[open] general hospital: envy edition

[thereneverwas]

WHO: whoever
WHAT: infirmary catch-all for the envy demon shitshow
WHEN: yknow
WHERE: The Gallows infirmary
NOTES: injuries, gore, all that you'd expect

[Throw in your healer toplevels or your injured characters dragging themselves in. Go hog wild. Live your truth.]

Comments

[altusimperius]

What this version does have in common with the demon is how readily he absorbs the compliment, his resulting smile imbued with a vain little glow. Yes, he does have a hand for it, thank you.

"Not woven, but," he replies, as humbly as he can manage, "some years back I designed the mural that's in the staffed dining hall. And painted it."

[dissolving]

Easier to make it out now, the similarities in form. Another tongue might articulate the differences a few years' refinement have worked; the slope of an arc, smoothed imperceptibly.

"Thought it was older," He admits, "Blends with it all so well."

Maybe that's foolish before the Gallows' history, a Vint fortress before it was anything. Even so. Nevarra City was thick with art, with paint and glass and scrolling motif; a Circle, sure, and the grandest building he'd ever stood inside.

"More artists here than I ever met in one place."

[altusimperius]

It's the right thing to say, at least in the pursuit of receiving Benedict's full attention. He has a look about him like a pleased, languid cat, the spark of interest in his eyes gradually overtaking the empty hunger that always seems to be there of late.

"Got to do something to stay sane," he remarks, "and it's not like a normal person can make money off it." Who could even afford to be a patron? Laughable.

"Where'd you come from?" A pause, then, "sorry if you've. ...told me already."

[dissolving]

"Got nothing to be sorry for," His elbows prop to knees, anchor swimming shiny-green against palm. "I’m Cedric, out of Nevarra City, and I couldn’t swim for years."

Ridiculous, in a nation of rivers. Even so.

"That's the important bits," Mostly. "You really only missed the smell."

[altusimperius]

Bene's brow knits in perplexed amusement-- who cares if you can swim-- but is quickly drawn onto the next topic.

Warily, "the smell?"

[dissolving]

"Didn't manage a bath before they sent me to Personnel," Embarrassing, but it's gotta be better than lying than in a bed, half-starved. Puts them closer to level ground. "Should've been our first clue, that your nose didn't up and crawl off."

[altusimperius]

At first Benedict laughs, a few comments clambering to the forefront of his mind: one can always take a bath first, and he's certain he didn't smell that bad, but the implications of the scenario overtake the humor of it and his smile dwindles.

It was in his office, which he hasn't even settled into yet, hasn't had the chance to really make it his. Perhaps it's silly to feel violated by that, and yet,
"it didn't say anything awful to you, did it?"

[dissolving]

Something in his expression softens.

"No," Seems important to establish. Cedric wavers a moment, before adding: "You'll wanna talk to Vega, though. Guess it didn't know about the engagement."

[altusimperius]

Any relief Benedict is feeling quickly becomes overtaken by a deep unease.

"Vega," he repeats, like he doesn't understand.

[dissolving]

"She was pretty spooked you didn't remember her,"

That's maybe not the phrase others would choose. It was also - admittedly - not a great standard deviation from her usual demeanor. But he likes Vega. Sort of. So:

"I'm sure hearing from you'd set things straight."

[altusimperius]

“No, no,”

that’s not the question.

“Vega’s—-?”

He makes an incredulous little downward pointing motion, to indicate: here? Like here?

“House Arany Vega?”

[dissolving]

"Arany, yeah," It can't be that common a name. Had a cousin Volga, but she'll be dead or in the wind - "Came 'round the same time as me."

His expression narrows a touch, curious.

[altusimperius]

A long pause, in the spirit of the Maiden Calculating.

Then,

"What does she want?"

[dissolving]

"Well, she's your fiancee," Dude, what. "You'd know better'n me."

But some obscure loyalty compels him to add -

"She's been through a lot, with the anchor."

[altusimperius]

"Fiancee--" Benedict sputters, looking around quickly as if to make sure he isn't being pranked, relaxing only when Cedric mentions an anchor. That, at least, is a piece of the puzzle he comprehends.

"She can't possibly think either family is going to honor the engagement," he adds, with a strange little laugh, "what did she tell you?"

[dissolving]

"Told everyone you were meant to be engaged - or your families were, or somewhat."

A moment's worry: That Vega might have only grabbed for cover, thinking they'd never find him to check. But Kostos has seen her, and he's seen Kostos' list. Whatever Vint nonsense is going on here, it's not another demon.

"Look, I don't know about all that," Cedric shrugs. "But if you're gonna break it off, maybe wait 'til you can walk straight."

[altusimperius]

Benedict's brow wrinkles prettily as he takes this new information, and, as it only puts him further ill at ease, he shakes his head.

"It shouldn't need breaking off," he mutters, "I'm--"
His sneer is a pained and not derisive one as he looks at Cedric, a brand new (cute) face who does not need to know all of his personal failings right away. But this is a delicate situation; he needs to make it clear he's not simply running out on a responsibility to some innocent woman.

"My family disavowed me years ago," he explains, "I suppose it's possible they just forgot to tell House Arany, and that there isn't something else going on, but." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Maker. This is fucked."

[dissolving]

"Yeah," A low breath out. Who knew marriage was so complicated? Probably why the Chantry discourages it - "Sounds it. But whatever all's on, she cared that you were gone."

He reaches for the edge of the bed, sets a hand there on the cot; steadying.

"Whole lotta people did. They’ll help you figure it out."

[altusimperius]

His expression softens to hear that he was missed-- and not just by Vega, although that does endear him to her a little-- and the little smile that flits back onto his face is for Cedric as he gives him a nod of understanding. There was a time he might have pushed the issue, not believed him; but he does. That's something in and of itself.

"Thanks for coming to visit," he says after a beat, "and, y'know. Welcome to Riftwatch."

throws a bow on

[dissolving]

"Thanks," He laughs. "And y’know. Welcome back."