.021 [Audio]

[aint_comin_back]

[[ooc;; backdated to earlier in the evening on the 6th]]

[Contrary to popular belief, Mal will call for help when he thinks it's necessary. He just doesn't think it's necessary all that often. This, though? When he's not sure if he can make it from his office to the clinic?

He needs help.]

Gonna need... [A pause, and a cough.] ... need a hand

Comments

video;

[notquitegeisha]

Wǒde tiān! [Inara's already out the door, cursing under her breath as she makes her way toward Mal's place. She keeps casting anxious glances at her tablet, hoping that maybe Mal will hear her.]

Mal? You hang in there! I'm on my way.

video;

[aint_comin_back]

[Give him a moment to respond; there are spiders everywhere and he's feeling a little... dizzy.]

Ain't dyin'. [Maybe.] Over near guard HQ.

video;

[notquitegeisha]

You're forever not dying. [It's true, don't deny it. She sighs, and quickens her pace. This should tell you something, Mal! She's forever running to help you.] I'll be there in as quickly as I can.

video;

[aint_comin_back]

And I ain't dead yet. [So logically, he must be not dying now. Try to keep up, Inara.] Think it's the spider bite.

[Actually he's pretty sure he has conclusive evidence, judging by how hot and painful the bite itself feels.]

video;

[notquitegeisha]

I see that quite well. [Her tone might have a sarcastic bite to it, but she is really concerned - and relieved he's not dead.

She turned a corner, using her free hand to light the hem of her skirt so she can run faster. She's already thinking of everything she knows about spiders and what do if one's bit by them.]

What sort of spider?

video;

[aint_comin_back]

Uh... [Type of spider?] Take a look around. One of these... [He trails off, coughs.] These gorram things. [Pause] Would love to lay right down here and sleep, but thinkin' that's a bad idea.

video;

[notquitegeisha]

That would be very bad. You keep your eyes open. [She's really almost there - can actually see the Guard HQ straight ahead.] Elevate that bite so it's above your heart.

video;

[aint_comin_back]

Already done. [Excuse him if he sounds as weary as he says he is.]

action

[notquitegeisha]

[She's stepping through the door to HQ now and hurrying down the hall. She makes a quick stop in the bathroom and hurriedly soaks a towel in cold water. Aaaaaaaand then she's moving again, peeking into rooms for Mal.]

action

[aint_comin_back]

[Oh, God. Yelling now? Let's not yell. Mal stumbles into the hallway, hand to his head, and staring balefully at her. Yelling. Don't.]

action

[notquitegeisha]

Oh god, Mal. [Her eyes widen and then she's rushing to his side, automatically slipping an arm around his waist.] Lean on me.

action

[aint_comin_back]

I'm fine, I'm fine. [But he does lean on her a bit. He drops his hand and pulls his sleeve back over his wrist, to expose the bite on his forearm. It's angry red, lines of infection radiating from the center.] Hurts like a bitch.

[And, quite literally, giving him a headache. And probably a fever.]

action

[notquitegeisha]

I'm sure it does. [She looks down and quickly presses the cold, wet towel against the bite and carefully shifts her hand so she's able to lift it up.] Just keep it up and we'll get you to the clinic.

action

[aint_comin_back]

[He almost asks 'keep what up?' before it occurs to him that she means his arm and not any particular action he's taking.] I could've got there.

[Of course. Really. Never mind that he's a little wobbly.]

action

[notquitegeisha]

When? Next week?

[She shakes her head. Always the stubborn one.]

Let's just get there, all right?

[She begins to guide him down the hall and toward the door.] If you need a break, just tell me.