17 • [voice|action]

[endthem]

[it has been a long time since he's opened his eyes and understood where he was. Through the delirium, he wakes and finds himself staring up at the familiar ceiling of his vacant apartment room in town. No laboratory. No disordered sensations that accompany experimentation and captivity. ...No, he's actually awake. It's a hard fact to take in, at

Comments

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[thedicearecast]

[Amelia's been warned by Vash to look out for certain people, but the man slumped over doesn't immediately warrant much caution beyond what Amelia might normally take. It's clear to her that he's sick, and out in the rain, no less. He'll only make himself worse that way, or so she's been warned. But she's not so cold as to completely ignore someone in need--at least not to an extent that she won't offer some form of help.]

You shouldn't be out here if you're sick. [Even if that help comes in the form of stating the obvious.]

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[he straightens slowly, and sluggishly brings his gaze around to settle on her. He mostly seems to stare somewhere past her, eyes glassy and heavy-lidded. As his expression cracks into a nauseated smile, he chuckles]

I'm not sick.

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[thedicearecast]

[It's the eyes that tip Amelia off; Vash had told her about the hair color, but especially about those eyes, striking yellow and dangerous. Even so, Amelia's been around enough out-of-their-heads bounty hunters to not recognize the glassy look.]

You shouldn't be out here when you're that drugged, either. [She's careful not to let on just what she's heard about this man. Making herself a target isn't on her to do list.] You've got a terrible hangover coming.

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Is that so?

[a lightheaded laugh, almost a giggle, as if this just entertains the hell out of him, despite the bit of impotent anger twisting into his features]

I learn something new every day.

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[thedicearecast]

So do I. [Despite everything she's been warned against, Amelia knows she can't just leave the guy. There's something about this that goes beyond just being seriously drunk, and, well...Amelia can't help but think it's what Vash would do himself.] I didn't know there was a way to get this messed up.

I can take you to the clinic. Or to get some coffee. It might sober you up.

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Ha... it took them effort to accomplish it. How many days has it been?

[if he heard the rest of what she said, he doesn't respond to it, bringing a hand to his head while he tries in vain to count the days that he clearly remembers]

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[thedicearecast]

Them? [Amelia's eyes widen at the implication, and she silently wonders if this isn't the result of one of those experiments she's been told about.]

[But this guy has drifted into la la land, and Amelia frowns as she snaps her fingers in front of his face to try and get him back.] Hey. Hey! Don't zone out on me.

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[a little shudder at the snap--something about the sharp sound and the little crackle of foreign nerves firing so close to his face--and he picks his head up. He wonders if he could focus enough to break all of her fingers on that hand. He wonders if making her scream would help him focus. ...Luckily, he can't hang onto the thought for very long]

What do you want?

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[thedicearecast]

[...Yeah, lucky thing. Amelia's not looking for broken bones here.]

[She does let out an exasperated sigh at the question, though.] How about to make sure you don't pass out in the rain? You really should go inside if nothing else.

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[the smile returns, breaking across his face without warning]

Go inside and do what? I haven't done anything to earn rest.

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[thedicearecast]

[Are you aware of how creepy that face is, Legato? Amelia is.]

People don't need to earn rest. And even if they did, I'd say you've suffered enough to have paid your dues.

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Suffered enough...

[he might find this one genuinely funny. Either way, he's back to chuckling about it. What gives you that impression, Amelia? Is it the staggering, the helpless laughter? Maybe it's the gloomy rain, or the missing arm?]

What a foolish thing to say.

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[thedicearecast]

And just what part of it's foolish?

[All of the above, meshed together in the person standing in front of her. Every instinct she's got is not only saying that this is a lost cause, but it'd be borderline foolish to keep going--even dangerous.]

Do you really want to be out here that badly?

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What part? Every part of it...

[but wrapping him mind around how to begin explaining what he means just doesn't work out. So, his delirious attention easily floats away to her other question. He manages to stop laughing for this one]

No, I don't.

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[thedicearecast]

[Another cryptic answer. Amelia frowns, but she doesn't press any further. It's not likely something she'll agree with anyway, even if this guy could explain more--and that's a big if at this point.]

[But maybe there's something she can work with in terms of the second answer.] Then stop being stupid about it and come with me. [She hesitates then, however, considering the state the man's in. Unfortunately, it doesn't leave her with many options.] I guess you can lean on me if you need to, so long as you keep your hands to yourself and don't touch me.

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I wouldn't dream of it.

[the thought strikes him as funny, again, but at least the laugh is short this time. Through the drugged haze, he can tell that his ribs are hurting from just how funny he's finding everything. He wonders briefly if he'll bruise or crack a rib by the end of it, if he keeps this up.]

And... just where is it that you think I should go? [but he's setting himself into motion anyway and stumbling a step closer]