(nine footprints remain. action]

[turtletea]

[His term as a test subject for the Malnosso having run through, Yamcha has found his way back to the village. A little ways in - tired, hungry, overwhelmed - he collapses in the snow. His eyes are wide open and his breathing is eerily calm, and he makes no effort to get back up.]

I... Heh...

[The most that can be said about his appearance is

Comments

[ahappylie]

[Okita is heading back home after playing in the snow a bit and spots Yamcha, stopping for a moment before running over.]

Yamcha-san! You're back!

[turtletea]

[Yamcha nods weakly; the action leaves a deeper dent in the snow beneath his head.] Mmhm.

[ahappylie]

[He kneels down in the snow, looking at Yamcha with a clearly worried expression on his face.]

...are you alright? Do you need help?

[turtletea]

I think I'm more overwhelmed than anything.

[He blinks a few times, attempting to clear his vision.] You haven't been taken like that, right, Okita?

[ahappylie]

That's good. Aren't you cold lying there in the snow?

[He shakes his head and shuffles a little closer to Yamcha, visually checking him over for signs of any injuries.]

No, I haven't been. Not yet anyway.

[turtletea]

-a little. [He chuckles, and it's a weak joke (if even a joke at all).

He pulls his back out of the snow. He wriggles his shoulders in an effort to rid himself of any clinging snow, but it doesn't work very well.]

It's a really weird experience. [He blinks, again.] I don't think I was even conscious for most of it. [...]

[ahappylie]

[As Yamcha moves to sit up, Okita shifts to support him with one hand.]

Perhaps it was for the best that you weren't. I've heard nothing pleasant about the kidnappings.

[turtletea]

I guess it's just a little unnerving, not knowing what they did to me.

[He rubs his head.] What have you heard, anyway?

[ahappylie]

Just that people get taken, and they don't come back in the best of shape. Luna-san came back with broken legs and stolen socks.

[Okita knocks some of the snow off Yamcha's shoulders gently and then shrugs his jacket off, putting it around his shoulders.]

Can you stand? We should get you inside.

[turtletea]

[Yamcha winces. He's smiling, anyway.] Is that the Malnosso's idea of a sense of humour?

[He answers Okita's question by standing, and that's good enough. He bows, ever-so-slightly, as a way of saying he appreciates the jacket.]

I think the most they left with me is [...] well. I can barely see more than a few inches in front of me right now; I don't think it'll last, though.

[ahappylie]

Maybe. Luna-san seemed much more put out by the loss of her socks than her legs though.

[He stands when Yamcha does and offers his arm.]

Then hold on to me and I'll take you where you need to go. Clinic or home?

[turtletea]

The clinic. [He pulls the jacket further around his shoulders and takes Okita's arm.]

[ahappylie]

Alright.

[He waits until Yamcha is stable, then starts walking toward the clinic.]

To think, someone as strong as you got taken. The Malnosso must be amazingly strong, too.

[turtletea]

Y-Yeah. [...] They managed to ambush me.