Gilded Cage Pt. 3

[12:30]*Iroquois-Pliskin continues to closely examine the area like a hunter searching for any sign of an elusive prey, not overlooking a single detail. All the tracks and signs left behind, he recognizes as belonging to himself, Dycedarg, Tori, Jeb, and Simon, as some of of their other companions, like Bobby and Casper. There's the occasional chocobo markings, and he feels safe saying they're from either Rydia or Blackbright- especially since he finds some purple-black feathers here and there. He notes that the air sounds different, even feels different, without the tear- it's definitely gone. Hopefully only for now.

And then his mind is distracted from his work, racing through all the things he'll be cut off from if he doesn't find a way back. His partners- his friends, his organization. Would Otacon be able to find anyone else with the skills needed to do what they had to do? He fucking hoped so. Would Otacon be safe?? He didn't know how to keep himself out of the eyes of those looking for him, didn't know how to make it outside the law, not without Snake's help. It'd been two years, though so maybe he'd picked up enough to keep himself out of harm's way. But... but what if he hasn't? What if he's in danger- Snake's the only one in the goddamn world who can help him. And even if he's fine, what if, without Snake, Philanthropy just falls apart? What happens when Metal Gears are sucessfully mass produced by every other army in the world?

What if he can't get back? What if- What if- What if-

All of Snake's fears and frustrations come to a head at once, and he can't keep it in. Pliskin lets out what can only be described as a frustrated roar, guttural and harsh, and he throws a punch at the nearest tree hard enough to shake the damn thing. This also accidentally happens to be the tree Simon is in. Oops. Sorry, Simon.
[12:55]*Simon-Blackquill hasn't let the news sink in yet. He's still holding onto some hope that maybe there was just a mistake, or maybe there's someone that knows how to just /will/ the portal back into existence... or that maybe if he just sits here in the tree and does nothing, something will change and he'll be on his way back home, to feed Taka, to see Bobby, to go back to his prison cell...

...He's snapped out of his thoughts by the sudden shaking of the tree when Pliskin punches it, and it nearly makes him fall out of the tree, but he manages to keep his hold on the branch just in time. ...So now he's dangling from a branch on the tree.
[13:07]*Iroquois-Pliskin needs a few moments to breathe, actually panting slightly, his fist still pressed against the tree. When he finally removes it, he flinches slightly, shakily uncurling his fingers as he carefully holds his hand with the other. There's a mark left behind on the tree- a spot where the bark has cracked, even fallen away slightly. He takes a sharp breath through his nose, looking from that spot, down to his hand. He's... pretty sure he fractured something, there. Ow.

Grunting he then notices poor Simon, dangling from the tree branch. "... Shit. Sorry, Simon." He mumbles, looking almost sheepish. He moves to where the other is dangling, reaching up to grab at his feet, helping support his weight slightly, even though the pressure on his hand makes him wince. "Down or up, Simon?"
[13:11]*Dycedarg Beoulve heads over to where Pliskin and Blackquill are wallowing in despair. That's good, for certain, but let it go too far and they won't care enough about their own lives to stay with him. Time to extend the hand of salvation. And also move to catch Blackquill, that's important too. "Listen to me, both of you. We should get back to the manor for now. If I'm gone for too long, the guards will come searching, and do you want to explain to them that you're actually visitors from another world? I'm not sure what the Church's position is on interdimensional life but I will put gil on them not being terribly accepting of the notion. So unless you'd like to get a visit from the Office of the Inquisition, let's head back." He looks over at Pliskin. "How's your hand?"
[13:38]*Simon-Blackquill listens to Dycedarg's explanation and he wants to scream. He just wants to /scream/. This is absolutely insufferable. How could this happen? Why here, where he's completely and utterly /helpless/?! Here, without Bobby, without TAKA. He may have people here with him, but Simon feels completely alone.

He pulls himself back up onto the branch and slumps on it. It's painful on his stomach, but he doesn't care. He'll come down later, Dycedarg. Good luck.
[13:50]*Iroquois-Pliskin helps Simon back up onto the branch as best he can, supporting from below, even if Simon seems intent on ignoring him. He's not mad or annoying about it- he understands. He's not feeling well, either. Especially not with what Dycedarg just said, and with that dreadful conversation they'd had earlier. With his hands free again, he sighs, pulling his pained one against his chest, frowning hard. It takes him a moment to realize that Dycedarg asked him about his hand.

"Oh, uh..." He clears his throat, trying to act like he didn't just punch a fist-shaped scar onto a tree, and holds his hand out, which trembles slightly. "Feels like I might've fractured in in a few places. Nothing super serious, but..."
[14:05]*Dycedarg Beoulve nods and raises a hand over Pliskin's fractured hand. "Life's refreshing breeze, blow in energy! Cure!" The blue curative light enveloped Pliskin's body, mending his bones and healing any other minor wounds he might have had. He looked up at Simon while he was working on this, observing him clinging to a tree branch like a cat.
[14:08]*Iroquois-Pliskin is still unused to this magic business, stiffening up when the blue light washed over him. But then any pain he may have had flies out the window, and a moment later, he's flexing his hand down to his fingers, glad to see that it's all in fine working order. The bones of the hand are complicated, after all. "That's convenient... thanks."
[14:14]*Simon-Blackquill just stays up on the branch and groans. He hates life right now, just leave him alone. His eyes remain fixed on the ground, darting this way and that, looking for any sign of a change, a portal opening.
[14:24]*Dycedarg Beoulve chuckles. "It is, isn't it? Magic makes a huge difference. No need to wait for injuries to heal naturally if you've someone trained in priestly arts."
[14:27]*Iroquois-Pliskin nods a little, making a bit of a face. "Right. Anyways." He glances up towards Simon, and he breathes a short sigh, and he's not sure if he wants to join him, or try and convince him to stop for now. So instead, Pliskin turns to the spot where the tear used to be, the air it used to take up. Approaching it, he takes a breath, then reaches out. His hand moves slow through the air. First sideways a few times, high and low, groping around for nothing. And then vertically, his fingers held aligned, sideways, like someone trying to reach between a wall and something set in front of it, a thin space. And then he drops his hand, letting out his breath. "I don't even feel anything." He says, voice low and strained. "Not even a temperature change."
[15:08]*Simon-Blackquill then starts to stare at his shackles, watching the light hitting them. They're reminders of where he's from, where he's still determined to be, but can't currently escape to. Where he's supposed to be. Reminders of Taka. Bobby. The clink. The court. His /whole life/ that he's been cut off from. Now what? Sit here in a tree like a sloth?

Simon eventually let go of the branch and voluntarily fell to the ground, not caring if anyone caught him.
[15:55]*Dycedarg Beoulve saw Simon about to fall from the tree out of the corner of his eye, but chose to focus his attention on Pliskin's investigation. He can take care of himself, and if Simon hurts himself coming down from the tree, well, so much the better for Dycedarg to have an excuse to take them back to the manor. "Perhaps I should have had Doctor Blastbody investigate this after all. At least then we'd know what to look for besides a large hole in reality."
[15:57]*Simon-Blackquill does end up falling onto the hard ground, and at first, he doesn't think much of his tumble -- until he hears a crack, and all of a sudden, a sharp, unbearable pain surges through his leg. Simon's fallen and broken his leg, guys, because he's a gigantic idiot.
[16:01]*Iroquois-Pliskin was a little too engrossed in his investigation to notice Simon fall off the tree until it was too late. He couldn't have reached him from where he stood, but when he saw the motion, he turned and rushed for him all the same. "Simon!" ... Only for Simon to fall just a couple feet ahead, and with a distressing crack. Oh, fucking dammit. He hurries over anyways, sighing as he crouches down beside Simon.

"Sounds like you broke something." He mumbles, looking Simon over, until he spots the tell-tale signs of a break in the leg- mainly, the fact that legs don't bend that way. "Broken leg. Try not to move."
[16:06]*Dycedarg Beoulve heads over as well. Broken leg? Excellent. He shakes his head. "This is a problem. Broken bones can be healed, but that requires setting the bone properly, and that will require either one of the Priests or Doctor Blastbody. Either way, we will need to return to the estate."
[16:06]*Simon-Blackquill groans in pain, unable to properly respond to Pliskin. His whole world is pain -- he isn't even sure why he's being spoken to, he just can't process anything else. He's breathing heavily, clutching his chest, and blood is seeping through his trouser leg around where the break is located.
[16:10]*Iroquois-Pliskin groans when he sees the wetness of blood. "Looks like the break ruptured through the flesh. I can set the bone myself temporarily and have you heal it enough to stop the bleeding. We can fix it properly at your place."
[16:12]Simon-Blackquill: SILENCE! Leave me be!
[16:13]Iroquois-Pliskin: Simon, you're being stupid.
[16:31]*Dycedarg Beoulve nods. "That sounds like a good plan. Perhaps I should have you work as a Chemist for a while." He placed his hands over Simon's injury and began chanting. "Blessing breeze, blow in energy...." Curaga has charge time, so this may take a while
[16:32]*Simon-Blackquill growls loudly and rolls his whole body over and out of the way. He is not being healed, even if he ends up having to roll back over onto his injury to do it. He is not having this.
[16:32]*Iroquois-Pliskin ignores Simon's whiny protesting because he's being a blithering idiot, and takes a hold of his leg. He has to be careful here, remembering his battlefield first aid training... and with a wrenching yank and another disturbing sound of bone and flesh, he's forced Simon's leg back into a relatively normal position, in time for Dycedarg to heal up the torn flesh to keep it from bleeding out. "Sorry, Simon." He's not that sorry.
[16:52]*Iroquois-Pliskin tries to ignore Simon's whiny protesting because he's being a blithering idiot, but then Simon has to start rolling around, even over his injured leg. "Dammit, Simon!" He growls, grabbing the man by the shoulder and rolling him back onto his back, maybe a bit more forcefully than necessary. He straddles the man's chest backwards, putting his knee and foot against Simon's torso to hold him down, try to keep him still, while reaching over to grip Simon's injured leg with both hands.

"Keep your tongue away from your teeth." He says, pausing for a moment. He has to be careful here, remembering his battlefield first aid training... and with a wrenching yank and another disturbing sound of bone and flesh, he's forced Simon's leg back into an... almost normal position. The bone's still crooked, but at least it's not sticking through the meat of Simon's leg. And it's in time for Dycedarg to heal up the torn flesh to keep it from bleeding out. "Sorry, Simon." He's not that sorry.
[16:56]*Simon-Blackquill cries out repeatedly, jerking his body in protest every step of the way as Pliskin roughly handles him, forces him down, and PAINFULLY takes his broken leg and forces it into a natural position. The sound he lets out is more like a shriek, a blood-curdling scream -- he's never felt pain like this before, and he's certain it's going to make him pass out.

But he doesn't. He doesn't pass out at all. And that's the worst part about the whole thing. He can't form words right now, all he can do is suffer. The mending of his flesh does nothing to help.

"DIE."
[16:59]*Dycedarg Beoulve sees Blackquill rolling out of the way. God damn it. Thankfully he's still well within the spell's range when Pliskin grabs him and sets the bone, and the spell's release is achieved. "Curaga!" A great amount of that blue healing light splashes over Simon and Pliskin, enough to heal any major injury. Simon's bone not being set properly, however, means that his leg is still at an odd angle. "That should be enough to prevent you from bleeding to death, Sir Blackquill. However, your leg will need to be rebroken, reset, the spell cast again, and plenty of bedrest afterwards. I'm afraid that even with magic, you're going to be confined to a bed for quite some time." He gives a smirk. "Thankfully, the Beoulve Manor has some of the most comfortable bed around. You'll be fine, as long as you don't do something stupid like try to walk before you're ready."
[17:00]Simon-Blackquill: Die. All of you. Die.
[17:00]*Simon-Blackquill is including himself.
[17:01]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((roll to kick Simon))
[17:01]Simon-Blackquill rolls 1d6: 2
[17:01]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((/me immediately steps on the injured leg))
[17:02]*Iroquois-Pliskin grunts, and rolls off Simon finally, and he tries not to take the comments Simon's making in pain and anger too seriously. "I will sooner or later, you can count on it. The former more likely than the latter, if that makes you happy." He says, sighing raggedly. "Don't try to walk. We'll get you back to the castle and back into bed, and get someone better trained to work on your leg more."
[17:04]*Simon-Blackquill moves to try and get up anyway.
[17:05]Iroquois-Pliskin: Simon.
[17:06]Iroquois-Pliskin: Don't make me have to hold you down again. If I have to do it to keep you from getting yourself killed, I fucking will.
[17:07]*Dycedarg Beoulve takes this time to bring the chocobos over to them. "Sir Pliskin, help me get- oh no you don't you little fool." He presses a boot directly onto Simon's chest and presses him into the tree he's laying against. "No. Sir Blackquill, if I need to, I will turn you to stone and drag you back on a rope. I would sooner not, but the more difficult you make this, the greater amount of force I will levy to make you obey. Do we have an understanding, Sir Blackquill?"
[17:08]Iroquois-Pliskin: Dyce, your choice of words is not helping.
[17:09]*Simon-Blackquill groans loudly at the boot to his chest, tears swelling in his eyes from all the pain he's being put through here. He's fully aware that it's all his own doing, but deep down, Simon feels he deserves it. "No, we h-h-have no such thing," he argues, clutching his heavily-breathing chest, "Leave me here to die, just leave me here." He's no longer writhing and struggling, however.
[17:10]Casper LeBlanc Jr: ((simon u baby))
[17:13]*Iroquois-Pliskin scoots over, practically elbowing Dycedarg's leg to get his boot off Simon. Fuck off, douchebeard. He doesn't touch Simon again, not yet, instead looking right at his eyes. "Simon... There's still a chance, there's still hope that we can find something. We've got clues, even if they're small, and I don't plan on sitting on 'em." He says, his tone dropping to something a bit less rough. "I'm not going to give up, not yet. If I die without trying to the best of my ability, then hope of seeing the people I care about again, of getting back to my life, ends with me. And it'll end with you, too, Simon. As long as you're still breathing, there's still hope."
[17:24]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((DOUCHEBEARD))
[17:24]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( ur welcome ))
[17:29]*Dycedarg Beoulve nods. "Sir Pliskin is correct. So long as you live, you have a chance of returning home. The portal may reopen, a new one may be discovered, or perhaps other avenues of return may avail themselves to you. There is information on all manner of subjects in the Cathedral of Light, the Royal Library, the Gariland Magic Academy, and many others. Your position is dire, but not hopeless." He extends a hand down for Simon to take. "For now, let's go home and get you healed properly."
[17:31]*Simon-Blackquill doesn't take the hand. "Silence. All of you. Pliskin-dono, please, knock me out, I beg you," he pleads, looking to Pliskin with tears still threatening to spill from his eyes -- he's just in too much pain, he can't bear it. "I just want to be unconscious."
[17:35]*Iroquois-Pliskin nods slowly. He's honestly surprised Simon hadn't just passed out already, so he understands. "I got you." He says, briefly patting Simon's shoulder. "Keep your tongue away from your teeth again." He gives as a warning, before moving in to clock Simon against the temple with his elbow, to try and knock him out.
[17:36]Simon-Blackquill: [[ROLL FOR IT, IF YOU ROLL HIGHER THAN ME, HE'S KNOCKED OUT]]
[17:36]Iroquois-Pliskin rolls 1d6: 5
[17:36]Simon-Blackquill rolls 1d6: 5
[17:36]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( FUCK ME ))
[17:36]Simon-Blackquill: [[reroll]]
[17:36]Iroquois-Pliskin rolls 1d6: 4
[17:36]Simon-Blackquill rolls 1d6: 5
[17:36]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( POOR SIMON ))
[17:36]Simon-Blackquill: [[poor simon]]
[17:36]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( WHY U DO DIS ))
[17:37]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((if it doesn't work, I can just be like "....you know I can do that, right?"))
[17:37]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((just repeatedly punch Simon in the face and Dycedarg is just like "You fucking stooges"))
[17:38]*Simon-Blackquill actually manages to smile when Pliskin agrees, complying with his warnings. He closes his eyes so that the strike comes as a complete surprise, and oh it does -- his head pounds, he sees white, he croaks in pain.................. but Simon Blackquill does not pass out. Now all he can do is whine in agony. "J-just take me away..."
[17:41]*Dycedarg Beoulve raises his eyebrows. Simon is tougher than Dycedarg might have thought him to be, considering his physical condition.
[17:43]*Iroquois-Pliskin growls loudly when that somehow doesn't work! Of course Simon Fucking Blackquill is exceptionally hardheaded, that's just fucking predictable. "Dammit! Didn't think your skull would be that goddamn hard..." He groans, reaching out to very gently cradle Simon's head with one hand, circling around the point of impact lightly with his thumb. "Not sure it'd be a good idea to try that again, that might be too much, I don't want to cause permanent damage."
[17:45]*Simon-Blackquill closes his eyes and leans into the contact, whimpering in pain. "Just... take me away..."
[17:47]*Dycedarg Beoulve gets closer. "Hold still, Sir Blackquill. I can put you to sleep, but it's easier if you don't resist. This kind of spell doesn't always work, but I can still give it a try. Is this permissible?"
[17:47]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((watch this fail too and Simon has to ride a horse-bird all the way back home))
[17:47]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((in searing pain))
[17:48]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( at least hell be able to have snake holding him ))
[17:48]Simon-Blackquill: [[do you wanna roll against me for it]]
[17:48]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( do it fuckers ))
[17:49]Simon-Blackquill rolls 1d6: 4
[17:49]Dycedarg Beoulve rolls 166: 166
[17:49]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((fuck))
[17:49]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((GUESS I WON))
[17:49]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( LMFAO ))
[17:49]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( reroll u dungy ))
[17:49]Dycedarg Beoulve rolls 1d6: 4
[17:49]Simon-Blackquill rolls 1d6: 4
[17:49]Dycedarg Beoulve rolls 1d6: 3
[17:49]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( POOR SIMON!!!!!!!!! ))
[17:49]Simon-Blackquill: [[IT FAILED AGAIN]]
[17:51]*Iroquois-Pliskin mutters, "I know, I know, I'm sorry" until Dycedarg butts in with an offer. He goes quiet, looking over at Simon, still gently cradling his head in his palm. God, he feels bad. He hopes Simon accepts and it works. (spoiler: it doesn't)
[17:51]*Dycedarg Beoulve places a hand over Simon's face and chanted the words "Lose conscious, wash away into the silent sea.... Sleep!" He felt the magic charge and the spell was cast, but he could tell that it wasn't likely to work. There is simply too great a margin of error with the Mystic's arts.
[17:52]*Simon-Blackquill nods, allowing Dycedarg permission to do this, even if he doesn't trust the magic -- he probably never will. He closes his eyes as the spell is cast, and... doesn't... feel any different...
[17:52]*Simon-Blackquill is still in immense pain and wishes he could fall asleep or pass out.
[17:54]*Iroquois-Pliskin sighs raggedly. "Y'know Simon, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were posessed by some sort of hideous spirit of wakefulness." He grumbles. "Looks like you're just gonna have to bear it. I'm sorry." He really is sorry this time, and he moves carefully as he snakes his arms under Simon, scooping him up to hold the man against his chest not unlike how he'd carried Tori earlier.
[17:56]*Simon-Blackquill groans and leans into Pliskin's body, trembling from the pain. Why this? /Why this?/
[17:56]*Dycedarg Beoulve curses under his breath. "Damn. I was afraid this would happen." He made to help Simon climb on the chocobo so that he could make the trip to the manor. "Once Doctor Blastbody is free he will tend to your injuries and give you something for the pain. Even if it's just a large bottle of Candy."
[17:58]*Iroquois-Pliskin climbs up onto the Chocobo with Simon, still holding the man carefully but firmly against him. "At least a bottle of alcohol might make him feel a bit less shit. Or drunk enough that he notices less."
[17:58]*Simon-Blackquill doesn't say anything. He just wants to lie down and pass out.
[18:00]*Dycedarg Beoulve mounts Rydia and turns to Pliskin and Blackquill. "I will ride ahead and inform the staff to prepare a room for Sir Blackquill. With luck, Doctor Blastbody will have stabilized Tori's condition and he will be free to get to work on your leg." With that, he turned and rode ahead, though not so far that he couldn't turn back around and catch up with the others if needed.
[18:01]*Iroquois-Pliskin has to take a few seconds to remember how to drive this thing after Dycedarg leaves, before urging the chocobo around and taking off back to Beoulve Manor. It's a short trip on the bird, but the ride is bumpy, and probably still too long for Simon. As soon as they arrived at the front doors, Pliskin hops off, still holding Simon to his chest. "... How you holdin' up?"
[18:04]*Simon-Blackquill feels like he's going to hurl the entire trip, but unfortunately, fate will not grant him such a privilege. He can do nothing but writhe in pain, moan in agony, and tremble the entire way there, eyes tightly shut. Everything hurts. The whole world hurts. He can't even process what's happening around him any more... he just wants to sleep. He hardly even catches Pliskin's question once they arrive, and takes a while to respond as a result. "..........H-horrendously."
[18:14]*Dycedarg Beoulve arrives ahead of the others and dismounts as a Northern Sky Squire comes to take Rydia back to the stables. "Once Rydia is back in the stable, I want you inform the staff to prepare a room for an injured guest." The Squire nods and gives the usual "Yes, Your Excellency!" before taking Rydia back to the chocobo stables. Dycedarg entered the mansion and made a bee-line for the bedroom where Doctor Blastbody and Jeb were with Tori.
[18:14]*Iroquois-Pliskin grunts in response. "Yeah, figured as much. Don't worry, we're almost there." He says, before ducking his head to press a quick, gentle peck against Simon's hair before he could stop himself... and then promptly regretting it. This isn't the time for his bullshit, and especially not when Simon's probably reeling emotionally from loss. He doesn't know what came over him, so he pretends it didn't happen.

He makes a beeline into the manor, guided by a guard or two, towards a guest room being prepared for Simon. "Gonna get you inside on a bed, have someone look at your leg, maybe get you a big bottle of Candy. If you're lucky, you might even get yourself a lollipop, huh?"
[18:18]*Simon-Blackquill gives a grunt of his own at that quick peck. No, don't do that, Pliskin. You're not allowed to do that. This is Bobby Fulbright's territory only. ...And Bobby Fulbright isn't here. And he won't ever be if that portal never opens again. Why did he have to leave...? Why did he have to be stuck here without him? Without Taka? All this just makes him feel worse, and by the time Pliskin gets him toward the guest room, Simon's spilling silent tears.

"That is not luck, Pliskin-dono..." he whispers, burying his face into the other man's chest in attempt to hide his eyes, "I am not privileged in any conceivable way. Luck would be that portal opening and Taka coming to rest upon my shoulder..."
[18:19]*Tori Marie Nygma is sitting up in bed, looking a lot better. She's still a little frustrated over what happened, though. Maybe her freaking out over the portal's disappearance was understandable, but letting herself get to the point where her mind could be affected and she had to push back harder against the power that's slowly poisoning it, resulting in becoming ill? ...she's a little angry at herself for that.
[18:19]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( snake: *does a thing*
snake: i shouldnt have done that
simon: you shouldnt have done that
both: *feel shitty* ))
[18:20]*Jeb Parmalee is sitting in a nearby chair, looking extremely relieved. He's still worried, though. What if Tori ends up that way again...?
[18:25]*Iroquois-Pliskin sighs heavily, going quiet as he lets Simon hide his face and get Pliskin's blazer a bit damp. He pretends he doesn't notice, for the moment, for the sake of Simon's pride. "Yeah. You're right." He mumbles. He strides up to the bed in the guestroom, and carefully lays Simon out on it, grabbing one of the pillows to prop up his damaged leg. And then he turns, crouched at the bedside, and reaches out to just... gently press his palm to Simon's cheek, thumb wiping away some of the wetness. "Let's just not give up yet, alright? There's still hope that we'll get home. ...There's still hope for you to see Bobby again."
[18:26]*Dycedarg Beoulve enters the room and oh thank St. Ajora she's doing better now. "Doctor Blastbody, there's another guest in need of assistance. Sir Blackquill has broken his leg and has need of you." Quincy nods his head and packs up his equipment hurriedly. "Y-you should be fine for the moment, my lady, but I would stress that you take care n-not to over-exert yourself. Stress agitates your condition, and I w-would hate to see you back here again." With that, the doctor left, leaving Dycedarg with Jeb and Tori. He sits on the bed and sighs. "I am glad to see you looking better, my dear."
[18:30]*Simon-Blackquill groans further, still trying to regain control over his breathing by the time Pliskin's set him down on the bed. He already feels a little better when surrounded by warm softness, but he knows he's going to have to stay here for a while. ...Maybe Bobby will find his own way here in the meantime. Will he? Will he even try, or will he give up, like Simon seems to have done already? What would Bobby say if he were here? In justice we trust, probably... which meant he needed to have at least some hope.

"Bobby..." he mutters, pressing his head into the pillows to resist Pliskin's wiping of his face. He doesn't want his tears wiped. He doesn't deserve for them to be.
[18:30]*Tori Marie Nygma frowns. "...S-Simon... how did Simon break his leg?" she asks, voice soft and filled with concern. After a moment, she sighs and shakes her head. "...I-I... I mean, thanks. I'm glad I'm /feeling/ better. That was pretty damn terrifying..."
[18:33]*Iroquois-Pliskin sighs slightly through his nose, frowning. Not at Simon, but at himself. For every reason he can think of. He sits himself on the side of Simon's bed, hoping to at least keep him company until someone can get in here to look at his leg. "... Once he realizes you're stuck here, maybe he'll be working to find a way to open it back up from his end. He's a detective, after all."
[18:35]*Dycedarg Beoulve takes Tori's hand. "We were investigating the portal site to see if there was anything we could discover, and Simon wound up falling out of a tree. We had to head back after that, so that he could get proper medical attention." He pauses. "And...I'm sorry. For what happened to you, I mean."
[18:40]*Tori Marie Nygma sighs, irritated. "Idiot. Can't he ever take care of himself?" She squeezes Dycedarg's hand. "...it's not your fault, you know. I shouldn't have put myself in a situation where it could happen."
[18:40]*Simon-Blackquill nods gently. "I want to hope he can and will find a way..."
[18:40]*Jeb Parmalee frowns. "It isn't your fault, Tori!"
[18:41]Iroquois-Pliskin: Then believe in him, Simon. Like I told you the first time.
[18:41]Simon-Blackquill: ...Of course...
[18:43]Iroquois-Pliskin: And when your leg's better, you can work to try and meet him halfway.
[18:43]Simon-Blackquill: Mm... Y-yes, I will do everything in my power to.
[18:43]Simon-Blackquill: Our blades shall once again cross.
[18:44]*Dycedarg Beoulve squeezes back. "Of course it's not my fault, but it isn't yours either. In a way, I'm almost glad the portal is closed. If your condition has deteriorated to this extent, I want you here where I can keep an eye on you and tend to you directly. The Holy Water, if nothing else, seems to keep it at bay, yes?" He's lying through his teeth about the almost part of that sentence. It's like God delivered the four of them to him on a silver platter.
[18:46]*Tori Marie Nygma nods. "Yeah... it does seem to do a really good job at pushing it back." She looks off to the side, a tiny smile across her lips. "Man, I'm really glad you care about me so much."
[18:46]Iroquois-Pliskin: That just sounds like a dirty euphemism, Simon.
[18:46]Simon-Blackquill: ................
[18:47]Simon-Blackquill: It was not intended to be.
[18:47]*Jeb Parmalee looks thoughtful. "...Tori... I wonder if my healing could push it back a little, too." He's also wondering if maybe he could help speed the process of Simon's leg healing, but...
[18:48]*Iroquois-Pliskin snickers. "Heh. Don't worry, Simon, I'm sure you and the Detective will /cross blades/ again." He teases, smirking at Simon.
[18:48]Simon-Blackquill: I only long for his embrace now.
[18:48]Iroquois-Pliskin: I know.
[18:49]*Iroquois-Pliskin reaches over to give Simon a pat on the shoulder. "There's still hope you'll have that again."
[18:55]*Simon-Blackquill just blinks slowly... very slowly. Very tiredly. "I miss him already. As well as Taka."
[18:56]*Dycedarg Beoulve smiles at Tori. "Of course I do, Tori. I l..." He coughs into his hand. "...I could never bear to see you come to harm." He looks thoughtful when Jeb wonders about his healing. "Hmm. I can certainly say it is worth a shot, but I simply don't know about how this all works. Of course, if it could, that would be fantastic. Anything that helps."
[18:57]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( HOLY HELL, DYCEDARG, ALMOST HAD AN EMOTION THERE DIDNT YA ))
[18:58]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((YEAH HE ALMOST HAD AN EMOTION BUT HE USED SHELLBUST STAB AND RIPPED RIGHT THROUGH IT))
[18:58]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((THE EMOTION IS NOW DEAD))
[19:00]*Tori Marie Nygma feels a little disappointed in that answer, but not by much. What he /does/ say is more than enough to make her feel important to him. She looks over to Jeb. "I wonder why we've never thought about trying that before!"
[19:00]*Iroquois-Pliskin nods- he's glad to see Simon looks close to passing out at least, though. "... Hey, Simon." He says, interrupting the feelings jam for a moment. "Just to warn you, when they look at you're leg, they'll probably need to re-break it in order for it to be re-set properly."
[19:00]Jeb Parmalee: Well, better late than never! ...right?
[19:01]Simon-Blackquill: .................Nnnnnnnnngggggghhhhh...
[19:01]Iroquois-Pliskin: Yeah, I know. I'm sorry.
[19:01]Simon-Blackquill: As long as I'm permitted some sleep first...
[19:01]*Quincy Blastbody rushes into the room where Blackquill and Pliskin were talking, unheeding of any personal conversations they may or may not have been having. "My lords! Y-you may remember me from before, I am Doctor Blastbody. You know, when Lord Dycedarg threatened to k-kill and eat..." He coughed awkwardly. "Yes, well, i-in any event, I am here to fix your leg."
[19:01]Iroquois-Pliskin: It'll probably need to be done as soon as possible- Speak of the devil.
[19:02]Iroquois-Pliskin: Think you could give him a bottle of alcohol or something, first? Like that Candy stuff.
[19:02]*Dycedarg Beoulve gestured for him to proceed. "I'll certainly not stop you, Jeb. Please, by all means."
[19:03]*Simon-Blackquill just groans and buries his face in his pillow.
[19:04]Simon-Blackquill: I only desire sleep... please give it to me.
[19:05]*Quincy Blastbody nods. "Yes! Of course! I wouldn't DREAM of doing this unless the patient were heavily sedated." He began digging into the seemingly endless pouches he was carrying until he pulled out that blue bottle. "Ah, Candy is Dandy. Here, my lord, you may wish to be the one to give this to him. You two are close, after all, a-and...Lord Blackquill s-seems like he might strangle me with those chains, heh heh..." He laughs but he looks very much like he believes it. "E-especially once I have to...b-break his leg once more..."
[19:06]*Jeb Parmalee moves over to them, sitting on the bed as well and getting close enough to Tori so he can use his magic.
[19:07]*Tori Marie Nygma grins at Jeb.
[19:07]Simon-Blackquill: I trust you'll do this after I'm unconscious...
[19:07]Simon-Blackquill: Please.
[19:07]*Iroquois-Pliskin accepts the bottle, sighing a bit as he passes it to Simon. "Simon, at least have a few drinks. Since apparently magic and force both failed to knock you out, this might work."
[19:07]Iroquois-Pliskin: It'll dumb down your sense of pain, too.
[19:08]Quincy Blastbody: Of course! Of course. I would never...w-what do you think, I'm some-some kind of barbarian? Heh heh....um. Right. Laughing is bad here. Um, yes, I will wait until you pass out.
[19:09]*Simon-Blackquill nods and takes the bottle, not bothering to sit up properly as he starts drinking from it, spilling it all over his clothes and hair and bed. He's slow... and groans a lot as he swallows. But there's that taste he loves so dearly...
[19:09]*Iroquois-Pliskin hopes Dycedarg won't get mad at Simon ruining the bedspread. Pliskin doesn't blame him, personally.
[19:10]*Quincy Blastbody worries His Excellency will smother him with the ruined bedspread
[19:10]*Dycedarg Beoulve raises Tori's hand up to his lips and kisses her fingers. "I can only hope this works. Though I AM shocked that you have not availed yourself of Jeb's powers before."
[19:11]*Simon-Blackquill continues to drink, oblivious to the others around him. He takes his time with it, but doesn't stop. It tastes so good, it's the only thing he's enjoying in this sea of pain, and once again tears are falling down his cheeks.
[19:11]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( being simon is suffering ))
[19:12]Simon-Blackquill: [[pretty fucking much]]
[19:12]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((yep))
[19:13]*Iroquois-Pliskin just moves to pat Simon's (probably slightly damp) shoulder, before moving to stand up.
[19:14]*Quincy Blastbody fidgets off to the side, waiting for Blackquill to pass out from the alcohol. He doesn't really know what to do with his hands while this is happening so he just keeps fiddling with his own fingers and staring at the floor
[19:15]Tori Marie Nygma: ...maybe part of me didn't want to bother him.
[19:15]Jeb Parmalee: --huh?! But you wouldn't...!
[19:16]*Simon-Blackquill keeps drinking until he's downed the whole bottle, groaning as he finally removes it from his lips, licking them with his now-blue tongue. Candy is Dandy indeed. He groans groggily, feeling the alcohol setting in... making him just slightly dizzy, pleasantly so, and his dull throbbing softens. He yawns, already getting tired.
[19:17]Iroquois-Pliskin: Try to relax, Simon, don't try to resist the alcohol. Just let yourself drift off, if you can.
[19:17]*Dycedarg Beoulve raises his eyebrows at that. "/Bother/ him? Tori, Jeb loves you!" The very word leaving his mouth feels foreign and strange and he would rather not dwell on it for too long. "He would do anything for you, let alone make use of his healing powers to assist you. It cannot be any great trouble." He pauses and asks "Unless...your ability doesn't have some kind of cost to you, does it, Jeb? Like how Necromancy and Shadow Magic poison Tori's mind."
[19:18]*Simon-Blackquill nods softly, blinking slowly, feeling his eyelids droop. He wants to pass out, so this shouldn't be hard... but it's also hard to relax with his heart thumping the way it is. He knows what's going to happen once he passes out, and on some level, he's afraid of it happening too early. That he'll wake up screaming in pain once again.
[19:19]Quincy Blastbody: Y-yes, it would be b-best if you drifted off soon, Lord Blackquill. P-please, just drift off and know that w-when you awake, you shall b-be healed.
[19:19]Simon-Blackquill: You say that as if I don't desperately seek the salvation unconsciousness can bring me...
[19:19]*Jeb Parmalee shakes his head. "My powers are completely safe to use..."
[19:20]*Quincy Blastbody goes right back to fiddling with his hands and staring at the floor. "I-I'm sorry, my lord, I sh-should not have s-spoken out of turn."
[19:20]Tori Marie Nygma: ...it would bother him if it didn't work.
[19:20]Jeb Parmalee: ...
[19:20]Tori Marie Nygma: ...
[19:20]*Jeb Parmalee quickly gets to work.
[19:20]Simon-Blackquill: It's... perfectly fine...
[19:21]Dycedarg Beoulve: ...well, we shall simply have to have faith in young Lord Parmalee.
[19:21]*Simon-Blackquill yawns.
[19:21]*Iroquois-Pliskin shushes Dr. Blastbody(not harshly, just... shoosh.), and then kneels down beside Simon. Reaching out, he starts to card his hand through Simon's hair, hoping Simon doesn't take it the wrong way.
[19:22]Tori Marie Nygma: ...right.
[19:22]*Simon-Blackquill doesn't. He's too drunk not to. He closes his eyes and hums at the gesture, slowly finding himself leaning into it.
[19:22]*Quincy Blastbody nods and clamps his mouth shut. No talking.
[19:23]*Iroquois-Pliskin keeps up the motion, stroking his hand against Simon's head, just trying to soothe him and help ease him into unconsciousness.
[19:24]*Jeb Parmalee pours more and more healing magic into Tori. Enough, in fact, that he should be starting to feel the exhaustion of using too much wash over him. ...it never does. That's strange, usually it does when he pushes himself like this. He isn't going to complain, though, instead counting his blessings that he can continue to use his power.
[19:26]*Simon-Blackquill finds the pain lessening more and more as this continues, as the alcohol sets in. He comes to adore Pliskin's touches more and more, and his tears continue to fall as his breathing starts to regulate and gradually become deep, but scratchy. It takes quite a bit of time this time, but their patience is rewarded by the telltale sounds of Simon Blackquill snoring. He's finally asleep.
[19:26]*Tori Marie Nygma does feel a lot better, but a nagging part of her reminds her that this is only temporary... and because of that, Jeb's going to have to do this over and over in the future. Is it really right, to have to rely on him that heavily? Not that she doesn't think Jeb's capable, not that she doesn't trust Jeb--but it isn't right to /him/.
[19:28]*Iroquois-Pliskin keeps petting Simon's hair for a bit even after he starts sounding like he's sawing logs with a chainsaw. "Give it a couple minutes before you start, alright?" He asks, glancing at Quincy. "Just to make sure he's properly passed out."
[19:29]*Dycedarg Beoulve begins to stroke Tori's hair while Jeb begins working. When did he grow to /care/ about this girl before? He certainly enjoyed her company and found her interesting, but he doesn't actually care about people. That's just not how it /works/ with Dycedarg. He almost told her that he loves her, for God's sake. ...does he? Perhaps he does. That frightens him more than anything he's ever experienced before, including the Corpse Brigade trying to kill him in his own home.

But he voices none of this. He can't. Instead, he simply asked "Is it working, Tori?"
[19:31]*Quincy Blastbody approaches the bed. "Y-yes, my lord! D-despite everything, I /am/ a Master Chemist, I-i'll have you know. I kn-know what I'm doing."
[19:31]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((Maxie has formally passed out))
[19:31]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((just so you guys know))
[19:32]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( good that means Simon won't wake up ))
[19:32]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( FINALLY HE CAN REST ))
[19:32]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( NO MORE SUFFERING.......... for now ))
[19:33]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((he'll probably have like a million nightmares))
[19:33]*Iroquois-Pliskin smirks, and then finally takes his hand from Simon, stepping away from the bed. "Don't worry, I trust you. If D- Lord Dycedarg's confident in your abilities, I am too." He almost got too casual and called Dycedarg 'Dyce' in front of a local again. He really doesn't want to come off as too weird. "Just let me know if you need any help."
[19:37]Tori Marie Nygma: ((HAHAHA DYCE IS FEELING A FEEL))
[19:37]*Tori Marie Nygma nods. "Yeah. ...y-yeah, it's working."
[19:37]*Jeb Parmalee smiles brightly, but continues working.
[19:38]Dycedarg Beoulve: (("What is this salty discharge?" "Oh my god Dyce you're crying."))
[19:39]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( discharge. way to make it sound like a pussing wound ))
[19:41]*Quincy Blastbody nods and adopts a serious face, getting ready to work on Simon. "My lord, I require you to hold his leg still. I will be able to heal him swiftly once I get his bone set properly, but if he were to stir at the last moment I would have to break his leg twice, which I am not fain to do." It would seem he is less nervous when he is in his element as a doctor.
[19:44]*Iroquois-Pliskin nods. "Got it." He says, moving around towards Simon's legs, scooting onto the bed to put himself in a good position to hold Simon's leg still without being in the way. "How's that?"
[19:48]*Quincy Blastbody has rolled up the leg of Simon's pants and gotten his boot off. "Yes, that will do. Please hold him still." He dug into another pouch and brought out a small hammer and a curved bottle of blue liquid, similar to but distinct from Candy is Dandy. He took a few breaths to steady himself and then brought the hammer right on the spot where the bone improperly mended, then hurriedly set it correctly and poured the blue liquid directly onto the wound.
[19:49]*Dycedarg Beoulve smiles as well. "I am glad to hear that it is working. If nothing else, it means we have more options. As long as Jeb, myself, or Doctor Blastbody are around, we shall be able to tend to your needs."
[19:52]Tori Marie Nygma: Hahaha! That makes me feel so /pampered/~
[19:52]*Iroquois-Pliskin helped Quincy get Simon's boot off and his pantleg rolled up. Then, he holds the leg as still as he can, frowning hard. He doesn't look away, doesn't flinch, but it's definitely hard watching the bone be rebroken under the fall of the hammer. He tilts his head curiously at the liquid being applied once the bone is reset properly, but he doesn't question it- it's probably commonplace here, and he'd look like a fool for asking. "... Will the leg need to be splinted, or is your work enough so long as he doesn't put any strain on it for a while?"
[19:52]*Jeb Parmalee keeps working for a little while longer before stopping. He still isn't exhausted, strangely enough.
[19:55]*Quincy Blastbody doesn't even look up. "It will need to be splinted for safety's sake, but that can wait until later. Right now I just need to make sure the bone heals properly. The splint would mostly be there as a reminder that he can't just get out of bed and start walking around, anyway. The potion will accelerate the healing process, but it is still a process, and part of that includes bed rest. With luck, it should heal within a few days."
[19:57]*Iroquois-Pliskin nods along, glancing over at Simon to make sure he's still knocked out- and thank goodness, he is. "Got it, I'll keep that in mind." He says, still holding Simon's leg still just in case, while Quincy works. "I'll try to keep an eye on him- he's a bit prone to being stubborn to the point of stupidity."
[19:57]Dycedarg Beoulve: As well you should! You are here as a guest of one of the most influential lords of Ivalice. You shall have servants attending to your every need. When you are feeling up to it, perhaps we might go for a walk on the grounds? The fountain is quite beautiful under the moonlight.
[19:58]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( snakes existence 90% of the time in beoulve manor: *hoping no one notices the collar just under his shirt...* ))
[20:00]*Quincy Blastbody grunts in response, watching the bone mending beneath the flesh. Once it does, however, he lets go of Simon's leg. "There! It's set c-correctly. I'll have some of the other Chemists in here soon, to set up a splint for his leg and to hang it from the ceiling. He will be confined to his bed for a few days, b-but that is at the most."
[20:02]*Iroquois-Pliskin lets go of Simon's leg as well and moves away from the bed, sighing in relief. Well, at least there was that taken care of. "Thanks for the help. I should probably step out and let him sleep this off, unless you need any more help from me."
[20:06]*Tori Marie Nygma grins. "That sounds like a great idea for when I'm feeling even better than I do now~!"
[20:14]*Quincy Blastbody shakes his head. "N-no, my lord, that is about all that either of us can do for him right now. B-but I thank you for the assistance! You sh-should consider joining the Chemist D-division! You'd make an excellent medical assistant! You're already less squeamish than half of my colleagues!" He pauses and bows his head. "B-bad joke, my lord, I apologize."
[20:15]Tori Marie Nygma: ((screams no body stop being tired this instant))
[20:16]*Dycedarg Beoulve grins back and leans in to kiss her lips. "I look forward to it. For now, though, I think you should get some rest. Enjoy laying in my comfortable bed, and ring that bell if you need anything. The servants will attend to whatever needs you have. Jeb, might I speak with you out in the hall for a moment?"
[20:16]Dycedarg Beoulve: ((oh nooooo))
[20:18]*Iroquois-Pliskin snorts, putting one of his hands in his pocket, and reaching out to ruffling Quincy's funny floppy hat against his hair. "Heh. I'll keep that in mind, and don't worry about it." He says, a smirk on his face. "Anyways, I'll be seeing myself out. See you around, Doctor." With that, he pockets his other hand and steps out of Simon's room, making his way down the hall as he tries to remember the directions to Dycedarg's room in this stupidly large house. Fucking rich people.
[20:22]Tori Marie Nygma: Heh... okay.
[20:23]*Jeb Parmalee looks to Dycedarg. "Ah? ...yes, of course!"
[20:27]*Dycedarg Beoulve nods and leads the way out of the room, holding open the door for Jeb to follow. "I'll give him back to you soon, darling. I promise." Did he just call her darling? Shit.
[20:28]Iroquois-Pliskin: (( FUCKING DYCEDARG ))
[20:29]*Tori Marie Nygma's eyes widen, feeling her cheeks heat up. What an unexpected thing to hear! ...she likes it a lot. "Okay~"
[20:29]*Quincy Blastbody blushes as this strange, scruffy man ruffles his stupid hat. Why do they even make Chemists wear this thing? He hates it. He follows Pliskin out of the room. "Oh, i-if you're looking for L-lord Dycedarg, I can help you find him! I-I've need to report to His E-Excellency now that he's b-been stabilized."
[20:30]*Jeb Parmalee follows him, looking back to Tori and shyly blowing her a kiss before leaving with Dycedarg.
[20:30]*Tori Marie Nygma may very well die from adorable before they come back, whoops.
[20:31]*Iroquois-Pliskin honestly would probably get lost and end up in Dycedarg's secret sex dungeon on accident or something if left to wander around on his own, so he nods, accepting Quincy's offer. "That's a good idea, thanks. Not really, ahhh... used to this place, yet."
[20:32]*Dycedarg Beoulve closes the door and turns to Jeb. "I'm grateful for your assistance, Jeb, truly. But I've an important question: Realistically, can we keep her condition at bay now that it's advanced as far as it has? You would know better than I on this matter, so I shall be relying on your judgement in this matter."
[20:39]*Quincy Blastbody nods back and smiles. "Excellent! F-follow me, my lord!" With that, Quincy began to lightly jog down the hall to where the master bedroom was. In the opposite direction Pliskin was about to head, even.
[20:39]*Jeb Parmalee fidgets a little, looking off to the side. "...I don't know. The only other person I know who had this kind of power... w-well, even if he did really terrible things, I don't think he was ever in the same danger Tori is. N-Not to say that it didn't poison his mind, it did! Just... not in the same way. I'm hoping we can keep it at bay if I keep using my powers when she needs me to, though!"
[20:42]*Iroquois-Pliskin doesn't think he's going to be getting used to being called 'my lord' any time soon. It's really fucking weird and a little offputting, though he's sure some of the others probably relish in it. He makes note that Quiny is heading in literally the opposite direction he had been, and huffs through his nose at how badly that could've gone... and then he follows behind swiftly, easily able to keep up.