Upon Vestia: Chapter Twenty-Three

First topic message reminder :

"You have a tablet at least, right?" Asher asked Dawn.

(be back soon)

TIMESKIP - APRIL 16th - Esk's surgery day

Ellie had heard about Esk's surgery being today from someone last night. She was kinda worried, but not super worried, because she didn't care that much about Esk. She was honestly more concerned about one of the decorative plants she'd set up in the hall, which wasn't looking so good lately. Priorities!

~~
James was going to help however he could. He probably wasn't going to be much use for the surgery itself because he was so easily grossed out, but before that he'd be happy to run errands and clean things and generally make himself useful.

~~
Asher had stayed with Kay as much as he could, as emotional support. Of course he wasn't much help in actually making last minute preparations for the surgery, because his wheelchair was anything but sanitary, so he stayed out of the way and did whatever he could do from an unsanitary wheelchair. He soo wished he could walk again, oh my gosh.

Kay didn't sleep so well, but come morning he rose early so he could prep the room and get everything in place. He was going to nitpick and fret and triple check everything, it was the only way he could stay sane.

--

Matt was worried, and he didn't sleep so well alone these days anyway. He found Kay and volunteered to help clean, after all, he was good at cleaning!

---

Mourn and Hewitt had spent the evening talking to Amity, who Mourn had managed to get working through a computer. He could hear and he could see, using a web cam and mic, but could only communicate via text on a screen which was less than ideal. And he was stuck in one place.
Still, it was something.

Hewitt then went to bed and remained there, because hey, he was retired, he didn't need to get up for anything.

Mourn uncurled from his undignified sleeping position and went to find breakfast.

---

Esk had at some point managed to crawl into bed, literally crawl, he didn't want to stand up because it seemed to bring a wave of nausea.
He'd taken more painkillers, more anti nausea meds and gotten an early night.

He wasn't scared, he'd been telling the truth when he'd said that, but he wasn't looking forward to this surgery. Even less was the inevitable grim looks he'd get from people wishing him good luck because they felt obligated to pretend to care.
Eugh.

Come morning, he rose when he could be bothered, had an over long shower and rather reluctantly got dressed.
He wasn't in much of a rush to do anything this morning.

---

Armin slept in late.

Dawn got up early enough to help get the room ready for the surgery. It was good for her that she had gone to bed early. so she was well rested for today no matter what happened.

Matt waved to Dawn as he scrubbed and disinfected. "You sure you wanna be doing this?" He asked her.

Dawn nodded then smiled over to Matt "Yeah, I slept well last night and I want to be sure everything is ready for the surgery." She said honestly

Ellie gave the sick plant a burst of her power to keep it going, but she was going to need to treat its leaves and adjust its nutrient balance to help it get better.
She could do that later. She went to eat breakfast.

~~
James was nearby, disinfecting something else. He waved vaguely to Dawn, kind of distracted.

Mourn waved to Ellie as she came in. "Where everyone?" He asked.

---

Matt chuckled "yeah, you were sleeping like a baby. Well, maybe not a baby, babies never sleep." He laughed.

Kay rolled his eyes and went back to arranging things.

"you talked to Esk yet?" Matt asked Dawn.

"I think they're all getting ready for Esk's surgery," Ellie said, helping herself to some brightly colored cereal. "It's gonna be quiet out here this morning."

Mourn shrugged, licking his paw. "They need that many for one surgery?" He tilted his head. "Death man that much trouble?"

Ellie looked slightly puzzled. Mourn's wording seemed strange to her. "They're just cleaning up and getting things ready. Most of them won't actually be in the room during the surgery, I think."

"No take whole crew prep theater." Mourn reasoned. "Maybe just want day off."

Dawn shook her head then sighed "He doesn't want to see me right now. I'll see him when we go to get him ready for surgery." Not like the doctors would want to even touch him before he was out.

"Who knows. Those guys are weird," Ellie said, shoveling cereal into her mouth. She chewed thoughtfully, swallowed, then added, "A lot of them really care about Esk. I'm not really sure why."

Matt frowned. "He said you were avoiding him." Man, those two. He shrugged. "He's not been that easy to be around lately has he? Well, he's never easy to be around but you know what I mean."

---

Mourn shrugged. "Cared a lot about one eye man too, even after find out crimes. " he shook his head. "Maybe bad taste. Maybe just like everyone who no directly hurt. " He licked his plate. "crews can be loyal even to worst people if they on same side. " He nodded.

"He didn't want company, so I let him have his space" Dawn said and shrugged. She was thinking about going to see him now though, before he had to get ready for surgery.

"Merith was our friend!" Ellie protested. "He was nice to us... Sometimes ... Sort of..." She frowned. "He changed!"

Mourn smiled his lopsided smile. "See?" He cackled. "Crew like family, don't have to like, but better on your side than against."

---

Matt nodded. "yeah, I got that impression last night. He's not good at the whole, admitting he needs help thing huh?"

Ellie grumbled, but nodded. "He's a bad person, but he's our bad person."

Dawn nodded then sighed "He's used to having to do for himself, so he's too independent at times, but he is learning that others can be friendly without wanting anything in return."

Mourn shrugged. He'd never really understood why everyone cared so much about merith. He was a useful ally sure, but that was about it.

---

Matt sighed, Dawn was right of course. "yeah..you guys are good for him." He smiled. "keep it up."

Dawn chuckled softly and nodded then glanced around "I'll go check on him, make sure he's ready for this"

Matt nodded. "Okay, but not because I told you too right?" He patted her on the shoulder reassuringly. "Good luck. "

Dawn chuckled and shook her head "Not just because you said to" She said before turning to go. She did want to check on him herself anyway. She headed to his room then paused at the door "Is he even awake Vestia?"

(Does Esk keep his camera covered?)

(Nope, he does not. He gives zero shits about privacy, it's more... vulnerability that makes him cranky. Hence his reaction to James seeing him in his underwear.)

(Hahaha yay)

"He's awake," Vestia said to Dawn.