Through the Looking-Glass (Bones)

[Jamisia Abijah]

4th day of Summer, 511 AV Outside Alvadas Something was wrong with Bones. He moved much slower and was weaker than before; Jamisia had a bad feeling it didn't have anything to do with being just tired after a battle. He slithered heavily and the girl could feel his hands and torso to be slippery with blood. Maybe only rats' blood? Then she caught herself on worrying about him, which instantly made her worried that she was being worried about a Dhani. Awareness of that state made her to fear about her sanity. Humans and Dhani didn't mesh well, something she had known from the autopsy. But...Hadn't he saved her...Twice already? Without the word, they left the cave to be greeted by a full moon. It was a bright night outside and Jamisia had to blink few times to adjust her vision. Then looked next to her and gasped in horror and not even because she saw Bones in his Dhani form for the first time. Hi entire body from the tip of the tail to head was covered in wounds. There was even a loose fragment of scaled skin hanging in one place. ”Oh gods, what they have done to you?” As a healer she knew fairly well that if bones was human he would be dead right now. A trail of blood behind the Dhani betrayed how much this precious liquid he lost. She froze for a few moments, unable to make a move or avert her gaze from the act of transformation. It was..terrifying and fascinating at the same time. ”Sleep? Where? Here?” Before she could react, the Dhani curled himself on the ground, naked. Jamisia stood for a while in her torn dress, baffled, in front of a sleeping, naked mansnake. ”I just...can't believe this...” The adrenaline still pumping through her body made her restless. Jamsia could only say that they were somewhere outside Alvadas and pretty far at that, in the part of mountains surrounded it. In the surge of anger she wondered if not to just leave the Dhani alone but almost immediately after a feeling of guilt swept through her. Bones looked like a pile of misfortune, covered in wounds, some of them pretty serious. Her own gash burned with dull pain; Jami couldn't imagine how the Dhani must have felt. Still he was just a snake...Just a mangy, scaly snake...That had saved her life more than any other human she had known. ”I will regret this...” She sighed heavily and rooted in her bag. As any many healers, especially in Ahnatep, Jamisia carried with herself a basic pack of medicines and herbs. Small amount of healing balm to soothe pain, vinegar to clean wounds, cloth, few herbs to chew. The mulberries were known to have an effect of similar to alcohol. They helped to relax and killed pain easily. Slowly, the human woman walked toward the Dhani and knelt. She shook her head in a gesture of resignation not even knowing where to start, finally settling for the largest injury in the leg. The fact that Bones was naked didn't phase her much...well maybe only a little, since as a healer she got used to that sight or should have used, however he was naked and a Dhani, which made her to feel an odd discomfort. Trying to focus on the task at hand, the woman put some vinegar on the cloth and began to clean the wound, hoping Bones would stay passed out. She touched his leg gently but jerked when he moved and rolled to his back. A rosy blush crept on her cheeks. ”For gods' sake! “ Jamisia breathed embarrassed and took Bones' bag to take some of his clothes. ”No decency among you snake lot.” She used the Dhanis' shirt to cover him and tried again to gently clean his wounds.

[Ssafirsotibones]

As Bones laid there, he tried to overcome his pain. However it was so great, he was going in and out of consciousness... He saw Jamisia approaching, and tried to sit still, though he had some involuntary twitches and spasms... Unfortunately he was mostly awake, and was just to weak to move... as she touched the wound in his leg, it jerked away for a moment, but he put it back, trying to keep it still... And ended up rolling over... He tried to rest, he tried to move... However in his state there was not much he could do... Moving a bit, he spoke for a few seconds, though it did not make to much sense.... "Ssey... Everywhere... Here.... Got to.... ssssnnnnphtsss..." The last word obviously being nonsense.... However the pain was pretty intense, and he was still going in and out of consciousness...

[Jamisia Abijah]

4th day of Summer, 511 AV Outside Alvadas Spasms and hissing groans of pain didn't look good, the state of his consciousness suggested a high fever. Jamisia touched his forehead. It was burning – most likely blood loss and injuries brought it on him. It was no mystery for a healer that after being bitten by animals, people got sick. Maybe Dhani too? Washing his wounds now wouldn't do much, she needed all her herbs and drugs and all Jamisia could do was to stuff him with green mullberries o dull pain. ”Bones...Bones..listen to me. You are sick and lost a lot of blood. At inn I have herbs and ointments that should help, but we need to get there.” The young healer bit her lower lip and shook the Dhani gently, not to disturb his wounds more. The mulberries were a tasty fruit when ripe but only healers knew that green ones could dull the pain and cause a mild euphoria. Of course she had no idea how it would work on a Dhani, maybe it was a poison to them? But now they didn't have much choice. ”Here, Bones, eat this.” After few attempts to feed Bones with green mulberries, Jamisia took the clothing, praying her companion was conscious enough not to choke on the green fruits and left the Dhani naked again but it didn't even matter now. Her mind was focused on her patient. It was surprising how bad she felt for him and hos much there was her guilt. There were now two separate images of him, a brutal and merciless killer, but also someone who had saved her life because he believed it shouldn't be wasted, although it was neither nor safer for him to drag the human woman along. There was a stream near by with what looked like a clean water. Maybe they had some luck after all in this field of misery. Upon returning the girl quickly put the cold shirt on the Dhani. It was bound to be unpleasant, but would reduce fever that in extreme cases could kill. At least humans, all she had known was about her own kind, not his. She wasn't sure if he swallowed the herbs nor if they would work, but in a few moments the pain should be dulled enough for him to try to walk. If no she could always give him a stronger potion to drink but it had much severe consequences. Jamisia moved her hands under his head then arms. ”Bones, try to get up, at least one try. Come on.” The girl pleaded, not really sure anymore what she was feeling toward him. Whether it was just guilt, warm feelings or anger he got himself mauled like that by stupid rodents, sadness he could die, resentment that he was a Dhani or maybe all of them above. Her own arm was felt like being eaten alive, but soothing balm kept pain in check at least enough to let her operate her hand freely.

OOCWell, green mulberries really cause mild high in humans, no idea if in snakes xD Play it as you will

[Ssafirsotibones]

As he lay there, trying to rest, Bones looked up at Jamisia. An inn sounded like a good idea, a place to rest and to get some care... Looking at the plant Jamisia was giving him, he tried to bring its name to mind. A green mulberry... Sometimes a bit of skill from herbalism came in handy. And he did know it would help him... Taking a few in his mouth, he chewed and swallowed. They took a bit to take effect, but once they did, they dulled the pain enough so he could stay conscious... Which was not necessarily an improvement... But it did mean it was safe to move. He did not think he had a fever, he was pretty sure his skin was supposed to be that hot... But he was in no position to know. Rolling over, he slowly got up, feeling waves of pain in every joint of his body... As he stood, he was dizzy for a moment, but soon enough regained his footing. Tasting the air for a moment, he checked were he was, and detected which way the town was. It would probably take them an hour or two of walking to get close to town, and the inn were he could rest. Even though his entire body was racked with terrible sharp pain, the berries seemed to have some effect, so that he did not mind. Though he also seemed to be getting distracted pretty easily. Finally he managed to focus long enough to start walking to town. "I... can walk... Here... can you carry my bag..." He would point to his pack which was sitting nearby on the ground, and slowly move his aching body. Though the shape he was in, he could not travel to fast... Those little buggers had really tore him up...

[Jamisia Abijah]

4th day of Summer, 511 AV Outside Alvadas He was standing, that was something. His forehead and skin was still hot, but maybe it was not a fever but a trait of his species? Jamisia had no idea and with embarrassment had to admit that she was working blindly here and on intelligent guess. Her hands still supported him but it seemed that he got his balance, though most likely felt dizzy. The healer did everything to make injuries to stop bleeding but with such amount of wounds it seemed like an uphill struggle. ”Of course.” Jami sighed in response and took the Dhani's bag on her good shoulder, though was about to say she was tired and a bit wounded too. ”Let's go.” Bones still didn't look like million mizas but at least could walk. With a worried look, the girl watched how the Dhani was struggling to keep balance. It seemed like ages, agonizing ages to get to the city gates. They didn't talk, to save energy for travel. Jamisia even if not very battered from the fight was getting tired. Her arm was hurting and the stress took toll. Every now and then she would jerk at some sudden noise, expecting a wave of rats flooding them again. Finally, finally they would see the gates, but there was small problem. Jamisia pulled the Dhani to a halt. ”Bones, you may appreciate the comforts nudity, but Alvadas' citizens won't.” Yet again she helped herself to his bag and tried to dig out the trousers. It was still night, not to mention Jamisia was way too tired to bother with such details as naked Dhani. Her mind could get used even to that. ”I can't find it.” The girl put the bag in Bones hands, not even wanting to hear any protest. ”Do you need help with that?” The healer asked cautiously, feeling this familiar uneasiness.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Moving along, Bones did his best to keep moving. Every muscle in his body was screaming, wanting him to stop, however he kept going, knowing that if he stopped, he would not get going again. His vision was rather blurry, and kept swimming around, however he did his best to follow the direction they were going. Though he was rather dizzy, and the ground did not want to stay level, as it swiveled back and forth... Maybe that was just in his head though, or else they would be sliding downward... Yep, definitely in his head.... Looking at his bag, he darted a hand in, and grubbing around pulled out his pants and shirt. He managed to pull them both on, though in doing so he reopened several of his injuries which had clotted. However he did his best to keep moving, as he got ever more dizzy and weakened. Finally they arrived at the inn, and walked up to the front door. Walking inside, he took one step in, before he blacked out, and his entire body froze. If he had been awake, he would have felt his body falling down, and crashing to the floor, in front of all of the inn patrons. In doing so he hurt himself a little worse, maybe even breaking a rib on the way down. He did hit the floor pretty hard with all of his weight.

[Jamisia Abijah]

4th day of Summer, 511 AV Alvadas, Unnamed Inn Bones was not feeling good and so wasn't she. The Dhani swayed from side to side, most than likely an effect of the green mulberries. At least he could dress by himself. ”Good to see you manage...” She commented under hear breath. She was irritated, tired and scared. Not even of Bones anymore. In his state the Dhani couldn't scare a mouse from a barn. They were now vulnerable to the attack with Bones half-conscious and her wounded. From time to time, she would help the Dhani to keep balance. Thankfully, the next hour of a travel went peacefully if not counting Jamisias' curses. They were not far from her room when Bones collapsed. The patrons looked at them – a woman in torn dress and what looked to them like a man, covered in dried blood. ”it's alright, I am a healer and he is my patient!” It would look funny if not was tragic, for their luck the innkeeper had known Jamisia for a year now and asked two of the patrons to help with Bones. The woman prayed Bones wouldn't start to hiss like a snake and alert people to his inhuman traits. Finally they were alone; bones placed on the simple bed. The innkeeper seemed worried about all the blood stains but she promised to pay for all the damages. Seeing her irritation, the man just backed down. Not wasting any time, Jamisia knelt by Bones, who seemed like a corpse if not for a faint trace of pulse. ”That doesn't look good , not at all.” She sighed and removed his shirt. Even under all these wounds she could see a large bruise formed on next to his sternum. Ribs too? Really? Fighting with her own weakness, the healer began her work. It was nearly noon when she was done with Bones. His major injuries had been patched up with stitches and various balms. Not much she could do with ribs, they would just need a time to heal. The Dhani's forehead was as warm as before, so it was most likely a normal temperature for him. Embarrassing but not unusual mistake with the difference between their species. Jamisia just finished preparing herbs Bones could drink when or if regaining consciousness. All was up to his body now. From what she witnessed the Dhani were a sturdy lot, but who knew? When the last herbal essence was ready, the young healer just collapsed on her desk, with head placed on Aloe Vera leaves. Jamisia slipped into unconsciousness, waking up good few hours later. She gasped, drifting out from a nightmare filled with rats and snaked. For a moment the girl thought it had been but a nightmare, however, pain in her limbs and guest in her bed proved otherwise. Still groggy from sleep, Jamisia walked over the bed and placed her hand on the Dhani's cheek. ”Bones...Bones?” She whispered, gently pressing her on the seemingly human skin. When he was lying like that, Jam could swear he was of her kind, not a giant half snake, half man in disguise. ”Just, don't die on me now.” Her emotions still felt like frozen from yesterday shock, she barely remembered the moment of stepping into that wretched house but what Jam did remember was that Bones had saved her life It was a debt hard to repay. And a debt with who? A Dhani? A human eating monster? There was something wrong with all this. This was not the world she had been brought into. World of black and white, good and evil. Apparently there were shades of gray and that thought frightened her more than anything else.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones lay there, still unconscious. In it he was having an odd dream, of chasing a rat through the forest, trying to eat it. Though he could not remember how he got in the forest... But in a dream, it was hard to focus on such details. As for the body heat, this was probably higher because he was digesting several rats he had swallowed. It was a little known fact that when a snake digested food, its entire body heat went up, as it expended energy in quickly digesting the food. Snakes were very efficient at digesting. And he definitely was in need of the nutrients right now, what with all the wounds he had gotten. He was just lucky he had clotted well, or else he would have bled out long before getting to the inn. Still, it had taken all of his energy to make it that far, it was only through sheer force of will that he had made it at all, and had probably been only half conscious on the walk, going along on instinct. Feeling a light caress on his cheek, Bones woke for a few moments, and opened his eyes the barest amount. Seeing Jamisia, he tried to get up, but was to weak to move at all. He barely was able to move his lips enough to speak a bit... "Got anyssing to eat?... I.... could eat a horse about now..." With most people this would be an exageration, but with a dhani, there was a good chance he could... If he was able to move enough to do so... Which he was not. He could probably move enough to swallow some liquid if Jamisia offered it, but not much else. And since he had no need to chew, food would not be as much of a problem, he could easily just swallow a smaller bite whole, though nothing to much right now. As a dhani, his preferred food was raw meat. Who knew if Jamisia knew enough of dhani to know that though?

[Jamisia Abijah]

4th day of Summer, 511 AV Alvadas, Unnamed Inn The Dhani opened his eyes, barely but still enough she could see silver irises and slited pupils. An involonturaily smile graced her lips, a sign of relief. Was she really happy that a Dhani was alive? Such a strange feeling - a mixture of guilt, relief and shame, but also happiness that Bones had pulled through. The threat was not over yet but him living through the night was a good sign. Jamisia placed her hands on his shoulder, to keep him in place, when noticed the Dhani wanted to get up. "Don't; you need to rest." The girl said firmly. This attempt was very weak though, betraying how much he had suffered the other day. The healer reached her hands to get herbal essences; they were cold now but it didn't matter. Painkillers - juniper, henbane in small dosages and ladies' mantle for wounds; poppy seeds and monkshood to lessen the suffering. As well as leek and garlic on wounds. It was not an understatement to say that Bones now smelled like a garden of a crazy herbalist. "This should make you feel a bit better." Jamisia handed him a cup, but froze when the Dhani mentioned how hungry he was. It was an old instinct in her, nurtured by her parents - don't spend time around a hungry Dhani. It was neither healthy nor safe...It took a while, before she began to rationally calculate that Bones was way to week to drink a cup of tea, let alone eat her. He hadn't so far, after all. "I will get you something..." She looked at the snake man before her with a bit of puzzlement and uneasiness. "Does it have to be alive?" Even asking that question had made her skin crawl. Jamisia only knew that his kind was carnivorous in nature, hunting for a living prey. How would she get him something to eat? Catch the innkeepers' cat? At the same time she tried to help Bones drink the medication, without spilling much of a precious liquid. "It is bitter, I know, but try to drink it all. You may feel drowsy afterward but the pain should be much more bearable." Jamisia added reassuringly. ”In humans anyway...” It was pretty obvious that Dhani's body and reactions were much different than those of her previous patients. Even Eypharians.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Taking the cup, Bones did his best to open his lips a crack, to let the liquid through. Then he painstakingly swallowed, each gulp feeling like hard labor. His body was putting everything it had into healing, and into digesting the rats for nutrients. His body was probably several degrees warmer than normal, due to the energy it was using to digest... Looking up at the woman, he wondered at his strange question. However he was far to weak right now to actual go any deeper on it. If he had been, he might comment on her entire change of heart, how she had gone from fearing and screaming at his presence, afraid he would eat her, to trying to help him. The world was a mysterious place. Weakly, he replied to her. "No... jussst... Sssome raw meat... Sssome sssmall bitesss..." Saying this, he stilled once more, trying to recoup his energy for when he would have to try to eat... He could hear her coming if she did, but for know he would close his eyes and rest....