;video | close to midnight

[fortheempire]

[The SFC comes on with a very noisy clatter. When the video evens out, Ioder can be seen looking down at it, huddled up with his knees to his chest. He looks pained, and there's a good reason for that - all the blood that's splattered the right side of his face, his shoulder and staining a good portion of his once-white shirt is to be blamed for that. The wound that's caused it currently has his hand clasped so tightly over it his knuckles are turning white, and he's clearly shaking.]

I... I need... some assistance... please... i-if anyone is awake... I'm at the coral...

[He pauses, breath hitching. He's trying to keep tears back, but he's not sure how much longer he can go without utterly breaking down. He doesn't bother turning the SFC off, instead just burying his face in his curled up arms as his shoulders tremble.]

Comments

video;

[fortheempire]

I was... attacked...

[Don't worry, he's just going to lay there in pain. No big deal!]

video;

[fintastic]

Okay uhm! Try not to move too much! And try to stop the bleeding! [ A beat. ] But don't move around too much trying to do that!

video;

[fortheempire]

[Amazingly, Ioder actually let out a faint laugh at that.]

Isn't... that... contradictory... ?

video ==> action;

[fintastic]

Maybe a little. I'm almost there!

[ Not too long thereafter, Feferi arrives on scene and-- spotting him quickly-- hurries over, kneeling down to be on-level. ]

Where are you hurt??

action;

[fortheempire]

[It's probably difficult to tell, since running, crashing in to trashcans and getting hauled around has effectively splattered blood everywhere. But the wound is a deep one on his upper right arm - not so much a cut as a nasty looking gash.

That aside, he's pretty banged up in other places, bruises on his arms, neck, and face from when he fell trying to flee.

He doesn't really answer so much as makes a motion with his left hand to his arm. Between being terrified and losing blood, it's amazing he's still conscious.]

[fintastic]

[ Being a troll is pretty handy sometimes. She quickly starts pulling things from her inventory: gauze and medical tape and antiseptic, mostly basic first aid supplies, but enough that she can start cleaning up the wound and put a temporary bandage on in. She doesn't speak as she goes about the task, biting her lip in concentration, and she heaves a sigh when she finally sits back, her shoulders sagging. She manages a quirky half-smile as she admires the haphazard patch job, and turns her full attentions back on her patient himself. ]

Do you think you can stand up, or do I need to carry you to the hospital?

[fortheempire]

[Ioder is equally as quiet, save for a couple of pained noises here and there. Really he's just trying to keep from utterly freaking out at this point.]

... I... think I can stand, yes...

[fintastic]

Alright, up we go then!

[ Feferi takes him by the arm and shifts so she can help keep him stable while he gets to feet. ]

[fortheempire]

Ahn--! ... nn.. th... thank you...

[It hurts to move, but thankfully his arm is the worst of it. He wobbles a little, but manages to remain standing.]

[fintastic]

[ It's slow going but she'll lead him in the direction of the hospital, and in the meantime, try to keep him engaged... and conscious. ]

Can you tell me who or what attacked you?

[fortheempire]

Miss... Ryoko Asakura... I've only spoken to her on the network, but she... approached me tonight on my way home from work...

[fintastic]

And she attacked you just because?

[fortheempire]

[Ioder shakes his head at that slowly]

She said something about... experimenting. Wanting to see what the coral was capable of.

[fintastic]

That's a really bad experiment. So you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time?

[fortheempire]

I think... she knew how to find me because of my place of employment. I suppose... I made a target of myself, by disagreeing with her...

[He lets out a weak laugh, but it sounds closer to a sob, the way it comes out. Even if he will physically heal, it's obvious he's not alright.]

[fintastic]

Maybe I will talk to her.

[ Don't think she doesn't hear that, but she can worry about the sads later. Right now she's more intent on getting him the medical care he needs. ]

It's not too much farther, we're halfway there, I think.

[fortheempire]

Ah... I don't... recommend it...

[fintastic]

It'll be okay, promise.

[ Not just the talk, but everything, and her words aren't just a gesture-- she's entirely sincere. ]

[fortheempire]

... I truly hope so. For your sake.