Kotetsu T. Kaburagi ○ Wild Tiger (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
wildkotetsu) wrote2012-05-08 06:24 pm
wildkotetsu) wrote2012-05-08 06:24 pm
9 • Heroes • [Action]
[Kotetsu's been unconscious, comatose, for three days now.
He tries to wake up on the last day, a few times. Feels himself rising up to the red-orange light under his eyelids - but it's a struggle, one that leaves him spent. And then, without a moment's notice, his eyes open wide to stare at the ceiling. Awake.
He remembers. He remembers exactly what happened. Bunny had been stabbed — and he was dying, had died. He'd died, with a blade through his chest... and Pao-Lin had done it. He rips the catheter out, all the wires, the device pumping oxygen into his nose, and drags himself up on quivering legs. Thank god they at least put pants on him, though they'd prefer that: he's burnt and he's been stabbed, near fatally. Even now with healing put in place, he's bound up tight.
How long has he been out? It couldn't have been that long. If he had enough sense, he'd feel the short stubble on his face and recognize it's been far more than 24 hours. But right now, common sense - what little he enjoyed using - was thrown right out the window. He staggers, knocks over a chair (had someone been around?), and all he can picture is the look of disdain on Pao-Lin's face and the look of shock on Bunny's.
He has to go.
He's gotta get outta here. He has to find them. If he stays, the people here will keep him still and not let him go, and he doesn't want that. So gathering up all of his strength in the pit of his stomach, ignoring the low ache in his shoulders and ribs, he instantly glows blue before fleeing from the clinic through an open window. He's a flash of neon color through the forest and village as he returns to the apartments.
He looks in Bunny's room first, slams it open with his shoulder, and the wind is knocked out of him on sight.
Everything's gone.
Everything's gone.
He doesn't realize he spends the next twenty minutes sitting in the middle of the empty room. When he finally does, he swallows hoarsely and uses his NEXT power to keep himself moving.
Pao-lin, he has to find her.
Somehow, he already assumes she's dead. After jumping through the window to the seventh story of her complex, he easily forces the door to her apartment open. The stillness of her room, untouched, tells him nothing's right. He wants to assume it's just her hiding, after all that's happened. But she's gone away. He tries to leave her messages on the journal and there are no replies back. No sign of her. Nothing. He'll be looking around CH7, asking if anyone knows where Pao-lin is.
The bandages and New-Feather-esque hospital clothes may raise some confusion. And the glowing, too, maybe.
Walking through the forest, his powers clocked in, he gives up and quietly curls up under a tree, burying his face in his knees, exhausted. He's sick and hot and in pain, and more than likely he's reopened his injury, but he's hardly aware of any of it. None of that matters, because he's failed. Barnaby's gone, and it's his fault he was killed like that. It's his fault he wasn't strong enough for him or Pao-Lin. His partner went home, and the last thing he saw in Luceti was Kotetsu as he bled out.
Dammit.
A few sharp, strangled yells are muffled by his hands but echo, regardless, into the treetops, scaring off stray birds. Eventually, they break down into sobs that shake his whole body. At this point, he's not budging, even as it starts to trickle rain through the canopy.
Eventually as the sun starts setting, he'll be directed back to the clinic without much struggle, staying at last to heal and get fixes for the burns and injuries he has. Honestly, he just wants to leave. He's not hungry - most of his food's not touched, he's not much for conversation, and he'd rather vanish into the covers than anything else right now.
But he'll try to be himself. Attempt to smile and talk, if spoken to.
He just wishes he could leave and find a way to get his mind off it all. Frankly, this is all a countdown so that he can hide in his own apartment like he intended.]
((ooc: feel free to run into him out in the woods after he's given up his search, or talk to him as he's looking for pao-lin. also, at the clinic after he agrees to finally go back. if you got any other places you'd wanna pop up, lemme know. he's pretty out of it, pre-clinic return.
most of this takes place on may 8th, but the last little bit can happen any time in the next 7 days or so. :|b
also timeline breaking is a-ok, just be subtle about it later or something))
He tries to wake up on the last day, a few times. Feels himself rising up to the red-orange light under his eyelids - but it's a struggle, one that leaves him spent. And then, without a moment's notice, his eyes open wide to stare at the ceiling. Awake.
He remembers. He remembers exactly what happened. Bunny had been stabbed — and he was dying, had died. He'd died, with a blade through his chest... and Pao-Lin had done it. He rips the catheter out, all the wires, the device pumping oxygen into his nose, and drags himself up on quivering legs. Thank god they at least put pants on him, though they'd prefer that: he's burnt and he's been stabbed, near fatally. Even now with healing put in place, he's bound up tight.
How long has he been out? It couldn't have been that long. If he had enough sense, he'd feel the short stubble on his face and recognize it's been far more than 24 hours. But right now, common sense - what little he enjoyed using - was thrown right out the window. He staggers, knocks over a chair (had someone been around?), and all he can picture is the look of disdain on Pao-Lin's face and the look of shock on Bunny's.
He has to go.
He's gotta get outta here. He has to find them. If he stays, the people here will keep him still and not let him go, and he doesn't want that. So gathering up all of his strength in the pit of his stomach, ignoring the low ache in his shoulders and ribs, he instantly glows blue before fleeing from the clinic through an open window. He's a flash of neon color through the forest and village as he returns to the apartments.
He looks in Bunny's room first, slams it open with his shoulder, and the wind is knocked out of him on sight.
Everything's gone.
Everything's gone.
He doesn't realize he spends the next twenty minutes sitting in the middle of the empty room. When he finally does, he swallows hoarsely and uses his NEXT power to keep himself moving.
Pao-lin, he has to find her.
Somehow, he already assumes she's dead. After jumping through the window to the seventh story of her complex, he easily forces the door to her apartment open. The stillness of her room, untouched, tells him nothing's right. He wants to assume it's just her hiding, after all that's happened. But she's gone away. He tries to leave her messages on the journal and there are no replies back. No sign of her. Nothing. He'll be looking around CH7, asking if anyone knows where Pao-lin is.
The bandages and New-Feather-esque hospital clothes may raise some confusion. And the glowing, too, maybe.
Walking through the forest, his powers clocked in, he gives up and quietly curls up under a tree, burying his face in his knees, exhausted. He's sick and hot and in pain, and more than likely he's reopened his injury, but he's hardly aware of any of it. None of that matters, because he's failed. Barnaby's gone, and it's his fault he was killed like that. It's his fault he wasn't strong enough for him or Pao-Lin. His partner went home, and the last thing he saw in Luceti was Kotetsu as he bled out.
Dammit.
A few sharp, strangled yells are muffled by his hands but echo, regardless, into the treetops, scaring off stray birds. Eventually, they break down into sobs that shake his whole body. At this point, he's not budging, even as it starts to trickle rain through the canopy.
Eventually as the sun starts setting, he'll be directed back to the clinic without much struggle, staying at last to heal and get fixes for the burns and injuries he has. Honestly, he just wants to leave. He's not hungry - most of his food's not touched, he's not much for conversation, and he'd rather vanish into the covers than anything else right now.
But he'll try to be himself. Attempt to smile and talk, if spoken to.
He just wishes he could leave and find a way to get his mind off it all. Frankly, this is all a countdown so that he can hide in his own apartment like he intended.]
((ooc: feel free to run into him out in the woods after he's given up his search, or talk to him as he's looking for pao-lin. also, at the clinic after he agrees to finally go back. if you got any other places you'd wanna pop up, lemme know. he's pretty out of it, pre-clinic return.
most of this takes place on may 8th, but the last little bit can happen any time in the next 7 days or so. :|b
also timeline breaking is a-ok, just be subtle about it later or something))
[Action/Forest]
That jacket works both ways; Kotetsu is spared the momentary horror in Sanji's expression, the one he's too shocked to hide. He's been in Luceti a long time and--
... So that's what Kotetsu's left with. Two Heroes dead. One gone. The weight of failure his own companion.
Eventually he sits down, a bit closer than originally planned, with his arms settled on the tops of his knees. The fingers of his right hand twitch and twist, longing for a joint to roll anxiously roll around]
... I'm sorry. [Of course he's sorry; everyone's sorry. But he can think of nothing else to say, nothing that will make Kotetsu feel better - because there is nothing. So Sanji says what eases some of the silence]
[Action/Forest]
It's my fault. [it's low, on his breath] I wasn't—
[good enough? strong enough? smart enough?
He could have figured out a better plan, or dodged faster, or fuck, even running could have done something. He was just... Dammit, he was too confident that he could reach her, but Pao-Lin was scared and changed and not herself. What was he thinking? He wants to sit and shake and let it all fuel something angry - but being angry takes so much energy, and it only leaves him more trampled and low.]
I watched him—
[bleed out, laying on him, neither unable to move. All they could do was watch the other's body failing... only one of them actually made it to the clinic. His hands move to his face, as he slides his fingers through his bangs and clasps, squeezing his eyes shut tight.
He keeps himself from crying again, but it hardly stops the strangled noise of ache that follows. He feels like he's going to be sick, and it's a good thing he hasn't eaten anything in days, he thinks. He's hollowed out.]
[Action/Forest]
But Kotetsu wouldn't listen and Sanji has learned from past mistakes. Regardless of how true the words are, how much he wants his friend to believe it, that's not something he'll say to a grieving man -- especially after his last halted sentence. Once again, Sanji stills uncomfortably and feels his brows and mouth tense from frowning, not knowing what to do.
Shit. It's not fair. Kotetsu doesn't deserve this much pain.]
Kotetsu. [He gets as far as the name before words make themselves scarce. And then there is another pause, during which Sanji turns and stares unabashedly at the man who is trying not to cry. Another second passes, and then he finally turns his gaze back to the forest -- but not before scooting closer again. They're almost shoulder to shoulder.] Don't hate yourself.
[He... probably won't listen to that either]
[Action/Forest]
What else can I do?
[Action/Forest]
Pao-Lin-chan will be back in a few days. [He stares Kotetsu in the eye] You're not gonna be able to help her if you're too busy hating yourself for shit out of your control.
[Action/Forest]
He swallows hard, still quivering in the rain, cold but unaware that he's cold.]
... You found us, right? [He stares at nothing, really, as he talks.] I could hear bits and pieces... in the clinic. I was trying to wake up, but...
[a breath]
'Kept hearing my voice and wondered why I was talking.
[Action/Forest]
He sighs, head tilting back a little, and catches sight of Kotetsu's shiver. Immediately the air around them warms - while they're certainly huddled under a tree in a rain storm, they're also in Eferin's domain, and the last thing Sanji will allow is Kotetsu catching a cold on top of everything else.]
... We almost lost you. [His voice is soft and direct]
[Action/Forest]
He wants to ask about their bodies. The three of them, where had they gone? But he knows that Barnaby's has faded out entirely, gone from Luceti. And the other two... he's scared to know.]
... M'sorry. It must've been a pretty bad sight.
[He felt dead back then. He was really surprised to find his tenacity toward life held out.]
I guess it's like they said... Endurance is my strong point.
[He laughs a little, faint and humorless, but he regrets it because it's ultimately a jaded noise that paints a clear picture: there's nothing funny about any of it at all. His amber eyes glance around the floor in front of him like he'd just realized this was all real as he pulls the jacket around his arms a little more, swallowing a lump in his throat.]
...
Thanks for keeping me alive.
[Action/Forest]
Of course he doesn't say this out loud, when his dry humor is best suited for another day. But he supposes there's no escaping it, now. The two of them just seem to have that type of relationship -- so predictable, it can't be called ironic anymore.]
Don't thank me yet. [Bringing himself out of his slouch, Sanji begins to stand] I gotta get you back to the clinic first.
[Action/Forest]
Of course, he knows how ridiculous that sounds... but still.]
Right now?
[It's meek, because he knows the answer. He's feverish and wrapped up and not well and he's aware. He plants a palm firmly on the tree, sluggish as he tries to stagger and mirror Sanji.
But he's exhausted, so all he gets in return is a shoulder slouching, the tree holding him upright.]
... I made a mess before I left. I guess I'll need to 'pologize, anyway...
[Action/Forest]
Think you can walk? [Truth be told, Sanji expects the question to end up a formality. He isn't above carrying the guy all the way if need be.]
[Action/Forest]
[Like most of what Kotetsu says, it's a general overestimation of his abilities at the moment, but he hates to think otherwise. So he forces his legs to keep some sort of weight on them. He can't do much more without passing right the fuck out today, but goddammit if he's on a mission to endure that level.
His fingers clench Sanji's shoulder, but there's not a lot of power behind it.
... How far was the walk to the clinic, again?]
[Action/Forest]
Pretty damn far.
His admission is treated with suspicion at best, and Sanji slants a narrowed glance in his direction before he starts walking. Nice and slow, for now. One step at a time. The arm around Kotetsu's back holds firm, just in case there's any buckled or shaky movements, but as he levels a stare in front of them, the chef starts reconsidering. Just because an injured man can walk the entire distance doesn't mean he should. And he can feel every uneven exhale of breath and sluggish step forward.]
... Oi.
[He slows them down to a stop] Get on my back. [He's acknowledging whatever pride you have by not carrying you bridal style. Be grateful]
[Action/Forest]
[He's about to say walk, but that's about when his legs buckle and his weight is dead in Sanji's grip as he hits his knees - more-than-likely dragging Sanji with him a little as he continues to grip the man's shoulder. He's at least conscious, still fumbling for ways to ignore the help, but even he can't do that for very long in his state. He glances wearily up, just enough to see Sanji's chin and neutral mouth line.
Looks at the ground, grimacing, head hanging.
He's a complete wreck and he's very very aware right now.]
Alright. Right. Just a quick lift.
[Action/Forest]
[He tugs his jacket over Kotetsu's head by the collar until it makes a snug fit, and once satisfied with the handiwork, maneuvers himself and the Hero so that they're back to front. They'll do this ol' school, piggy back style: Kotetsu's arms around his neck, Sanji's arms underneath Kotetsu's thighs.
As soon as he bears Kotetsu's full weight, Sanji stalls, to steady himself and advise against relying on Sky Walk like he initially planned -- out of concern for Kotetsu's pathetic grip. He needs to get him to the clinic, not accidentally drop the bastard on the way there. Yeah, walking sounds like a good idea.]
Keep that jacket over your head. It's still raining.
[Action/Forest]
[It was raining? Ah, right. It's definitely raining. He wraps his arms around Sanji's neck, no sign of shame or embarrassment of the help visible in the movementm and drops almost instantly to rest his face on Sanji's shoulder. Truth be told, he almost wants to panic a little, because the last time someone carried him, they were killed. That biting feeling in his stomach returns when he remembers the scene, frozen on the floor half-dead.
Shifting faintly, he dips in and out of unconsciousness. Perhaps the warm feel of wetness on the top of Sanji's shoulder isn't rainwater, because a little sob rattles him there where he sits, where he's practically radiating body heat like a phantom beacon. He clenches his arms just a little, seeing images behind his eyelids that aren't real.
A complete wreck. Only he's at least far less aware of it than a few minutes ago. That's got to amount to something for him.
Mumbled, more than likely not to Sanji:]
Sorry... m'sorry...
[Action/Forest]
Idiot shouldn't have to be sorry--
Too bad shouldn'ts never reflect reality. You know that, chef. This is what happens when you live in Luceti.
His head tilts towards the ground, into the barest of nods. Aa... I know.
When he reaches the door of the clinic - nearly runs into it, being so lost in thought - he stops and toes at it until he can jut his leg through the opening, and kicks the door open. The rush of warm air against his dripping face and soaked clothes would be a welcome sensation if not for the abnormal heat radiating off Kotetsu's body and onto his back.
Definitely a fever. Bad one, too. Shit, he should've marched his ass right out of the rain.] Oi, you still with me?
[Action]
... M'I talking to myself, or s'that you?
[Action]
Of course not; it's your shitty conscience on the line. [Rolling his shoulders a little, he marches down the hall]
Says you need to gain some weight.
[Action]
My conscience doesn't say 'shitty'.
[grumble grumble]
My weight's just fine... anyway... You gain some weight.
[Action]
[Though the minute it's out of his mouth, Sanji shakes his head] Y'know what? Don't answer that. [He nods forward] We're nearly at your room.
[Action]
[He swallows as they move, but it takes way too much effort.]
S'there water in there? Getting thirsty...
[Action]
Shit.] Just-- lay here for a sec. I'll be right back. [To get him some water and to find a nurse]
[Action]
It's so quiet and his head is killing him and he'd really like some water -
Also blankets. He's cold.
He drags the blanket over him tiredly, rolling over slowly - very slowly, for his body's sake - and burying his face in the pillow. Nnngh. Those lights are so damn aggravating. It's not long before someone's prodding at him, checking his arm. A poke here, a rag here, cool and damp. He groans and mutters under his breath. An IV drip gets him a few necessary things. A few people who work here manage to catch him more lucid, to figure out how much he totally ruined his recovery time.
They pull back his blankets and he's annoyed, but he's too tired to fight it. Re-apply bandages, another rag, and then it's quiet and restful for a while. Another day passes and he feels like he's been in a dead sleep for a while, so much so that he's sick of sleeping so deeply. Besides, some of his dreams aren't fair.
A hiss, and he pats his covers lazily, eyes clenched shut.]
Oi... Where's water...
[Alright, perhaps his last real memory of the last 24 hours was asking for water. It's been a weird hazy question on repeat for him, and he's finally awake enough to mouth it.
...
Those stupid fluorescent lights.]
Hate... those lights...
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[Action] sprinkles dream angst on you whatever I DO WHAT I WANT
[Action] HIDEOUS. HI. DE. OUS.
[Action] 1/2 yeah i can be that way sometimes
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