This is nice, it's elegantly decorated, where to put my things? Han laid them by the large pot near the back wall, went back and unfolded the sword. After adjusting the cotton kimono robe, he settled into the soft futon bedding. The hospitality here is fantastic; wonder what other countries inns and people are like, I've been so preoccupied with finances and the townspeople's debt the past few years...
He settled under the thick quilt robe like blanket, while keeping the broken arm from moving. The pain keeps rising, sleeping is going to be impossible, will have to do another healing soon. Could a worker fetch a healing or mana potion? My translator isn't the best quality, though. He pulled free Grandpaws pocket watch. He had it tinkered with to add the translation device, for extra stealth. Not only that, but he never said his reasons, whatever they are. Why am I thinking about this now?
Too many things to worry about. And now, that assassin or was she a thief? Should I have tried to stop Max? What's the right thing to do here? He rubbed his temples. I wouldn't have become injured in the first place if I had said no and stayed home. She feels wrong, yet seems alright otherwise. Her actions are different from what the human said. Nothing adds up! Did he forget to come?
The arm sent a burning, intense jolt of pain though his arm and even down to his paws. His breaths caught in his throat. The cloaked man from earlier said to meet him here. I can hardly think straight. He's suspicious, the hood hid his face and he stayed out of reach, I shouldn't have taken the opal. He licked a paw, cleaning off a bit of dust. His thoughts circled and snapped around like a shaken slingshot. He was terribly convincing, though. But she is, too. Parcival did save my life... and she hasn't mistreated me.
A soft swish-swish of fabric near the sliding door, then a knock.
"Speak." On his knees he scooted off the bedding, scooped the sword by a large pot and silently leapt in the bed. I want to be alone, if they're hostile I'll carve their face off, if it isn't him.
"Please excuse this intrusion, this man insisted strongly on visiting you, sir."
"Open the door, or are you backing out on the deal?" The gruff voice held a repressed edge, of something best unsaid.
Sounds like him.
Shuffling of feet and swishing, then quiet breathing.
"Of course, come in."
The hood slid back, and what a sight! His face made of oddly endless obscure depths, no shape, nor form a dray swirling void where a face should be. It made his eyes cross, and a stretching, tearing sensation crept at the back of his mind. His stomach dropped and did a fast jump, with his heart stopping before restarting to thump hard.
He turned his head away of the thin door, watching as people's outlines passed by. Whatever he is, whatever it is, I want nothing of this.
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If I live this day, I promise, I'll never do this again. Let me live! His telltale paw-hands shook instead of holding still when reaching for the pipe in the robe. He didn't dare light it, a cha-cha dance of puke held back only by his closed mouth.
"You're late." He moved closer.
"I couldn't leave, a crazed animal was attacking and creating difficulties." This brought to mind the long multi limbed creature and that fiendish beak again, it still wasn't as fearful as the man who stood before him, at least in his opinion. His tail started to puff, so he tucked it under the coverings.
"Have that arm fixed immediately, I won't have you lose track of her." He slid the door close with a hand, while still facing forward. "Keep in mind she's hurt many people and could do so at any time." He bent down near the broken arm. "From the looks of it that's a bad break, some breaks never heal right what with the constant chronic pain." He took in a breath. "It's such a torture. I'd hate to see you suffer the same."
His fur completely puffed out and his ears flattened back, he scooted against the headrest, leaning away. "Don't say such things. It's just a simple break, once my energy comes back it won't hinder me any longer." Why can't I say what's on my mind around him?
"I don't understand why you're so upset." The hood moved back, revealing his face, the low light broke thought the shadowed parts of his face. A half smile quirked the corners of his lips before they smoothed out, the features empty again.
A presence pressed down on him, an invisible hand, he slid back slouching against the headboard. Somehow this was even worse, the seeing at least the emptiness under the hood didn't openly mock him. "Never mind, It's been a long day. I'll stay with her as promised."
The hooded man patted his broken arm, light bolts of pain shocked though his arm and up the shoulder. He kept his voice quiet, "don't be that way, I've done nothing to you, don’t act so miserable."
His comments burned like acid, giving a hollow emptiness that settled near Han's heart. His tail wrapped around his leg and he shrunk back further. It's too late now, this man who wasn't really a man... could kill me in an instant. Everything within him told him to get away, run, go anywhere except near him.
Gripping the arm, he stuck his face closer. "They don't want you around, they don't want you at all. It's all a lie, they're using you. You're just a bitrate healer to them to patch them up, nothing more. A tool.”
He stood, then tossed another large opal onto his lap. "I expect you to scurry back to and follow through. Keep your head together, keep in mind she's not well and the man, Parsley, was it? Wouldn't truly become friends with a cat-man."
A sliding of the door was the only hint of him leaving.
Han collapsed into a heap on the bed, with his good arm over his eyes. "What do I do? What did I do?" I'm so alone.