escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ in this world of ours, safe to be the one you are...

[Cid won't rouse immediately, but at least other than a little harsh breathing from where his chest wound had been aggravated, he's stable. Small blessings for having a "sturdy" body, being an Dominant and all, but as Alfyn continues to tend to him, a groan will eventually come as he slowly comes to.]

[That Cid was already injured to begin with doesn't go unnoticed. But! No sense in asking him about it right this second.]

I can't really take you anywhere better than this. Not until I know what happened, anyway.

[Not to mention that Cid is a little taller and almost certainly heavier. Details not important at this time.

There's something else Alfyn notices. Just- something strange, he thinks it might be a scar at first. That'd make sense. Cid seems like the sort of fellow who...gets into a lot of scrapes and tough spots, and Alfyn's only known the man for a few days.

Before he can get a better look at anything else, though, Cid groans. Alfyn smiles - and perks right up, resting both of his hands on Cid's shoulders. It's his best guess that he'll just try to get up straight away, if he's lucid, and...that would be a bad idea.]

Hey there. [A friendly, reassuring greeting doesn't even require his patient's eyes to be open. It's fine.] Think you're back with me a little bit? I need you to stay put, at least for now, okay?

[The wind is still practically shrieking outside. Somehow it hasn't made its way back in to further destroy the room.]

I think you had a pretty nasty fall.

[It takes Cid a few moments, some words murmuring under his breath before he slowly blinks his eyes open...

...

And then starts, looking around quickly.]

Where—fuck!

[AND THAT SUDDEN MOVEMENT WAS A BAD IDEA because he immediately clutches his chest as he feels that pain pounding against it. His exterior wounds may have healed, but the internal ones were still taking their sweet time.

Give him a moment, Alfyn.]

[Nobody ever listens to that.

Alfyn has something to go on, now, though. Whatever happened must have aggravated his injury, and might've done worse on top of it. Pain making him faint makes a lot of sense.]

I've gotcha, all right?

[He sets both of his hands around Cid's, where the man is clutching his own chest like it's trying to get away from him. There is a dim white light pooling around his fingers - though it is very unlikely that Cid himself can see it.]

Magic isn't my specialty, but this'll help. Just- take some even breaths if you can. They don't have to be deep.

[A friend of his taught him some things to make his basics a little more effective. It is a simple healing spell, most often used for soothing pain and minor injuries. It certainly won't get Cid off the floor. But as the light brightens just a bit and the magic leaves Alfyn's fingertips, he hopes it makes enough of a difference to help him relax.]

...Alfyn?

[His mind is still swimming of what just transpired, but as much as he'd rather be flying out of that door right now, the sharp pain in his chest is making it clear that he wouldn't get far. Not to mention he now recognizes Alfyn in front of him, that bit of magic helping somewhat.

So after a few more breaths—]

...Benedikta—where is she? Did she leave already? Did she—

[He then belatedly realizes that Alfyn may not even know what he's talking about and just shakes his head.]

Did you see a giant harpy? Or a woman glowing green?

[That's encouraging!

Until it isn't. "Did you see a harpy" isn't at all what Alfyn expected to be asked. His eyes widen and he sits back a little, looking around the room. In case he somehow missed whatever it is Cid thinks he should expect to see.]

Ah...no? Can't say I've seen either of those things.

[It's sort of an apology, too. Not that he doesn't believe Cid, but...it's a little hard to believe. He strongly suspects the man was just kind of dreaming about it. A bit of confusion about what's real and what isn't would not be out of the ordinary here.]

Listen, you're hurt. I want to help you. Do you remember what happened?

[Just a frustrated sound as he runs a hand over his face. Well, he supposes that's some good news. Garuda would have been quite noticeable, so at least she hasn't primed...yet.]

Aye, I'm the reason it happened.

[Or so he understands it anyway, and he lets out a long sigh.]

Long story short, Benedikta, my—[He falters here because after what just happened, he's not sure what he can all her anymore, at least right now. So there's a moment as his hand tightens over the pendant that still remains tight in his fist before he continues.] ...She found about some things I had yet to tell her and...well as you can see.

[A light gesture of his hand.]

She didn't take too kindly to it.

[He then looks at Alfyn, his expression hardening.]

I need to go after her. I don't have time to fully explain, but if left alone she could wreak a storm that this world may not recover from...nor she.

[And it's clear that yes, he is worried about Garuda's wrath and what devastation she can make unchecked, but he's more concerned about Benedikta and what going out of control would entail for her.

Also, against what is probably better judgment, he's already starting to move, ignoring that pain and the grimacing he makes as he tries to stand.]

[So when he asked about a "harpy," he really meant a woman. One it sounds like he had a horrible fight with. It came to blows! With Cid on the losing end. Alfyn's expression only takes on more and more concern, the more information he has.

When Cid starts to move, Alfyn puts his back into attempting to keep that from happening.]

Easy, hold on a minute. [He is very used to people being bothered that he thinks they should get decent rest, though; he doesn't get too loud or even very insistent. This isn't the time, either, to share his thoughts on the idea of Cid going after this Benedikta harpy, who clearly doesn't want his company.

Instead, he's here to bargain.]

I'm not sayin' I won't let you go.

[This is what he expects Cid to think - and it's the real truth, Alfyn doesn't think he should even get to his feet, let alone walk away on them - but there are some other big truths at play here. There is a very destructive storm raging outside, for example. Also, there's...really no ground to gain in getting into a heated argument about not pushing through serious injuries. Shouting matches don't help.]

What I am saying is you won't get very far if you try, like this. Even if you made it out of here, that wind'll just tip you right over.

[Alfyn's eyes are serious, his friendly smile exchanged for grim consideration.]

[Indeed, Cid is about to tell Alfyn off about holding him back. Of course, he understands why, but this is going to be a time where he will forgo logic and reason, urgency making him want to move instead. Doesn't help that he can still feel Ramuh stirring inside.

So he just stares at Alfyn for a moment, knowing each second he's here is a second Benedikta is flying farther away.]

Just give me something for the pain, I can handle the rest.

[Even though it rankles, Alfyn nods and sits back, shifting his satchel into his lap and trying to go through it without letting his own urgency or frustration get in the way. It goes against everything in him to let Cid go, no matter what medicine he pulls out. The lingering ghost of one horrible mistake is there with him, making his fingers clumsy.

Cid is grown and can make his own decisions, even if they're dangerous ones. He could also die. Would Alfyn be partially responsible? If he thought there was any way to keep him here, instead?

They haven't known each other very long. It's just as likely he'll get shoved aside or worse, if he tries to argue.

Alfyn pulls out two vials, and he pops the seal on one of them and holds it out.]

I'll give you both. This one's for pain, it'll last a few hours. [The other's ready in his hand when Cid's finished.] This one should give you some energy back, but...no promises. It's from home.

[Seeing how his hands move, Cid does feel a bit bad. The young man is new and doesn't know much about him or what he's capable of. No, he'd probably act the same even if he did—that's just what being a good physicker does. Gods knows how many times Tarja yelled at him despite everything.

So some of that tension will ease up when Alfyn hands him the vial, which he'll take before he has the other. And it's here he'll look at it for a moment before looking back Alfyn.]

I know this is not easy for a man of your profession, so I appreciate it. Truly.

[He then pockets the pendant he had been clenching in his hand before holding up the other vial.]

When this is over, I'll explain more and repay you for your troubles.

You comin' back with an explanation'll be more than enough payment.

[True to his word, Alfyn stays where he is - he won't try to keep Cid from getting up again. If it looks like too much of a struggle, he'll even help the man to his feet.]

Is anyone else here? [Even though half the job is waiting, Alfyn hates waiting helplessly. If there are others on the island he can at least...do something. Find them, make sure nothing else awful's happened.]

[Saving the vial Alfyn gave him, he pockets it for now, and Cid will reach over to his toppled over desk to help pull himself up, wincing.]

Actually, you should find Joshua.

[Worry is etched on his features as he looks past the door that's now half broken.]

He's likely going to need more medical attention. I don't know where, however, but if you head out you should find others who witnessed what happened.

[This is just getting worse by the minute. He considers Joshua a friend - one of the first friendly faces he met here - and Alfyn's eyes widen before he can think to stop himself.]

Where did you see him last? What happened to him?

[He will definitely change his mind about a few things about Cid if it turns out he left Joshua somewhere, injured.]

That I don't know.

[A sigh and a shake of his head.]

I was here when I heard it all somewhere further in the hub. But he should be with Clive.

That'd...help, I reckon, if I knew a Clive.

[Maybe he should have made more of an effort to meet everyone. But it's not like he thought there was going to be a weather crisis.

Cid seems to, somehow, be standing on his own, without immediately keeling over again. Alfyn makes a decent potion, but nothing that potent. This just makes him more concerned.]

You sure I can't convince you not to go chase a harpy?

[It's fine, it's fine, he has passive electric healing—]

Tall, dark haired, broody guy with a scar on his face.

[A small on the left side of his cheek tap to where the brand used to be on Clive.]

You'll likely hear him freaking out over his brother, but you can always ask anyone around and they'll be able to help.

[He then takes a moment to catch his breath before grinning.]

And sorry, but this is one thing I cannot back away from.

[That isn't what he wanted to hear, Cid.

But. There are others who need help, and spending a lot of time trying to argue is just going to make things worse for those people. Still, Alfyn feels like he can't just let him go without saying something.]

Then I guess...good luck out there.

[He lightly taps where he's placed the vial.]

With your help, I'll likely fare better than I would without.

[And now he steels himself before he gives Alfyn a mock salute.]

Ta ra, then.

[Not wanting to dally any longer, he makes his way out the door, posture half-languid, half determined—as if heading off to his final battle.]

[He doesn't get terribly far before he's interrupted. Gale has been fortunate enough to avoid injury so far, but looks harried all the same, eyes wide with concern as he rounds a corner to spot his recently-chosen captain.]

Cid!

[To say that the Captain has seen better days is probably a vast understatement.]

What in the nine hells is going on here?! The gryphons are all in a stir, and I caught a glimpse of something tearing out of the roost and heading skyward— far too quickly to give much detail, but given the sudden shift in the weather, I certainly have some theories.

[His first impulse had been that it might have been the doing of Cid himself, but that had quickly passed— it wasn't quite right.]

You look like you've gone three rounds with a troll, my friend.

[He was just considering his options, whether to take the ship on his own or find some other means (with his room left a mess trying to find his Ring of Returning would have taken too much time—perhaps he could try and borrow someone else's?) when he hears Gale approaching and looks at him in some surprise...and then a small wry huff of laughter.]

In some manner of speaking.

[He glances skyward towards the openings in the cave ceiling that show the darkness brought on by the storm clouds outside.]

But I don't have much time to explain, I have to chase after that "something" you saw earlier.

Benedikta.

[An educated guess, given he doesn't know her well personally, but he knows enough about his crewmates to put two and two together. He huffs a breath, his gaze narrowing in concern.]

What do you intend to do, assuming you can catch up with her?

[As the pieces begin to slot into place, the wheels in his head begin turning, looking over his shoulder in the direction he'd come from.]

Most of the gryphons aren't in any shape to fly at present, but I did manage to get one calmed enough that he might be able to carry you.

[The gryphons...? He hadn't considered that possibility, but that would be faster—and safer as he wouldn't need to drag anyone else into this.

But for Gale's question... There's something a pained, mournful expression before there's a soft, sad smile.]

Try to bring her home.

[It's an expression he recognizes keenly, one that strikes an unexpected chord within the archmage.]

Of course.

[As though it were the most obvious thing in the world— and perhaps it was, for all that Cid had left unsaid was plain enough, at least to him.]

You shouldn't go alone.

[At this his expression hardens.]

I appreciate the concern, but this is not something I'd want to drag anyone else into.

closed 🪶⚡ in this world of ours, safe to be the one you are...

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)