towerofanimus | I can't say no to you.

Characters: Amberley Vail and Ciaphas Cain
Setting: Amberley's dormatory room
Format: Actionspam
Summary: Event stuff! It's cold outside, and someone's ill equipped for the weather.
Warnings: Amberley may die from exposure, not really sure yet. She certainly THINKS she's going to die, at least, and talks at length about it.
Also, there's some graphic descriptions of frostbite in here.

[ Amberley had managed to survive through the other seasons even though she didn't have much in the way of protective clothing. She kept to herself, working on staying alive and trusting Cain enough to be able to do the same. He'd survived worse on his own and he didn't need a babysitter.

But when the winter hit, she knew that she was in trouble. Even after bundling herself up every article of clothing she had managed to either bring or make with her along with her blankets on her bed, she was still freezing. Huddled up in a corner next to her bed, she was focusing on trying to stay warm, but failing. Her fingers and toes had already succumb to frostbite.

The possibility of death is on her mind, though she knows it isn't permeant, so the idea doesn't scare her. If anything, the idea of being resurrected with some sort of warpcraft disgusted her. It was enough for her to make an effort to stay warm and keep her eyes open. ]

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[Cain was debating making some type of smart comment. But smart comments around Inquisitors usually lowered one's life span so he kept his trap shut.

But he wasn't stupid. For one, he was ready for the cold thanks to good luck. That luck being him being attached to Valhallan regiments most of his life as a Commissar. Seeing as they were from an ice planet, he was equipped for cold that was beyond dangerous levels.

Secondly, he knew Amberley would probably be having troubles herself. He's never seen her in cold weather gear so he just assumed that she had none. And keeping her alive was something he'd like to do. Part of him would say he was motivated by the fact that she'd be pretty wrathful towards him if she died. Another part of him didn't want her to die purely for reasons involving love. That would honestly suck.

So, when he made it to her room, he tossed his greatcoat over her, still wearing his carapace armor underneath that.]

I thought you might be needing one of these.

[ She hadn't ruled out that he'd come to check on her. Though honestly, she doesn't like being seen by him like this. But she's not going to turn away good help. Amberley wraps the greatcoat around her tightly and it helps quite a bit seeing as the material kept Ciaphas warm in similar temperatures to these.

She's still feeling a bit bitter about the whole situation, Emperor knows how many times she wished that her own armor was here with her. ]

At least one of us is staying warm.

[ Amberley can't say anything without shivering, and she probably shouldn't bother talking at all. It takes too much energy. Still, she has to get back at him somehow. ]

Your response should be 'I'm glad Jurgen isn't around' because you know he would have been first to offer his coat. Then what would you do?

[As much as Cain liked his aide, he would never ever wear anything that Jurgen has worn in the past.]

[ Amberley would normally giggle, but instead she just uses the greatcoat to cover her head so Cain can't see any of her. She's not in the mood for your humor. ]

If you don't have anything else to do, you should probably leave. I don't want you standing there, watching me.

[ It's pretty clear she means "watching her die" because the last thing she wants is Ciaphas to see her die like this. It's kind of a pathetic death, all things considered. ]

I wasn't planning on you sitting.

[He holds out a hand for her.]

You need to keep walking or you really will freeze. Any servant of the Emperor would be foolish to let a Holy Inquisitor turn into a Popsicle.

[ She puts both arms through that greatcoat and she sticks one hand out to Ciaphas. It's bare, fingertips already blackened and skin waxy to the touch. It wasn't severe enough to call for amputation... yet. ]

Give me your other hand too.

[He had training on how to deal with this kind of problem. He just hoped they told him the right thing or else it looked like she might have to lose a finger or two.]

[ She obliges, Amberley also manages to reposition herself so that she's ready to stand up. ]

[He pulls her up but doesn't let of her hands. Instead, he starts rubbing them with his own hands, to warm them up and get the blood flowing again. He's wearing his gloves, though, because his two mechanical fingers would cause a bit of pain doing this.]

It might start to hurt soon but that's a good sign.

Figured as much.

[ She was hoping that Ciaphas' hands would be warm, but if they are, she can't really tell. She leans her face into his armor, hoping to absorb some of his warmth into her. ]

You aren't warm enough.

I'm a Commissar. Some soldiers, not part of my regiment mind you, would say I'm the most cold blooded creature walking.

Let me know when you start getting feeling back into your hand.

We both know that's not true.

[ As far as Amberley was concerned, he was one of the kindest men she had ever met. ]

... A little.

[ She flinches a bit, but Amberley's used to pain so she doesn't try to jerk away. She's a tough woman, that's for sure. ]

You never know. I've threatened a planetary government before. I might be a bit more cold hearted than I look.

[He's not stopping until he's sure. Because he's fairly certain Amberley might ask him to stop before she's actually ready. The freedom of choice was just a suggestion.]

Give up the tough act. I think the modest one suits you a bit better.

[ She chuckles softly into his armor, and then winces a bit since now his rubbing actually is starting to hurt. Amberley still won't ask him to stop, though. ]

I don't know. I happen to enjoy doing this around you.

[Even though he knows it doesn't impress her at all.]

[ Amberley leans against Ciaphas a little bit more, starting to grow weak again. ]

I'll let it go this once.

[ She likes the sound of his voice. It's a distraction from the cold. ]

[He suddenly pulls back from her.]

That's no good. Let's go. You're going to have to march like a grunt.

Yes sir.

[ She hooks her arm on Cain's, ready to go. If she doesn't have any support she'd just fall over after taking a few steps. ]

Pretty sure you don't have to address me by 'sir'.

Just having a bit of fun.

[ She takes a step forward, expecting Ciaphas to help her stay standing. ]

Whatever keeps your heart pumping.

[He'll catch her if she falls but come on, Amberley, this is for your own good!]

[ So have you ever tried to walk on frostbitten feet before... because it's kind of hard. A few steps in and she's already stumbling forward, unable to catch herself. ]

[No, Cain never has! He's self-preserving enough to not be in such a situation.

But as promised, he does catch her wordlessly.]

[ She takes a second to recover, and then pushes on. ]

I swear, if you tell anyone about this...

[ Yes, even though she's hurting physically, her pride is also pretty bruised. Being caught ill prepared was unbecoming of her rank. ]

Believe me, I didn't have anything like that in mind.

[He'd rather not face a summary execution! He was supposed to be the one giving them out, not taking them.]

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I can't say no to you.

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