burnbrighter | inbox 🐾 songerein.

[ Much like Thoma, Ori springs at most any opportunity to be of assistance to someone, so when she receives word that a friend of his needs healing, she's quick to respond and be on her way.

She was, however, helping out in the farmlands outside of town. Naturally, she would have hurried over regardless of where she was, but being a way's away means that she must shift into another form to get there faster - and being out with the sheep also means she doesn't want turn into something like a panther that might scare them.

And so the form that comes bounding almost clumsily towards Diluc's residence is that of a large dog, and just as a large dog would, she has precious little idea of her own size and momentum as she rushes and stumbles at the steps, nearly crashing right into the door. ]

[ The sudden noise at the door startles both occupants of the little treehouse, but Thoma assures Diluc that he'll check it out and not to bother himself. Whatever it is, he can handle it on his own.

He doesn't expect Ori when he opens the door, let alone Ori in dog form and looking like she just crash-landed on Diluc's porch. Despite their mutual embarrassment over Thoma petting her when last he saw her in this shape, he's still quick to bend down and help her to her furry feet. ]

Hey, are you okay? I got you!

[ He spends another moment fussing over her to make sure she's alright - it would be a sad kind of irony if the healer were injured on her way over, before he steps aside to admit her to the house. He calls back inside, ]

She's here! Just took a little spill on the steps is all!

[Diluc doesn't argue when Thoma takes the initiative on checking out whatever just crashed into his front door, but he also doesn't quite let him go alone. Despite the other's insistence that he'll be fine on his own, Diluc rises and follows a few paces behind. He intends only to jump into the fray if necessary, especially since his movements are far slower thanks to being injured.

The cause of the noise ends up being entirely harmless, which allows Diluc to relax. From inside the house, he can see Thoma helping a large dog to its feet and reassuring it. That's not terribly surprising, given how much he likes animals and dogs especially. What throws him is what Thoma says over his shoulder about the dog's identity.]

You invited a dog. To heal me.

[Thoma, what the hell?]

[ Dog-phi gives Thoma an apologetic but grateful look - or as much of one as she can give with a dog's face - for both his assistance in helping her back up and his concern before looking up at the injured friend in question. Then her doggy-head tilts in mild confusion as she realizes, hey, I know this friend too, followed immediately by the realization that this is must be a confusing sight to said friend.

Then most importantly, the realization that if Diluc is injured, he really shouldn't be up and walking around! Ori takes a few paces back to give herself room before her dog form is covered in light then shifts back into that of a familiar, short tiefling. ]

Diluc...?

[ Somehow, despite knowing the two know each other, she hadn't even thought of the possibility that Thoma's friend would be Diluc, especially since she's sure Thoma's made plenty of friends in Reverein by now. ]

Sorry, I know that wasn't the most graceful entrance, but... Please, lay down! You must be in a lot of pain.

She’s not just a dog—

[ She’s a pretty girl too. Well, in any case, Thoma is saved the need to explain when Ori steps back and assumes her true form. It’s not as startling to him this time, at least, though he can imagine that Diluc is quite confused. ]

Wait, you two know each other?

[ That saves him the need to make introductions, too. Perhaps he should have led with Ori’s name, first. ]

I guess that works out then. And you heard the healer, Master Diluc.

[ Get back in bed, mister!!! ]

[Oh. Diluc had no idea Ori liked to turn into animals. Or even that she could.

Ordinarily, he would have questions and protests. But after the day he's had, he decides to just let it be. It's no less absurd than a man turned into a demon by his rage, and has the benefit of not being an active harm to his life or surroundings. He'll accept it on that basis alone.]

We met not long after you and I did. She shared her tea.

[He barely has the explanation out before the two start shooing him back to bed.]

I'm not so badly wounded that I can't be on my feet. And there's no need for "Master Diluc" here.

[As if the simple act of breathing isn't causing him a great deal of pain right now. And as if he expects that Thoma of all people is going to just let formalities go.

Complaint over the fussing lodged, Diluc heads back to the bed and has a seat. He doesn't lie down--he doesn't feel he has to--but at least he's back in a resting position of sorts.]

Edited (typo) 2021-12-13 23:34 (UTC)

[ Well, Ori certainly feels a bit foolish now, both for forgetting to mention to Thoma that she's met Diluc, and for not mentioning her abilities to Diluc. It simply hadn't come up at the time, and talking about Dawn Winery was far more interesting to her than talking about herself. ]

Oh, that's right. I'm sorry I hadn't mentioned it, Thoma—

[ Then she hears Thoma address Diluc by "Master" and Ori tenses up - after learning about how much a friend of hers from home loathed his own royal standing, Ori hasn't been sure how to treat nobility... she shifts uncomfortably as she wonders if she really should try to be more respectful, but soon enough Diluc's words make her feel a little better about accidentally being rude...

Which means she can focus on what she's actually here to do! She watches him intently as he moves back towards the bed, and while she's certainly evaluating the extent of his current injuries - some of which Thoma has already patched up, to her understanding - she can't help but notice the scars across his skin, testimonies of injuries past. Her concern for him only grows at this observation, but unfortunately there isn't much she can do for wounds that he sustained long ago. For what he's dealing with right now, though, she can very much be of some assistance.

She casts Thoma a reassuring glance and nods at him before she moves over to kneel on the floor at Diluc's bruised side. She looks up at him with a focused, but concerned expression. ]

Before I start, I should let you know... The spell will accelerate the healing process. It will take you less time to recover from your injury overall, but you'll likely feel a lot of discomfort while I'm casting it.

[ Then, with his acknowledgment, she'll gesture with her hands as she mutters a few quiet words. Her hands and eyes emit a soft yellow glow as strings of arcane energy seem to draw into her hands. Harnessing the restorative power of nature itself, she presses her hands to his bruised torso. What would have taken weeks for Diluc's body to heal on its own seems to do so in a matter of seconds - but it certainly also feels like his broken ribs are kicked into overdrive as they heal rapidly. ]

[Diluc wouldn't dream of asking Ori to heal the scars that cover his body. They, like many things, serve as a reminder of the importance of what he's dedicated his life to. They're proof of the hard work he's already put in, and of the work that he still needs to do so long as he draws breath. To have them removed is to turn away from the truth of the world, and that's unacceptable.

Ori kneels before him, preparing to cast whatever magic she's able, and he gives her a nod to proceed.]

I appreciate the warning. Go ahead.

[Diluc closes his eyes as she works, finding it easier to focus on the healing than on the ethereal glow of her hands and eyes. He's not quite able to suppress the wince of pain when her hands touch him, not can he bite back the grunt that rises out of him as his body starts repairing itself. True to Ori's words, it's a very uncomfortable feeling that practically knocks the breath out of him and leaves him tightening his hands into fists over the sheets.

Eventually, the pangs fade and Diluc is able to take full, deep breaths for the first time all evening. His chest and abdomen still feel tender--a side effect of having just healed, no doubt--but the sharp pains are gone. The feeling is nothing short of miraculous.]

...thank you.

[ She furrows her brow as she sees him take fistfuls of the sheets out of the corner of her eye and and hears him wincing; in some ways, healing someone in this circumstance can be more challenging than healing someone in the heat of battle. Then, at least, adrenaline and a bit of desperation can account for a lot of powering through the process of healing.

The blessing of receiving healing magic comes mostly after it's done, when you're flooded with the relief that being healed brings. These spells do a lot to relieve pain, but at the end of the day, it still sucks to feel your bones shifting around your body. Sometimes skin closing over a gaping wound gets kind of itchy, too. In this case, relief comes when Diluc is finally able to breathe again. She finds herself with a small smile across her lips as he thanks her, and she nods in response. ]

I'm just happy to help!

[ Ori stands up, then, but it's when she looks back down at him that she becomes so very aware of how lacking he is, shirt-wise. Even though she'd traveled for quite some time now with someone for whom wearing a shirt was more rare than otherwise, Ori has only ever seen Diluc dressed in his very fancy noble person clothes. She clears her throat and looks away a bit in Thoma's direction; the pattern on the other man's clothing suddenly seems particularly detailed and interesting even as she advises Diluc, ]

...You'll want to keep taking deep breaths just like that, whenever you can. It should be all healed up, so you don't have to worry about undoing anything, but it would still be best if you got a lot of rest and avoided doing strenuous things at least for a few days...

[Diluc opens his eyes to a clearly-flustered Ori, which comes as a bit of a surprise. As far as he's concerned, the shirtlessness is merely a necessity for treatment and requires no acknowledgement beyond that.

However, now that he's healed there's no reason to keep sitting on the bed half naked. The chill of the night will bother him before long, even with the wamrth of three bodies in the relatively small space, so he rises to retrieve a fresh shirt from a small chest of drawers on the opposite end of the room. As he walks, he continues to breathe deeply and fully--inadvertantly summoning a yawn in the process.

Hm. The day's taken a lot out of him, and now without adrenaline and/or pain to keep him going his body is very quickly forcing him to follow the orders to rest that he's been given. Not that he thinks he has any say in the manner either way. Both of his caretakers are watching him very closely to make sure he's not up to anything he shouldn't be.]

I needed a new shirt to wear.

[He holds said garment (a plain long-sleeved undershirt) up as proof, then pulls it on over his head before padding his way back to the bed and crawling into it.]

You've both done more than enough for me already. If you have other things to attend to, I should be all right to go to sleep on my own.

[ At some point, she'll have to explain that all the spell really needs is for her to have some point of contact with him; being able to see and examine the wound more closely just helps her channel that healing energy more efficiently, and then she can give better advice for the overall recovery, but...

In any case, Ori watches as Diluc gets up almost immediately after she suggests getting rest and she can't help but watch closely in the event of defiance, but thankfully he's just getting a shirt. She visibly relaxes as he climbs back into his bed. Diluc wouldn't have been the only stubborn patient she's ever had, but she's grateful that he's not rushing back out right away. At what he says, though, she hums thoughtfully. ]

Hmm,

[ At which point she looks over at Thoma and whispers to him, ]

I already told the people out in the fields that I wouldn't be back today, so I don't have anything else going on... how about you?

[ Thoma had been content to hang back and let the expert do her work, only moving in to clean up the supplies he’d left scattered on the bed. When all is said and done and Diluc moves against Ori’s orders to stay put, he’s half-ready to scold Diluc as well – but seeing as he’s just going to get dressed, he’ll let it slide.

Thoma sets his bag near the door for retrieval later, since Diluc will need to make use of the bed. His eyes flick up to Ori, then to Diluc, and then… to the kitchen. ]

Well, I don’t have any plans today. Have you eaten yet, Ma— um... Diluc? I can make some supper while you rest.

No, I haven't...

[Honestly, Diluc should have expected this response. Even so, he's not sure what to make of it. He's so used to having solitude in recovery, having the authority to chase his staff off after the worst has been seen to, that this feels... strange. And like far more than he deserves.

Being far too tired both for that line of thought and to fight back against Thoma and Ori's continued care, Diluc instead huffs and rolls over to face the wall.]

Do what you want. I'm going to sleep.

[He says nothing after that, and it isn't long before his breathing evens out in a telltale sign that exhaustion has taken over and he's drifted off.]

[ It seems that, not for the first time since the two have met and certainly not for the last, Ori and Thoma are of the same mind.

She casts him a knowing glance when she suggests making supper, and she finds herself smiling when Diluc doesn't outright refuse the offer, then even moreso when he seems to fall right into slumber soon after. She'll make sure she speaks and handles herself quietly while he sleeps. ]

That's a great idea, Thoma. I'm sure your cooking will cheer him right up, with how delicious it is. May I help you prepare it?

Of course!

[ Even if he's keeping his voice down so as not to disturb Diluc, his tone is no less bright. ]

Let's see what he has in the kitchen.

[ He will, of course, make a note of everything he uses and sees that it's replaced. Diluc didn't ask to host dinner for three, but Thoma can't in good conscience not make enough for all of them.

That said, he moves to the kitchen to begin rifling through cabinets, taking stock of what they have to use. ]

Hm. Meat, veggies... I bet I could make a stew!

[ As his sous chef for the evening, she stands back and observes. She wonders, idly, if Diluc does a lot of cooking and what kinds of foods he likes to eat. Ori is confident that he'll enjoy anything that Thoma makes for tonight - tbecause who wouldn't - but maybe there will be an occasion, when there are less injuries involved, to have a nice friendly dinner between the three of them.

Inventory taken, Ori stands at attention once more as Thoma arrives on the idea of a stew, to which she nods enthusiastically. ]

Stew sounds great! So comforting and warm... it's the perfect meal for someone who's recovering.

Ah, if there's anything else you might need, I could probably run out and get things.

I think we have everything we need here, so don’t worry about it.

[ He already has an armful of vegetables – potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, an onion, and a couple other odds and ends – that he’s fished up from the cabinets. He lays them on the countertop near the cutting board.

They’re somewhat lacking in pots and pans, but a bit of dreamotion magic should take care of that readily. Thoma’s desire to help is a force in and of itself, and in a flash of warm yellow light, a stew pot manifests itself on the stove. Diluc owns a simple skillet, at least, so Thoma pulls it out from a cabinet to set next to the pot. ]

There’s some bread here, too. Would you be able to slice it up? We can toast it over the stove with some herbs and butter. It’ll go great with the stew.

[ Thoma is definitely in his element now, and the house is beginning to respond in kind with a warm, golden glow seeping into the space. ]

Ooh...

[ Toasted bread with herbs and butter sounds very good, honestly, and Ori finds herself more and more excited at the thought of cooking with Thoma. Maybe she'll pick up some new tips and tricks! ]

Yes, I can certainly do that! And— um, that's a lot of vegetables, so I can help you with those after I slice the bread, too.

[ For now, though, she conjures a bread knife into her hand with dreamotion energy and finds another spot in the kitchen to start slicing the loaf into a perfectly toastable size.

She doesn't yet know that he intends to cook for all of them, but when she thinks about the last time he cooked for her and how delicious that was and how everything around the meal just felt so nice and comforting just like it does in this moment with the space seemingly glowing with the warmth of his kindness...

Her stomach does a little grumbling. ]

[ What good is a stew if it isn’t super chunky and chock full of a ton of stuff? At least, that’s Thoma’s philosophy. ]

Sounds great!

[ He’s going to happily start in on those veggies, then. After a little rummaging, he comes up with a knife to use and begins the work of peeling and chopping - though he does set some of his pile aside for Ori to start in on when she’s done with the bread.

The rumbling of her stomach doesn’t escape his notice, and it prompts a laugh out of him. ]

I’m glad you came hungry. There’s more than enough here to feed all of us.

[ You’re getting stew, too, Ori!! ]

[ Ori can't help but feel a little embarrassed about her hunger being exposed, but she can't be for too long knowing that she's in Thoma's company; one of the first things she'd learned about him was how much he enjoys cooking for and sharing food with others, after all. So when he laughs, she does, too. ]

I wasn't going to assume anything, but ah, I'm happy to hear it! I guess herding sheep took a lot more energy than I thought it would.

[ And so the two set out in their joint culinary endeavor. There's an understated efficiency to the way the meal comes together, due in no small part to both Thoma and Ori being skilled and practiced cooks in their own right. She's happy to finish with prep when Thoma has to shift to getting the stew properly started, and then the two of them stand over the pot together, happily chatting away and putting their heads together about little dashes of this or that to bring out all the right flavors in the stew.

Such a dish does still need time for all of it to come together, and as such... by the time that Diluc might wake from his moment of rest, the other two are sitting at the table, continuing to chat this time over tea that Ori seems to have on her person at all times.

The stew continues to simmer at the stove, its homey, savory aroma filling the air along with the faint scent of the dreamotion flowers currently blooming in Ori's hair while she can't help but laugh about whatever funny story or thing Thoma just told her. And in the air, too, are little glowing specks of warm light - a product of Thoma's own dreamotion.

While the cold night has fallen outside of Diluc's home, he'll find that inside feels quite the opposite, like a warm, spring evening. ]

[Diluc is a light sleeper and the sort of man who is accustomed to running on very little rest to begin with, so he's only asleep long enough for his body to recover from near-total exhaustion. He wakes to a stew simmering on the stovetop and Ori and Thoma laughing and chatting over tea as easily as old friends. There's clear affection in each of them toward the other, and for that Diluc finds himself glad for them.

There's no denying that the atmosphere in his small dream-home has shifted significantly with their continued presence. A warmth has overtaken the place, punctuated by light and flowers, and that warmth brings with it a lot of complicated feelings. Diluc isn't so hard-hearted that he doesn't feel the pull of it, urging him to let his guard down and join them. To let himself actually accept the care--physical and emotional--that these two keep insisting on providing him without reservation. To perhaps be a part of this budding relationship, whatever it may end up being, so that he could laugh and talk so easily as well.

Once, long ago, it would have been easy to do so.

Not anymore. Whatever is forming between them is best kept between them.

Still, he won't say no to the benefit of their happiness and the meal they've prepared. Slowly, he pulls himself up to a seated position in the bed. His muscles, stiff as they are from the stress of battle followed by the stillness of rest, scream in response. Would that he could will himself to heal more quickly. Although given the way in which his ribs have been mended, he supposes that he has little to complain about in the grander scheme of things.

Surely, Thoma and Ori have noticed him. He turns to address them.]

How long was I asleep?

[ With nothing left to do but to wait for the stew to simmer on the stove, Ori broke out her tealeaves and she and Thoma settled around Diluc’s table as if they were meant to be there.

He’s just finished telling her about the Komore Teahouse, the dog who mans the front counter, and the little prank he’d pulled on Lumine and Paimon when they first entered the place. He figured Ori would get a kick out of it, and she clearly did, her laughter literally lighting up the room.

Out of the corner of his eye, he catches movement across the room in the bed, and turns to cast his sunny smile at Diluc when he groggily hauls himself up. ]

A couple hours, give or take. Are you feeling any better?

[ There is, naturally, a third cup on the table waiting to be filled with tea for Diluc.

Ori's gaze follows Thoma's as she hears the quiet rustling of bedding and while Thoma gives a warm smile that greets almost like the morning sun would, Ori's smile is visibly worn by worry at its edges and on her brow as she looks Diluc over. She's never been good at hiding when she's worried, after all.

She doesn't say anything, for now; she'll quietly watch Diluc's movements and wait for his words to assess whether or not she needs to cast another healing spell on him for good measure. ]

[With Thoma's bright smile and Ori's clear concern for his well-being, the emotional pull toward them becomes just a bit stronger. Diluc does his best to ignore it.]

Much.

[The answer is sincere and passes inspection of how he looks rather than just how he feels. Despite the grogginess and the stiffness of his movements, there's color in his face and no sign of pain in his expression. His hair is a mess, crimson curls tousled every which way even as it's still pulled up from when he was receiving care, but that can be corrected with a comb and a wash.

Which he will worry about later. For now, there is warm tea and a meal that smells very, very good. Diluc gets out of the bed and moves to join the two of them, taking one of the empty seats.]

[ Apart from being rather mussed from sleep - something that does a lot to soften Diluc’s edges, Thoma notes - he does look a lot better. Groggy, sure, but less pained. Thoma’s grin only broadens as Diluc works his way over to the table.

He’ll let Ori handle the tea, as that seems to be her specialty. ]

I hope you woke up hungry. I might have gone a little overboard with the stew.

[ Said as he gets up from his chair and goes to give the pot a stir. It looks like it’s about done. ]

I made a note of all the ingredients I used, so I can bring you replacements tomorrow.

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