thebastion | Day 201 [event post]

Who: Zahi and everyone who wants to go hunt down the cure
Open: Open
When: 201- onwards
Where: the monument, and then out on the Skyway
What: People in the Bastion are falling sick, and Zahi knows where a cure can be found. Unfortunately, it won't be easy to get to.
Format: action
Warnings: none

[On Day 201, after several people have fallen ill, another meeting is called. This time, however, it is not Nathaniel who has called for everyone. It's Zahi.]

Okay, I know everyone's been worried about the people in the hospital, and it looks like our fears weren't unfounded: some of the people who went on that last trip, they caught something.

I've been watching the symptoms, and I think I know what this is. A long time ago, back before Zayna was born, there was a terrible illness that claimed the lives of many Ura. Everyone who fell sick here, they had the same symptoms as those who caught the disease before.

On the plus side, this means that it can be cured. I know of a clinic, way out in the Terminals, where there should be some medicine stocked. Not only can we cure the sick, but we can give another kind of medicine to those who aren't sick yet, so they won't catch it at all.

The downside is that it's gonna take a while to get there. It'll be at least two days there, and possibly more to track down exactly where the clinic is, and then the same amount of time back. We're looking at a four-day minimum, which means we won't be much help to those who are sick right now. They'll either be dead or getting better by the time we get back.

Then there's the fact that it's really dangerous out there. Zayna and I were out on the Terminals before we came here, and let's just say that there's a reason we went looking for somewhere safer to stay.

If you'd rather stay here, I can understand that. The Bastion is an amazing place, and I wouldn't be surprised if someone here managed to save everyone. But I'm not a fan of putting all my eggs in one basket, so I figured it's worth a shot to go and try to get some of the medicine.

What do you guys think?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's probably not too pleased about that, but whatever. Rin needs that hug. That's the sort of thing she wanted from Zulf, as well as not being left alone (you jerk) because she's been alone way too much already.

Even awkward hugs are good, though she's going to keep crying.]

[Colin keeps hugging her tightly, and he's just going to speak quietly to her as he does so.]

I can't keep doing this forever, but for right now, you've got my full attention. I'm sorry I haven't been able to give you more of that. I know this is scary, I know this is wrong, and I know that it's not fucking fair.

You're going to get through this, Rin. You've got the most cocky asshole in the galaxy working to make things better.

What can he do for you right this moment? You've got his undivided attention.

I... I j-just... wanna sleep... a-actual sleep...

[At least in sleep she can ignore how painful everything is. In sleep she can pretend, for a while, that she's not ill.

In sleep she can pretend that Zulf didn't abandon her.]

'mso tired...

I can perform the dance to ease your brain, again. I suspect everyone here could use it if some of the choking haze of this situation were lifted, if only for a little while.

Gimme a squeeze, Rin. I'm here to take it, you don't gotta hold back.

[To emphasize, he squeezes her in his arms again.]

You don't gotta be strong right now, you're in a strange spot, something you've never experienced before. Don't keep it in, you've got someone here who's going to help you through whatever you'll give me.

[That would get a laugh, if she could actually voice it.]

I-I can't... I can... barely move... everythin' hurts so bad... n-not even... almost losin' my arm... hurt this bad...

[She doesn't want to pretend to be strong anymore. She can't keep up that facade right now, not when she can feel her human body trying to give in to the plague and submit to death while her demonic traits violently attempts to fight it off.]

[You sweet, innocent, naive little demon... they really did shelter you.]

How about this? I'll give you a reason to hit me when you get better. And you WILL get better.

This is what sickness does. It makes you weak, makes you feel helpless, like there's nothing you can do. You are not alone in this.

The good news is, it gets better. And I have every confidence that you will get better. If only so I can tell you that I was right. Again.

[Yep, still hugging her, not letting go yet.]

[Shiro was surprisingly good at that. Crouching pervert, hidden badass.]

I don't... even wanna hit you... anymore. B-but I ain't... that dumb... Colin... I know what a fuckin'... plague is...

I know you aren't that dumb.

But you continue to do things that make me think you haven't realized that the universe is no match for me.

I'm not gonna say we aren't in trouble. We are. But seriously, I'm still here, working to keep everyone alive.

[He lets go of her for one moment, and he raises a hand to touch her cheek.]

So long as I'm here, you guys have got great odds of making it out of here with nothing more than being pissed off at my methods.

And how is that any different from the usual way things go?

You... you better... be right... 'cause I really don't wanna die...

[She managed a tiny smile then, exhausted, barely a shadow of her normal expressions, but there.]

Who... would take care... of Bon... if I'm not here... ?

I'm always right, and you're not gonna die. Not so long as you're willing to keep living. I'll do my part, all the heavy lifting. You just gotta stay alive. Easy.

And yes, I'm still trying to get you to hit me when you get better. I know exactly how difficult that sounds.

[Colin hugs her again, laying his helmet-covered head to her forehead.]

It's a good thing we won't ever have to find out, huh? You and Bon will be together to keep each other happy and safe for a very long time.

[She was exhausted, any energy she had gain from her restless sleep beginning to fade away. To that, she just nods quietly, closing her eyes while quietly hoping that this time she might actually be able to doze off in to something dreamless and worth while.]

Rest up, Rin. And if you need me, just... whisper for me. I'll hear it.

[He will, he's got his suit's audio receptors turned up quite high. He doesn't want to miss someone having something go wrong right now. The odds are against them getting everyone out alive, but if the universe wants to take anyone from them... they're going to have to get through his security to see that happen.]

[He pats her hair gently before letting go of her and stepping away. He moves to an open spot of floor to dance, to shape the energy within the hospital, to attempt to beat back the hopelessness in the air with his own positive energy. It's difficult, he knows it. But the things worth doing are rarely easy. And if this works, it won't just be Rin who's aided, so... why not?]

[Rin nodded to him, curling back up on her side. As the dance started, the Rattletail finally calmed down and found a much less intrusive place on the bed. Tepig, who had been sleeping behind Rin woke just long enough to crawl over her and find a better place next to her head on the pillow.

Sleep wasn't going to be easy, but it came better after that, and she finally dozed off about ten minutes later.]

Day 201 [event post]

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