Archer Fam

The nurse hums under his breath for a moment, taking the papers from the other and giving them a once over before looking back to the man, placing the papers on his clipboard for reference if, and when, he needed them.  He rounds the man to his back to the shoulder in question, “Let me get a look at it,” he tells him, laying his clipboard to the side. Marco more than understood lasting injuries that lingered like a bad dream; his back, while healed enough for him to be back on his feet and doing what he enjoyed, definitely had its moments that left him secluded until the pain passed. “You know,” Marco then starts idly, keeping his tone casual in hopes of getting the patient to open up, “It’s easier for me to help you if I know what happened to it – even if it is old news.” 

“It’s not super exciting.” Jude stated, shifting in his seat as the male walked around him. He was waiting for him to start his exam, and his skin prickled at the thought of the pain that would come along with it. “I was int he military and an IED exploded under my car. I tore up my shoulder pretty bad, and i’ve had a lot of surgeries and physical therapy to help gain mobility back. I don’t have full use of it, and I still have a lot of pain.” 

Jude sighed, running his fingers through his hair before scrubbing the back of his head. “It froze up on me this morning, and I couldn’t even hand my wife her breakfast plate. I just want to know if it’s gonna be fucked up more than it already is.” 

Maybe it was the slight buzz present in the hard cider that warmed him up to conversing than on most days, but he wasn’t feeling the twinge of nerves that came with talking to others outside of his bubble. What didn’t stop was the hairs on the back of his neck rising a bit at the blonde’s voice, and Cyrus mentally cursed at himself. Why does she always keep affecting him like this? They pretty much dealt with each other day in, day out given their schedules.

“Duly noted,” the male managed with a small chuckle. A gloved hand moving to shift the mask for one moment as he popped the treat into his mouth, he gave a goofy little smile, waiting until he finished chewing before speaking. “Oh, yeah! I mean, as much as a guy can almost the whole town around,” the witch gave a half-shrug, “If it wasn’t for my friends, I’d probably be at home, not gonna lie. The stars are especially bright tonight.”

Kaylee smiled, watching as he took a small treat and popped it in his mouth. She followed suit, taking a cracker and dipping it into one of the many spreads that outlined the table. “Yeah, I wasn’t expecting this kind of turn out to be honest. Everyone is here, even the demons who usually don’t mix with us very well.” Smiling at the taller male, she glanced around, a confused looked crossing her face. 

“I don’t see your friends.” Usually the table top crew were attached at the hip, and it was hard to talk to one without the others being right there. “Did yours ditch you like mine did? Because if so, rude.” 

Crowds never sat well with the young witch, who had spent his entire evening so far close to his friends. His one saving grace was that he was completely covered from head to toe by his costume, the only thing distinguishing him being the long tresses of dark hair peeking out from under his wig flames. Finally peeling away in order to grab a couple “hor d’oeuvres” from the banquet table and refill his cup with cider, Cyrus smiled politely – not remembering that it can’t be seen. “I swear, there’s something to these tiny bits of toast topped with sliced cheese and tomato… !”

While the party was fun, and the mingling was great, she was tired of sticking close to her mom and dad’s side. They kept pulling her into conversations she wasn’t totally aware of. Having broken away, she headed for the table lined with different foods, and spotted a guy with a rather loud costume on. The only thing that tipped her off to who the person under the costume was, was the long hair peeking out underneath the mask. 

Putting on her own masquerade mask, Kaylee lifted the skirts of her dress and came up next to him with a soft smile. “I don’t know, I don’t really like tomato. I much prefer the ones with cheese and basil.” Kaylee grinned at him, reaching across to grab said food. “Are you enjoying yourself?” 

The nurse’s lips turn downwards as he inspects the patient’s reason for coming into the clinic – something against his features almost unreadable before he was taking out his clipboard and scribbling a few things down. He hums, looking back up at the other before he was speaking, “– and you said this… happened how?” Somethings at the clinic were cut and dry – in and out. A leg break, constipation, someone just way too paranoid – and, sometimes, he would be in for more than he bargained for. He wasn’t quite sure which one this was yet.

“Uhm.” Jude looked around, eyes shifting to focus on everything and nothing all at once. He was in because of pain, simple as that. Pain that couldn’t be treated with a bottle of vodka like he wanted it too. Those days were behind him, but the injury to his shoulder, was not. 

Looking back now to the nurse, Jude sat, arm cradled against his chest in his usual position. “It happened before the uh, end of the world.” Shrugging with his good shoulder, Jude clenched his jaw. “It’s been like this for a while, but it’s been acting up lately, and seeing as the doctor who originally treated me is, well, dead, I have to go to the next best thing.” 

Handing the nurse a file with several old and crinkled papers, he gestured to look through it. “That’s all you need to know about it. I’m just having some pain.” 

“You should try them.” She smiled, gesturing to the pie. “They’re made with the peaches my dad grows, it’s really, very good. “Unless you’re allergic to peaches, in which case, please ignore me.” 

A brow curved as she contemplated his thoughts, lips pursing together. Though he seemed unsure of himself, Alex valued the input nonetheless, stuck between the many colors offered. Though red would never blend in to the desert landscape in practicality, was much more showy and added to the fact that she was donning a costume, not the real thing. It was respectful, in a way. “It does go well with my complexion, I’ll admit,” the elf commented as her hands wove through the fabric once more. “You’re a saint, thank you~ Helping out the little one, I assume?”

Jude nodded in agreement, letting the words hang in the air around them. “It’ll look good with your hair, I think.” The older man smiled warmly, still cradling his arm. “Ah, yeah.” Jude replied, looking around for the familiar long blonde hair. “Apparently her mother didn’t get the right kind of fabric for his costume, so she had to come see for herself.” Jude shrugged, spotting Kaylee who was now walking towards them. “Speak of the devil. This is my daughter, Kaylee. Kaylee this is- I didn’t quite catch your name.” 

In typical fashion, Alex had waited until the last possible day to plan. Having just finished her shift, she decided to skip out on a well-deserved nap in order to figure out what to wear for tomorrow’s ball. The elf had already spent quite a bit of time at one of the local clothing boutiques, and was now thumbing through shawls. “Mm… what do you think?” she wrapped it around her face, doing her best to conceal her long locks with a chuckle, “I’m thinking of going as one of the Arab nomads that lived in the desert to honor my grandmum’s heritage. I think they were called the Bedouin? It’s been so long since I last read about them…”

“I uh-” The blond looked around, wondering if it was him she was talking too, or someone around him that he just couldn’t see. He never really was one for being in and out among the town, or the people in it. But his daughter had dragged him out, claiming it was quality time. “I wouldn’t know.” Jude replied with a puzzled look, holding one dress between his fingers, his free hand cradling his wounded soldier. “It’s pretty. I guess. I don’t know?” He worried his bottom lip, shifting on his feet. “I like the red one better?”