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

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.]

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[Normally, on any other day, Zulf would have readily agreed. The more they know about one another, perhaps more they can learn to trust one another. Bonds are a good reason for others to actually care about the rest of the Bastion. Besides, he likes talking about his life to some degree. He likes people knowing he's from the Terminals- proud of his homeland.]

[But right now, he just refuses to even look at Ryu, only reaching out in regards to Floette who he shakily starts to pet the head of.]

Ask AZ. His world.

[While it's true he doesn't understand anything Floette is saying, he does understand her intentions well enough. So far his efforts don't seem to be working all that well, but he's hoping Floette can make a bit more headway on the matter as she has been.]

The big guy, right? I'll ask him after your friend gets better.

[If there's anything Ryu will continue to insist on, it would be Raile's condition. Of course there's no way he knows for certain, but he doesn't let that slight doubt betray the tone of his voice. The thought might help Zulf continue to calm down.]

I'm sure they're doing everything they can to help him.

...My fault.

[Floette frowns, and pokes Zulf's hand gently. She speaks in a mildly scolding tone.]

Flo. Flooo. Flo floette!

[And back to the nuzzling.]

[Ryu raises an eyebrow, a concerned frown now crossing his face.]

What do you mean by that?

[A shake of his head before he pulls his hand back. Sorry, Floette- he's adamant on this.]

Everything- my fault. [And he nearly means everything, too.] Yelling at him chased him away from the Bastion, and we ran into the Lunkhead that made him fall... Tried to fix it...

[But he ruined that, too.]

So you blame yourself for all this?

[If only Ryu knew just how far Zulf's guilt really went.]

Mistakes don't make you a bad person, Zulf. I can't claim to know what happened between you two before now, but you tried to help him once you knew something was wrong. That has to count for something, right?

[It's a sentiment that sounds all too familiar to Ryu, considering how much trouble Nina got into because of him.]

I understand how you feel right now. A dear friend of mine kept ending up in danger because she was associated with me. Things worked out between her and I, and so will this.

["Mistakes don't make you a bad person."]

[Just silence throughout that small speech. Zulf's hands start to move again, but not to reach out to Floette. Instead, his fingers curl around the back of his head and his shoulders start to shake violently. The sound that comes from him starts off quiet and halted, only to get louder. It's laughter, filled with self loathing and instability. His hands slip down further until his nails are digging into the back of his neck. There's something choked to that laughter.]

[Floette may want to force that Aromatherapy down his throat at this rate.]

[Floette wriggles as close to Zulf's face as she can, before turning her flower to face him and letting off another blast of Aromatherapy.]

Floette! Floette! Floette!

[She'll blast it again and again if she has to. She starts to shake, tears running down her face.]

Floette!

[Ryu looks at Zulf with a plaintive expression. Wherever all of this comes from, it sounds like he has been bottling it up inside himself for a long time. He didn't want to resort to the other tea, but putting Zulf to sleep seemed like the smartest option.]

I'm sorry, Zulf. I don't know what you've been through before all of this, but I'd like to help you. Just wait for a second, okay?

[He slips away just for a moment, preparing the second mug of tea. He's not used to pressuring people into doing something, but he tries to tell himself that this is for Zulf's own good.]

Please, drink this. You'll feel better.

[The Aromatherapy does its job, making the broken laughter start to fade away. With it gone, however, it's more obvious that Zulf is making sad little sobs- no wonder he sounded choked a moment ago. Feeling Floette so close finally makes him look up, tears streaked down his face. It's Floette's own that seems to has him concerned, however, habit putting his own pain on the backburner so that he can start making quiet hushing noises while he pats at her.]

[His own tears aren't important. Floette is. That's the logic following him.]

[It seems like Ryu's words aren't quite penetrating. When the young man gets close enough, there's just a blank wet stare as if Zulf can't comprehend what's been asked of him.]

[She curls up against him, holding onto his shirt with one hand. She just wants people to be okay. She knows it's hard... but she just wants everyone to be okay.]

Flo...

[Ryu kneels down in front of Zulf, gently taking his hands and slipping the warm mug into it.]

Drink. You'll feel better.

[His tone is a bit more insistent, like what he would have used to tell his brothers to take some medicine.]

I promise.

[Still a certain lack of understanding in his gaze. Maybe that's for the better. Dragged through coals as he's been, Zulf is too exhausted mentally and emotionally to question anything.]

[There's a cup in his hands. So he should drink what's in it. Simple.]

[Almost automated, he brings it up to his lips to take in a deep sip. It doesn't take very long for an effect to take hold, Zulf's eyelids dragging themselves lower and his body starting to forcibly lose its tension. Hopefully Ryu is there to keep that cup from dropping and spilling, because Zulf is slumped and unconscious in short time.]

[Ryu is quick enough to catch the mug in one hand and Zulf from slumping over with the other. He takes a second to set the mug down and gently lifts Zulf up. For how elaborate Zulf's outfit it, he feels far lighter than he appears to Ryu. He takes him over to the bed and sets him down, taking special care to tuck him in and fluff his pillow.]

Hopefully he'll feel better when he wakes up.

[With a sigh of relief, Ryu slumps against the side of the bed with a sigh. He looks over to Floette with a tired smile. All this excitement finally caught up with him.]

Maybe we should take a page from his book, eh? Thanks for your help. I'm not sure I would have gotten him anywhere near that calm by myself.

[Floette lets go of Zulf, and floats up tiredly. She follows Ryu, and nods a little, before curling up against his scarf.]

[It is comfy and she is tired. Sleep time now?]

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

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