Camping

[arisenfromashes]

Who: Asch, Jay
Where: Middle of the woods
Why: A behemoth has taken up residence near the World Tree, and someone's stupid heroic child has set out to slay it. Now it's up to Asch to rescue the child from this dangerous beast...and hopefully eliminate the threat while he's at it. Meanwhile, Jay has followed him out there to observe his abilities.

Comments

[arisenfromashes]

[He sighed in annoyance as he recalled the incident.] That idiot thought he could kill it, so his parents sent me out to find him before he was eaten.

[Asch stared at his new tools, contemplating how to approach his predicament. He needed to use the sticks as makeshift splints, then hold them in place with the bandages. Unfortunately, he doubted he could keep the sticks still as he wrapped them to his arm. He looked at Jay for a moment, then back at his arm. No, he would not ask for his help. He could tend to his own injuries, thank you very much.]

[So, he started his first attempt, which resulted in sticks clattering to the ground and Asch muttering angrily. He might have tried again, but he chose to answer Jay's question instead.]

...No.

[iknowjj]

Hmm...all right.

[Since Asch wasn't going to eat, then Jay decided that he wasn't going to eat either. It would just seem awkward.]

(Well, then I'm not hungry either...)

[He pulled out his dagger and picked up a decent sized rock from the ground. Then he began to stroke the dagger gently with the rock, sharpening and cleaning it. A slight smile crossed his face as he secretly enjoyed this time alone with the God-General. Of course, it would be better if Asch wasn't injured, but then he wouldn't have actually agreed to camp out with Jay. It's not as if he was agreeing to camp out now. Jay also thought back on his previous encounters with Asch and came to a small realization.]

(I'm surprised he hasn't asked me what I was doing out here yet...)

[arisenfromashes]

[Asch tried again--he could have sworn his dexterity had weakened since the fight, but then again, he was using his left hand. He fumbled with the materials once again. Given the silence, it must have been obvious...But Asch's pride refused to accept such a thing. So, he opted for the next best plan: distract Jay with conversation. Once the boy was busy talking about himself, Asch would be able to draw less attention to himself. It bothered him, since he usually preferred to tend to his wounds in solitude, but it seemed that was not an option at the moment.]

So were you on a mission or did you come all the way out here just to follow me? And why did you join the fight?

[Asch held back on repeating his comment about interrupting the fight. If Jay had been meddling for the sake of meddling, Asch would not have woken up hours later with a broken arm and a gash in his side, among other injuries.]

(...I refuse to believe he came out here just to save me. There must be some other reason he was out here...He didn't seem to know about the

[iknowjj]

[Jay gave him a glance upon his question.]

(Looks like I was thinking too soon. He's not too happy that I saved him, is he? He seems to be the type that doesn't like to require assistance. I used to be like that myself...)

I...It was not my intention to follow you. I just happened to be in the area. I come out here often - at least once a day - for hunting and training. I heard the sounds of the battle, so I came to see what was happening. I hadn't intended to join the fight either...but when that beast wounded you like that, I...I just couldn't restrain myself any longer.

[Jay shot yet another glance at the dead behemoth.]

In all the times I've been out here, I've never seen any monsters like that...

[arisenfromashes]

[Asch said nothing as he, giving up on his arm for the time being, unbuckled the belts of his tabard. He realized that his glove would have needed to come off anyway...His mind was wandering too far for him to focus on one thing--which led him back to his reason for removing the tabard: He had to check on his wounds. Given how he had collapsed earlier, he must have lost a decent amount of blood. It was best to check that he was not bleeding or injured at any vital points.]

...What, because of that supposed connection?

[Somehow, he managed his left side without too many difficulties. Then, he undid the collar and slid it off, exposing his shirt underneath. Once he removed the gloves, he could unzip this. The trouble was removing that right glove...It wasn't impossible, but it was certainly unpleasant...But he could delay or distract himself with another comment.]

...You weren't that incompetent in battle. There have to be some strong monsters in your world or else you would've only been a burden during that fight.

[iknowjj]

[Jay looked away upon hearing the question about the "connection."]

I...suppose you could say that...

And yes...the monsters in my world had become stronger and more aggressive, thanks to the black mist. We had just defeated the person behind that mist, the Guide to Nothingness...and that's when I found myself waking up in this world.

[Jay closed his eyes as he added...]

I'm only alive today because of my competence in battle...otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to survive Solon's training...

[arisenfromashes]

[Asch frowned at Jay's reaction, questioning whether or not he received the full response. Still, the answer satisfied him enough (or at least he did not care enough) to drop it.]

Fighting against the one threatening the world...Maybe your "connection" is with Luke.

[Asch closed his eyes for a moment as he recalled Van's training. It was...more or less the same idea, but he knew that he would have had a place in the Order regardless only because of his unique power that Van had been so eager to use. Still, the late Commandant had sent him on a variety of dangerous missions, but he knew that he would never be allowed to die--not at that time, anyway.]

That's the general idea of training--if you can survive it, you're more likely to survive on a battlefield. It doesn't matter whether or not the guy's a bastard or a madman.

[iknowjj]

No...this connection is all emotional. It has nothing to do with saving the world. (And who is Luke?)

[Jay almost asked the question aloud, but concluded that he wouldn't understand anyway. Plus he pretty much knew the answer - some guy from Asch's world.]

Yes...I suppose the general idea of training is to help you survive on the battlefield...but I think Solon had different reasons for training me. He only wanted to see me suffer...and he enjoyed every moment of it. And he also wanted to use me as a killing tool. It wasn't for my sake at all... (Even though he made me believe that it was.) His training methods...his abuse...was far too severe for a normal person to survive. I only survived because...

[Jay trailed off as he reached into his pocket, pulling out his bell.]

This is the only thing that kept me alive...the only thing that saved me from becoming like him...

[arisenfromashes]

Tch. (I still have a hard time believing that about anyone, let alone someone I just met.)

[Asch stared at the bell for a moment, then pulled his left glove loose with his teeth. After he had pulled off its tips, he realized that he could not work off the rest with his one hand. He then shifted his position on the ground, pulling in his left leg so he could pin down the loose end and slip his arm out. Well, the easier of the two was done...He looked back up at the bell as he got to work on the other glove.]

I won't ask about it...[He flinched and suppressed a yelp of pain into a mundane grunt.] Even though you've already talked. It's not like it pertains to anything going on right now.

[iknowjj]

[Jay put his bell away as he felt the fog lifting from his heart upon hearing Asch's words.]

Hmm...you're right. There's no point in dwelling on the events of our own worlds. It's best to focus on now...this moment...

[Jay looked at Asch now, giving him his mildly cheerful smile.]

Thank you, Asch. I do enjoy these peaceful moments.

[arisenfromashes]

What, food poisoning and monsters are now peaceful?

[After a moment of silence and fumbling about his belongings, he looked back up at Jay.]

...And don't thank me when I didn't do anything.

[Once he removed the other glove, Asch paused to look at the turgid, bruise-marred mess of an arm beneath it. Then, picking up his supplies, he sighed, hanging his head for a moment, before once again directing his attention to Jay.]

...Do you know anything about medicine or first aid?

[iknowjj]

{OOC: Holy crap, I used the wrong account...}

No...I was talking about moments like this: Sitting by the fire on a quiet moonlit night....and talking with you. I enjoy it. (^_^)

"Didn't do anything?" Nonsense. I think about my past too much, but you reminded me that it's unnecessary. I don't want to let my past become a burden in this world, and you helped me shake off my negative thoughts. So thank you.

[Jay looked down at Asch's wounded arm. He wasn't a doctor, but he did possess a certain therapy technique.]

Hmm...I may know a thing or two. What exactly do you need?

{Look at the expression, not the gestures.}

[arisenfromashes]

{OOC: Hahaha. It happens. 8D Asch and Jade have switched places on occasion.}

Tch. Whatever you say. (Weird kid...And it's not like I told him not to think about it...Well, it doesn't matter.)

[Jay's question dragged Asch out of his pondering and back to reality. He blinked for a moment.]

(Great. Now I have to remind him how incompetent I was earlier today.)

My right arm is broken. It needs to be set and bandaged, which I can't do with one hand. [He sighed...He had to use those words, didn't he?]

You mind giving me a hand?

Re: {Look at the expression, not the gestures.}

[iknowjj]

[Jay's eyes widened...he knew the behemoth had injured Asch, but even he underestimated the severity of the injuries.]

...Broken? That's not good...

[He smiled as Asch requested his assistance.]

Sure, I can give you a hand.

[Picking up the sticks, he carefully held them to Asch's arm with one hand, while picking up one end of the bandage with the other. He decided to start another conversation in the meantime.]

I'm glad I finally had the opportunity to see you in battle. You...you're just as strong as I imagined you'd be.

Re: {Look at the expression, not the gestures.}

[arisenfromashes]

No, no it's not

[Asch averted his eyes, humiliated that he required assistance for something like this. He stiffened at Jay's touch, then sat in silence until he heard yet another strange comment.]

Strong? If I were strong, I wouldn't be in this shape. I've gotten weak...First Eldrant, now this.

You're the one who killed it anyway. You're more competent than I expected.

Re: {Look at the expression, not the gestures.}

[iknowjj]

Now, don't get the wrong ideas, Asch...

[Jay spoke softly, trying to soothe the God-General's shame.]

Just because you were wounded doesn't mean that you're weak. That monster's strength was surreal. I only managed to kill it because you had already weakened it. It's not like I could have done any better fighting that thing alone. Like I said, I'm not as powerful as you.

It's like we talked about before; no matter how strong a person is, no one can do everything alone. You just needed some help, that's all.

[Jay wrapped the bandages around Asch's arm and tightened them carefully.]

There, how's that?