Downtown

Cyrus

You calmly explain what happened.  You throw in your most charming smile, but she doesn't react to it at all.

Lizzy sighs.  "That's... a strange mix-up.  Let me guess, you mentioned Delia sent you to check on someone and th-" she stops mid-sentence and shakes her head.  She shifts and sits up a bit, adjusts her hair.  She seems much less guarded.  You notice she's no longer looking directly at you, just a bit to the side.  "It doesn't matter.  You haven't been working with her long, have you?"

Look for suspicious people.

Cyrus

Lizzy draws one of her legs up, wincing as she does so. "Yeah. Sis is involved with some dangerous stuff. I'm guessing you already know some of what she's working on. You probably even believe some of it. But listen to me. Her research is bringing her close to some very dangerous people. And she's already managed to screw up and summon one monster. Which is why I'm here." She snaps her head towards the door.

A moment later, there's a knock on the door and the nurse from before lets herself in. "Mr... er... I never actually got your name. Anyway, I heard you're here to pick Lizzy up?"

"Wait, what?" Elizabeth asks. "He's here to...?"

"He didn't tell you? I thought that would be the first thing he'd say... Well, sorry to spoil the surprise," the nurse says. "Anyway, her doctor's cleared us to release her to you."

"W-wait..."

The nurse waves her hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry, Dear. You're in perfectly stable condition. You'll still need bedrest for a few days, but we'll show him how to change your bandages and we'll give you plenty of written instructions about your medications and whatnot."

"...I can go home...?" Lizzy asks. "I thought only my sister could sign me out?"

"Nope, he's fine! You can sign yourself out, so long as you've got someone who's agreed to take custody." The nurse turns back you you. "Oh, though we noticed you came on a motorcycle... We'll have to hire a cab for you. And there's also paperwork to put together, prescriptions to write..."

Lizzy turns back towards you, though you notice she's not looking quite at you.

(Hidden rolls)

You aren't quite sure why she's looking off to the side. She's biting her lip and looking at you indecisively, as if she's waiting to see what you'll do.

Cyrus

You pretend that everything is totally fine as the nurse preps Lizzy to go.

Cyrus' Charm check: 95/35 - Failure
Cyrus' Luck check: 34/60 - Success

The nurse pats you on the shoulder. "Nervous? Don't worry, you'll do fine. Lizzy's been here long enough she'll be able to help if you mess up."

She shows you how to take care of her - how to help her in and out of bed, how to change her bandages, shows you her injuries and how to check them. You get a good look at the damage during all this. It looks like she was mauled by a bear... Her chest is raked with large, two-clawed slashes, and there's a puncture wound near her neck. Lizzy doesn't say anything during the process. The nurse heads out to get some last few things together, paperwork and whatnot, leaving the two of you alone for a short time.

Lizzy stares into space. "Ha... haha... S-so, we're... We're really doing this? ...'Cousin?'" She giggles nervously and sits on the edge of the bed. "I-I mean... We... um... A-all we have to do is, y-y'know... One of us just has to... to tell the nurse... I-I mean, we don't even have to admit to lying. You could just say you saw me and decided to pick me up another day... O-or I could...?"

She pauses.

"...O-or... Or we... could... We could actually go through with this..."

Cyrus

Lizzy opens and shuts her mouth several times, like a fish. "I... can't believe I'm even considering this..." She closes her eyes and takes a shaky breath. "OK. I already made arrangements to handle the medical expenses on my own. As for taking care of me... I expect a decent, clean bed, three meals a day, and help with bathing and dressing and medicine and whatnot. For two weeks. And you can't tell my sister about this. In return, I'll... tell you some stuff about my sister's research. Deal?" She extends her hand towards you and waits.

Cyrus

You shake Elizabeth's hand. Carefully. There's something about the way she takes your hand... and the way she almost meets your gaze with those piercing grey eyes of hers but always looks just off to one side... Something about it rubs you the wrong way. But you can't put your finger on it.

The nurse comes back in shortly. She hands Elizabeth a clipboard and pen. She reads it off to her, blah-blah-blah medical legalese about taking care of herself and acknowledgement of her rights and payments and everything... Cyrus almost falls asleep. Finally, the nurse finishes. "Sign here, please." The nurse guides Lizzy's hand to the line, and Lizzy adds a sloppy signature.

Cyrus' Idea check: 93/50 - Failure

It does not click. The nurse asks Cyrus to step out so she can help Lizzy change out of the hospital gown and into her clothes. A few minutes later, the nurse wheels her out in a wheelchair. There's a suitcase in her lap. "The taxi's waiting out front," the nurse explains. She leads you down and to the waiting cab, then helps Lizzy in.

Lizzy rolls down the window and waves. "Bye, Samantha! And thanks again for everything!"

"Take care, Liz! Give us a call if anything feels off, OK?" Samantha doesn't wave back. Huh. She turns to you. "Take good care of her. And good luck with her makeup." The nurse heads back inside.

The cab driver leans out to you. "Where'm I takin' 'er, eh?"


Roy

Bloooooood

Cyrus

Move to Midtown