penelopebarlow

[penelopebarlow]

olympiahale‌:

The wolf watched her quietly, noticing the exhaustion beginning to take over her demeanor. Right now, rest would be the best remedy. And she gave an affirmative nod once Penelope admitted to the sleepiness. Allowing her hand to be taken, she instinctively intertwined their fingers. “Of course,” she assured her. “Let’s get you into bed, and I’ll grab a glass of water. Alright?”

Gently scooping Penny up again, Olympia strolled back to the bedroom. She carefully laid Penny down on the bed before going through the motions of retrieving water as she wished. “If you still want me to stay, I will,” Oly promised, handing her the glass and taking a seat at the edge of the bed next to her.

“Training is back on schedule tomorrow morning. At six, though I’ll be up earlier than that. I’ll try not to disturb you. You deserve to rest for as long as you need.”

Once she was horizontal, her body seemed to sink into the soft warmth of her mattress, bones fluid and mind hazy. She blinked up at Oly when the bed dipped, exhaustion heavy in her limbs as she reached back out for her hand.

“Please stay,” she said softly, playing with her fingers absentmindedly as she floated in a haze of exhaustion and pain. “I would... like it very much if you stayed.”

With what little strength she had left, she tugged on Olympia’s hand, trying to pull her close. It did nothing to actually move the wolf, but she hoped it got her point across. Her body had been traumatized, but her mind wasn’t unscathed either. And truly, being held by someone who’d been nothing but kind, soothed an ache she didn’t know she was nursing.

[penelopebarlow]

victoriadevereaux‌:

I know how it feels. But I asked how it was doing? How you’re dealing with it, is it healing okay? Presley’s as good as she can be. We got her all stitched and patched up. She’s going to be in a lot of pain and need a lot of rest so her wolf healing can do its job. Eden’s  getting better. She was badly poisoned but the effects have warn off. I have a sinking feeling, however that the battle for both of them has only just begun. Torture does that to people.

It’s healing okay, best I can tell. No signs of infection. I’m gonna make a tea to help prevent that once I can get around a little more. Dealing with it is... Just taking it as it comes, I guess. I’m glad the girls are okay. They... It seemed really bad. They’ve got good people here to help them, though. That matters.

[penelopebarlow]

victoriadevereaux‌:

Aurora’s step brother – Aramus, he brought in a ton of medical supplies. We can see if he’s got something or check in with the Blacks. I can’t imagine they don’t have something lying around. Presley might need a set too. How’s the leg doing?

It’s okay. It’s, um.... It feels like you might expect, I guess. But I’m okay. Aija and Oly helped me a lot last night, so I’m really thankful to them. And everyone else, too. Presley -- is she okay? Her and the other girl? Eden, was it? She never did tell me her name before.

[penelopebarlow]

idleteeth‌:

I could try and make you some kind of walking stick if you want. Maybe not cane-worthy but I could try.

That’s a really kind offer, thank you. Mr. Jacks--um, Reed, he did offer to make me something if the Blacks didn’t have anything. I know you’re all very busy, so I don’t want to put anyone out.

You’re um... you’re the wolf who was with us, right? You know, as a wolf?

[penelopebarlow]

olympiahale‌:

Olympia stepped back and gave her privacy. She remained patient, not minding if the shower ended up taker much, much longer. She wasn’t going to rush her, and right now, there was nowhere else Oly really needed to be. The words made her look over and she nodded, grabbing a towel and bringing it over to her. “I understand. I like sleeping in big t-shirts too,” she mused. “Bottom drawer? Alright.” She wandered out, looking through the drawer and taking the first shirt she found.

“Did the shower help?” Oly asked as she returned. “I know it probably ached, but hopefully you feel at least a little better. Is there anything else you want me to get you?”

She dried off the best she could, patting herself down before wrapping her hair in the towel and taking the offered shirt. Slipping it over her head, she tried not to lean back up against the now-wet chair, but knew she wasn’t entirely successful, feeling too exhausted and woozy to focus on keeping herself upright and solid.

“It was nice,” she said, offering a soft smile up at Oly. In any other situation, ‘nice’ would not be the right word. Nice was baths with candles and lavender bath salts. Nice would be a shower where they were both standing and the nudity was a lot more fun than necessity. But somehow still, she felt better. “Thank you. Now I’m just.... ‘M tired.”

She reached out her hand for Olympia’s, searching for the warmth and comfort. “Maybe... some water? And bed? Please.”

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aijalightwood‌:

Damn. That’s… rough. I’ve put myself in some of New Orleans darker places for magic, but nothing like that ever happened. Hey let’s get you something to hold on to while I do this okay. I’m gonna disinfect the area first. What I wouldn’t give for a sterile needle. 

Anyway how about you tell me about this friend of yours. When was the last you saw him. 

We were on our way here, so... We weren’t exactly keeping the best company most of the time. Out in the Rockies like that... It’s really hard to stay anonymous, you know? There’s nothing for miles. Small towns where everyone knows everyone and when the weird people show up with magic, the guns come out, so.... I saw him last in Cheyenne. Wyoming. We’d stopped because he thought it would be better to go down to Denver, and then head east. I said we should stay on 80 to Omaha because truckers ask less questions. We said goodbye and that we’d meet up again here. I caught a ride out this way the next morning. 

I heard on the radio that the government hit Denver hard the next week. I don’t know if he was still there, but I’m here and he’s not. 

[penelopebarlow]

olympiahale‌:

Olympia carried her rather effortlessly, having no signs of complaint either. She merely did it like it was natural. Like it was instinctual to protect, the want to comfort Penelope was similar, like a primal urge. Oly tried to be careful as to not further hurt her, slowly helping her onto one of the metal chairs. She nodded at the thanks, straightening back up and making a move to step back. 

Until her hand was taken, Oly looking back down at her and smiling at the question. “Always,” she murmured, warmth in her gaze. “I’ll stay for as long as you need me to.” And she meant it.

Her fingers lingered in Olympia’s, but after a moment, she pulled them back under the spray, tipping her head into the water and reaching for the shampoo to begin her shower. It wasn’t relaxing; her arms were too heavy, the muscles sore from tension and exhaustion. Trying to scrub herself while seated and unable to move was a creative feat at best and one that felt futile at worst. But by the time she was reaching behind her to turn the handle to off, the blood and sweat had been cleaned from her skin and the potion was starting to ease the pain into a more manageable throb. She felt better.

“Can I have a towel?” she called out gently, her throat rasping over the words. “And maybe just one of the really big t-shirts from the bottom draw of the wardrobe to sleep in? I really don’t want to put pants on....”

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aijalightwood‌:

No, no that’s okay. I can do it. Is this you speaking from experience or are you pep talking us there with how easy it’s going to be?

Experience. First time was a... friend, I guess you could call him. Outside Salt Lake City. We got jumped by some guy who wanted our money, and he was stupid, fought back. Got sliced up pretty good. Mostly I remember being surprised that poking someone else with a needle doesn’t hurt. 

[penelopebarlow]

aijalightwood‌:

Goddess, Penny. Maybe try to get help before seeing if you can stitch yourself up. I have a steady hand but I can’t say I’ve done any suturing before. 

It’s... the same as sewing anything else, really. Just single stitches. It’s easier to do it on someone else than you think it’ll be. But you don’t--- You don’t have to if you’re not comfortable, I’ll wait. It’s a lot to ask, I know. 

[penelopebarlow]

Does anyone know if there might be some crutches or a cane around the Manor that I could borrow for a few weeks? That aren’t needed right now? I don’t want to bother Mr. Jackson if it’s not necessary.

[penelopebarlow]

olympiahale‌:

What Ellery had said before was true. Penelope was a trooper through all of this. A wolf getting shot hurt like a bitch, but a witch didn’t have wolf healing. It hurt more, and Penny was still being brave through it all. Tears from pain were nothing to be ashamed of and Oly didn’t want her to think that she thought they were. She tightened her jaw at the sound of the whimper, but gave a small but reassuring smile.

It was okay to admit that she was in pain. Olympia wouldn’t have judged her if she said that. But she nodded in understanding, giving Penny a few moments to regain composure. “I don’t mind at all,” she promised, shaking her head and situating her arms so that she could carefully lift Penny once more. After she was back in a familiar position, Oly carried her to the bathroom where the chairs were set up with the shower.

With her arms once again around Olympia’s neck, Penny found herself clinging to her once again. Only this time, along with the comfort and the strength was the unsettling feeling that it wasn’t just her skin that had been undressed. When she buried her face in Oly’s neck, her jaw trembled, uncertain about this thing that hovered between them but sure that it felt good to nuzzle into the warmth of it. The water had warmed the metal of the chairs and she sighed into the warm droplets as they hit the skin on her back. Her leg was propped carefully outside the water’s spray, her bandages safe.

“Thank you,” she said, quiet. Somehow it seemed wrong to be loud when the water was slipping over her shoulders, relaxing the tension in her neck. Her leg still throbbed, a more intense pain than she’d ever known before, but as her head began to swim from the adrenaline and the pain killers, she had enough bravery to reach out and grab Oly’s hand, asking softly, “will you... stay?” 

[penelopebarlow]

olympiahale‌:

Olympia seemed visibly taken aback by the earnest declaration of trust. It wasn’t that she hadn’t heard those words spoken to her before. She had heard it from her mother, from old pack mates, and maybe a few times from Reed or Luke at some point. But it was different. This time, this way, was different. More personal. Maybe Oly would have made a little joke, something like well at this point, I would hope so. She didn’t, just studying Penny for a few moments of quiet before giving her a warm smile.

The kind of smile that was more intimate. They had spent intimate time together before, but after everything that had happened over the last few days, this seemed deeper. More. Just… more.

“Alright, on three,” the wolf explained, preparing herself and gripping the waistline of Penny’s pants. “One, two, three.” And she pulled the pants down in a swift fashion, slipping them past the witch’s feet and laying them to the side. Having to yank something down past a wound like that wouldn’t be pleasant, so Olympia’s attention immediately darted back to Penny and she glanced over her in a concerned, protective manner. “Are you alright?”

She didn’t want to cry. She wanted to hold onto the softness in Oly’s face and the wooziness that the pain potion was starting to settle into her bones. But as soon as she lifted up, as soon as her pants -- even already torn as they were -- were tugged down over her bandaged leg and the skin tugged and the muscles moved, she bit down until her jaw hurt and her eyes watered, her cry nothing more than a whimper as she tried not to let it out.

“I’m alright, I’m okay,” she said, nodding quick, sure if she said it with enough conviction, she’d convince herself too. Wiping at the few tears that snuck down her cheeks, she forced a shaky breath back into the tight space of her lungs and willed her body back out of flight or fight, back down from another adrenaline high. She needed a shower and Olympia was being so kind to her. With another breath, she willed herself back together, to nod one more time and look up at Oly with determination. “I’m sorry, I’m... I’m ready. If you don’t mind carrying me again.”

[penelopebarlow]

aijalightwood‌:

I’m glad it wasn’t worse that it was. Are you sure you’re alright though? I can’t imagine my nerves would be doing well if I had gotten shot no matter how I was physically doing. I could bring by a tonic or something if your nerves are on edge.

I’m---- I think the adrenaline high wore off in the van. If there’s pain potion left, I’ll take some of that before I sleep. 

Would it be a terrible question to ask if you’ve ever given stitches? Or if you have any sewing skills? They don’t have to be pretty, I just don’t think I can keep my hands from shaking long enough to do it myself. 

[penelopebarlow]

olympiahale‌:

“You say better as if they already tasted even half decent,” Olympia called jokingly in return, having placed the chairs in the shower in a manageable way. “But okay,” she agreed. Penny was already in some pain so she wanted the shower to be comfortable, or as much as it could be given the circumstances. After things were prepared, Oly returned to the larger part of the chambers, finding Penny struggling to pull off a sock. She sat on the bed, shaking her head. “Easy. Don’t strain yourself,” she warned in a murmur as she took the sock off and then eyed the witch’s pants.

“I’ll help you with your pants. This will hurt, I’ll be as careful as I can, but making it quick will be better than going slowly.”

“Some of them aren’t bad,” she returned, sitting back with one sock in her hand as she waited for Olympia. “Analgesic herbs are just... really, really bitter.”

She gave the other women a small smile and a nervous nod as she returned and carefully removed Penny’s sock. It was oddly intimate, her offer just as much, even as it made her heart race. Olympia had taken off her pants once before when her heart was racing, but that time had nothing to do with fear, nothing to do with the burn and ache and sear in her leg and everything to do with the heat in her blood. But the honesty of her words, the genuineness of her offer was something Penny hadn’t been able to rely on in a long time, and she found herself nodding even as she bit the inside of her lip.

She pressed her hands into the bed to help lift her hips. “I know. It’s okay. I--- I trust you.” And she found as she said it that it was true.

[penelopebarlow]

olympiahale‌:

Olympia didn’t know what it was like to be carried in such a comforting manner. Her childhood had not been like that. The comforting memories that evoked in her mind were of her mother and the moments of peace they had, moments that weren’t always common in the atmosphere they lived in. Comfort was, most of the time, a luxury. But being able to bring comfort to another person felt… nice. Oly had to admit.

She gave her a warm smile. “Shower it is,” she murmured. “I don’t mind at all. There are some folding chairs downstairs I can go grab. And don’t protest, it’s no problem.” Oly raised an eyebrow, reaching down and brushing hair away from Penny’s face. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” The wolf left the chambers to do what she said she would, returning in a prompt fashion with two of the said chairs.

“I’ll start running the water,” Olympia told her before hauling the chairs into the bathroom, turning on the water and making it warm.

She almost did protest, the words halfway to her lips before Olympia’s fingers were brushing the hair from her cheek and she fell silent, nodding. There wasn’t a chance Penny could get them herself, or even get herself into the bathroom, so she appreciated the assistance. She just didn’t like feeling as though she were a bother.

“Thank you,” she murmured as Oly dashed off. In her absence, Penny looked over the potions she’d been given. Remembering how much a shower hurt after she’d broke her ankle as a kid, she selected one of moderate strength and uncorked the bottle, chugging back the bitter liquid inside in one quick swallow. 

“Remind me to make a pain potion that tastes better when I can get back up on my feet,” she called through the room when Olympia returned, rushing off to set her bathroom. She took off her jacket and bent carefully to remove her socks, managing to get the one off her uninjured leg but not quite able to bend the other enough. “-----Um. I may require your assistance.”

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aijalightwood‌:

A bullet in your leg but you’re alright. Those things don’t usually go hand in hand you know that?

I mean, it... could have been worse, you know? So it’s alright. I definitely need stitches, but some of the others were worse and I bandaged it earlier, so I wanted to make sure everyone who needed it got seen.

[penelopebarlow]

olympiahale‌:

“Mhm,” she murmured with a lingering, playful smile. “I’m sure.” Olympia raised an eyebrow down at her before continuing their journey up the stairs. It was easy to navigate to Penny’s room and no one really tried to stop them since Oly had permission. And by permission that means casually carrying Penelope and really giving her no choice but to comply. She made it to Penny’s door, knowing where it was since, well, she had been there before. After carrying her inside and shutting the door with her foot, Olympia brought her to the bed and carefully placed her down. “There. Now, do you want to clean yourself up with a shower or a bath? It could help.”

Being carried was a sensation left behind in her childhood, one that evoked the memory of sleepy car rides and her parent’s warm embrace as they slipped her upstairs to tuck her into bed. It was different, being held by Olympia while making naughty jokes between every step that made her leg throb in searing agony, but there was an essence of it that still felt the same. Warm. Safe. When she sunk lightly into her mattress, she didn’t find herself eager to pull away from it.

“....A shower, I guess,” she said, a tingling in her cheeks alerting her that she was probably starting to blush. “Maybe with a pair of chairs so I can stick my leg out. Can’t get my stitches wet yet. But if you have to go, I can wait until tomorrow.”