invoking | 『 capeandcowl • contact 』

How bad was the break? Did you set it all right?

It wasn't too bad. Most of the swelling has gone down.

Are you sure? [ Fretting. ] Was it your nose? I know how to splint a broken nose right up, you really want to make sure it sets right or else it will be crooked.

[ Wait a second. ]

Crooked?

[ Shit, he hadn't thought of that. ]

Yes, on the bridge. Are you sure you don't want any help? [ A pause. ] Did you land on your face?

... Yes, I did.

[ Regrets not shooting HJ. ]

[ He sighs, trying to imagine what kind of break it must be in his head. ]

I'm coming by, Gilbert. I want to make sure it's healing right.

Huh?

[ Uh oh. ]

You don't need to trouble yourself!

[ He's already putting on his coat, glad for the excuse to leave. ]

I'll be there shortly. Don't go anywhere.

[ Hangs up!! ]

Wait -- Mr. Nelson? Are you still there? He hung up?!

[ He stays connected for another minute before he shuts off his phone and panic sets in. He should have said he wasn't home. Should he leave instead? But the doorkeeper will inform Nelson and it will look too suspicious...

He paces back and forth before he rushes into the bathroom to try and deal with the nose himself. ]

[ It's about twenty minutes later that Nelson shows up, armed with a stocked first-aid kit, some ice, and some tea (just in case). Maybe he's being a little imposing, but he sees this as the perfect excuse to both get out and spend some time with Gil, both things temporary patches to his maddening loneliness.

He knocks, fiddling with his tie restlessly as he waits for Gil to answer. Hoping that Gil does answer. ]

[ He's gripped by a heavy sense of dread when he hears the knock. He quietly slips out of the bathroom and towards the door, but he doesn't answer just yet.

It's in bad manners, he knows, but he doesn't want Nelson to worry about him or discover the truth behind the injury. It would hurt him more than it hurt Gil.

But maybe if he doesn't say anything, Nelson will leave. ]

[ Nelson waits about a minute or so, before he knocks again, patiently though a bit more loudly. ]

Gilbert, please let me in. I've got ice that's melting.

[ Damn it, so much for that.

He stumbles his way forward. There's a crash that can be heard near the door and a "GAH!" before the door finally opens and a disheveled looking Gil appears. ]

Hello...

[ Eyebrows raised, Nelson steps instead -- taking a brief moment to admire the penthouse -- and examines Gil with concern, taking his chin in hand. ]

Does it still hurt at all? Here.

[ He passes Gil the icepack. ]

[ It's well kept and tidy. Gil may feel awkward about his living situation, but he'll keep the place clean and organized as long as he's here.

He takes the ice pack, his face flushed a deep red. ]

Not too much... thank you.

It's no trouble. I'll help you to set it, just tell me if I do anything that hurts you.

[ Frowning a little, he goes through his first aid kit to find the splinting material. ]

I have to say, it really looks as if you got punched in the face.

[ So he doesn't know anything. That's good, he wants to keep it that way. He shuts the door and presses the pack to his nose for a second. ]

It... was an awkward fall.

It must have been. How many stairs was it?

[ With his fingers, he carefully reaches to touch Gil's nose and make sure it's sitting straight; if not, he might attempt to judge it. ]

I brought some pain medication along, by the way. In case you need any.

You don't have to... [ He's not comfortable with being touched by others, even if they are friends. Upon reflex he pulls back.

There's also the matter of the scars he doesn't want Nelson to see. At least he can't see the one on his torso, but he made sure to button up his collar all the way again before he answered the door.

All in all, it's an uncomfortable visit. ]

[ Nelson pulls his hand back a little. ]

Sorry. You've probably already taken care of most of it; let me just help you with the splint so that the bones can't shift while it finishes healing. [ He purses his lips slightly, getting the materials together. ] It's really no trouble, I've done this plenty of times.

[ His stomach is already twisting with anxiety. ]

Will it hurt...?

Uh-- [ A little guiltily: ] Somewhat, but not too much. It doesn't look like it needs to be snapped into place, only held.

[ He passes the pain killers and the tea over to Gil. ]

Here, this will help.

[ That doesn't assure him at all. ]

Maybe I should see a doctor instead.

I know what I'm doing, Gilbert. [ He's a little indignant. ] You have to expect a little pain when setting something broken. It won't be so bad, just close your eyes and count to ten.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!

action!!