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Post by Jilak on Apr 4, 2010 5:18:54 GMT -5
Simon looked around. Sun hadn't finished setting, but it was on its way. And as much as he hated the idea, this was the safest place to be at this point. In this destroyed building, this building that was basically a DEATH TRAP, they would have to set up camp. Only problem was how well the idea would swing with Makoto. He already barely trusted the man, how would he react if Simon told him they couldn't leave because the Alliance might be waiting in that tall building he saw quite a ways away?
Well, all he could do was try.
"Ah, listen. I think... we should set up camp here for tonight. This is an odd city that I've never seen, and I suspect from the look of it that it we may be on one of the core planets. Considering the Alliance threw me here I think it's actually pretty logical. And I don't wish to risk either you or I getting captured." Simon stated, doing his best to make sure the boy wouldn't topple over.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 4, 2010 5:37:07 GMT -5
Makoto scrunched up his face as Simon talked. He didn't understand half of what Simon was talking about. Core Planets? As in plural? He attempted to pull back, but decided against it after almost falling again. It was a good thing Simon was providing him support. And the Alliance threw him there. If the man really wasn't working with the Alliance, that was possible. But this... the sky was clear. That was impossible with the planetary storm.
The teenager frowned as his stomach cramped up again. He winced at no action from Simon and wobbled on his feet again. He was used to the feeling, but it had been over twenty-four hours since he'd had even the small subsistance meals he was given. He'd missed his last one due to a stupid action on his part, and he was pretty sure he'd missed the following one due to the chaos at the compound. He wobbled again, and looked like he was going to collapse even with the support. As in he wouldn't be standing without Simon holding him up.
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Post by Jilak on Apr 4, 2010 6:02:26 GMT -5
Simon could guess Makoto's problem, simply by looking at the facts. He'd already looked malnourished, when Simon first found him, who's to say that he'd eaten ANYTHING in the past 24 hours? Unfortunately, however, Simon wasn't too confident that he'd be able to get any sustenance to Makoto before he just about passed out. It wasn't like he could just go out and pick up a fudgeload of groceries, when he didn't even know where he WAS. Plus, his credits may not even be any good on this planet.
"I just need you to try to hold strong a bit longer, okay? Can you do that for me? Around, say, tomorrow, I'll make an expedition to find you something to eat, maybe see if there's a buffet in town. But tonight, before we can do anything else, I think I should tend to your wounds, if you're okay with getting on the bed again?" Simon questioned, looking to Makoto.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 4, 2010 6:47:54 GMT -5
Makoto's apparent inability to stand increased as Simon spoke. Hold out longer? Why? Although... it was a request. Why was the man asking him, encouraging him? Makoto wobbled again and for half a beat seemed like he was going to lose his balance when Simon mentioned food. Makoto's wobbling literally stopped, and his breath caught itself. His fingers of both hands, despite how injured they were, twitched. He lifted his head slightly, and then did something likely unexpected. He looked Simon straight in the eyes, as if he was looking into him for half a second and then...
And then he passed out. He fell limp, and would be only held up by the one wrist Simon was holding if the man didn't catch him. He fainted in the real method people fainted. He didn't fall forward or backwards. His eyes simply rolled into the back of his head, his legs stopped supporting him, and he fell limp.
At least he still had a pulse if the doctor thought to check.
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Post by Jilak on Apr 4, 2010 7:21:02 GMT -5
When Makoto awoke the following morning, he would notice a few things. He was still in the ruined hospital, yes, but the splinter was removed from his hand, and said hand was bandaged. His injured wrist had a wrap of some sort on it, to provide pressure. Simon had been busy during the night. Furthermore, he was on the bed again. But what was REALLY important was what was on the ruined counter top next to the bed. Food. And quite a bit of it, if Simon could say so himself. Not enough to feed the entire CREW, but considering it was just he and Makoto? It would suffice.
And he would most likely notice all of this... if he eventually woke up.
Simon, having not slept through the night, was standing next to him. The boy had a pulse, but he wasn't AWAKE. Which worried Simon a bit, to be honest.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 4, 2010 7:30:29 GMT -5
Makoto jerked awake with a low gasp about half an hour before sunrise. His hands jerked to the side in surprise and his face looked absolutely terrified for half a moment. It was a rather good thing Simon had possessed the sense to not put the guards up, or the teenager would have probably hurt himself again. And considering how River often woke, the reaction was downright calm. Still concerning, but at least he wasn't leaping off the bed and screaming.
He didn't seem aware of his surroundings for a few moments. His glazed eyes focused and he calmed down significantly. As in, more than he'd been yesterday. Far more. He still darted his eyes to the side at every little noise and movement. He still seemed wound tighter than a rubber band ball, but when he noticed Simon it became clear his reactions were to anything and everything... except Simon.
During one of his jumps due to shadows, he noticed the food on the counter. His eyes widened and he reached foward, just then noticing the bandage on his hand. He paused, although to what it wasn't clear. He looked towards Simon, still not seeming to be fond of eye contact. But he was looking at the man's chin, not his chest, and there was a questioning look.
Something had clearly changed, but damned if it was clear what.
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Post by Jilak on Apr 4, 2010 7:50:30 GMT -5
Simon chose not to look a gift horse in the mouth. While Makoto still wasn't okay with looking Simon in the eyes, he'd moved up to chin level. And he seemed less terrified... well, of Simon. His own shadow still seemed to scare the bajeezus out of him, however. But hey. Small favors, people, small favors. Mind you, this would count more as a 'medium' favor, but still. Simon did the only logical thing and greeted Makoto with a warm smile.
"Morning sleepy head. While you were out I had time to go and grab a meal, and take care of your hands. The meal cost me quite a few of my credits, something about an 'exchange rate', so I'm afraid we won't be able to eat large meals like this constantly, but I feel you needed it this time. You seemed rather... malnourished. But not to worry, you can have everything on that table there, as I have already eaten. If you need anything, I'll be right over here, studying a map I got from this nice shopkeeper on the way back." Simon stated, taking a seat on a flat piece of rubble.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 4, 2010 8:03:29 GMT -5
Makoto hesitated a moment longer, seeming lost in thought. As if he was trying to make a decision. For half a beat it looked like he was going to look Simon in the eyes again, but he shook his head to some unvoiced thought and refocused on the food. Another pause, and then he snatched several items in a surprising act of speed and dexterity and pulled them onto the bed. He began wolfing down a piece of fruit when he suddenly paused and began hacking.
Simon was a doctor, he'd realize the speed at which Makoto was eating had caused the teenager to start choking.
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Post by Jilak on Apr 4, 2010 8:18:22 GMT -5
Simon rose quickly, wrapping his hands around Makoto's waist. At this point he didn't care to keep his motions slow, that could have been a serious situation. He quickly gave Makoto a Heimlich maneuver. Not like he was making much progress with the map, anyway. The most accommodating place on this odd planet seemed to be that... hotel, but that was the large building he saw. And honestly, if the place wasn't being staked out by Alliance, something was wrong with it.
Then again, there weren't many other options. There was the Apartment Complex, but that would've cost even more of Simon's credits, and he was pretty sure he needed those for FOOD. So, really, the safest place was right where they were, as he thought previous. But then again, he also had to think of where he was most likely to find the rest of the crew. Honestly... the hotel seemed the best bet, now.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 5, 2010 9:35:57 GMT -5
Simon would have to adjust pretty quickly for the stick of the boy. He really was a mess. Even if his attitude had changed for some reason, his condition hadn't. One could, if they looked, make out his skeletal structure for how starved he was. He was filthy, his clothes were like a parachute on him. His hair was indigo, but it looked black thanks to the filth. Just the thought of running a hand through it would be enough to gross out a lot of people.
In any case, the piece of food that had been lodged out of his throat popped out. He looked like the bit of recovery coughing he did hurt. Of course it did, once again you had to look at how physically weak he was. For all River's problems, she'd at least been somewhat healthy. Healthier, in any case. Makoto spent a few moments drawing in deep breaths as Simon backed off. He looked back towards Simon once he was done and looked at his feet on the bed after a moment.
"Sorry...."
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Post by Jilak on Apr 5, 2010 15:25:27 GMT -5
"No, no, i'ts okay! It wasn't your fault. I would've done the same if I was in your condition, honestly. Don't worry about it. Just don't hurt yourself. With the limited material on hand, I might not be able to help you." Simon responded, cheery smile returning. While the boy's condition hadn't changed, Simon could accept the attitude change. It meant Makoto wasn't expecting Simon to attack him every other second. Which was good.
Simon was silent for a while, before saying something completely out of left field.
"You remind me a lot of my younger sister River. She was in a similar situation, the Alliance was experimenting on her. They... I'm not exactly sure how, but they seemed to have been trying to make her a... living weapon. They stripped her amygdala, from what I can tell. She seems to be getting better, gradually, but... sometimes she still has nightmares, you know? And it's a constant reminder that while I can help her, I can't take back what they did to her." Simon finished, eyes distant.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 5, 2010 15:32:30 GMT -5
Makoto looked towards Simon again as he spoke. It sounded like he was the one who was sorry. And trying to identify with him? Even for not meaning any harm and being absolutely worried about him, it was very weird. Like nothing Makoto had ever encountered, in any case. He looked at the piece of food that had rolled to the front of the bed and leaned over and grabbed it. He ate slower this time, but it would still be fast by most standards.
He froze up when Simon mentioned "Alliance". He relaxed as much as he was capable after the kneejerk response, but something Simon was saying seemed to bother Makoto. Living weapon? He closed his eyes and grabbed the dog tags around his neck, looking at them but not understanding the words. He knew what they said only because he'd heard several times. He looked up in surprise as Simon said nightmares for half a second before dropping his head. Turned away from Simon his eyes held a distant fear to them.
"...shouldn't sleep unless you have to. Brings the pain..." he held himself and squeezed, his eyes closing as if he was remembering something awful.
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Post by Jilak on Apr 5, 2010 15:53:22 GMT -5
Simon was brought back to earth by Makoto. Don't... sleep? Brings the pain? He couldn't help but think of how it reminded him of a few of River's non sequiturs, the one he most prominently remembered being something about 'two by two, hands of blue'. And it... pained Simon to watch the poor boy, after all he'd been through, being reminded of something that seemed horrible.
"I don't like to think so." Simon started, turning back to face Makoto.
"I like to think that in dreams, we can be whatever, or whoever we want to be. That in that state of sleep our wants are our whimsy, our desires our destiny. Pain has to stop sometime and somewhere, Makoto. Why not hear and now?" Simon asked, extending a hand to the boy. He was looking for a shake, truthfully. Or at least something that wasn't a cower and was close to a shake. That worked too.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 5, 2010 15:59:14 GMT -5
Makoto had stopped squeezing as Simon spoke. He seemed startled as Simon moved around the bed. He closed his head and shook it rapidly, stopping only when he gave himself a headspin.
"Won't go away. It's always there... Psycho slaves..."
Makoto turned away just before Simon put out his hand. He looked down at the food he'd dropped in his lap and stuffed a piece at least twice as big as he should have into his mouth. It made his cheeks puff out and he seemed to have to focus on chewing it. If Simon had looked closely before he'd turned away, he'd realize Makoto's eyes were wet. In fact, a single tear had rolled down the left side of his face.
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Post by Jilak on Apr 6, 2010 12:12:22 GMT -5
Well, that was depressing. But really, same as with River, no matter how much Simon helped, he couldn't take away what had happened. He couldn't change it, he couldn't make Makoto forget it, he couldn't relieve the pain. All he could do was try to be a friend, really. And had that ever really helped River? Well, arguably, but that was combined with medicine. Plus, Makoto didn't seem particularly crazy, like River had, simply meek. And that was understandable.
"I can't begin to understand what they've done to you. I wouldn't know where to start. However, I want to help you. And I can't do that unless you trust me. They won't get you. Not ever again. We'll get back to Serenity, and the captain... the captain will take care of you. We all will."
--
"I gotta agree with Mal here. This 'ditto' thing sounds like it'd be kinda hard to keep up with." Jayne stated as the trio trudged towards the destroyed hospital.
"All I'm sayin'." Mal responded.
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