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In the three days of trying to heal Marcille's petrification, everyone has their own task that they own up to help. Laios using the basic knowledge of healing he briefly learnt from the very said stoned person, the relieving herbs that Chilchuck could gather within his means, and Senshi using his cooking skills as well as conjuring various concoctions from it. Applying every single theory they can trace back is the only way to do it. Everyone is trying their best to relieve their friend of the Cockatrice’s curse in the fastest, best way possible.
With shortcuts, there sometimes tend to be shortcomings.
Chilchuck is asked by Senshi to call Laios down for dinner. He had nothing much to do by himself anymore so he heeded. He was petrified himself upon seeing the state their leader's in. With blood dripping down his nose, sweats dampen his shirt, eyes almost dim of light. He is suffering from Mana Sickness again. The half foot sighs. This is not the first time this has happened. He smacks his face to get a response. Hopefully this tall man isn't dead yet.
On other occasions, the half foot would get in the way and urged him to stop. This is for both of their own good sake. Laios will not suffer this awful predicament, and he will not break his back trying to move him to bed. On others, just like this, he was just too damn late. The only other person who can use magic is fainting on the floor. Not a single flinch comes out of him from that slap he did, and he doesn't even do it softly the second time. He is really knocked out beyond reasoning. Forcing him to wake up won't help him, they can't lose him too.
He let out another sigh. What to do in this situation?
Laios on the other hand, is hovering over a psychedelic dreams of illusions and prismatic images. Seeing variant colors intermingles all around him is a staggering experience to say the least. What makes the mixes worse is the whispery voices being heard along with such disturbing images. The dizziness gradually increases the longer he closes his eyes. He wants all of this to stop. It's painful. It hurts. It's dizzy. He doesn't want to feel this anymore.
And suddenly, it all vanishes. It calms down to the degree of tranquil quietness, silence and empty. It was…oddly calming.
After that intense overwhelming experience, such a calming sensation is more than welcome. He needs the peace to keep his mind sane. A feeling of gentle hands brushes against his hair, it invites him to continue to indulge in the calmness. It was soft. It was full of care. What a fluffy feeling, like floating on clouds. Despite everything, his absurd mind thought of an outrageous idea. Could it be his dream of being a wolf is finally here? Being pet lovingly by a loving owner? Could this really be a dream among Mana Sickness? Can that even happen? He never had that happen before.
Laios opens his eyes, finally having the energy to be conscious. His vision was greeted with the sight of his groupmate, Chilchuck, looking down on him. It seems this was a…lap pillow.
Chilchuck noticed Laios’ awakening, “Oh, you're up? How are you feeling?”
Laios feeling like he has troubled his friend sat up quickly, “I’m fine! Thank you very much-”
Though the dizziness returned and he fell back, this time even hugging the half foot. “...Nevermind. Let me have this.”
“If you can move, get to bed! Idiot!”
Chilchuck gives a light hit on his head, trying to get out of his grasp. But he couldn't force more into it upon seeing how less pale his face had gotten. The wrinkles between his brows also have smoothen the longer he clings on. This somehow helps him. This strange endeavor makes him better. Another sigh escaped him. No words will ever be enough to complain about this. He won't even hear it. He pats some more. He doesn't know if it'll help, but it's better than just to sit there doing nothing.
The half foot brushes against the blonde hair Laios has, gently letting each strand pass his fingers. He softly caressed his head, hopefully helping in ridding the sickness away. Chilchuck's memories slowly resurface into mind, of his daughters who used to be pampered by him when they were young. Always rushing to welcome him home, and this simple greeting was more than enough help to make his fatigue disappear. A wavy, short black hair, lying on his lap among the field of flowers, and the next words coming out of his mouth is…
Chilchuck flinched. He felt his hair stand. What was that about? How could he remember his wife at a time like these? Why would his wife pop up, when he was taking care of Laios at the time? Is there a meaning to this? The half foot decides to brush the thought off. He doesn't want to spiral down that hole deeper to the point it's inescapable. It must have been the familiarity that struck him, making everything related to those memories.
Yeah, that's it. This just feels familiar, that's all. Perhaps he just missed them. It's been a while since he last saw them after all. Especially…her.
Chilchuck chuckled, “You're a grown man yet you act like a child. Typical Laios.”
He has a snarky smirk on his face. To think this man who is twice his size, who cut off his leg just to revive his sister, the one who angered the mad sorcerer, is relying on a feeble comfort of a half foot’s lap. It's funny. Hilarious even. But he didn't laugh. Why would he?
Since…even he finds comfort in this situation they are in.
Something caught Chilchuck’s attention in the corner of his eyes. He almost jumped out the window upon seeing what lurks in the dark. It was Senshi, watching him for who knows how long he was trapped in Laios’ arm. This is embarrassing. He would kill himself if it meant escaping this humiliation. But his fury upholds his heart higher. That dwarf could have said something! They're in the watch of the enemy after all. They could be ambushed any time of the day.
Out of all of that, he does nothing but cooking and bringing dinner for both of them anyway. Informing by declaring that dinner is finished should have suffice. Evidently, by the presence of two bowls in his hands as he entered.
He put down the bowls before the half foot, “How's Laios?”
Chilchuck groaned, “How do you think he is? Can't you look?”
“It must have been tiring to keep that posture all night.” Senshi uttered, “Should I help move him to bed?”
He doesn't know why, but there's a heaviness of reluctance weighing in the scale of his heart. Was it because Laios is seeking solace from him? Or was it…the other way around?
“...It's fine.” Chilchuck continued his patting, “Compared to what this idiot has done, this is nothing.”
Right, he can endure a cramp or two. He can endure numb legs for a few hours. A sore pair of legs is nothing more painful than the loss of a whole leg to the bite of a dragon. Nothing could compare to the idiocy of Laios that consistently put his life on the line. This is the least he could do to help. At least, he won't be staring down on him with open eyes all the time. That…may be a trial to his mental fortitude.
Senshi brought a bowl into Chilchuck's hand, urging him to eat. “If you're gonna do it, then you'll need the energy.”
Chilchuck smirked, “You're right. I'll be damned if I don't.”
The two enjoyed their dinner in silence while hearing Laios soft snores echoes within the room.
“Uwahhh… I feel so refreshed!”
Laios wakes up the next day refreshed and energized. He felt like he just had the most peaceful sleep he has had in a while. No bad dreams, not even a normal kind of dream. It's just empty but in a good way. It is as if he is surrounded by thousands of soft cotton balls, making him feel all fluffy. The sleep was too deep. He might have exaggerated that he was coddled by an angel? Heaven? Whatever that supposed to be the most virtue species, he guessed they are there to comfort him of the pain. How kind. He ought to thank them when he meets one.
The tall man stretches a bit and yawns. Then, he notices Chilchuck struggling at the back, not knowing his leg had gone numb from the overnight lap pillow service.
“Chil? What's wrong?”
“...Shut your trap.”