Evening of the First Night--- for
heirtothearcane and
westfallcorndog
Jan. 23rd, 2016 08:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Steve is much more careful in the way he eats than Harrow was, mostly because Viatorus' clothes are very nice and he doesn't want to make a mess of them. The soup is as good as it smelled, and Steve is glad Harrow liked it. Having working taste buds again must be weird for him.
When he's finished, he looks between Harrow and Viatorus carefully. They have a point. It has gotten rather late since all of this started. Between the panic and the running around, Steve hadn't really noticed it. But it was already dark when he'd gone to get the udon.
"What would you prefer I do?" He asks Viatorus quietly. "If it were my body, I'd grab a shower and get to bed, but...is that allowed? Would you rather I didn't?" To Harrow, Steve nods.
"You don't get a choice in the matter with all the soup. You need to give my body at least a wash." He's laughing while he talks though, so it's clear Steve isn't upset.
When he's finished, he looks between Harrow and Viatorus carefully. They have a point. It has gotten rather late since all of this started. Between the panic and the running around, Steve hadn't really noticed it. But it was already dark when he'd gone to get the udon.
"What would you prefer I do?" He asks Viatorus quietly. "If it were my body, I'd grab a shower and get to bed, but...is that allowed? Would you rather I didn't?" To Harrow, Steve nods.
"You don't get a choice in the matter with all the soup. You need to give my body at least a wash." He's laughing while he talks though, so it's clear Steve isn't upset.
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Date: 2016-01-24 03:01 am (UTC)"Do you have a tub, or just a shower? Showers ain't really a thing on my world, I still feel like I'm gettin' rained on when I get in one..."
He rubs at his eyes and can't keep himself from a small laugh. "So long as I don't fall asleep in it. But just in case... Wrinkled fingers are reversible, right?"
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Date: 2016-01-24 01:35 pm (UTC)His body is not something he's proud of. It's not strong, durable, or particularly nice to look at. For the most part, he gets to hide it under layers of clothing, collars buttoned up and then hidden under ties. T-shirts still make him uncomfortable, for goodness sake. And now? Now he has to deal with the fact that someone else is wearing it. Someone else has to deal with his lanky limbs, has to see them, and if he wants his body taken care of, there's nothing he can do about it. It's so much easier to focus on his magical aspects...
"I don't mind," he lies, trying not to look as uncomfortable about all this as he feels. At least the sickening feeling all of this brings is significantly numbed. Presumably from being dead. "The only things you do need to do are drink a particular tea and sleep in a particular bed."
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Date: 2016-01-24 05:26 pm (UTC)The twist in discomfort in his stomach is something Steve pauses on, before glancing back at Viatorus. This can't be an easy topic for him, either. Especially not in such a well to do family. He would never have had to share a bath before because there was only enough hot water for one draw. Wouldn't have ever had to be so weak someone else had to wash him. The sad truth of the matter is that Steve is used to other people seeing his body. Whether it be doctors or those he's lived with.
"...Viatorus. If you'd rather I didn't, you can tell me. If it's just for one night...then you can deal with it in the morning, right?" The tea and bed make his face twist in concern. "Why? Is something going to happen to me?"
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Date: 2016-01-24 06:24 pm (UTC)As if it might be some small comfort he says he Viatorus, "You don't gotta take a bath in my body, just so you know. But you can? If you want? So you don't feel left out?" Light help him, he accidentally laughs. Like Viatorus is going to feel left out at not seeing naked cadavers.
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Date: 2016-01-24 06:33 pm (UTC)Can this body blush? Because Harrowheart is going to make him blush underneath his embarrassed frowning. "I'm alright, thank you."
"You still have to get changed, so I guess you'll have to undress anyway," he says to Steve. Not that he's particularly happy about any of this, but really, which of them is? "The tea and bed make sure you don't dreamwalk while you're asleep. If I don't sleep, there's no risk of me dreamwalking, but I don't know if you will because you're in my body. It's better to be safe, I think."
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Date: 2016-01-24 06:47 pm (UTC)"I'll be quick." Steve assures his friend, expression turning respectful once more. "The more we talk about this the more tired I'm getting." He tries to politely stifle a yawn. "Talk about one heck of a long day, right?"
So much has happened, and Steve still doesn't understand most of it. But Viatorus isn't screaming anymore, and Harrow isn't crying so Steve guesses he can count that as a victory in his book. What about himself? The unease he's felt since this all started hasn't gone away. He's afraid as much for the others as he is for himself. But he doesn't want to show it. Desperately he wants to look calm and collected. He doesn't want to worry the others.
But at the same time, Steve can't help but keep thinking...he wants to go home. He wants his life to be normal again more than ever. He's scared of being someone else, of seeing his friends' lives altered like this. And mostly, he's scared because he doesn't know what to do to help.
Sitting here inwardly cowering won't get them anywhere though, so Steve gives Harrow a smile.
"You go first. Trust me, out of the two of us, you'll want the hot water more. Especially if you're not used to feeling cold or warm."
You two feel free to tag without me until it's my turn to come back in!
Date: 2016-01-24 07:04 pm (UTC)Harrow instantly bark-laughs, then devolves into a coughing fit. He's totally smiling, though. Pain is fleeting, mean jokes are eternal. His natural response here would be to flip them off and walk to the bathroom laughing, but he knows that V's still getting used to all this putdown humor, so he goes easy. He dusts himself off and stands with a little groan. When he's on his feet he poses heroically with hands on hips, feet shoulder width apart, chin up. And then his heroic declaration:
"Time for my mothafuckin' bubble bath."
Such language! He might have to eat some soap while he's in there. But with that he's off to figure out where V's bathroom is and hog it for the next millennium. The chance of Steve getting a shower in V's body tonight wanes with every passing minute.
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Date: 2016-01-24 11:41 pm (UTC)"It's just a shower..." Viatorus reminds him absently, then he'll point out vague directions.
The bathroom itself is nice, clean and large for an apartment with warm fluffy towels just waiting to be used. Enjoy, Harrowheart.
With Harrowheart gone, Viatorus assured Steve, "There will be plenty of hot water for both of you, don't worry." He hesitates then, unsure what to say next. "Maybe I should show you where you're going to sleep?"
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Date: 2016-01-25 01:53 am (UTC)"I wasn't worried." He turns back to Viatorus and nods. "For the best, yes. Unless you'd like me to stay awake with you and keep you company? Harrow I suspect will fall asleep as soon as he's able to, after so long being without. I can at least try to give you some company...."
He doesn't want to insist in case Viatorus just wants to be alone.
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Date: 2016-01-25 02:27 pm (UTC)"My room is this way." He leads Steve into a large bedroom with a four poster bed dominating the area. There is a long wardrobe, a couple of bookcases, and a chair set up by a table and lamp. It's all pristine and inviting. The bed is soft, warm, utterly luxurious... and anyone who lays down on it will see the intricate circle and symbols making up an embossed ward on the canopy of the bed.
While Steve looks around, Viatorus roots out some pyjamas and clean underwear and sets them out.
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Date: 2016-01-25 07:01 pm (UTC)"It's...it's really nice." He almost insists he can't take Viatorus' bed from him until he remembers that Harrows body doesn't need to sleep. Still, he just nods. "It's large enough that Harrow and I can share it. That way if he has an attack I'm there to help him..."
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Date: 2016-01-25 08:01 pm (UTC)"There's another bedroom. He can have that if he wants to, but... you two can sort that out between yourselves. I'll make you some of my tea for you to drink before you go to sleep..." He hesitates, and then asks, "Can I do anything to help? If... If Harrowheart has an attack?"
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Date: 2016-01-25 09:01 pm (UTC)"Get him upright into a sitting position, leaning slightly forward if he doesn't fight you. He should have the inhaler I got for him. He needs to depress it while he breathes in as deep as he can. Hold it for a few seconds, then slowly exhale. You might have to talk him through it if he's panicking though. Otherwise..." Steve reaches back with one lanky arm and indicates between his shoulder blades. "You can whack him on the back a few times to clear his airways enough if he can't inhale to use the medicine."
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Date: 2016-01-25 11:35 pm (UTC)"I can remember that..." He tries to relax and not look so serious as he offers, "You can rest easy on your own if you like. I can keep an eye on him, and get you if there's a problem. I think you both need to grab as much sleep as you can."
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Date: 2016-01-26 12:56 am (UTC)"It shouldn't be an issue. I don't get attacks that frequently, but being afraid of them is natural, especially for Harrow." Standing makes it better. He thought he'd pass out on the spot when he was sitting in the bed. It's like a siren calling for him to lay down. just for a minute. Steve shakes his head.
"What will you do? I'd hate to leave you be all night..."
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Date: 2016-01-26 12:07 pm (UTC)The question gets a shrug and some more gentle fidgeting. "I'm not sure. If I can't sleep I guess... I guess I'll do some reading. See if I can find anything that might help us. When else will I get to read uninterrupted like this? I should probably take advantage of it."
Harrow all done getting cleans?
Date: 2016-01-26 06:27 pm (UTC)Sounds too much like falling and being unable to get back up for Steve's comfort. Although...
"Speaking of sketching, I almost wonder if they'd look more like your style if I tried to draw. Obviously I have my style in my head, but your hands would have the muscle memory from your sketches, not mine. Oh wow. That sounds really interesting...." Steve is much too tired to worry about such things tonight, but it is a quesiton that is going to stick with him.
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Date: 2016-01-26 10:35 pm (UTC)"Showers are good and cool and I like 'em," he decides with total confidence. And then, before anyone else gets a say in what happens next he hurries over to the bed and takes a flying leap into it, where he lays sprawled out like a starfish. Slooowly he sinks into the comfortable bed, and he smiles as it takes him.
"This is swanky as hell. I get to sleep here, right?"
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Date: 2016-01-27 10:48 am (UTC)No sooner is that said, Harrrowheart arrives and jumps on the bet, prompting a startled laugh from Viatorus. "A-Actually, there's another bedroom if you'd like it. But Steve has to sleep here." He points up at the engraving on the wooden canopy. "He has to sleep under that."
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Date: 2016-01-27 07:09 pm (UTC)The shower enables him to be prompt and more importantly, to stay awake. Then its just the matter of putting on the pajamas and toweling off V's thick hair as best as he can before he wanders out again.
Something about tea and then bed. Is the tea necessary? Steve doesn't need any help falling asleep. He could probably do that standing up at this point. It takes him a moment to remember where he needs to go but he'll head back into the bedroom.
"All done..."
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Date: 2016-01-27 07:34 pm (UTC)"What exactly do they do?"
He smiles to see Steve return and pats the bed. Join your body in the boudoir, Steve.
"And Steve, I promise I won't make it weird. I had to share a bed a whole lot smaller than this growin' up, I know how it goes. No stealin' blankets, no talkin' in the middle of the night, and mind your hands."
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Date: 2016-01-27 09:58 pm (UTC)Steve gets a smile and Viatorus nods, rubbing at his wrists again. "I'll go and make your tea." Then he looks to Harrowheart. "Would you like anything? Tea? Milk? Orange juice?"
i am SO SORRY for the slow tags. work is killing me this week.
Date: 2016-01-28 12:45 am (UTC)The bed is remarkably comfy. Maybe. Yeah Steve stretches out a bit. That's better. He'll just...just rest his eyes until Viatorus comes back.
Shouldn't be but...a...minute....
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Date: 2016-01-28 01:00 am (UTC)It's scary to think about, though, despite all of the excitement. Sleeping is a little bit like dying. What if he dreams? What if they're unpleasant? As his eyelids begin to droop the image of the rune atop the bed slowly fades into darkness. It's there to protect from bad things. That means bad dreams. That means it's safe to sleep.
Sleep. And when he wakes up, all of this will be over...
You two can carry on for a while
Date: 2016-01-28 02:07 am (UTC)Viatorus meanwhile, is pottering about the kitchen. When he does make the cup of tea he just about finishes when a thought interrupts him. He's pretty sure he saw a magnificent looking book on possession or bodyswapping or something along those lines in the library. If he could grab it, or read through it, it might help them immensely. As long as nobody has taken it out... He glances out the window. Late as it is, the library has no reason to close. Maybe he could just dash out and read through it. Steve and Harrowheart are safe here, and he doesn't have to be long...
He brings the mug in and sets it on the bedside locker, rushing to grab keys for the apartment so that he can lock them in and let himself back inside. "I won't be a minute, I've just remembered something that might help. I'll be as quick as I can. Lyall is there if you need anything. Remember to drink the tea!"
Does he notice that the two of them have fallen asleep? No. Everything is weird in this body. He doesn't understand half the things he's seeing and hearing.
Epic Longpost Incoming
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