[OPEN][BACKDATED] Hold out I'll give a little piece of me

[chronomancer]

Characters: (Jade!)Eridan('s blood) and you!
Setting: Fleeing from the infirmary and up towards the dormitory, so stairways because Eridan's not reasonable when he's freaking out this bad.
Format: Action but I'll match your preference.
Summary: BACKDATED to Valentine's day. Eridan managed somehow to escape Dualscar's... "attentions", but not unscathed. So now he's leaving a very obvious jadeblooded trail as he flees towards his dormitory so he can hide under his bed.
Warnings: Lots and lots of jade green and it's not grubsauce. Will add more as necessary. Feel free to add chocolate shenanigans too if you want.

[Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

Eridan stumbled as fast as his legs could take him, which didn't seem to be enough. Maybe running after losing an arm, still bleeding from losing an arm, wasn't the brightest of ideas, no. And maybe if he had been thinking straight, he'd have headed for the elevators, rather than the stairs.

But fuck rational thinking, he's going on the sheer terrified certainty that if he stops moving, if he lets Dualscar grab him again, he's going to die.

He might still die, as it is, what with the blood loss that's also painting a very convenient trail behind him, or the cuts on his throat and his face. But the single important thing is that he's not going to die at Dualscar's mercy.

Fuck that. If he's going to die, he's going to find a nice, cozy corner and then kick the bucket die on his own damn terms. Which at the moment seem to be anywhere but here.]

Comments

[selenic]

[She blinks, and nearly asks him what in the world he's sorry for until she reminds herself that this isn't really the time.]

It's all right, Eridan. You're safe now.

[She's doing everything she can not to look down at what was once his arm. She hesitates, loosening her grip on his shoulder and shooting him an imploring look.]

I can heal you, remember?

[chronomancer]

[He returns the imploring look with a whimper, flinching away from her hold. God, he just wants to find somewhere to curl up and hide.]

...you don't havve to. I'm sorry. It's. It's okay, really.

[selenic]

I want to. It won't hurt, I promise.

[In about five seconds she's going to start the incantation regardless, because he is in terrible shape.]

[chronomancer]

[He raises his hand up, in a placating gesture, except it only serves to accent the fact he's missing an arm. He gives a step back. He's not thinking straight, he's just thinking of Willow and the infirmary and oh fuck the infirmary he's never going back there again, rather than the magic Estelle showed him and oh. Oh fuck.]

It's okay. It's okay. Really.

[Why don't people believe him when he says that?]

[selenic]

[Probably because he's bleeding out onto the floor from the stump that was once his arm. But there's absolutely no way she's going to let him die, even if for some reason he thinks he doesn't deserve help. The range of her arte is large enough to heal him even if he panics, anyway, so Estelle clasps her hands together and begins the incantation, speaking as quickly as she can manage without stumbling over her words.]

O breath of light that dwells in all creatures, come forth. Revitalize!

[As soon as she finishes, a rather alarmingly large, glowing magical circle appears below them, healing his injuries incredibly quickly. His arm, of course, won't regenerate.]

[chronomancer]

[Eridan's look is one of pure, sheer, undiluted fear as the light spreads around him, and he lets out a soft whimper, resigned to death. Actually, it's pretty welcome at this point!

Except he's not dead. This is novelty.

Actually, he doesn't feel all that bad except for that itch along his wrist... where he. Doesn't have a wrist anymore. Oh well.

Just let him fall onto his ass on the floor and stare up at her with both awe and fear and kind of dumb-blank-incomprehension too.

Give the kid a break, it's been a bad day.]

[selenic]

[She plops to the ground beside him eyeing him with clear concern and offering him her hand.]

It's okay. See? All better.

[chronomancer]

[All better is not the word he'd use. Actually, the words he'd use are much more profanity laden, but he supposes she's right. And hey, he's no longer bleeding out or in too much pain to think coherently. That's a plus. On the other hand.

Well.

Yes, there's that.]

Yeah.

[Let him stare a bit more, just so he gets his act together. Okay? Okay.]

...thank you.

[selenic]

[She relaxes, smiling.]

You're welcome.

[Then she sobers again, letting her hand drop back into her lap when he doesn't take it.]

What happened?

[chronomancer]

[He can't help but clutch his shoulder, because... well, yes, the arm's still gone, but he can still feel it, oddly enough. It's weird. But he supposes this means he's not going to die. That's a good thing.

Eridan shrugs at her.]

Wwrong place at the wwrong time, I suppose.

[A small pause.]

...I think you just savved my life.

[selenic]

[That's a vague answer, but she decides not to push.]

Oh, it was nothing! I'm happy to help.

[chronomancer]

No, really.

[He looks away, embarrassed.]

I don't think that wwas nothin.

[selenic]

[She smiles a little shyly, shaking her head.]

Anyone would have done the same. Would you like me to help you get cleaned up?

[chronomancer]

Maybe, I guess.

[He takes a moment to process the request, and he shivers unconsciously.]

I. I don't think that'd be a good idea.

[God, he feels like a dick.]

[selenic]

It's all right. We don't have to if you don't want to.

[She wishes there was something more she could do, at least to make him less terrified.]

Do you want me to help you back to your room?

[chronomancer]

I. I think, that is.

[He looks at his feet.]

Thank you. For... helpin me.

[selenic]

[Oh goodness he is breaking her heart.]

You're welcome. Things seem particularly dangerous lately!

[chronomancer]

Maybe. I just.

[He seems to make himself small.]

Maybe I should be alone. For a wwhile.

[selenic]

I understand.

[She pauses.]

I'd like to at least make sure you're safe, though. Please?

[chronomancer]

...a course.

[He nodded shallowly, trying to smile.]

Thank you.

[selenic]

You're welcome. Really, it was nothing.

[She stands, offering him her hand.]

[chronomancer]

[Eridan ducks his head, and eventually reaches out to hold her hand, tentatively.

He's not good at this, okay, sorry.]

...'m sorry.

[selenic]

[She smiles, tugging him to his feet.]

Why do you keep apologizing? You haven't done anything wrong.

[chronomancer]

So--

[Eridan looks away, wincing.]

It's a habit.

[selenic]

[She smiles again.]

It's alright.

[Annnd off to the dorm floors!]