cancry | New Wounds, Old Wounds [Locked]

New Wounds, Old Wounds [Locked]

[Lion had been looking for Ruin after the show with no luck- it was worthwhile thanks to Chiron's advice, but the actual goal was fruitless. Ruin was nowhere to be found.

The next most obvious place to look was back in Limbo- and Lion intended to return anyway. Sleeping in that woman's home seemed a bit too morbid for his tastes. He doesn't find him in the Executor house, but he finally finds sign of the man in the park. A bit of torn up earth that suggested a lance. Hoofprints. He follows the mud to the fountain... and the passage to the Limbo Underside.

... that was concerning. But perhaps he wanted to train before their upcoming mission? He arrived after the last one, after all. So Lion makes his way down, his armor appearing like a second skin as he does so, on guard against the beasts that still lingered within.]

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I'm sure it's not the first time.

[That his arm has been broken. That he asked for such mistreatment. That it was someone he was meant to trust that did it.

None of which are terribly comforting thoughts. Even he's not sure which he means.]

Hm.

[It's a concerning sound, but he doesn't press- mostly because they have reached the house. Stepping in he calls out:]

Chiron? Medic? We need a healer, please!

[There is a small clatter from one of the other rooms, doesn't sound like anything is broken, but simply of something dropped and discarded in a hurry. And in hurries Chiron.

He stops in the doorway and, for a moment, assesses the lads with concern.

It flattens out into simply being unimpressed, hands sliding to his hips.]

And all this time, I could have gotten the popcorn ready. [The words are flippant, and the tone has an air of the same, but his face simply remains unimpressed as he motions to a couch in the living room.] I've found several quite unique flavors I've been itching to try out. Alas, they'll have to wait for some other main event. Oh- he's still breathing, color me quite shocked.

Set him down gently. [He's willing to help with that much, thankfully.]

[Ruin can't even see Chiron but the moment he speaks he's absolutely sure he doesn't want to see the expression that matches that tone.]

Is it too late to change my mind?

[He very nearly laughs at that but ends up just coughing up more pneuma. Still, he musters up the strength to offer Chiron a sheepish kind of smile, still trying to be flippant, still too shaken by Lion's words to manage it completely.]

Yes Sir.

[Lion looks fittingly sheepish, putting Ruin down carefully]

And now isn't the time for jokes, Ruin. We... got a bit carried away while sparing.

[Careful, careful, let's not jostle him more than he's already been.] I would be upset if it wasn't for the fact that you deliberately couldn't promise me violence would not occur after an attempt at talking.

[RIGHT, LION?] I presume there was an attempt at talking first.

[Thankfully, he kneels by Ruin's side and looks him over, mostly concerned with the injuries. In theory, he doesn't need to specifically know where the injuries are or the extent of them, but he feels like it helps. Somewhere to focus his energies, perhaps.

The pneuma concerns him most, frankly, and he reaches out a hand--to lay on Ruin's forehead, gently pushing back wild red locks a few times. The other hand rests very gently on Ruin's chest. Both hands begin to very gently glow around the palms. He inhales.]

Sparring, was it? [Is that really what you want to call it?]

[Shit, Lion, don't legitimately make him laugh when he has broken ribs... And possibly a puncture or two.]

Sparring, hah-

[More coughing but that is not surprising. What might be is the way he can't quite stop himself from leaning into the hand on his forehead, like a battered alley cat that still just wants pets despite the fact that it should fear people.

For as much scolding as he does though, Chiron's hands are gentle and Ruin cautiously banishes his armor so the older man has more of an idea what he's working with. Without the help of the steel plates to keep everything neat and still he does end up gasping out a pained little yelp as he sinks into the couch more.

It's a shame the adrenaline has worn off, really. ]

...an attempt was made, yes.

[When Ruin gasps he moves to his side, looking a bit frantic but unable to help in any way- just hovering awkwardly]

Shh, I know it hurts. [His brows knit together, looking like he's exerting some actual effort. Like many Executor abilities, it needs that effort. Maybe with even more practice-]

I can see to you later, if you need. I'm doing us all a favor and assuming you do. Medic, I am sure, would be thrilled, if you don't want to wait.

This may take some time.

I pushed. Don't give him a hard time about it.

[It's really not Lion's fault. Ruin went out of his way to push every button the man has. It's not fair that he'd get in trouble for this.

As much as he hurts Ruin is nothing if not stubborn and... well it seems strangely natural to ignore his body screaming at him. So if Lion does move to follow Chiron's advice, to go seek out Medic, Ruin's going to snag his sleeve before he can get too far. Nothing insistent, nothing to deter him if his shoulder is as damaged as he thinks it's liable to be. Just a subtle request that, if he's up to it, he stay.]

[he had started to move to do just that, less because of his injury, but to give them both space. And so Chiron could... perhaps see if Ruin was lying out of fear of Lion. He wouldn't blame him for being suspicious.

But when Ruin grabs him he hesitates... then sits near by, looking miserable]

I suspect my arm was dislocated at some point, but it is back in its proper place. I will be fine.

Then I'll get to you. [He takes a deep, steadying inhale. Exhale.]

I believe these wounds to be more...extensive than what I normally have dealt with. But I am going to do my best.

[Another steady inhale. Exhale. Patience and effort.]

Have you cleared the air to your satisfaction? [Both of you.]

Sorry...

[Immediate and guilty. Once again being thoughtless and selfish, only thinking of what would make him feel better, not the people that would have to clean up the mess.]

Don't worry too much about it. [Surely just patching up any internal bleeding is sufficient.

If it were anything less than that he'd probably have argued burdening a healer anyway. They had better things to do than deal with his stupidity.]

You've apologized for more than enough.

[Lion says softly before turning to Chiron]

As for apologies, we both did- I... can not say for him, but I feel satisfied.

If this happens again, I'm letting Medic see to you both. [Something said so mildly about future potential medical treatment should not sound so menacing, and yet. Ruin should be glad the milder injuries are healing. The worse are...well, the pain is ebbing, some.]

Though I suppose in some circles, 'beating the unholy shit out of one another' is a time-honored tradition of young men to settle emotional scores.

[He should be glad, even if some part of him had been determined to leave the cut in his lip. A reminder, maybe, of words more than the action itself but...]

Is it? Well then maybe I don't feel so bad.

[A weak attempt at joking, a forced laugh but it doesn't bring up more pneuma this time, just hurts like hell. So it seems the pneuma that is smeared and drying on his face is going to be the end of it. Small favors.

Though Ruin does reach out for Lion once more, a light touch, just an acknowledgment of his answer to that question and the barest of nods. Yeah. Yeah, they're good.]

[The small affirmation makes him smile softly and nod, pleased. After a moment he turns to Chiron, awkward but hopeful]

Chiron... this may seem out of the blue, but if you'd be willing to indulge me- how did you go about picking your new name? Did you find it difficult in any way?

Ah? [It is out of the blue, and if he weren't a little busy, he'd adjust to it without a second thought. As it is, he needs a few moments.]

I didn't pick it at all, actually. Mona picked it out for me. A mythological figure, apparently. Wise and kind and skilled with medicine, as it were, and she seemed to think it appropriate.

[It is absolutely out of the blue and Ruin is a few steps behind Chiron on following that topic shift. He recalled Chiron mentioning the whole "your majesty" thing but he hadn't given it much thought beyond that.]

I think she was right. [Clearly, kind enough to go to all this trouble for someone like him.]

[Lion isn't sure he's ever felt this sensation of getting something no one else does- Chiron at least has the excuse of no context, but Ruin... hm. Should he just be direct?]

She has a good sense for these things. I ask because Ruin was considering something similar.

[he lightly squeezes Ruin's unharmed arm so he's not completely gobsmacked by Lion's sorta-lie]

Is that so?

Hm. If Mona is up for such a task, I'm sure her rummaging through the library will lead her to something suitable. Or we could assist. Several of us have taken up new names, dissatisfied with what our scant memories provide. And leave us with so many questions.

And it's something that is ours, in a place such as this. As few things here that are ever truly ours, thusfar.

I- [Ruin cuts himself off but the look he's giving Lion may as well finish the question. I am?

But he looks back to Chiron as he explains, considering, feeling somehow more guilty for this than the fight itself. It's hardly fair, is it? Changing his name when... Maybe it's not about him. Maybe it's meant to be a warning. People deserve to know what they're getting into. ]

[he nods along with Chiron- as usual his counsel is wise. But Ruin's confused and pained look is clear enough that Lion can read it, so surely Chiron will too]

Ah... well I... hm. I simply worry that it might feel heavy, having a name like that.

If you want it, it's an option. Something that can be yours, in a place where so very little is truly ours. Wolfsbane is fine with her moniker, as is [with a quick glance at Lion] Kingslayer. [Who has not been seen for Some Time but let's not talk about! that! right now!] Monarch seems somewhat startled by his, and I can't blame him, but he hasn't expressed any interest in changing it yet. I think the young lad's waiting to remember everything.

[Ruin is quiet for a long moment after that, letting Chiron work, taking fuller breaths as the damage to his ribs subsides, clearly thinking hard about what they've said.

Finally he looks up at Lion, a huff of bitter amusement on his lips.]

Maybe it's meant to.

[Feel heavy, that is. A cumbersome weight to remind him of what he's done, even when he can't remember it.]

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