[OPEN] | past lives couldn't ever hold me down

[cardcaptured]

WHO: Xiaolang Li & YOU!
WHERE: All around Recolle, but particularly Respatrum, Bosuma and Magatus!
WHEN: First half of April, more or less
WHAT: Local teenage nerd abuses wind magic, asks strangers for hugs in the name of getting his identity back, and nearly collapses in the woods because of his inferiority complex. FUN TIMES FOR APRIL!!
WARNINGS: None that I can think of!

A - RESPATRUM AKA CUE THE APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND MUSIC

[One could say Xiaolang was running off to Respatrum to escape being in feelings limbo, and they'd probably be very right. He needed a distraction, a purpose, anything to avoid dwelling on the what-ifs, the maybes, the agonizing non-answer that came from him finally confessing to Sakura. Exploring another region during his break from school seemed like the perfect thing to get his mind off of all of this, and Respatrum escaping into the sky gave him an excuse to revisit it. After all, now that it wasn't underground, it couldn't be so hellishly hot anymore, right?

... well, it may not have been hot anymore, but it was certainly more treacherous, and the rogue fire spirits everywhere were definitely annoying. It was easy enough to track down their hiding places, thanks to his magic sensing ability, but getting them out of there was a different story entirely. While he's had luck in verbally coaxing a few of the calmer ones back to their duties (or rather, sternly chided them for being irresponsible), most of them had wanted to 'play'-- which ultimately meant fighting against him much like an eager puppy or kitten would. Which would be cute, if they weren't stuck in things like stoves and statues and other things that weren't extremely dangerous to him and everyone around. One particularly rambunctious spirit, inside of a stone horse, has him barreling through the marketplace after it, upsetting whatever tables were in it's path, and he yells out, hoarsely, to whoever may be in it's way:]

WATCH OUT!!

[Most of the spirits, after getting their fix of exercise with him, are content to move on to their hearths, but, of course, one manages to slip into him unnoticed. It starts to become obvious the more he fights with the possessed appliances that he's less keeping the damage to a minimum and instead relishing the battle, eyes glinting mischievously and a small smirk playing across the corners of his lips. It even gets to a point where he's crashing (quite literally) into other people's hunts and skirmishes, dropping down from up above and buffeted by a mysterious gust of wind near his feet (the decent sized wings on his back no doubt helping break his fall as well). Whipping out his sword and reciting the proper incantation with his talisman, another large gust of wind appears, barreling into whatever spirit they might be battling and temporarily pushing them away. Dusting off his hands and propping them on his hips, he has the audacity to look smug as he turns to whoever's next to him.]

Pretty cool, right?

You're welcome, by the way.

[... maybe someone should remind him that large amounts of oxygen and fire are not a good mix????]

B- BOSUMA AKA HUGS R US

[Unlike some of the others venturing into Bosuma this month, Xiaolang sets out into the region on a mission, sword in hand and expression oddly grim for one so young. After what he had witnessed happen to Mio, and happen to Sakura-- it was unforgivable. Whoever this woman in the woods was, he was going to find her, confront her, and make her pay, somehow. He wasn't about to let anyone get away with tampering with those who were close to him, and now that he knew who was responsible...

Of course, as the woods dutifully lead him closer to her lair, the faster his conviction fades. He was heading in this direction for a reason, wasn't he? An important one? Why else would he be venturing out this far with a weapon in hand? By the time his feet reach the witch's house, his mind is mostly a blank, the only thing within it being disconnected memories of magical creatures, mentions of cards, and an bright-eyed (albeit annoying) girl who tied all of it together. His ability to sense magic had remained intact, and the pull of the woman making her way over to meet him, with a smug look upon her face, was undeniable. She was powerful. Frighteningly powerful.

Perhaps it was a form of patronizing respect that she bestows the name 'Wolf' upon him, a fierce name for a boy who had dared to seek her out for revenge and yet ultimately failed. But he is just a child, and so the witch decides to have mercy on him. All he needs to do to get his name and memories back is to seek out three people and be embraced by them. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?

... yeah. Right.

But, even with a fraction of his memories, Wolf is a determined boy, and he's intent on seeing this through. It may be awkward, and he may actually die of embarrassment, but if it means getting back what he lost--

It takes him a while, to single out a person who seemed trustworthy enough for his liking, and he strides over to them, shoulders set and fists balled. The expression upon his face, serious and resolute as he glares up at them (or straight at them, if they're one of the few on the app who happen to be under five feet tall), doesn't quite match the bright red flush upon his cheeks. It also doesn't quite match the words that tumble out of his mouth, blunt and abrupt and to the point.]

You.

I-- I need you to hug me. Right now.

[Wolf, NO--]


C- MAGATUS AKA wait WRONG SYAORAN...

[April just seemed to be shaping up to be a very, very bad sort of month for Xiaolang.

Magatus would normally be off of his list of places he would want to visit (they were finally getting tolerable weather back in Recolle, why would he willingly go to some place cold again?), but Leon had seemed to be acting oddly ever since he had returned from there, and he had wanted to investigate for himself what was going on. That proved to be a mistake, as the moment he steps into the region he collapses, only to come to a few days later, warm and disoriented in a cave with this glowing green in the center of his palm. The villagers' advice, once he gets some answers, leads him to the woods on the outskirts of the town, it's whispers quiet and slight at first like the wind rustling it's branches.]

'You're a useless child'.

[His steps falter, the words burrowing beneath his skin, the mark on his hand biting ever so slightly.]

'What are you trying to prove, coming all the way out there by yourself? That you can do this on your own? That you're strong?'

'HA! That's a good one! How many people tried to keep him from danger when this stupid brat went to Respatrum? They know he can't fight, he's just a little kid waving around a sword, trying to be like the grown ups!'

[Gritting his teeth, he continues on into the woods, attempting to ignore the whispers and the pain growing in his balled fist. This was just a trick, it was just a--]

'Hey, shouldn't you be back in the city, looking after your cousin? The same one who nearly killed himself in that fall because you were reckless and idiotic and lost your eyesight?'

[It's like an abrupt slap to the face, and he can't help but to answer back, despite himself:]

N... No, I--

'No, he's just ungrateful. You know how much his cousin must have given up, having to split schoolwork and his personal time just to be responsible for a headstrong nuisance like you? I mean, look at the trouble you've already gotten yourself into, and the month isn't even over yet! No wonder nobody thinks you're mature enough to help them with their problems!'

[... he wasn't going to buy into this. Setting his shoulders, he quickens his pace, though the pain crawling up his limbs and weighing them down made it difficult.]

'Oh, are you running away from us now? Figures, that's how you deal with everything that makes you uncomfortable. After all, you promised to be there for that girl, should she ever run into trouble, and look what happened! She nearly lost her memories for good!'

[His steps stop abruptly, nearly stumbling into one of the trees on his weakening legs, looking very much like someone had just punched him in the gut.]

... enough.

'You claim you love her, but you're afraid she's going to find out the truth. That you're nothing, you don't have anything to offer her, you're just some lovesick little puppy who wants to protect her when you can't even keep yourself safe. No wonder she hasn't given you an answer yet. Who'd want to be with a boy who worries her all the time? You can barely do anything for her when she needs you the most!'

THAT'S ENOUGH!!

[His voice is loud and hoarse as it echoes through the trees, scattering a few of the birds in the branches, his ragged breaths coming out in shuddery gulps. The only response he receives is a round of jeering laughter, cackling over his audacity.

That's the last verbal acknowledgement he'll give to the whispers before he ventures further in, but the accusations have their intended affect. By the time he's dragging himself to the other side of the woods, using his sword as a walking stick, these markings are glowing a fierce green under the layers of his coat and pants, his brow thick with sweat. The whispers are loud enough to echo behind him now, repeating much of the same, but Xiaolang's too feverish to tell what's actually being said and what's swirling around in his mind. It says something about his tenacity that he's still standing, but it's clear that's not going to last for much longer, at least not in the state he's in.

WILDCARD

[Anything else you have in mind for April?? Hit me up!! I'm good with just about anything, and if you want to hash out some starters or plot with me, you can hit me up over @ Urameshi or on discord @ starsugars#7982!]

Comments

b

[livens]

[ xiaolang - or wolf, rather - is in luck! hinata just kind of laughs at the request, but it isn't mean or directed at xiaolang so much as it's just a happy sound. the kind of startled, easy laugh that comes from someone who laughs often and just when they're filled to the brim with energy and it has to come out in one form or another.

he immediately throws his arms around the shorter boy, not at all bothered. ]

Sure~! Are you playing truth and dare with your friends?

[cardcaptured]

[The bright laugh momentarily takes Wolf off-guard, his surly scowl easing the slightest in surprise at the other boy's reaction. Memories of that one girl poke into his mind, unbidden, with her bright eyes and innocent demeanor, but he shakes it off. Why was he thinking about her, of all people? She was just a magnet for trouble, from what he could remember.

Before he could ask what was so amusing, Hinata pulls him into his grip, and that vibrant color on his cheeks spreads to his entire face as a small, choked noise escapes his throat. Hugs weren't a common thing for him even WITH his usual memories, and no one in Wolf's current set seemed to show him much affection (save for that one girl, cheerily fixing a wound for him, but even that he rebuffed), so he's not entirely sure what to do. For now, he's just a rigid, warm, awkward duck, arms ram rod straight at his side, but he had to endure it.

Hinata's question does have him squirm a bit to look at him, though, expression flat and matter of fact.]

I don't have any friends. [..... wow that's pretty blunt there, Wolf-- but he frowns, and adds:] None that I know of, anyway. Or remember.

Some woman in the woods asked me to do this for her.

[livens]

Huh~? Oh, maybe she thought you looked like you needed a hug?

[ but hinata lets go, at least, so wolf doesn't have to be too tense for too long. he pulls back but doesn't leave, tilting his head to the side and almost frowning. ]

Buuuut, what do you mean that you don't remember? Is this more weird stuff happening...?

[cardcaptured]

[Wolf's posture relaxes only a hair once he's been released, but his face is still crimson and warm, more from embarrassed frustration at Hinata's words than anything else. Bullseye. The witch hadn't said it straight out, but her expression certainly seemed mirthful enough when she suggested it, eyes sparkling with ill-concealed glee. He may not remember why he was in her paths to begin with, but something told him she was an extremely aggravating person.]

I do not. I mean, I needed one now, for this stupid task, but it's not like I ever needed them before.

[It's said in a surly mumble, as he quickly takes a few steps back and ducks his own head so Hinata can't see his expression. Honestly. This whole ordeal was so stupid.]

And what I mean is that I don't remember. Anything aside from a few things that happened when I was ten isn't... there anymore. That woman in the woods said she'd help me if I did... this for her.

[And from the curl of distaste on his lip, he wasn't all that thrilled with it. But that last bit does get him to lift his head sharply, interest piqued.]

Just what do you mean by 'weird stuff'? Is this a common occurrence?

[livens]

Yeah! [ yep. this is. common. ] Maybe not this exactly, but weird stuff kind of always happens in the city and out of it. I know some mail was flying around, but I didn't know people were losing memories...ah, maybe you went to a different region than I did though...?

[ he went to pesgare, but not many other places... ]

B

[quiet_storm]

[Seems legit. Cloud shrugs slightly and then throws his arms around the guy. In a self-assured, firm, manly-warrior sort of way. The blond was all too willing to help but he had his own sense of pride to worry about.]

Does this work?

[Sure, Cloud had questions, especially about the interesting sword the kid was carrying, but those could wait. He did say "right now." It must be some kind of emergency.]

[cardcaptured]

[Hey, there could be sketchier people asking you for hugs than an eighth grader with a sword, after all! Not that... he'd be able to tell Cloud much about said sword, as he barely remembers much about it himself, but still! Given that he was on a time crunch of a couple days and counting, it was very much an emergency, and there's a bit of a relief when this stranger complies with his demand. Of course, that relief is eclipsed by the sheer awkwardness of it all, as even if it was a rather manly and low-contact, a hug was still a hug, and Wolf had no idea how to deal with that. He didn't with his usual memories, and he didn't now, so he's just... going to remain stiff and awkward in this man's hold, hating this woods woman every second he had to endure this.]

It's-- it'll do.

[Although good luck hearing that, as it's more or less an embarrassed mumble.]

[quiet_storm]

[Embarrassed mumble was an improvement over mortified urgent demand. Hoping that was some kind of affirmative response, Cloud let go and took a couple steps back, retreating to arm's length.]

So, uh, what was that all about?

[cardcaptured]

[Wolf skitters back a few steps himself, face nearing a shade of crimson that would make tomatoes envious. This was the worst, the absolute worst. Thankfully, Cloud was the second person to help him on this task, so he was getting closer to finally getting this over and done with, but it's still two people who've touched him too many.

He dips his eyes, expression tight and his shoulders still rigid.]

A woman in the woods asked me to do it. [Because that doesn't sound absolutely suspicious at ALL-- but he continues on, regardless.] She said I had to be... embraced, by three different people, to get my memories back.

[...........again. DOESN'T SOUND NUTS WHATSOEVER.....]

[quiet_storm]

You went to Bosuma?

[Cloud now looks acutely concerned. This isn't the first victim of the lady in the woods that he's come across. Yeah, that hugging thing was an actual emergency.]

How long ago?

c;

[agrizzlysin]

[Quin bites at his thumbnail as his vision rolls over the edge of Magatus' forest. He knows he heard a voice, and he's even pretty sure he recognizes it. Why Xiaolang would be shouting at the top of his lungs in the middle of a forest is beyond him though. Quin's not even sure what direction the voice had come from. Rushing half-cocked into what may as well be a natural maze would get him nowhere; it certainly wouldn't help him find Xiaolang. Nerves frayed, he can't do anything but watch for a sign that something has made it out.

Luckily for the both of them, something does.

With a sigh of relief, Quin stumbles over rocks and twigs until he reaches Xiaolang's side. By the time he's made it, relief has already melted into annoyance.]

What is wrong with you? I didn't come out here so I could babysit a little lost middle schooler. Seriously. [He folds his arms over his chest with a huff.] What would Sakura think if she knew you were screaming at trees in your down time? She'd-

[Wait. Why isn't Xiaolang interrupting him?

Quin blinks stupidly at the other boy - the white-knuckled desperation with which he's clutching his sword turned walking stick, his heavy breathing and hunched posture, the haze that seems to cloud his confused, aimless expression.]

...Xiaolang?

[cardcaptured]

[A voice filters it's way through the cold air and to Xiaolang's fevered, muddled mind, and it takes him a moment to register it.

Quin?

A small tilt of his head upwards towards the source confirmed as much-- it certainly looked like the other boy, auburn hair and gangly limbs and all, but what in the world was he doing out here? Was he just imagining this, in this weak delusional state? It was hard to focus on his words, exasperated and annoyed as they were, but a few managed to stick through the fog in his head, sharp barbs hitting with pinpoint accuracy as the whispers echoed behind him.

'What's wrong with you?']

'You're a headstrong nuisance.'

['... babysit a little lost middle schooler...']

'You're just a useless child who has to be looked after all the time.'

['What would Sakura think?']

'She'd be embarrassed. Who wants a boy like THAT to like her?'

[His breathing, already labored and hard thanks to his sapping energy levels and the pain, hitches in sharply, the symbols flaring through the fabric. He barely hears Quin's concerned questioning of his name as his knees buckle, sending him crashing to the snowy ground beneath him. It's only due to his iron grip on the handle of his sword that he doesn't completely face plant to the floor, the smallest sound of discomfort slipping from his gritted teeth as the hilt digs into the painful mark upon his palm. Let him have this much dignity before inevitably passing out in front of his rival, at least.]

[agrizzlysin]

[An unnatural glow stretches across Xiaolang's arms as the boy collapses, visible even through his sleeves. Quin instantly plummets into panic mode. Xiaolang can't stand anymore, and it's not because of exhaustion or the cold or anything Quin knows can be fixed. It's because of Recolle's second ring, because of magic.]

H-Hey!

[Quin rushes to his side, one hand wrapping around Xiaolang's grip on his sword and the other grasping for his opposite shoulder. It's way too damn cold here for anyone to be falling on their face in a pile of snow. His head spins as he tries to support his would-be rival, desperate for answers his panic is simply not providing. All the while, he half-talks half-laughs his way through hysteria.]

At least say something! How'm supposed to- Trees! Right, this is a forest. It's okay; I got you! Here, lean against this. [Quin drags the poor boy to the nearest tree before frantically searching his pockets.] I just have to- Um... Phone! See, it's really okay. Help's coming, magic help!

[Quin is already dialing, though he doesn't mention who in his ramblings.]

I hope.

[Magic help. They need magic. The only magic Quin's ever seen... is Sakura's.

The call goes through. Quin doesn't waste any time.]

Xiaolang's hurt, and I don't know why! We're outside Magatus! You gotta get us out of here!

[keystaff]

Xiaolang-kun is -- ?!

[Sakura all but fumbles her way through telling Quin she'd be there as soon as she could, for them to keep an eye out above, since she'd get there quicker using Fly.

It's probably barely a couple minutes before she hangs up, getting somewhere more private to activate her staff and the Fly card, heading off in the direction of Magatus to get there as fast as she can, urging the staff's wings to hurry.]

[cardcaptured]

[It says something about Xiaolang's current state that he doesn't even try to resist Quin's assistance, head dipping and breath coming out in small, foggy pants as he attempts to stay conscious. There's a small, pained grunt as Quin inadvertently puts more pressure upon the sore marks upon his hand and shoulder as he maneuvers him up and around (not an easy task, given his limbs were as useful as noodles), but that's the only verbal response he'll give for the time being as he's propped up against the tree, eyelids already heavy and drooping. Sitting in the snow in a place like this probably wasn't the best idea either, but Xiaolang was the furthest thing from cold at the moment, cheeks flushed and his hair sticking to the heavy sweat lingering on his brow.

Even if he was in a less fevered state of mind, Quin's panicked ramblings wouldn't have made much sense to him, and he struggles to try to piece together what he was trying to say through the foggy mess in his head. Magic help? He couldn't be hearing that right. But it seems the other boy was talking to someone else now, and Xiaolang attempts to shift up, just slightly, fighting against the urge to give in to his fatigue.]

W... Who're you calling...?

[His voice is strained and a bit hoarse, hardly above a whisper, but it's the best he can manage at the moment. Was it really a wise idea to bring someone else all the way out here?]

A

[invocate]

[Li-Na had finally cornered a particularly stubborn fire spirit, hiding inside a bronze angel statue. Luckily, the angel wasn't hiding its face, or Li-Na would have passed this one up completely.

Just as she was about to start talking to it, to try to convince it the fire spirit to go back to its hearth (because there's no way she can move a statue that size on her own), someone just... drops right in, blasting the statue back with a gust of wind.

Someone who turns out to be Xiaolang.]

I am welcome?

[What... is going on...]

Xiaolang, I was almost there. Now I have to calm it down again!

[cardcaptured]

[Had Xiaolang been his normal, usually cautious self, he would have apologized, or at least looked a little remorseful. After all, he had just ruined Li-Na's hard work, and he of all people knew how aggravating something like that could be when that happened. Instead, though, he just rolls his eyes, propping his arms behind his head nonchalantly, looking remarkably like a bratty teenage boy for once.]

Oh, it couldn't have been that hard. All these things want to do is play. You're just wasting your time trying to get them to listen to you.

[Something almost like a smirk plays across his lips as he glances over to Li-Na, the black wings upon his back fluttering a bit playfully.]

I just made it easier for you.

[... well. If you call the statue now bouncing around with vigor 'easy', anyway. GOOD JOB ON THAT, XIAOLANG.]

[invocate]

Easier? I cannot drag that statue halfway across the city. I need to get the fire spirit out of it here.

[And now with the fire spirit all worked up, she doesn't really want to have to chase it half-way across the city again. Li-Na frown, her eyebrows knitting together, because she is really surprised Xiaolang would do something like this. He'd struck her more as a 'looks before he leaps' sort of person.

And... perhaps more importantly... where did those wings come from? Because those are new.]

Xiaolang... when did you get wings?

[cardcaptured]

[Li-Na hadn't assumed wrong, as he was that sort of person! Except... definitely not now, because clearly something else had taken a hold of him. Something a little more reckless, a little more brash, and certainly nothing like the cool, careful Xiaolang she's gotten to know.

Her question does take him by surprise, even in this odd state of his, and he glances behind him to take a look at feathery new appendages upon his back. But even then, he just shrugs nonchalantly over it, clearly none too disturbed about these recent developments.]

Mmm... beats me. A few hours ago, maybe? Does it really even matter?

[.... yes, it should matter, especially considering they're not normal, but he doesn't care one way or another. He lets out an over-dramatic sigh at her complaints, however, the annoyance clear across his face. The statue was already making it's way to the edge of this area, much too far to get back over to the hearth on this level, and she was right-- dragging it back wouldn't be easy.]

You do know there's tons of other hearths around here, don't you? Keep an eye on me. I'll show you how it's done.

[And at that, he rushes towards the statue, thunder talisman crackling in hand, tossing it just at the right time to paralyze it--

... before leaping onto it, using his momentum and the statue's already precarious footing to drive it (and himself) over the edge and to the level below. RIP SMALL CHILD

[invocate]

[Li-Na is so... throw by Xiaolang's behavior, she can't even reply for a moment. Why is he acting like this? Like suddenly having wings doesn't matter at all? Pretty much everyone has some sort of reaction whenever they experienced a physical change due to their past self, and Xiaolang is just... shrugging it off?!

And apparently jumping over the edge. For a brief second, she thinks her heart might squeeze so tight it pops, but then she's activating Sound Shackles and jumping off the edge after him.]

XIAOLANG!!!

C

[promisedyou]

[Oh, this... is definitely a thing that she wasn't supposed to hear, and she honestly can't help but feel a little concerned and it shows as she sees him go further in. Maybe she shouldn't follow him further inside, because she knows what those words are, what they mean, but she does so anyway, narrowing her eyes at the trees in an angry understanding and also frustration, fists by her side shakily before running after him, frantic, loud, and completely concerned:]

Hey!! You're still in here, aren't you, Xiaolang?!

[She doesn't always call him by first name, but this is one of the times when it's absolutely necessary, because she's absolutely concerned about him.

It would be wrong for her not to be worried. Especially in this place.]

[cardcaptured]

[No, this is most definitely things he didn't want Mio to hear, or anyone else for that matter. They were his private concerns, his tangled mess of insecurities that had been growing and ensnaring inside of him ever since he'd gotten Retrospec... or even longer than that, if his thoughts about Leon was any indication. They were painful to hear, both emotionally and physically, but he took solace in the fact that he was alone, no one else had to know what a wreck he actually was--

But a familiar, frantic voice echoes his name thoughout the woods, bouncing off the branches, and Xiaolang pauses his arduous trek through the woods as realization seeps in. A cold sweat begins to bead on his brow, not entirely due to the dread of someone he knew finding him out here, and he swallows hard.]

'Oh look, she's here to rescue you again.'

'Of course she is. Even with everything else she's dealing with, she still has to drag you out of these messes. Selfish child.'

[... no. Xiaolang wasn't going to give the trees the satisfaction of that. Gritting his teeth, his breath still rough and shakey thanks to his earlier outburst, he pushes himself forward, attempting to ignore her. But his legs flare with pain, the symbols glowing bright through his clothing, causing him to stumble to his knees. It's only due to his quick reflexes that he catches himself on his hands, but even then, his arms feel like jelly.

No. He had to move. If Mio saw him like this, or got dragged into all of this...]

[promisedyou]

[Honestly, if she weren't trying so hard not to curse in front of Xiaolang, she would be yelling at the trees to shut the fuck up, but the problem is that the words actually gets to her a little bit, too, her hands clenched by her sides, shaking in spite of herself.

Because she knows that she's terrified, and that thought alone almost makes her stop moving entirely. Except she doesn't care about herself right now. What's more important is-]

Damn it.

[-well, okay, she manages those two words under her breath, in Japanese, no less in spite of herself before she forces her own two feet to move.

She has to.

As someone who's experienced all of this already herself.

She has to. This is a decision that she's made herself, and she's not going to go back on her own words as she hurries the pace of her movements, trying her best not to trip over her own feet, teeth gritted as she manages to spot him again.]

You better not move or else!! [....or else what? That's just going to be left hanging in the air.]

[cardcaptured]

[Even if Xiaolang had wanted to move-- and really, he would like nothing more than to up and bolt the hell out of here right now, to avoid Mio seeing him like this-- it was extremely difficult to manage. His limbs felt sluggish and slow as he fumbles with the strap of his sword harness, trying to undo the weapon tethered to his back to use as a make-shift walking stick. He gets as far as sinking it into the cold, snowy ground, pressing his weight against the hold he has on it's handle to try to lift himself back up, but the ice beneath his feet gets his feet to slip out beneath him. There's a small, muttered curse of his own, frustrated and harsh, hoping against all odds Mio wasn't close enough to hear him.]

'Pathetic. You can't even do that much?'

'No wonder people feel they need to look after you. You're a helpless little brat.'

[The markings shine again, fierce and strong, the ache that followed with them coming on so sudden and swift that he can't help but give a grunt of pain in response. Mio could make all the empty threats she wanted-- nothing was about to compare to the hell wracking his body in this moment. Sucking in a trembling, unsteady breath, he's barely aware of her approach, although it's hard to miss the crackle of broken branches coming up behind him.]

... stay back.

[He tries, honest, to make his voice sound strong and convincing, but the little crack in the end betrayed him. Not that she'd probably listen to him, looking like a wounded animal and all, but it was worth a shot. If Mio was all the way out here, she may have been cursed too, and he didn't want her to fall further into whatever spell these trees were beginning to weave.]

[promisedyou]

I won't.

[Her words are stern and she takes small, slow steps closer, her eyes narrowing seriously. While she thinks that maybe she should listen to him, but she refuses to. No, staying back wouldn't do either of them any good, she's certain about that.]

But more importantly than that... [Mio clears her throat and then shouts, to nobody in particular--] You better shut up, you idiotic voices!! He's anything but helpless.

[And she looks at him directly at him with serious eyes, crouching down a little bit as she tries to keep close to him, enough so that she's arms length to him.]

Every single thing that they said... there's no way that any of that is true. There's absolutely no way!