bravenewworld | Action

[Today, Merrill can be found wandering around the city as usual. There wouldn't be anything particularly odd about that, if not for the fact that she's treading very lightly as she travels along, clearly avoiding putting too much weight on her feet and wincing sharply every so often in pain. And since she doesn't really wear shoes in the first place, it's fairly easy to see that there are tiny cuts and bite marks all over them, some of them bleeding slightly. Merrill can be found in a number of different circumstances along her way to the Medical Center to get some salve or something for the injury:

1. Half-limping through the streets as she tries to find her way, accompanied by her Sylveon as it excitedly runs ahead of her everywhere they go, periodically doubling back to give her time to catch up. Despite living her for a few months now, she still gets lost a lot. She has to stop every so often to lean against a building because of the pain.

2. Sitting in the park with her Smoochum, stripping bits of cloth from her clothing to act as makeshift bandages. The Smoochum is doing its best to help, trying to kiss Merrill's feet better. Obviously it's not working, but the poor thing really wants her trainer to feel better.

3. Once she finally makes it to the Medical Center, she sheepishly walks up to the counter, holding a stony-faced Totodile in her arms that seems to be eager to snap at just about anything.]

((OOC: Just let me know which prompt you're responding to when you tag!))

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['Sup, Merrill, there is a probably familiar-by-now Lillipup sniffing at your toes. Why are you bleeding?? That's not good!

...And for once Paladin's trainer isn't far behind, a lone Houndoom at his heels. The rest of the pack is elsewhere today, possibly bothering Anders.]

Merrill? What's the matter?

[Merrill gives a good-natured laugh as she slowly bends down to pet the Lillipup.]

Hello, Paladin.

[She stands up by the time Hawke gets there, though.]

Oh, Hawke. It's nothing, really.

[Now Sergeant is sniffing Merrill's toes (and also, incidentally, searching for pets), and Hawke...well, there's nothing wrong with his eyes.]

You're bleeding. It looks like something bit you. [pause] A lot.

[Unspoken but implied: What's going on here?]

[With two at once, Merrill can't help but giggle as her toes twitch. Cold doggy noses against them is awfully ticklish, even in this much pain. She bends down again to pet both of them.]

That's because something did.

[But okay, yeah, even Merrill isn't that obtuse.]

It's Lockjaw. My new Totodile. He's very sweet, but also very snappy. He must like how I taste.

...He must. You really ought to have those looked at. Walking around in the dusty street's not doing you any good.

[He'll piggyback her to the Medical Center if he has to.]

I've been trying to get to the Medical Center, but I keep getting lost.

[Too bad there's no AU Varric to give her a ball of twine.]

[Oh, good. It's really a relief to hear her say that's where she was trying to go. He's more than familiar with her tendency to get utterly lost by now ~~and it hasn't occurred to him that maybe a ball of twine might help ;w;~~]

I'll take you there. It's a bit of a walk from here, though.

But I've already been walking for so long... have I been going the wrong way this whole time?

[Merrill glances up to Adahlen, who just tilts his head to the side.]

[Oh, Merrill ;;]

Half the time, at least. Here.

[He turns around and kneels with his back to her, an open invitation to piggyback.]

Climb on. I'll carry you.

Are you sure it's all right? I won't be too heavy for you, will I?

I wouldn't offer if it weren't alright. And it'll be good exercise for me.

[Well since Merrill is hesitating, Sergeant's just going to walk up and put his front paws up on Hawke's shoulders. His aim is to poke his nose into Hawke's ear, but why he thinks he'll be able to do that effectively from this angle is unclear. Either way, Hawke laughs.]

You don't like being carried, remember? Clear off and make room for Merrill, Sarge.

Well, if you're sure...

[This is more than just a little embarrassing for Merrill, and her voice quivers as she answers him, but she climbs up onto Hawke's back anyway.]

[Well she's in luck, since she's riding piggyback Hawke can't see her, so she can be as embarrassed as she likes!]

All set? Hang on, then.

[He hooks his elbows securely under her knees and stands back up in a smooth motion, leaning forward slightly to make sure she's secure up there.]

How's that?

Ah...!

[Merrill lets out a short yelping sound as she's hefted up, her grip on Hawke's upper back tightening a bit before relaxing again.]

I-it's very comfortable. You have such a broad back, Hawke.

[He grins]

They grow us tall and sturdy back home for a reason.

[Alright, she's all settled and also just about as heavy as he thought she would be (aka, not very heavy at all), so time to get walking!]

[Merrill couldn't be heavy if she tried, between her thin frame and light diet.]

For carrying people on your backs?

[Hah.]

The more people around to do heavy lifting, the easier life is for everyone.

Not that you're particularly heavy. But that's the general idea.

[Merrill is silent for a moment before speaking up again, her voice fondly distant.]

...It was like that in my clan as well. Everyone working together.

It seems a bit different, here. There are so many people, it's harder to get to know the neighbors.

[Uh, actually, Hawke, that's because you're still camping out in the forest like a hobo, not because there are so many more neighbors.]

Have you found a place to live yet, Hawke?

[A little sheepishly:]

I haven't really been looking. The weather's been so nice, and Anders doesn't seem to care if I crash with him sometimes, so it hasn't really been on my mind.

[He shrugs a little, though careful not to dislodge her]

Well, I suppose that's fortunate. I was about to offer, but Anders' place is much bigger than mine. And cleaner.

Maybe now. It was kind of a sty when I first met him.

[Kind of glancing over his shoulder at her...as much as he can, anyway.]

Why is yours such a mess, then?

I couldn't afford to live in a very good section of town.

[Well, he's been to the poorer sections of town, so...]

It's safe, at least, isn't it? It's not going to fall in on your head?

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