D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad

Chapter 2078: Chapter 2078 Leftover Scars

--- Kat ---

Kat found some butcher paper and wrapped up... everything as best she could. Kat ensured that it wasn’t bound too tightly in case that somehow mattered. While she was doing that Lin got to healing Appoline. She was still clearly somewhat panicked, but judging by the fact she didn’t even try to breathe in while being healed she’d regained her mind somewhat. Kat took one of the chairs and simply waited. There was no way she was leaving before she found out if Appoline managed to survive.

As the seconds ticked by Kat became more and more worried. Appoline needed to be healed sooner rather then later so she could keep breathing and the longer she went without the more worried Kat got. It escalated to the point that Lily woke up in her own worry. Once she found out why Kat was panicking Lily calmed a bit but the pair did remain worried for a time. Kat especially didn’t like that it took multiple minutes to heal the wound. A completely reasonable time on the face of it but it was still a worry.

In the end it took Lin three minutes and forty two seconds. Kat counted because it was something to do that wasn’t panic. When Lin stepped away Appoline sucked in a deep breath and reached a hand up to her throat, only to frown. Kat couldn’t see what the problem was until a few moments later, after Appoline had finished rubbing her beck she’d removed her hand. Smooth skin had been replaced with a jagged scar that looked like someone had sliced open her throat dozens of times. ”Aren’t you known for your smooth skin? Why the heck do I have a scar?” asked Appoline.

Lin nodded, and made a placating gesture. ”And in time, for a few favours I can fix that for you.” Appoline glared at Lin as she continued. ”In reality it’s somewhat hard to heal someone quickly and properly. It’s safest to focus on getting the body to heal itself without closing anything off... but that does lead to at least some scarring.”

”I refuse to believe you couldn’t have healed me properly,” countered Appoline.

Lin waited a few moments before stating, ”Not without some risk to you. Kat can confirm I’m not lying,” Lin glanced over at the demon in question, and Kat found herself glaring back.

”She didn’t lie, but I feel like there’s some trick in the wording. I’m not sure what that trick is because I’m still freaking out a bit about the whole thing... but she’s not lying outright,” Kat sighed.

”Of course she isn’t. There’s no sense in that when you’re around, and I agree there’s got to be some trap in the wording. Yet, having your throat out really isn’t the best time to FIND those traps,” growled Appoline.

Lin shrugged, ”Think what you like but I won’t be making the favours anything too bad. Certainly nothing that will cost you more than time and you might even enjoy a few of them. Besides, healing scars isn’t a one and done deal it really does take time if you can’t get them in the initial healing.”

Appoline continued to glare when Kat and Lily picked up the sound of a door opening. They both turned to face it. Steady footsteps entered the house and seemed to be walking in their direction. This killed the conversation for a few moments until Hedera came into view. ”Um... is everything alright? You thr-fo-three, look like someone died or something. Sorry Lily, I thought you weren’t there, then I noticed you were and then I realised I have no idea how to read your facial features so I have no idea how you’re feeling.

”It’s good that you got Appoline out by the way, it’s nice to know that we managed to complete the mission but why does she have that nasty scar around her throat? Did someone destroy her vocal cords or something? I’d have thought that if she was dealt any damage while captive they would’ve gone for her hands because it can be harder to do alchemy without them. Then again maybe she’s good enough to not need to worry about that?

”Is Lin about to start working on the scars? I know that you mentioned Lin was known for her looking young and keeping wrinkles at bay to an extend and she’s a healer so it would make sense for her to offer something like that though I know it can be hard to heal scars because the body thinks they’re a natural thing. Though maybe Lin knows something I don’t? Not like I’m a healer or trained as one. Then again... oh... um...”

Hedera trailed off as she registered just how much she’d said in the space of only about fifteen seconds. The words had rapidly marched from her mouth without stopping and it was only when the gazes in the rooms had all turned to her with rather awkward expressions that she’d realised what had happened. Hedera also noted that she was nervous at all. On the face of it nothing should be a problem. Appoline was fine and Lin was here so she was probably just as safe as Sam... so why?

Lin was the first person to recover from the deluge, if she’d ever been properly stunned at all. ”Some of the ideas you mentioned are correct though the big thing you missed is that Appoline here had her throat torn out, created an alchemical compound to seal the wound, and then had to rush here to get it healed before it fell apart as it was not a permanent solution.”

”Er... yes though now I’m wondering if I can make a permanent version,” added Appoline almost thoughtlessly. ”It worked quite well for what I needed at the time and perhaps if I refined it into a more general use bandage solution I could market it as an alternative to healing potions in stressful situations where you can’t risk the time it might take to heal up a serious wound. Though... depends on duration and price. At the end of the day it’s a much harder sell then a healing potion. Even if I can think of a few places it’s better. My own situation included. Somewhat.”

Kat just pulled Lily into a hug while this was going on. It was good to see that Appoline was further recovered now that she had an idea in mind but that also meant that if Kat was watching her she could see the scarring on her throat. *Seriously. I feel like we’ve seen bigger wounds get healed up before with less issues. Why this time?*

[Um... Kat I feel like there are several easy answers. Not that I think Lin was truly incapable. As for the problems? Lin had to ensure that the blood was removed, because notice that Appoline didn’t spit it out. She also had to grow back the throat in the right shape, because you took a big chunk. Then there’s the fact that whatever she used as a temporary seal probably didn’t help because it meant the wound was ’open’ for a couple of hours.]

[Besides, normally we’re just dealing with cuts and stuff that get healed up instantly OR its Thyme working their magic and I’m pretty sure that for more severe wounds Thyme just uses time magic instead of healing spells.]

*I guess. It’s really just the fact that I have to look at it when I talk to her now. I mean... I did that.*

[Not really. You weren’t the one who sliced her throat open the first time.]

*I know that but trust me, I felt the result in intimate detail and I know I took off a good chunk more skin and muscle and maybe other stuff when I removed the covering. I get that everyone thought I had to, including Appoline and Lin didn’t seem be lying about the fact it was worth doing... but still. She’s not a friend but like... she’s a person I was meant to help? I guess this is another thing that feels like a failure.*

[See if you still feel that way tomorrow once things have calmed down. For the moment you might just still be in shock.]

”Ah, right well... that’s... good I guess?” said Hedera uncertainly.

”Yes it is, though please, tell me a bit more about this Sam? Kat hasn’t mentioned him,” said Appoline.

Hedera opened her mouth to answer immediately before closing it immediately after. She pursed her lips and turned to Kat who, upon noticing the look shrugged unsure what to suggest. So Hedera turned back and replied. ”Sam was another prisoner that we found before running into the greenhouse with Appoline in it. He requested I take him to the palace to be surrendered to the guard there. I suspect that he will be employed by them due to his skill... but he has been imprisoned a long time so it might be that those skills he was taken for are now rusted. We will have to see.”

”Fascinating,” intoned Lin.