Jintao stormed to his coat and headed for the door. His mind was continuously getting worst as it tormented him with guilt and horror. He opened the door and stopped. Everything Tay had said to him seemed to be calling him back. He wanted to leave, but that would only further his profile as a coward. She thought that he should defend his property and his dignity should be a part of that."How dare I, indeed," Tay muttered, watching through her bangs as the old woman left the kitchen. She stood and limped with silent feet to the rich cabinetry, then opened the doors and searched the shelves. She made no sound, taking quick inventory before hobbling back to the oven with a muffled groan.
Jintao was a foolish man, and he ailed himself. Yet she admired his disposition.
She mixed herbs and spices into the liquor before applying the acholic solution. It fizzed and boiled in the skin, so that her hands grew white and small unquenchable sounds issued from her throat. But she did not remove the rag and remedy until it had served it's purpose.
Sweat had streamed lines into her dirty, young face, and hair clung to her forehead as she rewashed her feet and pulled apart the welts with sterilized needles, then washed them again and repeated her process with the liquor.
Without covering and insulation her work would be to little avail, but she did not have the composure to call the old woman back, or to try and summon Jintao.
Instead she sat back in the chair and breathed heavy breaths, her weak body excited by pain.
She heard the rumble of voice, but understood no words.
Her and Jintao were not so different.
@Lacy Duckwing
No, Jintao shook his head. There was no part of him that needed protection, at least, not anymore. He viewed himself as a monster for his past and was pleased to keep reminding himself of that. He had changed since then, but with the constant watch of the King's soldiers he had no room to settle into his changed life.
"Jintao," Jack called from behind him. "Are you leaving so soon?"
Jintao turned to the old man and shut the door. "I was thinking about it," he answered.
Jack walked over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he said, "Please stay. I don't like my wife being alone with Lyra."
@_-Captain BRM-_