♨ Fourteen Apples and Cinnamon - Action ♨

[crytearsofjoy]

[It all happened so fast. She had only wanted to help him. Instead now she lies on the dirt road in a puddle of her own blood. Winry can't move, she can't even turn herself over. The red liquid stains her clothes and hair, spreading like an infection. The best the girl can do is turn her head so the steadily growing puddle doesn't choke her. Pain

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[yourhatred]

[The smell of blood is apparent before he actually sees her, his eyesight as poor as it is.

He approaches her cautiously, bending down to feel for a pulse, unmindful of the blood. There is no one else around that he can sense, not at the moment.

Leaning close, he speaks in a low whisper.] Can you hear me?

[wings_thatwait]

[Winry wants to respond, but it's difficult. The pain is overwhelming. She has never experienced anything so severe before. The voice is also unfamiliar, but... It could be help. With all her might she tries to speak, and when she does her voice is strained:]

Yes.

[yourhatred]

Then say nothing else until I ask it of you. [The tomoe in his eyes spin as he quickly examines her chakra flow to ascertain her injuries. No broken bones. She's bleeding from a deep wound across her front, most likely caused by a blade. She'll need to be moved onto her back, the wound cleaned.

There's a clinic, he knows, but getting her there would take time she doesn't have. He at least needs to get her off the ground and to someplace where he might be able to find water and something to serve as bandages.

For now, he removes his shirt and hers. Sorry, Winry. Your life is more important than your modesty. He ties his around her tightly, keeping pressure on the wound.

Then he lifts her gently into his arms.] This workshop here - I'm going to take you inside. Just remain limp.

[crytearsofjoy]

[With the wound as severe as it is, she pays no mind. And following his request to remain limp is easy enough - until he starts moving her. Every time she is shifted the girl gasps in pain, and becomes a little rigid as a result. To someone with battle experience she might come off as a big baby, but this is the worse she has ever had to deal with.

Once cradled in Itachi's arm the wincing stops for the most part. She wants to thank the Good Samaritan, but that would take strength she doesn't have at the moment.]

[yourhatred]

[He brings her inside the building quickly, never mind if there's anyone already inside it or not. He lays her out on a bench and quickly finds a sink. Clean towels that aren't stained from work in the smithy take a few moments longer, but he manages to find a couple. One is dampened to clean around the wound, while the other replaces his shirt in applying pressure.

This would need stitching, and he didn't have the proper materials available. They weren't out in the middle of the wilderness either; they had better facilities. She'd have to be brought to the clinic as soon as he was more confident about moving her again.

He finally finds some cloth that would make better bandaging than his shirt and sets to work wrapping the folded towel in place.]

Speak to me, now. Are you still conscious?

[crytearsofjoy]

[Winry watches the guy tend to her wound, ready to speak up if he had done something wrong. So far, though, he had been spot on. Although she could have mentioned something about where the antiseptic was kept in the smithy, that thought had not dawned on her. When he asks his question her answer should have been yes, but instead she responds:]

Who are you?

[yourhatred]

A fellow citizen.

[And that's all the answer to that question Winry is getting for now. After double-checking to make sure the wrappings were tight enough, he kneels by her side again.]

I'm going to take you to the clinic. If I carry you on my back it will be quicker, so I need you to lay flat against me and try not to curl up too much.

[That said, he'll begin pulling her arms over his shoulders.]

[crytearsofjoy]

[At first Winry doesn't cooperate. To have a stranger carry her? No way was she going to put up with that! But the ache across her chest told her she should listen to him. That it would be the smart thing to do. So after a moment she does her best to try and help him help her.]

[yourhatred]

[Once she's on his back, Itachi takes off immediately. Covering the distance, even laden with someone injured, doesn't take long. His footsteps are light and the ride isn't particularly jarring given the generally level ground in between the two locations.

He doesn't knock upon arrival, just barges in and finds a place to lay her down again.] You should be in better hands here.

[crytearsofjoy]

[Once she's set down, she nods. She knows some of the people who work here, and trusts them.]

I - thank you, sir.

[yourhatred]

[Itachi doesn't answer.

Once he knows others are approaching to tend to her, he turns and makes a quick exit.]