Early morning, March 31st..

He waited until shifting around wouldn't make Katt move..and until her breathing evened out. Then he carefully eased out from the lean she was employing against his shoulder..and tried to arrange her body into a comfortable position.

He shouldn't be worried.. He should be relieved, be glad that everything was okay.. He had healed just fine, and he didn't hurt anymore.. He wasn't coughing up blood. He pushed his hand up against his throat, massaged it through the scarf wrapped around it..as he moved toward the bathroom again.

He palmed the light switch until it flickered to life..leaned and flipped both handles on the bathtub to make it start filling up with cool water. He yanked at his clothes, the scarf around his neck..threw them into a pile in the middle of the bathroom floor along with his wristband.

The water..felt really good.. He sighed shakily, eyes closing as he lowered himself slowly into the tub, letting his skin adjust to the feeling. He sank down until the water lapped at his neck and chin, knees bent and poking up..resting against the side of the tub. He smiled a little..it tickled..made him want to shiver..

This cool feeling was nice..much better than the clammy one he had to deal with earlier.. He could start trying to forget how warm he had been, sweaty.. He rubbed his face with his wet hands, took a breath and slid down beneath the surface.

******

He had pulled the plug on the drain and tied a towel around his waist when he felt it again..the twisting lance of pain throughout his gut. It wasn't exactly the same.. Last time..he didn't feel nauseous..

He lurched for the sink..his hands gripped its edge tightly. He emptied his stomach in a violent heave that he desperately tried to keep quiet. Tears squeezed out of his eyes. It smelled and tasted like copper..he didn't want to see it. He coughed, spat..thudded the heels of his hands into the sink before clumsily reaching to turn on the faucet..

The water on his skin felt ice cold.. He shivered..gathered a palmful of it and wiped his mouth..slurped some down and swished it around between his teeth.

He didn't want to cry. He wasn't crying.. He..wasn't..

He wheezed in a breath, slumping to his knees. He pushed his forehead against the edge of the sink, kept a grip on it with his left hand, sobbed into his right palm.

He didn't know what was going on..and wasn't sure if he wanted to.. He was scared..fear crawled all over him like bugs, made him twitch. That meant..that he didn't want to die..right..?

Coughing, throwing up blood wasn't..healthy.. Had he gotten sick.. With what..? He didn't think he could..

It would have been better if his memory hadn't recognized the pain.. That way he could pretend it was something new, like he was feeling it for the first time..and it wouldn't mean that he hadn't fixed it himself when he used his yoki..

He had to figure it out.. It hadn't worked out too well the first time.. It obviously..wasn't going away..and he couldn't make it go away alone..

He needed..help.. But..he needed to get off the floor first..

He sniffed..wiped his face, used the sink as a shelf to pull himself halfway up to his feet. His body leaned over a dangerous amount, his forehead almost hitting the mirror. It was because he was afraid..

He caught a glimpse of himself and shuddered..splashed handfuls of water up against his mouth over and over again, rubbed at the porcelain sink, erasing the last traces of pink..twisted the faucet until it stopped running. The room sounded quiet without that noise, his ears buzzed.

He busied himself with gathering up his clothes..wrapping the scarf securely around his neck, snapping his wristband back in place. He trudged out of the bathroom, sat down on the side of the bed. He kicked his legs under the covers and drew them over himself. He had thought about taking a drink of water..but wasn't sure it would help.. Maybe..he just needed to rest..

Sleep fixed stuff.. He could have nightmares, he didn't care.. He just needed time..to calm down..

He sniffed again, tried to gulp down the lump lodged in his throat. He fiddled with his jeans until he pulled out the small cross made out of broken, wooden sticks..shoved his clothes onto the floor beside the bed.

He relaxed back into the bunch of pillows..rolled over onto his left side and curled up.. His hand clenched around the cross, breaking it further..he didn't let up even when it poked sharply into his skin.

"I don't..want to be sick.. Please.. I don't want to.." he mumbled into the blankets, squished his face with them. He couldn't stop his shoulders or his breaths from shaking..and fell into a restless sleep.

Early morning, April 2nd..

He didn't wake up.

Outside of his dream..in his bed, under the covers, on the top floor of the Red Dragon..he was dead to the world.

His breathing had slowed down dangerously..his chest rattling like a handful of pebbles around the small breaths he did take. What looked like red pressure marks began forming under his jaw, on his chest..the insides of his arms and legs..and on his stomach, making the sickly grey color of his skin stand out.

He didn't know who entered and left his room, who stayed at his side. He didn't know who touched his face, shook his shoulders..whispered to him. He didn't feel Gizmo waddle around on the bed, lick his white, sweat beaded forehead.

He didn't smell the food that was brought, he didn't hear voices, he didn't see the backs of his own closed eyelids.

His mouth twitched, his eyebrows folded into soft, pained scowls. But still, he slept..his left hand uncurling bit by bit, the twine threaded through the head of the crucifix dangling from between his thinning fingers..as if trying to fall to the ground..alert someone of its presence.

"You..wanna talk to me.."

"Uh huh!!" his younger self lifted the ramen bowl up to his mouth and gulped the broth down audibly. The bowl was as big as his head.

"About what.."

"Lots of stuff!! But first I wanna show you something, let's go!!" The boy grabbed his glass of lemonade, sucking vigorously on the straw and marched back outside..the curtains barely brushing the tips of his spiky hair.

Toby grunted..turning to watch. It was..one of the weirdest things he'd ever seen.. His younger self walking away from him..

"Please! Wake up!"

He gulped, his jaw clenching. He knew that voice too.. But Katt..wasn't here..was she..

"Hey, come on!!" His voice was a little far away..but it was still loud, echoing around the square. They seemed to be the only ones around.. Toby grunted again and pushed off of the stool, swept the curtains away from his head with his left arm. His younger self stood on the edge of the fountain, jumping up and down and waving frantically. The water behind him danced and shone..but it was blue like everything else.. It looked stale..and fake..

Toby curled his hands into loose fists..pushed them into his pockets and scuffed his way, slowly, towards the fountain. His younger self hooked an arm through his when he was close enough and leaned back, pulling at him until he got up onto the ledge of the fountain too.

"Wooow," the boy poked at Toby's arm, grinning impossibly wide. He grunted and elbowed at the hand before it got anywhere near his stomach. "Hee, sorry. It's just, like, muscles. Wow, yanno?" his younger self giggled. Toby's lips twitched a little..and he shook his head.

"I mean, 'cause, I only have these," his younger self stuck out his arms and shook them, meaning his forearms..which were just as taught and corded as Toby's.. "SO cool. BUT!! Okay!! This is what I wanted to show you!!" The boy pointed down into the fountain..but Toby was a couple steps ahead of him..

The water was black..shiny like oil. It didn't make sense.. When it was spewed up into the air..it was blue.. He couldn't even see himself, or his younger self's reflection.. It was like he was staring down a dark tunnel.

"What's wrong with it.."

"Nothing!! Let's go!!"

"Wha- AH!!" Toby had been in the middle of looking over at the boy when he giggled..and jumped into the fountain, dragging him down with..headfirst..

He threw out his right arm, planning on catching himself, but instead of landing in the fountain..he fell through it.. The black water was ice cold and made his breath freeze in his chest..goosebumps explode on his arms.. His younger self whooped and yelled happily. Toby kept trying to scream, draw breath..as they fell into the darkness, water bubbling in his ears.

His lungs burned..and they were still falling. He kicked his legs, threw his head back..tried to look straight up to where they had jumped into the fountain.

The ring of light wasn't there..

"LOOK!!" his younger self shouted from his left, pulling on his arm. Toby clapped his right hand over his mouth and nose to stop himself from sucking in a mouthful of water.

Silver, bars glittered beneath them..the only thing he could see in the dark. They were coming up fast..but they didn't seem to be getting any bigger.. Like a sewer grate..

Toby grunted..plugged his nose and bit on his lips..when he crashed down on top of them. His right leg slipped between two of the bars, causing a stinging pain in his hip and groin.

"Don't stick your leg down there for too long!! It'll grab us and then we'll be in a big pickle."

He couldn't speak to answer..but looked down. He could see the familiar bone white face..sneering, snapping its razor filled mouth. Its yellow cat eyes were wide. He could hear it laughing..the sound vibrated the water all around him.

"Pull your leg out, pull it out!!" His younger self hooked his arms under Toby's and started heaving backward.

The smirking demon face was swimming up..towards him..

"Pull, PULL!!"

He was grunting too much.. He kicked at the grate with his left foot, pulling on his right leg with both hands as his younger self heaved at him with pitiful strength. It felt like something was sucking his foot down..

Strong, spindly fingers wrapped around his ankle and he couldn't stop himself from yelling, wasting the last bit of breath he was desperately holding onto. He yanked his leg back..watching the length of a bone white arm grow from in between the bars, its skeletal fingers in a vice grip around him. Toby pressed his hands up against his mouth and nose again, thrashing in the hold his younger self had on him.. He pulled his left leg back, sent his heel into the inside of that white wrist until he felt it cave and snap. He jerked his right leg away from the grate too..his eyelids fluttering.

It was already dark..and he had slept in this dream too..right.. His head drooped and he felt his hands fall into his lap. Bubbles oozed from his mouth and nose. He saw a blurry white arm shrink back down into the grate..

"Come on, Toby!! I didn't think you'd pass out at just this..you suck!!" his younger self giggled..then all he heard was the water in his ears.

April 3rd..

His mouth had parted..he sucked in raspy breaths through it instead. They hissed softly in the otherwise dead silence of the room. The fingers of his left hand uncurled..palm tipping..the broken wooden cross sliding out of his weak grip onto the floor.

The blooming red marks on his skin had grown..bled and scabbed over like they had been raked at repeatedly with small sets of claws.

When the drops from the vial passed his lips, his body went rigid. His muscles tensed, veins bulging visibly..limbs shaking under the blankets. The sores opened with the sound of soft sighs, his flesh sinking in..forming small craters that steadily stretched. Their borders, and the meat inside them, weren't crimson red..but a muddy, faded purple.

He grunted, over and over, even while unconscious. His hands formed fists, twitched..trying to punch at the air..as welts spread across the backs of his hands.

The spell ended with shaking sighs. His body went limp against the white mattress. A red droplet plopped from the left corner of his slack mouth, staining the white pillowcase every few seconds.

.: April 2nd :.

The day progressed painfully slow and she didn't move unless she had to. It was okay. Mayu was there and taking very good care of the sick Toby. She didn't know when Mayu arrived but she was more then thankful for her sister's presence. It meant she was safe and it was comforting to have her there. It made it slightly easier to leave to take care of Gizmo 'needs' and a few other things like bringing meals and drinks for Mayu or when one of them needed to rest. Toby was never alone. She liked it that way. In his condition he didn't need to be alone!

For the most part she stayed out of Mayu's way so that she could tend to Toby but she more then willingly helped when Mayu needed her assistance with something. That chair was constantly occupied by her rear for hours on end though. Eyes watching the slumbering Toby who seemed like he was withering away like a flower without water. It tore away at her heart like a starving beast after a piece of fresh meat. She felt almost afraid to touch Him. He looked so fragile. His hand was briefly touched ever so often. He probably wouldn't feel it or know it was there. Maybe she needed the contact more then he did?

She had noticed the crucifix but left it in his hand. Just from observing it she could tell that it was broken. Question was..why was it broken? She suspected it came from the church he had told her about when he asked her about praying. She still didn't understand where that stemmed from but she was sure that he enjoyed the pretty windows..

Time marched on into the later of the evening. She was exhausted but if there was any sleeping to be done it was brief 'cat naps'. She just couldn't sleep no matter how really tired she was. She did take the liberty of stealing a mattress, blankets, and pillows from the room across the hall just for Mayu to sleep on. Wouldn't be wise to sleep next to Toby right? Mayu might catch what he had? Can't have that!

If she ate it was just enough to stop her belly from aching. Even then she felt it hard to keep it down. Swallowing was hard and it hurt.

There was no denying that her worry was constantly growing. The more the hours drew passed the more her concerned rise. He didn't deserve this. Didn't have enough happen to him. His rear was suppose to be immune to sickness or so he let on. Stubborn! When he was better she was going to glue a pair of shoes to his feet!

Thoughts were torn when she felt Gizmo paw at her, whimpering for attention. Bending forward she captured the pup and pulled him into her lap. Soft petting to his fur as she resumed her faithful watch.

.: April 3rd - Afternoon :.

"Please Toby. Please..wake up.." The words were repeated how many times now? Pleading to his subconsciousness. How could he say that a yoma couldn't take him away but this sickness was? He was growing worse.

So much worse..

Watching him at this point was tearing at her to the point of tears. She hadn't slept very well and it showed. She fought against sleep like it was some hovering beast ready to swallow her whole. "He's going to be fine.." she murmured quietly. A firm nod to confirm with herself as her eyes drifted down to her hands. She had to be strong! She had to know he would be fine. "He will..be fine."

Eyes rose up again to watching his face. She could barely tell if he was breathing. Eyes traveled down to the scarf that hid away his neck. Had the healing with his yoki backfired? Nibbling on her bottom lip she thought of the vial. His elixir. It could work, right? It was healed after all. But did it heal sickness?

Rising up to her feet she watched Gizmo's body roll from her feet. The black and white pup snorted at her, upset by her disturbing his rest. At least someone was getting rest around here. Pupiless eyes watched as the pup disappeared under the bed, whimpering quite softly. Her lips corked faintly but never made it to a full smile.

Eyes turned back to Toby and she reaching forward to him. Fingertips brushed at his limp hair, pushing it away from his forehead. Please..let this work..You have to get better. You can't..go. Fingers skimmed over his cheeks, avoiding actually touching his skin but even from such a hair distance she could feel the unnatural clamminess. Carefully her fingertips followed the chain around his neck to the vial. Cork pulled cautiously at so not to disturb him. The cork gave way and the end filled with that precious liquid was in hand. A fat droplet of the elixir was dabbed onto her fingertip before the vial was placed back where it belong and settled once again to it's cradled place against his chest. She stared at the glowing droplet that waited on her fingertip. Please... The single word begged in her mind as if that single drop of liquid was the savior of the world. Her finger brushed past his pale lips and teeth, sweeping the elixir on his tongue before quickly withdrew her finger.

The result wasn't what she was expecting. Pupiless greens grew round in a mixture of panic and absolute terror at the sight of the very reaction she caused. Flesh sinking worse and tearing from sores that not only bled but showed what laid beneath the flesh. The whole process was watched, hands clenching at the lower end of her shirt with force. If only to stop herself from moving over to him. Making it even more worse. Tears swept down her cheeks in a steady river. Several tears trickled to splash on his torn skin and there was absolutely no attempt to move away from those pumping fists.

Her heart felt like it was in her throat by the time he finally settled. He looked worse then before! Good grief...What had she done?! Mentally she repeated 'I'm so sorry' to him until it became like a broken record. She didn't realize it but the shirt had been twisted painfully between her fingers. Several steps were taken back as if her very closeness might do more damage.

Something crunched audibly under her bare foot and her face twisted up in more pain then it already had expressed. Shifting her foot she dipped down to collect the now shattered crucifix with pale fingers. It laid in her palm broken as she stood and stared at it.

She might as well of been holding her heart..

She could see from the cord that her hand was shaking.

Making sure that Toby had truly settled she stayed standing right where she was, refusing to budge. No amount of time was going to settle the dread that was clinging to her very being. Once she was sure his state had stabilized she glanced over towards the bathroom door. She could hear the shower water running. She was happy Mayu hadn't witnessed what she had. The guilt was already more then she could bear. By this time the poor pup was doing the potty dance at the door, scratching and whining like mad.

A brief note left for Mayu that she was taking Gizmo for his walk she retreated her way to the door. She slowed at the foot of the bed and stared down at where she suspected Toby's feet were. "I'm..s...so...sorry.." The words were a struggle, her voice not only cracking but almost seeming to refuse to work. Turning away she made her way to the door and pulled it open. Yippy puppy rushing in front of her for the stairs and she was sure to follow after a last look towards Toby. Turning her head she whimpered and stepped out. Once the door was closed and secured she followed after the pup that was making his way for the front door of the inn and to the world outside of it.

Early evening, April 3rd..

The open sores slowly began to spread, eating away at the pallid flesh around them. Sweat beaded visibly on his face and neck..running back, staining the pillowcase further.

His chest rose and fell without hitches..deep breaths in, but forced out quickly. His eyelids twitched and scrunched together like he was trying to open them.

At some point, when the new damp towel replaced the old one on his forehead, his neck tensed. He shifted his head, or tried to.. It didn't work very well. His muscles loosened. His lips shifted around a sigh that sounded like..

"May.."

The fingers of his left hand relaxed, opening..freeing his palm, and the mark forming on it..almost like an invitation.

Katt's player. Thanks!! ]

"At first I didn't know because..he didn't tell me. He..much rather face it on his own.." Her head slumped down. It made her feel worse. She wanted to help and just..made it worse! Her chest ached and it made her shift a step. She began ticking off the symptoms, sparing the sister no details until she came to the more recent. She was afraid to tell anyone else about the elixir. About..what she had done.

"Hmm.." She hummed thoughtfully after each symptom was spoken, nodding. Towards the end, she fingered her chin with her index finger and thumb. "I see.. And he has not woken up since? Have ye checked his palms and the soles of his feet for any markings?"

The mental image of Toby punching the air made her face grow colorless. Slowly Katt shook her head and she looked at the sister with question. "M..Markings?"

"Indeed.." She glanced aside to Katt and waved the hand she was using to prod her chin. "I'm sure it's nothin', but without a closer look at the boy, I won't be able to diagnose much from here. It seems to me, though, that this is no ordinary sickness.. Most times the most severe warnin' signs are a runny nose and fever. Not the kind that ye just mentioned."

She looked away and attempted to press her hand into her chest. Or so it would seem. Her heart felt like it was about to leave her. Not a normal sickness. "Do you think..you know what it is?"

"I have been around fer a long time, lass, if I don't know what it is, I most definitely know where I can research it." She nodded once, confidently, eyed the road in front of them as they moved slowly along. Her gaze looked troubled and she pressed her lips into a firm line.

This bit of information seemed to put a fire in her step. Moving more swiftly she started to move direction towards the inn. If the sister could help she was more then for it. To stop herself from fidgeting both hands shoved down into her pockets. "He..talked about me.." The statement showed she didn't quite believe or maybe wasn't sure of her own statement.

Sister Matilda looked aside at Katt again, grinned wryly, then matched her pace with the younger woman's. "That he did." She repeated, nodding. "He didn't say much, though.. He was a quiet boy..and I got the feelin' that he didn't come to the church to talk.."

She didn't ask anything even if she was curious, just sort of nodded her head. "He...liked the windows.." She spoke it quietly as she looked down. She found Gizmo prancing in front of her. As cute as it was she just..couldn't smile.

"Indeed. I asked him once why he ne'er went inside, and he told me he couldn't. Would ye know anythin' about that?" She tilted her head as she tore off another corner of the loaf, but ate it herself this time.

She blinked for a moment. She understood why she couldn't but maybe he...felt the same way. Two peas in a pod they were at times. "Maybe. But it's not for me to say on his behalf.."

She chuckled softly, nodding, adopted an amused tone instead of a curious one. "He said it was because he wasn't safe.. Now, while he may look like the type who would hurt folks rather than speak to them, he seemed perfectly fine to me." She shook her head. "Ahh, he is a strange lad."

Katt blinked slowly. Yep. Two peas in a pod. Her eyes lowered down to the ground. "He's not strange there is just things that you don't know. But I..di..disagree with him. He just..needs to learn that he can trust in other people to carry his burdens..That he isn't alone and that he doesn't..have to.." She felt her lashes growing wet. She tried to ignore it. Blinking a few times in attempts to get rid of the fog from the tears. "But he has good intentions. He is a good person."

"I see.. It certainly seems so. However knowing that, ye still wish that he would share himself with ye and yer friends? Or is it just with ye that ye wish it?" Curious tone adopted again as she fixed Katt with a knowing look.

She blinked and she looked to the woman strangely. That question made her wonder really now.. "Did he say something about me that would make you think that?"

She smiled, looked back out to the road in front of them. "No, he didn't. But a woman knows these things, ye know." Sister Matilda laughed softly, squaring her shoulders.

She blinked at the woman and that strange look grew. "Know..what exactly? You make it sound like I am selfish."

"I said nothing of the sort. It was a simple question. However, because ye have said that, I'm left to assume that I might have been right." She shrugged. "No one person is e'er truly alone, even if they try and make it so. God smiles down upon all of His children and He is always with them." Nodding.

She was now officially staring at the woman. "Right about what?" Katt sighed and tilted her head tilt back. The question was difficult. She didn't want to give out anything personal when it came to Toby. Things that she knew..that she wasn't suppose to. "I am suppose to be his friend.."

"Have ye done somethin' to make ye think yer not?" She rearranged the apples and the bread in the basket, smoothing out the checkered cloth they rested on.

Her eyes lowered to the ground. She didn't want to answer that at all. "Mrmmm.." Her brows knitted helplessly and she turned her head away.

She blinked rapidly, looked over at Katt and watched her for a few moments.. Then she nodded, smiling, and looked away. "I shan't pry. How much further is this place of his? These old bones creak louder than a tree in a windstorm."

Her eyes drifted forward and she nudged a chin up to the inn they were coming up to. "He's there." She glanced side-long to the sister. She was going to say more but in the end simply sighed out.

"He's where?" She blinked again, looked ahead of them..over to Katt..then back to the building the girl pointed out to her. "Oh, there." Chuckling. "Let me guess, he is on the top floor, isn't he?"

"Second floor..yeah." She nodded slowly and realized that the woman was old. Probably going to need help up the steps. Course she wasn't bound to ask either. She didn't want to get smacked! Old people are crazy sometimes!

"Ahh, it figures. The lad wants to give me a workout today. Ye know, I have passed by this part of town several times and ne'er thought to look into it.. Is it nice here?" She shifted the basket to rest on her left forearm, freeing up her right hand.

"Honestly I normally avoid it but I.." She bit her bottom lip and glanced to the porch as they came up to it. "I stay here only because of him." She finally confessed with a nod.

"Ye do, do ye.." She smiled knowingly at Katt, giving the woman a nod as she gravitated toward the right side of the porch and made good use of the railing..gripping it firmly. She took the few steps normally, but a bit slower than she thought her younger partner would.

She moved forward and bent her arm forward in respectful offering. "Sister..?"

"Mm? Och, I may be old, but I'm not immobile." She laughed softly, waving off the arm that Katt was offering her. She cleared the last stair with a sigh, brushing off her black clothes.

She blinked and chuckled as she moved behind her and shrugged. "That's...not it. If you can help him..Please..Please do whatever is in your power to do so. And if I .." She left it unfinished as she moved to the door and opened it for the older woman.

"Ye have my word, lass." She mused on the ending to Katt's sentence, but didn't ask aloud. Merely touched her warm right hand to the woman's shoulder as she passed and looked at the interior of the building they'd just entered. "It smells..interesting here.."

She nearly jumped out of her skin at the touch. The woman's touch was warm. She..almost forgot how warmth felt. It was a reminder of things. Her heart clenched in her chest as she made her way to the stairs with little to no care with the surroundings. "Yeah.."

"It seems fitting, though.." She nodded and followed Katt, weaving around the tables and chairs. She paused at the bar to leave the two apples in a half empty fruit bowl already situated there..and set the loaf of bread down beside it.

She turned to watch the woman place down the apples. She eyed one if only to think of thieving it for herself. But even then she probably wouldn't be able to eat it. Sighing she looked away and started up the stairs.

"Ye're worried about him, I know that, but if ye sigh any more, lass, there shan't be any more air left in yer body." Sister Matilda laughed softly, gripped the railing and began the slow trek up the stairs after her.

Worried was an understatement. She stopped on a step and looked over to the sister. If anything that unspoken statement registered loud and clear. She expected the sister to understand..sorta..soon. Looking away she nodded. "Sorry.." It was murmured and continued on up. "Mayu's in the room with him right now so.." She waited on the top floor and glanced to the elderly woman.

"Alright." She nodded, not entirely sure what to make of that last bit of information. She sighed too, but in relief, as she landed on the top floor. Her hands folded together and she waited for Katt to continue leading the way.

She nodded once the woman seemed like she had her bearings. She moved forward again and to the room door where she opened the door for the sister but stood to one side to let her in rather then entering herself.

She followed quietly, a curious eye observing her surroundings until she got to the open door. Her shoulders squared, and she stepped into the room, noting immediately the stale, empty air.

Katt started to shrink back once the sister entered. Swallowing she didn't even dare look in. Her chest started to ache like mad. "If you need anything.." She started to close the door. She saw Gizmo sitting next to her and her brows furrowed when she saw the pup staring up at her.

"Indeed." Sister Matilda brushed the basket from her arm and left it on the corner of the small desk beside a curious amount of water bottles. She turned to give Katt a soft look, but no smile. "I shall call for ye."

Head dipping low she attempted to nod. It was a struggle. She wanted to be in there but the guilt simply wouldn't allow her to. The door was closed and her head dipped even lower. "Mrmmm.." Sniff...

Early morning, April 4th..

Something was not right within this room. Sister Matilda could tell that even before she crossed the threshold.

Breathing seemed to become an almost daunting task. She didn't want to take in lungfuls of the stale air, where death hovered like a hungry wolf..watching the unknowing rabbit.

She went straight to the window across the from the door and tossed open the curtains. She did not pause to glance aside at the bed, or the young girl who was nearby..but popped the window from its frame and swung it wide open, letting the cold night air rush into the oppressive room.

"Och, now, Toby. Let us see what we have here," she said cheerfully, combating the mood in any way she could. A warm smile was given to Mayu, along with a nod. "Ye needn't worry, I am no stranger," she brushed off the front of her clothing as she rounded the foot of the bed. The dim light caught the lenses of her glasses and caused them to flare.

"Ye seem to have been taking care of him rather well," she said over her shoulder before leaning down and taking hold of the covers hiding the rest of Toby's body. What she could see did not look good. A large purple sore was already eating away at most of the skin beneath his jaw. His white face was speckled with the beginnings of red welts.

She winced when she pulled the blankets away. "Lord have mercy," she muttered, crossing herself with her right hand.

The boy's torso could hardly pass for human. Sister Matilda drew the blankets back further to glance at his legs, then covered him back up. "God's teeth, it looks like someone went to town on the lad with a large spoon." She leaned, drawing Toby's arms out from under the blankets..avoiding the purple craters altogether. Her fingers looked like small sausages compared to the boy's ghostly pallor and sickly thin hands. She pried his fists open without that much effort and peered at the skin of his palm.

"Just as I thought. I didn't want to tell yer friend my suspicions until I had a look myself, but," she shook her head..dropped his right hand and inspected his left. Stamped in the very center of both of his hands was the pattern of a red sun; a perfect, filled in circle with snake-like tentacles undulating out to the edges of his palm.

Once again she rounded the foot of the bed..peeling the blankets away from his feet. She gave a nod, only seeing the stamp on his right sole. His left was bare..but the skin was darkening already.

"I have been present at many of these procedures throughout my lifetime and I've realized that askin' the family and friends of the victim to leave is a waste of time. They want to stay and help in any way they can, even if they can't." She lifted her chin, peering at Mayu flatly from behind her glasses. "So I shan't ask ye to leave. Besides, ye seem to have an affinity for this sort of thing. The lad sure doesn't look like a basket of flowers, and ye seem to have cared for him like ye hadn't even noticed." She chuckled, smoothed the blankets back down over Toby's feet.

"I can't say the same for yer friend outside, she seems to be a little more distraught. But I won't say no to an extra set of hands, lass. What do ye say?"

Mayu Tsuzuki's player. Thanks!! ]

She nodded, confidently, removing the large rosary from her neck and dropping it into the basin of water. Her lips moved quickly in blessing, she crossed herself with her right hand, then dipped her fingers into the water and flicked the droplets onto Toby's chest. They sizzled immediately, causing smoke to rise to the ceiling..like he was a hot stove. "One can't be too certain that one has blessed water properly." Chuckling.

She rose her gaze to Matilda, the sounds of sizzling water and reactions thereafter silenced within her mind. "Trapped? How can you do that, if the spirit is an intangible being?" The curiousity of the girl knew little, if any, bounds.

She laughed softly as she pulled the checkered cloth from her basket aside and removed an obviously used black leather bible. "Yer a curious girl, aren't ye?" Blue green eyes sparkling, suggesting that she didn't mind at all. "There is such a way to do just that, with brands similar to those on this lad. Now I must find them so I can draw them properly..." She started leafing through the bible, the flimsy pages crinkling loudly.

The turning pages offered sounds where the girl could not, as if gracing her with a quiet hiatus on speaking so the explanations could further be processed. She had only waited a small period of time before formulating her brand new idea. "Let me help," she offered, coming closer in on both Toby, and Matilda each. "What can I do to make this go faster, so he can feel better?"

Sister Matilda gave her a quick look, and a grin, nodding at her request. "I'm glad that yer keen on the idea. Typically, I would be able to something like this on my own, but bein' too careful isn't a sin. This old body isn't what it used to be.. Ahh, here we are. Have ye a marker on ye, lass? We can use it to draw the markings..." Lowering the bible so that May could see the black symbols on each page: what looked like a mesh of rosaries and the snake-like sun brand already on Toby's skin. "Since he's so far along, I don't think that he'll need to be restrained.. Someone needs to man the holy water, though."

"A marker...?" she reached into the folds of her jacket, revealing a neon green highlighter. It was inspected closely for a moment, before being offered to Matilda, hoping it was sufficient. "Man... man?" not following Matilda's choice wording at all. She was already thankful for not needing to do anything concerning restraint.

"Ahh.." She looked closely at the highlighter, uncapped it and tested it on the back of her hand. The ink showed up a sickly green, but visible. She nodded in approval and began to deftly draw the meshed rosaries on her left palm. "Indeed. To keep a steady stream of holy water splashed somewhere on the lad's person. It makes his body uncomfortable to continue residin' in." She switched the highlighter to her other hand and eyed it as her fingers shook..before she offered it to Mayu. "Could ye copy this sun brand onto my right hand, lass?" Nodding aside at the large reference drawing.

"Nnn..." vocal consideration was given ,but she had already decided her fate, and took up the marker without visual hesitation. The marking in question was regarded, and traced with the motion of her gaze before attempting to mark the woman's hand with the request branding. Her mind was set on other things while the drawing took place, "I splash him with a little? I'm not going to fizz, am I?" While the sun didn't match in completeness, she felt she did a satisfactory job.

"Nay, ye won't. Ye're not the one with the demon inside ye." She chuckled softly, inspecting both brands and comparing them with the drawings in the bible. Another nod of satisfaction. "Now, I want to tell ye, lass..once ye begin doin' this, ye cannot stop until the job is finished. For if ye do, it will cause terrible ramifications on the lad's body that I'm afraid he won't survive, considerin' his state already. This is not goin' to be a pretty task. Do ye understand?"

An unnerving glance was given to Toby, as if seeking out his worries and concerns on the matter. Fortunately enough for her, she didn't presume him able to understand what they were discussing, if anything a tall; it allowed her to strengthen her exterior expression, even if her heart was now a racing wreck. She gave Matilda a single nod of understanding, not allowing time to be wasted with her useless fears of unreliability. "I understand," she weakly followed with, it a vague whisper from her throat.

She smiled again down to Mayu, warmly, trying to lift the girl's spirits for the job ahead. She didn't blame the girl in the slightest..it wasn't a small dose of responsibility, and Toby seemed to look very much dead already with a growing swiss cheese pattern eating at every visible surface of flesh. "Lord, look kindly upon this room, these children, and yer humble servant. Grant us the bolsterin' we need to finish this task successfully, so that this lad will once again wake to receive Yer daily blessin's..in Jesus' name, Amen." Sister Matilda nodded, crossed the air before Mayu, then herself with her right hand. The air around them tingled with what felt like static electricity. "Now then..shall we begin?"

She turned and transfered the basin from the nightstand to the chair's seat. "Ye can stand here..and splash small amounts of water onto the lad's legs. His skin will react poorly..and it will burn. If ye're afraid of hurtin' him, ye may splash the water on another area, but do not stop under any circumstances."

She couldn't fathom the idea of pain to begin with, but understood the purposes and which they were required to happen in order to protect and aide Matilda. As such, May would do as requested, and splash him where she suggested to; to prevent anything from going foul as a direct result of herself. "Do I... start now?" a meek request as she took the few steps to the seat, the basin being brought into small arms.

"Indeed, lass." She took a breath and let it out slowly to calm herself, resisting the urge to rub her palms together for it would marr the brands marking them. She reached out her left hand over the largest crater in Toby's flesh, pried open his mouth with her right and hovered her palm over it. She nodded to Mayu.

Her fingers sank into the depths of the basin, drenching her fingers in the cool liquid that, in her own honest opinion, felt no different from standard water she would drink following a brief run. Exposing the digits to air, they flicked in light motions over the indicated area liberally, ensuring that at no point, or at any time, would there not be a brief lapse in the times where she would do so. Although she was prepared for the sizzling, and by choice would ignore it, it didn't prevent the scowl that formed, or the wincing that would twitch across the swaths of visage seen amongst the dark.

She began speaking immediately after the first drops hit his skin. "Servant of Ruoh, listen well to the servant of God. Heed my warning and leave this child's body from whence you came." Her voice was strong, radiating power and command that it hadn't just a minute before. At first, nothing happened. But when she repeated the chant, Toby's body arched up against her left hand, plunging her fingers into the soggy purple meat of his stomach. She pushed back, forcing his spine straight once again.

Mayu Tsuzuki's and Katt's players. Thanks!! ]

She visibly flinched to the motion, but refrained from allowing any known fear from obstructing the job of which she was given. The mobile hand found a rhythm that she could maintain, which she presumed could only be how actors maintained a role when required to repeat a scene fifty or sixty times before progress could be met. Her eyes lifted to Matilda, and aside to Toby. Such a power caused a feeling of insurmountable strength. As if, through her presence and the speaking of ritual,allowed her previously unknown wells of confidence. It aided her ability to continue with her part in the ritual.

"Servant of Ruoh.." She scowled down upon Toby's arching body, shoving at his stomach and pressing the brand on her palm into the sore. She felt the vibrations of his body through her hand, heard the growl starting in the boy's throat. "...from whence you came." Toby's lips pulled back from gritted teeth. Sweat beads broke out on the pale parts of his skin. He wheezed, small yells growing in volume, easily filling the room with their sound.

Observation was taken with keen interest, much like a girl who had found herself submerged into a classroom that had previously not interested her in the slightest. Although her motions continued without pause or restrain, the girl's mind no longer resided on that sole aspect. Like a painting, the canvas had now been expanded upon, with the girl able to imagine the whole picture; and what the frame would now encase.

He will be okay. He has to be..He.. "Ah!" Jumping from her thoughts she looked down to find Gizmo having shoved his head between her hands, thumb caught between the pup's canines in a friendly little chewing. She smiled faintly and drew the pup to her. The action was ceased when she heard Toby yell. Her feet were taken to in record time and the door was reached for. Tested to see if it would open. What was going on?!

"This one fights like an angry bull.. Servant of Ruoh..!" She shoved her palm down further into Toby's stomach, causing a hitch in the scream grating their surroundings. "...from whence you came! Don't let up, lass..it knows we've come for it. Servant of Ruoh.." Katt would find the door unlocked as it had been when she was let in. Sister Matilda cut a quick look to Toby's face, tight in pain. Her hand formed a claw above his mouth..and a thin tendril of black smoke began to filter up through his teeth.

The encouragement was taken as a sign of failure, and she didn't allow herself to be entranced by the procedure she was currently enveloped by. The application of holy water was returned as her focus, with her mind shutting off nearly anything outside of that particular job.

In she moved once the door was opened. The sight itself caused a blink to her eyes. Steps were taken to place her slightly behind Mayu if only to watch the unfamiliar ongoings. Katt didn't question in fear that some sort of rite would be broke but still. The sister was eyeballed.

Toby gagged..twitched.. Veins and muscle cords stood out on his skin. Sister Matilda glared down at her left hand now covered in a mixture of blood and yellow fluid. She shook her head, refusing to be sidetracked. "Servant of Ruoh, listen well to the servant of God!" Tears were squishing out of the corners of the boy's tightly closed eyes. Her right hand continued to lift, rigid and shaking with tension, more of the black smoke rising in thin wisps. "...from whence you came!" Toby's mouth snapped wide open and streams of thick, shining smoke surged from his throat.

Were she aware that things were coming from Toby like snakes out of the ground, she would swear eternal gratefulness that her focus was presently set on the basin and the water that her fingers were applying to Toby in flicks and twists of digits. The movements were impossible to ignore, but she'd judge them normal to the situation, having been from a culture that saw these things in awkward fantasy movies.

She shoved against his arching back over and over, regretting that she must do it each time. It forced her fingers deeper into the largest of wounds. She knew that without the Servant inside of him, his ability to keep himself alive for any length of time would be drastically reduced. Blood was already filling the visible craters on his flesh, spilling over and staining the sheets beneath him. Crimson leaked out of the corners of his mouth. He wailed like a scared child, the sounds hurting her own throat as she continued with the chant, watching the bubbling collection of ink dark smoke stuck to her right hand.

A helpless bystander if there ever was. Head twitched to one side and boy did those pupiless greens blink in wide-eyed surprise. Expression simply read 'what the hell?'. Lips peeled apart in wordless speech at the sight layed before her. Not..exactly what she was expecting to walk into. Even still out the way she remained, a dancing focus between Mayu's motions with the water then over to the woman before finding Toby. That scream..Fingers twisted into her shirt if only to keep her hands from doing anything stupid.

Her head dipped in motion, a glance given over a shoulder as she did so to regard whom entered. Her focus had consumed her to enough of a degree that no matter of speaking was possible, or recognition that shone in an eye as she looked. The droplets of water continued, the return of her gaze only given once she realized she was not paying attention to the task laid out before her.

"Ahh, that's it, ye demon..ye shan't be getting back into this lad." The vibrations of the boy's body were slowing, his voice dying away. The gags and convulsions of his stomach continued for a few long moments until the lashing tail of the smoky beast slipped out from Toby's mouth like an oily noodle. It was a quick turn on her heel..pivoting. Sister Matilda took a single rushed step in May's direction, her right hand hidden in a wealth of roiling, inky shadows.

"Don't ye move, lass.."

Mayu Tsuzuki's and Katt's players. Thanks!! ]

She submerged her hand into the basin and the holy water started boiling immediately, turning black. Her fingers curled into a fist around the large rosary in the bowl's center and in a great burst of surprisingly silver dust..the black water and the rosary disappeared.

Don't move, May, while the truck comes barrelling at you like a rabid animal that wants to tear your heart out. It's okay, girl, you can do it! With large, wide pools of bright ocean green, she stared at the basin that had been her focal point for most of the ritual, watching as like baking soda and vinegar, it bubbled up in a violent mess. What transpired following that even she wouldn't be able to explain in detail, as her eyes slammed shut, and pretended she was hopping around with fluffy yellow birds, and some kind of rosy meadow.

A blink at choice words from the Sister had both eyes focusing in on her. Oh the thoughts rolling around in her head were so many that it was hard to pick out which she wanted to consider. Actions of the sister were continued to heavily witnessed, specially when she rushed towards Mayu. Hands relaxed and fell to her sides only to curl up once again. Chin lowered she glanced to Mayu to make sure she was okay.

"Ye did beautifully, lass. If ye wish to continue aidin' me, we will need lots of towels..rags." She turned back to Toby, briefly inspecting his skin. The welts on him had turned into a deep, dark crimson..the white of his skin remained unchanged. "The lad will bleed out before long.." Sister Matilda gripped the outside of his right shoulder tightly, muttering a few words..then rubbed her palms together. "Healin' light, flow through this conduit and mend the lad who has been freed of Satan's evil.." Like a fine dusting, the air around her form began to glow a soft white-gold. She laid her hands gently upon Toby's forehead and chest.

She didn't budge from place, but did attempt to peek through a slit of one lid to consider the outcome for herself. Toby wasn't looked at; the idea of blood was enough to make her violently ill. As she couldn't find the strength to move, being that she just went through an ordeal all on her own, she lifted her nose toward the sky, a shaky breath escaping her. "I..." following with silence. She could only hope Katt would provide Matilda with the requested.

A step was taken back and she looked at Mayu. Slowly a hand reached out to touch the top of her sister's head. "I'll get them." It was spoken in attempts to soothe the younger female and behind that warmth there was pride. What would they ever do without her? Really?! Her hand drifted down Mayu's hair and she turned off swiftly to the bathroom to retrieve what was requested. Dipping into the bathroom, if it was clean and a towel or rag, it was taken up. She had to blink back some tears while she was in there but hell if she was going to wait for sensation to go. She had let her guilt lay her back for too long. Armload was brought with swift steps that slowed if only for the next 'order'.

The soft glow grew steadily over the seconds, surging down Sister Matilda's arms and splashing against Toby's body where it disappeared. The light and warmth of it washed over her features, smoothing them into a visage of beauty. If one wasn't focusing completely on her appearance, her face would look youthful and fresh..her grey hair golden and shining. She glanced over her shoulder at Mayu first, then at the other woman, discovering that Mayu hadn't moved. She nodded at Katt. "We need to stop the bleeding." Her voice soothing, calm..with a slight ethereal, thready echo. "Start applyin' pressure to the wounds in his stomach, that's where most of his injuries are concentrated.

A hand lifted to brush aside her hair that she had thought became a distraught mess; an action that gave the girl revived motion, and a mere test to ensure she was about to crumble beneath the enormous pressure she applied to herself. Glancing aside to Katt, and then ahead to Matilda, she stepped forward to suggest she was prepared for another task.

Okay yeah a lil guilt strung there. Those were probably her fault..right? Nodding she placed the bulk of towels and rags on the bed. Looking up as two towels were collect she checked on Mayu. Turning onto the task she situated the towels across Toby's torso. First one then the other before pressure was applied. Apologetically she stared at where her hands were. She didn't want to look at the wounds. She was already familiar with the ones that were visible she had 'created' before hand. She was actually a bit afraid to look at what else she might of done when giving him the elixir.

"Are ye alright, lass?" She directed it to May, gently, moving her glowing hand down along Toby's face. She eyed the blooming crimson on the towels laid across his torso, pursed her lips for a moment. The fuzzy white glow surrounding her continued to intensify. She felt beads of sweat form on her own brow. "Each of ye take a hand of his so that the lad knows ye're here."

"Mm," nodding with a verbal assertion to her response. She stepped closer to the side of the bed so she could get a closer look at him, but already knew that her eyes would never, not once, put him into focus. Her gaze took Matilda into regard when she provided her suggestion of contact. "I..." she started, much the same as previous. Unlike before however, she pressed on. "I... can just talk to him?"

"Whichever ye feel more comfortable with, dear.." Sister Matilda vaguely regretted kicking the chair away and was not about to leave her task to retrieve it. She shifted on her feet, leaning further over the bed to inspect his progress. The open, bleeding sores on his skin hadn't started shrinking yet. She frowned.

Her head dipped down deep between her shoulders. She didn't need to see the crimson that soaked the towels. Carefully peeling one away it was replaced by a fresh one while the other was dropped to the floor. Chin tilted one way towards the sister then up to Mayu. Swallowing almost soundly she moved one of her hands from the pressuring. Fingers slowly drifted down Toby's wrist and to his fingers before curling to them. Squeezing was a gentle process. Eyes found back to the towels and lips pursed if only to keep herself quiet. She wanted to tell Mayu it was okay. That he would be fine. He would be. He had to be..

"I have half a mind to swat ye, lad, for contractin' that demon in the first place. They're nasty buggers." She nodded, drifting down along the side of the bed, swiftly throwing the covers from his legs..revealing to sores and craters there too. "Ye must have had more internal damage than I thought. Ye're a stong child."

Satisfied with the fact that contact was not a requirement, the girl refrained from growing any closer than she already had been, leaning aside to give the impression that she was keeping a close eye on his presence. In truth, she'd not provided him with a direct gaze in several days; and something that she wasn't aware how long had been going on. The others were watched, what they had to say, or what actions they involved themselves with. It was a happy medium that kept her from needing to say, or do, anything at all.

"Internal damage.." She murmured and squeezed her eyes closed. It was brief. Eyes crept open and she looked over to the sister then back up to Toby's face as if expecting his eyes to pop open at any moment. Not that she really was. Fingers tightened around his own only before she caught herself. Relaxing them she reached out with the other to collect a rag and place it over another wound. Throughout the process she would glance towards Mayu in a worry.

"There ye go.." She muttered, glancing aside at first Mayu, who was staying silent despite her inquiry to speak..then at Katt. She pondered quietly to herself as she focused on her task, the glow around her frame flickering softly like a candle.

Soon Toby had a handful of rags pressed to the more sever looking wounds. The colorful scarf, she knew, was going to need some serious washing. Her throat felt so dry. Speaking was going to be a difficult task in itself. Once the last rag was set down her hand returned to Toby's stomach to press into that worse wound.

Sister Matilda nodded knowingly at nothing at all, her mouth turning up at the corners. Her attention shifted to the smallest of the sores on his body as they pinched together, disappearing into nothing as if they had never existed..clean skin left behind.

"I knew that ye were goin' to give me a workout, lad." She said chuckling, sitting on what space was allowed on the side of the bed, her hands traveling..hovering over his stomach and his thighs. The sores that they passed over shrunk until they closed up.

When the older woman came close there was a budge of movement to get out the way but not far enough to release the hand she held onto. Her eyes turned up to Mayu, worry filled for her sister who seemed to fall into silent watchings. If she hadn't been a bucket of worry she might of given the sister a tease about the work out. The stairs that is..

Her silence was broken only with the idea that brought about its end. "Sister Matilda, I have a favor to ask," looking up and over to her with hardly a break in her posture.

She stayed quiet until after the flickering glow left the outline of her frame. The smooth, angelic face that had been ghosted over her own natural features faded, as did the golden hair..until what was left appeared to be a well worked woman. "Let's just check this brand here.." She leaned further over Toby's body, inspecting the black, snake-like sun she had printed onto the outside of his shoulder. She nodded in satisfaction, then turned her attention to Mayu. "What is it, dear?"

Her eyes lowered when she heard Mayu talk to the sister. Slowly her eyes drifted up to Toby's face. He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve anything that he had gone through in his entire life. Most didn't. But he..and Mayu both..What happened to them they didn't deserve at all... Fingers squeezed tenderly at Toby's.

She cleared her throat quietly, a hand pressing to her chest as if to ensure the strength she was working off of was still her own. The idea that something like this had gone on, and she was wasteful in her watching, damaged her in a way that nobody would ever, ever know. "I wish to be trained in what you just did... to wield the holy power and use it so..." she was a whispering fiend, but didn't let her words choke into the depths of her stomach. "I want to... be able to do more than I've done to this day. Allow me to be taught what you know."

Mayu Tsuzuki's and Katt's players. Thanks!! ]

"Mmph.." It was a sound that didn't have any voice to it.. His eyebrows twitched..eyelids squeezing together until they lifted only a hair's breadth..enough to show an iris that was too bright an aqua marine color before fluttering closed. His hand softly curled around and released Katt's.

Sister Matilda blinked rapidly, both her brows shooting up on her forehead. She sat back, peered at Mayu, a keen eye inspecting the girl. "Ye wish to train, do ye..." She trailed off, deciding against asking Mayu's intentions. She had the feeling she knew. She gifted the young girl with another warm smile and a nod..then she started peeling away the rags and towels littering Toby's body to check it. "If ye're serious, lass..I think I might just know the place where that can be done."

A sound shot through her throat even as she jumped a little in her surprise. She nearly choked on the sound as she tried to swallow it up. Eyes rose up to Toby's face then over to Mayu as if to say 'Look!' then back to Toby. This process was done a handful of times before her eyes finally set on Toby again. Her other hand moved to clasp his hand if only to stop both of hers from shaking. And now..there were tears. And silent 'thank yous'. She had heard Mayu's intentions and if it was indeed something that Mayu wanted..She would support her sister in any way she could.

Her surprise was unexplainable, even to herself. It was a diresome hope the moment she thought of it, yet... "Y-you... you do?" she offered to Matilda in bafflement. A shaking head tore down the walls of that confusing doubt, and reattempted her request. "I would be ever gracious to you!"

She laughed softly, nodding, wiped her brow with her forearms. Only then did she realize that her hands were caked in a disgusting mixture of blood and gore. She shifted to her feet, leaning heavily on the nightstand until she got her balance. "Indeed I do. It's been some time since I've seen a child so eager to learn anything."

He swallowed..his throat burned a little, and it stuck..made him swallow again.. He didn't want to sleep anymore.. He knew he'd been doing it way too much.. His lips parted and he huffed a soft, frustrated breath. His eyelids stayed up for two seconds this time instead of one.

A hand clenched into a fist, rising it upwards in an arm pump; satisfaction written across her features. "If it'll prevent these kind of things from happening again, I would be eager to do anything for it!"

She finally tore her eyes from Toby and looked over to Mayu then to the sister. Her eyes turned back to Mayu and she gave a confirming nod, silently showing her support. Mayu's action created a singular giggle before her eyes turned on Toby. A blink was given when she saw .. "Toby.."

"Ye are a kind child. God will most definitely bless this venture." She spoke aside to Mayu as she moved slowly toward the bathroom again. She elbowed the lightswitch until it turned on. She caught a glimpse of herself in the bathroom mirror. Grey curls stuck out all along her forehead and temples and her face was shadowed with fatigue. She clucked her tongue and started scrubbing her hands for the second time.

The room was swimming around in front of his watery, groggy eyes. He saw himself, lots of white..the wardrobe at the foot of the bed..lots of teal and colors on one side. He tried to wet his mouth with his tongue..

A lingering of her gaze was left on Toby as Matilda stepped away, the antics falling away to leave nothing but the simple child from before. Silent assurances were always made in these times.

"Heh.." He smiled a little, felt like laughing..it produced weak, almost pitiful, shaky breaths. He blinked slowly..it took a moment for his eyelids to open again. He looked out of the other corner of his eye, seeing Katt this time..before his neck muscles relaxed..turning his head away from her. "M-morning.."

"I may be able to contact a friend of mine, lass, and arrange a meetin' with ye." Sister Matilda began, reemerging from the bathroom, drying her clean, red hands on her clothes since all the towels went to a better use. "Where are ye stayin'? I can come by to collect ye later today, if ye like?" She glanced aside to the bed, and those upon it, watching Katt more than Toby.

She was silent for the time being but both hands kept Toby's hand as if it needed warming. He was going to be okay. Tearful blink when his head turned away. Not a word came from her at the 'greeting' but only because her mind totally went blank with anything other then the fact..he was awake! Awake and on the road to recovery even if he didn't seem to know it.

A finger lifted to indicate that her time had been, and most likely would be, spent here. After all, why change everything around when a location was already familiar and easy to locate? "This should be okay, although I would prefer cleaning up before I do anything that might involve meeting people..." clothing being the very top of that list, as she answered with a frown.

"Indeed." She chuckled softly, smoothing her palms along her frizzing hair. A proud smile was given to Toby, even though he didn't look like he would be able to see it. "I believe both of us are in need of a bit of rest as well. It's still early in the mornin', and I'm sure I can get another to cover my tasks. What do ye say to late this afternoon, 'round suppertime?"

"Perfect," nodding in agreement, offering a glance over a shoulder as she turned to spot Katt, and Toby who seemed well on his way to proper recovery. "Will it be okay if I go and get a clean set of clothes, Katt? I will come back right after."

Katt's player. Thanks!! ]

He took a deep breath and let it out..staring groggily up at the ceiling from under half open lids. The room felt a little different.. He blinked..his mind turning over. He couldn't figure out what it was.

She watched Mayu and the Sister leave, even stared at the door for a bit even after they were gone. Swallowing down a lump she turned to look at Toby. Slowly she attempted to release his hand to the bedside so that she could open the bottle. "Are you thirsty?"

He couldn't nod, and it was a several second long chore to make his mouth say- "Yes.." He felt dirty, like he wanted to move. He figured he should be thankful that his eyes hadn't closed yet.

A brief nod barely moved her head as she drifted down the bed. The cap was tucked into the palm of the hand holding the bottle. Lowering her other hand she cradled his neck until it was at the crook of her arm. This allowed her hand onto his shoulder so she could attempt to lift him enough. She wasn't quite sure he would have the strength to take the bottle himself so instead..it was offered to his lips for a careful drink.

It was a very weird..helpless feeling. He hated not being able to move his arms and legs beyond simple twitches. He relaxed his neck against her arm, trying to keep it from lolling forward. His eyes drifted closed. He took in a big drink of water and swished it around his mouth before swallowing audibly. It burned and cooled his throat at the same time. "That's better.."

Another silent nod and taking that as a signal that he had enough she gently lowered him back to lay back. To busy her hands she reached for a clean rag and poured a bit of water onto it. Ever so gently she brushed his face, rather his forehead and cheeks. Really..what could she say? Not only that but she was afraid that she would start to cry..and apologize out the ying yang.

"Mmph.." He squished his eyes closed. He wasn't starting to feel..that tired anymore.. At least not the sleepy kind. He could smell the coppery scent in the room..sort of taste it on his tongue. He had bled..a lot.

"Tell me when you are feeling like you can be moved. I'll help you onto the spare mattress." It wasn't up for debate. He needed to be resting on something cleaner and those blankets..and probably mattress needed to be replaced. He could bathe when he had the strength to do so. Fingers curled into the rag as it was pulled away. She felt a lump in her throat she couldn't swallow down.

He sighed heavily, relaxing into the pillows. He didn't fight it..belatedly realized he was only wearing a towel around his waist. "How long..have I been here.."

Her lips pressed tightly together to stop them from quivering. She managed them apart to speak in what she hoped wouldn't be a squeak. "Days.." Hopefully he wouldn't require a more..filled answer. Lifting her hand she rubbed the back of her hand against her eyes to swipe away the tears that started to gather on the dark lashes.

"Days, huh.." His mouth twitched a little, forming a brief, wry grin. He wanted to rub his eyes, but his arms felt like lead. "I see.. I remember laying down..a long time ago.."

She tried very hard not to sniff so he wouldn't know that she was actually crying. They were tears of relief and happiness. "Y..You..were asleep for a long time. But you are better now. You just..need to rest up and recover now. You will be right as rain and back to normal in no time."

"Yeah.. I'm not sick anymore.." He smiled some more. Sometime during those many days, the frown and scowl lines on his face had smoothed out. He was still pale, but the grin didn't look that out of place. "I'm glad..I didn't want to be sick.."

Her hand lowered finally and a nod quickly bobbed her head. "Y..Yeah.." Hands lowered and she toyed with the bottle. "W..when you are hungry you just let me know." She could of used some of that water right about now. Her throat felt scratchy. Looking up she blinked when she saw..him smiling. That was a good sign, right?

"I am now..but I think I should stay here for a while.. It's comfy..even if it smells funny.. And I don't want you to carry me.." He blinked slowly again. It was easier to swallow this time. He looked over at her. "You're going to bring me something anyway, aren't you.."

She tried to smile. Really she did. It never came more then a weak version. "I can go make some soup or see if there is some pudding or fruit." With pure intention on feeding him if need be. She did 'warn' him before that she would!

"I think you're going to..even if I tell you you don't have to.." He grinned a little. "It's okay.. Soup sounds good..and warm.. I'm cold.."

"Truth be.. I rather not leave your side right now." She didn't want to leave him alone. At all. Fingers curved into the waterbottle a bit firmer. He needed food though. He needed to recover his strength. Without really thinking about it she started removing rags and towels from his person and to the floor at her feet. Once that was done she moved off to get one of the folded blankets on the extra mattress.

"Then don't.. I don't mind if you stay here.."