glacius: (Broken down.)
Glacius ([personal profile] glacius) wrote in [community profile] hadriel_logs2016-11-25 07:12 pm

You must bear your neighbor's burden within reason.

Who: Glacius ([personal profile] glacius) and Carlisle ([personal profile] tongueamok)
What: Glacius' self-loathing and guilt force him to retreat after he takes the life of a possessed Emily. After waking Carlisle comes to check in on him, only to discover that the alien's physical injuries, despite their gruesomeness, are the least of the otherworldly being's wounds.
Where: Glacius' apartment (Spire Two, 401)
When: November 22nd.
Warnings: Mention of gore and other troubling stuff.

After bringing Carlisle to the clinic, making sure that his injuries had been stabilized, and being assured that his friend--if he even deserved to call him that any more after his complete and utter failure to the clergyman-- would pull through, Glacius had immediately departed from the premises. The humans that had currently been staffing the establishment had tried to insist that he stay and be allowed to be treated too, but he was having none of it. He didn't feel deserving of kindness right now and he certainly didn't want to be asked to explain what had happened to them both--or what had happened to the poor soul that hadn't been able to be brought with them. The ice alien pushed his way through them and departed, the only evidence that he'd been the one to bring Carlisle here the sizable trail of purple blood that he left in his wake.

After that he stumbled back to his apartment and spent the rest of the night in a fog, pain and fatigue combining with his raw guilt and anguish, making it impossible to think. At some point he must have cleaned the raw, ragged cuts that had ravaged the right side of his face to keep infection from claiming him, but he'd done nothing beyond that to take care of himself, physically or otherwise. He didn't see the point in keeping himself going. He simply retreated to his bedroom and spent the rest of the night curled up in a tight ball on the floor of his bedroom, passing in and out of consciousness and fits of raw, unguarded sorrow. His mental state had degraded so thoroughly that he wasn't even aware when night passed into morning, nor was he conscious of what a mess he'd left his apartment--purple bloodstains smeared on the doors, the handles, dripped all over the floors--or even himself.

Of course that he meant that he also wasn't aware that he was going to have company very shortly, though he was desperately in need of somebody to come and shake him out of his rapid descent into the dark pits of depression.
tongueamok: (➣ unfortunate circumstances)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-11-29 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
The clergyman slides again on the floor, even stiffer than last time, but determined to keep Glacius' focus.

"You did not want to do it, Glacius," he insists, his voice as unsteady as his breath. "Remorse is what separates us from the monsters, remember? Both you and I. Neither of us wanted what- what it is we sometimes do, either through accident or adversity, but it is our inclination to grieve, and seek forgiveness, that makes us who we are."

And that inclination is one that that so separates Glacius from Algidus, as well. The latter seemed to have no problem with causing pain and never apologizing for it, so willing to maintain his pride over what connections he'd fostered; Glacius, however, is far kinder, far softer, far more understanding. Perhaps Algidus was an aberrant after all, but just as Carlisle refused to give up on him, so he now refuses to abandon Glacius in his time of need. After all, if he cannot do this, then what good is he in keeping around?
tongueamok: (➣ that's just how it was)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-11-29 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"You don't need to apologize," Carlisle insists, remaining before Glacius another moment before his eyes are drawn once again to the half-mended wound on his face. The raw flesh is still exposed, still vulnerable; if he cannot help with the emotional wounds, perhaps he should continue to deal with the physical, first.

"A moment while I fetch a few things," he utters, easing to his feet, clamping his mouth shut as he rises to stifle the pain in his middle. He steps into the bathroom, hoping the first aid supplies Glacius had mentioned before will be in an obvious enough location.
tongueamok: (➣ it's true and also not true)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-11-30 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
Modern medicine is not Carlisle's strongest suit: he's picked up a few things here and there from both his time on the Tranquility and with Kate, but he still prefers to stick with what he knows. However, as most of his materials for alchemy and glyphcrafting are back at the house he shares with Kate and Faith, he has to make do with what he has gleaned in his time away from his world. After a quick search of the cabinets in the restroom, he comes back with an armful of goods: some bandages, a washrag, and disinfectant. He skips the medicines for now, not knowing nearly enough about such things to make use of them.

Carlisle sets the supplies on the floor, pulling the top off the bottle of disinfectant so he can coat the washrag. His eyes widen just a hair at Glacius' suggestion, as though he'd forgotten that was even on the table. "Your face, first. We should put something over it, so the raw flesh doesn't b- become infected. Does it need to heal before you rebuild the ice over it?"

Is that him trying to gloss over the subject? Absolutely.
tongueamok: (➣ i can see i'm going to have to ask)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-11-30 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
Despite his puzzled look at the end of Glacius' explanation, Carlisle nods. "I, er... believe so, yes. Either way, we should keep it clean."

He pours some disinfectant onto the rag, setting the bottle aside. "Would you rather I do this, or would you prefer to do it yourself? It will sting, though admittedly, probably not as much as my own magic just did."
tongueamok: (➣ despite everything)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-11-30 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
It was one thing to heal Glacius when there was still blood, both dried and not, covering the wound; it is another to clean said wound and be able to see the damage done in graphic detail. Though he has a moment's worth of regret dance across his face, Carlisle swallows down both the ink in his mouth and the knot in his throat, steeling himself.

"Let's get started then. I'll do this as quickly as possible." And try not to let his hands shake too much. He prepares to press the rag to Glacius' face, cleaning around the wound and working his way out. "Any bandages we have may not work well, given your, er. Composition. I'm not entirely sure how your people treat such wounds."
tongueamok: (➣ i thought of what i missed)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-11-30 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
As absolutely fascinating as Carlisle finds the explanation, he knows good and well Glacius is mostly trying to take his mind off the pain; even Carlisle feels some sympathetic stings in his face as he pulls the rag away, pouring more disinfectant on it as he does. He returns to keep cleaning when the alien shifts away from him, eyeing him with a look that Carlisle isn't entirely sure how to take. He stiffens, those green eyes so like Algidus', and expects the worst.

But the worst doesn't come. True to his softer nature, Glacius doesn't lash out, but instead settles back against Carlisle's hand, allowing him to continue working. Breathing a sigh of relief, he can't help but smile just a little. He feels... useful here, even as Glacius leans further into his grasp. It's so odd to see someone so strong so vulnerable, so in need of help from someone like him.

He finishes up, taking a look at his handiwork. It isn't any prettier, but at least it's clean. "How does that feel?" he asks, breaking the silence.
tongueamok: (➣ this just got very heavy indeed)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-11-30 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
"It does," Carlisle affirms. "We should bandage it, though..."

His brow furrows. He's not entirely sure how they're going to do that, aside from the obvious 'go all the way around his head' method.

"We might have to be a tad creative with it."
tongueamok: (➣ conclusions gone awry)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-11-30 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
Carlisle puts on that nervous smile, knowing that yes, Glacius likely won't like what he is about to suggest. At least he's listening, though, and no longer dwelling on what happened with the demon.

"We'll have to go around your entire head, for one," he says softly. "And unless you are hiding some of that salve your people use, someone will need to change it at least once every day or so, lest it fester."

His eyes flick to and away from Glacius in that moment; Carlisle is aware people tend to tolerate him in small doses, and assumes the alien might prefer someone else -- someone with more medical knowledge, perhaps -- tend to him from here on out.
Edited 2016-11-30 11:24 (UTC)
tongueamok: (➣ he was only sometimes soft)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-12-01 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
Carlisle fully expects to be turned down, despite what he is sure is his obvious desire to continue to help; surely Glacius would prefer to either deal with the wound himself, he notes inwardly. He's a proud being, and one who wouldn't want to suffer any more indignity than he has to. His having barged into the alien's apartment is probably mortifying enough, he realizes belatedly.

So he's completely surprised when Glacius doesn't turn him away, but gives him a standing invitation to return -- it's one Carlisle is elated to accept, a genuine grin pulling at him in spite of Glacius' apparent shame in asking for such assistance. It's true that Glacius isn't the pinnacle of strength he usually is, but being allowed to see this side of him has been enlightening... and encouraging. Carlisle feels he actually can do something for his alien friend, that he can be of use to him in more than simply a healing capacity.

"I—" He feels his face burn -- he's not used to the feeling of hope welling in his chest. "I would be happy to, Glacius. I- I- I mean, honored. Honored to help in some way. You... you, too, have seen me at the lowest I have been in some time, and stood by me despite- despite what I am and what I have done. It's... important to me that I'm able to help you, to somehow repay all that you have done for me when I didn't deserve it."
Edited 2016-12-01 03:08 (UTC)
tongueamok: (➣ i'm still not sure what was said)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-12-01 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
Carlisle's brow twitches. "Mine, of course." He still sounds so unsure about that, but Glacius' memory is proving impeccable. He gathers up the bandages from the floor next to him and gets on his knees, giving him more height to work with when it comes to wrapping the alien's face.

"I suppose we'll need to.. hm." He tilts his head, trying to figure out the best way to go about this. "Right. Pack it with some gauze, then wrap over the top. That seems like that will be the best course of action?"
tongueamok: (➣ potentially problematic)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-12-01 07:56 am (UTC)(link)
"I do try to be skilled at my craft," he says, aware Glacius isn't going to be happy about this no matter how the bandaging goes. He gets a handful of gauze, packs the wound, and gets started.

"It's simply a matter of using my energy to coax your body into repairing the damage," he explains. "I can also use it to manipulate your energy into helping me accomplish this." He reaches over Glacius' head, using his spikes to keep the bandages from covering his eyes. "Admittedly, your alien anatomy makes this a little difficult, but the principle is th—ghk!"

The bandage roll falls to the floor, leaving a trail of linen behind it as Carlisle curls in on himself; he stretched his torso too far, the stitches pulling against his tender, wounded skin. One hand goes to his chest, right over the rips in his tabard, while the other grabs a hold of Glacius' shoulder as Carlisle uses the alien to steady himself. He takes a shallow breath and continues talking, as though he may be able to brush it off and minimize his reaction if he just rushes past it. His voice shakes with his body as he tries to recover.

"P- pri- principle is the- the same, I s- suppose from world to world."
tongueamok: (➣ and yet i wondered)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-12-01 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
With his attempt to ignore his injuries thoroughly ignored itself, Carlisle switches to nervous, but polite, panic. "No no no no, I'm fine. I haven't even tied off the bandages yet! Glacius, I'll—"

His breath hitches again as the alien picks him up -- gentle as he tries to be, the movement still pulls on Carlisle's already aggravated injuries, sucking the air and fight out of him all at once. He shuts his eyes and tries to keep any further signs of pain to himself; by the time he opens them again, he's being deposited in the guest bedroom (the one he stayed in, but not his room, as surely Glacius will have other guests at some point). He tries to protest, but out the door Glacius goes, leaving him to undress.

It hadn't occurred to Carlisle until that moment that Glacius' people would likely have no qualms about seeing one another unclothed; after all, it doesn't seem they wear clothes at all, but rather liken the more human concept of nudity to when they must expose their underbodies. Carlisle is not only human and clergy, and therefore does have some ingrained resistance to being completely unclothed, but he also has other issues with it, ones he would rather not expose to just anyone.

But Glacius isn't just anyone -- Glacius is is friend, one who has already seen him vulnerable, worn. The alien has stood by him longer than Carlisle would stand by himself. And more than that, he agreed to Glacius' terms when insisting he be allowed to heal the icy giant's jaw, and certainly won't be getting out of his end of the deal now that he's stuck in the guest bedroom with said giant waiting for him just beyond the door. His chest and his old wounds ache, and his nerves only seem to make the tremors running through him worse.

But he finally does get started after another minute or two of silent, worried contemplation. He begins with the tabard, undoing the buttons carefully. His hands are too shaky to repair the tears across the front himself, but perhaps Emily will not mind doing so once she returns... if she returns. It could have been worse, he reminds himself. It could have been him and Glacius. The alien might have preferred that, but Carlisle isn't eager to risk a revival from the false gods. He has been close to death enough times already, one incident in particular bringing him far closer than others.

Next comes his jacket, slipped off and laid beside his tabard on the bed. The shirt beneath is skin-tight, and torn as well -- at least it wasn't irreparably ruined in the middle, as it had been on his right arm when a mimic nearly bit the limb off. He considers leaving the shirt on, but as the bandages around his torso go up fairly high, off it goes as well, pulled from him bit by bit so as not to worsen the rips. With the one sleeve and glove still attached to it, that leaves him with only the ink-stained bandage on his arm, the remaining glove, and the bloodied bandages around his chest.

And, of course, the dark scars that trail outward from the bottom of the wrappings around his middle: deep, violet claw marks from a wound long healed, but one that plagues him nonetheless to this day. Carlisle takes a deep breath and tries to fight the mortification written across him as he crosses his arms, becoming the very picture of discomfort. "I'm ready."
Edited 2016-12-01 19:51 (UTC)
tongueamok: (➣ more brazen than i imagined)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2016-12-01 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Carlisle's eyes dart to Glacius, and the look he gives the alien for a split second is absolutely venomous. His skin burns crimson as he tears his gaze away once more, his face contorting as he grinds his teeth.

"Nothing," he insists. "Old wounds you need not concern yourself with."
Edited 2016-12-01 21:27 (UTC)

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