estdeus_innobis | Maybe they're just pieces of me you've never seen

(Friday, October 9th, later afternoon)
(A house outside the main town)

I hate to admit it, it's good to feel Lucien in somewhat better spirits.   I never realized how much of a drain it is on both of us when he's miserable.   The pony.... even I have to admit that was a downright decent thing to do.

Lucien spent most of the day doing house calls, managing to keep in good spirits. He's thinking about both his women on the walk back from the outlying farms, thinking maybe he could have dinner with Miao, or entice Wanda out to the bar. I am content enough to just listen in on his thoughts, not intercede. I think I've done enough damage to him for the time being, and soon enough..... soon enough.....

We're passing a small, rough looking house when the smell of disease and impending death reaches us on the wind. Lucien stops in his tracks, the medical concern that seems inbred to him crowding out thoughts of perfumed hair and soft lips, and he enters the house quietly.
All the way in a back room, the man lies in bed, alone, writhing in pain, death hours away, if that. Lucien pulls up a chair and sits besides the bed. There is nothing that can be done. The cancer has spread over the entire body, it's a wonder the poor wretch lived this long.   Lucien is wracking his brain, trying to figure out what to do, when I finally speak up, quietly.   "Lucien, he's too far gone. You can't heal him, and yes, I could, but it would tax you far to greatly." We think for a minute, and the answer comes to me. I mentally share it with Lucien, and with a sigh, he surrenders control to me.
I smile softly at the man with Lucien's face and lay my land on his chest.   "I'm ready," He gasps, body convulsing. "But it huts so bad... can't get past the..."   "Shhhhhh, friend. Peace, I know. I'm going to take the pain away briefly.... that should give you the peace you can't reach.... are you ready?"   He nods, eyes glassed over with agony. "Please, please, God help me please."

I take a deep breath, and instead of releasing sickly green fire, the purity of the Light I still contain engulfs him, and his face is transformed. His face turns to ours and his smile is beatific. "Thank you.... oh thank you.... you're an angel...." I would laugh bitterly at that, but he turns his face at looks at something I cannot see. Not to my eyes, not anymore... but I can feel it, i can feel HOME, and I want to weep at the beauty of it.....

and then he's gone, and we are alone. Lucien stirs, confused and concerned at my unbearable sorrow. I cannot, I can't... I render him unconscious.

I am alone. The only demon who still carries the Light, the only demon who regrets.
I am alone.

(open to Lilith)
(Closed)