[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]

[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?!

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[The more he flails, the tighter the hold the staff gets on him.] Don't kick like that, you'll fall! It's just my staff, there's nothing to worry about.

Please stay still, I can't keep this up for very long and I'm afraid it's the only way I can carry you back right now.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

I'm sorry, but it's squeezing me--! [Which is causing him to freak out.]

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

Ah, I'm sorry. Lao Jiu? [The panda's ears twitch and the staff loosens its grip. And then continues in its mission of following Litchi back towards the clinic.]

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

[Emil will stop protesting now-- though he still remains somewhat stiff in the staff's arms, he's at least smart enough to realize that it's in both of their best interests to get to the clinic as quickly as possible.]

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[And she'll have the staff cart him along as carefully as possible, burning down any of the Tease that get too close with her All Green attack. It's a speed run, but they'll make it safely.]