Illness in House Somerville

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

A few days after the announcement of plague in the City, I woke up in the morning and promptly emptied my stomach into my chamber pot. My head pounded and my throat was swollen. Stumbling to the bell pulley, I rang the bell.

When the servant came, I gasped out, "I am sick, fetch the chirurgeon," before stumbling back to bed.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

News of Pierres illness spread through the house, reaching me before I'd even rose out of bed that morning by the chattering of a maid. Tying my robe about my waist, I hurridly donned my slippers and made my way to his room, combing out my hair with my fingers along the way.

I knocked softly, waiting for his answering call before going in.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"Come in," I croaked. Gods, my head hurt!

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I winced when I heard his voice, then again when I cracked the door and peeked inside. "Gods Pierre," I breathe as I came in, shutting the door behind me. Crossing the floor in a handful of long strides, I looked over him, concern and worry likely painted over my face. "Oh, gods." My hand hovered over his face, then dropped to take his in my own, clasping it warmly. "Has a healer been called for?"

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"I asked for the chirurgeon," I said, my voice a shadow of its former self, "but that was only a little while ago." The worry on Aza's face was almost frightening, and I asked her, "Do I look very bad?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

Oh gods, I was scaring him. Quickly I schooled my face, my head shaking immediately. "You look like you're not feeling well," I said as I sat on the bed next to him, brushing a stray lock of hair out of his face. "That's all. Other than that, you are your dashing, handsome self." I flashed him a playful smile. "Can I get you anything?"

[Prince Gratien de Somerville]

I had woken late, but was dressed and going to break my fast. I saw a maid coming my way and stopped her.
"Uh, perchance have you seen my brother or sister?" I asked straightening my collar.

"Oh my lord Prince, have you not heard?" She asked. I furrowed my brows now suddenly worried. She looked uneasy and pranced a bit.

"Well out with it damned woman." I barked.

"Prince Pierre is unwell, he's sent for a Chirurgeon." The plague, I inhaled and spunning turning back toward Pierre's room. I trotted off to his door and held my breath before knocking and pushing the door open.

"Pierre?" I called out and entered slowly. "Pierre?" I moved into the room further and saw Aza at his side.

"Azabel." I said softly.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I turned when I heard the door, expecting to see one of the maids, or perhaps the healer. Instead I saw Gratien, and I gave him a soft smile. "Hello big brother," I said affectionately, then looked back at Pierre before back at him again. "How are you doing today? Feeling ok?" My look turned a little worried; I was afraid he'd have caught it as well.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

Before I could respond, Gratien entered the room, looking terribly worried. "Good morning, Gratien," I croaked. "Aza, I think I'll take some tea, and send a servant to bring a basin."

[Prince Gratien de Somerville]

"Ah, Pierre." I said coming to his bed side. "Are you alright brother?" I looked at Aza and put my hand on her shoulder.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"I think I will live," I rasped, "but I feel just terrible."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I nodded, placing my hand over Gratiens with a soft squeeze when he laid his on my shoulder. "Of course," I toned softly before rising and turning to go to the door. As I moved, I looked at Gratien, giving him one of worry and fear when I knew Pierre couldn't see me. I didn't hesitate but moved to the door, catching one of the maids and relaying Pierres request. Once done, I came back, standing next to Gratien and looking at Pierre with a warm, supportive smile. "Of course you'll live, silly," I responded. "Do you have any idea where you might have caught it from?"

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"I'm not sure," I said. "Maybe I got it in passing at Beltane. Or maybe I got it from Isra, but she seemed perfectly fine when I saw her." I frowned sadly. "They say it began in the Night Court; so that seems most plausible."

[Prince Gratien de Somerville]

"They've closed everything down." I said softly. "You probably got it there." I offered.
"Don't worry little brother. You'll be just fine." I smiled at him.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I frowned softly. "Isra - that's the Jasmine adept you've taken a liking to, right? Do you know if she is well or not?"

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"She came here on Beltane night," I clarified, but it was irrelevant. "I was going to write her a note, to make sure she was well. I hope she is..." I frowned worriedly, before my face twisted and I gave a great cough.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I leaned, running my hand unconcernedly over his cheek. "I'm sure she is well," I said softly, giving him a brave smile. "And I'm sure she would love to hear from you as well. I'll send for some parchment and paper for you, if you would like."

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"There's some in the desk there," I said, pointing. Sitting up in bed, I gave another great cough, before leaning over and retching again into the basin.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I gasped and snatched my hand back as he leaned to wretch, my face taking on a sheet of white as nausea overtook me. It wasn't the illness; it was watching my brother vomit before me, hearing it, my hand close enough to almost wear it.

The thought made my stomach turn more and I hurried away to his desk, trying to drown out the horrible sounds with the whisk of my skirts. I sat at his desk, making no effort to go back to his bedside, taking up the parchment and ink while waiting for him to be done.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I finished emptying my guts. Wiping my mouth, I looked over at Aza, who was sitting horrified at my desk. "Sorry," I croaked. "I didn't mean to do that."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I nodded somewhat, trying to give him a smile but knowing too that I was failing miserably. "I... think I'll sit over here, if you don't mind," I managed, my stomach still quite unsettled. The smell... Gods, I couldn't get it out of my nose. I didn't think I could stay in here much longer.

[Prince Gratien de Somerville]

I watched Pierre heave into the bed pan and then laughed as Azabel moved. I shifted so that I was sitting next to him and smile.
"Don't worry little brother, my stomach is stronger then our sister." I looked at her and smiled with a wink.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

I tried to laugh. "I may have one loyal stomach on my side, but she still has my parchment," I rasped. "Do you want me to dictate, Aza?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I swallowed again, my own stomach still feeling quite queasy. "Please do," I said, remaining perched at his desk. I glanced at Gratien and gave him as much of a smile as I could muster, though even I had to admit that I was failing miserably at it.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

Before I could begin, there was a knock at the door and the chirurgeon entered, bowing. "Good morning, your highnesses," he said, bustling over to the bed. "Ah, Prince Pierre, I am sorry to hear you are unwell. If you would kindly stick out your tongue..."

Feeling a bit silly, I did so. The doctor looked, told me to close, and took my face in his hands, examining me this way and that. "It's definitely La Scarlatine," he said, handing Gratien a few bottles of medicine, "but the Prince is young and hale, he will certainly survive."

[Prince Gratien de Somerville]

I took the medicines and smiled to the Chirurgeon before nodding.
"Thank you." I said smiling to him. He nodded and took his leave. "You hear that." I said turning to Pierre. "You big baby." I teased.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"I didn't think I was going to die," I protested, coughing. "You try being the sick one and see how you feel."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I stood when the healer entered, my hands wringing together; I remained like that until after he'd left again. Habitually I smoothed my dress out over my hips and stomach, listening to my brothers playful banter. "I... I think I must take my leave now, Pierre," I said, swallowing again and hoping he knew how regretful I was. "I do not think I can remain in here much longer without becoming sick myself."

I gave him an abashed look, but I didn't feel quite good enough to truly blush.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

"Oh, of course, I understand," I said, suppressing a cough. "Can you bring me the parchment, at least? I can write the letter myself."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"Oh," I said, having forgotten momentarily about it. "Of course."

Picking up the parchment and ink, I carried them to him, setting them on the stand next to his bed. "I'll send in a maid with a fresh basin," I promised him, giving him as big a smile as I could before turning, hurrying from the room.