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.

[amnesiadragon]

This... this might take a while. He sits down so that the dragon is above him. He has no problem at least looking like he's submitting. He has no doubt that his 'brother' can move faster than he can reach his sword.

"... People got sick. I tried to help them as much as I could. Some other people went and found a cure and copied it, so people aren't sick anymore. .... A lot of the eggs at that place with all the weird animals hatched. They're really cute, I think you'd like them. Maybe you can go see them after you sleep. I won't let anything hurt you, if you want to sleep."

[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.

[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?"

[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]

Putting down his sword is likely a good move. He's still emitting a low growl, but he comes close enough that Ryu could reach out and touch him if he really wanted to. He has no idea about any of this sick business, but he's happy people are okay. Ryu likes the idea of seeing the Pokemon again.

For now, it looks like he isn't going to be lashing out again.

[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."

[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?"

[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."

[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."

[daughterofursa]

Zuko thinks on that for a moment. Usually, the souls of the dead reincarnate, but she knows some people believe there are those who wander, in the physical world or in the Spirit World. It's something she never spoke about to her uncle, partly because the spirits were never a major concern for her, and partly because it would mean bringing up his son.

"...I guess I can understand wanting to look." She hesitates. "Are you sure it was really there?"

[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?"

[dragonform]

He shakes his head. "I'm not. I know it was really reckless, but I had to try. They were already on the verge of being completely wiped out before the Calamity happened. I have to preserve whatever remains of them that I can."

To that, he levels his gaze back to Zuko, though his smile is a bit sad.

"What kind of prince of would I be if I didn't try to do whatever I could for them, even in death?" Though Ryu doesn't feel any formal royalty to the title. It's more one he carried because destiny says so.

[daughterofursa]

Zuko nods, feeling she understands it better now.

"If I thought I'd found any sign of my people... I'd have to go after them, too." She may not go around advertising it, and many of her people may hate her, but she still identifies as Fire Nation royalty, probably a lot more than Ryu. She has a duty to them.

[amnesiadragon]

He leans forward and touches him very gently. "If there's something wrong, you can tell me, okay? You don't have to, but... whatever's wrong, I don't want you to have to bear it alone. That's not fair to you."

[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.

[dragonform]

"I'm sorry to have worried you, but... I'm glad you understand." He answers with a smile. "But don't you worry, I've seen a lot worse trouble than this. I'll be back to full power in no time, and then we can go fishing again!"

Almost get killed on the Skyway? Pfft, nonsense! There's fishing to be had! His priorities are too good for human minds to comprehend.

[freedom_engineer]

Colin shakes his head, and he grabs a seat. This is not a topic that is beneficial to staying on ones' feet.

"We went on an expedition for Nathan, and what we found were a group of people who had survived the calamity, but died to illness," Colin says. "And nobody on the team except for me and Yukio actually thought to avoid the dead bodies or the wild animals feasting on carrion. Rin and Zulf even decided to lock themselves in with a few of them."

Yes, he is NOT HAPPY with those two for that...

[dragonform]

Well, now he feels even worse. If he had been here, maybe he could have helped purge some of the ill effects with one of his spells.

"Damn it... I shouldn't have left, in that case. It looks like people are okay, but... I'm sorry, I should have been here to help instead of chasing after ghosts."