[VOICE]

[primogen_vampirate]

[Mina is intensely angry and unhappy. And she's making little attempt to keep that fact unknown. It's more or less radiating out of every syllable.]

I don't suppose any of you mechanically-minded individuals can salvage my kitchen appliances out of that disaster?

Not that it matters much, but if people keep showing up at this rate, eventually someone is going to be forced to live with me. I would rather they could probably heat and cook their own food than resort to eating me.

[Locked to Bruce]

How are the medical supplies holding up? I have a small stockpile, if you need something.

Comments

[primogen_vampirate]

[Mina opens the door, dressed in her full three-piece suit, tie neatly knotted, cuff-links gleaming in the dark.]

You're nothing if not determined.

[burnburnburn]

I'm not about to cower in my home because of this.

[The proud statement is diminished somewhat by the mutter that follows]

Now let me in before I fall over in the street.

[primogen_vampirate]

Charming.

[Mina steps out of the doorframe, gesturing to the kitchen.]

[burnburnburn]

I'll be charming again when my face stops being a mess.

[He limps to the kitchen and slides off the jacket he's wearing, revealing the deep bruising across his back and chest. Before he sits he turns to give her a warning glare]

I don't know what sort of medicine you use, but if there's something you want to inject, find another way to give it to me or don't give it at all.

[His jaw is clenched at having to say that. It's incredibly embarrassing to say, but less embarrassing than the reaction he'd have if she did attempt to use a needle.]

[primogen_vampirate]

[Mina follows him in. The kitchen is a bit of a mess. There are no appliances, of course. The table itself is scattered with anatomical drawings and notes and various other supplies.

She takes off her sports coat, neatly folding it on the back of a chair. As she begins to roll up her sleeves, a P-shaped burn wound can be seen on her left arm, just a few inches from the wrist.]

Do you mind if I ask why?

[burnburnburn]

[It's a moment before he answers as he's biting down the urge to lash out at her for daring to ask. As much as he hates to admit it, he needs her help enough that he can't risk alienating her too badly]

They got used too many times when I was ill as a child. I don't like them. What's that on your wrist?

[Not the smoothest attempt to change the subject, but he hopes prying into her personal business will mean she won't be looking too hard at the faded needle scars on his forearms.]

[primogen_vampirate]

A scar.

[She won't be deterred.]

If you've an objection to needles, I can work without them. But I won't be able to give you morphine for the pain.

[burnburnburn]

[He wants the relief badly. He clenches his jaw, closes his eyes and takes a breath to steel himself...

He can't do it]

Then I won't have the morphine.

[primogen_vampirate]

As you wish.

The customer, as they say, is always right.

[She starts gathering up a few rolls of bandages.]

I'm going to ask you to lie on the floor.

[burnburnburn]

[He moves the chair out of the way and lowers himself down]

On my back or on my front?

[primogen_vampirate]

Which ever is most comfortable.

[She begins unwrapping the bandages.]

I'm going to bind your ribs.

[burnburnburn]

Comfortable? It's a floor.

[He lies on his back so that he can watch her, just in case she tries something funny]

[primogen_vampirate]

Well, you didn't want the morphine.

[Mina kneels down, setting the bandage across his chest and starting to bind. She moves from the top down. And in spite of her rather coarse personality, Mina is extremely good at what she does.]

[burnburnburn]

[He hisses in pain as the bandages tighten, though he can feel that she's competent. That more than anything raises his opinion of her somewhat]

Can't you mix it in a drink?

[primogen_vampirate]

Morphine? No.

If you want something oral, I can give you an aspirin. But it won't do you much good.

[burnburnburn]

[He groans at the answer]

Fine, I'll go get some of those spirits from the bar afterwards.

[primogen_vampirate]

An old classic, I suppose.

[She makes a second pass with the bandages.]

[burnburnburn]

It's the most popular medicine here.

Will those aspirin help with the headache after?

[primogen_vampirate]

Yes. That and plenty of rest.

[burnburnburn]

I'm tired of being tired. I'm bored of resting. How long until I can go for a run without feeling like I'm being stabbed?

[primogen_vampirate]

If you're a compliant patient, about four weeks.

[She gives him a challenging look.]

[burnburnburn]

[That news is met with utter disgust]

A whole Moon?! If I don't train for that long I'll lose my tone completely!

[primogen_vampirate]

I highly doubt that.

Besides, if you aggravate the injury before then, you could do far worse.

[burnburnburn]

[More sounds of disgust before he gingerly feels the bandages to assess her work]

There's got to be at least one demon around here with magical powers to make this go away.

[primogen_vampirate]

Do you really want to trust your biology to magic?