Victor didn't know what to make of that. He stood up on shaky feet, knowing he'd find something he wouldn't want to if he looked that man fully in the face. He thought, for a fleeting second, he'd see himself. "Here, let me help you." he said, standing over Nathaniel cautiously. He offered out an arm to lean on, and waited with bated breath to see if Nathaniel could stand. He then noticed the leg. So much blood, almost like that November night he'd brought back his bastard creation to life. "I'll fix that. You might not be able to run properly for a week, or walk without a cane for a day, but I… I'm sorry for getting you into this."
Nathaniel shook his head, tears forming in his eyes from the pain. “It’s not your fault Victor. I got myself into this, and unfortunately, my method to dig myself out will be unsavory.” He took in a sharp breath, one that cleared his head of the memories that plagued him. “Sometimes, I wonder why I didn’t stay in France and let myself be taken away.” Nathaniel kept his eyes closed, grinning with every wave of pain. “I can deal with not being able to walk without help. I’ve survived much worse before.” He collapsed, for he couldn’t hold himself up much longer. “Who knows—maybe my creatures will tear me to shreds too.”
Victor picked up Nathaniel from underneath the arms, and dragged him to the couch. "You may be pathetic, but at least you…" aren't as much of a monster as I. At least you're just insane. "aren't so much of a coward as I. Now, stay there and rest, I'll bandage up your leg and find the materials I need to fix it." he said. Self pity was one thing, but suicidality was not something Victor would tolerate.
Nathaniel stifled a laugh. “You're not a cowered, dear Victor. You're just trying to preserve your life.“ He winced when Victor placed him on the couch. When he heard him say that’ll find the materials he needed, Nathaniel’s face froze. “Whatever you do, do not go into the room straight down the foyer. That is forbidden.” He didn't need Victor to see the carcasses of failed mechanics and strange body parts scattered to make the machines think.
Victor nodded. A man had to have his secrets, but he'd still need materials. Namely, metal flexible enough to serve as a new tendon. He eventually found all he needed in an old storage room, and he spent the next hour at Nathaniel's side doing measurements and cutting thin metallic threads until at last, his leg was sewn up and largely healed. Victor then took out a salve from his pocket, which bonded the flesh and the injuries beneath closed and soothed the pain, greatly speeding up the recovery process. "Are you alright? As said, be careful on this foot, this is a one time only type surgery… I think. You could maybe even walk, with a cane, if you wanted."
Nathaniel looked sickly after all of this had happened. He took a breath and started to speak, "I am alright—" He got cut off by a delayed groan in reaction to the pain. Nathaniel shook his head, trying to get his head straight. "I am sorry, I have not been able to deal with pain since I came to England." He paused. "But yes, I am generally alright. Thank you, Victor, for helping me. I did not think you would. Everything has been so awful." He put the back of his hand to his forehead, feeling how clammy his skin was. "I cannot believe those men accused me of such things. Not only that, but I have a horrible feeling they may target me." He relaxed his tensed shoulders, sinking into the couch as much as he could. "I think I will just lie on the sofa for now. I do not want to risk ruining your hard work." He gave Victor a little smile, but it held pain in it. Not to mention, his burn scars twisted its meaning.
Victor looked away from the hideous face. "You seem like a monster, but I've learned well enough that what seems to be often isn't, in most human cases. But I don't think I'm human anymore." he said, ghosts of the dead flickering on the edges of his vision. "Rest, then. I'll come back tonight." he said.
"I am sorry you have to look at my face. I know it looks awful. I burned myself when experimenting with Sulfuric acid." He shifted, trying to get himself comfortable. He gritted his teeth from the dull, but horrible pain. "Thank you, Victor. I think I will get some well deserved shut-eye. I appreciate your company, especially over the other men and their monster." He sighed. "You are human from what I can see and feel. Don't doubt your humanity." Nathaniel laid his head on the arm of the sofa. "Please return. It gives me comfort to know I'm not alone in this big house."
.jpg)