The question ca out before I could stop it - and her farm weathered face creased with a certain amount of amusent. Her arms crossed as she looked up and down once more.
"Protecting yourself from violence isn’t the sa as seeking to inflict it on others. The Rede says ’harm none’, not ’let harm co to you’. Besides, I’ve got ladies to protect that feed many people’s lives and no intention of wrestling werewolves barehanded if I can help it."
Her matter-of-fact tone made realize it was a bit of a silly question. Even many of the mystics in my world carried staves that were certainly not tipped with cold-worked iron just to make them better at walking with.
> Yes, smashing at persistent fae. They seed to find it highly unpleasant, but not really to the sa degree that this werewolf body reacts to silver... or any of the other floral poisons hunters use. <
Frankly, I think many in my world would be excited at the ideas of these humans here - but I find firearms a bit terrifying. Though I like archery... so I don’t think it is simply the concept of killing from a distance.
Not that I’ve ever shot anything to death at all, even if I have eaten my share of creatures that I could naturally hunt as a fox. Looking back into her eyes, I see that they are still amused but trying to be stern.
"Young lady, was that really your first question? Instead of asking politely where the restroom is so you can put on so clothes? Or even if I could take a look at her quickly?"
I glanced down at myself, having been wholly unconcerned that transforming back had left completely naked in a stranger’s ho. Getting Kyrie settled had made forget basic courtesy, but also this woman had not said anything until now either!
"Well, you’ve already gotten a good look at ... and if she was not breathing better than when I found her, she may have been the priority. Back to my questions - do witches not dance naked in the moonlight? If not, I guess I really know nothing solid about your craft."
Another detail that Helene may have gotten wrong, if their profession is actually full of prudes. Actually, that detail about ritual nudity was sothing she once *read*? Hm.
I guess people other than her can get facts wrong. Ignorance is not a solitary state, we all pass it by or mire in it, at tis and depths. Eventually wiping her face and chuckling, the old woman sighs.
"So do, so don’t. Depends on the witch and the working. It cos with the title that if one gets caught doing it, we *all* ’must’ do it. Stereotyping, bah! Standing around catching a chill isn’t exactly productive for anyone. Stay there."
She disappeared briefly before I could even say ’I don’t get cold’, returning with a thick terry cloth robe that slled faintly of lavender and woodsmoke. Martha stroked the dark blue fabric before handing it over.
"This should fit well enough. Thomas was not a tall man, nor thin. Let get a look at her - bathroom’s first door on the left if you need it."
Already moving to Kyrie’s side, her deanor shifted from hostess to healer. I went nowhere as I pulled the robe on gratefully despite not *needing* it, as I knew the significance of giving second life to old items for people that treasured them.
It made think of Sarah from that thrift store. And the leather bag that I have still not treated with the care it deserves. Really, why do people keep trusting with their kindness in this world?
"Silver poisoning. Lungs."
Briefly explaining the problem instead of letting her sit there and guess, I watched her place her hand against Kyrie’s forehead. I ignored the way my hand clenched and shook when she frowned at whatever she felt.
> Doctors always do that. Half the ti it is just frowning in concentration trying to rember sothing! Really, it is not big deal, Vrika - stop panicking! <
Lecturing the black wolf who is doing nothing but sitting at the center of my mindscape as I slap it on the back weakly, it growls softly to tell to quit it. I do and stroke its fur in apology twice.
Before smacking it once more as I leave.
"That doesn’t sound good. But she doesn’t look as awful as I would think. How much exposure are we talking about?"
"Little enough that she was able to walk around and hide it from people nearby. Training accident, supposedly. She inhaled so amount of it before she could get clear."
"Hmm."
Martha’s expression darkened as she checked Kyrie’s pulse, making think she buys that tale as much as I did. But whether the woman thinks I am the source of that lie or not, she lifted the Alpha’s eyelid gently to check her pupil response.
"The question is what we do about it now."
"...What can you do?"
Instead of answering , she continued her examination. Pressing her ear to Kyrie’s chest to listen to her breathing. My fingers squeezed to my palms again, just a little shocked that I felt *territorial* against a healer doing sothing she obviously needed to.
> Shut up. Don’t think anything. That didn’t happen. I will deny it. I will flood this forest and turn it into a swamp! <
"As far as what I’ve written in my Book of Shadows... silver is said to disrupt the connection between werewolf and spirit. Makes the healing slow, makes the wolf weak and distant. Also apparently burns like the dickens own tornt."
That is certainly... colorful? But considering how much my whole body just abhors the thought of touching the stuff, it also sounds about right. Not that I know what a ’dickens’ is...
"In this case, it’s not like pulling a splinter or bullet - fine stuff has to be expelled naturally through the lungs. Using your fad regenerative healing to fix the problem over a bit of ti."
"...How much ti?"
"Proper rest, the right herbs to help her cough it up, and so gentle ritual coaxing to strengthen the wolf connection while it tries to heal again. We’re talking a few days, minimum. Not hours and sending you on your way."
She got to her feet quite spryly for her age and moved toward the door. Seeing her stop just outside to pick up her weapon, I tense just a little even though she doesn’t *seem* hostile.
"I’ll put the kettle on and gather what I need from my stores. You might want to stay close - I’ve heard werewolves don’t much like being alone when they’re vulnerable. Though I’m not sure that applies to Alphas."
Listening to the advice, I stayed behind - but only for less than a minute. For when glancing down at her resting so well... I stepped over and made sure the blanket was in plenty range to be slled if she began to stir.
And like she knew my hand was there, her cheek gravitated toward it. My fingernails brushed the skin as I retreated from that. Every ti sothing like that happens, it’s getting harder to pretend it doesn’t affect .
Then I was walking to the kitchen, dreading what I need to do.
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