Trial and Error: Second Edition

Chapter the Twenty-First: A Clouded Mind

When the surgery was done and Kai was sporting a new set of bandages, he had no idea where he was, or even who he was. His vision was blurry, and he felt that he could see sound. Colours had never been so vibrant before.

"It's done," said the doctor, removing his gloves. "He'll need to rest for at least a week. You didn't want any paperwork, so I can't give you a bed. I've already taken a risk with the amount of painkillers needed for this job. They don't just disappear, you know."

"I understand," smiled Usu. "I'll ensure he makes it home safely. Of course, I'd hate to have to come back here if something were to go wrong, if you catch my drift."

The doctor nodded. "You have my best work. If something goes wrong with this, I go down in flames, too."

"Then you understand perfectly." Usu picked Kai up and gently placed him on his shoulders. "Of course, We can't have you blabbing, either."

"You have my word."

"Good. I'd hate for anything to happen to those beautiful brown eyes."

The doctor was visibly confused. "My eyes are green..."

Usu pulled up a picture of the doctor's family in front of his house. Both of his daughters had brown eyes.

The doctor fell to his knees. "I beg you, don't hurt them!"

Usu slid the photograph back into the wallet he had taken it from and tossed it in front of the doctor. "I won't have a reason to, right?"

Grabbing his wallet, the doctor curled up on the floor. Fear had overtaken him.

"Collect yourself," grunted Usu. "And remember: We were never here. Savvy?" He walked out into the hall, making his way down the hall, smiling and nodding at the receptionist as he passed. She tried to have him sign out, but he was gone before she could gather her clipboard.

Kai was quite concerned. Never before had he seen such buildings as these. They had teeth, and were drooling upward into the bright red sky. The ground was covered in needles, but he wasn't concerned for his brother, as the road was a billowy sheet of silk. Perhaps he should have been, though, because the stallion carrying him had turned a sickly shade of green.

Usu hurried through town, quite unhappy with the time that the surgery had taken. The sun was beginning to rise, and he didn't want to be seen carrying a bandaged, drugged stallion through town. Haste was only his secondary concern, however. He had to be certain that Kai wasn't further injured by his actions.

Luckily, he made it to the edge of the forest without being spotted. As he breathed a sigh of relief, Kai started to speak up. His words were utter nonsense, so Usu knew he wouldn't have to pay close attention, but he did anyway.

"Liepzig madchen," he shouted to the trees. "Ich brauche dich. Ihr Haar ist aus feinster Seide, Ihre Augen aus klarsten Smaragden. Deine Federn warmen mein Herz. Ich stelle mir vor, deine Lippen schmecken nach dem sussesten Honig. Ihr Atem muss nach dem magersten Fleisch schmecken."

Perhaps it sounded clearer to Kai, but to Usu it sounded like gibberish. He was quite certain it was, as Kai was not himself. He couldn't really be held accountable for his words or actions. Anything Kai did or said was Usu's responsibility until such time as Kai regained control of himself.

The two arrived safely at the castle. Usu was quite skilled in stealth, and was certain that nopony had followed them in. He was very gentle as he descended the stairs. Fluttershy was only just exiting the lavatory, about to head downstairs to make breakfast for their return.

"Hello, beautiful!" slurred Kai, waving wildly in Fluttershy's direction.

Fluttershy jumped. She had not expected such an outburst. "G-good morning..."

"Apologies, Fluttershy," said Usu, bowing his head. "He's been drugged to remove the pain, but it seems he has an excessive tolerance for pain, and no tolerance for painkillers. Don't mind anything he says for the next several hours."

"Oh, okay." Fluttershy nodded. "I was just about to start breakfast."

"He'll take his in his room. He needs to rest. I'll be in there, too. I need to keep an eye on him until his mind comes back."

"You're so pretty..."

For the next thirty minutes, Kai lay still on his bed. He seemed to be fascinated by a rotten chunk of wood, and was plucking apart the splinters. When Fluttershy walked in, she was all Kai could focus on. "Fair maiden, to what do I owe the pleasure you bestow upon me with your radiance?"

Fluttershy blushed. "I brought breakfast."

"Who needs food? One can sustain a thousand men with only your fair elegance."

Her blush grew deeper. She brought Usu's breakfast to him, and placed Kai's on the bedside table. As she walked back, she placed a hoof on Kai's leg. "I hope you feel better soon, Kai."

Kai responded to her touch by grabbing her wrist. "I've fallen in love with you, Fluttershy. I can't live without you anymore!" He proceeded to pull her in and kissed her lips. She panicked as it happened, and ran out of the room as soon as Usu pulled Kai off of her.

She breathed heavily as she leaned against the stone wall. He had tried to force himself on her. He had promised never to do that. She felt that he had violated her trust. She reminded herself that he was not of stable thought at the moment. He would never do that if he was in control of himself, right?

After she calmed herself, she went back to the kitchen to have her breakfast, which had grown cold by now. She had planned to join them for a meal, but that was no longer an option. She returned to her room and sat down on the bed.

She contemplated asking Usu for his help in leaving. He had been set free, so what was stopping him from setting her free? He was a unicorn. Surely he could take off the collar.

Then again, the Kai she had come to know wouldn't have done that. He had made a promise not to assault her, and to this moment, it was the only promise he hadn't kept.

She shivered and curled up. She didn't know what to do. She was confused and afraid, and was not ready to make her decision yet. She would have to wait and see what came of it.