[It takes her a bit of time to return; for all that she dashes to the buffet until she's gasping, she can't do the same on the way back--not when it would spill the blood she collected from the coffee machine. So she has to settle for something between jogging and speedwalking.
Return she does, though, quickly shoving the cabin door open and striding in with a breathless-]
How is he?
[She sets the tray she's carrying on the nightstand, because no, she didn't bring just one cup. She brought several. And a little pile of plastic drink straws. She opens the lid of one, drops a straw in, and crouches near Natsuno's head--ignoring the glow coming from the wastebasket--as she brings the warm cup near his mouth.]
Here, drink up...as much as you need. I brought plenty.
[Holding the blood with one hand, her other hand reaches out to smooth hair out of his face.]
[He keeps his eyes closed like Pal instructed, but attempts to sit up the moment Rita arrives with the tray. Natsuno can smell the blood coming from multiple cups, and the more he smells the more he realizes that he's starving. The only reason he waits for Rita to bring the cup over instead of reaching out for the nightstand is that he's too weak. Instead he turns his face in the direction of the scent, shaking with hunger, pain and shame.
It's a very empty hunger. No one can resist it for long.
He sighs softly when Rita strokes his hair. After a bit of fumbling with the straw, Natsuno drains the cup in a few large gulps. The blood sooths his burning throat like cold water in a desert. It's makes him feel a bit better, but still not enough.]
Hanging in there. Too stubborn not to be, if you ask me. [He flashes Rita a tiny smile and moves out of the way so that she can see to Natsuno. At this point, the blood will probably do more to heal him than he can.]
[She doesn't spare Palamedes a glance, although she does give him a quick response-] Good. He doesn't give up.
[Any relief is still tempered by just how painful it is to see him shaking, but with another stroke of her thumb over his cheek, she nods and quickly swaps the straw to a new cup, which she offers him. The back of her hand brushes his forehead to see if there's any improvement in his temperature, and she keeps talking to him gently.]
Here you go. Be as greedy as you want. You're allowed when you're sick.
[And here is Rita's hypocrisy in action: Palamedes' blood magic is still gross and creepy, but Natsuno having to drink blood to feel better? Not even worth a second thought.]
[Rita's gentle, loving touch only makes him more ashamed. It feels like he doesn't deserve such sweetness when he's downing cup after cup of human blood. Still, there's no denying it's helping: Natsuno's shivering less and less with every cup and while the fever doesn't break, it's at least what you'd expect from a normal, non-life threatening disease. If Pal's checking, it doesn't seem like it will spike any time soon.]
...thank you.
[He tries to open his eyes - no glowing, though he's still nauseous.]
[In any other circumstances, Palamedes might have noted Rita’s hypocrisy, but here and now he doesn’t even notice it, his focus entirely on Natsuno. He nods encouragingly as his friend drinks, periodically reaching with light fingers to feel his pulse and check his temperature. Gradually, he’s stabilizing. For the first time since he entered the cabin, Pal allows some of the tension to leave his body.]
Good, good. Now rest, Yuuki. For at least twenty-four hours, and then we can re-assess the situation.
Agreed. [Palamedes glances at Rita] Text me if there’s any change. [He can only hope she listens; either way, he will be coming back in a few hours to check in.
Gently, a little awkwardly, Pal pats Rita on the shoulder. Then he turns to go. There isn’t much more he can do here, and Rita and Natsuno deserve their privacy.]
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neverleave) wrote2022-03-03 11:35 pm
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Return she does, though, quickly shoving the cabin door open and striding in with a breathless-]
How is he?
[She sets the tray she's carrying on the nightstand, because no, she didn't bring just one cup. She brought several. And a little pile of plastic drink straws. She opens the lid of one, drops a straw in, and crouches near Natsuno's head--ignoring the glow coming from the wastebasket--as she brings the warm cup near his mouth.]
Here, drink up...as much as you need. I brought plenty.
[Holding the blood with one hand, her other hand reaches out to smooth hair out of his face.]
no subject
It's a very empty hunger. No one can resist it for long.
He sighs softly when Rita strokes his hair. After a bit of fumbling with the straw, Natsuno drains the cup in a few large gulps. The blood sooths his burning throat like cold water in a desert. It's makes him feel a bit better, but still not enough.]
More...
no subject
no subject
[Any relief is still tempered by just how painful it is to see him shaking, but with another stroke of her thumb over his cheek, she nods and quickly swaps the straw to a new cup, which she offers him. The back of her hand brushes his forehead to see if there's any improvement in his temperature, and she keeps talking to him gently.]
Here you go. Be as greedy as you want. You're allowed when you're sick.
[And here is Rita's hypocrisy in action: Palamedes' blood magic is still gross and creepy, but Natsuno having to drink blood to feel better? Not even worth a second thought.]
no subject
...thank you.
[He tries to open his eyes - no glowing, though he's still nauseous.]
no subject
Good, good. Now rest, Yuuki. For at least twenty-four hours, and then we can re-assess the situation.
replies in the right spot this time...
She glances to Palamedes, then back to Natsuno.]
...Thanks...for coming so quickly.
[And as if she wants to get past the fact she just thanked Pal as quickly as possible, she immediately follows it up with-]
I'm gonna stay here. If anything happens, I... I just think he shouldn't be alone.
Re: replies in the right spot this time...
Gently, a little awkwardly, Pal pats Rita on the shoulder. Then he turns to go. There isn’t much more he can do here, and Rita and Natsuno deserve their privacy.]