(no subject)

[dragoon_pride]

WHO: Kain Highwind and YOU
WHAT: Kain is in recovery from wounds sustained in the Vengeance battle
WHEN: Now, and further into the month
WHERE: Healer’s Tents
NOTES: N/A

1. Now-early part of the month

[It’s the first that Kain is finally stable enough to be awake for any long stretch of time. He’d really taken a beating out there… encouraged it even it some point, since the more hits he took meant the stronger his attacks would be. He's still getting used to his new powers, admittedly. It turns out that being a Reaver comes with quite a cost in the aftermath. He’s suffered some nasty chest wounds, broken ribs, a punctured lung, a bad shoulder wound, some burns… among other injuries. To make matters worse, infection had set in not too long after he’d arrived, complicating matters.]

[He groans, trying to move and finding that more than a little excruciating. Then he realizes someone is approaching.]

What is it?

2. Later on into the month

I’m just going out to get some fresh air.

[Is this an escape attempt? Or is he just doing as he claims and getting himself outside for a change? Who can say for sure? Regardless of anything, Kain is supremely unsteady as he hauls himself up and starts slowly but steadily making his way toward the exit of the tent. Now he's healed enough he can be a bad patient.]

[He's almost there… he’s gonna make it...]

Wildcard!

[Anything else going on in the healer tents? Coming to visit or to update him about petsitting? Have another reason to come bother him? Have at it!]

Comments

2.

[gatheringstorm]

[...he's not going to make it. Korrin steps inside and upon seeing what he's doing, takes him by the arm and hauls him back to bed.]

Don't make me princess-carry you around outside, I'll do it.

KORRIN, YOU'RE THE BEST.

[dragoon_pride]

[Kain groans at first as Korrin grabs hold. Unfortunately, he's still in a weakened state... and Korrin is already taller and larger as it is. This is not a good thing for him! Not good at all. He pouts grumpily at her as she shoves him right back where he started. Does she not know how much work it had taken to get that far??]

You wouldn't! It's not as if I was going to do anything stupid, just get fresh air like I said...

[gatheringstorm]

[It's for your own good, Kain. And yes, she knows, but doesn't care one bit. He's being ridiculous.]

-and flee the area as fast as possible. I know that bullshit, I've sought to do the same when I was hallucinating, remember? But all you're going to do is hold back your recovery.

[dragoon_pride]

[No, this isn't ridiculous! She's the ridiculous one! ...Right?! Kain-logic isn't always the best logic, unfortunately. He was attempting to escape as well, back during that illness and actively encouraging her attempts too. Whoops. So she knows how he's thinking.]

It's not as if... I'm as bad off as I was. [And it had been bad, to the point where his survival was uncertain. He couldn't even physically move to get out of bed, or stay awake long, so for a time, he'd had no choice. The problems always arise when he's able to push himself like he's doing now.] Fresh air is good for me. I'm sure... the healers wouldn't argue...

[gatheringstorm]

Fresh air is good...when you have the strength for it. You clearly don't. It's okay to admit that, you know. They don't revoke your 'soldier of the Inquisition' status for that.

[Korrin just shakes her head at such nonsense, wondering if she can arrange it so that Bastard awaits just outside to harass him. Maybe that will finally deter the dragoon from being a dumbass.]

[dragoon_pride]

I do too, I’m… [Ah, hell, now it’s hurting to breathe again, and he’s all unsteady and all around feeling gross. Just from that little bit of movement. He’s pale and sweating too from the exertion it had caused him. Pretty hard to hide it as he struggles to catch a breath to speak.] ...just f...ine… ugh…

[Grimacing, he attempts to at least get into a more comfortable position, owwwww.]

Look, I’ve been stuck here… far too long… and I’m getting restless. It’s… ahh ow, it’s bad enough that my training has been set back...

[gatheringstorm]

'Fine', my ass. Have some water.

[She pours from the nearby pitcher and hands over the cup, crossing her arms as she watches him.]

Your training isn't going to be improved by you hobbling around like this. Didn't they teach you that, where you're from?

[dragoon_pride]

[Owwww, so much pain, yeah moving around like that was so not a good idea. Kain makes a couple pained sounds as he reaches to take the cup, but he definitely needs it. He sips slowly and carefully.]

The white mages would... ah... would nag constantly, if that's what you're referring to. Ow. But I- I still have to start preparing...

[He can imagine the lecture Rosa would be giving him now.]

[gatheringstorm]

[And she's eye-rolling again.]

And what about when you inevitably hurt yourself worse trying to train too early? Don't tell me you don't know that's a thing, I won't believe you.

...you were part of that big ritual, weren't you.

[Her lips form a thin line, definitely not approving.]

2

[blessedmaiden]

"Not happening, Kain, sorry..."

Blame the fact that he looks like a kid to her, blame the fact that Rydia has no decency whatsoever but it's with the grace of a drunk goblin that she steps inside and grabs his ear giving a couple of gently pulls, pretending to warn him about a more violent outcome in case he doesn't return to his bed.

"Looks like I got you just in time."

[dragoon_pride]

Uh oh. Caught! Kain knows better than to think he'll ever be able to win against Rydia. Even if he weren't wounded, he'd be all too wary of her. She'd proven her strength many times... usually it was all aimed at Edge, but he's seen plenty to know what he's in for. The tug on his ear all but proves it. He's not going anywhere.

Still, he can at least try, right? Just to be safe, he doesn't try and push past her, though, staying where he is for now.

"Just in time? Will you join me outside? I'm not... trying to go very far..." Oh how unconvincing he sounds.

[blessedmaiden]

"Oh, you sweet innocent soul... the healers told me you're a difficult patient, Kain." a real surprise, to be honest, considering how tame he has always been around Rosa (but then again, hormones!) "But I will grant you the same treatment everyone in the Feymarch will get: prove me you're healthy enough and I will come with you wherever you want."

The summoner tilts her head, offering an innocent and caring smile that hides quite well how she really feels. Ah! Feymarchians had always been difficult and their trails had never been 'easy', Rydia herself had to tame her summons with the sole support of her whip and a chocobo.
Good times.

"And, with that I mean: If you try to step outside I will jump on your back, let's see how far you manage to go carrying me."

[dragoon_pride]

The most difficult patient of all. Kain is intensely stubborn and as someone so used to moving around, it's hard on him to be stuck in bed. Of course, Rosa has had to give him a few lectures too, but he did mostly listen to her. To Kain, her white magic is even better than all of the other white magic, he swears there's a special touch to it.

Prove it? Kain sees this as a challenge, at least until she adds the rest of that. Well, she's light enough he could still... No, he couldn't, not now anyway. He's just on the verge of taking a step forward, but stops, realizing there's no way he could handle that. He puts a hand to his head and groans a little. Ok, he definitely can't handle being on his feet much longer.

He sighs. "Point taken. Though I'm so close... could I just... go out for a moment? I'll return right after."

[blessedmaiden]

Too bad she isn't around, mh? To be completely honest it would make things a bit weird for Rydia considering the two grew apart after their mission on the moon but perhaps they were never meant to be as close as they were- oh, well, it doesn't really matter.

"Kain, I've been told you shouldn't even be out of your bed..." The summoner crosses her arms, looking up at him and frowning "Not to mention I'm no healer but even I can see how you're not in such a great shape, are you sure you really want to go outside?"

Rydia spends a momeny studying him, the way his whole body leans toward the exit and how his eyes still dart in its direction when he's not talking with her. Darn, she must be getting really old if this is working with her, yet Rydia can somehow relate with the feeling of really wanting to go somewhere and not being allowed to go there.
"Five minutes, I don't want to hear a single 'just a bit longer' and we're not walking on stairs or anything that isn't plain grass." The summoner steps closer and grabs his hand, forcing the dragoon to pass his arm around her shoulders for support "After that you're back in your bed and I will personally make sure you're not leaving again. Got it?"

[dragoon_pride]

It would be just as weird for Kain, mostly awkward because he still hasn't managed to get rid of his feelings. He'd purposefully left just so he could avoid the wedding. He couldn't bear to watch them get married, to be so immersed in that jealousy. And he's not ready for questions from her or Cecil about why he'd not attended, and why he'd disappeared without notice.

"They exaggerated." No, they really didn't. It's bed rest still for quite a while yet, unfortunately. But now she has him trapped, and he has no choice but to either agree to her terms, or end up right back where he started, right away. A compromise is better than nothing, right? "Very well, I'll accept this deal. I promise. I don't even mean to go too far, just... step outside." He definitely knows better than to go against her threat of making sure he stays put.

He has no choice but to accept her help, too. There's no way he can make it more than a couple steps on his own. So he keeps his arm on her shoulders. "All right... I'm ready."

[blessedmaiden]

... right. Well, it would be awkward for both, even if for different reasons. Still, it'd be nice to see someone else from home, possibly someone who isn't from her... time period? Rydia can already imagine how awkward it'd be to introduce Kain to someone like Ceodore.

"I bet they did..." She rolls her eyes, securing her arm around his waist and pulling him closer, the last thing Rydia wants is to see him on the ground. "I can relate to your need of freedom, Kain, I really can... still, you should give yourself time to heal when you get hurt. And, hey, I have plenty of free time, I can assist you if needed."

And outside they go, she tries to move as slowly as possible while keeping an eye on him "You know... there's plenty of things to do to make one's stay in the bed more pleasant, in case. Ever received a paw massage?" Yes, it's as weird as it sounds "Or, if it's too warm for our tastes, I know a few tricks with ice magic to make a tent more comfortable." There is a short pause and then Rydia gently bumps her head against his shoulder "So, where do you want to go? We can choose between admiring a wall, admiring another wall and eventually admiring another one. Or... I think we can reach the morchants from here? But it's a longer walk."

[dragoon_pride]

For now, Kain is ok not having anyone else from home here. In a way, Rydia is one of the somewhat better people he could be stuck with, there are less issues there than the ones he has with Cecil and Rosa. He looks over at Rydia when she offers to assist. As always, he worries about burdening her in some way. He doesn't ask others much for anything, he's always been too prideful. "I don't want to impose on you... if there are other things you'd rather be doing..."

But he clearly does need the help as she moves along with him and supports him. "A paw massage? Dare I ask?" Though, hm, he has to consider this a little more... the ice magic may indeed help make it more comfortable. He glances off longingly at the surrounding mountains, but it's definitely going to be a while before he's able to jump and climb those. He has to stick with places much closer, unfortunately. "We don't have to go too far, I promise... just a little ways along this path would be fine. The fresh air and a bit of exercise will do me good, no matter what the healers say." Not wanting to admit he's not sure he can make it as far as the merchants, Kain figures this will work out well enough anyway if they just go a short distance. Already, he's relieved to be out under the sky again.

1

[universal_charm]

_{[ Kirk had gotten wind of Kain's injuries, and of course he was worried for his companion. He also knew just how terrible it was being confined to a bed, especially when your body refused to cooperate and let you actually do things. It was what made him such a terrible patient, and while this particular trait may or may not be shared by Kain, Kirk wasn't about to leave him lying in a bed all day, all alone, with nothing but walls and a ceiling to stare at. Men went mad that way. ]}

I thought you might like some company for a little bit. I found some literature on dragons - I thought I could read it to you.

[dragoon_pride]

[At this point, Kain is still far too weak to attempt an escape, but it’s still crossed his mind a few times. He’s the worst at staying idle, and finds it tedious and dull to be stuck within the same location for days on end. But the way he feels, he knows he’s going to be unfortunately stuck here for a while. He definitely looks bad off, pale and feverish, along with bruised wherever he’s not bandaged up.]

[He glances over when Kirk arrives, realizing that word must have spread by now about the battle with Vengeance.]

Kirk. Thank you for coming… [At least Kirk has said the magic word, Kain’s expression even perking up a bit from the sullen gloomy emotions he’s had since he’s been here.] ...I’d truly appreciate it. Dragons sound far more interesting than this healer’s tent.

[universal_charm]

_{[ Well, he had been part of one of the rituals in the first place. Anders had not let him participate in the final one, but he had made sure to check on the progress, wanting Anders to find his freedom. Selfishly, he was glad not to have been in the fight and thus render himself in such a state as Kain. He'd taken a good enough beating during the Fourth Ritual. Less so, he had been disappointed to be of no help. So here he was now. ]}

They're a lot more interesting than a lot of things, but especially that.

_{[ He pulled up a hair and settled himself. ]}

How are you feeling? Besides like crap.

[dragoon_pride]

[Even though he's not so happy now at his current state... it was worth it, in the end. They'd gotten rid of Vengeance. They'd accomplished what they set out to do. Kain knew he had to go all out to help in that battle, and he hadn't held back at all, especially when putting his new skills to use.]

Honestly...? I feel... [He'd love to put up a typical display of bravado, but at the moment even that's a bit beyond him. He's too weak. He sighs, his breathing still a bit shallow and strained.] Horrible. Beyond horrible. At least... it was for a good cause. I don't regret it.

[universal_charm]

_{[ Kirk would have agreed, had he been in the state Kain was in. He was glad that Anders was free of Justice, was his own man again. ]}

Hmm, I've been there. It lasts for awhile, but it does get better, believe me.

Hopefully stories about dragons makes it go by a little faster, huh?

[dragoon_pride]

I... ah... I'll take your word for it. At least... Vengeance is gone now... that's what matters.

[He coughs, struggling a moment to breathe, ow. He's definitely had his share of bad injuries, but it's been a while since he's had anything knock him out so terribly like this.]

The stories should at least give me some sense of escape... I can just imagine flying away on one...

[universal_charm]

_{[ Kirk shifts as the other coughs, moving to get him a drink of something to ease his throat. No sense in him damaging his throat along with the rest of himself. ]}

Heh, let me see if I can find out describing that in here and ready it first then.

[dragoon_pride]

That sounds like a good...

[Ow. More pain. Kain grimaces, coughing more, catching his breath a little before he reaches for the drink Kirk is offering.]

Sounds like a good idea. And I'm always interested in further tales of dragons beyond ones I already know..