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Post by zuyuri on Oct 20, 2013 21:32:12 GMT -5
The downside that came with old age? Multiple medical problems. First it was the weak spine and knees, then it was the old cracking sounds with the bones. Carl shuffled to the infirmary, feeling the rheumatism he knew well. The cirque was in London, not too far from his old home up in Scotland. "I jus' hope the healers have somethin' for an old folk like me," the old man muttered to himself, "They all mean well, but they are young."
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Post by angelofmusic1992 on Oct 20, 2013 22:51:08 GMT -5
The infirmary had certainly gotten busy lately. It turned out that while Tulio was the only healer like Aidan, that didn't necessarily mean he was the only one with healing powers. Quite a few people had shown their talents. And even if they didn't have powers, they were either certified doctors in the human world, or knew of herbal remedies. While Aidan had a good amount of knowledge of the latter, he didn't know much about the former. He hoped he would be able to learn a bit more about it someday. Regardless, he was just marking things down in one of his big books when he heard a familiar set of feet shuffle in. To his delight, it was Carl, who was practically the only person besides Tulio and Aisling that Aidan was actually close to. Well, maybe "close" wasn't the right word. "Kindred spirit" was more like it. "Ah, Carl, it's good to see you," he said as he shut his book. "Here for a chat? Or do you need some medicinal advice?"
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Post by zuyuri on Oct 21, 2013 0:20:07 GMT -5
"Aidan," Carl chuckled. After being introduced to the healer, Carl had considered the Irishman a close friend. "It's the old rheumatism kicking in again. But I suppose a chat wouldn't be too much trouble either." His time with the cart wasn't needed at this time. Particularly because so many balloons were tossed away in the wind, leaving some children to cry in despair. It saddened Carl to see children cry, and with some balloons going on their own journey. If he had his way, he would have shifted to his gargoyle form and returned the balloons. But scaring the children was the last thing he wanted to do.
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Post by angelofmusic1992 on Oct 21, 2013 12:57:59 GMT -5
"Both is always good," Aidan agreed. He knew he needed to branch out more with the circus members. So far, the only people he was really close to were Tulio and Aisling. Although he had taught Raven a few healing spells, and Miguel was always good for a laugh. But he hadn't really bonded with them. It still felt odd sometimes, to be out of Ireland, and be surrounded by people almost all the time. It didn't seem too long ago that the only person he talked to was Aisling. "Mmm, rheumatism is always a tricky one," he said. "Different things tend to work for different people. Most of the them tend to like the tea option." He pulled out several packets filled with various herbs. "Green tea is always a good one, as is ginger and willow bark." He always liked giving a couple of options to patients, so they could take what they were most comfortable with.
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Post by zuyuri on Oct 21, 2013 13:12:35 GMT -5
"I'll take the ginger brew," Carl pointed to the fragrant packet. While taking some boiling water a kettle into a nearby mug, he asked, "So Aidan, while I'm out selling balloons or flying around, what are you doing...besides healing and speaking with Aisling?" Carl didn't know Aisling personally, but Aidan had brought her up before.
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Post by angelofmusic1992 on Oct 21, 2013 16:48:09 GMT -5
"Excellent choice," Aidan said, beaming. "Ginger's always been a favorite of mine." He cracked his knuckles for a moment, although his fingers seemed a bit more stiff than usual. Maybe it was just a sign of old age. Aidan added the herbs to the boiling water, making sure the two were blended well together. "Well, I tutored young Raven for a little while. Gave her some pointers on how to use her powers to her full potential. After that, well...I guess I buried my nose into my books a little too often." He gave a chuckle. "What about you?"
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Post by zuyuri on Oct 21, 2013 20:26:13 GMT -5
"Raven? That pale young sorceress who married the fortune teller?" Carl asked, returning with the steaming mug. He made a makeshift seat out of one of the sickbeds that wasn't being used, the springs squeaking upon impact. "I didn't expect her to be comin' in to take magic lessons. Her magic is already powerful enough." He sipped the brew. "Well, as I said before, sellin' balloons, patrollin' by night in me gargoyle form. On the side I'm courtin' Sally."
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Post by angelofmusic1992 on Oct 22, 2013 10:21:15 GMT -5
"She just wanted a few pointers, nothing more," Aidan replied. "I guess my reputation as being an 'all knowing healer' got around pretty quick." He gave another little chuckle. No doubt Tulio had ranted on and on to people about how great Aidan was, making him a person to go to when people needed any advice on healing or medicine. "Ah, yes, how is Miss Sally doing?" he asked. He had heard that she and Carl had been spending quite a bit of time together. He was happy that Carl had found someone special.
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Post by zuyuri on Oct 22, 2013 13:34:12 GMT -5
"Aidan, the news of me bein' a gargoyle is slow compared to yer knowledge fo healin'. You that one animal trainer would get along with all yer readin'. She reads jus' as much as you," Carl said with a husky laugh. He had been very careful on who to reveal his secret to, knowing that there was trouble, like that Xanatos man who had attacked him and Sally down in Paris. "Well, Sally's been..." he paused, not sure how to say the news to Aidan. How both of them had confessed feelings, after so many years of mourning Ellie he was finally able to let go and start a new love life over with Sally. "...she's been happier."
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Post by angelofmusic1992 on Oct 22, 2013 18:16:12 GMT -5
"Ah, yes, I've heard a lot about her. Haven't actually met her though," Aidan said. "Who knows? Maybe we can start one of those book clubs or something." That might be fun, although Aidan wasn't totally familiar with books that were popular today. Maybe he would have to do some research. "Been happier?" he questioned, arching an eyebrow. "How do you mean?"
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Post by zuyuri on Oct 22, 2013 21:55:20 GMT -5
"Well..." Carl set the mug down. "Sally always wore a smile when here. But after spendin' time with her, and hearin' abou tall the trouble she's been in. Honestly, I think she just needed to be heard and to find someone who would comfort her as she had others." Sally had the reputation of being 'the other mother' to many circus goers - a term Carl often teased her with.
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Post by angelofmusic1992 on Oct 23, 2013 13:34:23 GMT -5
"Well, she has you. That's gotta count for something," Aidan said, hoping that would ease Carl a bit. "Isn't she friends with Facilier's daughter? And that bookworm you were talking about? Maybe they could help her somehow."
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Post by zuyuri on Oct 24, 2013 0:22:17 GMT -5
"Both of them are hard workers first," Carl explained. Both girls, who were side by side almost all the time, did have their own work schedules. Belle with the animals and Esmeralda with magic lessons or dance routines to work with. "I do see Belle goin' to talk to Sally sometimes, though. Perhaps about some French fashions or somethin'. Who knows?"
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Post by angelofmusic1992 on Oct 24, 2013 16:15:38 GMT -5
"True," Aidan acknowledged. Most of the circus members were like that. They always strove to do their best and make sure their acts were as close to perfect as they could get. "I wasn't meant to do all that fancy performing stuff. Too much moving around for an old-timer like me."
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Post by zuyuri on Oct 24, 2013 16:53:04 GMT -5
"Aye," Carl nodded. In his every day human form, Carl could hardly move like he could when he was younger. At least, not without the help from a tennis-ball cane. "These aren't what they used to be," he held his hip for a few seconds. "Even in me gargoyle form, the side effects are beginnin' to show." While in that form Carl was able to swing a sword - even fight with it - and fly, his sight was beginning to blur; never a good thing for a night flyer
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