Thadeus wakes to white walls, clipped monitor beeps, and the pull of a hospital gown across his shoulders. His chest is wrapped tight in bandages, and when he tries to move, his body answers with a dull, heavy refusal.
Elizabeth sits in the corner, still as a held breath. The moment his eyes open, she rises and crosses to him fast, careful not to jostle the bed.
Elizabeth Bathory
You are at Henry Ford Hospital. You are safe. The doctors say your recovery looks good.
She takes his left hand in both of hers, gentle and warm, her thumb brushing once over his knuckles.
Elizabeth Bathory
You scared me, Thadeus. But you are here, and that matters.
Thadeus Jovanović
I can barely lift my head. The room smells like antiseptic and clean sheets.
At the doorway, a nurse pauses with a chart, sees him awake, and gives a small, professional nod before slipping back out into the hall. The room settles again, quiet and private.
Elizabeth Bathory
Stay with me a moment longer. When you feel ready, I can tell you everything the doctor said.
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover from the hospital stay
“Thadeus asks Elizabeth what happened, and she explains that he lost consciousness before the ambulance arrived at the Hideout. "When you arrived here," Elizabeth continued, "you went into a coma for two days. Once the doctors we able to have stabilized, they said the injuries missed your vital organs, saying it was a miracle." Thadeus grimaced, "I don't think that was any miracle. If Erzsebet wanted to, she could've killed me right then and there. You and I both know that." Elizabeth nods, fighting back tears, "I just...I froze, and it's my fault this happened."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Thadeus Jovanović
What exactly happened... after I went under?
Elizabeth Bathory
You lost consciousness before the ambulance reached the Hideout. They stabilized you here, then you slept for two days. The doctors said the wounds missed your vital organs. They called it a miracle.
Thadeus Jovanović
No miracle. If Erzsebet wanted me dead, I would be.
Elizabeth Bathory
I know. I just froze, and that is why this happened.
Thadeus shifts his hand against hers, steadying the tremble in her fingers instead of pulling away. The room stays quiet, the monitor ticking between them like a metronome.
Thadeus Jovanović
You did not fail me. She came in here with a threat, not because of you.
Elizabeth Bathory
Then tell me you are still here because of more than luck.
For a moment, her shoulders ease. Outside the room, the hospital corridor hums on, but inside, the fear settles into something softer, something they can actually hold.
“Thadeus grins, wincing slightly from the pain in his chest, "It's funny, that's now two times I've been stabbed in the chest by a Bathory." Elizabeth's eyes go wide, then she remembers the events at the Revenant stronghold. She turns red and hits Thadeus's shoulder, saying, "You jerk! How is that funny?" Thadeus chuckles a bit harder, "Sorry, sorry, it's just something I remembered. A lot of memories were coming back to me when I was losing consciousness." Elizabeth's anger quickly abates, and she warmly responds, "Yeah? Good memories, I hope." Thadeus takes Elizabeth hands and gently squeezes, "The best memories."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Thadeus lets the joke land with a crooked grin, then flinches as the pain in his chest answers it. Elizabeth’s eyes widen first, then she remembers the fight at the Revenant stronghold and goes bright red.
Elizabeth Bathory
You jerk. How is that funny?
She swats his shoulder, not hard enough to hurt, and the sharpness drains out of her face almost immediately.
Thadeus Jovanović
Sorry, sorry. It just came back to me when I was fading out.
Elizabeth Bathory
Yeah? Good memories, I hope.
Thadeus Jovanović
The best memories.
Thadeus folds his hands around hers and gives them a careful squeeze. Elizabeth holds on, then finally breathes out, the room settling around them while the monitor keeps its steady little rhythm.
“Elizabeth stands up, sharing with Thadeus, "The doctors are saying you only need a couple more days of observation. You'll be able to come home soon." Thadeus smiles, then turns serious, "That's great news. But what about your mother? What are you going to do?" Elizabeth's face become intense, "Nothing until you come home. I've already talked it over Elias and Marla. I'm putting a stop to Erzsebet, one way or another." Thadeus frowns, "You're not doing it alone, I won't have you place yourself in danger, not this kind of danger." Elizabeth smiles wryly, "Good, because I wasn't planning on going alone."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +3)
Elizabeth rises from the chair and steps to the bedrail, her voice low so it does not carry into the hall. The hospital light catches the edge of the Grimoire on the tray, its emblem still faintly glowing in the room’s dull gray.
Elizabeth Bathory
They say you only need a couple more days. Then you can go home.
Thadeus Jovanović
That is great news. But what about your mother, what are you going to do?
Elizabeth Bathory
Nothing until you’re back. I already talked it over with Elias and Marla. I am stopping Erzsebet, one way or another.
Thadeus Jovanović
You are not doing it alone. I will not have you walking into that kind of danger by yourself.
Elizabeth Bathory
Good, because I was not planning on going alone.
She reaches for his hand again, then adds, quieter, that Elias already dug out one of the old secure road maps from the Hideout, the kind marked with back routes and supply stops. Outside the room, the hallway stays calm, but the promise between them feels heavier than the monitor’s steady beeping.
“Elizabeth kisses Thadeus's forehead, telling him to get some rest. Thadeus agrees, telling her, "I love you, Elizabeth Bathory." Elizabeth, flushed again, replies, "And I love you, Thadeus Jovanovic." Thadeus shuts his eyes, ready to embrace the much needed rest coming his way.”
Thadeus lets his eyes close as Elizabeth leans in, and the room goes soft around the steady monitor. Her kiss lingers a second, then her hand settles near his brow, guarding the quiet with him.
Elizabeth Bathory
Sleep. I am here.
Thadeus Jovanović
I love you, Elizabeth Bathory.
Elizabeth Bathory
And I love you, Thadeus Jovanovic.