We're more than carbon and chemicals

[lucetimods]

Who: All Draftees
What: Fighting Third Party
When: 26th, 27th, 28th, 1st, and 2nd
Where: The Southern Farmlands
Summary: See here for overall details.
Rating: Probably gonna be gorey in places :|a

DOESN'T NEED A CUT. People should know how this works, if not, just follow other people's lead. I'm gonna set up some strategist threads at the top, for the four strategists to use if they want to, otherwise people should start their own threads.

((Mod Note: Since this has been asked a few times, just fyi, the livestock do not talk. Happy hunting!))

Comments

[simplestgift]

[That doesn't actually sting, even if Jack wants it to. Archie knows he's got looks. That was sort of a problem once, actually. Instead of reacting, he pulls a little at Jack's shoulders, trying to get in a better breathing position.]

[memoryboxes]

[And Sayo's just so much more vocal about this.]

Actually, I think you're both very handsome!

[If not too brash on one side and too stubborn on the other. He leans to better look at Archie after a moment, frowning.]

Are you doing alright?

[originaljackass]

[He grins, satisfied at the compliment, but seeing as Archie is moving around, he falls silent. Let Miss Medic do her thing if she needs to.]

[simplestgift]

Hard to breathe.

[Because really. Just because Jack is super-strong doesn't mean Archie weighs any less, or is any shorter, or that Jack's arms are a comfy hammock. This is kind of painful.]

[memoryboxes]

[She reaches out and touches his shoulder gently.]

...Will you be alright for a little further?

[She really doesn't think stopping is a good idea—the sooner they get him to a healer or doctor, the better.]

[originaljackass]

He's going to have to be, not much of a choice, is there?

[On second thought, there's a barn just up ahead.]

Maybe we can put a sled together for him up there.

[simplestgift]

I'll be fine. Don't stop.

[It's getting harder and harder for him to keep from showing how much pain he's in, but he really is willing to trek on. He's had worse. Snerk.]

[memoryboxes]

[She nods, but is completely unsure. He may say he'll be fine, but...]

Alright. Then we can keep your focus on something, at the very least.

[She looks to Jack.]

Tell us a little about yourself, Jack-san. I'm afraid I don't know much about either of you, so I'd like to at least pass the time.

[originaljackass]

[Talk about himself? With a listening audience? Well certainly!]

I guess I could start with the beanstalk. That one's a classic. My most famous story too.

[simplestgift]

[Now he looks like he's in pain.]

No. No, don't talk, Jack. Sayo, never ask him to talk, least of all about him...himself.

[memoryboxes]

[She can hear the disdain for Jack so well, and yet it just humors her. She just can't help but laugh a little.]

Oh, you're not interested in the beanstalk, Archie-san?

[originaljackass]

Archie-san ain't a fan, Sayo. Couldn't say why.

[simplestgift]

He'll...never stop talking. [Droplets of blood are seeping out the top of the bandages. Vaguely, he wonders if the last two months have been a dream, and he's still dying on a prison bed.]

[memoryboxes]

Oh, I suppose I can understand enjoying to talk far too much, myself...

[But she's more focused on Archie's condition. Sayo sees the blood, and nods.]

Jack-san, we should stop by that barn for a moment. I'm growing a little thirsty, so it would be nice to see if there's any water there...

[He can't keep this up, going along like this.]

[originaljackass]

[He notices that blood too and nods, cutting in the direction of the barn instead.]

He's going to need stitched up sooner rather than later. You got any needle and thread in that kit of yours?

[Jack may not be a medic, but he's lived a long and interesting life. Before he got his rapid healing, he used to have to stitch his own wounds up.]

[simplestgift]

[Archie's breathing hitches again, the only sign besides the tension and pallor that he is EXTREMELY uncomfortable. He touches the bloodied bandages gently, resisting the urge to press down.]

[memoryboxes]

[She nods.]

I do. I'm not very good at stitching wounds. [As in, she's never done it.] Could you?

[That would be good for the wound, she remembers as they close in toward the barn. Stitching is good.]

[originaljackass]

Yeah, yeah. I can do it. [He nods to the barn now ahead. His hands are full, so she gets to open it.]

[simplestgift]

[He licks his lips, suddenly thirsty for some reason. Mr. Bush once struggled out of his own sickbed to bring him a cup of water. No, don't go back there.]

Jack.

[memoryboxes]

[Sayo proceeds to grip the barn door and pull--it takes her a moment, as her strength isn't much, let alone with her injured arm from a day prior, but it finally swings open. When she ventures in, she finds it abandoned. Good. Maybe there's a well around here, or perhaps some sort of... pump, like how the kitchen sink works in Luceti.

Was the river far from here? She wasn't sure... not at all.]

[originaljackass]

[Jack doesn't answer first, not until he can set Archie down somewhere that's clean enough. For the most part, he's not paying him much mind as he clears a space out, then pulls out a flask from his belt.]

Arch, you ain't got nothing to say I'll care about. Have a drink first, you'll need it. [He unscrew the top and brings it to his lips, bringing his head up if he needs it. Inside there's good old fashioned whiskey.]

[simplestgift]

[Archie takes a good long drink of the burning liquid, comes up for air, and drinks some more. With a grateful sigh, he lies back.]

You should...you should tell Sayo about the beanstalk.

[memoryboxes]

[She'll have disappeared and re-appeared with a pale full of clean water, and sets it down next to Jack and Archie; she also sets down the kit, opened to Jack for whatever he needs, before she comes to rest on the opposite side of Archie.]

I've never even heard of such a thing as a beanstalk, actually. I was going to ask what it was...

[originaljackass]

[Jack looks from Archie to Sayo and then rolls his eyes.]

Don't be such a damn sap, Archi. [First order of business, cutting open the bandages Saya already applied. He fishes out a neck from his belt to do just that. He's just going to carefully peel those back now.]

[simplestgift]

[There's a slight intake of breath. No, no, Archie is not actually asking for Jack to tell Sayo a story. He wants to listen to something to get his mind off the last time he was wounded.]