castleinthemist | 02

Toph knew she found the courtyard through various senses. She could smell the fresh air, hear the birds, and feel the warm sunlight and cool breeze. The hard stone from the castle faded into softer walkway stone as she moved out into the yard. When her feet touched the grass, she smiled to herself. No longer was the resonance of vibration from the earth surging out and back at her with all its strength. Instead, it met resistance and the grass muffled her senses as it tickled her feet, creating a sort of static for her until it gave way under her soles to let foot meet soil and allow the reverberations communicate to her nearly half a second later than solid ground.

It was a strange sensation, but she welcomed it. It calmed her, and she continued to smile while she moved to what she thought was a nice spot.

She breathed calmly and evenly as she took her stance. One move, another, and then a third, and a perfectly shaped chaise rose up from the ground. She felt proud of herself as she moved to it and lay down, body lying comfortably against the contour of the grass-covered reclining seat.

Once decidedly comfortable, Toph pulled a flask from her belt and took a drink from it. Nice, cool water. She'd stolen the idea from another castle inhabitant and had made one out of a chunk of metal ripped from her bed frame. He used his for naughty juice; she used hers for water.

Toph felt a little guilty. Most of the castle was trying to figure out how to get out of there. She, though, wasn't putting so much effort into it. Sure, she wanted to leave, but what could she do? She'd promised a new friend that she wouldn't go far without eyes to help her spot the monsters she couldn't detect. While she wanted to do her part of the exploring and searching for a way home, she didn't want to be useless in a fight against a flying shadow with claws.

There were very few times that Toph would admit her blindness to be a hindrance. A skirmish against the monsters that moved without contact or sound was one of those very few times.

"I'll just wait for a friend," she told no one before closing her eyes and laying her head back against her arm.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Duo held her steady, an arm out in front of her under her arms to brace her. He stayed calm as he could, though her holding it in? He could relate to that as it was something he did out of sheer stubbornness. Strong kid. Tough as nails, and he meant that literally.

When it was all over, he gave a sigh of relief. "You're done, Toph. Good job." Something similar was said to him. Sally. When he was coming out of surgery for his ribs.

He took from the med kit a few large square bandages. "Here, bro."

Sucky part was, now? Once they got Toph onto another bed? It was his turn.

Duo was able to work quickly, at least. It certainly wasn't easy or pretty, and his hands were shaking badly, but whatever nausea he was feeling he managed to swallow down and shove away in order to get the job done.

He took the bandages quietly after cleaning his hands off, putting them over the stitched areas gently. He did not want to do that again, but they really didn't have a choice.

The bed wasn't cutting it for her. She didn't tolerate it, and instead simply sank against the wall with a blanket. She was cold, but more comfortable on the ground, against her own element. Plus, the stone felt soothing on her shoulders.

After a while, it was hard to tell if she was asleep or not. Although her eyes were open, they were droopy. If she wasn't fast asleep, she was on her way there, no doubt about it.

Duo settled in against the bed frame and wall himself once he finished unwrapping his own wound. It was still raw and bloody. And so much for those pants of his! looks like they were becoming shorts later on.

All and all he wasn't looking forward to this, and he clenched his teeth, watching his double cleaning off the needle used on Toph.

"Do it quick man. Done and over with."

Duo watched Toph carefully for a short time before his double spoke to him, getting his attention again.

He didn't talk. It was easier to keep the nausea at bay if he didn't. Mouth shut, teeth clenched, swallowing hard against the bitter taste rising in the back of his throat.

Again he worked as quickly as he could, but his hands were shaking worse than before, proving more difficult than he wanted it to be.

Duo seethed, hissing air out his teeth as Duo worked on his wound. It was a tedious job and long. Needle does in, thread follows, and his double was not a quick and efficient field medic like he needed. When it was done, he fell back into the bed panting and sucking in a breath of air.

He soon sat up again, weakly and stiffly. He looked to his double, swooning slightly at the light headedness.

"There any pills in that bag?" He wondered aloud. He could use something.

"Here."

The word wasn't so much spoken as it was grunted, the bottle of pills put in his hand. Duo stood and with something that might have been 'back in a sec' he stumbled out of the room. Wherever he went was far enough away that he couldn't be heard well, which was probably better for everyone considering he lost his stomach pretty quickly and noisily.

He returned, looking pale and shaken but not as ill as he had appeared earlier.

"Sorry..."

He heard, but he ignored it. He didn't know what it was, but his double sure had a problem with his stomach. Duo swallowed the pills and set the bottle down afterwards. He lay back onto his pillow, propping his leg up on a rolled up bunch of blankets. As Duo neared him however, he took the boy by the wrist and gently pulled him over to sit on the bed.

Could he have walked, he'd probably gotten him into a different bed but... Better than the floor. He scooted over.

"Don't start with that, bro. C'mon. Sleep. Take some pills and go to sleep."

He didn't protest it. He didn't have the strength to, even if he wanted to. But the bed looked better than it ever had,, and he could have slept for days and only felt better for it. Everything ached. His whole body felt as though he'd been thrown against the rocks outside and left to die.

The only answer he gave was a tired noise as he went for the pills, swallowing them down quickly. He fell over on his side then, curling up with a groan. He couldn't fall asleep fast enough.

He rubbed his double's shoulder briefly, then with some effort pushed himself over onto his side so they were back to back and he was facing the wall. There was enough space, although he was sure he'd be in pain in the morning.

After a while he realized how uncomfortable that was to lay in so he rolled back onto his back and settled there, letting his double curl up against him. With an arm behind his head, he yawned quietly and fell into a deep sleep.

Edited 2012-03-13 13:41 (UTC)

02 - open

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject