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[ Hien returns the paw gesture before reaching out and pulling out the ethereal film reel from Elysium's head. He sees the obfuscated figures. They're everywhere. Hien squints at the film reel and then looks at Elysium with a more default expression. ]

"... You wanna explain this, nya?"

[ He is genuinely surprised. ]

"It'll help me sort through these better if I know why it's like this, nya."

If I knew how to explain it pawperly, I wouldn't have sought you out.

[ Meanwhile, his gaze lingers on the dark water in front of them, a murky mirror that offers no reflection back. This was comforting to him? Really? ]

But there's a reason why I chose this place in particular. I was in a pretty rough shape when you guys found me, right? I don't remember much from that stretch of time, but the river did patch me up right after.

"Right, nya. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case, but it's all over your reel instead of a specific place, nya."

[ Should he say it's a little alarming? No. Keep the patient calm. Hien finally starts looking through the film for any abnormalities. ]

"Here it is, nya."

[ Hien gestures to the loosely stitched film. I don't know what you made Elysium forget, but the disappeared memory is basically "gone" with the before and after that memory got stitched together as if it's attempting to make it flow smoothly. It's definitely not smooth. ]

[ Does Hien really think he'd be that patient? Sometimes you get so used to being handed the worst news that you can smile through just about anything.

Well. It is emotionshare week so his emotions are essentially as so: 📈📉📈📉📉. They might be in freefall after his two attempts at playing it cool, but his expression stays chipper! And surely that's what counts. ]

Wow. You'd think I'd be less functional after damage like this. Honestly? Isn't it kind of impressive they'd only manage to make it feel slightly off? Scary!

[ the vibe is murderous ]

[ Compared to that, Hien just has Concern despite his mostly neutral expression. ]

"It just proves that you're strong and enduring."

[ ... ]

"Wanna let it out with a sparring session?"

[ He is not the sort to use sparring as a coping mechanism.

But.

But! If there ever were a moment for it, it would be this one. ]

You're not planning to use a gun in a close-range duel, right?

[ In the span of two seconds, two things: he rises to a stand and unsheathes his sword with theatrical flourish, letting it spin once in the air before catching and pointing it squarely at Hien. ]

[ Let him rewind all that film back inside Elysium's head first. Also, he would totally be the kind of the guy to use a gun in a close-range duel, but he'll be fair to him even though Hien isn't really a typical sword guy.

So he gets out a rapier. It looks very standard and normal, but there's something weird about it, like how it seems heavier than it looks though Hien has no problem wielding it. Aren't rapiers supposed to be light? That's their thing. ]

"Fancy. I'll make an exception for you just this time."

[ Just a bit of teasing. It's fine.

Then he promptly dashes in for a good stab on the shoulder. ]

[ What is the sensation supposed to feel like, anyway… Still does the thing where he knocks it back in anyway, despite the apparent futility of it. Ugh. ]

Thaaaat's a whole lot of heft. [ Judging by the sound as it slices through the air. ] What, did you condense a broadsword into a rapier just for style? Form over function? Can't say I don't understand. I respect it, even.

[ Anyway. He's a Vanguard. He has one block to his name. Parrying? Not happening. Knocking Hien's sword away? Also not happening. I rolled an 18, so he's going to successfully dodge for now! Immediately following up into a shallow cut along Hien's torso. ]

[ No sensation, but you can totally let Elysium imagine it as a "it's all in your head" sort of thing. ]

"Nah, it's definitely a function thing--"

[ Meanwhile, Hien absolutely fails to dodge it by rolling a 2. Almost a critical failure. Imagine if he accidentally stabbed himself further, but no. Shallow cut get. He doesn't even flinch even though he really doesn't like pain.

He follows the trajectory of the sword and smacks the rapier blade against it. There's quite a bit of strength behind the heavy-feeling rapier. How well does Elysium have a grip on his sword? ]

[ He blinks at the contact, somehow genuinely surprised the strike cut. And with my 2 this time, Hien sends Elysium's sword flying with ease. He spares it a single glance. Goodbye.

Elysium hops back, palms lifted in immediate surrender. ]

Woah, woah, woah. You alright, man? That wasn't meant to actually land.

"It's fine--I regenerate, nya."

[ ok

He doesn't regenerate. Obviously. Elysium's sword though!!! AAAAAAAA

Well, since Elysium is surrendering, Hien immediately puts the rapier back inside the cloak. His hand still feels the vibration of the meeting strikes. Sheesh. ]

"... I mean, it's not bad, nya. It'll heal normally, nya."

[ He pulls out a first aid kit. ]

Edited (I FORGOT MY NYAS) 2025-12-05 14:07 (UTC)

[ the mental imagery of you just sitting up like MY NYAS ]

Just because you regenerate, it doesn't mean you don't feel it.

[ HE CAN LOOK FOR HIS SWORD LATER!!!!! More importantly, he's approaching to swipe the kit out of Hien's hands. Since he'd only meant for a shallow cut, it shouldn't be too bad…? Probably? Still, he'll lean in to inspect it more closely. ]

I've always thought you were a little off, but what's with the nyas?

[ Respectfully, the bit has overstayed the usual runtime for them, sir. ]

[ this actually happened in the car yesterday after work and this morning so I remembered twice

Hien lets Elysium take the kit. Yes, Elysium probably has very good control over his sword, but sometimes the target happens to lean in more than usual at the last minute because that 2 was really bad. So the cut is probably a little deeper at the starting point, but gets shallower as the cut goes on. I'm going to assume Elysium tried to mitigate the slash, also last minute. If not, feel free to correct me!!

So he's bleeding a bit, but it's fine. Does he need to take his shirt off? He takes the cloak off at least, since it's not affected by the damage. Under it is just a black shirt for the top, damaged from the cut. He is bleeding. ]

"It feels like it gets tacked on automatically, nya."

[ He definitely would've tried to mitigate it… but look how it turned out anyway. A faint, self-directed annoyance radiates off him as he flips open the medkit to assess the damage. He'll do more than just dress it, naturally, already reaching for antiseptic. One can never be too careful.

tmw this isn't the first time i've had to consider sepsis in purgatory ]

Uh huh… So you just felt like doing it. [ a beat, eyes flicking back to the wound. ] I'm going to lift your shirt.

[ elysium's going to wait for implicit or explicit approval, whichever comes first, before going ahead. unless hien insists on stripping his entire shirt for some reason, that's fine, too. ]

[ HELP not the sepsis

Hien just nods. Elysium can do whatever he wants and Hien won't be embarrassed because he thinks he knows his intent. ]

[ patches him up… ]

Times like this makes me think about how inconvenient it is not to have a medic around. [ He sighs. ] At least it shouldn't scar.

[ gives the bandage a pat pat. ]

"This is why first aid knowledge is actually valuable. I'm not a healer by any means, not even with most of my powers."

[ He puts the shirt down now that it's done. ]

"I'm not worried about it scarring, but thanks."

[ He's a debuffing DPS not a healer. ]

Edited 2025-12-07 18:50 (UTC)

Maybe you aren't, but I am.

[ The gentle pat pat turns into a press. Die. ]

I'll make an effort to find something wooden for next time. I'm not typically anyone's first choice for sparring, and most of my experience is from on the field than off. … How are you feeling now?

[ Despite living so long and everything else, he does not like pain. His expression doesn't change, but he stares at Elysium like "you wanna go, pretty boy?". ]

"No, you should keep using your weapon. It's fine. Go all out and I will too."

[ After calibrating his strength to match Elysium's, but he doesn't need to know that part. Elysium already experienced it firsthand. ]

"I've already felt fine. Thanks. If you insist on pushing though..."

[ Punishment. ]

[ not the calibration, help me. but he does need all the help he can get… he is just a debuffer… what dps. ]

I'm not sure about going all out if we're going to have to do this every time.

[ Presses again. ]

The river doesn't count as a viable option.

[ imagine if they were insane enough for it to be, though. ]

[ looks at a gamer world hien went into where he was dps as a healer class... the violence is strong within him.

Owwww stop pressing it!!! Hien doesn't seem to like the river either. It reminds him of Oblivion and he was a serious yandere nutcase.

Anyway, he reaches out to pinch Elysium's nose. Hard. ]

[ His clown nose honks. He swats Hien back. ]

Wooden swords. [ … ] Or we fist fight, I guess.

[ HIS CLOWN NOSE!!! But, oh. he withdraws his hand. ]

"Fist fight is great too..."

[ ... ]

"... nya."

[ fuck it DELETES THIS CURSE ]

You're losing it, nya.

[ Holds his hand out despite Hien's rudeness. ]

Let's get you back before you get worse.

[ worse in what respect? who knows. frees you here too ]

[ He's always losing it. Hien grabs Elysium's hand and i am so freed right now

time for lust week ]

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