[Voice/Action] (Backdated to yesterday after Yuber's post)

[knightofratatosk]

[Anyone in the grocery store will be treated to a battered, bloodied Emil (la la ongoing thread, oops) stumbling inside and slamming the door shut behind him, leaning back against it in a desperate hope that Yuber will think twice about following him into a building where other people might be taking refuge. When several moments pass and there is no attempt to open the door, Emil slides down it into a sitting position on the floor and takes a few deep breaths. He's clearly in bad shape; multiple wounds are bleeding heavily, and he bears the marks of several fire and lightning spells as well.

At last he stirs and reaches over for his journal, which he dropped on the floor in his haste. His voice is shaky and strained as he says one thing:]

I think... I think I need some help.

Comments

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

[He winces as she begins cleaning up the wounds. It's painful, but it's a lot less painful than receiving them was in the first place.]

But people are getting hurt or even killed because of him! I couldn't just sit around and do nothing!

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

But you can't take him on alone, either. It's far too dangerous.

[Applying ointment and bandages now.] It's very noble of you to try to protect everyone, but you need to recognize your own limits as well.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

He's right, I really am useless...

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[That'll take the wind out of her sails. Litchi sighs, tying off the bandage she was working on and gently putting a hand on his shoulder.]

I never said that. You've been a great help to the village already, just from helping to defend the clinic the other day. [She gives him a reassuring smile despite feeling terribly guilty for making him feel bad in the first place.] In fact, I've been meaning to thank you for that.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

But you were the one who did most of the fighting. I couldn't even take care of the bigger trees without your help.

[He scrubs at his eyes in an attempt to keep the tears from escaping. How embarrassing, to fall apart in from of someone he barely knew, but the events of the past couple of weeks have just been so frustrating for him.]

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[Oh, Emil. Keep this up and you're gonna get hugged. As it is, she just gives his shoulder a soft squeeze of reassurance.] You still helped. Believe me, I couldn't have kept up at it just by myself for much longer.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

[He likes hugs and is rather affection-starved; he would not complain one bit.]

... you really mean that? I didn't just get in the way?

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[Here's the hug, then! She's very careful not to bump into any of the injuries. ♥]

Of course you didn't get in the way. I needed every ounce of help I could get.

Thank you for being there.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

[He may be leaning just the tiniest bit, but that's only because he's tired. Really.]

Thanks for not chasing me away or telling me to go inside.

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[She gives him a soft, reassuring pat on the back. Big sister mode is in full swing.]

I have to admit, I was worried about you. [Sheepish chuckle.] ...But believe me, I was worried about everyone.

[And, let's face it, she still is. One thing right after the other.]

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

I don't understand why so many things are happening at once. It was never like this before, not even during the worst experiments...

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

I don't quite understand it either, but that doesn't mean we won't make it through this. Everything will be alright.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

But what if even more people end up getting hurt before it's all over?

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[Soft smile.] Then I'll be here to patch them right back up.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

... thank you.

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

It's no trouble at all. I'm happy to be able to help.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

[Don't mind him trying to stand up now, then, which is probably not a very good idea.]

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

Not so fast now! [And she's up as well, carefully looping an arm around his shoulders for support.]

I don't want those wounds reopening. You should come back to the clinic so we can keep an eye on you.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

Oww... okay, maybe that wasn't such a good idea...

[He leans gratefully into the support, shutting his eyes and taking a few deep breaths to ward off the pain.]

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

Just take it easy. I'm here to help, remember?

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

Doctor McCoy is gonna kill me...

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[Soft chuckle.] It's only because he cares.

Now come on, let's get you to the clinic.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

Okay.

[But he only manages a few shaky steps before he gets too dizzy to keep walking.]

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[Oh, dear. Litchi tries to steady him to keep him from falling, thinking fast to figure out how to handle this. She certainly can't carry him herself, but she does still have a solution.

With a poof, her bo staff - previously leaned against the wall - turns into a slightly goofy-looking, man-sized doll. It's going to take a huge amount of magic and energy to hold it in this form long enough to get him back to the clinic, but she's bound and determined.

Don't mind the weird staff-doll scooping you up gently now, Emil.] We should really hurry... I know this is a little strange, but we'll get you there safely.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

[Even though he knows this thing is Litchi's - even though he SAW her transform it - he can't keep himself from jerking in surprise and thrashing around a bit as it picks him up. He's not sure he likes the idea of being carried by this... whatever-it-is.]

H-hey, what is this thing?!