if he's going to get his hand back, he'll adjust his cloak so that it falls over his robes again, his appearance looking immaculate. he begins to walk toward the inn with graceful steps, posture perfect and giving away no hint of his injury same as before]
No... Nothing of the sort. It was distinctly more magical. We were transported into a separate corridor in the 'space' area - and then divided. Xie Lian and I underwent emotionally difficult situations with our consciousnesses transferred into monsters that Ochako and Archer had to fight - not that either of us realized at the time.
We were defeated, and they revived us with a serum. The serum made us murderous and the only way to stop the situation was to kill us.
[his voice, while not distinctly happy anymore, doesn't sound emotionally charged either. he has to go wash his hands now.]
And so I died. [a beat] Twice.
Keep this knowledge to yourself.
[he's not interested in anyone worrying after him]
[ twice. she's... going to follow him. and she's quiet, for just a moment, putting herself together. she's worried. it's... weird, to feel so worried.
a flash of annoyance crosses her face at being told to keep it to herself, but she doesn't say anything. instead, she comes up next to him, resting her hand on his back.
if he lets her, she'll keep it there as she keeps pace with him. ]
Thanks for not making me play twenty questions. [ she says, finally. ]
It's good to know what happened in case something similar might happen to others - I don't know how much I'll be able to move around today, but if you can spread the idea that we should be prepared at any time, I'd appreciate it.
[but he will be going to the inn to take care of himself. he won't make her move her hand - she'll notice the longer she stays by him that he does feel tense, like he's exerting considerable effort to keep up this image.
[ she's frowning, but - it's something. and she's not going to stop him from taking a second to - scream, or cry, or do whatever he needs to do, she gets it. ]
Sure. [ she says, and then very gently she brings a hand up to tuck his hair behind his ear. ] You don't need to smile if you don't want to, you know.
[ and then she heads off to go get that hot water. she'll meet him at his room, fidgety and solemn. ]
[ah. he looks mildly confused at that - but he'll go along with it. he'll meet her at his room, hands clean and outward appearance betraying nothing of what he just went through. there's no evidence of so much as being upset on his face
he'll take the bowl and towel from her]
... I'd suggest you wait outside out of propriety, but I feel as though you'll be cross with me...
I grew up with a twin brother, buddy. You don't have anything I haven't seen a thousand times. [ she says, flatly. ] Propriety can kiss both of these cheeks.
[but he'll move to unlock the door then. alyssa is probably out doing science nerd things. there's like, still a moment of hesitation for the record. he really hates this. but he'll nonetheless see to his own well-being first because he's not a martyr, actually.
he'll remove his cloak again to somewhere that it won't get blood on it, and then set to undo his robes so that they fall off his shoulders and pool around his waist. despite being twink-passing(tm) he's honestly surprisingly toned, and has the occasional old scar here and there.
wordlessly he's going to set to clean his own injury. lup is only allowed to be here because he wonders if she'd believe that he took care of it if she didn't see it with her own eyes]
[ she sits on one of the pod beds, putting the hot water close to him.
she'd offer to help him clean it, but one, she thinks he might actually die for a third time, and two, she - really does not know how to clean a wound? she's a wizard not a cleric. or a doctor in any way.
his question gets her to just deadeye at him. ]
Okay - listen. [ she says, exasperated. ] You tell me what we're going to do, here. Because what I want to do is make sure you're, like, okay? Mentally. Physically too, but mostly mentally. You died twice. I am like, an expert in what that does to a person.
If you'd rather goof ass and have me distract you instead, that's fine, I can do that? But the looking out for each other thing goes two ways.
[ . . . . . there's a soft laugh that leaves him at that.]
I do appreciate your honesty.
[and that sounds sincere. but even as he cleans his injury, wiping away the blood, inspecting it - it's a stab wound over his heart. it looks as though it's not deep anymore, no longer piercing the organ itself, but it seems like a blade had been stuck into him and then yanked out messily.]
I admire people who get to be immortal, or who get to believe that they are never going to die - or that it will be a very, very long time in their future.
[he looks up at her]
I do not get to believe in that, I'm afraid. I've always known that I'm going to die, and soon - whether by blade, hatred, or otherwise. Perhaps...
Even if I find it frustrating for I would always like to live - some part of me believes it was inevitable.
[ she really hates the sight of that stab wound. her hands flex in her lap. ]
It is inevitable. [ she says, watching him. ] I won't lie to you, death is scary. It's scary every time.
[ her jaw works. ] I can - uh, I can only sort of relate to that. I'll always come back. It's not final, for me. [ ... ] That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. And it doesn't mean I don't, I don't know how final it feels.
[ something about that sticks, though, and she tilts her head. ] ... What do you mean by soon? Like, here? Or.
Maybe these times didn't stick, but... it will, eventually. My life will be over, and I do not expect it to come peacefully.
[but he'll finish up cleaning up his stab wound - it seems like he's staunched the bleeding a while ago, probably why his hand was bloody. always thinking, always planning, that soo-won.]
... whether it be here or elsewhere.
[but he doesn't seem to elaborate - instead he's going to get up to the closet to retrieve a spare shirt he'd borrowed from the emporium, and -
uhh, a knife.]
Be cross with me tomorrow, alright?
[because he's going to start cutting the shirt so that he can create strips for makeshift bandages]
[ oh, hello knife. she's too distracted by what he says to really get all that upset about the shirt. ]
No, uh - you go ahead and shred that shirt, buddy, it deserves it. [ she says, a bit quiet. she doesn't know what to say, how to... reassure? sincere words are not always her forte. actions tend to be more her thing, and so she shifts forward, expression furrowed. ] Do you need help wrapping it up?
[ . . . there's just a bit of a brief, amused laugh.]
I committed a crime against your kitchen and I'm still your buddy....
[and - that manages to bring a little bit of light to his eyes, as if that alone managed to pull him from his thoughts. he shakes his head as he moves to sit on the bed.]
I've dressed my injuries before - but thank you, for the offer. [a beat] Or would it help you to give me a hand?
[he's a little thrown off by the worry - normally he'd be able to pick up on what would make her feel better automatically but... he is a little used to fending for himself]
As fun as it is to get a bunch of attention lavished on me and my mental state, I'm actually more concerned about your comfort. [ she says, flatly. ] If I give you a hand, are you going to faint because a girl is touching you, or am I allowed to do this much.
[there's a laugh at that, considerably more sincere as he'll shift so that it's easiest for her to help with the bandages, holding onto the first strip against his chest to make it taut]
I am, Lup.
[ . . . ]
Whatever time I get to have with you, however it looks -
[ she's not like, the best at dressing wounds, but she'll try. she's had to wrap her hands after fire incidents in the past, and that's about the extent of her knowledge.
and as she does, she mutters something that sounds like happy to have it too like she doesn't want him to hear it. ]
[ . . . he'll gently guide her, his hands moving to make the bandages tighter in some places, looser in others. and he'll help finish it off, tucking the bandages neatly himself before reaching to put his robes back on properly.
and then he'll reach to tuck her hair behind her ear, giving her a smile, soft and touched by her concern]
I'll still be going out, I'm afraid. If I were to cancel my intent, it would likely reveal that my wound is more grievous than I'd like - which would in its own way place a target on my back.
[but he trusts lup won't tell anyone the extent of it]
I'm rather sure I don't need to tell you both to take care of each other.
no subject
if he's going to get his hand back, he'll adjust his cloak so that it falls over his robes again, his appearance looking immaculate. he begins to walk toward the inn with graceful steps, posture perfect and giving away no hint of his injury same as before]
No... Nothing of the sort. It was distinctly more magical. We were transported into a separate corridor in the 'space' area - and then divided. Xie Lian and I underwent emotionally difficult situations with our consciousnesses transferred into monsters that Ochako and Archer had to fight - not that either of us realized at the time.
We were defeated, and they revived us with a serum. The serum made us murderous and the only way to stop the situation was to kill us.
[his voice, while not distinctly happy anymore, doesn't sound emotionally charged either. he has to go wash his hands now.]
And so I died. [a beat] Twice.
Keep this knowledge to yourself.
[he's not interested in anyone worrying after him]
no subject
a flash of annoyance crosses her face at being told to keep it to herself, but she doesn't say anything. instead, she comes up next to him, resting her hand on his back.
if he lets her, she'll keep it there as she keeps pace with him. ]
Thanks for not making me play twenty questions. [ she says, finally. ]
no subject
[but he will be going to the inn to take care of himself. he won't make her move her hand - she'll notice the longer she stays by him that he does feel tense, like he's exerting considerable effort to keep up this image.
but it sure doesn't look like it]
But you're welcome.
no subject
[ ... it doesn't sit right, though. ]
Soo-Won. [ using his name - please listen. ] Let me help.
no subject
A bowl of hot water and a towel, and meet me at my room, please? I'll go wash my hands, but I need something to clean the wound before I wrap it.
[that's
something, right]
no subject
Sure. [ she says, and then very gently she brings a hand up to tuck his hair behind his ear. ] You don't need to smile if you don't want to, you know.
[ and then she heads off to go get that hot water. she'll meet him at his room, fidgety and solemn. ]
no subject
he'll take the bowl and towel from her]
... I'd suggest you wait outside out of propriety, but I feel as though you'll be cross with me...
Still, I want to offer...
[he
already looks embarrassed]
no subject
I grew up with a twin brother, buddy. You don't have anything I haven't seen a thousand times. [ she says, flatly. ] Propriety can kiss both of these cheeks.
no subject
he looks slightly fussed but nonetheless - ]
Alright, if you insist...
[but he'll move to unlock the door then. alyssa is probably out doing science nerd things. there's like, still a moment of hesitation for the record. he really hates this. but he'll nonetheless see to his own well-being first because he's not a martyr, actually.
he'll remove his cloak again to somewhere that it won't get blood on it, and then set to undo his robes so that they fall off his shoulders and pool around his waist. despite being twink-passing(tm) he's honestly surprisingly toned, and has the occasional old scar here and there.
wordlessly he's going to set to clean his own injury. lup is only allowed to be here because he wonders if she'd believe that he took care of it if she didn't see it with her own eyes]
So how was your day?
[SOO-WON]
no subject
she'd offer to help him clean it, but one, she thinks he might actually die for a third time, and two, she - really does not know how to clean a wound? she's a wizard not a cleric. or a doctor in any way.
his question gets her to just deadeye at him. ]
Okay - listen. [ she says, exasperated. ] You tell me what we're going to do, here. Because what I want to do is make sure you're, like, okay? Mentally. Physically too, but mostly mentally. You died twice. I am like, an expert in what that does to a person.
If you'd rather goof ass and have me distract you instead, that's fine, I can do that? But the looking out for each other thing goes two ways.
no subject
I do appreciate your honesty.
[and that sounds sincere. but even as he cleans his injury, wiping away the blood, inspecting it - it's a stab wound over his heart. it looks as though it's not deep anymore, no longer piercing the organ itself, but it seems like a blade had been stuck into him and then yanked out messily.]
I admire people who get to be immortal, or who get to believe that they are never going to die - or that it will be a very, very long time in their future.
[he looks up at her]
I do not get to believe in that, I'm afraid. I've always known that I'm going to die, and soon - whether by blade, hatred, or otherwise. Perhaps...
Even if I find it frustrating for I would always like to live - some part of me believes it was inevitable.
no subject
It is inevitable. [ she says, watching him. ] I won't lie to you, death is scary. It's scary every time.
[ her jaw works. ] I can - uh, I can only sort of relate to that. I'll always come back. It's not final, for me. [ ... ] That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. And it doesn't mean I don't, I don't know how final it feels.
[ something about that sticks, though, and she tilts her head. ] ... What do you mean by soon? Like, here? Or.
no subject
[and there is a moment where he falls quiet - ]
Maybe these times didn't stick, but... it will, eventually. My life will be over, and I do not expect it to come peacefully.
[but he'll finish up cleaning up his stab wound - it seems like he's staunched the bleeding a while ago, probably why his hand was bloody. always thinking, always planning, that soo-won.]
... whether it be here or elsewhere.
[but he doesn't seem to elaborate - instead he's going to get up to the closet to retrieve a spare shirt he'd borrowed from the emporium, and -
uhh, a knife.]
Be cross with me tomorrow, alright?
[because he's going to start cutting the shirt so that he can create strips for makeshift bandages]
no subject
No, uh - you go ahead and shred that shirt, buddy, it deserves it. [ she says, a bit quiet. she doesn't know what to say, how to... reassure? sincere words are not always her forte. actions tend to be more her thing, and so she shifts forward, expression furrowed. ] Do you need help wrapping it up?
no subject
I committed a crime against your kitchen and I'm still your buddy....
[and - that manages to bring a little bit of light to his eyes, as if that alone managed to pull him from his thoughts. he shakes his head as he moves to sit on the bed.]
I've dressed my injuries before - but thank you, for the offer. [a beat] Or would it help you to give me a hand?
[he's a little thrown off by the worry - normally he'd be able to pick up on what would make her feel better automatically but... he is a little used to fending for himself]
no subject
As fun as it is to get a bunch of attention lavished on me and my mental state, I'm actually more concerned about your comfort. [ she says, flatly. ] If I give you a hand, are you going to faint because a girl is touching you, or am I allowed to do this much.
no subject
.... while it's a bit embarrassing, I'll take the assistance so that you don't get mad at me later....
[even if he's
again looking a little embarrassed
soo-won your emotional repression]
no subject
she'll take the bandages, though. ] Just - take my damn offer as the friendship extension that it's meant to be! Fuck!
[ she sounds - remarkably like taako, with that one ]
no subject
I am, Lup.
[ . . . ]
Whatever time I get to have with you, however it looks -
I'm happy to have it.
no subject
and as she does, she mutters something that sounds like happy to have it too like she doesn't want him to hear it. ]
no subject
and then he'll reach to tuck her hair behind her ear, giving her a smile, soft and touched by her concern]
Thank you, Lup.
no subject
Yes, yes, you're welcome, I know I did great. [ she did not and she knows it ] Do me a favor and take it easy tonight.
I'm going to be in my room with Taako.
no subject
I'll still be going out, I'm afraid. If I were to cancel my intent, it would likely reveal that my wound is more grievous than I'd like - which would in its own way place a target on my back.
[but he trusts lup won't tell anyone the extent of it]
I'm rather sure I don't need to tell you both to take care of each other.
no subject
[ this is funnier now because she doesn't know he's all fucked up ]
And we will, though I'm like, hoping the doors just don't lock. Wouldn't that be buckwild.
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[haha!]
But - oh. I thought I should tell you. Apparently Blanca is my bodyguard.
[what do you mean "apparently"]
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