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Redemption (Chapter 1?)

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Hrof's little world of numb blackness was rudely disrupted a pain all over his body. Grunting at the discomfort, the Ursid tried to move his arm, only to discover that a fair amount of weight was keeping it down. Growling, he cracked an eye open, immediately feeling a splitting headache take him. Light craked apart the last vestiges of the blessed condition of unconsciousness as he realized that he'd survived an attempt on his life by the gods damned Red Claws-- as one of the most powerful gangs in the city they gave his gang a run for their money and he should have known better than to go after them alone.

The Ursid groaned, looking at what kept his arm immobile and saw that it was a Human woman. Letting the blurriness of his thoughts catch up to him he saw that he was laying on a bed which was too small for him yet, somehow, there he was. The woman saw he was awake and, rather than shying away from him, she offered a warm smile. "Good... you're awaken. Please forgive me if I startled you... I've been tending your wounds for these past few days and I am relieved to see that you've awakened."

Hrof's eyes narrowed, sniffing the air reflexively. Her scent was sweet and calming, like a mix of herbs and... something else. He focused on her face, studying her features, trying to remember if he knew her-- he did not. She was a prettier thing than he expected... for a Human. She was also not the kind of person he'd normally see in his part of the city: smooth skin and big brown eyes that seem to hold warmth. He wasn't interested in her looks, exactly. He knew the way of the world, and everything was a transaction; the sooner he knew what she wanted the faster he'd be able to deal with her.

Staring at her, Hrof demanded. "What do you want from me, Healer? What are you going to do to me?"

Although she hadn't specifically come out and said she was a healer, Hrof knew few others who smelled like plants and bothered treating wounds. Rather than respond right away, the woman turned away for a moment, rotating back with a large (for her) earthen mug-- when she hands it to him with both of her hands it fits easily into one of his paws. Still smiling, the woman continued to offer no real answer as she gestured to the earthenware. "Here... drink. It is tea. You must be parched."

Hrof accepted the mug with a skeptical eye, sniffing at it before bringing it to his lips. The scent of herbs wafted up and he could taste a hint of bitterness on the rim. Taking a cautious sip, wincing slightly at the strange taste, the Bear stared down at the dark liquid; it was warm and tasted like nothing he'd had before... not that he could have afforded much in the way of herbal curatives. Once he'd sipped the brew he looked at her eyes narrowing as he took another sip before demanding "What's in this, woman?"

Again, she didn't answer right away, slowly working a mortar and pestle as he drank. The fluid warmed him, making his insides tingle, and banishing away the worst of the pain he felt... everywhere. The damned Red Claws had done a number on him. She did speak, ultimately, helping to distract him from the discomfort. "You are drinking a tea made from healing herbs. Your body is doing better in recovering from your wounds, but you still have a long way to go. Do you remember how you came into my care?

Hrof watched he warily, eying the alchemy she was doing as his ears folded back slightly in thought. His mind was foggy but he remembered the fight... the defeat... falling back, running from one alley to the next, before finally collapsing against the doorway of a small cottage set back from a side street. He remembered the door opening, and a female voice calling to him... then blackness. He hazarded a guess. "You're the one who found me, aren't you? What do you want from me?"

He kept his voice rough, no concern of keeping the suspicion out of it-- after all, that helped hide the pain. He took another sip of tea, awaiting his answer. Her gentle laughter, however, sent a shiver up his spine, and she provided it. "What do I want? Just for you to convalesce. You are in my care... you need do nothing but heal. If you're asking if I expect payment for my services, do not fear... I do not help for expectation of compensation."

The Bear's tail twitched with skepticism, but he kept his muzzle as neutral as he could. It was a business tactic-- she wanted something, and he planned on getting it. "Save the do-gooding for someone who can be fooled by it, Healer. I'm not some naive little cub who'll swallow your honeyed words whole. What's in it for you? You're not going to tell me you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart, are you?"

Her smile remained right where it was. "And... if I am?"

Hrof dropped his voice an octave, not bothering to hide a faint growl; people usually responded to him better when he stopped trying to be nice. "Everyone has a reason for helping someone like me, Girly. So, what's yours?"

Despite his wounds, Hrof was sure he could still count on his size to get the idea across and heleaned forward, eyes boring into hers, actively dearing her to lie. In return, she simply let out a soft sign. "I learned from the temple how to heal those in need. Why have this power if I don't use it? I help those in need, and, even if I can do only so much, it is my pleasure to serve this community by aiding those who need it the most. If you cannot believe that I do this for the benefit of those I help, could you accept that I do this to make sure that the Three Gangs leave me in peace?"

Hrof's small, round ears folded back in derision. "Save the nonsense... PRIESTESS. You think any of the Gangs would give you the time of day if they thought you had something they wanted? Gimme a break."

She nodded with surprising conviction. "I do... and I'm not a priestess... just someone who wants to--"

He leaned back, putting the mug down. "I don't care. I only care about one thing: getting out of this bed and getting back to my boys. If you're trying to use some mumbo-jumbo to manipulate me, you're wasting your breath." He turned to regard her directly, eyes narrowing. "Now tell me what you want from me, and don't bother with the flowery language. I'm not about to owe some high-and-mighty airhead any favors..."

He was surprised that she chuckled at his insult. Regardless, the Healer continues speaking to him, neither worked up nor agitated in the least. "What I want? I want for you to stay and heal... to rest so that you may be at your best. I want you to remain in my care so that the men waiting for you outside are unable to harm you further. As for what I demand? Nothing. I cannot and will not keep you here... but I hope that you will listen to reason and allow me to help you."

Hrof perked his ears; although he didn't hear any indication of menace in her tone there was definitely a threat included with her words; did she have men outside ready to jump him? He rolled his eyes, letting a low growl rumble up from the back of his throat. "You're really something else, aren't you? A Priestess with a sense of humor."

She raised an idex finger on her right had as she stated in a calm tone, a repeat of her earlier statement. "Not a Priestess."

Getting frustrated, Hrof leaned forward, his voice taking on a menacing tone. "Listen, Healer, I don't know what kind of games you're playing, but I'm not some injured cub who's going to stay here and have you pamper me before throwing me out to the wild because of some misguided sense of charity. I got men to lead here in town and I'm not gonna let some silly sappy tart like you stop me. Now, are you going to tell me what's going on outside, or do I need to find out for myself?"

The Bear tried to push himself up, but his body protested, and he fell back onto the bed, wincing in pain-- the bed do so as well. The strange woman, however, was by his side in an instant, easing him back to the mattress, her voice calm and encouraging. "Shush... be still.. be calm. I know you are no cub.... cubs tend to listen better."

The humor to her tone and pointed smirk was definitely at his expense but for the life of him, he didn't feel the usual kind of sharp bite he'd expect fro sardonic comment. It confused him because it was almost as if she were inviting him to laugh alongside her-- he hated being confused and didn't like what she was suggesting. "Listen, lady, I--"

She spoke right over him. "As for outside, there are three men with unpleasant looking weapons and they have set up camp on my lawn... they would not enter here without my blessing, but they seem patient enough to wait for you to come out."

Hrof grunted flatly. "Cats?"

The Healer nodded. "A Tabby, a Lynx, and a Panther."

The Bear chewed on his tongue; he figured it was the Red claws-- likely sticking around to finish the job. A low growl began to build in his throat as he news didn't sit well with him. He clenched his paws, joints popping with the gesture. "So... they're just going to keep me waiting, are they?"

Moving to rise again, he brushed her arms away and forced himself into a sitting position. He grit his teeth as bolts of pain shot through him but he powered through it; Hrof was no weakling, and he wasn't about to be coddled. "What do they want? Why aren't they attacking? I'm right here, gods damn it."

The Human woman shrugged, remaining close, but, surprisingly, not out of the range of Hrof's claws-- perhaps she was a little daft in not seeing the theat he posed. Heedless fo the danger she could be in if he decided to teach her to fear him, she spoke. "They are waiting for you, I would presume."

He managed a smirk despite the great discomfort from his body. Putting as much bravado into his voice as he could manage, the Bear noted "That so? Well, if they were REALLY looking for a fight, they'd have stormed your place already." Grunting, he moved one paw to the bandage on his torso, staring down the strange woman. "So, what is it, Priestess? Do they want peace or war? They're not taking me alive, and there's a good chance it'll take more'n three of em to finish me off... even in the sorry-shit condition I'm in."

The Healer shook her head. "Still not a priestess... and, to be honest, I could not say what men like those desire, aside from their own self destruction with such harmful ways. I assume they will grow tired in time and until then, you are under my care-- they will not harm you. Those men know of me and they will not act against me-- I have saved many of their number and they will not risk my favor. As I said before, sir: you are safe here."

Hrof snorted, his small, round ears folding back in skepticism... and, if he had to admit it to himself, he was almost never called 'Sir', and she was certainly not a whore he was paying extra for that ego boost. He leveled a sour gaze at her. "Save the drama, Girlie. You're trying to sugarcoat things, but I can smell a rat. Those men may have learned their lesson from your... humanitarian work, but that doesn't mean they won't try to use you to get to me... that'll be there next move."

She shook her head with a surprising amount of confidence. "I very much doubt that."

Leaning in closer to her, Hrof swallowed a grimace as his ribs ground audible together, hiding it with a menacing tone, his words growling ever-so-slightly. "You're playing with fire, Sweetheart. You think those men are gonna call you a saint just because you've saved them? Please. They're just waiting for their chance to strike, and if they think it'll get them what they want, they'll do whatever it takes... including messing up your little cottage here."

Her resolve remained unmoved and, much to his chagrin, she challenged his assessment. "Still, I would have to respectfully disagree."

He huffed out a condescending laugh almost into her face. "Well... when they come knocking at least ONE of us'll be ready... you can play nice, or you can live, but I know guys like that... the Red Claws are ruthless felines that'd sure as slice your throat as look at'cha."

Although Hrof knew that he was mostly just posturing at that point (he didn't even know if he'd be able to stand), he was faced with further humiliation that he couldn't get the Human woman to react-- not a hint of fear. She simply continued to look at him, her face a serene mask of patience, though one of her eyebrows raised. What came next was belittling to him in the worst way possible. "You poor thing... never learned how to trust without proof? Very well..."

She walked away from him and Hrof felt his rage beginning to burn. "Don't you walk away from--"

The Human woman threw open the shutters to her window and called out. "Hey there, boys! How's everyone doing? Do you have enough scones? Anyone need more tea?"

Hrof realized at that moment that she must have been truly insane... until shouts came back. They were definitely feline voices-- the Bear knew the sound well enough of his foes. The gruff shouts, rather than being full of insult and innuendo were inexplicably respectful... he even heard a "ma'am" and a "miss" spoken. As tame as house cats, and worthy of nothing but the bear's disdain. They even called her "Mother Amber"... pitiful.

She continued. "And you're still planning on waiting for this one in here?"

The sudden change in the tone of their voice, the usual piss-and-vinegar he was used to hearing from the Red Claws returned full force. They were definitely the assholes he was used to fighting, but, even at their worst, they still remained respectful to her. Hrof found himself what kind of witchcraft she performed-- he didn't know, but he resolved to snap her neck if she tried it on him. What kind of sorcery could turn grown men into mewling pets?

Returning to the Bear's side, the woman, 'Amber' by name apparently if the Red Claws were to be believed smiled pleasantly, a hint of humor obvious on her lips. "See? Respectful and still wanting to kill you."

He didn't understand he angle, or the hold she held on them. "You're actually allowing them to be polite to you? That's some serious mojo you've got working for you, Priestess."

The Healer sighed. "Not a priestess. There's no 'mojo' to it; everyone deserves the right to be treated with respect and the opportunity to be respectful."

Hrof huffed, leaning back into the bed with a groan as he finally gave into the discomfort, working to process what he'd learned. "So... they're just waiting to kill me and you're buying them tea and scones? This is like something out of a bloody fuckin' fairy tale." The Bear snorted. "And I don't trust it."

She smiled reassuringly, not that it helped much. "You are safe here."

He gazed around the room, searching for any sign of weakness or an opportunity to strike. The place was not built to be defensible-- he saw no less than a dozen points where an assailant could gain entry, and very few defensible positions. "It's like you've got a gods damned death wish, lady."

The Healer's head shook faintly. "No... it is no trick, I assure you. It's called common decency, and treating others how you wish to be treated: with respect and gentility. Every one of those men out there I've healed at some point... just like I'm healing you. You asked what I want for my services? I just said: respect and gentility. Gratitude?" She offered a warm, good-humored wink with a wry grin. "Well.. gratitude is optional, but appreciated."

Hrof felt his guard drop ever so slightly as her warmth threatened him. He began to understand the insidiousness of the woman... drawing people in with her warmth and kindness. "Common decency, huh? Not as common as you'd probably think, Lady... these aren't the kinds of guys you should go soft on... neither am I."

The Human moved closer, and Hrof recoiled as she extended her hand. Going still, he's are surprised when her hand begins gently inspecting the bandage on his ribs. She spoke as she worked. "Sometimes those who need it the most have the most trouble expressing it... I treat others how I wish to be treated myself, not how they expect to be treated."

The Bear grunted at what she said. He would normally have grunted from a healer working on him, but she was surprisingly gentle, not like the corner-healers and aw-docs and street stitchers he was used to seeing. "You still haven't told me what you want for caring for me. Gonna piss me off a LOT if you start making demands later, Sweetheart. You want me to become some big teddy bear just cuz you saved my life?"

Remaining a paragon of patience, the woman still doesn't rise to his verbal jabs-- and her next inspection of one of his wounds doesn't include a cheap-shot of painful interaction. "I make no demands and I have no delusions-- I am not here to tame you, or to turn you into something you're not. I am just here to help those who require it and, when I saw you on my doorstep, I could tell you were in need."

Once she was done with the bandage she moved on to fuss with Hrof's bed as if she were a mother bear making sure her cub was secure for the night. The Ursid found himself hating how good it felt to be doted on; he was independent. He didn't need anyone. Heedless of the thoughts going through his mind, the Healer continued to even out how he lay on the bed with gentle attention. It drove him mad.

He snorted in derision. "No taming, eh? Just helping those in need? Guess I'm supposed to think I'm in good hands, huh?"

Despite the sarcasm he added to his words she smiled. "Were I not humble, I would suggest that there were no finer hands out there to tend to your needs... now... may I check your bandages, Sir?"

Hrof huffed, his chest expanding with a slow, deliberate breath. Since when did a healer ever ask permission to touch a patient? Usually they used claw, saw, needle, and thread quickly and moved onto the next after collecting their pay. "Well... you went to all the trouble I guess you may as well, Priestess."

She was apparently tired of the same objection to his use of the title. "No Temple assignment since the last time you suggested it."

He grunted, fighting back his urge to laugh. "Whatever... check away... just keep the pain to a minimum, yeah?"

The woman offered a reassuring smile despite her obviously knowing the Bear was giving her grief. "You are a strong Ursid... I have no doubt that you will pull through just fine."

Despite Hrof's bravado he have plenty of experience dealing with back-alley healers and bone-saw surgeons so he that whatever she was liable to do would hurt... but he was incredibly surprised that her gentle touch soothed his wounds rather than agitate them and her soft touch warmed his body, making his injuries tingle and lessen in severity. He was so surprised that he didn't even bother keeping his words to himself. "You're a fuckin' witch..."

She continued her work, only passively acknowledging his words. "I've been called worse..."

He grunted, his expression softening ever-so-slightly as her touch continued to surprise him. The Bear's eyes narrowed, my gaze locked on hers as I tried process the strange sensations washing over him. Was it one of her spells? Was he going to become a complacent follower like the Red Claws in her yard? He grunted anew. "Hmph. You're not like the others, are you? You're not just tossing around amateurish spells and tricks... no... this... this is different."

He felt his flush when is rebellious voice let a hint of approval crept into his tone, but he chose to focus instead on his body gradually surrendering its pain. The only time he was used to feeling good was when Hrof was tearing apart the flesh of those who opposed him or bottoming out inside a squealing whore... but what he felt in that moment... it was something different-- a kind of high he worried that he would want to start chasing. He hated it... he loved it. Before long, however, the sensation left him, leaving the Bear feeling... better.

It took a lot for him to admit it, but he would at least give his hostess that much. "Yeah... that was... kinda alright."

The Healer smiled in response. "Thank you... I try very hard to do well for those in my care..."

Grunting, Hrof looked away, feeling his ears begin to tingle again as his hostess went back to checking his wounds. "Hrof."

She glanced back up at him. "Hmm?"

He growled, hating to have to repeat himself. "My name. It's Hrof. Stop calling me 'Sir'... I hate it."

The woman's smile widened, blossoming on her face in a way that made the Bear feel... a little like her touch had. Her voice was light with welcome and joy. "My name is Amber."

He glanced toward the wall, imagining the three Red Claws outside waiting for him. "Yeah... so I heard."

It was the strangest situation Hrof had ever found himself in but, as the Healer continued to tend to him, her soft, skilled hands curing what ailed him, he was at least willing to go with the flow. Besides, he reminded himself, if push came to shove, he could always hold Amber hostage to make his get away.

Yeah-- that was what he settled on, despite knowing that it was a good plan for the 'him from yesterday', but he wasn't sure that the 'him post Amber' would be able to do what had to be done. He hated her for that... or, at least, he wanted to. Looking up at the woman dedicated to curing him, he said two words he thought he would never use together. "Thank you..." But he couldn't bring himself to be THAT sappy so he added a pointed "...Priestess."

Her smile was less muted. "You're welcome."