[ 004 ] Open || It's an animal thing

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IT'S OKAY I NEVER THOUGHT YOU DID + A-AWW I'M SORRY NOW MY FIGHT WHORE SELF FEELS BAD D8

[zerosuitjill]

Her sweeping blow having missed, Jill again carried through with the movement to slip her legs back beneath her body before she touched down, resuming her crouch only long enough to redirect her energy and launch at the target's back

[lightning_fists]

All around them, cages clanged shut in a mad rush to block out an attack from the Hellhounds. All around them, the hard slam of metal bars against rock sounded a primal rhythm of escape that had become like second nature to them after being imprisoned for so long. And with each door that was closed to them, their chances of being caught and eaten alive became more and more likely. Already, she could hear the gutteral growl and snarl of the dogs as they moved through the walkways and found victim after victims who were simply too slow to find shelter or protection.

Glancing back at Jill, she got a rather determined look in her eyes and dropped her grip on the other's arm. And with quick and urgent steps, she reached out just in time to grab at a swinging door, keeping it from shutting them out of the cell. And it was in that moment that she caught sight of a Hellhound slinking its way over, sniffing around for any stray lambs still wandering around in the open.

"Jill," she called softly, barely above a whisper, "How fast can you

[zerosuitjill]

Fast enough.

Jill was too exhausted, her lungs too pained and her voice too broken to say it aloud, but it was the truth all the same. She'd used up her last strength reserve at the end of their fight, but there was more to survival than strength and stamina and even adrenaline, something that she'd learned time and time again in her life.

The ultimate key to survival was will, and Jill Valentine had never lacked that much. Not when it mattered

[lightning_fists]

[zerosuitjill]

The most Jill could manage, after a moment, was rolling onto her back, first giving the other woman a quick once over -- she was okay, no obvious injury if she'd received any -- and the door was shut, and that canine monstrosity was locked out.

She relaxed.

All at once her body's misery caught up with her, and she was aware of every little bruise and scrape she'd accumulated since this all began. Her suit clung uncomfortably to her moist skin, only increasing her desire to get out of it, and sweat stung at where it touched the wounds on her chest. She wouldn't be moving very well anytime soon, let alone doing anything even vaguely reminiscent of fighting.

Still, she managed a quiet, breathless word, barely audible above the hound's snarls and clanging.

"Thanks."

[lightning_fists]

The monstrous, over-sized pup lingered only a few moments more before turning away to seek other quarry. It became clear to him that there was no meal waiting for him beyond this point, not with the bars closed to him and his limited reach. But that didn't stop the beastly leer he sent in the young woman's direction before stalking off

[zerosuitjill]

Jill needed a moment before she could reply -- or do anything, really -- and she didn't rush herself. Her breath still raked at her throat and lungs like hot ashes, her limbs were feeling less like lead and more painfully, shakily light. She knew the signs of overexertion, and she'd pushed herself way past her limits and then some. She'd be feeling the result for a few days -- but at least she was alive to do so. That, she would never regret.

Finally, her breath a near whisper, she managed a reply a long moment later.

"Been through worse."

All things aside, she couldn't hide the slightest of smiles as she said it. True, if not exactly helpful in the current situation. "I'll... need a while."

That moment you realize it's been forever since you RPed on LJ

[lightning_fists]

There was a nod thrown in there, showing that she understood the need for it. Running from Hellhounds was taxing in and of itself. Stack it on top of a rough physical battle, and an imprisonment that was just shy of mind-control and even the strongest of warriors would find themselves at the very limits of their strength. Frankly, Tifa was impressed that Jill had held out this long without collapsing in a heap.

But then, as she had found out within the first week of her incarceration, there was nothing ordinary about the inmates of this prison.

"Well, I wouldn't worry about having enough time." To which the younger woman offered the other a soft smile, regardless of her tone or intent. "Because you've got plenty of it. No need to rush."

A smile and the weight of a hand lightly resting on her shoulder added an unspoken You've been through enough' that Tifa was sure she didn't need to voice.

[zerosuitjill]

Jill would have nodded, if possible, but the most she could manage was a quiet exhale. It was a little aggravating, being this useless -- unable to offer switching shifts later, to let the other woman rest while Jill kept watch -- but she wouldn't beat herself up over it too much. She wasn't as rash as she used to be and by now recognized human limits well enough -- and knew that she'd pushed herself beyond what was human, really, and they were fortunate to be alive. That was enough for now, and she'd worry about the rest later. She'd have a lot to deal with when she woke up already, and her inevitable aches and pains were just the start.

"I'll use it, then." Even as she spoke, her vision dimmed and faded to a comfortable, hazy grey that began easing into black. "Make sure... you rest yourself... too..."

[lightning_fists]

Even despite the situation and how close they both had come to certain death, there was no helping the smile pulling at Tifa's lips. In a sense, Jill had been asleep for a long time while that device used her body as a vessel. Still, it was understandable that she would be exhausted. Mind-control and running from Hellhounds tended to take a lot out of you, full reserve of energy or otherwise.

So she'll be sticking around, taking a seat right beside the other to keep an eye on her while she slept. Even after Feeding Time ends and the cages open again to let the inmates roam around on their own, Tifa will be right here.

"Don't you worry about me. You just worry about you."

Sleep well, Jill. You've earned it...

[zerosuitjill]

"I'll try." It wasn't difficult, placing her life in this young stranger's hands; besides the fact that Jill had no choice, she was still a trusting person even after everything she'd been through. Her sense of camaraderie was strong, stronger after all her losses and even the occasional betrayal; considering her line of work, she couldn't afford to be paranoid. Careful, but not paranoid.

So there was no second-doubting that trust as Jill finally gave in to her fatigue -- and the last thought she had before she instantly slipped under was that this was someone she would undoubtedly risk her life to protect in the future. She was already sure of it.