02.Feb.12, 06:37 AM
Talian continued with his work, making the stitches as quickly and cleanly as possible. It was ugly business. He could remember his stomach twisting the first time he'd taken a needle to living flesh, but those days were turns behind him now. His hand, eye and stomach had become accustomed to the elastic resistance of human flesh. He was easily able to steel himself and do his work, passing the needle through his unfortunate patient's flesh again and again and pulling the sinew tight between each pass.
He paused for a fraction of a second as Valerian spoke. "...closer?" he asked. He quickly went back to work, though his lips remained curled in bemusement. He had absolutely no idea what to think of that. All this time he thought he was sitting in between a rivalry, not a lovers' quarrel! Of course, Allendris' colder response of 'I wouldn't call us friends' suggested something else. Talian didn't take his eyes from his work to look between them, but after a moment of thought, he suspected Valerian's comment was primarily intended to embarrass Allendris.
Still, even the suggestion of homosexuality made Talian nervous and just a little bit embarrassed himself. He decided to keep talking and try to keep the conversation afloat. "They certainly seem to have an eye for all types," he said, trying to keep his voice level and gentle for the sake of his patient. He flashed Valerian a sympathetic look, for the healer's perceptive eye had noticed just how tightly his fellow stolen was gripping the table.
What to ask next? Small talk was a bit harder in a place like Katila, especially when Talian preferred to keep his own experiences out of it. If he asked them where they were from or how long ago they'd been kidnapped, they were bound to ask him the same. Oh well. Reluctant but admittedly curious, he finally cleared his throat and spoke. "I guess you two got here the same way I did, huh?"
There was more clarity and sincerity in his voice now. He wasn't putting on a polite face to do his job, but making an honest inquiry. He frowned immediately, his displeasure revealed.
This is set in mid summer, the same time as the Erisi thread. However, since we started this first, I'm going to assume this thread took place first, if only by a few days or so.
He paused for a fraction of a second as Valerian spoke. "...closer?" he asked. He quickly went back to work, though his lips remained curled in bemusement. He had absolutely no idea what to think of that. All this time he thought he was sitting in between a rivalry, not a lovers' quarrel! Of course, Allendris' colder response of 'I wouldn't call us friends' suggested something else. Talian didn't take his eyes from his work to look between them, but after a moment of thought, he suspected Valerian's comment was primarily intended to embarrass Allendris.
Still, even the suggestion of homosexuality made Talian nervous and just a little bit embarrassed himself. He decided to keep talking and try to keep the conversation afloat. "They certainly seem to have an eye for all types," he said, trying to keep his voice level and gentle for the sake of his patient. He flashed Valerian a sympathetic look, for the healer's perceptive eye had noticed just how tightly his fellow stolen was gripping the table.
What to ask next? Small talk was a bit harder in a place like Katila, especially when Talian preferred to keep his own experiences out of it. If he asked them where they were from or how long ago they'd been kidnapped, they were bound to ask him the same. Oh well. Reluctant but admittedly curious, he finally cleared his throat and spoke. "I guess you two got here the same way I did, huh?"
There was more clarity and sincerity in his voice now. He wasn't putting on a polite face to do his job, but making an honest inquiry. He frowned immediately, his displeasure revealed.
This is set in mid summer, the same time as the Erisi thread. However, since we started this first, I'm going to assume this thread took place first, if only by a few days or so.