[the last voyages] ic inbox

[onlyhearmusic]

[a lyrical hum cuts in, almost as if someone didn't know what they were doing]

"Leave yer message."

[oh. no, he knew. he just didn't care. the beep comes after another brief humming stops.]

Comments

[onlyhearmusic]

[That sort of thing startles Collins and he's up and moving despite the ache before Zichen is fully through the doorway. His hands are fisted, his jaw clenched in pain anticipation of a fight, and his stance like that of an old-timey (Irish) boxer.

Of note: the lingering bruises from the killing blows of his death are mostly hidden beneath his shirt collar but one of his eyes is horrifically red at the moment.]

Tha fuck are ya doin'? Get- [His eyes narrow as he recognizes Zichen.] Jesus fuckin' Christ! What is yer problem, lad!?

[zichen]

[Zichen picks up the tray of food once he has enough room to get inside. He brings said tray to a flat surface before taking out a healing balm that is good for cuts and bruises. He sets that by the tray too.]

I'm here to help. [Ah...aggressively.] You needn't fear me.

[Now? Now he bows to Dennis.]

[onlyhearmusic]

[He would be so much more inclined to swing a punch at Zichen if he wasn't 99% certain it would simply end up with him phasing through the lad instead of actually hitting him. Which would just annoy him further and possibly exacerbate his aches as he flew into a rage over it and broke something he could hit solidly.

So instead he huffed angrily and watched Zichen in an irritated wonder for his ridiculous (in his eyes) actions. Especially once the man got to the whole bowing thing. He definitely didn't understand that.]

Stop that. What tha hell are ya even doin'?

[zichen]

[Punching Zichen wouldn't have much effect anyway. He is basically a walking corpse with supernatural strength. In the end, it would just worry him that his inmate is overexerting himself.

Rising from the bow, he answers calmly, his voice low:]

I am being disrespectful. I must be to ensure you are healthy and safe.

[He eyes the door he damaged and considers putting seals on it - for Dennis's protection.]

You are still healing. The last thing you need is someone attacking you.

[onlyhearmusic]

[He was confused at first until he realized Zichen was answering a different point to his question as he had intended. Then he just scowled because either way he hated this whole scenario.]

I didn't ask fer yer help. Told you already, I can take care of meself.

[zichen]

I have been given responsibility over you. [Something he doesn't take lightly.] Does your eye hurt?

[onlyhearmusic]

What? [He rubbed a hand roughly over his eye as if it had just been brought to his attention, suppressing a wince at the contact. He knew it was there he was just ignoring all the... injuries.] It's fine.

[It was not, in fact, fine.]

Ya act like I'm some spring chicken that's never gotten into a brawl before. I've had my fair share of injuries over tha years. Stop actin' like a concerned nurse. If I wanted that I'd be in tha infirmary.

[zichen]

Don't apply pressure. [Zichen warns, suspecting either damage or an infection. Both he can help with if Dennis relaxes...slightly.]

I know you are strong, but even strong men need a healer now and then. I can help you and it won't hurt. You just need to stay still.

[onlyhearmusic]

[Collins frowned at everything Zichen just said. He took a step back.]

Like hell. I don't know what ya plan on doin', but I ain't likin' the sound of it. Just let me be. Tha body knows how ta heal its fuckin' self.

[zichen]

What if I tell you what I plan to do? [Zichen holds up a hand.] I am a Cultivator. I can heal through touch.

[onlyhearmusic]

[His eyes narrow.]

Sounds like bullshit.

[More to the point: it sounds like magic cult bullshit.]

[zichen]

It isn't. [He lowers his hand to his side.] I use my Golden Core to encourage your body to heal quicker.

[onlyhearmusic]

Tha fuck does that mean!?

[You're not selling it here, boyo.]

[zichen]

They call me a wizard. [If...that helps?] But for me, this power is natural. As natural as breathing.

[onlyhearmusic]

[Oh, certainly. That helped. Helped Collins decide that he's absolutely against this nonsense.]

No. Get tha fuck out.

[zichen]

[Zichen purses his lips into a thin line.]

You're frightened of magic. I am too.

[onlyhearmusic]

I've killed my fair share of witches. I ain't afraid of magic. There just ain't no good ever come of it.

[zichen]

Magic can be destructive, you are right. But it can be used to do good. The sort of spells and talisman I use are meant to heal and protect.

[onlyhearmusic]

[There was a slight pause this time. He'd heard of charms and spells of protection existing. But ultimately they never seemed to work.]

Everything comes with a price. I ain't willin' ta pay it.

[zichen]

You owe me nothing. [Zichen smiles a little this time.] My repayment comes from the Admiral.

[onlyhearmusic]

I ain't talkin' about payin' you, lad.

Nothing. Good. Comes. Of using. Magic.

[zichen]

I have helped many. [So... Not correct.] That is why I left my Master in the first place. To help.

[onlyhearmusic]

[Collins merely blinked, unimpressed.]

I told ya no already. I really am startin' ta think yer daft, boyo.

[zichen]

Your other choice bothers me. [Thus the daftness.] I don't want to leave you with a potential infection.

[onlyhearmusic]

I ain't got an infection. Ain't even got anymore holes in me ta be infected.

[He huffed in annoyance.]

Tell ya what. First sign of trouble, I'll head ta tha infirmary. I give ya me word. Will that get ya tha fuck out of me room?