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.

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?

[incogneto]

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

[foreshadower]

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

[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!

[hisheartsdesire]

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

[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.

[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. ]

[hisheartsdesire]

As opposed to, say, a heart attack or stroke. Both of which are things that really shouldn't happen to me.

[Not only that, Dorian, but there's something else. Unfortunately, Toby doesn't really know how to put it into words.]

You are still coming home, right? How much longer till you're here?

[brushoff]

I'll be there in less than thirty minutes. [ just said so matter-of-fact and so determined. ] Again, text me if you need anything.

voice;

[shifting]

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

...You all right now?

[dualismum]

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

1/2

[hisheartsdesire]

[Taking a deep breath,] Thank you for your concern. And suggestions. I really do appreciate it.

[hisheartsdesire]

[After that, he stopped replying to gather his bearings and take care of things when Dorian arrived home. So when he's finally squared those things out of the way but is still uncertain of exactly what had happened to him, he picks up where he'd left off.]

Apologies for cutting our, uhh, conversation short. But also, thanks again. I don't believe we've met before... [That trails off and sounds a little like a question.]

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]

Thanks, I just. Have no idea what I'd need for something like this.

[Because it's never happened or even been a huge deal before, he's never felt anything like that before, and he doesn't want it to happen again.]

[hisheartsdesire]

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

[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.

action!

[brushoff]

Well, I'll pick up a little bit of everything then. See you soon.

[ He said he'd pick up a little bit of everything and so he has. Dorian returns with a shopping bag laden with aspirin, heartburn medication, some Nyquil, ginger ale, and some sort of ridiculous herbal supplement that he picked up because it said 'good for the heart.' Walking over to Toby, he gives him a small nod. ]

How are you feeling?

[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.

[sidequestings]

A cr-- [ a creature??? ] Well.. it works on various races where I'm from, but I can see why you wouldn't want to try it if it's alien to you. [ a beat. ] .. In the meantime, I-- you don't intend to be alone, I hope. [ in case it happens again. ]

perma-action;

[hisheartsdesire]

[Toby had perked up from his spot on the sofa when he heard Dorian coming in, then returned to his somewhat dazed and confused but otherwise normal state. Though he does glance up again when Dorian walks over to him.

He gives a hapless shrug at Dorian's question.] I don't know, strangely normal... in spite of that. No, but there is something else, I don't know what it is. I don't understand it.

[So he silently thinks for a few moments.] I guess—I guess it's loss.

[hisheartsdesire]

Oh, I certainly don't intend to be alone, don't worry. My fiance will be home soon enough to look after me, and we'll figure what to do from there...

But going back to what I said earlier, "a creature like me". I'm Tobias Matthews, and I'm a vampire. [A pause.] Do you... have vampires, where you're from?