[ They're two days into the curses when Zerxus realises he hasn't reached out to his inmate yet. Hey may or may not punch a wall when this strikes him, but nothing in his voice reflects that: it's steady and soft, out of sheer force of will. ]
Meng Yao? This is Zerxus. I'm your warden, for now, and I'm sorry I didn't speak to you earlier. Are you all right?
{Meng Yao is on death's door, bleeding from his eyes. No, really, this is a lot of fun! Thank you, Baxia. His voice shakes when he answers - but he does answer.}
[ It usually takes him a bit longer to start swearing. ]
Some kind of magic, I think, but it's effecting people differently. There are - a few things I can try that might help you, if you're all right with it?
[ But he's going to switch to video, just so Meng Yao isn't surprised by the horns, or the armour, or the fact that he's covered in blood. ]
[ His brow furrows as he thinks back through the details, because the last two days are honestly a bit jumbled. Then he shakes his head, aggressively, though it doesn't reach his voice. ] No idea.
[ That said - ] But a curse is a curse, and I might be able to remove it.
[ Zerxus follow right after, kneeling in front of the bed (and grimacing a little, because the movement strains injuries he's only barely healed). With one hand he reaches out to take Meng Yao's; with the other he pulls a necklace from inside his armour, grasping it tightly.
It's more powerful magic, and his eyes flare star-bright as he murmurs beneath his breath. Usually, he'd have complete confidence in it breaking the curse, but he's playing with another world's rules here; for all he knows it will fail or backfire. ]
{Thankfully relief follows instead of more agony. Yao grips onto Zerxus's hand tightly, more afraid than he is willing to admit, his breathing only easing when the spell is done. Though there is dried blood on his cheeks, his eyes cease to weep blood - and his headache eases.}
[ He's been grappling to find emotions strong enough to smother the anger. Actually being able to help someone is enough; his expression softens into a gentle smile, as he pulls his hands away. ]
Remove Curse. It's a powerful spell, I can only try it three times a day.
[ Hence why he's been...sparing with it, but right now, Meng Yao is his inmate, and that takes priority. ]
I do... I do. {Yao rests a hand gratefully on Zerxus's shoulder and leads them to a small table. Then he brings over a pitcher of water and two glasses.}
[ He considers refusing his own glass for a split second, that isn't why he asked, but - that would be stupid, so he nods his gratitude instead and sits down. ]
It is. I'm - I don't know if you know the word paladin, but it's a warrior who can wield divine magic.
[ Zerxus holds his glass gingerly - definitely not what gauntlets were made for - and considers, brow furrowing as he turns the word over in his mind. He'd done so many hours of research trying to figure out where his power came from, studying divine practices from across history, across the world. ]
I don't think we use that term in Exandria. Not in my time, at least.
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Voice
Meng Yao? This is Zerxus. I'm your warden, for now, and I'm sorry I didn't speak to you earlier. Are you all right?
Voice
...sick. What is causing this?
Re: Voice
[ It usually takes him a bit longer to start swearing. ]
Some kind of magic, I think, but it's effecting people differently. There are - a few things I can try that might help you, if you're all right with it?
[ But he's going to switch to video, just so Meng Yao isn't surprised by the horns, or the armour, or the fact that he's covered in blood. ]
Voice
{Oh. Horns! He switches to video too and shows his...bleeding eyes.}
Have you been on a killing spree, by chance?
Re: Voice
Violence spree. I've managed to avoid killing anyone, so far.
[ Yes, he is grimly aware of how un-reassuring that sounds. ]
You don't - actually have to let me in if you'd rather not.
{Video}
Come in. I'm not afraid. {Death might be kinder at this rate.}
Re: {Video}
For just a moment, Zerxus freezes on the threshold. Then he reaches out to steady Meng Yao with stubborn gentleness.
He also pours some healing magic through them, eyes glowing with silver light, but - ]
That didn't help, did it?
{Action}
Giving a little shiver under the magic, he blinks, confused.}
The curse isn't...undone. I heard it...came from a sword? Is the sword named Baxia?
Re: {Action}
[ His brow furrows as he thinks back through the details, because the last two days are honestly a bit jumbled. Then he shakes his head, aggressively, though it doesn't reach his voice. ] No idea.
[ That said - ] But a curse is a curse, and I might be able to remove it.
{Action}
No matter the outcome, I won't hold it against you.
Re: {Action}
It's more powerful magic, and his eyes flare star-bright as he murmurs beneath his breath. Usually, he'd have complete confidence in it breaking the curse, but he's playing with another world's rules here; for all he knows it will fail or backfire. ]
{Action}
...ah how... How did you do that?
Re: {Action}
Remove Curse. It's a powerful spell, I can only try it three times a day.
[ Hence why he's been...sparing with it, but right now, Meng Yao is his inmate, and that takes priority. ]
Do you have water, here?
{Action}
Is that spell...from your world?
Re: {Action}
It is. I'm - I don't know if you know the word paladin, but it's a warrior who can wield divine magic.
{Action}
You sound like a Cultivator. That's what I am.
Re: {Action}
I don't think we use that term in Exandria. Not in my time, at least.