Healing Catt

Previous.
After dropping off Catt in the Hands of Hen, Mz. Hyde goes to quiet the lodgers and prevent a panic.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ): The twinkling of the night stars shone through the open window beside the bed. Their brightness was rivaled only by a glowing screen at the other end of the room. The doctor paced the distance of the screen, his eyes fixed on the pictures of a brain.
The newcomer was destructive, but she knew a thing or two about the technology from her world. Technology that surely saved the Hatter's life. But what kind of life would she lead?
The pictures were as clear as day: the bullet was absent from the deep midline structures of her brain and there were no traces in the brainstem, but that bought her only her life. Where the damage occurred was perhaps the most devastating. The bullet itself entered into her right hemisphere, which would certainly impact her movements, maybe her senses. The bullet was messy and left fragments all over, however, and the swelling happened everywhere. There was no telling what damage had truly been done.
He sighed, his eyes flickering down to the vitals on the screen.
40 beats per minute.
Blood pressure 90 over 60.
Respiration holding firm at a low but steady 12 breaths per minute.
Body heated at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
All normal.
At least her vitals were healthy. All there was to do now was make sure they stayed that way.
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Jasper Jekyll: ( Outside the infirmary, just beyond the bookcase, the Jasper stands guard. Never straying. Never resting. Always watching. AAAALLWAAAAYS. )
Catt Hatter:  (It's appreciated! Wait, she can't hear me. Hm...) *The narrator scribbles a note and tucks it in the Jasper's hand. The note reads, "~Thank you for protecting her!~" *
Jasper Jekyll:  Huh? ( She looks up at the girl at the desk, puzzled. ) Uh, you're welcome?
Sarashina Hyde:  Dun' look at me pea brain. It's the spirits.
Sarashina Hyde:  ( A familiar demon sits in the leather office chair behind the desk, staring at the giant woman with equal intensity. Finally, she sits up. ) OI! YOU!
Jasper Jekyll: ( She eyes the girl briefly, studying her body language before looking away with a disinterested grunt. )
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Miss.
Nex Hyde: Nex stood in the back of the room a sad look on her
face. Catt didn't deserve this Nex could see that, she wasn't a violent senseless blind thrill seeker. But, she couldn't do anything except one thing that she had in her cloak pocket. She walked up to Dr. Jekyll and sighed looking away. Hand reaching in to her cloak pocket she pulled out the two canisters of loose leaf tea she had bought with her earnings form her job. "Doctor please give this to Catt when she wakes, tell her Dreamer left it for her don't mention i had anything to do with it. I just hope she likes Earl Grey and Chamomile and lavender teas" She then set them on the floor by the bed and turned and put the hood up. "Try not to let too many know about this alright?"
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  ( He looks at the teas and sighs. ) Your secret is safe with me. Thank you for everything.
Miss. Nex Hyde:  "No problem Doctor." Nex said looking back at him. "Although why thank me? I or dreamer have done nothing, we could of been there if we weren't so on shopping or just avoiding the society that day." She sighed. "Although i wasn't a big fan of Catt at first she has grown on me. She is honestly kind of adorable with her behavior similar to that of a small animal." She smiled.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  You're here now, aren't you? The bullet affected many places, but the majority of her auditory cortex is unharmed. I can assure you that Catt is hearing every word we say. She can feel your presence and she knows you care. I thank you, not only as a doctor but also as her caregiver because your love will heal her faster than any medicine I could give.
Miss. Nex Hyde:  "If only my heart was capable of love. I'm just doing what dreamer would of wanted and I only feel sympathy" Nex said thinking back to what so many have told her. "Your words are touching but if you're trying to teach me something you're wasting your time." She chuckled.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  I am merely trying to tell you that your sympathy matters.
Miss. Nex Hyde:  "I know" Nex said.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  Then don't ever forget it.
Miss. Nex Hyde : "I probably will," Nex said. "but what do you expect? I'm a Hyde and even the man that taught me told me i'm not capable of love. I'm just a mere reflection of Dreamer and he's right. I'm nothing more than the reflection of her negative traits and such of a human. I shouldn't be able to feel sympathy but I do"
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  That man is most certainly NOT right, don't let others define you. You be yourself and you'll find a person vastly different than either of you could imagine.
Miss. Nex Hyde: "But he is right" Nex said. "He was right about several other things with me." She looked back at the Doctor. "Others know things I don't."
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  Others are hateful ninnies. You know yourself best.
Miss. Nex Hyde:  "No I don't. I don't know what I am anymore and who I am. I have to find my own path but i'm still connected with Dreamer." Nex said.
Catt Hatter:  *Sounds like twins trying to find their own careers. Catt thought from inside her dormant body. I wonder if thinking of it that way would help her? Wish there was something I could do...*
Miss. Nex Hyde:  'I'm connected with Dreamer by possessing half soul,' Nex thought sighing.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  And you always will be, but the journey you set out on is yours and yours alone. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
Miss. Nex Hyde:  "Easy for you to say you have experience on your side." Nex said.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  Perhaps, but you forget: I'm split from a host too.
Miss. Nex Hyde:  "HA!" Nex said shoulders shaking as if restraining laughter as she covered her mouth. Her other arm clutched her stomach as she bent over. She recovered with a few deep breaths. "But you weren't separated by magic spell I bet. Wait, host?" She said it registering finally. The cat girl stared up at the Doctor.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  I don't have a silly nickname for the joy of it. I may have been separated by science, but I still see the world through his eyes.
Miss. Nex Hyde:  Nex was confused. She wasn't sure how to feel about this new information.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  ( He stands there for a moment, smiling. Finally he speaks. ) ...Right! So thank you for the teas, I'll be sure to give them to her when she recovers.
Miss. Nex Hyde:  Nex shook her head clearing it. "Yes, yes i should go now" She said walking to the door and opening it.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ): Thank you for stopping by.
Miss. Nex Hyde:  "No problem now i have to go and do my job." Nex said leaving.
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Catt Hatter:  *Just before they set up to take the pictures, Catt spoke.* H-ey Doctor? *She checked to make sure Mz. Hyde was out of earshot for the moment, before continuing.*
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  ( Hen bursts back in, his face alight with surprise. ) You're awake! ( He approaches the bed. ) I could have sworn you were out like a light. ( He glances at the screen, the vitals having jumped back up to a waking rate. ) You could have fooled me. ( He smiles get gently. ) What is it Catt?
Catt Hatter:  Sorry for surprising you like th-at, I'm just wondering how b-ad it could get if left untreated. My h-att keeps me from feeling the full effects a-nd sust-ains my life. *She looked over at the hatt, which sat over on the side of the room. Out of the way, and out of reach.* But I w-ant to know the worst c-ase scen-ario so I know if I should be sleeping without it.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  The Hatt? You mean? ( He walks over to it and attempts to pick it up, not surprised to find he can't. He instead runs his fingers along its top. ) That does explain a lot. ( He sighes, looking up at Catt.) I'm not going to lie, your noggin took quite a beating- I almost had to intubate you at one point...and I had to remove part of your skull. It is not safe to remove the bullet right now. For all purposes, you shouldn't even be speaking to me at all. ( He glances out the window. ) I suppose your magic
saved you from the fate most gunshot victims encounter. I might be able to do
the extraction sooner under these circumstances, but I wouldn't recommend it
and I can't do it with the Hatt on your head. I would like to treat you without
it for now, because the residual damage is still a concern. You asked what
could happen and that is a very good question. The swelling has not vanished,
so there is a good chance that I may need to go back in there. I need to
maintain access to your brain to relieve the pressure and I do still need to
remove the bullet once all that is said and done....but... I don't think it
would hurt if you wanted to wear it in between.
Catt Hatter:  Ok-ay, I
was thinking it might help with recovery. Though, it was Sozo's m-agic that
s-aved my life, not the h-att. The h-att's m-agic is more prevention instead of
cure, but Sozo somehow h-as a-n incredible healing power in his
bite.
H-ang on, there's a chunk of my skull missing? *Catt asked, instinctively going
to reach for her head so she could try to feel it.*
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  ( Hen rushes forward, bracing his arms to reach for
the bandaging adorning her head. ) Eug- Don't push on it! Your brain is still
exposed! ( He hesitates. ) I... I had to remove it to reduce the pressure the
bullet caused. When the swelling goes down, I'll put it back.
Catt Hatter:  *Catt
thought for a moment and lowered her arm.*
C-an I see it?
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  ... alright. ( Hen vanishes behind the cabinets and
returns with a container. Inside the container sits the fragment of her skull.
) This is a part of your skull, surgically removed to allow clean access.
Catt Hatter:  Heh, cool.
*Catt chuckled,* 
It's very cleanly cut, what tool did you use?
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  There are many tools involved in a craniotomy, so I
naturally can't narrow it down to just one. ( Hen vanishes with the skull
fragment and returns a few minutes later with a metal cage. ) This is a frame,
it goes on like this ( He places it on his own head. ) And it provides
landmarks for the incisions. ( He takes it off and leaves, returning with a
drill and saw. He holds up the drill. ) The drill makes burr holes in the
skull. These refine the path for this ( He holds up the saw. ) So that I can
safely remove the fragment without injuring your brain.
Catt Hatter:  Interesting.
You m-ade such a clean cut with a s-aw? You must h-ave strong
h-ands.
...Is it norm-al for a p-atient to be so c-alm discussing how someone removed a
chunk of their head? Shouldn't I be, I dunno, nauseous or something talking about it?
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  ( The corner of his mouth curls up into a smirk. ) You
should be a lot of things right now. Nausea's at the bottom of the list...but
yes, your reaction is unusual. Most people wouldn't exactly be too thrilled to
see a severed part of their... head...(He falters, the smile dissipating into a
wistful expression.) ... You're very inquisitive. Unusually so.
Catt Hatter:  I'm more
curious th-an I let on most of the time. Usu-ally I don't w-ant people to think
I'm nosy or rude, so I don't voice my questions. *She said nodding.*
Is th-at b-ad? Should I stop? If it makes you uncomfort-able I c-an stop.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  ( He shakes his head with a smile. ) No no! It's quite
alright! You may ask whatever you wish. I don't mind!
Catt Hatter:  Ok-ay,
good. I remember hearing somewhere th-at cuts or wounds to the head tend to
bleed a lot. W-as there a lot of blood when you were s-awing?
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  There was, but not enough to stop the procedure. ( He
gets up and exits with the tools, returning with what looks like small
scissors. ) I pinned your scalp up with these to staunch the blood.
Catt Hatter:  A-ah, wh-at
a-re those c-alled? How would they stop the blood?
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  Unfortunately, there is no fancy name. These are
simply scalp clamp forceps. These, along with a few other clamps, pin your
scalp up and pinch off the wound until we finish. It's like pinning your hair
up to style it.
Catt Hatter:  Oh. *She
said nodding.* I don't style my hair, but I'll t-ake your word for
it.
...
How long 'till I c-an get b-ack to the Society? Hel-a needs someone to speak in
her defence.
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  I'd...prefer you not to leave while your brain is
exposed. ( He gazes deep into her eyes and sighs. ) You may VERY BRIEFLY walk
beyond the infirmary to visit this meeting... But you must wear the Hatt at all
times outside this room. Do I make myself clear?
Catt Hatter:  Most emph-atically. Believe me, I have no interest in dying a-ny time
soon. 
Should we put my skull piece back for the excursion, or would that be too much
trouble?
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Shortly before Mz. Hyde returns Catt lays back down to doze under the ever watchful eye of Hen. Hen X-rays Catt's head to examine the damage. After developing the pictures he goes into the back room to put away the equipment. 
 Mz.Hyde: It's
bad, isn't it?
*Hen looks back over to find Mz. Hyde staring at the pictures of Catt's brain,
the light from the light box dimly illuminating her worried face.*
Dr. Jekyll II ( Mother Hen ):  She's one of the lucky ones. ( He briefly looks away,
tracing his fingers over the paper thin holographic screen. ) The bullet itself
only affected her right hemisphere, but the swelling really did a number on
her. ( His hand slides down the glass and he flashes Mz. Hyde a wistful smile.
) Her attacker really does have lousy aim.
Mz.Hyde: Heh,
I guess.
(She walks over to a chair across from the bed and sits down.)
Dr. Jekyll II: ( Mother Hen )  ( He turns and follows, standing by Catt's side. ) Can
I get you anything in the meantime?
Mz.Hyde: No...
I'm fine.
*She sighs and curls up in the chair.*
Dr. Jekyll II (
Mother Hen ):  Mz.Hyde • 8 days ago
Do let me know if you
should change your mind. ( With that, Hen exits the room. )
Mz.Hyde: *When Hen closes the
door, Mz. Hyde lifts her head. She was secretly thankful that Catt was asleep
and there was nobody else in the room, because tears were streaming down her
face. Even though everyone else keeps telling her that it's not her fault, she
couldn't stop feeling like she failed Catt and everyone else. There were two
gunshots, there was a bullet sized hole in the roof....if she had reacted
sooner...then Catt would've been okay....but now she's hurt...now she has a
hard time talking and keeping balance and understanding things and...and she
might stay like this forever.*
I hate myself.
*Mz. Hyde stands up and goes over to the window and opens the shutters, letting
in some fresh- well, this IS Victorian London...the air's probably going to
kill everyone quicker-*
Excuse me!
*Oh, sorry! Where was I.... The night air was crisp and refreshing. She sighs
and gazes over the city. Suddenly, something flurries in her
face.*
Ugh!
*She takes a step back and realizes that it was just a moth. The tiny creature
now rested on the window sill.*
Oh! Heh, s-sorry about that. You startled me there. Wait a minute, are you one
of those Peppered Moths that are changing colors? 
*She holds her hand out and the moth crawls on her. She lifts it up to get a
better look.*
You ARE! And a white one too! You guys aren't as common nowadays! But...why?
Why are you guys changing from white to entirely black? Magic? Aliens? Race
wars?
*She looks up into the sky, so polluted that the stars are gone.*
Is it... because of the smog? 
* The moth just continues to rest on her hand. She sighs.*
You know, sometimes I wish I were a moth. I would just... fly away into the
night... leaving behind all of my pain...just be able to enjoy
life...
*The moth flaps it's wings a little. She sighs again.*
I cannot believe that I am talking to an insect about my feelings... maybe I
need time in the psych ward again.
Catt Hatter:  You don't need time in a psyche
ward. *Catt said calmly from behind her.*
People t-alk to things a-ll the time when they a-re troubled. A-t least the
thing you picked is a-ctually a-live, I used to talk to books.
Mz.Hyde: Oh! I'm sorry Catt! Did I wake you up?
Catt Hatter:  No,
I w-as just dosing. *The soft light from the street lamps below dimly reflected
off Mz. Hyde's tear stained cheeks. Standing, Catt shuffled over to look at the
moth.* It's pretty.
Mz.Hyde: Biston
Betularia F. Typica, the White-Bodied Peppered moth. These guys used to be
common all over the place, but now they're being outnumbered by the Black-Bodied
Peppered Moth, Biston Betularia F. Carbonaria.
Catt Hatter:  Th-at's
due to the c-amoufl-age difference, isn't it? *The moth fluttered on Mz. Hyde's
hand again, but didn't try to take off.* Heh, I think it likes you. *Catt said
smiling sleepily.*
Mz.Hyde: I
guess he does.
Catt Hatter:  For
a bug, it's got excellent t-aste. I guess th-at's something we've got in
common, *Catt leaned over and hugged Mz. Hyde.* We both have good t-aste in
people.
Mz.Hyde:*Mz. Hyde
smiled a little at Catt and hugged her back, hoping that she wouldn't notice
her sadness.* Aww! Thanks, Catt!
Catt Hatter:  I
mean it, *Catt said holding her tightly, trying to
erase or at least lessen the pain in her friend's heart.* It's okay to cry
y'know. I'm here for you.
Mz.Hyde: Uh, I
don't know what you're talking about Catt, I feel fine!
Catt Hatter:  Don't
lie. Did you really think I'd w-ake up just for an anecdote about moths? I
heard you say you hate yourself, and I saw the shine of tears on your face.
*Catt sighed, placing one hand on the back of her blonde head squeezing
tighter.* I still don't know why, but I want you to know I love you anyways.
I'm here for you and you can always come to me if you need a shoulder to cry
on.
Mz.Hyde:*Mz. Hyde
sighs.* Trust me Catt, if you knew the truth about me, you would hate me too.
Catt Hatter:  I
do trust you, but the same could be said about me. *Catt heaved a heavy sigh
and leaned her head against her shoulder.* You don't have to tell me your
reasons, but please don't be afraid to tell me if you're not ok.
Mz.Hyde:*Mz. Hyde
looks down at the floor.* I'm not okay.
Catt Hatter:  A-fter
the d-ay we've h-ad I'm not surprised. *Catt gave her a soft smile with her
misaligned gaze barely noticeable in the shadows.* Is there anything I can do
to help you feel better?
Mz.Hyde: Just...just
try to get some rest, okay?
Catt Hatter:  Is
there really nothing else I can do for you? *Catt asked sadly.*
Mz.Hyde: Y-yeah,
I'm sure.
Catt Hatter:  At
your word, then. *Giving her hand a final squeeze, she returned to the bed.*
See you in the morning?
Mz.Hyde: See
you in the morning.
Catt Hatter:  Goodnight
Mz. Hyde. *Catt said and laid down, a deep breath and her consciousness blipped
off like someone flipping a light switch.* (Hey, Mz. Hyde?) *The narrator asked
softly.*
Mz.Hyde: Yeah?
Catt Hatter:  (She's
not gonna want the fragments removed. You'll need to persuade her.) *The voice
was grave, and worried.*
Mz.Hyde: What?
Why wouldn't she?
Catt Hatter:  (Because
one of them is blocking the part of the brain that triggers fear. She's usually
scared of messing up, or accidentally saying something mean that hurts someone,
all the time. She likes not being afraid, even if it means walking into doors
and not being able to speak normally.) *She sighed,* (But eventually, the
fragments will have to come out. I, I need you to give her a reason
that will outweigh her desire to not feel fear.)
Mz.Hyde: But...how?!
Catt Hatter: (Be
there for her, tell her that leaving them in worries you, use the fact that she
cares about you to help her get better. Although...) *She trailed off.*
Mz.Hyde: Although
what?
Catt Hatter:  (She's
going to be a wreck after they're removed. People don't just bounce
back after being killed. There's still the psychological damage to deal
with, she only seems ok right now because she can't feel the fear and trauma
Hela caused. That's why I need you to be there for her.)
Mz.Hyde: I
know.... I've been killed and seen others be killed to know that.
Catt Hatter:  (I
remember. She'll need you to help her through it, though she probably won't ask
for fear of bothering you.)
Mz.Hyde: Heh,
I guess she's still afraid of something.
Catt Hatter:  (Not
"still," exactly. I mean that her fear will come back full force
after the operation and, despite how terrified she feels, she won't want to
burden you. The only time she wasn't afraid of irking you in some way was when
she grabbed you by the shirt, and screamed in your face that she cared about
you.)
Mz.Hyde: I
remember.... I'll do my best.
Catt Hatter:  (Thank
you Mz. Hyde, that means a lot to me.) *The voice tuned to leave.* (I'm here if
you should need anything, just let me know.)
Mz.Hyde: Thanks.
Catt Hatter:  (You're welcome.) *And just like that, the voice was gone.*
Next.
== Obtained From ==
The Gun Arch part II, Hospital
Category:Main Plot
Category:Hela's Arc