stardiving | IC Inbox (Victory Road)

[This is very true. Too bad he's...where he is now.]

So accusatory, you know trouble sometimes finds me, and not the other way around, yes?

[But that doesn't answer him, and so with a labored sigh, he continues.]

There is a man whom I have had a...trying relation with since my arrival. A sort with a rather fictitious manner, but it would seem such mummery met its end during our last encounter. An encounter that would end in this frail body's limitations being painfully and utterly known to me. Thus that I am forced to call upon you for assistance.

[a beat]

You see, I am quite regrettably unable to walk at present.

Edited 2020-05-22 09:42 (UTC)

I know you do naught to dissuade it.

[Really now, Estinien got to talk to a couple people at Cianwood that could fit. Your reputation precedes you.

Wonderful.]

Where are you, then?

[He starts walking back towards Goldenrod--he truly didn't get far outside town, he was only starting to head back to Violet.]

Mm.

[That much he can't deny.]

Ah, so you will come, eh? Marvelous. I'm—

[Oh.

He's in the radio tower. The radio tower that's under Rocket control. In the stairwell that's in the radio tower under Rocket control that's only for...Rocket members or radio staff, which are typically Rocket members... Hm.]

Well, I'm in the radio tower, in the stairwell to the roof. Not the most...accessible of locations, unfortunately.

Edited (FUCKING pedantic im pedantic) 2020-05-22 09:53 (UTC)

Hm.

[Well, lucky for Solus that he has already spoken with Steven, and knows that he works at the radio tower--between Steven's comments about their disagreements, and the fact that Solus is implying that access to the tower is fair exclusive...he's guessing he knows who the 'disagreement' was with.

He'll have to ask Steven to have their arguments in a more convenient location in the future, if it's going to end with him having to drag Solus off to receive medical attention.]

It may take some time. You're not bleeding out, I trust.

Nay... I will not expire should it take you longer than desirable.

[Not that he wants to stay here overlong, but he hasn't much choice at the moment.]

You'll have to forgive me for the tedious journey, but you ever have my gratitude.

I am on my way. Do try to keep yourself in one piece for at least two bells.

[When he has better impulse control than you, it's a sign you need to work on it.

He has little more to say that isn't chastising, which he feels might welcome more of the same towards him in the future, so he's just going to hang up to cut that possibility off.

When Steven leads him to the stairs, Estinien just follows, considering how many stairs he's going to have to carry Solus down if he can't walk. This would be so much easier if he could just jump them off the roof. Sigh.

Steven leaves him at the door and Estinien thanks him for the guidance before making his way up to the landing where Solus...landed...and kneeling down next to him.

Aside from the remnants of the black eye Estinien himself had bestowed a while ago, there are new bruises visible. It's not going to be pleasant for either of them getting down, considering that despite Solus's terrible posture, they're more or less of a height.]

Are you capable of walking if I support you?

Edited 2020-05-22 17:43 (UTC)

[He's a pitiful sight indeed, his back is braced against the wall, and otherwise he sits limp against it, head tilted back on his shoulders as he stares up at Estinien with a humorless smile.

There's a little bit of dried blood on the ground, as well as at the corner of his mouth. Let alone whatever scrapes he's garnered with the bruising. At Estinien's question, he lets his head roll to one side with a shrug.]

I've no way of telling--the fool made quick work of my knees and whatever else his savage foot could connect with.

[Including his unmentionables. Which will remain as such.]

Though I suppose there's little reason not to try. I do not worry for pain, I am in it regardless, but this body seems content to quit on me when I need it most.

Tis your body. Mayhap if you treated it as such, you would be in less pain.

[Maybe this will finally beat that into your thick skull? Estinien's seen enough injuries on the battlefield to know that blood from the corner of the mouth is hardly a good thing, and checks closer to see if he's pale or sweating, or if his eyes are uneven.

Even if it is, they can hardly stay here in the stairwell forever. Estinien moves to try to haul him up under the arms, taking most of his weight so he can get Solus standing, then they can see what their options are.]

No more than a cage might be yours.

[He offers, both stubborn and useless. Fortunately, he is neither more pale than normal or particularly sweating more than one might after getting their ass kicked. Any unevenness in his eyes would more be from the black eye he's still recovering from. Thanks Estinien.

The blood is indeed a result of the kicks to his ribs, and while he's not suffered a punctured lung, it certainly did a number on the area. With a pained grimace, he rises under Estinien's aid, grasping his shoulder as well as he can. As for his legs, they are certainly wobbly with how they tremble under him. Between the hip injury, and the damage done to his knees...their support is dubious at best.]

...Let us be off, hm?

[He's trying to protect what dignity he has left, but...]

[If Estinien were the type to scream in frustration...]

And if I am in a cage and someone strikes it, they strike the cage, not I, you stubborn fool.

[Estinien moves to support the side with his busted ass hip and takes the walking stick off his back to offer it to support Solus's other side as they try to get down the stairs, enough to hopefully get to the elevator.]

This is no different for one such as I. The fact I can feel the pain my cage feels does not change that it is naught more than a that to me. This body may look like me, but it is not mine.

Mine was taken from me long ago.

[With Estinien offering the stick, he takes it and does his best to support himself with it. Of course Estinien's the biggest help in this, and while it's...trying, they certainly are able to make it down the stairs. Solus' breathing is certainly labored, and there's wheezing with each breath, but to both their benefit he does not collapse by the time they reach the elevator.]

[He's gonna take back that stick and whack you upside the head with it.]

And now it has been given to you. Perhaps not as it was, but it is what it is. What are you to do when you cannot reach me the next time, make your home where you fall?

If anything, it should offend your sense of efficiency to be barely capable of walking all the time.

[Please, as if his body needs any more trauma.]

This is temporary, as is the wont of mortals. Should this body break down and die, I will like as not be made free.

[Or trapped in a new body, but that's to be seen. No one has died here, supposedly, and if he should be the first, then so be it.]

...But I do agree that there is a certain...vexation with the deficiency that comes with the damage I've suffered. [Leveling a somber smile at Estinien.] But ever have you been the most reliable sort. Should I require succor, you have yet to deny me.

[Maybe that little bit of trauma will be enough to knock something loose in your over-inflated head.

Estinien just sighs.]

And so you will just revel in your suffering. I hadn't taken you for the type.

[Maybe him dying--or coming as close to it as they can in this place--would drive something home. But nothing has so far.]

I've yet to be not in your immediate vicinity. I know not what plans you have when I am not available to come at your beck and call.

Nay, I am not, but naught is gained by holding back. Though, admittedly, none of this was truly part of my plan...

[Honestly, he hadn't expected such a brutal reaction. He knew there was more to Steven, something just below the surface, and his curiosity got the better of him.]

Mm, never you mind that, I will be fine once you depart for your journey. I've plenty of schemes in the works, none of which involve Steven. And even if they did, he would not get the upper hand again, you can be certain of that.

[But he will definitely think of a few now...]

I would venture in this case, you would gain the ability to walk under your own power.

[The elevator dings, and opens to the ground floor.]

Twas Steven who got me in, mind. Access to this building is restricted.

[He's not going to ask how you got here, Ascians being in places they aren't supposed to be is pretty much expected.

As they struggle out to the main room, the receptionist at the desk gasps and says "Oh, honey, you'd better get your grandpa to the Pokemon Center!" Estinien just grits his teeth against what he'd like to say and growls a little, only loud enough for Solus to hear.]

Shouldn't take long for that, maybe a day.

[Because there's no way he's going to let himself be slowed down by this crap. No way he'll let Steven's pettiness delay his plans by more than that. Though, at his mention, Solus smiles a little darkly.]

Did he now...I thought I heard him when the door to the stairwell opened, the bastard.

[Solus doesn't swear too much, and if Estinien were aware of such, he might pick up on how agitated he truly is with this situation. Though, that agitation gets trumped rather quickly when he hears what the receptionist says. His eyes grow wide as he stares at her, then Estinien as he growls...before his expression falls to something far more amused.]

Your grandsire, am I? I know we've grown close over these past few days, but little did I realize you regarded me ever so fondly.

You're still limping from days ago. Injuries such as your do not heal in a matter of hours.

[He's going to dump you on Nurse Joy and just get the fuck out of here.]

I've met your family, I want nothing to do with it.

[To be fair...does anyone want anything to do with Zenos?]

I do not expect these hurts to be healed immediately, no, merely enough to walk. I can walk with a limp.

[He has demonstrated this plenty by now! Though, he eyes the walking stick...maybe a nice cane would make this a bit easier on him. He had one as an aged old man...

Speaking of, Estinien's comment gets a wry laugh from him.]

A terrible lot, but you cannot choose family. Or, perhaps you can, if this is aught to go by.

[Just ignore the fact that's Steven's fault.]

They would heal faster if you cease aggravating them.

[Estinien is really one to talk, but when he was grievously injured at least he rested for a few days. Look, he's been mortal his whole life so far, he knows how this works!

He just grumbles under his breath, he already has an adopted family member he doesn't talk to, he really doesn't want to add you to the list. You're fucking awful. He'll just work on getting the two of you to the door, since he's doing the walking for both of them.]

I am ever fond of sleep, but if I am to make any progress I cannot spend my days lazing about, as much as I would like to.

[He parts dismissively.]

Your duty may be over, but mine is far from, as such I will—

[And with that next step, his knees give out from under him. Think fast, Grandkid!]

A few days 'lazing' now would save you many more in the near fu--

[Estinien stumbles as he suddenly finds himself carrying all of Solus's weight, but he's a strapping young grandson so he doesn't fall. Thankfully. That would be bad! He casts around and sees a bench nearby, luckily close enough that he doesn't have to drag Solus far.]

[Solus is uncharacteristically quiet as Estinien drags him over to the bench, and helps him sit down. Folding his hands together, he leans his arms on his thighs (tender though they are, but so is about everything right now), hanging his head. With a couple slow and wheezed breaths, he finally looks up at Estinien, a disarming smile on his face.]

...Ohhh, Very well. 'Twould seem I've no choice but to concede to your point.

[Unfolding his hands, he gently grabs at his knees, looking at them with a grimace as he tests their tenderness and swelling. He really has been pushing himself too far.]

[Make it sound like an impossibly hard thing for you to do, why don't you...?

Estinien sighs and throws himself down on the bench beside him. Iceheart puts her paws up on Solus's other side and watches him with concern.]

You're worse about chirugeons than I ever was.

...It is not easy accepting my lot, I confess.

[He looks to Iceheart, raising one of his hands, shaky though it is, to pet her.]

Perhaps I am being needlessly reckless. 'Tis quite uncharacteristic of me, yet I cannot help but feel compelled to push on. As I told you before, my work is not yet finished, and my duty ever calls to me...

[Though, admittedly...he cannot hear Zodiark, cannot feel him. Like the connection has been completely severed, and he's left feeling...strange. Lost in a way, and so he's been focusing and pushing himself towards figuring out how to restore that, how to get back, regardless of what pains it takes.]

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