Blood from Stone [AU]

[NPCs]

"Oh? At your age, ah," Mister Graves hesitates, studying nem a moment, "child?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Ne flinches. "Th-this one is a S-seeker. This one is not a C-child. This one is an oracle."

They hate every second of their voice, that high pitched whimper, the stutter, the uncertainty. Uncertainty makes them seem younger, more vulnerable, more childish. They need to be firm, sure of themself, but they can't quite get their feet under them anymore, not since yesterday. They hate the sound of their own voice and they want to stop using it but they have to communicate somehow and-- 

Healing. There is a patient. "M-may I cast?" 

[NPCs]

"A Seeker?" The healer gives Helena another careful look, then nods slowly. "Very well, go ahead and give it a try then. Just go nice and slow and make sure Kevin sees you before you touch him."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene steps forward, then, taking a deep breath. "K-kevin?" they ask, swallowing. 

[NPCs]

Kevin tenses, head hunching in as he flinches- not from Helene but at something on the wall. The entirely blank wall. He keens softly, eyes closing tightly. "Gently, Kevin. Gently now. It's okay, you're safe. No bugs anywhere around. All safe."

Donny clears his throat a little. "Maybe some tonic, sir?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene takes a deep breath, reaching out, but stopping just shy of touching Kevin. "Kevin?" they ask gently. "Kevin, may I cast on you?"

[NPCs]

Kevin jerks a little, humming. After a moment, Graves sighs. "He's gone fugue, on us. He won't react to nearly anything at this point. Lost in his own head, the poor sod. Go ahead and heal him, just keep the touch light."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene swallows again, laying a hand gently on Kevin's shoulder as they cast, watching his wounds close up.

[NPCs]

Kevin jerks a little again but doesn't otherwise react, even his humming not skipping a beat. "Poor soul," Graves repeats, nodding at Donny to lead Kevin off. "Good man once, or so I hear. Studied insects or some such. Suppose someone has to. Still does okay mostly, when he takes his tonics and doesn't get overstimulated. Just wish his family would face reality." 

He sighs wearly, most of his attention seeming to be fixated on Kevin's back. "He really should be sent to Draslina, to the programs they have done there. Do good works, that lot. But his family insists they know better, that they can help. And every time he starts to improve, they push and-" He breaks of suddenly, flushing. "Ah, fire and flash, I should not have- beg pardon, but please keep that to yourself, if you would miss."

[Helene Dakesh]

"No, no, it's--" 

Helene takes a deep breath, adds, "This one has an interest in, in dream-taken individuals."

[NPCs]

Mister Graves frowns at nem, expression chiding. "Now that's not on, miss. They're people, more or less, however damaged they might be. Not right to be considering them a curiosity or the like. Go watch a play or find a street busker if you need some fun."

[Helene Dakesh]

They flush deeper blue. "This one is a healer," they say, again. "This one has, is, involved with Summerhill Sanitarium. Has the family considered such a place for Kevin?"

[NPCs]

"...suppose you did cast..." Mister Graves shrugs a little. "'course, place is all the rage, isn't it? But far too expensive for the likes of Kevin. No cure of him after all. Best they can really do for him is keep him comfortable and keep him safe. To himself and others. Dream-taken are a danger after all. Can't trust them. See and hear things, can't use logic or reason properly, fits and rages..."

[Helene Dakesh]

Fits and rages. Can't reason properly. Helene forces their smile to stay on their face. "This one could make the staff aware of the situation. At times there are... arrangements that can be made. If he is truly a danger."

[NPCs]

"No. Thank you, but no. This is the third time this month- I should be able to convince his family to finally admit the truth and have him sent to Draslina to be taken care of. Best thing for them really- no-one should have to watch a loved one turn into... that." Mister Graves shakes his head sadly.