Limping home

[shang_da]

It's not a wise idea to wake up in the industrial blocks of downtown L.A. wearing nothing but a pair of lycra bike shorts and looking like you've just gone twelve rounds with a very hungry Mike Tyson. But, since I didn't have much of a choice in the matter, that's exactly where and how I ended up after the fight

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[_fredless]

Once the meeting was over, everyone broke apart and went their seperate ways...at least in the physical sense. It was all feeling a bit to scattered for me to like very much. Without saying a word Anne and I had come to the same conclusion, that as big and meaningful as the sun had been for us, and hopefully everyone else, that still couldn't be it. It just wasn't going to be that easy.

And that hadn't been that easy to begin with.

But I was fine for buckling in for new work, and as everyone moved out of the lobby I stayed where I was, eyes beginning to scan the entire space. Soon everyone...including Charles...was gone, and stepping over to a far corner I wrapped my arms about myself. The good part was he was back and safe, which considering all the talk from the meeting, was nothing to take for granted. And once I saw that, I couldn't find the bad side to that story. So...at least I had found one easy part

[shang_da]

Everybody had just been here in the lobby, and I meant everybody. There were at least eight or nine scents I was familiar enough with to pick out of the crowd, which meant a lot more besides. I got as far as the first set of steps down into the main part of the lobby before I had to stop, leaning heavily against the railing. Even had to catch my damn breath.

I heard someone approaching before I looked up. Light, shortish strides, probably one of the female residents of the hotel, and one confident enough about the place to come marching decidedly across the floor. Raising my eyes I saw Fred, who I knew mostly as one of the varsity players here, and one of the gals that Gwen had gone with to take care of the sun. The brainiac, that was her.

"Hey there.""Hi," I said weakly

[_fredless]

"Hi"

"Hi," I repeated back again, before remembering that I had actually been the one to start the greeting go round. It just felt strange...that this was still a time and place for greetings.

"Hey!!" This time it wasn't a hello, but a concerned shout as I watched Shang Da nearly fall from the stairs. He caught himself, but I wasn't far behind, arms open wide like a spotter from some long-lost gym class. Not that I wasn't really sure what I could do either, but that didn't stop me from shadowing him all the way to the couch, still reaching out.

"Guess you can tell...I've been a little... extracurricular."

"Careful there," I said without thinking as I knelt down and started examining his wounds. "We don't want to loose you before we even got to know you." A felt a warmth creep over my cheeks. "Not that there will be loosing, nothing looks that bad and really, I've seen worse. A lot worse," I added, memories flying back to the hospital. But there was also something else. "And not that there isn't knowing...or won't be

[shang_da]

"Hey!!"

I almost didn't realize that Fred had been about six inches away from me as I collapsed down on the couch. Either that was just good instincts, or she'd seen plenty of people get injured in her time with these folks. I'd have bet on the second if I were in shape to.

"Careful there. We don't want to loose you before we even got to know you. Not that there will be losing, nothing looks that bad and really, I've seen worse. A lot worse. And not that there isn't knowing... or won't be."My head was already starting to swim and get a little hazy, but I had a feeling I still wouldn't have really followed all of that even if I'd been at 100 percent. The way Fred checked me over, though, really did show off a familiarity with battlefield medicine

[_fredless]

"Well, I wasn't planning on going anywhere soon... And it's always nice to get to know new people..."

Years and years of accents, twangs, and the lack kept me on the understanding part of the statement, but I still I had to work harder that I was sure either of us could like. I pressed once hand to Shang Da's forehead, looking for any sign of a fever or infection. Just how long had he been like this?

"Yes it is, isn't it," I agreed, eager to keep him awake and talking...at least long enough for me to get a look at all of the wounds. "And it's amazing how much people take that for granted," I added, my voice overbright with concern. I kept looking down at the first aid kit, and hoping it was enough.

"Jun Shang-Da...nice to meetcha...""And you caught my name already," I answered quickly. "Can you focus on holding onto it for a few minutes for me?" I hated how silly I sounded, but I wasn't sure what else to do. Shang Da's answer was to sway dangerously, and I immediately reached out with both hands to steady him, not liking how heavy

[shang_da]

"Yes it is, isn't it. And it's amazing how much people take that for granted."

I nodded kinda dumbly, only half understanding the words that were making it through the fog that had wrapped itself around the inside of my skull. Something about it made some kind of sense, though.

"And you caught my name already... Can you focus on holding onto it for a few minutes for me?"Tried to nod again, but instead, I felt the floor heave underneath my feet, like we were having a big roller of an earthquake. Small hands steadied me a little, and I heard Fred's voice again. It was soothing, and a lot more confident than I thought I was going to get from anyone in this hotel. It always seemed like everybody was constantly ready for the other shoe to drop, which I guess we always were. But it was nice to hear someone say things were gonna be okay, even if it might not be