RP:Almost Dead On Arrival

Part of the The Day I Tried To Live Arc

Summary: Directly after the finale of Sauriangate, Khitti's brought back to Frostmaw Fort by Hildegarde herself. Burns of every degree litter the vampiress' form and when she awakens, she takes on that feral mindset most vampires do when injured that gravely. Fearing a repeating of the events in Raiez's cave a la Amarrah, she rejects the help from the healers and sends for Brand. Dominic's the one to turn up, with Shadow-Brand on the lookout for that pointy-eared bastard, Esche.

Frostmaw Fort

Things has not gone as planned in Venturil. It had been a victory, yes, but a painful one. Especially for Khitti. Hildegarde and the unconscious vampiress had returned to Frostmaw not long before Lionel and the rest of the Warriors Guild had, but it had been long enough for Khitti to wake up in one of the fort’s rooms, screaming like a banshee and snarling at anyone that’d get near her. She still didn’t like the prospect of people poking and prodding at her, even if it was for her own good this time around. They’d soon leave her alone, though, after Hildegarde left the healers to deal with Khitti, realizing that she didn’t want any of their ‘healing’. Instead, Brand had been sent for, and it’d be up to him to deal with things. Once she was quite alone, the waterworks would turn on, but for good reason this time, as she laid there on her back in the bed. Her coat had been carefully removed and left to sit on a nearby chair, while the black ice bow Alvina had made was sitting nearby. It’d be quite obvious to those that entered the room as the reasoning for her freakout once the coat had been removed and nothing else: the skin on her arms, neck, and face had started to crack, and blister, and peel, despite having been somewhat protected by the dragonscales. This portion of her body was very badly burned, like a day outside with too much sun, but paled in comparison to what the skin beneath the articles of clothing -not- made of dragonscale might look like. The crying had stopped now, but she hadn’t moved, hadn’t budged an ounce, for it still felt like she were on fire.

The door swung open with such force that the knob dented the wall behind it -- but it wasn’t Brand who charged into the room. It was the man’s younger counterpart who skidded to a stop at Khitti’s side, countenance equally drenched in sweat and dismay. Head swiveled from side to side -- no healers about? Had Khitti been abandoned, or had she turned them away? -- before surveying the vampiress herself. “Tell me what I can do,” he breathed, a hair’s breadth from clasping her hand into his own before realizing that that was -maybe- not the best idea right now.

Khitti cringed--once in fright of his sudden entrance and a second time in anticipation for the handholding that seemed imminent, but did not occur. She managed to compose herself, urged herself mentally to not cry anymore, though her words were shaky, “Give me your arm. I can’t--it hurts too much.” All that flailing she’d done with the healers hadn’t done her any favors in regards to her injuries. Cracked fingers cling to the blankets beneath her as another surge of fiery agony courses throughout her form, a bit of air sucked in sharply between her teeth, a few unsavory curses following soon after.

Dominic began shedding himself of his coat before Khitti had even finished speaking. “I was told a bit of what happened, but not much. Something about a paladin...?” As Dominic rolled up his sleeve, Brand made an entrance of his own. Languid steps brought the illusion into the room; he shut the door after a final peek beyond the threshold. “Dunno where our pointy-eared friend is,” announced the blonde, “but it’s not near enough to be a bother. Much. For now.” Ah, so that was where he’d been. Making sure that ever-creepy Esche was being creepy… somewhere else. The man had priorities besides just looking after Khitti, dammit. “Guard seemed perturbed to be interrogated by someone a smidge faded ‘round the edges, heh. Guess there aren’t many illusionists about.” Dominic earned an elbow to the ribs. Faded, yes, but corporeal enough to make an impact. “Might wanna work on sharpenin’ the edges some more.” Here was Khitti in dire straits, and Brand was… cracking jokes; Dominic had never been the one to control this magic, and they all knew it. Brand’s grin lasted long enough to meet Dominic’s irritated glare before withering. “ ‘Kay. But seriously, peach, what the frak. S’just one thing after another with you.” The blonde shook his head in wonder as Dominic presented a bare forearm to Khitti, grimacing. “He’s in a mood. Don’t mind him. Letting him carry me was the fastest way to get here on short notice. Illusions don’t get winded, I guess.”

Was really now the time for jokes, Brand? No. No, it wasn’t. One of those feral snarls that had been gifted to the healers was given to the blonde now, Dominic’s arm ignored for the moment. “Yes, because I vas supposed to know zhat zhe stupid kid zhat follows Lionel around vas going to make a light show out of holy magic, “ she hissed, a glare of her own joining in with Dominic’s. “Irresponsible little brat never should’ve been anywhere near zhe damned fight. Never vould’ve happened if all of zhose morons vould’ve left zhe undead to me like I told zhem. I oughta beat zhe hell out of all of zhem.” It’d been quite a long time since she used that tone of voice with Brand, even with all of their fights; it was full of venom and loathing and only seemed to fade a little as she finally bit into Dominic’s wrist. As she drank, the superficial parts on her upper half healed, while the deeper cracks and burns remained, albeit in scar form for now. Realizing she’d need to feed a hell of a lot more than what Dominic could provide, she pulls away from him, frowning at the pain still in her legs. “I knew I should’ve had dragonscale pants made too. Only damned zhing zhat dragon vas good for apparently. I’d be ash if it veren’t for zhe coat.”

Brand seemed not at all bothered by Khitti’s agitation, still in that oddly cheery mood. “An’ I’m sure you will, kiwi. I’m sure you will. You beat ‘em up, and I’ll be there with cakelog for the victory celebration.” This called for another stare from Dominic, this one incredulous. “Seriously, what is -with- you today? Even with all the Warrior’s Guild at her back, she -- Khitti could have died out there!” Brand’s smirk, however, only grew. “But she didn’t.” Dominic planted his face into the edge of the bed and let the mattress muffle his scream of frustration. “Not the point, Brand!”

The vampiress just sighed at Brand’s odd mood, her hand coming to rest on Dominic’s head, lightly ruffling his hair. Her anger seemed to have faded entirely now that she’d fed, even if it were just a little, but she still seemed tired. “I don’t have zhe energy for zhis shit right now.” She sat up a bit, with the pillow between her and the wall, leaning over to pull off her boots with a soft, pained cry. Beneath the black leather, her feet were just as equally dark, the charred skin peeling away to reveal the bloodied, delicate layers beneath. The burns had made their way deep into the tissue and it was obvious that Dominic’s blood hadn’t helped one bit. The blanket beneath her was pulled over top of her lower half, as Khitti was feeling vulnerable as hell right now, and didn’t exactly fancy being naked in front of either of them, despite the fact that both had seen her as such. Khitti’s legs were just as bad, if not worse than her feet--at least the leather boots had been thick, the pants not so much--with some spots, like the back of her legs, nearly blackened to the bone. Soon the corset joined her pants and boots in a heap on the floor--purely for comfort, of course-- just as she made her way almost entirely beneath the covers, leaving just her head out so that she could speak and look about. Maybe she should’ve just let the healers deal with her. Maybe she never should’ve let them find Dominic and Brand. “I’m going to find zhat cure, “ she said after a bout of silence, and with more conviction than she’d probably ever had in her life. “I’m going to find it and do vhatever I have to so zhis never happens again.”

“Cure…?” This was the first Dominic had heard of it. He exchanged glances with his blonde, illusory counterpart; confusion gave way to surprise as Brand wordlessly filled him in. “A… a cure. Right.” Dominic took Khitti’s hand with tender care, holding it in both of his own. “W-whatever you need, Khitti, we’ll help. Won’t we, Brand?” Brand, for his part, had been sobered by seeing the true extent of Khitti’s wounds. A grunt of affirmation was sent Dominic’s way before he rose, stretched (was that even necessary? Do illusions even get stiff or tired?) and made his way out of the room, a mere “I’ll be keepin’ watch,” called from over his shoulder as he departed. It was just Khitti and Dominic again, alone as much as they ever could be.

“You didn’t tell him yet?!” There was a momentary flare of anger, but it didn’t last long once Brand had remedied the situation and Dominic seemed to be alright with it. She side-eyed the illusion-Brand as he departed before returning her attention to Dominic. “I’m sorry...he vas supposed to tell you days ago.” She turns over ever so carefully to lay on her stomach, but not without a bit of cringing in pain, the left side of her face hidden in the pillow as she stared at the raven-haired human, “Vhy do I have zhe vorst luck? It’s never my fault, besides zhe lack of feeding.” She reached out her right hand to rest against his cheek, the skin along her hands still a little sore, but otherwise fine. “I’m sorry zhat you’ve got to take care of me again or at least have to deal vith me being like zhis since zhere’s not anything either of you can do. I probably vill be here for a few days, so you guys get zhe apartment to yourselves again, I guess.”

“You say that like it’s a good thing,” noted Dominic, frowning. “I don’t want to be alone. I guess -- I guess I’ll just have to stay here with you…” This time, Dominic did indeed go for Khitti’s hand. She was met with only the lightest touch; he was too afraid of hurting her. She’d hurt herself before, but these burns were something so dire, so unlike anything he’d seen on her before that a shudder carved its way up his spine. ...No. No, that wasn’t it. He’d lost track of Brand’s presence again. And that shiver… Dominic withdrew hastily from touching Khitti, face blanched, but the sensation along his back continued. “Not this again…”

Khitti smiled a little, giving his hand a squeeze, "Yeah...please stay vith me." She'd go to kiss his hand, but he was already pulling away, that smile of hers soon disappearing. It was replaced by a concern frown, red brows knitted together as she tried to reach for him, "Vhat? Vhat do you mean 'not zhis again'?" When she realized she wasn't going to be able to touch him again just yet, she sighed and sunk back into her pillow. "Dominic..."

Dominic’s heart was pounding in his ears. In fact, it was as if he could feel every beat pumping blood through his veins, and that shuddering up his spine continued. He barely dared breathe in fear of whatever might happen. But at Khitti’s question, he ever so slightly opened up their link to let her feel whatever it was was happening to him. Funny that he could do that and still not feel Brand. If this was the runestone within doing strange things again… the first thing it ever seemed to do was shut Brand away from interference. Brand, who had such mastery that he was normally the one shutting Dominic out of things, or keeping Khitti from feeling things through their link. It was stronger even than him. But Dominic had little time to wonder at how that could be before the pulsing grew stronger still, and with it came a paradoxically fierce serenity. For one moment in his miserable life all that anxiety washed away and he could be aware of nothing but that pulsing, a roaring ocean in his ears and all the way down to his toes and the tips of his fingers. His fingers -- when had he placed them back on Khitti again? He’d not been aware of it, but his hands moved of their own accord, stretching a thin film of crystal blue water across the worst of her burns in what was quite literally a liquid bandage. The beating of some meditative drum echoed through their link. The stone worked through him once again, and this time he couldn’t even panic at its effects. He could not be anything but calm. Deep breaths… in, hold, and out again. In through the nose… hold… soft and slow and out through the mouth. In… and out… like ocean waves crashing ceaselessly upon the shore, each wave matched by the beat of a tranquil heart.

Khitti, after Dominic opened up their link to show her what the stone was doing, was quite distracted by the fact that she didn’t sense Brand at all. Where the hell was he? It was starting to alarm her a bit because Brand was never not there, even when he had his own walls up she could feel him, and so she called out to him through the link, but he was just...gone. No sooner did her own anxiety about the situation start to rise did it suddenly wash away with that tide of serenity that spilled over from Dominic’s side. The vampiress turned to look behind her as Dominic started to tend to her wounds, and she knew she should likely be panicking with his close proximity to the burns, but she didn’t. She was soon matching his breathing as well, despite no longer needing to, that drumbeat echoing in their minds calming her entirely, forcing her to give in and let Dominic use his magic to heal her as she laid back down with her head on the pillow once more.

“Khitti, I…” Her wounds had all been covered by the film of water now, and the aura of calm was beginning to fade. Dominic’s hands shook as he at last pulled them away from the vampiress -- equal parts fear and a chill that had overtaken him in the wake of the stone’s… possession, for what else could it be called? The water would begin to seep into Khitti’s skin now, doing what it could to soothe, heal, and prevent further scarring. And simultaneously Dominic felt that telltale tightening round his spine, more shooting pain and shivering as the spell was written into his being. The stone did as it would. The damn thing didn’t care if Dominic wanted these abilities or not. Dominic might be furious if not for the bit of forced serenity that still lingered. Instead, he stared, from his hands to Khitti and back again to his shaking, clammy fingers. “I don’t want this…”

The vampiress’ right hand reaches out to grab Dominic’s hand before he could back away too far. “I know, love…” She’d give his hand a squeeze and sit up somewhat, no longer burdened by the searing pain that came with blackened skin stretching, cracking, and peeling as she moved her legs. That stone...it might even be worse than Amarrah, she thought to herself, choosing not to voice it aloud to Dominic for fear that it might alarm him further. “Come here, “ she’d whisper quietly, scooting over carefully to allow room for him on the bed as she tugged his arm softly. “It’ll be alright. It’s gone for now.” Khitti manages a faint smile for him, trying to reassure him that the situation might not be as bad as it seems, “At least, it’s done some good. Both times it’s either protected or healed someone.” Before he can possibly protest, she continues, “But! But...ve vill find a vay to get rid of it. Somehow. I promise.”

It truly was gone. Once again he could feel Illusion-Brand manifesting at his prior spot outside the room, now irate at having been blocked out. The time prior, with the icy bubble-shield, had been very much the same -- though this time the ‘writing’ process had been faster and less painful. Dominic still didn’t understand how, but he simply -knew- how to cast that healing bandage of water now. The calm that had overtaken them both didn’t seem to be part of it, however. The aura, the way Brand was repeatedly shut out… it was almost as if the stone had a will of its own. As if, by trying to solve the previous problems with the stone, he had awoken it and therefore created several new ones entirely. “I... really didn’t need -another- thing taking over my body,” sighed Dominic, wearily drawing his free hand across his face. Tears of frustration were beginning to surface, though he was struggling to fight them back. “Brand, at least, I’ve come to certain agreements with. But this… no. I don’t care what it is. It’s forcing these things on me, Khitti. I never get any agency. In any of it. I don’t understand why everyone and everything seems to want me to -do- something -- why can’t I just -live-? Why isn’t that good enough?”

Khitti sighed and pulled Dominic close. What -could- she say to that? She could just prattle on about destiny and fate and all of that, but Brand, whom she had a feeling was not exactly happy right now, would likely butt in and call her out on that nonsense. This wasn’t destiny. This wasn’t some grand gift given from the gods--it was an unfortunate mess that couldn’t have been helped whatsoever after Dominic decided to toy around with that stone. “Look, sometimes bad zhings happen to good people--zhe best people--and no one knows vhy. It’s just life. I know you don’t vant it and I know you didn’t deserve zhis, but it’s here nevertheless. Just…” She was hesitant, choosing her words carefully. Even just that small bit of healing he’d done had helped so much, and she was so afraid of being here forever. The more she thought about it, the more she felt trapped again, like in Raiez’s cave. But, she’d not let him see that restlessness that already started to creep up on her. “Just...help me. Please.” Despite that inner turmoil she blocked him from seeing along their link, her tone was calm and warm, albeit just with a hint of pleading. “Help me get vell enough to go down to Xalious so I can feed, properly, and go home. Neither your blood, nor Brand’s, nor any of zhat bottled stuff is going to be enough to heal it all completely. You’d only have to do it for say...ten minutes, give or take, twice a day. Zhe bare minimum. I von’t ever ask anything of you again unless zhe situation is dire.” She pauses, taking his chin in between her thumb and forefinger, making sure he’s looking at her, “And, I’m asking. Only asking. You’ve zhe option to say no. It’s -your- magic regardless of how you got it. You don’t have to do it for anyone if you don’t vant to. Not me or Brand or anyone. Even if Lionel or Hildegarde asked you, you still have zhe right to say no. I vill heal, regardless of your decision, and I vill help you find a vay to get rid of zhis as soon as I can.”

Dominic regarded Khitti with watery eyes as she spoke, his face frozen in some awful, jumbled mess of emotion. What would win out -- horror? Anger? Would he actually acquiesce? “I-if you were… anyone, -anyone- else,” Dominic finally began, voice strained, “I would walk out that door right now and not come back.” He sank further back into his chair, trying and failing to swallow the lump persisting in his throat. “Even with you, I don’t… I don’t know if you understand how much you’re asking of me, Khitti.” He was staring down into his wringing hands as if they’d betrayed him -- and in a way, they had. “I regret ever thinking I wanted to get involved in any of it. To know magic. To be involved in fighting, or battles, or -- or any of it. I just wanted to feel like I had a purpose. But, I guess… I mean, I wouldn’t have met you… but, s-still, I…” He trailed off, shaking his head, tears forming with renewed determination.

Khitti’s expression, one that had been warm and understanding and calm, soon melted into a look of stoniness that could rival Brand’s. Brows furrowed as Dominic spoke and an irritated frown made itself know. “Stop. Right now.” She kept her composure, however, her voice stern, but otherwise the same. “Do -not- zhrow me in vith zhe rest of whomever might try to make you use zhese abilities. I -asked- you. I didn’t force you. I don’t have a fireball at your head, ready to strike, if you vere to tell me no. I made zhat perfectly clear. I don’t -need- your help, Dominic. I -vanted- it. Because I love you. And because I vant to go home and be in my own bed. Zhere’s a difference.” There’s a pause as she scoots to the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket around her like a makeshift dress. “In fact, I’m going home now, “ was said with much conviction and even a bit of spite. Unfortunately, for Khitti, as both feet planted themselves on the ground on the opposite side of the bed from Dominic and she stood up, searing pain shot up both legs. It was as if Rorin were right there, using his holy magic all over again. She grit her teeth, biting back a scream that could likely wake the dead, and took another step towards her clothing pile, tears welling up in her eyes as she did her best to fight the pain.

“W-what?! N-n-no, I wasn’t --” Too late. Dominic had reached out a hand as if to stop her, but it was wholly ineffective. He was still in shock from everything else that had happened so far, too paralyzed to react further. Not Brand, though. Brand removed himself from sentry duty and was in Khitti’s way before her foot could even fall to the floor again, scooping her up and depositing her back onto the bed in one fluid movement. Still leaning over her, older headmate turned to younger with a growl almost fit to rival Khitti at her most blood-starved. “Seven hells, kid, you’re not gonna kill anyone with no watery gorram healing magic. Jus’ -do- the frakkin’ thing.”

“I was g-going to try, I just --”

Brand wheeled onto Dominic so quickly that the latter nearly toppled backwards in his chair. “-Frak- your ‘try.’ “ They locked eyes, not letting Khitti privy to whatever additional arguing took place before Dominic gave forth a shuddering sigh and, slowly, nodded. He'd do it. He wouldn't like it, but he'd do it.

Those green eyes that had gotten misty real quick-like blinked repeatedly as she suddenly found herself back in bed. The fiery aching that had overtaken her legs lessened somewhat, but still hurt thanks to the muscles in her legs having done their thing when she took those couple of steps. As they argued, first aloud and then in that joined head of theirs, her temper flared again. “No.” She paused and shook her head, “Don’t touch me.” Khitti sighed heavily as she turned onto her side, her line of sight focused on the floor. “I should not have asked. If he’s not going to do it of his own free vill, vithout you yelling at him, zhen it’s not happening. I don’t care if I have to half-shadowstep, half-limp my way down to Xalious to feed to make myself better. And don’t--” She lifted a hand, pointing at Brand, “--vaste your breath if you’re just going to yell at me next. I don’t have zhe energy or zhe patience for it. Just...go home. Go away before Esche comes back.”

Both Dominic and Brand stared at Khitti, stunned. Even so injured, she still had energy enough for that fighting spirit. Once they were moved to action Brand simply took a step back, his arms folded and that typical sour expression upon his face; contrary to the usual, it was Dominic who broke the silence. “N-no, Khitti... he’s right. It’s not the same.” The words were the drawn-out sigh of defeat. He was having trouble maintaining eye contact with either of them; a hand partially enshrouded his face in an attempt to mask this. “When I first got here… I just wanted to find a way to be useful. I even wanted to learn to fight if I could use that to help people. And then… and then this falls into my lap, and I still don’t want it, but I… I couldn’t hurt anyone with it, and it’d be helping you, and...”

“Dominic, shut up.” Khitti sighed, putting her face in her hands, fingertips lightly rubbing at her eyes and temples. “If zhere’s one zhing both of you have in common, it’s zhat you’re really good frustrating zhe hell out of me and giving me a headache.” A pause. “And, I mean zhat in zhe nicest vay possible.” Well, it wasn’t -really- a nice thing to say, but she did it anyway. She finally looks over at the younger male, “Look. I get it, okay? I really do. You should know zhat I do. You don’t vant to fight. You don’t vant zhis magic. You just vant to live carefree drinking your tea and reading books all day. And zhat’s great and fine and wunderbar, but maybe you should focus on zhe zhings you -do- have for zhe time being? You’re actually still alive. You get to breath air. You don’t have to vorry if some stupid kid is going to turn you to dust vith magic he can’t control. -You- don’t -have- to fight.” She points at Brand, her line of sight still very much fixed on Dominic. “-He- does zhat for you.” Khitti’s hand falls back onto the bed as she continues, “-You- still have a choice. You do -not- have to do anything you don’t vant to--except one zhing.” Dark eyes narrow, her voice stern and cold, “You need to start standing up for yourself. If you don’t vant to do something, zhen goddamned say it and stick vith it. If you can speak to me zhe vay you did out zhere vith zhose damned ghosts, you can damn vell do it vith Brand too.” Clearly, she hadn’t forgotten his outburst at the ruined city. “It’s -not- happening” was said again, her angry stare shifted to the door.

“It’s not the same,” Dominic insisted, but this battle was already lost for now. For today. Brand wasn’t forcing him to do anything -- else, Khitti was right, he probably -would- be yelling at her right now -- but it seemed there was no convincing her of that. And even being reluctantly willing to use this magic, there was still relief in the depths of his gut to not be obligated… relief, and guilt. Brand departed the room first, with nothing more than an exasperated wave. Presumably, he’d be on the lookout for that damned elf before the two of them left. Dominic lingered behind, meanwhile, struggling to find some additional response. “I’ll be back soon,” he settled for eventually. After a brief kiss planted on Khitti’s forehead, he too left the vampiress on her own for the time being.