逆巻 レイジ

Reiji Sakamaki 『 Roseus Tonic & Poison Specialist 』 There is a beautiful flower that blooms only during the lunar eclipse. Night-blooming cereus, was it? Yes, I suppose it bears some resemblance. However, this flower is red, just like the eroding moon.

[noctiscereus]

Table Manners | Reiji & Yata

[militantxcrow]

Reiji was smart after all if he could gather that much. Yata may have had a fierce temper, but if the other party was willing to calm down, then he could settle as well. Besides, it was dinner. Why fight when he hadn’t even eaten all day? He was exhausted from training and the earlier days of carnival festivities. He’d pushed himself too hard recently and he’d be damned if he wanted to sit down and actually finish a meal for once. Perhaps that also played into his acceptance of Reiji’s presence. To argue so much that he couldn’t even finish his food… what a pain in the ass. He didn’t understand why he had to get so bent out of shape about the earlier comments anyway. 

Unsealing the packet of jam, he squeezed a tiny bit onto his finger before placing it between his lips for a taste. “Ohh… that’s actually pretty good,” he hummed, emptying the rest of the contents over the meal evenly before leaving a small bit of it at the edge of his plate for his sides. He didn’t really know how it’d taste overall, but…

As the other male began to speak and describe the sort of taste it would have, Misaki cut into his meal once more and stuck his fork into a piece of meat. Taking a bite, he waited a moment as he chewed and allowed the flavors to mingle before letting out a pleased noise from the back of his throat. He swallowed quickly, fist covering his mouth as he stated with a growing grin, “Well, I didn’t expect it to taste that good! How’d ya know it’d be a good combo? Have you had this before?” Call it childish, but he couldn’t help but be interested when it came to food. He liked to cook and, well, anything new was good to know.

[noctiscereus]

"You become accustomed to trying new things in the kitchen," he mused happily, thoroughly content that the other seemed to give a content reaction. At least it seemed that food was enough to cover up a previously sour mood. A thing of social bonding, perhaps? No less, it seemed that Misaki was settled by it, and it turned out to be easy enough to follow along. "I'm well-versed enough in the culinary arts that I have dabbled in more than my fair share of combinations such as this," Reiji gloated, truly relishing the other's appreciation for this discovery.

It was a form of chemistry-- cooking was. There were certain elements of spice, and the basis of a food's chemical makeup that simply made some things just taste better than others. It ranged from plain examples such as peanut butter and jelly, to chocolate and pretzels, to grapefruit and pickled cabbage. Reiji was unfortunate enough to be persuaded into cooking meals by a select few, as he couldn't stand his fine china to be used, as they would jest, even if it was no laughing matter to him. Not to mention that the kitchen would be a disastrous mess afterward.

"I am pleased to see you are enjoying it, Mister Yata." Having finished extracting the bones from his selection of fish, Reiji poured a generous amount of a warm sauce on it, cutting off a piece for himself to savor.

[noctiscereus]

Wound | Vorona & Reiji

[praepes]

Vorona managed to perk up slightly when the mirror was held up to a position where she could see the stitching. As expected, it was stitched to precision. "I will." probably easier said than done, but she would dress appropriately for such a wound and try to avoid sleeping on it. By the sounds of it she would be out of action for quite a while, just to avoid any further complications. The mirror was put away as Reiji finished the stitching, the blonde once again growing more and more tired as the bandage was wrapped over her shoulder and under her arm. 

Normally she would have had the strength to stand up, but her body was running on very little energy, thus making taking his arm the better choice in this instance. Her fingers wrapped around his arm as a support, forcing herself to stand up and take a moment to adjust. It was natural for her to feel a little disoriented, her head feeling a little light and her usual default intimidating expression replaced with a much more vulnerable tired one.

"Thank you, Reiji." she was sure that once returned to her usual self she would be able to show more appreciation, for despite his sadism and peculiar sense of humour he always did an impeccable job and was of great value to this family. Vorona couldn’t particularly blame him for his nature, for most individuals in the mafia had a tendency to act cold. 

"Was there anything else?" 

[noctiscereus]

Being assured that she had been safely relocated, Reiji went on to a few other minor tasks. "There was, if you've still some energy remaining," he discarded the bits of supplies that had been snipped away with the job and ran a clean cloth over the workspace. He wanted to give Vorona a few more minutes to see how she would fair before dismissing her. Additionally, he had a couple other things on his agenda he preferred to not procrastinate on. He had to stay on top of the job's responsibilities, after all.

One of those things was, as to be expected by the man's obscure fondness, brewing two cups of tea for both of them. With water bubbling and beginning to boil, he took a seat in the armchair opposite of the woman and began writing a few things down. "Do you have any concerns that may persuade me to reconsider what pain relief I prescribe you, Miss Douglanikov?" Adjusting his glasses and glancing at her body language before hastily writing a couple odd lines of text down. Specifics had to be highly detailed, and even as he completed a medical sheet which kept track of the time she came in, the duration and nature of her visit, and the interpreted state of the patient at a time near her departure, Reiji wished to complete it with the most precision.

Giving Vorona time to respond, Reiji rose from his chair once again and fixed the two of them tea. Using a fine set of royal blue and gold-rimmed cups and saucers, he selected tea leaves carefully; his being a simple black tea, and hers a lighter, sweeter flavour infused with a soothing medicine. Having finished these preparations, he returned to sit with the blonde and set the cup and saucer in front of her. "By all means," he encouraged, sipping his own tea silently.

[noctiscereus]

[ Getting to replies in a day or two. I've had a hard time with a bit of a loss in the family. When I do get around to my two ongoing threads, does anyone else want a starter written up for them? Reiji-muse is my favourite because of the challenge that comes along with him oops-- Like this post and I'll come up with something. uvub ]

[noctiscereus]

Table Manners | Reiji & Yata

[militantxcrow]

Allies…. A word that Yata often had to remind himself whenever there was in-fighting between Family members. As loyal as he was, that didn’t mean personalities didn’t clash. It was natural. He didn’t begrudge people for not always getting along, though it became a problem when the fighting continued. Luckily, that didn’t usually happen… even if some people had a tendency to get on others’ nerves. Take now, for instance. Two very different characters yet, true, at the end of the day there was nothing gained by causing real damage to each other. That’d be idiotic and dangerous.

Though, now that their initial aggravations seemed to be put aside, Yata’s typical bad attitude began to dwindle. It was better now that it was quiet, and even if he wasn’t “buddy-buddy” with Reiji, he didn’t hate the man. He accepted that they were two different people —at least, after he’d calmed his own nerves. It was always a bit hard for him to accept things about people when he was in the process of giving them shit. Needless to say, it wasn’t one of his strong suits and many of his fellow Roseus members reminded him of this.

Upon hearing Reiji speak up, hazel irises flickered up to spot the packet, momentarily bewildered and losing a few years in appearance. “Hoh… really?” he mumbled, blinking curiously. He’d never had it before, so he only had the man’s word to go off of. Earlier prejudices forgotten, he cracked a cheeky grin as he picked it up. “Well, thanks!”

[noctiscereus]

There was absolutely no point in making an already volatile situation any worse off than it already was. At the cost of appearing as if he went easy on Misaki, Reiji honestly did believe it was better to try and have tolerance for his dining partner for the rest of the meal's duration. He could easily act civil after putting their previous squabble behind them. Not to say he still didn't think table manners and etiquette weren't important, though. He might yet take the liberty of slipping a diagram and explanation of the various kinds of place settings under the caporegime's door later that evening.

"You are most welcome," Reiji replied. The jam was a poor match for what he was eating anyways, and he wondered who in this facility had the brilliant idea of pairing it with the meal he'd selected to begin with. Pawning it off even served to further lighten his mood, as a matter of a fact.

"It has a similar effect as when confectioners pair sour candy with a sweet sugar coating on the outside," he began to explain as if it was somehow necessary. Perchance it was merely to fill the silence between the two. "The difference between the two flavours makes you appreciate their distinct qualities in addition to the combined one." Reiji could go into detail on the chemistry of the compounds, but refrained and simply returned to gingerly removing the bones in the portion of fish he'd previously set aside.

[noctiscereus]

Table Manners | Reiji & Yata

[militantxcrow]

Yata’s eye twitched visibly at this jibe, digging his fork into his food rather harshly before a tight grin spread across his lips. “Obviously not or else I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he stated sharply, cutting into the meat after casting hazel hues downwards. How he’d gotten stuck eating with only this jerk, he had no clue, but he’d be sure to give his roommate a whack on the head for ditching him last minute to go flirt with girls. It wasn’t that he couldn’t handle himself, but he might as well have eaten alone if the only other person to keep him company was a prick like Reiji. How fun.

Still, after placing a piece of food between his lips, he paused in time to see that shift in the other’s expression. Quirking a brow, he wondered if he hit a sore spot. Internally cheering for himself, he proceeded to chew in order to give himself time to mull over that brisk response. Perhaps he wasn’t a total immovable douchebag if something like that was able to irritate him. Still… tread lightly, tread lightly. “Just makin’ sure,” he replied lazily, giving a wave of his fork briefly.

[noctiscereus]

The pair of ruby eyes grew dimmer in hue, and brows slanted to reflect the fury Reiji was feeling internally. He certainly wished he too could snap and act out on his anger. Imagining various, subtle things that could be done to Misaki's meal with the small case of potions he had with him kept Reiji silently occupied in his thoughts. However, he knew it would be more beneficial to not cause a scene. They were still allies, at the end of the day. With a gloved hand, his fingers wrapped around a goblet of water, raising it and taking a few sips to cleanse his palate.

"Yes, I thank you for your input," he mused, vaguely pleased that at least his reputation hadn't changed. Stuffy, stiff, reserved... constant characteristics, along with his manner-laced, bluntly put jabs. Would it be too early to call it a truce? It seemed to him now, observing Misaki once his irritation diminished, that he indeed piped down a tad; he ate calmly with a bit more reserve. A result of the mood shifting between them, maybe, he wondered.

"Might I suggest," Reiji paused, sliding over a pre-sealed packet to the other, "Some apricot jam to go with your meal. It contrasts nicely with the vinegar." A small offering, and one that hadn't been tampered with, at that.

[noctiscereus]

Table Manners | Reiji & Yata

[militantxcrow]

An unamused stare overtook Yata’s countenance as the other spoke, having half a mind to just throw his glass of water down the other’s shirt front. However he withheld this urge, looking bored as he propped his cheek against his fist as the other spoke. Despite the man’s expertise, he was still a soldier, and to be cheeky to a caporegime… “The only thing people hafta look up to me for is my skill set,” he retorted.

Besides, how many people were as hell bent on table manners as Reiji was? Surely a select few. He knew the underboss he looked up to sure as hell didn’t pay attention to etiquette. That was enough reason for him not to give a rat’s ass. “You’re pretty stuck up, y’know that?” the ginger muttered, eye twitching at the blatant ill-wishing. 

[noctiscereus]

Reiji did enjoy testing the waters and seeing what he'd be able say without making someone snap. Especially in terms of getting under people's skin, he did very well in maintaining his own composure. Perhaps it was a little unfortunate that the otherwise innocent caporegime would be his victim of the evening, seeing as no Roseus members had visited him for medical tending accompanied by his belittling comments. "I assume this skill set of yours is regrettably small then, Mister Yata," Reiji challenged.

His expression soured slightly at the other's comment. Don't even get the man started on status. Unsatisfied enough with being ranks below other family members, this position as soldier gave him the most freedom for his research and experiments, yet it still stood as thorn in his side at times. "Yes, I believe I've heard that before," giving a curt nod of acknowledgement before continuing with his own meal.

[noctiscereus]

Table Manners | Reiji & Yata

[militantxcrow]

"Oi, lay off, Sakamaki, I’m just having my damn meal," Yata shot back, frustrated with the medical specialist. All he wanted to do was sit down and eat, and now he had this priss trying to give him table manners. Waving his knife at him irritably, he added, "There isn’t some sort of meeting or ball goin’ on, so who cares!” 

[noctiscereus]

"Be that as it may, while in the company of others during a special occasion or not, one should do their best to exhibit their finest etiquette." It was starting to make Reiji lose his appetite in all honestly. Daintily placing his fish fork down in its correct place, he gestured towards the chestnut-haired male across from him. "Do you not think you might be looked up to more that way, Mister Yata?"

"I would much rather see you choke on the salad knife you're misusing on your serving of meat, and surely you know how fond I am of silverware," Reiji hissed with a grin, being sure to use enough volume for the other to hear it before retracting the hand he had outstretched slightly.

[noctiscereus]

Table Manners | Reiji & Yata

"Your table manners are without question deplorable at best. The way you use the knives and forks interchangeably as if you have no formal knowledge of their proper usage is utterly repulsive. Have you no civility? Are you no better than a savage?"

[noctiscereus]

Wound | Vorona & Reiji

[praepes]

"Then that will be enough for me until I heal." Vorona always took his advice, knowing that it would be the best course of action in terms of the future. An assassin was useless if they could not attack anyone- perhaps that is why the blonde feared serious injury. If she couldn’t fight she would feel as though her life would have little meaning. There was always weaponry, with smuggling and training, but she didn’t want become an exact copy of her father. 

The solution applied to her skin prevented her from feeling the needle and stitches, although there was an unusual sensation where her wound was. She doubted it would be much bother once she got some sleep. Her body had been running on adrenaline for the past couple of hours, and now it was slowly but surely beginning to lose effect. She felt drowsy and irritable, but would deal with such feelings by going to bed. There was a never time when she was tucked in or given a kiss goodnight, cuddled or hair stroked to soothe her, every time she had had to deal with negative emotions she had merely read or took a nap. At least she was self sufficient now that she was old enough to not require such attention.

She was brought from her thoughts by Reiji’s voice, a sleepy hum leaving her "I would appreciate that. I do like to admire your work when it comes to stitching." it was always so neat and any marks left from the wound would be minimal. Having someone like him to deal with injuries was vital to their family. "Thank you." 

[noctiscereus]

He grinned and let out a gentle scoff, very much pleased that she was being so obedient with him this evening. He could tell, although the cues were very slight with her still trying to hide them, that she was losing her energy. The way her eyes were slightly out of focus as he was working away at the injury, and even the minimal delay before Vorona's reply followed the question he posed. Such tiredness would not suffice in a job such as his, and so it was in stark contrast that he was awake and alert.

"Honestly," Reiji muttered to himself as he brought over the reflective material, holding it up and positioning the mirror so she could easily see how it was looking. Having held it steadily, he pointed out a key area. "The tear towards the back of your shoulder is much more jarring, so I've taken the liberty of doubling the stitch. Regrettably, in exchange for a more fitting hem, it is more probable that it will snag." He adjusted his glasses, taking the mirror and placing it back onto his workspace. "I advise you treat it with caution."

Returning to his work, he made four more tight stitches before securing the fibre and cutting the rest clean. Reiji then proceeded to dress the wound, applying a generous amount of gauze to catch any blood that may result from the mending he did, and then he wrapped a bandage over her shoulder and under her arm to make it a bit more stable for daily activities and the sleep that she seemed to be looking forward to. Discarding the second pair of disposable gloves, he washed them thoroughly before drying them and slipping on his signature single white glove.

"If you have the strength to stand," he trailed off, offering an arm for Vorona to take in the instance that she was not so able. As internally promised, now that it was taken care of, he would invite her to sit in one of the plush armchairs in the room as he completed a few more formalities regarding her visit.

[noctiscereus]

Wound | Vorona & Reiji

[praepes]

"I would prefer to avoid further injuries." even with her thirst for fighting, Vorona was careful. She did what she could to inflict as much damage onto her opponents whilst staying out of harm’s way. She hadn’t died yet, so hopefully she was doing something right. At least she had taken a hit and not someone else. 

The Roseus family had welcomed her when she had had nowhere else to turn to. She actually felt as though she belonged here, a feeling that was new to her and deeply cherished. There had been a time, long ago, when perhaps she could have meant something- but that time had passed and now she lived her own life, doing what she could for the people that had given her a home and a space to use her skills. The blonde knew she would never have a ‘normal’ life, but crime had always surrounded her and as such it didn’t feel wrong.

A small smile graced her features and only her current situation prevented her from letting out a chuckle. "Then perhaps I have grown somewhat accustomed to the sensation. No leaping from my seat necessary." she was sure he remembered their first encounter with the liquid, the woman leaping from the stool and yelling various Russian profanities. It was rare for her to behave in such a way and she had been far more anxious around her colleagues back then.

In regards to her prescription, well, she was pleased to hear of the pills that would reduce her discomfort, but not being allowed to train felt like a kick in the teeth. Her disappointment became audible with a sigh, Vorona peering over her shoulder at him "Not even a little?" she couldn’t do nothing, not for that long. "Can I at least provide my services as some form of advisor? We are due a weapons shipment shortly and I would like to inspect the delivery. I trust your words, so i’ll resist testing them fully until I am healed." 

[noctiscereus]

He refrained from telling her she was one of the first to stop reacting much to it; one compliment was plenty enough. Perhaps it had to do with her needing the deeper numbing that the particular mixture had to offer. A less powerful one wouldn't fit the bill, even with her high pain tolerance. Not everyone came in with such severe wounds, unfortunately. He still particularly enjoyed watching patients squirm and writhe in the pain they experienced when receiving treatment. It seemed to be a brighter side to having to deal with scars that may never heal without assistance, bullet wounds and remnants of shrapnel embedded in soft, tender skin, to name a few. Somehow along the line, he'd grown accustom to it; perhaps akin to other high-stress professions that used darker humour to cope with the small horrors they'd been through.

Now, though, it was late enough, and both of them had an air of tiredness to them. Vorona obviously for trying to tolerate her laceration, and Reiji for the long hours and fruitless evening of surveying plant samples. He couldn't be bothered to mock her any further, his mood already having been soured a fair degree before she showed up. He adjusted his glasses with a long sigh as he contemplated her request. "You are free to admire the new weaponry as much as you would like," he paused for a while longer. "As long as you do not actively take part in running any equipment tests or put any other strain on your shoulder, I will permit that." Put in other words-- look but don't touch.

And he knew she would agree with his words. They both wanted different versions of the same outcome, after all: she to be able to fight without a handicap, and him for a full, proper healing to create a fighter that was up to par. Reiji made note to give her a cream to apply generously once the gash began closing up. For now, the best part was about to begin.

Stepping back to change his latex gloves for a new pair, he threaded the needle he set aside earlier with a surgical suture he prepared before disinfecting it. Then, removing the gauze from her shoulder, he set to stitching up the rift of flesh. The needle slid in effortlessly, and he worked diligently at each stitch, drawing the thread up almost dramatically before diving back down to complete a neat little x. Repeating this process, he finished three stitches before taking a break to dab the spot to rid it of new blood. "Shall I give you a look at the progress so far, Miss Douglanikov?" Ready to fetch a mirror so she wouldn't have to crane her neck around.

[noctiscereus]

Wound | Vorona & Reiji

[praepes]

As he walked over to close the door, Vorona followed his notion to take a seat on a nearby stool, bracing herself for whatever he needed to do to get her stitched back up again. "That is one way to describe the events of today." honestly now she was just looking forward to a little rest in hopes she would heal up quickly. At least it was her left side and not her right otherwise the damage would have been a lot worse than just a cut. She made a mental note to train more using her left hand, just in case anything did happen to her stronger side.

Reiji was someone she trusted enough to tend to her wounds, he knew what he was doing and he didn’t ask any stupid questions. She supposed that there was a mutual understanding present between them, handling everything with a business manner and Vorona being on her best behaviour. Naturally her anxiousness to leave and get back on the field was consistently present. She could almost be mistaken for a workaholic if you didn’t know her well enough. When she wasn’t out fighting she was inside reading new intel and keeping the soldiers in line.

The intrusion to her personal space was nothing new, after all, how else would he be expected to inspect her wound? It wasn’t as though it could be dealt with from a distance. As long as she wasn’t in death’s hands then she didn’t mind how close people got to her as her expression remained un-phased. "It was more satisfying after he caused such damage. However, he was a mere grunt and posed little to no real threat to me personally or to this family. The fight did not make me any stronger." and so it had left her feeling somewhat deflated. "At least it serves as one less individual who stands in our way."

The blonde sat up a little when her other shoulder was steadied, his chuckle serving as a warning when the gauze was placed onto her wound. Initially there was no feeling, but soon enough she felt fire spread over her, the wound burning and stinging as if she had been stabbed again. A pained groan left her, fingers curling around the edge of the stool and her jaw clenching. Now that had hurt. "I’m never going to get used to that.” 

[noctiscereus]

"I hope that wasn't a declaration that you would like to have more injuries inflicted upon you, Miss Douglanikov." Reiji's expression grew a tad more serious. Sure, joke all he'd like about the amusement he got seeing his patients squirm, as well as watching his opponents suffer by his own hand, but this was different. They were on the same team, and he'd been unfortunate enough to know more of the intricacies of Roseus deaths and injuries than even some of the higher ranking people in the family. The numbers, frequencies, causes, and even the rare disappearance of a soldier lingered in his mind, causing him to often dwell upon them heavily when he wasn't preoccupied with other business.

However, Vorona's following statement reassured him that she hadn't allowed the offender to get too close. It was better she dealt with it than a comrade. "I'm pleased this isn't your dominant arm, as that may prove to be a problem in the future should it not heal properly," he spoke, swapping the bloodied gauze for a fresh segment, pressing it onto the wound and pleasantly finding that she didn't seem to notice it this time. The numbing sedative had already began taking effect, as expected.

Reiji glanced at the clock on his desk, having to wait a least five minutes before the area would be fully numbed, allowing him to work on it without Vorona experiencing more discomfort than she had already been through. "You were much better with it this time," he paused, facing her long enough to give a nod of approval, "You didn't so much as flinch, Miss Douglanikov." Vaguely recalling the first time the fluid had been used  on her before he set to work-- particularly when she leaped out of her seat. A common first reaction to it.

Now that they were both forced to wait and he had a sufficient amount of time to judge the severity of her wound, Reiji could bring up what he planned on prescribing her with. "I will give you more potent tablets to nullify any discomfort you will feel for the next couple days. You will need a minimum of six stitches, and I advise against any sort of strenuous activity involving your left arm and shoulder. This includes combat as well as training." She would hardly be pleased with this.

[noctiscereus]

Carnival Rides |

The carnival was in town, so he had heard. Being that Reiji had been cooped up deep in the Roseus base for a few days, the news seemed to take a while to spread to him. Even when others had been babbling on about it he showed little interest in the needless, silly event. He found it rather useless to create a temporary, false sense of peace in a place that would be filled with a couple corpses and wreckage a week or two after the fact. He had been very set in not attending until one of the higher-ups ever so kindly insisted that it was something everyone should take part of.

After weighing over the possibility of mental wellness benefits, the dark-haired male finally caved in on an evening where there was no work to be done to take part in the... festivities, as they were. Dressing formally in a black suit with red cufflinks in addition to a pair of, rather than his usual solo, white, silky gloves, he made his way to the event grounds. It sure was a flashy event; it didn't suit his image at all, clearly. Not even batting an eyelash at any other carnival-goers, he began walking around the grounds to have a look and take it all in.

He wrinkled his nose at the various food stalls. Sugary, salty, and who knows what could possibly be residing on or in some of the foods. Instead, he wandered over to the rides and inspected them carefully in search of one in particular. A few minutes passed as he counted them all once, twice, and then a third time in case he'd been mistaken the other two. Adjusting his glasses, he let out a stiff sigh. "No teacups," he murmured more to himself than anyone. Whether he wanted to simply see an enlarged piece of the very china he collected and adored, or desired the amusement of the ride itself, it would be a lie to say he wasn't a little disappointed his preferred option wasn't there after all.

[noctiscereus]

Wound | Vorona & Reiji

[praepes]

A high pain threshold often meant that certain wounds went unnoticed and the fight would continue despite any injuries that had been sustained. What would initially had felt like a light graze had manifested into a sharp pain that sent stinging sensations down her left side. The adrenaline that had coursed through her veins throughout the fight had prevented her from feeling the majority of the force from the stab wound to her left shoulder. It wasn’t a particularly deep cut, but it had pierced enough of her to cause such discomfort and to slash through the leather of one of her favourite riding suits.

Vorona often favoured riding suits and helmets when she was out and about as for the most part they hid her identity. Of course, if you looked closely enough you could pick up on the areas where the material hugged her figure a little more and you would at least be able to deduce that she was female. But brutes tended not to pay attention to anything other than their fists and their blades.

The blonde was making her way down the corridor, seeking out the Roseus medical specialist who, thankfully, was actually intelligent and knew what he was doing. She would much rather deal with his mannerisms than see some regular doctor who wouldn’t be so easily trusted. There was enough energy to create strong knocks at the door, being heard by the man in the room as she was told to enter, her expression irritable at the set back as walked in, thankful that most of the bleeding had stopped enough so any excess merely sat in a small pool in the slash of her material as opposed to leaking onto the carpet.

"Stab wound, left shoulder, my target managed a lucky hit before I landed a bullet between his eyes." brutes and pawns were easy to kill off, needing only a bullet or two to put them down. But such fights were so dull, not giving her any sense of satisfaction and more often than not merely serving to put her in a bad mood. They were even worse when they managed to cause damage to her. Not that it was anything Reiji couldn’t fix. "My apologies for the late hour but I wish to have my wound tended to due to its’ position." it would be awkward for her to try and clean it herself and any attempt to stitch herself up would have been disastrous. And despite her being above him in rank, she knew it best to stay on his good side. After all, who really wanted to be in the bad books of someone who knew their way around poisons?

[noctiscereus]

"Ah, Miss Douglanikov. It would appear your evening could have been more agreeable," He jested, gesturing for her to take a seat on a stool as he swiftly strode over to close the door behind her. He would, of course, offer her a more comfortable seat in one of the two armchairs he had near one of his bookcases once her wound had been tended to and bandaged. He glanced at her shoulder briefly, judging from a distance what he may need to retrieve in order to care for it. The scent of blood wafted in the air, and his nose, although keen to it, flared slightly at the unsettling aroma. A filthy smell.

Preemptively removing his silk glove and tucking it into his back pocket, he slipped on a pair of disposable latex gloves and went about getting some bottles of disinfectant, gauze, clean rags, a needle and surgical suture. He found it unnecessary to gather anything more, seeing as it would only prolong her visit. Whenever she did come in with an injury, Reiji found her to be anxious to be released. Always keen to get into battle, Vorona was a visitor who came in with flesh wounds of varying degrees every now and then. Additionally, he found her to be one of her more pleasant visitors; they both strictly kept to business, and as such, she was an easier patients to deal with.

Reiji adjusted his glasses, reading the label of a bottle's contents to be sure he selected the right one. "Pardon me," he excused himself, invading her personal space ever so slightly to check that her flesh hadn't become entwined with the material of her riding suit. Finding that it wasn't the case, he gave a vaguely pleased nod, though still rather displeased with the risk she ran with this particular laceration. "Any deeper and you may have torn a portion of the muscle," he trailed off, gently prodding at the opening with a damp cloth. "I hope it was more satisfying to extinguish that life than it will be to mend this," he spoke clearly as both one of his snide remarks and a warning.

Without another word, he poured a liquid of dull yellow colour onto a section of gauze and allowed it to become saturated with it. Setting the bottle down, he grinned subtly at the handwritten label which read 'BRN. →  Numbing SED.' With his free hand holding her good shoulder steady, he pressed the gauze firmly into the cut and let out a fleeting chuckle. Before he could stitch it up, he would have to provide her with some sort of relief and freezing fluid. It had already been clear by her posture and demeanour that she was irritated from the injury, and this, one of his solvents extracted from the sap of a plant, mixed with water and a little something extra, would give fast-acting numbness to the area. Of course, not without first feeling as if the wound was reopened and burning viciously for a moment, but Reiji was confident Vorona would realize that shortly.

[noctiscereus]

Wound | Vorona & Reiji

Crimson eyes trailed over lazily from his book to the table a little ways away. The leaves from the plant he had been able to examine from a small sample matched the ones in this particular book precisely. A gloved hand carefully flipped the page over, allowing Reiji to read further on the plant; particularly on what uses it may have for medicines or poisons.

He grimaced immediately. The best this plant could offer was nausea. Nausea. Of the dozens of plants he'd been able to collect, and the amount of trouble a small Roseus team had gone through to bring him this sample a few days back, all it had to offer was a laughable effect on the stomach. Rising from his chair, he took long steps over to the vegetation, struck a match with ease, and dropped it onto the sprig of greenery. "Your purpose is easily fulfilled by numerous others," he spoke as the plant withered to a black pulp before extinguishing itself on the steel tabletop.

Without delay as this task was finished, it seemed a new one immediately came up. There came strong knocks from the door. He turned, glancing at the clock and noticing the late hour before speaking at a more audible volume to the person beyond the room's threshold. "You have permission to enter," he paused as the door clicked open, "I'm quite astonished. The expedition earlier was trivial enough to not require my company. As such, it is truly astonishing there are wounds I must tend to. Now, what is it that ails you?"

[ragesan]