The bedroom in which the woman lay was utterly silent. There was no longer a soft breeze from the sea that lay beyond her window, only the whisper of the fireflies and the haunting blue glow of the new growths that overtook the scenery. The everlasting darkness was frightening, and disturbing, and thus, Laeta’s new companion soothed her the best he could, closing the curtains so as to avoid triggering her bad memories again. The incident that left her paralyzed was still fuzzy, but yet so disturbing. The dreams with her mother that felt so real, so lifelike, left her drained. Her mother, dear Sophia, was dead. The whole pack she had been born into, was dead. If she wasn’t stuck laying on her side, helpless and unable to move, she would’ve laughed. That cloaked firefly bastard had a strange sense of humor, didn’t he? Melis, nicknamed Mel, her new companion, was of great help. He kept referring to her as "my lady" or "Lady Laeta", always so proper and fluid in speech and tone. The badger talked to her in a dulled voice, as if careful not to spook her, as if she was a weak fawn. In a sense, she was nothing but a little fawn at this point - completely dependent on others for her care. Shame burned her features as her head, propped up with pillows (courtesy of Mel, of course), looked almost lifeless;y towards the hallway. [b’"My lady, I have kept the door open for you for some fresh air,"[/b] The ruby-clawed badger said, adjusting his golden monocle as he hopped up onto her bed via a stepstool, fluffing the pillow he’d placed beneath her hip due to her joint pain. The loner life screwed her bones up badly, and staying immobile like this was torture. She winced as he gently nudged it back, then flinched at her sound of pain. "Oh! M-My lady..I’m so sorry!" Before Laeta could assure him she was alright, he promptly bowed and then rose, his striped face furrowed in worry. Her ruby eyes, still slicked and glazed from her ooze firefly plague - whatever it was - glanced over to him with a faint glimmer of gratitude. Truly, what did she do to deserve such a kind, forgiving companion? He insisted, constantly, that she was no burden. He seemed to pay no mind when he had to turn her onto her other side to reduce her joint pain, or help wipe the oozy gunk from her facial features, or help prop her up to help her eat or drink. She wanted to repay him in some way, but he refused any such thing. He truly was happy in his purpose of caring for her, as he had repeated over a dozen times. His super strength managed to get them back to the castle, too, as he had enough power to drag her (gently, and with much apology) back to her bed. It was impressive, and she even cracked a soft smile, but it quickly faded. She was in pain, so much pain. The badger hopped off her bed and trotted towards the open doorway, looking back at the popped up, but immobile woman. "My lady, perhaps there are some pack members who wish to meet you? I realize they may be concerned for your condition," He said, frowning softly and muttering to himself about how Laets must be lonely and needed visitors. Lae glanced back towards the curtained window, still unable to avoid the whispering of the fireflies beyond. Haunting. Terrifying. It chilled her to her aching bones. Hopefully someone would come by and distract her. "Speech"

With Haiku and the healers working together to try and figure out the answer to this mystery plague, Bowen had time to herself. Forbidden from leaving the protective castle walls due to an insane family member gunning for her, the caramel cream fae found herself wandering the halls as though she were a ghost. Alone, that familiar, deep sadness began pushing itself to the forefront of her emotions once more. Being stolen from her family at such a young age had ravaged the woman's emotions. She was getting better at controlling them, but there were times when it felt like she was pushed back to square one.

Passing a particular room close to her own, Bowen noted that the door was open and voices were speaking softly inside. Reflexively, the fae's emerald gaze swung towards the door and she noted a dark furred wolf laying prone while a nice sized badger fluffed pillows and spoke of visitors. Bowen stopped for a moment, one dark gloved paw hovering over the stone while she considered taking another step. Then, she shifted positions and slid through the open doorway.

"I hope you don't mind the intrusion," she began with her soft, even tones. As her viridian gaze took in the scene, she realized that the woman was unable to move. Concern drew Bowen's brows together and she took another step forward. "I'm Bowen," she introduced herself. "Is there anything that I can do to help? My sister is the packs lead healer." That didn't mean that she could do anything about stiffness or pain, but she could definitely ask and grab some pain relieving herbs, if necessary.

"Bowen"

Upon hearing the steps and sound of another wolf - a pack member, but one she had not met yet - Lae attempted to raise her head the best she could. Being on her side, though, a motion so simple to perform for wolves was immensly difficult for her in her state, and her face flopped back down on the pillow with a resigned sigh. It was frustrating. So damn frustrating. She couldn’t even lift her head and speak without it feeling like her neck was twisting and cramping. With a soft huff, the woman concealed her sudden tears of vexation at her condition, but it was just more ooze instead of actual tears. A soft sniff would have given away her clearly saddened state, but the ooze had a way of concealing such emotion. Mel almost jumped out of his skin as the stranger stepped in so quietly, adjusting the monocle upon his eye. “O-Oh! Goodness me, I do apologize for my surprise-” He briefly paused to grab a hankerchief in his claws and wipe the gunk from Laeta’s eyes, turning to Bowen with wide, friendly eyes and a polite bow. “A pleasure to meet you, Lady Bowen! My name is Mel, and this woman whom I care for is Laeta. She is most kind, and I am proud to assist her.“ At the mention of the wolf knowing the pack’s head healer, Mel looked over at Laeta as if to ascertain if the assistance of the healer may be needed. Laeta glanced up at him with a gaze of defeat. She wasn’t used to being cared for and it showed. She wanted to be able to look after herself and not be a burden on the pack, but that was taken from her. Mel’s expression saddened as Laeta looked away, not wanting to be a bother to anyone. Turning back to Bowen, Mel replied, “That may be a good idea, madam..she is quite unwell, I’m afraid. She cannot move her legs, not even an inch.” It was clear that the badger wanted what was best for the woman, and was devoted to her care and well-being as a friend. A friend gained under mysterious and quite dark circumstances, though. After all, the firefly man did this to her. And although Lae’s memory of the exchange between her and that cloaked man was fuzzy, she knew she must’ve deserved what had happened to her. It hurt. It hurt so badly. "Speech"

The woman laying prone on the mattress looked defeated, but the badger was plucky and full of information, introducing them both. Bowen couldn't help but smile softly. This little badger reminded her somewhat of Boogie, her opossum companion that was lost when she'd been stolen by the slavers. "Good to meet you, Mel. Laeta." She addressed them both. Copper ears shifted forward as the badger spoke of needing something for his mistresses pain. Bowen took a step further into the room, positioning herself so that the obsidian fae could lay eyes upon her without having to try and move. Again Bowen smiled, the corners of her wide, emerald eyes lifting. She could imagine how the woman felt, unable to move, unable to care for herself. "Laeta, my rooms are just next door to yours. Any time, day or night, send Mel to me and I'll get you whatever you need." The smile remained. "We're packmates now. We have to work together, right?" Casting her viridian pools to Mel, Bowen gave a nod. "I'll return shortly."

Leaving the room, Bowen moved through the halls towards the infirmary where she conferred with Gwynevere, informing her sister of the pain that the new woman was in. Gwyn sent Bo back with a sack of herbs for the woman complete with pain relievers and blends that would ease muscle pain. After thanking her sister, Bowen took the satchel of herbs and moved back up to the higher level of the castle.

Moving into the room once more, Bowen offered the sack of remedies to Mel. "Per Gwynevere, the liquid in the bottle will help with muscle pain and tension and the herbal blend should be taken with food and will help relieve pain." She was sure to add, "Just a few drops of the liquid onto the tongue at a time. The herbs can be taken twice a day." Hopefully they would help the woman. The small fae gave her crown a tilt. "Is there anything else that you need, Laeta? More cushions? More furs?"

"Bowen"

Lae, like Melis, was grateful for his packmates’ assistance. Even if she wasn’t used to being cared for, she wouldn’t show any signs of the stubbornness that tended to linger in her gentle character. Ironic that the loner lifestyle that softened her inner personality rather than completely harden it. The copper and white striped woman entered Lae’s room and stood within her visual range, which helped her greatly. Good to meet you, Mel. Laeta, The wolf addressing herself as Bowen had said. Laeta had a thing for appreciating the unique and fascinating names of each packmate here, and thus, the name was locked safely into the chambers of her mind. Bowen. Strong, yet had a touch of grace. Bowen mentioned her room was next to hers, and that Laeta could always send Mel to fetch her if she needed anything. A twinge of guilt fixed itself within the paralyzed woman’s chest. So many of her packmates had offered similarly, it was hard to tell them they didn’t need to help her so much. She was of no real use to them, in reality. She could barely lift her head, much less care for her most basic needs. It was embarrassing. The woman shooed away such negativity, however, finding herself tired of putting herself in such negative thought spirals. They weren’t helpful. She offered her own smile, even if it barely masked her extreme pain and her exhaustion. With a sniff as the ooze pooled from her nostrils, the woman replied, "Thank you Bowen, I appreciate it." Her comments of them being packmates and needing to work together only further solidified the monochromatic woman’s determination to not let herself get caught up in self-pity. It was far too easy to fall into it, and so, she’d remain steady and fight for any hope of a cure to her ailment. The woman mentioned her sister was a healer before, and because of that, she quickly exited the room, only to return with a stack of herbs and some liquid in a bottle. Melis approached the striped woman and took the sack as she gave the instructions from her sister - there was a liquid herbal blend to be taken under the tongue, and more herbs to take twice a day. Adjusting his golden monocle, the badger nodded dutifully as the copper patterned woman explained their uses. "Thank you most kindly, Lady Bowen," He smiled at her, wide eyes bright with the same shimmer of gratitude Lae offered in her own ooze-slicked gaze. They needed all the help they could get for her, and Bowen was a beacon of hope for them. Laeta smiled softly and did her best to shake her head when Bowen asked if she needed any more cushions or furs. "Thanks Bowen, I think Mel has me covered for now..quite literally." At that same time, the badger hopped up, herbal sack in his maw as he used his ruby claws to drape a blanket over her sunken, bony frame. She glanced at her friend, who’d placed the sack on her nighttable and proceeded to thoroughly but gently fluff the cushions positioned beneath her hips and neck. Lae offered a look of pure gratitude to her packmate. It felt good just to know the pack wasn’t about to abandon her because she couldn’t do anything. She had never felt she belonged anywhere, truly, and Bowen’s words and actions reassured her she was in the right place. "It’s just nice to have visitors come by, too. I don’t have much to do besides talking with Mel." Mel nodded, placing himself by Laeta’s side, ever ready to assist her. It was nice that she had a companion to help, but her packmates stopping by helped add more of a surprise in her dull days. It helped. "Speech"