Closed Log

[wilder]

Who: Zelos Wilder and Arya Stark
What: Chance Encounter
Where: The Forest in Silverglen
When: After the clearing of the Furbolg Den.
Warnings: Illness, swearing, redheads, etc

[He had only made it a few minutes out of view of Silverglen before he collapsed.]

[He fell onto his hands and knees, pain running throughout his body. Maybe he should have stayed in Silverglen, he had known this was coming. That's why he had made sure to leave so abruptly after the group had finished learning what they could from the locals about the accuser. He hadn't trusted the elves reacting very well to a suspicious Sworn suddenly falling ill after dealing with some corrupted monsters.]

[Though truly, hoping he could get to Ruby Sanctum before it started was probably a bit delusional. But that hardly mattered right now, since no matter what he was still alone in the woods during a full Toxicosis episode. How stupid of him.]

[He took some deep breaths, trying to ignore the pain enough to think straight. His body was protesting staying conscious, much less moving much, so walking the rest of the way to the portal was probably out. Maybe...if he just kept himself out of sight somehow? Until the worse of it was over. That would work, wouldn't it?]

[It wasn't fair. First he had been framed for a crime that was too lame to even keep as a fake rep- and now his angel powers were deciding to come back? Just when he had been getting used to being fully human again too. It was proving very much so not to be his week.]

[And to make matters worse, now that he had dragged himself to some shrubberies, he wasn't sure if they actually had poison oak in them. So don't mind coming across the sight of a man who looks like he's on death's door and half-delirious on the ground, squinting at a shrubbery- trying to get his vision to stabilize enough to count the leaves]

[Maybe he really should have stayed in Silverglen]

Comments

[wilder]

[He knows she probably couldn't support his weight. Far as he could remember, Cat didn't have any special powers (even if her attachment to a direwolf was...odd, to say the least) or abilities. Tough and resourceful, but still very much a human child.]

[With this in mind (and frankly, it's partly his own stubbornness to take care of himself), when he stands he does his best to stand on his own. Its not exactly easy- his legs feel like they might crumple out from under him and the world around him keeps spinning. Even with his own stubbornness trying to win out, he finds himself putting some weight on Arya.]

Okay, lead the way.

[Goddess he hopes wherever they are going it's not far. But he'll try to bite back any complaints.]

[persequor]

Come on, [ she urges him again. her hand squeezes him comfortingly.

they don't walk far. only enough to stay out of sight from anyone unfriendly that may come by. arya makes him settle against a tree and repositions her tunic. she stands next to him. ]

I'm going to get you some water, [ arya says, but she doesn't immediately leave. worry twists her features. ]

[wilder]

[He's thankful that it's not far. Each step he had wanted to fall over, and he practically did when they finally reached a spot to rest. Yeah, he doesn't care if a bear comes by and tries to eat him he ain't moving again until this passes.]

[He tries to focus again when she starts talking. Again about the water? He gives a little sigh, he's just too tired to argue and she's clearly fretting.]

Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.

[persequor]

[ arya nods mostly to herself. ]

I'll come back quick. Nymeria, stay.

[ she takes two steps and stops when nymeria falls in behind her. ]

No. [ she grabs the wolf's head between her hands. ] Stay, Nymeria. Guard.

[ the wolf whines softly, but she remains by zelos' side as arya runs off. her return takes too long by her estimation. first, she had to find a broad leaf to carry the water. then she had to walk slowly back so as not to spill it. she kneels by zelos, a little water spilling despite her care. ]

Kaneis? Kan— [ she bites her lip. softening her voice further, she queries, ] Are you awake?

[wilder]

[He doesn't blame Nymeria for wanting to go with, but he's glad when she doesn't. Having a giant wolf at his side did make him worry less about any attackers. Especially one who, unlike Noishe, would handle herself in a fight more than well]

[That safety in mind, he had nearly drifted off by the time Arya came back, only the pain keeping him from passing out completely. He moves his head back up and blinks a few times when she kneels to him]

Yeah, I'm up. [he glances at the leaf carrying water, some spilling next to his lap] Found some water?

[persequor]

[ she gives a little nod and offers the leaf to him. ]

Drink, and go back to sleep. I'll keep watch.

[wilder]

[....] Okay.

[Might as well get this over with. He'll take the leaf and stare at the water for a moment before lifting it to his lips and drinking it]

[Sure enough, it was as he feared. He could tell whatever he was putting into his mouth was liquid...but not much else. There was no residual taste, or any sort of after taste at all. It was just...nothing, even for water. He makes a grimace the entire time he's drinking it down]

[Which? It stays down for a minute, before he starts coughing it back up]

[persequor]

[ arya thumps his back before quickly restraining his hair in case he is more sick. she rubs his back until the fit passes.

no water. and no food definitely.

she feels utterly helpless as she watches. ]

[wilder]

[That is very much appreciated. He keeps coughing until all the water is gone. Then he pulls back and slumps against the tree.]

...Thanks. [there's a pause, as if debating if he should say the truth or not] I'll..I'll be alright....I'll just go to sleep, okay?

[Which he'll shift himself and close his eyes to do just that]

[persequor]

Okay, [ she repeats quietly. arya observes him for a moment before leaving again. she returns with another leaf, except she uses it only to dampen her tunic again. she refolds it and sets the coolest side against his skin. she repeats the process every time she feels the tunic warm.

when night falls, arya refuses to light a fire. if he were healthy, it might be worth the risk. but with zelos so sick, a fire will only give away their location. finally, arya persuades nymeria to lie down next to him. her wolf is warm enough.

arya sits on his other side, her bow in her lap. she keeps her eyes on their surroundings, watching the shadows take shape in the darkness. her struggle to stay awake all night ends in defeat; her head lolls against zelos' arm. ]

[wilder]

[And he sleeps, albeit fitfully so. Between the nightmares and the pain of the toxicosis, it was hardly a restful sleep. But it's enough. Over the course of the night, his fever breaks and his health improves- practically at an unnatural rate for sort of normal illness.]

[By the time the first lights of morning are starting to come back, he's the one up and shaking her arm lightly to wake her. The tunic, now dry, has been draped over her like a sorry attempt of a blanket.]

Ar-

Hey, you. Wake up.

[persequor]

[ she wakes immediately, wide-eyed and disoriented. she blinks at zelos, then blinks again. ]

You're better!

[ she touches his cheek! then his forehead. the fever's gone. her immediate joy fades as she realizes something odd. ]

You don't look sick at all.

[wilder]

Heh, no?

[Wow, that escalated fast. He'll try to joke it out]

Well that's good, I can't imagine I was very good looking yesterday.

[persequor]

You weren't. [ blunt as always, with an added layer of concern. ]

[wilder]

Heh...you're pretty direct.

[He holds up a hand] But hey, it's passed now. Thanks for looking out for me, I probably would've gotten myself killed out here.

[persequor]

[ she makes a little moue, and shakes her head. ]

I didn't do much. I didn't know what to do.

[wilder]

[He gives a little shrug]

Really, I don't think there is much anyone can do for that.

But you did make sure I was safe through the night. That's no small feat, you know.

[persequor]

I guess. [ not that she didn't hear him the first time but. ] You really are well?

[ he must be in better condition than her. she's exhausted and she hasn't eaten since early morning yesterday. but her concern remains him. ]

[wilder]

[No, he's not well. He thinks he's very far from well, considering what all this means. It's only going to get worse, and it scares him and makes him angry.]

[But he doesn't voice that. It's simply not something Chosens know how to say]

Yeah, I am. No need to worry anymore.

[persequor]

[ with no reason to doubt him, she nods. ]

I'm glad. [ she punctuates it with a little smile.

a second later, arya flops backward into the grass with a sigh. she stifles a yawn. ]

Except now I'm probably going to get sick.

[wilder]

[He raises an eyebrow at her]

Huh? Why would you get sick?

[persequor]

Because you were sick. [ she motions in the air with her hands as she talks. ] And I was with you so now I'll probably get sick too.

[ arya twists enough for zelos to be visible. ]

You better not get Nymeria sick.

[wilder]

Oh. [he could play along, but considering she did save him, he guesses he does owe her some truth. So he gives a wave of his hand and shakes his head] You won't. It's not contagious.

[persequor]

How'd you get it?

[wilder]

[.....]

Let's just say I made some really bad choices when I was younger.