OPEN: To see a perfect forest through so many splintered trees

[pinprick]

WHO: Nathaniel Howe and visitors
WHAT: Nathaniel's rocky convalescence in the weeks after the defeat of Vengeance.
WHEN: Justinian 19-Solace 17
WHERE: Skyhold healing tents + Camp Shady
NOTES: Illness/fever, blunt trauma to the chest, close brush with death. Options inside.

Shallow Breaths - Justinian 20-28

Nathaniel is in and out of consciousness for the first few days. There are many breaks in his sternum and ribs, and some sort of bruise on his lungs. Something of that sort. The point, to him, is that he can hardly breathe. The healers have him sleeping on the wounded part of his chest every night, and despite the pain, it does seem to help him breathe without fighting against gravity. Abrasions and burns are healed quickly, but the bones are taking time to mend even with magic, and the cartilage is damaged for good. His face is white, his lips bloodless, his eyes dazed when you come to visit. Speaking is laborious, but he will try.

Peak - Justinian 29-30

For a time, Nathaniel seems to be getting better. The pain is lessened, and he is conscious more often. He is also hungry, eating everything offered to him and practically licking the plates clean. It's less difficult to breathe, though deep breaths are all but impossible. For all appearances though, the worst is behind him.

Fever - Solace 1-5

Weak lungs develop pneumonia even as the bones are on the mend. The coughing is weak, but the wet sound of it is unmistakable. Three days in, Nathaniel suffers delirium, muttering inanely and sometimes writhing in pain. It's impossible to sleep long in this state, though he never seems awake. His face is grey, and at his worst, he is too weak even to speak or move, but watches the world through half-lidded eyes, helpless but to see the things that his mind creates.

The next day, he is lucid again, though still feverish and desperately weak. That night, he falls asleep and doesn't wake until morning. His fever breaks the next day.

Awakening - Solace 6-12

Breathing is labored still, but there is a light in his eyes now. He can take visitors and have a conversation, but not for too long. He still can't leave the cot, but he slowly starts to sit up a little more, and his appetite is coming back quickly. Sleeping through the night now speeds his recovery.

Recovery - Solace 13-16

These days Nathaniel is taking slow, short walks, each day with more exercise and less support than the last. He has trouble with shortness of breath, and pain in the tendons of his ribs when he moves too much, but he is determined to get out of here. Color is returning to his face. His feet and hands are swollen from so little exercise early on, but the swelling goes down as his circulation improves. When he is not exercising, he is permitted to sit outside on a nice day, drinking in the sun and breathing the clear air.

Home - Solace 17

Today, Nathaniel is sufficiently recovered that he may spend the remainder of his convalescence in his own bed in the Warden camp. He requires help getting down there, but once he's there, there's a triumphant smile on his drawn face. Lady, his miniature mabari, yaps excitedly and kisses his face when he lies down in his own bed. And snuggles hard against him, and growls at anyone who disturbs him when he sleeps.

But now Nathaniel is well enough to be restless. Late at night, he wakes and steps outside, wrapped in blankets and watching the stars.

Comments

Justinian 29 - for Herc

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Nathaniel is pale and weak, but awake and slowly eating a bland but nutritious stew with black bread. He looks like shit, but he's able to hold a conversation, which is better than before. He sees Herc enter and offers a nod to his superior.

"Sir," he rasps.

[twelvelabours]

He's checked in here and there. Mostly bothering the medics when Nathaniel was asleep, more interested in letting him rest up and heal than draining his energy and attention with a visit when there were others who needed to see him more.

All told, though, he didn't want to leave without seeing Nathaniel again. Wouldn't sit well.

"Well," he starts, stepping forward and canting his head, "How you holding up?"

Max remains obediently outside, though his head sticks through a flap in the canvas, grinning his broad mabari grin, drool and all.

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"Better." It was touch and go for a bit, but Herc knows that. "Lady's kept me company."

One fold in the blankets starts to wag its tail at the sound of its name.

[twelvelabours]

"The--" and there is a conspicuous pause where he doesn't say widdle, because Alistair and Kaisa are tyrants and he can't help thinking it, "-- puppy, huh. How's this mongrel treating you, little one?"

The question is to Lady, while Max makes a happy grumbly whine. Friends!!!

"Good to see you looking a little more lively. I need you back on your feet to keep camp in line."

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Lady pokes her nose out of the blanket, eyes wide, sniffing frantically toward Max. She scoots forward to meet her friend, completely unconcerned with their size difference. They are both Dog. That is all that matters.

Nathaniel looks relieved that Herc isn't going to bring up the Widdle Puppy incident, but the suggestion that he needs to keep the camp in line makes him laugh involuntarily, which causes coughing, which causes agony. He pales and twists his head away until it passes, leaving him gasping.

"No you don't," he aspirates. "Every Warden in that camp jumps when you tell them. You're respected. Honored. Exactly the sort of leader we need right now of all times."

[twelvelabours]

Dog!!! Max decides to climb through a gap that is definitely not intended as a thoroughfare for Dogs, but he's determined and there is a new friend to be made.

Herc ignores the ridiculous behaviour of his dog and all related drooling enthusiasm, in favour of smiling a little and apologetically at Nathaniel's coughing fit. Well, that wasn't intended.

Didn't mean to make himself feel terrible, either, but that's practically a requirement of the Hansen family condition. "You do your part, and I was only ever the stand in. Blackwall's the man in charge." There's not a hint of self pity in it. He never wanted to be the man everyone looked to. "Need a man with a proper beard about, really. They hold real authority."

[pinprick]

Nathaniel manages to smile instead of laughing, breathing still shallow.

"He wasn't there for most of this. You were. But I see your point about the beard."

That was Nate being cheeky, it doesn't happen that often but it does happen.

[twelvelabours]

"Bits and pieces," he agrees, albeit quietly. "There's only room for one beard like that. Why the rest of us can only manage looking scruffy."

Low-key mutual silliness. He's pretty all right with this. By now Max has made his way into the room and to the side of Nate's bed, though he's sitting and being careful, his chin is propped on the side of the mattress.

"They give you any idea how long it'll be before they let you out of here?" There was a point where getting to lie down and rest up stopped being a nice a change, and in his opinion that was any time when you were doing it because you had to.

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"A few weeks more." Lady has squirmed off the cot and is now making friends properly with Max. She's a little short to sniff his butt, so she bounds up on her hind legs and keeps trying. "I could well be up and walking by the time you return. I'm on the mend."

[twelvelabours]

Max isn't helping - he's stepping constantly as she bounces, nose dropped for sniffing, and basically just chuffling in circles near constantly.

Herc glances at them and shakes his head.

It takes less effort than he's like to admit to keep his expression steady, the drop of his gaze and clearing of his throat passable as the normal thing in conversation. "Glad to hear it. Once you're up and about I'll buy you a drink to celebrate."

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Nathaniel nods carefully, sudden movement still being a problem. He reaches up with one hand to gingerly take Herc's in as manly a shake as a person can do gingerly.

"I'll count on it, Ser. Can only afford so many on my own."

[twelvelabours]

Herc is glad to clasp Nathaniel's hand in the shake, steady, and careful not to grip too hard or shake too roughly.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll see if the Inquisition'll shout us a few rounds."

His smile is small but sincere, and he rests a light hand on Nathaniel's shoulder. "I'll let you get some rest. See you on the other side of this."

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"Take care of Anders." Nathaniel releases Herc and settles back against his pillow with a faint wince of pain. "And the damn cat."

[twelvelabours]

A quiet breath, inhale, hold. Herc starts to make his way to the entrance, and when he's had a moment to train his expression, looks back with a slight smile.

"You have my word." One hand holds open the tent, he whistles for Max, and the mabari trots out with a quiet bark to Nathaniel as Herc nods to him. "Keep up the good work."

The resting and healing, and all the rest. One last nod, and Herc is gone, canvas door sliding back down in his wake.