steepwithdead | Folkmore

Oh, okay. Magic. [Good news, he walks over with 0 complaint or real thought.

Caduceus apparently has this man believing him with no questions.] Is this gonna be like painful at all, or are we gonna find out?

[Caduceus pauses at that, and for a moment looks deeply apologetic, his ears drooping. He doesn't like that prior experience has made it a necessary question.]

No, it... shouldn't. Healing isn't meant to be painful. I'd be alarmed if it hurt you.

[The ears drooping is what makes Leonardo wince more than the glass than anything else. He holds up his good hand quickly in placation.]

I mean- you've never hurt me with healing. I'm just used to how much it usually hurts when I get put back together.

It's normal to like low level hurt all the time anyway, so, I shouldn't really complain. [He does not mean to admit that part out loud.]

Edited 2025-10-22 01:25 (UTC)

Is that your arm, or another source of pain?

[Sorry Leo you said the thing and he's latching on. He finishes fussing with the materials and leans forward to examine the state of his freshly-strained plastron, alongside his new cuts.]

[There is no take back on that, is there-] I mean, I usually ache most of the time. It's normal. Everyone hurts like that. Today my chest plate hurts from- uh, earlier, but not really as bad as it could be.

[Decades of pushing his body to its limits has left some lasting damage in places. Lingering pains that crop up and Leo just ignores for the most part. Not that Leonardo has the words to describe chronic pain appropriately. He assumes everyone in his age group feels like this to some extent.]

[Absolutely not. You fell in a pit of your own making, you live there now. Now that he knows, though, Caduceus will be thinking about this one. There are limits even to the healing magic of the Wildmother- at least, the kind wielded by a mortal.]

I'm sorry. I wish there was an instant cure-all for that sort of long-term pain. There are treatments, but they can be... extensive. And slow.

[Leonardo shakes his head gently. Quick to reassure the other man.] I'll be alright. I've gotten this far, I'll keep chugging along bout the same.

As long as I stop doing stupid things, at least. [Yes, he can acknowledge his behavior with Donnie was... extremely stupid. The walk back made him stew on it at somewhat.]

There's not a person alive or dead capable of that.

[Everyone does stupid things. It's the fate of mortals.

He won't dwell on the issue - it isn't his guilt to carry - and instead takes the diamonds in one hand, closing the distance between them. He lifts his free hand to rest on Leonardo's arm, murmuring under his breath. Both the diamonds and his palm gleam brightly for a moment, and soft cattail vines spread out from his hand, branches stretching out towards each cut. It lasts a matter of seconds, and will feel like little more than a soft tickle on his scales. When it's done, he... probably won't feel very different, unless he actually was infected. The cuts aren't even healed over. The diamonds are gone, and the vines shrivel and disintegrate.

One thing he might notice, however: he's been very tired recently, right? Worn at the seams? Rough day? Feeling... exhausted, maybe? Yeah, not anymore. He'll feel refreshed as if he'd just had the greatest night's sleep ever.]

[Thankfully for everyone involved, Leonardo wasn't infected. Even with the blood contamination, he hadn't picked anything up.

The turtle curiously watches Caduceus work, wanting to see just how everything works. Magic has always fascinated him. Caduceus magic is like nothing he had dealt with before, so it always holds his attention.

He opens his mouth and closes it at the feeling. He had thought he had been resting really well, but this rush of liveliness leaves him openly dumbfounded.]

I... wow. [He has no idea what to even do with it.] Magic rules.

[That makes Caduceus chuckle.]

It has its benefits, for sure.

[He grew up with it, so some aspects of this power is normal for him, but he's learned and witnessed so many new things since leaving home, the wow factor never truly goes away. Magic should not ever be considered mundane, least of all the magic of the divine.]

Feel anything weird? Any fatigue, or illness? How're your injuries?

No, I feel... really good? Like, wow. [For once in his life, he's somewhat struck silent. His brain is trying to catch up with this whole new feeling.] I feel like- I could take on the whole world.

I could do anything!

[Leonardo can't quite contain himself as he reaches out to sweep Caduceus into his arm. Holding the other man up comfortably against his chest plates in a cradle as he spins both of them around. He throws his head back, laughing. The sound is bright and energetic. Delighted.

He comes to a stop after at least one good spin, breathless and smiling down at his friend. He can feel his heart flutter a little.]

Oh.

[UPPIES?? He is suddenly uppies. He can't remember the last time anyone did this to him. He can't remember when anyone was big enough to do it. When he was small, maybe?? So like 90 years ago... Usually he dwarfs anyone he hugs. He's not even sure what to say for a few moments, kind of shell-shocked (no pun intended). That sure did happen.]

I like the energy! Just don't, ah. Over-extend yourself with excitement.

[He won't spoil the joy by too much fussing, though. Not unless Leo expresses pain.]

Yeah, of course- yeah- [Another laugh bubbles up and out of him. Carefully, the turtle sets Caduceus back onto his own feet.

He smooths away the fluttery feeling. Just focused on being present with his friend. He can't just... ruin things in the way he always does. The best option he has is to be the very best kind of friend he can be to Caduceus. All he wants to is to make sure the other man is happy, safe, fulfilled-

He can do that.

He feels like he can do anything right now. He can do that. Even if it makes his heart feel like it might burst with something he can't completely articulate.]

Last thing I need is to just over do it and waste what you did. [He agrees.]

[Caduceus looks amused as he's set back down on his feet, adjusting one long sleeve before he gives Leonardo a scrutinizing look, to check on said injuries.]

Well, the good news is, only time and exertion can undo that. And also maybe more blood from your brother, so avoid what you did before, hm?

[The whole... blood-and-glass smashing, not the lifting spin. That was a bit silly but not a bad thing at all. It's nice to see Leonardo looking so happy, considering the miserable state he arrived in. And he does look happy, genuinely. It's a heart-warming scene, something Caduceus feels is well-deserved.]

I am going to be so well-behaved now. No more blood fights. Promise. [As well-behaved as he can manage, anyway. He's got all this energy.

The fact other people feel like this all the time is still mind-boggling to him. Sure, he distantly remembers how energetic he used to be, but Leo assumed it was an age thing.]

I'll enjoy this while it lasts. Dunno when I'll feel this... peppy again.

[Caduceus quirks a brow.]

I'll tell you the real secret: all that spell really did was give you the equivalent of a full, uninterrupted rest for as long as your body needed.

[He fully understands why it might not feel possible, considering Leonardo's life and all that he's currently dealing with. Call it aspirational: he could feel this peppy again, if he gets a real, solid sleep for a few nights in a row.]

Oh. [He manages after a pause. Leonardo assumed the spell was like a blast of adrenaline or something along those lines.]

I thought I slept pretty good? [This is a very weird day, where he's recontextualizing things.] I mean, I do, in my own way anyway.

What counts as "your own way"?

[Because he has looked pretty tired recently...]

I sleep a lot longer than before. [He didn't think his sleep schedule was that bad here, but...] I just sleep in shifts? A few on, a few off. Really depends on how tired I am, or if my insomnia is creeping back up. Gives me a lot of extra time to read though.

[Beloved Melora this man hasn't had a long rest. How does he function at all?]

Maybe I ought to be giving you that tea, too.

If you have extra, sure? I'm pretty alright generally. [Leonardo operates purely on twunk energy.

He does indeed do an air quote motion with one hand.] Not like I had a "normal" schedule before.

I grow it here. Sometimes I use it, myself. I've kept a good supply.

[Considering the population and their collective trauma, and the trials frequently forcing it to the forefront, you never know who might need it.]

I know the concept of "normal" can be quite relative, but what you're doing isn't healthy.

Well, I'm glad if I used some, it wouldn't take away from what you got. [He's reluctant to really go for it, but... if Caduceus is worried, he can reconsider.]

I mean, I get a lot of naps? That counts, right? [He has picked up a habit of finding a sunny spot in his guest room and curling into a ball to sleep.]

[Oh, no.]

It really doesn't. A thorough rest is critical to your long-term health, especially when you're still healing.

Oh. [He's not arguing with Cad about it, at least.] I... guess I'll make the tea part of my routine for a while. I probably won't need it forever or anything.

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