escordvi | [ Closed ] If you like, I will tell you a tale.

[Boom!! It's an explosion before the silence and Zack stares with an impressed grin on his face.]

Damn, Raha. You're explosive.

[He looks over his shoulder at the cat man and winks. All the while many of the ambushers are trying to retreat to the enemy ship.]

That should stop them for now. But we probably don't have much time. If the reward to kidnap this lady is as big as you said, I'm guessing these assholes won't give up that easily.

[ Augh that line would be so bad! ...If it were anyone else other than Raha that Zack had said it to. Instead his tail wiggles and there's a smile returned. Then his focus goes back to the Corsairs fleeing. Raha's ears fold back, just like a displeased feline as he joins Zack's side. ]

I very well should be. Were it simply the fabrics they were after, that would be one thing. Seeking to claim a person is entirely another matter.

Though, just to be sure...

[ G'raha puts his staff at his back. Seeks out something on the ship and makes a small sound of "this will do" when he finds it. A bow and a couple of arrows. He dips three into a lit flame and knocks them back - displaying perfect form.

Then he fires. Right at the Corsair ship's sail. All so that it will catch fire. ]

Now that should keep them busy.

[Wow it was cheesy for a reason! Just look how much damage G'raha did in a couple of explosions?! And now look what he's doing to the corsair flag with those arrows that are on fire?! Consider Zack deeply impressed.]

Damn, what I wouldn't do to see you shoot an arrow at this man's ass too.

[Who would think anyone is property of all things. People don't belong to people. It's no wonder this poor lady wants to get the hell out of Nogard.]

You better check to make sure she's safe below deck. I'll get us back on track towards Eltrut.

[Zack will do some ship steering. They need to move fast.]

When I return to the leviathan, I may yet do just that.

[ He's saying that he, definitely, is upset over this one. Raha dislikes the deception that had been at work here. The seamstress shouldn't be brought back to Nogard under any circumstances. Raha won't stand for it. Even if she were, he'd probably go out of his way to attempt to free her. ]

Right. Her safety is priority... Do you know how to sail?

[Zack grins again and closes a fist to flex.]

Yeah, sure. You catch the wind and steer it with the wheel.

[Confidence can get Zack a long way, actually. He's seen the ships and how they're sailed a lot by now so he's got this. Probably.

...

When G'raha heads down below... There will be a shadow around the corner waiting for him. One with a sharp dagger. And when he comes close the shadow will attempt a sneak attack on G'raha.]

[ G'raha looks over his shoulder at Zack. Showing off... He smiles and rolls his eyes as he makes his way down.

Later, he will say that he had been upset. Mind racing from the sheer audacity of how someone can claim another person as property. Remembering all too well what the Allagans and Garleans had been like at one juncture. How even the Ascians had seen the people of this day and age as nothing more than sacrifices to be made to their god.

That's why he doesn't see this stray Corsair. In hindsight, they should have paid more attention to see if anyone had snuck off. G'raha doesn't even realize its coming - at least not until it is too late to react.

And from above, Zack will hear a shout and something close to cracking and wood breaking.. Upon investigation, the temperature will take something of a steep drop. Zack will be able to see his breath; there will be a trail of blood down a hallway with frost and ice along the sides. Rounding the corner?

G'raha sitting there, holding his side and a Corsair pinned to the opposite wall with ice magic. ]

Raha?!

[That shout and the crackling of magic and wood is all that Zack needs to hear. When he does Zack's blood pumps and he feels his muscles scream as he sprints for the decks below. He kicks the door open and feels that rush of ice and cold. And his stomach drops at the implications.

He doesn't stop. He follows the traces of magic and broken wood and rounds the corner to see the scene in front of him. G'raha bleeding there against the wall and the corsair is pinned there in the ice.]

Raha! [He beelines for the corsair and growls out,] The hell did you do?!

[Zack can't contain his emotions and with a swift punch, he cracks the man against his jaw so hard he gets knocked out completely. He turns and goes to G'raha side, his hand gripping his shoulder and the other hand, with red knuckles, will grab for G'raha to staunch the wound at G'raha's side.]

Hang in there, put pressure on it! Damn it!

[ His head jerks up at the sound of Zack's voice. Before he can even respond proper, those footfalls against the floor are moving fast. And then the man makes an appearance. ]

Zack-!

[ Even G'raha flinches at the sound of fist connecting with the Corsair's jaw. While the Miqo'te makes no move to pick himself up from the floor, his ears are flickering and he's breathing is staggered. In part due to shock and in part due to pain. His ears pin themselves against his skull as he leans back against the wall. Only after Zack starts to hold onto him does Raha lift his head again. ]

Breathe. [ A reminder for himself and for Zack and Raha winces at the added pressure. ] 'Tis deep... But not fatal. I've worse injuries...

[ He's trying to tug his scarf off with a free hand. Healing magicks will only go so far and he's already done what he can with curative spells. So now he needs something to wrap around the wound. The scarf he can wash later. ]

Here. Help me with this.

I've got it.

[Zack coaxes G'raha to use him as a pillar to hold onto if he needs to. All the while Zack grabs the scarf to use to staunch the blood for now. He applies pressure and holds it there firmly. This is a pretty bad stab wound even if G'raha tries to play it off that he's had worse.

Zack does try to breathe. He knows he can't panic just because of a little blood.]

He must have snuck down here right under our noses. Just keep the pressure, we'll get you stitched up.

Tie it off tightly... [ Another sharp inhale. ] I've used curative magicks... Worry not.

[ Meaning he will be fine, Zack. He promises. There's really no moving Raha at the moment. Or, rather, he doesn't have the will to quite yet. So he goes back to closing his eyes and leaning back. Trying to control his breathing and wishing he had a bit more aether. For now, he's just keeping the pressure applied to the wound, despite the aching.

Still doesn't compare to being shot in the back and then tortured. The pain of slowly being eaten by crystal. ]

Likely it is as you've said. [ Makes sense. Instead of searching each room themselves, easier to lie in wait and capture someone. Force them to take them to the seamstress. Too bad G'raha hadn't wanted to play along. ] The seamstress... We need to make sure she is still here.

[ Guess who isn't concerned about themselves. This guy! ]

Yeah. But one problem at a time, Raha.

[Zack hasn't forgotten about the seamstress and their mission to get her somewhere safe. But he isn't about to just let go of G'raha right now when he's bleeding out. His voice is firm as he helps to tie that scarf as tightly as he can without it being detrimental to G'raha. It's good he has strong hands.]

You sit your ass down right here. I'll go check on her.

[No more moving that might cause more blood loss. All seems quiet now on the ship so Zack does a quick check of the room for any more rogue pirates before heading to her door.

After a quick check... She's shaken but she's alright. And for their trouble, she does give Zack a piece of long fairy-cloth that she said he should use for G'raha's wound until they can get to port. So he returns.]

She's alright. She's just a little shaken up.

Zack...

[ One problem at a time. One problem at a time!? The seamstress is the problem to be concerned with. At least that's what G'raha truly believes. Prioritize the mission, not him. His tail slaps against the floor in a somewhat irritable fashion. Being told to sit down like a child. ]

I'm not going anywhere.

[ Although, the moment that Zack leaves? Rushes into the room for the seamstress, Raha slowly pushes himself up. He's breathing heavily still, eyes a little unfocused from the pain. From the struggle of getting to his feet.

It takes the entire time Zack is gone to get himself upright. His ears perk forward hearing the the woman is safe. Shaken up but safe. ]

Good. Good. We should take this Corsair to the brig. Maybe get some more answers.

[They can argue the details later but Zack wasn't going to leave G'raha to possibly bleed out on his own. The seamstress is important and he wants to do everything he can for her and help her. But G'raha is his priority too.

Zack is careful with his check too. He sweeps the room and checks the halls before returning to make sure there aren't any other hidden surprises with sharp things. Only then does he secure her room and go back to G'raha with a frown.]

Yeah. Let's get him a cell before he wakes up.

[But before that Zack reaches for G'raha to steady him.]

You need to take it easy, though. Until we can get you some stitches.

[ He really is able to stand, at least. Take a few breaths, covering his mouth to cough. The pain is more intense than anything else. But he keeps the pressure to his side even as Zack returns to his side. ]

What will the other Paladins do with him...? Other than get more answers?

[ If Zack reaches for him, he might find that Raha is going to make the attempt to try to walk on his own. And when it does get to be a bit much? Well he won't pretend to be fine and will give in. Just lean against Zack. ]

...I can still help.

Aside from dealing with that black eye I gave him, he'll have to deal with being locked up for as long as they say. The higher-ups are wondering why they're after the seamstress.

[And Zack will be right there to keep G'raha standing by scooping his arm around his waist.]

I know you can. But you're helpful when you can breathe straight.

[He's just worried... He should have been faster at getting to G'raha.]

For a moment I thought you might have broken his jaw.

[ G'raha chuckles and it turns into something like wheezing. Thankfully, there will not be any coughing up of blood. Nothing vital has been struck. Zack's hold is distracting though. Gentle yet firm. Probably going to whatever serves as quarters here until someone with more medical knowledge than G'raha can get there. ]

Spoken like a true hero...

[ Okay there might be something of a small fever starting to kick in. Nothing life-threatening, but the body's response to trauma. ]

[He'll carry G'raha if he has to. Zack's expression is concerned but firm as well as he watches G'raha's condition. He doesn't like seeing him hurt like this.]

Yeah. I had to hold myself back for a second there.

[He probably would have done worse to the guy...]

There's a room down the hall. You can rest there and I'll grab the doc.

[Some random npc that can do some stitches idk]

Hold back? That was you holding back?

[ BUT ALSO WHAT DO YOU MEAN HOLD BACK? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?

Raha sighs, coughing a little on the exhale. Is Zack also going to be someone that fusses and feels protective? To the point of startling people?

He's only a little distracted by the thought of that, as Zack leads him to this room. A doctor. Stitches. Doe they really need to go that far?]

Zack, I promise. I'll be all right.

Raha.

[Zack's voice is deeper, a little firm. But it's also just ... concerned.]

Let me just be sure. Okay.

[... He cares about G'raha. He just has to be sure that he's not going to bleed out here and now. So will G'raha please just sit on the guest bed-]

[ Now why does this man have to sound like that? Say his name in that tone... Raha's tail stops moving altogether and his ears fall back against his head. When someone is just that earnest, how can the Miqo'te ignore it? ]

All right. If it will help you feel better.

[ He can allow it, if it's something like that. Adhering to a request because someone else needs it, not necessarily G'raha.

Not the healthiest way of thinking about it, but baby steps.

When Zack leads him to the guest bed, G'raha will need just a little help sitting down. He is in pain, sucking in a breath and trying his best not to flinch at the movement. ]

[That's better, Zack is a little more satisfied once G'raha agrees. He knows it's not the best way to get someone to do something but it's for the best right now. G'raha needs to have this wound treated sooner rather than later. He knows how nasty a stab wound can be. The blood loss is the worst part.]

Easy does it.

[He'll even keep his comments to himself as he helps ease G'raha to a sit on the bed. Then it won't be long before Zack gets the ship medic in to help with the stitches before Zack is handed the bandages to do the rest on his own. ~~handwaving the stitching part~~]

Alright, ready for the last part?

[ it is the best that Zack could do right now. If roles had been reversed, G'raha would probably have used the same methods. Whatever would get him the results that would ease his mind. And he's not unaccustomed to blood loss. This body, however, feels it more keenly than his last.

Yet he allows for Zack to help him sit down. Allows for the other to rush out of the room and bring someone in that might take care of the injury. And really, the bleeding had slowed considerably by the time the cleaning and stitching process takes place. ~~That we are handwaving~~

Bandages are left for Zack and G'raha himself is feeling the exhaustion start to set in. He nods, somewhat put out by the fact that he knows he is essentially going to be told to stay put. ]

[He can already see that look on G'raha's face and how the other man might not like being told to stay put a second time. He can sense that G'raha's not going to like that part. But right now he'll let the moment stretch on. Because G'raha also looks like he's still worn down and needs to take it easy.]

There, look at that. You're looking a lot better already.

[Which is maybe more of a relief for Zack than it is for G'raha. He'll take the bandages in hand and place a hand gingerly just below the stitches to inspect them. Then he'll pull the bandages roll open so he can start to wrap G'raha's torso.]

Arms up.

[ Zack is 100% correct. Even the very tip of G'raha's tail is still twitching. Despite the tired look to his eye, his lips are still turned down in something like a pout. ]

All thanks to my hero, yes.

[ But he can't find himself too upset, especially when there's a lightness that returns to Zack because of it. Something that has chased away a more immediate fear - one that probably runs deeper than G'raha rightfully knows right now. Regardless, if it makes Zack feel better -

Sigh. ]

Yes, yes. As you say.

[ Though it is a slow process, lifting his arms. In fact, he has to rest his wrists upon the man's shoulders, to ease the tension of torn muscle. ]

[Zack has seen enough of the people he loves hurt. If G'raha can just let Zack take care of him that would be an ease on Zack shoulders more than G'raha knows.

It actually makes the job a little easier when G'raha rests his wrists on his shoulders. Zack can come in closer, his arms slowly wrapping around G'raha's body as he uses the bandages to wrap nearly and firmly around his torso. Taking care to not tie them too tightly or aggravate the clean stitches.

He'll be able to tilt his head enough to glance at G'raha's face.]

Once we're sure the bleeding has stopped enough we can go talk down that corsair.

[See? Be good and let Zack take care and they can go investigate the job together!]

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