Day 211 [Open/Action or Prose!] | Not quite extinct

[dragonform]

Who: Ryu 3, Anyone.
Open: Open
When: Day 211
Where: The Skyway and later the Hospital.
What: A certain prodigal dragon prince returns.  But what happened?
Format: Will match!
Warnings: Possible talk of death, childhood trauma and memories.  Y'know, the usual warnings that go with Ryu.  Oh, and naked dragons.


Ryu has been strangely missing for quite some time, without so much as a note or any sort of mention as to where he's going or why.  It's remarkably unlike the boy to do something like this, which makes his eventual reappearance all the stranger.  Far out on the Skyway, someone might come across what appears to be a nest of sorts.  It's taken Ryu some time, but he's managed to trace a path back towards the Bastion.  It's here on the Skyway he might be found in one of his dragon forms.  Having to fend off so many creatures in the past days, he's wary of anything approaching him, especially having used his powers so much.  He's hungry, tired, and likely sustained a few wounds.  While he'll be quick to bare his claws and teeth, a familiar face would most certainly be welcome for him.

---

Later on, Ryu has been put into the hospital for his injuries and malnutrition.  He's not likely to be terribly talkative about where he's been or what he's been doing, but he'll welcome any visitors with a smile, especially close friends.  While the lack of nutrition is more a problem for him than his injuries, this is probably one of the few times anyone will get a look at him without his regular clothing.  He does his best to keep himself covered, but there's no hiding just how worn from battle his body really is, though a good many scars appear to be quite old.  Either way, he'll welcome the company, and someone needs to keep him from trying to wander out of his room.

Comments

[amnesiadragon]

Ryu's been chasing things on the Skyway, trying to at least clear a path that other people can take safely for a while. The appearance of a nest in the distance interests him though, and he heads towards it. He's currently still in hybrid form, trying to get more comfortable with using it in not-immediate combat situations.

... But he recognizes that energy. He dashes towards it, clawed feet pushing off from the ground to allow him decent jumps and sprints. "Ryu?"

[dragonform]

He turns to face his counterpart, settling into a defensive posture as the other draws near. He's seen a good deal of fighting over the past week or so, and he's none too eager to be approached by what he considers to be a threat. He digs his claws into the stone, demonstrating how strong and sharp they are. Unfortunately, he can't talk in his current form, and his instincts run a bit more wild while transformed for as long as he has been.

[amnesiadragon]

... Ah. While Ryu's instincts are a little more wild, he has a firmer grasp on his identity. But he lands and transforms back, setting his sword down and reaching out his hand slowly. Look, he's not going to hurt you. Okay?

"I was really worried about you, you know. You ran off, and... I couldn't find you. But it's okay, I promise. Do you want to come back with me? You look really tired."

[dragonform]

It's not likely he's gonna give him an inch anytime soon. Though his mind is beginning to clear from the haze his long transformation has left him. The dragon at least is no longer bringing his claws to bear against his counterpart. And he is right, fatigue has been dragging him down like a heavy anchor. It's hard to sleep when Peckers are harassing you at whatever chance they get.

[daughterofursa]

Zuko feels like she's been making a lot of hospital visits lately. Maybe it's only a matter of time before something puts her in here herself; her last serious injury wasn't that long ago, just before she arrived in the Bastion.

"I thought I told you before that going out there by yourself was a bad idea." It's not a heavy admonishment; she sounds more relieved than anything else. In light of yesterday, she's not feeling as negative as usual.

[dragonform]

"Nice to see you too, Zuko." He remarks, though there's a small smile on his face. It's pretty clear he's just joking. He sits upright, careful of keeping his blanket drawn to cover at least anything below his chest. He's a little self conscious about the state of his appearance.

"I was looking for something, and... I guess I got a little lost." Ryu answers sheepishly, looking away for a moment. "I forgot what it was like having to use my powers for that long. Walking around without a tail still feels a little awkward."

[daughterofursa]

Zuko actually smiles a little before he sits up, revealing more of the scars she'd just begun to notice. She can tell most of them aren't fresh, but... that's a lot of fighting.

"Glad you found your way back. But what were you looking for? You couldn't have told anyone about it?"

[dragonform]

"I didn't have time. With how the Skyway constantly changes, I didn't want it to get away from me." He doesn't exactly want to talk about what he was looking for, as it still kind of hurt more than anything else, but Zuko was a friend. She deserved to know.

"I thought I heard it again. The voice of the Brood." He answers after a moment. "When I was younger, gathering souls of the long dead locked in Chrysm Ore helped me unlock my powers. I thought for a moment I had heard it again, somewhere out on the Skyway." But he had never actually gotten a chance to see it. "I didn't want what was left of that person to be alone and lost, but I was never able to find it. And then I was lost."

[tophgirl]

True story: Toph hates hospitals. This is something she never realized before, seeing as hospitals aren't too common in her world. But she's beginning to really regret insisting on tagging along with Zuko. She'd wandered off as soon as Zuko found her friend's room — Toph isn't particularly interested in being reminded that Zuko's built a kind of life here. There's not a speck of honest to goodness dirt in this entire place. It's sterile enough to make her sick.

She tries to remember the route back to that guy's room so she can tell Zuko she's leaving. Except it takes her awhile and Zuko's not there.

Well this is awkward. So she settles for being blunt.

"Hey, do you know where Zuko went?"

[dragonform]

Ryu shakes his head. "I'm sorry, I don't." He answers, glancing to the stranger. She must have arrived while he was lost, but he did at least see her with Zuko before Toph took off. He assumes they're acquaintances or friends at the very least, and the thought does make him happy.

"You're a friend of Zuko, right?"

[tophgirl]

Toph is just about to ready to leave with a "'kay thanks", but then the guy decides to make conversation. She could leave, but she doesn't feel like going on another fruitless hunt for Zuko again, and maybe the other girl will come back here.

"You could say that," she says a little grudgingly. "...how long have you known her?"

[dragonform]

"For about as long as I've been here. I figure it's been about a month or so, if my time keeping is correct." He answers with a small smile, though he does catch the tone of her voice.

"Though unfortunately I haven't had a chance to spend all that much time with her between hunting for that Gasfella, going fishing, or..." He pauses, gesturing to the hospital room. "All this."

[Hospital]

[freedom_engineer]

"You know, kiddo, you're gonna give everyone a heart attack like this."

Colin's standing in the doorway to Ryu's room, smirking at him. He's actively scanning Ryu's vitals, as he's been doing quite a bit for just about everyone that comes into the hospital.

"How're you feeling now that you're back with us?" he asks curiously.

[dragonform]

"You of all people should know how hard it is to slow me down. It's more the limited access to food than the injuries that hurt me out there." He answers with a smile. Though he knows the others must have been worried about him. He didn't like the idea of putting undue stress into their lives.

"Hungry. I could eat an orchard's worth of apples. You'll find my injuries heal quickly because of how my power works, but it's gonna be a little troublesome to get used to walking without a tail again."

[freedom_engineer]

"Yes, well, that'll teach you to head off without proper supplies," Colin says, approaching Ryu's bed and grinning down at him. "Don't knock your injuries, though. Even a strong regeneration talent can eventually get knocked on its ass, especially without enough calories to fuel it. Speaking of calories, we're going to need to get you plenty of food, but right now, you're malnourished, so we can't stuff you too quickly. On the plus side, you missed the plague."

[dragonform]

"I wouldn't mind plenty of meat and apples. But I suppose you're right, I should start light until I have my full strength back."

At that, his smile fades. Ryu did mention something about that.

"What happened, anyway?"

[ourlegends]

[ She hadn't met Ryu for very long in the past, but hearing he was in the hospital prompted her to pay him a visit. So, Hilda now stood in the doorway to his room, a little black ball of fur in her arms. She peeks inside for a moment, then lets Zorua down gently. The excited little ball of fur barked happily, rushing over and hopping up onto her buddy's bed to try and get close to him.

Hello again, friend! I've missed you!!

Hilda stood in the doorway quietly, watching as her young Pokemon attacked her friend in the most loving way possible. ]

[dragonform]

Hey, Zorua!

[He smiles and laughs, it makes him quite happy to see Zorua. Though he might wince if Zorua isn't careful and steps on a bruise or two. Still, he scratches the little Pokemon behind her ears. He glances over to Hilda and motions for her to come in as well.]

It's alright. You can come in. I'm glad to see you're both well.

[ourlegends]

[ She does take that invitation and comes right on in, pulling over a chair so she can sit beside Ryu's bed. ]

We're glad to see you're alive!

[ Admittedly, she had wondered about him when she hadn't seen him for a while. They weren't close, true, but they kinda had to look out for each other here at the end of the world. Zorua leans into the scratches Ryu was giving her, happy to be receiving the attention. ]

Hadn't seen you around for a while, so we were a little worried.

[dragonform]

Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you guys.

[Does Zorua like chin scratches? He bets she likes chin scratches.]

I was chasing after what I thought was something from home.

[wayofvoice]

[Well, Paar can't really do anything if Ryu really wants to leave his hospital room, but hopefully the sound of a dragon landing near the window will catch his attention again. Paar peers inside.]

Drem yol lok. You have worried many here.

[dragonform]

[He sighs, it's pretty clear he feels awful about it.]

My apologies, Paarthunax. It wasn't my intention. There was something I had to search for on the Skyway. I've told you before what happens when my people die, I thought I heard the voice of another lost soul out there. I couldn't bear the thought of someone being so lost and scared in death. At least if I could take their soul into my own, they wouldn't be alone anymore.

[He's sure Paarthunax understands why it was so important, especially with what Ryu has been told about Alduin.]

[wayofvoice]

Did you find them?

[dragonform]

No. I lost the voice and then I was too far out on the Skyway that I was lost myself. I had to transform to survive.

[It still hurts, but he looks relieved all the same.]

I'm just glad I didn't hurt anyone.

[windgod]

[Having been out here for weeks on end now, Ippo felt little fear from the Skyway these days and traveled them often; The Bastion was nice...but a little confined for extended periods of time. Out here, he had space to move and think...though right now, he was seeing something move in the distance that got him curious. It didn't seem like any gasfella or pecker he'd seen...he clenched his fists tight and began to softly move forward towards the source of the ruckus...just what was smashing around out here he wondered?]