Felinis: I LIVE! PS I am still putting off my hw to write this stuff
Something felt wrong and he couldn't say what. Or why. It wasn't even the fact that Yuri was currently locked away from Flynn. It was that something seemed amiss in the Knights. He could smell plotting of some sort. Since Beluis's death, Flynn has been in charge enforcing the authority of the imperial knights onto the city. Not wanting to leave Yuri behind he had insisted on being able to charter on the Heracles once it left. The officers had mentioned something of making preparations at the capital. Heard something about how they'd need a bit more time. Flynn had been informed that he'd finally be able to see his friend, though to be warned of delirium. Flynn could safely say he doubted that would shock him anymore.
It was a fine medical wing and had it not been for the straps holding Yuri to bed it didn't seem like it was too bad of a deal. "Don't worry if he starts talking and you can't understand it. He mostly spouts nonsense."
"Anything in particular?"
"Kept muttering the word fish for a time. I will say the time he screamed of mausoleums made from catnip was interesting for everyone."
Yuri's skin is cracked and blistered. At least, in the places, it's still skin. "It hasn't gotten worse has it?"
"From what we can tell, no. I'll give you a moment."
When the doctor left, Flynn took Yuri's hand by the bed. "Hey." Yuri doesn't look at him. His eyes seemed glazed and he's muttering incoherently like he's desperately grabbing at a memory. His hands are wrong. These aren't Yuri's hands. Yuri has thin callouses between the curve of his thumb and index finger on his left hand. As well as a small bit on his index from cooking as much as he does that he's had since they were kids. Since Mom got sick and Yuri learned to ease her burden. His fingers aren't these pathetic things. They're fairly average in appearance when setting aside the claws that appeared over the years. Many things about Yuri's body are in fact average for someone with his lifestyle. Most people are in fact average and that is fine. But, this is not right for Yuri!
The fur is soft though. Soft in a way that's awful. His skin is blistering, but it's so dry which is wrong. It's all so wrong. Packs of ice and cooling pads are lined on his chest to provide relief. How and why was this happening with someone Flynn cared so much for? It's not fair! But, that's not what he's here for. He's not here to soothe his ego with pity for Yuri. That be childish.
The salty brine breeze was a comfort at times like these. Repede watched as Patty turned the steering wheel and managed the ship endlessly. The only times she slept were when Karol forced her away at dawn and she'd be right back six hours later. Sometimes, Repede will admit that being a dog was annoying. Nobody could understand him except for Yuri and he was too smart for most other animals. If he could, Repede would gladly offer to sniff out Yuri and to ask birds and such about Heracles. If he couldn't talk or write it wouldn't do any good asking though! So he's left just running around like an idiot. What good is being a dog at a time like this?
"Hey, Repede… I've been wonderin' I know Yuri is your owner, so with everything that's happened how are you so calm?"
Calm? Repede has been panicked and frantic as everyone else. He's just a dog so nobody bothers with his opinions. Maybe being around Yuri has spoiled him? He's very used to the idea of someone understanding him but now nobody can. Nobody except Yuri.
"I don't mean emotionally." Patty turns the wheel. "I mean… Yuri is becoming a monster and that scares me. It's not that I fear him… I just."
Repede understands. He gives her soft nudge of comfort. "I have my own goals and my own mission. I need to search for my memories. I want to be here, but if I don't leave then I'm worried I'll forget. Or worse…"
He wishes he could give the small child more. She's working endlessly in a situation she's been thrust into all because of morals and scraps of friendship. "I want to help. I really do. But, I have to find the Maris Stella. I have to… I'm not anyone here's best friend. I'm a stowaway who's mannin' the ship. I don't even get half of what anyone 'round here says. All I can do is manage the wheel and yell about the sails."
But, that is simply not true. Whether Patty knows it or not Repede knows her presence is welcomed by everyone. She's not a burden. She knows maps and travel routes. Has plans in her head for dealing with the unpleasantness outside barriers. In the few times, she talks with Estelle the girl unwinds a little from the ball of stress the princess has become lately. Repede rather hates seeing her in distress. But, he also hates to be petted and treated like a dog so he refuses to get close. Repede rather hates if anyone other than Yuri pets him, even then that is reserved for only the head. Children are adorable and don't know better so he often gives them a pass.
He can't help it. Humans may be ugly, but children are so cute in their enthusiasm.
Patty being a child provides something that only Karol can match. Some form of innocence or at least hope. A want of forgiveness and kindness when it seems snuffed out. A strength of emotion from an unlikely source. Repede can't provide that. He's a dog and therefore limited. But, he understands why Patty is reluctant to stay in the end. "But, this isn't something I can ignore. People are suffering and something about this whole thing is itching me under the scales." It's her last words on the matter.
Flynn hadn't been sure what to think of the bizarre message he received in Nordopolica. A civilian claimed Yuri was in danger and started thinking things that were preposterous. There was no way it had been a lie. It couldn't be a lie. Otherwise… There was no proof that the people who kept running out and begging that he listen were telling the truth.
Then one had whispered in his ear something. He'd thought the woman a very bold prostitute, but the words got him.
"How high is the bite count now? Over 30, right?"
It was a wake-up call that something was wrong. He still didn't know what was going on, but Yuri had sent messages saying he needed rescue. That he was in danger. To say Flynn had been pissed when he'd realized he'd been duped was an understatement. Flynn had broken into the medical wing in search of his friend only to find Yuri wasn't there. No one was. Which lead him to snooping around in the dark and through hallways looking for answers.
Why was the medical wing empty? Where were the Krytians they'd captured? Then the most important thing of all, what the fuck were they doing to Yuri? What was happening to his friend?
Nobody else seemed to have any clue of the reason behind The Krytians capture. All but a small handful seemed to have an inkling of an idea of the experiments down below. Or of the lab's existence. Flynn appeared to be one of the very few who knew. Too bad. Leaking that kind of information with such a tiny pool meant that sort of thing circled back quickly. Spreading rumors to find the truth wouldn't work for what he needed.
The real problem came down to timing. It wouldn't be too hard to sneak in and bust Yuri out if they were that limited in how many they had on guard. It seemed only a handful were even trusted in the existence of the secret hull. Finding an escape route was important, but that didn't mean anything if Yuri was still sick. No matter how skilled Flynn could not carry out a dead weight. It was impressive that Yuri had been able to scrounge any semblance of lucidity, to begin with even with the drugs that had been injected prior to his arrival.
He's not an idiot but he sure feels like one right now. His teeth grind in his mouth and he gets the appeal Yuri finds in growling. It's a satisfying way to tell the world how fucking pissed he is. Being blinded so easily… he'd known better. Known that there was some interest in Yuri for years… But, Flynn wanted right now to also hope this was a misunderstanding. That the old memories from his early years in the knights weren't beginning to line up in a disgusting way. Flynn could tell the shot was fresh and while none of the evidence was around it was clear a sedative had been given to Yuri. With the loss of sweat glands, a fever would have his heart rate at dangerous levels from panting. The pulse had been abnormally low. Flynn rubs his still cold hands for warmth and to reinstate circulation. That room had been an icebox.
"It's been a struggle to keep his fever below 40."
Meaning Yuri was running hot enough for his health to be at risk. He couldn't be moved. Flynn almost laughed. He remembers Dr. Mathis's words. He'd still need to do research. Find out if he was jumping the gun. There was a burning want to be wrong but no way of knowing for certain. Not yet. Patience is a virtue and he's going to spend some time on it.
Karol hoists the rope in his hands he tightens the sail for the evening shift. They haven't stopped once, but the ropes always need to be checked. He's offered many times to help Patty man the ship during the night, but she insists he reserves his strength. It's not like he has much else to do. Frankly, all this travel is too peaceful for him. With everything that's going on Karol is burning with a drive to do more. He's certain everyone is.
"You sure I can't just stay up with you?" Karol doesn't want to be alone. Not now. Not with how much and how little is happening. There's been a hollowness since they left Dahngrest that he can only fill with work and fighting.
Fighting… It doesn't feel like something he should want to actively do. It's all Karol can think of as a distraction for what happened… Don… The man's dead… the man Karol spent his whole life hoping to impress only to be left here. War with Palestralle might have been postponed, but the Empire isn't going to let the Union be. He needs to get stronger! Needs to be able to help everyone when the time calls.
So he's been play sparring with Repede in his downtime. Karol understands though that his heart needs a break from stress.
"Fine by me." He sits near the wheel next to her enjoying the cool sea breeze. The stars are beautiful and Karol has always loved how they look from beyond the prison of barriers despite that welt of fear. "So, what do you plan to say to Judith when you see her?"
"I- uh…" Karol stutters for the words. "I… I'm really not sure."
"We don't have much longer to go. You should think of that."
"Yeah."
Silence.
"I'd ask for forgiveness," Patty says turning the wheel.
"Huh?"
"Well, clearly Judith didn't feel safe enough with us ta admit whatever secret was eating at her. Whether we knew it or not we upset her. So we need ta apologize and then focus on everything else."
Karol can honestly say he's glad Patty is so sure of everything. It helps when Karol is full of uncertainties. "I'll also need to complain at her for breaking the guild laws."
"Aye."
"Then rescuing Yuri will be our next move." Karol looks at Patty's steeled gaze. He wonders how someone who can't be much older than him can be so brave and sure. Was she just born with it? "I'm jealous."
"Hmm?"
Karol rubs the back of his head. "It's just… I never have any confidence in my plans or anything. Not really. But the girls like you and Nan are so brave…"
"I'm not that brave." Patty shrugs. "Nor am I brilliant." Karol raises a brow. "it's true. I don't make plans that are concrete half the time. And I usually end messing up but play along like it worked. I think you've got more smarts than me and just as much talent."
"Yeah, right."
"it's true." Patty smiles. "The trick to looking cool is never admitting you fucked up. And if you do you just roll along with it. The Don made his fair share of mistakes as a leader. It's part of the job. So don't worry! You'll get better, kid."
Karol shot up. "Kid! You can't be much older than me!"
"I know! So it's fine if we let ourselves be kids for a moment. Kids can fuck up all they want." Patty's mouth is so wide and happy that Karol lets his tension fall. Karol doesn't want to be a kid. Kids are weak and cowardly. Kids can't do what's needed. Patty rocks on her heels and leans her face in before bopping him on the nose. "Boop."
Yeah… kids are useless. They can't fight like adults. They aren't strong enough to take care of the world. They have to rely on people all the time. But, kids make people smile. "Thanks, Patty."
"I dunno what yer thanking me about but, yer welcome." She returns to her wheel and Karol spends a few more hours with her on deck.
The specimen was finally cooling down and returning to a state of lucidity. Not fully but enough that it was speaking actual sentences. The hair had gotten in the way at some point and they'd decided to shave the head. Fascinatingly the hair was growing back at an alarming rate which leads to the belief that their cure was already rendered ineffective.
They set out again to fix the problem while the other team focused on the core production. Sadly, Rita Mordio had disappeared and no longer provided her genius to their work. If she was here they'd probably have the solution within their hands.
The scientist studied their prize some smiled at their results. Ushering with hands for others to 'come, come, look and see' at what was found in their efforts. A core small but powerful enough to power a bodhi blastia rested in one worker's hand.
Toil
Toil
Toil
While the heroes began their steps from afar. While on a mountain a dragoon prepared to strike down and kill a princess. While a band of heroes readied to ask for forgiveness and answers from a dangerous source. While a knight readied to throw everything away to help a captured damsel. While the smell of war boiled like a cabbage stew.
Felinis:
Buy me a ko-fi maybe?
ko - fi felinisfeloney
If you like maybe support my patron or not. Up to you
Pat re on. com felinis