It's been almost two days since Nox defied the odds and survived Beyard. The Skreek has been locked down on the operating table since then, and hasn't been given any food or water. Guard Number Two checks in on her every so often though, always looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. He's just come into the chamber for his hourly check, and asks, "Still alive?"
Thanks to the collar, Nox cannot really lift her head. It doesn't help that she hasn't had any water or food, either, but it also at least mean she doesn't need to pee. And as gross as it is, she was able to use the shadow to extract moisture from what Beyard left inside her anyway, which is something. "Unfortunately for you, yes, I am still alive," the skreek calls out, dry mouth and all.
"Unfortunately for you too," the Eeee notes and sighs. He goes to the door and calls out, and soon Ashad squeezes into the room, carrying a bucket of something.. pungent. The Eeee reaches into it and comes up a glob of thick grease, which he starts to rub onto the wooden collar. His nose wrinkles up at the odor.
"What in Dagh's name is that?" Nox says to the huge serpent. Her own nose wrinkles up too, that smell is ... something else.
"Grease for the wood," the Eeee notes, stating the obvious as he works, getting the coating right up to Nox's neck. Ashad is applying more of it to her ankle-bolts. "I think the smell goes away eventually," the guard says.
"Why does the wood need to be greased?" Nox asks next, tired eyes narrow. Also watering because ugh, that smell.
"Because the doctor says so," the bat replies, and gets more grease. Ashad has slithered around to the head of the table to start greasing up the wrist-bolts now. "Need to flip her ssSoon," the Naga remarks.
"Why don't you just screw me while you are at it," Nox says a bit sarcastically. She's weak, so moving is difficult. But, she manages a weak squirm on the table.
This makes the Eeee look a bit ill.. well, more ill than he usually looks. "I'm afraid I'll get swallowed," he manages to say, then nods to Ashad and goes down to Nox's feet. The big Naga counts down from three, and grabs Nox's wrists while Number Two gets her feet. The limbs are unhooked and the Skreek is flipped over onto her belly. Then the men latch her back down.
Nox is actually too weak to really fight, so she's now stomach down, which isn't very comfortable. But, she figures they want to grease the long spikes through her back. Those she can feel constantly and any movement of them is disturbing, it's like a long worm moving beneath her skin at five equally spaced points.
"What about you, Naga? Too afraid to screw me now?" she mocks the naga, the chuckles. It's raspy, her voice throat is dry.
"I don't know why these need to be left in," the Eeee complains as he applies grease to the skewers. Ashad greases the back side of the collar, and flicks his tongue at Nox's question. "You eat vermitesss," the Naga says. "Would you ssscrew one?"
"Yes," Nox remarks, nonplussed "If they have the cash, they get to screw me. Species is irrelevant."
"Well, that part of your life isss done with now," Ashad claims, and accidentally lets some of the thick grease drop into Nox's nose. He adds more to the wrist bolts.
Nox sneezes trying to get that grease off her nose!
The Naga seems content with this reaction, since it means Nox isn't talking. "Are we gonna have to do this for.. uh.." Number Two starts to ask Ashad, then goes quiet. "No," Ashad answers.
"Come on, speak up!" Nox says, wishing she could close her nose. "Do this for what?"
"I've never had to do this part before," the Eeee notes. "Stupid rattle-brain, getting himself killed. This was his job."
Being reminded the other naga was killed gets Nox to laughing, a raspy, rattly sort.
"There are alwaysss more vipersss," Ashad says, unbothered by the raspy chuckles. "We are all replaceable, in the end."
"What a cheery thought," Number Two grumbles. "Well, the exposed bits are greased up now. Am I done? Or is she too much for you to handle on your own? I want to boil my hands."
"I'm obviously too much for all of you," the face-down rat claims weakly.
"We aren't the oness you need to ssatisfy," Ashad says, and then hisses at the bat. "You will attend the ceremony. Asss an usher. Can you handle that?"
"Attend.." the Eeee squeaks. "Can't you use Number One for this?"
"He doess not know how to behave," Ashad says, and starts to work on Nox's ear-clamps. "Get her tail."
Nox ughs, she can feel that goo on her ears a bit. Well, at least they didn't fill her ears with that nasty goop.
With a sigh, the Eeee guard gets more grease and starts covering up the tail-band and ring.
The stench is pretty strong now, but the greasing appears to be done. "Do not ssStruggle," Ashad tells Nox. "I can carry you in my armss, or in my gut. And I've already eaten, so it isss not pleasant in there."
It's not like Nox can really struggle much at this point. So, the rat sighs, closes her eyes, and tries to think hard, to 'ping' Tulani that she's about to be moved; something is starting.
Supposedly, the Sphynx was to have the place surrounded by now, assuming the 'new' police force knows how to hide. Nox is unclipped from the table, and cradled in Ashad's arms instead of being thrown over a shoulder. She isn't exactly heavy at this point. But he hasn't cleaned off his hands, so wherever they touch her she gets more stinky grease in her fur.
"Want to know your future?" the rat inquires up at the Naga as she hangs limply in his arms at this point. She's also mostly breathing through her mouth so she doesn't have to smell that grease.
"I already know my future," the Naga claims. Nox is carried to the big stage again, but the standing restraint from her bout with Beyard is gone. Now there are just two standing supports that look like gallows, without the nooses. There is rope though. The farther one is also occupied already. An Eeee is hanging from his bound and bloodied wrists, which are threaded through the dangling hook from the support beam. His face is a mass of bruises, and his body isn't much better off. Wings are tied tightly together - more tightly that should be possible, but it just means the bones are probably already broken in them.
The collar prevents much head movement in the rat. Moreso now that she's very weak. She looks around as best she can, though, and she's actually scared. She survived Beyard, but she has no idea what is coming and if she would survive it at all. She prays she has enough shadow power left to defend herself, and that Tulani is in place. But ... right now she just has to have faith. As for the other Eeee, that one she feels pity for. She suspects it is guard number three, but cannot tell for certain. She guesses he finally couldn't take it any more and rebelled. "What are they planning to do?" the rat wonders.
For Nox, the immediate answer is to hook her up to the support hook. This involves twisting her wrists a bit to get both eyelets onto the hook. A bit of leather cord is used to tie her ankle-bolt eyelets together.
"Well, I suspect they're going to feed me to something," Nox thinks grimly as they hook and hang her limp body. Hanging there like that makes breathing difficult; that's taking what strength she has. "C'mon, be there, Tulani," she thinks.
Both the Skreek and Eeee are hung fairly high up - so only Ashad could really reach the hooks. There's a full body length of open space beneath Nox. But it does mean the people in the stands will get a good view of whatever is set to happen. "Now we can wash our handsss," Ashad tells Number Two.
Both men leave, so that Nox is alone with the other victim for now.
"They'll never be clean, you know," Nox says darkly to the pair. "Ever."
"The stink will wash off though," the Eeee calls back through the doorway.
"Welcome to hell," Nox remarks dryly to the other Eeee. "I'm sorry you are here."
"Mmmmff," the hanging Eeee manages through swollen lips. And probably a broken jaw too. It isn't clear if he was worked over by hand or with blunt tools.
"Have faith," Nox says quietly, "Mabb will see us through this."
The doctor arrives, rolling in a large kettle drum (and given the way things go around here, the drum skin could be anything). She sets it up in one corner at the back, then comes to examine the Eeee and then Nox. "You've lossst some weight," she notes to the Skreek.
"Are you surprised? I have had no food for a while," Nox points out a bit sarcastically. "Tick tock, doc. Last chance for you," the rat adds, trying to sound brave while she's actually terrified. If Tulani doesn't make it, she might not make it, so to speak.
The doctor's tongue flicks, and she asks, "Last chance for what, exactly?"
"For you to survive," Nox smiles her broken smile. "You saw what happened last time; the Goddess' look after me."
"And why would they ssspare me, hmm?" the doctor follows up with.
"Because of plans laid and prepared by them," Nox remarks as she looks down at the serpent, "A chance at redemption. But, I'm tired. Decide." The rat then closes her eyes and chuckles.
"Redemption?" the doctor asks, and gives a dry, snaky laugh. "I will be here until I can train my replacement, Skreek," she claims, and then pokes Nox in the center of her chest. "And after that, I will be where you are right now. That isss my redemption."
Nox' eyes open. "No, you will not. What waits for you now is worse," the rat says, simply.
"I doubt it isss worse than my life now," the doctor claims, and then Ashad and Number Two return. The Eeee has on a fancy jacket, which looks out of place of the rest of his garb. He goes up the stairs than run down the center of the benches, and waits by the upper archway. There are three for the guests to arrive through - on either side and the one in the back, all a full story above the stage level.
"It can always be worse," the rat tells the serpent, then goes quiet and her eyes half-lidded. Though Nox may be sleeping, she is watching the 'guests' arrive. She's also extending her senses, to seek out what may be coming ... and if Tulani or her children are anywhere at all near by.
The horribs are definitely out there, unmoving - which means they're likely perched in ambush nooks. There are more auras as she puts in more effort. A mix, and some too close together to distinguish. Those also aren't moving.. but then ones that are begin to arrive, in twos and threes and fours. One from each group always stops, but the others draw closer from various directions, until the sounds of chatter and laughter can be heard just before the opulently clothed Eeee enter the theater. Number Two helps them find their seats. They all actually bring their own cushions to sit on, even.
"Looks like the freaks are gathering. I just hope everything I've said is actually true," Nox thinks. Yes, she's terrified. She knows how weak she is. She isn't even sure that if she pushes the shadow hard to save herself if her heart will even take the strain from that. "Gorphat ... Mabb," the rat thinks. "Help me have strength. May all you have made me endure have made me strong enough for this."
It takes time for the seats to fill. There only about thirty attendees - but some of them are pretty old, and weren't there for the last performance. Traveling here must be an effort for them. They also have their own attendants that stand behind them, carrying blankets and other supplies. It takes nearly an hour for everyone to arrive.
Nox uses this time to try to rest some while she keeps her focus on the surroundings. Build up enough strength to have one last burst at defending herself if it comes to it. "Maybe I have gone completely insane to have agreed to this," the rat worries.
Apparently this is everyone, because Number Two is now serving refreshments from a rolling cart. Ashad heads back to where the drum is, and the doctor moves between the two hanging posts to face the crowd. "Welcome, one and all, to the latest ssacrifice," she says, and bows her head for a moment. Most of the audience is settled, but a few are still picking beverages or quietly chatting. Only the old ones dip their heads as well, taking it all very seriously.
Nox takes a breath and focuses on her shadow, feeling it ripple and roll beneath her skin. It's still there; it responds. Perhaps there is hope yet. "Yes, all of you will be sacrificed," the rat hanging there claims in her weak voice.
This gets a chuckle from the younger attendees, but also gets their attention back on the stage. The doctor raises her head again, and says, "This Sphere we are blessed. Along with the usual Gullible Guard, we have a Skreek sacrifice that has survived Beyard and every other challenge. She may be blessed of Inala, even, and thus a very potent offering to Zakaro. May She maintain our prosperity, as She has for generations of your families."
There are a few quiet replies, some of them actual prayers even. The doctor heads towards Number Three, and past him to open a door that is only about three feet high and wide, opening into a dark passage. Ashad then begins to beat the drum in a simple rhythm.
"Zarana would say otherwise on that," Nox remarks, her lips drawing back in a tired smile. "Time's up, Doctor," the rat says ominously, "The bells are ringing. The call has begun."
"We are the ones doing the calling," the doctor comments to the Skreek, as she makes her way up into the stands, then turns to watch from the stairs. Behind her, Number Two looks horrified.. but also scared enough of his employers that he doesn't abandon his post. "Glass," someone chants, and then a few others pick it up. "Glass, Glass, Glass.."
Nox' focus shifts; she tries to focus on who or what this 'Glass' is. "It's showtime," the rat thinks grimly as she stills herself and gathers her strength.
She senses the new aura, but it is dim. Not the aura of a person, but an animal. A big one! She can feel it leaving the tunnel and entering the stage.. but she can't see it.
Nox tries to focus on that beast. "What are you? What do you do?" the rat wonders. It's only because she is physically weak she isn't squirming.
Number Three does squirm. He's closest. It's hard to see because of her collar, but now Nox notices something: a distortion. Along with the aura, it's possible to figure it out. Glass is an enormous serpent. Its head alone must be five feet long, and three across - the width of the tunnel it came from. The trick is that it is transparent. Bone, muscle, blood - everything. The flicking of the tongue is the most noticeable. Transparent eyes are useless, after all, so it must depend on touch and taste to navigate.
"Well, that explains the grease. So I go down easier and can be found by smell," Nox thinks grimly. "What is this thing? Where is it from? Can I destroy it ... from the inside if I must?" Nox damaged hands flex, clench, then splay. She may have only one chance at using her shadow on it, but it's a beast, which means she can consume it safely! This is ... a small ray of hope. It all depends on if she still can.
"The hose!" some woman calls from the audience. A few others echo her. "The hose for the Skreek!" The doctor gives a slight hiss at the request, but slithers down to the stage and back out of the main door, opposite where Glass emerged.
"The hose? What, they want me to be able to breathe while inside that? So I die slower, is that it?" Nox thinks, eyes narrowed.
The guess is fairly accurate. The doctor returns with a clear hose attached to a 'cone' that must go around the victim's muzzle. Number Three is making noises now. His legs are up, like he was sitting down, as Glass rises up and begins to swallow him whole.
"Gods!" Nox thinks as she watches the former guard start to be consumed. So much for the hope of trying to save him, somehow. It was a long shot, but the rat always wants to try and save people. Now she's fighting with herself to keep the shadow under control! She cannot deploy it now, not before she knows if Tulani and the others are coming or not!
It's hard in the panicky situation, but Nox is still vaguely aware of the auras outside. They jump back to her attention as some of them begin to move. And then the 'waiting' auras that came with the guests all go out at once. The doctor has to hand the breathing hose to Ashad, who is the only one that can stretch up enough to fit it over Nox's muzzle. The strap meant to hold it in pace is just leather, but the cone and hose must be made of something exotic - it doesn't have much of an odor at all, so isn't rubber. "Any lassst words?" Ashad asks as he readies the cone.
"We'll meet again," Nox tells the serpent, "Count on it." She then closes her muzzle and allows the cone and hose to be fitted. Either she is very brave, or very stupid.
The strap is tightened, and Nox is breathing through the hose now - which really isn't providing a lot of air. There are some crunching sounds to her right - Glass is swallowing the Eeee's torso now, and the broken wings are making the noise. More auras begin to move inward, but they are being cautious.
Nox feels sick; she may not have liked that guard, but he didn't deserve the fate en endures. She takes slow and steady breaths, preparing herself for when she will be swallowed. "Patience. You will survive," she tells herself. The movement of the auras is reassuring and bolstering her courage.
The auras.. dim in Nox's senses. They're still moving.. actually a bit faster now, but they're harder to sense. There's a thud sound - Glass has lifted Number Three (or the Gullible Guard, which makes it sound like this a recurring thing) off of the hug and dropped back down the ground to finish swallowing him. Ashad beats the drum again. It must be some sort of cue for Glass that there's still more food. The swallowed Eeee is visible through the body, but not clearly. It's easier to tell were the bones and such are now. And then Nox feels the tickle of the tongue on her own feet.
"Here we go," Nox thinks. She's been swallowed before, but not by something so large! She weakly tries to draw her legs up and away from that tongue. Her heart is pounding in her chest. This is dangerous; she's playing a dangerous game with this serpent. She will be able to breath longer to be sure, but will she have the strength to escape when the time comes?
Glass has lots of small teeth, and Nox can feel them now as they brush over her legs. It looks like the snake is going to come straight up, instead of at an angle, since the Skreek is shorter than the last meal. It's oddly dry inside the mouth as well, and cold. Malagast is a lot warmer inside, but he's also smaller than Glass. There's a tingle in the shadow now - not one of urgency but one of resonance. There's actual Shadow Magic being used nearby. The intensity of the sensation increases, and Nox catches a glimpse of shadowy movement in the corridor behind Number Two, who actually has his hands over his eyes at the moment. And then there's a final push upwards from Glass, lifting Nox off of the hanging-hook. Everything becomes distorted after that, and she's completely inside the mouth now, save for her still outstretched forearms.
Nox squeaks around that hose when she disappears into the mouth! She's being eaten, and this triggers every instinctual fear that a skreek might have about this. Even weak, the rat starts to squirm about, only her hands and forearms fully visible to the crowd. "Calm, calm, do not lash out with shadow. The rescuers are here ... allow it to eat you, you can't destroy it while there are the 'guests' watching. They cannot know there was supernatural help; credit must go to the city," the rat reminds herself in panic as her own shadow is boiling beneath her skin. She tries to distract by focusing on breathing and what her senses tell her; small help to being eaten, but it's an attempt.
The squirming triggers more gulping, until Nox is actually in the throat.. and she feels Number Three grab onto her feet with his still bound hands. Seeing 'out' is like looking through thick glass - nothing is in focus beyond a few feet, but there's certainly a lot of sudden activity out there. The drum has stopped beating, and Glass is back on the ground. It stops swallowing though, and begins writhing backwards, like it's trying to retreat back down its hole.
"Calm, remain calm, cannot deploy shadow until she cannot be seen. Otherwise too much will be given away. As for the grab onto her ankles, this causes her to jerk and squirm a bit more in shock. Then another sliver of hope; perhaps she can save this guard yet? She curls her toes as best she can to grip his wrists.
Things begin to go dark by inches as the serpent squeezes backwards into its hole, but it is having trouble. Since Nox is on her back, looking up through bones and organs she doesn't have a good view, but there are flashes of things pressed up against the snake. A big furred leg. A brush of feathers. And there are pounding noises as well.
Nox shifts focus to the 'guests'. Can she tell how many are left? Are they clear enough that she can deploy the shadow? Or .. should they just allow them to rescue her? She can breathe, so she is not at risk of dying immediately, but how long can she hold her hand safely? As much as she wants to, she doesn't deploy the shadow. She realizes she needs to be rescued normally or she may destroy the credibility of the city. If they have a shadow mage, they will sense her acting. So ... the rat remains ... and allows herself to be further swallowed if the serpent tries to do so.
There's definitely gulping going on, and things go dark, but there's still light getting through in front. Glass isn't supposed to retreat, obviously. Otherwise the guests wouldn't be able to watch the victim be digested. The passage is just wide enough for the snake to fit, and both Nox and Number Three created bulges that jam things up. The pounding continues, until there's a very loud crunch. Glass stops moving after that. At least, under its own power - the snake is being slowly dragged back onto the stage.
"So much for that snake," Nox thinks from somewhere deep in its gullet. It's both comforting, like a full body hug, and utterly terrifying! Had she not been rescued, would she have been digested over time? That brings back memories of Magog, the time she ate the bunny, and then he was eaten inside out by maggots. Not an experience to undergo for real. A dream was bad enough!
There is a lot of noise outside, muted by the fleshy walls. The massive snake is heavy, so it's only being dragged out a few inches per heave. The noises begin to quiet down after several minutes pass, and then Nox feels things turning, until she's on her side. That's enough to provide access to the Glass's belly, and the sounds of knives hacking through flesh are soon to follow. It's all happening at Nox's back though, she can't see what's going on.
"I hope they don't cut me!" Nox thinks, trying to keep the urge to panic flail suppressed as much as she can. She reminds herself that soon she will be out. Just ... remain calm! Everything will be okay.
Even if the knives get all the way through.. at least Nox's back is protected by those skewers! But it isn't knives that break through the last inch, it's talons. The sound is horrible, and then Nox is being pulled out. Being covered in transparent gore is still unpleasant, but she's back in the open air. And left on the floor, at least for the moment - the Vartans are still trying to dig out Number Three.
Nox flops onto the floor, dripping with invisible ichor. It feels .. vile. The skreek weakly draws her hands up and tries to pull the cone and tube off her muzzle so that she can breathe normally. "Gods, I made it. Somehow! I cannot believe I agreed to this. I ... I ... I feel horrid," the skreek admits to herself. Recovery will not be easy, not without the light to boost things. And really, she shouldn't recover much before the trial; the city needs to see what happened to her.
It's awkward, but she does get the cone off. The smells that assault her are awful off course. And it's not just from Glass - several people must have had 'accidents' in the fracas. The first person Nox can focus is on is.. another Skreek. He's dressed in some sort of uniform, complete with a cap and shiny badge. He's holding an odd weapon. It's a spear, but the butt end is U-shaped. Inside that U, is the neck of a fancily dressed Eeee, pinned to the floor and swearing a storm. Most of the other guests are in similar situations, those a few are on their knees on the stage with their hands and wings bound behind them. Those that can talk are making a lot of threats.
"Told you," Nox croaks out as she curls up, laughing, voice raspy and aching. "Time's up, Doctor!" the rat croaks out. Though she feels awful, part of her feels satisfaction in this. She did it; they're arrested and she made it through. Everything hits her hard, now she just wants to close her eyes and sleep forever.
Nobody begrudges the Skreek for passing out. When Nox wakes again, not too much time could have passed, but she's somewhere else entirely. Definitely not indoors, exactly, but in a large tent, wrapped in a blanket. Her wrists and ankles are free, but the bolts and skewers are still in place, she can feel. Her neck feels oddest. It takes a moment to realize the collar is off. She can see it, sitting on a table next to the cot she's on.
Nox' shakey hand comes up and rubs at her now free neck. It's likely most of the fur probably wore off beneath it due to the long time that she wore that collar. She does wonder why all the skewers and bolts are still in place, but she isn't going to complain. "Can I have some water?" she rasps to the tent.
A familar hand appears with a waterskin. "Don't drink to fast or you might get sick," Tulani cautions. "They've brought in two more Skreeks and a young Naga. Any other captives that you know of?" She's probably asking for 'show', since Nox already told her everything in their last dream chat.
"The other guard who was eaten," Nox rasps, then drinks slowly from the waterskin to ease her dry throat. "I believe that is all."
"He had to be taken to a Life Mage," Tulani says, crouching down next to the cot. Nox can see Wretch and presumably Moggie sitting up on another cot together. They're also wrapped in blankets, and often rubbing at their necks. Wretch can only do it with one hand, since his other is being gripped by the doctor's son, who looks scared and confused.
"Will they be okay?" Nox asks and weakly gestures to Moggie, Wretch, and the Naga. The worst in shape here is her, and she's more concerned about them. Some things the rat cannot hide; actually caring. She also ponders suggesting that the Mage's guild could look after the child for a time since they have naga, but cannot suggest that in the open.
"They aren't physically hurt," Tulani notes. "But the white one has apparently never been outside of a few rooms in that place, and had a panic attack. The Naga.. he's fine as long as he stays near the white one. They have some sort of relationship. Neither has spoken. The pregnant woman only stopped crying a little while ago."
"They ate her children," Nox explains to Tulani quietly. "Fixing her body is the easy part, it's her mind and soul I fear for. I am not sure that is fixable." She takes another sip, then lifts her head up, muscles straining and shaking. "Hey, told you to have faith, that we would make it out," she calls over to Wretch, then smiles at him.
Wretch does manage a smile in return, but still looks nervous.
"They're okay," Nox says as she lowers her head back down. "You are safe here, with them. No more torture."
"What.. what will happen?" Wretch manages to ask.
"Whatever you want. You're free. What do you want?" Nox asks weakly from where she lays.
"Want?" Wretch asks, looking as if the concept is too alien for him to grasp just yet. "This 'blanket' is nice," he finally says.
"Yours. Do not worry too much. Just take each day at a time," Nox suggests. "You too, Moggie."
"I want clothes," Moggie says softly. At least she knows what's relatively normal.
Nox looks to Tulani. "Can you get her some real clothes?" she asks. "Please?" Out of those she worries about the most, it's really Moggie.
"Some are on the way," Tulani promises. "We'll move you out of here soon, back up to the Coalition Tower."
The rat jingles her left wrist, making the ring clink. "Why were these left in?" she asks Tulani. "Is it unsafe to remove now?"
"Need a real doctor to look at those, make sure they're safe to take out," Tulani explains. "The medic here doesn't know how to handle that sort of thing."
Another Vartan arrives in the tent, this one a young woman - but she's carrying a big sack that is full of dressing gowns. Moggie accepts one eagerly, while Wretch just looks confused by the offering. He's probably never had clothes or seen any other Skreek wearing them.
Cherise, formerly Nox, tries to sit up. She's spent a lot of time lying down these past few days and would prefer to not lie down any more.
Sitting up certainly reminds her that her 'seat' is missing some cushion. Tulani tries to get the dressing gown onto her once she's up though - it's tricky thanks to the embedded shackles and back rack.
"How long have I been asleep?" Cherise asks as she leans a bit to favor her un-damaged side. "And when am I free to go?"
"You haven't been asleep for more than twenty minutes," Tulani says, getting the gown closed in front. "As for going.. well, you need some medical care first, and the Coalition would really like for you to be a witness at the criminal trial."
"Parade the damaged freak, I get it," Cherise mutters as she tries to help get the gown closed and adjusted so that it isn't hanging too oddly. Probably a lost cause, but she tries anyway. "So, I go from being one prisoner to another, eh?" the rat asks, a bit sardonic. It's not like she can act like she knows Tulani or that a plan was in place, after all. Not with others present.
Wretch seems to be listening closely. Moggie winces at the mention of 'medical care' though. She's probably only ever had the one 'doctor' treating her.
"You'll be a guest and made very comfortable, and if there's any friends or family you would like to contact to let them know you're safe we can arrange that as well," Tulani promises. "You're all extremely malnourished, and your recovery is important."
"Half my butt is missing. Comfort is relative," Cherise remarks as she rubs at her wrists. "No family to notify, if I had, I wouldn't have been stuck here." Her rolls her head to look at Tulani, then ask, "How many of the bastards did you get? Please tell me a woman with broken fingers is freaking out."
"I don't think anyone escaped, we had people on all the known exits and.. uh.. subdued the personal attendants the guests had posted outside," Tulani claims.
"How many?" Cherise repeats the question. She actually doesn't know how many people were involved? "What about those that ran it? The naga?"
"I don't know exactly, I wasn't in the raid itself," Tulani admits. "But they're still bringing people out, to a separate holding area. However, these are influential people, and probably realize how dangerous it is to have witnesses with.. shall we say.. undeniable credibility.. on the loose. So we're going to be protecting you all for as long as there's a threat."
Cherise rubs her forehead. "Yes, prisoner," the rat mutters. "Forgive me, but I just spent the past month being abused, and them, longer. Not exactly feeling safe amongst the Eeee."
"I'm not an Eeee," Tulani points out. "I'm from Chronotopia," she also fibs, but that may be more for the benefit of the other Skreeks, if they know Cerise is Chronotopian. "But I promise that if you help us, all of the people behind this will be appropriately and publicly punished."
"There really isn't enough punishment to really fit their crimes," Cerise notes. Her looks back to the wrinkled, red, naga with Wretch. "What will happen to him?" she asks, "He's innocent in this. I don't think he ever wanted to hurt anyone."
"If he's in this tent, then he's considered a victim and will be protected," Tulani says, then looks at the overwhelmed rat. "He'll need to be evaluated by a psychiatrist or mind mage though, from the look of it. How long was he in there?"
"Both the rat and the naga I think their entire lives," Cerise says. Then she gestures to Moggie and says, "I know she's from the camp I worked at. Disappeared a while ago."
"Camp?" Tulani asks. "We'll want any details you can give about how you ended up there, but it sounds like straight-up abduction?"
Cerise glances to Moggie. "They have an agent in the camp, one of the work camps rebuilding down in the undercity," she says. "Or had. A former Barinala targeted skreeks and worked as a prostitute there."
Tulani takes out a leather-clad notebook and a pencil, and starts taking notes. "Can you describe him? Or wait.. uh, I'll ask you later. We don't want to cause any cross-contamination between witnesses."
"I'd rather bite off his danglies. Can you arrange that?" Cerise asks.
"Well.. that sort of thing will be up to a jury.. or the judges. I'm not sure how it's set up now, since.. this will technically be the first time the system will be used," Tulani notes.
"Ah, so the rich will just get off, then," Cerise says dubiously.
"No!" Tulani claims. "That's how things were under.. well.. the Yodhrephath. This is official, public justice. Plus.. I think the government is going to 'freeze' the culprits' 'assets' until the trial is concluded. So that they can't bribe anyone. I think in part it's to see who is willing to try and bribe people on their behalf though."
"I'm sure there will be a few," Cerise comments as she lies back down, on her side. "We shall see what happens."
"Anyway.. we'd like to get you out of here and to safety and proper medical care," Tulani says, and nods to the two Vartans that probably carried them all here, which go to Moggie and Wretch and tell them they're going to carry them and will be flying. Both Skreeks look alarmed, since they've never flown.. and then look to Cerise to see if she is okay with it. "I'll carry you," Tulani offers Cerise.
Cerise looks Tulani from head to toe. "Are you sure you can? You look a little ... scrawny," the rat claims. Nevermind she is emaciated.
"I assure you I am as strong a flyer as a regular Vartan," Tulani says. "And I have experience carrying wounded or partially immobilized people."
Cerise looks dubious. "Not like I could really argue or fight anyway," the rat notes. "So ... carry away. But if you drop me I will haunt your outhouse."
It actually takes a few minutes for Tulani to find a way to carry Cerise that doesn't put strain on her butt or still-skewered back. But once she does, the other two Skreeks are more cooperative with their Vartans. Wretch ends up curled into a ball, and Moggie is actually put into a special harness-sling to ensure no strain is put on her belly. Then it's a flight through the darkness, until they reach the upper levels of Babel. Here there's light from the towers and plazas and the Procession above.
Cerise remains quiet. Too many prying ears and such. So, she just looks up at the starts and procession above. "/How many died there over the years?/" she wonders. "/How may children? Or 'worthless' skreeks? All to amuse a bunch of Eeee? I'm reminded why I hated my own kind for so long. I thought that anger had finally gone, but ... watching them just laugh in glee." She sighs softly to herself.
They aren't flying that close to each other, until they start to approach the Coalition Tower. There are people out on the Plaza, and some are looking up and pointing to the odd procession. News of the raid probably hasn't gotten to the public itself yet. They all fly in to a private landing balcony midway up the spire, and several people in hospital-looking garb are waiting. No Eeees or Nagas though, but Fnerfs and Savanites. The Fnerfs also seem to double as medical gurneys, wearing special saddles. Wretch and Moggie are given to them, but Tulani asks Cerise, "Want me to keep carrying you, since we've already got you in a relatively comfortable position?"
Cerise figures it is a strategic move to not have Eeee doctors here; less likelihood of freaking out the survivors. "Hmmm? Moving less is good," Cerise claims, "So yes. Walking is sort of off the list for a while."
The examination room is close by. It isn't a particularly sterile looking place there. There are tapestries and rugs and lots of cushions and soft lighting (and even some soothing music coming from behind a curtained alcove). Part of the reason is obviously to make things feel cozy and calm - since Cerise hadn't told Tulani about the surgery room in the pit. The other is that there aren't actual 'doctors' waiting, but Life Mages. One is a rather tall and thin Skreek man, another is a Skeek and the third is a Lapi doe. The least intimidating species they could find, apparently.
"/Well, at least there aren't any manacles waiting for me,/" Cerise thinks and twitches from the memories of being in 'the pit'/. "You should see to the others first. They were there longer," the rat claims as she eyes the mages present. She doesn't remember seeing them at the guild, but then she has only been there a few times and hasn't met everyone. "I can answer the first question you're all thinking ... no, I'm not pregnant," the rat claims in weak sarcasm. "I just had an accident at a Titianian knitting shop."
Cerise gets the bunny mage, who tries to smile reassuringly, but has very big eyes when getting a look at what's actually been done to the Skreek. "How.. how long have these been in place?" she manages to ask in that soft bunny voice.
"What day is it?" Cerise has to ask. "Best guess? Three weeks? It all blurs together. I'm my own musical instrument."
"Has there been any recent bleeding or discharge from around the.. bolts?" the rabbit asks next, gingerly touching the one through Cerise's right wrist.
"Nope. Go ahead, yank on it," Cerise remarks. "Can't be any worse than what they did with them."
"Oh, I imagine it could be.. uh.." the mage starts to say, then looks at the other patients. Wretch is still curled up into a ball, and Moggie is crying and hugging her rather surprised Skreek mage. "I need to take some precautions first, if that's alright?" the bunny asks, but doesn't actually wait for a reply as she gathers some supplies, which include a bowl to put under the wrist, and some sort of disinfectant that smells strongly of alcohol. The rabbit uses these to thoroughly wash the area around the bolt ends.
Cerise resists the urge to scream and freak the mage out. Granted, the alcohol hurts a bit, but isn't not agony by any means. "I'm tough," the skreek tells the lapi. "Gotta be. Even after everything they didn't, couldn't break me." She looks over at Moggie; the one she fears for the most. Cerise's injuries were physical for the most part. Moggie's were far worse.
The bunny positions herself so the other patients can't see her work. She carefully unscrews the cap around the spike end and removes it and the washer. "Here I go," she tells Cerise, and then slowly draws out the bolt, wincing whenever there's resistance. And Cerise does feel it, but it isn't exactly painful, just odd. Once it's out, there's a clear channel through her wrist.
Cerise's ears twitch, along with her lips. It's ... gross-feeling. Once the bolt is out, she holds up her wrist and peers through it. Now she feels a little queasy, she's never looked through herself before. "Well, I now have one of the world's most unique body piercings," she tries to joke with the lapi, "Did it actually heal?" She guesses her shadow-soothing while a prisoner actually did heal it.
"It must have been in there for some time," the bunny notes, and chants some sort of cantrip. "No infection.. whoever did this knew how to avoid damaging blood vessels and nerves. It.. it should close up on its own, without anything to keep it open. Are you in any pain?"
Cerise wiggles her fingers. "No, not really," the rat admits. "I guess if I keep it open I can join a freakshow."
"Will they still be visible in the next few days?" Tulani asks.
"If they need to be, put the bolt back in," Cerise suggests. "A couple more days won't matter."
"Oh, they won't heal in that amount of time, but will probably pinch closed," the mage says, and starts to reach for the left wrist when she finally hears Cerise's suggestion.
"As long as that's safe, anyway," Cerise comments. "Should probably check them all."
"I don't think we want to leave them in," Tulani says. "They're evidence and have to be handed over to the prosecutors. And yes, they all need to be removed to check for anything that needs treatment."
"All right," Cerise says, "It'll be nice to not jingle."
The mage nods, and moves on to the left wrist. This one doesn't have any issues either, but it's still odd to have the things out after living with them for so long. The ankle ones are trickier though.. the mage actually uses a spell to check the area first beyond just disinfecting it, to make sure she's not going to damage important tendons. The ankles are also thicker, so it takes longer to completely pull out each spike.
Cerise mutters a bit at this and shrifts around. Uncomfortable, but not painful. Not enjoyable. It's a sensation that is ... hard to describe, really. "If this is too gross," she suggests to the lapi, "I understand if you need to take a break."
"I was here in the Boomer aftermath," the doe says quietly, and removes the last of the bolts. All of the pieces go into the bowl. "Is there anything else like this?" she asks.
"My back an and my tail," Cerise sats as she weakly thumbs backwards. "I'll need to lie on my stomach for those," she adds.
Tulani helps get the robe off of Cerise, and arranges things so she can lie down easier. The bunny does make a slight noise at the sight of the 'trench' in the rat's cheek and upper thigh. "What caused that wound?" she asks, and begins disinfecting the skewers. "The back piercings are just through the skin, much easier to deal with."
Cerise leans forward, then lies on her stomach and stretches out. "That ... was from a dinner party," the rat says, voice dripping with acid. "Where they are part of me while I was alive and awake. Their doctor 'fillet' me."
This brings the rabbit to a stop. "Cannibalism?" she squeaks. A lot of Lapi seem to have that particular phobia.
"Not in their eyes, I imagine," Cerise remarks dryly. "I mean, we rats aren't worth anything in their eyes."
"But that's.. that's the worse sin a Babelite can commit that doesn't involve desecration of the dead!" the Mage blurts. She then takes a deep breath, and gets back to removing the skewers. "There's going to be some looseness in your skin for a while, due to the stretching it's gone through."
"Well, I don't expect to win any beauty contests again. Alas, my career," Cerise laments. "Honestly, if that's the worst of it, I'm lucky. Countless more died in their care. I can't whine over surviving this."
"Well.. at least there won't be any more after this," Tulani says as the mage pulls out the skewers. The tail restraint is more easily removed than the limb ones were. Then comes the examination of the divot. This is done with magic. "This will require treatment for full recovery," she explains. "There's scarring under the skin, which will need to be cleaned out and controlled healing applied."
"I'd appreciate it," Cerise admits, "I can't exactly walk with that." There's a pause, then she looks over to Tulani, asking, "Unless that also needs to remain for now?"
"We'll have the Mage's testimony," Tulani says. "This is something that could be crippling if not dealt with."
"Plus we probably don't want them to argue my testimony is half-assed, eh?" Cerise has to comment with her chin resting on the backs of her hands.
"I'll make the arrangements, and we can start treatment by tomorrow," the mage notes. At the half-assed remark, she pauses and clearly needs a moment to recover.
"Maybe you need a Mind Mage too," Tulani notes. "But I can see how you managed to survive all this, I think."
"See, that's how you keep people from breaking you. Keep a sense of humor. Don't let them take that," Cerise remarks. "It makes darkness bearable."
"Bare-assable at least," the mage says. "You'll need it.. this treatment is going to be a bit uncomfortable."
"Compared to what I have been through?" Cerise points out.
In reply, the doe begins to chant for a few minutes.. and then pokes Cerise in the wounded part of her butt. Numbness flows out from the touch, until that cheek and the back of the thigh is effected. "This won't help you walk, but it'll help you sit and lie down."
"I've got fluffy-butt thunder-thighs over there to help me get around, don't I?" Cerise asks and thumbs towards Tulani. "She managed to carry me while flying."
"Thunder thighs?" Tulani asks, eyes narrowed.
"You've got sailor-butt," Cerise points out. "I've been on enough airships to notice it."
"And just what does 'sailor-butt' entail?" Tulani asks.. probably not even noticing the play on words she did.
"Enlarged butt and thighs from moving heavy crates, pulling lines, and ... vigorous shore-leave," Cerise claims.
"I think you're well enough now to go to your room," Tulani says. "And be watered and fed. And cleaned up."
"I do smell a bit like Dagh's butt, yes," Cerise tends to agree. She rolls on her back and waves her arms weakly. "Carry me more?" she asks, sweetly.
"Do you want your robe on first?" Tulani asks.
Cerise considers this. "Probably," she concedes. She almost said something else, but seemed to think better of it.
It's much easier to get it back on without the implants. While Tulani picks up Cerise, the Skreek can see that both of the other mages are focusing on Moggie, while a Fnerf is trying to get Wretch to drink some juice, but the boy still seems to be curled up tight. The doctor's son has also been brought in.. and is also curled up tight.
"Be gentle with those two. They've both been through a lot. They may relax if kept together," Cerise suggests from Thunder-Thigh's arms.
The Fnerf nurse nods to Cerise, and actually picks up Wretch and carries him over to the young Naga.
Moggie is asleep.. but it may be magically induced. Both the Skreek and Skeek mages are chanting over her.
Once out in the corridors, Tulani whispers, "How are you on energy?"
"High-ho, thunder-thighs, away," Cerise actually whispers in Tulani's ear. At least her leg and butt are numb, so they aren't hurting her all the time. Then she adds quietly, "Low. I had to use it sparingly, but it only barely lasted. I had maybe enough to save myself at the end left, and that was it."
As they walk, Tulani manages to expose some of her 'saber' so Cerise can recharge from it. The route involves a lot of stairs, and everyone they pass is in a hurry to get somewhere else. Quite a few of them are in the new uniforms.
"Blugh," Cerise remarks as she lets her eyelids droop, allowing herself to just slowly 'recharge' from that slightly exposed light. "Truth be told, I may not have had enough to escape," she admits. "That ... really pushed it."
"Well, it wasn't easy not bursting in and freezing everyone," Tulani whispers. "But I'm just an advisor-informant. I won't be involved in anything public." Finally the Sphynx stops at a door and knocks before opening it. It opens outward into the corridor instead of inward.
A Savanite wearing one of Thath's collars bows as the pair enters. "This is Abel," Tulani tells Cerise. "He'll tend to you here."
"Hello, spots," Cerise says and wiggles her fingers at the savanite. She figures it's fair revenge for Tulani to have picked him; the skreek did call her thunder-thighs after all. "He's not actually a slave, is he?"
"He works for the Prime Minister," Tulani says. "So.. it's complicated? He probably outranks a lot of people in the Tower though, so if you need anything he can probably get it."
"You, naked, serving me grapes?" Cerise suggests in whisper in Tulani's ear. "And if I want to leave, will I be stopped?" she asks, louder. This room actually does make the rat a bit uncomfortable. One of these was her 'cell' many years ago.
"He'll have to carry you," Tulani says. "And you'll also have guards. Like I said.. you may be targets, and while we plan to keep the culprits under lock and key, they still get to talk to counsel."
"Ahhhh, yes, real rats," Cerise mutters. Nothing like legal-bottom-feeders. Cerise actually doesn't need to be carried if she really wanted to leave. Shift is one option, shadow brace is another. Still, best not to cause a problem. "Can I get a lot of beer?" the rat asks instead. Being slightly drunk might make the room more bearable.
"Politicians work here, so I imagine there's lots of booze available," Tulani says, and hands Cerise over to Abel. Who smells very clean. "And while I'm sure you want to wash away the memory of the last few weeks, I ask that you wait until after the testimony to really get blotto. But beer isn't a bad choice - you need calories and if you've been starved you'll want to stick with liquids for now.."
"Plenty of high nutrient liquids. Street walkers know that," Cerise comments, just to see if she can squick Tulani out a little. The rat then switches to Sylvanian to talk to Tulani (which most would mistake from Chronotopian or the like), "Thank you, by the way. It is good to see you. I'll be okay. Promise. Just a little ragged around the edges."
"I'll check on you before the Mages give you your butt-lift," Tulani says. "And let the kitchen know what you need."
"Right now, a soft bed and no nightmares," Cerise says and waves. The rat then licks Abel's left ear.
"I'll leave you to it then," Tulani says and pats Abel on the shoulder. "If you can make her smell nice, I would appreciate it. I have to go burn these clothes now."
"Ouch," Cerise remarks dryly.
Tulani winks and leaves with a swish of her tail. Once the door is closed, Abel immediately takes Cerise to the bath, which is already prepared, with hot water constantly running to keep it warm. It does smell nice too!
"So, will you join me in the bath?" Cerise asks Abel. She may be battered, but she can still appreciate a well-built savanite. She assumes not, and she has no energy for, well, anything, but she's trying to keep up a show of 'being okay'. Because, well, part of her just wants to break down crying now that it is over; an outlet of everything she bottled up to survive.
Abel doesn't answer, since his hands are full, but does disrobe after helping Cerise out of her own robe, then supports her as they get into the water.
Cerise does sign, "I know sign." in case he wasn't sure. The hot water is both soothing and shocking. She almost forgot what a bath even felt like.
There's also a sponge and a pitcher, which Abel uses to wash down the Skreek's hair. Then the soaping comes with a massage. The cheetah even sits Cerise in his lap, so she's leaning back against his chest as he reaches around to wash her front, just so she can feel him purring.
Cerise leans back. This feels nice. Not moving, not hurting, and not being raped feels nice. Were she better she would do much more, but right now this is more than enough. Or maybe she's kidding herself. With all that has happened, she may never want to be Nikky or similar again. Experiencing the true dark side of things have cut into the fun she once felt.
For his part, Abel knows when to just wrap his arms around the Skreek and keep purring. It's certainly relaxing!
Cerise lets her eyes close and just rests. No more torture. No more pits. It's almost like this place is the dream and she's lying down in the darkness dying. Maybe she's still in the snake and this is just her mind trying to comfort her before the end.
It doesn't last forever.. eventually Abel lifts her out of the bath and dries her off (then himself) and carries her to the bed. He even tucks her in. "You can sleep if you want," he signs. "Should I wake you when your food arrives?"
"Please. I am sorry but ... my strength isn't as good as I pretend. I need rest," Cerise admits in sign. "Thank you for helping. I know I'm a mess."
It's easy to fall asleep, now that she's comfortable and not in pain or restraints. When she does rouse a bit though, there's the smell of food. Unfamiliar food, but then it's not like Cerise has eaten much in her life.
"Blurph," Cerise says as she blinks her eyes over and over to clear them, then pushes herself upright on shaky arms. She doesn't know how long she slept, but feels like it wasn't near enough.
There's a rolling cart, and Abel is setting out dishes on the room's table. It isn't just him though: Wretch and the doctor's son are there. Wretch isn't wearing his robe, and looks much happier when Cerise stirs.
"Why are they here?" Cerise signs to Abel. She wasn't expecting guests.
"The Skreek asked to be with you once he spoke," Abel signs back, and puts out the food. There are soft-looking peeled beetles with an array of dipping sauces, several soups and broths and fresh fruits and vegetables (also boiled or prepared to be soft). This is likely selected to provide nutrients that the Skreeks are deficient in from their malnutrition. There isn't anything for the Naga, who doesn't seem interested in the food anyway.
Cerise has to pick through the food and find things mostly liquid given her own digestive needs. Cerise glances to Wretch and says, "I thought you would be with Moggie. She needs someone to look after her." Her tone isn't upset, just tired. "And you know me, I'm tough, a survivor."
"They said she needs extra care," the white Skreek says quietly. "Worried about her babies and her health. I guess.. it never mattered before how long the babies would survive. I don't know what to do. Everything is strange."
"Babies," the Naga says.
"What do you want to do?" Cerise asks. "I'm just a prostitute. I don't really have any answers either. My only current suggestion would be to try and help look after Moggie. She is going to need a friend, not just medical folk making sure she is healthy."
"They say I need to eat real food, and that.." Here Wretch pauses, gathering his thoughts. "They had to fix things inside of me? I was sick." He looks to Cerise and says, "I don't know how to be a friend. I only know how to do one thing. I didn't want to be alone. Swix doesn't talk well."
"What happened to him? Swix, I mean," Cerise asks and looks to the naga.
"I think he was born broken?" Wretch guesses. "He's always been like this, since we were little. But he's older than me."
"I don't know what to tell you. I'm not from this city," Cerise says, "I'm a Chronotopian rat. All I know about this city is what I've heard on the streets. You might want to try and find someone called ... the Barsunala? I think that's right. Some sort of God, or so I heard. He's been helping people. Also, you should eat." She gestures at the food.
"This is food?" Wretch asks, poking a slice of melon.
"Yeah, that's food. You can eat all of it, except the rind. That's the outer tough part," Cerise explains.
It takes some practice, but eventually Wretch figures things out.. and then can't stop eating. He even tries drinking the dipping sauces.
Cerise chuckles. "You're going to need to be careful," she points out, gently. "Otherwise in about thirty minutes you're going to be, well, on a chamber pot for a few hours."
Cerise looks to Swix. "What about you?" she tries asking the naga. "What are you feeling?"
"Food is good," Wretch mutters. Swix turns to look from Wretch to Cerise, and flicks his tongue. "Where's mother?" he asks.
"In trouble. I'm sorry," Cerise tells the naga gently.
"Did she oopsie?" the Naga asks, still not seeming upset exactly.
"A big oopsie," Cerise says, trying to use his words.
"Sometimes I oopsie!" Swix says cheerfully. "I like bugs."
This makes Cerise chuckles a little. She pauses in talking to drink a bit and ease some liquid-y food. She really doesn't know what to do with Swix. He's truly an innocent when when it comes to what happened. Nothing he did was ever out of malice and he seemed like he wanted to help people. She doesn't know how dangerous he could be, though. Otherwise, maybe helping with orphans? Helping the Yodhsunala at the Mount who Alptraum once saved?
Wretch finishes eating, and grabs his stomach. "Too much.." he moans.
"I warned you," Cerise points out to Wretch.
"Funny Wretch!" Swix says, gaping in a Naga laugh. "I got a vermite. It didn't look right."
"Didn't look right?" Cerise has to ask.
"You're smart, Nox.. Cerise," Wretch says, and smiles. "Can I sleep with you?"
"Big!" Swix says, holding his hands apart to indicate something larger than a vermite. So probably a Yiffle.
"If you want to. I guess that means Swix will need to stay too," Cerise says. She looks to Abel and signs, "Is it all right if they stay?"
"Oh, you ate a yiffle," Cerise says to Swix. "That's normal for naga."
"If you say they can, it will be fine," Abel replies with a smile. "He looks scared, and you are familiar."
"Fuzzy bug," Swix says, and bobs his head. "Really full. Like Wretch!"
"It's fine," Cerise signs. "Just arrange for appropriate beds for them?"
"Does the Skreek know what a bed is?" Abel actually asks.
"No," Cerise admits. "So a nest of blankets is probably enough."
"What will you do if your Mother has to go away?" Cerise asks Swix gently. "Will you be okay?"
Abel goes about building a nest next to the bed.
Swix looks like he doesn't understand the question. "Mother always going to go away," he says. "Soon as.. she finds new Mother?"
"Id the current mother your actual mother?" Cerise asks. She's not sure how to interpret this. Or even ask about it in a way he would understand.
"Mother is mother," Swix says, bobbing his head. He looks just like the doctor. "But.. but.. uh.. she has to.. train new one? Then she can go."
"That's over. There won't be any more," Cerise tries to say gently.
"Oh.." Swix says, and flicks his tongue a few times. "I don't.. I don't know.. then?"
"What makes you happy?" Cerise tries asking him.
"Wretch?" Swix suggests.
"Anything else?" Cerise asks. "Do you know how old you are?"
"I'm a big boy," Swix answers, perking up slightly.
Wretch shakes his head slightly. "He's too small," he whispers. "I heard Rattlebone talking about it. He's supposed to be adult-sized."
"Yes, you are. Do you know how big? How many years?" Cerise asks.
Swix looks confused again, and turns to Wretch. "Years?" he asks.
"I don't know either," Wretch admits. "I don't know how old I am."
"Have you ever had parties? With cake?" Cerise asks Swix.
"Not allowed at parties," Swix says defensively, and with wide eyes. "Parties are bad!"
"Not that kind of party," Cerise says and holds up her hands. The rat then rubs her face. "Do you ever feel like there is no good answer to something ... just a few choices of bad ones of varying degrees?" she asks in sign of Abel.
The Savanite signs back, "Often. But these two are effectively children that know only the limited world they grew up in. It seems the Naga was at least sheltered from the worst of it."
"How do you tell a child that their mother will likely die? That they did horrible things?" Cerise asks Abel, her expression pleading. "How can that ever be right to him?"
"It depends on what she already told him," Abel suggests. "It sounded as if she expected to die."
Cerise' hands are trembling now. "This is worse than anything they did to me. Having to tell a child this," the rat signs. For the first time since everything, tears are starting to run down her cheeks. Her jaw sets and she tries to stand on her one good leg. If she can balance, she's just going to hop to a corner and set her forehead against it. They don't need to see her cry.
Abel helps her along.
"Crying okay," Swix says.
"It's really all.. over.. isn't it?" Wretch asks the air, and stares at his plate. "What happens to us? I'm going to be a father, but I don't know.. anything.."
"Yes, it's over," Cerise says, her face in the corner, forehead against the wall, and one hand resting against it as well for balance. "As for what happens ... I don't know. I don't have all the answers. I'm ... just a gutter-rat. All I can say is just take one day at a time. It's all you can ever do in the end," the skreek adds, her voice cracking in spots.
(OOC) Log stop