milliways_bar | (no subject)

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."

He nods, picking up his tea once more.

"He dislikes magical healers. Traditional healers -- or suffering with the wound -- is what he would prefer. He has made a lot of progress where magic is concerned, though."

The Vala chooses not to press about compassionate leave or him getting his head on straight; Guppy does not know him, after all.

"Can't say I like magical healers much myself. Nothing personal. It just feels strange not knowing how it works. Although sometimes you can't be choosy."

Again, he nods.

"I can understand that. I have been healed through the slower, mortal methods." He tilts his head thoughtfully. "I did not much like how long it took to sew the wounds."

"We have a skin fusing thing in the infirmary. Even so I would use steristrips most of the time back home, which are much quicker."

When he talks of his work, he becomes much more coherent.

"Well, when Ramon sliced open my thigh, Gorlim was kind enough to close the wound so I would cease bleeding. And when I fought in a duel and wound up with many wounds, it was a man called Martin that did the stitching."

He recalls both of these events with distaste.

Guppy nods. "Stitches do their job when there's no other option. But if you get hurt here there are other things we can do."

He chuckles into his cup.

"I do not intend on becoming injured again. It was not pleasant and I do not wish to endure it again. I do not like bleeding, I think."

Guppy smiles a little.

"To be honest, I would be concerned if you did. Granted some do." he adds more quietly.

"Yes," he says knowingly, Gorlim's face coming to his mind. "Some do."

Guppy tucks his bandaged right hand under his sleeve.

"Although I don't think it is necessarily thought of like that."