[V i d e o]

[greatestgood]

[While Genessia has more than its share of benevolent dragons, leave it to Gellert to find a truly vicious one. The crack of what sounds like a whip accompanies the bellowing roars of the beast well. Gellert might look like a hero, silhouetted as he is by the dragon's flame, and he certainly seems unfazed by all the fuss.

But then he laughs and the sound is unnerving.]

Now, now, is that necessary? I just need a little blood. You won't miss a vial or two.

[He brings out the Elder Wand and he raises it, slashing it viciously through the air and...

Through the dragon's hide. Any blood spilt is drawn, with another quick spell, into a waiting flask. Of course the dragon doesn't like that at all. Gellert Apparates, bringing his audience along on a dizzying ride over the treetops, with the dragon in hot pursuit.

He shifts towards the mountains, where the cold air leaves frost on his audience's view. Then the communicator turns and Gellert is grinning wildly, madly, diving down into what looks like a mountain cavern.]

Wasn't that exciting? [With his feet on the ground, he ducks into the cave and brings out the spoils of his battle.] It is so very hard to acquire dragon blood.

[There follows an audible thump and he looks up.]

Poor thing. They want to bury me in here, is that it?

Comments

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[Sad head tilt, Gellert.]

Do you truly not know the answer to that? Of course I am.

[greatestgood]

I feel the same way about you, you know. I want to say it's unproductive, but it feels right.

[chambermusicandtenpins]

I am glad of that. But given that you are the one being chased by a dragon currently, perhaps your own status deserved a bit more concern.

[greatestgood]

Only for a moment or two. [He blows Albus a kiss and starts to prepare himself to leave the cave.]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[The kiss earns Gellert a twinge of a smile, though the concern in his face doesn't go away.]

Be careful, then.

[greatestgood]

Close your eyes and count to twenty. [After casting a Disillusionment Charm, he leaps out of the cave, flying without a broom. ...is that a roar? It's no big deal.]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[Sorry Gellert, he is not closing his eyes, but instead watching you fly out with an ever-increasing sense of concern, which only increases at the roar.]

Gellert?!

[greatestgood]

[Unfortunately for Albus, he will see the chase and the point where the dragon grabs ahold of Gellert's cloak. The teeth sink into his back too - before he lets go of the garment - and well. That is quite a bit of blood, isn't it.]

I'm fine. I'm away...

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[Oh no, oh no no no no no-]

Can you Apparate away?

[greatestgood]

I can... [He closes his eyes and Apparates to the forest in Fayren, landing in a heap. No, he's fine. He just needs to catch his breath.]

[video]->[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[AHHHHHH]

[Only a moment later, Albus has also Apparated to Fayren forest. Granted, it was hard to tell exactly where in the forest to land from Gellert's video, but thank God for magic. He knows his Patronus can find Gellert without him needing to guide it, so he summons the bird and lets him fly off, following his glow through the trees.]

[action]

[greatestgood]

[The bright light confuses him until he sees the shape of a phoenix. Of course. The Patronus can find him. He pushes himself onto his elbows and knees, trying to shake off the gnawing pain on his back.]

Shoo. Lead him somewhere else. I'm fine.

[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[The phoenix ignores his orders, instead flying forward and hovering closer, chittering as he tries to examine Gellert's injuries himself. Not too long afterward, the crunch of leaves and twigs can be heard as Albus closes the gap between them, dashing between the trees.]

Gellert!

[action]

[greatestgood]

[Gellert grimaces and tries to pull himself together, but a dragon bite - graze, really - is nothing to treat lightly. At least he can breathe again. He exhales roughly and glances at Albus, face distressingly pale.]

So you found me.

[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[Albus doesn't verbally answer, not then, not while Gellert is still injured. His wand is already out and his mouth murmuring enchantments -- after a second or so, there will be bandages appearing from his wand, wrapping around Gellert's torso to cover the wounds. Another spell, and a shimmer of numbness will fall in a cloud over Gellert, something to lessen the pain of the gash.]

[action]

[greatestgood]

[He laughs, the sound uneven. Maybe he should enjoy being fussed over since it doesn't happen often. The numbness in particular is appreciated and he sighs in relief, body relaxing.]

...thank you. [He will be in good shape once the dizziness passes. Giving his head a shake, he forces himself onto his feet.] You wouldn't believe how much blood I gathered.

[There is a large vessel of it at his hip and he grins wildly.]

[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

Enough to replace the blood you've lost?

[He doesn't mean or want to sound sharp. The truth is he's simply frightened and worried, and Gellert is still not entirely back to health.]

Do you have enough strength in you to let me Apparate you away from here?

[action]

[greatestgood]

Why would I want dragon blood flowing through my veins?

[He is going to play dumb, giving Albus a charming smile. Of course he still hurts and he feels weak enough that his stomach is churning. But Gellert is a soldier and a general and, most of all, a survivor.]

I won't like it, but do as you think best.

[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[He lets the jest slide and scarcely seems to notice Gellert's attempts at charm. Truly, he's too worried to notice much at all except his injuries, so he nods vaguely when Gellert answers him.

With his wand, he conjures something like a cloud of gentle buffering air, something to make the strain of Apparition lessen. And then with another flick, he grasps Gellert's hand in his and Apparates them away, landing them in Gellert's room where lets the cloud of magic lightly deposit Gellert on his mattress.]

[action]

[greatestgood]

[He doesn't move or fight the Magic. Albus is too good and he sighs quietly to himself, closing his eyes to avoid the rush of scenery around them. His bed feels good, but he lifts his head to locate the other man, murmuring:]

You're worrying.

[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

You're right, I am.

[He says the words absent-mindedly, still looking over Gellert's injuries. Albus casts more spells, one to clean the blood already seeping through Gellert's bandages, and then another that will feel like warmth settling over the wounds. As it works, it will coat them and seal them, preventing infection.]

[action]

[greatestgood]

Albus... [He knows that look and he settles, not even lifting a hand to fight it. The blood is warm and sticky against his skin and he is happy for it to be cleaned again. His head aches too and he gives a small shiver.]

I'm alright.

[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

You're not. But you will be.

[He casts one last spell -- this one just for protection, something to keep more harm from coming to Gellert while he heals. When it's done, he settles, putting his wand away even as fear etches lines in his face.]

[action]

[greatestgood]

All of the color has left your face. [He feels the protection fall over him - like a warm cloak - and his shivering quiets.] Come sit with me.

[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[He looks Gellert over once more, the strain still showing on his face, before he nods and quietly obeys. Albus sits on the edge of the mattress, still glancing over Gellert as if to assure himself that he has not forgotten some crucial spell to keep him from being further hurt.]