thebastion | DAY 128 | OPEN (and backdated to all hell)

Entry tags:

DAY 128 | OPEN (and backdated to all hell)

Who: Future Gohan and YOU, OUR LUCKY WINNER!
Open: Open
When: 128
Where: Bridge to the Skyway
What: Gohan's out of the hospital after his arrival, and lost in thought. In other words, handling the knowledge of the end of the world about as expected.
Format: Action
Warnings: Nada

[ It had only been a couple of hours since Gohan was let out of the hospital. Yet Gohan couldn't help but almost immediately head to the Skyway once he was able. He wasn't planning on putting himself in danger or anything, especially given the terrible shape he'd arrived in. But after being given a basic rundown of the situation, he had to make sure of a few things.

One of those things were his abilities, and the way they were constantly fluctuating ever since he got here. He wasn't sure what was causing it, and his first priority was seeing where he stood on that. Some basic tests gave him the answer easily enough, especially in regards to his flight and energy projection. However, he didn't try going Super Saiyan, fearing that whatever limitations were placed on his powers would've made that form a lot more difficult to deal with.

It was enough to frustrate him though, his hand tightening into a fist. And whether an outside force was responsible for his weakened state or not, it still put him in a bad position when it came to being helpful. He was already practically useless against the androids, the state he'd arrived him driving that point home to him. But, assuming they were responsible for this "Calamity", and taking into account his current state...

How in the world was he supposed to do something about it? ]

Dammit... [ His fist tightened further, Gohan gritting his teeth in frustration. Nonetheless, he managed to calm himself down, looking at the oddly surreal landscape below as he sat on the bridge to the Skyway. He didn't know what to do, and it was a feeling that he was way too familiar with. Yet right now... it felt so much more encompassing than it ever did before. ]

I never thought I would feel this useless again...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Aoi's only recently started making daily trips out onto the Skyway. Sure, they're tiring, but all great exercise is, and she's saving up those shards for something nice! Like a pool. Or a donut tree.

Every time, the Skyway is deserted when she goes in, and she's always by herself when she leaves. But today there's someone else out by the bridge. Socialization takes priority over trying to shoot arrows at birds, especially when the object of her social enthusiasm looks miserable. Can't have that, can we!

She walks up behind him, smiling and looking as bubbly as a root beer float.]

Hey there, stranger! Mind if I sit here?

[ Gohan didn't think much of the person approaching him. He could sense them coming, but he figured that they were on their way to the Skyway, and would simply walk past him. That was what he was counting on, given he didn't want to burden anyone with his issues...

So imagine his surprise when rather than walk past him, the girl walks right up to him with a demeanor that was probably warm enough to melt ice. It was enough to make him blink in surprise, not even sure what to say for those first few seconds. ]

U-Uh... [ He was so beside himself, it was almost funny. In fact, he couldn't help but chuckle a bit sheepishly at the whole thing. ] N-No, I don't mind. Watch your step.

Yeah, of course! [And she plops right down next to him in a way that doesn't at all suggest watching her step.] I heard that if you fall down on the Bastion, you get pushed right back up. But of course I'm not going to test that, heheh.

[She leans over and stares down over the bridge. It doesn't look like there's anything down there. With a huff, she turns back to her companion.] You're new here, aren't you? Or at least new to me. My name's Aoi Asahina!

[ Gohan actually got a little concerned when she plopped down like that, being put completely on edge as the bridge began to wobble. However, once the wobbling stopped, Gohan calmed down a bit. Falling wouldn't have been a big deal for him, given he could fly two more times still. But all the same, he didn't want to see someone fall off if he could help it. ]

R-Right... [ For not wanting to test that, she wasn't doing a good job. ] U-Um, yeah. My name's Gohan. It's uh, it's nice to meet you..

Nice t'meet you, too, Gohan! [Of course, she's not such a ditz that she doesn't realize how overbearing she's being. Aoi leans back and lowers her voice to a more reasonable octave.]

So what're you doing hangin' out by yourself over here? There's an onsen over there if you're coming back from the Skyway, y'know! It'd be much cozier there.

[ At the mention of the onsen, he blinked. He honestly hadn't even known about that, not that he'd really been here long enough to know. He even glanced in the general direction she pointed at, if only to make sure she was right. ] That... doesn't sound like a half-bad idea.

[ All the same, he didn't move from his spot. Instead, offering her a sheepish smile as he idly scratched the back of his bandaged neck and answered. ] Anyway, I was just... thinking, I guess.

Ahhhh, it's really nice! I try to go out every day, and the onsen is so nice to come back to. [Even the thought is luxurious, and Aoi raises her arms and stretches.

When she settles again, she props her elbows up on her legs and puts her head in her hands.] Mhmmmm. Penny for your thoughts?

[ Gohan was silent at that question, his sheepish smile faltering a bit. His gaze fixed firmly on some random point in the horizon, as he thought long and hard about how to word his thoughts.

Really though, he didn't feel like sharing his thought. It was his problem to deal with, so why should he burden others with it? That wasn't fair to anyone, especially a stranger. So instead, Gohan decided to take an alternate route. ]

... I'm just not used to this place yet. [ Not necessarily a lie. He was still adjusting. ] Not to mention, the circumstances behind me being in this place...

...Yeah, it's a lot to get used to. [With all that perky attitude drained right out of her, Aoi sighed, long and low. There are, were had realized, not many ways to comfort someone whose whole world was gone.]

Actually...maybe you don't ever really get used to it... But that's a lot better than forgetting, right?

[She was just passing by and she didn't really have a reason to stop, but the look on the stranger's face caught her attention and Maka couldn't help pausing by him when she heard what he said to himself.]

I think everyone here feels like that, all things considered.

[ At Maka's comment, Gohan couldn't help but tense up. He wasn't really a fan of being surprised like that, especially given his time spent fighting the androids. The androids' lack of energy signatures left Gohan with a deeply-rooted paranoia when it came to being caught by surprise. Still, this was a human, and... really, he should've sensed her coming.

Was he that caught up in his own thoughts? ]

... That'd make sense. [ He relaxed, or at least, tried to. ] This is a pretty grand situation, all things considered.

Mmm. It's one thing when there's someone in front of you that you can fight, it's another when...well, this.[She hovers there for a minute awkwardly.]

Do you mind if I take a seat?

[ He couldn't help but glance at her at the question, not saying anything for a few seconds. Not because he was gauging whether she could sit with him or not, but because she sounded like she had combat experience, and that piqued his interest. Of course, he didn't really approve of that, given she looked like she was pretty young. But given his own circumstances regarding that specific topic, he didn't really have room to talk. ]

... Yeah, sure. Watch your step.

[She smiles kindly, and sits at a polite distance from him, taking a moment to stare out at the sky.]

I'm new here. Have you been here long?

[ Gohan offers the girl a polite smile, then goes back to staring at the landscape below. However, that doesn't stop him from answering her question, even if he wasn't directly looking at her. ]

Not really. It's only been a few days. [ A pause, then he added: ] I was in pretty bad shape when I showed up, so I've been in the hospital.

[Her face softens in concern.]

But you're well now? I've only been here a few days too. [Pause.]

It's a lot to take in.

[ She had kept to her promise from last time, and had gone to see him when she had returned to the Bastion. Since then, though, she hadn't exactly kept up with visiting him, having busied herself with other things as well ~~like going onto the Skyway when she wasn't supposed to~~. Polka was glad to see Gohan today, though, and see that he was physically better after seeing how he was on the Skyway. Polka smiled and made her way over to him, arriving just in time to hear the comment about being useless ...

... That's a very common sentiment, it seems. She's felt the same way, which is why she made so many trips to the Skyway to help others out. ]

May I sit next to you?

[ It was only polite to let him know she was there before assuming she could sit down, after all. ]

[ Gohan recognized that voice, and couldn't help but blink as he looked over his shoulder to see Polka. However, he quickly smiled after that, rewarding her politeness with a nod. He hadn't seen much of Polka after her first visit to him in the hospital, but all the same, he was glad to see her now. It was hard to not appreciate the person who probably saved his life. ]

Sure thing. [ And as an afterthought, he added: ] Watch your step though.

I will.

[ She carefully takes a seat next to him, smoothing out the skirt of her dress when she does. She then looks up at Gohan with a smile. ]

I see you're out of the hospital! I'm glad you're doing better.

[ All feelings of uselessness aside, he did seem to be doing better physically. ]

[ With Polka around, Gohan didn't want to dwell on his issues at the moment. It wasn't anything he wanted her to be concerned about anyway, so he figured it wouldn't have hurt any to simply push it to the back of his mind. Instead, he focused on returning her smile. Placing his one hand on her head, and ruffling her hair a bit. ]

I wouldn't have been out of there so quickly if you hadn't healed me. So really, I owe you my gratitude.

[ Whoops, she'll have to replace that bandana and smooth out her hair now. It's okay, though, she doesn't mind. Polka giggles a little. ]

I didn't have any other choice! You were really hurt ... I'm just glad that Mr. Dragon and I found you quickly.

[ Mr. Dragon... now that definitely brought back some memories. Memories of a certain green mentor, and how Gohan always addressed him with the highest level of respect a five year old could give him.

Mister Piccolo this, Mister Piccolo that... if only he could have those days back. ]

You guys did a great job.

Edited 2014-01-24 07:56 (UTC)

[ To be fair, Polka would probably call the dragon by his name if she knew what it was. But she didn't. So for now, he was Mr. Dragon. Her ears became pink with a flush as she was complimented yet again. ]

Ah ... I only did so much. Mr. Dragon and the hospital staff are the ones who really deserve your thanks.

[He must be a new arrival, everyone is either mad or upset when they first arrive.

Nanaki decides to go over and sit near him, to at least give him someone to vent his frustrations to. Sometimes just having someone to talk to can help.]

It's not pretty, huh?

[ Gohan didn't look up as the girl approached. Like the few that have already passed through, he figured that she was probably going to the Skyway, and would just glance over him at best. As she sat down next to him though, he couldn't help but blink, before realizing that her comment was directed at the last thing he said. ]

O-Oh, uh... yeah... [ He idly scratched the back of his neck, the bandages over his body making that gesture a bit cumbersome. ] Sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud...

It's alright. If there's a time to be honest, it's now.

[She really wants to comment on the bandages, to ask him why he's out of the hospital if he's so beat up, but she figures it would be rude to ask right away.]

I'm Nanaki. Who are you?

Oh, my name's Gohan.

[ He extended his arm for a handshake, offering Nanaki a genuine smile. At the same time, being morbidly amused that the arm he had left was at least his left arm. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Nanaki.

[When Gohan turns to offer a hand to shake, that is when Nanaki finally notices the missing arm. It makes her hesitate for a second, but she recovers quickly, smiling and shaking his hand.

The gesture is not normal to her, since she is from Japan, but it seems to be the norm for the people around here so she has gotten practice.]

You're new, right? I don't think I've seen you around before.

[ He noticed the slight hesitation, but he didn't think much of it. Given it hadn't really been that long since he lost his arm, he couldn't really blame others for being a bit put off by it. He was still put off by it. ]

Yeah, I showed up in the Skyway a few days ago. [ He chuckled a bit sheepishly. ] They had to take me to the hospital when I first arrived though...

Yeah, it looks like it. Are you okay to be out here?

[Finally she has a chance to ask that question. If whatever happened to him is so bad he lost his arm, then he should probably still be resting.]

Yeah, I'm fine now. The worst of it is already healed up, I'm just a little sore is all.

[ That was a partial lie, given he still had a few open wounds. But compared to the state he was in when he first arrived, he might as well have been in perfect shape right now. He was also getting a bit cooped up in the hospital, but he wasn't going to admit that. ]

I'm taking it easy though, don't worry.

[ There hadn't been a lot of work to do on the ranch that day, so Viola decided to head out to the Skyway instead. More than just keeping her skills and her aim sharp, Viola had taken to scavenging when she went out. There was a lot to find on the Skyway, especially the further out she went. Clothing, tools, mementos, odds and ends; Viola often found lots of things that she thought might be of use. ]

[ To that end, she had a sack in one hand as she approached the Skyway today, her bow and quiver slung over her shoulder. As she reached the bridge, she noticed someone else there, covered in bandages and looking very much like he didn't belong out of a sick bed. ]

Hey! [ She called, hurrying over to him. ] Are you sure you should be going out there like that?

[ Gohan blinked as he heard someone calling out to him, looking over his shoulder at whoever was approaching him. He didn't recognize them at all, but with the way they were addressing him, one might've thought that she was personally concerned about his health. Probably not a good thing to mention that he'd already been out on the Skyway then, given she seemed pretty intent to keep him out of it.

Then again, it wasn't like he had any plans to go back out there anyway. ]

W-Well, I wasn't going out there anyway, so... no need to worry.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

DAY 128 | OPEN (and backdated to all hell)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

... i meant right arm DAMMIT SELF

/patpat

no subject

no subject

no subject