• PM To Join • Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Once an isolated and dying township, an influx of academics, adventurers and thrill seekers have made Scalvoris Town their home. From scholars' tea shops to a new satellite campus for Viden Academy, this is an exciting place to visit or make your home!

Moderators: Pegasus Pug!!!, Avalon

User avatar
Volker
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:59 pm
Race: Human
Profession: Butcher
Renown: 45
Character Sheet
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 1

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Amaris was well-known as a healer, or at least starting to get a reputation. Sooner or later if someone makes themselves a healer, they find something on their doorstep other than the locals with knee or eye injuries. Usually through some fault of their own making, but oftentimes because they'd been attacked or hurt in some way. This man was no different. He was laying on her doorstep on his side, breathing shallowly. By the look of the trail he'd left, he'd dragged himself there by his arms. This might have been because from the knee down, his legs had been flayed. Skillfully done, and tourniquets applied tightly to his knees so he didn't bleed out. The skin had been artfully peeled away in neat, square sheets. Unfortunately, some of the muscle had been as well. Clipped from their tendons like someone removing irritating strings.

He looked to be in a terrible state of things, and the reason why was tracking him.

Volker had woken up to find out his prey had been much more resourceful than he'd bargained for. He'd gambled that the blood loss (despite the proper precautions taken) would have deterred any sort of escape. At the very least, shock would have set in and prevented it entirely. Of course, that might have also given the man the lack of pain he needed to drag himself off the table and out the door. Normally it wouldn't bother him but he had just arrived in Scalvoris and he'd wanted to keep a bit of a low profile. Thus the careful butchery. Cut, then clean, cut, then clean. It was an arduous way of doing things, but the most neat.

Volker eyed the blood trail. Shouldn't be too hard to track him down. The problem was the guard. How long before they spotted a thing like that? Or would they even notice? He snorted. He didn't want to take the risk. He'd be careful about this.

His victim, meanwhile, had opened his eyes and started shrieking for help.
word count: 351
User avatar
Amaris
Approved Character
Posts: 527
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:18 pm
Race: Mixed Race
Profession: Councilor of Natural Affairs
Renown: 242
Character Sheet
Plot Notes
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 5

Contribution

Milestones

RP Medals

Miscellaneous

Events

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Image
The basic assumption had been that they would have a relatively uneventful trial. And such had been the case, so far. The cats had been good and not scratched up the furniture for once, and they’d managed to get a good bit of reading down. All that had been left was taking out the individual felines to allow them to wander for a bit before coming back. Noel’s turn had been imminent, signaled by his yowling and headbutting their leg.

However, upon opening the door, it was not the usual snow and darkness they were met with. Even before the door had revealed the scene on their steps, it was the screaming that had brought urgency to their turning of the knob. The screaming had come from a man, legs bloodied and worse for wear. Amaris froze, eyes widening. It was not the cold that sent chills down their spine.

Nearly slipping on the steps in their haste, they placed a hand on his shoulder, glancing around. Remaining calm was...a feat. Getting close, there was a lot more detail that the medic could see. A sickening, amount really. This was something different from staring at a drawing in a textbook; this was a person who’d been apparently flayed. At their doorstep. When they first opened their mouth, nothing came out. Merely a squeak. They tried a second time, finding their voice only for it to shake with nerves.

"I need you to stop screaming.” It would surely draw attention, but then again, so would that trail of blood the man had left in his wake. How had this even happened? "Can you feel your legs at all?”
Image
[/align]
word count: 282
User avatar
Volker
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:59 pm
Race: Human
Profession: Butcher
Renown: 45
Character Sheet
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 1

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Volker drew his lips back over his teeth and opened his mouth slightly, breathing in through his nostrils and mouth at once. It was a strange thing most animals did to enhance their sense of smell, and Volker found when looking for fresh blood it worked out perfectly. He could readily smell and taste the coppery, metallic odor. It also meant he didn't have to walk around looking at the cobblestones, which would have drawn a lot more attention than making a funny face very so often. The blood was hours old, and the trail twisted and wound. Clearly, even in shock the man had given enough attention to his situation to try several houses nearby. None of them had apparently answered. He knelt at one of the doorsteps and gathered up some of the blood on his fingers. Old. Very old. At least he hadn't bled out...yet.

The screaming man was actually attempting to form words, though they weren't to answer her question. "INSIDE!" he was shrieking. It was possible that he'd given up the last of his strength at this point, delirious by the amount of blood lost and the fact that he'd spent the better part of the night dragging a useless pair of bones behind him. Luckily for him, Volker hadn't gotten to the point of removing his feet and hadn't bothered to give them much attention. It was mainly his large soleus muscle and the plantaris tendon that had been removed. If she looked at the cuts, they'd been made with a very sharp instrument. Almost surgical.
word count: 271
User avatar
Amaris
Approved Character
Posts: 527
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:18 pm
Race: Mixed Race
Profession: Councilor of Natural Affairs
Renown: 242
Character Sheet
Plot Notes
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 5

Contribution

Milestones

RP Medals

Miscellaneous

Events

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Image
The man, through his screaming and panic, seemed determined to convey something. Whatever it was, Amaris would figure it out once they were inside. They figured he was in shock, not quite certain of what his words meant or what he was even saying.But it would make getting him to calm down difficult.

Hooking their arms under his, the mixed blood attempted to lift him enough to slide him up the steps. It was a slow process, hindered by the snow and the weakness of their own, arms but they managed to get him inside. By the end of it, their arms trembled and they could hardly shut the door behind them. Now that they were inside, they took a moment to catch their breath and try again to calm the man. Or at least get him to quiet down some as not to completely disturb their neighbors.

“Sir, please, can you tell me what happened? Did someone do this to you?” They hoped this might be just a freak accident. But the signs were pointing towards otherwise. Someone had tried to stop the bleeding, and the cuts….were precise, now that they were able to look at them more closely. Someone with some experience with a knife had done this, and perhaps they had not finished what they’d started. Swallowing, they put off the thought as they awaited his answer. They paused only in their inspection of his injuries when the telltale sign of Noel butting against the door sounded. If one might have been looking in, much of the man was obscured by their figure in the doorway, save his foot and the remains of his ankle, before the door closed again.
Image
[/align]
word count: 287
User avatar
Volker
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:59 pm
Race: Human
Profession: Butcher
Renown: 45
Character Sheet
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 1

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

This had only happened a handful of times. Normally, once his prey had been brought down it was over. Volker accomplishes his work in a day or two, and he would have a plentiful store of food for the months to come. The cold would keep most of the meat secure, and salt or drying would fix the rest of it. So many men tried to find game when their neighbors could readily supply it. Had his hunting ground been spoilt before he had a chance to secure it properly? He growled and shook his head. The trail ended at the doorstep of a local house. Volker paused and watched for a moment. He caught a glimpse of a woman and the familiar ruined leg of his victim before the door shut. Hm. Now he had to find some way in. He growled to himself and began looking for a way to circle around the rear of the house.

His victim calmed down when he was brought inside, though his breathing was rapid and shallow. He looked at her and took a deep, shuddering breath. “I was walking home from the pier.” He said shakily. “Something grabbed me by the throat...I don’t remember much else. When I woke up he was taking flesh off my legs. He’ll...he’ll be looking for me.” He laid on his back, shutting his eyes. “I can’t feel anything...past my knees.”

Volker was investigating the back door of the house. He had to break in quietly. He didn’t know how many people were there other than the woman that had pulled his quarry in. She could be armed herself, or have a husband on high alert. Or god forbid, a dog. Humans were afraid of him but dogs actively hated him.
word count: 303
User avatar
Amaris
Approved Character
Posts: 527
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:18 pm
Race: Mixed Race
Profession: Councilor of Natural Affairs
Renown: 242
Character Sheet
Plot Notes
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 5

Contribution

Milestones

RP Medals

Miscellaneous

Events

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Image
He’ll be looking for me. They froze at this, throat going dry. The only thing that would stop whoever this he was would be a possible cat allergy. This trial was certainly unraveling into something eventful. “Do you remember what he looks like?” Maybe they could scream for help, get a passing Element troop’s attention. Given their past exploits with them, perhaps they’d be more willing to help.

Nothing below his knees; the nerves may very well be dead or severely damaged. Or nonexistent, they added as an afterthought a they glanced down at the man. They didn’t dare to entertain the thought of what the man’s attacker could have done with the flesh from his legs. They’d had a life’s worth of triggering thoughts already.

Taking a breath to calm themselves, they glanced back to the door. It would be best to get him into warmth and better lighting to assess the situation. And maybe make plans to contact a more experienced healer. The man’s hands had to be the easiest part they could heal, at a glance. Another deep breath and eyes closing, they rolled up their sleeves. “We have to get you and your legs elevated.” This was said more to themselves, one hand fingering the tags at their throat as they used the other to clear off their desk.

Image
[/align]
word count: 232
User avatar
Volker
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:59 pm
Race: Human
Profession: Butcher
Renown: 45
Character Sheet
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 1

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Image
Date

Volker examined his possible points of entry. A window. That was essentially it. He was no cat burglar, which meant the likelihood of being able to sneak in and reclaim his prize was dwindling by the moment. As the man's injuries were severe but not immediately life-threatening he couldn't afford to abandon him here either. He bared his teeth. This was becoming an abominable situation, all because he had underestimated prey. That wasn't happening again. He heard clattering from inside; perhaps somewhere to lay the unfortunate man. That little bit of noise was his chance. He tried the windows.

Ah, not locked. Good. He slowly, achingly pushed the window open using his other hand to stabilize the frame and minimize any loud protest from the hinges. Now came the fun part. He pushed himself up and into the open window, struggling to reduce the amount of grunting. He was too old to be hauling himself around like this. The scent hit him as soon as his feet hit the floor and he closed the window behind him. Cats. A lot of cats. He blinked. Well, he never had a problem with the animals; they tended to regard him neutrally, but something to stay away from. A bigger cat.

He inhaled deeply. Still cat. He was going to be noseblind here. He slowly advanced forward; he was going to have to meet the person saving his prey soon enough, and put his meat out of its misery.

Said meat was having some issues putting his thoughts together. He squeezed his eyes shut a moment, trying to visualize Volker's face. He had a few scattered images. "Cant." was all he managed to pant out. His hands were shaking and red from the cold, with the beginnings of frostbite around his fingertips and thumb. He was dizzy and exhausted.
Image
word count: 312
User avatar
Amaris
Approved Character
Posts: 527
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:18 pm
Race: Mixed Race
Profession: Councilor of Natural Affairs
Renown: 242
Character Sheet
Plot Notes
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 5

Contribution

Milestones

RP Medals

Miscellaneous

Events

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Image
No information to go on whatsoever. No matter; they could do this. Maybe. It wasn’t complete certainty, but it was enough for them. “That’s alright, that’s okay,” they assured the man, trying to keep him calm. They were doing well so far. The first thing they would attend to would the frostbite, they decided. A warm soak would do, if they remembered from their reading correctly.

In order to do so, they would need to leave him alone for a few moments. They had already begun the process of moving him closer to the desk, breathing out through their mouth and in through their nose as they went. They would definitely need to see about getting someone to help them with the heavy lifting at some point. Or get better acquainted with doing it themselves. Jaw clenched, they pulled him up to something of a sitting position in the chair in front of the desk. They didn’t want to ask him to pull himself up, considering his state and how he most likely didn’t have any strength in his arms from probably having dragged himself to their doorstep.

Lips pursed, they made sure he was upright before gingerly lifting his legs up to the desk. They...were much lighter with the lack of flesh, Amaris noted. They swallowed, fighting back a wave of nausea before moving to lift him once more. They had to pause to shoo a cat out of the way, letting the man’s weight rest on them as they brushed stray hairs off the desk once more. Another few moment of maneuvering and he was atop the desk. It was small and part of his torso would need to rest on something else, but at least he up and off the floor. They turned the chair around and cushioned it with their coat for him to rest against it, weighing it down with their books and papers.

Now -- water. They shuffled off to get a bowl and water, stepping around felines to get the desired object before moving to the fire burning low in the fireplace. They failed to notice, however, the yowling of a few cats, bright eyes trained on one spot in particular.

Image
[/align]
word count: 375
User avatar
Volker
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:59 pm
Race: Human
Profession: Butcher
Renown: 45
Character Sheet
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 1

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Image
Date

Volker watched her quietly for a few minutes. She seemed to know something of what she was doing, but she wasn't an experienced healer by any means. Any battle-hardened medic would have known the legs were unsaveable without an extraordinary amount of reconstruction. Honestly, half the work was already done. A few snips of tendons at the knees, and drawing flesh up over the stump for a suture wouldn't have been too difficult in Volker's estimation. Still, it was sweet of her to try. She cared about a complete stranger's welfare. Most men would have seen the legs and promptly locked the door to let the guards deal with it.

Pity she hadn't.

He waited for a moment. The right moment. Just after she stepped in front of the fireplace. He stepped lightly over the cats and behind her. She would have a few seconds before the whisper of a blade and where it would rest against her lower back. He might have placed it higher, but the woman was astoundingly tall. "I am not here for you. I will not hurt you unless you force me to." he told her quietly. "Please, if you would stay silent and take a seat, this will be over with soon. I am sorry you had to witness it, but it is his fault, not mine."
Image
word count: 230
User avatar
Amaris
Approved Character
Posts: 527
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:18 pm
Race: Mixed Race
Profession: Councilor of Natural Affairs
Renown: 242
Character Sheet
Plot Notes
Templates
Wealth Tier: Tier 5

Contribution

Milestones

RP Medals

Miscellaneous

Events

Rescuing Pigeons from a Cat

Image
Amaris might have dropped the bowl. They were close to it, water flashing out over the fire and the flames hissing back. This must have been the ‘he’ that the man was talking about. They swallowed, back now ramrod straight as the knife pressed into them. A small whimper, not much more than a gasp, left them and they nodded.

Silent was what he wanted, and silent was what he would get. Amaris was no stranger to threats to their life; they’d seen that enough times. A gigantic spider-snake was probably a lot more disconcerting to someone else, but a knife at their spine was enough. If this was the same man that had flayed her impromptu patient, then he most certainly knew how to use that.

The only other chair they owned was currently being crowded by moving balls of fur, yellow eyes gleaming in the light of the fire as the cats watched all that transpired with a quiet impassivity. They deemed it unwise to remove the felines, lest they kick up a fuss in the situation that was occuring. Jaw clenched, Amaris took careful steps towards it, locking eyes with the particularly old tabby that stared them down for a moment before leaping lazily off and allowing them room to sit.

Amaris sucked in a breath. What could they do now? The person they had taken into their home had brought with them a verified killer. One, who for all his kind words, likely saw no qualm in taking their life to recover their victim. Maybe would even kill them just to insure no witnesses. A troubling thought, that. They felt lightheaded, blinking to stay focused. Oh; they were hyperventilating. Not good.

“I won’t...tell anyone you were here if you just leave him be. He won’t, either. He doesn’t know what you look like.” In their short attempt to plead with the man, they glanced over at the killer. Immediately they looked away. “I don’t know what you look like.”

Image
[/align]
word count: 341
Post Reply Request an XP Review Claim Wealth Thread

Return to “Scalvoris Town”