Day 161 - Something's nasty...something's foul...

[followsthevoice]

Who: Raile and whoever wants to stumble over this sick kid.
When: Day 161
Where: The Monument, and perhaps other places in the Bastion.
What: Raile is really, really sick and needs help badly.
Format: Any you can think of is fine with me.
Warnings: Body squickiness, sickness, serious discussions most likely.

[There was something incredibly off, Raile could tell the minute he opened his eyes that things weren't normal about him; the right side of his face felt like it was being crushed and stabbed at the same time...like someone had covered a hammer head in zulwood oil. As well, his entire body was hot to the point where he was sweating profusely and that same crushing feeling extended down to his chest, making his breathing nothing short of a labored chore; everything part of him ached and his insides felt like they were on fire. Simply keeping his eyes open hurt and caused his world to spin right along with his stomach. Against his better judgement, Raile stood up from his bed roll--only to fall flat on his face without any help from the Skyway; it took him a few tries, but he eventually got to his carbine which he used as a crutch as he began to walk towards the center of the Bastion.

If anything, his mind was so wracked with pain and the urge to be sick that he could hardly have come up with any solid plan on where he was going; but his body sure as heck knew where it needed to go...at best, he was heading in the general direction of Zulf's tent, not that his body would be able to carry him that far. Every step his took made his world spin harder and sent an ache that pierced right through his bones; Raile was a tough kid, but even the strongest man alive had his limits...he only got as far as the monument before he collapsed once again, his rifle clattering off to the side. He could no longer keep his eyes open out of the pain the light of the sun sent through his head, so he shut his eyes and used the last of his strength to prop his back against the metal construct that rested in the center of the Bastion.

It's hum was somewhat comforting, but it did little to ease his pain as he sat against it and did his best just to breath deep, ragged breaths. He'd never felt like this in his life...and if someone didn't find him here soon, this might very well be the last time he felt like this...or felt anything at all.]

Comments

[gianthobo]

[It was Floette who noticed first. She was floating around the Bastion, but when she saw Raile walk and then fall she let out a high squeak and zoomed towards AZ at his campsite. A little chittering and pointing and AZ nodded, tucking Eevee into a pocket of his coat and heading to the Monument. The kid looked exhausted and sick, and that meant one destination - the hospital.]

[He crouched next to the kid and slid a hand behind his back, picking him up easily and cradling him in his arms. He noted the rifle, but - he could come back for that later. What mattered now was getting him to help.]

I'm not sure how well you can hear me, but I'm taking you to the hospital. Is there anyone I should get for you?

[Aside from a doctor, obviously, but he wasn't totally sure who would be the best for that. Floette hovered nervously as AZ tried to keep his strides as smooth as possible to avoid jostling the boy.]

[fuckthemancers]

RAILE!

[It's a good thing someone picks up the kid before he has a chance to get to Zulf's tent and realize the other man isn't even there. He's been doing as much as he can to keep himself busy since sleepless nights seem to becoming more and more common as of late- half the reason why he hasn't immediately moved in with Zia although most everything is packed now. That means sometimes just sitting out and watching the void with his pipe in his hands, or just bustling about the Bastion while everyone else (not counting Colin) is asleep. It had been the latter, recently, and of course he comes back to the Monument eventually. The centerpiece of the Bastion- it's hard to avoid.]

[Right now, he couldn't be more thankful for that as he hikes up his skirts to hurry over to the massive figure of AZ. His gaze, however, is locked solely on the ill looking kid in his arms.]

[followsthevoice]

[Normally, Raile might have resisted being manhandled; he might have caused a fuss or tried to say he was alright...but between not losing his food and trying to breath, he didn't have much in him to fight being picked up. He barely had enough to speak, though considering the questions were probably important, he figured he should at least try...though before he could speak, the only person he would have asked for came running up to them; funny how that worked.]

's...that zulf...? hnn...y'don't...need t'...see me like this...

[Looking at Raile now...he looked deathly pale despite his deep tan, and the area of his head where the stitches were looked painfully inflamed and grossly miscolored against his skin. His speech sounded even worse...every breath he took was painful to listen to and the look of pain on his face had shattered any mask he might have worn before; he was, in all sense of the word, a right mess.]

[gianthobo]

[AZ paused for a moment, and then slowed down so Zulf could walk with him.]

Is there anyone here who's a doctor, or has some kind of healing ability? I know a little first aid, but that's not going to be enough here.

[Floette squeaked in worry, flying up to AZ's shoulder and holding on with one little hand. AZ himself looked rather concerned, brow furrowing.]

He left a rifle near the Monument, we can get that later. Right now he needs someone with medical experience.

Later in the day!

[freedom_engineer]

[Well, Raile's been cut, scrubbed, scoured, bandaged, and mixture'd to hell and back, but he's probably gonna be okay. Colin went to take a bath at the onsen after all of that, 'cause he isn't a doctor, and he's not used to having someone's life in his hands like that.]

[Not that he ever questioned being able to do it for a second. That's Colin for you.]

[Now that the emergency has passed, though, it's time to go and track down Zulf. That guy is getting a hug whether he likes it or not!]

[fuckthemancers]

[Zulf isn't far off- all Colin has to do is look in the room next to the one Raile is in. After so long, Floette managed to get Ryu to move the worn down Ura to one of the beds. And yes, those two are apparently still around, the tiny little pokemon asleep in Ryu's scarf.]

[Zulf? Well, Zulf is laying down on his stomach, face not visible from the doorway. He's not moving much besides the usual signs of life. Of course, he's also piled on with blankets and fluffy pillows, so it might be kind of hard to begin with.]

[There's also a surprise guest, apparently! Remember that old dude that was rescued from the giant plant? He's sitting there too, quiet.]

[Wow this room sure is full of people]

[freedom_engineer]

[Well, that was easier than he figured it would be. Of course, this is probably the best place for him at the moment... He gives Rucks a curious look as he comes in, he STILL hasn't had the chance to talk with the guy. Oh well, that can come later, gotta put this guy back together first.]

Well, I was wondering where I'd find you. You with us, Zulf?

[dragonform]

[All the excitement did have Ryu dozing off for a bit, but he's careful in how he positions himself. After all, he doesn't want Floette to unceremoniously hit the ground and shock herself out of a sound sleep. He's quick to stir when Colin enters the room. He looks up with a slightly worn expression, his tone low to keep from awakening Floette or Zulf.]

How is he?

[Straight to the point about Raile's condition. When Rucks came in, the two may have exchanged a few words. At least some small talk, but Raile and Zulf had been foremost in his list of concerns. He had no idea the old man was so closely tied to these two.]

Later in the day | Back in the Hospital

[followsthevoice]

[He still hurt, that much went without saying, especially around the area where he'd been cut open and had whatever was festering around in his head drained out; but the hurt was now significantly less. At the very least it didn't feel like his bone marrow was on fire and his breathing had gone from feeling liked dragging rusty nails up and down his windpipe to simply being a dull ache; like this, he was now able to rest more easily. He still looked a mess, especially with his head and right eye wrapped in gauze, but he was definitely more stable.

He might not be the best company at the moment, and his speaking had pretty much reverted to how it had been during his first run through the Bastion, but he definitely wouldn't mind having someone...anyone around.]

[dragonform]

[When all business with Colin, Zulf, and Rucks was over and done with, Ryu feels a certain obligation to go see how Raile is holding up. He takes particular care in being quiet, since he has no idea as to what exact condition Raile is in aside from looking like he was run over by something. Poor kid.]

Hey. Can I get you anything?

[If it were him in Raile's position, he'd be asking for his body weight in water and apples.]

[followsthevoice]

water...'d be nice.

[He felt like crap and his throat wasn't doing much better; some...any kind of liquid would do him well right about now.]

[evacuate]

[Once she's checked in on Zulf, Zia heads over to Raile's room. The last thing she wants to do is wake him up if he's asleep so she doesn't knock, just slowly, silently tiptoes in, not quite closing the door completely behind her.]

Guess who. [Her voice is a murmur low enough that it doesn't expect an answer if he isn't awake to offer one.]

Later in the day

[gianthobo]

[AZ, for his part, is somewhat drained. CPR isn't exactly easy on either party, and old men aren't made to move around so fast. His leg is killing him, but he feels like he has a duty to watch over the people here. That might be why he's sitting down in a corner of the emergency room, positioned so he can watch to see who's coming and going in the hallway.]

[freedom_engineer]

[Now that he's done checking up on the emo Ura, it's time to pay a visit to AZ.]

Hell of a job you did in there today, AZ. Hell of a job.

[He gives AZ a grateful smile at that.]

The kid owes you his life.

[gianthobo]

[He shrugs a little bit at the compliments. He's really not used to them, or being the center of... anyone's attention, really.]

No one owes me anything. I'm just glad that he's okay.

[He reaches down to rub at his bad knee, trying to massage the muscle a bit.]

I'm also glad I didn't break a rib or something when I was doing CPR.

[But better a broken rib than letting someone die.]

[evacuate]

[By the time Zia had made it to the source of all the hubbub, procedures were already underway and she couldn't get in—and all she'd figured out was that something was wrong, Kid was nowhere to be found, Zulf was missing, and Rucks could be anywhere at this point too. Everyone's gone and something has happened and after scouring the whole Bastion again, Zia's circled back to the hospital. As she hustles through, she catches sight of AZ, and stumbles over herself backtracking to him.]

What happened?! Is everyone okay? Wh-where's... What happened?

[gianthobo]

Raile. His cut got infected. We took care of it, but he wasn't doing well for a while. He's resting now. You can go see him, but he might be asleep.

[He doesn't really know Zia, but he's seen her around Raile enough to know that she's a friend of his.]

[dragonform]

[After all the commotion is all said and done, everything set right, etc, Ryu is pretty well worn. However, he still has one matter left to resolve. To thank AZ, and return Floette to him. The little flower pokemon had been an invaluable helper with Zulf. Fortunately someone AZ's size isn't all that hard to find.]

AZ, right? I wanted to bring your little friend back to you. She was a big help with Zulf.

[gianthobo]

[He looks up, and he smiles a little at Ryu, though it's strained with how tired he is.]

.. Thank you. Floette is very important to me. And... thank you for taking care of her.

[The little pokemon yawns, still curled up in Ryu's scarf.]

later in the day; for Zulf & Rucks

[evacuate]

[Once she gets caught up on what's happened, Zia goes straight to her friends' rooms. She'll go pester the Kid in a minute, but since she's likely to set up camp in the room once she gets there, she wants to check in on Zulf first.

On her way in, she knocks gently against the door and doesn't wait for an answer before she enters.]

Hello..? How's everyone holding up in here?

[fuckthemancers]

[Zulf? Zulf's not here. Just ignore the head of dark hair trying to hide underneath the blankets.]

[Just a lump, yes, pls do not bother]

[...Even if he knows Rucks will fuck it up anyway, dammit man, just let him be avoidant]

[narrativestranger]

Suppose I'm holdin' up just fine, 'sides from worryin' about the Kid.

[ He's settled into the room with Zulf, at the moment, and he's going to wait until Zia asks/notices Zulf to properly point him out. ]

You doin' alright yourself, Zia?

After all the commotion, open to anyone.

[dragonform]

[With everything all said and done, Ryu had no doubt he wanted to get home and get some rest. He certainly feels tired, but there are still a few lingering questions. The hospital looks like it needs a bit more in the way of people, though he doesn't know just how many doctors the Bastion really has.

So he lingers for a bit, hoping he might catch Colin on the way out. Of course he wouldn't mind any extra company, either.]

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin's finished doing what he can for Raile, and he's spent the past five minutes washing his hands and trying to clean up. Reopening wounds, cleaning, and disinfecting is not a good way to stay clean, and he really needs a bath after all is said and done...]

Oh, hey there.

[He gives Ryu a look as he nears.]

[dragonform]

[He doesn't quite remember Colin's name in all the confusion, but he does remember his face.]

Hey. Thanks for coming with your friend when you did. Your friend with the white hair might have been in more trouble if AZ and I were the only ones there with the condition those two were in.

[He would extend a friendly handshake, but well. Bodily fluids.]

I'm Ryu. Well, not the one you might know. But I guess you might have figured that out already.