(Untitled)

[born_gloomy]

WHO: Aoshi / born_gloomy and Xena / atoningforsin || OPEN
WHERE: A random street.
WHEN: 5 July, evening
WARNINGS: Um. Vomit?
SUMMARY: Aoshi discovers his powers and their weakness all at once.
FORMAT: Any

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[atoningforsin]

On her way home from the prison after yet another long shift, Xena is surprised by a very large man popping out of a shadow that suddenly vanishes under the glare of car headlights.

Years of experience, however, keep her from jumping or screaming like any normal person would.

He's clearly unwell, having collapsed onto his face after vomiting. She kneels next to him, gentle hands pulling him into a sitting position against the building wall.

"Are you all right?" she asks before shaking her head. It's unlikely that he'll be able to reply given the glazed eyes.

[born_gloomy]

He barely feels the hands shifting him, around the darkness swimming in his vision he almost make out a person. Skin tone. He doesn't hear the question, just a muted mimicry of a voice and he parts his lips to speak but he finds he can't form words.

He makes a soft, short sound. It's the best he can do.

[atoningforsin]

Well, this is a problem. She pulls a bottle of water out of the shoulder bag she's taken to carrying. If he's lucid enough to notice, he'll also see a sword hilt peeking over one shoulder.

After a moment of hesitation, Xena rips one of the sleeves off her shirt to use as a rag, dampening it with the water to clean his face. Clothes are clothes, and it's easy enough to get more.

[born_gloomy]

He can vaguely feel something damp on his face. Hardly stronger than the sensations he'd been able to feel a minute ago (had it only been a minute?) but his senses were beginning to return.

He still can't form words, his "thank you" is hopelessly slurred.

[atoningforsin]

That's fine; Xena's used to dealing with much worse.

She gets his face clean, and most of his clothes, noting that he seems to be perking up a little. Maybe he'll be capable of speech and movement soon.

[born_gloomy]

It's still several more minutes before he can speak and then only in a hoarse whisper that sets to burning at his throat again.

"Thank you. You needn't stay."

He tries to pull himself up but neither his arms nor his legs can hold his weight and slides back down the wall.

[atoningforsin]

She raises an eyebrow at him.

"You can't walk again just yet. I can help you as soon as you're able to support yourself a little. In the meantime, have a drink."

The plastic water bottle is pressed to his lips.

[born_gloomy]

He accepts the water, eager to wash a little of the taste of vomit from his mouth.

He is tempted to tell her to let him be but he knows his body better than that. It will be some time before he's able to stand on his own, much less walk the distance to the apartment.

"Aa."

[atoningforsin]

She knows the signs of weakness anyway. He won't be walking under his own power for awhile yet.

"Once you can stand I will walk you home." The tone allows for no disagreement or argument. She'll get him home, and that is that.

[born_gloomy]

Aoshi was made leader of his clan at the age of thirteen, he is unused to being given orders. It's been longer than he can remember since anyone dared. It doesn't bother him but he's glad Misao isn't here to rage at this woman.

He nods a little and the street wavers in his vision.

[atoningforsin]

And she's definitely used to giving orders. Being a warlord for years will do that to one, after all. Even though it's been awhile since then. And even if Misao were raging at her it wouldn't make much of a difference. Travelling with Gabrielle gave her the ability to tune pretty much anything out.

Xena offers the bottle of water again questioningly. Can't hurt to get more of it into him.

[born_gloomy]

He accepts the water while he waits for the strength to return to his limbs.

After a few moments of quiet, he can manage getting to his feet. He stumbles almost immediately but he can hold himself up if he doesn't try to move on his own.

He hopes Misao is asleep by the time he gets back to the apartment.

[atoningforsin]

She rises with him and pulls his right arm over her shoulder while sliding her left around his waist. Good thing her height allows her to support him properly.

"Where to, big guy?"

[born_gloomy]

Even with her support, standing is something of a struggle. It will be better, he thinks, once they start moving and he is no longer able to simply slide back down and rest.

"Do you know where Waterford Place Apartments are?"

yay butt bows.

[atoningforsin]

"I do not. Is it far? I could call a taxi if need be."

She doesn't like cars, but would deal with riding in one to get him home. Supporting him isn't too difficult, but if he falls, they'll both go down.

<3 <3

[born_gloomy]

He needs a moment to think, to retrace the way he came. It bothers him. "The other side of the City."

He isn't sure about this "taxi" thing but he knows they won't be able to walk it.