[chiron can't see the fear in lup's reactions, but he can. it's why he lingers for a moment as the leopards growl, ready to pounce once again and seemingly circling around them.
but there isn't really much time to think about that, and as chiron grabs lup he finds himself obeying and jumping higher than one might expect from him onto chiron's back. he keeps his sword drawn, and this close chiron might be able to feel how tense he is while settling.]
Head straight and then turn right when you hear the wind. It'll lead us to a part of the ruins they should run right past if they chase us.
[for a moment, he hesitates.] It's okay. We'll outrun 'em. And I'll stop anything that comes after us. [it's not nearly as optimistic as he'd hope and he's still primed for a fight, but the words are a two-fold kind of sentiment. it's a set of instructions for someone to get them to focus, and it's a dose of reassurance for someone who's frightened. what else can he do?]
[ she doesn't scare easy, not usually. but this is new. it's been a long, long time since she's been vulnerable. she has no magic. she can't blow up whatever is in front of her, and if she dies? if she dies, what happens? she doesn't know.
chiron picks her up, and she instantly tenses, body still. she clutches her sword like a lifeline. she's disoriented, but she doesn't say anything, uncharacteristically. it's fine. she's fine! let's go!
this is really like, not at all how she wanted to hitch a ride on chiron, what the fuck. ]
[... It's both Lup and Sora tensing in close proximity to him that snaps Chiron back to reality.
Ah, he-- he went too far, he thinks with distress that seems to come at him from a distant shoreline, but he can't stop to process his feelings. The other leopards were not subdued and Lup is injured. All he can do now is do as Sora asks of him, his hooves digging into the dirt as he takes off.
Maybe he can't reach the speeds of Achilles, but like this? He is still a blur even when the other leopards give chase, and takes a sharp right when he hears a whistling of wind in his ear.
Just as Sora predicted, the leopards aren't able to follow. But just in case Chiron carries on at a gallop before fatigue begs him to settle himself. By the time he stops, there's nothing chasing them anymore.]
[he wasn't prepared for the burst of speed, so there's a suddenly "ah!" of surprise as he balances to make sure he's not about to fall off, looking behind them as the leopards chase them down. he swipes with his sword just in case, looking ahead at their path as it turns down a narrow passage where the wind echoes around them. the leopards dart ahead, growling and roaring at one another in mourning of their lost prey and fallen brother.
even then, chiron gallops ahead and sora looks ahead by the time they slow down.]
They're gone. [it's a firm update for both of them, but it takes a moment as he leans forward to look at both chiron and lup. if he thinks too long about what just happened, he'll get stuck. he can only move forward and think about this later.] We need to stop the bleeding. Both of you.
she kind of just curls up and hides her face for the time that chiron runs, not paying attention to much else. when he slows, that's when she finally comes back to reality herself, eyes focusing. ]
Oh. Hah. Yeah, I sure am bleeding, aren't I. [ she says, voice wavering slightly. ] ... Are you okay, Archer?
[Rousing himself as if he were in a trance, Chiron lifts his head and stares at nothing.]
Ah, yes. I am alright.
[Bleeding from his forearms, his shoulder again ripped, and now sporting a wound across his chest (he really is going to have to give up on his tunic, isn't he?), but his voice is calm despite the amount of pain his body should be in.
A pause, and then he slowly lowers Lup onto the ground with Sora still on his back]
Both of you will need to guide my hands. I have bandages, wipes, and a few other items from the first aid station, so if the wounds are dire, I can address them here.
[Voice calm, voice calm... almost melodically removed from the situation.]
Are you sure? [the question leaves his mouth before he can think of a better way to ask it, and it's a tone that says he's not sure he fully believes it. but maybe it doesn't matter if he believes it or not. what's important is fixing up their wounds. this isn't the first time he wished his magic was still available to him, but he nods and slips off of chiron's back.]
Your shoulder's pretty bad. So's your chest. [and his arms, but he assumes chiron can feel that.] Lup's arm was bit after it clawed her entire front. [he doesn't even know which one to address first because to him they're both bad.]
[ she is deposited, and the whole world spins. this is not the first time she's been in terrible pain like this, but she still hates it! she's a baby. her hitpoints!!
she squints up at chiron. ]
I wouldn't call any of what's going on with you fine, my dude. [ she says, voice sort of sharper. ] Let's - we can take care of you first. Are you going to flip out at us?
[there she go. sora's the go-between both of them, and he can hear the edge in lup's tone and the slight shut-down in chiron's. admittedly it makes him a little nervous, enough that there's a tiny, uneven laugh that he probably doesn't mean to let out either.]
...bloody? [thank you sora.] The gouges look pretty deep on both of you, but it's hard to tell until we get them cleaned up. I think.
[ chiron's shut down just makes her nervous too. she glances at sora, expression tight, and then back up. ]
Yeah, bloody, what he said. Were you just out in the ruins for funsies, or. I'm going to touch you, don't kick me. [ she says, reaching to help him with his baskets. her shaking hand brushes his. ]
... He doesn't do anything except yank his hand back when he feels her touch him, when Lup asks him not to kick her, like he expects that he might.]
... I am sorry. [Spoken quietly. There isn't any kindness in it, just static shock] But I-- Sora. You--
[will need to take the lead, he almost says, until the pure cowardice of such a thing moves him to shame. No. He will not put that on the boy's shoulders.
His hands reanimate back to the baskets.]
One of you, the third basket has dressings in it already. The second has absorbent wipes. We need to clean the area, cover the wound and then bind it in place before you both return to the village and find Shiro.
[...the problem with sora is that in times like this, he'll at least do as asked. it means chiron will be able to hear his footsteps approach slowly as he moves for the baskets, opening them to grab the appropriate tools to clean and bind. he still doesn't actually know first aid outside of, like, how to put on bandaids so there's still some hesitation there.
but at the same time he frowns heavily, and there's a certain firmness in his tone when he speaks again.]
I think you mean before we return to the village and find Shiro? We're not just gonna leave you out here. [but now he's holding these things and he's looking at lup almost apologetically before he moves to kneel on the ground beside her. bandaging up their -10 hp wizard is probably important while chiron's drifting in his thoughts.] It's too easy to get lost.
[ she quiets, a little. archer sort of... not scares her, but centers her. now is not the time to lose her temper. ]
We're not going anywhere without you. [ she says, staring up at chiron defiantly. ] So shut your dumb mouth and stop trying to get us to go. Be careful about what you're saying, too, because I'm not about the stupid sharp pains that I get whenever I refuse to do what people want me to do.
[ haha rule 10 sucks. anyway, she glances at sora, wrinkling her nose. she's... fine. the world is just spinning, no big deal. ]
[only through willpower does he keep the weariness out of his tone, knowing such a statement will mean to the two of them. It's too much to hope that they will listen of their wills, so he pauses, steadies a breath in his chest despite the pain, and continues]
Clearly I am a danger as I am now. For the sake of everyone, it's best if I keep to myself for a while.
[...]
I will tend to you two as best I can, and if you wish it, see to my own injuries under your guidance.
[it's after that, his tone implies, that he will be leaving]
It would probably be for the best to check your own injuries, yeah. You;re not allowed to ignore them. [but he's frowning even harder in chiron's direction. hope he can hear his disappointment!]
Is that why you're hiding out here? You think people will be in danger? [it's a light question, but he's also going to start trying to open the wipes to offer to lup to clean off her own blood if she's able to.]
[ she takes one when he offers, sitting down heavily so that she can try and clean her arm wound. it's a gross bite. ]
You know that if you try to distance yourself people are going to come out here looking for you. [ she tells chiron, with a sniff. ] I'll just take the horrible stabbing pain, whatever.
Which is why I would make my presence known on occasion, to pacify any who would worry after me.
[A couple of trips once or twice into the village per day. Sadly, he'd considered as many angles as he could, and thinks his methods sufficient.
-- Or he would if Lup and Sora were willing to cooperate, but--]
Never mind my reasons, Sora. I'm only doing what is necessary for the safety of the group. [Code for: I'm not going to willingly talk about my weaknesses today, thank you.
And just-- sighing at Lup, eyes now closed since there's no point in keeping them open. He can surmise from their slight movements that they're doing as he asked, and is why he starts unwinding a few bandages in his hand.]
You are injured worse than I. Please, this is not the time to argue.
[sora is slowly losing his patience, but he's less likely to explode than some of the others in the realm. rather, he continues to frown and seems to be thinking this over.
(why...why does this feel so familiar?)]
Even you know your reasons are stupid. [just. kind of flatly. he's grabbing bandages to help dress lup's wounds once she's done cleaning them, but in a sudden stroke of genius (and perhaps the only bit he'll have all game) he just huffs.]
Help us help you. You can't say no if we're asking you for help. [so THERE.]
[Shot back with a quickness, and something raw enters his tone, unable to keep a hold of his even-temperedness. Irritably, his tail flicks back and forth]
... I have told you time and time again what a danger centaurs are. I was never meant to live this close to humans.
[this is a terrible combination, especially since all three of them are stubborn.]
Well now you do. So all we have to do is adapt and learn to make it work. You don't think there're other dangerous people out there? You've been more of a help to a lot of us than someone who could hurt us.
Well...[that's a fair point, but he shakes his head nevertheless.] That doesn't matter. We want to be around you now and we want to help you in case you "act out of turn again" or whatever.
[a pause.] And anyway, I don't think Lup or I are really good at forcing ourselves to do things we don't want to. Right?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
antaressnipe) wrote2020-10-20 04:37 pm
no subject
but there isn't really much time to think about that, and as chiron grabs lup he finds himself obeying and jumping higher than one might expect from him onto chiron's back. he keeps his sword drawn, and this close chiron might be able to feel how tense he is while settling.]
Head straight and then turn right when you hear the wind. It'll lead us to a part of the ruins they should run right past if they chase us.
[for a moment, he hesitates.] It's okay. We'll outrun 'em. And I'll stop anything that comes after us. [it's not nearly as optimistic as he'd hope and he's still primed for a fight, but the words are a two-fold kind of sentiment. it's a set of instructions for someone to get them to focus, and it's a dose of reassurance for someone who's frightened. what else can he do?]
no subject
chiron picks her up, and she instantly tenses, body still. she clutches her sword like a lifeline. she's disoriented, but she doesn't say anything, uncharacteristically. it's fine. she's fine! let's go!
this is really like, not at all how she wanted to hitch a ride on chiron, what the fuck. ]
no subject
Ah, he-- he went too far, he thinks with distress that seems to come at him from a distant shoreline, but he can't stop to process his feelings. The other leopards were not subdued and Lup is injured. All he can do now is do as Sora asks of him, his hooves digging into the dirt as he takes off.
Maybe he can't reach the speeds of Achilles, but like this? He is still a blur even when the other leopards give chase, and takes a sharp right when he hears a whistling of wind in his ear.
Just as Sora predicted, the leopards aren't able to follow. But just in case Chiron carries on at a gallop before fatigue begs him to settle himself. By the time he stops, there's nothing chasing them anymore.]
no subject
even then, chiron gallops ahead and sora looks ahead by the time they slow down.]
They're gone. [it's a firm update for both of them, but it takes a moment as he leans forward to look at both chiron and lup. if he thinks too long about what just happened, he'll get stuck. he can only move forward and think about this later.] We need to stop the bleeding. Both of you.
no subject
she kind of just curls up and hides her face for the time that chiron runs, not paying attention to much else. when he slows, that's when she finally comes back to reality herself, eyes focusing. ]
Oh. Hah. Yeah, I sure am bleeding, aren't I. [ she says, voice wavering slightly. ] ... Are you okay, Archer?
no subject
[Rousing himself as if he were in a trance, Chiron lifts his head and stares at nothing.]
Ah, yes. I am alright.
[Bleeding from his forearms, his shoulder again ripped, and now sporting a wound across his chest (he really is going to have to give up on his tunic, isn't he?), but his voice is calm despite the amount of pain his body should be in.
A pause, and then he slowly lowers Lup onto the ground with Sora still on his back]
Both of you will need to guide my hands. I have bandages, wipes, and a few other items from the first aid station, so if the wounds are dire, I can address them here.
[Voice calm, voice calm... almost melodically removed from the situation.]
no subject
Your shoulder's pretty bad. So's your chest. [and his arms, but he assumes chiron can feel that.] Lup's arm was bit after it clawed her entire front. [he doesn't even know which one to address first because to him they're both bad.]
no subject
she squints up at chiron. ]
I wouldn't call any of what's going on with you fine, my dude. [ she says, voice sort of sharper. ] Let's - we can take care of you first. Are you going to flip out at us?
no subject
[Voice still calm, but with a robotic sliver added to it now. Despite how much that last phrase should sting him, it's like he's hardly listening]
How is the bleeding? I realize the ground is not ideal due to the risk of infection.
[Disinfect the wound first, he recites to himself, expression a blank sheet as his hands grasp for his baskets. Don't think, just do what you must.
Everything else can come later]
no subject
...bloody? [thank you sora.] The gouges look pretty deep on both of you, but it's hard to tell until we get them cleaned up. I think.
no subject
Yeah, bloody, what he said. Were you just out in the ruins for funsies, or. I'm going to touch you, don't kick me. [ she says, reaching to help him with his baskets. her shaking hand brushes his. ]
no subject
... He doesn't do anything except yank his hand back when he feels her touch him, when Lup asks him not to kick her, like he expects that he might.]
... I am sorry. [Spoken quietly. There isn't any kindness in it, just static shock] But I-- Sora. You--
[will need to take the lead, he almost says, until the pure cowardice of such a thing moves him to shame. No. He will not put that on the boy's shoulders.
His hands reanimate back to the baskets.]
One of you, the third basket has dressings in it already. The second has absorbent wipes. We need to clean the area, cover the wound and then bind it in place before you both return to the village and find Shiro.
[Away from him.]
no subject
but at the same time he frowns heavily, and there's a certain firmness in his tone when he speaks again.]
I think you mean before we return to the village and find Shiro? We're not just gonna leave you out here. [but now he's holding these things and he's looking at lup almost apologetically before he moves to kneel on the ground beside her. bandaging up their -10 hp wizard is probably important while chiron's drifting in his thoughts.] It's too easy to get lost.
no subject
We're not going anywhere without you. [ she says, staring up at chiron defiantly. ] So shut your dumb mouth and stop trying to get us to go. Be careful about what you're saying, too, because I'm not about the stupid sharp pains that I get whenever I refuse to do what people want me to do.
[ haha rule 10 sucks. anyway, she glances at sora, wrinkling her nose. she's... fine. the world is just spinning, no big deal. ]
no subject
[only through willpower does he keep the weariness out of his tone, knowing such a statement will mean to the two of them. It's too much to hope that they will listen of their wills, so he pauses, steadies a breath in his chest despite the pain, and continues]
Clearly I am a danger as I am now. For the sake of everyone, it's best if I keep to myself for a while.
[...]
I will tend to you two as best I can, and if you wish it, see to my own injuries under your guidance.
[it's after that, his tone implies, that he will be leaving]
no subject
Is that why you're hiding out here? You think people will be in danger? [it's a light question, but he's also going to start trying to open the wipes to offer to lup to clean off her own blood if she's able to.]
no subject
You know that if you try to distance yourself people are going to come out here looking for you. [ she tells chiron, with a sniff. ] I'll just take the horrible stabbing pain, whatever.
[ she's not going anywhere! ]
no subject
[A couple of trips once or twice into the village per day. Sadly, he'd considered as many angles as he could, and thinks his methods sufficient.
-- Or he would if Lup and Sora were willing to cooperate, but--]
Never mind my reasons, Sora. I'm only doing what is necessary for the safety of the group. [Code for: I'm not going to willingly talk about my weaknesses today, thank you.
And just-- sighing at Lup, eyes now closed since there's no point in keeping them open. He can surmise from their slight movements that they're doing as he asked, and is why he starts unwinding a few bandages in his hand.]
You are injured worse than I. Please, this is not the time to argue.
no subject
(why...why does this feel so familiar?)]
Even you know your reasons are stupid. [just. kind of flatly. he's grabbing bandages to help dress lup's wounds once she's done cleaning them, but in a sudden stroke of genius (and perhaps the only bit he'll have all game) he just huffs.]
Help us help you. You can't say no if we're asking you for help. [so THERE.]
no subject
[ and then - she gestures at sora, because he's got the right idea. not that chiron can see it. ]
I'm not going to let you bandage me until you promise.
no subject
[Shot back with a quickness, and something raw enters his tone, unable to keep a hold of his even-temperedness. Irritably, his tail flicks back and forth]
... I have told you time and time again what a danger centaurs are. I was never meant to live this close to humans.
no subject
Well now you do. So all we have to do is adapt and learn to make it work. You don't think there're other dangerous people out there? You've been more of a help to a lot of us than someone who could hurt us.
no subject
You're not allowed to go live with the elephants, end of story.
no subject
[He already knows the answer. It's why he asks it, brows knitted]
Neither of you wanted to be around me then. I do not particularly care to force myself into your company knowing I might act out of turn again.
no subject
[a pause.] And anyway, I don't think Lup or I are really good at forcing ourselves to do things we don't want to. Right?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)