[closed]

[looselips]

Characters: Caster and Shinji
Setting: Floor Two, backdated to the 16th
Format: IDK I wrote in action but I'll match
Summary: Caster takes Shinji to the infirmary after an unfortunate run-in
Warnings: Blood and injuries, I think that's it?

[When Caster sets him down in the infirmary, Shinji wobbles. He's definitely pale when he flops backward onto the hospital bed, which he realizes a moment later is probably not the best course of action, because the abrupt movement makes his head spin again. ("Urgh.") More carefully this time, he turns his head to look to Caster, though his expression is somewhat unfocused.]

[He's pretty sure his leg is still bleeding. Maybe he hit something bad after all. Maybe he'll die anyway. This is probably better than dying afraid and potentially on fire, but he still can't say he's looking forward to it, and especially not when he doesn't even understand what happened.]


Characters: OU!Kariya and Lancelot and Shinji
Setting: Cafeteria, backdated to the weather event (spring)
Format: I'LL MATCH HERE TOO
Summary: Wading pools are a problem when you're under four feet tall :[
Warnings: N...one?

[If Shinji had known that the cafeteria would be well on its way to underwater when the elevator refused to work, he would have just stayed upstairs.]

[Unfortunately, he hadn't, so when he makes his way downstairs on foot and with one injured leg, he's less than pleased with the sight that greets him. For someone his size, the water is probably about half his height, and he has the issue of bandages to consider. Not that those aren't damper than they should be already. Leaning heavily on his uninjured leg, he glares down at the accumulated water from his place on the stairs, as though that will somehow make it recede enough for him to get something to eat.]


[ ooc: if you want to do a backdated thing with Shinji, too, contact me and I can set up a thread for you too o/ ]

Comments

tagging order Kariya -> Shinji -> Lancelot?

[vermicompost]

[Kariya and Lancelot are making their way through the drowned cafeteria, scavenging for supplies. Lancelot probably would have preferred to come alone, or he could have been carrying Kariya (sometimes he did), but Kariya had insisted on coming along and on walking on his own this time.

When Kariya, wading through the water, catches sight of that small form standing on the stairs, and that distinctive hair, and he makes his way over, waving.]

Shinji! Over here. Are you all right?

sure thing!

[looselips]

[Shinji, having been focused on the water, responds to the sound of Kariya's voice with a start. He hadn't noticed Kariya's presence. Gingerly, he shifts his weight back to both feet, then shoves his hands in his pockets to hide the bandages wrapped around his palms. It is, for once, a fairly competent way to hide that something is wrong.]

I'm fine. It's just some water. [His reply is disgruntled.]

[koncubine]

You really got into trouble this time, huh...?

[Caster sighs, hands on her hips. Playing nurse is not what she sighed up for, but she can't exactly leave the kid this way. He'll bleed out or slip into a coma, with her luck.

She reaches for his leg, wrapping a white towel around it and tying it off. She doesn't trust him to hold it on as he is right now.]

Stay there for a minute, got it? I'll go find someone to fix that. Or at least some proper bandages.

[She points at him sternly before she turns. She'll only be a minute or two, and hopefully he won't get even worse in that time.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Lancelot looms behind his Master, sighing over the fact that it would be easier to cover more ground and more efficiently if the man would only consent to being carried consistently. The man has more will than sense, over all.
Still, he has become more tolerant of his Master's ways since spending a good deal of time with the man while in his right mind.

He had spied the child before Kariya called to him, but now he observes Shinji more closely. They have not spoken, but his Master has been enlightening on the subject of his personal connections within the Tower.

He can see by the boy's stance that his leg is injured-- at least.]

The boy is injured, Master. He should not risk the water. Shall I fetch him, then?

[vermicompost]

It's no trouble. Lancelot can carry you...

[Oh, that's right, they haven't been introduced.]

Lancelot, this is Shinji Matou. Shinji, this is my Servant, Lancelot. [It still seems absurd to call him Berserker when he's not berserk, and Lancelot isn't so pleased with his class name anyway. If Kariya thinks it's also absurd to be introducing a legendary knight to people, he doesn't act like it.

He stubbornly wades his way through the water toward his not-nephew, his expression shifting to one of concern.]

Yes, we should help him.

Injured? Are you injured? [Coming closer, he can see that that is the case.] What happened, Shinji?

[looselips]

Yeah, like I was about to go anywhere like this.

[Well, he's in good enough condition to talk back, so that's probably a good sign. With her back turned, he tries to push himself up again, but he only manages to prop himself up on his elbows. His ribs hurt, too, but that's probably just bruises. Whoever that was, she kicked hard.]

[He stays quiet for a few seconds longer. His tone his vaguely accusatory when he speaks again.]

What's your deal?

[Because there's no way he believes she's doing this out of the goodness of her heart.]

[looselips]

[Lancelot immediately declaring him injured makes Shinji's back stiffen, his expression obviously that of a person who has been caught red-handed. He tries to stand normally anyway, as though that will hide anything. Doing so isn't comfortable, and especially not after he has walked so much. So, of course, he immediately winces.]

[Well, so much for that.]

I told you, I'm fine. [And yet he argues anyway.] I don't want to be carried around like some invalid. [His grousing is maybe a little pointed, considering he has made his thoughts about Kariya's condition clear in the past.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Master--
[He's no more thrilled about Karyia being in the water, honestly. At least the boy has the sense to hesitate-- and his jibe at his Uncle makes Lancelot smile faintly.]
there is no need--

[But it is already too late, for Kariya has gone ahead, and he does not think his Master would take kindly to be hauled up out of the water by his hood. He follows swiftly, a hand on his Master's back, steadying the man in the water. As they arrive, he releases Kariya, dropping to one knee before Shinji, the better to assess his injuries. The boy's hands are crammed into his pockets, never mind that it doesn't help him keep his balance. He addresses Kariya in one tone--]

His leg, at least, Master.

[-- and Shinji in another (calming, without being condescending).]
May I see your hands, Shinji?

[vermicompost]

I'm all right.

[Kariya starts slightly at Lancelot's hand on his back, but it does steady him, and he doesn't pull away, allowing the helpful contact as he continues on his way through the water. Not that he thinks he really needs to be held up. Maybe he can be a bit rash at times, but he thinks he's doing fine at the moment, isn't he?]

Your leg...

[Kariya's mouth tightens, his lips firming into a line.]

Did someone hurt you?

[looselips]

[When Lancelot asks to see his hands, Shinji sighs and rolls his eyes, perhaps playing up his put upon reaction more than is strictly genuine. He does, however, remove his hands from his pockets, showing that they have been bandaged.]

It's just some scrapes.

[Though between the scratches themselves and the way he picked at them, his palms are stiff and sore. He gives up on trying to hold himself with a more normal posture entirely, going back to leaning his weight entirely on his uninjured leg.]

...Yeah, someone did.

[Though the leg is kind of his own fault.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Yes, I can see the wounds are minor, but they are inflamed.
Your hands need washing, for a start. Then the wounds need to be let alone to heal.
[As he quickly checks the boy's bandages, Lancelot can see Shinji has been picking at the shallow cuts. He can also easily detect Shinji's discomfort-- the boy's leg must pain him. The gaze he turns on Shinji is one of calm assessment, not of pity.]
Though that is difficult, I know.

Yes, how did you come by these wounds, Shinji?
[He releases Shinji's hands to help the boy seat himself with the least amount of pain, then moves to examine the boy's leg.]

[koncubine]

I didn't think you were stupid enough to get into a battle without Rider, but I was wrong there.

[She waves off the question for a moment, digging through a cupboard to look for bandages. She lets out a triumphant little noise when she finally grabs the right box.]

Why did I save you, you mean? It wasn't for the thank you I'm probably not going to get, obviously.

[looselips]

If you're going to run your mouth, why don't you try knowing what you're talking about first? I didn't do anything before they attacked me.

[And he still doesn't really get why, so he has come out of the situation feeling more puzzled than upset or angry. He lies back again, listening to her rifle through the cupboard.]

Yeah, so how about you stop playing coy and spill? Maybe you'll get lucky and I'll be overcome with gratitude after all. [But probably not.]

[koncubine]

Oh, and it had nothing to do with that mouth of yours, hmm? Even if you didn't provoke them, you shouldn't be wandering off on your own.

[Caster makes a face and lifts her hand up. Watch out, Shinji, there's suddenly a flying box of bandages headed at your face.]

Hmm, you know, little boys who don't ask nicely don't get their questions answered! Try again.

[looselips]

No, it didn't! [He sounds kind of indignant that she would suggest otherwise.] Sorry, dealing with a couple of nutjobs that started talking about me tasting good wasn't an eventuality I was prepared for. I—

[But then she throws the box at him. He just barely manages to raise an arm up so that it bounces off the side of his forearm, but he hisses. The puncture wound in his leg is by far the worst, but that doesn't mean his other limbs have come out without being so much as grazed, apparently.]

[With all of his usual petulance, he throws the box back at her as hard as he can. It isn't aimed well.]

"Ask nicely"? Maybe I would have, if you hadn't started throwing crap at me!

[koncubine]

You would run into cannibals. Is your luck E-rank or something when you're by yourself?

[She doesn't even bother to dodge, and the box passes her by a foot or so. Caster stays where she is, crossing her arms and staring Shinji down.]

You know, following you around isn't exactly fun for me either. If you want an answer along with getting your wounds wrapped up, vent at someone else.

[Ohh, if it wasn't for her Master, she'd have nothing to do with this stupid scene.]

[looselips]

Why the hell are you following me around? Or, wait, are you going to tell me to ask nicely about why you're stalking me, too?

[He doesn't say anything about them being cannibals, since while the situation seems deeper than that from what little he could gather, he isn't sure how many details he wants to cough up to this twit.]

If you're not going to help, then... Just...!

[He struggles to sit up again, not that he knows much about tending wounds himself.]

[vermicompost]

[Kariya stands favoring one leg as usual, echoing Shinji's posture.]

We could find a healer to take you to.

[Kariya feels the beginnings of anger stirring. He's usually gentle and calm, but not when it comes to a child being hurt, especially not one related to him... Although Shinji isn't, but Kariya can't escape that connection in his mind, and he feels especially protective toward him nonetheless.]

Yes, who did this to you?

[looselips]

[After discovering his new and sudden ability to manipulate his own blood, Shinji had purposefully not allowed his hands heal, but now he only nods at Lancelot's words. After what happened, maybe it would be wiser not to use it again.]

[He allows himself to be sat down, having resigned himself to being checked over this way. There's a (not particularly neat) puncture wound that has been bandaged above his left knee, though whatever caused it managed to miss any major arteries.]

I don't know who they were, other than a couple of whackjobs.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Lancelot glances up at his Master, leaning in at an angle above him. He can hear the edge of anger in the man's voice. His Master is nothing if not devoted to his family. Even in this place, where the definition of the word stretches to fit the most bizarre circumstances.]

Yes, he should see a healer. I will carry him hence.

[He handles Shinji's leg with care, mindful of the boy's size and youth-- though he does seem for the most part to be uncomplaining. Lancelot wonders if an unusually high pain tolerance runs in the Matou family.]

This wound is strange, Shinji-- I too would ask who has done this, and with what weapon?

[koncubine]

I saved you for the same reason I'm following you, obviously! Can't you tell that much?

[She's willing to wait until Shinji settles down before trying to pry answers out of him. A half-answer on her part might pacify him a little, so she'll give him that much.]

Someone asked me to. Now, stop acting stupid and lay down, won't you?

[She walks over, after picking up the box, and pushes him back down. He's only going to make it worse if he keeps this up, so she starts on wrapping the wounds quickly before he can.]

[vermicompost]

They shouldn't be allowed to get away with that, whoever they are. Something should be done about it. This place... there are too many people here who shouldn't be allowed to be free.

[Kariya grits his teeth. It's hard for him to control his anger once it's started. The worms under his skin twitch, visible in his face. They always react to his emotions. He hates that. It's like he's not even free to feel anymore. He swallows, trying to control himself.]

We could take him to Raphael or Ishtar... But I don't know where they are now.

[looselips]

[The pulsing veins aren't exactly pleasant to look at, and whatever Shinji might claim about his own maturity, they aren't something he's prepared for. He looks away, trying to remain still and not squirm as he speaks again.]

Hey, do you mind? I'm right here. [He harrumphes, shifting his attention to the other half of the conversation and injecting himself into it with all of his usual belligerence.] Like it or not, you have no right to tell me what to do, so try to keep your meddling on a leash.

[Not that he doesn't want to go to a healer. It's just that talking about that is a lot easier than talking about what happened. Shinji doesn't know where or how to begin with that subject, so Lancelot's question goes obviously unanswered.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Lancelot allows a very slight smile. The boy has plenty of spirit, or at least bloody-minded obstinacy, certainly. Another Matou trait, seemingly.
He removes his necktie and uses it to secure the bandage around Shinji's leg more firmly as he replaces it.]

Your Uncle has the right of this, Shinji-- if he is meddling, it is with your well-being in mind. As for my own prying questions, I only ask so that I may aid or avenge you, if I may.

[vermicompost]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to discuss you like you weren't here.

[Kariya knows all too well what that's like. He experienced it many times in his childhood. He doesn't want to do that to someone else.]

I'm concerned about you, that's all. I only want you to be all right. You shouldn't be in pain if you don't have to be. They heal me all the time.

[And maybe he's not in perfect health, but he'd be dead many times over if not for those healers. He turns to Lancelot.]

There are too many people here willing to hurt others. Something should be done about them. The administrators are bad enough.