un: absterge | video

[downswing]

( Two men and a xenomorph walk into a tavern —

...alternatively, stumble down a woodland road, breath staggered, seemingly drained — if not by the weight of the enormous forest creature they carry, bled and bound to a makeshift pallet of decayed logs, then by the constant, jittery effort to evade the strikes of its tail.

The Doctor drags the animal’s wooden bed by long, loosely woven strips of ripped cloth. Lan Wangji holds the pendant with one hand and his own cutting strings that fetter the beast with the other.

For their trouble, the creature’s tail lovingly smacks the Doctor on his flank, then thwaps Lan Wangji’s temple, on the swing back. It growls its thanks after, before settling into a... disturbing... purr... that seems to indicate the time to nap is nigh.

The Doctor, then: ) It's settling down a bit already! Just needed a proper looking after, really, like anything.

( Well said, Doctor. For your effort, have a nice, friendly, sleepy tail smack on the back. So Wangji doesn’t feel jealous, the snoring beast peers over his shoulder, drenching it in a sea of... drool. He sighs. )

We bear one of the Beastmaster’s creatures. Feral, wounded. Enemy of the Huntress in the woods.

( Who should have been long culled, but don’t let Lan Wangji’s long-suffering expression convince you of that. The enemy or their enemy, so on. )

It requires... healing to resume duties. We number those who know the care of animals?

( ooc: ...sorry, cave buddies, just going to park Fido in the back real quick! Any veterinarians in the house? )

Comments

[matermali]

Miss Belova will help.

[ Vanessa hasn't asked yet, but she'll still claim it like a sure thing. Confidence is key. She's convincing! But also, how can Yelena say no to feeding a demon dog? ]

How did you come to discover one so docile?

[downswing]

( Docile, madam? Behold Lan Wangji's bruised person. )

Its injuries assisted the taming.

[matermali]

[ Behold Wangji not being torn into pieces before disappearing into beastie's tum-tum. Seems incredibly docile. ]

That may not remain so once it is healed. We must take care.

[ As in...try to place it as far away from people as possible. Where's the most secluded part of the cave? ]

Your rabbits may also tempt it once it regains its strength. They ought to be...moved.

[ Just tell Vanessa to go walk near them and they'll run thumping to safety...or into the beast's maws, who knows. ]

[downswing]

It may rest outside. I shall hold vigil.

( Tenderer: ) Gratitude. You trouble yourself.

[matermali]

You need not do so alone. I am fond of beasts; I shall help. It is no trouble.

[ Vanessa is fascinated, she wants to learn as much as she can about this creature. She thinks it looks hideously stunning.

Too bad she can't look as much as she wants, since she's...getting things ready while keeping her watch wrapped around her wrist. But she can still hear him and will glance to her watch occasionally to make sure the Doctor is also still in one piece. ]

[downswing]

It is not equally fond.

[matermali]

I will not come to harm, have no fear.

[downswing]

( How to articulate this diplomatically... ) You lack in breadth or vigor.

[matermali]

[ Wangji is so sweet, worrying about her. She could pinch his cheeks! ]

You underestimate me.

[downswing]

I overestimate it.

[matermali]

I will take caution, I assure you.

[ She's giving it her own bedding. She gets to watch the puppy. ]

Your concern is touching.

[downswing]

A first such accusation.

1/2

[matermali]

I refuse to believe it.

[ He has such a sensible yet poetic charm about him! ]

private | audio; tmi's his inbox

[matermali]

To dissuade such concern, I shall hope to ease your mind in expanding upon my fondness for dangerous beasts by sharing that the sentiment often returned in kind. [ Of a sort. Often uninvited! ] I may be able to keep it from harming anyone.

\o/

[downswing]

...your prowess be thanked. A mercy.

[matermali]

[ Mercy? Never met her. ]

An understanding.

[downswing]

No simple gift.

[matermali]

Mm.

[ The gift of friendship! ]

This isn't knowledge easily spared; only the Doctor and one other know. But gift or curse, it has served me too well to ignore now. Let us hope it serves.

[ If Wangji is going to be hovering around the monster then it makes sense for him to know. But snitches get stitches. ]

[thedreamer]

But you hide it so well.

[matermali]

[ Is he being sarcastic? He's the last person she hides it around. If so she'll forgive him, because he's bringing her a present. She isn't exactly looking at her watch while setting things up for the monster patient. ]

Your only contribution?

[ She's been slandered! Or she's being seduced. It can go either way with her track record. Her ~delicate~ senses are topsy-turvy, how will she— ]

Have you seen a creature like it before in your travels?

[thedreamer]

No! Isn't that delightful? A new beauty to discover.

[ Sarcastic! Him? Never! ]

[matermali]

And you thought to bring it to me. How thoughtful.

[thedreamer]

Full disclosure, my first suggestion was holding vigil with it in the forest until it healed. Suppose this is the better option.

[ I guess, he almost sighs.

And he is...missing the point. ]

[matermali]

[ Oh. Doctor. You were so close. ]

As if I were but a substitute.

[thedreamer]

I was attempting not to involve too many others. That's gone a bit sideways now.