifting him up and putting the man's arm over his shoulder to get a good grip.

Able: You are a pain. There are easier ways to sleep.

Able puts the man back onto the bed, this time holding him down.

Able: I don't need to tell you this, but in this state you aren't the one in control here.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man wriggles weakly in Able's grip, groaning.

The Bandaged: -Pained.- Please let me go. . ..

The boy02/04/2020

Able leans in, looking unamused.

Able: Perhaps you'll hate me for this, but it doesn't matter. You will stay here.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man wriggles.

The Bandaged: -Groaning.- If you won't let me have my medicine, then. . .then get a knife, or something. . .let me go quietly into that dark, or. . .or something. . .I jus' don't wanna be thinking right now. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able's hand doesn't move, keeping the bandaged man still.

Able: Thinking about what?

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man shudders in Able's grip, trying to wrench themselves free (though they're so weak right now as for their wriggling to be nothing more than small spasms).

The Bandaged: I don't wanna remember. . .I don't. . .

The bandaged man shudders, limply lying in Able's grip.

The Bandaged: . . .I don't want to remember that I can't. . .that I can't remember. . .who I lost. . .what I lost. . .I can't. . . The Bandaged: . . .I don't remember much of. . .anything. . .anymore, Able. . .I don't. . .I can't. . .remember how the sky looks like, or what real plants look like, or. . .or what m' own. . .

The bandaged man sputters quietly.

The Bandaged: -Stilted.- . . .d. . .do you know, I tried having some apprentices before ye'? A lil urchin, and one of them artsy folks. . .they seemed so nice. . . The Bandaged: -Venomous.- . . .then. . .then they robbed me, in the middle of th' night. . .I wouldn't've cared. . .t. . .

The bandaged man shakes in Able's grip, a manic strength coursing through them for a moment that pushes against Able's hands. . .

The Bandaged: -Screaming furiously; maniacal.- They took them! They took my wife! My daughter! They stole them from me! I need them! I need. . .I need them back, I. . .I. . .

. . .but only for a moment. The bandaged man lies limply in Able's grip again, their skin clammy and staining their bandages.

The Bandaged: -Choking up.- . . .t. . .they took the only pictures I had. . .of my life up. . .up there. . .I can't get another one, I. . .I can't, Able. . . The Bandaged: -Quieting down.- . . .maybe they'h just dead. Maybe they're. . .they're just gone, already. . .and I'm still here. . ..

The boy02/04/2020

Able isn't sure what to say, but knows that he is in no position to be deciding things for himself. Able stays steady.

Able: I'm glad you're still here, I probably would be dead by now if you weren't here. I can't claim to understand your pain, or what you've gone through..

Able takes a deep breath, sighing, trying to keep his voice calm.

Able: You're important to me, and I do not wish to see you hurt yourself.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man snorts (which sounds absolutely dreadful, given that they seem to be choking on mucus).

The Bandaged: Pah. . .gghh. . .I know you don't like me. . .

The bandaged man tries raising a finger reflexively, though their hand is held back by Able; they don't seem to notice.

The Bandaged: I, I see the way that you look at me. . .judging me. . .hhghhh. . . The Bandaged: -Mournfully.- . . .hhhghhh, and you're r ight to judge me. . .look at me. . .I'm a disgrace. . .I'm a horrible mentor. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able: You must be blind then.

Able moves to sitting on top of the bandaged man, his arm getting tired of holding him down.

Able: Because I'm here still, despite all of those doubts you keep telling yourself.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man groans, sinking into their bed easily under Able's weight.

The Bandaged: -Labored; wheezing under Able.- Hhhh. . .you're jus. . .ye'h jus lying to yourself. . .yer just waitin' for me to. . .to let my guard down. . .yeah, well, you know what!?

The bandaged man suddenly pushes Able up for a moment as they try to rise. . .

The Bandaged: -Screaming; slurring.- I don'h care about any of this! Rob me blind! I don't car'h! None of it is'h going to my family anyways! They're never coming down'h here! I'll never'h see them! Take it! Take everything! T. . .take. . .

. . .before falling into the bed again, sinking further into the bed as they collapse.

The Bandaged: -Quiet.- . . .jus'h take it. . .I don't. . .it's not like I have anyone else to give it to. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able is surprised that he still has that energy. Able looks more worried, but sighs as soon as the bandaged man settles down.

Able: I don't want it. I have what I need.

Able places a hand on the bandaged man's face, humming a bit, trying to think of what to do.

Able: Besides, I don't rob drunks.

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man shudders, whining.

The Bandaged: -Choking up.- No, I'm. . .I'm not a drunk. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able places his other hand on the bandaged man's face, gently rubbing him with his thumbs, shushing him.

Able: Shhh... You're alright..

they02/04/2020

The bandaged man whines, trying to push away at Able's hand.

The Bandaged: -Choking up; slightly panicked.- No, I'm. . .I'm not a drunk, I. . .she's. . .she'd be so disappointed. . .no, you're. . .yer wrong. . .

The boy02/04/2020

Able: I think she would understand.

Able wasn't sure exactly who he was talking about, but he didn't want to see him make too much fuss. Able lets him push his hands away, and sighs.

February 5, 2020

they02/05/2020

The bandaged man groans quietly, lying under Able as they sink lower into the bed.

The Bandaged: -Quietly.- . . .I can't sleep.

The boy02/05/2020

Able looks down at the bandaged.

Able: There's a trick I learned, when I was cold, or starving, or otherwise slowly dying. When you can't sleep, the best you can do is rest, keep your eyes closed, don't think of anything, wait till morning.

Able looks away for a bit.

Able: You won't feel great, but you'll feel better than nothing.

***

they02/05/2020

The bandaged man ponders in silence, their eyes closed.

The Bandaged: -Morosely.- . . .it's not working. The Bandaged: -Quietly.- . . .maybe try punchin' my eyes in. Then I can sleep.

The boy02/05/2020

Able moves to lay besides the bandaged man, sighing.

Able: Just keep laying there, it'll come.

they02/05/2020

The bandaged man groans louder.

The Bandaged: -Quietly desperate.- Please. . .just. . .just crush my head, or something. . .I can't sleep, I can't. . .not while remembering like. . .like this. . .

The boy02/05/2020

Able places a hand on the bandaged man's face.

Able: There, did it. Go to sleep.

The boy02/05/2020

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