05 - Masks

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[She does not, possibly, even intend to be here.

A bed appears, within in the form of a woman with skin paler than the gold of her hair. The bedding is decadent, the bedframe artfully crafted and truthfully -- she does little to compliment it in this particular moment. She is in her dressing gown, bundled within it as if there is a chill.

The barber is unseen, but his work is clearly visible. Her right wrist is freshly cut, veins stark against her skin. For her own health, of course. Only the best care, only to make her better.

The bowl with her expelled blood is there but covered, and on a small table next to her bed rests money. Trinkets of admiration from her king for being strong, for a job well done.

No, she does not intend to be here at all, and her mind wanders. It is merely the alternative to where she would not be at all.]

Comments

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

Reinette?

[no small amount of concern as he heads to the bed]

Reinette?

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[approaches cautiously, quietly, and stands over her, watching with almost a detached interest before gently touching her face]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[Doctor...]

[Doctor?]

Doctor.

[obviously distressed]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[the touch is cool and soothing, for the moment she remains silent]

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[looks to her wrist, then sets his jaw as a few things click into place]

Reinette. I need you to wake up. Reinette.

[puts a hand to her forehead]

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[frowns, uncertain, and leans over her, examining the instruments and other such implements]

Reinette?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[eyes flare briefly, and lock on his own before closing again]

...who claims that I am not.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[the noise from the bedside table is unsettling, her reaction is barely masked]

This is not precisely what I intended.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

[Aniki sees the cut and growls. Bloodletting--it's common enough practice in Scanra as well, when no healers can be found. She comes and sits down on the bed, pressing a hand to Reinette's forehead, her face grim.]

Lass? Come out of it, lass. Say something.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

You are ill. [touches her cheek again] This is the medicine you spoke of? It is barbaric.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she hears her approach, and sighs -- she is perhaps not in the best of moods]

It is not my tongue they took...I can speak.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

Graveyard Hag take them all. [She inspects Reinette's wrist.] I've seen these things go bad too many times.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

When am I not?

[she pulls her face away, though not without some gentleness]

I am cared for by the best physicians. Louis will have nothing less.

[her expressions suggesting she would leave -- if it did not mean returning elsewhere]

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[shakes her head] You look unhappy, child, and in pain. I would help you, if you would accept it.

[prince-stupid.livejournal.com]

[He jumps up onto the bed, looking a bit thinner and more careworn since his last appearance on the plane. He sees the cut on her wrist and makes an alarmed noise and starts licking it gently. The skin almost seems to zip itself up--the cut is reduced to a scabbed-over line. He gives it a long, contemplative look.]

I would say this: it is fortunate that I am so good at cleaning wounds.

[cyfor.livejournal.com]

[And here's a Cy, clambering happily up onto the bed--and then seeing the state Reinette is in. She flounders her way over through the blankets and climbs onto the courtesan's stomach.] Hey! Hey, you're not allowed to do that.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

she wants to deny it, both in offer and idea -- it suggests even more weakness and worse? Leads to hope. She is weary of these false starts and promises. But this is the TARDIS, the brilliant blue box of the Doctor's mind and hearts. The one that is always there. It seems hope whispers anyway.]

What could you even do.

[something between statement and question]

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

I have an assortment of medicines in my medical bay. I have at my disposal the knowledge of doctors thousands of years into your future, from races more glorious than you can imagine.

[kneels beside her, head tilted curiously] Would you not desire an end to this pain?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she has seen only a few of these races, but it is enough to understand the offer]

It feels too simple.

[too hopeful]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[a wry smile]

Is this when they go well?

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Why must simple be unwanted?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

she looks at the results of his efforts, and might marvel were she not so weary. Instead the same hand moves to rest on her visitors coat in some sort of thanks]

You are quite skilled.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[and here is someone she could not be irritated with]

...hello Cy.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

This is when you don't die, so I suppose you could say that. [Yeah, she's a bit pissed at whoever did this.] Don't you have any proper healers?

[prince-stupid.livejournal.com]

[He licks her arm, still somewhat disconcerted.] But who wounded you in this manner?