Thread: Unwanted Pet? (PsionicCuttlefish & zach74374)

Bardon frowned with concern as he listened to Elaine speak. Her fingers and toes should have improved by now. But she at least still had feeling in them, which was better than what she said for her ears. When she whined and brought her hands, with warm water, up to her ears, Bardon leaned forward slightly in additional concern...then startled as he saw trickles of red from Elaine's floppy ears. Stop! Bardon suddenly said sharply, as he reached out to grab Elaine's wrists and pull them away from her ears. He was careful not to hurt her further, but he wasn't as gentle as he had been simply because he had to move faster. Don't touch your ears! They're bleeding. And if they're bleeding now, there's a good chance you might lose them. If you touch and rub them, that'll make it certain. He said in a bit of a louder, clearer voice, making sure that Elaine could hear and understand him. Stay here, don't move, don't touch your ears , I'll be right back. Understand? He said, making sure Elaine was looking at him. He waited for her to acknowledge him, then he got up and quickly walked away with a rapid thumping of his bootsteps on the wood floor. He went to his supply cabinet and quickly got a mortal, pestle, and some plant ingredients. He set about putting some leaves, roots, and water into the mortar and started mashing it into a paste with the pestle. Living self-sufficiently on his own, Bardon had to pick up a fairly broad set of knowledge and skills, including basic medicine. Once he had ground it up into a nice glob of paste, he quickly walked back over to Elaine with the mortar and a spoon. He sat down on the stool next to the tub again, got a spoonful of the paste, and held it up to Elaine's mouth. This is a painkiller. He explained. But it will take a little time for it to kick in, so the sooner you take it, the better. He waited for Elaine to take the spoon into her mouth and eat the paste before he set the mortar and spoon aside and looked at her with a very regretful expression. I won't lie. This next part is going to hurt, Elaine. It'll sting badly. He said slowly, but in a loud enough voice for her to still hear him through her pained ears. But if you want to have any chance of keeping your ears, this has to happen. I'm sorry. He said as he then reached forward with his hands again. With one hand, he gently cupped under Elaine's animal-like chin to steady her head in place. With his other hand, he dipped it in the warm water behind Elaine's head, then brought his hand up to start dripping the water onto Elaine's ears and head. Internally, he was cursing himself. He hadn't dunked her head under the lukewarm water initially because he hadn't wanted to take chances with her inhaling water while unconscious, but he should have done what he was doing now. Gradually, he dripped more and more warm water droplets onto Elaine's ears, spreading the warmth around through them, as he eventually began scooping handfuls of water up to spill it over Elaine's head, getting the last of her dry fur above her neck wet as he worked to warm up her ears as gradually as he could, without directly touching them.