Men have been known to faint for less. Men are babies. Soldiers are not strictly men, although some of them are just as bad in their own ways. I much prefer the company of soldiers to courtiers, given the choice. They, at least, will disrespect me to my face.


[Laurent watched the shirt fall on the floor with an internal sigh and took out the cleaning liquid. He hadn't bothered to learn the names of the things in the box, just the uses. Laurent was not a good patient or a very comforting nurse. He was, however, competent. Between watching and listening to Vash and what he'd known from back home, he could do basic medical treatment. Very basic.

He answered Ash's question as his hands moved on bare skin, no visible signs that he might be thinking anything but the most boring of thoughts.]


Not exactly. I learned from observation on the field back home, and there was a man here who . . . helped me. When I had a small accident.


[Laurent cleaned and bandaged the wound fairly quickly, packing up the leftover supplies. His little accident had been a lot more dangerous than he was making it out to be, but that was between him and Vash and V, and V was no longer in the city. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking cold and beautiful and untouchable.]


There. Now, what do you require for payment?