(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

From here

Curled in Rangar's arms and clutching Athelstan's hand, Sinric keeps his face hidden as they enter their rooms. Somehow it's easier with his eyes closed. It seems to narrow down the visions.

He tries to steady himself enough to stand, wavering like a leaf. "I must smell terrible." He can't tell, still so disconnected from his own body. "I don't remember how long it's been since I washed."

He senses a turn of discomfort from Athelstan. "I can do it alone, it's alright."

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar would rather not have sex, ever again, than lose Athelstan's love. His simple, affectionate touch. Talking to him.

But he feels all this might be gone already.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric sleeps quietly but his eyes twitching behind closed lids, his fingers twitching in their grip.

And all of a sudden, the peace is gone and Sinric is screaming, clawing at his face.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan was only just drifting into an unhappy sleep. He snaps awake and grabs Sinric's near hand, pulling it down.

"Stop. Sinric, stop."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar is there on Sinric's other side, reaching out to hold him.

"Sinric," he says. "Sinric. You are here with us, and safe."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric throws his weight against them, fighting against something unseen, something terrible.

His eyes roll back, thrashing and gurgling. This is no longer a nightmare but a fit.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan looks up at Ragnar.

"You're stronger than me. Hold him down and I'll fetch the doctor."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Yes."

Ragnar is holding on to Sinric, trying to keep him from injuring himself.

[thewidewideworld]

There are words between his screams, almost coherent. "Don't! Don't kill her! Ragnar, no!"

But they get lost in a babble of Greek and sharp cries of pain. He fights with ever ounce of strength, blood speckling at the corner of his lips.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan runs for the door.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar wraps a blanket around Sinric, trying to calm him at least a little.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric sobs and thrashes, his eyes showing white.

He goes ridged, hard as iron and shaking wildly.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan realizes belatedly that he doesn't know where the doctor's room is.

The only option is to go down to the main room and hope to find either him or Guppy there.

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Lecter is actually in the main bar, playing the harpsichord. There is a glass of red wine on the turned-up cover.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan hurries over.

"Doctor. There's something wrong with Sinric. Can you come up?"

[cook_the_rude]

The doctor jumps up, and the wine glass goes flying.

"Yes!" he says. "What's wrong with him?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"I don't know exactly. He only seemed as if he hadn't eaten for too long... but it's got worse. He was having a fit when I left."

[cook_the_rude]

"A seizure?" the doctor asks, hurrying towards the stairs. "Could he talk, or was he incoherent?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Sort of both." He follows quickly. "There were some clear words."

[cook_the_rude]

"What did he say?"

The doctor is running up the stairs, gracefully taking three steps at a time.

[athelstanthescribe]

"'Ragnar, don't kill her' - but there was no woman there, let alone one in danger from Ragnar. I don't know what he was seeing."

[cook_the_rude]

"Had he been asleep?"

After two flights of stairs, the doctor turns into a corridor.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", Athelstan confirms, following him. "Bar provided something to help him, or I don't think he would have been able to sleep at all. I hoped it would be more restful."

[cook_the_rude]

"What was wrong with him to begin with?" the doctor says, unlocking his door.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Like I said, he hadn't eaten for too long. Or had any water, I think... he said something about a ritual."