There'll be trouble when the kidz come out

[lucetimods]

Who: All remaining draftees
What: Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!
When: The 29th to 31st
Where: Vaskoth
Summary: Please read here for event information
Rating: B for BRRAAAIIIINSSSS

On the 29th, the Malnosso announce over the radios that the power cap will be lifted to a full 100%. Carol broadcasts a message.

On the 30th, the Malnosso declare Vaskoth completely lost. Those with radio access will discover that the enclosure is to be bombed.

On the 31st, survivors will have one last chance to evacuate or try to find the cure. 3PM is do or die.

Comments

29th

[fleurdesel]

Tony.

[It's quiet. Tired. Almost hollow. She can't imagine what he's going through, and truly never wants to be able to do so. She can't fix Pepper. She can't fix any of this. But she can make certain he sits still long enough for her to look over his bruises and cuts whenever he's taken a step away from Pepper's bedside.

It's not much.

But it is all she can do for him.]

[alloys]

[He's already getting twitchy in his absence from Pepper's side, and his head jerks toward the sound of Adele's voice. His answer comes with desperate impatience.]

What?

[fleurdesel]

[That was more or less what she expected. She's too tired to be anything but resigned to it at the moment, and he doesn't deserve any manner of ire.]

You should sit and let me take a look at you.

[alloys]

I have to--get back.

[To Pepper.

To the person he cared for most. The one he couldn't save.

He's already stepping away, even.]

[fleurdesel]

You have to rest. You have to eat. Making yourself ill over this will only make her feel worse.

[It's a low card to play, even if her voice is as gentle as she can manage.]

Please.

[alloys]

[His posture goes rigid at her words. He wants to snap back. Of course, and you just understand exactly what she's going through, what we're going through, and isn't it just so peachy how everyone understands--

But he lacks the conviction.]

I don't think I really have those options anymore.

[It honestly wasn't a choice anymore.]

[fleurdesel]

...self flagellation through sleep deprivation and fasting will not help.

[The words are cold, the tone kind. As kind as anyone saying that could possibly be. There's no time, there's no cure, and neither of them could do anything to help her. Making himself ill from guilt is wallowing. And for all that he infuriates her at times she knows him to be far better than that. And at the same time she cannot begrudge him the self pity.]

Half an hour. Long enough for an exam and a light meal. Then back to her.

[alloys]

[Half an hour is too long. Too long, his mind cries in protest. But he doesn't want to make Pepper feel worse than she already does--god knows he wants anything but that. It might be a low blow, but it works. Sort of.]

Fifteen.

[fleurdesel]

Twenty- if you've need of stitches. Otherwise, fifteen.

[She doesn't think he does, but it'd give her an excuse to dither as he sat, give him more time to breathe and be. Maybe she could think of something to distract him.



And maybe the sky will open up and a cure will rain down from the heavens sent by unicorns and virgins.]

[alloys]

[He doesn't think he needs stitches. But--hell if he's paid attention to the general state of his wellbeing since--

Since.]

Fine. Deal.

[fleurdesel]

[She motions to the nearest empty exam room, there was a case of basic supplies available there for her use. And some manner of MRE she'd taken from the MSF store room.]

How long has it been since you last slept?

[alloys]

[He stops to think about it. The last time he'd slept was only because Billy had actually made him.

That felt so long ago. And so simple. Before...]

Two. Two nights ago.

[fleurdesel]

...I won't sedate you- but you cannot go another day without Sleep Tony. You can't.

[Never mind that she's running on snatches here and there, an hour or two whenever Saori stops her cold rampage through the enclosure to keep watch or Clint visits for an hour or so.]

And when you ate last?

[alloys]

...How do you expect me to sleep?

[It's an honest question, honestly asked. The only way he can foresee himself resting is if by complete physical shutdown--though that might not be such a far-fetched option, at this point.

It's another moment before he answers her question.]

--Yesterday.

[fleurdesel]

...I don't. I wouldn't. Otherwise I'd tie you to a chair and sedate you for your own good but-

[It's horrible, making yourself watch. Making her live like that. And all the same were she not strong enough to pull the trigger she'd not want to miss one moment with Ben.]

Just. Attempt it at least. We've sleep aids left, I think. Mild things.

[She almost swears, but doesn't quite manage the vitriol for it. Pulls out the MRE instead and sets it to heat.]

[alloys]

Why bother.

[Honestly, why. What would he need sleep for? If they didn't find a cure, then that was it. He wouldn't consider what would happen at that point. Because there was nothing for him in it.]

[fleurdesel]

[She'd tried being kind. She'd tried tact. And honestly she has no real patience for this level of wallowing and self indulgence. Does he think this is some fault of his own? Does he honestly hold himself accountable for what happened?]

If you're going to kill yourself, Stark, at least have the sense to do it efficiently.

[alloys]

[He shoots her a pointed look, on his feet in an instant. That wasn't what he was trying to do--no, not quite. If Pepper died, he didn't doubt there was a chance he would, too. He was reckless. He was heartbroken. But he was great at staying alive.

Ironic, probably, that that simple suggestion ignites a lively fire in him that's been tampering out.]

Funny thing about me, Doc--Invincible. I have this nasty habit of not dying. So don't you worry your pretty little head.

You're fifteen minutes are up. Penalties on personal fouls.

[He moves to leave.]

[fleurdesel]

[And there it was. That fire. That spark of life and stubborn resolution that she'd thought gone entirely. Good to know she'd been wrong. Angry works, though, and she might be struck for it. She'd earn it. But wallowing now when they have so little time to them? Pointless. She's accustomed to being a bitch. She might as well use it for something.]

How classic- righteous indignation fueled by what? By guilt? Do you honestly think this is your fault Stark? That you could have prevented this, any of this? You're a scientist. Not God.

[alloys]

[Not his fault? Oh, that's just rich.]

Right. Because I don't have any responsibility to look out for her, to protect her when we're in this hell. That'd just be completely ludicrous--except, oh wait. It's not, because that is exactly what I was supposed to do. And exactly what I did not do.

[He'd promised himself he'd keep her safe out here. He hadn't. And now she was suffering the consequences. How was that not clear? It was bright as day to him.]

[fleurdesel]

You cannot protect her from everything. You cannot plan for every possibility that would end in her injury. You could not have seen this coming. To assume as much is arrogant even for you. If you wish to take responsibility for this situation, then fine. Do something about it. Don't just sit at her bedside and wallow in guilt while she continues to suffer.

[alloys]

Right. Of course--why didn't I think of that. Although, a bit ironic coming from you--didn't you just give me a guilt trip not so long ago for not stopping Apep? As I seem to recall, you did. This isn't any different, Adele. I knew how dangerous it was here. I knew better than to leave her alone. I promised myself I would keep her safe by any means necessary--and guess what? I didn't.

[His body is shaking now, and he isn't sure if it's from the exhaustion or the anger. Probably both.]

You don't get it. You don't understand--so do us all a favor and stop pretending like you do. You have no--godddamn--idea what we're going through. So just stop.

[Pepper needed him there, and hell if he was going to forfeit that to do--what, exactly? He wasn't a medical scientist, and he was in no state to pick up the art. He wasn't fit to fight. He was already doing what he knew would help, and that was staying with Pepper.

He heads for the door. As far as he is concerned, this conversation is over.]