bravenewworld | Elite Four Aftermath - In The Blizzard's Wake

The warriors of Union fought hard, and in the end, victory was their reward. Seeing the battle lost, the fanatics of the Elite Four fled into the night, those that were not killed or captured of course. Sveta was nowhere to be seen, nor was her mysterious companion, and as its rage was reaching its peak, the mighty Dragon simply vanished in a blaze of energy, recalled by its trainer but not before slamming the mysterious red dragon into another tower for good measure.

As quickly as they had come, the gods of Union vanished, leaving behind the ruined, devastated city. What was once panic has subsided to a quiet shock and horror as the dead and wounded are gathered and people try to find out what was damaged and if their family and friends are still among the living.

While the damage is great, the defenders of Union can take heart in the fact that it could have been much, much worse. The habitat suffered a major blow with a great hole blasted into it, but it is otherwise undamaged and salvageable. The forge likewise had one smithy station destroyed from a divine claw smite, but is otherwise unscathed. The signal tower took moderate damage from the initial attack, but it is reparable, given time. The biggest toll, however, is on that of the people. The Residential District, as well as parts of the Entertainment district lie in tatters. Several towers are gutted, and a few even fell completely, many of the citizens inside them trapped and unable to escape. In all, the death toll numbers around 700, with at least 1,000 wounded, and is expected to rise as rescuers desperately comb the wreckage in search of survivors. Never before has Union lost so many of its citizens, never before has such suffering and violence come to Union. People are afraid, they are angry, but, in the true spirit of Union, they are banding together. The City of Union has survived. But it will never be the same.

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[She was quiet. Cyclone chirps at her before he realizes she's there and he looks up right as she approaches him. He doesn't try to smile, because he knows better. He hadn't thought about other people seeing him uh. Do....that...]

[Anyway.]

[He looks appropriately abashed when he replies.]

It wasn't what I was trying to go for, I promise.

[He is, though, very glad to see her safe.]

You evolved.

[She stands there with her hands on her hips and looks scolding for a long few seconds, but he might notice that her jaw is trembling just slightly, set in a forced frown. It dissolves into a relieved smile edged with a possible inclination to cry a moment later.]

[It's hardly a breath after he's mentioned she evolved before she throws herself at him, careful not to jostle him too much but wrapping him in a fierce hold. You'll get used to Honoka bodily hugging you eventually, Hayato.]

I'm glad you're okay.

[He tenses in her arms for two reasons. 1. The usual discomfort when anyone touches him and 2. He was battered in bruised and gods know what else so the sound he makes is something between a squeak and a hiss before he manages to settle.]

Ow- Honoka-

[And then it sort of catches up to him that she probably thought he didn't make it out of that. He sighs fondly.]

I'll be fine. I'm glad to see you in one piece, too.

[She doesn't let go for a minute, even with his complaint, and when she finally does it's with a huff. She swipes the back of her hand over her eyes. She wasn't crying, but she may have teared up a little.]

I didn't see where you fell, just that you got thrown.

[A second later she jabs him in the shoulder.]

You need to stop doing that.

[He will, just carefully rub her back. Hopefully its not uncomfortable with his claws. He lost his gloves in the fight somewhere.]

I was caught by a friend. Mostly.

[It was still a pretty hard catch.]

Mm. When the Gods stop banging on our doors I'll think about it.

[It feels sort of good, actually. She's having the hardest time getting used to the wings, of her new additions, so the scritches are kind of nice.]

Well, good. You don't look like you should be out here with the relief efforts, though.

Hm? What do you mean?

[Hayato you are a really shitty liar.]

[Punches him in the arm.]

Ow!

[Okay, okay point made. Also wow that hurt.]

[Still making this face.]

Why aren't you resting?

Because-

[He rubs his shoulder, geez.]

Because there's still work to do.

[He's still alive, breathing, endowed with helpful abilities whether he wanted them or not. Throwing in the towel seemed pointless. ]

There are still people who need help. That's what I'm supposed to do with these abilities. What's a little pain if I can still save some lives?

[She reaches out and takes one of his hands, encloses it in both of hers, and rubs little circles in what would be the fleshy part between his thumb and forefinger.]

You say that, but you're not thinking about it long-term. What's a little pain if you can save lives? Well, a little pain could be a lot of pain later. Could keep you down, keep you out. Who's helping then, when you're down because you didn't take a rest when you could have?

[Please stop making sense it's making him feel bad. He's quiet before he looks away in a somewhat resigned fashion.]

You sound like Goro.

[Which is to say thats why he's sitting down right now. That and he doesn't know if he can get back up.]

I sound like I'm right. [A beat, and she frowns.] ...that being, correct, not the boy I sometimes kiss.

[Moving quickly-- she stands up, still holding his hand and tugging it very gently.]

I could help you. [Since even if he didn't say it, it's a little obvious he's uncertain of his ability to get up.]

[....bllarghhh he hates being in this position. He shouldn't be so easy to break like this. He takes a deep breath and keeps the weight off one of his arms, instead he lets her pull him while he gets his feet up under him.]

Shit- it wasn't this bad earlier, honestly.

[No but straining it by not stopped didn't do him any favors.]

[She immediately ducks under him-- and hunches a little with a graceful lack of comment to the fact that she's taller than he is, now. She loops one of his arms over her shoulders, mindful of her wings, and her other arm goes around his waist.]

Where is the closest clinic?

[To his benefit, he does a remarkable job of not making any sound when she picks him up, even if it hurt like a motherfucker.]

[He question, he gets quiet and gently shakes his head.]

No clinics. I don't like clinics. Just take me home. I'll be fine, there.

[She frowns heavily at him for a long minute before tsking quietly and shuffling them off toward where he was staying.]

Except that you won't have someone to keep an eye on you, there. Should I stay with you?

[Another silence, and his voice is almost meek.]

If you want to.

[Giving him a look.]

Which is code for I'm going to have to drag you back to bed every day if I don't, right? I'll sleep on your couch.

[He sighs, but its a fond one, and he smiles.]

I'm sorry that I'm so much trouble for you.

[No he isn't.]

[She rolls her eyes and bumps her hip into him, gently.]

No you're not.

[A beat.]

But I'm not, either, so we're even.

Elite Four Aftermath - In The Blizzard's Wake

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