logs | [closed] no cat puns allowed

It is me.

[ an answer that is dry and frigid, but a truthful answer nonetheless. it's indeed him, who makes his way over to callisto with no concern in his eyes as he sizes the man up. it's not the first one that he's encountered here and won't be the last, so leaks is relatively prepared to handle the physical aspect of things.

it's the rest that might not sit well. ]

No, I am not stealing. [ frown! ] I am... here to assist those who have been wounded.

[ he reaches out, presses a finger against one of those scratches. ]

You have been fortunate. Now, follow me to one of these beds and sit.

[ already leaks is thinking about the easiest and fastest way to treat callisto. with silent strides, he practically glides over to one of the makeshift beds and begins to organize the supplies at the wheelable cart next to it. ]

[ oh...

that is actually quite different than stealing. if callisto were the type to feel bad, this probably would have been one of those moments, but instead, he seems to brush it off all the same. instead, opting to let out a sound of awe, as if he were impressed. ] You have a lot of skills.

[ and... an interesting lot of skills for sure. one he instantly discovers himself curious over. to be honest, he's not completely sure what to expect of his skills, but the way leaks offers his help so naturally shows him that he was likely confident in his abilities.

that said, he gives a brief pause at his words: ] You're likely the only one to label wounds as "fortunate." [ except, he's kidding. he gets the meaning of his words, and it shows in his eventual compliance as he sits at the edge of the beds. with that, he figures, he should probably unbutton his shirt at least, which he reaches to do. ]

I do. It is better to be prepared for all things. For better or for worse.

[ being studious and observational can give anyone critical insight into any possible 'field'. he was lucky enough to have a lifetime or two of just reading his books and practicing within his own space. things that he could do in theory but perhaps not put them into something discrete, and...

leaks hums. he watches callisto strip, shirt off of his body. he looks fit. he's not the kind that would ogle this close... or be this shameless. ]

Fortunate to be in one piece. Fortunate to be breathing. There are a lot of things to be fortunate about, would you not agree?

[ the catte takes a cloth and presses it against one of those scratches--- mostly to clean it. keep it from getting infected. ]

[ it's not a bad point. he knows for a fact from his own experiences that sometimes, the most seemingly innocuous or peculiar shred of knowledge could save one's life. when he recalls how archaeology of all things were able to forge their path from being trapped in some unmarked cave, he has to really praise those scholars out there. hence, he releases something of a scoff, though it's more in ironic agreement than it is mocking.

but, what a diligent catte. callisto watches the way he seems to work with practiced ease. despite the sting of cloth against his scratches, he keeps his expression surprisingly even. as if he had endured this many times before. ] Seriously? How heartless. I could be in major pain here, you know. [ but, despite his own words, he doesn't actually deny anything that's said. ]

Do you speak to all your patients in that manner?

You could.

[ funny how that didn't cross his mind at all. why would he care if callisto could be in the most immense, most immeasurable and unbearable pain that a mortal could feel? perhaps he made that comment to be humorous, in which case he won't get the reaction that leaks assumes he's looking for. he might be fishing for sympathy or a smile. he will get neither. ]

I believe that if you were in such a condition, you would have passed out before getting here. It is one of the ways the mortal body keeps itself 'safe'.

[ one used cloth is placed in a small, slightly tarnished bowl while another one is produced and he begins to work on another spot. ]

And you would be one of my first patients. This is not my profession. Getting injured should not be yours.

[ it's a harshness he's not entirely against. even if leaks doesn't seem to get any bit of humor from it, that isn't to state that callisto is the same. he barely bites down a laugh. if there was any psycho who could find it funny that someone could speak so harshly to them... it would definitely be callisto.

that said, he has to admit that leaks brings up several fine points. still, he can't deny that his own body tended to be fairly durable. if the scars against his flesh were of any real indication to that or the lifestyle he'd led. ]

Then, I may not be mortal. [ then again, maybe neither of them really are in this place. but, he seems to shrug it off in tune with everything else he says. ] But, first— [ he's a bit taken aback by that. ] Really? [ will this be okay? well, he supposed it was likely still better than what he could do himself.

hence, he doesn't really let any of his doubts linger. ] I really can't afford to die then.

If you die, then you are made of weaker stuff than I originally gave you credit for.

[ that's as simple as it gets to him. besides, unless there are much more serious wounds than the stab wound, then he can't find them. of course there's something to be said about internal injuries, but that's... probably not his field of expertise. ]

Can you tell me... how you got hurt?

[ not that the origin will necessarily make the healing process better, but still. he disposes of the cloth and brings his hand up to where something bladed must've cut through the skin. it's deeper than a scratch for sure.

and closing his eyes, leaks focuses his attention on it. how he can soothe it with warmth, but not necessarily cause the skin to mend--- just provide a level of protection to keep further infection at bay. ]

[ it's clear from their conversations thus far that the man before him only became more intriguing with time and exposure. which callisto quite liked. then again, he could appreciate anyone who had a different approach to life. while callisto doesn't pretend to have a good read on him, he has a feeling that there was more to him somehow, and being the type who liked to sate his own curiosity, he can't deny wanting to find out more.

organically, of course. or so he'd say, but really... he's not going to lie... it was fairly difficult to keep his expression even considering the touch to his wounds; which leaks can see is quite deep. now that he thinks about it (and actually takes the time to look within), it made sense why his companion at the time seemed so ... concerned. rightfully so. now he's glad he was forced to wrap it then. thank u. ]

I ventured to The Gallows. [ he allows those words to sink in for a few moments. ] I would recommend bringing your own weapons and armor when you go. Picking off corpses makes for poor planning. [ meaning: he definitely got this from simply being reckless.

then again, if he didn't, he could hardly live up to his own title, right? ]

Edited (idk what i was trying to write) 2022-11-24 07:20 (UTC)

The Gallows...

[ he lets his voice trail off as the magic flows from his fingers. the scratches, the bruises, the minor injuries are ignored. what leaks does is imagine: the stab beginning to seal as invisible threads weave themselves over and around it. squeezing, without regard to how calliso may feel. he's seen enough infections in his time. dumb cats can't handle themselves. he never worried about them. there's only one that he would care for. ]

... I do not plan on it.

[ that'll do for now. who knows how much energy and effort leaks can actually put into his magic without losing focus? that it might flicker and disappear whenever it wants? he doesn't want that. no matter what, leaks' love for magic is what keeps him going. it keeps him fresh. ]

Perhaps not go in without a plan? Or properly equipped? Why would you need to scavenge for important tools...?

[ the sensation is unlike anything else he's felt before. while he was accustomed to the concept of magic, that's all it tended to be for him. a concept that is applied not to himself, but to items or their environment. so it's strange to think his skin and whats beneath that was now beginning to heal and repair itself. enough where he can feel the clear lack of a gaping hole there. it's an instant relief to him, if just because he knows the risk of infection and other less than savory concepts.

if he was slightly pale before, he does look a bit better. still, he remains there, just kind of thinking for a few seconds, before: ] I hear what you're saying. Even I think it was dogshit. [ but, he also seems to be trying to purposely brush it off; no stranger to how reckless or marginally ridiculous it had been for him.

that said: ] It seems I will need to reward you. [ despite the airs he puts on, it isn't like he didn't know what gratitude looked like. but, at the same time, he could not predict what kind of reward someone like leaks would desire. he always seemed so reserved somehow, yet at the same time methodical. he doesn't doubt he has his own ways of thinking and callisto can't pretend to understand it. but, maybe that showed he respected leaks enough not to project. ]

[ his ears perk up. 'dogshit'? what could that mean? it's clearly being said in the negative, especially with its connotations, so he assumes it can only be something... perhaps profane. the word 'fuck' is also part of leaks' newly growing vocabulary, so. thank you for that. not that he'll use it, he'd rather stick to things more clear and concise than vulgarity.

leaks scoffs. ]

Reward? [ let him smirk as he finally pulls his hands away from the now-mending spot. ] I need no reward. The opportunity to... diversify, is reward enough.

Besides: what could you offer me that I cannot get on my own, in time?

[ cute... he's acquired the filthy language ability, even if he won't use it.

still, this sadly does not stop callisto from swearing. if even his status doesn't stop his vulgarities, nothing would, really. but, that said, it does show some level of comfort on his part— speaking so freely, but he supposed considering this isn't their first interaction, it only made sense. plus, it may have been amplified if just for the fact that it was quite clear, regardless of his intentions, he had been of help to callisto. ]

Diversify? [ truly, an intriguing man. almost mysterious. he does not know anyone who would deny the goodwill of royalty, all the more with a reward or benefit involved. he knows it's not applicable here and yet it's hard to separate what he's accustomed to. what a novelty. ]

I'm sure there must be something in a dreary place like this. [ a smile on his lips. ] Such as companionship? [ it's a joke, for the record. ]

Yes. As a scholar, I should be capable of doing many things with what I know. It is important to be more than knowledgeable.

[ putting theory into practice. hypotheses into results. he is an intellectual first and foremost. he would learn how to take the world apart before putting it back together again. it doesn't matter if they're dead: they are physically alive. as for the mental and spiritual...

he rolls his eyes, breaking his moodiness. ]

Companionship. [ joke or not, it deserves a response. ] I do not...

[ and then leaks frowns. ]

... know if there are merits to such fragile things.

[ a scholar...

he has to laugh a bit at that. not in any mocking way, but more in self-reflection. somehow, he may have a natural connection to those types, he thinks. but, that said, it makes complete sense. callisto would argue that any piece of information could somehow be the method of saving your life. if anything, he could easily recount a handful of such situations.

it's a respectable decision and one he doesn't think ill of. if anything, it really did make leaks as diverse as he says. but, while he could reply to that, instead he focuses on the latter. ]

Do you speak from experience or... perception? [ he's not quite sure if that's the right way to word it, but he thinks both are quite separate from one another. not that he could blame leaks for either. ]

Yes.

[ that is his answer and he's sticking to it. his experiences? poor. perception? useless and he hates it. but that's why he's more or less trying to discover whether having a bond in this place is truly worth or not, experimenting in the most direct way possible. ]

But that is... not a topic of conversation I wish to pursue. Right now, I must know how you are feeling.

[ curious and docile, leaks' expression goes neutral. both ears twitch a few times. ]

[ the yes just gets a mix between a scoff and a laugh from him. somehow, it was a response that suited him. besides, he doesn't doubt that it is always a mix of the two somehow. sometimes with one leading into the other. when it comes to bearing trust in others, he isn't much better, but maybe it's his recklessness that cut some of that edge. that paired with his absolute belief in his own intuition.

besides, he could never fault for someone electing to practice some level of caution. intimacy could be the scariest thing of all, or so he would have joked. but, instead, he focuses on leaks' question. ]

If I said I was feeling completely better that'd be a lie, but I don't feel like shit anymore. [ a smile at the end as he says it, as if to say "thanks to you." ] I might also be able to avoid an infection.

Unfortunately, I cannot do much about that.

[ he's not here to make people feel better. he's here to ensure they live long enough to see the next time they may need assistance. though he does take some pride in knowing that callisto shouldn't just keel over and die as soon as he takes a step out of this faux-infirmary. ]

If you are healthy... and you feel stronger than you did before you walked here, then I have done my duties properly.

[ look at his ears unconsciously wiggle with pride. only once. he'll never admit to it. ]

[ even for callisto, he finds it difficult not to find the sudden swell of pride... anything short of kind of endearing? considering this is the same man who discussed murder with him in such fervor on their first meeting, it almost seems ironic that the same person actually managed to save him.

an act he would naturally not forget to repay. he isn't sure how to in a land like this so opposite of his own where he doesn't carry immense status nor wealth, but... what else to use but his body, right? or so he resigns himself inwardly, before giving a small smile. ] You really are a strange one.

[ but, the words are said in a gentler manner than he's used to speaking.

with that: ] Well, if you ever need someone to vouch for your abilities. You could say your first patient has managed to survive against all odds. [ instinctively, he places a hand over his wound, pressing against the freshly sealed flesh. more quietly, he says: ] Thanks.

[ now they both have things they won't admit to. ]

Strange...?

[ is he? leaks supposes that he probably is strange, though to what extent he's not sure. what qualifies as such? what has this man encountered and to what degree is leaks unusual compared to others callisto know? still, his tone is not harsh. it doesn't make the magician bristle. it's... he would say pleasant but...

who would seriously compliment him? praise him? it feels all too strange. ]

... I suppose I can refer to you as a success.

[ that being said, leaks finally takes the used cloths and lays them into a nearby bowl. ]

I have a humble request. Do not put yourself in unnecessary danger.

[ initially, at the word "request," he perks up. if just all the more prepared to make good on his word. if there was something he wanted, callisto wouldn't think it strange at all to try and adhere to his request. only, it's nothing that he expects.

his brows raise and he can't deny the hint of shock that actually penetrates his features. it takes him all but a second too long to correct his expression. he covers his mouth slightly, his gaze settling downwards as if he were deeply contemplating something. maybe his life?

it's odd to think that someone would tell him this. a stranger no less. to be honest, he's been far more accustomed to fake words of praise or a severe lack of actual affection or warmth from people. whether it's intended to sound caring or not, it's undeniable that is affects a part of him. that said: ]

Ha. [ he is... still himself. ] If that's all, I think I can manage. [ a small smile. ]

You too, doctor. Who else could I come to as a bloody mess?

[ live or die, leaks feels the same. if they're meant to continue on, even here, then they will. if not? they will go and the memories will linger for as long as they should. not could or will. that's just how it is to him. it doesn't matter how fond he might become of others. ]

I am sure there are plenty that can tend to your injuries. Grievous or not.

[ but would leaks feel bad if he couldn't be here to treat callisto? maybe. ]

Familiar as you may be... it does not factor into what I do or plan to do.

[ as he turns, the tip of his tail swishes from side to side out beneath his robes, by his feet. ]

[closed] no cat puns allowed

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