audio; [three] shattered bonds

[hisheartsdesire]

[ID: Tobias Matthews. It's his default, and he's never really thought to change it or go anonymous before.

There's panting, like he's out of breath. Letting out a groan of pain, he continues in a Northern English accent.]

Ugh, I need. Help. Don't know why, but. There's this—AUGH—pain, I don't understand it. Never felt anything like it before... [His next groan is more like a shout, followed by a loud thud on the floor.

There's silence for about fifteen seconds, and then the sound of movement. It could be dragging or dusting oneself off, both or neither.]

I... I don't know what that was all about, I'm sorry. Whatever it is, it's passed. [He sounds like he's catching his breath.

After an awkward silence,] I really don't know what to say now, but that was sudden.

[This is where he ends it, mostly because he feels so incredibly uncertain.]

Comments

[ Audio ]

[dualismum]

It would be better to check it out, no? With a doctor.

[hisheartsdesire]

...That's probably a good idea. Or maybe I should call a doctor here. I've never needed a doctor before, but I've never experienced anything quite like this, either.

[dualismum]

Yeah - when something like that happens, it's for the best to run some tests and try to find out what's wrong.

voice;

[brushoff]

I'm coming home, [ Dorian says, with 100% certainty, despite the fact that Toby knows he is most definitely at work right now ] Do you want me to bring you anything? Pain killers or anything like that?

[hisheartsdesire]

[If Dorian hadn't sounded nearly so concerned, then Toby might have insisted, "But you're at work!" However, the experience was so sudden and inexplicable that Toby's reaction is:]

I don't know! Whatever that was, the pain has subsided. Only now, I just. Don't really understand this feeling, it's confusing!

[brushoff]

It almost sounded like a heart tremor or something like that? But why you would get them in the first place is beyond me.

[ Vampirism usually puts a stop to heart problems. ]

[incogneto]

I'm not a doctor, but I think if that suddenly occurs again, you may not be so lucky.

[hisheartsdesire]

...Doctor or otherwise, that sentiment is troubling. I don't know that I'm prone to heart attacks or strokes.

[incogneto]

You didn't think you were predisposed to whatever that was either, so I'd argue it's time to reconsider.

[foreshadower]

This isn't some sort of exaggerated cold feet, is it?

[hisheartsdesire]

It absolutely is not. Something happened, it was painful, and now it's gone... But there's more to it than that. I don't really understand it, this feeling that I have, though I swear it is not cold feet.

voice;

[shifting]

[what the hell could do that to a vampire? They can't get heart attacks, right?]

...You all right now?

[hisheartsdesire]

I... think so? Honestly, I don't really know. This sort of thing has never happened before...

audio

[quaerit]

[ Well.

That was strange. Why Toby is in pain at all is beyond Gansey; he's a vampire, isn't he? ]

Toby?

What did it feel like?

[hisheartsdesire]

It was pain like something being violently ripped from me, which just. Doesn't make any sense. I've only been here at home, I'm not doing anything special or different this evening.

[But he considers himself fortunate for not going out this evening. He wouldn't have wanted to collapse somewhere out in the streets from whatever this is.]

( audio )

[sidequestings]

[ this was actually horrifying. for a few seconds, he thought he'd actually just listened to someone die over the network. he's glad to see that he didn't, but-- it's still alarming. ]

We don't know one another, but I would certainly echo what others have said about seeing a physician or healer. [ a beat, then hesitantly: ] I keep a little elfroot on me, if you'd like to try it in the meantime. It's a healing and restorative plant.

[hisheartsdesire]

All things considered, I'm thinking the same about seeing a doctor or healer or. Something. [A pause.] Thanks for the, uhh, elfroot offer. I really do appreciate it but I don't know that it exists in my world, and have no idea of its effects on a creature like me.

[illuminescent]

Do you need me to attend you?

[hisheartsdesire]

[Oh, Toby feels stupid that he doesn't really know the answer!]

I don't really know, but perhaps it's in my best interests. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before, so I don't know what to make of it.

Audio

[insinerate]

Your symptoms, Tobias, may have subsided, but the onset of such fierce pain is unusual to say the least, particularly, I would imagine, for someone like you. I strongly advise seeking a physician's opinion or, at the very least, speaking with others who understand or share your...biological condition.

[A thoughtful pause and then Yuri adds quietly...]

If I can be of any assistance, you know how and where you can reach me.

[hisheartsdesire]

[...But Kanaya and Marceline are the only vampires he knows, and they don't really share his physical condition. That, and they don't really get along with him. There used to be a vampire-werewolf hybrid by the name Hayley, but Toby hasn't seen or heard from her for some time now.] Thank you, Mister Petrov.

Yeah, I'm definitely getting this looked into. Somewhere. Somehow. [A beat.] I just. Don't quite know where to start, honestly.

Audio

[dumbfound]

[ A stretched out, uncertain "Uhmmm" for a good five seconds before he replies. ]

Do you need to go to the hospital?

[hisheartsdesire]

I honestly don't know. I mean, this sort of thing has never happened to me before.

voice. a few hours later

[glowsferatu]

[ Kanaya's voice is cold, flat. It isn't the barely restrained fury one might expect in the circumstances, but dispassionate, empty. She's boiling, but restrained. ]

I know what it is. It's a psychosomatic expression of your guilt, isn't it?

[hisheartsdesire]

[It's some time later before he replies. Because honestly, why would he want to talk to her? Yeah, yeah, he was an asshole to her, and she's being an asshole to him right now. What are the chances anything useful will come from this?]

Is that your honest opinion?