:How does everyone trying their best result in torture:

:I have no idea! ...I mean, probably it involves some people who - are kind of horrible - who enjoy watching other people suffer and things - but, I mean...:

She hesitates, biting her lip, blinking hard. 

:- but, I mean, I - sort of tortured Leareth earlier. Because I needed to suction him - because I thought it was the right thing to do and it would help him stay alive... I hate it when my patients are hurting but sometimes I cause it myself. And, I mean, I could...see that generalizing...and if I believed wrong things about medicine, or about - bigger things than that–: 

She curls into herself. 

:I'm not blaming you for having to use uncomfortable machines to get Leareth okay. He isn't either:

:That - isn't really what I meant. I don't feel bad about it or anything. Just... It's a thought I have sometimes when I try to make sense of things that've happened, in our world. That...it wouldn't feel any different from the inside...: 

:I guess that's possible:

Marian hugs herself for a moment longer, then twitches and looks around. :- Oh wow! I think I totally lost track of time. I...should check on 114. And cover for Elaine. Do either of you need anything?: 

Leareth is feeling...surprisingly okay? His stomach is definitely making noises about being expecting to digest food again, even liquid food, but it doesn't hurt or feel queasy, so that seems fine. :No. I think I will nap now: 

:Sounds good. Uh, if you're comfortable right now, I kind of want to start decreasing your pain medication? We'll have to get you off the continuous IV before you can leave the ICU, not that I think that'll be for a few days but we might as well get started on the process: 

:...I would not say I am entirely comfortable, but...: Leareth tries shifting slightly in the bed. :- Yes, I can tolerate this fine: 

:Well, don't try to be a tough guy about it, tell me if that changes, and I'll go gently: Marian glances at Belrun. :Don't let him be stubborn and insist he's fine when he's not, please - I'm guessing you can tell better than me because of the lifebond, yeah?: 

:I'll know if he's in a bad way, yes:

Marian fiddles with the settings on his IV pump and then leaves them to it. 

Leareth doesn't complain, and there's no, or not much, sign of increasing discomfort through the lifebond. He sips water – by himself!! – and asks for Belrun's help shifting and getting comfortable on his other side, and then falls asleep snuggling a pillow. 

Awww. Pet pet.

After a while, Nayoki reaches out to her with a Mindtouch. :My nurse got me paper and I have salvaged what I could and redrawn the diagrams for the artifact. I need some materials to work on one in order to go home, though: 

:What kind of materials?:

:A quartz focus about an inch across - or glass would do, but it takes magic less well so would need to be the size of my fist. Also copper and silver wire: 

:Can you be more specific? I'm not a mage and have never tried to shop for a focus before:

Sure, Nayoki can show her the sketches, and spend a while describing the shape-tolerance and how clear and flawless the focus has to be and what thickness and purity for the wire - some materials other than silver would do, it's just what she tends to use. 

Belrun writes this all down. :I'll ask Marian how to go about it when she's back:

:I suppose we are not in a huge rush. ...Have you learned anything more of this place, by the way? Their television is fascinating and very impressive! Though the 'news' is often quite gruesome: 

:I'm picking up bits. Their population is enormous, billions over the whole planet, hundreds of millions in this country alone. One country has more than a billion by itself:

:- Incredible! What did Leareth think of that?: 

:He was very impressed, of course. Also it sounds like they either don't have any gods or theirs don't do anything:

:They - oh: Nayoki's eyes slowly widen, almost comically. :That...changes many things: