vatheon | [Closed] They wave their truth like bait

Entry tags:

dhaos,
ky kiske

[Closed] They wave their truth like bait

Who: Ky Kiske and Dhaos
Where: An alley in the city.
When: Night, September 30th.
What: Ky's found.
Style: Use what you're comfortable with.
Status: Closed

Ky gritted his teeth together as he lurched into consciousness again. He hurt all over -- although especially his arm -- and his head felt like it was swimming. Something was very wrong; he wasn't where he was supposed to be.

Ky whimpered as he shifted, the noise startling his head up to look for the source. There must have been a battle, was there still a Gear around? Were any of his knights still alive? If so, he had to get them to safety, make certain that they weren't staying out of some obligation to him. He would be fine, but they needed to be too.

He made an attempt to push himself up to his feet, but his right arm screamed in pain when he tried to move it at all. He did his best not to echo it, did his best not to cry. He was an adult: it didn't matter how badly it hurt, adults didn't cry, except to God. And right now he needed to get ready to fight again. It was what God wanted him to do, he was sure.

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[Given the situation, Dhaos likely shouldn't have been wandering around at night, if only to put others' minds at ease. Nevertheless, he needs the time to allow himself to calm his fraying nerves, and that's very difficult to do in a house where the atmosphere has been very tense for days. Thus wandering the city is his way of making an attempt at gathering himself together.

It's while he's making his way down a random street that his sharp hearing picks up a pained noise in a nearby alleyway. Recalling that Lloyd had been found in an similar place, he cautiously makes his way over to investigate. He is simultaneously surprised and completely unsurprised at who he finds in a heap in the alley. Wasting no time, he kneels down next to the Defense Force member.]

Ky? Can you hear me?

[Ky tries to call up a name for the soldier there now, but most of what he can see are legs and the voice isn't familiar enough. Which is a terrible thing to think, when these are people who have to follow him, that he has to lead. He's asking them to trust him, he should be able to remember a simple name. But his head feels all fogged up at the moment, and Ky's well aware that he's not in a state to be leading anyone.

He tries to keep his voice steady -- he's sure he looks terrible, because that's how he feels, but that's not the point.]

S-sorry.

Is the village evacuated?

['Village...?' There is a half-second of confusion before Dhaos recalls that Lloyd too had been hallucinating when he had been found. In this case, he seems to be having a non-violent one, but who knows what would happen if he were immediately told the contrary? The seraph frowns a bit at the thought. He makes a point of not lying unless there is absolutely no other option, but Ky might become unruly if he does not want to accept the truth, making it that much more difficult to asses his injuries. Thus Dhaos opts to state the truth in a somewhat vague manner and leave it up to his patient to fill in the gaps until he can get him back to Zelda.

He doesn't even notice when his tone takes the very firm, no-nonsense tone he always takes when giving orders is necessary.]

I'm afraid I don't know what you are referring to. You were captured by an unidentified enemy sometime early yesterday or late the previous day. It appears that like the previous victims, you were heavily drugged and tortured, thus accounting for your memory loss.

Now, I am going to asses your injuries and set any bones that might be broken, so please try to remain still unless I request otherwise.

[Ky's really not used to being ordered around, and even less used to it from the time he thinks he's in right now. Whoever the man is in front of him isn't Kliff, and besides, Ky remembers Kliff retiring.

Still, whoever is speaking sounds trustworthy, and as soon Dhaos mentions caring for his injuries Ky nods in understanding, then winces. Medics do take that tone sometimes, and Ky knows well enough that arguing with a medic who thinks you need care is the fastest way to being forced to spend time recovering. Better to nod and go along with whatever care they want to do before they turn their back.

If that part makes sense then what about the rest of it? Gears don't kidnap or torture people, and it suddenly occurs to Ky that it's been a long time since Kliff retired. But then, the timeline of things doesn't make sense in his head right now.]

Do what you have to... Dhaos.

[That might be his name but everything's fuzzy right now, not just Ky's memories. He can't recall where he knows Dhaos from.]

[Dhaos 'hmms' in acknowledgement. Good; the man knows who he is. Perhaps he will realize where he truly is sooner than he had initially suspected.

Carefully, the seraph undoes Ky's shirt and inspects his torso, gently feeling along his ribs for possible breaks. Finding none and unable to do much of anything about any cuts or bruising, he simply moves on to the officer's arms.

Sure enough, the right ulna is most definitely broken. Dhaos purses his lips grimly for a moment before turning back to his patient.]

Brace yourself, for this is going to hurt.

[He takes a moment to tear off the sleeve of the offending arm, wadding it up and giving it to Ky to bite down on. (Not the most sanitary thing to do, but you work with what you have.) Then, he carefully realigns the bone.

Now all that was left was to put it in a splint before moving the man to a safer location.]

[Oh God, that hurts. Ky bites down hard, turning his scream into a whimper.

More than that, though, is the fact that Ky doesn't really remember the pain from having his arm broken in the first place. He searches his mind, but what he finds is an old memory, and then he'd broken his leg. The memory feels old, at least, but it can't have been more than six months, since it was only a little before Kliff handed over control of the army.

Why is his head so fuzzy?

Ky can feel a tear starting to gather at the corner of his eye, so he presses his eyes closed to keep from exacerbating it with either blinking or trying to keep his eyes open.]

I- Is everyone else safe?

[Ky's other sleeve and pieces of a discarded crate are used to create the temporary splint. (Dhaos makes a mental note to begin carrying proper first aid supplies with him for emergencies like this.) The prince frowns a little at the other man's question.]

Only if they remember not to wander about alone. The one who has done this to you is yet free.

[Finishing his task, he keeps ahold of Ky's arm, giving him a very serious look.]

I am about to transport us to safety. Do not be alarmed at what I'm about to do.

[That's all the warning the policeman is given before the area around them begins to glow a brilliant white with gathering power, and then they are consumed. When the light dies down, they are on the floor of Ordo 3's front room.]

Ah?

[Why would people be wandering alone on the battlefield? Ky's starting to think that nothing makes sense.

Even beyond that, that's not nearly enough warning, not when suddenly the world is going white, and this time a scream does rip itself from Ky's throat. He's trying to pull himself away from Dhaos as soon as he can, not sure where he has to go other than away. Not sure where he is other than that it isn't where he was before.]

[Zelda's downstairs in under a minute, hands glowing with magic that she's ready to unleash on the intruder... and then she sees that it's Dhaos.

And Ky.

"Don't overwork yourself, alright?

"I think that I should be able to manage my level of responsibility here without overworking myself."

She'd known even when he'd said it almost a month ago now that it was a lie. Ky's incredibly driven, she didn't doubt that he would be able to tire himself out trying to police Vatheon. She'd almost offered to help when she'd seen him praying a couple nights ago. And now...

She lowers her hands slowly, taking in the scene. Ky's been patched up somewhat. Is that a splint? Was he that severely injured? He looks terrified...]

Dhaos... he wasn't taken by the killer, was he...?

Edited 2012-10-03 18:03 (UTC)

[Dhaos gently pins Ky where he is, not wanting him to move.]

Be still. I do not want you to further injure yourself.

[The seraph is rather glad at how quickly Zelda shows up. He's not sure how much longer he could have handled this without any support. Perhaps at one time he would have been alright, but given that he knows he is not the most mentally stable of people, he doesn't want to risk it.

He nods in answer to her question.]

And given that he appears to be unaware of where he is and what has happened recently, I would conclude that he has been rather heavily drugged in addition to his injuries.

[Ky tries to pull himself free, glaring at Dhaos now. If he's a medic he wouldn't have done that, but Ky doesn't know who besides a medic would set his arm?]

I am here. Don't ignore me.

[He's injured, not incapacitated, he's pretty sure of that much.]

I wasn't...

[Taken by the killer? What does that mean?]

There was a battle. How many casualties did our side have?

[At least he knows that they're both human, they have to be, because the Gear don't talk like this.]

Edited 2012-10-04 00:41 (UTC)

Dhaos, would you please go get some supplies from the clinic? If he has been drugged, it's best to use as little magic as possible on him just in case.

[She grabs a sheet of paper and writes out everything necessary to properly care for his arm, as well as some disinfectants and a couple topical anesthetics. Zelda already knows she won't be able to get Ky to take anything, and since she doesn't know what drugs he's been given, it would be foolish to do so anyway.

Ky's words confuse her slightly. Is he hallucinating as well? She heads over and kneels by him.]

You've been gravely injured, Mr. Kiske. It might be a little difficult for you to think clearly right now. I apologize for speaking over your head. It is our job to care for you. Will you cooperate? We'll get you a report to read in the morning when your head has cleared.

[He releases Ky, and then patiently waits for Zelda to finish her note. When she is finished he gives her a small smile.]

I will be back shortly.

[And with that, he's gone again.]

[ ...Drugged? The words strike a cold pit in his stomach, and Ky looks at the woman. She doesn't particularly look like a soldier, but Ky knows how important it is to some people to fight. Or heal, if they can't do that. She looks familiar, but no name comes to mind. Since she's a medic he's probably just seen her around.

The mention of a report and Dhaos's absence both calm him a fair amount. ]

Make sure to include your assessment of what drugs were used, and get someone to provide a strategy analysis of what it means that they're using drugs now.

[She may not look like a soldier, but Zelda has spoken to quite a few before, be they the restless spirits that still haunt the capital or the scarce few members of the army remaining. She has a fairly good idea of what to say. Though her tone is kind, she keeps it business-like since that seems to calm Ky down.]

Of course, sir. Can you stand? It would be best if we could get you into bed before attempting to put a cast on your arm as the process is likely to be quite tiring.

[Zelda kneels down next to him.]

Please allow me to help you if you feel dizzy at all. We are still unsure of the effects of the drugs.

I'll let you know for now it seems more fuzzy than dizzy. I'm having trouble recalling things I know I should know.

[ He struggles to his feet with some effort, offering her an apologetic smile. ]

Perhaps getting to a cot would be better sooner rather than later. I'm sure I don't wish to ask you to carry me. Or make it necessary.

[Zelda's fairly certain that even now Ky won't take her arm if he can help it, so she starts walking slowly to the door that leads to Ordo 2. At least it's inside, now. She'd rather Ky not have to use the stairs, so she'll lead him to the one empty bed on the first floor. It probably suits his tastes more anyway - it's not set up like the rest of the lavish rooms in Ordo. Unsurprisingly, the princess prepared for the worst and set up one room more like a medical facility than anything else.]

Here we are.

[He looks at the bed for what feels like a long moment, and then moves towards it to sit down.]

...Zelda?

[Where is he, really? This can't be the battlefield, and it doesn't look like an abandoned building that's been taken over by the Order. And what is she even doing here?]

Edited 2012-10-06 13:49 (UTC)

You recall my name? That's good.

[She does have basic wound cleaning supplies in this room, so she collects them and goes about trying to clean the small lacerations across his torso - provided he doesn't immediately pull away from her now that he knows who she is.]

[He's going to be good, actually, for the most part. Sitting stoically still, still partly convinced that he's fifteen and still proving at every step that he's an adult rather than the child people want to treat him as. And part of that is not showing pain, and that he shouldn't show fear.]

I suppose so. I-Is this your place?

It is. I've placed wards on the building, so I can tell quickly if anyone has breached them. It's regrettable that it's necessary, but you can at least recover here without worrying you'll be attacked again...

[What was even the point of these injuries? They were entirely random, but certainly not lethal. The initial victims had been dissected. What was the culprit even trying to learn from all this? Were they just sadistic?]

You shouldn't get an infection from these, at least. Do you feel pain anywhere else, or is the damage mostly focused on your torso and arm?

Wards? Still, thank you.

[...Since not being attacked again sounds like an incredibly good thing at the moment, even if there's still a part of Ky that's going to worry about other people.]

There's something on my legs, I think.

[He isn't sure, it feels kind of like he aches everywhere. Beyond his arm he can't pick anything in particular out.]

Yes, using magic. Unfortunately, it wouldn't do much good to put it on the entire city since all it really does is alert me to someone's presence and allow me to stun intruders momentarily if necessary.

[She knows just how touchy Ky can be about propriety, so she'd prefer to remove as little clothing as possible to care for him.]

Where on your legs?

[If she needs to she can just cut a line all the way up the side to inspect and mend it with her magic afterwards, but she's fairly certain he'd be uncomfortable with that.]

I understand.

[He moves a little so he can press his good hand along his leg, wincing at various locations, then he shrugs.]

It might just be bruising. It's probably not that serious.

Edited 2012-10-07 21:22 (UTC)

There may be some nerve damage. I'm going to check and make sure nothing is too terribly damaged, all right?

[Taking note of where he winced, Zelda reaches up to gently press on those spots too (yes, through his clothing), feeling for any wetness from bleeding or excessive swelling that might indicate fractured bones. At least it's unlikely that he has any full breaks - he was able to walk here, after all.]

[And with excellent timing as always, Dhaos chooses that exact moment to enter the room, arms full of the medical supplies that had been requested. He'd been kind enough to teleport outside so as not to scare Ky again and not set off the wards. He doesn't seem to find anything out of the ordinary with Zelda apparently feeling up Ky's thigh.]

Where would you like me to put these?

[ Even through his clothing Ky isn't super comfortable with it. Still, he does understand the necessity, and he doesn't blame Zelda. All things considered he'd rather not have to out up with it, but all things considered he doesn't want to be injured at all.

The majority of his tenuous calm evaporates when Dhaos walks back in. He looks to Zelda, hoping that her answer to the man's question won't be that she wants Dhaos to put them on Ky. ]

[Cursory examination of his legs complete, Zelda draws her hands away and turns to Dhaos.]

Bring them here. I don't believe he has any other broken bones, so I should just have to make a cast for his arm.

[She doesn't have any intention of having Dhaos be the one to do it. Not because she doesn't trust him, but because angels are inherently so strong that she's quite certain her touch is going to be a little more gentle.]

[Dhaos carefully hands Zelda the supplies, relieved that she had not asked him to make the cast. It's not so much that he's worried about slipping up and applying too much force; it's that he only has the vaguest idea of how to properly apply an actual cast. He may know basic procedure to keep someone intact long enough for a medic to see to them, but beyond that Dhaos knows he's rather clueless.

Thus he leaves it to Zelda, quietly exiling himself to the chair in the corner in case she needs him for anything.]

[Ky keeps more of an eye on Dhaos than on Zelda, even after he retreats to the corner. Still, for all of where his attention is, his question is for Zelda.]

How long will it take to heal?

[Any sleeve that he had remaining is thoroughly cut away as she makes sure everything has been properly set.]

The cast will be on for a month. After that it's still recovering, so you'll need to treat it carefully. I can speed up the process significantly once we're certain the drugs have cleared your system if you would like. Please lay down flat, I'm going to remove the splint, clean your arm, and put the cast in its place.

[Feeling rather uncomfortable at the stare he's receiving from Ky, Dhaos redirects his gaze to his hands. He doesn't like being stared at as if he were a dangerous animal that had to be watched at all times in case it decides to attack. It feels... far too much like the look he had been given the day he had first been called "Demon King"...]

[ Ky obeys, lying down where she asks him to, before he responds. ]

What do you mean speed it up? ...Be careful what you do to me.

[ Ky isn't sure what would be involved in it, but he knows Gears heal faster, knows that there are bad ways to manage what she's suggesting. ]

With healing magic, of course. Though again, I would not do so right now. We can't be sure what the effects would be while you're in this state.

[Very gently so as to not jostle his arm, Zelda begins removing the splint. It's likely he won't even notice that part. He will notice her pressing to make sure Dhaos aligned everything correctly, no matter how gentle she may be.]

[Dhaos had done his best with realigning the bone, so he's fairly confident that everything is in its proper place. Still, he's not sure if he really needs to be here for the time being...]

...Zelda? Is there anything else I might help with, or shall I find something else to do in the meantime?

Healing magic?

[Ky's fairly certain that that's not a type that exists, certainly not one of the main categories. But there's a lot he doesn't understand right now and since Zelda seems to he'll just focus on not crying out or showing any evidence of pain as she presses.]

I will be fine now, Dhaos. You do not have to stay if you don't want to. Thank you for bringing him here.

[She starts cleaning his arm carefully. It's going to be in the cast for quite some time, she can't leave a mess.]

Yes, healing magic. It uses mana to accelerate the mending of the body's tissues. Unfortunately, while you have this unknown substance in your body, speeding things along could be a bad idea.

Ahh, yes. Thank you, Dhaos.

[The world is swimming a little, Zelda's face seeming to shift from what it is to something else, and he doesn't understand it. Ky fixes his eyes on the edge of the bed while she cleans it, trying to listen to what she means and focus on what's being said.]

If you can make me heal faster why would that be bad?

[Dhaos smiles a little in response. Well, if he's not needed, best get out of the way for now.]

I was happy to help. Just call if you need anything else.

[With that, he meanders off toward the kitchen. Maybe one of them would like a cup of tea when they're through.]

[For all they know, it could be a poison. Only observation can give them a better idea of just what he's got in his system. Zelda isn't much of a chemist, she wouldn't be able to figure it out from a blood test.]

Because we aren't certain what this drug might do to you. I'd be happy to heal you in a couple days after we know it's cleared from your system, all right? Just let me know when you're ready.

[Though she's as gentle as she can manage, he's still likely to feel pain as she forms the cast around his arm. There's no helping it, they can't give him any pain killers when he's already being affected by something.]

Alright.

[Like this conversation is going to be clear in his head by the next day. Oh well.

He does his best to be stoic in the face of what she's doing. However much he might hurt she's trying to help him and doesn't need to have to face any noises or any more winces than he can help.]

There we are.

[Now that his arm is in better condition, she draws the blanket on the bed over him so that he can get some rest. He's more than likely tired out after all that pain.]

Get some sleep for now. We can re-evaluate your condition in the morning.

Alright.

[He snuggles into the bed a little.]

Take care of anyone else who needs it.

I will.

[She heads out of the room, turning off the lights but leaving the door open just a crack. Maybe it's a little silly, but Zelda lives with men who are secretly babies. She's used to people wanting a nightlight at this point.]

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[Closed] They wave their truth like bait

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I'll let this run for a bit before I hop in again

o/

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