Expectations of Approval
Chapter Thirty-two: No Mistake
Percy looks down at Oliver. Slowly he brushes a strand of hair off Oliver's face. Oliver is pale, sickly and waxy. Percy can feel how cold his skin is getting. It's past the delay now. There is no question anymore, Oliver will not be manifesting traits. He has 3 more months at best.
Slowly Oliver open his eyes. He looks up at Percy, his movements slow and pained. A crooked smile appeared on Oliver's face with much effort. Olive places his hand over the redheaded healers hand.
Percy quickly forces a smile, trying his best to make it look real. He caresses his lover's cheek, wishing to the high heavens for more time.
---
He can see it.
As much as Percy tries to hid his fear from him, Oliver knows. Oliver had always been able to read Percy. Either way, Oliver known enough to know that there is no longer a possibility of traits to develop. He had heard Percy speak about this so many times, he never dreamed he would be living it. Before he had feared Percy being infected, now he fears leaving him.
Percy's hand is warm and shaking. His finger long a slim, they fell frail.
He wont ask . . .He wont bring it up, he will ignore it and he will ignore the pain when it comes.
'Don't break Perce, please live on after this'
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"It's like watching-- no, It's not like- it is torture, they are torturing themselves" Fred tells his aquatic brother as he furiously scratches his head trying to shake the image from his head.
"I know... but there's nothing we can do" Bill lowers himself in the his new aquarium. There was no questioning that his tail was growing. He lowered himself to the bottom of the tank and looked up at his younger brother from behind the glass.
Fred had gotten used to Bill doing that. He new Bill found comfort in the water. He sighs. "I can't let Oliver die, we can't . .. Percy would..."
"He would fall apart, but we don't know anything Fred. No one does, not really... " Bill shakes his head. "In fact Percy is the foremost specialist . . . with a Healer's license he earned only months ago. He is a genius but, this is near impossible"
Fred sits on the floor to better face his brother. He still found it disturbing that he could communicate with him this way.
"I know"
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Dear father
I have been very busy over here, it's always hard to start a new. I haven't had much time to bring things up with Percy and honestly right now is not the time. Oliver isn't developing traits. It's maddening, I can't believe that Oliver wont- but each day that passes lets me know that he might not have very long to live.
I received your letter the other day, about meeting that friend of yours. I hope that this isn't what I think you're planing. I just can't think about that right now. I haven't given up on Percy and If something happens to Oliver, I don't know what either of us will do, he has always been such a large part of our lives. Even though things did not work out between us, he is still my closest friend. Please give me some time.
Anne
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Brief, New findings
On further inspection and observations it seems that traits are directly connected to a wizards core aura... it might be impossible to rectify. There is a real possibility that they are permanent, with no means of reversing them.
There is the possibility that removing the traits would mean to take away their ability to use magic. However, as of now we are unable to even touch our patients.
Still, with our limited interaction with them it's impossible to be completely certain.