OOM: Treating Sinric

[cook_the_rude]

When Sinric follows Dr. Lecter to his office upstairs, he will find it's near the library, in an area of the non-linear rooms section that feels more business-like because of that location and the presence of the indoor chapel that had been used before Javert's church was finished.

It is small but functional, with clean-lined modernist furniture made of pale wood contrasting with the 18th and 19th century prints of Istanbul cityscapes and 'Turkish' harem scenes that were quite the fashion at the rococo period in ornate frames that adorn the walls. There are two comfortable chairs with end-tables, a small book-case, and a pale leather couch. There is a small drawing table with two straight-backed chairs that, at this moment, holds nothing but a flower arrangement. There are two doors, one slightly ajar to reveal a tiny pantry kitchen, the other firmly closed, with a covered lock that clearly labels it a bathroom door, lockable from the inside.

There are two floor-length windows obscured by pale, gauzy blinds, at the bottom of which a balcony is visible, and beyond its grate, the lake area, with a view to the stables, the garden, and the forge.

Dr. Lecter puts down his bag of medical supplies and gestures towards the couch.

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

"If my Emperor sees what has been done, he will be incensed. And Leo will draw him into argument over it. He will make my Lord seem weak for causing discord over something as trivial as a beaten slave when no law has been broken." Not so trivial to Sinric but to the peace of the throne, he knows he means nothing.

But next time it could be one of the other, one of the younger boys less able to take the pain. And what then. "What must I do to stop him?" The question is asked more of himself than of the doctor.

[cook_the_rude]

"His father will be able to read the message, even if no law was broken," the doctor says. "And he must punish him, harshly, for breaking the peace of the palace and willfully destroying property like the immature child that he is. That is not 'causing discord over something trivial', it must seem like the put-down of one that doesn't know better, due to immaturity, lack of culture, and general lack of all skills that are needed to successfully rule."

[thewidewideworld]

He contemplates that thought in silence, seeing wisdom in the doctor's words. "I... You speak sense. But I'm not sure I want my Emperor to see me, maimed and weak as I am now." He needs time, time to regain his equilibrium.

[cook_the_rude]

"He will see the next one," the doctor says. "And then you can help him decide what his reaction will be."

He starts swiping at Sinric's badly misused nipples with the stingy balls of gauze.

[thewidewideworld]

He hisses and throws his head back, his breasts have indeed been mauled and of all of him, they are the most sensitive.

"I'm not sure I will survive a second message." He mutters through clenched teeth.

[cook_the_rude]

"You probably wouldn't," the doctor agrees. "Psychopaths tend to escalate. It's a very difficult situation."

[thewidewideworld]

"Then I must go back, before my wounds are fully healed and speak with my Emperor of what has been done." The thought fills his stomach with ice.

[cook_the_rude]

"That might be the best way of avoiding that this befalls any of your fellow eunuchs," the doctor says.

Pause

"What did they do to your breasts, though?"

[thewidewideworld]

The memory only serves to tighten the knots in his stomach and for a moment he has to focus just to breath. "They-" he chokes and forces himself to swallow, "handled them roughly. Some bit and chewed. One had a knife. He threatened to cut-" He covers his mouth both to stifle a sob and to stop himself throwing up.

[cook_the_rude]

"More heparin gel, I think," Dr. Lecter says. "To get the swelling down."

He picks up a tube, then hesitates.

"Would you like more local anaesthetics for that?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Please?" He whispers, wanting the pain to go away and hating himself for the weakness that leads to beg so.

[cook_the_rude]

The doctor takes up some sort of glass implement with a sharp needle and draws up a clear liquid from a little phial into it.

"This is going to sting briefly," he says. "Don't be alarmed by the needle. Seeing it makes it different."

[thewidewideworld]

He nods and swallows roughly, choosing at the last moment to look away rather than watch the needle cut into his sensitive flesh.

[cook_the_rude]

Therre is just a little pin-prick at each breast, and then the area around the nipples slowly goes numb while the doctor prepares the gel, and more gauze.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric holds himself still, face still turned away. The slightest touch, however gentle and numbed triggers memories he stuggles to keep from overwhelming him. His fingers as they rest on his thighs move rhythmically, trying to recall the chords of the song he was learning last as a way to steady himself.

[cook_the_rude]

The doctor works meticulously, daubing each nipple with the sharp-smelling liquid, then covering it with the gel, and finally putting on a larger piece of gauze to cover it, then fixing it to Sinric's breat with a sheet of adhesive fabric.

"This way," he explains, "the gel has a chance to work properly, and you won't accidentally rub your sore nipples on your clothes."

[thewidewideworld]

He nods and swallows, still by no means comfortable with the touch but trusting in the doctor's kindness.

[cook_the_rude]

"And now, I'll take a look at your face, and then we are done," the doctor says.

[thewidewideworld]

He nods and looks up, shaking his hair back from his face. His lips are cracked and split, his cheeks and eyes bruised from the force of blows. His throat shows signs of violence throttling and choking grips.

He looks up at the doctor with deep brown eyes on the verge of spilling over into tears.

[cook_the_rude]

The doctor puts two fingers on Sinric's jaw to move his head this way and that, meticulously cleaning each abrasion with his stinging solution.

There is quite a pile of discarded gauze by now.

[thewidewideworld]

The touch is disconcerting. As is the doctor's dispassionate gaze but he stays still under it.

Sinric glances at the pile, disturbed by the evidence of his physical ruin.

[cook_the_rude]

"I will apply the gel to your throat as well," the doctor says, "and then wrap it with a bandage."

He tips up Sinric's chin, and begins to do so.

[thewidewideworld]

The tilt triggers another harshly painful bit of sense memory but he fights it down and offers up his bruised throat.

[cook_the_rude]

The doctor starts spreading the cooling gel over the vicious bruises left by the throttling hands, generously and slowly.

[thewidewideworld]

He hisses softly, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes but he manages to stay still. "How long do I need to keep the bandages on, sir?"