sirenspull_logs | Who's Sickest? - Backdated 3/7 (pre-Magneto-Breakdown)

Well. That was an expertly deployed play of guilt. Well done. Nor was he impressed with Eric's dark looks - he'd had far worse and didn't pay him any mind. Just continued to set up his field and prep for the surgery while keeping an eye on them both.

"Now, let me see if I can numb this a bit."

"Thank you."

Much better. He sighed softly letting his eyes close. He's content like this, just with Eric's head on his lap. He'd make it up to him later, maybe with some homemade cookies. He tilts his head just slightly, acknowledging the other's voice.

His fingers toy with Eric's hair a faint little humming sound leaving him. A small measure of comfort he'd allow himself, and hope it helped Eric a bit to focus on something.

[Eric is annoyed. He wants to shout that he should just get on with it... get it over with so he can focus on someone who actually needs help.

But, there's a ringing in his ears, and everything seems foggy and far away. And, Alan's touch is comforting and gentle. The protests never quite find their way to his voice.]

"There will be a pinch here, try to stay still." He inserted an IV catheter, using it to pump both pain killers and sedatives into Eric, guessing at an extremely high dose based on what he had dealt with before with him as well as the way the wound was behaving.

"Both of you be as still as possible, but if you need to move, let me know."

"I'm fine just like this." He closed his eyes leaning back into the couch. At least, Eric was calm now and willingly let himself be taken care of. Alan hated that stubborn streak sometimes. After sitting up all night he's happy to stay still and relax a bit.

[Colors blur together. Alan's voice sounds like it's coming from another room. There's a strange sensation that he's weightless and floating.

He doesn't go under, but his glassy-eyed expression and relaxed muscles show that there's an effect.]

He'll take what he can get, and this will work. As soon as Eric is as out as Magneto can get him, he lances the wound and begins to clean it.

"All right." The reply to Alan is automatic, he's focused on what he is doing, and flushing the venom from the wound. It was an uphill battle and he was aware.

He frowns slightly feeling Eric relax on his lap. He's never felt him relax like this, so completely. His brows furrowed and his eyes drifted open peering down at him. It's strange to have reserved roles like this. It's foreign to him to be the one holding and watching over rather than being the one watched over and held.

[Eric's not completely out, so he feels the procedure. In fact, the pain brings a surge of adrenaline, which throws the room slightly back into focus. He can't quite see, everything seems light bright colors, and the sensations are dull, but the twinge is there.

His muscles go tight, and his breath quickens. But, there's little movement, just a stiffness to his body that wasn't there before.

He wants to shout curses at the doctor, but he's conscious enough to know that would only upset Alan. His jaw goes tight, and his hold on Alan's leg with his good arm becomes tight as well, but that's the only response.]

He knows Eric isn't completely numb, knows he can feel the blade cutting, and hates himself being able to be calm, to shove the part of himself that is horrified at this, that gut churning sickening feeling that made him hate himself, hate what was going on, hate himself for being able to do this, and echoed his mindset of yesterday. He clamped his powers down on his nerves so his hands wouldn't shake, and his eyes grew distance and flat. But he got the envenomation site open and opened another IV bag to flush it out. Eric would have to heal this still, if he he could, but it would be easier with it cleaned.

He winces slightly because he knows it's painful. He knows it must hurt but leaving it as it was - well, he wouldn't think of what would have happened then. His fingers toy with Eric's hair, their tips brushing against his scalp.

It's a small comfort he can give, touching him like this. He doesn't know what to say, nothing he could say would make him feel better. It was just something to be done but all the same he's resolved himself to do something more for him later.

[The touch... Alan's touch... focus on that. He forces himself to keep his mind on that.

When the process is over, and the pain subsides, exhaustion, fever, and the drugs all seem to take over. Eric slips out of consciousness, limp on Alan's lap.]

He doesn't know for sure the passage of time while he works, it's both over before he can mark it and dragging on forever, but finally he is finished, a drain in place and glue holding the site closed, and Eric is out, thankfully.

He checks the fever, and pushes more drugs through to help, and finally begins to clean up. That is almost ritual for him, soothing and calming, bringing back to himself. Once he's cleaned up, he pulls a pad and a pen from this bag and starts to write out detailed instructions for the drain and how and when to remove it.

"Alan. You are Eric's friend, the one with an illness, yes?"

And once Eric's out he takes a long breath. Thank goodness, he's not suffering anymore at the moment. So this was what it was like to be the one worrying and fussing? It didn't feel too good but he'd manage.

He'll watch the doctor, his head tilted to the side. After a moment he adjusts his glasses and nods. "He's been talking about me?" Why would he do that then again should he really be surprised? It's Eric and he seems to have gotten close to the doctor.

"I do have a rather rare illness yes. Eric seems to have told you a fair bit so I'm sure you know that."

[Eric's breathing stays quiet and steady.]

"He's told me some - there are some illnesses in my world which only effects my people, and no others, and I have some training with the rare. He was concerned you would be in dire straights when you arrived, if you did." His voice was soft and low, meant to not wake Eric.

"But I do not know much about it, or if we will be able to help. Although it is possible. I know he would be upset if I didn't attempt to learn more, more so with his injury treated."

He seems to hesitate for a moment just a moment before speaking quietly. "It was unpleasant and flaring up when I first arrived. I do have ways to force myself past it if it isn't too bad but there are times I can't even move."

Glancing down at Eric, he sighs. "He would be angry if I didn't at least let you try. He worries enough about me as it so if there's some way that I might lessen that even for a little while, I'll do it."

His fingers move up loosening the bolo tie he wears. "What do you need to know? I can't tell you how I got it. I've just always had it and there are no other known cases. Nor is there any cure I would put any measure of faith in."

[Alan's movement and speech sir Eric slightly. He lets out a low moan, squeezing around Alan's knees.]

"Shh Eric, just try to relax."

He rubs his nose, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Anything you can tell me. And your permission to speak to a college of mine on the matter."

"Easy now." His fingers slide over his neck slowly gently, then through his hair. His eyes close for a moment and he'll wait for Eric to settle again.

"They call it the Thorns of Death and it is fatal according to the legend that is passed down about. I can tell you how it feels - tightness in my chest, a shortness of breath, aches and pangs; loss of balance, blurred vision and dizziness."

He exhales softly. "It's triggered by stress, panic and strain. Sometimes I can mentally talk myself down from little ones. Bigger ones I end up passed out and always wake up in bed hours sometimes a day later. If you think this other person can help I'd be more than willing to let you bring them in on it."

[Still fevered, still in pain, still calm with his eyes closed, but awake now, and listening. His speech is groggy and slurred.]

Alan, they're slowly smothering you... let's be frank about it. When you have an attack you can't even breath. It's terrifying.

"She may. She is however, an exceptional healer. And with centuries more experience than myself. How long do these attacks last?"

He was taking mental notes, he'd note them later.

He huffs softly at Eric. "I know that and if it terrifies you imagine how I feel." He lifts his gaze, focusing on Doctor Xavier. He can scold Eric later, this is a bit more important.

"It varies. I can still feel a bit of tightness now. From the most recent one and that was hours ago now from when I first got here. It's not a full attack but I can't seem to shake it."

He'll manage a small smile, a brave face to be sure. "I'd be grateful for any help or suggestions. Even if it isn't a cure something that would ease it would be more than welcome."

[When Alan admits he still feels tightness now, Eric winces. But, the conversation about a powerful healer gives him, well, a bigger flicker of hope than he's had in some time. His hand runs over Alan's knee in a petting gesture.]

"But the...worst of it, I suppose, how long does that take to pass? It would seem to me that the progression of it would have the lingering longer with each attack."

Logical, to him anyway.

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