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After bidding his temporary company farewell — and earning only a hastened nod and scurry away from the kitchen help — Zekiel slipped back into Ottolo’s room, propping the door open with one foot and holding his tray of goods balanced carefully as he moved in. Finding space on the table by the bed, he set the load there, took one bowl, slice of bread, and square of cheese for himself, and then moved to hop and sit at the edge of Ottolo’s mattress past his feet. Legs swinging beneath him, he took an eager bite and hummed around his mouthful.

“Ikras made the bread,” Ze piped in the moment he’d swallowed his first bites. Though he didn’t know what Ottolo or Tacrith had spoken of while he was out, it seemed relevant enough to share who had been part of the process in making their meal possible—no matter how at odds with any potential serious note to the conversation. “And Pivak helped me carry it all and fetched the extra cheeses, you should eat as much as it please you to - there’s enough!”

Right... It was unlikely that they knew what his world had looked like, but he could still dream. Then again, he really didn't want to see Sauti or Zena just yet, so maybe a world of whole new colors would be that much better.

Tac wasn't nearly as descriptive of the world as Zekiel could be, but his voice was still wonderful to hear. It wasn't cruel or wanting like Myuto's was. Of course, it wasn't kind either, but it was still welcomed more than the silence he was used to.

The food came before he could ask more about Yael and he eagerly reached out to grab his own bowl of rice, placing it in his lap before using his good arm to fed himself.

"If you could, Zekiel, could you let Ikras and Pivak know my thanks?" He wasn't quite sure what else to say, honestly. His went back to Zekiel, hoping he had more to say..."

Tac couldn't help watching Ottolo eat. It was helpful to see the young man eating; making sure he was chewing and swallowing his food well. Content, Tac would look up every so often to make sure the foreigner continued to eat well. It was a good thing that he never felt the need to say anything, seeing as how Zekiel was more than happy to fill any auditory void.

Brushing his hands onto his pants, he stood and stretched his limbs a little. "The both of us working together would be best. We'll stand on either side of Ottolo, using our arms like a hammock of sorts to lift him off the bed and transport him to the chair, supporting his back and legs." He looked to Ottolo next, and walked over to the bed. "It would be best if you could let your legs hang off the side of the bed, so that you can slip right off the side to the chair. Do you understand?"

Zekiel listened and nodded at Tacrith’s instructions before his attention turned to Ottolo, waiting for the other boy to position himself. Once he had, he moved in as directed, bracing his hold around him — at his back and legs — and waiting for Tacrith to move in also before lifting as gently and as in-tandem with the doctor as he could in order to get Ottolo off the bed and into the pre-positioned chair with as little jostling and impact as possible.

Fortunately, as had been said, it wasn’t far, and between that, the fact that there were two of them working together, and Ottolo’s already reasonably light frame, they made a successful, easy deposit. Zekiel stood back, then, giving both Ottolo and Tacrith space to maneuver since both likely knew more about the physicality of it all than he.

But, just the same, he couldn’t help but feel a small surge of renewed giddiness. As much as Ottolo had been through, he needed as many new freedoms and things to hope for as could be offered, and to have successfully made it even this far was a blessing of its own.

Hopefully one of many to come.

The only reaction to any pain Ottolo felt as he was moved was a sight wince as a tiny amount of pressure was placed against his broken thigh. After being sat down, he took a moment to steady himself from the pain before looking around the room. Already it seemed like a whole new world, as he saw his bed, the candles, the flowers, all from a new perspective. The beam that found it's way to his face couldn't be stopped and he excitedly looked over to the Doctor.

"Oh, understood. If you could provide me with the best way to improve my strength for that, I will work as diligently as I am able, so that I am not a burden to anyone." The very thought that he would be able to roll himself around freely was far too exciting! Though the world beyond his door was still unknown, once he was familiar with it, he could wake up each morning and go greet Zekiel, maybe even bring him breakfast every now and then! He could see the flowers, and visit his Doctor at his clinic instead of making the man travel all this way. If he wasn't locked into his room most of the time, anyway. Though limited, he would have that sweet, sweet freedom. He took a moment to calm his nerves, once again smiling at Tac.

"Is this okay? I feel okay. Can we leave the room? Should we? Am I allowed?" He was sure these questions were already asked but now that he was in the chair, everything felt too unreal. Was this really happening?

Tac nodded lightly, already thinking ahead to the proper exercises that would benefit whole body while focusing on the necessary needs of the chair. He couldn't help being a little distracted by Ottolo's joy though. To see the mainlander expressing such emotion despite his trials, and considering his previous mood... it was nice. Encouraging, even.

Looking between Ottolo and Ze, he nodded again. "As I said, your energy for the time being will be the determining factor. You can go wherever Zekiel says you are allowed; just do not push yourself too much today."

“It will be some days yet until I know whether or not a new room will be arranged for,” Zekiel said, though his expression was bright with the latter part of his, statement: “I do know, though, that you are permitted to use this, and with it, see the light. Perhaps not today, if Tacrith thinks slower adjustment will do your health better and if it pleases you to wait, but you may come wherever we might roll you about here, or up the steps when you please.”

Zekiel moved to the door, propping it open before returning toward his charge. There was a moment, then, when his glance caught the other boy’s face — his golden curls pushed back to bare more of it than usual like a sunshine curtain ushered aside — and his eyes in that instant seemed especially, vividly blue. Wondrously so, and warm with his own, previously so rare happiness. Something stirred in Zekiel, then. The barest flicker in his throat or chest or behind his cheeks. Some warmth under and in his skin that felt like the happiness he was accustomed to, and yet—distinct?

With a peculiar smile, Zekiel tucked the thought away, his expression shifting in a blink to his usual as he moved behind Otto to help begin pushing him out. Out the door, out of the room, and down the hall. Beyond those four walls for the first time in the months now since his entry.

For all the excitement that bubbled within him in that moment, one might have thought it was he stepping out for the first time in so long.

A sheepish smile was given to Tac as he suggested that he shouldn't put it off for ever. That was certainly a true statement, but his weak heart couldn't take so much excitement. Not yet.

"I am excited..." he whispered softly to himself as Zekiel opened the door and then pushed him beyond it.

The world was still dark in the basement, but it was new. His fingers brushed the walls that passed, enjoying the smoother texture than the bricks that lined his room. And every so often, he looked up at Zekiel or Tac, beaming and commenting on what he saw, as simple as it was. His heart had never felt so light and giddy since he had arrived in Yael.

As their pace began to return towards the room, he looked towards Tac, a question had been lingering on his mind.

"Now that I can move... Does that mean I can go and visit you at your clinic for check ups? It would be more convienent for you, would it not? And I could take stroll beyond here... " His cheeks tinged the slightest of colors as his beam failed to fade away. "And I would like to see where you work, and those you help. I would like to see you in a much more suitable place than a simple basement."