towerofanimus | the storm finally found me

Entry tags:

the storm finally found me

Characters: The Summoner and YOU
Setting: Between the thirteenth floor and the infirmary
Format: I will follow!
Summary: The Summoner really needs a hug except for the part where his ribs are broken
Warnings: Mentions of violence and blood?? Rampant self-loathing??? Various existential and emotional crises?????

[He stays where he is for a long time after the Highblood leaves, staring rather blankly into the air. He has not felt this low since he was a child. Since before he met Pyralsprite, and that thought is… absolutely hysterical to him. He has fought his whole life and it took a week and two trolls to bring him back here, where he questions every single one of his thoughts, his movements, everything. He does so much wrong, how could he have forgotten that]

[So he laughs because what the hell else is there to do. He wants nothing more then to sleep the rest of forever away, but he can’t as his body is quick to remind him. He’s coughing violently into his hand before long, unsurprised when after the fit has ended there are speckles of blood on his palm. Fuck. He wanted to skip the trip to the infirmary, but if his lungs are punctured…]

[The climb to his feet is truly agonizing, and he knows walking will be worse. There are little things in him muttering that he deserves it and he just can’t bring himself to argue with it. Yes. Of course he deserves it. Whatever. How many flights is it to the infirmary? He should’ve paid better attention in the past]

[Ah well… The first push off is the worst, and then he’s moving out of the cathedral and down the halls, one arm wrapped around himself while the other uses the wall for support. He’s tired. Let’s get this over with…]

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[ ... This is not okay stop being hurt this instant ahsdfgh!!

Link will casually flip the fuck out over this and decide that you being grievously injured is NOT OKAY. ]

... I'm going to go find help, I promise I will be back as soon as I can.

[ There's a little reluctance to leave--concern that whoever did this may come back to finish the jobb--but Link dashes off down another floor of the Tower and goes searching for someone they hope will be able to heal the injured troll.

There's a large gap between then and when they finally do come back, because it takes Link quite a bit to find someone with magic able to heal Summoner and bring them back on top of telling them what was going on, but thankfully such a person is in the Tower. ]

He got injured again? [had been Willow's response, alarmed and covering her concern with a tinge of frustration.] Let's go. Right now.

[And thus she had dropped whatever she was doing without a moment's thought to bustle off after Link, letting him lead the way back. It did take some time, but eventually they came upon the Summoner, who had by now made it to the infirmary and already spoken with the Handmaid.]

[Yeah idk he's set himself up somewhere away from the Handmaid for the sake of continuity I guess, and he's returned to staring sort of blankly into space. HE KIND OF FORGOT ABOUT LINK ACTUALLY, or at least assumed the guy had buggered off and the whole IMMA GET HELP thing was just a polite human thing to do]

[Link may note he looks REALLY AWFUL even compared to the last time she saw him, and Willow may note that he just kinda generally looks like shit. But he is totally not paying attention to the door so... you know... try not to startle him and stuff]

[ To which their response to Willow would be: ]

I don't know how he got injured again, but anything you could do to help would be greatly appreciated.

[ Well, they were in a bit of a rush, but even then it was a bit more prolonged than they'd have liked, having to find him again after finding someone willing to help. At the very least, Link's second place to check is obviously the infirmary.

Of course, they don't throw the door open and are polite enough to knock first before entering, at least, despite how worried about him they may be. It'd be bad to disturb someone else, right...? ]

I'm... sorry for the wait.

[ Just a bit out of breath, but it's okay because Willow can help him, right? Go do your thing, please... ]

[Willow would like to see someone stop her from doing her thing. She shifts impatiently as Link knocks, but can't deny the value of the courtesy. If he is injured, he's probably feeling vulnerable, given troll society. That's her guess, anyway.

But then she's in the room, and it's all swept away by worry. Worry and bossiness.]

What happened? [she asks, coming up right next to his side and just a tiny bit anxious.] Since I'm going to heal you, I think I should get an explanation first.

[Yup, she just assumed he'll be fine with her healing him. He doesn't get a choice.]

[...oh my god, okay hi Willow, hi again music guy. They get a slow blink after all their urgency because he... was not expecting them, and was kind of halfway down his Despair Spiral when they showed up...]

[...but alright, after a second, he just... kinda looks... at Willow. His lung is probably punctured and you want him to explain what happened. W E L P hope you aren't expecting anything long-winded or anything, because all you get is: ]

Got in a fight. [MAN LISTEN TO HIM WHEEZE. Really lady, you can get an explanation later okay!!!]

[ Yeah okay, see, Link is inclined to agree this is not the time for talking. Let's. Just mediate a bit here. ]

... Perhaps he'd have an easier time explaining himself after we help him?

[ Since he has an injured rib or two and that'll be affecting his breathing, and all. Assuming trolls... work that way HOPEFULLY but anyway yeah.

Just a... little concerned over here, okay? ]

Edited 2012-01-24 04:14 (UTC)

[And now she looks alarmed instead of bossy.] Wow, you are hurt way worse than I thought, [she says nervously. Although Willow was playing it up, in truth she still didn't like doing such major works of magic at the drop of a hat, or at all. She expected them to go horribly, horribly wrong each time, and healing this much this fast was going to be very major. There was a reason she'd done the slow-and-sapping when she met him in the forest.

In a mutter,] I knew I was keeping this extra power around for a reason. [She had some left from fighting the Grand Highblood weeks ago, ironically enough. Enough magical energy had been sucked into her that she couldn't possibly have used it all since then, but with this, she'd be dry completely. Back to normal.

Somehow it was right to use such violence-tainted power to heal someone. Willow's expression firms. She's doing this.

She pushes up a sleeve and reaches out with a hand. It's awkwardly intimate, but it's easiest with her hand on his head, just lightly resting on the hair between his horns. Since he's having trouble talking, she doesn't wait for permission.] Hold on, [is all she says, tone grim, and closes her eyes.

Focus. Focus, she tells herself. But really, it was so easy with this power; the blackness wanted to help her, was ready to leap to do whatever she wished. She just had to direct it. A spark jumped from her fingertips and onto the Summoner, and a moment later Willow was gasping, caught up in the rush and barely aware of what she was doing anymore.

He was healed, perfectly, with no more fanfare than that, but she was staggering back toward Link, dazed and breathing heavily.] Oh, I... I need to sit. Chair?

[Wow alright the head grabbing is kind of awkward. Here he was offering his hands again, but nope. There is this sort of instinctive duck away from her, but the pain stops him right as he's about to start scolding himself. She's doing her best. She has been nothing but helpful. What are you doing--]

[!!!!!!!!!!!]

[His thoughts scatter at the jolt of magic, and he straightens to the point of overextending, muscles going violently, sickly tense as... welp... everything snaps back into place. Right where it's supposed to be, and the first good breath of air he's drawn in awhile sends him into another coughing fit]

[Yeah... Link... you go deal with that chair business, he's just going to be over here trying to remember how to breathe normally again]

[ Whoa there, Willow! Be careful--Link will helpful steady her as she staggers backwards, but says nothing, because this is sort of awkward.

After Willow has been steadied a bit, Link purloins the nearest chair and sets it down for her to sit in, before grabbing another they can sit on. Of course they don't WANT to say it, but... that magic looked like it had an affect on her, and Link is certain that might just be what it's like from her world.

But now is probably not the time to ask, since the Summoner is over there coughing. At least he's healed, and that is all that can be asked for, and more. Though there is a small sigh of relief that escapes, here. ]

... Thank you. You've done more than I can ask for. My magic is limited.

[ A pause, and now... that Link thinks about it, has any of the three of them stopped to properly introduce themselves-- ]

Ah... I've forgotten to mention it, but my name is Link. If you should find yourself in another battle and I'm around, I'd be happy to assist you.

[ To Summoner, of course. Manners are important when... you can remember them... ]

[She lets him help her and gratefully sinks into the chair, legs feeling all wobbly. The aftertaste of the magic she'd done is affecting her, metallic and heady, but now that she can see that she succeeded in healing him it's just making her a bit light-headed and pleased.]

Oh, you know, [she says vaguely,] I do what I can. My magic probably should be limited, but hey, can't leave Reckless McBullHorns over there to suffer in pain.

[Yeahhh, she's not really aware of what she's saying. Willow will probably be useless for a while longer as she recovers.]

[WOW RUDE. It doesn't help that by the time he's caught his breath all he catches is that TERRIBLE NAME GENTLY FLIPS YOU WILLOW. So... mild, irritated staring before he just... decides to ignore her!!! WHAT IS GRATITUDE]

[...okay no, Willow will actually get a thank you when she's not... spacing out. There is something kinda disturbing about seeing her all loose and... weird like that. He's never really seen anyone get high as it were, but he can definitely tell when something's... off. Wrong. Hm. Yep. Talking to you now, Link. You're a cool dude okay okay]

It's the Summoner. Actually. Uh... thank you for getting, help.

[ Link hasn't seen it either and therefore also has no idea what's going on. They're so well-versed in this stuff, really. ]

... It's fine. I'm just glad that someone was willing to aid you on such short notice. How exactly did you end up in such bad shape--

[ Because damn if Link isn't curious. Pausing. ]

A second time, from what I've heard?

Of course I had to help him, he's my... my friend. Even if he doesn't really know what that means, the big goof, [she says, shamelessly interrupting their conversation and openly affectionate about it. Reaffirming that she has friends here, where she feels so alone, fills her with warmth.

She smiles softly to herself, hearing them but barely seeing them. Willow is coming down slowly, but she is returning to herself; power expenditure is quite different from power gaining, after all. This was just a short taste and not a real hit, and intentionally so, on her part. It won't take too long.]

[Unsure. Looking at Willow and just... unsure forever. Stop it man, he already told you that friendship is not an okay thing for him, and here you are... ); Bluh okay, ignoring her again, and nodding to Link]

Uh... yes she helped me before. She seems uh... remarkably willing to do that, for strangers I guess. [WOW look at all these questions he is just ignoring forever]

[ Pffft, Summoner. ]

If I'm not mistaken, that would be because you're friends. I cannot speak for humans, but where I come from, it's always best to help those in need. I take it you aren't familiar with the concept of friendship?

[ Aww cute. This does cause a brief smile. ]

Trolls are funny about it. [Willow's blinking repeatedly, starting to feel just faintly dizzy instead of loopy.] Didn't you explain that to me, once...?

[A little light goes off in her head, and she sits up straighter.] Ohhhh, guys, did I really just do that? That was a doozy. A double doozy.

... But you're okay now, right? [Her eyes track and focus, finding the Summoner. She's out of it enough to be unable to conceal her vulnerability. Willow has big, preexisting issues about losing her friends, and was prone to fretting to start with.]

[Oh dear... He meets Willow's eyes and that... vulnerability makes his chest close for a second, his own worry over that whole... weird spacey thing obvious and open in his eyes. Just for a second though. And then all his troll instincts clamp down on it and store it away to wonder about later]

Yes, I'm fine. Are you back, now...?

[...wait okay, Link asked something didn't he. Right right]

Uh... no, I guess... it is best to say that. We know what it is, but... it is not an encouraged part of our life, the way it uh, seems to be with humans.

[ ... Willow, you are making Link worry. Hang on while the forest person fusses over you. ]

... I should hope everyone here is all right?

[ Please be okay? As for Summoner... well. ]

I've... heard some things, but... helping each other ought to be second nature. It isn't fair that you have to constantly worry about protecting yourself.

[ It's worrisome, but Link is a bit naive, so naturally... yeah. They don't exactly get why it's frowned upon or anything. ]

Yeah, I'm back. For the most part. [She's fighting her way back to rationality, but Willow's practiced specifically for this, and manages it pretty well now that it's occurred to her.

Belatedly embarrassed about the whole thing and flushing faintly red, she figures she should give some kind of explanation.] I had some power stored from when I fought the Purple Pomposity, and it's heady stuff. There's a reason it was so slow and painful last time I healed you.

But I'll be alright, [she says, turning to Link to address him, too.] To be honest I'm relieved to have used it up. And it was worth it; Link's right, it isn't fair for you to be on your own.

[... Hang on, she hadn't told the Summoner that she'd fought the Grand Highblood yet, had she? Oops.]

Edited 2012-01-24 06:53 (UTC)

[Yeah, she definitely hasn't so he's just... staring at her again. Purple Pomposity wat. Is that a thing from her world???]

[Except then there's all this... weird concern about how he shouldn't be on his own and shit. And to be honest, it's pretty surreal??? I mean, he agrees with it. It's one of those things he wants to... well... wanted to change if the revolution ever managed to win which it didn't... hhhh... But anyway, to have people say it like it's a normal thing is just... weird. Humans are weird]

Yes well. There are a uh... number of things, that are not especially fair in my world. So I guess that is one of them.

[ Maybe humans are weird, who knows. Link's people (her adoptive ones especially, the Kokiri) were just as strange, then. And there's a pause while this gets mulled over. ]

... I admit there isn't much I can do to change that, but you don't have to be alone here. If you'll let us help you.

[ Really! But... hang on Purple--wait. ... Hmmm. Link does need to direct some attention back to Willow, now that she's a little clearer. ]

Willow... are you talking about the so-called "Highblood"?

[ Truthfully, Link is fairly smart--not just brawn and a sword slasher, as it were, and suspects if it was Dualscar, the silly nickname wouldn't have been worded as such. Probably closer to Angry Finface.

Which... means... gosh, Willow. Please let Link be wrong. Please please please. ]

[Her nickname for Dualscar is, in fact, "troll Elmer Fudd". Usually she doesn't repeat nicknames, but that one was just too appropriate.]

So-called is right, but yeah, I am talking about him. [Her nose scrunches up, and it's almost a scowl.] It was a while ago, and I... [Slight hesitation.] Found him hurting someone.

It wasn't like I didn't warn him. [But she really doesn't want to talk about this, not now and not ever if she can help it. And there is still one thing Willow wants to find out, a question now underlined with suspicion.] It wasn't him that did this to you, was it? [she asks suddenly, voice sharp as she turns to the Summoner again.]

[...oh well fuck. He was just going to mentally ollie outie for this part here where they talk about the Highblood, but now there's a question being directed at him and... fuck]

[LKJSDFLKJSDF okay normally he is pretty okay at keeping his emotions off his face? This is not an especially normal day however, so he just looks... absolutely miserable when Willow turns back to him. Because as far he is apparently concerned in this moment, he deserved it and actually he should really be dead. But he gets the feeling actually saying that would be... bad...]

[They won't get it. Can't. They're humans. Hell, he doesn't even get it and it's happening to him... Ugh... WHY]

U-uhm... yes. I guess. But it's uh... fine now.

[ ... Okay, something is wrong here and Link is not letting it go! Well... sort of.

Obviously there's some sort of larger issue (like how Link needs to go kick Grand Highblood's ass), but that is not the point. Right now, Summoner is the concern. Maybe Link wouldn't get it, but damn if the Hylian won't TRY to. ]

... You certainly seem fine.

[ A light scoff, but that is all the snark that happens. ]

I'm sorry if we're intruding, but... we'd like to help somehow. Can't you help us understand what's bothering you, and why?

WELL FINE THEN SHE'LL JUST GET HELP

HELP HAS ARRIVED

wheezes yayyyyyyy

;w;

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just for you, Char

...laughing irl oh noooooo

ahsdfgh ME TOO OH MY GOD ahsdfgh

PPFFFFFT AND WITH THAT, GOOD NIGHT

HAVE A GOOD SLEEP <3 <3

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