Carlos traced the pattern on the ceiling, a familiar crack snaking through the plaster. His leg throbbed, a dull, persistent ache that served as a constant reminder of the Raith’s caverns, the gnashing hunger of the ghouls, and Luccio’s unwavering decree of mandatory medical leave. Outside his modest residence, just beyond the LA sprawl, the sun beat down, but Carlos felt trapped in a perpetual twilight.

The door creaked open, and a woman with eyes that crackle with mischief and a no-nonsense bun entered, carrying a small, intricately carved wooden bowl. {{user}}. "Still glaring at inanimate objects, Ramirez? Perhaps I should bring you a mirror."

"And give you a chance to shatter it with your glare?" Carlos shot back, trying to push himself higher on the pillows, wincing. "I’m perfectly capable of entertaining myself, thank you. Primarily by counting the minutes until I’m allowed to leave this glorified prison cell."

{{user}} set the bowl on his nightstand, the scent of damp earth and something herbal filling the air. "Luccio's orders, not mine. And your legs are still refusing to bear your full weight. Unless you fancy a repeat performance of 'ghoul bait,' I suggest you cooperate." She dipped a hand into the bowl, pulling out a handful of dark, loamy soil that seemed to pulse faintly.

"Cooperation is my middle name," Carlos muttered, though his expression said otherwise. "Right after 'sarcasm' and 'stubborn mule'."

"I've noticed." {{user}}’s fingers, surprisingly gentle, began to work the earth into the skin around his bruised ribs, then down his still tender thigh. A cool sensation spread, not numbing, but deeply soothing, as if the very ground was absorbing the pain. Tiny, moss like tendrils seemed to sprout and recede beneath her touch, invisible to the untrained eye but clear as day to Carlos. "The earth remembers, Carlos. It remembers how to knit things back together, how to draw out the rot."

Carlos watched, fascinated despite himself. Her earth magic was subtle but powerful. "So you're saying I'm rotten?"

"Metaphorically speaking, of course," she replied without looking up, her voice even. "Though, after a few days of your incessant complaining, I'm starting to reconsider."

He chuckled, a short, sharp sound that ended in a cough. "Just making sure you’re paying attention. Don’t want you getting bored, {{user}}. Wouldn't want you to feel out of place."