It wasn't easy, waking up after being out of commission for a few weeks. Drake felt like one of those comatose patients, spending weeks or even months unconscious only to one day suddenly wake up. To find the world had simply moved on without them. So far, a lot had went down while he was out. What else had he missed? Could some of this have been avoided if he’d stayed alive? The entire thing was certainly stressing the winged boy out far more than he let on.

Sensing Mina move closer, Drake opened his eyes partway at first, then opened them entirely when he saw the pill she was presenting him. His gaze lingered on it for a moment, then silver eyes raised to level with hers. His were wary, conveying his uncertainty; a silent protest against the pill. 


He couldn’t help but feel uneasy whenever he saw Erubescan medicine, especially seeing how Erubesco had a way of being sneaky with some of the drugs they offered up. Administering disguised medication to a subject with the promise of relieving their symptoms, only for the medicine to further prolong and sometimes even worsen the illness. That was one example. Or how about the “pain meds” given to some of the test subjects, meds which were actually infused with ingredients that brought forth horrific and even traumatizing side effects. Or the sleeping pills that worked a little too well, throwing their tired patient into a neverending coma. And those were only a few.

Erubesco didn’t care, so long as it meant they had control over the public masses.

But Mina [i]was[/i] specialized in this sort of thing, and if Drake trusted anyone to be able to distinguish the good from the bad, it was her. Therefore, despite all reservations, he accepted her offering and popped the tablet under his tongue, just as she had instructed. His nervousness still lingered momentarily, mild as it was, merely a product of caution derived from the average ashlander paranoia.

Mina’s hand on his shoulder did well to redirect his attention, and he listened quietly to everything she had to say, eyebrows knitted. 
His own wings twitched at the mention of Larke’s shattered one, drawing tight against his back.

The part about Spire made his stomach churn.

[color=#A2A2A2]”You’re right, that doesn’t sound anything like Larke. Attacking carelessly like that, I can't imagine why he'd do something so... well, violent.”[/color] Drake frowned.
Silver eyes gradually trailed down to the floorboards as he took a moment to soak all this in, trying to make sense of it.

[color=#A2A2A2]”We're not gonna kill him,”[/color] he said finally, calculating eyes still trained on the wood panels below, almost as if he could find the answers if he just stared hard enough. 

[color=#A2A2A2]”Not if there’s a chance we can help him. If what you're saying is true, then it’s possible Erubesco did something to Larke. It wouldn't be unheard of - the factions are notorious for brainwashing and deceiving people. And Larke was just a lowly prisoner to them, so it's not unreasonable to think they might take advantage of him."[/color]
Drake hoped he was onto something with this.

[color=#A2A2A2]"I want to at least try talking to him... Surely the Larke I know-”[/color]

He paused briefly before clearing his throat and looking up at Mina. [color=#A2A2A2]“The Larke [i][b]we[/b][/i] know… Is still in there. Somewhere. And if I have to work with him day and night, for weeks on end to pull him back out, I will. If we can get the old Larke back, maybe - just maybe - we can convince him to join us. Or at the very least, make him promise not to hurt anyone if we let him go. Dawn can even verify for us if his intentions are true. And I could really use your help getting through to him, if you're on board.”[/color]
It wasn't going to be easy, and Drake really didn't want to tackle this hard ball by himself. 
Not if he didn't have to.
[color=#A2A2A2]”Besides, even if it doesn’t work - even if our attempts to help him fail and there’s no undoing whatever damage is done... At the end of the day, at least I can say I tried. I [i]have[/i] to try...”[/color]
 
[color=#A2A2A2]”I owe him that much.”[/color]
 

Fortunately, their shared mutual connection with Larke provided some consolation. There was comfort, after all, in not being alone. Drake wasn't forced to fight this battle on his own, wasn't stuck trying to defend a friend who the Wanderers really didn't know or have any obligation to. Rather, Mina was right there to back him up; by his side. 
[i]On[/i] his side, he hoped. 

Well, Mina was on the dot about one thing. This certainly was a bad spot. Fiercely disheartening in every way.



The pain medication was starting to set in now, which wound up being good timing as Mina was ushering him to follow her if he would so choose. And as much as his stomach twisted at the thought of what he might see up there, Drake still felt it vital to confront the problem sooner than later. He lightly pushed off from the table and strode after her as they made their way down the hall. 

[color=#A2A2A2]”And as for Spire,”[/color] he piped in, needing to get something off his chest.

[color=#A2A2A2]“We need to figure out a way to put a goddamn leash on the bastard. He’s always up to no good, and his sick, reckless activities could one day end up putting all of us in serious danger. It’s unacceptable if you ask me, and frankly, he shouldn’t have to have a damn babysitter all the time. Something needs to be done to get him to behave himself.”[/color] 

This last bit was more of a bout of frustration than it was really a demand. Caused by a festering resentment, it flowed from the lips of a boy whose distaste for the bloodthirsty Schippers brother grew stronger every day. Of course, that being said, Drake did firmly believe a discussion was in order regarding their cruel and sadistic long-standing member whom they had all put up with up until now. Surely the group could come to a consensus.

Spire had stepped out of line one too many times. It was about time he got an intervention, in Drake's opinion.