homeless_pard | When the Council comes calling

Who: Khem, JC, Asher, Nat, Req, any?
When: Two months after her shop has been open.
What: Well, the Council. And everyone gets to be a badass.

Khemrys chuckled, sealing the last of the small jars she was working on with wax and intricately knotted, colored strings. "My last gifting to the lady did not go well," she pointed out. Not well at all given the sour looks and the fact the woman practically danced when Khemrys had moved to the apartment. Khemrys was still at the Circus, often, to cook and for the dance nights that they al enjoyed but...

...well, the space hopefully had the woman forgetting about her?

"Oui," Jean Claude admitted, running fingers along plants. They'd come to look over the property and the books, a pleasant outing, honestly, to check in on their newest holding. And on Khemrys. He was a little uneasy having her away from the Circus honestly, something neither he nor Asher could pinpoint so here they were on an excuse. "But this she will not know is from you. I ask you to make something on my behalf as a gift."

She moved smoothly from sealing the bruise balm to the next chore of blending a headache powder as she considered that, "I am uncertain if that will work, high lord. My stitching is...distinctive at this point?"

"She has a point, I have to keep my nice clothes at the Circus now," Nathanial pointed out, lounging under the sun lamps. It was his evening off and he'd been intending to trade bread recipes with Khem but then the vamps had wandered in!

"We were afraid that might be the case," Asher admitted, looking up from the sale ledger. "And I suggested a leatherworker instead..."

"Aye, I've no deft hand with leather," Khemrys admitted. "No matter it may act as fabric at times, the thickness throws me?" No matter what they might intend for Anita?

"Ah," Jean Claude looked disappointed but not entirely surprised at least? She was grateful not to fail him in something he truly hoped for!

"May I at least offer some su-" she blinked, freezing a moment, herbs actually trickling from between her fingers. What was that? A feeling, nothing more, but one that slid along her spine like ice, then the front door chimed, someone throwing themselves inside with a pained gasp. She dropped the herbs entire to run for the shop entry, seeing a young rat on the floor, writhing. "Lords, MY KIT!"

The two vamps blinked, uncertain as to where such might be but Nathaniel rolled to his feet and grabbed a bag, tossing it, "what happened?"

"...he told me to run...get here..." the young man gasped, fighting a shift. It nearly took him, but he managed to pull his leg inside the shop and his body eased immediately, some boon or blessing by crossing under Gunnora's symbol no doubt. "Rafael said to get safe, but I didn't get far enough...here's safe..."

"Here is safe," Khemrys confirmed, feeling along the boy's limb's for injury. No blood, no tearing...

"From what?" Jean Claude's voice rolled dangerously, making the boy wince and curl on himself.

"The Circus. They took the Circus, they were calling us..."

"...oh shit," Nathaniel blinked.

"You will stay here," Khemrys noted grimly to the boy. "Upstairs, there is stew. Do not leave until I return." That said she was standing to grab a heavy apron with pockets and a proper backpack to stuff things in.

"You will not be going," Jean Claude noted.

"They will need a healer, high lord. And you may need blood," she noted in the calm voice of a battlefield medic. "We do not seem to have time to argue."

No, no time at all if the Circus was in danger. That was a home. Not her only home now, but certainly Jean Claude and Asher's, and it was NOT to be taken.

They'd see what the may when they arrived hmmm?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There might be a grumbling at the 'our' part of that sentence, but he was still recovering from the pain brought on by the laughter. "Neither is mine or I wouldn't still be around."

He was shakily willing the laughter to fade, letting his muscles relax again.

He was part of 'our', he'd donated funding for it as well and also stayed there at times! Silly boy. "Hmmmm, no, you're rather pie focused though. You just keep hoping!" It was obvious!

Hey, at least they were past the truly painful part of the massaging?

Jason's smile widened but he didn't comment. Nathaniel, however, snorted his amusement. "Close to being finished, Requiem? We'll have to flip him again..."

And he didn't want cold pie.

"Yes, nearly, is it easing some Jason?" Since that was the main goal here?"

Feh, pies.

Children.

Jason gave a small nod. "Some, yeah." But he wasn't looking forward to being flipped over again. When they had him back on his back and propped up a bit in bed, he sat with his eyes closed trying to breathe. At least his feet were under the blankets where he couldn't see them, but his hands...

Nathaniel eased next to him, spooning small forkfuls of meat pie into his mouth and watching to make sure he was managing. "Don't try to overdo it, ok? You're going to need time to heal."

"Your hands should be in better shape an hour or two after meal," Requiem noted quietly. "Extremities are always last priority with bodies." Sadly.

Less pain was good though, and Khemrys was touching him again after moving.

"We can call Jean Claude if rolling might help?"

Jason stared at his hands between bites. Khemrys was a comforting presence, but being able to check out for a bit might be good? He nodded faintly. "Can you?"

Even with Khemrys and the massage, he could feel that the spasms weren't gone for good, just held back for now.

"Of course, sleep is the best thing for you right now," and whatever helped that they'd work with. "Once you finish your meal and at least a glass of water."

It didn't take long, actually, with Nathaniel's help, but Jason was already beginning to struggle by the last few sips of water. He hadn't even registered the words spoken at the door, or even that someone was outside of the door, but as they were positioning him for rest, Jean Claude was entering the room.

There was a decided look of relief that he allowed as he looked at Jason. "It is good to see you awake, Jason." His eyes passed to Requiem and Nathaniel. "My thanks to you both."

Requiem half bowed, "I'll do rounds of others in a moment, are there any specifically you wish me to check?"

"And I believe we can decline invitations on Khemrys's behalf..." as execution witness?

Jean Claude waved a hand. "That will likely be some time yet. There are many with...grievances to air. But if you could check the integrity of the...accommodations if you will?"

It was never pleasant to approach a cross-wrapped coffin, but it was certainly reassuring to make sure it was still there and wrapped well.

Jean Claude studied Jason's form. "You wish me to take your mind for a time?"

Jason nodded. "Please," he managed.

"True, I just..." didn't want her stressed when she woke honestly. "But of course." Security was his job after all.

Even against nightmares in the basement.

"Sleep is best for him, as deeply as possible," he offered as he stood.

Jean Claude offered a comforting smile. "I will not allow her to be troubled while she is here." His gaze flicked to the doorway. "Though I do not think I would have the opportunity to demonstrate that protection with the Rodere around."

Nathaniel made to get back into bed again and was gently pulled back by Jean Claude. "You will eat and rest, or you will be no use to anyone." He paused, adding, "You may rest within the Circus if you do not wish to risk expending energy elsewhere."

Anita was already home with Micah, and would likely need her own support system there.

"Walk with me Nathaniel?" Requiem offered. "We'll get you fed and by return in this direction you should be able to sleep? Without an alarm." Trust him!

Or something anyway.

"Or I can see you safely tucked elsewhere, " he chuckled.

Nathaniel nodded and rose, giving Jason a gentle nuzzle before following Requiem. "I'll be back later, Jay."

Jason gave a small smile in return. "Thanks. And you too, Requiem...thank you?"

"As I noted earlier, Jason, I prefer she chose you live," he smiled slightly, pulling his cape back about him comfortably.

"Show me this hidden freezer of yours Nathaniel?" Because why not?

Jean Claude watched them leave, then turned his gaze back to the bed. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "As do I," he remarked, watching Khemrys's sleeping form. "It would have been beyond any of our abilities to aid you that night. When I saw you...I thought you lost. I owe Lady Khemrys a great debt for bringing you back to us."

Jason's jaw was tense as he looked down at his mangled hands. "I don't remember any of you from that night."

Jean Claude rested a hand on his leg. "You were dying."

"...I know..." Jason swallowed, his voice unsteady. "Where are they?"

"The Council? Broken, by what power Lady Khemrys brought to bear upon them. Belle has fled with her leopards. Richard and Rafael have taken charge of Padma, and he will likely be executed at their leisure. Moroven and Arthur are confined below until those they have wronged are satisfied."

Jason flinched slightly at their names and Jean Claude frowned. "Moroven as well?" he asked quietly. Jason gave a faint nod. "Think no more on them, Jason. They will pay dearly for what they have done, that I can promise you. In time if you wish your own vengeance you may have it, but for now I wish you to allow yourself time to heal without concern for them."

A few tears escaped down Jason's cheeks and Jean Claude reached to brush them away. "Allow me to do what I can to ease your pain?"

Jason swallowed and forced a strained smile as he nodded, raising red-rimmed eyes to Jean Claude's. Those blue eyes didn't blaze with power as they had after feeding from Khemrys, but he was still pulled quickly into them and blissful oblivion.

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