[open]

[fishyoldman]

Who: Raven (fishyoldman) & you!
When: 8/2
Where Entertainment District
What: Thanks to the city-wide effects this month, Raven isn't doing so well.
Rating/Warning: G for giant walking spoilers.

---

[It started at work: a feeling of being more tired than usual, of getting worn out when the day was only half over, a vague ache in Raven's chest. They're all things Raven's used to by now, because that's just how his body is. He doesn't complain about being old for nothing, because more often than not, he feels it. ...Not that it stops him getting by, so as with a lot of things with Raven, his complaints are exaggerated half-truths at best.

Today's a little different, though. As well as that unusual tiredness, on his way home through the Entertainment District he's hit by a sudden shortness of breath, and a sharp ache that tells him his heart isn't working like it should. He stops to brace himself against the nearest wall, clutching his chest until he stops feeling so breathless.]

C'mon, stupid body. Let's move it...

[Raven mutters it under his breath, urging himself to move before he makes a scene. He does debate whether he should call Rideaux, but it's not an emergency, right? And pestering the guy involves more energy than he really has right now. So it seems like he's stuck here, at least until he feels up for moving again.]

Comments

[fishyoldman]

[Raven offers a weak grin.]

Hate ta break it to ya, but I'm not at your temple, so I'm not one of yer guests ya feel so obliged to. I'm just some random guy ya happened ta bump into a few times.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[One she returns in kind.]

Charity does not end once I leave Eagle Mountain. It is how I was raised.

[fishyoldman]

Well, I was raised on Raven Mountain, where dumb guys like me take advantage of the charity of nice girls like you. Better watch out!

[He'll just be obnoxious like this until she stops worrying about him. That'll work, right?]

[shroudedinsecrecy]

If it gets you to do what I ask, then I suppose I'll just have to make due.

[...apparently not.]

[fishyoldman]

[This is why girls are scary.]

A-and what are ya askin' me to do, exactly...?

[shroudedinsecrecy]

Exactly what I said earlier.

We're going to give you time to catch your breath. Once you're sure you can manage the trip without collapsing on me, we're taking you back to your living quarters, where I'm going to make sure you've had a proper meal before putting you straight to bed. So you can rest.

[fishyoldman]

That sounds less like askin' and more like orders. I'm not as helpless as all that, geez...

[shroudedinsecrecy]

You needn't be completely helpless to require help at times.

[Just particularly stubborn.]

[fishyoldman]

You've made up your mind already no matter what I say, huh?

[shroudedinsecrecy]

More or less, yes.

Is it really that bad?

[fishyoldman]

It's not that I don't appreciate it, it's just...

[He drops the whiny act, at least long enough to be a little more serious.]

You saw me die once already... Witnessing something like that would be a heavy burden on anyone. I can't expect you to keep doing something like that to yourself.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[Her expression fell, prior hints of mirth also fading away into a more sombre presence. She looked down.]

I...you weren't the first. The first person I've seen die, I mean.

[Only a slight exaggeration. Her beloved aunt had already been dead when she'd had to plunge the sword into her back, but it'd felt like killing her all over again. Watching her spirit leave her body, faded away until the day when it was channeled by someone with the power.]

And... [Her head lifted, and the smile reappeared. Albeit notably more forced than before.] ...you shouldn't speak as if you're dying now. I'm sure you'll be fine again before long.

[fishyoldman]

Uh... yeah.

[The agreement is only a very reluctant one, and he can't quite meet her eye as he says it. Sure, he's not about to drop dead any time soon, but--]

Listen, I just want to spare you the bother. Some peoples' messes just aren't worth gettin' caught up in.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

But...it's just a cold. [Isn't it?] How bad could that possibly be?

Besides, my own immune system is strong. I doubt you would spread it to me.

[fishyoldman]

Ah, it's not a virus or anything like that, don't worry.

Didn't the kid tell you about it? Togami, I mean.

[It'd suit Raven just fine if he hadn't, but...]

[shroudedinsecrecy]

Tell me...about what?

[fishyoldman]

...Guess he didn't. Forget I mentioned it. [Raven waves off the question with a hand and gets to his feet, suddenly brisk. He seems to have recovered enough, even if he still feels tired.]

I'm gonna get going. Tag along if you want, but ya don't need to babysit.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[She watched him rise, surprised by the sudden burst of strength. Her eyes widened slightly. A hand rose to her chest.]

I...are you sure?

[Perhaps...he was not so ill as she thought. Or perhaps...he was even moreso, but the symptoms were intermittent. Either way, she could ignore his wishes if he were determined to make it on his own.]

If...if I've offended you in some manner, then please accept my apologies. I didn't mean to.