[001] voice/action

[empireofmymind]

Everyone --

I won't preface this. There's no time. Has anyone noticed a weak point? The head seems most effective but -- if there's anywhere else ---

[And the feed breaks off since he's otherwise engaged

Comments

[Action]

[whistleconcert]

[And just like that, one of the zombies menacing Ken is taken down by... a shield?

And a second gets a metal boot to the face.

Hi, Ken, meet Blues.]

Need some help?

[He's as snarky as always.]

[Action]

[empireofmymind]

[Ken looks over and nods, wiping his forehead. He'll ignore the snark for the time being, relieved and grateful in spite of his pride.]

Thank you...

[All the same, he'll keep holding the shovel like a weapon, ready to do his share if any more arrive.]

[Action]

[whistleconcert]

[Thankfully, Blues is well armed, and with Ken's help what's left of the group is fairly easily dispatched.

Once sure there aren't any more around, at least not in the immediate area, Blues turns to him. He's... probably not much taller than Ken, if at all.]

Are you hurt?

[Action]

[empireofmymind]

[It takes Ken a moment to respond, first catching his breath and then actually having to take stock of potential injuries. You were - he wishes he'd come that equipped. Whatever world you're from has prepared you well.

Finally, he shakes his head.]

Nothing serious. I'm - fine.

[He's scratched up, though. And his leg's started bleeding a little.]

[Action]

[whistleconcert]

[From the look of the guns, knife, and -- is that a sword? -- all tied down to Blues somehow, it looks more like raiding the fort made him prepared.]

Let me look at your leg.

[Action]

[empireofmymind]

It's fine, really...

[But he'll stay still for Blues to take a look if he wants.

Beneath his punctured pant leg, the zombie's nails had dug in, leaving some ugly scratches. No bite marks, though.

Ken doesn't realize it, but he's shifted his weight to the other leg.]

[Action]

[whistleconcert]

[Blues takes a quick look over it. No bite marks... that's good. Still, the bleeding is troublesome, even if it's not too threatening, especially with the shift.]

It doesn't look like you're putting much pressure on it. Must hurt quite a bit.

[And he doesn't have anything on-hand to patch it. Even if he was inclined to use his scarf, it's not exactly sanitary at the moment.

He stands, offering Ken his shoulder in case he can't quite walk on his own -- Blues has an inkling this kid probably wouldn't want to be carried.]

No bites, but you're bleeding and I don't trust these things to be clean. Come with me.

[Action]

[empireofmymind]

[Ken will take a few (hesitant) steps and decide he can walk by himself, though he nods thankfully at the offer of support.]

All right.

[A glance back at the store. He was so close.]

[Action]

[whistleconcert]

[He notices that glance.]

I'll come back with you once we at least get your leg clean.

Not a bad idea to go scavenging for supplies, but your execution needs some work.

[Blues leads the way back to his wagon, Tango peering out from behind a set of boxes and meowing curiously at Ken.]

[Action]

[empireofmymind]

[Ken bows his head. "Good idea with poor execution" is pretty much his life on the trail thus far.

He smiles a little at Tango. Someone else got to bring a companion along. (There must be a reason for Wormmon to be left behind, then.)]

I'd hoped to slip past them....It was foolish.

[Action]

[whistleconcert]

A little, but you've got the right idea. Just be a little more careful and ask for help if you need it.

[He pats Tango on the head, the cat purring and moving up to one of the other boxes, ears perked forward and still watching Ken. Blues gestures for the boy to take a seat in the wagon, letting his armor dissolve off into his civies and rinsing his hands from a small bottle of water.]

[Action]

[empireofmymind]

[Ken eases himself up into the wagon, wincing a little and watching Blues move about. He gives Tango another nervous, but friendly, smile.]

I understand. In the next emergency, I'll use the communicator first.

[Broadcasting to everyone makes him feel a little weird. But he won't avoid it any more.]

[Action]

[whistleconcert]

Don't worry. Tango's friendly. I'm sure he's barely resisting the urge to rub up against you.

[He takes another bottle from the box, pausing.]

Do you have another pair of pants?

[He needs to know if he has to roll the leg up or if he can just tear it off.]

[Action]

[empireofmymind]

[In that case, Ken will beckon - as if he wants Tango to come on over. It always makes him happy to see others keep their companions, though with every example he meets, his confusion grows. The Digimon didn't come. Couldn't come? Was it something about their being made of data?]

Back in the wagon where I arrived....I bought warmer clothing before.

[And some food, but it wouldn't be enough. Hence the raid.]

[Action]

[whistleconcert]

[Tango's ears perk again and he gladly trots over, nudging Ken's hand with his head and purring a little.

Blues tears the pant leg off gently, then gets to work pouring water over the scrapes and wiping them clean with a spare piece of fabric. He's careful to be gentle, but to actually get it clean requires pressure -- especially without any real antiseptic -- so it likely still hurts quite a bit.

When he's done, he bandages up Ken's leg firmly.]

That's the best I could do with what I've got. Can you stand?

[Action]

[empireofmymind]

[Ken pats Tango during the procedure, trying to stay still as a good patient should. He winces as the wound is cleaned, but clenches his teeth and bears with it.]

I think so. Thank you.

[Standing doesn't look pleasant. But it happens, and he's steadier than before.]