[Video]

[unit_202]

[202 doesn't waste any time on pleasantries when her video feed clicks on, and with as liberally-coated as she is with what is obviously blood it's not hard to guess why. Her tone is measured, tight with control without which she'd clearly be on the verge of hysterics.]

I... I need a healer. Please. Anybody who can help. I've found Va...

Comments

(video)

[scalethetower]

Vash--? [Wide yellow eyes blink, then eyebrows draw together sharply.]

I can heal. I'll be by as soon as I can. [His words come out all jumbled, tense with worry.]

(video)

[unit_202]

[202 nods once, sharp and hurried, though her tone remains tightly-controlled.]

Please--He needs any help he can get.

(video) - (action)

[scalethetower]

[Naoki doesn't respond--he just nods and snaps the communicator shut. Thankfully the Terminals still work, so it's a quick trip to the clinic--

--it's been a while since he's passed by here and can't help but to think of Christine--

And he hurries inside. He picks up the smell of blood quicker than a human would, and so follows it.]

(action)

[unit_202]

[The smell of blood is even thicker in the room where Vash lies prone on a gore-stained gurney, thoroughly mangled and breathing in shallow, ragged gasps. 202 is bent over him and working quickly to bandage and patch what wounds she can, military calm schooling her features into a neutrality that's entirely at odds with the sheer desperation plain in her eyes when she turns them on Naoki. The fact that this person is a total stranger to her doesn't register at all, only that he said he could help.]

Hurry, please... He's still hurt very badly. I'm not a medic, I don't know how to fix all of this... [And there is so much to fix.]

(action)

[scalethetower]

[His only reaction to the sight of Vash is a slight flinch that travels through his body (why did that happen to him--?) and a brief widening of his eyes. But her voice spurs him into motion and he steps close, lifting his hands.]

R-right, right-- [Yellow eyes light up pale blue, and a glow surrounds his hands. He starts to pump the healing magic into the country, determined not to stop until he sees those wounds closing.]

[neutralbyforce]

[And close they do, slowly but surely. The process would be faster, but the injuries are far deeper than just the surface, ranging from ruptured organs to shattered bones. Really, no one should be alive after this-- death might be a mercy.]

[unit_202]

[202 looks wary at first, but her expression fades quickly to one of sheer incredulous gratitude as Vash's body begins to knit. Her hands never once leave him--one at his face, another curled protectively around his fingers--but her eyes stay busy and protective, keeping an eye on the world at large and Naoki in particular. As Vash's wounds continue to lessen, so does the stress evident in her expression.]

...That's quite a gift you must have, sir... I can't tell you how grateful I am.

[scalethetower]

[Naoki is concentrating. He can tell the depth of the damage--the flow of energy tells him, and so sets to it. Intent on healing those most grievous of injuries. He barely even registers that 202 speaks; when he does, he inclines his head a little.]

It's the least I can do. [His powers aren't much good if he can't help out his friends when they need him, he thinks.]

[neutralbyforce]

[Vash sighs softly, eyes flickering under his eyelids. There is no doubt that he is indeed being helped by Naoki.]

[unit_202]

Well, given that the apparent "least" you can do is so vastly beyond my own abilities, I remain gratefully in your debt.

[Her voice is softer than before, hushed equally by her awe for Naoki's ability as by her concern for disturbing Vash's uneasy rest.]

If there's ever any way I can repay you...

[scalethetower]

[Eventually, Naoki stops, healing the last bit he can before drawing away. He moves to rest his hand against the wall--not for something to do with it, but because his head is spinning and he needs balance. He blinks hard to clear his vision and then looks back to 202.

He shakes his head and smiles, his own voice low.]

There's no need to repay me; I mean, he's my friend. Just look after him, huh?

[unit_202]

Nothing would make me happie--

[202's voice cuts off sharply as she turns to see Naoki looking rather a bit worse for wear. Taking note of his sagging posture, she takes a tentative step towards him, concern evident on her face.]

Did you overtax yourself? There's another gurney, if you need to rest...

[scalethetower]

[Naoki waves one hand, as though trying to wave away any concern. Overtax himself he did, but he's not one to admit it. And plus, he can't go falling down now, when Vash is in a worse condition.]

No worries, I'm okay. Just ah. A little tired, but nothing that can't wait.

[unit_202]

[202's plenty capable of worrying for two people at once, Naoki--Especially when one of them has just worked himself half to death in an effort to save the man she loves. Now that he's stable, at least, she's capable of such.]

...If you're sure...

[scalethetower]

[Naoki nods, earnestly.] I am.

[He's been in worse shape before. And even as time passes he feels a little steadier on his legs.] ...Oh, right. I never told you my name. I'm Naoki.

[unit_202]

--Mm? [The thought of introductions hadn't occurred to her at all, not with the situation at hand. As always with 02, it had simply been a matter of business first. As her mind catches up, though, she manages a polite smile.]

I apologize, Naoki--I was somewhat distracted, myself. It's a pleasure to meet you, truly. [How could it not be, in light of the circumstances?] I'm called 202--And if you're a friend of Vash's, I'll be happy to call you a friend of mine.