Of daring rescues and damsels

[HoudiniDerek]

Guang watched as she ate, making sure that she was not disgusted by his cooking. He rarely cooked for anyone else so he had been somewhat self-conscious about it. He merely smiled and nodded his thanks as she complimented his cooking ability, trying not to show his embarrassment at the compliment.

He was drinking a drink of his tea when she said she had not learned his name. Guang choked in his drink, coughing to clear his airway. He smiled at Aithne and thought back to the night before.

"I'm not sure I told you either," Guang said, laughing heartily and taking another small sip of tea. "My apologies." With a sitting bow to her he said, "I'm Guang of the Gnorash."

[Aithne Breagh]

When Guang choked lightly on his drink, a look of concern filled Aithne's features. She had even leaned forward with the thought of patting him on the back until he cleared his airway and smiled. The mage returned the gesture and listened as he spoke his name. His gentlemanly bow brought a brief hint of color to her cheeks and she looked down into her cup of tea as she held it between her palms. After a brief moment she looked up into his eyes as she replied.

"I have not heard of the Gnorash, but you have done them great honor by your kindness and valor."

Aithne smiled once again, more gently this time to let him know that she wasn't mocking him and was truly grateful for his help. She then returned to their breakfast and finished scooping the last of her stew up. After she was finished, she took her mug of tea again and sipped at it gingerly. The food had done her wonders and already she felt her waning strength returning inch by inch. With such pleasant company, she was in no hurry. With their meal out of the way, they had naught but to clean up her wound and replace the soiled bandaging. The mage remembered how gentle Guang had been when he had helped her to bed, though she had been unconscious when he had tended the injury the first time. She had no doubt that he would be just as careful now as he had been before.

[HoudiniDerek]

Guang's face froze momentarily when Aithne complimented him on behalf of his people. He hoped she had not seen the glazed look he had on his face, but it was hard not to react to something like that. It had been a long time since he had been associated in any positive way with his people.

Guang finished his meal and gathered the dishes while Aithne sat nursing her tea. He looked out the window in his small kitchen area and saw that the cloud cover was heavy. It was going to rain soon. It was better that they were staying in today. He was also glad he had gotten a lot of water yesterday, but he took an empty bucket and stuck it outside the back door. The rain water would be good to drink and to help clean her wound again that evening.

Guang went back to the main room with some bandages and his bucket of water. He sat down by the fire, laying out his bandages and knife methodically. He didn't want to expose the wound for longer than necessary. He sharpened his knife a little and then stuck it in the edge of the fire. He hoped he would not need to cauterize it again, but it looked like it had bled a fair amount. It might hurt.

"Shall we dress that wound?" Guang asked, trying to smile as though there was nothing to worry about.

[Aithne Breagh]

Aithne had noticed that glazed look in his eyes, but she wasn't about to say anything about it. If he wanted to tell her about his past, she would happily listen and give him what advice she may. It certainly wasn't something she expected out of him, though, so she kept silent. It was pleasant to sit and enjoy the rest of her tea while Guang took care of their dishes. When she felt stronger, he would find that she would be a gracious enough guest to help him, should he need it. As he gathered all of the necessary items to clean up her wound, Aithne watched him quietly. He was an interesting man, that she could not deny. Even though she knew little about him, she found his presence calming. When he approached and set all of his things down, then looked to her with that question, the mage nodded thoughtfully. She knew it wasn't going to be the most pleasant of things, but she also understood that it was required if she had any hope of a full recovery.

"I am ready."

She gave him a nod as she watched him sharpen his blade, then pursed her lips as she watched him purify it in the flame. Though she had been through much worse than this injury in the past, she still didn't look forward to the pain that would surely accompany the cleaning. Carefully she drew her arm out of her sleeve, allowing the silky material of her bodice to gape almost invitingly against the swells of her chest. Her free hand lifted to press against the cloth, keeping it secure so that he could work without any sort of hindrance. Soft jade eyes lifted to Guang's and she gave him a gentle smile that let him know she was indeed prepared to begin. She would allow him to remove the crusted bandages, since he would be able to see what he was doing much better than she would. It certainly wouldn't have served her well to have pulled on the wrong edge only to open the wound again. The mage placed her bared arm down upon the table and gripped the edge lightly with her long, graceful fingers. He would find that she was tougher than she seemed and would only cry out if he found he would have to cauterize the hole again.

[HoudiniDerek]

Guang watched as Aithne approached. She was almost swayed, Guang realized. She didn't seem to walk...she glided across the room. His eyes met hers and the jade eyes were fathoms deep as the moment seemed to last forever.

He watched her slip her arm out, keeping the extra fabric out of his way, but pulling it taut against her body. It was hard not to look at her, but he didn't want to appear as though he was leering at her. He turned his attention to his knife and had her sit in front of him.

He slipped the knife under one edge of the bandage, gently prying it up, keeping the bandage attached until he could slice the small end where the tape held. Once it was loose, he slowly peeled off the bandage, sliding a wet cloth along behind it to help soothe the skin.

The bandage was bloody, but the wound was healing nicely. There was a small part on the end that had torn free just beneath her shoulder. He was going to have to cauterize it again. It was going to hurt her and that was the last thing he wanted to do.

"It looks like it's going to rain today. What do you want to see in town when you are able to get out?" Guang asked. He was taking his time, washing the wound first and seeing if any of the scab was loose enough so he would only have to cauterize once.

[Aithne Breagh]

His touch was ever so gentle and the sound of his voice was a soothing and welcome distraction. Aithne took the opportunity to watch him as he worked, memorizing the curves and lines of his face. There was little pain to be had as he slowly lifted the soiled bandage away. For a moment the cool air felt pleasing against the torn flesh. After several moments she allowed her gaze to drift down over the injury and she knew that he would need to finish sealing it. The mage swallowed softly as she prepared herself, then gave her attention to his question. He certainly seemed to know what he was doing, because it helped to have her mind taken off what must come.

"I actually had not given it much thought."

Aithne smiled lightly as she lifted her gaze to the ceiling. What would she like to see? She pondered the thought briefly as her lips quirked. Perhaps she would need to seek out a marketplace or even some sort of specialized shop where she could purchase some of her spell components. Of course, it would be pleasant to see the sights to be had and even more so with Guang along to show her.

"Is there, perchance, a mage's shop or...even maybe an alchemist in town?"

She would accept the latter, though in truth she was hoping for the first. Alchemists would have some of the items she needed, but not all, and in her past experiences the lot of them could be unwilling and antagonistic. Maybe with Guang along it wouldn't be so bad. As he prodded gently at the scab to find any loosened edges, Aithne clenched her teeth and drew in a sharp breath. Oh yes, that was definitely still very tender. Her eyes filled with mild distress, though she held her ground and nodded to him, to let him know she was ready for the worst.

((If you need to take a few liberties with my character's actions, feel free! ))

[HoudiniDerek]

Guang was working on keeping his eyes on the wound, but her soft voice and womanly body were distracting. He had not been around a women in a long time he was coming to realize. In fact, he could not even think of the last time he had been around a woman socially before the night before...and that had not been the intention of either of them starting their evening he was sure.

He probed gently, seeing where the scab was loose, more of it around her shoulder. That had probably been because of the need to use her arm. He looked up and she nodded encouragement to continue, though there was a slight fear or pain in her eyes already. He was hoping this could be over quickly.

Guang put the knife back in the fire, counting mentally the time it would need to be ready, but decided he could answer her other question. "I know of an alchemist, yes. He is a grumpy old bear and is not fond of most people. He works with a lot of people who have healing potions and powders, giving them a lot of their ingredients."

Guang wiped the wound dry and looked at the knife. It was still not quite ready for what he intended. "I do know of a mage in town," he whispered. "But mages are not really legal in Tamasha after the last time one tried to take over the city. It is not outlawed per se, but we speak of them in whispers nonetheless." He grinned and went on, "I think it might be best to see the alchemist first as he is reputable and trustworthy. Anything you can't find there...then I will take you to the mage."

Guang looked at the knife again and saw the blade glowing. It was nearly ready. He turned and laid out a bandage, fixing the tape in place so there was not so much time wasted after the process. He pulled out a small bottle from his pocket and applied it liberally to the bandage, covering it from end to end. He realized he didn't have much left. Another cleaning of this wound and it would be gone. It looked like he would need a trip to the alchemist anyway.

Guang looked Aithne in the eyes. "Give me your hand. This is going to hurt, but maybe squeezing something will help." Guang smiled and reached for her hand, which she put in his. With his eyes staying on her, he reached for the knife and brought it close to his face. It was ready.

"Here we go," Guang said, winking at her before forcing the blade quickly against the exposed flesh. Her body went rigid and the air began to fill with the stench of burning flesh. Guang counted the seconds in his mind, knowing she was hurting, but not wanting to end too quickly.

The time finally ended and he slowly pulled back, catching some skin, but managing to slide the knife free. He put the knife on the floor by the fireplace and inspected the wound. It was healed again for now. Guang dropped her hand and quickly picked up the bandage, gently placing it on her wound and applying as litte pressure as necessary to ensure that it did not fall off.

Guang sat back, exhaling hard. It had taken about thirty seconds from the time he had put the knife on her until the time he had sat back from securing the bandage. He was glad to see he had not lost his touch for quick action, although he still preferred the night before when she had been unconscious.

"I hope I didn't hurt you too much," he offered, looking again at Aithne.