Particiapants: Gracia (Logger), Superbias, Ilmeya, Zephly

Summary: Injured Ilmeya and Superbias arrive at the well, where Gracia has been and Zephly shows up for some healin'

== Hueco Mundo ==   Well of Souls - Fortaleza Eterna
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         The Well of souls is more or less the feeding grounds for the Arrancar when they did not feel like going out to get their own food from either the human world or killing off a Hollow somewhere and eating them. Around the well, and the walls were protective symbols written up so the energy of the souls did not attract the menos from the forest that was nearby. It is a unspoken rule that no one 'defiles' this place by destroying anything, or fighting here. A few Arrancar come down from time to time to relax at the well, seeing it almost as if it were a pool to sit by.
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	Ilmeya had been saved from the human world after a very long, eventful day. Feeding on a Quincy, ambushed by a Shinigami, and then breaking up a cultist meet. She is very tired, and it doesn't help that her entrails are almost hanging out of her form. As Superbias pulled her back in a garganta, the bount told him to take her to the well. She can lay here, rest, feed when she needs, and otherwise just remain dormant until she heals... and study herself. That technique... the Shinigamis blood invaded her body, it was horrible. What things was it doing?
         Once carried down the stairs, it'd be evident to anyone watching the Bount is wounded. Her white dress, the very pretty one, is now stained crimson from her waist down, and the reason is evident. She is almost leaking blood, and her usualy pale features are even more ghastly from it. She is not going to die from the wounds, but its clearly wounds that she doesn't take well.

         Superbias did in fact carry her down carefully even with his own wounds. Strangely however, he didn't seem to be concerned nor effected by them. Pain existed, but his form or his resolve made damage irrelevant. Setting her down, he would lounge beside her, but largely he had remained silent this entire time. He was thinking of many things. The fact that she was so aggressive today, the fact that he wasn't truyl able to defend her... but he also felt that the battle was some how in their favor even considering the damage in the end. In all honesty, he was getting used to his form and his own ability, but at the same time, Ilmeya was harmed during the process, his fault or not.

        Gracia had been in the Well of Souls under the central tower, for the last couple days. She had been not necessarily hiding, but withdrawn. She isn't feeling quite like her hollow self of late, and at least here she could still consume what she needed without going out to hunt. She just wasn't in the mood to deal with Masavian or Rakkar, or anyone other than a select few really. So she sits down here in solitude, in one of the shadowed corners. She watches as two figures approach, one carrying the other. In her fog, she didn't recognize them by Reiatsu, and wasn't focused enough to even make them out visually, or she would have been immediately incensed and irate to see Ilmeya in the condition she was. She wouldn't be pleased about Superbias' state either, though he had been gone for a long time recently.

         Ilmeya groaned softly as she was set down, even as careful as Superbias did it. The bount lays flat out, her legs stretching slowly as she hisses breath out quietly, looking straight up. In front of her, Vincent is actually animated, the little cat creature crawling up her body to sit on her torso, and holding the paper of his back in front of her. She can't see, but he can translate for her. The first thing that appears is 'Gracia is over there' and the little cat points.
         Ilmeya looks up to Super, her head shifting just a little as her eyes close for a moment. -Gracia darling, how have you been?- Her mental voice is strained, and that shows the extent of her wounds. Normally, if she gets hurt her mental voice never changes. Its only when shes really hurt that it would get altered. Her mind is busy thinking of the day she had had. Was it wise of her to antagonize him? No.. probably not, but he asked for it.

         Superbias' tattered illusion would fade away and he would be left in his monsterous form. It was very different than what he was before, but some how, similair as well. It took alot of time, effort, and even simply instinct to preserve his pride in order to retain a humanoid form that was not gargantuan. However, he couldn't mold it perfectly. Superbias would wind up laying beside Ilmeya, still silent after this whole ordeal. His ebon mask would seem to peel back and reveal his face, almost as if he were wearing a suit, but it was merely a partial illusion as he looked over her form with a brow of concern.

        While she failed to see or sense Ilmeya and Superbias and their injuries, she did not fail to 'hear' Ilmeya speaking to her. She stands and walk over, though her movement is different, more female, less animal. When she moves from the shadows she doesn't look in any way overtly different than before though she maybe seem a bit smaller than usual. She didn't observe the change in superbias as he lost his illusion, just seeing him as he is now, different but familiar. She stays quiet until she is close enough to see the injuries. She stiffens and the air in the room grows still, cold and hot at the same time. ~Why are you hurt Ilmeya~ The voice in Ilmeya's head is smaller, younger, and without the hollow echo from before. It sounds like Taryn used to, though younger, and with more... absolution, confidence, and somehow, resolve behind each syllable. "She looks at Superbias coldy. "Tell me you saved her and brought her here, and that this isn't a result of your actions and folly." It wasn't a request, though she expects the truth either way.

         Ilmeya tilted her head curiously. Whatever had happened to her Gracia? She sounded so different... As she speaks outloud, Vincent writes for Ilmeya, and the bount shakes her head, gasping softly as the motion causes the wound that starts at her neck to shift. -No Gracia, Superbias did no wrong. I angered a Shinigami named Zanson, and he decided to make an example of me. I brought this on myself.- She groans again softly, even as her mental tone drifts around. Her wounds are twofold. There is one on her side, a slash that starts and goes deep into her side, but is not very long. The other one starts at her collarbone, and travels down her dress, all the way to her hip. Her dress is cut and severed, and the bount is indecently exposed, though it'd be a very sick mind that had thoughts about her. Shes covered in blood, her white dress ruined by it.
         -Superbias is the reason I'm here at all, yet again... This would be the second time you've saved me, yes Superbias?- She is trying to be light humored, and doesn't want any tension between the two around her.

	Zephly it doesn't take long for word of a familiar face covered in blood to reach Zephly, and the healer peers around in search of a familiar Bount. "I heard something about a bount being wounded?" He calls out, entering smoothly with a first aid kit in a white case in his hand.

         Placing a hand against Ilmeya's cheek, he would nod slowly before looking to Gracia. "You do not need to distance yourself..." he would say to her. He hadn't intended it to mean because of him, he more meant for Ilmeya's sake, she didn't have to stay away. As Zephly came down suddenly, Superbias would say, "She is resting over here." his tone was strangely detatched. He obviously cared what happened, but his... metamorphasis was drawing alot of his energy from him. Simply existing as a gillian in this form was... exhausting for him while he was getting used to it.

        Gracia listens to Ilmeya and while her presence does not recede, her form slumps considerably. She was about to call for Zephly, when the doctor shoes himself, almost too conveniently. "Zephly, fix them please." The request article was merely out of respect for the kind old Arrancar, she was in fact, not requesting. She looks at Superbias emotionless but not cold this time, "I am sorry for the accusatory tone, thank you for looking out for her when I wasn't. I know it's been your chosen duty longer than I have been here, and there was no reason to think otherwise. Thank you." She says it with more sincerity than most would be capable of, even in her blank state. She moves by Ilmeya, speaking with her mind so that it stays between them. ~This is my fault. You didn't use to wander on your own, especially out of Hueco, and you are not one who goes into battle, though clearly not because you are in capable, but because you have a disdain for the violence. I have dragged you along to too often on my own... violent sprees. Superbias is wonderfully protective of you. Keep him near.~ Gracia is so very much not her usual self and even she doesn't have a grasp on it. She leans down as if to kiss her, but in her own monsterous form, offers a nuzzle only and whispers a mental thank you to Vincent. She begins to move, intent on finding this wounded Shinigmai if she can, all on her own.


         Ilmeya blinks softly, -Gracia, get your speckled butt back here.- Her tone isn't mean, or sharp, but it carries a surprising conviction from the bount, as wounded as she is. No one else would hear that 'command' from her, and before she goes on to elaborate, she looks up at Zephly. -What a pleasure meeting you again... I really had wished it wasn't under such circumstances.- She smiled wanely at him, before looking back towards Gracia, again speaking privately to her. -I did not do what I did because I was wandering alone. I was feeding Gracia, something I need to do still occasionally... This Shinigami found me, and provoked me. So I provoked him back, and it escalated. It was my hatred of shinigami that brought this on me, not anything you did dear-heart, and I won't have you getting hurt because of my stupidity.-
         She tries to reach a hand up to hold Gracia, but its with a startled gasp that she stops, amazed at the sharp pain such a small gesture caused when it pulled the wound that crossed her body. -Please, don't go. I'd rather you here...-

         Superbias would sit up and slowly stand as they spoke. "Yes... remain here and keep her company. While i await my turn... i am going to go gather some information." Superbias would say as his tail drooped over Ilmeya's form just barely, away fro mher wounds. "I will not leave hueco Mundo, i promise. But i will get information..." he stated before he would fade from the room itself.

	Zephly's hand begins to glow. "So Gracia how have you been?" He asks, and he smiles warmly at Illmeya. "I'll have you fixed in a jiffy, just hold still." He holds his hand up to Illmeya's wounds. "This looks /nasty./ The shinigami who did this wasn't fooling around."

        Gracia stops in her motion and just stills. She remains that way until even after Superbias has risen and moved out of the room. She is silent and still for uncomfortably long time. She turns and makes her way back to Ilmeya, moving to sit on the floor beside her. She looks at the Doctor blankly for a long moment before answering, "Full of thought and pondering of late, thank you for asking Zeph." Turning back to Ilmeya, her long silent moments of thought bring more psychic dialogue between them. ~You went to see the human again, the young girl. But the shinigami found you somehow... were you defending your soul crumpet then lovely Meya? I should have been there, not here...~ Even the mental voice trails off as she is quite angry with herself.

         Ilmeya nods to Zephly, -Yes... That shinigami was quite unhappy with me.- She says plainly. She was nearly cut in two, only the bones stopped the blade. She sighed softly to Gracia, and did finally raise a hand to pat her neck, ignoring the shooting pain the motion caused. -I went to feed Gracia... not just on her. I fed on a Quincy as well. But Yunao did find me, and offer herself. I accepted.- The bount blinked at one thing Gracia said, and then she smiled wanely, -I had no such noble cause. Shinigami can't hurt humans, its their law. She was never in danger... I was just... petty. I am not always in control of my thoughts Gracia, and I let them slip against the Shinigami. I fed on him, and he didn't appreciate that at all... I can be very persuasive though. He loved it, but he hated it, and he hated me for putting him through that. I should of known his damn pride would get me hurt.-

	Zephly snorts. "Shinigami tend to see things in simple black and white." Replies Zephly. "Oooooh, this is pretty deep." He growls, the glow on his hands intensifying. "Well he beat the tar out of you. It can't be said you didn't work for your meal though." He says with a faint smile. "You'll be fine. Fortunately, even though its deep, its a pretty simple wound to heal."

        Gracia continues to look at her blankly, but speaks to Zephly, "Shinigami kill humans, they did so with Mercedes. They pretend to be better than us but they kill just the same, they are just bitter about not knowing the myriad of soul flavors." Then she quiets as she speaks only to Ilmeya in thought, ~I am however it happened, not forgiving of this shinigami. Your payment for being petty as you say, are your injuries. However he has not paid his dues to me for doing this to you. You are also keeping something, you know this Shinigami, or you would have run.~

         Ilmeya tilts her head softly, and shakes it at Gracia. -I swear to you dear-heart, this is the first time I've met that Shinigami. I would of run if I thought it an endeavor that'd succeed... I needed Superbias to run, and he didn't open a Garganta for us until I was injured. Zanson was this Shinigami' name, and he was able to do well against Superbias and myself, together. He is... strong. Very strong.- The bount sighed softly, and lightly tries to stroke Gracias fur with her blood soaked glove.
         There conversation was private, Zephly being left out until she turns to look at him and smiles faintly, -I appreciate the words, doctor. Sword wounds are fortunately usually easy to heal... and yes, I'm not feeling too great. I suspect I'll be here rebuilding my energy for some time.- She looked back to Gracia with a pleading look in her eyes, -Please... do not seek him out. If you could, pass word to your mother I've been hurt... I have news not related to this attack I must relay to her, as well as my account of what happened.-

	Zephly frowns. "Twice now, I've gone to see my human boyfriend and a shinigami has tried to interfere." He says darkly. "I believe some time ago the humans had a fuss because mixed race couples were considered socially taboo. Pehraps this is how such couples felt." He moves his way slowly up the wounds. "yeah, you're going to need to rest some too. If you like peppermint Illmeya, I can bring you some herbal tea. Its not really the same as feeding, but it tastes good, and the warmth can be comforting if you're recovering from a wound."

        Gracia presses her head to an injured spot on Ilmeyas body, trying to actually be of comfort. She sighs loudly and her shoulders fall. ~I will stay then, here lovely Meya until you are well and able so that we can both go see Mother. I'll not have her see you in this state, whether you object or not. If she wishes to come and hears about it on her own, she will do as she pleases, she is the Empress and Mistress. I am sorry... for this... confused state I am in, dear Meya.~ She lifts her head to speak with the doctor. "Thank you, you are skilled as always Zephly, and I appreciate your efforts. We'll make another trip to the springs for your leg again soon, once Meya-mine is her lovely self."

	Zephly chuckles. "oh I've been back to the spring, alone, for something... other than my leg." he says with a stupid grin slowly crossing his face. "There are herbs that grow in Teshi forest and the edges of Hope Park that are very usefull, or at the very least very tastey. And my pets Veela and Hime and Cerby need regular baths with wormwood shampoo, keep the fleas at bay." But something other than herbs and fleas is definately on his mind, as one might be able to tell by the blush creeping up his face.

         Ilmeya tilts her head, -You mean that shy boy that let me feed on him?- The bount said curiously. The two did seem... to hit it off, so its not too hard for her to believe they were together. -You have good taste... He was delicious.- The bount seems to get around when it comes to feeding! Of course, most humans that would allow one creature to feed are generally receptive to allow others.
         The bounts attention goes to Gracia now, and she smiles softly as the head of the hyena-hollow is pressed to a (un)injured part of her body. -That would be wonderful... I'd be afraid if you left me here.- She wasn't sure what would take advantage of her in this state... and more of what would become of Gracia if the hollow left alone to seek out Shinigami for punishment. -I am very tired my dear, I fear I must rest my eyes...- She looks at the doctor, -Zephly, you don't suppose sleep would hurt me right now?-

        Gracia pulls up Ilmeya into her arms, protectively, and takes her off to her room. She ahd already said all the thanks that she has emotional depth at present to give. She moves silently across the fortalezza to take Ilmeya to her room, placing her on the bed and curling up on the foot of it with her. She waits until the bount has begun to sleep and then does the same herself.