[He backs up, juuust a little. Shu's indeed scary right now.
He winces at her findings regarding the Bluvink mission, pulling his arms around himself.]
...it was really close, I think. [He looks up.] -but it wasn't because of the factory explosion! And for the record I wasn't anywhere near there, I helped with the broadcast.
[Are these pregnant pauses for effect or simply because Shu is thinking of what to say next?]
I heard you very bravely threw yourself in hand to hand combat with the magician who incinerated several ships with a single spell in our last confrontation.
[Despite the high compliment, it does not appear that this is a good thing.]
O-oh. Iiii was not aware of the scope of her ability.
[He was already aware that the magician in question was extremely powerful after trying to deflect a fire spell aimed at the broadcasting building, was that the same she'd used against ships? He shivers.]
[.......................ok if Donnie is kind, he will tell her after this that mild Yanese curses do not translate well into Esthere.]
Why would you do such a thing?! Do you have any idea how worried I was? When Deedee announced that 'three of you would definitely be dead'? I was looking up patients in the intensive burn units, wondering perhaps if it would be hard to recognize you if your face had melted off!
[She exhales and if Donnie does not skirt backwards, he will be the victim of a hug.]
[Her tone is definitely at odds with her choice of words. But his initial confusion is quickly cowed by the words to follow. Donnie's head sinks lower an lower between his shoulders. If he were able to like his little brother, he'd retract completely into his shell.
He feels bad enough to have worried her, he knows how bad it was, and how much worse it could have been. It's easy for her to hug him, though hard to shell if he's shaking from the scolding or from knowing what a close call it had been.]
[She simply exhales again heavily and doesn't speak for a time. Her hand pats... the back of his shell after a bit, though she's not entirely sure if Petrams have sensation there.]
...Please. You must promise not to be foolhardy.
Battle is... not a game.
[In her mind flashes a line of trees, each one tied with dozens and dozens of ribbons in remembrance.]
[For a moment he hesitates before reaching around to hug her back. Usually he's anxious about people touching his shell but he trusts Shu. He also might have been needing a hug, not that he'd ever admit it.]
I...I know it isn't. But she was being controlled. Used by the Empire against her will. She...she was crying when she cast spells to attack us.
I thought it'd be better fighting her in close quarters, but the fire spell she used on us even burned herself. Deedee healed me a little after that, but everything was happening so fast.
[No time to pause, no time to have second thoughts. He still had some bandages, mostly around his hands where his metal staff had seared his palms.]
[This is, as far as she can remember, the first time Donnie has returned a gesture of affection. She will not comment on it, but she will take note of it in that attentive, deliberate manner of hers.
He doesn't need more scolding.
Shu sighs again and stops squeezing Donnie so hard, allowing him to take the lead in seeking comfort.]
You are very brave. And compassionate.
But a silly goose nonetheless. There is valor in knowing to retreat if things go awry. Next time, I will have you study the writings of Yan's finest general, Sun Shih-Tsu.
I heard you succeeded in freeing that woman, in the end.
[He's not used to being scolded, that was ...not fun. He's also not used to people being worried about him enough to yell at him.
It's okay Shu, he's used to bone-crushing hugs from his big brother so this isn't too bad. Just going to cling for a bit because he'd be a big fat liar if he said he hadn't been scared during that fight.]
Mm. Captain Harlock did. [He just likes calling him captain after finding out he's a captain.] I was...kind of busy getting caught in another spell.
[Which was somehow even worse than getting fried! At least his being a target gave Harlock a chance to rip that stupid slave crown off of that girl's head.]
Please, my blood pressure cannot take more details.
[She shakes her head.]
I will have a talk with Phantom Harlock about allowing children to soak up enemy fire. [Similarly, Shu has never dropped the habit of calling him that.] ...But you are unharmed outside of superficial wounds? That is what is most important.
[He's not sure if 'Drain' has any long-lasting effects or if it's just everything all compounded from the fight and pushing himself past his limits trying to help keep the Empire off their tail when they made their escape.
...not that he's going to tell her that part, given how upset she is just from hearing he'd gotten involved in a fight with a mage.]
[She begins, then cuts herself off after she sees the expression on his face.]
...Never mind.
You must rest as long as you need. After such an ordeal, it is no wonder. I will bring you nourishing and blood-replenishing meals so you need not exert yourself unnecessarily.
[This sounds like more Yanese mysticism, but she will not belabor it.]
[That he doesn't protest that prescription says a lot. Anyway, that would just take more energy and he's sure Shu wouldn't be above tying him to the bed or something to make sure he didn't overexert himself.
He hesitates, glancing down at his hands before he holds them out.]
[With a smile. It is heartening to know that Donnie understands her so well.
Shu tsks and frets over the bandages as she gently unravels them, and though it appears she is looking for something to criticize, she is slightly disappointed at the fact that the Corsair healers did a reasonable job. Still, she frowns at the raw and enflamed new-growing flesh.]
I am sure it is itching terribly.
Here.
[There is a strange vibration and a sudden shift in the atmosphere, and suddenly, there are sprouts budding underneath their feet in the middle of the street. It elicits the question of whether she scatters seeds merely for show, but either way, her ochre green hands glow with a cool light as she holds them a half inch from his injuries.
There is a sensation of cooling water, as if he has soaked them in a calm stream.]
Unbearably. [He keeps catching himself from scratching at them every now and then, but he likes to think he's done a pretty good job of avoiding it. Still, he hates seeing the clear reminder of what happened and it shows on his face.
Shu's magic is always fascinating. He's totally not biased because it involves plants growing inexplicably around them, but the feeling as whatever she does touches his hands makes him sigh in relief.]
I will make you a salve from yarrow leaves and aloe. It will ease the itch and any lingering pain.
[The little sprouts around them wave gently in the air as if rustled by an invisible breeze. Shu lifts her hands away, and though the cooling sensation will eventually fade, for now, he should feel a reprieve.]
I estimate you will be recovered in a week to ten days. Until then, you should gently flex and stretch your burn injuries so that any scar tissue does not tighten and restrict future movement. Unfortunately, this will probably feel unpleasant.
...This does not mean, by the way, trying to tough it out and carrying a stack of books to the library.
[This reproach is less ominous, even if still pointed.]
[He flexes his fingers a bit, nodding as he takes note of her suggestion. Not looking forward to the 'unpleasantness', but not regaining full mobility of his hands is out of the question.
The turtlekin pouts a bit at that.]
I didn't think it was that taxing...
[Ugh, he sounds like he's whining. He hates whining.
A week or two is so long though. Definitely not something to be spent in bed. He still has so much to do, too!
Just barely, he manages to keep from rubbing at his hands out of anxiousness as he looks down at his feet for a moment, mentally deliberating.]
I was thinking of trying to go by home, some time next month. Would...you come with me?
((Good night- or Good morning when you see this!))
[At that, a soft smile blooms upon her face. Like the morning sun cresting the top of a hill, it banishes any further severity of expression.]
I would love to. Whenever you wish, I will be there.
[No need to embarrass him with any further commentary. She can only imagine how much emotional back-and-forth it has taken to get him to this point. Shu picks up the books she had set back on the floor earlier when she had swooped in for a hug and adjusts them in her arms.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-01-23 07:34 pm (UTC)He winces at her findings regarding the Bluvink mission, pulling his arms around himself.]
...it was really close, I think. [He looks up.] -but it wasn't because of the factory explosion! And for the record I wasn't anywhere near there, I helped with the broadcast.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-23 09:36 pm (UTC)[Are these pregnant pauses for effect or simply because Shu is thinking of what to say next?]
I heard you very bravely threw yourself in hand to hand combat with the magician who incinerated several ships with a single spell in our last confrontation.
[Despite the high compliment, it does not appear that this is a good thing.]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-23 10:13 pm (UTC)O-oh. Iiii was not aware of the scope of her ability.
[He was already aware that the magician in question was extremely powerful after trying to deflect a fire spell aimed at the broadcasting building, was that the same she'd used against ships? He shivers.]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-23 11:19 pm (UTC)You are...
An incredible foolish melon.
[.......................ok if Donnie is kind, he will tell her after this that mild Yanese curses do not translate well into Esthere.]
Why would you do such a thing?! Do you have any idea how worried I was? When Deedee announced that 'three of you would definitely be dead'? I was looking up patients in the intensive burn units, wondering perhaps if it would be hard to recognize you if your face had melted off!
[She exhales and if Donnie does not skirt backwards, he will be the victim of a hug.]
Thank Heaven you are all alive. Face unmelted.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-23 11:26 pm (UTC)He feels bad enough to have worried her, he knows how bad it was, and how much worse it could have been. It's easy for her to hug him, though hard to shell if he's shaking from the scolding or from knowing what a close call it had been.]
...I'm sorry.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-23 11:36 pm (UTC)...Please. You must promise not to be foolhardy.
Battle is... not a game.
[In her mind flashes a line of trees, each one tied with dozens and dozens of ribbons in remembrance.]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 12:36 am (UTC)I...I know it isn't. But she was being controlled. Used by the Empire against her will. She...she was crying when she cast spells to attack us.
I thought it'd be better fighting her in close quarters, but the fire spell she used on us even burned herself. Deedee healed me a little after that, but everything was happening so fast.
[No time to pause, no time to have second thoughts. He still had some bandages, mostly around his hands where his metal staff had seared his palms.]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 01:04 am (UTC)He doesn't need more scolding.
Shu sighs again and stops squeezing Donnie so hard, allowing him to take the lead in seeking comfort.]
You are very brave. And compassionate.
But a silly goose nonetheless. There is valor in knowing to retreat if things go awry. Next time, I will have you study the writings of Yan's finest general, Sun Shih-Tsu.
I heard you succeeded in freeing that woman, in the end.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 01:15 am (UTC)It's okay Shu, he's used to bone-crushing hugs from his big brother so this isn't too bad. Just going to cling for a bit because he'd be a big fat liar if he said he hadn't been scared during that fight.]
Mm. Captain Harlock did. [He just likes calling him captain after finding out he's a captain.] I was...kind of busy getting caught in another spell.
[Which was somehow even worse than getting fried! At least his being a target gave Harlock a chance to rip that stupid slave crown off of that girl's head.]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 01:24 am (UTC)[She shakes her head.]
I will have a talk with Phantom Harlock about allowing children to soak up enemy fire. [Similarly, Shu has never dropped the habit of calling him that.] ...But you are unharmed outside of superficial wounds? That is what is most important.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 01:35 am (UTC)Mostly. Just been tired.
[He's not sure if 'Drain' has any long-lasting effects or if it's just everything all compounded from the fight and pushing himself past his limits trying to help keep the Empire off their tail when they made their escape.
...not that he's going to tell her that part, given how upset she is just from hearing he'd gotten involved in a fight with a mage.]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 01:44 am (UTC)[She begins, then cuts herself off after she sees the expression on his face.]
...Never mind.
You must rest as long as you need. After such an ordeal, it is no wonder. I will bring you nourishing and blood-replenishing meals so you need not exert yourself unnecessarily.
[This sounds like more Yanese mysticism, but she will not belabor it.]
Here, may I look?
[She gestures to his bandaged palms.]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 01:55 am (UTC)He hesitates, glancing down at his hands before he holds them out.]
They feel mostly better.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 02:30 am (UTC)Shu tsks and frets over the bandages as she gently unravels them, and though it appears she is looking for something to criticize, she is slightly disappointed at the fact that the Corsair healers did a reasonable job. Still, she frowns at the raw and enflamed new-growing flesh.]
I am sure it is itching terribly.
Here.
[There is a strange vibration and a sudden shift in the atmosphere, and suddenly, there are sprouts budding underneath their feet in the middle of the street. It elicits the question of whether she scatters seeds merely for show, but either way, her ochre green hands glow with a cool light as she holds them a half inch from his injuries.
There is a sensation of cooling water, as if he has soaked them in a calm stream.]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 02:38 am (UTC)Shu's magic is always fascinating. He's totally not biased because it involves plants growing inexplicably around them, but the feeling as whatever she does touches his hands makes him sigh in relief.]
Ooh, that feels good.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 03:45 am (UTC)[The little sprouts around them wave gently in the air as if rustled by an invisible breeze. Shu lifts her hands away, and though the cooling sensation will eventually fade, for now, he should feel a reprieve.]
I estimate you will be recovered in a week to ten days. Until then, you should gently flex and stretch your burn injuries so that any scar tissue does not tighten and restrict future movement. Unfortunately, this will probably feel unpleasant.
...This does not mean, by the way, trying to tough it out and carrying a stack of books to the library.
[This reproach is less ominous, even if still pointed.]
((signing off for the night, goodnight!))
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 04:02 am (UTC)[He flexes his fingers a bit, nodding as he takes note of her suggestion. Not looking forward to the 'unpleasantness', but not regaining full mobility of his hands is out of the question.
The turtlekin pouts a bit at that.]
I didn't think it was that taxing...
[Ugh, he sounds like he's whining. He hates whining.
A week or two is so long though. Definitely not something to be spent in bed. He still has so much to do, too!
Just barely, he manages to keep from rubbing at his hands out of anxiousness as he looks down at his feet for a moment, mentally deliberating.]
I was thinking of trying to go by home, some time next month. Would...you come with me?
((Good night- or Good morning when you see this!))
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 05:45 pm (UTC)[At that, a soft smile blooms upon her face. Like the morning sun cresting the top of a hill, it banishes any further severity of expression.]
I would love to. Whenever you wish, I will be there.
[No need to embarrass him with any further commentary. She can only imagine how much emotional back-and-forth it has taken to get him to this point. Shu picks up the books she had set back on the floor earlier when she had swooped in for a hug and adjusts them in her arms.]
I'll take these for you. Shall we go together?
no subject
Date: 2025-01-24 06:13 pm (UTC)Donnie smiles faintly, not that he'd expected Shu to say no, but he's happy all the same that she's agreed.]
Okay.
[He nods then.]
Sure, I wouldn't mind the company.