Tale as Old As Time [Finished]

[yamikuronue]

"Well!" Rosanna seems at a loss for words. "Don't get me wrong, there's nothing... wrong... with menfolk being more concerned with ovens than 'ovens', but I wouldn't have expected a man like yourself to be so inclined. From the scars and all, I'd have guessed you were more... manly... than that."

[accalia]

The counter and floor clear Echo puts the dirty utensils in the sink and runs some water so they will soak before taking a seat at the small side table near the window.

"These scars.... Yes one can see how that would think that. This one is a healer, a reliever of pain, one who takes darkness and neutralizes it. This leaves its mark on the body. every scar you see, and all those you cannot see are the result of this one healing the pain of another."

Echo smiles kindly at Rosanna.

"Even illness, such as the one you had leave their mark, although they are often not externally visible."

[yamikuronue]

"Oh," says Rosanna, faintly. "Well, then. That's an interesting ability. How did you come by that?"

[accalia]

"this one has always had it, for as long as one can remember, and probably for quite some time before that. This one has often wished it were not the case as the method of healing is not without pain. Indeed there is often quite a lot of it. No pain, no injury, can be healed without the pain of it being fully experienced."

[yamikuronue]

"No, I imagine not." She hesitates, running her fingers through her hair. "Well. I hope I haven't caused you too much trouble, being sick and all. Maybe you and Siegfried will have a fun time of it, make up for the whole incident, yes?"

[accalia]

"Trouble? One could not describe this as trouble. Painful, yes, but nothing more than you bore. This one exists for a purpose, anything that furthers that purpose cannot be a bad thing."

Echo pauses, looking away and out the window

"This one enjoyed working with Siegfried today, it was different than anything this one has seen and done before. It was very enjoyable, but it is not something that this one could do for life."

[yamikuronue]

Rosanna makes a 'tsk' sound. "He's so young to be so alone. You talk to him, you'd think he's too old to be dating. These days, anyone can find love, and I told him so, but he still won't reach out."

[accalia]

"Love, love can be a painful thing. A scary thing. One understands why one might shut themselves away from it. Love is a very very great thing, but as with all great things it can be full of light or full of darkness. it is worth remembering that not everyone sees love in the same light. It is coloured by society and the norms thereof. it is coloured by the past and what one has seen in others. it is colored by the loves one has loved before and all these influences change ones perspective."

Echo stops looking out the window and looks Rosanna directly in the eyes, his ice blue eyes clouded with the recollections of the past.

"This one does not pretend to know the mind of Siegfried, there is pain there, locked up and imprisoned. as there is in you, and in all people. This one does not know Siegfried well enough to know what will rouse it, but this one senses that it is a stronger darkness than most carry. perhaps as strong as the one that this one was required to remove from you, lady rosan-"

Echo breaks off suddenly in a coughing fit that leaves him and his handkerchief absolutely soaking wet.

[yamikuronue]

Rosanna scowls. "You, mister, sound like you should be in bed. If you're saying Siegfried is sick, then you'd better rest yourself if you intend to heal him. After all--"

That's when Siegfried returns, rubbing his temples. "Rosey, have you seen the disinfectant? I was sure I left it--" He breaks off as he sees Echo. "Ah. I'm sure it's in the other room," he says, beginning to back out.

[accalia]

"Not sick. did not mean to imply. healthy, just unknown. to go poking. would cause pain. because do not know. as well as you"

Echo's words are short and sharp, but so filled with fatigue that their edge is blunted beyond recognition.

"need to rest. for a moment. one's room. jacket on table. another handkerchief.. please?"

[yamikuronue]

Rosanna calls after Siegfried, "Try the bathroom cabinet." as she moves to duck under Echo's arm. "Come on, luv, let's get you to bed. Honestly. Pies. What was he thinking."

[accalia]

Echo moves to block Rosanna's attempt to help him up.

"Staying here. in the light. in the brightness. please, just the handkerchief. for now."

Color is returning to Echo's face, but his shirt is still soaked. Still he's lively enough to succeed in fending off Rosanna's attempt to help him to his feet.

[yamikuronue]

Rosanna frowns, but she merely clucks her tongue as she slips off to his room, bringing the handkerchief back. "Sunlight, huh? There's a lovely garden if you don't mind herbs; the flower gardens have been abandoned since the Young Mistress died but we keep the herb garden up."

[accalia]

"In a moment. It can be very draining to heal illness. This one is much better at dealing with gross trauma than illness. a moment is needed to recover a bit."

Echo pauses for a moment.

"This one is curious, what do you remember of when this one healed you? Everyone experiences it differently and this one is fascinated by the different accounts that occur. Only if you are willing to talk about it of course."

[yamikuronue]

Rosanna frowns. "It was quite strange. I found myself struggling to remain conscious, and then I woke up the next morning. I don't recall anything in between."