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 Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:25 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:31 am
"Aubrianna agreed to the apprenticing idea?" Nariketh asked her husband, silver scales gleaming in the blue evening glow. The city was beginning to fall asleep, and the two Serisen were making their way home from a meeting with the bookshop owner.
"Mmhmm. She said that she'd send us a message as to who will be kept here, if anybody. She also asked that we make sure we have room for if and when the assigned caretakers visit their adoptive children."
"What about learning... ah... whatever Aubrianna's language is? That was part of the point, I thought." Nariketh frowned a little, shifting the stack of books so that their weight rested on her hip.
"She'll send along lessons that the children will have to complete," Hanu explained, shugging. "And she said she'll stop by on occasion, when she has the time."
The two walked in between two large appartment complexes, edging through the narrow side street. It wasn't the nicest part of town, but it was the quickest way back home.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:41 am
Rhiket mewed softly, and reached out a tenative paw to a rat that happened to be scurrying by. He wasn't well enough to chase it, and it wasn't in reach... so he'd starve again for the day. It squeaked at him in a menacing manner, and scurried off, flicking its tail in mocking anger. Rhi almost cried. Would have, had he any tears left, or the energy to shed them. He just lie there, ears flat against his skull, and body curled tightly, trying to conserve his waning warmth as best as he could. A warmth that was essentially dwindling with every breath he took.
Not ONLY was Rhi the sickest on these streets, he was also injured, because he had been beaten up earlier. Bloodloss was not helping his condition at all. An orphan, Rhi had only been alive a couple of weeks, and he had a feeling that was quickly coming to an end. His fur was slicked with water from a busted pipe above [he didn't have the energy to move out of the stream of it]. Pale as the moon, and fragile as a butterfly's wings, he lay there.
After a while, he was no longer able to hold a curled up position, because it made it too hard to breathe. So he just went limp, stretched out on his side, little chest heaving for what breath would come. He didn't even mew anymore, because that had proven to be a futile act. Ok - so one more tiny squeak - it wouldn't do any good. No one was going to hear him. No one but the rats. And THEY were starting to nibble on him. Afterall, a dying Uluen would be a choice snack for them.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:48 am
"That sounds good. I hope all of this goes we-" Nariketh stopped speaking abruptly. There, on the ground... a patch of white. White? White was an odd color for that dusty city, even under night's unnatural glow.
"What is it, Nari?" Hanu asked, blinking. He looked at her, curiously, then followed her line of sight. "AH!" he yelped, hurrying over. His wife stood silent, shocked, behind him.
The tan Serisen knelt beside the pale figure, reaching out one four-fingered hand to gingerly touch its fur. "Hello?" he murmured, running his fingers down the creature's side, gently, reassuringly. There was still a heartbeat, and labored breathing. He could still do something.
"Nari, come over here, quick!"
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:53 am
Rhi felt someone touching him. He felt it, but couldn't acknowledge it. Bruises marred his frail frame, and blood had already formed something of a pool under him - the edges of which were dry by now. A touch. A stroke.
"Hello?"
He couldn't see the person, couldn't breathe. He could feel his heart racing, then starting to slow. Dying now. At least the rats were gone.
He took a few more tenative little breaths, then went still and silent. Not breathing. But his heart still beat - albiet weakly, and fading - but still beat. Breathing, he was not - but he may very well be coaxed to start again.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:58 am
Nari hurried over, kneeling on the dirty ground by her husband. "Oh god..." she murmured, reaching out to rest a hand over the Uluen's little heart. She glanced up at Hanu. "Should I...?"
"Try, at least," he responded, biting his lip. "Give it a try."
She nodded and closed her eyes. Opening once more, they flashed white. Nari sat completely still, lips parted slightly. Then her index finger began to tap, steadily, strongly, on the Uluen's chest.
It was strong healing magic, trying to keep a heart going. Trying to save a life. Not many Dumyr could do it - Hanu's wife was one of a lucky few.
With a stronger heartbeat started on its way, with any luck, her finger moved downwards slightly, her palm flattening out over the Uluen's small lungs. A few gentle presses could hopefully bring them back to life.
As for the wounds... Nari was much too tired. This was stressful work.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 8:06 am
Rhi could breathe! It still hurt, but he could breathe. The breaths were labored, quick and shallow. His heart still wasn't as strong as it should be - but he was alive. Limp as a stuffed toy, but alive.
It still hurt to breathe. Every time he tried it - but he did. Felt like he had to. His fur was still damp with water and blood. He was a very little thing - smaller than most Uluen - smaller than most ordinary kittens, as well. No mother around - most likely an orphan, left on the streets to die. And whoever had chosen this spot had chosen well. Right under a spout of freezing cold water.
Yes, he was alive - but it wasn't looking like he was going to STAY that way for long.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 8:13 am
"We need to get him home, Hanu," Nari murmured, sleepily. Hanu nodded, scooping the Uluen into his arms carefully, cradling its limp body against his chest. "Get him warmed up... maybe some soup..."
"Yes. And I have a few herbs at home that will ease the pain..."
Nari smiled faintly and rose. Then she looked at the ground. Scattered all around were the books they had bought, now soaked and dirty. "Oh, Hanu... I'm sorry..."
"It's okay. I can clean them when we get home. Can you carry them...?"
"Mmhmm." She smiled at him and bent down, gathering the texts.
"Lets go home," Hanu said, gently, and led her back towards their house.
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