#earthrunes

"That was my idea, yes," she agrees with August. "And yes, Spring! Of course! We must know somebody besides the DeBukes who have such art. But if not, I have no qualms in bidding it of them."

"The especial difficulty in this case, though, is that we're not completely certain that the patient is kithain, or even kinain. I think she is...August is less certain."

"Oh, surely, a human is not worthy of healing..." She harrumphs with anger at the sentiment.

"That's not at all what I mean, Healer. I hope you know me better than that."

"What I'm trying to say is that it may be more difficult to get a thorough result."

"My whiskers tell true, Baroness - oui? As for healing... were she my bestest friend... " Emma wavers her hands.

"Dross has never helped such workings?" Ear quirk.

"Certainly, and I'm willing to put a substantial amount of dross into the work. August, you reported that the hospital was terribly banal, correct?"

"Would you need a dozen healers?"

"Plus two! A lucky number."

Liiiiiiick, liiiiiiiiiick.

Coradel looks at both the pooka. "Honestly, I'm not certain. I think the number needed depends on the approach we need to take. Do you think such workings as Heatherbalm or Spring arts could take hold well on a possible-mortal in a very banal hospital? Or do we need to get her stabilized and out first before the true healing can begin? I turn to you as the expert, Healer."

"Yes, it is." quietly.

She shivers. "Hospitals."

"The building, the people within... even the healers within. They are heavy with defeat and jaded bitterness."

"No font can spring to life there." He shakes his head sadly.

Coradel blinks. "I'm not well-versed...how large can the scope of Spring workings be?"

"Perhaps large, but can waters flow where hearts are frozen?"

Coradel gets an expression that is both irritated and determined. For those who know Fiona, this may have frightening implications.

"I think I agree, Vince. Which means she'd have to be removed from life support, brought out of the hospital, and then healed enough to sustain not only all of that but also a trip to Renaissance." August points out gently.

"And our people going in to remove her would need to be strengthened to get that far...."

"...wait..."

"What if we have the mortal staff remove her?"

"A...what is it...a transfer! To another facility!"

"Very rush-rush so not too many questions."

"The plan is to remove life-sustainment by next week."

"Yes, but...oh, how to do this...it might involve an outside agency..." she points to herself "...whose agent..." points to August "...requests the brother to sign permission for her to be removed for an emergency treatment. If the staff is as banal as you say, they'll just be glad to be rid of her."

"I do not think Weatherly has guardianship. Her mother, perhaps. Father, almost surely."

"Why do you need a real signature?"

A smile at Emma. "Well, there is that...."

"The family is anticipating a funeral." sadly "Not a transfer."

"But August, if they're told there might be a chance at a life-saving intervention, surely they would agree!"

"But even if not...we can simply abduct her under false-signature. Get them to bring her outside, then get her to Renaissance. It's a shame that Sir Bachdion is still away, but perhaps Sir Earl can transport her there."

Vince examines his hand, checking his nails. "It IS a shame how often patient mixups happen in the hospital system, tsk tsk."

"Also, Brother Mine arrived back this last evening Hence!" Vince looks proud to have news to share.

"If Weatherly contacts me, I will reach out and ask." August agrees. "How will you solve the trauma of her abduction if he does not?"

"Your brother, Vince? Of course, we're glad to have him back...." Coradel is unclear what the bearing is on the conversation.

"He means Sir Bachdion." absently.

"August, if she is returned to them whole, the trauma will be supplanted by a 'miracle'! And if not...then...we may need to convince them that they had the funeral they wished. A small one. Private."

"Oh! Oh, of course, Vince. And wonderful! I hadn't heard he had returned."

August rubs his temple with his free hand. "There's another issue....."

"Always!" Vince adds. "If tis a rub that will relieve stress, mine own hands are healers..." He wiggles fingers towards August.

"I wouldn't want to aggravate your injury, Vince."

POUT.

"Coradel, she's in St. Louis."

She blinks. "And...?"

Then, "Oh."

"Well. Hm."

She mulls that a few moments.

"Surely, they don't owe Earth Runes for the Little Bird..."