eastbound | [Text] un: live in the moment

Eleven. I'll do what I can.

I'm roomed in the same wing, so it shouldn't be difficult to find you.

[ Kexing takes the risk to switch the feed to video, having figured that out with the explanations provided, and smiles (perhaps a little nervously, if one is observant enough), bowing his head a little. ]

I will stand outside my door, so you can find me.

[Not keen on the video function himself for his lack of familiarity with how to work it, Eleven simply sends a quick message before moving to gather his supplies]

I'll see you shortly.

[Minutes later, he's leaving his room and casting a glance up and down the hall until he spots a figure and moves for them with a short wave and a quick once-over]

I'm Eleven. You needed some medical assistance?

[ Kexing is waiting outside his door as agreed, a white fan out and wafting - more a nervous gesture than a need for a breeze. Catching the wave out of the corner of an eye, he turns and smiles, immediately breathing a little easier as he snaps the fan closed and tucks it away as he does a similar look over. ]

My husband is inside. He's the one in need.

[ It doesn't matter to him that they haven't had a ceremony yet - he'll shout to the entire universe that he is Zhou Zishu's husband.

He opens the door and steps out of the way with an inviting gesture. ]

[It's more forward honesty than he's accustomed to, but he takes it in stride with a nod and follows after him]

Is he at all injured? I can certainly heal anything like that. I'm fairly certain I can help stabilize..

[ His hand has been forced. Kexing fears there are only days before he loses Zishu. He leads the way to the bed where Zishu's resting - the other reason he'd made the message a text rather than a video or audio. ]

He has a seven open wounds from where nails were removed in his chest. I'm not worried about those.

Broken meridians will kill him within weeks if not days.

[Eleven steps up beside the resting man, wincing at the mention of nails. Somehow he knows it isn't the kind on the ends of anyone's fingers. To not be worried about them however, he isn't convinced. Had those nails been perfectly clean? A very physical infection could spread in the time he's worried about spiritual recovery.

Gentle green light comes to his hand and moves to brush over the man's chest]

Can you explain that to me? It took me some time to heal my own spirit, attuning to life energy. The healers haven't described spiritual healing in those terms.

[He's a little worried his lessons may simply not have been advanced enough for it, but surely there's something he can do to help until an expert is found]

[ Kexing hovers for a moment before moving to the other side of the bed and settling beside Zishu's head, brushing gentle fingers over his hair in reassurance that he's not alone, that he's safe. He watches that green light with open curiosity. ]

The spiritual meridians? [ He's a little less sure about this, but knows he has to try. No guarantees have been made except to try. ]

In simplest terms, they are how martial artists manipulate their inner power to fight or heal. They are the points of life and energy in a body.

[ Knowing how little Zishu likes being manhandled, but being the exception to this, he pulls the simple sleep robe open to show the bandages wrapped around the other man's chest. Blood has clearly seeped through in seven points - three on each side, and one in the center. ]

When one is an exceptional martial artist, if the meridians are disrupted or destroyed, the rest of the energy crashes through the body. If it's not slowed, death occurs. If the meridians aren't repaired, the individual loses the ability to use their martial arts.

How cruel.

[The words slip out to see those seven points- done with precision enough to more than suggest intention. He's wary of healing them too much and sealing infection, so the light fades a little, but as it's clearly been dressed, there's obviously some care taken. The back of his hand settles on his patient's forehead, briefly checking for fever or clammy skin.

Points of life and energy in the body. A need to slow the crash of energy before death takes him..

Eleven's eyes close to heighten the more spiritual sense he's adapted. Focusing, seeking out the wounded man's spirit. It isn't yet a precise sense and it doesn't tell him anything that hadn't already been mentioned, but it's reassuring to know he can at least sense that life.

He looks at the seven blooded points on the bandages with a frown]

..I don't have the expertise to mend those meridians, but I should be able to help strengthen his spirit a little until someone can.

[ His lips twist bitterly at the opinion. Silently agreeing.

Kexing holds his tongue with effort, the intense need to chatter bottled up to avoid disrupting this one's concentration in an effort to heal the one person who means everything to him. Zishu himself is visibly ill - skin too cool to be normal, pale.

Eleven's verdict has Kexing closing his eyes and taking a breath. But he nods. ]

Even an extra few days is worth it. Would examining my meridians help you? They are not damaged.

[His brow softens with worry, mind ticking through possible causes and possible solutions. Chews over the offer with a distracted hum]

Possibly, but it feels like something I should have practiced knowledge of and a demonstrated technique before I make an attempt on someone so afflicted. ..Lan Sizhui or Wei Wuxian might have better insight.

[He sucks in a sharp breath and jerks faintly, coming out of his meditation. His hearing is poor enough that he missed much of what they said - catching snippets here and there - but that last bit registers.]

We...can...seek them, yes, Lao Wen? [Forcing himself to sit up, he glances at Eleven and bows his head respectfully.] Thank you for trying.

A-Xu! [ Kexing immediately shifts to settle behind Zishu to give him something to lean against that's warm and comfortable. ]

We will.

[ He will keep looking until he finds the two mentioned, curling a supportive arm around his husband before smiling at Eleven. ]

Every little helps.

[Eleven blinks, shifting back and nods with a faint smile through worry]

For the spiritual damage, I think I can at least bolster your spirit some while you search for someone with more skill. In the meanwhile, how are you feeling? Are your wounds cleaned? I can heal them easily if so.

[He relaxes against Kexing, grateful for the support. His husband is incredibly sweet and Zishu takes comfort in holding onto one of his hands.]

If you could...close the wounds...that would help too. [Shifting the bandages so Eleven can see the holes in his chest and abdomen, he frowns, pale.]

Please...do what you can. I won't let your efforts go to waste.

[ He loves that Zishu is letting him help. But hates that it's even needed. His soulmate should be strong! And would be, if not for the mistake that are the nails and their removal. Kexing happily lets his hand be claimed, not about to push his husband away now. Never again. And he's content to let Zishu tell Eleven what has been done so far. ]

[It's refreshing to see touches of open affection in a city where people are so closely guarded. He feels just a side of honored despite the circumstances.

Eleven takes a moment to peer at the injuries, searching for signs of infection. He doesn't see any clear signs of it, but just to be sure, fishes out a cloth from his pouch and dampens it with a clear liquid]

This will sting a bit, but the pain won't linger. I want to be sure I'm not sealing the beginnings of infection when I close them.

[He presses the wet cloth to the injuries with care, dabbing carefully around each point until he's addressed all of them. Once that's finished, he shifts the cloth away and his hand glows that soft green again, fingers outstretched to hover just over the injuries. Life energy seeps into the wounds and begins to mend them, starting from their deepest point and steadily shallowing until the skin knits altogether, whole again.

Eleven lowers his hand with a satisfied nod]

At least that won't pain you, now. How are you feeling, otherwise?

[He had made a mistake, evading Kexing, playing hard to get when he should have been like this with him. Zishu has learned and he isn't ashamed.

Besides Eleven seems kind - a true healer who cares for the well-being of all.]

I can withstand stinging. [He smiles faintly, his grip tightening ever so slightly on Kexing's hand. His confidence isn't misplaced, but the stinging is uncomfortable. He is much happier when those seven holes are closed, letting himself breathe deeply, evenly.]

Tired. [Admitting that much is difficult for him.] My senses are dulling. I can't taste or smell anything.

Edited 2021-11-23 08:15 (UTC)

[ Kexing enjoyed the game! But now, time is short. He's determined to give Zishu many reasons to fight to live. If that means being obnoxiously affectionate at every opportunity, so be it! He's not embarrassed or ashamed.

It's only because Eleven is a healer that he's not jealously watched or growled at, for how close he is to Zishu as he works on the physical injuries. Kexing squeezes Zishu's hand in answer, thumb rubbing soothingly over elegant fingers. He watches his husband intently for signs that it's too much.

The arm around his waist tightens a little too, at that admission. He knows how hard that was. ]

[Fatigue and dulled senses of taste and smell, coupled with his cool skin suggest illness. He frowns, but at least the man is breathing easier- that can only help]

Is it an effect of damaged spiritual meridians? I'd suggest ease, tea, and soup to help stave off further illness anyway as a precaution. But that pattern of injury seemed.. purposeful. Was it how they were broken?

[Zishu is ashamed to admit the truth, but it's necessary. His body isn't throbbing like it had been and so his speech is more level.]

I placed the nails inside of myself. I damaged my meridians on purpose. I know that I will lose my senses before I die. I've seen this...play out...in others.

[And...]

This is a punishment I created.

[ Kexing hears the difference in Zishu's voice and it helps him breathe a little easier as well. ]

I have some soup cooking, and I will brew some tea soon. A-Xu is being good about resting now, too.

[ As difficult as it is for his soulmate, he's relieved that Zishu is letting himself rest.

As for the injuries themselves...he lets Zishu answer, as he has before. Then huffs out a breath. ]

To escape. To be free. It was...worth it at the time, I just wish we'd met as we are sooner.

[Eleven's expression falls to that terrible truth. Not suicide, the man's husband clarifies at least, but a devastating risk]

You won't die. I may not be able to heal you much further, but I should be able to help for long enough to find someone that can. The healers in this city have considerable fees, but I have some coin saved even if no one among us can aid you.

[Wrinkling his nose, he huffs and elbows Kexing in the stomach.]

I'm not a dog or a child.

[The regrets further incense him, but he forces himself to realize that his anger stems from...well...not feeling the greatest. So he snuggles back against Kexing in apology.]

That's all I want. If I can live long enough to find a permanent solution...

[His eyes widen at the generous offer and he holds up a hand.]

Please look after yourself. I did this to myself; I must shoulder the effects. What you've done for me today is priceless - but you deserve payment. Once Lao Wen and I make enough money, it's yours.

A-Xu! [ Kexing winces dramatically, pouting, but doesn't budge from supporting Zishu. The pout remains until Zishu snuggles back against him - they both know where the burst of anger comes from. And that he can't stay upset at all, as the gentle squeeze to the other's waist indicates.

He lifts his gaze back to Eleven and shakes his head, agreeing with Zishu. ]

If we need to go that route, we will let you know. But please accept that we will pay you back when we can.

[ Not to mention Kexing's standing offer (now) to cook. ]

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