milliways_bar | (no subject)

Scampi has never managed to get through the mass of human babble to find out names of people easily. He only knows Gorlim's through Asar-Suti.

'Mummy looks after me, I look after her. But he can't tell me things that are wrong, so there is only so much I can do.'

There is a whimper from the sleeping Guppy nearby. Scampi jumps off Námo's shoulder and goes over to him, gently licking the young man's hand. He watches until his mummy relaxes from his tensed state, then goes back to Námo.

'He wakes up scared and scrubs at his hands, but there's nothing there. I've been trying licking them clean as he wakes. Sometimes it seems to help. Did Gorlim say what happened last week? He's much worse than he was before.'

Námo glances at the man, his eyes intent on him.

"Only that Guppy lost someone close to him," he says quietly, though not sadly. Námo does not quite get death in the way humans can. He is a death god, after all, and so it does not mean the same to him.

'Is that who he's looking for? If he gives me the scent, I could help him find a lost person.'

The young man appears restless. His forehead is sweaty and his eyes tightly closed. He looks pale, tired, and not particularly well.

"Not lost in a way that they can be found," he explains. "Someone very close to your Mummy died. Moved beyond where anyone living can find them." He pets the cat and smiles faintly. "Even you."

With a childlike innocence, the cat looks at Námo's sad face.

'What is died?'

"Do you catch mice, Scampi?" he asks. "Chase them, pounce upon them? Make them limp and cold?"

'No, because I met a mouse and she was nice so I don't pounce them. But I pounce birds and bring mummy the beaks.'

"Same thing, really," he says softly, stroking the cat's fur. "That cold and limpness? After you pounce them? When they are no longer warm and breathing and moving? That, Scampi, is death."

Scampi goes very quiet for a minute. He looks like if he wasn't a cat he would be about to burst into tears.

'Did mummy's close person get pounced?' he asks, then in a small voice. 'Didn't know birds is living.'

Námo is not very good with people.

Worse with animals.

He gently pulls Scampi into his lap.

"Oh yes. Birds are living, just like mice. Just like your Mummy. And no, this close person to your Mummy was not pounced, but the end result was still the same. That is why he hurts so much."

The Vala feels odd explaining this about someone he has only spoken to once, but he is already fond of Scampi and he wants the cat to understand why Guppy hurts.

A little way away Guppy gives a small cry and wakes up, looking around and trembling like a leaf. The cat wriggles out of the Vala's hands and runs to him, licking his hands gently.

'How do I... make him... better?'

He chooses to not speak aloud this time to the cat.

That, little one, is a question I cannot answer for you. The mind, the heart, they are complicated things that I do not often understand.

Námo smiles gently at Guppy.

"Would you like a glass of water? Or perhaps some tea?"

Guppy looks rather bewildered. He blinks.

"Er... yes, please, thank you, er, who are you?"

Námo asks a waitrat for two cups of tea and then turns back to Guppy.

"I am Námo. We spoke once before. I have been speaking with Scampi while you slept."

He would not use 'rested' because the man did not look as if sleep brough him any respite.

Guppy usually wakes from sleep feeling more tired than when he dropped off.

"Námo." he says dazedly. "I don't remember... your face." he blinks and picks up the cat. "Speaking with... you were a cat? Yes. A cat. A tabby?"

He nods with a smile.

"Aye. A cat. We spoke some about Gorlim."

When the rat comes back with tea, he offers one of the cups to Guppy.

"You are not well. Scampi worries for you."

Guppy holds the cat close and whispers.

"I'm sorry little one."

He gratefully accepts the tea.

"Thank you. I know I'm not well. That's why I'm Bound I think. To sort myself out."

He rubs his forehead.

He sips his tea and looks around the bar once.

"It is a good place to sort one's self out. A lovely in between place."

Guppy nods, still looking rather dazed.

"How is Gorlim? I hope I haven't made him any worse."

"He is well. I saw him a few days ago. I was hoping to see him again tonight. But I do know he is not worse than he normally is," he says with a fond smile. "He is concerned. It is a wonderful trait in him."

For someone who believed himself an unredeemable traitor, he was devoted and loving.

"I hate to worry people." the young doctor replies. "But as long as he is not worse, I am glad."

"Worry shows concern and affection."

He puts his tea aside.

"I think I would rather he worry than be completely apathetic about it."

Guppy nods.

"It would be worrying if he wasn't worried." he agrees.

Námo chuckles.

"Yes, it would be."

He sits for a moment regarding the man.

"Gorlim tells me you are a healer," he finally decides on as a topic.

Guppy nods.

"I'm... on compassionate leave at the moment. Need to sort out my head. But yes, I'm a doctor. I looked after Gorlim before I got sick sometimes."