abraxaslogs | it's not your act of creation

[A week? Daisy’s good hand lets go of her arm as it tightens briefly into a fist. Frustration and confusing bubbling to the surface, and fear. Fear because there’s still so much she doesn’t understand or know about this place, and leaves her vulnerable.]

The place that we’re warned not to go to, is the place that gives people here their powers?

[And takes them away, apparently. Does that mean that whatever it is, it’s absorbed her powers to feed off of? Her head is swimming as she tries to focus on just one thing at a time, but it’s not until Claire is in front of her again that she snaps out of it. Of course, Daisy doesn’t know what any of those actually do. Other than turmeric tastes good when it’s mixed in with food.]

They don’t have Tylenol here?

[Not that it does much these days for the type of injuries she’s been dealing with.]

Look, I appreciate what you’re offering to do Claire.

[There’s a ‘but’ coming, of course, because she’s a martyr.]

But I did this to myself.

[What’s left unsaid might be obvious to Claire, or maybe it’s not. Daisy believes she deserved this. To be beaten to near death. She should have died, she wanted to die.]

And I don’t know you.

[The least she deserves is to suffer, like she made all of the people she cared about suffer because of her.]

It is, there's a version in the Horizon, once you're able to access it. As to your second question, I'm sure there are those with the magic to create anything who wouldn't mind abusing their power for things. But no, here, in this land, it doesn't exist.

[ Claire listens then, very much frowning when the woman says she did this to herself. She's taking off her scarf; even with her hair pulled back, in the dimmer lighting inside, it still shines gently. It makes her appear softer, her edges smoothed out, until she's angry. For now, she simply looks like a concerned mother. She's leaning against her countertop looking at the woman, arms crossed over her chest, and she doesn't say anything for a moment, thinking.

She finally straightens, taking the canisters back to their rightful location. ]

You're right, you don't know me. And I know nothing of you, and that is one of the wonderful things about this place. No one. Knows you. [ Claire emphasizes that point, looking at her directly. She doesn't even know her name yet. She's obviously guarded, has been through some sort of trauma, perhaps multiple traumas, and has sealed herself off. Claire understands. She's locked herself up so tight before, that no one could get through. But she also had to open up, eventually. ]

No one knows your life, your past, your sins or your virtues. I know nothing of you, I only know it goes against my own ethics to let someone suffer when there's no need.

[ She takes a deep breath and uncrosses her arms, her own version of a but coming up, gesturing toward the front of the house as she exhales. ]

That being said, the door is just there. I can't keep you here, or force you to allow me to help. If you'd like to go, you're free to, and you can always return if you change your mind later. But I won't argue or attempt to manipulate you into it.

[ She turns her back and continues to prepare tea as if Daisy will choose to stay. ]

You're welcome to a cup of the tea anyway; it won't help tremendously, but it should soothe some of the pain in your face, reduce the inflammation a bit. You can even take it to go, bring back the cup later.

[ Claire keeps her back to the table as she works, letting her make her decision without being scrutinized. ]

[Daisy has more questions, but they're put aside for now. Instead watching Claire as she pulls the scarf off of her hair, weariness written on Daisy's face as she listens to her. It hadn't occurred to Daisy, until now, that Claire was right. No one here knows her. Unwillingly, tears start welling up in her eyes. Maybe it was her words, or the fact that it's been a long day, or maybe even relief.

Daisy looks up at the ceiling, blinking back the tears before they can spill over. In all honesty, Daisy isn't even sure who she is anymore. She's become what the media saw her as, a wanted super-powered individual and she ended up losing herself the long the way.

It may seem to Claire that Daisy wasn't listening at first, as she's silent for a solid minute or two. Mulling over her options, and doing her best to push back those unwanted thoughts and memories from surfacing.]

How do your powers work?

[She finally asks before she can stop herself.]

[ This place has been an opportunity for so many to start over. She doesn't become harsh or lose her patience because for all she knows, this woman has died. She doesn't believe that everything done to her was done by her own hand. Perhaps what she said about her bones is true enough due to her ability. But it looks as if she's been a punching bag, so when she asks her question, Claire smiles to herself before turning, smile gone so that she doesn't offend. ]

I would need to place my hand over the area that needs healing, and then I concentrate. In my own mind, it's almost as if I'm directing your body to pull itself back together. No one has said it hurts, only that it's warm. Not too hot, just warm. There's a bit of a blue and white glow from my hands, and it takes a minute or so, longer the more severe the injuries.

[ Claire remains completely factual, not dressing it up to be more than it is. ]

[Daisy's not heard of a power quite like this one before, and she debates with herself to accept her offer to heal or not. It would be nice to be able to use her powers again, if they return. Without risking becoming permanently injured.]

It might be a while, Doc.

[It's a sad attempt at a joke, but she tries anyway. Despite how serious this situation actually is. Sitting up a bit straighter, she barely manages to mask a wince at the strain it puts on her ribs.]

Does it hurt you? When you heal others.

[ For what it's worth, Claire does smile softly when she sets a teacup and saucer in front of her, along with a honey jar. ]

I'm not going anywhere. [ She can see the pain the young woman is in, and it makes her eyes soften when she asks after her. Claire shakes her head, making the few shadows swing as if a light has been rocked back and forth. ] And no, it doesn't hurt me at all. In fact, as far as I can tell, there are no ill-effects from using the magic we're given.

[ She has no idea if the woman's latent ability will continue to break her bones, but she'll find out, one way or another, she supposes. Sitting across from Daisy again, she folds her hands in her lap. ]

Does that mean you agree?

[Daisy manages the smallest of smiles in thanks when Claire brings her tea over. She'll drink it later, when it's not so hot. Brows knitting together as Claire explains how her magic, along with others, works here. Daisy can't help but feel a little envious.]

How long have you been able to do this?

[Knowing now that Claire won't end up taking on her injuries, Daisy nods and extends her injured arm out towards. It's by far the worst of her injuries, an assortment of bruises and broken blood vessels scattered up and down the entirety of her arm.]

I've been a medical doctor for nearly two decades now.

[ Which is skirting the question because she doesn't want any assumptions made as to how well she can heal. She carefully lays one hand above her arm and one below, sandwiching her in gently. Then, Claire closes her eyes and begins to concentrate on the way the arm feels against her palms. As they begin to warm, a soft blue and white light spills from between them, enveloping the girl's arm. With eyes still closed so that she can focus, Claire murmurs, answering the question for real. ]

This magic specifically? About four or five months, now. Hold still.

[It was hard to tell Claire's age in this lighting, but it's surprising to hear how long she's been a doctor for. Holding her arm like this hurts more than she's willing to let on, but hopefully this doesn't take as long as she's anticipating it will.

The bones in arms have been injured and healed over and over again, before reaching the point where the bone regenerating pills no longer worked anymore. Claire might be able to feel the way her bones are cracked in places, only to be mended in a very haphazard way.]

Doing my best.

[To stay sill, she means. It's a good thing Claire has her eyes closed, because it's not easy to keep the expression of pain off of her face now. Not wanting to disrupt her focus, Daisy stays silent.]

Edited 2024-10-12 20:32 (UTC)

[ Soon, within moments, the pain will begin to fade, replaced only by the warmth. Claire's brow furrows in concentration as her magic tries to weave its way into places that healed incorrectly, to right the wrongs. She can't do anything for them, but she can fix what's wrong, right now.

All told, it takes no longer than almost two full minutes before Claire can feel that her arm is healed, fully. Opening her eyes, she raises a brow. ]

Well? Open to the rest?

[After a minute or so, she finds it not as difficult to hold her arm out like this, too distracted by the warmth slowly creeping up her arm. It feels...

Nice. Sheepishly, Daisy smiles at Claire when she finishes up healing her arm. Testing it out by clenching and unclenching her hand into a fist, she then moves it around to find no pain there anymore.]

I've seen a lot of abilities, but never anything like this. Thank you.

[And she means that. Even if she had been reluctant to take the help, she's glad she did. This is the best her arm has felt in a really long time. Lowering her arm down, she sits up as straight as she can at the moment, her arms aching from the strain of trying to do so.]

Can you do my ribs next?

[ Claire only smiles softly in return and nods her head in acknoweldgement. ]

No thanks needed. I took an oath to heal when I became a doctor, and I take that seriously. This is what I do.

[ It is appreciated though, and she nods, rising. ]

I think it will be easier if we stand. Just remember the pain will be gone within moments. The ribs may take longer, but my theory is that the warmth is sort of a...numbing agent. It keeps you from feeling everything pull back together.

[ Claire rubs her hands together, offering another encouraging smile. ]

Whenever you're ready.

Is healing with magic part of that oath?

[Daisy teases as she gets to her feet, able to use her arm now to help push herself up out of the chair.]

Remember how I said this might take a while?

[As much as she doesn't want to, she pulls her hand away from her side. Her hand having acted as a sort of support for the ache in her ribs. It only occurs to her now that she has no way of paying Claire for helping her.]

I don't have any money I can give you for doing this.

Have I asked for any money?

[ Claire supports her the best she can as she rises, and then, lightly she places her hands on Daisy's waist. They look like awkward, teenage dance partners, but it's good enough for her healing to begin, closing her eyes once more. ]

You never told me your name, and that's well within your right. But it would be nice to refer to you as something other than 'you, girl.' That seems rather rude.

[ She's going to flat out ignore any attempt at insisting she be compensated somehow. ]

And there is no currency, not like you're used to. Gold, yes, but it's difficult to get. [ Claire has her four pieces hidden away, squirreled into a secret place in case of an emergency. ] You'll learn soon enough, as we all did, don't worry.

No, but you should.

[She doesn't think it's worth saying again, but Claire clearly has her worked cut out for her right now. Standing there, somewhat awkwardly, with her arms out of the way so Claire can do what she needs to do, Daisy looks past her towards the shelves lined with all sorts of things.

It's clear she's made a home here for herself, and it's not something Daisy can envision doing herself. She'd like to get the hell out of here asap.]

Right. Guess I kinda forgot about introductions.

[That warmth is starting to creep its way up her ribs, and it's a good distraction for the pain she's been experiencing the last couple of hours.]

I'm Daisy.

[She's not afraid to use her actual name here. Not with her, anyway. While Claire's eyes are still closed, focusing on mending her ribs, Daisy does briefly look at her with confusion.]

So then how do people pay for things?

I'll remember to take life advice from someone who appears to be at least three decades my junior.

[ She murmurs the words as she concentrates, the warmth beginning to spread so that the pain fades first, while the healing takes place. ]

Daisy. Nice to actually meet you. And people trade, or work for what they want, here. I should clarify, there is money, but you'll find people have more use for goods and services than cash.

[ The bones are beginning to knit themselves back together, she can feel it, and there's a sense of relief in the air as the magic works. ]

Feeling any better yet?

[Daisy would laugh at her sarcasm, except it hurts. Instead, she just smiles lightly. She can appreciate a good sarcastic remark, even if it's made towards her.]

I've had a lot of experience those almost three decades.

[She retorts, her posture becoming not as rigid once the ache in her ribs starts to dissipate.]

A lot better, actually.

[Not daring to move until it's Claire is done, she goes back to their conversation on how currency works around here.]

So, how do we get money? Because something tells me credit cards aren't a thing here.

You can do specific favors for others, or there are times the Council requests special assistance and they pay in gold. I'm sure if you go to one of the inns and ask for a bed and three meals a day in exchange for work, it would be seen as a fair deal. I could even ask a friend if they would be willing to bring you on.

[ She thinks of Michael's Inn, almost positive that if he can't find work for her, she'll at least be allowed to stay. ]

Not much longer now, and then you'll be able to take a deep breath. [ She pauses, thinking about her offer before making it. ] You're welcome to sleep on my couch for a while, if you'd rather not stay with one of the locals.

[ Summond mainly only trust other Summond, and while Claire is a stranger, she still has more in common with Daisy in this moment than any of the locals have in common with either of them. ]

Just until you decide whether or not Inn work is something you're up to.

[Daisy scoffs at the suggestion that she work for this 'Council'.]

Does it require that I talk about the Gods here and praise them? If so, count me out.

[She says dryly, keeping still while Claire finishes up with her ribs. Things would've been so much easier if she had someone like her back home to help heal her up. Surprised by the hospitality she's showing her, Daisy hesitates for a moment before speaking up.]

I appreciate it, but I can't put you out like that.

[She's definitely thinking about checking out the inn though. It sounds more ideal than staying with people who apparently idolize the Summoned.]

If it was putting me out you'd have been offered my bed. [ And that's not happening, but she understands. The inn will, without a doubt, have more privacy than an old woman hovering upstairs offers. ]

As for the council, yes, sometimes the tasks ask that shrines be cleaned and maintained, or that we particiapte in an event, but if you don't want to you don't have to. No one's forcing you to do anything here. ...Usually.

[ Just as she's finishing, her eyes open to look at Daisy. ]

Has anyone told you about a shared vision of the future we all experienced? All of us Summond, I mean.

Still, I can't do that to you.

[For exactly one of the reasons Claire had been thinking. Daisy really doesn't like to be dotted on, despite appreciating the concern Claire has shown for her.]

What do you mean by an event? Like, the Hunger Games?

[Unaware of what time Claire comes from, it doesn't occur to Daisy that she wouldn't understand that pop culture reference. Instantly, she becomes wary when she mentions a shared vision. The last time she shared a vision with someone, her boyfriend died.]

No, they haven't.

I've no clue what the Hunger Games are, but they sound awful. The locals believe we're powerful beings, brought here to help them. And so they revere us a bit. There are times of the year the council asks that we indulge them. Sometimes that means they ask us for a special blessing, or for guidance.

[ If it's starting to sound like they're the gods, Daisy might be onto something. As the magic begins to fade, healing done, Claire exhales. This is the most she's done at once, and she feels the ache in her bones of actual creeping exhaustion. ]

We were all forced to gather, all of the Summond, and then we passed out and shared a collective...alternate reality. We were gods. All of us, elevated to some sort of higher status. We were the ones with shrines and alters, and we knew no better. We thought it was normal and real, for centuries. We lived 800 years while we were unconscious in the Pit for weeks.

[ This is alarming, she knows. ]

We try to look out for one another. When I said you won't be forced into anything, I meant by us, by the locals. If there's anything we're compelled to do by the Singularity, most, if not all of us, are forced into it together.

[None of what Claire says, sits right with Daisy. It's a lot to take in, especially when she's only been here for an hour tops.]

I don't know who needs to sit down more right now. You, or me.

[It hasn't passed Daisy's notice that Claire looks exhausted after healing her, and it's not surprising that Claire might've intentionally left out this part about her healing abilities.]

So this--

Whatever the Singularity is. It controls us?

Edited 2024-10-20 20:56 (UTC)

[ Claire sits at the mere hint of the suggestion. ]

The Singularity is the source of everything that magic touches. There are a few who've been on this planet who are either already compelled to do what the Singularity wants, or will willingly do whatever it needs, and we were rounded up one day by those people.

[ All told, it could've been worse. ]

I know this is likely...bloody terrifying, if we're being honest. At least it was to me. But I've been here nearly two years now, and I've learned what to lean into, and what not. At least I'd like to think I have.

[Daisy sits back down in the chair Claire had pulled out for her, bracing for the pain in her ribs only to find it no longer there. It makes it so she can focus more on what she's explaining, even if the explanation leaves her wishing as though she didn't know.]

Bloody terrifying is an understatement.

[She mutters as she's still processing this.]

Do you think powers like mine are only strengthening the hold it has its on the people here?

it's not your act of creation

CW: Suicidal and self harm mentions

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