lucetilogs | when johnny comes marching home

[At first, Nephry thinks she's hallucinated hearing someone outside. It's very late and she hasn't been in the best of mental states anymore. And to prove to herself that no one's there, she goes to open the door.

There's someone there.

She takes one look at the state Ion's in and puts an arm around his shoulders to bring him inside.]

[Ion doesn't react when he sees Nephry at first, almost too tired for it. He follows her into the house, waiting until he's inside where it's warm and the door is shut to speak up. His voice is so weak, it's almost a whisper.]

...I'm home.

Yes. Of course you are.

[She's heard that he ~~might not be~~ isn't in the best physical health. He ought to go straight to bed.

But going to bed wet and dirty isn't good for him either. For now she takes him to sit down on the chair in the living room. Unless he objects]

[He doesn't object as all, sitting down and promptly sinking into it with a weary sigh. His whole body aches; even his wings feel sore, still folded up safely under his robes. And his ears are still ringing from the wind and all the screaming that went on that last day...]

[He shuts his eyes and tilts his head back, but he knows he can't sleep yet and he knows he won't be able to.]

...I should probably wash up... i-in a bit.

Take your time.

[The very first thing he gets is the blanket from the back of the couch. Following that, she'll bring him some tea from the kitchen]

[The blanket is more than appreciated. It might have been raining in the jungle, but the heat and humidity kept him from feeling too cold, even during the storm. Here? He was definitely shivering.]

[His hands are shaky, made worse by his shivering, but he manages to take a nice long drink of the tea before holding the cup steady in his lap.]

[It's late, and Nephry may very well be the only one in the house right now. Sorry it's so cold in there.]

What else do you need right now?

[He stares down at the cup, his hands still shaking. The tea was warming him up, so he shouldn't be shivering quite so much. He was so tired...]

[There's a noted moment of hesitance, but it doesn't last long before he speaks up.]

Actually, I... think a hug would be rather nice right now.

[Oh Ion you didn't need to ask. It's a little awkward with him sitting in the chair, but they'll manage a hug somehow.]

[Hopefully not so awkward that she doesn't mind if it lasts longer than a brief moment or two. He reaches up to weakly wrap one arm around her, burying his face into her shoulder.]

[It's finally starting to sink in. He's home. He's safe. Right now, in this moment, everything is going to be okay.]

[The relief is overwhelming.]

[Silently, his shoulders start to shake as tears fall from his eyes.]

Edited 2011-06-07 23:14 (UTC)

[What he saw and went through must have been awful. Things no one - no child - should be exposed to, no matter what. Mindful of his wings, she pats his back gently. There will be no judgment from her.]

[His tears don't last long, perhaps because of just how tired he is. When he eventually brings his arm down and pulls away, his eyes are red, but there are no tears on his face.]

Thank you, Nephry.

Of course.

...Ion. [because something serious just crossed her mind.] The others...will they return this evening as well?

...we should have all been sent back at the same time. We weren't that far away before, but they must have scattered us when we were returned to the village.

[It had all been so sudden... one minute the wind and rain was roaring and the next, he was standing by himself in the village.]

Are they all right? [Alive, at least?

Forgetting his injury for a moment, she'll put a hand on top of his head.]

[That gets a slight wince out of him, but more so out of reflex than any real pain.]

They were all right the last time I saw them. That wouldn't have been too long before we were sent back...

[But on the battlefield, it only took a few minutes for things to go wrong. Factor that into a few hours...]

I'm sure they're fine.

[stop worrying him needlessly]

Just rest for now.

Mm... [He nods, but his worries likely won't alleviate until he sees them again.]

...I think I'd like to try washing up first. While I still have some energy left.

If you need assistance in walking there, I'll help you.

[He's not even going to try hiding this. He was already somewhat unsteady on his feet and with him being so tired, it was amazing he made it back to the House alone.]

I'm going to need a little help keeping myself steady...

All right.

[and she will even help him stand from the chair.]

[Which was probably for the best, because the moment he stands up, a sharp pain in his head makes him wince and let out an involuntary whimper. He resists the urge to bring his hand up to his forehead.]

...s-sorry, just a bit of head-rush.

Ion, it's very late, and half of the healers in the village are likely in no state to be able to help you if something is wrong. ...For your own sake, be truthful.

[they're not harsh or angry or frustrated words. Just worried ones.]

It's nothing that won't benefit from me trying to relax right now, Nephry. I promise I'll tell you about it after... but right now, I'd rather the next time I sit down be in the bath.

[And he means that. He has no intention of hiding his head injury from her. He'd just rather be more comfortable while explaining it.]

[The best response she can give him now is to nod, say nothing, and help him keep walking all the way to the bath.

...But the bathing part he will have to do on his own.]

Action | House One

Action | House One

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