WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY Still shaken from the incident at the hot springs, Nusura had stayed close to the mire. Especially considering how the rest of the world seemed to be unraveling at the seams, as well. Some of her supplies were running lower than usual, yet she still had plenty stocked enough for at least another raid if something should happen. All across the island, after all, challenges were breaking out much like the chaotic weather. The blind medic was more concerned with what was occurring at home, though. There was a very shady algae developing across Ecrosia, and once she was sure the fires from Aniadar wouldn’t breach their borders, she spent much of her time running tests on the algae. This did in fact involve capturing animals such as birds and force-feeding them a sample. She had to do what must be done to keep her people safe. It was all she thought about as she gently placed the stunned sparrow into the cavity of the tree near her main healing tree. It held a little room within its bark that gave the birds enough room to be comfortable. She carefully replaced the door made of bark to keep the birds from flying out. In a few hours, she would check on them again. @Alaric

this world is dying in our arms

God damned kids. Making his way home he grumbled all the way, more than a little irritated that Nero had chosen to attack at the passage. What the fuck had ever happened to politics? Hell it was no better than shooting the messenger (in his mind) and he was only glad that he had come out on top. How embarrassing if he had lost. But really? With the world ripping apart at the seams it hardly seemed like a good time to pick a damn fight. With a grumbling sigh he took note of the water as he returned, vaguely relieved that at least the algae seemed to be disappearing. He made a mental note to discuss it with @Nusura, whom he immediately sought out upon his return. Alaric was well versed with the location of her healing tree, and chuffed for her as he limped his approach..

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WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY The familiar metallic twang of blood on the air made Nusura’s head turn to see the familiar, pale shape of Alaric moving toward her like a ghost. She immediately noted that he was limping, but there was no alarm in her voice as she greeted him. "Alaric," She said, flickering silvery eyes up and down his form as she moved toward her healer’s tree. Gourds and medicinal plants that hung from the branches swaying in the breeze over her head as she reached for one of the wound kits slung over it. Pinching it in her teeth she carefully slid it from the branch and then turned to face her king. "Come. What are your injuries?" There was a hint of worry knitted into her brow as she regarded him, but she knew all too well to ask him not to get hurt was to ask him to give up on living. At least he had seemed to improve somewhat emotionally since their last encounter. @Alaric

this world is dying in our arms

He led where she followed, settling himself down with a bit of a grimace as the movement pulled on the gouges on his left leg. They weren’t deep enough to worry him much, but enough that he knew it would be best to have them attended to. He flashed her a quick and grateful smile, though it was fleeting considering his foul mood. She asked and he answered — “my face hurts the most, but this leg is a pain, too.” A small gesture to the limb in question, frowning a little as he did so. “bastard attacked me at the damn passage of all places!” even saying it made his anger rise, and the wheat King took a deep breath to steady his temper. @Nusura didn’t deserve it..

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WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY As he moved to the indicated location and answered her questions, his mood became clear. Apparently, someone had attacked him, which was not surprising. The world had descended into violence everywhere, for whatever reason. It didn’t frighten her, no, but did make her wary. Nusura didn’t feel naively safe, per se, in the mire. Not since the raid, but she did feel more comfortable. She knew how to navigate it. Not like the hot springs, where she had had to depend on strangers. Fortunately, they had been kind, excepting one. As she went to work applying the healing salve to the gashes on his elbow first since they were the easiest, curiosity poked at her mind. "It wasn’t a challenge for a lioness?" She asked idly, knowing that Amaryllis had such customs. As she inspected her work with squinted eyes, trying to focus beams of light to see more clearly, Nusura scoffed with the muscle in the back of her throat. "Some will take any opportunity they can get. Scavengers." She knew of his enemies, of their enemies. She had no doubt an attack was motivated by those tensions, which did make her own muscles tense at the thought. His anger did not phase her, though. It never really did. She merely worked, professional. Curious. Glad to be of service. @Alaric

this world is dying in our arms

“No,” he muttered. If it had been for a lioness he would not have cared heck, he’d welcome the fight. But an attempt at a cheap shot was lacking any kind of manners — not that he was surprised considering “he’s a Sigrun, I believe. Or at least a friend of theirs.” his lip curled as he spoke, and then he winced as it made his face bleed fresh again. “No bloody manners,” he griped, paying close attention to @Nusura to see if she needed him to move any particular way. “I think he was related to Saga.” which explained his anger, considering Alaric had ripped out her eye (nevermind she had been all but trespassing)..

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WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY Nusura moved to collect more salve on her paw and then returned, drawing closer to Alaric with squinted eyes so that she could accurately apply the salve to the deep gashes on his face. The dark ribbons of red were easy enough to identify, contrasting with the desert sand of his skin. "I have no doubt you slapped some into him." She said, a little grin on her mouth, perhaps with some encouragement in her tone. She attempted to be gentle as possible, focused wholly on her work as she cleaned the wounds, disinfected them, and sealed them. "It seems it is only a matter of time before another war breaks out." She said, thoughtfully, with the slightest sigh. After all, Andal had been there in force for the war and had ever since been dogging Ecrosia. Nusura was all too glad to at least have Brynja back, and she thought fondly on it. But at the same time, the Sigrun were barking like dogs on one side and Andal on the other. Why were they related at all? Rolling 3d10: 10 + 1 + 2

this world is dying in our arms

nusura’s confidence in him brought the first genuine grin to his lips. “I’d like to think so,” he mused with that smirk in place, “he’s at least missing some of his ear.” victory made his blood sing, and it was even sweeter when it was against an enemy. “war is inevitable,” he sighed in agreement, “though I’m hoping andal stays busy with wolfbron for a time at least.” the war between the two prides hadn’t been as brutal as the one here, but it was war all the same. There were too many power hungry lions and not enough prides — and really, he could hardly blame them for wanting the crown. The salve she applied was soothing, and he breathed a sigh of relief. “thank you, @Nusura.”.

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WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY After she pulled away, content with her work and the relative normality of his wounds, her ear twitched as she caught the sound of his sigh. It was perhaps the only time she’d actually heard Alaric make such a noise. In fact, she couldn’t remember any time she’d seen him smile either, even before the war. There was no expression that entered her face to betray her observation, but before she could give him a glance back with milky eyes at his thanks – the sound of birds crashing against their wood cage drew her attention. It seemed the last sparrow had recovered from his shock and intended to find a way out. Or perhaps the effects of the algae had affected him differently. She looked back at her king, "Of course, my king. I am always here for you." She said, gently nodding her head before moving toward the base of the other tree, where she had several gourds and hollowed-out coconut shells that she used to brew and store antidotes. She began preparing the latest mixture to offer to the sparrow, hoping it did him some good. "I have been testing this alga, although…it seems like it’s starting to go away all on its own. I have some mixtures here that have shown to help with nausea, in any case. Should anyone need it." She said, a light smile that was shot in his direction before she reached in with one arm and attempted to swipe at the sparrow to bring him closer. @Alaric

this world is dying in our arms

@Nusura was a true asset, and her loyalty to him and the Mire meant a great deal to the king. This showed in the unusually gentle expression he wore at her words, a softening that was so rarely shown around others. “you are invaluable,” he offered, before allowing the conversation to flow on to the next topic. The crash of the wood cage drew his attention, too, and a brow arched as he listened to her explanation. “impressive,” he said finally, more than pleased that she had taken such an effort for the pride. It was good to know, too, that the algae wasn’t deadly, even if it seemed to be clearing up on its own. “who knows, this might not be the only time we see this stuff, so it’s good to have a treatment available.” Alaric would have offered help with the bird if he didn’t think he’d squish the darn thing beneath his heavy paw; instead he watched, ready in case she asked for assistance in any way..

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