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Post by Julian on Aug 8, 2008 12:21:37 GMT -5
"Of course." *Julian's fingers already sought the morphine, a much small dose, but something that would take the edge off the pain. He cleaned the site and injected Erik, rubbing his skin softly.*
"Whenever you are ready."
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Post by Erik on Aug 8, 2008 12:28:04 GMT -5
Erik's eyes closed for a moment as the morphine took its swift effect, and then he nodded.
"Erik will not lay in this bed for the rest of his life," he said. No matter how much he wanted that life to end soon. He pushed the thought away, self-preservation always having been uppermost in his priorities. And he knew focusing on something like walking again was the best thing he could do for himself.
He could always kill himself later.
He looked up at Julian and struggled to a sitting position. His burns were healed to the point where the risk of infection was past, but they still looked angry and his skin was tender to the touch. Except when Julian did.
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Post by Julian on Aug 8, 2008 12:34:50 GMT -5
*Julian watched mindfully, gentle when he pulled back the sheets and opened his arms to Erik, ready to help him up in his own time.*
"Is it better? The morphine is not too much?"
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Post by Erik on Aug 8, 2008 16:53:22 GMT -5
Erik shook his head.
"No, my boy. Erik rather needs... the edge taken off."
His breathing became more labored as he reached for Julian's arms and hoisted himself up, relying on the man's supernatural strength. He had not quite calculated his own weakness, however, and he stumbled immediately, dizzy.
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Post by Julian on Aug 8, 2008 18:04:37 GMT -5
*Julian caught him easily, his arms strong. His eyes were troubled however, worried for his mother.*
"Erik, are you all right? Was the exertion too much?"
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Post by Erik on Aug 8, 2008 20:53:50 GMT -5
Erik braved a stiff smile.
"No, no. It must be done. Erik has merely been too long inactive; more rest will only prolong the recovery."
He grit his teeth and stood, hating his body for its weakness where he had always been strong.
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Post by Julian on Aug 8, 2008 21:04:25 GMT -5
"Then it will be done."
*Julian did his best to offer support where it was needed, but not coddle Erik too much, letting his body relearn things.*
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Post by Erik on Aug 8, 2008 21:15:18 GMT -5
His hand gripping Julian's forearm tightly, Erik took a few faltering steps, slowly regaining his balance. It tired him quickly, but he was at least assured he had not lost anything.
Anything more than his appearance, that is.
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Post by Julian on Aug 8, 2008 21:17:10 GMT -5
*Julian offered supportive smiles, but tried to remain quiet, allowing Erik the focus he needed to do what he felt he needed to.*
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Post by Erik on Aug 9, 2008 15:25:59 GMT -5
They made it into the hallway, and Erik had to rest. He leaned heavily against Julian, grateful for the dulling effects of the drug.
"So, my boy... How did you occupy yourself, in Erik's absence?"
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Post by Julian on Aug 9, 2008 17:27:05 GMT -5
*Julian paused, then took in the question, brightening in pride.*
"I have built you a body."
*His brow lowered once more.*
"Though it would seem that you are no longer in need."
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Post by Erik on Aug 10, 2008 11:15:08 GMT -5
Erik raised his singed, hairless eyebrows, the skin around them puckering.
"Indeed? A body... The one I am currently in possession of is sorely lack in a few particulars," he said. "How do you get on?"
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Post by Julian on Aug 10, 2008 13:26:33 GMT -5
*A moment of unsureness passed over Julian's eyes.*
"There was...a stranger. He wanted to die. I merely...helped him along. I have preserved the body, replacing many of the pieces to make it a more suitable housing for a displaced spirit."
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Post by Erik on Aug 11, 2008 10:26:03 GMT -5
Erik gazed at him in wonder.
"You are a marvel," Erik breathed. "Where does such knowledge come from?" But part of him was wondering why he hadn't thought of such himself. He'd created automatons, remarkably lifelike simulacra, and yet had had never even considered the possibility of transferring his mind, his essence, into a superior body. "The body is stable? You have kept it viable?"
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Post by Julian on Aug 11, 2008 10:33:57 GMT -5
*Julian smiled at Erik's wonder, but soon his brow furrowed again.*
"I...have not yet tested it. But you might examine it. That is...I was inspired by your work. I merely sought to apply it to the issue you were dealing with at the time."
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