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 Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:11 am
Haucon watched the Elf, for that she plainly was upon closer inspection, as she extended her hand to his. She was very hesitant, and he wondered why briefly before looking carefully at the tiny hand now resting as gently as a butterfly in his own. He was momentarily self-conscious about the thick callouses that covered his hands. He used a soft voice, one he usually used with skittish horses, as he spoke to her, muttering a constant stream of reassuring words as well as apologies,and the occasional tongue click in sympathy. It looked like it hurt very badly, but he didn't see any visible breaks. He very gently ran his own finger down the length of each of hers applying barely any pressure, but checking for hidden fractures.
"Well miss, I'm awfully sorry about this, I can't help feeling just a little responsible." he said looking up from her hand for the first time. "It doesn't seem to be broken, most likely just dislocated. I have splinting supplies back at the stables as well as some herbs that will help you." he said softly. "But it's up to you." he added remembering her hesitation or suspicion. He wondered why, but restrained is curiosity. "I can relocate them if you'd like, but I'd understand if you'd rather see a real doctor as opposed to just a horse doctor." he said with a slightly crooked smile.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:29 am
Aidan's eyes moved slowly from his face, to his hands. She smiled a little bit, admiring the contrast. Her own, tiny hands were long fingered and nimble, nails kept rounded and uniformly short. His, were the very opposite. They looked strong and experienced, so it was almost surprising how gently he put them to use. Her smile vanished with the thought as it crept out of her mind, to be replaced with the pain that flared at his soft touch. It was not his fault, Aidan knew, so she tried her best not to wince. As he finished his examination, the Elf's guarded eyes returned to his face. She couldn't sense any dishonesty in his eyes. Perhaps he really just wanted to help... "It wasn't your fault." She said, her voice quiet. It had a fine quality to it, and was pleasing to hear. "I should have gotten out of the crowd before everyone started moving." At this moment, Aidan noticed that her hand was still held in his. Looking down at the two, she moved her's away, perhaps a little quickly. Eyes downcast, she responded, "I would rather have it taken care of sooner than later. If you have the supplies..." Aidan let the sentence fade, though from her tone, the Elf had clearly accepted his offer.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:54 am
Haucon clucked his tongue at her wince and mumbled another apology. He was glad that she was seeming slightly more relaxed, but he couldn't help noticing that she still appeared painfully shy and somewhat distrustful. He smiled when she accepted his offer of help.
"Don't worry we're not far, and we'll be moving against the current of people, which will actually make it easier for you to follow me. Alright?" he asked, letting her reclaim her injured hand. "Protect that as best you can and keep it elevated if possible." he said once again taking her good hand in his once more. It disappeared in his gentle grasp. He pulled her behind him and stepped into the crowd once more. He moved with purpose, and the crowd slipped before him like a wave, leaving a wake immediately behind him for the Elf to follow in. He shortened his stride a bit so she could keep up without having to jog.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:04 am
Aidan held her injured hand across her chest, curling her good digits over the top of her shoulders. A slight intake of breath expressed just how she felt about re-entering the crowd, though before she had a chance to object properly, the Elf was being pulled by the hand through the mass of people. She looked to each side of her watching as the people around them parted easily, unconsciously avoiding Haucon's large frame, and in turn, the tiny woman following behind him.
Despite the path that was being cleared in front of her, Aidan still found it more comfortable to keep herself as close to her guide as possible, without twisting his arm or touching him more than was necessary. The people seemed to melt around them, and Aidan couldn't help but feel a bit disgruntled. Apparently size mattered much more than she had originally believed. Her feet, finally free of obstruction seemed to regain their easy grace, and she followed the Stable Master's stride very easily. She made sure her feet were in sync with his, in order to avoid stepping on his heels.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:19 am
Before long, Haucon made his way to the edge of the crowd once more and turned into the stable, gently leading the young woman after him. He entered the stable to see a young woman who appeared about the same age as the Elf, sitting on a barrel with her back to him. She had rippling blonde hair that fell to her mid back, and was feeding an apple to a horse whose nose was poking through over the stable door. She turned to look at the noise that came through the door and quickly stood up. "Haucon!" she called with a broad smile, and ran to him throwing her arms around him in a large hug, apparently not noticing the Elf. "I was waiting for you, I was hoping you'd come back here and we could go to the festivities together!" she said still smiling brightly.
Haucon looked back at her also smiling. "Of course we can, Moira, but first I've a matter to attend to." he said pulling the girl from behind him. "Moira, this is..." he paused thinking. "Well, actually I don't know her name... what is your name miss?" he asked smiling reassuringly.
Moira shoved him good-naturedly, laughing. "That's just like you to forget your manners! Silly oaf, so used to being around animals, you act like one!" she said as Haucon blushed slightly. They both looked rather expectantly at the Elf, waiting for her to introduce herself.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:43 am
Aidan blinked as they entered the stable, the interior of the building a bit darker than the street outside, so it took a bit of adjusting. In this moment, the other person in the stable stood up. As the girl threw her arms around Haucon, Aidan took a step back, avoiding the arms as they whipped past. She let herself be pulled out from behind the large man and stood a bit awkwardly, looking up at the blond. Aidan's eyes moved from her to Haucon, Aidan answered quietly, "Aidan Vale," Her deep green eyes seemed black in the current lighting. She grew a bit uncomfortable beneath their joined gazes, and cleared her throat, dropping his hand, then gesturing to her injured limb, "You, uhm... Said you had something to treat this?" The Elf looked up at Haucon, tucking a lock of russet hair behind one pointed ear. Her gaze was steady, despite her discomfort.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:01 pm
Haucon nodded to Aidan. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Haucon Jonas." he said somewhat awkwardly. When Aidan reminded him of his injury he nodded again, this time reassuringly. "Of course, here come this way to my office." he said leading the way down the center aisle of the stable to a small room on the end. This room served as his bedroom, office and over all living area, it was little more than a large converted horse stall. He had hung brightly colored cloth from the ceiling to give it more privacy. The half door swung open and he pushed aside some of the cloth that acted as the top half of the door. "Moira!" he called behind him, "Can you run and grab some of the mullein tea from the storeroom, oh and some aspen extract?" Her reply was affirmative and she disappeared around another corner.
Haucon gestured for Aidan to sit on a stool across from the bed as he moved about the room pulling out some bandages, long strips of straight thin wood, a glass, and a bottle with contents that looked suspiciously like liquor. He sat down on the bed himself. "Alright then," he said. "Your fingers need to be reset in their joints and it's going to hurt. Moira's getting something for the pain and to reduce the swelling, but that's going to be for after we rearrange your joints a bit, so," he said reaching over and pouring a small amount of the liquid into the glass, the rich smokey smelly of whiskey filled the air. "Your best bet is to have a n** of this." he said offering her the glass, "I understand if you don't want to, but I'm telling you I've seen large men on their knees from the pain of relocating joints..." he trailed off looking at her with sympathy.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:17 pm
Aidan, glad for the distraction, followed Haucon into his 'office'. She glanced quickly around the room before sitting on the designated stool. Her posture was stiff and guarded. Being in a new place, in the presence of a human stranger made her a bit tense. Intelligent eyes followed the man around the room as he gathered supplies. The Elf sat in polite silence as Haucon finished his preparations and sat down in front of her. As he began to explain the process, Aidan clenched her uninjured fist. She knew most of the process already, understanding the use of the medicines without any explanation. She worked with these herbs for a living. Still, she said nothing, choosing to hear him out.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as he was pouring the whiskey. Aidan was not much of a drinker, but she had taken her share. Despite knowing how painful this experience would be, she shook her head when the glass was offered, preferring a sound mind to the haze that alcohol caused. "Just set them, please." The Elf said quietly, extending her arm.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:39 pm
((I'm assuming 3 dislocations, index, middle and ring, but if you want something different, lemme know okies? I'll change it))
Haucon nodded to Aidan understanding her choice. "Well no use letting it go to waste eh?" he said tipping back the whiskey. It was a small amount but it would make it easier for him to do what he needed to. This was the part of healing he didn't like, a lot of times to make someone better, you had to hurt them first.
He took her proffered hand in his once more and began to mutter to himself in gentle soothing words once more. "Ok, here goes the first one." he said grasping her index finger in his, unable to watch her face, knowing the pain it would cause her. He could at least give her some dignity. He gave a mental count of three and then pulled the finger straight out until the joint popped into place. He pulled a length of wood out and measured the length of her delicate finger on it, marking the length on the wood with his thumb. Then he snapped the stick over his knee breaking it to the right length and laying it alongside her finger, wrapping it tightly but gently on her finger as a splint. He looked into her face trying to gauge her reaction.
Moira came in just then carrying a cup of steaming liquid and a small bottle. "Got the tea." she said in her usual bouncy manner. "How's it going then?" she asked, setting the mug on the table and setting her free hand gently on Aidan's shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"It's going fine." Haucon said simply, still concentrating on how to approach the next relocation. "Add about a spoonful of the aspen to the tea would you, Moira?" She nodded and quickly unstoppered the bottle and up ended it into the cup, before replacing her hand on Aidan's shoulder.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:57 pm
[[That's fine. ^ ^]]
Aidan watched as Haucon grasped her hand. Clenching her fist even tighter, she held her breath waiting for it. The pain shot so suddenly, and so fiercely up her arm that it caused the usually quiet Elf to let out a staggered, and agonized cry. She began to shake again, and unbidden tears blurred her vision. As Haucon began to secure the injured finger, a few of them slipped down her cheeks. By this time, the knuckles of her left hand were bright white. Aidan hardly noticed as Moira entered, and jumped slightly at her touch. Taking a deep breath, the young woman looked down, concentrating on her uninjured hand. She felt slightly nauseated, but tried to keep herself from showing any discomfort. Aidan blinked a little, trying to clear her vision, and mentally preparing herself for the next finger.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:12 pm
Haucon himself winced with her and bit his lip as she cried out. He wished, not for the first time, to have magic healing abilities that would cause no pain in the process. Horses at least didn't cry out in the same way as humans. He looked up at her once more noticing the tears, and apologizing again in a mutter.
"Ready?" he asked, "If we do it fast it won't hurt so much in the long run." he explained. As he took hold of her middle finger he muttered another curse at the man who'd stepped on her. He counted out loud this time, thinking it might help a bit, and on three, he pulled the joint back into place. Even Moira winced at Aidan's pain, but Haucon kept his mind on the task, measuring the length of wood and splinting the finger deftly. "Almost done..." he said gritting his own teeth in preparation for the third and final relocation.
"Ok, on three again." he said, grasping the digit and counting aloud before popping the joint back into place. It went in easily and he gave a sigh of relief, as he began splinting the last finger. That completed he wrapped all three fingers together to lend support to one another, but unfortunately immobilizing most of her hand. Moira handed her the tea. "That'll set the bones and numb the pain a bit." Haucon explained, "but you'll have to keep your hand still mostly. Hopefully you weren't planning on competing..." he said sounding apologetic again.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:29 pm
The Elf appreciated Haucon's consideration, and, had the circumstances been different, might have smiled at his quiet statements. The second relocation made Aidan dizzy, and she groaned, sobbing a little. She looked up toward the roof above, breathing heavily. As he set the third bone, Aidan hardly flinched and was completely silent. She steadied herself with one deep breath, and found Haucon's face with reddened eyes, "Thank you." Her voice was slightly hoarse, but steady despite the fact that her hand felt as though it had been crushed in a very heavy door. Aidan took the tea with a nod of thanks in Moira's direction, and began to sip the steaming liquid. Its began to work quickly, and soon her senses were dulled tot he point where she could almost ignore the throbbing. "Maybe the festival wasn't such a good idea..." She thought to herself, finishing off the drink.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:38 pm
Haucon smiled back at Aidan as looked into his face. "Well, you didn't throw up either, so that's good. Or there's something about elves that I don't know..." he added with a slight laugh trying to reduce the tension and pain in the atmosphere.
Moira smiled broadly at both of them, patting Aidan on the back as if she'd known her and been best friends with her since they were children. "Well then, all better? Great!" she said beaming. Haucon rolled his eyes slightly at Moira. "My dearest sister, you've got to give her more time than that! She's just remained sitting through a procedure that would make grown men cry and end up in the fetal position on the floor!" He said shaking his head at her slightly. "The festival will still be there when she's ready, that is of course, assuming she'll accompany us there." he said with a raised eyebrow in Aidan's direction.
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:52 pm
"There are probably many things about elves you don't know," Aidan said absentmindedly. 'There are probably many things about elves that I don't even know..." This thought amused her, and the Apothecary smiled a little bit. She looked down into the empty bowl of her mug, stiffening instinctively as Moira patted her back. Looking around, Aidan met the gaze of the blond, really looking at her for the first time. Cocking her head to the side slightly, the Elf's expression grew curious. She looked back towards Haucon upon hearing his words. '...Was that supposed to a compliment?' She asked herself. Her expression became more interested as he continued and she answered without really thinking, "I wouldn't want to impose... However, if you'd have me..."
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:06 pm
Haucon smiled and opened his mouth to say something but Moira jumped in instead. "Of course we want you to come with us! Don't be silly! The more the merrier!" she said hardly containing her enthusiasm. Haucon shrugged to Aidan and with more composure nodded. "Moira's right, we'd be more than glad to have you accompany us, especially if you'd like to." he added being somewhat shy for the first time.
Moira bounced even more, if that was possible. "Right then, it's settled. I'll go get the horses shall I?" she said, already turning and pushing open the door. "Oh." she said turning around again. "Can you ride? With one hand? Maybe you'd better ride with me or Haucon." she said being practical for the first time. Haucon nodded. "She's right. These are war horses, horses for the High Guard, a match for even an experienced rider, and you're injured to boot." he explained. "It is up to you still, but I don't want to risk injury to the horse, or more to you." he said earnestly.
Moira was already out the door and headed down the aisle to her favorite mare, a light boned red roan with a temperament to match her own. She began tacking the horse humming quietly to herself.
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