towerofanimus | just this once, everybody lives!

[Diarmuid frowns and sets the food and drink nearby should Reno change his mind.]

I'm asking because you need obvious medical attention and it would be faster if I didn't have to run down to the bottom of the Tower for supplies. Stop being so stubborn. Isn't it a waste of energy?

I don't know. 'Sides, this's more than just a couple of bandages.

[He lifts one arm, wincing.]

Don't think they're broken, but... they hurt like hell dipped in hot sauce.

Dislocation or torn muscle?

[As much fighting as Reno has done, Diarmuid has a feeling the man probably knows how those kinds of injuries feel.]

How is your range of motion?

[Don't mind him as he searches the immediate area to see if he finds any stashed medical supplies.]

[Reno shakes his head again.]

Don't think it's either. I took a pretty hard impact through my arms and got thrown. Haven't really tried checking, kinda hurts when I move.

[Conveniently avoiding the topic of all those bruises, slashes and burns, though.]

You check out Cu yet? That idiot poked his spear in where it didn't belong and almost got himself killed, right after I lost my poker to the things. Think that's one you should yell at him for.

I have already talked to him, yes, so don't try to change the subject.

[What are you, Reno? Five?]

It's not much, but this will have to do.

[Diarmuid brings back a a small kit someone obviously put together and left behind, making a mental note to head downstairs as soon as he can to not only replace it, but to get more if it is needed.]

Tell me where the worst is besides your arms. Those might be strained and bruised. We can't do a whole lot about that besides give it time...

[Geez, Dee, are you going to Dad him now? Reno lets out an annoyed huff at being thwarted. And then freezes when he thinks on where the worst is.]

Uhh... the worst other than my arms? ...got electrocuted. You're not goin' there.

[Diarmuid rolls his eyes.]

Fine, where can I treat? And before you think of saying nowhere, just keep in mind I have no problem finding Xion and making her come and sit on you...

[The turk looks up at him with a vaguely 'are you serious' look.]

Yeah, don't do that. She's probably worse off than me.

[Being very careful, Reno gingerly starts taking off his now thoroughly ruined blazer and shirt. The material had been made to resist ripping against things like this in order to offer some protection, but that didn't help stop it completely.

Some contusions, gashes, and burns from where the whips had made contact and zapped him during that last mad rush showed on his bared skin. The one on his butt he was firmly going to sit on no matter what Diarmuid said.]

Hey... why are you doin' this? I'd rather get a sponge bath from Elena.

I know and I had the same fight with her about treating her wounds. She certainly is your daughter...

[Diarmuid starts looking over Reno's wounds, working on the ones that seem to be the worst.]

Look at it this way. I am helping you get cleaned up so you and Elena can do more fun things than just having a sponge bath later. Or would you rather she see how bad off you really are and just decide to wrap you in cotton and put you to bed?

[He presses a bandage into place with a bit more force than necessary.]

Stop complaining. I am trying to help.

Nnnggg...!

[Diarmuid, that was cruel. Cruel and unusual. He's giving you a pouting face. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN RENO'S POUT?

...It looks a bit like Xion's actually.]

At this point, I'd deal with it. Cotton and bed doesn't sound so bad right now... especially with your bedside manner. Least I tried to numb you down when I was redoin' your stitches.

[Yeah, and it works a lot better on Xion. Sorry, Reno. No sympathy from your brother right now...

Oh...and is that bandage applied even a little harder? Oops...]

My bedside manner is great. I just don't suffer complainers and fools well. I wonder which you are...

AGH!

[That is so not the way to treat your brother.]

Diarmuid! You tryin' to kill me or something? That's it, I'm goin' to find Elena. Maybe I can get the one on my ass fixed...

Ah...so that is the one I'm not allow to touch.

[There is mischief twinkling in his eyes. For a few moments, Diarmuid seriously considers smacking Reno on the butt just as a joke, but in the end decides not to. He's not sure how bad the wound is and a joke is only a joke as long as it doesn't go too far.]

I'm afraid I'm not sure where she disappeared of too. She was helping us with the chips for a while, but I lost track of her when I went down to try and help finding some of the chips myself.

[Unfortunately, Reno knows Diarmuid enough to recognize that look. And realize he might be planning something.]

Whatever you're thinking... don't you dare, Dee.

[As much as he'd like to joke around with him, Reno's not feeling well at all. They may have been battling chips in some sort of crazy fashion, but all Reno wanted to right then was stop hurting, stop feeling ill, and sleep. Maybe get some food.]

I'll go find her when I'm feelin' better... I'm really missing my PHS.

Don't worry. Unlike some people I know better than to go too far.

[Diarmuid patches one more wound and then sets aside the supplies. After that, he nods his head toward the plate of food he brought and the cider next to it.]

You want any of that now? What is a PHS?

[Reno gives him a one-eyed glare.]

Thought you guys liked that party. And a PHS is a phone. Sort of.

[Looking at the food, he queried his stomach and got back a positive, so he nodded and reached out with one arm to grab it. Yeah, that wasn't a good idea. He winces and shakes his wrist a bit.]

Here let me. I swear you are hopeless.

[Diarmuid gathers the plate and cup and hands them to Reno.]

'That party?' I can't speak for others, but no joke is worth upsetting another. Some lines should not be crossed.

Would it help if I go see if I can find Elena for you?

[He takes them, though just holds them for a minute, shutting his eyes. Reno looks like he could really use a drink or two, or at least a few days in bed.]

Not sure... if it was real bad up here she might be in trouble. Or she might just be doing a round or hiding from everybody. If she knows we came back this's where she'll come to find me. Fuck...

[It might be telling he isn't using one of his more descriptive and colorful phrases.]

I need to speak to Waver.

You probably need to sleep more than talk to Waver. Is it something that I can tell him? Once everyone is taken care of, he and I are going to go crash for a while. I can pass along a message then...

[Diarmuid points over toward a pile of blankets and pillows.]

You can take a nap there if you want. That way if Elena comes back up here, she will find you, and if I see her, I can point her in your direction.

Dee... [Reno's tone is edging on serious.] Remember how you were talkin' about being more than a Turk a while back? Some things I can't just let go, and not just because I can't, because it's smart. Gettin' the info out now before I pass out...

[Agh, he gives up. Heaving a sigh, he takes a deep gulp of that cider down, then pauses, staring at it with a very disturbing, though vague look on his face.

Rick...]

Fine. Tell Waver we might be successful gettin' control of downstairs, but somethin' went wrong and if he wants to know about it he can come see me.

[Diarmuid frowns, both because of the look on Reno's face, but also because of what he has said.]

Something went wrong? No one has really said anything about that.

[Unless Reno means them having to fight Riki at all?]

He will want to talk to you right away, then. I know him. It might just be best if I go get him for you...

Diarmuid, missions like what we just went through is what I'm trained to do. Hell, by the best on my fucking planet even. It isn't even been the worst one I've had. The others? I don't know.

[For a moment it's almost like another person sitting there. Hard lined, serious, professional, but still somehow the same old Reno. Not at all like the mask he wore when he was trying to hide how the failure in December affected him. No, this is more like Reno grown up and tempered in a hell for two years.]

It's Waver's op, and I got to report in.

I suspect that Waver would rather you just rested first, but...I understand.

[Diarmuid points at the plate Reno is holding.]

Eat. I will go find him and send him over to you so you can give your report. Just do me a favor. Don't mention to him he's the one in charge or the leader. All you will end up doing is arguing about it. I've already been down that road with him and it's a dead end.

[Yeah, what? Reno gives him a disbelieving look.]

For being a practical guy, Waver sure can have his head in the clouds with denial.

When you spend so long being told you are worthless and won't amount to anything, it kind of leaves a mark. He's getting better, but these things take time.

[Especially when the person's default way of dealing with things is to ignore them.]

Eat and I will send him over.

[Diarmuid turns to start to leave, pausing for a moment to look back at Reno.]

I'm glad you made it back in one piece, brother.

[He is then off to find Waver.]

just this once, everybody lives!

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