An Arm and Leg

Swallow opened his eyes to see the little girl with her head against his chest. He lifted a hand to nudge her away. "Agh!" He winced, sucked in a breath and lowered his arm.

Clarece: I sit back down on my feet. Bud-ump, Bud-ump, that's a good sound. I pick up my ambulance and start driving it away. "Whee-oh, Whee-oh, Whee-oh." I drive it all the way into the house and start gathering things I'll need.

Swallow tried to sit up, using his other arm for support. Suddenly his lower chest felt like someone was stabbing at it from the inside, and he collapsed against the black gate. He watched the little girl run off with her toys, not really thinking about why or where she was going but just noting her absence.

Clarece: I come running back with my toy filled with cake and band aids. I take both, get up on my tippy toes, and try to hand them to him.

Swallow looked at the band-aids blankly for a moment before his mind was back in focus. "Oh..." It hurt to breath and talk a little bit, he noted distantly as he took a band aid in his fingers. "Th--thanks."

Clarece: I smile and stick a fork in the cake. "It tastes best after you get in trouble."

"Thanks," Swallow said, trying not to move his shoulder as he took the cake in one hand and the fork in the other. "I didn't know that."

Clarece: "And now you know for next time," I say happily. I take my dolls from the ambulance. "Another life saved," I say in the manliest voice I can muster.

Swallow smiled a little. He didn't mind staying there for a while...so long as nobody needed to get through the gate. He took a hesitant bite of the cake, and realised that it did, in fact, taste its best. But then his smile vanished. He remembered the man in the alley, which made him remember his shoulder, and he felt another throbbing pang as if Princess were inflicting it. He sucked in a breath, dropping his fork. How was he going to get back to Princess? He couldn't stay there all day.

Clarece: I gasp as the form hits the ground. "Is Mr. Bird ok?"

Swallow looked at her an nodded, though his expression didn't look it. "Just a couple of broken bones, maybe...I'm fine."

Clarece: I frown. I guess I didn't heal him after all. "Sorry, Mr. Bird," I say quietly. I start gathering my toys and get ready to go back inside.

Swallow frowned. "Wait...where're you going?"

Clarece: "Home," I sigh. I point to the big house with black shutters. "I live in there with lots of other people."

...wait...

"But..." Swallow started. And just leave me here?! But he changed his words mid-sentence. "Thanks for the cake."

~

*pokes thread* Poke...

Sorry!
Clarece: "Huh?" I look up at him, accidently dropping some toys. "Do you want to come?"

S'a'right mate.
Swallow looked at her, then nodded, though he wasn't sure how far he could make it before he got stabbed again with his own rib.

Clarece: I gently take his hand and use my other to hold the skirt with the toys. "Right this way, Mr. Bird!" I say as I lead him through the gates.

Swallow winced but followed, a little bit bent over his injury. Well, too look on the bright side, Princess hadn't gone for his legs. He could still walk. He looked up at the black-shutter mansion as they approached the large front doors.

Clarece: I let go if his hand for a moment to take the huge knocker. "Knock, knock," I say and step back. Not a moment later, a sleepy eyed servant opens the door. He looks at me, then at Mr. Bird, before stepping out of the way.

Swallow avoided eyes with the servant at the door and followed the little girl in. A few more servants were milling in and out of the large front room.

Clarece: "Why did Mr. Bird get in trouble?" I ask as we navegate the rooms. I need to go put my toys away so that Daddy doesn't get upset.