2020-05-19 - Another Morning After

Hell of a dream for Devlin to wake from. Broken ribs, bruises that look as if Mike Tyson worked over random parts of his torso till they are starting to turn black, along with large assortment of small cuts are the main problems for Devlin. He can't heal himself.. and knows he is needed. Almost brought to tears turning in his bed to grab his phone, he texts Hera at 2am. 911 - apt. It is all he can do at the moment as he drops the phone on the bed. Stubbornly he tries rising up a little and the pain from the ribs keeps him down not to mention realizing that a wrong move could end up with a punctured lung.

Hera had gotten the text one way or another. Chances are she was probably with Jessica, or Jessica was probably at work. Either way a message is left for the reporter to at least let her know where Hera is going. Devlin doesn't just 'text' at 2 am to have a chat. It doesn't take her long to connect the dots to figure out that something is amiss. Fortunately she brings Hans along and she gets there quick. Her canine escort would provide some sort of sense of security so she does arrive safely. The door isn't hard to open and when she steps in, her dog immediately barks. "Hush!" She commands and the German Shepard immediately does so. The poor pooch was just doing his job to tell his alpha that a member of the pack is in distress. She immediately goes to his side though and while she doesn't have formal medical training, she can already help. "You know I want to know what happened but, for right now, I need to get you to lay down to assess things. Come on cousin, get situation. I'll get you fixed up soon."

Nope, he has not moved at all from his bed. His speech is labored, measured and slow, "Not.... going.." wince "Any.. wheeeree." He takes a moment, "ribs.. bust.. ed." And through the wounds, yeah.. he does seem to be embarrassed for one reason or another. "Not.. " wince "going.. no.. place." He grimaces as the speaking makes his ribs hurt.

Of course good guess this happened in a dream. No signs of him going into the bed with these cuts as the sheets are stained only about where contact happens between body and sheets.

Hera winces as she sees this, and she knows what she has to do. Devlin is her only family and there isn't anything she wouldn't do for him. But, she does quickly find her cellphone and texts a few words to Jessica. Then she says, "I regret nothing. I do what I have to do." She's learned so very much after her awakening, and she knows there are dangers, but in a time like this, she is ready to take a huge risk. Dark men or not, she has to be his light.

Just a slow nod on his part. Then he says, "Green bottle," wince, "Kwoon.. room. clean with." Devlin lays back accepting things come with a price.

Hera likely has enough intelligence to figure out what he is talking about. "Bottle....ok....bottle...." she says, and the idea of cleaning, well, she's not an idiot to such things. She doesn't hire anyone else to really clean Vivid Dreams outside of herself. Hopefully if something needs to be cleaned, she can figure it out. "Watch him Hans." She tells the dog and he pads over to move closer to Devlin, providing emotional support if nothing else.

Lucky that google translate and a smart phone can help, as Kwoon translates to school. It happens that across the hall there is the door to the hard wood floored room he practices martial arts in. And right in the closet is a shelf labeled first aide with the forementioned green bottle and other supplies you would expect for an athlete.

Devlin just tries to not move, other than to put his hand on Han's muzzle to rub a little. "Sorry.." wince, "Not superman.." yeah.. not good for him to feel breathing let alone talking.

Hera manages to find the green bottle and she opens it carefully. Being around wine, it doesn't seem unlikely that she wouldn't recognize the alcohol. "Well, this will help, but." Before doing any sort of cleansing, she does try to text a few people she trusts. Kim being one of them. "You're going to be ok cousin, you're going to be ok. I'm learning more, and getting better, I /will/ find a way to heal you." This might be the motivation she really needs to move her skills up to the next level. She also rushes over to go get some clean clothes and just about anything she can do. In the meantime, Hans offers a sympathetic lick. The dog is happy he didn't run into whatever Devlin did!

"That's.... my.." Devlin winces, "line.. no .. fair." he grimaces again from the pain. He looks to the dog, "Not a tree.." wince, ".. you .. want.. to fuck.. with." He groans a bit as Hera comes back with the bottle and other stuff.

Kim getting a late night text arrives in very short order. Perhaps some information was included, but even if it wasn't just a simple her friend needs help is enough for her. Arriving at the apartment in short order, she does knock at the door. Her hair a complete mess from being roused from sleep. Basic clothes just thrown on, she really didn't pay any attention to what.

Hera makes sure such said bottle is secure and she goes to get the door. "Oh good" she says offering Kim a brief hug before going back to Devlin, "Something happened to him, I'm not sure what. I'm sure he /will/ give me one heck of a detailed explanation but, can you help me with him? I don't guess your healing skills are, better than mine?"

Well left to his own devices, Hans does what any good canine will do when a pack member is hurt, he starts licking the blood off Devlin's face. This provides a very short laugh on Devlin's part followed by a curse in Arabic that sounds full of pain. When humans get back to the bedroom, Hans has this.. I'm sorry look.* as Devlin lays there breathing painfully.

Kim returns the brief hug and follows Hera back. As she is explaining she catches sight of Devlin, who even in her limited medical ability, looks to be in terrible shape. "Oh my. Yeah I'd hate to run into whatever did this to him." She sighs "I can try to help. Maybe if we both tried to combine our abilities...I'm just not good with the energy healing stuff. Grace is better at it than I am. There is also Stepie, she's good at it." looking down to Devlin "You are going to be ok." trying to offer some reassurance.

Hera takes in a deep breath and tries to calm herself. "I don't know if Stepie is what he needs right now, I don't know. I haven't seen her in weeks. Do you think that Stephanie would be able to help you better than I could cousin?" She tries to let him have some say in that. "But, this bottle is supposed to help heal him, I think?" She's learning more and more about that but, she does offer it to him if he needs. "Jessica, is going to be pissed. I had to use my abilities to help him. I had to though."

The bruises do not look as bad on him. "Just.. clean.. cuts" He pauses. "rub.. into.. bruises. Will help." Devlin sighs, "Do what you can." His voice soft as he is starting to figure out how to speak without to much pain. "Need rib's wrapped soon" he winces and pauses for a moment, "before shift."

Kim looks at a loss of what to do "She's talented but yeah I haven't seen in a good while either. Grace is still a option though." she offers. Nodding to the comment that the bottle could help him and Devlin explain how to do so. She will help Hera attempt to apply it to the cuts and bruises. "I am sure Jessica will understand. You did what you had to help your cousin. Surely she can't be mad about that." she gives Devlin a wtf look. "Shift? Devlin I don't think you are going anywhere tonight. This is why there are sick days."

Hera goes to get a few towels and things to help. "Yeah, I agree" she says, "And there's two women here so you know you're outnumbered. Someone else can cover the other shift for you and, that's that. Heaven knows Stephanie had to call in a few times." Nervously, she bites her bottom lip a little and says, "Hopefully so. I know that, the more you use the more that /they/ might try to find you."

"not.. work.. ribs. Shift.. cut lungs." Devlin struggles with speaking. "Aidan.. was there. Healer.. showed me.. how fire." He pauses for the pain and takes a few shallow breaths as you help him. When you try to shift his torso, that tends to get the big pain response from him. "Kailey.. there too.. may be she can.."

"There is that chance. If it does happen you know you have people there for you and we'll deal with it." Kim tries to help her friend feel better about using her powers "You don't use them often anyway." at least she thinks Hera doesn't. Still working on trying to help the injured man. When he clarifies what he means "Oh...ah where are the bandages. I have some leftover pain meds from my stint in the hospital. Do you want them?" looking for a way to help with his pain level. She really doesn't know how to contact either of those people, maybe Hera does.

Hera thinks for a moment and says, "Kailey is enough to find, and Aidan, is that the magician?" Maybe she doesn't know Aidan that well but it is a small town, "Everett would know how to get a hold of Kailey. Do you want me to call her cousin? I don't think I know how to find this...Aidan."

He furrows his brow a bit as he focuses. "No.. drugs. Need to tell you want to do." Devlin then thinks.. "Yeah.. and Everette.. wants to talk to you. He may" Another pause on Devlin's part before he goes on, "want something. He did.. help me some before I woke up."

Kim nods to Devlin "Alright. But after you done with letting us know what to do, you should take some." oh yes Everett would know how to get in contact with Kailey. "I have Everett's number if you need it Hera." she says. Having rubbed in the liquid she gets up to search the medicine cabinet for bandages for the wrap.

Hera would try to get in contact with Aidan assuming she can do as much. That may or may not be a possibility though. "Yeah, there's some explanations that will need to be given, and I'll try to reach Mr. Butt man." Right now, Hera does feel a bit useless but she watches as Kim does her work. "I'm really really really going to learn how to sharpen my skills, really."

Guiding the two of you through how to wrap his ribs, Devlin still is not breathing easy but still better. "I'll rest some. Aidan does an act on the boardwalk.. magic, seen him there when I get chow at that little sea food shack. May be you can find him that way. Not far from here." He carefully sits up and gets out of the bed, "Now I can move without feeling like saws in my body are going to rip me apart." The bedsheets are a mess with the blood, and that does not seem to bother Devlin one bit. "Could use something to eat.. And looks like some time for me to explain what happened." He sighs a bit with that part.

When Kim returns she does follow Devlin's instructions. "I am sure your skills are fine." she says to Hera "Without his guidance I'd be rather lost. You can help me secure the wrapping." as to explanations, she would like to know what occurred. It isn't really her place to ask though. Backing up somewhat to give him room to sit up. Shaking her head at the blood on the sheets. Trying to still keep herself together in crisis mode. This is still something she isn't used to. "I'll grab you something. If you like...not sure what you have." in response to needing some food.

Hera just seems to echo Kim as she tends to Devlin and whatever he may need. "I guess this, green bottle stuff might do the trick. Still, it's a bit too smelly to me to offer it up as a drink but, what do I know? The smarter I think I feel the dumber I realize that I am. I guess it doesn't all matter but we need to get to the bottom of this Kim. I wonder if we will like the answers we get though."

Offering an insight, "Hera, if you could run to the boardwalk.. may be we will be in luck and Aidan will be there." He goes on to describe what he knows of the man. "And bring him back.. Kim, if you could please go big.. the big wok is in the cabinet to the left of the dishwasher.. big iron skillet is there to. Should be enough spices to keep most people happy." Devlin then tries to relax as Hans follows him to the couch. "It's ok Hans.. I know.. you meant well." He pets the big dog. "Oh yeah.. plenty of coffee and tea"

Kim looks over to Hera. "You aren't dumb. No one person can do everything. I know we will get to the bottom of it and even if we don't like the answers. They will still be answers." she nods to Devlin's request "Sure thing. I'll be able to fix something up. Don't yell at me if doesn't turn out well." offering to help steady Devlin to the couch. Then going to get out the cooking gear and to raid the cabinets and fridge. Vegatables and rabbit to cut up and start to fix some stir fry, while Hera probably goes to get more help for the poor injured paramedic.

Hera feels her cellphone buzz and nervously, she begins to text away. "Sorry." she says but if she's going to have a conversation on the phone for a bit, that gives the perfect opportunity to run the errand too. "Ok ok, I'm going." Naturally she leaves a job for her dog, "Hans, if anyone comes in and tries to hurt them, bite." Well, the confused canine understood part of that. Hera then steps out and goes to try to fetch Aidan.

It's handy that Devlin knows where he's seen Aidan before, 'cause as it turns out there's exactly one tall, slim, dark-curly-haired magician out on the Boardwalk today. Which is the general maximum, but it's the minimum that'd be a bigger problem at present. He's just finished up a show when Hera finds him, which means a) that he's easily recruited to come see whether he can help, and b) along with bright red skinny jeans, well-broken-in Docs, and a closely fitting green t-shirt featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which either is older than he is or really wishes it were, he's wearing a legit top hat and tailcoat, and a red silk ascot tied around his neck. His little wooden fold-up magic table is hanging over his shoulder on its strap, like a really large wood-shop-lookin' satchel of some kind, and he's looking decidedly worried. "How bad is it?" has been asked along the way, though he probably isn't expecting a detailed medical answer and likely wouldn't understand it if he got one.

Devlin says, "It will be good. And if you like game, feel free to pick out a roast or couple of steaks. I smoke a lot of them. I did mention that I hunt, right?" He shifts position a little on the couch to be more comfortable. "Thanks for coming out here with Hera. I appreciate it. Never know whom your friends are till a dream kicks your ass.."

Kim glances over to the nervous red head before she heads off. She can guess who is texting her. She'll be ready later in case her friend needs some support. Meanwhile focused on getting some food ready. Starting up a burn and putting her mix of vegs, meat, and spices in. "I'm not big into gamey meat. Rabbit seems like a good choice though. You didn't mention that you hunt. I mean that really explains all of the meat. The most hunting I do is at the store. So this all happened to you because of a 'Dream'. Guess that answers if someone can get badly hurt in one." she comments to Devlin.

Hera easily offers to be Aidan's assistant and carry whatever he wants, however he wants, and in whatever manner he wants. "It's bad...it's really really bad." Yeah, you gotta love vague descriptions. She is a bit distracted by her phone but the distraction is some relief, "Oh good, she's not THAT mad at me, good..good good...." text text text, yeah someone is always going to pay the cellphone bill it seems. "I'll let you judge that for yourself though."

Aidan thanks Hera for the offer, but assures her he has it handled -- he's used to dealing with it himself, after all. The vague description gets a worried nod, and he walks a touch faster for a stride or so before remembering that he doesn't know where he's going, so he'd better not outpace his shorter-legged companion. "Why would someone be mad at you?" In less of a need for distraction at present, but as long as they're walking...

Devlin says, "Yeah.. a dream with a purpose. I got nailed pretty hard. I'll wait till Hera is back to explain. Just hoping no news is good news. I'm usually the guy taking care of people, not easy for me to be the one being taken care of. Used to piss off this one Nurse in Kandahar all the time.. I was on her ten worst patients of all time list. I wanted to go outside when I could and do qi gong and meditation."

Kim purses her lips and nods to his answer "I'll admit I'd like to hear what went on. And with a purpose? No, no as you said best to wait until Hera gets back. Maybe she just assumes you are in good hands. I'm pretty used to helping others out. I can totes get that it's not easy to be the one being taken care of. Oh you were that difficult of a patient for that poor nurse? I take it that it was during time you should have been resting?"

Hera is more and more distracted by the phone. Ah yes, the joys of being in love. "Oh I'm so glad she's not pissed." She says but, she is concerned about Devlin too. "Sorry." she says as she makes her way back in. "I can try to reach Kailey, if you want. She's come by the gallery and, you know, artsy folks have to stick together so, what do we do? The green bottle didn't, work that much magic?" She then looks to Aidan as he may be the expert with that and asks him, "Did it?"

Aidan takes not getting an answer to his nosiness in stride, but the talk about green bottles as they enter gets a blink and a questioning look from her to Kim to Devlin. "Green bottle?" he asks, that last look turning into something more appraising as he heads the injured man's way.

That phone...that damn phone. Isn't Devlin more important? Nope, something on the phone distracts her and she says, "Be right back."

Said Green bottle is on a coffee table infront of Devlin on the couch, there are some clean cloths sitting next to it. Devlin is in shorts and bare chested if you discount the six inch ace wraps going around his rib cage. "No magic in the bottle, unless you think of a Chinese tonic as magic. Good for cleaning swallow wounds and putting on bruises to reduce the swelling. Can drink it too.. couple shots a day if your so inclined." Devlin smiles a bit, "Thanks for coming Aidan.. short version, broken ribs.. Hera helped with the worst of the bruising from our fun last night. Still feeling the deep bruises and trying not to puncture a lung. I remembered Kaily mentioning you could heal about anything when Hera reached her limits.. so I gambled. Hopefully Kim's got enough made up for a few hungry people. Smells good at least.."

Devlin's voice though is not strong or loud, a man clearly taking care not to inhale to deep due to the pain.

Seems checking phones is catching on like a plague. Kim's pocket buzzes and she takes out her device to tap a quick response. Looking over as Aidan and Hera come in. "Don't know what was in the bottle." well at least Devlin clarifies what was rubbed into his cuts. "Hi there. I'm Kim, I would guess you'd be Aidan. I like your shirt." she offers a quick greeting to the tall man. Not wanting to distract him too much from checking out Devlin. "So you were both in the dream? Oh there should be enough for at least six people." and what luck that she is just finishing up the quick meal. Going to get some plates and silverware. "Hope everyone will like it. Not what I'm used to cooking, but I think it turned out alright."

Aidan sets his table-thing down on the floor and perches lightly on the edge of one of the couch cushions to get down low enough to take a better look at Devlin's current state. It's not pretty, though he still finds a quick grin for Kim. "You'd guess right, and thanks! Whatever you're making smells good." Looking back to the patient, he catches his bottom lip with his teeth, then lets it go. "I'm usually pretty good at it, yeah, and I'll give it a try. If you want to try poking my luck first, I don't mind, but I'll see what I can do either way." He curls and stretches the fingers of one hand, and reaches over to set it very gently against the wounded area. There's a clear effort not to exert any actual pressure, but the contact is made. "...yeah, we were both in the Dream. That was a weird thing to wake up to."

"Not as if I was smart enough to get out of the way.. you saw how I got clocked. I think your luck is running better than mine." Devlin flinches just a little with the contact. "And trust me waking up with busted ribs is not something I suggest. Jumping out of perfectly good aircraft in the middle of the night, yes.. busted ribs with your first call.. Nope." He hmms, "going to have to replace some sheets if I can't get the blood out."

Kim puts together two plates of the rabbit stir fry together. "Thanks." she says to Aiden. Walking over to the couch to set both plates down near the pair, on a coffee or end table if available. Not wanting to interrupt what Aiden could be doing to help. Just leaving the food there when they are ready. "It must have been a crazy 'Dream' only one I've ever had. I got lucky and only came out with some scratches. After you are done perhaps either of you wouldn't mind saying what occured."

"Sometimes we can make people better at stuff for a moment," Aidan says, "but, I mean, yeah, I guess I kinda did luck out there. That Dream really had it in for you." He goes quiet, focusing, and a soft warmth flows from where he's hand's settled through the skin and flesh beneath it, into the bones, and knits them, forming things back into their original and proper shape. The gentle heat takes the pain with it where it goes, until after a few moments, Aidan sits slightly back and gives Devlin another faintly worried look. "That felt about right. How is it?" he asks, before the food draws some of his attention. "It looks really good, too," he notes to Kim, "and-- yeah, we can tell you what happened." But he's going to wait to make sure they are done, first.

Devlin nods, "I think that got it. Feels a lot less sore. May be a good idea to just keep things stablized for now." He leans to grab a plate, "Thank you again Kim. This helps alot. Healing takes a lot of energy.. for both parties." He then hmmes as he tastes, "Not bad at all. Mom always told me.. keep it simple. We are not Parisian chefs.."

Kim does watch the healing and energy flow. Hoping to maybe pick up some more insight into how it all works. Though it is likely not so simple. "Feel free to sample when you are done. I did think it would take a lot out of both parties. Course explaining can wait." giving a touch of a smile to Devlin "You are welcome. Figured it was a way I could help out, since healing more than a paper cut is beyond me. Thanks, it wasn't fancy. Now at some point you'll have to try my Japanese cuisine. That I can do well."

Aidan looks both relieved and, yes, maybe a touch tired when the confirmation comes, and he breaks into a grin. "Good," he says, and goes ahead and picks up the other plate. "What is it?" he asks, but is clearly unworried about the answer since he tries it before there's any sort of answer, adding, "Japanese food is awesome. The only thing I can cook really well is pop-tarts, but I can kinda do some other stuff now. Been practicing. Nothing Japanese, though."

Devlin nods a little. "Stir fry. One of my go to's. It seems Hera is otherwise occupied. Perhaps talking about the events of the dream should wait till she has some time. Glad I am off tonight. Was planning to head over to the open mic at the coffee shop. I'll buy if any of you all show up. And Aidan, if you'd like some game.. venison, boar, or rabbit to take home; I have plenty in the freezer. Glad you can help, I owe you a couple for this."

"Just a thrown together rabbit stir fry." Kim answers Aidan "Something a little tasty and filling." before she nods with a smile "I agree that Japanese food is rather awesome. My mother made sure I knew how to make traditional food. So I could catch and keep man, that hasn't worked out the way she thought." said with a giggle at end "Hey though pop-tarts are the food of champions. So nothing wrong with being to cook them well. Well if you'd ever like to know how to make some Japanese food, I'd be happy to show you." turning her head to Devlin "Yeah probably. I'll just to remind curious and maybe hear about it from Hera. Are you feeling better enough to go? I just don't want to overdo it, Hera would be mad at both of us."

Devlin says, "I'll just need a long nap and should be ok. No practice for me for a couple of days. Just some deep breathing exercises and Qi Gung for me. Make sure everything is working right."

Aidan's brows lift at the mention of the game, and further at the revelation that this one's rabbit, and he gives it an interested look before taking another bite. "I don't think I ever had rabbit before. 's pretty good," he says, "I might end up taking you both up on those. But you don't owe me stuff, we need to all try to take care of each other, right?" With which he focuses on eating, because open mic night sound fun, but this is tasty, and if he's quick enough, there can be both.