That's because it is. Sure, you can do things unimaginable, like heal without tools... but everything is an exchange. Even modern medicine -- I mentioned it to you, didn't I? That everything is an equivalent exchange. You give up something of yourself to heal others.
That's what the Baron taught me. For modern medicine, I trade my life to learn the practice -- that's the price of saving lives.
The occult price is... different. It opens doors and wears away your mind.
[oogughgh. well, she doesn't like that. not that anybody would, but it obviously makes her feel a certain way.]
... I'm sorry. [first. he'd said this before, but it's still something that's rough. something that makes her sad. especially when she thinks about her own parents.]
That's fucked. I can see how people would risk it, but. [...] Well - look, can or can't, you haven't got to risk it now. You're alright.
"Risk it". [ He snorts, derisive for once. ] They weren't risking anything. They just loved the practice more than they loved me.
[ And then he goes silent, like the fight just escapes. ]
Sorry, that's kind of much to say. Anyway, I can't -- so, moot point. Just hope there isn't someone who's injured beyond something I can fix with thread and bandages.
Yeah. Just - you know. I had nice ones, I could've shared. [she doesn't want to rub it in!!!!] And they would've loved you the way you deserve. They were good people.
[ AEUGH baby curse where are you this game. As an aside I hope the hammer on your cr chart is just a 'I CAN FIX HIM' measurement. ]
Promise I don't mind.
...It's less that I hate them for it, I... well, I don't know.
[ There's an undeniable part of him that hated their lifestyle, they way they loved him. He just wished they did it in a way he actually wanted. ]
It's been fifteen years, I don't think of them too often these days. Anyway, sorry to turn you down -- it's for a different reason. Not personal.
[ Reminds him too much of Pickles. Fuckin' Haki where my last pc was Daan offering a hug for the only time in his entire life and then the dog DYING!! ]
And she's VALID FOR IT!!! Even if I'm a bit of a conservative bore about it ICly. He adjusts his eyepatch subtly. ]
Thank you... as usual. It's about all I can say, but still.
...
Right, so the lessons?
[ Which can be handwaved in themselves just teach her about how to stem bleeding, how to make a splint, tourniquet technique, efficient bandage techniques, how to deal with burns because that's been significant lately... ]
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Sure. Regular and occult. But I don't really know what occult means to you. You always talk about it like it's awful.
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That's what the Baron taught me. For modern medicine, I trade my life to learn the practice -- that's the price of saving lives.
The occult price is... different. It opens doors and wears away your mind.
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Like the worst kinds of magic. [she says, finally.] ... You did the occult one for a while? Or brief.
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[she says, quietly. for a moment, she mulls this over. survive the streets, huh.]
It... what d'you mean wears away your mind?
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...
Touching the occult deteriorates the mind. It can be an instant temporary thing, or it can really wear away at you over a long period of time.
Watched my parents lose it over the years. Gone for longer and longer amounts each time.
And then they just never came back.
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... I'm sorry. [first. he'd said this before, but it's still something that's rough. something that makes her sad. especially when she thinks about her own parents.]
That's fucked. I can see how people would risk it, but. [...] Well - look, can or can't, you haven't got to risk it now. You're alright.
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[ And then he goes silent, like the fight just escapes. ]
Sorry, that's kind of much to say. Anyway, I can't -- so, moot point. Just hope there isn't someone who's injured beyond something I can fix with thread and bandages.
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there's a pause, and then:]
First, it wasn't too much. [firmly.] Second - you've got a choice here. You let me give you a hug, or I leave it alone.
... Either way, it shouldn't have been that way. I wish I could've lent mine to you.
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Hold, he has to question that first. ]
Lend your... parents...?
[ Did he understand that right. It's just a very funny thing to say. ]
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Yeah. Just - you know. I had nice ones, I could've shared. [she doesn't want to rub it in!!!!] And they would've loved you the way you deserve. They were good people.
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I'd rather hear it than the opposite, actually...
But uh. Thanks for the... offer.
[ In another world, baby him would've been terrified of Karlach but also she would've been so warm. ]
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she makes a face, but it's not super serious.]
It's not even that, it's just - seems mean to hear you say that and then follow it up with wow, well, mine were great. [nyeh!!] ... Anyway. Welcome.
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Promise I don't mind.
...It's less that I hate them for it, I... well, I don't know.
[ There's an undeniable part of him that hated their lifestyle, they way they loved him. He just wished they did it in a way he actually wanted. ]
It's been fifteen years, I don't think of them too often these days. Anyway, sorry to turn you down -- it's for a different reason. Not personal.
[ Reminds him too much of Pickles. Fuckin' Haki where my last pc was Daan offering a hug for the only time in his entire life and then the dog DYING!! ]
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the way you got it about in one is the only reason i am revealing this]
Been about that long for me, too. Bit less. [as far as her own being gone.] It still sticks with you, even if it's hard to put in words.
[but! she doesn't seem offended.]
It's alright. That's why I asked instead of just doing it. If you ever do want one, though, I'm here.
[this is just "do you want a hug daan" "i do" "we know karlach" "i like hugs" "we know karlach"]
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And she's VALID FOR IT!!! Even if I'm a bit of a conservative bore about it ICly. He adjusts his eyepatch subtly. ]
Thank you... as usual. It's about all I can say, but still.
...
Right, so the lessons?
[ Which can be handwaved in themselves just teach her about how to stem bleeding, how to make a splint, tourniquet technique, efficient bandage techniques, how to deal with burns because that's been significant lately... ]
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demon womantiefling in the spooky village.a little half-grin at the thank you.]
Right - right, lessons. Alright. I can't promise you're not going to have to repeat yourself a few times, but I'm listening.
[and she will! yay handwaved lessons. she's a little better at learning through this kind of teaching - books are really, really not her strong suit.]
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DEMON WOMENTIEFLINGS anyway it's Monday soon ]