twenty-five. ✝

[marredgoldfinch]

[he's been in a dazed state since he had to cauterize Amaterasu's arm. her screams rang in his ears, the sight of her shaking in pain and shock replaying over and over again in his head. so it's not surprising that he's walking along a path and doesn't know when his right foot goes to take a step and lands not on the ground, but into emptiness.

Comments

[dawnward]

[Riku's barely gotten back to his shelter when he hears Asher scream, his head jerking up]

Asher? Asher!

[marredgoldfinch]

R-Riku...

[reaches out for the Sphere, his body actually trembling with shock]

[dawnward]

[a violent curse rips free of him and he's grabbing his coat and pack, charging back out onto the beach]

Where are you? Just describe your surroundings as best you can.

[marredgoldfinch]

[he looks around, and his eyes roll a little]

In the woods... near the beach... about 2 kilometers from the shelter.

[dawnward]

That far? What were you doing way out th--...nevermind.

I'm coming. [he starts to jog, shoulders set against the wind]

[marredgoldfinch]

[he'll lay there, swearing softly. he manages to wiggle out of his shirt, sitting up enough to fold the shirt double and wrapping it about his severed leg]

[dawnward]

[it's going to take time for him to reach him; he talks to keep Asher focused on him]

I'm going to heal you. I can close the wound but I can't...bring anything back.

[marredgoldfinch]

[he's panting from the pain, laying back shirtless in the underbrush, biting his full lower lip with those fangs]

F-fine-- Need blood...

[dawnward]

I know. When I'm done with the spells you can feed from me.

[a brief, almost indiscernible pause] And please don't argue.

[marredgoldfinch]

[Riku really knew him too well, because he was about to argue. sinking back into the foliage, he tried to ignore his leg]

... Thank you, Riku.

[dawnward]

You're welcome.

[he has to slow down as he navigates around some of the holes with exceptional care] I'm going to bring you back to the shelter. It'd probably be best if you didn't leave it again.

[marredgoldfinch]

I-I'll need a crutch...

[looks to the side]

Or carried--

[dawnward]

You're too heavy for me to carry, but you can use me as a crutch.

[marredgoldfinch]

[he blushes a little with what little blood is in his system]

Y-yeah...

[dawnward]

[he's breathing a little hard, but he's made good progress] I'm almost there. Just hold on a little longer.

[marredgoldfinch]

[gives a wheezy laugh]

Not really going anywhere...