dontgiveafock | [ 002 ] [ Commentlog ]

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[He'd been there for hours, back torn open from the flogging received and body a mass of agony. Joe was aware that he wasn't the worst dealt that day, but it didn't mean his pain wasn't still on the extreme. He knew he should probably sleep, that the coming days would be busy, but for the moment, the man was content to stare blankly at the ground before him.

Guilt, was what he felt the most. For Sollux, and for Nel. The woman he wanted to scream at for being so foolish, for throwing her life away when he knew there was nothing she could do. Joe had witnessed and been part of enough trials to know that there was no passing the Headsman.]

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[ Bryn had only expected to treat one person on the Green, but when she had seen Joe taken out there as well, she had a sinking feeling that one more person had been added to her list. The only small silver lining to this whole thing was that at least Joe wasn't dealt nearly as much damage as Alex.

She'd walked to the stocks once everyone was gone, and after a brief assessment tackled Alex's back first. She took her time with it, trying to make the most of what supplies she had, and only after she was satisfied did she look to Joe again.

Bryn moved around to the other side so she could look him in the eyes, but found him staring at the ground. She reached out and touched her fingertips to his cheek. ]

Joe?

[After his little talk with Alex, Kevas returns to the stocks again this time with a bag in hand. Kevas can't heal him, but he can give the guy some water and food. It's the least Nel would have done and the most Kevas can do.

Kevas drops the bag next to Joe, kneeling down in front of him. He takes out a bottle of water and unscrews it before tilting it towards Joe.]

Drink up.

[He had heard her there, tending to Alex, but Joe hadn't so much as glanced at Bryn. Perhaps if he stayed silent and still, she would pass him by without a blink and spend her time with someone worthy of it.

And then she speaks his name, and Joe clenches his eyes shut and turns his head slightly away from the touch. It's not enough to break contact. After a pause, Joe sighs.]

Bryn.

[Without argument, Joe drinks, sips small and steady.]

Dunno why yer wastin' y'time, Kevas.

[ When he pulls his head away from her touch, Bryn pulls her fingers away, expecting that he didn't want the contact. Of course, she doesn't know why, but she doesn't make an issue of it and ask. ]

I have some salve and bandages left over for you.

[ She doesn't ask if he wants her to tend to his back, because she doesn't want to draw attention to the fact that he has a choice and can tell her no. After all, he might tell her no and that's the last thing she wants. ]

[Kevas lets him drink until he's had his fill.]

Mon if joo start bawlin' at me like Sollux I'm gonna sock joo in da jaw.

[He sets the bottle down and this time pulls out a loaf of bread from the bag. Just like with the water he offers it up to Joe after breaking off a smaller piece.]

[He looks to her then, expression serious.]

Alex and Sollux have been tended to, aye?

The kid's tough fer goin' through what he did. Young, so let 'im have his bawlin'.

[He eyes the bread and is about to turn the offer down when his stomach gives a growl. So much for protesting. Joe eats what he is given. When he's done, he looks to Kevas.]

Thanks.

[ Bryn nods slowly, hands clutching what she has left in front of her stomach. ]

I don't know how to help Sollux. The skin isn't broken...and Alex I...I did the best I could.

Da liddle mon be t'inkin' he be oldah den he be and be knowin' den he does.

[Which worries Kevas to no end. How many more times is he going to find that brat up here and not be able to do a damn thing about.

Kevas sets the bread down and sticks around. Joe might be done now but he'll be wanting more later.]

Be da least I can do fuh gettin' jah into dis mess.

Somethin' to drink might help the kid. Bit o'water.

[He knows she's trying to help, and appreciates it. Joe's lips quirk a little upwards, a faint smile to assure her it's all okay.]

I'll be alright lass. M'Irish.

I'll be sure to bring some water back for all of you...

[ The smile helps, though really, it's her who's trying to comfort him, not the other way around. The corners of her mouth tilt upward despite how upset she is to see everyone in the stocks as they are. ]

And I know you'll be fine. You'll just be fine sooner once I've finished with your back.

[It's before dawn when Nieta approaches the stocks. She brings nothing with her. She can't. Instead she crouches down in front of Joe and tries to catch his eye. Is he sleeping, or maybe passed out?]

Idiota.

[Just resting his eyes, Joe would say. He stirs at the word and lifts his head to look at her.]

Now there's a sight to wake up to.

[He shakes his head.]

You heard the queen bitch. This ain't the first time I've been in trouble. Even without the lot of ye, I had a fair idea somethin' was goin' on. You wouldn't have been able to stop me if y'tried.

[Joe sighs and looks to Kevas.]

You lot've got to stop climbin' the fence.

[Or there will be more like Nel.]

Good lass.

[He means it. Joe looks to the items in her hand.]

What've you got there?

Salve and clean bandages. Not sure there's enough for all of your back, I used so much for Alex...

[ Bryn straightens up and moves around to the other side of the stocks to get a better look at his lacerations. They're bad, but after Alex's back, she doesn't feel nearly as intimidated. ]

Well, maybe there is. If I get creative with placement...then at least they'll stay cleaner. Okay?

[After a pause, he nods.]

Do what y'can, lass. But if there ain't enough, then there ain't enough. S'alright. I appreciate y'help.

Still, shouldah just gone on my own. Wouldah saved so many so much pain.

[This is the entire reason he works alone. No risk to anyone else. He always survives.

Kevas shakes his head.]

Not gonna happen. I protect my friends and I damn sure protect my family.

[Except when he completely and utterly fails.]

Don't mattah if it be da gods demselves aftah dem, I'll fight fuh dem till dis body stops breddin'.

I could say the same about you.

[She glances at the stocks.]

Why did you not tell me?

Of course. I'm glad I'm able to, rather than last time...

[ It's an easy business for her, especially after all of the work she did on Alex's back. Joe's isn't nearly as bad and Bryn methodically applies salve to each cut with a careful, gentle hand.

While she does, her eyes drift every so often to the tattoos on his shoulder and arm. There appears to be some sort of wolf or dog on his shoulder, though Bryn isn't completely sure. The three headed dog on his arm seems a little less ambiguous. Another time she might have asked if they meant anything, as she had with Asma, but it definitely not the time or place.

As she focused once more on her work, Bryn finally took note of the faint lines of old scars among the new cuts. It made sense, though it shocked Bryn to see them. It explained why he handled his punishment as he had. It wasn't the first time. ]

How long do you think they'll keep you here?

[He lets his head drop when she starts her work, expression a stony mask as he stares at the ground in front of him. Gently as she is, the wounds are still too fresh not to hurt like hell at the contact. Joe refuses to let himself react to that pain.]

A day, maybe two. S'generally the way they run things here.

Climbin' the fence ain't gonna get you anywhere. More are gonna die and it's fockin' pointless!

[A hint of emotion creeps into his voice. Joe is pleading.]

I'm askin' you, brother. Please don't be climbin' the fence while the Headsman is around. Did any of y'pay attention to Sollux when you lot were all throwing yourself at the axe?

[Isabella had taken an unexpected nap. Longer than a nap in fact. She likely knew the reasons why, and when she first woke with the knowledge that she'd been knocked out on purpose, fear rose it's ugly head. Then frustration that could not be considered true anger, and finally resignation.

What's been done, is done.

It was late morning when she woke, and she takes a blanket, a shirt she had been working on for Sollux, and snags half a loaf of stale bread on the way out the door. She makes for the Green and the stocks.

Sollux was gone. She had slept too long and he had been released.

She is, crestfallen. Depressed even.

Yet even as she feels that, she heads straight to Joe with the supplies she has. He had done no wrong.

So she'll approach with her poorman's breakfast and the blanket over one arm. ]

Joe?

[ Bryn hopes that Joe heard her when she first started with Alex, when she told him to tell her if she should stop or something. Lucky for Joe, she can't see his face from this angle. Instead, she focuses completely on his back, watching for any sign of significant flinching.

She pauses briefly at his reply, surprised. ]

That's so long though... They'll feed all of you and bring you water at least, won't they?

[ It's probably a stupid question, and Bryn's stomach is already sinking, anticipating an answer of "no." ]

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