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Post by Èdan on Jun 22, 2021 15:11:34 GMT -6
Ah, true.. The lady's disposition is of a gentler kind, so the presence of dead creatures, even if bugs, is surely an unseemly sight. There's a pause as he seems to understand the faux pas and places the case back down, "Apologies, my lady, you are quite right. Perhaps we might chance upon the free-roaming kind instead." If nothing else, they would be easier to catch with the bug net.
The knight takes step behind her as they move through the stalls, where every now and then he peeks into the stalls to either left or right. This style of environment is certainly new for the manor.. and seemingly pleasant. (And there was a deep-rooted instinct to squint at things seemingly pleasant, for it usually meant it was a distraction from something else hidden. What better way to make them look past things than have it appear as there's nothing to look at? Or more specifically, too much to look at). In some stalls there are music instruments, in others strange vases. The air is still rich with the scent of spice and perfume, intermixed as to form it's very own specific aroma - a high-end market.
The inquisition of the stalls is interrupted by the sound of the rumble, just as it did her speech. His head turns towards her, and there's a concerned, questioning note, "Has my lady eaten today?" He doesn't necessarily wait for an answer, as the head then turns to scan the stalls around them. Surely with all these wondrous things on display, at least one would contain food. The scents are too intermixed to tell a specific direction, but there had been that brief taste of cooking in the beginning. (And somehow he didn't think she'd be open to trying anything bug-based. And she'd be right - the taste is horrible).
. 22 . June: 42
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Post by Nadia on Jun 22, 2021 15:53:29 GMT -6
Oh dear. There was a sheepish tinge to Nadia’s expression, like a child caught being naughty - fully aware that she had made a mistake, but reluctant to confess to it. She knew she should’ve been more consistent with taking care of basic needs. Eating and sleeping had been falling by the wayside, swept away by her roiling anxiety, and being faced with a simple question was somewhat of a wake-up call. “I… may have eaten some fruit, this morning,” She said, though may was the operative word. Fruit had certainly been handled, but had more likely been doled out to Dodger and the rest of the herd. “Though I suppose this morning was… quite some time ago, now.” As if on cue, another unladylike growl. Her face was aglow with redness, and even Dylan had turned to listen to the cacophony, head cocked to one side. Little tyrant. He was making her even more embarrassed! “Please, Sarv, worry not. I will manage.” [43]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 22, 2021 16:11:01 GMT -6
Judgement seems to be the last thing on the knight's mind, as he makes his way along the stalls, trying to catch a scent or sight of anything edible. Forgetfulness is a simple thing, one which everyone does, himself included. (Whether there are deeper roots to it, and which exactly, is a topic of exploration for another time, unless the lady was in the mood to share). While he remains calm about it, the assurances make him no less settled in this new quest. It's more as if the knight has been given a task or a purpose, beyond simply tagging along, something he's quite eager to follow through on.
Plus, he can hardly leave a lady starving on her feet. That just wouldn't do.
"Fruit tends to hold over poorly during the course of the day. It can be a lighter meal," he responds, almost as if the discussion is an afterthought, as he inspects another crate, sadly empty. "If the scents of the market are any clue, we should surely be able to find something fresh made here. It is common for markets to have vendors who parse off types of meats or other forms of snacks. Certainly not ideal, but it should help." The seeming single-minded search leads him to one basket, upon the opening of which releases a small firey sprite into the air, which shudders its flames before darting off down the lane.
. 23 . June: 44
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Post by Nadia on Jun 23, 2021 5:31:36 GMT -6
It was evident that the knight wasn't heeding her. Nadia pottered along after him, not prepared to argue any further - he was right, after all, to insist that she ate. Plus, there was a seed of happiness in her chest, blooming from his concern. It was nice to be cared about. She'd never had a problem doing without that care, but having it was a comfort. "Quite right, quite right..." He didn't need to know that the fruit may not have been eaten in the first place. The sudden appearance of the fire sprite made her flinch and back off a few steps, heart leaping into her throat; she was not over her aversion to flames yet. "I think this place is fit to stop my heart." Dylan's nose was going to prove to be beneficial. If there was one thing the houluh could sniff out better than anything, it was food, and he was not shy to begin dragging Nadia in the direction of the strongest smell. "Dylan, good grief!" Though, whatever he was taking them to, it did smell wonderful. "I-- oh, that... is that meat?" [45]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 23, 2021 5:49:16 GMT -6
The knight's reaction is mild at best, more pulling the head back as the thing jumps out of the basket, followed by a passive trace with the eyes as it takes off down the lane. Whatever entity it is, it doesn't seem to wish to explode, set fire or otherwise antagonize them (Although it would just be like the manor to keep throwing fire at them, in one shape or another). The pondering is cut short as the hound seems to shuffled past with the lady in leashed tow, and he drops the basket to follow after.
Initially he assumes the pup is after the sprite, but it's not long before the scent becomes more evident for less canine noses as well. "The scent is certainly reminiscent of it, my lady." he agrees, scenting the air as they reach a junction, trying to discern a direction. The dimness of some stalls might be an issue for some, but whether luck or scent (or sight) alone, he does spot something which seems to be a firepit in one of the stalls. "There appears to be something this way," he takes some steps closer to it, and as the knight rounds the corner of the stall, the little shop nook reveals bowls, pots, pans, cups and plates filled from one end to another with what seem like dry goods at first, but along with them there's some spits cooking over the fire, well-seasoned and crispy brown. "It appears as though the hound has been able to hunt us some food, my lady."
. 24 . June: 46
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Post by Nadia on Jun 23, 2021 7:32:13 GMT -6
Dylan wanted nothing to do with Sarv, but everything to do with the tasty offerings. He hopped up to investigate the stall, standing on his back legs with his front paws planted on the counter; he wasn't within nibbling range, so Nadia allowed it for the time being. "It smells incredible..." From what she could ascertain, there were small skewers spinning above the flames, dribbling juice that sizzled in the heat. "I am always dubious to accept the mansion's offerings, just in case, but..." No more needed to be said. One of the bowls had been empty a moment before, but in a blink, it was piled with the little sticks, boasting chunks of succulent meat. The woman's eyes were as wide as dinnerplates. Her stomach gave another, ever-more-impatient growl. "Alright, you," She cast a glance down at it with a scowl, before picking up a skewer. "Then... here we go..." The meat was raised to her mouth. There was time for a quick ponder, and then she bit in. [47] [Logged - 25 posts made here so far]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 23, 2021 8:47:12 GMT -6
The scents are enticing and the appearance of the food certainly mouth-watering (Which was why he didn't immediately grab for it. A lot of 'seeming' going around, recently.. But at the same time, there had been a feast offered during the cold months the last time, and that hasn't really left any adverse affects.. Well, aside the usual adverse things the manor was able to do, but that could have just as well been conjuncture).
"Hmm.. I would agree with that assessment," the knight eyes the food placement before them. "However, given the condition, it might prove helpful. After all, to not eat would not improve the situation, but rather make it worse." The helmeted head glances towards her, "Perhaps it can help stave off the feeling of hunger, even if imaginary, until we can locate an exit. Once outside, I shall make sure to find the nearest real food stall. It is best not to suffer, my lady." As if on that cue, the bowl seemed to fill with skewered delights, pulling his attention away again. "..Although, I do admit it seems rather.. convenient. Perhaps I should test to see if things are--?"
When he glances back, the sentence doesn't really get a finish, since she's already taken a bite from one of them. So, instead, it gets replaced with a look that's part-anticipating something to happen, part-concern that it might not be good.
. 25 . June: 48
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Post by Nadia on Jun 23, 2021 14:50:23 GMT -6
At first, there was nothing to report, other than how delicious the meat was. Nadia beamed as she took another bite, savouring the wonderfully spiced morsels... until things began to feel different. "No, no, it's quite... ah," She narrowed her eyes as she tried to focus on the knight, who was swaying from side to side in her vision. "Why do you move so?" Dylan was fast to pick up on the change in his human friend. Animals were always faster to do so, and he was no exception, nosing at her free hand with a plaintive whine. That could have been enough to worry her if she wasn't already losing her presence of mind. A tingling sensation had begun on the tip of her tongue, and was spreading, through her mouth and down her throat. Spice. Unbelievable spice that felt like it was crackling! The sensation combined with her newly unsteady sight was overwhelming. "Sir...!" About all she could manage to say, before her knees buckled. [49]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 23, 2021 15:15:32 GMT -6
There is a confused blink, "My lady..?" before everything begins to happen all at once.
The initial question begins the suspicion, the hound's worrisome behaviour only adds to it, until that brief moment of her swaying sight cues in on something about to go very, very wrong. (The benefit of observance was often two-sided - You could detect problems before they had a chance to fully unfold, but likewise it made one aware of just how many problems were constantly surrounding them. It was a useful skill. Not necessarily a pleasant one, but still useful).
The glaive is let go, to have gravity do with it as it wishes, as the knight quickly reacts, extending arms to catch her as she's about to collapse, "My lady!" With the forewarning, it's fortunately enough to prevent her from hitting the ground, although once caught he does need to adjust his arms to more support her in a cradle hold, rather than leaving her simply precariously balanced on her own unsteady feet. He then looks around for any sufficiently level surface, before a quick firing thought process makes him turn and quickly step the boot down on the now slack leash of the pup. The look given to the hound seems to be one of a very stern 'oh no you don't, not again', in case it has a mind to bolt once more.
With that secured, he focuses back on her, "Lady Nadia?" trying to gauge her responsiveness (Or, more likely, consciousness).
. 26 . June: 50
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Post by Nadia on Jun 23, 2021 16:02:17 GMT -6
The pain was shocking. Nadia wasn't used to spice in the best of circumstances, but this felt like something else entirely - like she was being stung repeatedly by little needles, or burned with real flames instead of the benevolent light given off by their fire mote friend. It was hideous. She was too lightheaded to do anything but stay limp in Sarv's arms, one hand weakly wiping at her face. "Ow..." About as eloquent as she was going to get, for the time being. What a sight she must've made, eyes watering and mouth swelling! Her eyelids fluttered, teetering on the edge of consciousness, not quite driven to a faint but plagued with darkness creeping into the outskirts of her vision. "Burns..." Dylan cried again, louder and twice as mournful in his concern. It didn't help that the only thing keeping him there was the weird person. His tail hung limp between his legs as he glanced between Sarv and Nadia, unsure of what to do with himself. [51]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 23, 2021 16:23:34 GMT -6
On the whole, it seems the lady remains somewhat concious, even if quite out of it, so the condition isn't likely to be severe. He's not exactly an expert in medicine, aside the usual treatment of cuts and bruises (And stabs, and burns), but a moving patient is decidedly better than a non-moving one, he assumes. All the same, there isn't much he can do while cradling her at the same time. The head turns to search the surroundings again, finally spotting a low table wide enough.. a few stalls away. Faex.. Not exactly shuffling distance.
Underneath the helmet, the jaw tightens, as he looks at the pup. This one and the lady are a package deal, and she's not likely to forgive him for losing the hound again. (Very well, then..) Something thin and dark slips out from beneath the edge of the tabard - The tip of the tail threads through the leash loop and coils around it to secure a hold, as he lifts the boot off. "Follow along, now," he rumbles to the pup and begins walking towards the stall, hoping the lady's presence and a tug on the leash is enough to make it follow. Once there, he carefully sets her down on the low table, rolling up a piece of the carpet as a make-shift pillow underneath her head. With the hands free, the leash is retrieved and secured to a post at the stall, the tail tip disappearing beneath the tabard once more.
There's another pause (And given the fluttering eyelids, there's perhaps room to risk a little more). Off to the side, he pulls off the glove, to place the palm on her forehead, measuring the temperature. There was hot food, and there was heated food. But as far as he knew, neither generally sent someone into a catatonic state unless something was seriously wrong with the food to begin with. 'Burning' could mean a whole lot of different things.. None of them pleasant. Firstly, it is important to figure out which one is affecting her exactly.
. 27 . June: 52
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Post by Nadia on Jun 25, 2021 5:50:49 GMT -6
If Nadia hadn't have been there, the chances of Dylan following would have been zero. Her incapacitated state and the pup's subsequent concern was enough to overshadow his distrust of Sarv, though, and he followed along when the knight moved, eyes still trained on his human. What was going on? He didn't like it, not one bit. When could they go home? What was it, that afflicted her? Even with presence of mind, Nadia doubted she would have been able to say. She'd eaten spicy food before without it making her lightheaded. One of the mansion's wicked tricks, perhaps. Her skin was heated and clammy beneath Sarv's palm - not that she had even noticed he was touching her, as consumed by the stinging in her mouth as she was. Water. Water could help, she thought; something, anything she could imbibe to wash it down. A weak gesture was made at her mouth, shaking her wrist back and forth as if holding a bottle. "Is there...? A drink...?" Hoarse, but just about understandable. [53]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 25, 2021 10:16:58 GMT -6
The head tilts at that information. Even with his limited knowledge, he knows there's a number of things that can induce a fever and sweating, including food poisoning, but nothing that does it at the drop of a hat. He removes the hand and quickly pulls the glove back (It was just as well that she seemed out of it, for the hand would have been warmer than usual, with a roughness to the skin. At least this saved from questions). No, this is certainly some manor-made folly. He stands and heads back to the food stall, picking up an inspecting one of the skewers. It looks delicious enough, with that slightly golden gleam of a honeyed glaze. The hand reaches to the helmet and there's a small click as he unlatches the plate on the lower half of the face, removing it.
Scenting it, it still smells normal.. not even that spicy (For truly spicy things would make the nostrils be the first to know), but, again, seeming can be deceptive. A small bite is taken and he waits a few moments, before spitting it back out to the side, face scrunched up. No, this is definitely not regular meat.. Spicy or otherwise. This is something else.
He tosses the skewer back into the bowl just as the lady stirs, catching his attention again. Water, right. Keep the temperature down, hydrate the body, since it's sweating off liquids. Basic medicine, he could deal with this (How hard can it be?). The eyes scan around, finding all sorts of barrels, but none particularly labelled. A short search finally does locate one that contains a clear liquid, and a quick taste proves it to be fortunately tasteless - Good, just like water's supposed to be (The last thing they needed was spicy water). He fills a deep bowl and returns to her side, gently lifting her head up with one hand, "I'm here, my lady. I've found some water, but drink carefully, it's best to take it slow." and carefully raising the bowl to her lips with the other, hoping she's able to take it from there.
. 28 . June: 54
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Post by Nadia on Jun 25, 2021 17:58:02 GMT -6
It wasn't going away. Nadia was desperate for it to be a momentary issue, but the pain kept tingling through her mouth and down her throat, burning all the way to her stomach. She wasn't able to conceal the tears of frustration and agony springing to her eyes. It served her right, for being naive enough to believe the mansion would make things easy. Dylan had hopped up onto his back legs again to examine her, front paws on the table. His wet snout snuffled under her arm, pressing against the pulse on her wrist; her fingers weakly scratched at his head to offer some small comfort. "Ah..." It was difficult to focus, but she could see the water bowl, and hear the knight's voice. She may not have been able to sit herself without the hand assisting - nevertheless, it was lucky she wasn't present enough to be aware of it, to save the consequent blushes and embarrassment. As soon as the rim touched her lip, she was drinking, spilling rivulets down her chin. Unladylike, but necessary. [55]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 25, 2021 18:36:41 GMT -6
The one arm continues to support her, lifting gradually to help her sit up better, while the other manages the bowl. "Good, easy and calm. The bowl should be emptied." It's a little out of the knight's usual mannerism to seep that much assurance into the voice, but given the circumstances, it's certainly a necessity. There's some things that can be more readily set aside if the occasion calls for it, and given her pain-induced tear-filled condition, it certainly did call for it. And in this case, if the voice is what helps keep her present, so be it.
"Be sure to leave gaps for breath, my lady." He doesn't really control the tilt of the bowl all too much, the idea being that should it be enough to help recover from the initial hit, she could assist with that on her own. All the same, it does pay to.. ensure a more watchful eye, since the one thing worse than a lady whose suffering heat-related pains, is one who has inadvertently drowned themselves on a bowl of water. "And not to worry, the hound is still here." (Strangely. Evidently it held more loyalty to her than fear for him, which could speak volumes at the severe lack of loyalty people are able to show, by comparison).
Eventually, the bowl is just about done, though there's plenty of barrel left at the other stall, should a refill be needed. "How are you feeling?" he asks, and searches her face for the same signs of responsiveness. The voice comes through a bit clearer, largely because he hasn't affixed the faceplate back yet.
. 29 . June: 56
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