10 // see post, audio // mama we're all full of lies

[dovehearted]

[private in intervals of about an hour, first sent to Perry, then sent to Hoffman]

[ The voice coming through is edgy and high-pitched, close to tears or panic, with a hard-breathed whimper whenever she stops speaking. ] It's back for me... cut its face open and it... don't know if it's still out there but... [ A door opens, and immediately slams

Comments

Private

[grand_lotus]

There's - yes, of course. Is the Infirmary staff aware?

Re: Private

[dovehearted]

[ a sound like 'no"] ...don't know if it's that bad or...

Private -> Spam

[grand_lotus]

Make a request for help. Better to take too much precaution than too little.

[But he's not sure she will, and he brings a first-aid kit with him when he comes downstairs.]

[spam]

[dovehearted]

[ She hasn't, and it's just her and Hoffman in the hall when she jerks her head around at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. It's a relief it's just Iroh. ]

Thank you. It's... [ Her hands are bloody, and she looks distressed, but Hoffman's the actual concern here, sick and bitten and bleeding. ]

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman is motionless. In a sudden movement he tries to wiggle away. When he spots Iroh-he rolls his eyes up at him in mute appeal.]

...Help me.

[spam]

[grand_lotus]

[Iroh frowns at the scene - Hoffman has clearly been in no good state for a while, but the source of the bright blood spreading through his clothes is the biggest concern here.

He kneels at the younger man's side, opening the first aid kit. He has some field training and a loose knowledge of how to use the modern equipment he's brought - enough to keep things getting worse on the way to getting him professional help - but not for the first time he wishes there was a Waterbender or two on board.]

I need to take you to the doctor, immediately. How deep is the wound?

[spam]

[dovehearted]

N-not that far. [ She answers before she can think about it, and hopes Iroh doesn't ask too many questions. She looks out for a chance to kick her knife back into the closet, but right now she has to take care and hope someone else doesn't get ahold of it. ]

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

She did it.

[Hoffman tried to shift away from her] I was trying to help her. She said she was in danger.

[Groan]...I'm hurt.

[spam]

[grand_lotus]

[He already knew; Lua had as good as told him. They would have a conversation later about why this had happened, but this was not the time. Iroh wiped away the blood as best he could, putting a dressing over the wound and taping it down to hold the pressure. If they'd had further to go to Caesares' makeshift infirmary he might have cauterised it but that would have created its own set of problems.]

Lua, stand back, please. [He slid an arm under Hoffman's shoulders, preparing to get up.] Do you think you can walk?

[spam]

[dovehearted]

[ She steps back, looking to one man then the other. Neither of them want her here, so what does she do now? ]

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman was too hurt and tired to care about Lua.]

I told Caesares that it was supposed to be all of us together. [His tongue felt thick and heavy in his mouth] I told him I had to get her. Not like this. S'not right..

You always die when you don't help people. You always die if you don't work together. That's what happens. That was my testshp-

[He heaves to his feet] ...I can walk.

[spam]

[grand_lotus]

Good. [But since he sounded slightly delirious, Iroh wasn't prepared to let him try walking unsupported. To Lua:]

Go ahead to Dr. Caesares' room - level five, room ten. Tell him to expect a patient, and we will see you both there in a moment.

[This carries a gentle but noticeable undertone of 'you had better still be around when we get there'.]

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman twitches]

..keep her away from me.

[Always women. ALWAYS THE WOMEN!]

...Keep her away from me.

[spam]

[dovehearted]

[ This... none of this can end well, never, but it'll be worse if she doesn't go ahead, right? So she - well, she doesn't rush off, but scales the stairs with a quick glance back. No one's there, but it's unlocked, so she slips in, washes her hands, and waits

It's not that she's trying to pretend it didn't happen. She just needs to be ready for whatever comes next. ]

[spam] This tag coming with kimpermission!

[grand_lotus]

[Iroh didn't respond to Hoffman - really, it wasn't as if he intended to let her stab him a second time, nor did he expect Lua wanted to - and instead concentrated on getting him up the staircases that separated them from Caesares' makeshift infirmary. Once there, he remained only as long to make sure that Hoffman was safe in the doctor's hands before turning to Lua. He angled his head towards the doorway, expression calm.]

Shall we go outside to talk?

[spam]

[dovehearted]

[ She nods, willing to just follow right now, and steps out with him into the hall. She won't look at him once she's there, instead shrinking up against the wall. It isn't that it's him. He could be anyone right now. ]