[ The hiss that comes out of Yulia was more from the realization that it was Hikaru Shinta that she was with, rather than the stab of pain that shot through her body as she tries to sit up. A tiny part of her fussed at how she must look right now to him. ]
What-- [ no, she could pretty much gather what had happened. She licks her lips just to wet them and resigns herself to lying back down. She probably has a fractured rib. ]
[ When the lanterns light up, Yulia realizes that it's just the two of them in... wherever this was. An abandoned cabin, probably. This worries her more now, especially after Hikaru's reply.
It meant that Wolf's Choice and the War Hounds could still be out there, fighting. She figures it was that; if they had retreated, she and Hikaru would not be holed up here.
She's quiet for a while longer, trying to assess everything, and trying to find the right words to say. Resistant injuries are a bitch to handle when you're trying to think. ]
I owe you my life again, it seems.
[ She wants to ask why he didn't just leave her in the battlefield to die. She does not mind going out that way; she's always figured she would die in a battle, even when she wasn't a Bladian yet.
She doesn't ask him that, just yet. It would be... rude. ]
[And he means it. As things stood, his reasons were neatly divided between selfless and selfish. Ethically, nobody really deserved to die and everybody deserved a chance. On the other hand, it wasn't like he could stand having another person that he knew personally die on his watch.]
[ She wants to tell him, to insist, that yes of course she owes him. She owes him practically everything. Instead, she just sighs. She knows that they're both stubborn enough that if she pushed, they would go nowhere. That's never fun. ]
[ She nods, reminded again of every part of her that refuses to feel anything but pain. There's a lot, but she could pinpoint four parts (other leg, the cut along her arm, her ribs, and a shoulder blade) that refuses to be ignored. She barely even remembers how she got most of her injuries. ]
I will definitely not try that again, if it will always feel like death spat you out of his own mouth. [ A pause. ] No offense.
[ She's confused, at first, and then a little flustered (panicked) after what Hikaru said finally sinks in. ]
You do not have to. [ She wants to tell him that she deserves the shit condition she's in for being careless. She shuts up about it, though. ] But I would like a drink and a smoke.
[And, after sliding a pack and lighter in her direction, he's getting up and heading towards his bag. He always had at least a bottle with him, beyond the usual canister.]
How will I smoke, [ Her good hand, her free hand reaches for the pack. She clumsily manages to slip a stick out and place it between her lips. Then she reaches for the lighter. ] if I do not move?
[ She lights up, takes a long, deep drag, and exhales. That, while actually somewhat detrimental to her health, felt really, really good. ]
[ She's watching him now, in the eerie glow of the lantern lights, so she notices how long he closes his eyes, how they still have those red rings. It makes her frown. ]
[Admittedly, Yulia being down for the count was one of the major things that had him on edge. He couldn't do much about anything else, and - true to his nature - that meant that he hyper-focused on whatever else was left.]
[ She just doesn't answer anymore. She just finishes her cigarette. She'd really prefer it if Hikaru would leave her alone; she didn't deserve this, and he didn't really have to check on her. It just felt weird. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ouo
What-- [ no, she could pretty much gather what had happened. She licks her lips just to wet them and resigns herself to lying back down. She probably has a fractured rib. ]
Where are the others?
no subject
He hadn't needed the light, but his companion probably did.]
They're safe, last I checked.
[He would have known if they had died, if for anything else.]
no subject
It meant that Wolf's Choice and the War Hounds could still be out there, fighting. She figures it was that; if they had retreated, she and Hikaru would not be holed up here.
She's quiet for a while longer, trying to assess everything, and trying to find the right words to say. Resistant injuries are a bitch to handle when you're trying to think. ]
I owe you my life again, it seems.
[ She wants to ask why he didn't just leave her in the battlefield to die. She does not mind going out that way; she's always figured she would die in a battle, even when she wasn't a Bladian yet.
She doesn't ask him that, just yet. It would be... rude. ]
no subject
[And he means it. As things stood, his reasons were neatly divided between selfless and selfish. Ethically, nobody really deserved to die and everybody deserved a chance. On the other hand, it wasn't like he could stand having another person that he knew personally die on his watch.]
no subject
Thank you, anyway.
no subject
Since we're having this conversation now, am I right to assume that you've bled it all out?
[He means, of course, the Rapture.]
no subject
[ She nods, reminded again of every part of her that refuses to feel anything but pain. There's a lot, but she could pinpoint four parts (other leg, the cut along her arm, her ribs, and a shoulder blade) that refuses to be ignored. She barely even remembers how she got most of her injuries. ]
I will definitely not try that again, if it will always feel like death spat you out of his own mouth. [ A pause. ] No offense.
no subject
[Either way, she's probably in dire need of alcohol right now. And maybe cigarettes.]
no subject
You do not have to. [ She wants to tell him that she deserves the shit condition she's in for being careless. She shuts up about it, though. ] But I would like a drink and a smoke.
no subject
[And, after sliding a pack and lighter in her direction, he's getting up and heading towards his bag. He always had at least a bottle with him, beyond the usual canister.]
Try not to move, all right?
no subject
[ She lights up, takes a long, deep drag, and exhales. That, while actually somewhat detrimental to her health, felt really, really good. ]
no subject
You know what I meant.
[About a minute later, he's coming back with the supplies. He's also putting a nice, big bottle of vodka beside her.]
no subject
no subject
...He also needs to shake off the grip of shadow and stillness. Cue Hikaru Shinta staring off, occasionally shutting his eyes for longer than a blink.
He finishes his cigarette soon enough. The red rings are still there.]
no subject
You look like you need more rest than me.
no subject
[Admittedly, Yulia being down for the count was one of the major things that had him on edge. He couldn't do much about anything else, and - true to his nature - that meant that he hyper-focused on whatever else was left.]
no subject
[ She'll just be here. Smoking. It's not like she could just get up and move any time soon. ]
I'll be fine.
no subject
[Which is his way of saying that there's no need to fuss over him. She's the injured one, and he will take care of her.
Thankfully, the glow is starting to fade.]
no subject
Da, I could. It will take time. I can wait.
no subject
[Turning away again, then, just to finish his cigarette.]
By my estimate, we'll be stuck here until dawn at the earliest.
no subject
[ If only because she didn't want him to fuss over her. He didn't have to. ]
no subject
[Couple his tone with the look on his face and you've a gentle admonition, and maybe a half-threat.]
no subject
It was just suggestion, Blade King.
no subject
Besides, what kind of leader would I be if I left a fellow Hunter in such a sorry state?
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)