Log: Complete

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

When; The night the nightmares lifted
Rating; PG-13
Characters; rozenmagician and milanbutterfly
Summary; After Caterina awakens, Isaak is there for wine and support.
Log;

Even if the capricious deities forgot to announce their latest mischief, Isaak knew the deep, comatose state was their cause. He must admit that, for the first time during his stay in the City, he felt impotent in his ability. Not even when he lost his abilities was he so deprived of being useful. Looking down at the tormented face of the Duchess of Milan, Isaak clean her face from sweat and smoothed her curls in a vain attempt of comfort.

There was nothing he could do for Caterina; the Magician just sat at her bedside and waited for her to awaken, disguised properly as an elder maid. The other maids were dismissed already, after they arranged their mistress’ spacious quarters.

It was past midnight when the sleeping Duchess gave a sign of consciousness. The sun had set hours ago and moonlight bathed Isaak in colored light as it passed through the stained glass.

“Duchess?” asked Kämpfer softly, securing the lock on the door before recovering his true shape. He left the soaked piece of cloth over the vanity and loomed over Caterina’s form, concerned. His voice held an alien note of impatience, emphasizing his unusual frustration.

Her dreams were fitful, and she knew them not as dreams. Slowly, Caterina’s eyelids slid open as she heard his voice. Isaak's words echoed harshly against her mind that had only moments earlier been plagued with images of her own rotting body, impotent and broken as she decayed knowing that the world would suffer her failure, a failure that her keen mind should surely have avoided if not for the entrapment and betrayal of Isaak.

Caterina's voice was cracked and pained, "Why are you tormenting me? Haven't you gloated your victory enough.” Her mind was still foggy, she did not realize the preceding visions had been dreams, but thought only she had awoken from the state before death to be taunted once more by Isaak's victory over her as well as his capricious tryst with Lady Sahl. Not only had she failed, but once again Lady Sahl had conquered what she had wanted.

The sweat soaked sheets and blankets clung to her as her slender fingers clutched them close, eyes slowly focusing. She felt strangely healthier than she had. Did the magician cure her only to taunt her longer, force her to watch the end of the world? No. Something was different.

When Caterina awoke, Isaak was holding a goblet filled of white wine, offering for her to quench her thirst. He had dismissed her words as mere inane utterances from her nightmare. Obviously, the dreams had upset her and that increased his frustration.

“Caterina,” he added, softly, sitting once more. “You’ve been asleep the entire day like some of the City residents. A comatose slumber I couldn’t spare you. Sister Blanchett, I believe, is looking after the Count of Memphis while Lady Sahl is taking care of Father Nightroad. Both were victims of the affliction.” He paused, surveying her agitated semblance. “At ease, Caterina. It was just a nightmare.”

A nightmare? The shattering sense of failure was still with her, was he trying to drive her even more mad? "Father Nightroad is alive? And what of my brothers?" She demanded, straightening, though she did not yet take the glass of wine. Closing her eyes for a moment, she tried to regain herself, her sense of mental balance. "I have been asleep this entire time. And -everything that happened was a dream?"

Her fingers trembled slightly as she accepted the glass of wine from Isaak. Pressing the rim of the goblet to her lips, she took a dainty sip.
Her brothers? Kreznik 02? The nightmares had been rough, Isaak mused as he watched her sip the wine patiently. She had been tossing and muttering the entire day, despite his best attempts to comfort her.

“A nightmare, I believe, Caterina,” corrected Kämpfer with a light tone of amusement. “One of the many tricks of this lovely City as per usual. I was unaffected, fortunately.” He paused, shooting her a thoughtful look. “Do you need anything else? How do you feel?”

"I feel terrible," She mused over the rim of the glass, making a small effort to smooth her damp curls. "And I must look it," Offering up a small smile. "St- that is if you don't mind, stay with me?" She asked, tone raw. "Those visions, those feelings, they were so real. I could feel my body breaking down."

And paused, "They are trying to break us, aren't they? The ones who control this city."

Isaak looked at her mildly surprised. It was unbecoming for the Duchess to act as insecure when he was involved. He offered her a reassuring smile. "Certainly, Caterina. I came here to look after you," he told her, reaching for her pillow to accommodate it. "I won't allow that. Your body shall be vigorous as it should be."
Kämpfer shook his head. "Doubtful. We're their favorite toys. Why would they want to break us?"

"Then why torment us so, or bring us here to begin with if only to be cruel." Her eyes narrowed, this situation was deplorable. They had to live through each whimsy without a thought to how it would affect them. With the dream slowly fading into the background of her mind, the only enduring evidence of it was her raw emotions.

Isaak took the goblet gently out her grasp and placed it over the vanity then watched her in absolute silence for a few minutes. His _expression was concealed by shadows and his long, black hair. Finally, Kämpfer spoke and asked her with genuine curiosity.

”Caterina, do you really feel that way? Do you regret to be here?”
She thought for a moment before speaking, "I do not regret being here, nor what has transpired. I only dislike the way we are played with by the.. forces of this world." Looking up at him, her eyes narrowed in thought, but her expression was kind, "I could never despise this place, if only for the odd relationship we have formed here as well as the things I have learned."

Isaak’s lips curved into a smile while he sat. He was selfishly glad to hear those uttered words from her lips. It was relieving that the nightmare had not shattered her trust on his goals and honesty. That would have been bothersome for him.

“Caterina,” Isaak started with a soft voice. “Revel in this experience. It will harder your determination and shape your character if you don’t allow it to defeat your spirit.”

"It will not defeat me, I have far greater goals that must be accomplished, but you know that," She replied with a smile at him. They shared the same goals, after all. "And yes, I will look on the things here as a learning experience. As well as a foundation for the future once we are gone from here."

“Hoh? Excellent,” Isaak complimented with an inclination of his head. He poured her more wine and offered the Duchess the newly filled goblet. “I shall remain at your side until you recover, Caterina.” He paused, looking solemn. “I shan’t pry in your nightmare either. It lacks importance unless you give it power over you.”
She inclined her head, "The nightmares are already starting to fade. I will not give voice to them because they are simply not true." And took the offered wine with an inclination of her head and caught his eyes, "Thank you." For more than just the wine. Then took another dainty sip.

“It was my pleasure,” Isaak pointed out fondly; dark eyes never left her razorblade ones as he spoke. “Your safety is my personal concern as usual, Caterina.” He was honest, unfortunately for his own health he had become snared far too much with the woman.

Sadly, his common sense did not regret that.

Thus, Isaak Fernand von Kämpfer lingered in the sumptuous chambers of Cardinal Sforza all night until the sunlight illuminated the blindfold angel design in the stained glassed window, marking his departure.