Madhava pulled Providence in close, nuzzling her hair, needing the reassurance she was fine.
"You should take her home. She's going to be lethargic for a bit." The medic encouraged.
"Yes take me home, but I want a piggy back ride." Providence giggled.
"And what is that beautiful?" Dagaa asked amused by her drug induced goofy demeanor.
"This." Providence said.
She precariously jumped up on the table, much to Madhava's surprise, and then launched herself awkwardly at him. Dagaa hovered by her side as Providence shimmied onto Madhava's back.
"Giddy up horsey." Providence declared as she bucked her legs against his hips, like he was a pack animal.
"You're going to bust your skull." Madhava groused over his shoulder as he gripped her ankles around his waist.
"I got her." Dagaa said with a shake of his head, his hands hovering at her back.
The medic stared in shock and amusement as they left the clinic.
"No I'm sorry but the Daimio is not available for comment at this time." Madhava heard the warrior say to a news commentator at the main manor entrance as they passed by.
"So our Daimio has nothing to say to the people about the protester that was killed here today? I'm certain the citizens of Cadi would be interested in knowing why this happened. Is it his policy to respond violently to the citizens who oppose his decree regarding the Toufik?"
Madhava almost cursed. Bad news always travels fast. This was going to turn ugly quick.
"I didn't kill that man." Providence said slightly louder than the whisper she intended.
"No beautiful you didn't. I did." Madhava whispered back.
"Oh." Her eyes widened to the size of saucers, her pupils huge from the drugs she'd been given.
Madhava groaned as the news commentator looked up at them. It was time to go.
"So do you know what happened here today?" The commentator called past the warrior that barred him from entering the manor.
"I do." Providence said as she scrambled off Madhava's back. Dagaa tried to hold her but somehow she slipped from his grasp as she wiggled to the floor. "That man climbed over the wall and hurt my friend, Giselle."
"Really?!" The male at the door replied, looking very interested.
"Come on beautiful." Dagaa took Providence's good hand to lead her away. "Providence was injured and was given a bit of pain medicine." He said to the way too nosy male.
The commentator likely knew who Providence was, the news feeds were a buzz with it after her discovery on the reptilian ship.
"My finger's broken." Providence pouted as she waved her hand at the male. "But it’s okay, it doesn't hurt. It was not nice to hurt my friend, she's pregnant, and that’s not good for the baby." She babbled.
"No Marita it is not acceptable to hurt a female, especially one with young." The male was kind enough to agree with Providence.
Providence staggered his way despite Madhava and Dagaa's effort to dissuade her.
"I know people are mad because the Toufik, Giselle and I are different. But I can't help I'm not Cadi. I was stolen from my home and the poor Toufik, their home is dying." Providence looked so sad as she spoke, her lip quivering. Her eyes held that misty look that always ripped him to shreds.
The drugs were forcing all the emotions Providence had been trying to wrangle, to the surface.
"I know Marita it is a terrible situation." The news commentator looked upset at seeing how distraught Providence was. The male looked up at him and Dagaa with a creased brow. Obviously Providence's sad expression didn't just affect Madhava alone.
Providence gave the male an exaggerated nod as she shrugged out of Madhava's grasp.
"You know it’s kind of silly. You are different from Dagaa, and he is different from Madhava. No one is the same. It would be so boring and impractical if we were ALL the same." Providence gestured wildly. "Think of it, the same person, the same plants, the same animals. If we can learn to get along, there's a lot of good things we can learn from each other. But if we try to find problems we always will."
As drugged as Providence was she made a good point.
"Very true." The male said as he smiled at Madhava and Dagaa. "Thank you for your time. I hope your finger heals quickly Marita."
"Thank you." Providence stared down at her bandaged finger suddenly preoccupied by it.
"We need to get her home." Dagaa said with a nod as he ushered Providence away.
It was clear the drugs were doing a number on her.
"Who was that?" Providence asked as she leaned against Madhava.
"A news commentator reporting on the protest."
"Oh. Did I say anything stupid?"