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 Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 7:09 pm
Nightmares tore through him. Had days gone by, or only hours? It must have been days, although he was unwilling to accept it. When most he awoke, someone stood beside him. Ea he recognized- and older lioness’s face he didn’t- but they were not always there. Sometimes he awoke and there was no one at all, and he suddenly felt quite helpless. Pain-! Vlam had never wanted to cry before- and the only thing that kept him from it was not the fact that it was not one of his approved masculine emotions, but the simple fact that it hurt too much.
It hurt like fire.
He woke up at night and had troubles breathing. His lungs burned as they pushed against broken ribs, and his throat ached with each swallow and breath. He dreamed he was drowning in sand. There was something tied to his leg and forcing him down. And he fought and fought, even though he knew he was far too deep now to ever make it back. Pain like fire, and he woke up shaking and sputtering.
When he was lucid, he wasn't much better. He couldn't speak or move, so any words he had to say on his attack were pretty worthless. Not that there hadn't been attempts- but his mind was too fumbled with pain and exhaustion to even focus on the events that had brought him here. But he knew one thing: rage. How had he been so stupid to allow this to happen to him? How had he, HE of all people, found himself crushed beneath his own broken body and shuddering breaths?
But for all his rage, he stewed. He couldn’t move but a paw, and he could not even rise his head without some assistance. He grew bitter even towards Ea, because through her fumbling attempts at healing she brought about more agony. Agony! It was all he felt. He breathed it in and it chocked him.
He awoke slowly to the darkness. Darkness- it always seemed dark now. It was colder then he remembered it, and someone had put an old gazelle skin on top of him. He was grateful for it, at least.
Quiet- always quiet here.
With a quiver he shut his eyes and groaned softly, meekly attempting to shift his shoulders. The pain engulfed him as he did- and he let himself relax uncomfortably.
"Hey, stop that." Ea. He recognized that voice, at least. Her voice was grating, and he winced against it. "No, seriously. Stop moving! How many times do I have to tell you I'm not a real healer? Vlam! Can you hear me? Stop moving around like a... great big moving, thing!"
She'd wanted to say baby- but that seemed unnecessarily harsh. It was hard to adapt her view of Vlam to his present state. She remembered the annoying little p***k of a lion she'd grown up with. Not this poor broken thing. Ea might have been aloof, but she truly had been working hard on keeping the hulk of a lion alive. And it was a hell of a lot more stressful and annoying then mom had let on!
"Just rest a bit," Ea said, a bit kinder this time. "...a bit more, I mean."
Vlam only groaned in response.
Sighing, the wild eyed female lightly patted him on the head. As if that'd help, but, at least it made her feel better. "Really, don't worry. I can pick winners like no one else. You'll be fine in a few weeks. You've got just about everyone in the pride who has ever even tripped over a healer offering me all sorts of advice. Like, you'd be surprised. Hell, you should thank me! The snake oils I've kept away from you- you don't even know! Someone actually suggested cobra venom as a cure. See? Things could be worse!"
One thing Ea was finding she did enjoy, however, was that Vlam no longer had any means to tell her to shut up. She chatted with him about just about everything that popped into her mind at any given moment. It was nice having someone completely incapable of arguing or disagreeing with her!
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:46 am
((I'll bring Azar in on the next post~))
Fia had never taken the time to speak to Vlam during their childhood, but she had met his brother; Azar’bijan. The meeting had been somewhat dramatic, involving a scuffle between four cubs; Chaka, Shisa, Azar’bijan and herself. That day, the red, splotched male had been bullying the little golden huria Uddhava, and they had seen fit to intervene and teach him a lesson. Fia knew that there were still members of the pride who disapproved of the huria being treated as equals (except the part where they had to leave at adolescence) but she had seen in them something that no red and black Firekin ever had. They saw the world with open eyes.
And now there were huria in her own family. Her cousins. She did not know how to feel about that.
In any case, she’d come to see Ea – not Vlam. It was about time for a catch up and she was starting to worry that her sister was spending way too much time cooped up with that broken male. It wasn’t healthy for her to spend so much time there, with only one person for company, especially one like him. It was enough to drive anyone insane and she would not allow her sister to deal with it any longer. Besides that, her other siblings were starting to freak her out a bit – except for Xipil. Most of them were preparing to settle down with a mate – or contemplating it. In Fia’s opinion, it was far too soon to grow up and get fixed in a long-term relationship.
She travelled alone today – having left the black cobra sleeping amongst the sun-splashed rocks – and made quick pace along the compact sand that surrounded the dens. She knew where the ‘hospital’ was, though she hadn’t ever gone inside. It reeked of wounded lion and that was a smell she had found quite disturbing. For a Firekin, being badly injured was a terrible blow. They prided themselves on health and strength, so she assumed that Vlam must have been feeling pretty low. But, if he thought he was going to get pity, he was wrong. He should have watched his back, that was all Fia could say.
The scent was strong, even as Fia approached and she could not help but wrinkle her nose in distaste. She supposed one would get used to it eventually, but for her, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. Sneezing to clear her nostrils – albeit briefly – she moved across to the entrance, picking up Ea’s voice telling her patient that things could be worse. Well, that was right. He could have been dead – which was clearly the point of the attack. She wondered, with a sudden fear, whether this might mean the culprit would return to try and finish the job.
Was her sister in danger?
Fia was not a fighter, but that thought instilled the urge in her. If anyone dared lay a claw on her sister – or even attempted it – they would not live to see another sunrise.
Taking a deep breath, Fia moved into the gloom of the hospital den, her eyes adjusting to the dim light with relative swiftness.
“The patient giving you trouble, Sister?” As she spoke, she shot the pale lion a glare. Was it just her or did he look no better? She knew her sister was no healer, but from the skin thrown on his back to keep him warm, she was probably doing as well as any other could have. Maybe something should be done to train some Firekin to become healers. Perhaps it should be mentioned to Mother and Father.
She moved across to her twin – identical in every way except for their mismatched eyes – and buffeted the top of her head gently against her shoulder.
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:02 am
Relief flooded through Ea. At last! Someone sane! She had been expecting aunt Kaanga to show up and take over for her for a little bit. But after letting the female's cubs meander around the desert without so much as a passing glance from Ea, she supposed she should have expected a little bit of cold shoulder. But either way, she had been glad to see her sister.
“Oh, Fia!” She grinned, her strange wild eyes flashing. “He's completely intolerable. Can't keep himself still! You'd think he'd be a little grateful. This is a lot of stress here! I'm not a medic!” Something she was very quick to remind anyone who walked through the doors. Truthfully, No had asked her to look over Vlam in part because she had found him. Found him through pure inspiration- it was quite a common belief now, that had he not been found when he did, surely Vlam would have been dead. Dreams, they said. If anyone was to see a return attack coming to Vlam- it was Ea.
But Ea wasn't exactly sure she wanted, or cared for, the responsibility that'd been heaped upon her. They say when you save someone's life, you become responsible for it. If Ea had known that, maybe she would have ran a bit slower! Well. Maybe not. Vlam was a member of her pride. And although Ea was as fickle as they come, she was unwavering in her loyalty. She might have groaned and bitched and moaned about having to take care of the big oaf, but she hoped he'd get better.
She didn't really want such a public failure on her paws- and conscience.
"So, how is the real world?" She sighed. "I'm starting to forget what the sun looks like. Do you know how boring playing doctor is? Oh, sure, it's all exciting when they're dying. But now..."
She paused for a moment, and looked rather sincere. "...But, he's in so much pain. Has there been any word on who might have done this? We can't have someone who would murder blindly in our midst."
"I mean, Vlam was an idiot. Surely he gave people enough reasons to think he was a pain in the a**, but...this? It seems extreme. I worry about Mom and Dad. You don't think this is just the warm up, do you?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:38 am
Fia shook her head a little. “I don’t know how you do it, Ea. I think I would have throttled him by now! To think he’d be so ungrateful to the one who saved his life. In any case, I think you’re doing a fine job with him. He still smells wounded but he’s not dead. I think if he were going to go, he would have done so by now.” She sat, glad that it had not been her who had come across him all wounded and bleeding out on the sand. This job would have driven her mad! She admired her sister for putting up with it for so long and so well.
“The real world…” Fia echoed a moment, blinking her mismatched eyes. “It seems less fun now that I’m bigger.” She cast her gaze back to her sister’s face - like looking at her reflection in the water – and continued. “The only adventure to be had is plots of murder and games with cubs. I miss the days of searching for the witch’s bones and sneaking off to the edges of the pride in search of intruders. I miss you, Ea.” She continued. “Some of our siblings have mates, others want them. I don’t know what I want. I know what I don’t want, and that’s to be tied down.” In truth, she wanted some excitement, something to rebel against, but there was nothing truly to debate or attack. “I’ve decided I’m going to play matchmaker for Xipil, since he’s such a serious sod. It’ll be amusing to watch him squirm. Other than that, everyday seems pretty much the same as any other.”
Even still, she was complaining, but her life was not as bad as Ea’s, having to stay cooped up in here with that rotten male.
At Ea’s question, Fia shook her head grimly. “No. Kimacho and Kenna are working on it, but there has been no word as of yet. I take it Vlam still hasn’t said anything, then?” She frowned. “The boy should man up. He’s not the first lion to ever be attacked, you know.” She sighed. “But you’re right. It’s worrying to think that someone would attack Vlam like this. He was an a** but he didn’t do anything to deserve this. And for what reason? You should be careful, Ea. I’m worried they might come back to finish the job.”
She flicked her tail. “I don’t know. We’ll have to keep our ears open for anything unusual. I’m sure whoever did this will be caught out in the end. They’ve attacked twice, now. It’s only a matter of time before they try again. Besides, that detective seems like a good sort. He’ll get to the bottom of it.”
Her whiskers twitched. “And when he does, we’ll see the wrath of the new Firekin for the first time.” Her ears twitched backwards, disturbed by a sound outside and she half-rose, turning her head towards the entrance. “Who’s there? Stop sneaking about!”
A moment later and Azar’bijan, brother of Vlam, appeared. His splotched, red pelt unmistakeable. He was possibly the most red-pelted Firekin in existence, only the whites of his eyes not the colour of flame.
“Who was sneaking?” He scoffed, his usual mannerism not lost even now on the brink of adulthood. “Am I not allowed to see my brother?” He blinked, casting his eyes between those eerily familiar faces. There was something quite unnatural about twins, in his opinion. “Thought I’d better make sure he was being taken care of.” His red eyes narrowed accusingly. He wanted to insult the one who had attacked him all that time ago, but right now he wasn’t sure who was Ea and who was Fia. Best keep his mouth shut until they gave that away.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:47 am
Ea sighed in exasperation. She had been hoping it was only Ea who had been having a bit of a rut. Hearing that her sister's life had taken a turn for the boring was quite disappointing- and their siblings! "How silly." She groaned. "I would think our brothers and sisters would have more sense then to just shack up and start whelping. As if there isn't enough to do. If they're so bored with their lives they're more then willing to come take over for me! But, if you must with Xipil, it'll probably do him some good."
She snorted, looking down at the broken Vlam. "But no. I think I have one too many men in my life as it is."
But for Ea's credit, she didn't rag much on Fia for complaining when she could have been stuck here. Although she was disgusted at Vlam for putting her in this situation, in a way, it had been a kind of strange adventure. Boring as hell. But she enjoyed the danger. And she enjoyed being able to whine about it when she had to. "Honestly, I'd love a little bit of excitement here. I'm no fighter, but I have a feeling neither is this fool. Look at his injuries- coward couldn't even fight him from the front. I'm not about to get caught with my back turned. No. I dare them to show up and try to finish what they started. The pent up rage I've got towards this guy for making me do this? Legendary."
"I've heard people say things about him." She remarked. "Although, I can't honestly say. If he's as good as all the talk, he'd better hurry up and figure out who has done this. Maybe then I'd get a few more volunteers to help out here. Everyone acts like just because I found him and kept him alive long enough for the calvary to arrive, that I'm some sort of doctor! Baah. Here I thought I was dodging social obligations by being a cubsitter."
"But... he hasn't spoke. Not a word. I... I'm not sure if he can. Sometimes I think he hears me, but then he's gone again. And the wound is so severe. I won't even tell you about what has to be done to keep it clean. Or as clean as I can get it." She muttered. It was a disgusting sort, but at least she'd never been squeamish.
She sighed. "Promise me when this miserable thing is over we'll go raise some hell somewhere. I don't think I can stand having it be even more boring outside the ward!"
But the sound- the sound in the distance suddenly set Ea on edge as well. The scent of Vlam's wound was too strong to make out who it was, but she could tell it was male. And so far, only the lionesses had been working in this place. "Who indeed!" Ea snapped.
Her tension dropped however when she saw it was only Azar, Vlam's brother. Her nose scrunched up, and she scoffed audibly. "Make sure he's being taken care of? What do you think we're doing in here? Mad science? I've kept him alive this long I'd at least think you could announce yourself before showing up!"
"It isn't like we're not on high alert here." She grumbled. "And for your brothers benefit! But if you must, you can see him."
And then, with an almost motherly like scolding, she pushed Azar back and looked him over. "If you're clean, that is. And don't be harassing him! He was already wriggling around, and he doesn't need to be getting all excited. Not that he's woken up long enough for that, but! Let me see your paws." She showed her own. "You'd better wash them if you've been running around out there. You'll bring the flies back!"
And she was sort of hating the fact that she was enjoying having a little bit of authority.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:15 am
Fia agreed as she agreed with pretty much everything that Ea said or suggested. There was a lot to do in the pride without settling down and playing mummy and daddy to a litter of shrieking little nuisances!
She cheered up immediately at her sister's talk of raising some hell. That sounded amazing! She only hoped all this mess could get sorted out so that they could raise it sooner, rather than later. But those sorts of thoughts had to be put to one side, because they had an intruder and whether he was a relative of Vlam's or not, Fia did not think much of Azar at all. And, by the way he had spoken to Ea, she felt ready to knock him out! She bristled and stepped forwards a little, not caring that he was bigger than her.
"I see you've not learned any manners as you've grown. Your parents sure did neglect you, didn't they, puffball?"
She watched with great amusement as Ea started fussing about his cleanliness. Oh dear, he was not going to like that one little bit!
She watched, also, as the male opened his mouth to answer Ea back and swiftly interjected. "There's no point answering back, Azar dearest." She purred with a mocking tone. "She does things by the book around here."
Drawing closer and arching a brow. "You wouldn't want her jsut letting any old dirty, fleabag in here, would you?"
Azar was practically frothing at the mouth. He did not enjoy being scrutinized by these two weirdos and he certainly did not like being told that he was dirty! Besides, sand was sand. It didn't matter if he made another trip to the watering hole, his paws would still be coated by the time he got back. He shook them as if that might help and attempted to barge past.
"You're both mad. Let me past now, or else."
Fia's hackles went up.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:29 am
And that lit a fire under Ea.
"Or else? Or else?" Ea balked, her wild eyes glittering. "Just who do you think you are? I'm trying to keep your brother alive! I didn't have to do this. It's not like this is easy. What do you think we're doing in here, playing games? This is not a game!"
Her own hackles rose, and she gave a short and quick testing charge towards Azar, hoping to back him off. "Do you want to take over? Do you want to deal with the fevers and the shakes and the fact that he can't breathe right? And all the stupid stupid people who come here thinking this is some sort of curiosity? Tracking dirt and who knows what into the cave! Do you know how easy it is for blood to get rotten? Its pretty damn easy!" She pointed her paw at him. "No. If you want to visit your brother, you'll do it on MY terms. Or else. Because the way I see it, I'm the only one with a say in this."
She growled and took a few steps back, eying Fia and rolling her eyes. "Can you believe this ridiculousness? Trying to bully ME. You should be kissing my feet for saving him! I've gotten nothing but problems since then, so don't you dare go strutting around here like I owe you something."
"And besides." Ea spat. "For all we know, you did this. I heard you were getting questioned. If I were you, I'd mind my manners. You're lucky I'd even let you in!"
And it was only because Ea highly doubted Azar could have managed it. He had the vacant look of... dumb about him.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:43 am
Fia's eyes widened a little as Ea came back at the stupid male. She had to say that in that moment, she could not have been prouder of her twin. For one who had spent so much time here and with little knowledge of healthcare, she was certainly putting the male in his place. She didn't think that, at this moment in time, Vlam could have been in better paws.
She had to smother a laugh and regain her composure as Azar stumbled backwards, almost crashing into her as he attempted to escape the wrath of the fiery female. Yes, pissing off a Firekin female was not a good idea. Pissing off a Firekin female who'd been forced to do a job that she might not have chosen otherwise was even worse.
"I say no one would blame you for scratching him up a bit, Sister." Fia replied easily, moving round to back her sister up, glaring at the stupid male with a look that could kill. "It seems to me that you don't even care about your brother in any case. I think you should just go."
Azar, his face thunderous now that the initial shock was over, puffedout his chest a little and glared between those two horribly familiar faces. "I don't need to put up with this from you two. Just cos you're the regent's daughters, you think you can do whatever you want to do. Fine! You spend your time guarding my brother. But, if he don't get better, I know who I'll be blaming!"
He snorted. "I wouldn't waste manners on you."
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:04 am
Ea balked, leaning back in half shock at the absolutely stupid words coming out of Azar's mouth. "Oh, Fia! Is this not truly the most ridiculous creature in the Motoujamii? I really should scratch you up some! The only reason I won't is because then I'd have to take care of you, you stupid thing you!"
But she wasn't about to let Azar go that easily. Mostly because well, he was the first of Vlam's relatives to show up. And whether she liked either of them or not didn't matter- she was sure Vlam probably would have appreciated hearing his brother's voice. Which was why this was all so infuriating! Why did she have to even care about this?!
She fumed and quickly ducked around Azar before he turned around, pointing her face into his and continuing her tirade. "Just because I'm the regent's daughter? I don't remember saying anything about my parents. All I said was you and your brother owe me a HELL of a lot, and that has nothing to do with our parents. Pfft. What a stupid idiot. You'd rather not visit your brother- something that could do him some good!, then wash your dirty little paws?!"
She scrunched up her nose. "Everything I've done is to look after your idiot brother. You should show me some respect. Hell. The way this is going, you could be next on the killer's list. And you know who they'll send you to? Oh? Who? No, it'll be me. And you really don't want to get on my bad side."
Not that she really had a good side.
Flustered, Ea spat and pointed her paw down the slope to where there was a small pool of water. The water-seekers had been carefully cultivating it to give the ward some bit of water supply. "NOW WASH YOUR PAWS."
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:16 am
Fia, meanwhile, was giving her sister a mental applause. She managed to handle herself so well when she was angry! Managing her words, getting across every point as effectively as when she was calm. That was her Ea, alright!! Content, for a moment, to sit back and listen and watch the goings on, Fia let her ears droop into a more relaxed position.
Well, for one day, atleast, Ea had something else to concentrate on than the stupid, wounded Vlam back there. Maybe Azar was good for something - even if it WAS only making an a** of himself.
"Fine!" Azar huffed, pulling his head back as far as it would go without his neck snapping. "FINE! Just shut up! Geez, you bloody women! Can't go anywhere without a female griping about something or other!!" He moved over to where the lioness had indicated and spotted the little pool of water there. Well wasn't that just clever! She'd actually organised that? Probably so she could pester everyone into washing their paws!
He splashed his paws angrily in the shallow water, doing a pretty poor job of washing them. (Childish, at all?) Then, with a thunderous expression, moved back over, waving each one with exaggeration. "There? Is that better?! Seriously. If I get attacked, they had better bloody kill me. That'd be better than having to put up with you all the time!"
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:32 am
Ea narrowed her eyes as Azar went sauntering off towards the pool. With his back turned, she made an exasperated face towards Fia, as if to say 'Can you believe this guy?'. But she was glad for his compliance. Not only did it mean Ea had won, but it also meant she could at least get Vlam some proper visitation. She wasn't about to relinquish her deathgrip over the cave however. She blocked the entrance, thrashing her tail about until Azar had returned back to them.
She narrowed her wild eyes as she inspected his paws. Bah! Half assed at best, but it'd do. "Oh, I don't think you have to worry about that." She snipped. "You have to have at least half a brain to even hope of surviving."
But, she wasn't about to chase him off. She stepped aside, but not without a few passing warnings. "But I'm serious. Don't you mess with him. You don't even know how much lost sleep I've had over your brother. I really, really, would rather not have to have another sleepless night because you overworked him."
Ea stood up, and moved over towards Fia, quietly hovering behind her for a moment before indicating for the three of them to go inside. Inside the cave was cool, but unusually dry. It wasn't a bad place to set up a makeshift care facility- but it was clear there was quite a bit of a struggle to make it livable. To the back wall Vlam lay silent, covered with a small scrap of gazelle hide.
On the other side of the den were an assortment of strange artifacts. Turtleshells, round stones, black roots and all manner of bizarre things she had gathered from the pride. Things that might have been used for medicine... but, clearly had gone without use. There simply was too much to learn, and Ea wasn't about to start experimenting.
Leaving Azar to do what he may, Ea moved over to the opposite corner, and flopped down on the small bed she had made for herself. "And keep your voice low." She muttered.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:45 am
Fia nodded and rolled her eyes back in a way of response to Ea's look and watched, again, as the male was checked over before being allowed to pass through. Well, if you wanted a job done right, get Ea to do it - or, at least, that's what Fia was beginning to think.
Azar, grumbling under his breath, gave a sort of shrug and moved past Ea to see his brother - who was looking rather pitiful lying there covered over with a gazelle skin.
Fia followed her sister and dropped down beside her, yawning. Then, slowly, she rolled onto her side, raising a forepaw and twisting her head around so that she could glance up at her twin. "For one who doesn't have much healing knowledge, you sure know how to make it seem like you do." She spoke in a lowered voice, of course, so that the stupid male wouldn't overhear.
"I was thinking, maybe we should talk to Mother and Father about the situation with healers. I mean, once all this murder stuff is over and done with, maybe we can use it as an excuse to break out and have some fun. What do you say?"
As Fia spoke to her twin, Azar sat himself down somewhat heavily next to his brother, tipping his head to one side and fluffing out his whiskers. "Oi, you awake, or what?!" He resisted the urge of reaching out and giving him a shove.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:01 am
Ea sighed, letting some of the exhaustion sink in. But she took her sister's words to heart. Truthfully, Ea didn't know what on earth she was doing. She was half panicked, half crazed and thoroughly exhausted. She couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I've always been good at making people think I'm good at something."
"But...truthfully." She crossed her paws. "I'm out of my league here. I don't know what on earth I'm doing. All I know is that I woke up one night with a dream, found Vlam, and ended up here. I don't know how that makes me the one for the job. I mean...its not a bad job, I suppose. I've kept him alive this long, so I can't be completely horrible. But there's still a hell of a lot to do, and we're not out of the woods yet."
Her ears perked upwards at Fia's words. Break away? Oh, that sounded amazing! "That would be an excellent idea. I really don't think I can take the stress of this much longer, Fia." She glared over at Azar. "And, he might be an idiot, but I really am worried people will blame me if he dies. I'm not a healer. But we clearly need someone who is."
Across the cave, Vlam was resting silently. He had been vaguely aware of Ea's yelling. It was a voice that carried through the cave with a kind of grating octave. But once it had quieted, the voice of his brother was not much better. He trembled at the sound of it. Somewhere in his dreams, he recognized it as Azar.
"Hey," Ea snapped. "Keep your voice down."
Vlam's ear flicked weakly, and took in another shuddering breath. The wound on his neck was quite severe, and seemed to be strangling him. Drifting somewhere in between nightmares and lucidness, he opened a single red eye. It was bleary and dazed. Other then the action, he did not seem to respond to Azar's calls.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:12 am
"Oh, Sis, people won't blame you. No one here really knows anything about healing. There's been so much focus on the destructive powers of lions that we've forgotten the other side of things. Odd, considering Mother and Father thought of most things. I suppose that's one good reason to have children, they can spot your flaws and point them out to you." She grinned at that.
"Besides, if anyone dares to blame you, I'll see to it that they live to regret it. This Historian still has claws, even if she does prefer not to use them." And she flexed them a little, as if seeing that they still worked.
She paused as Ea warned Azar and then continued.
"We've just got to figure out a way for them to let us go out and find those with the knowledge. We could give them the idea and they'd end up giving it to someone else to carry out. We can't let that happen. We're as capable as any, after all. Besides that, there aren't any Historian apprentices - thank the desert for her kindness! - and, if Vlam's health improves, you won't need to watch over him twenty-four seven."
She sighed. "I love the desert, but it'd be a great experience to see other lands - just as Mother and Father, have."
Azar, throwing back an angry glare in Ea's direction, turned back to see Vlam had opened an eye. Ah, success! But...he wasn't speaking and...he didn't even seem to recognise him.
"Oi, Vlam, seriously. Stop being such a baby and talk to me, will you? Has that Ea been taking care of you, or what? Listen, it's me, Azar'bijan. Your brother, right?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:33 am
Ea grinned. She wasn't surprised it would take them to figure it out. "Mom and dad are always so busy taking over the world, they probably haven't even thought of it. Then again, we never had a murderer in our midst either." Her ears flicked. "I agree though. I think we could use a little adventure. And, I don't think I could tolerate another incident like this...!"
She thought to herself. "If we could leave the desert for a bit, we could find a real doctor and bring him back to us. I don't see how they could disagree." She sighed. Just the thought of it seemed to invigorate her. "Its about time we have our own great adventure anyways."
But thoughts of other lands vanished from her mind when Azar continued his foolish rambling towards Vlam. She scowled and twitched her tail. "He can't speak, you idiot. Weren't you listening when I said he was half dead? He can hardly breathe with what that fool did to him."
And honestly, Ea wasn't even sure if Vlam COULD speak. His windpipe seemed to be swollen but at least not broken. As for the rest of his throat...
As if in response to Azar's questioning, Vlam's eye seemed to focus for a moment on his brother. He appeared like swirling colors. Such bright red. He winced, and flattened his ears against his head and took another slow breath. If he was trying to speak, it was impossible to tell the difference between attempts and his own labored breathing.
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