Battle can take its toll...

[vulcanblazer]

Who: Adell and Charlotte
What:  Adell's return home after the battle.
When: June 18th, night
Where: House 44
Summary:  The battle is over.  Adell has announced the defeat of the Godslayer, Kusanagi.  After getting his wounds bandaged up and treated, Adell limps home in the hope that he can find some respite. 
Rating: PG-13

Comments

[hazelrink]

[Charlotte is a lot of things - a lover, a friend, a housekeeper, a kidnap victim, a princess, intuitive, derp, joyful, playful, an aspiring fighter... because of those things, she often has a lot of roles she can and does fulfill. After the chaos earlier today, it was only obvious Adell would become involved and it was only obvious that he would lead everyone to victory. All she could do was watch from a distance and wait for him to come back to the house.

Actually, she had been waiting in his bed like she is now to congratulate him on a stunning victory but the minute he opens the door her heart sinks. It wasn't the triumphant instance she had thought it would be and was frankly hoping for. No... he looks really, really beat up. She frowns, watching hm carefully in the doorway]

[vulcanblazer]

[...Honestly, when he stepped into his room, he hadn't anticipated Charlotte to be waiting for him in his bed. He blinks, startled just a little. But that startled moment fades fairly fast.

And yes... he's very beaten up. He's bruised in several places, and much of his arms are wrapped in bandages and gauze. Though the shirt probably conceals it, most of his torso is covered in them as well. His face looks tired, drained, and... well, not as though he's been defeated. But her expectations of him being triumphant are definitely off.

And right now, he's moving much slower than he normally would be.]

...Charlotte?

[hazelrink]

[A more sobered smile comes up onto her face... this isn't what she expected. It's not at all what it should be, so she'll just adapt, right?]

Welcome back.

[vulcanblazer]

[...He can tell that this wasn't what she had in mind. But he'll smile for her. It's a weakened, tired one. But it is genuine. He's home. He's safe. Charlotte's alive, unhurt, and safe. For now, that's the greatest sight for sore eyes he could have.]

Thanks.

[And he'll walk over to the bed and take a seat next to her. He's slow in sitting down, every part of him stiff and sore, but the bed's welcoming and he doesn't mind.]

[hazelrink]

[She keeps smiling but... he's really sore. If it was just a physical thing she could tease him about it in good faith, but it's just that, is it? Adell can be ginger with injuries, yes, but he's not the type to allow himself to slow down this much just for reaching his limit. She doesn't lean up against him as much as just go to take his hand]

[vulcanblazer]

[Normally Adell is a man who enjoys physical affection, and Charle by now knows this. He enjoys when they cuddle or are close like this quite a lot. But this time he's grateful that Charlotte's showing restraint. As much as he wants to just hug her close and not let go... he's hurt and he knows it's not a good idea, especially considering the strain he put on his body walking back from the fight, then back from the hospital.

But when she takes his hand, he closes around it, giving it a firm, confident squeeze.]

...I took care of it. It's over.

[He did win. He did put a stop to it.]

[hazelrink]

Of course it is, Adell. ...You'd never lose.

[Simply. But... No, it's all wrong. Oh well, the best she can do is roll with it. She gives him another smile, squeezing his hand right back]

[vulcanblazer]

[He chuckles lightly at her statement. It strokes his ego a bit, admittedly. But the confidence she has in him eases his nerves slightly.

Well, until he remembers who he was fighting.]

It just... was something I didn't expect. And something I hoped would've never happened.

[hazelrink]

...That's really vague, Adell.

[With a bit of a pout. She can't do much if she doesn't know what it is, can she? She might try but. ....Nnngh]

[vulcanblazer]

...I knew who it was.

[...He tries to hold it back. But he's so tired and the weight's been resting on his shoulders hard the past couple of hours.]

I knew the person who was attacking the village and hurting people, Charlotte. I don't know how it happened. But they went berserk. It's like she was a totally different person...

[hazelrink]

[...]

Someone you like, right?

[vulcanblazer]

...You can't tell anyone. If... it gets out, it could do even more damage. And... that's the last thing she needs, assuming she comes back like how she was.

[He squeezes her hand again, eyes growing more distant as he looks straight ahead, avoiding Charlotte's gaze for the moment.]

Something happened, something, I don't know what. But it turned her into some... super-powerful, spiteful, hate-filled... being named Mu-12.

But that's not who she usually is. It was... it was Noel, Charlotte. Noel, of all people.

[One of his best friends.]

[hazelrink]

[Noel was-] ....Oh, Adell.

[Changed? Someone changed? Why would they change that way and hate-filled and? But Noel was never like that before... She leans against Adell. She'll come to a more complex conclusion late, but what does one say to that.]

[vulcanblazer]

[He wraps an arm around her when she leans in, and tugs her closer, holding her against him. Even if it makes him more sore, he doesn't care anymore.]

I... I knew Noel was Mu-12. A long time ago. But back then, she wasn't like that. ...And we thought we got her changed back. ...So how could that have happened again? And how did she... how'd she go so far over the edge?

I just... I don't understand it. It doesn't make sense.

[He hesitates, shifting a little bit of his weight in the bed, trying to settle in. He doesn't want to move anymore than this.]

...And I can't tell people about this. Mu caused a lot of damage, and Noel's... if they hear that it was Noel that caused all of this, what happens when she comes back? Someone will no doubt try to take it out on her, even if we don't know what happened.

[hazelrink]

[She sighs and]

I'm not sure I understand either, but once she's back we'll need to cheer her up, right?

[vulcanblazer]

[He relaxes a little, slowly regaining his composure. He slowly twines his fingers into hers though.]

Yeah. I'm sure she'll need it... once she's settled back in.

[Who knows how long that'll take, though...]