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<psychowing> It had been three days since Mark had been brought into the infirmary, three days since he had tried to hurt Mira. He had finally started to strengthen again in the last day or so, shifting from a coma to an extremely deep sleep. One that he was starting to wake from, his face twisting somewhat in pain.
<Ellakey> Mira was sitting on the furthest bed, curled up with her homework. She wasn't sure why she stayed, especially after Mark had tried to attack her. She stayed though, usually with plenty of space between them. She was still twitchy and would jump if surprised or at the sight of a normal butter knife. She was too focused on her homework to notice the movement on the opposite side of the room.
<psychowing> Mark's eyes opened and he blinked slowly at the ceiling, confused. His entire body was sore and felt heavy. Had he gotten sick again? He tried to lift one hand to touch his pounding head, but found that he couldn't move it far. Blinking again, he rolled his head to see why. His breath hitched when he saw the handcuffs holding him to the bed. Why? What had...? Why was he restrained? Why couldn't he remember what had happened?
<Ellakey> She looked up, thinking she saw something and blinked in surprise. Mark was...awake? Moving? She stood cautiously, accidentally knocking her pencil to the ground. She winced as it clattered on the cold tile floor.
<psychowing> Mark looked over in surprise, flinching at the noise. His eyes were wide, fearful, and he was starting to hyperventilate, tugging at the handcuffs. It was definitely a good thing that Kirke had wrapped his arm or he'd probably cut himself on the metal.
<Ellakey> Mira slowly walked forward, tucking her hair back behind her ears, holding her hands out in front of her. The light was dim, mostly from a lamp at her bed, but when she got close enough, she flicked on Mark's lamp as well, close but just out of his reach.
<psychowing> Mark squinted from the light before being able to focus on her. "M-Mira? What? Why am I here? Why am I cuffed?" Well, he certainly sounded like Mark now, but he had before too.
<Ellakey> She just looked at him, staring at him in a mixture of fright and confusion.
<psychowing> He stared back. She was afraid of him? Why would she...? And then he remembered what had happened, the memories hitting him hard. He winced, putting his free hand to his head. After a moment, he looked at her again, sorrow in his eyes. "Mira... I'm so... I'm so sorry... I swear, I didn't... I don't... It wasn't me! I wouldn't... I wouldn't hurt you! Please, believe me."
<Ellakey> She flinched away when his voice went up, staring at the ground. Now she knew he was screwing with her mind. It had been him. She wasn't crazy.
<psychowing> Mark watched her. Why wasn't she doing anything? Writing anything? "Mira?"
<Ellakey> She peeked up at him, digging her hands in her pockets for an extra pen. Finding one, she wrote a message, tearing it off and throwing it on his lap. You attacked me Mark. I know it was you.
<psychowing> He shook his head, forcing himself to sit up through the weakness still pulling at his body. "No, Mira, it wasn't me! I swear! I couldn't stop him! I tried but... I couldn't! Not until you damaged the crystal! Please, Mira..."
<Ellakey> She stumbled backwards when he moved, nearly tripping over the stool left from Kirke observing him. Her eyes widened in panic and she stayed down, staring up at him a moment before straightening the stool and attempting to hide behind it.
<psychowing> She wasn't scared, she was terrified. He... there wasn't anything he could do. If she felt the need to put distance and things between them when he was so weak and couldn't move anywhere, then what was the point? There wasn't anything he could say or do that would change her mind. He just lay down again, turning his face away from her. He couldn't look at her without feeling the want to cry. He might have said to the Other that he didn't care if she was afraid of him, but that wasn't true. He did. And it hurt so much for her to be looking at him like that. He closed his eyes, forcing his expression to stay blank.
<Ellakey> After several minutes like that, Mira slowly stood up again, eyes still locked on Mark. She wrote a short note, throwing it. It hit his ear. Mark?
<psychowing> Mark lifted a hand to pick up the note and read it. He rolled his head toward her again, fixing tired, dead eyes on her. "What?"
<Ellakey> She flinched slightly, looking down at her notebook. Why did you attack me?
<psychowing> He swallowed. "I didn't. Mira, that wasn't me."
<Ellakey> She didn't write anything but looked at him, her eyes narrowed and her lips all scrunched up like she was trying not to cry.
<psychowing> "Please, believe me. I wouldn't ever hurt you on purpose. I told you that. I meant it."
<Ellakey> But you DID try to hurt me...you had a knife in the weird room... Her face scrunched up more and she hid it behind her notebook, taking deep breaths to calm down once more.
<psychowing> His expression shifted to something sad and pained. "That wasn't me! It might have been my body, but it wasn't me!"
<Ellakey> She winced and sat on the bed closest to him, curling up tight, her hair becoming a curtain that hid nearly everything except her bright eyes, staring at him in fright again.
<psychowing> Seeing that he had frightened her again, Mark closed his eyes and turned away from Mira again. "If you're so scared of me, then why are you here?" he whispered.
<Ellakey> Mira threw her next note at him again, tucking her hair back again. I am...worried? You are...were...my friend...I thought we were friends. But then you attacked me. And now you are saying it was not you but it had to be. No one can just use your body like that.
<psychowing> 'Were'? She didn't want to be friends anymore? Oh, who was he kidding? Of course she didn't. He should have known it was too good to be true. "It wasn't me. I was possessed by another necromancer," he said, not quite sure why he was trying. It wasn't like she would believe him. "And if we aren't friends, then there's no need for you to be here. There's no point in worrying over someone who tried to hurt you." He just wanted her to go away so he could break down in peace, the darkness of the Other's thoughts and actions still lingering and making him feel dirty. It was the closest he personally had been to being raped and he hated the feeling.
<Ellakey> Another necromancer? She tried to think for a moment, but it didn't make sense. Then again...a lot of stuff with Mark didn't make sense to her. Slowly, she stood, inching closer to the bed. She poked his cheek softly, trembling the entire time, breath short and shallow. If he moved quickly, she'd be gone in a flash.
<psychowing> Mark hadn't looked at her again the last time he spoke so the light touch on his face startled him and made him jerk away before looking over with wide eyes.
<Ellakey> She had ducked down immediately. Slowly, she peeked up at him, eyes and forehead just peeking over the edge of his bed to stare, equally wide eyed.
<psychowing> Why was she still here? It was obvious to him that she'd rather be anywhere but here. He bit his lip and looked away again. "Just go away if you're so scared," he muttered. He didn't know how much longer he'd be able to stop himself from crying.
<Ellakey> She poked him again, a light touch, propping her chin on the edge of the bed. This time, she sent out a tendril of her spirit, trying to understand what he was saying but scared that she would only feel the darkness again. If she did, that was it. She was gone.
<psychowing> His spirit was lighter than the last time, but there was still some shadows to it. And it felt a little cracked and broken, bruised and lonely.
Mark jerked in surprise, feeling her spirit touch his. He looked at her with wide eyes. "Don't do that!" What if there was something there that could hurt her? Never mind that his soul was still healing from the battle and that her touch had caused him pain, that didn't matter. What if she was hurt?
<Ellakey> She flinched but didn't withdraw this time, shoulders scrunched up as she peeked at him. Slowly, she felt for her pen and notebook. It feels different this time...
<psychowing> "I don't care! Don't... You can't just do that to people!" He had been violated enough as it was, his spirit had, and he didn't want anyone to feel how damaged he was. And he was going to be oversensitive for a while because of all of this.
<Ellakey> She looked down. She had sort of started believing him now that she felt how damaged he was. She dropped her notebook in his lap before retreating back to her bed, hiding under the covers.
<psychowing> Mark brushed the notebook aside, half-afraid that he'd continue drawing those horrible things, and curled up on his side. Biting his lip and clenching his eyes shut, he used every shred of control he had not to start crying. He wasn't going to do that in front of her, in front of anyone.
<Ellakey> Kirke returned to the infirmary as Mira was leaving to get ready for class. She paused to let the tall girl through before setting her bag down, picking up a new IV bag to replace Mark's current one. She started fiddling with the stuff, not realizing he had woken up.
<psychowing> Mark flinched lightly, rolling onto his back again to look at Kirke. Was he just not going to be allowed alone at any point?
<Ellakey> She jumped, hair kicking up in her surprise, but she gave a big smile when she saw him awake. "Mark! You're up! Sort of..." She smiled a bit as she switched his bag out before dragging the stool closer. "How are you feeling?"
<psychowing> He just watched her with those still dead eyes before rolling away and curling up once again, leaving his back toward her. "Sore. Heavy." And he just didn't want to see the hatred behind that false smile so he closed his eyes and hid his face against the pillow.
<Ellakey> She sighed and leaned forward, brushing his hair gently. Her voice was soft. "My brother looked over the room you and Mira were in. He told me what happened, at least the gist of it. No one is angry with you Mark Garrowson. In fact..." She stood, retrieving something. She was back in a matter of minutes, and picked up his handcuffed arm, unlocking it. She unwrapped his arm slowly, carefully not to pull at his skin with the tape.
<psychowing> Mark flinched again, more violently than the last time when she touched his hair. Right now, after that, after Mira rejecting him, he couldn't take contact from anybody. And where was Patrick? Why wasn't Patrick here? Was he angry too?
He bit his lip again, tensing while she freed his arm and unwrapped it. He didn't believe her that no one was angry - people had been after that dream thing. He was a necromancer, he should be able to handle a single spirit. All of it, even if he hadn't been the one to do it, it was all his fault. He should have been able to stop it. And even if it was true that no one was angry (again, untrue, especially after all that the Other had done and said to hurt others), that didn't change the fact that Mira was afraid of him. He shuddered at the thought of that room. It had felt horrible against his soul to have been kept in there.
<Ellakey> "My brother is deconstructing the spells as we speak. He's very thorough too. And we're adding a couple of safeguards to the school system. No more evil necromancers will come again without us knowing. Not until you're strong enough at least." She kept talking softly as she went about her normal routine, checking his vitals. "The fact that you won against the other soul... you're strong Mark." She smiled again. "And I have known one or two good necromancers in my time. Helped me put a few souls to rest."
<psychowing> She was lying to him, she had to be. He had thought that he could be good, but look at what had happened. He had nearly killed his best friend. Oh, he didn't doubt that what she said about Liang and the other safeguards was true, but he'd never be strong enough. He had failed so horribly. And he had gotten lucky, gotten in a lucky shot and the Other hadn't expected Mark to learn from him. But he was painfully aware of the state of his own soul. It was broken and dark. It was only a matter of time until he did something else. And it would be all him. He wouldn't have the same excuses then.
He just moved the ways she needed him to, but it was extremely difficult for him to sit up, leaving him panting softly in pain. What was wrong with his body? Was this just because of how he had been removed for a few weeks? Or... Or was his body finally breaking down on him?
<Ellakey> Kirke noticed this and frowned somewhat. "Here, lay back. I'll get you some painkillers. Nothing that'll make you sleep though." She stood and got some water and a couple dark blue pills, tucking her arm behind his back to help him sit up again to drink. "Here. You'll be stuck in here while you're body is healing, I'm afraid. But hey, I'm sure your friends will drop by. Mira has barely left this room since you've come here."
<psychowing> Mark tensed and started to shake lightly, not expecting any sort of gentle touch and wary of it. Why wasn't she screaming at him and blaming him too? Was she just waiting? He didn't have a choice in the matter about taking the pills now, so he did without a fuss. When he was laying down again, he looked at the wall. "I don't know why. She's terrified of me. We aren't friends." He closed his eyes. He had only repeated what she said, but it hurt so much to say.
<Ellakey> She paused. "Here. Emergency cell phone. My number is 1 on speed dial if you need more medicine or anything." She went and pulled a phone out from her lab area, setting it on the notebook. "I'll bring the books with me too."
<psychowing> He nodded tightly, just wanting her to go, needing to be able to break. He couldn't allow it to happen where anyone could see. They'd use it against him, no matter what she might have said. He just couldn't bring himself to speak again.
<Ellakey> She left after adding a tissue box next to the phone, shutting the door behind him, giving Mark a couple hours to himself.
<Ellakey> Mira returned to the infirmary after daybreak, avoiding looking directly at Mark as she moved her stuff a little bit closer to Mark's bed, keeping just one bed between them now. She sat on that bed, looking at the floor, whiteboard and marker in her lap. Not sure if he was awake or not, she sent out a bit of her spirit, gently brushing against his soul. She had thought she felt something last time, something familiar, and was testing out her theory.
<psychowing> Mark was still curled up on his side, ignoring whoever had walked in and hoping that they would leave him alone, especially after having flipped through Mira's pad (which he had thrown in a fit of anger and now lay on the floor. He had felt guilty about it immediately after, but hadn't had the energy or willpower to go and pick it up again). He jerked and bit his lip from the pain as Mira brushed against one of those cracks, her energy sliding in and pulling back out again, breaking the little tendrils that were pulling the edges back together and widening the wound again.
His soul felt like his, mostly. It was somewhere between that cold darkness she had felt before he had been possessed and the warmth she had expected.
<Ellakey> She pulled away again, her eyes crumpled in more worry. She didn't know she had caused more damage, but she could feel the gaps and that worried her. Taking a deep breath, she touched the edge of his bed, tugging on the sheets. She sent out another soft touch, the effort of constantly sending out her soul giving her a headache. She was careful to only find one of the whole pieces of his soul and gave a soft poke before whipping it back again, breathing hard.
<psychowing> "What?" Mark asked, voice dull; he refused to look at her. Yeah, her spirit was completely unharmed, but that didn't change the fact that he didn't want anyone to touch him like that - not until after he had had the chance to come to terms with everything.
<Ellakey> She made a face. Seriously? How was she supposed to "talk" to him if he couldn't read. She grabbed her whiteboard and smacked the side of the bed with it, frowning.
<psychowing> Mark turned slightly, just enough to be able to read her board. "I thought you were afraid of me," he said bitterly.
<Ellakey> She wrote quickly: I am afraid...but...Miss Telis talked to me today...and...it is not just of you Mark... She looked down while he read, a faint blue. I get scared when someone touches me or yells at me or anything really. That is one reason I am in here. And I am worried about you! Because you were one of my first friends...and helped me with Grandmother and...and I do not want to lose you as a friend so even though I am scared I still am here making sure something does not happen again and you get hurt more...
<psychowing> Mark closed his eyes. He had done that to her, made her afraid of everything. How could he... How could he ever make it up to her? He couldn't. He hadn't been good enough, fast enough, strong enough to have stopped the Other. If he hadn't been here, she never would have been hurt like that.
"You're better off without me," he muttered. Everyone would be really.
<Ellakey> She poked him in the cheek softly with her whiteboard before kneeling, chin resting on the mattress. She propped her whiteboard up against him to write. Maybe but you are not better alone. You need someone to talk to and trust. Am I no longer that person?
<psychowing> He glanced at the board then looked away again. "I talk to Patrick." He wasn't going to say anything in regards to her. Of course he still wanted her to be his friend, but he knew that she'd stay by him just because she felt obligated to, even though she was afraid of him.
<Ellakey> She frowned and suddenly had to blink, wiping at her eyes. So...all the times you woke up from those nightmare memories and I was there...that was nothing? She set the board against him and went back to her bed, pulling the covers up around herself. She felt more miserable than before. Maybe just a little broken hearted. Because she was trying, trying to understand what happened with Mark, trying not to be scared. But that understanding would only come with him trying to explain because he understood it best.
<psychowing> The thing was though, while yes he did know more than she did, he didn't really understand it either. He didn't have the slightest clue how to put what he did know into words, other than to keep telling her that it hadn't been him. And she had already said that she didn't believe him so what was the point?
Reading what she had written, he frowned softly. "I didn't say that," he whispered before raising his voice a little. "I'm trying to give you an out, M–" He cut himself off. He didn't have any right to say her name anymore.
<Ellakey> She didn't move at first, trying to think past her hurt. While she was trying to sort through her feelings, Kirke returned, carrying a few books and steaming bowl. "It took me awhile to find them, but I got those books I mentioned." The phoenix looked at the whiteboard, then both students. "I can come back if need be." She certainly remembered the drama she had as a kid, even if some of it was fuzzy now.
<psychowing> Mark glanced over, taking in the headmistress and the bowl she was holding. Feeling his stomach lurch, he rolled away again, a green tinge to his skin. He really hoped that that wasn't for him. He obviously wasn't going to be eating anything today. Actually, he should probably request a bin or something in case he did end up throwing up, once he thought he'd be able to that is.
<Ellakey> Kirke was quick to set the broth and books aside, glancing at the IV bag. She touched Mark's shoulder softly, moving her hand up to check his temperature. Her hand was soft and warm against his skin. "Do you need more painkillers? Anti-nausea pills? We can't have you throwing up what little you have in your stomach." A whole glass of water. She glanced at the broth. So much for getting him to try something a tad stronger than water.
Mira's head popped up from her covers and she looked at Mark with worry before getting up. The few times she had been sick, she had practically lived with a trash can glued to her side in case she threw up. She disappeared, returning with a bucket and held it out to Kirke.
"Thank you Mira. Go back to your studying now." Kirke set the bucket up on the bed while she went to fetch more medicine. Part of her was wishing she could use sleeping pills and just let the boy sleep through the pain of his body (she had no idea about how wounded his soul was) healing, but after rereading his file from before, she knew it had been a horrid idea to begin with.
<psychowing> Mark shook his head lightly, torn between drawing away from Kirke's touch and leaning into the warmth offered. He hadn't realized how cold he was feeling before now and wished for another blanket, not that he would ask for one. He had been causing enough problems recently. It was all he seemed to do really.
<Ellakey> "Could you sit up a bit so I can check your heart and lungs?" Kirke asked, voice softer now. She slipped one hand under his back to help support him, pulling her stethoscope out of her pocket with her free one. "I'll just do this and check your IV and leave you alone to rest." She warmed the cold metal with a bit of heat from her magic.
<psychowing> He opened his eyes (when had they closed?) at Kirke's request for him to sit up. It was probably going to be a bad idea, but he'd try anyway, pushing up slowly. He most likely wouldn't have made it if she hadn't helped him, his body shaking from the pain and lack of energy (was he supposed to be this weak?).
Mark had to grab the bucket and yank it into his lap as he dry heaved. He swallowed harshly when his stomach settled again. At least he hadn't actually vomited, but that didn't mean his head was pounding any less.
If this is what being possessed did to him, then he really hoped it never happened again. Or was this the result of something else? He didn't know or really care, just wanting all of it to stop, one way or another.
<Ellakey> Used to this sort of behavior, Kirke just supported him as he dry heaved, stroking the back of his hair softly. Damn these kids. She had never expected to get so attached so quickly. "I'm going to add some medicine to your IV okay? Strictly painkiller and anti-nausea stuff so your body can rest. And so you can start eating again and get your strength up." She pushed his shirt up with her stethoscope, listening to his heart. "Take a deep breath? Don't hurt yourself, just as deep as you can manage."
<psychowing> Mark nodded slightly. He'd agree to almost anything at this point considering how horrible he was feeling. He sucked in a deep, shuddering breath, held it for a handful of seconds, and let it out again. Even though he hadn't been hospitalized since he was fourteen (and two years had been a pretty good record for him), he was well familiar with this procedure. His lungs were clear and unconstrained. His heart though... While stronger than it had been when he was unconscious, it still should have been stronger than it currently was (even taking into account that his vitals were usually a bit weaker than most humans').
<Ellakey> "All right, good. Thank you. Now let's get you lying down and comfortable. Do you need anything, like an extra blanket or pillow?" Even as she spoke, the phoenix was making up her mind on whether to chance a couple of tears or not. So far, she had withheld them, having started to run low and refusing to use Liang's blood as a substitute. But while Mark was in pain, he wouldn't be able to rest properly. She was arguing back and forth, making her hair spark up every now and then.
<psychowing> He nodded again, happy to be horizontal once more. Would it be okay...? Well, she had offered. "B-blanket, please?" he murmured, eyes starting to droop closed. He had used up what little energy he had, which was no surprise really considering he had only woken a few hours ago from his short coma.
<Ellakey> "No problem. Don't hesitate to ask for anything." She grabbed an extra blanket from the other bed and draped it over his thin frame. "Get some rest," she said softly, going to work on his new IV solution. She replaced his bag and left in silence.
<psychowing> A third nod was the only response she got as his eyes closed and stayed that way. His last thoughts as sleep claimed him went something along the lines of how he wouldn't ask for anything else. He honestly thought that he deserved all the pain and discomfort and that he shouldn't have asked for what he did.
He had decided to open up to others and it hadn't done anything good, for him or them. He wasn't going to make the same mistake again.
<psychowing> It had been four days since Halloween, four days of hearing nothing about his roommate before Shiloh was finally allowed in to the infirmary to see him. Once inside, it was pretty obvious where Mark was, behind the only curtain hanging and drawn. Behind that curtain, the necromancer was still hooked up to an IV, looking thinner and paler than he normally was, and his eyes were closed, his head turned toward the wall.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh slipped forwards and peeked around the curtain to see Mark. He wasn't one for being shy, but he was hesitant of his friend's weakened condition. The Incubus moved forward slowly. "Hey Mark..." he said standing a few steps away.
<psychowing> Pale eyes opened and glanced over. Mark blinked a couple of times, slowly and looking exhausted. "Shiloh?" He sounded a little surprised that the taller boy had come to visit.
<Tenshifaia> "Heeeyaaa buuudy...." he said in a patronizing tone then blinked. "Okay, that was cheesy." He shook his head. "Hey man... how're you feeling?" he asked the necromancer with sincerity in his voice.
<psychowing> Mark shrugged, looking away. "Pretty horrible," he answered, completely honest. And between the joint pain and weakness and headaches and nausea and everything else, it was easy to see why.
<Tenshifaia> "Well man... you look pretty horrible." he teased lightly. He sat down on the bed. "Is there anything I can do? I can take you into my dreams so you don't feel pain," he offered, hopeful.
<psychowing> Mark shook his head slowly, choosing to ignore the comment. He didn't have the energy to think too much on it. "My magic isn't settled right now. And..." He didn't know what Shiloh might have heard, what Mira might have told him, but it couldn't hurt to say, right? "And my spirit was removed from my body. Don't know what'll happen." He sounded as tired as he looked.
<Tenshifaia> He sighed some. "I heard as much... though no one's really talking about it... people just don't check the rafters for eavesdropping incubi." He chuckled a bit. He patted Mark's leg. "You'll be okay buddy... you're lucky you have a spirit," he said gently. "Demons are kinda born minus those."
<psychowing> The smaller boy grunted softly, trying to sit up a bit so he could lean against the pillows. He was already sick of laying down whenever someone was talking to him (even if it was usually just Kirke). "Believe me, having a spirit doesn't mean much sometimes," he muttered, looking down.
<Tenshifaia> "You're talking to lust incarnate," Shiloh said and helped him to sit up with his tail. "Don't be so down," he said gently. "You lost control of your powers... At least that thing... wasn't part of you," he said gently. Considering the monster Shiloh feared was part of him, he knew what losing control was like. He didn't however, understand what it was like to almost hurt his friend.
<psychowing> Mark flinched lightly at the gentle touch, mind flashing back to what he had drawn of Shiloh. Shaking his head lightly, he tucked his feet in close. "Sure felt like he was."
<Tenshifaia> "Don't do that to yourself," Shiloh chided him. "It was a funky ghost thingy that did all that, not you, right?" he asked, still not sure of much when it came to the big event.
<psychowing> The necromancer shook his head. "For a while though, it was me. Even if I was being influenced, for a couple of weeks, I could have done something about it. I didn't though. I just... let it all happen."
<Tenshifaia> "I don't think its your fault," he said gently. "I mean, I could make you want me and make you wanna make out with me, and you'd be doing it, but it's my powers that are making you do it," he said with a nod as he tapped his lips in thought.
<psychowing> Mark cringed lightly at the thought of being forced to do anything again. He knew Shiloh wouldn't do that so it wasn't in fear of his roommate, just the thought of anyone doing that to him. "I don't think you'd still be saying that if you knew what I did do." He absently reached over and started to fiddle with the IV, not looking like he realized he was even doing it.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh's tail swatted his hand away "Don't play with that! What if it makes your head swell up or your junk fall off!" he spoke rather vehemently. He didn't know much about medicine, only that Kirke did it well.
<psychowing> Blinking in surprise, Mark rubbed his hand, temporarily knocked from the mood he had fallen into. He shook his head, letting out a weak huff of laughter. "It doesn't work like that. Ivs are used to make sure patients don't dehydrate or to get medicine directly into their system. This one is a nutrient drip since I haven't been able to eat since I've woken up." And there he went, right back into it. It wasn't entirely his fault considering the roller coaster it had felt like his emotions were on.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh poked at the back with his tail curiously. "So if you mess it up you might end up like a skeleton or gaining lots of weight?" he asked curiosuly. The point of his tail pricked a hole in the back and it started to shoot the liquid out in a trickle. "Crap!" Shiloh fell off the bed looking for something to fix it.
<psychowing> Mark reached out and folded the tube in on itself, kinking it so nothing could make it's way into his arm. He wasn't going to risk an air bubble getting into his bloodstream and killing him. "Shiloh, calm down. Just... come over here and help me. Get a cotton ball and a bandaid." Kirke would be back in a few hours, he could manage that long without the IV.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh picked up a cotton ball and bandaid and walked over "Do I put the bandaid on the hole?" he asked pointing at the IV.
<psychowing> Mark shook his head. "I'm going to need it for my arm. Just open it and after I pull the needle out, cover where it was with the cotton ball and use the bandaid to tape it down." He moved his hand to the needle and glanced at Shiloh. "Ready?" Without waiting for an answer, he pulled the needle free and let it drop to the bed as he held his arm out to Shiloh.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh quickly put the bandaid on and leaned down sniffing the bandaid. "Does it hurt?" he asked as he nuzzled on the skin, his nose brushing along his wrist a little bit. "I've never had an IV, it goes in your veins don't it?" he asked.
<psychowing> The smaller boy couldn't help the light shiver Shiloh's actions drew. "It hurts a little, but I've felt worse." Heck, his joints were just now starting to stop aching. "And yeah, it introduces the medicine and other stuff right into the blood." He hesitated before tugging his arm away and tying the IV tub so it would stop dripping. "You can put that all in the sink. Just be careful of the needle."
<Tenshifaia> He took the bag to the sink "Bah, don't need to warn me about the... nevermind," he winced as he pricked himself. He walked back over and looked at Mark with sympathy. "Sorry I made a mess of everything... medicine and me don't get along together," he said with a shrug.
<psychowing> Mark shook his head. "It's fine. I should be trying to get off the IV anyway. It's not healthy to not eat, even if I am still getting the nutrients I need." He shrugged and gave a weak smile to Shiloh.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh grinned. "I got just the thing," he rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a brown paper bag. He unrolled the top and reached in, pulling out a cookie. "Here, try this, I made it." He held out the cookie, a pleased smile on his lips.
<psychowing> He hesitated, eyes flickering between the cookie and his roommate, before carefully accepting it. He knew he shouldn't go from absolutely nothing in his stomach save the half bowl of broth he had managed to choke down earlier to eating something that, knowing Shiloh, was going to be super sweet and rich. But he didn't want to upset his friend either (and were they friends, or did Shiloh spend time with him only because they were roommates?), so he took a small bite, chewing slowly and hoping that he wouldn't end up feeling sick.
<Tenshifaia> The one skill that Shiloh truly possessed was cooking. He was a mediocre artist and his grades were passing, but when he baked or cooked the result was always delicious, including the cookie. "Don't eat all of it, you may.. heheh.. toss your cookies," he grinned. Shiloh sat on the bed again and put his arm around Mark, again showing his ignorance of infirmary conduct.
<psychowing> It wasn't that his ignorance was necessarily bad, it was just that Mark was still skittish. Well, more skittish than Shiloh had seen since school had started. Evidence of that was provided when Mark lightly shrugged off Shiloh's arm instead of accepting it like he normally would. He looked down and to the side, figuring that he had just hurt the incubus' feelings and that he was going to leave now.
<Tenshifaia> "Sorry! Was I flirting again? I can never tell," Shiloh said, pulling his arm away but stayed next to him. Shiloh was as awkward with people as it was, let alone trying to comfort someone who was sick. His instinct normally told him to rub up against the person like some desperate feline. Shiloh was a good friend who would stick by Mark as long as Mark didn't do anything to aggravate his hunger.
<psychowing> He shook his head. "No, you're fine. I just..." He hunched his shoulders a little. "I just don't... I'm not really all that comfortable with being touched right now." He gave Shiloh another weak smile.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh nodded and scooted away from Mark, moving to sit nearby. "Is that better?" he asked cocking his head to one side, as if he were a dog seeking acceptance from a person.
<psychowing> Mark nodded, wrapping his arms around his knees. Yeah, he was more comfortable with the additional space, but he was suddenly feeling so alone too. But, that was what he wanted, was aiming for, not wanting to let anyone close anymore. It was just so much easier to disconnect than to worry about trying not to hurt people or being hurt by them.
Now if only he could think of a way to scare Shiloh into leaving.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh smiled. "Sorry, I got learn that whole 'personal space' thing." The incubus shrugged his slim shoulders. He sighed. "With you cooped up in here, and Mira being mopey I'm going stir crazy ya know." He looked at his claws. "You gotta get better soon so we can all hang out again."
<psychowing> Mark winced, refusing to look at Shiloh now. "That's... not going to happen." Not with Mira as terrified of him as she was.
<Tenshifaia> "Why not?" Shiloh asked looking to him with a tilted head. "Mira will forgive you, I know she will," he said with a nod, though a small frown etched the corners of his mouth as he spoke. He didn't like that the purest hearted person he knew had budding feelings, even if it was for his roommate and friend. He didn't voice these thoughts though, it wasn't his place to tell.
<psychowing> "She's terrified of me! She flinches any time I move, even with as weak as I am! I almost killed her, Shiloh! I almost beat her and choked her and slit her throat! I wanted so badly to cut her open and dig my hands in while she was still alive! Someone doesn't just forgive something like that!" And even if she could, he couldn't. Yeah, it hadn't really been him and he knew it, but it had felt like it. Even with his spirit removed from his body, he had still been able to feel so when he had woken up, he remembered the Other's emotions and felt them like he was the one who they belonged to.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh narrowed his eyebrows. "That's enough Mark," he said darkly. "It wasn't you. It wasn't you at all," he said firmly. "I don't care if you wanna be dramatic, the facts are there, IT WAS NOT YOU," Shiloh said with a frown. He was getting irritated that Mark was trying to take on the actions of another. It was a sore spot considering if Shiloh did something bad, it would be him. It was like Mark was trying to take on a curse similar to the one Shiloh would do anything to be rid of.
<psychowing> Mark glared at Shiloh, the most emotion he had shown anyone since waking. "We can't be sure of that! He was influencing me almost since I got here. Who knows how I've been changed because of that! And you wouldn't be saying that if you knew I had nearly killed you too!" He blinked, expression saying that he hadn't meant to let that slip, before he shoved his hands through his hair, looking down.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh watched him a moment, his wine colored eyes growing slightly. That fact made things hit home a little more, but at the same time, he didn't have anything to fear, he couldn't die. Right now didn't seem to be the time to mention that as he watched Mark tear himself apart. "Mark... it's okay," he said lamely. "I can't tell much more than lust and love... but I can tell you're a good guy."
<psychowing> "No, it isn't okay! I drew you and everyone else dead and then I almost did it how I drew it! I drew Mira beaten bloody and I drew you hanging from the rafters in our room!" he near shouted, clenching his eyes shut. "And a few days later, I realized that I had some rope and I was watching you sleep! I wanted so bad to go over and tie it around your neck and pull you up! I could see the way you would struggle, hear the noises you'd make! And I liked the thought of it!" He shook his head, glaring down at his lap. "So don't tell me that it's okay!"
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh winced some. "Stop blaming yourself man! Stop TRYING to be the bad guy!" he shouted angrily. "Mark, half the people on this campus are as unstable as our crazy asses, you just happen to be the first one to snap," he said, flaring his hands out some. "That... thing... didn't win. Now is the time to let things get better, but that's all on you. If you wanna sit there and beat yourself up I can't stop you."
<psychowing> "How can you just pretend it didn't happen?!" Mark demanded, not quite sure why he was taking his anger at himself out on Shiloh. Probably because he wasn't willing to forgive himself just yet.
<Tenshifaia> "I'm not saying you do or can, but ya gotta let it go Mark." Shiloh was shouting back now. "You're trying to get better, you're training to control your powers aren't you?" Shiloh asked, his tail rigid for the time being. "Maybe you just need to man up, face facts and get on with your bloody life. Forgiving is not forgetting... you can't blame yourself... it'll destroy you... and I'm speaking for at least one person in this area... I don't want to see you destroyed."
<psychowing> Mark opened his mouth to retort, with what he didn't know, when he started coughing. He hunched over, putting his hands to his mouth like that would stop the harsh coughs that were making his whole body shudder. He closed his eyes, covering the tears that had started appearing from the feeling of needles in this throat and the throbbing that had started at the base of his skull.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh was at his side in an instant, hand on his back as well as tail. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly, his anger lost at the first signs of Mark's pain.
<psychowing> He shook his head, gesturing for a glass of water. If he could just stop coughing, he could direct the other boy to where there were painkillers that Kirke had said he could use.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh grabbed the glass for him and handed it over. When Mark seemed to want to say something more. "Ummm I... think lustily about whatever you need and I can read your mind!" he urged quickly.
<psychowing> Well, Mark had been easing up on the coughing until Shiloh said that and made him nearly swallow his tongue in surprise. How the hell did someone think lustily about painkillers? And did he really think that Mark could manage that while he was hacking out a lung?
Well, it's not like it could really hurt any and if he failed, it wasn't like anyone else would know what he was thinking. Feeling extremely embarrassed on top of short of breath, Mark closed his eyes again and started to imagine Shiloh kissing at his neck, the bottle of pills in hand. He had no idea how to emphasize the pills and it was the best he could do so hopefully it worked.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh's skin sizzled scarlet with blush as Mark's thoughts opened up to him. He had expected thoughts of Mira, or maybe Kirke, not himself. It opened up A LOT of questions for a later time, but for now, with the pathway opened, Shiloh understood at once what Mark needed. Shiloh read as deep into Mark's shallow thoughts as possible and managed to divine where the pills were. He swiped them up in his hand from where Kirke had stashed them and opened the bottle pouring out some into his palm and offering them to Mark.
<psychowing> He finally managed to stop coughing, falling back against the pillows again, wheezing softly and his entire body throbbing in pain. The blond accepted two of the pills, taking them with a drink of water and managing not to spill it over himself.
"S-sorry," he muttered, voice hoarse, and refused to look at Shiloh. "I didn't think I could just focus on the pills and you were here..."
<Tenshifaia> "It's okay, I wasn't aware you could lust for me," Shiloh said sheepishly. He sat on the edge of the bed and stayed quiet. "Please get better soon," he said gently.
<psychowing> Mark frowned softly. "As abnormal as I am, and as much as I might not like it, I'm still a human male. You'll find that we can lust over just about anything. I'm just... It has to be a real person for me. Someone I know." He glanced over, wondering if Shiloh was upset or disgusted with him, and not sure if he really wanted him to be either, no matter how much easier it would be to push the incubus away if he was. "Don't worry. I get sick a lot. And I've been worse off before."
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh smirked. "Just don't imagine me all over you." he teased. "So you're bi huh?" he asked curiously, tail swaying with interest, part of him glad to try and just have a conversation with his friend.
<psychowing> He shrugged lightly. "I hadn't really ever thought about it. I... guess so? I don't know. It doesn't seem that important to me what someone looks like on the outside. I mean, I see spirits all the time and those always, with a handful of exceptions and ignoring Necromancers, they show what someone is really like. So, even if someone was... Marilyn Monroe beautiful, if they were a cruel person, their spirit would be twisted to reflect that." He frowned again, running that over in his mind. "Does that make sense?"
<Tenshifaia> He nodded some. "You can see kinda like how I see, but you can see more than lust," he said with a nod. "So what do you see of me?" he asked worriedly, "Can you see my darkside... the monster inside of me?" his voice grew a little tight.
<psychowing> Mark paused before focusing on Shiloh, pushing back the pain reaching out with his still damaged soul caused. It was harder, so much harder, to look at one of the living than the dead. With the living, you had to peer past their shell and try to pin down how they appeared, make sense of how they were ever changing, and that was before taking into account how teenagers weren't set in themselves just yet.
"......You're unstable, but that's to be expected because you're a shapeshifter... You've got a softness to your spirit that shows you're kind... You're on the lighter side of gray..." Mark gasped softly as his spirit touched Shiloh's power and he suddenly moved forward, forgetting about his pain and kissing the other boy.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh smiled slightly as Mark gazed at him so intently. He half expected the young necromancer to go cross-eyed from the effort. When Mark spoke Shiloh smiled gently. "You can really see good in me?" Shiloh asked in surprise, only to be more surprised as Mark lunged for him. Shiloh gasped into the kiss, then closed his eyes kissing back as he put his arms around Mark slowly.
<psychowing> Mark leaned closer, putting one hand on the bed next to Shiloh's leg for balance as his other hand reached up to tangle in dark hair. He deepened the kiss, moaning softly into Shiloh's mouth.
A corner of his mind realized that this wasn't right, that he hadn't meant to kiss Shiloh (no matter how much he did actually find the incubus attractive), and that this was probably going to end up hurting Shiloh and upsetting him, but the rest of Mark couldn't care less, enjoying what they were doing.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh kissed back and his eyes started to glow red as he pulled Mark onto his lap, holding him close as they kissed more. Shiloh inhaled deeply through his nose, feeding from the lust, unable to control himself. He felt his body get healthier from just the taste of it. If Mark was paying attention, he could almost feel Shiloh's muscles get more defined as he grew healthier. His tail slowly slipped down and coiled around Mark's leg.
Shiloh felt something wrong, he wasn't supposed to be feeding, he knew that, but this tasted so good, and he was starving!
<psychowing> The temperature of the room started to drop, Mark's water glass fogging over on the table next to the bed they were on, as he subconsciously drew on his magic and pulled energy from the air around them. He probably could have drawn on Shiloh's energy instead, creating a sort of feedback loop, but his Guardian nature wouldn't allow that, sensing that the incubus needed this.
Mark had started shivering by then and a particularly bad one broke their kiss. He blinked unfocused eyes open and just stared at Shiloh, dazed and gasping for the breaths he hadn't taken while they were otherwise occupied.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh pulled away and his countenance seemed different. He seemed stronger, calmer, less desperate and awkward. He looked at Mark with glimmering red eyes. "Your feelings are magnificent..." he whispered in a husky tone. Right before their eyes, a few of the cuts and wounds that had accumlated on Shiloh's hands from cooking. He moved forward and nuzzled Mark's neck, then pulled away with a growl. "I need to go... it'll get worse if I stay.." he said quickly, his voice going back to normal.
<psychowing> "Wh-what?" he murmured, leaning his head back to give Shiloh better access. Mark blinked at the taller boy slowly, before lifting the hand not in his hair and grabbing Shiloh's shirt. "No, stay," he whispered, eyes still a bit glazed. "I want you." He leaned up to kiss Shiloh again.
<Tenshifaia> "Mark..." Shiloh bit his lip but touched Mark's shoulders. "I might hurt you if I feed from you too much. I don't want to hurt you." He focused every part of himself on worrying for Mark, anything to keep his mind off of the free meal right before his eyes. With one last ditch effort Shiloh dug into pocket and pulled out his limiter pendant and put it on. His powers suddenly sealed away, along with his shadows. Shiloh stood naked in the middle of the infirmary with Mark who now had to recover from the extreme wave of lust and most likely someone curious about the odd sounds that had just escaped the infirmary.
<psychowing> The blond sagged, slumping against Shiloh's chest as the power drawing at him cut off abruptly. He gasped softly in pain as it crashed back over him and he started shivering in earnest. Wrapping his arms around himself, Mark whimpered softly. "Wh-what happened?" It was so hard to think around the haze filling his mind.
<Tenshifaia> "My powers, they drew you to me," Shiloh said and put his arms around his friend, lowering him back into bed. "It cleared your mind of anything but lust and desire... it'll feel tingly for a while..." stated the naked incubus as he made sure Mark was laying back down stably. "You tasted.. nice... " he murmured, blushing slightly "Sorry, you probably don't want to be out of control anymore than you have been..."
<psychowing> " 'S not your fault," Mark slurred. He was feeling so exhausted now, not from being fed on though, but because he had being reaching out with his spirit. His eyes were starting to droop closed. "Sorry," he whispered, awake and coherent enough to realize that Shiloh wouldn't have done that if not for Mark. It was his fault again.
<Tenshifaia> "Shhh... rest now," Shiloh said gently and fluffed Mark's pillow before kissing the necromancer's cheek. "I feel a lot better... thanks for the snack," he joked, not mentioning how terribly he hated himself for feeding on his friend.
<psychowing> Mark wanted to tell him that it was okay, that he wasn't angry, but he fell asleep before he could. The last little thought in his mind before he drifted off was that he felt he deserved it, that it was the least he could do to make up for things.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh stood up and pet Mark gently with a sigh. He headed out the door, forgetting he was naked, making quite the scene outside.
<Ellakey> Mira was sitting on the furthest bed, curled up with her homework. She wasn't sure why she stayed, especially after Mark had tried to attack her. She stayed though, usually with plenty of space between them. She was still twitchy and would jump if surprised or at the sight of a normal butter knife. She was too focused on her homework to notice the movement on the opposite side of the room.
<psychowing> Mark's eyes opened and he blinked slowly at the ceiling, confused. His entire body was sore and felt heavy. Had he gotten sick again? He tried to lift one hand to touch his pounding head, but found that he couldn't move it far. Blinking again, he rolled his head to see why. His breath hitched when he saw the handcuffs holding him to the bed. Why? What had...? Why was he restrained? Why couldn't he remember what had happened?
<Ellakey> She looked up, thinking she saw something and blinked in surprise. Mark was...awake? Moving? She stood cautiously, accidentally knocking her pencil to the ground. She winced as it clattered on the cold tile floor.
<psychowing> Mark looked over in surprise, flinching at the noise. His eyes were wide, fearful, and he was starting to hyperventilate, tugging at the handcuffs. It was definitely a good thing that Kirke had wrapped his arm or he'd probably cut himself on the metal.
<Ellakey> Mira slowly walked forward, tucking her hair back behind her ears, holding her hands out in front of her. The light was dim, mostly from a lamp at her bed, but when she got close enough, she flicked on Mark's lamp as well, close but just out of his reach.
<psychowing> Mark squinted from the light before being able to focus on her. "M-Mira? What? Why am I here? Why am I cuffed?" Well, he certainly sounded like Mark now, but he had before too.
<Ellakey> She just looked at him, staring at him in a mixture of fright and confusion.
<psychowing> He stared back. She was afraid of him? Why would she...? And then he remembered what had happened, the memories hitting him hard. He winced, putting his free hand to his head. After a moment, he looked at her again, sorrow in his eyes. "Mira... I'm so... I'm so sorry... I swear, I didn't... I don't... It wasn't me! I wouldn't... I wouldn't hurt you! Please, believe me."
<Ellakey> She flinched away when his voice went up, staring at the ground. Now she knew he was screwing with her mind. It had been him. She wasn't crazy.
<psychowing> Mark watched her. Why wasn't she doing anything? Writing anything? "Mira?"
<Ellakey> She peeked up at him, digging her hands in her pockets for an extra pen. Finding one, she wrote a message, tearing it off and throwing it on his lap. You attacked me Mark. I know it was you.
<psychowing> He shook his head, forcing himself to sit up through the weakness still pulling at his body. "No, Mira, it wasn't me! I swear! I couldn't stop him! I tried but... I couldn't! Not until you damaged the crystal! Please, Mira..."
<Ellakey> She stumbled backwards when he moved, nearly tripping over the stool left from Kirke observing him. Her eyes widened in panic and she stayed down, staring up at him a moment before straightening the stool and attempting to hide behind it.
<psychowing> She wasn't scared, she was terrified. He... there wasn't anything he could do. If she felt the need to put distance and things between them when he was so weak and couldn't move anywhere, then what was the point? There wasn't anything he could say or do that would change her mind. He just lay down again, turning his face away from her. He couldn't look at her without feeling the want to cry. He might have said to the Other that he didn't care if she was afraid of him, but that wasn't true. He did. And it hurt so much for her to be looking at him like that. He closed his eyes, forcing his expression to stay blank.
<Ellakey> After several minutes like that, Mira slowly stood up again, eyes still locked on Mark. She wrote a short note, throwing it. It hit his ear. Mark?
<psychowing> Mark lifted a hand to pick up the note and read it. He rolled his head toward her again, fixing tired, dead eyes on her. "What?"
<Ellakey> She flinched slightly, looking down at her notebook. Why did you attack me?
<psychowing> He swallowed. "I didn't. Mira, that wasn't me."
<Ellakey> She didn't write anything but looked at him, her eyes narrowed and her lips all scrunched up like she was trying not to cry.
<psychowing> "Please, believe me. I wouldn't ever hurt you on purpose. I told you that. I meant it."
<Ellakey> But you DID try to hurt me...you had a knife in the weird room... Her face scrunched up more and she hid it behind her notebook, taking deep breaths to calm down once more.
<psychowing> His expression shifted to something sad and pained. "That wasn't me! It might have been my body, but it wasn't me!"
<Ellakey> She winced and sat on the bed closest to him, curling up tight, her hair becoming a curtain that hid nearly everything except her bright eyes, staring at him in fright again.
<psychowing> Seeing that he had frightened her again, Mark closed his eyes and turned away from Mira again. "If you're so scared of me, then why are you here?" he whispered.
<Ellakey> Mira threw her next note at him again, tucking her hair back again. I am...worried? You are...were...my friend...I thought we were friends. But then you attacked me. And now you are saying it was not you but it had to be. No one can just use your body like that.
<psychowing> 'Were'? She didn't want to be friends anymore? Oh, who was he kidding? Of course she didn't. He should have known it was too good to be true. "It wasn't me. I was possessed by another necromancer," he said, not quite sure why he was trying. It wasn't like she would believe him. "And if we aren't friends, then there's no need for you to be here. There's no point in worrying over someone who tried to hurt you." He just wanted her to go away so he could break down in peace, the darkness of the Other's thoughts and actions still lingering and making him feel dirty. It was the closest he personally had been to being raped and he hated the feeling.
<Ellakey> Another necromancer? She tried to think for a moment, but it didn't make sense. Then again...a lot of stuff with Mark didn't make sense to her. Slowly, she stood, inching closer to the bed. She poked his cheek softly, trembling the entire time, breath short and shallow. If he moved quickly, she'd be gone in a flash.
<psychowing> Mark hadn't looked at her again the last time he spoke so the light touch on his face startled him and made him jerk away before looking over with wide eyes.
<Ellakey> She had ducked down immediately. Slowly, she peeked up at him, eyes and forehead just peeking over the edge of his bed to stare, equally wide eyed.
<psychowing> Why was she still here? It was obvious to him that she'd rather be anywhere but here. He bit his lip and looked away again. "Just go away if you're so scared," he muttered. He didn't know how much longer he'd be able to stop himself from crying.
<Ellakey> She poked him again, a light touch, propping her chin on the edge of the bed. This time, she sent out a tendril of her spirit, trying to understand what he was saying but scared that she would only feel the darkness again. If she did, that was it. She was gone.
<psychowing> His spirit was lighter than the last time, but there was still some shadows to it. And it felt a little cracked and broken, bruised and lonely.
Mark jerked in surprise, feeling her spirit touch his. He looked at her with wide eyes. "Don't do that!" What if there was something there that could hurt her? Never mind that his soul was still healing from the battle and that her touch had caused him pain, that didn't matter. What if she was hurt?
<Ellakey> She flinched but didn't withdraw this time, shoulders scrunched up as she peeked at him. Slowly, she felt for her pen and notebook. It feels different this time...
<psychowing> "I don't care! Don't... You can't just do that to people!" He had been violated enough as it was, his spirit had, and he didn't want anyone to feel how damaged he was. And he was going to be oversensitive for a while because of all of this.
<Ellakey> She looked down. She had sort of started believing him now that she felt how damaged he was. She dropped her notebook in his lap before retreating back to her bed, hiding under the covers.
<psychowing> Mark brushed the notebook aside, half-afraid that he'd continue drawing those horrible things, and curled up on his side. Biting his lip and clenching his eyes shut, he used every shred of control he had not to start crying. He wasn't going to do that in front of her, in front of anyone.
<Ellakey> Kirke returned to the infirmary as Mira was leaving to get ready for class. She paused to let the tall girl through before setting her bag down, picking up a new IV bag to replace Mark's current one. She started fiddling with the stuff, not realizing he had woken up.
<psychowing> Mark flinched lightly, rolling onto his back again to look at Kirke. Was he just not going to be allowed alone at any point?
<Ellakey> She jumped, hair kicking up in her surprise, but she gave a big smile when she saw him awake. "Mark! You're up! Sort of..." She smiled a bit as she switched his bag out before dragging the stool closer. "How are you feeling?"
<psychowing> He just watched her with those still dead eyes before rolling away and curling up once again, leaving his back toward her. "Sore. Heavy." And he just didn't want to see the hatred behind that false smile so he closed his eyes and hid his face against the pillow.
<Ellakey> She sighed and leaned forward, brushing his hair gently. Her voice was soft. "My brother looked over the room you and Mira were in. He told me what happened, at least the gist of it. No one is angry with you Mark Garrowson. In fact..." She stood, retrieving something. She was back in a matter of minutes, and picked up his handcuffed arm, unlocking it. She unwrapped his arm slowly, carefully not to pull at his skin with the tape.
<psychowing> Mark flinched again, more violently than the last time when she touched his hair. Right now, after that, after Mira rejecting him, he couldn't take contact from anybody. And where was Patrick? Why wasn't Patrick here? Was he angry too?
He bit his lip again, tensing while she freed his arm and unwrapped it. He didn't believe her that no one was angry - people had been after that dream thing. He was a necromancer, he should be able to handle a single spirit. All of it, even if he hadn't been the one to do it, it was all his fault. He should have been able to stop it. And even if it was true that no one was angry (again, untrue, especially after all that the Other had done and said to hurt others), that didn't change the fact that Mira was afraid of him. He shuddered at the thought of that room. It had felt horrible against his soul to have been kept in there.
<Ellakey> "My brother is deconstructing the spells as we speak. He's very thorough too. And we're adding a couple of safeguards to the school system. No more evil necromancers will come again without us knowing. Not until you're strong enough at least." She kept talking softly as she went about her normal routine, checking his vitals. "The fact that you won against the other soul... you're strong Mark." She smiled again. "And I have known one or two good necromancers in my time. Helped me put a few souls to rest."
<psychowing> She was lying to him, she had to be. He had thought that he could be good, but look at what had happened. He had nearly killed his best friend. Oh, he didn't doubt that what she said about Liang and the other safeguards was true, but he'd never be strong enough. He had failed so horribly. And he had gotten lucky, gotten in a lucky shot and the Other hadn't expected Mark to learn from him. But he was painfully aware of the state of his own soul. It was broken and dark. It was only a matter of time until he did something else. And it would be all him. He wouldn't have the same excuses then.
He just moved the ways she needed him to, but it was extremely difficult for him to sit up, leaving him panting softly in pain. What was wrong with his body? Was this just because of how he had been removed for a few weeks? Or... Or was his body finally breaking down on him?
<Ellakey> Kirke noticed this and frowned somewhat. "Here, lay back. I'll get you some painkillers. Nothing that'll make you sleep though." She stood and got some water and a couple dark blue pills, tucking her arm behind his back to help him sit up again to drink. "Here. You'll be stuck in here while you're body is healing, I'm afraid. But hey, I'm sure your friends will drop by. Mira has barely left this room since you've come here."
<psychowing> Mark tensed and started to shake lightly, not expecting any sort of gentle touch and wary of it. Why wasn't she screaming at him and blaming him too? Was she just waiting? He didn't have a choice in the matter about taking the pills now, so he did without a fuss. When he was laying down again, he looked at the wall. "I don't know why. She's terrified of me. We aren't friends." He closed his eyes. He had only repeated what she said, but it hurt so much to say.
<Ellakey> She paused. "Here. Emergency cell phone. My number is 1 on speed dial if you need more medicine or anything." She went and pulled a phone out from her lab area, setting it on the notebook. "I'll bring the books with me too."
<psychowing> He nodded tightly, just wanting her to go, needing to be able to break. He couldn't allow it to happen where anyone could see. They'd use it against him, no matter what she might have said. He just couldn't bring himself to speak again.
<Ellakey> She left after adding a tissue box next to the phone, shutting the door behind him, giving Mark a couple hours to himself.
<Ellakey> Mira returned to the infirmary after daybreak, avoiding looking directly at Mark as she moved her stuff a little bit closer to Mark's bed, keeping just one bed between them now. She sat on that bed, looking at the floor, whiteboard and marker in her lap. Not sure if he was awake or not, she sent out a bit of her spirit, gently brushing against his soul. She had thought she felt something last time, something familiar, and was testing out her theory.
<psychowing> Mark was still curled up on his side, ignoring whoever had walked in and hoping that they would leave him alone, especially after having flipped through Mira's pad (which he had thrown in a fit of anger and now lay on the floor. He had felt guilty about it immediately after, but hadn't had the energy or willpower to go and pick it up again). He jerked and bit his lip from the pain as Mira brushed against one of those cracks, her energy sliding in and pulling back out again, breaking the little tendrils that were pulling the edges back together and widening the wound again.
His soul felt like his, mostly. It was somewhere between that cold darkness she had felt before he had been possessed and the warmth she had expected.
<Ellakey> She pulled away again, her eyes crumpled in more worry. She didn't know she had caused more damage, but she could feel the gaps and that worried her. Taking a deep breath, she touched the edge of his bed, tugging on the sheets. She sent out another soft touch, the effort of constantly sending out her soul giving her a headache. She was careful to only find one of the whole pieces of his soul and gave a soft poke before whipping it back again, breathing hard.
<psychowing> "What?" Mark asked, voice dull; he refused to look at her. Yeah, her spirit was completely unharmed, but that didn't change the fact that he didn't want anyone to touch him like that - not until after he had had the chance to come to terms with everything.
<Ellakey> She made a face. Seriously? How was she supposed to "talk" to him if he couldn't read. She grabbed her whiteboard and smacked the side of the bed with it, frowning.
<psychowing> Mark turned slightly, just enough to be able to read her board. "I thought you were afraid of me," he said bitterly.
<Ellakey> She wrote quickly: I am afraid...but...Miss Telis talked to me today...and...it is not just of you Mark... She looked down while he read, a faint blue. I get scared when someone touches me or yells at me or anything really. That is one reason I am in here. And I am worried about you! Because you were one of my first friends...and helped me with Grandmother and...and I do not want to lose you as a friend so even though I am scared I still am here making sure something does not happen again and you get hurt more...
<psychowing> Mark closed his eyes. He had done that to her, made her afraid of everything. How could he... How could he ever make it up to her? He couldn't. He hadn't been good enough, fast enough, strong enough to have stopped the Other. If he hadn't been here, she never would have been hurt like that.
"You're better off without me," he muttered. Everyone would be really.
<Ellakey> She poked him in the cheek softly with her whiteboard before kneeling, chin resting on the mattress. She propped her whiteboard up against him to write. Maybe but you are not better alone. You need someone to talk to and trust. Am I no longer that person?
<psychowing> He glanced at the board then looked away again. "I talk to Patrick." He wasn't going to say anything in regards to her. Of course he still wanted her to be his friend, but he knew that she'd stay by him just because she felt obligated to, even though she was afraid of him.
<Ellakey> She frowned and suddenly had to blink, wiping at her eyes. So...all the times you woke up from those nightmare memories and I was there...that was nothing? She set the board against him and went back to her bed, pulling the covers up around herself. She felt more miserable than before. Maybe just a little broken hearted. Because she was trying, trying to understand what happened with Mark, trying not to be scared. But that understanding would only come with him trying to explain because he understood it best.
<psychowing> The thing was though, while yes he did know more than she did, he didn't really understand it either. He didn't have the slightest clue how to put what he did know into words, other than to keep telling her that it hadn't been him. And she had already said that she didn't believe him so what was the point?
Reading what she had written, he frowned softly. "I didn't say that," he whispered before raising his voice a little. "I'm trying to give you an out, M–" He cut himself off. He didn't have any right to say her name anymore.
<Ellakey> She didn't move at first, trying to think past her hurt. While she was trying to sort through her feelings, Kirke returned, carrying a few books and steaming bowl. "It took me awhile to find them, but I got those books I mentioned." The phoenix looked at the whiteboard, then both students. "I can come back if need be." She certainly remembered the drama she had as a kid, even if some of it was fuzzy now.
<psychowing> Mark glanced over, taking in the headmistress and the bowl she was holding. Feeling his stomach lurch, he rolled away again, a green tinge to his skin. He really hoped that that wasn't for him. He obviously wasn't going to be eating anything today. Actually, he should probably request a bin or something in case he did end up throwing up, once he thought he'd be able to that is.
<Ellakey> Kirke was quick to set the broth and books aside, glancing at the IV bag. She touched Mark's shoulder softly, moving her hand up to check his temperature. Her hand was soft and warm against his skin. "Do you need more painkillers? Anti-nausea pills? We can't have you throwing up what little you have in your stomach." A whole glass of water. She glanced at the broth. So much for getting him to try something a tad stronger than water.
Mira's head popped up from her covers and she looked at Mark with worry before getting up. The few times she had been sick, she had practically lived with a trash can glued to her side in case she threw up. She disappeared, returning with a bucket and held it out to Kirke.
"Thank you Mira. Go back to your studying now." Kirke set the bucket up on the bed while she went to fetch more medicine. Part of her was wishing she could use sleeping pills and just let the boy sleep through the pain of his body (she had no idea about how wounded his soul was) healing, but after rereading his file from before, she knew it had been a horrid idea to begin with.
<psychowing> Mark shook his head lightly, torn between drawing away from Kirke's touch and leaning into the warmth offered. He hadn't realized how cold he was feeling before now and wished for another blanket, not that he would ask for one. He had been causing enough problems recently. It was all he seemed to do really.
<Ellakey> "Could you sit up a bit so I can check your heart and lungs?" Kirke asked, voice softer now. She slipped one hand under his back to help support him, pulling her stethoscope out of her pocket with her free one. "I'll just do this and check your IV and leave you alone to rest." She warmed the cold metal with a bit of heat from her magic.
<psychowing> He opened his eyes (when had they closed?) at Kirke's request for him to sit up. It was probably going to be a bad idea, but he'd try anyway, pushing up slowly. He most likely wouldn't have made it if she hadn't helped him, his body shaking from the pain and lack of energy (was he supposed to be this weak?).
Mark had to grab the bucket and yank it into his lap as he dry heaved. He swallowed harshly when his stomach settled again. At least he hadn't actually vomited, but that didn't mean his head was pounding any less.
If this is what being possessed did to him, then he really hoped it never happened again. Or was this the result of something else? He didn't know or really care, just wanting all of it to stop, one way or another.
<Ellakey> Used to this sort of behavior, Kirke just supported him as he dry heaved, stroking the back of his hair softly. Damn these kids. She had never expected to get so attached so quickly. "I'm going to add some medicine to your IV okay? Strictly painkiller and anti-nausea stuff so your body can rest. And so you can start eating again and get your strength up." She pushed his shirt up with her stethoscope, listening to his heart. "Take a deep breath? Don't hurt yourself, just as deep as you can manage."
<psychowing> Mark nodded slightly. He'd agree to almost anything at this point considering how horrible he was feeling. He sucked in a deep, shuddering breath, held it for a handful of seconds, and let it out again. Even though he hadn't been hospitalized since he was fourteen (and two years had been a pretty good record for him), he was well familiar with this procedure. His lungs were clear and unconstrained. His heart though... While stronger than it had been when he was unconscious, it still should have been stronger than it currently was (even taking into account that his vitals were usually a bit weaker than most humans').
<Ellakey> "All right, good. Thank you. Now let's get you lying down and comfortable. Do you need anything, like an extra blanket or pillow?" Even as she spoke, the phoenix was making up her mind on whether to chance a couple of tears or not. So far, she had withheld them, having started to run low and refusing to use Liang's blood as a substitute. But while Mark was in pain, he wouldn't be able to rest properly. She was arguing back and forth, making her hair spark up every now and then.
<psychowing> He nodded again, happy to be horizontal once more. Would it be okay...? Well, she had offered. "B-blanket, please?" he murmured, eyes starting to droop closed. He had used up what little energy he had, which was no surprise really considering he had only woken a few hours ago from his short coma.
<Ellakey> "No problem. Don't hesitate to ask for anything." She grabbed an extra blanket from the other bed and draped it over his thin frame. "Get some rest," she said softly, going to work on his new IV solution. She replaced his bag and left in silence.
<psychowing> A third nod was the only response she got as his eyes closed and stayed that way. His last thoughts as sleep claimed him went something along the lines of how he wouldn't ask for anything else. He honestly thought that he deserved all the pain and discomfort and that he shouldn't have asked for what he did.
He had decided to open up to others and it hadn't done anything good, for him or them. He wasn't going to make the same mistake again.
<psychowing> It had been four days since Halloween, four days of hearing nothing about his roommate before Shiloh was finally allowed in to the infirmary to see him. Once inside, it was pretty obvious where Mark was, behind the only curtain hanging and drawn. Behind that curtain, the necromancer was still hooked up to an IV, looking thinner and paler than he normally was, and his eyes were closed, his head turned toward the wall.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh slipped forwards and peeked around the curtain to see Mark. He wasn't one for being shy, but he was hesitant of his friend's weakened condition. The Incubus moved forward slowly. "Hey Mark..." he said standing a few steps away.
<psychowing> Pale eyes opened and glanced over. Mark blinked a couple of times, slowly and looking exhausted. "Shiloh?" He sounded a little surprised that the taller boy had come to visit.
<Tenshifaia> "Heeeyaaa buuudy...." he said in a patronizing tone then blinked. "Okay, that was cheesy." He shook his head. "Hey man... how're you feeling?" he asked the necromancer with sincerity in his voice.
<psychowing> Mark shrugged, looking away. "Pretty horrible," he answered, completely honest. And between the joint pain and weakness and headaches and nausea and everything else, it was easy to see why.
<Tenshifaia> "Well man... you look pretty horrible." he teased lightly. He sat down on the bed. "Is there anything I can do? I can take you into my dreams so you don't feel pain," he offered, hopeful.
<psychowing> Mark shook his head slowly, choosing to ignore the comment. He didn't have the energy to think too much on it. "My magic isn't settled right now. And..." He didn't know what Shiloh might have heard, what Mira might have told him, but it couldn't hurt to say, right? "And my spirit was removed from my body. Don't know what'll happen." He sounded as tired as he looked.
<Tenshifaia> He sighed some. "I heard as much... though no one's really talking about it... people just don't check the rafters for eavesdropping incubi." He chuckled a bit. He patted Mark's leg. "You'll be okay buddy... you're lucky you have a spirit," he said gently. "Demons are kinda born minus those."
<psychowing> The smaller boy grunted softly, trying to sit up a bit so he could lean against the pillows. He was already sick of laying down whenever someone was talking to him (even if it was usually just Kirke). "Believe me, having a spirit doesn't mean much sometimes," he muttered, looking down.
<Tenshifaia> "You're talking to lust incarnate," Shiloh said and helped him to sit up with his tail. "Don't be so down," he said gently. "You lost control of your powers... At least that thing... wasn't part of you," he said gently. Considering the monster Shiloh feared was part of him, he knew what losing control was like. He didn't however, understand what it was like to almost hurt his friend.
<psychowing> Mark flinched lightly at the gentle touch, mind flashing back to what he had drawn of Shiloh. Shaking his head lightly, he tucked his feet in close. "Sure felt like he was."
<Tenshifaia> "Don't do that to yourself," Shiloh chided him. "It was a funky ghost thingy that did all that, not you, right?" he asked, still not sure of much when it came to the big event.
<psychowing> The necromancer shook his head. "For a while though, it was me. Even if I was being influenced, for a couple of weeks, I could have done something about it. I didn't though. I just... let it all happen."
<Tenshifaia> "I don't think its your fault," he said gently. "I mean, I could make you want me and make you wanna make out with me, and you'd be doing it, but it's my powers that are making you do it," he said with a nod as he tapped his lips in thought.
<psychowing> Mark cringed lightly at the thought of being forced to do anything again. He knew Shiloh wouldn't do that so it wasn't in fear of his roommate, just the thought of anyone doing that to him. "I don't think you'd still be saying that if you knew what I did do." He absently reached over and started to fiddle with the IV, not looking like he realized he was even doing it.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh's tail swatted his hand away "Don't play with that! What if it makes your head swell up or your junk fall off!" he spoke rather vehemently. He didn't know much about medicine, only that Kirke did it well.
<psychowing> Blinking in surprise, Mark rubbed his hand, temporarily knocked from the mood he had fallen into. He shook his head, letting out a weak huff of laughter. "It doesn't work like that. Ivs are used to make sure patients don't dehydrate or to get medicine directly into their system. This one is a nutrient drip since I haven't been able to eat since I've woken up." And there he went, right back into it. It wasn't entirely his fault considering the roller coaster it had felt like his emotions were on.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh poked at the back with his tail curiously. "So if you mess it up you might end up like a skeleton or gaining lots of weight?" he asked curiosuly. The point of his tail pricked a hole in the back and it started to shoot the liquid out in a trickle. "Crap!" Shiloh fell off the bed looking for something to fix it.
<psychowing> Mark reached out and folded the tube in on itself, kinking it so nothing could make it's way into his arm. He wasn't going to risk an air bubble getting into his bloodstream and killing him. "Shiloh, calm down. Just... come over here and help me. Get a cotton ball and a bandaid." Kirke would be back in a few hours, he could manage that long without the IV.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh picked up a cotton ball and bandaid and walked over "Do I put the bandaid on the hole?" he asked pointing at the IV.
<psychowing> Mark shook his head. "I'm going to need it for my arm. Just open it and after I pull the needle out, cover where it was with the cotton ball and use the bandaid to tape it down." He moved his hand to the needle and glanced at Shiloh. "Ready?" Without waiting for an answer, he pulled the needle free and let it drop to the bed as he held his arm out to Shiloh.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh quickly put the bandaid on and leaned down sniffing the bandaid. "Does it hurt?" he asked as he nuzzled on the skin, his nose brushing along his wrist a little bit. "I've never had an IV, it goes in your veins don't it?" he asked.
<psychowing> The smaller boy couldn't help the light shiver Shiloh's actions drew. "It hurts a little, but I've felt worse." Heck, his joints were just now starting to stop aching. "And yeah, it introduces the medicine and other stuff right into the blood." He hesitated before tugging his arm away and tying the IV tub so it would stop dripping. "You can put that all in the sink. Just be careful of the needle."
<Tenshifaia> He took the bag to the sink "Bah, don't need to warn me about the... nevermind," he winced as he pricked himself. He walked back over and looked at Mark with sympathy. "Sorry I made a mess of everything... medicine and me don't get along together," he said with a shrug.
<psychowing> Mark shook his head. "It's fine. I should be trying to get off the IV anyway. It's not healthy to not eat, even if I am still getting the nutrients I need." He shrugged and gave a weak smile to Shiloh.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh grinned. "I got just the thing," he rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a brown paper bag. He unrolled the top and reached in, pulling out a cookie. "Here, try this, I made it." He held out the cookie, a pleased smile on his lips.
<psychowing> He hesitated, eyes flickering between the cookie and his roommate, before carefully accepting it. He knew he shouldn't go from absolutely nothing in his stomach save the half bowl of broth he had managed to choke down earlier to eating something that, knowing Shiloh, was going to be super sweet and rich. But he didn't want to upset his friend either (and were they friends, or did Shiloh spend time with him only because they were roommates?), so he took a small bite, chewing slowly and hoping that he wouldn't end up feeling sick.
<Tenshifaia> The one skill that Shiloh truly possessed was cooking. He was a mediocre artist and his grades were passing, but when he baked or cooked the result was always delicious, including the cookie. "Don't eat all of it, you may.. heheh.. toss your cookies," he grinned. Shiloh sat on the bed again and put his arm around Mark, again showing his ignorance of infirmary conduct.
<psychowing> It wasn't that his ignorance was necessarily bad, it was just that Mark was still skittish. Well, more skittish than Shiloh had seen since school had started. Evidence of that was provided when Mark lightly shrugged off Shiloh's arm instead of accepting it like he normally would. He looked down and to the side, figuring that he had just hurt the incubus' feelings and that he was going to leave now.
<Tenshifaia> "Sorry! Was I flirting again? I can never tell," Shiloh said, pulling his arm away but stayed next to him. Shiloh was as awkward with people as it was, let alone trying to comfort someone who was sick. His instinct normally told him to rub up against the person like some desperate feline. Shiloh was a good friend who would stick by Mark as long as Mark didn't do anything to aggravate his hunger.
<psychowing> He shook his head. "No, you're fine. I just..." He hunched his shoulders a little. "I just don't... I'm not really all that comfortable with being touched right now." He gave Shiloh another weak smile.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh nodded and scooted away from Mark, moving to sit nearby. "Is that better?" he asked cocking his head to one side, as if he were a dog seeking acceptance from a person.
<psychowing> Mark nodded, wrapping his arms around his knees. Yeah, he was more comfortable with the additional space, but he was suddenly feeling so alone too. But, that was what he wanted, was aiming for, not wanting to let anyone close anymore. It was just so much easier to disconnect than to worry about trying not to hurt people or being hurt by them.
Now if only he could think of a way to scare Shiloh into leaving.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh smiled. "Sorry, I got learn that whole 'personal space' thing." The incubus shrugged his slim shoulders. He sighed. "With you cooped up in here, and Mira being mopey I'm going stir crazy ya know." He looked at his claws. "You gotta get better soon so we can all hang out again."
<psychowing> Mark winced, refusing to look at Shiloh now. "That's... not going to happen." Not with Mira as terrified of him as she was.
<Tenshifaia> "Why not?" Shiloh asked looking to him with a tilted head. "Mira will forgive you, I know she will," he said with a nod, though a small frown etched the corners of his mouth as he spoke. He didn't like that the purest hearted person he knew had budding feelings, even if it was for his roommate and friend. He didn't voice these thoughts though, it wasn't his place to tell.
<psychowing> "She's terrified of me! She flinches any time I move, even with as weak as I am! I almost killed her, Shiloh! I almost beat her and choked her and slit her throat! I wanted so badly to cut her open and dig my hands in while she was still alive! Someone doesn't just forgive something like that!" And even if she could, he couldn't. Yeah, it hadn't really been him and he knew it, but it had felt like it. Even with his spirit removed from his body, he had still been able to feel so when he had woken up, he remembered the Other's emotions and felt them like he was the one who they belonged to.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh narrowed his eyebrows. "That's enough Mark," he said darkly. "It wasn't you. It wasn't you at all," he said firmly. "I don't care if you wanna be dramatic, the facts are there, IT WAS NOT YOU," Shiloh said with a frown. He was getting irritated that Mark was trying to take on the actions of another. It was a sore spot considering if Shiloh did something bad, it would be him. It was like Mark was trying to take on a curse similar to the one Shiloh would do anything to be rid of.
<psychowing> Mark glared at Shiloh, the most emotion he had shown anyone since waking. "We can't be sure of that! He was influencing me almost since I got here. Who knows how I've been changed because of that! And you wouldn't be saying that if you knew I had nearly killed you too!" He blinked, expression saying that he hadn't meant to let that slip, before he shoved his hands through his hair, looking down.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh watched him a moment, his wine colored eyes growing slightly. That fact made things hit home a little more, but at the same time, he didn't have anything to fear, he couldn't die. Right now didn't seem to be the time to mention that as he watched Mark tear himself apart. "Mark... it's okay," he said lamely. "I can't tell much more than lust and love... but I can tell you're a good guy."
<psychowing> "No, it isn't okay! I drew you and everyone else dead and then I almost did it how I drew it! I drew Mira beaten bloody and I drew you hanging from the rafters in our room!" he near shouted, clenching his eyes shut. "And a few days later, I realized that I had some rope and I was watching you sleep! I wanted so bad to go over and tie it around your neck and pull you up! I could see the way you would struggle, hear the noises you'd make! And I liked the thought of it!" He shook his head, glaring down at his lap. "So don't tell me that it's okay!"
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh winced some. "Stop blaming yourself man! Stop TRYING to be the bad guy!" he shouted angrily. "Mark, half the people on this campus are as unstable as our crazy asses, you just happen to be the first one to snap," he said, flaring his hands out some. "That... thing... didn't win. Now is the time to let things get better, but that's all on you. If you wanna sit there and beat yourself up I can't stop you."
<psychowing> "How can you just pretend it didn't happen?!" Mark demanded, not quite sure why he was taking his anger at himself out on Shiloh. Probably because he wasn't willing to forgive himself just yet.
<Tenshifaia> "I'm not saying you do or can, but ya gotta let it go Mark." Shiloh was shouting back now. "You're trying to get better, you're training to control your powers aren't you?" Shiloh asked, his tail rigid for the time being. "Maybe you just need to man up, face facts and get on with your bloody life. Forgiving is not forgetting... you can't blame yourself... it'll destroy you... and I'm speaking for at least one person in this area... I don't want to see you destroyed."
<psychowing> Mark opened his mouth to retort, with what he didn't know, when he started coughing. He hunched over, putting his hands to his mouth like that would stop the harsh coughs that were making his whole body shudder. He closed his eyes, covering the tears that had started appearing from the feeling of needles in this throat and the throbbing that had started at the base of his skull.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh was at his side in an instant, hand on his back as well as tail. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly, his anger lost at the first signs of Mark's pain.
<psychowing> He shook his head, gesturing for a glass of water. If he could just stop coughing, he could direct the other boy to where there were painkillers that Kirke had said he could use.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh grabbed the glass for him and handed it over. When Mark seemed to want to say something more. "Ummm I... think lustily about whatever you need and I can read your mind!" he urged quickly.
<psychowing> Well, Mark had been easing up on the coughing until Shiloh said that and made him nearly swallow his tongue in surprise. How the hell did someone think lustily about painkillers? And did he really think that Mark could manage that while he was hacking out a lung?
Well, it's not like it could really hurt any and if he failed, it wasn't like anyone else would know what he was thinking. Feeling extremely embarrassed on top of short of breath, Mark closed his eyes again and started to imagine Shiloh kissing at his neck, the bottle of pills in hand. He had no idea how to emphasize the pills and it was the best he could do so hopefully it worked.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh's skin sizzled scarlet with blush as Mark's thoughts opened up to him. He had expected thoughts of Mira, or maybe Kirke, not himself. It opened up A LOT of questions for a later time, but for now, with the pathway opened, Shiloh understood at once what Mark needed. Shiloh read as deep into Mark's shallow thoughts as possible and managed to divine where the pills were. He swiped them up in his hand from where Kirke had stashed them and opened the bottle pouring out some into his palm and offering them to Mark.
<psychowing> He finally managed to stop coughing, falling back against the pillows again, wheezing softly and his entire body throbbing in pain. The blond accepted two of the pills, taking them with a drink of water and managing not to spill it over himself.
"S-sorry," he muttered, voice hoarse, and refused to look at Shiloh. "I didn't think I could just focus on the pills and you were here..."
<Tenshifaia> "It's okay, I wasn't aware you could lust for me," Shiloh said sheepishly. He sat on the edge of the bed and stayed quiet. "Please get better soon," he said gently.
<psychowing> Mark frowned softly. "As abnormal as I am, and as much as I might not like it, I'm still a human male. You'll find that we can lust over just about anything. I'm just... It has to be a real person for me. Someone I know." He glanced over, wondering if Shiloh was upset or disgusted with him, and not sure if he really wanted him to be either, no matter how much easier it would be to push the incubus away if he was. "Don't worry. I get sick a lot. And I've been worse off before."
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh smirked. "Just don't imagine me all over you." he teased. "So you're bi huh?" he asked curiously, tail swaying with interest, part of him glad to try and just have a conversation with his friend.
<psychowing> He shrugged lightly. "I hadn't really ever thought about it. I... guess so? I don't know. It doesn't seem that important to me what someone looks like on the outside. I mean, I see spirits all the time and those always, with a handful of exceptions and ignoring Necromancers, they show what someone is really like. So, even if someone was... Marilyn Monroe beautiful, if they were a cruel person, their spirit would be twisted to reflect that." He frowned again, running that over in his mind. "Does that make sense?"
<Tenshifaia> He nodded some. "You can see kinda like how I see, but you can see more than lust," he said with a nod. "So what do you see of me?" he asked worriedly, "Can you see my darkside... the monster inside of me?" his voice grew a little tight.
<psychowing> Mark paused before focusing on Shiloh, pushing back the pain reaching out with his still damaged soul caused. It was harder, so much harder, to look at one of the living than the dead. With the living, you had to peer past their shell and try to pin down how they appeared, make sense of how they were ever changing, and that was before taking into account how teenagers weren't set in themselves just yet.
"......You're unstable, but that's to be expected because you're a shapeshifter... You've got a softness to your spirit that shows you're kind... You're on the lighter side of gray..." Mark gasped softly as his spirit touched Shiloh's power and he suddenly moved forward, forgetting about his pain and kissing the other boy.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh smiled slightly as Mark gazed at him so intently. He half expected the young necromancer to go cross-eyed from the effort. When Mark spoke Shiloh smiled gently. "You can really see good in me?" Shiloh asked in surprise, only to be more surprised as Mark lunged for him. Shiloh gasped into the kiss, then closed his eyes kissing back as he put his arms around Mark slowly.
<psychowing> Mark leaned closer, putting one hand on the bed next to Shiloh's leg for balance as his other hand reached up to tangle in dark hair. He deepened the kiss, moaning softly into Shiloh's mouth.
A corner of his mind realized that this wasn't right, that he hadn't meant to kiss Shiloh (no matter how much he did actually find the incubus attractive), and that this was probably going to end up hurting Shiloh and upsetting him, but the rest of Mark couldn't care less, enjoying what they were doing.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh kissed back and his eyes started to glow red as he pulled Mark onto his lap, holding him close as they kissed more. Shiloh inhaled deeply through his nose, feeding from the lust, unable to control himself. He felt his body get healthier from just the taste of it. If Mark was paying attention, he could almost feel Shiloh's muscles get more defined as he grew healthier. His tail slowly slipped down and coiled around Mark's leg.
Shiloh felt something wrong, he wasn't supposed to be feeding, he knew that, but this tasted so good, and he was starving!
<psychowing> The temperature of the room started to drop, Mark's water glass fogging over on the table next to the bed they were on, as he subconsciously drew on his magic and pulled energy from the air around them. He probably could have drawn on Shiloh's energy instead, creating a sort of feedback loop, but his Guardian nature wouldn't allow that, sensing that the incubus needed this.
Mark had started shivering by then and a particularly bad one broke their kiss. He blinked unfocused eyes open and just stared at Shiloh, dazed and gasping for the breaths he hadn't taken while they were otherwise occupied.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh pulled away and his countenance seemed different. He seemed stronger, calmer, less desperate and awkward. He looked at Mark with glimmering red eyes. "Your feelings are magnificent..." he whispered in a husky tone. Right before their eyes, a few of the cuts and wounds that had accumlated on Shiloh's hands from cooking. He moved forward and nuzzled Mark's neck, then pulled away with a growl. "I need to go... it'll get worse if I stay.." he said quickly, his voice going back to normal.
<psychowing> "Wh-what?" he murmured, leaning his head back to give Shiloh better access. Mark blinked at the taller boy slowly, before lifting the hand not in his hair and grabbing Shiloh's shirt. "No, stay," he whispered, eyes still a bit glazed. "I want you." He leaned up to kiss Shiloh again.
<Tenshifaia> "Mark..." Shiloh bit his lip but touched Mark's shoulders. "I might hurt you if I feed from you too much. I don't want to hurt you." He focused every part of himself on worrying for Mark, anything to keep his mind off of the free meal right before his eyes. With one last ditch effort Shiloh dug into pocket and pulled out his limiter pendant and put it on. His powers suddenly sealed away, along with his shadows. Shiloh stood naked in the middle of the infirmary with Mark who now had to recover from the extreme wave of lust and most likely someone curious about the odd sounds that had just escaped the infirmary.
<psychowing> The blond sagged, slumping against Shiloh's chest as the power drawing at him cut off abruptly. He gasped softly in pain as it crashed back over him and he started shivering in earnest. Wrapping his arms around himself, Mark whimpered softly. "Wh-what happened?" It was so hard to think around the haze filling his mind.
<Tenshifaia> "My powers, they drew you to me," Shiloh said and put his arms around his friend, lowering him back into bed. "It cleared your mind of anything but lust and desire... it'll feel tingly for a while..." stated the naked incubus as he made sure Mark was laying back down stably. "You tasted.. nice... " he murmured, blushing slightly "Sorry, you probably don't want to be out of control anymore than you have been..."
<psychowing> " 'S not your fault," Mark slurred. He was feeling so exhausted now, not from being fed on though, but because he had being reaching out with his spirit. His eyes were starting to droop closed. "Sorry," he whispered, awake and coherent enough to realize that Shiloh wouldn't have done that if not for Mark. It was his fault again.
<Tenshifaia> "Shhh... rest now," Shiloh said gently and fluffed Mark's pillow before kissing the necromancer's cheek. "I feel a lot better... thanks for the snack," he joked, not mentioning how terribly he hated himself for feeding on his friend.
<psychowing> Mark wanted to tell him that it was okay, that he wasn't angry, but he fell asleep before he could. The last little thought in his mind before he drifted off was that he felt he deserved it, that it was the least he could do to make up for things.
<Tenshifaia> Shiloh stood up and pet Mark gently with a sigh. He headed out the door, forgetting he was naked, making quite the scene outside.
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John x Reader - Magazine
You were flipping through a magazine, Teens Digest, one your little cousin asked you to hold and had forgot all about, as you slowly climbed up the steps to apartment 221B on Baker Street. You stepped inside to see John clicking away at his laptop. He glanced over your way as you walked in. “Hello, _____.”
You sat on the couch and quickly looked over at John. “Hey, Watson!” You replied, causing John to roll his eyes. “Where’s Holmes?” You asked, realizing that the stubborn male wasn’t here.
“Yasmin decided to drag him over to the park today for some fresh air.” He answered, looking
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The Wild Estate
The Wild Estate (34068 words) by gatekat, Fianna9
Chapters: 4/4
Fandom: Transformers Generation One
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Characters: Hound (Transformers), OCs
Additional Tags: Pre-War, Exploration, Wilderness
Summary: Hound is sent by the Lord of Gygax to explore the most unusual estate in the territory: that of Csillagos Szentély, the home of the only animal-former noble family of any power and the rather infamous orszem creatures slaughter anything with an engine.
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Bless You (USUK)
Arthur loves the night. The air is still, like it has been during the day these past few hellish weeks, but blessedly cool instead. He has peace to think and space to walk and the cats are out, so what more could he need?
The stars glimmer overhead like so many eyes, his only witnesses. There’s the barest hint of light in the east. Arthur takes a deep breath and just stops on the corner, allowing himself to feel.
He hears a clatter from a few houses down and looks over in time to see a small figure slinking out of the shadow of some bins.
“Hey, lovely,” he murmurs, clicking his tongue softly as he strides over. When he re
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Mark's first interactions with his best friends and the headmistress after being possessed.
Roleplay for
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Mira and Kirke belong to ~EllaKey.
Shiloh belongs to ~Tenshifaia
Mark belongs to myself.
Roleplay for
.Mira and Kirke belong to ~EllaKey.
Shiloh belongs to ~Tenshifaia
Mark belongs to myself.
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