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Post by Rudolf on Sept 21, 2008 12:27:58 GMT -5
*The royal couple were on their way back to the palace from a brief tour through the city. It was always good to keep up with diplomatic relations among the nobles. Rudolf found it tiresome, but of course he wasn't going to say that or skip out on his duties.*
"Well, glad that's over with."
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Post by Rebecca on Sept 21, 2008 12:34:15 GMT -5
"You did very well, I think," *said Becca, patting him on the arm before turning to wave at the crowds lining the streets, as she'd been told to.*
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Post by Rudolf on Sept 21, 2008 12:42:36 GMT -5
"I do my best. Not everyone is so bad, after--"
*There was a loud crack, and Rudolf's sentence was cut off by a cry of pain as he grabbed Becca's arm. On the front of his jacket, by his right shoulder, a red stain was slowly spreading.
On either side of the carriage, the gathered people were crying out, running for cover*
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Post by Rebecca on Sept 21, 2008 12:57:09 GMT -5
*Becca screamed briefly, before hearing the driver shout at them to get lower. Becca dragged them both to the floor of the carriage as it picked up speed. She heard another shot fire above their heads, felt the heat of the bullet on her cheek as she squirmed further down, staring in horror at the spreading blood stain. She pressed her handkerchief against his shoulder with trembling hands.*
"You're alright, Rudolf...you're going to be alright," *she sobbed, holding him close in her arms.*
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Post by Rudolf on Sept 21, 2008 13:03:20 GMT -5
*He held onto Becca, the pain making it hard to think beyond worrying for her safety. Distantly, he could he hear the driver, the screams of panic from the crowd, and a few more shots going off.
The carriage picked up speed, immeaditely turning down a side street to screen it from the gunner. It headed, faster, carrying them back home*
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Post by Rebecca on Sept 21, 2008 13:08:05 GMT -5
*The carriage came to a halt in an inner courtyard of the palace, the driver shouting for attendants. Maids, butlers and footmen came running, with looks of confusion until someone saw the Emperor covered in blood and looking pale. Several strong men lifted him down, while one ran to fetch a physician. Some turned to support the Empress, helping her from the carriage. She broke from their hold, falling to her knees beside Rudolf, holding on to him.*
"Rudolf...Rudolf...you promised me...you promised me...s-stay...do not leave me..." *she whispered into his ear, blood trickling down her cheek where a bullet had grazed her skin.*
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Post by Rudolf on Sept 21, 2008 13:21:24 GMT -5
*He reached out and grabbed her hand in his, giving it a squeeze*
"I'll...be..."
*He shuddered, fighting off the pain*
"...fine."
*With all insistence, the men helped Rudolf and Rebecca inside, immediately bringing the Emperor to where the physician was waiting. Once Rudolf had been settled onto the bed, the doctor set to work quickly.
It took no time to determine that the bullet hadn't exited, and was still lodged in Rudolf's shoulder*
"Hurry, we need to extract this."
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Post by Rebecca on Sept 21, 2008 13:26:09 GMT -5
*Becca sat beside the bed, holding her husband's good hand tightly. Someone tried to escort her away, thinking the scene unfit for a lady's eyes. Rebecca had rounded upon the poor man with deadly fire in her eyes.*
"I will not go," *she hissed.*
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Post by Rudolf on Sept 21, 2008 13:55:25 GMT -5
*Rudolf's jacket and shirt were now removed, the doctor working quickly to remove the bullet. It was a painstaking process, and Rudolf was for the most part unconscious.
After what seemed to be an agonizing time that stretched forever, the bullet was was out and the wound stitched shut and bandaged.
The doctor approached Rebecca*
"He will be fine. The injury, while bad, did not have the potential to be fatal. It will take some time to heal, and he will be in and out of wakefulness...but he'll recover. All he'll carry is the scar."
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Post by Rebecca on Sept 21, 2008 14:02:16 GMT -5
*Rebecca nodded, saying nothing as the doctor spoke.*
"He will be removed to his room to rest--if you would like to retire I shall attend to your cut before--"
"I will go with him. You may dress whatever wounds I may have while I sit with my husband. I will be with him when he does wake."
*The Empress had an air of command in her tone that had previously been absent from her manner, and none dared to disobey her. Rudolf was laid upon his bed and given a pain-killing draught to swallow, and gauze and plaster was stuck upon the cut on Becca's face--not deep enough to require stitches, though it bled profusely.
Pale and exhausted, Rebecca sat in a chair beside the bed, holding Rudolf's hand and saying nothing but to order all attendants to leave them alone.*
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Post by Rudolf on Sept 21, 2008 14:14:33 GMT -5
*Rudolf slept like a rock, the draught and the care taken making it comfortable enough for him to rest. Rest, and heal. He stirred a few times, murmuring Rebecca's name, but for the most part he was at ease*
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Post by Rebecca on Sept 21, 2008 14:24:53 GMT -5
*Becca smiled tearfully at him, brushing his hair back from his face with cool, gentle fingers.*
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Post by Rudolf on Sept 21, 2008 14:29:43 GMT -5
*He turned his face toward her touch, a sigh escaping his lips*
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Post by Rebecca on Sept 21, 2008 14:56:23 GMT -5
*Becca glanced about, confirming that no maids had snuck back in the room to check on them. She kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the bed, lying down carefully beside Rudolf and wrapping her arms around him gently, avoiding his bandage.*
"You're going to be alright, Rudolf," *she whispered, kissing his cheek.* "You're going to get better...we're going to have a baby...we'll be alright."
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Post by Rudolf on Sept 21, 2008 15:00:22 GMT -5
*Rudolf shifted closer to her warmth, draping his good arm over her and trying to hug her*
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