She wasn’t supposed to fall for him. Each Healer had known their duty going into Project Shield and hers was among the most difficult. Treating the spirit but not growing attached when he was but a means to an end.
Still, as his cries faded at last, she dared to peek her head in out of curiosity into the pitiful excuse of a room that was more like a cell. It had been so long since she last beheld one that young and her deep purple eyes had to observe how he faired. He looked terrible curled up on his side, despite it being only the first session of countless many. Thick veins of inky black had spread across his originally ethereal pure white form, the youth whimpering softly in pain with his back to her.
[Little One? Oh thank the Ancients you are okay!]
She hadn’t meant to wake him with her voice but the fact that he went silent the moment she entered confirmed that she had likely startled him. Well she could at least help make him more comfortable. Approaching swiftly, she began to hum absentmindedly, already at work on reducing his suffering as her eyes glowed. The song was an old piece her mother had sung to her as a child and she thought it might soothe him enough to allow her to do what she was trained to do.
Nearly halfway through he started to squirm and she put a forepaw on his side, trapping his smaller frame under her talons. [Not yet. I’m almost done.]
He likely did not understand her words but decided to quiet down, the large crimson eyes brightening in relief. Finding it too cute to resist, she lightly tapped her beak against his own and smiled at the surprised chirp she received.
[I should not fall for you seeing as what they plan to do but you are so young and unaware of the world. I will be your guard... just as you are to be for them.]
He whined, shrinking back suddenly. She was confused at first before realizing what she had so carelessly muttered and swept him up in her forewing, softly humming an old lullaby her mother had once sung to her years before she entered the ranks of the Council’s Healers. Slowly the melody lulled him into a relaxed state and she sighed as his eyes closed in slumber, returning him to the metal table he had been left on as she got the feeling they were being watched. The others had come for him, to observe how he responded. Without thinking, she pressed her beak against his again, closing her own eyes in a silent plea to the Ancients to guide him.
[Stay strong... Nethreis. You must not fall. The lives of so many rest with you... as does a nation crumbling upon itself.]
—————
She left the room not long after, turning away before she could see the numerous Healers going for the young spirit. He didn’t deserve the pain he was put through but who was she to object when all it took was one wrong word and she’d be out of a job and left to wander the streets. It hurt but shoving down her thoughts on how he was treated was for the best.
If anyone knew she had given the spirit a name... both of them would suffer greatly and there was no telling how bad it could get for him. So, as much as it pained her heart, she had to not listen when the screams started... He would survive. He had to survive! Yet it was still like feeling claws digging into her soul to hear him screech in agony.
“Igna?” The sudden call of her name made her flinch and snap out of her thoughts, stopping where she was. “Oh! Sorry.... I could not help but notice you seemed troubled. Want to talk about it?”
Her eyes flickered toward the sound of the voice, finding it to be one of the younger Healers about her own age who had once expressed an interest in her a few years back. She’d turned him down then and likely would now. The less who knew the better.
[I am quite fine. Do excuse me.] Her voice nearly broke as she moved past him, head held high. She could still hear the screaming from the young spirit and it was hard to not go and tend to him. If only she could chase away the evil that sought to poison him...
No matter what happened to her, he would one day get free. The horrible things would no longer be familiar to him. Maybe he’d even have a chance to live his life? For now they both had to play their respective roles until such a time could come.
