Page 68 of Runes To Rain
I’m a little surprised Lent isn’t trying harder to see her and that she hasn’t seemed to seek him out since she’s been back. Maybe I misread the relationship between the two of them. Maybe it’s actually Fem who’s more interested in her.
When Fem asked me to go with him, I tried torefuse. Her anger wasn’t going to be appeased by my wanting to ask her for help. The fact that I haven’t made any progress in figuring out how to mend what happened between us isn’t something I’m capable of dwelling on at the moment. Instead, I’m avoiding it. My favorite way of coping, or I guess my second favorite.
Despite my reservations, I found myself following Fem to Chaosta’s room. Torn between seeing her and not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable, I stayed back. Fem tried to get me to knock on the door and talk with her, but again, I refused. I knew enough to understand she wouldn’t handle that well.
Instead, Fem knocked on the door. When I heard how annoyed she sounded, I almost left, but I still wanted to see her myself and make sure she looked all right. I know intimately how painful a broken nose and broken fingers can be.
It took her far too long to come to the door for my comfort, and when she did, I didn’t feel at all reassured. Something about her body language screamed at my instincts. I don’t know why. Her nose and the bruising from it didn’t look any worse, and her fingers were still well taped. I actually felt a little better when she glared at me because it was so normal. Then I immediately got more concerned when she stepped into Fem’s space and pulled the door closed behind her so he couldn’t see what was in the room. That rang alarm bells for sure. She’s clearly hiding something.
I’m starting to know Fem well enough that I could see it concerned him as well. He still followed through with our plan and asked her about Malam and if she could help us. I just wanted to push past her and check her room, but I controlled myself, letting him lead in this.
I guess I wasn’t too surprised when she told us she had heard from Malam. However, hearing that he will be gone for a fortnight distracted me from my worry about her for a minute. Honestly, we can’t wait a fortnight. We’re already fucked enough. Before I recognized what was happening, Fem was pulling me into the conversation, just like I told him not to, and of course, she had a big reaction and shut herself back in her room immediately.
After the door slammed in his face, I could tell by the set of his shoulders that he was pissed. He looked ready to march through the door and scold her for being rude. Honestly, that was the last thing on my mind.
He turned to me, and I could tell he was expecting my anger and support for his desire to scold her. I was still staring at the door, trying to keep myself from battering it down, but for a much different reason. At that moment, I wanted to ask if he’d seen her flinch or how pale she was.
I have this feeling now that she’s more hurt than we realize, and suddenly the distance from her is killing me.
Instead, I asked if he wanted to go boxing with me. He froze for a moment and then looked me over as though he thought I might need his medical experience. Then he said yes, so we’re headed there now. Twice in a day can’t hurt, right?
DIO’S JOURNAL - ENTRY 340
Annum:5615
Entry 340 - fractura ossis
I guess boxing twice in one day can hurt. I’m in a lot of pain, actually.
I busted up my knuckles, have yet another black eye, and I’m fairly sure at least one of my ribs is broken. Fem needed to pull me out of the ring. That smug asshole I fought at the end just wouldn’t quit, and the pain was helping me concentrate on something other than Chaosta. Without Fem, I’d be in much worse shape.
Fem gave me a lecture on the walk, or in my case limp, back about taking better care of myself but I wasn’t really listening. Not like I haven’t heard it all before. I just need something to care about again, and this will all get better. The cause and our weather magicworked for a while, but it feels brittle right now, especially with Malam deserting us.
I slept restlessly that night because of the pain and unease about what we’re up against. I had an appetite for breakfast, though, so at least the physical exertion did help a bit. Chaosta didn’t come to breakfast, but she hasn't since she got back, so I wasn’t overly concerned. I know Reem has asked the staff to bring food to her room, so she’s not going hungry. I can’t complain about the lack of awkwardness and tension.
After breakfast, we had a “band meeting” that Reem pulled together. He’s hired us an assistant who’s going to be working double time to help pull together everything we need to get this record released on time. He pleaded with us to help out where we can. I’ve been trying to remember the high from the last concert and get my mind back in the game for our music. I just can’t concentrate on anything right now. Well, that’s not quite right. There is someone I can’t stop thinking about.
Fuck.
The meeting finished quickly enough that we had some time before lunch, so we actually managed to find some time to rehearse. Gods, we need to do that more. Our next concert is looming, and if we play like we did today, I wouldn’t blame our entire fan base if they all deserted us. I thought Reem was going to lose it. The band is just so important to him. He was white facedafter we finished. He left while we were still getting cleaned up.
When we went to lunch after, licking our wounds, I think we were all surprised when Chaosta joined us. Fem opened his mouth, and I could tell he was going to scold her for slamming the door on us the day before. I may have “accidentally” tripped him. By the time we cleaned the food up and got reorganized, he must have forgotten. Clumsy me, I guess. Ha!
When everything settled and we were eating lunch, Chaosta shared that she had “enlisted the help of a different demon” and said, “he’ll be here tonight.” She said he’s less patient than Malam, and we need to be ready right at ten each night. No summoning this one, I guess.
I don’t think any of us quite knew what to think. It’s odd to think of working with a different demon. I’m sure for the others in particular, since they’ve known Malam for far longer than I have.
Despite those misgivings, I could have thrown her a parade. Especially when she announced she’s going to get back to researching weather magic and wanted Fem and Lent to join her when they can. Fuck, we might actually have a chance to get this figured out in time thanks to her.
EXCERPTS FROM MALAM
Islam the knife into the human’s throat, stepping to the side carefully to avoid the spray. Of course, I am already covered in his blood, but I may as well avoid the amount an arterial puncture would add.
This wasn’t a kind death. He’s been bleeding for me for nearly a day now, but it was worth it. I finally have the last piece of the puzzle.
I’m in a small basement space, a sort of bunker, which has fully stone walls, a stone floor, and a stone ceiling. It makes cleanup easier.
I walk to the edge of the room where I’ve set up a small changing station. I strip and clean myself as well as I can. I will still need a shower later, but I want to avoid bringing this much blood back to the stronghold or Lily’s home.
