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 Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 7:33 pm
The silver frei’s smile returned as she passed a glance to her side, attempting to meet the widow’s own. She never would have guess she was the influence, but it was flattering all the same that she would don such apparel for Ethiriel’s sake. She then offered a smile to Zeke in return.
”I am not at all surprised. Do you know if he is well?” she asked, now wondering. It had been three years since they last spoke, and she did enjoy his company. Was he doing okay?
To Zeke’s thanks, Ethiriel bowed her head. ”Anything to assist,” she said.
Her chin lifted carefully as he mentioned the next question, her eyes locked lazily on the silver resting on the table. However, once aid was mentioned her eyes widened and she attempted to meet Zeke’s gaze again. ”There is a remedy for this?” Her expression was now of shock, completely caught by surprise and, honestly, a little hope.
Henry’s attention also fixed on Zeke, his smile died into a gentle, downward slope. Could she really be fixed? Well, not fixed – that suggested she was broken. Hope filled the nurse as well, wishing for nothing more than Ethiriel being able to do things on her own, without the aid of himself or their pup. Was there really a solution? He rested his elbow on his knee to prop his head up, just as interested as Ethiriel.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 8:02 pm
Anya caught Ethiriel's gaze and despite knowing the other Frei was blind, she nodded to confirm that she did indeed own such finery and that, yes, the box in which it was contained was sizable. She caught herself after starting the action, halting it quickly. She could not flush or experience warmth creep into her cheeks, but even one without such abilities could still experience an 'oh s**t' moment as her Guardian had earlier.
"That...I do not know. It's been awhile since I've seen him, unless Anya's happened on him before winter started?"
"No." She remembered seeing the Satyr at his birth - the door-related mishap would be forever burned into her mind - but she hadn't seen him since. In fact, it had been so long, she couldn't even remember what that particular Raevan was like.
"I'm sure he's just fine."
When Ethiriel reacted, Zeke had to confirm. He watched the slow disappearance of her Guardian's smile and the alert pose he took as he awaited the vet's clarification on the matter.
"There's a possibility." He didn't want to get her hopes up too high, in case the thing he had in mind didn't work. "But it's a chance to take, if you wanted to. Of course...It's also surgery."
He stopped just a moment to let that sink in before continuing.
"I'm pretty sure you have cataracts, which is just a fancy way of saying that the lenses of your eyes are clouded. Sometimes it's not very severe, but in other cases it can lead to full blindness." He started to move his hands as he spoke again, the pen going this way and that. "It's possible to get surgery to remove those cataracts. There's no special name for it, but either way it's possible that, since you've told me you can see at certain times, if those cataracts were removed you would be able to see."
He couldn't help but sound a little hopeful himself. He'd have to check to be certain about the cataracts and that would be taken care of post-haste, but it sounded like the likely cause. Largely blind, but not wholly. If she could still see some things sometimes, then there was a chance if she was truly willing!
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 7:59 pm
It was unfortunate that no one had news of Luka – Ethiriel hoped he was doing well. It seemed like they would become friends but time had passed; he possibly had even forgotten about the silver frei. The thought was saddening but that was life for you, she supposed.
The other news, however, was much more pressing and had both Ethiriel and Henry alert. The nurse, despite his occupation, never considered surgery for the silvery Frei, but it certainly was an option. A pretty good one, at that. Not only was this Zeke guy pretty cool, he had some pretty good suggestions! The nurse shifted in his seat to face the vet a little better, though he no longer leaned on his arm or leg and sat up straight.
”If they’re just cataracts, I don’t see why that couldn’t work! That’s such a great idea!”
Ethiriel nodded, her gaze locked on Henry’s silver as he spoke. She had nothing to add, but she paid as close attention as she could.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 11:05 pm
He was pleased to see Henry so eagerly approve of his idea, but it was Ethiriel's confirmation he sought - not her Guardian's.
"Of course the choice is yours, Ethiriel." He kept his tone gentle. His hopeful outlook aside, they couldn't make her do anything she didn't want to do and Zeke wasn't the sort of man to even think of doing as such. "Like I said, you don't have to give an answer right now or today or even at all. But it's something to consider. Like I said, it's surgery, so you'd have to go through an operation and then through the healing process. I can understand if you don't think you want to do it."
Doing surgery was second nature to him now, but just the thought of going under the knife himself was something that could shake the peppy, vibrantly-clad man. He figured you could be the biggest, burliest, baddest dude around and still get antsy around the thought of getting knocked out and operated on. It was a common fear a lot of people shared, human or otherwise.
Anya had kept quiet, listening to Zeke explain his idea and Henry's approving chime. As she did so, her gaze slipped back over to the Frei at her side, wondering what Ethiriel thought of this. Anya herself couldn't imagine being stuck with such a choice. The thought alone made an odd sensation pool in her chest - something like trepidation, if she had to give it a label. If she was in Ethiriel's shoes she wasn't sure what she would say. Perhaps she would have taken Zeke up on his offer and not said a word today on the topic, if ever after that. Then again, her sight wasn't clouded by cataracts to the point where the only things she could see were silver things and the rare, nameless color. Maybe, just maybe, the Widow would have considered the idea.
"That's all the questions I have for you right now. If you're ready, we can take care of the physical exam portion...unless you have any questions for me?"
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:09 am
Aside from her wide eyes and determined stare, Ethiriel was at a a loss. Surgery? Even with Henry’s profession, she had no idea what that was – she would have to ask later; partially to save herself the embarrassment of asking in the middle of this meeting. She blinked a couple times before clearing her throat. At least he was giving the option to answer in the future… However… Part of her was more than willing to go through with it, just to be able to see like everyone else.
”I… I will allow Sir Knight to give my answer when I am prepared,” she said, lifting her chin to look dignified. ”I thank you for the option and information.”
There was a few moment’s pause, both with Henry and Ethiriel thinking out their options, but soon the silver frei gave a gentle shake of her head in answer. ”I have no questions; we are free to move on.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 4:19 pm
"Of course." The corners of the vet's eyes crinkled. The dignified look suited Ethiriel to a 'T', and it was a nice thing to see from the otherwise reserved Frei.
When there proved to be no questions from the Raevan or her Guardian, Zeke got to his feet. He took his tools and moved them across the table to be closer at hand before making his way over to where Ethriel and Anastacia sat. Mindful of both ribbons dangling onto the floor, he sat down carefully on the lip of the coffee table. Only a couple inches difference in height that way.
"If you come up with anything you wanna ask me during this, feel free, okay?" He picked up the penlight and turned it on with the push of a button near the end. "First thing I'm going to do is shine a light into each of your eyes. Cataracts are easily seen when you shine a light into them, but that means that I'm going to have to touch your face. Is that okay?"
He wished the Lab was equipped with a slit lamp - and also that such a tool wasn't so bulky. The light test would help confirm if Ethiriel really had cataracts or if something else was the cause. If it ended up being the latter he'd have to rethink and reapproach this. Perhaps a trip to the Lab itself would be necessary.
"Once I do that, I'm going to use a tool that will cover your eyes one at a time. Since you mentioned that you can sometimes see colors, I'm gonna try to see if we can't make that happen. Maybe one eye has less of a blindness to it than the other!" Not outside the realm of possibility. If it really was cataracts he might not even have to use the teardrop-shaped bulb syringe to blow air into the Silver Frei's eyes. "Then once that's over with I won't be manhandling you anymore, I promise."
At the Tea Raevan's side, Anya watched the proceedings and again had to shake her head at her Guardian's expense. He was chipper, as always, but was that really appropriate bedside manner?
"Don't worry, he knows what he's doing." She spoke up mildly but in a matter-of-fact way. If she was in Ethiriel's place she would want a calmer tone like her own; one with years of knowledge in it rather than happy-go-lucky pluck. She knew Zeke had the former, so why did he opt to go with the latter? "He's a veterinarian."
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 9:41 pm
”You may proceed,” Ethiriel offered, allowing her chin to lower just enough for the vet to grab and maneuver if he so wished. In fact, he even spoke up about it as she silently offered, making things easier for the both of them. ”That is perfectly fine.”
It wasn’t as if she asked permission to kiss him the first time they met. She had no boundaries, whether they were hers or the other party’s.
”I have no fear, Lady Anastacia,” she said, giving her the slyest smile she could muster. ”I am ready, Sir Ezekiel.”
Henry perked up like a puppy offered treats, his eyes locked on the back of Zeke's colorful head. "You're a vet? That's pretty cool! I'm a nurse, myself!"
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 11:07 am
With Ethiriel's blessing, Zeke reached out with his right hand to hold her chin. Gently he used that touch to move her face toward him, only letting go when she was facing forward and the two were at eye level. Henry's perk wasn't ignored - Zeke smiling at the reveal of the other man's profession - but he only nodded to confirm Anya's statement. They could chat about professions after the fact.
"Just keep your head like this and try to keep your eyes focused toward my voice, okay?"
With the same amount of tenderness to his touch, the vet cupped over the Frei's right eye in an attempt to make a dark space. Again, another point toward a slit machine, but it couldn't be helped now. Taking up the light with his left hand Zeke flicked it on and shined the beam into the Raevan's eye. The clouding within lit up and Zeke nodded, swapping hands to check Ethiriel's left. Same result.
"Definitely cataracts..." He spoke in a low tone, almost as if he was speaking his thoughts aloud. From there he exchanged the light for the stick-shaped cover, his voice returning to speaking volume to address Ethriel as he placed it over her right eye. "Can you make anything out with your left eye now that the right is covered?"
He waited a moment, then swapped the cover over to the other eye.
"How about the right?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:15 pm
Both the nurse and the Raevan remained silent as Zeke did his work, though Henry sunk a little in his seat – both out of relief and worry over her cataracts. He could afford the surgery easily, and now that Ethiriel confirmed her wishes, ot at least, let them know she was considering, he could make the appointment as soon as she gave the word. If this was what she wanted, it was what he wanted, as well.
Ethiriel followed Zeke’s instructions to a T, focusing solely on his voice. Doing as she was told, she kept her eyes forward. She could see the lights, though not clearly, through her perpetual darkness. It fed into her hope a bit that she might be able to see clearly someday.
She shook her head at both questions, unable to see anything but darkness as either eye was covered. Unlike before, this did little for her confidence and she hoped so very much that she could be fixed. She wanted to see Anastacia. She wanted to see Cruz and Rhedefer; she wanted to see her friends and her guardian. She wanted to see Nedhudir and be able to play with him. All she wanted to do was like what most considered a ‘normal’ life while all she had known from birth was this.
The silvery Frei wanted it badly.
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 1:16 pm
"Thank you, Ethiriel." Despite those two shakes of her crowned head, Zeke still smiled. He rested his hands on the Frei's shoulders, squeezing once to reassure her. "You do definitely have cataracts but, with what you told me before, I'm pretty darn sure we can help you with them."
From there he stood, looking over to Henry. "I think we should leave the ladies be for a bit, eh? I have no more exams or questions for Ethriel, but I figure I need to learn a bit more about Ethiriel's Guardian and not just go off the stuff in her file!" He collected his equipment, putting everything but the notepad and pen away. Those he kept, holding them both in one hand. He passed his gaze over to Anya, winking at his Raevan.
"Don't have too much fun without us!"
Anya didn't reply to that, her attention on Ethriel as the two men made their exit. When they were gone, there was a moment where a creeping sense of awkwardness overcame her. Three years, if she remembered right. It had been three years since the two had last met. Although she had been pleased to get out of the house and reunite with the Tea Raevan, Anya was aware that the time between then and now was great and that there was a serious gap between that needed to be filled. But the feeling was just that - only momentary.
She won't bite, Anya told herself. She could do this. She had done this before, with Cesc, and look how that had turned out. This was much the same, time be damned. Past was past and the future was in the making.
"You handled him well," the words fell carefully into place with only a touch of a frown on Anastacia's lips as she spoke them. It quickly faded; she didn't need two chirpy Guardians around to play off of to talk to Ethiriel. "Before he started I wanted to say that you're wearing your hair differently than before. It looks nice."
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 1:25 pm
”I thank you for your time,” Ethiriel said, bowing her head gently as the vet gingerly held her shoulders. ”Sir Knight will inform you of my decision once it is made.”
Truth is, she wanted it now. She wanted it as soon as possible. Immediately. Not later – yesterday, in fact. She wanted it as soon as possible and it ate at her, silently. She would have to wait, much against her will, but she didn’t want to appear desperate by any means; it just wasn’t ladylike. Ethiriel was beyond happy, however, that this was an option and a plan that would one day bloom into fruition. Despite the longing, there was a nervousness that followed. Surgery, huh? Henry would have to fill her in on it, for sure, as she still had no idea what it was.
It would happen.
The Frei found herself distracted as the two humans departed, Henry immediately bouncing on Zeke for discussion. Of course he would be excited, that’s just how the man was. Ethiriel popped back into the present once she heard Anastacia’s voice just beside her.
”I suppose I am used to it,” she replied, offering the spider queen a gentle smile. ”It was difficult at first, but I find him… a bit endearing. Still, it does become quite exhausting at times.”
The silvery Frei’s smile faltered for just a moment at the mention of her hair, a hand idly reaching up to tug gently at a strand, but the gentle curve returned as the compliment was registered. ”Thank you,” she managed to say, her hand still holding a naturally curled lock. ”Sir Knight brushed it for me shortly before your arrival. I find it easier to deal with the cold when it is down, though I cannot deal with it during the heat. I suppose soon I shall have to start wearing it up, again.”
Immediately, Ethiriel wished she had some type of compliment to offer Anastacia. She could not see, so every visible compliment was thrown out the window. She sounded exactly as Ethiriel remembered, and she didn’t want to sound like a broken record. The only thing she could offer was touch, and she remembered Zeke’s warning as soon as she had left the tank; the spider preferred not to be touched.
So, instead, the Frei offered a closed-eyed smile. ”Even after all of this time, it is a pleasure to speak with you.”
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:42 pm
"He can be a handful." She had to agree. She wasn't even the one being checked on and it seemed that Zeke's way about him made her drained by proxy. Even after all this time, she still wasn't entirely used to it.
When the Tea Frei accepted the compliment, Anya relaxed further. She would have had her back flush against the couch but Ethiriel's comment made her straighten, crown reflexively widening at the notion. Away went any lingering awkwardness Anastacia felt on a soft exhale and slump of the shoulders. Things were good.
"I can say the same of you." Now she finally rested, one arm draped along the length of the couch's, attention all for Ethiriel. "It really has been a long time. Looking back now, I'm a little upset at Zeke for not setting anything up for us after your birth, but that can't be helped." That was a start to make up for bygones. "Of course...since we're older, we could set our own things up. When it gets warmer, I mean."
It was odd to make a suggestion like that, only because Anya had done so once before. Cesc had been that foray into such offers and it had been a while since she had seen her friend. All the same, that time had ended positively. The Widow figured she had nothing to lose in simply suggesting.
"I'll be the first to admit it's been a terribly long winter and that I'm more ready than most to get out and about again."
---
Zeke waited until they were in another room before addressing Henry again.
"I figure they could use the time to catch up. You and me though, we need to properly meet!" They would also discuss Ethriel, but all in good time. "It is really great to finally meet you, man. I've read good things and I've heard even better from Alex and Zul."
He held out his free hand again for Henry to take but immediately pulled it back. ******** the professionalism, that wasn't his jive! Zeke cleared the space to loop his arm around the nurse and give him a proper squeeze. A firm thump on the back followed and then the vet let him go.
"I can already tell Ethiriel is doing well with you, and that's great! Hell, better than great! It's awesome!" Back came his exuberance in full force. "You seem like a cool guy and you're in a medical field too, so that's just icing on the cake!" That made them brothers in arms, in a way, and only made Zeke like Henry more.
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 9:15 am
After a moment of thinking, Ethiriel stiffened – quite the opposite of Anya. She took a deep breath before responding, ”I believe… it is the fault of Sir Leonard. He remained at home at all times without contact to most others.
However, I believe I would like to take you up on the offer. Once it warms up, of course.” the Frei said with a renewed smile.
Ethiriel nodded her head; it had been an excruciatingly long winter and now that it was getting warmer, it felt like life was blossoming all over again. I guess that was the point of spring, most would say. The tea Raevan relished this tepid weather, preferring it over the extreme heat and the biting cold. Did Anastacia prefer this weather too?
”Sir Knight has offered to build me a sun room as an extension to his… our house. Perhaps, once it is finished, you would like to come bask with me, someday?”
--
Henry gratefully took the hug, offering a thump of his own before they separated. The nurse’s smile was wide enough to touch ears as he stood, arms crossed above his chest. If it weren’t for his ever happy presence, the man could have been intimidating; he was quite built for a nurse, and his green hair made him seem like a punk to the untrained eye. However, his grin deterring any fear he might have caused.
”I’m glad to know that you’ve heard nothing but good! I’ve been trying my best to keep Ethiriel happy, and she’s definitely getting better! She was so depressed when we first met…” Henry’s smile faltered for just a moment before springing back up.
”I was excited to hear that you were a vet, too! I’m an E.R. nurse as well as pediatrics. Getting to help kids is my favorite thing. I think that’s one reason it’s so satisfying to help Ethiriel out of her funk. She’s doing so well; I’m so proud of her!”
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 11:28 am
She caught the stiffening and for a brief moment she did the same. Her crown stretched out and froze there in an alarmed sort of way, staying there until the Silver Frei finally spoke again. The part about Leo made sense, she supposed. For all she knew, Zeke had tried to make calls or send emails to him and gotten no reply. Thinking on it, that made sense. Zeke was the sort of man to chase a lead but if it bore no fruit he would not whine about it. At least, not to her.
"Then it will be done," slowly her crown descended from its lofted heights. Anya nodded with her words, sure of this fact. "There are plenty of spots around here and in Durem...You'll have to tell me what sorts of places you like to visit."
She would have to take into account Ethiriel's eyes, at least until the cataracts were taken care of. Until the other Frei gave her say-so on that particular topic, clothes shopping and trips to the fabric store to talk colors and patterns were out of the question. The park was always a good option and she knew for a fact both Durem and Gambino had large ones. Plenty of space to wile away an afternoon and not have to worry about the hustle and bustle of humans, for the most part. The beach too. One did not need to see seashells to appreciate them, surely.
A sun room was spoken of and Anastacia inclined her head, almost missing what Ethiriel had said.
"I...would like that very much."
--
Zeke's smile turned sympathetic.
"That's understandable on her end from what I've read, plus just being rehomed in general." They hadn't gone too far from the living room and so Zeke could just lean back just a touch and see the two Raevans sitting and conversing. Things were going well between them. Hell, better than well, and he couldn't help but wonder if he would hear all about it on the ride home.
"You know, I'm glad you didn't like...freak out or anything when you heard the word 'vet' come outta Anya. I was kind of expecting the worst when she said it." He grinned, unable to help himself although his words were true. Although it was a medical degree and he had taken his fair share of human anatomy classes - and done plenty of research in the years that followed ever since becoming a member of the Lab - Zeke still had a feeling that the word 'veterinarian' was a potential trigger word to people thinking he had no idea what he was doing with their Raevans. He was glad to see Henry was not one of them.
"E.R. and pediatrics though, damn! I guess we know who to call when something goes balls up!" He laughed then. "But really, that's great for you, your patients, and especially for Ethiriel. I'm super glad to see her in such a good home and you've really made it apparent you're in this for the long haul." He gestured to the first silver object he could find, grinning wider as it was the other man's necklace. "You're helping her out with her blindness where you can and obviously that extends to outside the home as well. But that being said...I'm sure you figured out that I pulled you aside not just to get to know each other a little better."
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Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 2:51 pm
”Then it will be done,” Ethiriel said, her smile a gentle curve. ”On warm days, shade is the best. When I was younger, I was brought to parks quite often – perhaps to another?”
Henry was always quick to take Ethiriel out on walks whenever possible, but with the harsh cold of this past winter there was hardly any excursions taken on the Frei’s behalf. Even with the bundles and bundles of clothing, the cold seeped deep in her bones; not to mention her bare face. No, there was little activity this year but the nurse was making sure that, soon, she would be able to bask in the sun in all seasons. It was a lovely idea and she was beyond eager for the sunroom to be built.
Hopefully soon.
”Perhaps you can take me to places that you quite enjoy?” Ethiriel asked, her chin raised slightly.
--
Henry’s brows furrowed despite the smile remaining on his face. ”I wasn’t very happy with the situation, and honestly I’m still not, but I’m so glad to have Ethiriel in my life.
“Naaaah,” he responded, waving a hand. ”As a vet, I’m sure you still use your skillsets in the Lab so it was really no worry.”
With Zeke’s wandering eye, Henry followed and his smile grew as well. He really was trying his best for Ethiriel and honestly, he was glad it was noticed – not that he was doing it for brownie points, but it was always good to have your hard work noticed. Hell, he almost blushed as Zeke continued on about his work, his life and his life with Ethiriel. Henry was proud, and his chest nearly puffed out in pride.
”Oh?” he said, quirking a brow. ”And here I thought we were going to get closer,” he laughed, crossing his arms. ”Unfortunately, I’m slow on the uptake. What can I do you for?”
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