Post
by Glimmer » October 5th, 2022, 9:55 pm
Theo woke early, loaded Toby with the necessary supplies, and spent the early morning hours smelting ore to assist Ashford. It had been a while since she had done such, and she was oddly looking forward to the task. The monotony allowed her to clear her mind and zone out for a while, as smelting did not require heavy thinking. The moments she could find that allowed such solitude was rare, and though she was in a public space, the endeavor offered her that respite. Yet before she knew it, she finished; hours had passed by in what felt like a blink of an eye. The horse's saddlebags were reloaded, and the pair returned to the Rest with fresh steel in tow.
With the supplies and horse put up where they belonged, she returned to her space to move on to the next chore for the day. It may not have been as freeing as smelting, but crafting the padding for Ash to use in his creations was second nature at this point, and once again, she found the task completed. She cleaned up her workspace and happened upon the dress she had created for Graghon. Theo ran her fingers along the ornate design and beading with a quiet sadness. Grag had never worn it past trying it on; at this point, she probably never would. Not wanting the work to go to waste, she folded it back up carefully and decided to bring it to Miss Maeby for her exhibit.
First, she went to the Hosptial to ensure no one was waiting to be seen. Even though she thought she vaguely heard the bell clamor, no one was waiting. Next, Theo walked up the stairs to the room she had unofficially claimed as her own and made herself available for anyone who might eventually show up. A couple more hours passed and no one needed to be seen, so she made her way back down to leave and nearly ran into Miss Maeby as she did. Mildly embarrassed, she gave Miss Maeby the dress and offered for it to be displayed if she thought it would be acceptable. Perhaps her embarrassment was more than mild as she could not muster the humor she felt at the woman's reaction to seeing the large gown.
Once they parted ways, Theo decided she still wished for more quiet contemplation and chose to go to the Hearth and Hale over the more popular Meddler's Risk. Shifting until she found the most comfortable position, a satisfied sigh escaped her lips as the fire's warmth blanketed her, and she stared contentedly into the flames. She was eager to see how many precious moments of solitude and calm she could squeeze out of this day, but perhaps that eagerness was the tipping point, as there would be no more calm moments this day.
Hollis rounded the corner, her head poking out to see who might be around, and her expression looked relieved when she spotted Theo.
"Ah what luck, you're here."
Torn from her thoughts, she lifted her head to give her attention to Hollis.
"Oh, Miss Maeby. Fancy seeing you again."
Hollis chuckled, "Right?" Then rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. "Say, would you have a mind having a look at Constantine?"
"Oh, of course. Is he at the hospital?"
"He's at home..." her expression was worried. "I think he has alcohol poisoning and his cut from the other night from the afflicted..." Her voice was low, so only Hanlon could hear her, but she still trailed off from her sentence. Quickly, she followed Hollis as she led the way to Constatine's home. But before she opened the door, Hollis spoke once more.
"I'll warn you, he's been throwing up. It's not pretty." She propped open the door, and the two entered.
"Constantine, I found Doctor Hanlon." Hollis said while Theo offered a greeting. But both statements hung in the air unanswered as he was asleep, sweaty and fitful, but he slept nonetheless.
Theo moved closer to observe and examine him as much as she could without disturbing him. Hollis explained the situation to her in greater detail, with Hanlon asking questions to clarify some points. Then, as she fully took in his current state and the wound that had been cauterized, she quieted as she considered what to do. Images of Constantine being put to the flame swirled in the back of her mind.
"I just thought he was hung over from last night." Hollis commented.
"Alright well. I have a few theories". Theo began, her demeanor settling into one that could be considered detached. "Either the area was not adequately cleaned, which is possible as cauterization would've been done as soon as possible to kill any ill in the wound. Or, it was not properly cared for once it was completed. However, given the reason for the cauterizing..."
Hollis swallowed a little as she listened, and Theo pressed her lips together before continuing, looking at Hollis directly.
"I can try to give him some medicine to ward against infection, as I am fairly certain he has one. The wound needs to be cleaned and taken care of properly from there." She took a moment to look between them before she continued, her tone blunt and matter-of-fact. "If that does not help, I... unfortunately will have to report this to the Apothecaries. If they even -think- his infection is questionable, he will be put to death."
Hollis' eyes went wide with panic as she looked back and forth between Hanlon and Constantine. "B-but it's been days, wouldn't he have been sick already?"
"That reason is why I am willing to aid, and not report him now." Theo remarked truthfully and moved closer to begin treatment.
Hollis had to help restrain him when he started to stir and fight against her aid, and he calmed once he realized he was being helped. Next, she thoroughly cleaned the area, injected medicine to aid against infection, and left him an extra dose of medication to be taken later to ensure against any lingering infection. Theo kept every tool and supply used separate once she was done with it. While she worked, Constantine sheepishly apologized to her, and he was met with a pointed look with a clear implication he understood, and he managed to return a faint, crooked grin in response. Finally, she instructed them on what they needed to do when she completed her treatment.
Any demeanor they may have been familiar with regarding Hanlon was gone, replaced by the most serious and stern expression they may have seen as she looked between them. "If you do not recover, if this is more than just an imbalance of the humors or an infection... I will report this."
Constantine nodded, swallowing hard, and Hollis frowned.
"I like you both, and I do not wish to see either of you harmed. But, I cannot ignore the duty if it comes to it."
"We understand." Hollis said as Constantine reached to hover over the wound.
Her gaze remained on them for a long moment before her posture relaxed, but only fractionally. "Alright, well. If all is as it should be, you should recover well. Please do keep me updated, and do not breathe a word of this to anyone, or they may not have my compassion."
Both, again, relayed that they understood, and Hollis walked Theo out. They agreed to meet at the bank, but before she could head that way, Hanlon went to the fire used to dispose of the deceased and tossed in the tools and supplies she had used. She knew she was being excessively cautious and that Constantine would be fine, but it wasn't a risk Theo was willing to take on top of what she just did. After meeting Hollis one last time, she returned to the Hearth and Hale, now more desperate than ever to try to find the calm she had somehow managed earlier in that seat by the fire.
She prayed that compassion wasn't the wrong choice here.