02 - open

[tophbeifong]

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.

Comments

[stillshinigami]

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."

[duomaxwell]

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.

[stillshinigami]

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.