ways_infirmary | (no subject)

"Oh." Barry, try as he might, still isn't that close to Amanda. But even if he didn't know her, he'd be very concerned upon seeing what has become of her. That he does know her, and that he knows how close she is to Guppy, makes this even more difficult.

"What did this to her?" There is a little anger in Barry's voice, anger he quickly swallows.

Guppy glances at the monitors before sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her limp and lifeless hand.

"He said he was some sort of vampire. I didn't really understand what was going on. Sir Alanna was here, maybe she understood."

He looks up at Barry. "From what I can gather this vampire lives off life force like others do blood. Amanda was an immortal until this week, so she could give him as much as he needed safely. This week she went on a quest and gave up immortality as a test. She didn't tell him before he fed on her. He only stopped when he realised she was an inch from death. Or so he says."

"An immortal...that would explain a lot about her, wouldn't it," he says, knowing that this isn't the time to muse over such things. And yet, he does for a moment, mis mind races and recalling the anger of Vandal Savage, the strange gamemanship of the Shade, and the unnatural oddness of the Immortal Man. If - when - Amanda is better, he will ask her her more.

"I am going to assume that if Alanna wants to question this vampire, she will, and for now I won't pursue it. And given what she can be like, I can't say that I find this too surprising.

"How long do you think you can keep her alive without magical aid?"

"You didn't know?"

Guppy feels just a pang of guilt at having revealed her secret. But he knows that there is nobody who knows more about the healers of Milliways than Barry, and any information might be vital in finding a cure.

He looks back down at her. "She's stable, for now. Hank has shown me how to put her in a stasis field if she should deteriorate. She can be kept like that until a cure is found."

"Stasis fields are good. Though with a magic cause at the root, I wouldn't rely on even that." He pauses.

"And no, I didn't know. She would be the first to admit that we didn't quite get off on the right foot. I don't think she really trusts me. Which makes sense, given that I still tend to be a bit judgmental from time to time."

"Oh, I hadn't realised that. Possibly because the only occasions on which I have seen the two of you together have been when I was only semi-conscious."

He frowns worriedly at Barry's take on stasis fields.

"Do you know anyone who can help her? With this information in mind, are the people you mentioned in your note the right ones to ask?"

"The truth is that I really don't know what the healers can do. Tim is very powerful, so I suspect he can help, and Svava indicated she's able to do a lot as well. Raven is a god, and Nita...well, her reputation is strong.

"Might as well add Suti to the list, though I've never talked to him about his healing skills. Still, a god might trump anything." Barry looks at Amanda again. It's strange just how much of her is gone.

"He can definitely heal some things. I was going to ask him anyway. Thanks."

He looks back down at Amanda.

"This is Milliways. Someone must be able to do something."

"Perhaps if we knew how she became immortal, that would help."

"She said she became immortal the first time she died."

"Oh. That wouldn't help much. I mean, it's possible that if she died now, she would reincarnate. But if she said she lost her immortality, I don't think she's that kind of being anymore.

"See, I knew a man - a hero - who could die and reincarnate. But the way he talked, he himself didn't know why this was so."

"Was he able to generate life force?"

Barry thinks about this.

"I have no idea. He kept to himself - I think that he was never comfortable with modern heroes or modern ways. Not the kind of person who would be a team player.

"Hmmm. There are other immortals here. Elrond and the gods. I wonder if a life force transfusion would be possible."

"I think that's what Sir Alanna did. I asked if I could donate any of mine but she said she didn't know how I could do it, or if I had any to spare."

Barry nods. "No, that was wise. You are from a very nonmagical world, and still recovering from your injuries." Barry takes one more look at Amanda.

"I think even if she can't really hear me, I shouldn't stay long. I don't want to disturb her."

The fact that he has lost about two stone over the last four and a half months due to stress-induced appetite loss was probably something to do with it too.

Guppy nods. "I'll stay here with her for a bit. Thanks for your help."

"Keep me posted, and if I see any of our healers, I will send them your way." Barry leaves quietly.