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Saint Sin [GRP]; With Shan
Topic Started: Fri Nov 4, 2011 1:13 am (647 Views)
Shan Orison
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"Spiders...oh, dear..." Shan said, rubbing a hand through his hair. Well, it was Emily, no doubt now. Too many coincidences had piled up to deny it. However, to hear her being so cruel was...

Well, it's not really that surprising, his second thoughts pointed out. You know how easily she kills and maims others.

It was true. He'd witnessed it enough to believe it. However, she'd never deliberately hurt him, and his early impressions of her had solidified into seeing her as...he wasn't certain, really. An ally, a friend, sometimes even as something he needed to protect, like a young cousin or the sister he'd never had. Granted, that last one was silly beyond all reasoning. But the facts of Emily's inborn maliciousness had always been something Shan kept in the intellectual part of his brain, like recognizing that your parents had...made love, at least to make you. It wasn't something to focus on too deeply, if only out of self defense of one's mental well-being. He couldn't change her anyway, he felt, so it was best to keep his mental image of Emily and the logical facts about her separate.

However, hearing about her cruelty from, well, a victim, was like a hard punch in the kidneys. His chivalry and honest nature forced him to speak.

"I'm...I'm afraid to say I've met this Emily, too," he said slowly, looking down at his hands. "I was hoping that somehow it was some other zombie girl named Emily you were talking about, but the spiders rather clinch it. We...um, well, I met her when I was wandering though the Darkland caverns a while back. She...um, well I got caught in her web, she shrank me down to doll size -"

I still say it was because she was planning-

NOT for a tealess tea party, Paranoia, his second thoughts interrupted the interrupting thought. Let it GO already!

"-And...well, planned to trade me to the Drow to get a friend of hers back out of slavery. Well, um, as you can tell I'm not in Drow captivity. Turned out she used me more to get in the door so she could...Well, there was a lot of burning and face melting, and I escaped in the chaos. Thankfully, the shrinking spell was temporary."

This was true. All of it was true, but it wasn't the entire truth. His caution edited the tale. Somewhere inside her was still the other Diana, after all, and Shan's paranoia never forgot that. The last thing he wanted, in case the other Diana broke free, was for her to use Shan to get some sort of vengeance against Emily. Of course, perhaps that would guarantee she would never bother him again, but the angel Diana before him, the one shaking and with tears in her eyes, didn't need to hear her fear was her tentmate's friend.

"...Are you sure you don't want to try to remove that knife?" Shan asked, wincing himself at the thought of sharp steel embedded in her skin. "I know a good healer in Taras, and...well, if Emily would only hurt you because you're...you were...not nice, perhaps she wouldn't care if, since you're an angel now, you got that blade out. I think the mental scarring is enough pain for you to endure." Shan sat glumly. He knew he didn't have the training needed to deal with that sort of pain, and he didn't dare help her with her nightmares anymore than he would as a friend. He was no headologist, and that was the least Diana needed to deal with those sorts of memories.
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Diana Sin
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The angel could not help but stare in shock and awe as Shan admitted not only to knowing Emily, but also being another victim, though luckily to a much lesser extent. However, he had been used and at least a little abused. She gulped at the thought of being made doll-sized, as it was ironically enough a nightmare Diana had before. There wasn't a need to share her every single nightmare with Shan though, as she had already admitted quite enough and kept learning more.

In her mind, the real Diana now learned that Emily had become an enemy of some drow. Perhaps drow who would recognize her as a friend when she came back in control of her body? She had plenty of drow contacts, and had worked with them before. Her own stepmother was a drow. Something to keep in mind for the future when next she had to confront the source of her fears.

"T-t-take it out?" she said, stuttering in fear that was second nature when it came to Emily. "I s-suppose I could. I'm just..." She continued to rub her stomach nervously, as though she expected the girl to pop up and warn her that if she took it out she would be cursed with Emily's company for all eternity. She shook her head. This was Diana's fears and guilt clouding her, and she was not Diana. She could not let the fear of Emily rule her like it had her predecessor.

"I'll do it."
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Shan Orison
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"Alright then," Shan smiled, listening to the rain pounding on the canvas of the tent. "Well, we can't rush out and do it now, it seems. We can go tomorrow morning or perhaps in the evening, whichever you'd prefer. And, um, if you don't feel up to it tomorrow, it's okay. I mean, that's a lot of mental scarring you have. Not to say you can't overcome it, but...well, I'll help you find her tomorrow if you still wish it."

Shan found himself far more relaxed than he'd ever been with Diana, especially considering their close quarters. It was strange how suddenly calm he was.

Well, it's rather humanizing to hear your monsters have monsters of their own, his second thoughts said. It doesn't hurt that her monster likes you.

Still, his anima said, It's rather disconcerting to hear about Emily like this. Mind you, I fully believe she did this, but it just seems...

Cruel. It was cruel. He didn't know if Diana's fears about Emily unleashing her wrath on her again if she removed the blade were unfounded or not, but perhaps he could speak to the zombie girl about that. He suspected that Emily's feelings toward him were akin to those toward a pet or a lovable stray, but maybe she would listen and leave Diana alone about this. He best leave out bits like the events in the marsh and Balefire, of course.

"Since we can't do anything until the morning, however, it's probably best we head back to sleep. Um," Shan fumbled his violin case open, lifting the instrument out of its velvet bed. "If you think you can't sleep, I can try playing something relaxing to distract you and help you rest." If she agreed, he could play a few lullabies with the added touch of emotional evocation to calm her down and set her fears aside. It was an ability he used often in taverns that started to get too riled up and ready to burst into a brawl. If it could settle drunken, angry, armed men down, it should help Diana sleep.
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Diana Sin
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"Perhaps the evening," said the angel, thinking about the Orphanage-in-Progress. "We have work to do, still, after all." There was no way she could leave this place incomplete, getting distracted by her own mild discomforts and fears. There were children who were filling in places not fit for their living, struggling to get just the smallest comfort in a world that could be so cruel. Who would be evil enough to leave those children to the fate handed to them? Certainly not this angel.

When given the option to be soothed to sleep again, the angel looked a little nervous. Did she really want a fresh set of nightmares? No, but she did need the physical rest. "I wouldn't mind something to sooth me to sleep," she said, and once she had confirmed a desire for music there came something so sweet to her ears that she forgot her anxieties and fell back, staying awake if only to hear a little more until the calming sounds comforted her into perhaps the most restful sleep she had ever had.

When the music stopped, there were still nightmares to be had, but they didn't seem quite as bad as before the music. Quite a talent Shan had, being able to soothe even the restless Diana Sin and the angel that had overcome her with just a song or two. Even the true Diana had to admit that he had greatly improved since she had first met him, and it was amazing he had not become a bard of renown and legend with skills like those.
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Shan Orison
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The second day dawned bright and clear, if wet and muddy on the ground. Still, a bit of mud wouldn't hurt anyone, and after the arrival of Ms. Moss and some breakfast delivered by several of the orphans, the gender neutral Clare and its self appointed guardian among them.

"Hope you don't mind, but they insisted on coming to watch," Ms Moss said. "Sisters Deborah and Varity'll watch them, of course, but if they get underfoot or misbehave, they're to head straight back. Do you understand?" she turned, facing the small crowd of children and their two adult guardians, a duo of young nuns for a sect Shan didn't recognize.

"Yes, Ms. Moss," the children chanted, most of them with averted eyes.

"You behave and you can stay and watch," Ms. Moss said. "Now, let's get to business."

The heaviest work completed the previous day, the three of them began to turn the forest of support beams into a building, constructing outer walls and the beginnings of the roof. After some time, some of the children did come closer asking to help, but were only allowed to after promising to obey instructions, especially ones such as "Get away!" No such accidents occurred, though, and Shan was pulled off fetching duties to help more with nailing, securing, and supporting, a small battalion of children handing them tools and drinks of water when asked.

At the end of the day, with supper in everyone's hands, they looked upon their handiwork.

"Well, I'll be blown down with a whisper," Ms. Moss said in satisfaction. "It's not done yet, but it's finally a building. If you two can keep up this pace, we may be done in only two more days, or maybe even tomorrow!" She beamed at the bard and angel. "Don't know how you two managed it, or what gods sent you to help, but I'm glad they did."

"Well, we all did it. And you kids helped out a lot," Shan said to the gathering of tired but grinning faces. Even Clare's guardian, who Shan learned was called Natter, had some of his old cynicism chipped away by a small smirk. "And when we're done, we can have a house warming party. I can provide the entertainment, at least."

"Why not? Even if you're no good, bad music is better than no music, assuming it's not terrible, of course."

"My music keeps me fed, so it's good enough for a living."

"Then it's good enough for me. Can't guarantee many treats, but a party's a fantastic idea. How about it, kiddies?"

"Yeah!" the orphans shouted, their small grins bursting into full blown smiles and their tiredness vanishing. "A party! A party! With cake! And sweets!" could be heard through the cacophony of cheers. The nuns took it upon themselves to quiet the children back down and refill the glasses for those who spilt their drinks in the excitement.

"Guess you'll be sleeping out here again?"

"If we can, but first, Ms. Moss, I was hoping to see a healer. To be honest, I'm not used to this much heavy lifting, and I'm hoping to get my shoulder checked to make sure the pain there doesn't lead to it giving out before we finish. Do you know a healer named Samantha?"

"The Apostle who works with the guards?"

"She's a friend of mine. I'd like to see her since I'm in Taras. Two birds with one stone and all that. Can you tell me where she is?"

"Certainly. She's a good one," Ms. Moss said, and gave instructions on how to reach Samantha's tent. "Give my regards to her. Still owe her for helping with that bout of pneumonia that swept through here last spring."

"I will," Shan said, watching as the children were gathered together and led back to their temporary home.

"Well, um, if you're still up to it..." Shan said, trailing off. They hadn't spoken of Diana's decision since last night, and he wasn't certain if she still had the resolve. "If not, it's fine. It's not going anywhere, after all, which I suppose is the problem."
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Diana Sin
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The angel rose to find that they had picked up a group of little helpers, and could see nuns. She beamed at them all, and even with her wings hidden under her cloak one could easily imagine them spread out to enhance that shining, angelic smile. They also came with breakfast, which Diana ate quickly. The day was muddy, but bright and soon the sun would harden the mud into being dirt.

When the angel got to work, she really got to work and did it fast. She had already proved her strength the day before, but now she proved herself a very hard working and fast person as well. The shock and awe as the Orphanage really started to become a building was proof enough, and the faces of all the children proud that they had gotten to help made her similarly proud of her work. She giggled at their joy when the idea of a party came to be.

Then she heard Shan mention his healer friend and she had to fend off the feeling of dread that cropped up as she thought of the removal of the dagger she had long since gotten used to being there. Gulping when Shan got word of where to find her, she sucked in all her worries and nodded. "I am," she told him. She turned back to the children, with a smile and a wave. "I have to go for a while. I'll see you all later." With that she let Shan lead her off to finally get this burden taken out of her.
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Shan Orison
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Shan could feel her worry and anxiety, but it seemed Diana was going to force her way past it, Emily or no. "Alright then. You can change your mind at any time," he added. He didn't like the idea of her going into what had to be major surgery if she was anything less than compliant. Once Samantha heard about it, she'd probably put Diana to sleep and work immediately to remove the blade, no matter Diana's protests.

"I met her when I came here with a friend, a man who was a city guard in Taras before, um, this," Shan said to pass the time, and gestured at the ruins still around them. "She's an Apostle of Serenity. I don't know if you know anything about them, but she's good at her art, and I know she'll do her best for you. Hopefully she'll agree to work tonight, which I don't see her refusing."

They walked farther in silence, Shan uncertain what to say. Soon, however, they began to run into more patrols of guards. Shan watched them nervously. He never really had run ins with the law, since he usually behaved himself, but that good behavior was purely out of his moral code, not from the law. Guards, for some reason, made him feel nervous and his skin itchy. It was the way they all looked at you and knew you were guilty of something, and were only just deciding to leave you be. For now.

They began to cross into familiar territory and the large tent which housed Samantha the healer. Shan took a deep breath and pushed aside the cloth flap that served as a door. "Samantha?" he called out.

"Hold on," a voice called out, and a woman in a white robe emerged from behind a partition, drying her hands on a cloth. "Wait, you're Cole's friend, aren't you? Shan, right?"

"Yes, that's me," Shan said with a nervous smile. "Showed back up in Taras, hoping to help out some while I'm here."

"Well, you can help roll bandages, and if you know even basic first aid, that would be helpful in lifting some of the burden off me. The number of splinters I treat on these grown men is ridiculous. You would think they could operate a pair of tweezers without hand holding." The healer looked up to Samantha. "Sorry, dear, I completely went off on a tangent. Are you a friend of Shan's?"

"Um...yes. This is Diana. She wanted to help out here in Taras, and I joined her. We're actually helping to rebuild the orphanage."

"Really? I've been hearing about that. You've been making incredible progress, they say. I'm guess the issue is sore muscles, then? I can help with that, and at least you have a legitimate reason to complain of them, if the gossip I've come across is true."

"Well, um...." Shan stopped. He didn't want to draft Diana into this, and she might still be having second thoughts. He led her this far, but she was going to have to take this step on her own. She could agree they were hear to treat overworked bodies, and there would be no shame in it, but the request had to come from her lips, not his.
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Diana Sin
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The angel did know of the Apostles of Serenity, great healers who helped all no matter who or what they did. Truth be told, Diana had been helped by some when she had jumped the wrong person on a highway. Of course, she had also enjoyed taking advantage of that kindness, if she could get away with it. But, she didn't expect to find someone familiar with her, so that wasn't a worry.

As they got to the tent, a healer popped up to answer Shan's call, though perhaps not the one he was wanting the way they spoke. When it became obvious Shan wasn't going to be the one to ask for her help, the angel who had been Diana decided at last to step up to plate. She let out a sigh, trying her best to keep calm. "I have a small problem and only the hands of a tremendously good healer will help," she said, and lifted her shirt to show the scars.

"As odd as this may sound, I have an object lodged in here I would like to remove," she said. Perhaps Shan had thought she would try to be more discreet, but the angel had a problem with outright lying. Besides, at least the truth might make things seem more urgent.
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Shan Orison
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Shan blushed and looked away, only looking back when he realized Diana's shirt was going no higher than her lower torso. "She's...She has an old wound where a...well, a dagger is in her abdomen."

"...A what?" Samantha asked, staring at the old scars. "Why didn't you get aide sooner? It's a miracle it hasn't caused major damage to your internal organs already, and you've been working construction? You shouldn't be standing! I am getting that thing out right now. Damned if you're going to die here from twisting the wrong way and stabbing yourself from within."

Shan was a bit shocked at how fast things went after Samantha's diagnosis. A few shouts roused a nurse, who scrubbed up and donned gloves and a gown with Samantha. Diana was rushed behind a back partition, cutting off Shan's view of the proceedings. Feeling a bit lost, he sat in a chair, drumming his fingers on his fiddle case. Perhaps he should have brought his bag, as well. He had a book in there, at least. He listened, sharp orders and clinking sounds overpowering any sort of sounds from cutting into Diana's belly. He began to drum out a tune, fingertips striking different parts of the case to approximate notes.

Time passed. The starts wheeled in the sky over the tent.

Finally, the nurse emerged from behind the partition, wheeling Diana to a different section of the tent. Samantha emerged, her gown spotted with blood.

"Well, we got it out," She said, removing the gown and gloves. "It wasn't as bad as it should be, but mostly because -"

"Healer! We need a healer!" someone shouted from outside. A man in dirtied work clothes burst into the tent. "Healer Samantha," he panted. "The arena...one of the support beams fell...We need healers...There's a lot of injuries...We need your help..."

"Dammit, why are they working at night?" Samantha growled. She grabbed a large bag filled with healing supplies. "Shan, can you watch over her? She should be fine, and you've enough healing skills to deal with most complications. Darien! Come on!" She rushed out the door, followed by Nurse Darien.

"...Thank you?" Shan said, a bit off-kilter at the abrupt egress. He sighed. Well, at least Diana was fine, sleeping off her surgery. He might as well pull up a spare bed and rest as well. First, though, he'd best check on Diana.

He walked past the empty beds of the infirmary's post-op section. Pulling back the heavy curtain giving her a sense of privacy, Shan looked down on Diana. She lookd peaceful in sleep, covered by blankets, a set of clothes beside her. She'd most likely feel much better once she woke. The loss of that constant pain might even help her nightmares. Shan smiled.

There's something wrong... his paranoia said, cowering.

Shan frowned at the thought. Something did seem off. What was it? He looked around the room, searching for...he didn't know, really. Some sort of evil runes? A spy? An eldritch abomination with a yoyo? There was nothing wrong with the tent. He looked back at Diana. She looked healthy, though her face was pale. She still slept, her black hair framing her face and fanning out around the white pillow...Shan's stomach sank. He looked at her hands. They were free of jewelery.

"Oh, no...The ring..." Shan muttered, eyes wide. Where was the ring? Where did Samantha put it? He checked the clothes the nurse had laid out, the endtable, the operating area. He finally found it in a shallow dish next to a metal pan that held the dagger that had plagued Diana. Shan picked it up. It was such a simple thing, a silver band. And yet...Yet it could turn the scheming vampire Diana into a person who felt fulfillment at rebuilding an orphanage. Without it, who knows what she would do? Shan need to take this ring before she awoke, and...

And what? It was one thing when her wearing it was an accident, but to consciously force it upon her, change her against her will with magic? It went against everything he'd ever learned about the arcane, about how it was to be used. However, if he didn't use the ring, the orphanage being left incomplete would be the least of everyone's worries, his first of all. There was no guarantee Diana would simply leave Taras, and even if she did, it was unlikely her short stint as an angel would change her nature. How many people would he be hurting by not using this ring?

What else could he justify using magic like this if he went through with it.

Shan stood staring into the ring, indecision freezing him.

Tick tock, Hero, his inner critic said. She's not going to sleep forever. Best decide quickly if we're slipping this back on or running.
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Diana Sin
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The angel had been rushed and put under for surgery, but as she closed her eyes she felt as though Diana was laughing at her coldly. She did not understand why Diana was laughing, and wouldn't even get the chance to as her world faded into blackness and never came back. The angel who had taken place for Diana Sin for days, had already started so much good would never get to see her work complete.

But was this the end? Did she really disappear or would she remain somewhere in Diana's subconscious, as much a prisoner as Diana had been? Who knows, but when Diana's eyes opened there would be none of the kindness and warmth the angel had brought to her silver eyes, only the redness of hunger and malice.

Diana Sin was quiet as she opened her eyes, daring to move her head to look around groggily until she found Shan. With a small smile inky tendrils moved from out of the bed sheets as he stared at the ring, obviously understanding as she was that she was free to torment the world and was likely planning to put it back on her. She would not get the chance, however, as her tendril wrapped around his legs and lifted him up so he would hang upside down in the air and spun to look at her.

"Hello, Shan," she said, grinning to show her fangs. "I'm back." She leaned up from the bed, letting the blankets fall as she rubbed her belly. She blinked, not used to the feeling of comfort that came when a dagger was not lodged in her belly. "My, my, I had forgotten what it's like to not feel a jolt of pain with every move."
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Shan Orison
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Something cold coiled around his ankles, encircling his legs and tightening. Shan yelped as he was pulled into the air, dropping the ring with a gentle clink of metal against stone. Dangling, Shan hung suspended upside down, helpless to move. He gulped as he looked over to the bed. Diana was awake, watching him, and smiling.

Time's up, his critic said. You lose.

"Hello, Shan," She said, her grin widening to show her pointed teeth. He felt a twinge in his neck just from looking at them. "I'm back." She stood, the sheet falling away to show she only wore a simple white skirt and a bandage swaddling her torso. Shan focused more on the dark tendrils that seemed to emanate from her back and help him above the floor. When did she get those? "My, my," she said, caressing the bandaged area. "I forgot what it's like to not feel a jolt of pain with every move."

"H...hi, Diana..." Shan said weakly, fighting down old fears, remembering that he was stronger now than when he was in Balefire, and much stronger than his time in the marsh. He wasn't helpless. She'd only bound his legs, after all.

However, he remembered the angel Diana, waking in the night, terrified of her nightmares, fearful of her dreams and the cause of them. His chivalry couldn't put that memory aside so easily. He had to try speaking with her first. Maybe there was some sort of change in her from her time as a being of goodness.

"Glad you feel better...Um...You do realize we're practically in the middle of the Taras Guard encampment? This isn't Balefire, and not a secluded room. There's canvas between you and at least a score of armed men and women. So...as a suggestion only, perhaps you should drop me and leave while you can? I'm not saying you aren't strong, but the entire Taras Guard seems a lot to take after major surgery. I won't say anything, I swear. Just...go while you can. Please?"
Edited by Shan Orison, Sun Nov 20, 2011 1:23 am.
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Diana Sin
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Diana considered him for a moment, and to her surprise he actually made a good case. Personal survival was always high on her list of priorities. "You know what, Shan, you're right," she said, as one of her other tendrils went to the pile of clothes laid out for her as she stood. She began to dress herself, not seeming to care if Shan watched or not yet she could not help but deliver quite a show if he did happen to keep his eyes open.

Taking the rest of her belongings she looked at Shan curiously. "Pity I don't think I'd have the proper time to make you my snack, Shan," she said. "I'll have to get something on my way out, I suppose. Catch you later, bard. Tell the kids I wasn't able to make the party." And, much to the surprise Shan would probably feel, Diana dropped him and walked out of the tent, leaving the bard to his own thoughts.

As she stepped out of the tent she whispered a spell to change her hair back to the angelic silver it had been when she wasn't in control. It seemed to her best to remain looking like the same person on her way out as she had on her way in. This would be annoying, having to go out, find Ashlynn and the rest of her pets along with her wagon and get back on the road.

As she walked she noticed she was walking back towards the unfinished Orphanage. As she came by it she stopped and stared. There were young, happy little faces in her head. Shaking her head she tried her best to walk away. It wasn't her problem.

---

When the next day arrived, Ms. Moss would arrive at a completed Orphanage, with some small changes to her design here and there. On the door was a note nailed in that read,

"Dear Ms. Moss,
My apologies but I had to pull out early. But I decided to do everything before I left. Keep them happy as you can.
Yours Truly,
Saint Diana Sin

PS: Yes, that is irony for you."
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Shan Orison
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Voices penetrated the blackened haze of Shan's head. Moaning a bit in lieu of speech, he opened his eyes, squinting immediately at the light blinding him even through closed lids. His head felt cotton-stuffed, and there was a dull ache like a sharper pain being softened by drugs. He laid on something soft, covered in white blankets. To his side he only see another wall of white blocking his view of the conversationalists. Moving seemed to big of a bother at the moment, so he laid still.

The voices faded, and a figure walked around the white wall: a dark haired woman in a white robe. Shan focused on her, forcing his sleeping mind to work. "Sam...antha?" he managed.

"Good, you're awake," She said, moving to his side and sitting on a stool beside his bed. "That was a nasty crack to your head you got. Imagine my shock when I returned from the mess at the arena to find you passed out with a cracked skull. How many fingers am I holding up?"

"...Three? Now two. Now...What happened?"

"That's what I'd like to know. How many?"

"Four, now three again. Um..." Shan trailed off as his mind began to present the events of the last time he was conscious. Diana actually listened to him, dressed - and Shan blushed a bit to remember that even though he tried to look away, she was damn well posing as she did so like a reverse strip tease and he couldn't help taking glances out of the corner of his eye - and then...

"It's my fault, anyway," Samantha said with a sigh. "I was in such a rush. These sort of accidents really rely on one responding quickly. And...Well, I'm assuming you knew that girl was an angel, but when I went to remove her ring, well, I forgot to mention she was - "

"A vampire. I know. She...She got that ring on her by accident. And you would remove jewelery before surgery wouldn't you?"

"Common procedure," Samantha nodded. "Don't want anything foreign messing with her circulation. How did you know?"

"She...We've met before, though this time she was...well, she wanted to do some good, and I pointed out Taras needed help...The orphanage..." He groaned. Well, he'd have to finish the best he could on his own, he supposed. The heavy lifting was done, at least.

"It's finished."

"What?" Shan said.

"The orphanage. Ms. Moss found it completed this morning. All it needed was furniture and people to live there, and she had plenty of both. This note was apparently left on the door."

She handed Shan a piece of paper. Shan read the message written out on it. "...'Saint Diana Sin'?"

"I agree. Ms. Moss asked, and I did say, well, I chose a bit of creative truth telling and informed her that Diana was, indeed, an angel. They're already deciding to name it the St. Diana Orphanage. Officially, it'll be after their Patron Saint of Protection and Justice, but that's not what the children will remember."

"...But...she was a vampire...Why would she...?" Shan smiled. Maybe there was a small part of her that changed. He wouldn't bet on it if they crossed paths again, but it was nice to see it was possible.

"So, what did happen to your head?" Samantha pressed.

"She, um, she dropped me on my head."

"From how high up?"

"I wasn't really in a position to measure, but rather high."

"Hmmm," Samantha pursed her lips, but chose to not press the bard. "Well, you'd best rest. Head injuries are tricky, and I refuse to let you go until I know you're one hundred percent recovered."

"As long as I can play, I'm fine."

"I hope you can play. Ms. Moss says they're holding off the housewarming party until you're recovered. Apparently, you're the entertainment."

Shan smiled at that. He had friends in Cascadia point out he was good enough to seek patronage with some of the nobles, where he'd have his own private suite of rooms, a generous allowance, fine clothes, and baths and food as often as he wanted, as long as he served his patron lord. He'd considered it, since it sounded a handsome offer on cold, dank nights. However...

"I wouldn't miss it for a hundred balls or a thousand coronations," Shan said in all honestly. Samantha gave him more sleeping elixir, and Shan drifted back into sleep so deep even his nightmares couldn't touch them.

As a final thought, he wondered just how deeply her time as an angel had changed the vampire Diana.

People don't change that easily, his cynicism said.

And Diana Sin doesn't build orphanages for nothing, his idealism grinned.

Shan slept.
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