Accidental Video

[booyaka_boom]

*There's a blur on the screen as it seems the SFC is moved from one pair of hands to another. When the image finally settles, it is tilted at an angle. Most of the image appears to be a boring bedside table with a jug of water on, and the frame of a boring bed, similar to what might be seen in a hospital. A smaller section of the screen shows half of someone's pale face, the eyes covered with bandages. The only thing that might identify this person are some flicks of brown hair, sitting above a shoulder in a hospital gown. The SFC is moved again, showing this unhappy figure in a bed, before the feed flickers out*

Comments

[VOICE]

[formerabyssinian]

[He was in the middle of opening up the shop, when the communicator started making noise. Aya pulls it out and sees that someone must be making the video on accident. What stops him from simply putting away away the communicator is that wisp of familiar brown hair. That shade is very particular, and he knows the owner. But...she couldn't see?]

[So he focuses on responding, because what the hell is going on.]

Selphie...where are you?

[VOICE]

[booyaka_boom]

*Of course, Selphie's not aware that the video happened, and when she hears Aya's voice, it feels like her heart has dropped*

Oh! I'm sorry! I know I should be at the shop already but - I can't get there today. Maybe...tomorrow? I'm in the hospital right now, I think. The clinic place. I'm really sorry!

[VOICE]

[formerabyssinian]

I'm not concerned about that, and you shouldn't be either. I'll be right there.

[He looks to the flower shop doors before abandoning the idea of opening. Maybe a bit later, depending on what happened to her. He makes his way over to the clinic quickly.]

How long have you been there?

[VOICE]

[booyaka_boom]

Oh okay...

*There's a pause, and then a quiet sigh*

Just overnight. So... a few hours. Or something. I'm not sure I can't - *Here she clears her throat, just as her voice sounds like it's about to crack* - read the time...

[VOICE]

[formerabyssinian]

[It's then that he speeds up his strides. He's sure that she's there by herself...]

It'll be okay, Selphie. I promise. I'm not too far.

[VOICE]

[booyaka_boom]

*She's not even sure what to say anymore, too busy thinking how much she hates the idea of Aya seeing her like this, and how useless she is*

O-okay. I'll just..be here..

[ACTION]

[formerabyssinian]

[He arrives quickly, and he's a bit out of breath. He asks the nurse about Selphie's room and wastes little time getting there. Upon arrival, Aya truly sees the extent of her injuries. He steps further inside after standing in the doorway for a moment or two. He gets to her bed and sits on the edge.]

What happened...

[ACTION]

[booyaka_boom]

*Using her hearing better is something Selphie's been trying to do - to practise using one sense when she doesn't have the other. She lifts her head, hearing someone nearby, but it's only when he's closer and sits down at she really knows that it's Aya.

She bows her head, suddenly feeling very ashamed of her situation, twisting her blanket in her hands*

Just an accident... It was just someone's magic that went out of control... I tried to stop it but...

*She stops and bites her lip, still hating that she couldn't protect herself well enough in time*

[ACTION]

[formerabyssinian]

[He can understand about feeling useless. Without her saying so, Aya understands, and places a hand atop the ones wringing the covers.]

You must've done a good job, if you're conscious. [Aya could only imagine if she didn't try at all.] Will you be able to see again?

[booyaka_boom]

I..don't know. They don't know yet. Could be tomorrow, could be...never.

*Her hands stop with Aya's on top and she takes a few deep breaths. Thank goodness for the bandages, hiding how wet her eyes were*

[formerabyssinian]

It won't be the end, even if you lose your sight. But we should keep a bit of hope that you'll see again. [He squeezes her hands gently.] You won't do this alone, Selphie.

[booyaka_boom]

What will I do though, Aya?

*She lifts her face towards him, and seems pained at further realisation that it doesn't make a difference, because she can't see a thing*

I can't fight, I can't work, I can't see you...

[formerabyssinian]

You'll have to take things one day at a time. But first, you'll have to heal enough to worry about anything else. [Concern is on his face, but he hopes he doesn't convey it through his voice. He wants to be strong for her in such a challenging time.]

[booyaka_boom]

I just...don't even know where to start. I couldn't cope even with my sight... Look at me - I'm a mess.

*And she does wonder about the expression on his face right then, how sad he might look, or disgusted even. She moves a hand higher up his arm and holds it, unable even to lean closer for a hug, not without risking punching him in the face by mistake*

[formerabyssinian]

You're not that much of a mess. [Could she hear that smile he had? Aya takes the cue to sit next to her and place an arm about Selphie, mindful of her bandages.]

I'm not sure where to start, either. [He's silent for a moment before speaking again.] When di they say you would be released?

[booyaka_boom]

*Yes, she could hear it and she was glad of it, managing a shaky smile. She moves her good arm around him, pleased that her one tear has soaked into the bandage*

I think..I can go when I want. So long as I come back to get my bandages changed... I just didn't know what to do last night - who to call...or how...

[formerabyssinian]

Do you think they would let someone else change them for you? [Going back and forth to the hospital just for changing bandages seemed silly.]

[Meanwhile, he shifts closer, so she wouldn't have to strain as she sits up.]

[booyaka_boom]

Maybe they would. I'd have to ask the nurse... *She sighs - this is just the start of things to come, not being able to do things for herself. She moves the good arm up around his neck, the bandaged arm at her side, almost resting against him as he moves closer*

[formerabyssinian]

[Aya returns the hug, a bit awkwardly if only he's avoiding her injuries.]

I'm glad you're alright, mostly.

[booyaka_boom]

*Her smile becomes that little bit more certain and she nods gently, biting her lip*

Well, that's only because you're here.

[formerabyssinian]

[Aya chuckles before pulling back.]

I can't agree to that.

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie lets her arms drop and sinks back into her pillows slightly*

...why not?

[formerabyssinian]

Mostly because I'm not a doctor. [He adjusts the pillow for her.]

[booyaka_boom]

*And, for the first time in what feels like a long time, Selphie starts to laugh. If she could see, she would probably have pulled him down onto the bed in a hug, so relieved was she to be laughing. As it is, she just stretches out a hand to meet with his knee*

Aya, you can be so funny sometimes, you know that?

[formerabyssinian]

[He's glad Selphie is laughing. Hospital stays aren't always so cheerful in his experience. The hand on his knee isn't a problem.]

Most people tell me I'm not, so no, I didn't know that.