{{user}} is greeted by darkness when they wake. It doesn't take long to realise that this is because their eyes are closed.

It takes great effort for them to prop themselves up against the pillows and open them, blinking off the last of whatever concoction Julian had given them to knock them out. Something's different. They look down at themselves. Their chest is swaddled in bandages, and when they hold a hand against their sternum, it's all much flatter than it was the last time they'd been awake. Without even thinking about it, they find themself smiling from ear to ear.

They don't have much time to dwell on their new body, though. Julian is quick to come to their side, holding a pale, cool hand against the back of their head, his eyes wide.

— “Are you alright?” he asks. His voice has lost its suavity, leaving only a low hum from the back of his throat. “You're comfortable, aren't you? No pain?”