[Sadrain]

December 14th, Chicago. Base. Hospital.

"It's awfully quiet here, isn't it," Aiolia commented, a little absentminded. "Maybe next time I will bring you some music records. I wonder what kind of music do you like, Alice?" The woman tilted head to the side, deep blue eyes meeting pale ones. At that moment, Ryan walked in, and nearly literally froze in the mid-step. His eyes first stopped at Aiolia, then at Alice and finally to flowers, and man's expression was somewhere between surprise and displeasure. Aiolia chuckled softly at such reaction. He indeed was ready to fiercely defend his position now. If Amante and Ryan found a common base, such as needing to find Alice, after they stopped blaming each other, they would make a formidable team.

"I need to have a word with you, Ryan," she said, the light amusement fading from her voice and heart. "Sure?" Man's brows furrowed further and he walked out of the room. Aiolia quietly shut the door behind her and then faced Ryan. It was too bad, really, she had to be the bad new bearer for second time this day.
"Without operation, special medicine and year long rehabilitation, Alice will never be able to walk, unless miracle happens." She said this as quickly as possible, and then swiftly continued. "Luckily, we can provide all this."

Ryan's face went blank, and white as sheet. "What? Why?" His voice was quiet and still, as if the information had not fully reached his brain yet.
"Achilles tendons in her legs are cut. She can't support her weight or walk."
"I don't know what the hell is that or what it does, but why would someone do that and how can it be fixed?!" The anger was building up now, quickly, a bit more and he would see red.
"I don't know any of that, just that it can and will be fixed. You don't have to threaten Elek for that," Aiolia grabbed the man's sleeve, as he was already turning around, ready to march into a new discussion.
"I will find those fuckers and..."
"You weren't any help with that, though, but maybe Alice..."

A rather explicit threat series followed, Aiolia's words drowning in it. After few minutes, Ryan quieted, though. He ran hand trough hair, then glared at Aiolia.
"Fine. Fine. I will try to find something out. I will pay you, or whatever. Just help her! And leave us alone for now!"
Pushing past the woman, he entered the room again, resisting urge to slam the doors. Heavily, Ryan sat down on her beside, taking Alice's hand and then spontaneously pulled her closer - into a hug. He said nothing, just held her so for some minutes. Inwardly, he was struggling with wish to cry and need to punch someone, comfort Alice and never let her go.

Aiolia watched for brief moment trough the window, then sighed and headed back to Elek's place. There was lot of debriefing to do.