Sniping the twenty-second target.

[haroicsacrifice]

[voice post]You know, if the deities here want to keep calling themselves gods, maybe they should look into getting the curse machine--or whatever it is--fixed. The curses are bad enough when everybody's suffering from the same one. It's one thing for something like this to happen once, but it's barely been a month since the last time

Comments

[worthier]

[ One problem: Tieria still tends to be an early riser, and no lack of proper routine changes that. Suspicions are already high the moment he silently steps out to see Lockon leaning unsteadily against the counter (curse-induced illness, he concludes at first), and that's when his glance falls on the eyepatch. In a way he'd be at a loss for describing, something starts to sink. ]

Lockon, what--

[haroicsacrifice]

[ He kind of...slumps a little in exasperation at the sound of Tieria's voice. Because he can count on Allelujah to be reasonable, and he can count on Setsuna to be more or less practical in this situation, even if he'd rather he not see; but who knows how Tieria will react? Lockon's pretty sure it's "badly," though. ]

I'll be all right if I can just...

It must be a curse.

[worthier]

[ Whether it was a curse didn't matter, not now. He approaches cautiously, as if some incorrect move might cause more damage. The section of his mind that calculates and analyzes frantically notes the errors already made -- that something so inefficient as a towel is being used, that Lockon is up and moving to begin with -- but the worst is his own mistake, the root of it all, standing reopened and covered in front of him. ]

You shouldn't be treating this yourself.

[ Unsteadiness behind the strict tone no matter how well he tries to hide it. ]

Return to your room, Lockon.

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Tieria...

[ Because he's remembering now--not that he didn't know it before, but the look on Tieria's face makes it too clear--the way Tieria looked when it happened the first time. The way he reacted. ]

It's all right. Allelujah brought me some bandages, so once I've gotten the bleeding down a little more I'll just--

[ He wavers slightly, the hand he's using to brace himself clutching tighter at the counter. ]

[worthier]

[ There's hardly time for his thoughts to turn toward regretting how he didn't wake up earlier, before he picks up on the loss of balance and starts reaching out by some instinct he wasn't aware he had. Even though he stops himself, the anxiety keeps slipping through. ]

You've worsened it already. It's urgent that you rest, whether or not you--

[ Ah. He stops himself again. ]

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[ Lockon pauses, and he half-sighs. He's silent for a moment longer, and then he almost smiles. Almost. He quickly hides it, though, and he's all business: ]

Stop worrying about things you can't change and help me with these bandages. Then I'll go and rest for a while.

[ He has no intention of staying in his room once allegedly goes to rest, but he's not telling Tieria that. ]

All right?

[worthier]

... I can change this.

[ Not that it's enough. Still, Tieria says it with a certain determination, his entire demeanor slightly more relaxed (in his own way) when Lockon asks for his help.

A slow nod, eying the bandages now. Silently anticipating and planning for Lockon's inability to... actually listen. Can't get past him here. ]

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[A more noticeable smile this time.]

Then do it.

[He puts the bloodstained towel down in the sink and starts to reach for the bandages, only to pause so he can put his glove back on. Sorry, Tieria, but touching someone with a bare hand would be like second base for him. But that done, he holds out the end of the roll of bandages.]

I'll be all right once we've got the bleeding under control.

[worthier]

I am.

[ But he doesn't take them right away. Instead, he turns to grab a nearby chair, currently fixated on whatever action might make Lockon's injury easier to deal with -- that smile isn't something he entirely believes, for now. ]

Your body will undergo less strain if you sit down.

[ And preparing to bandage! As for preventing infection... that wasn't an issue any longer, even without the curse. ]

[haroicsacrifice]

Less strain...?

[The look Lockon gives Tieria is amused.]

I'm not about to pass out.

[But he sits down anyway and lets Tieria help. After a few minutes, he speaks up again, his voice almost apologetic this time.]

You shouldn't have had to see this.

[worthier]

That's what I am attempting to prevent.

[ Caaarefully dressing the wound, a stern glance in response. Once he's finished, though, all that seems left is regret. ]

It should never have happened. There's no need to show concern for me, Lockon.

[ Tieria takes only one step backwards, allowing Lockon more room to stand, and doesn't move from the spot. ]

[haroicsacrifice]

[ He stays seated for a moment, one hand still poised on the counter. Trying to make sure he doesn't waver when he does get up: that would only make Tieria more worried. ]

I'll believe that when you stop showing concern for me.

[ Now he does stand up. ]

This isn't your fault, and getting upset over it won't help anybody.

[worthier]

[ Too late, Lockon. Tieria's just creepy enough to notice the hesitation. He's sort of been occupied with avoiding eye contact, but for this he looks straight at him. ]

... Neither will acting.

[ It means everything it implies. ]

Can you reach the room without assistance?

[haroicsacrifice]

Huh?

[ Lockon seems genuinely taken aback by those words. It just doesn't occur to him that what he does is acting. It's just...being what other people need of him. What else is he supposed to do?

After a moment, he shakes his head slightly and dismisses the comment, as he's done often enough in the past with Tieria...even though it's getting harder to do here. ]

Yeah, I'll be all right. Try not to get too wound up, Tieria.

[worthier]

[ He prepares to say exactly what he means -- this is the one who first taught him that accepting less than what's ideal is to be human, to be human is to be valuable, it makes no sense for him not to apply the same principle in his case. Was he really so unaware of that?

Then he realizes now isn't the time, not when he could do more harm than good while Lockon is weak. In some ways, Tieria himself still struggles with the new information this City provided. ]

I want to do all I can. Does it bother you?

[haroicsacrifice]

[ Apparently, the blind spot is more than just physical. The moment passes, with Lockon none the wiser. ]

Bother me...?

[ Lockon smiles. ]

No, I'm--

[ He hesitates as he fishes for a phrase. "Proud of you" is the closest to the truth, but somehow it doesn't seem like something Tieria would want to hear. ]

I'm glad.

[ And he starts for his room. ]