Stay Mute or Raise your Voice

[Nalin Marit]

Cylus 3rd 718

Nalin could feel that he was going to have a long trial ahead of him, to-trial was one of those that he loathed, as the Ink Bloom had decided it was going to flare up in heat and anger. To the point that he almost wanted to go get medicine this time. With the funds that he had though, he wasn't even sure if it would be enough for the amount that he would need. Medicine could get expensive, especially since he would need to treat multiple symptoms all at the same time.

He didn't care though, he had to go to work. He gave his sister the usual goodbye kiss on the cheek, signing her to be good, and then out the door he went. It was freezing, so even though he felt like he was overheating, he had his black leather jacket on. He was glad he did, the cold still bit at the skin that was exposed, even if the Ink Bloom itself made him feel like he was on fire.

He trudged through the snow to get to The Buckle and Chain. His more, normal job as he liked to think of it. One where he did his best to speak to the customers, they made their order, he got their order and that was about all he had to do. It wasn't a bad job for him, and it definitely didn't hurt that it helped him learn to speak Common better. He'd already learned all the words on the menu, how to speak them and read them. Not that there was an actual menu, but he memorized as hard as he could the items that were on the list.

For the cold seasons, he would suggest hot cider and something warm to drink to those that didn't really know what they wanted. To the regulars, he would just put in their order for them unless they specified something new. It wasn't really that hard once you got to know people. At first, the job had been hard, people weren't really accepting of his bad common, just because he was in the service business. For a while he actually worked in total silence.

It wasn't the best thing because he couldn't upsale for the owner or anything that way, slowly though over the years of his working here, people started to understand his situation more, and the regulars started getting protective of him as well as the girl servers. It was nice, but at the same time it could cause some unnecessary problems. Though it seemed to be okay for the most part. There was almost always a brawl, the poor owner had so many mismatched chairs and glasses and mugs just because of the amount of fights that kept on breaking out.

Nalin swore that Tilda had a secret stock of extra everything somewhere with how fast she was able to replace everything. Nalin's being there has kind of helped lower the amount of fights. Though he hasn't really explained to Tilda why that is. Not that she ever really asked, she just liked that when he was around fights seemed to break out less.

He walked into the door and a few of the customers greeted him. He smiled at them all, feeling really hot now that he was inside the warm, fire heated building. He walked into the back, and slipped out of his leather jacket. His white apparel, though not the best quality, assisted in making him look sleek. It had to, for his second job, but he wasn't really one to talk about that or think on it while he was working at this job.

With a slow breath he looked to the cook and smiled, looking to Tilda who was looking over him. "You good?"

Nalin looked at her with a bit of confusion. Did he look that bad? He knew it was one of the bad days for the bloom today, but he didn't want it affecting work more than it was already going to.

"Don't know what.. talkin' 'bout." He didn't really meet Tilda's eyes. Her eyes glared at him now and she crossed her arms.

"That disease of yours is actin' up 'gain ain't it Nalin?" It was posed as a question, but it wasn't really one. Not with that tone of voice. He new that tone. He took a step back.

"Makin' big deal. Nothing Tilda. Bloom been worse before." He gave her a soft and charming smile but she was still frowning at him.

"You tell me if it gets bad. You 'ear me Nalin?"

By the Immortals, Tilda could be scary sometimes. He nodded and smiled at her. He had to keep smiling, he had to stay mute on the subject of his disease. He couldn't let her know how bad it really was. He knew he probably looked even paler than normal, he probably looked like he was sweating like he was in a great forge or something of that nature too.

He loved the owner for her caring nature, but sometimes it was a bit overbearing. The only reason she knew about the disease was because he'd started having to take a lot more breaks, and he'd started getting paler on days like this where the bloom was really bothering him.

Tilda probably knew that he was lying to her. That's why for the entirety of his shift, he felt her eye on him for almost its entirety.

That was neither here nor there though, he got to work. Bussing tables and and the bar, taking care of the people in the quiet room, and taking orders. It was a rare occasion when he brought the wrong food to a table, but no one really seem to be snide with him, as he'd always fix his mistake.

Frank came in again, asking for his normal plus a seafood gumbo. Nalin nodded. Frank liked Tilda's house brew, the Polygamy Porter, he'd probably order a few rounds of it before the evening was up. Nalin, put the order in the kitchen for the food and got the man his drinks while also grabbing a few other drinks for others. Placing them on their tables without spilling a drop.

When he got back to Frank the man put a hand on his arm. "Nalin, ye seem to be not doin' to well.. Make sure ye take a break if ye haven't already."

Nalin slowly placed down the man's drink and just smile at him. "Worry to much Frank. Just like Tilda... Going back. Work needed. Call or ask Tilda if want more." He chuckled and walked to the kitchen and grabbed some other people's orders.

He didn't want to admit they were right though, it was really bad today. He had to wipe sweat off his brow more times than he could count. But he wasn't going to admit defeat. He was going to try harder now, he had to make them believe that he was okay.

He grabbed a drink of water and then went back to work, it was probably Tilda's second most, if not most busy time, and it was starting to get a bit rowdy in the main area. He sighed. Hoping and praying there wasn't going to be a commotion today as well. He knew though that was too much to wish for.

To be honest, Xiur's mark had been a great help for this job. Especially, since the ability he used the most was used for this area. To be honest, he wasn't really one hundred percent on how he got it to work. It made Tilda happy that there were less fights when Nalin was around, not that she knew why it was happening, but whatever the case was, it helped her greatly.

Right at this moment, two new customers were going at it. Raging drunks they were, there hands locked, and their heads butting against each other. Cheer's from the crowd encouraged the fight, which made Nalin roll his eyes. Though he did notice some of the regulars ignoring the fight. Which was a nice sight to see.

"Yeah!? Well ye are a sodding rotten fish that ain't even worth a dime. A tiny sardine that you are!" One of the burly men growled.

"Oh.. why I oughtaaaa!" the other man pulled back an arm, ready to punch the guy.

For a moment, Nalin's vision went blurry, he blinked a bit and his hand went to his head. The heat of his disease was starting to get to him, especially in this hot tavern. He rushed over to the two men though and put a hand on both of their shoulders with a soft smile on his face. He looked paler and paler by the second as he opened his mouth to speak. "Now now, relax, get more to drink. Eat good food! Bring more drinks so sit. Okay?"

As he spoke, the whole of the room started to quiet and simmer down. The men before him blinked and looked at eachother. Confused, could be what the emotion on their face was as they backed away from each other. Nalin nodded. "Good!" slapping each of them on the back with a chuckle. "Sit, sit! Be back with drink!"

He walked away from the two men, the chatter around the room started up again when Nalin made his way to the bar. Taking a slow, deep breath and letting out a sigh of relief. Tilda handed him to mugs of ale and smiled at him. "Good work." He grabbed the ale with a smile on his face. Nodding in acknowledgement that he heard her.

It was getting harder to think straight. The pain was starting to become more and more overwhelming and using that ability had not been a good idea to slap on top of his already struggling body. He placed the mugs of ale on the table the men had been sitting at.

This was when everything started feeling wrong. Some of the customers next to him asked him if he was okay. "Fine.. Just fine.." He replied distantly. His own voice sounding faint to himself. He started walking towards the bar, he had to grab more orders, Frank's Seafood was probably ready by now, he had to get to work.

He was breathing heavy, and that was when he stopped moving. Tilda rushed around the counter and looked over Nalin. "Take a break..." The words echoed in his mind but they didn't register. His pupil's dialating, the edges of his vision going white, then black as the world seemed to tilt.

"NALIN! Somebody find a medic!" Tilda's voice rang in Nalin's mind. "Hurry!" her voice sounded like she was struggling to hold something up. For a moment he wondered why the world was sideways, and then everything had faded to black. Nalin had passed out, and Tilda had been quick enough to catch him so that she could lay him safely on the floor. The tavern was back into a tizzy. A few people looking to one another, not knowing how to get a medic in all this snow. Knowing no one here was one.

Frank seemed to be the only one to get up and walk out the door. Calling out to any passers by. "Medic! We need a medic! Please!"

[Amaris]

The chill was beginning to seep in only moments after they’d stepped foot outside. The house visit they had made had been a fairly short one and already they were missing the heat. Shoulders hunched and fingers rubbing together, Amaris anticipated the return of warmth in their cozy apart. They could imagine the felines having clustered around the fireplace to soak in the heat of the flames, purring contentedly. The hope was that they’d join their four-legged house mates soon.

However, such would not be the case. Someone in need must have spotted their green cloak and rather than call out, had decided to drag them to wherever they were needed. The medic stumbled backwards before righting themselves to follow where they were being lead. The establishment they entered was, for the most part, not somewhere they might have found themselves willingly. They cast a dubious look over the patrons of the pub for perhaps a trill before they were pulled forward once again. This time, it was to a huddle of people, surrounding a pale individual.

“Give him space!” Perhaps their voice was a tad more shriller than it ought to be but it was disconcerting to see them all looming over him. The man lay on the floor with nothing to support him, either, which wouldn’t be good for him. Taking off their cloak and folding it quickly, they kneeled down (maybe a little too fast; a quick jolt of pain shot up their knees) and gingerly lifting his head enough to slid the cloak under it.

Leaning back, they looked up to the numerous faces around them. “What happened? How long has he been like this?”

[Nalin Marit]

Cylus 3rd 718

"I'm.. not sure miss." Tilda's voice came right next to the healer. She was shoo'ing the customer's away for now so that the medic had room to work. Some of the customers groaned but when back to their business. Only Tilda and Frank left.

"He be lookin' auffle pale since earlier." Frank said. "Seemed to space out a bit, but kept workin'. Tried to tell 'im to see 'bout a break but, 'ere we are."

Tilda sighed. "I'd told him to not overwork himself. He's not..." She looked around and leaned in to whisper into the medic's ear. "He's got an illness. Ink... something.. Sorry.. he didn't tell me all the details."

Nalin lay there, his breathing heavy, sweating like a pig in Suan. But even with the warmth of the tavern as it were, there was no reason for him to be so hot other than the illness that the bar owner spoke of.

He shook, but did not stir from his slumber. His eyes were darkened, and if checked, his eyes would not dilate. He looked like he was suffering, even while laying there basically asleep, he looked like some sort of pain ailed him.

"Whatever it be, he wouldn't want others seein' right miss?" Frank looked to Tilda who nodded.

"I can clear the quiet room and Frank can move him there if you like?" She looked to the medic with a question in her voice. Waiting for the answer of the medic before taking any action. Whatever she was ordered to do she would do it, Nalin's privacy was a big concern considering he'd just passed out in front of all the customers, she could at least give him privacy. She figured it would help the medic keep her concentration as well.

[Amaris]

Amaris nodded as the tentative explanation was given. An illness was the cause of this all, and it appeared as though the man ad to have been living with it for some time if he’d been able to handle it up to this point. Lips pursed, they tentatively rested a hand on his forehead, perhaps a lot cooler than a cold towel might have been. If those around him interacted with him without much thought of contagion then maybe he wasn’t contagious. But, they needed more information and that would need to come from the man himself when he awoke.

“It would be best, yes, to move him,” they responded after a moment of thought. More space to function, less distractions. It was good that they had this Frank there to move the man; Amaris could not put much faith in their own strength to carry the man. Getting to their feet, they turned back to the woman. “as he seen anyone about this illness? Taking any medicine that you know of?”

Perhaps the woman would not have questions, but it would be something of a start to get a grasp of how much everyone knew of this illness. With the information they provide, maybe it would be easier to piece together some way to treat this while he man was unconscious. They followed behind the pair as they lead the medic to the quiet room.

[Nalin Marit]

Cylus 3rd 718

Frank easily moved Nalin, his body seemed to be built for such work as Tilda cleared out the quiet room with apologies. Though none of the customers seemed to really mind, considering the situation. Tilda moved some chairs and mugs and plates out of the way way so that Nalin could be laid on one of the tables. This way the medic had full range of motion around the patient.

Frank stood guard and Tilda spoke to the woman in the robes. "No medicine that I know of. And he only ever seems to take time off for his sister. I've told him many times to go see someone, but he said that it was useless to try and cure a fatal illness." She frowned at the sleeping Nalin who's breath was still uneven and at this point his white shirt was soaked through at this point.

Showing the blackened skin beneath it. Tilda frowned as she looked at it. "That's it." She pointed to it and then looked away. "He only showed it to me once. It wasn't this big the first time." She growled under her breath. "I will give him paid leave if I have to, to get him to get himself taken care of." She sighed. "I want him to take care of himself, but it's been getting worse, I can tell. This is the first time though that he's ever passed out from it."

Suddenly Nalin's eyes opened. He groaned in pain, still panting as he tried to get up, but Tilda put her hand on his head and forced him to lay down.

Nalin looked around. "Tilda? I... What happened? Why laying down... wait.. this the qui.."

"Shh... Let the doctor look at you."

Nalin froze. "No.. It's fine.. I'm fine really.."

"Nalin.. your shirt's soaked through.. you are NOT fine." Tilda kept her hand on his head.

"Feels.. really good Tilda." He said, resigning to her orders and sighing. "Your hand..." He smiled weakly up at her.

"Of course it does idiot. You're burning." She tried to keep the smile on her face. "You need to tell me when you need breaks from now on okay? I'll accommodate you. Even if you need to go see a doctor in another land okay?"

He smiled at her weakly before closing his eyes for a moment to try and even his breathing. Then opened his eyes to look at the doctor. "I'm.. Nalin... and since you looking at medically... let tell you.. Ink Bloom is incurable..." He groaned. "Though.. some of the symptoms heard could be treated." He laughed.

[Amaris]

- common / murnasian

The mixed blood followed after Frank, brows furrowed as they took in all the information Tilda gave them. So the man had been pushing himself from the start; definitely not good. A frown marred their features further as they set down their kit and removed their cloak. Rolling the sleeves of their shirt up, revealing the silvery tattoos lacing their fingers and forearms, they turned to Tilda. “I need hot water and soap to wash my hands,” they stated, “The last thing we need is for him to get sicker from anything I might have touched. And a cloth to wipe him down with.”

The mark they were shown was disturbing, to say the least. Not anything that they’d ever seen before. Not in their lectures or textbooks. Amaris glanced back to the man’s face, gauging his current state before folding their arms over their chest. Considering how little they knew, the most they could do was attempt to bring his fever down and make him more comfortable. If he woke up, there would be a serious discussion on the matter of him pushing himself. If this was the first instance of passing out and the mark was getting bigger, then he would only get worse without attention.

It would seem that he chose that moment to awaken, understandably disoriented. Tilda was quick to provide comfort; Amaris doubted that their presence alone would placate him or even kept him in place. They offered up a smile as the man - Nalin, as he stated - spoke to them. They nodded, finding a seat. “My name’s Amaris. Please tell me whatever you can. I wish to be of as much help as I can, though I’m afraid my skills might not help with much.” Maybe she could get this man to Faith, or vice versa. Faith was far more knowledgeable and skilled. They licked their lips, glancing over at Tilda. “Would it be possible for him to get a dry shirt? He might catch something else with his shirt soaked like that.”

[Nalin Marit]

Cylus 3rd 718

Nalin looked at the woman before him, she was most clearly a healer, and by the way she was speaking she sounded a bit downtrodden. She just smiled at the woman, as if there was nothing wrong at all, as if he hadn't just passed out some time ago, and as if his boss wasn't telling him that he might need to take a break from work.

Tilda looked at the woman and shook her head no. "We don't have a uniform or anything of the sort ma'am. I've not seen Nalin in anything but this shirt and his jacket which he keeps in the back." Nalin shook his head and put a hand on Tilda's shoulder.

"Too hot to put anything.... right now anyways Tilda. I'm fine." He groaned and slowly sat up, taking slow and deep breaths. "Ink bloom, familial, Am a Marit, few other lines from.. Havardr carry disease... only males show.." He groaned. "Horror stories from when younger. About a curse for want beauty... pale skin.." He smiled and reached up to the diseased skin. "Grows slowly, first time ever... passed out from it.. though.. have been reports of such things. No known cure... just tinctures to help with body temp, and calming the Bloom. Mints and other things, burning cool. Water helps but only short while."

He put a hand on his head and Tilda immediately put a hand on his back. She didn't really seem as phased by all this as she probably should be. Frank seemed to just be standing there in a daze, staring at the flesh that looked like black rot. He shivered involuntarily. Nalin looked to the big man and smiled. "Thanks friend.. Please.. can go now." He was trying to spare Frank but the man snapped out of it.

"I'll be gettin' ye home after this lad." Frank looked at Nalin then at Tilda and nodded.

"No"

There was silence for a moment after that simple word from Nalin's lips.

"What do you mean no Nalin?" Tilda sounded livid.

"Second job, must go, can't...." He took slow deep breaths. "Can't skip work... Must.. protect sister.."

"You can't PROTECT HER if you're DYING Nalin! You HAVE to take care of yourself!" Tilda was practically in tears. Her shouting actually quieted the entire tavern for a few bits.

"She's right lad, ye can't be doin' this to yerself an' expect..."

"Can expect all I want!" Nalin snapped and looked at Frank. He was still panting from heat. "I fine! First time passed out sure! But fine! Pain can deal with! I go to work!"

"NO!" Tilda shoved him down to the table by his good shoulder. She looked to the medic. "Tell 'im he can't! Tell 'im he needs to go home." There were tears in her eyes as she tried to get some logic or sound mind from someone in this damned place.

Nalin just stared up at her surprised. He'd known that Tilda was strong but, was he really that weak? And what was he doing making a woman cry over him? He sighed and looked away from Tilda, he couldn't watch her tears, it tore him in two. He looked to the medic now. No matter what she told him, he was going to go to work, now, she could help him feel better if she wanted, but he was going to go to his second job after this, no matter what.

[Amaris]

- common / murnasian

Amaris frowned. They couldn’t very well give Nalin the shirt off their back and he couldn’t stay in the sweat drenched shirt he was wearing. Maybe he could be wrapped in a blanket while his shirt dried by a fire. They hadn’t looked around when they’d been dragged in, but they could always hope there was one around. “Is there a way we can get his shirt dry and keep him warm while we wait? It’d also be good to at least let him swipe away his sweat.”

They waited as Nalin explained, growing more and more distraught with what they were hearing. They could certainly aide in calming it down, but this sounded like a hereditary illness - an area they had not studied. Lips pursed, they nodded. The mixed blood regretted not keeping a pad on their person for the trial; it would have been wise to write all of this down. But, still, they could certainly see that this was a case they could not completely handle. Someone else would need to assist them.

The medic was taken from their contemplation as Nalin and Tilda raised their voices. With widened eyes, they gaped at the short scene before them until suddenly the woman was yelling at her. They blinked, looking back to Nalin. “She is right,” they started, “Even if this is the first time you’ve passed out, you’re in no condition to be working. There’s no telling exactly when you’ll pass out again, and if this is a first, it must mean that you’re getting worse.”

Shaking their head, they looked to Frank. “Would it be possible to borrow you for getting him home? He’s in no state to be walking around by himself. Give him about a break to rest and then, off he goes.” Their frown deepened as their attention returned to Nalin. “The most I can do is help you...calm it, as you said, but I’m afraid that’s about it. I can, also, direct you to someone who might be able to help, but that would depend on how well you are to travel.”

[Nalin Marit]

Cylus 3rd 718

Nalin just laid there silently, listening to the woman. She agreed with Tilda. Of course she did. He moved his eyes to the ceiling and sighed softly. "Always new not lot of time.." Slowly he started to sit up. Still not looking at Tilda who was trying to make him stay laying down.

"No reason to freak now that it get worse.." He shook his head and patted Tilda's shoulder. She pulled away violently. Clearly upset with him but not saying anything anymore.

"Expected getting worse. Just no clue when. If now.. all more reason to keep going.." He looked to Amaris and paused for a moment. "If you think.. this healer capable... helping me.. could help sister? Sister mute? Think Healer could ...help?" He looked over the woman. It was obvious by now just how little he cared about his health.

"Don't care if not well.. will travel ends of world for sister's sake.." He just stayed sitting on the table. Now falling silent and waiting. Waiting patiently for his answer. He would wait all night if he had to. If whoever this healer was could heal his illness, they certainly could heal his sisters. Couldn't they?

He blinked and took slow, deep breaths. There was a lot of effort to them as he bared the pain, it was less now, but that burning feeling at his chest felt almost constant. His face twisted but a moment before going back to normal. But his blues never left the womans face. He was serious.

[Amaris]

- common / murnasian

They could understand Tilda’s frustration with the man. They were used to people making their sickness more than what it was, and even if they did put up a good front they’d cave soon as the medic opened up their kit. Nalin was neither of these, fiercely persistent in staying active. And that alone was likely what was making this illness worse. Or at least, that was what Amaris thought was happening.

“You can still keep going, but in moderation. You should rest, as your friends are asking of you.” His devotion was admirable, but alas it was not bound to keep him alive long in this particular situation. They sighed, brows furrowed. “She might be able to. Her name is Faith, but she’s located all the way in Scalvoris Town. I would not advise you going to see her anytime soon, though. At least wait a few trials, to be sure there’s no more fainting on your part.”

Again they sighed, observing Nalin for a moment. His breathing was labored and he had to be burning up again. What they needed to focus on was getting his temperature down and his breathing even. “For now, I suggest you lay back. Tell me again what you’ve been using to calm the Bloom. And maybe while you list them out, you can think of taking time off to rest or else your sister will be left all by her lonesome if you push yourself. You don’t want that, do you?”