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[thereneverwas]

[For correspondence, private scenes, and anthrax.]

Comments

[keenly]

He nods. "When you first Silenced me, in battle, I went...back there. I wasn't even in the battle anymore. Everything I saw, heard, smelled, it was just..."

A little shake of his head. "And as hard as it's been, sticking with our exercises, you've never asked questions. You've never pushed me further than I was willing. You've been respectful and kind, and I've improved a lot. I still hate being Silenced, it still makes me think of what happened, but maybe I won't be a liability in battle anymore."

[thereneverwas]

"Well."

A long pause.

"I'm glad to hear it."

And he is, even if it feels a strange thing to be glad about.

[keenly]

"And you don't pity me."

[thereneverwas]

"You've done nothing to earn it." He smirks, a twinkle of genuine fondness in his eye.
"I've pitied some. Perhaps I shouldn't have." He purses his lips and looks forward again, his eyes going distant.
"What's pity worth when what someone needs is help, after all."

[keenly]

"Exactly. And it's incredibly condescending and reductive."

Colin stands up and quickly starts collecting a few medicines.

"I'm going to send you home with something to help you sleep, and before you go, I want to give you another good healing. Unfortunately, there's only so far even magic can go, and even I won't know how much is left unhealed. The sheer magnitude of the damage to your body can only be guessed at. You'll probably have pain and swelling for a time, and even the bits that have been healed may not immediately realize they've been healed. Do you have any questions?"

[thereneverwas]

Barrow nods-- Colin has done enough for him, in fact, that he knows better than to reject what the mage thinks is best. Still, those words are difficult to hear, and the fatigue creeps back into his face.

"You say that this will... likely never completely go away," he says, perhaps just for confirmation, that he heard him right. Something else he has to process.

[keenly]

"I'll do everything I can to help," Colin clarifies calmly. "All of us will. But cases this extreme...you'll probably have to expect the onset of rheumatism earlier than you might have. It will be vital that you stick with the exercises I mentioned for the duration of your healing process. Don't push yourself, just be consistent. The herbs will balance yellow bile and reduce the inflammation, and a nutritious diet will strengthen your body and refine the healing process. I can't tell you how debilitating it might be, but you're strong and healthy otherwise, which counts for a lot.

"And, unlike any of the case studies I've read about, you have a spirit healer at your side. And I was taught by the very best."


A little encouraging smile.

[thereneverwas]

That's better than nothing. ...especially with the spirit healer.

"Well. Glad to have friends on the other side," he says with a wink, some of his natural jollity returning. "Thanks, lad."

[keenly]

Colin beams and puts the medicines into a little bag, which he hands to Barrow.

"I'm going to cast again," he says, placing his hands back on his shoulders, "and you'll be free to go after."

He says it now because in a few seconds, he is going to be exhausted and isn't sure what he'll say afterward. With a deep breath, he reopens himself to Compassion and channels its healing magic, holding nothing back. When it's over, he sways a little, but manages to avoid embarrassing falls or obvious drunkwalking.

"Rest well." His voice sounds distant to his own ears.