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Post by mugenginga on Apr 6, 2010 12:28:00 GMT -5
There was at least a solid minute of chewing after Simon finished talking. The doctor probably realized it was less a lack of desire to respond and more he'd put a piece of food way to big into his mouth. After he managed to get it down (and almost choke, Simon probably tensed up for a moment there), he just sat there for a while. He brought a too thin arm up and wiped his face with a filthy sleeve. The smeared dirt on his face wasn't just what was on his face.
He looked towards Simon, eyes focused on chin. He was about to speak again, his mouth opened just a bit for how he muttered. But his eyes widened out of nowhere and he jerked his head to the side. The speed looked like it could do damage to his frail body. He tensed up and began looking around quickly as if trying to figure out how to get down and the hell away. He looked downright panicked and would probably hurt himself if someone didn't stop him.
-----
Zero had raised an eyebrow at how... at ease with the whole mess they were. Mal had mentioned a war before, but to recover from what had happened in the hotel so easily? It was like they were used to that kind of thing. Zero was aware of the odd look he got as he gave a dark smirk to himself (bordering on a chuckle, but his ribs still hurt) as the group were talking. Both the times he'd come from were of relative peace. The distant past had world peace, the present had their little wars but where he'd been it had been a sort of complacent peace. It didn't sound to be quite the case for these two.
The conversation had trailed its way into discussion about the Pocket Monsters again. Mal had brought up the Ditto from before, and Zero smirked at Jayne. Due to the peace of that era, people hadn't used the monsters for much in the way of actual harm. The few that did were in the minority and handled by the regional governments, so the world peace had been nothing but stable. But those that did use them for harm, well...
"It would be interesting to see if you'd still say that after one trapped you by copying your little pet," Zero stated, a tone of disdain still held when he indicated Vera.
The group had reached the point they could see the hospital. They were just out of eye sight of Simon and Makoto due to a combination of distance and obstacles. Not that Makoto couldn't sense the presences, as he had shown.
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Post by Jilak on Apr 7, 2010 2:49:10 GMT -5
Drat. Makoto had seemed to be preparing a response when he started freaking out. An almost heartfelt moment was ruined by something... SOMETHING terrifying the boy. And honestly, it worried Simon. He'd seen River have random freak outs, but that was usually when she was having subconscious messages to use her living weapon training to beat up everyone in a bar. And quite frankly, he didn't want to deal with that again, because he didn't know if Makoto even HAD a safe word.
"Shh shh shh, it's okay, I'm here, I'm not going to hurt you, shh." Simon stated, saying almost the exact same thing he'd once said to River. Before she got... somewhat... sort of... better, at least.
--
"Well that don't make a lick of sense. It ain't like the gun's gonna shoot itself, what good would that be?" Jayne responded to Zero, scowling.
"...Jayne, you're thinking. Stop it."
"But I-"
"Jayne."
"I was just saying-"
"Jayne, your mouth is still talking. You should see to that." Malcolm finished, Jayne grumbling under his breath.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 7, 2010 3:00:25 GMT -5
(OOC: Touch of godmoding, discussed over IM)
Makoto thrashed a bit as Simon came close, reaching to embrace the boy in some method of protection. When Simon pulled back, the teenager managed to slip down off the bed. He still had a bit of food in his arm. He took a step forward and managed to fall from a combination of uneven ground and his current condition, hitting his knees. They managed to get cut up from a standard scrape impact, and he pulled himself close as if trying to make himself small. He grabbed his head and squeezed his eyes shut.
"I don't want to go back.... People... I don't want to run into people!"
----------
Zero had opened his mouth to give Jayne a lecture he was sure would go over the other man's head, but Mal spoke first. He closed his mouth and watched the exchange. He wondered to himself how often Mal had to bring the other man in line. He smirked to himself, deciding to take the direction the discussion was going.
"How did you get to this dimension, anyhow? Don't tell me you followed him through that-"
He'd picked the word dimension on purpose, but he'd cut himself off. By now they were pretty close to the hospital. Zero had heard the noise, sounded like something crashing to the ground. He narrowed his eyes and looked ahead, but he still couldn't quite make anything out. He doubted the two that had attacked Mal would let themselves be seen, but Mal seemed to attract trouble, so...
"Am I the only one that heard that?"
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Post by Jilak on Apr 7, 2010 3:33:57 GMT -5
Simon backed off as Makoto thrashed against him, because he didn't want the teenager to further injure himself. And then he slipped off the bed, and tripped to his knees, pulling himself close. Great. Simon would have to treat him for MORE injuries after all was said and done. He sincerely wondered what had freaked Makoto out so much... until he saw them. Three individuals, quickly approaching. He could vaguely make them out, two males and one female. One of the males seemed to be holding a gun... wait, was that Vera? But then that meant... Jayne? Could he, then, assume that the other male was Captain Reynolds?
"Ai ya, hwa..."
--
"No, I heard it as well. Don't fancy those guys from before would make themselves known so easily, but... Jayne, take point. Find a sizable piece of rubble to duck behind, keep Vera cocked and ready. Zero, you and I-"
"Wait a gorram second, why am I the one that's gotta get all close and out o' sight? If they attack me you ain't gonna be comin' to my rescue!" Mal noted the fact that Jayne had just admitted that he'd NEED rescue before continuing.
"Because you're the one with the GUN, Jayne."
"...oh right. But what're you gonna be doin' while I'm going into enemy terrain?" Probably meant to say 'territory', but whatever.
"Zero and I are gonna see if it's them or not, might be somebody we know." Mal finished, and Jayne, seeming okay with the plan, finally darted off to the right.
(OOC: More gratuitous Chinese brought to you by the Firefly wiki and the letter 'J'.)
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 7, 2010 3:44:57 GMT -5
Makoto was holding himself in a way to make himself seem smaller. He wasn't even trying to get away anymore, nor was he trying to hide. His eyes were squeezed shut and he hugged himself, shaking his head. As if wishes alone would make whatever was nearby go away. He didn't hear Simon's words.
-----
"I can't do much like this, and I find myself doubting I'd be useful if the men from before even without the broken ribs," Zero scowled, "That wasn't really necessary, you know?" He shook his head, "Is it safe to trust him to cover us?"
Because snarking in the middle of tense combat situations? Totally Firefly.
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Post by Jilak on Apr 7, 2010 3:51:33 GMT -5
That was odd. Jayne, still holding Vera had just run off to the side. Why... wait, was he TAKING POINT? The captain obviously didn't see him, else it would've have been necessary... unless it wasn't the Captain? What if it was the Alliance, what if... no, Simon had to believe, he had to HOPE, that it was Captain Reynolds. So he took a chance. A chance that would probably save his life, considering Mal had just sent JAYNE off to take point.
"Don't shoot, don't shoot! It's me, it's Simon!" The doctor exclaimed, waving his arms a bit. Maybe they had River. Or at least his medical kit, so he could worry about Makoto's new injuries. Because what he had would still only be a momentary fix, if it was scraped badly.
--
"Jayne? Yeah, of course... most likely... we should probably keep something between us and him at all times, yeah." Mal responded. Honestly, if he was from an anime, he'd have sweatdropped here.
And then he saw an individual, waving his arms. Why was he... wait, Mal knew that voice. It sounded almost like... Simon?
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 7, 2010 3:57:11 GMT -5
Zero didn't look at all encouraged. He gave a solemn nod and found himself being grateful that death was still pretty much out of the question for him. He was waiting for Mal to make the first move when whoever they saw in the distance began waving his arms. Zero planted his feet and glared when he processed what the man had said. Not one to drop his guard but confident it wasn't anything all that dangerous now, he spoke without turning to Mal.
"Didn't you say that doctor was named Simon?"
-----
Makoto had lifted his head just a bit as Simon pretty much gave away their location. Last night he'd been sincere about wanting to protect him. Could he have switched so quickly. He was still very tense, but he began trying to get to his feet. Sure, it hurt, but he'd had far worse. If he had to he might be able to run, he might... although he was using the bed behind him for support.
Even from a distance he was in poor condition. However, it didn't change that if he hadn't been slouching he would have been a bit taller than Simon. He was ready to try and dart if anything sudden happened. The pose of a trapped animal...
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Post by Jilak on Apr 7, 2010 4:07:19 GMT -5
"It does look a lot like Simon. Kinda hard to recognize him without his sister next to him, but... that'd be him, I think. Looks like Jayne won't get to use Vera after all. Huh." Mal responded to Zero, slowing in his walk. Hey, as long as it was Simon, he didn't have to be in a big hurry. Doctor should at least be able to operate on Zero, he surmised. The man might've said he didn't need it, but Mal didn't want to be running around with someone pre-injured. Why? Well, he was going to get injured enough along the way without going in like that beforehand. And hey, maybe Simon could operate and get the device out of his hand.
--
Truth be told, Jayne had realized it was Simon the second he'd found a good spot to take point. Looking through Vera's scope, he could clearly make out the doctor. Damn. If he got to Mal, he'd tell him everything, about the ship, and maybe even Jayne's part in it all. He wasn't sure if Simon KNEW, but he knew the doctor had probably suspected it...
He thumbed Vera's trigger...
--
"No, no, Makoto, it's okay! These are my friends, that I told you about from before, the rest of the crew. The one coming this way is Captain Reynolds, he'll take care of you. I'm not sure who the other person is, or where Jayne went, however..." Truth be told, Simon didn't feel too safe with Jayne out of view. He was like a dinosaur. Least safe Jayne was a Jayne you couldn't see or hear.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 7, 2010 4:15:07 GMT -5
Zero had given a glance towards Jayne as he'd asked if the doctor's name was Simon. What Mal said was mostly in one ear and out the other. He got the important part, about it being Simon. Had it not been Simon, it might have been a problem because Zero would have given away Jayne's position to anyone used to a fight. Hey, the man wasn't used to fighting in a group, alright?
In any case, the sentient virus wasn't stupid. He came from a modern era. he knew of some sci-fi shows. In any case, he was damn aware that Jayne would be able to get a perfect view of the man and yet his pose was still one of being about to shoot. Without a word he cut to the side. To observers it would seem a bit sudden. Jayne would miss him in his miniature panic mode, but he wouldn't miss Zero clearing his throat. Hopefully the man's trigger finger wasn't too itchy...
-----
"...scared... attack..." Makoto whimpered, seemingly falling down.
In truth, he was ducking. He'd opened his mind to the general emotions in the area, and the strongest one is what came through. It was as vague as River's observations tended to be. Meaning it was horridly unclear if he[i/] was scared or if he was referencing someone else. Considering his manner, the attack was likely to be assumed to be fear of being attacked. At least that one was right. But his initial reaction was worried about the worried emotions filtering in from somewhere in the area...
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Post by Jilak on Apr 7, 2010 4:25:23 GMT -5
Jayne had heard Zero clearing his throat. He'd heard it loud and clear, in fact. But he did not turn. He kept his gun trained on Simon. Truth be told, if he shot him, the captain would be pissed. But it wasn't like he could threaten to drop him out of the ship as it left Atmo, so... would it be too much of a risk? After all, the bullet could've easily been fired from any of the other buildings. Mal was in perfect view of JAYNE, but not in perfect view of VERA. Would he be able to tell if the bullet had come from Jayne's position? The man regretted, very much, not having a silencer right now...
Mal still wasn't looking at Jayne. He assumed the man had dropped his gun, honestly, perhaps facepalming at the fact that they hadn't realized it was Simon beforehand. But he heard Zero clear his throat. He glanced over at Jayne.
"Jayne. It's Simon." He called out. Well, shit. It was now or never, and even if he shot him, the captain would be on to him. He'd missed his chance. He lowered Vera, looking over to Mal. Honestly? Jayne didn't look all that trustable right now, but he was all the crew, not counting Zero and Simon, that Mal had to work with. Mal turned back to Simon's direction, however, and Jayne raised Vera ever so slightly...
--
"No, it's okay, they're not going to attack... well, Jayne might, but even then it'd be at me and not you. Don't worry. You'll be okay." Simon stated.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 7, 2010 4:32:12 GMT -5
Zero narrowed his eyes. He didn't know much about the crew Mal kept mentioning. He knew he didn't like Jayne, if for no other reason the man was an idiot. So he didn't relax when Jayne lowered his gun, or even move away. Fact was, if Jayne decided they all needed to die, there wouldn't be much chance to fight back.
Mal had that device in him draining his energy. He had injured ribs and couldn't access his viral abilities. He didn't know much about Simon but if the man was a good doctor by human standards he probably didn't run around inflicting harm. There was that other person as well. So, ignoring the pain if for no other reason he refused to take a backseat to humans, he went to hook his arm around Jayne's throat. Jayne could throw him off, sure, but Zero was still stronger than he looked.
Although he had to wonder why he cared.
-----
Makoto showed no signs of being convinced by Simon. His eyes darted nervously between Simon and where Jayne was hiding. In the whole world, he'd never met anyone who wasn't out to use him. ANyone that didn't attack him for being read, who weren't aware they were being read. He stayed on the ground, covering his head. If he had to... if he had to he'd force Simon down. It would take more effort than he figured he could spare, but it didn't take a long amount of mind control to throw a person to the ground... He just prayed Simon would forgive him if it came to that.
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Post by Jilak on Apr 7, 2010 4:50:54 GMT -5
Simon suddenly felt himself lose control of his body, and he seemed to be... ducking? Or was he simply falling? He couldn't tell. He had a knee jerk reaction attempted to keep him from being controlled. It failed, however. Even so, before he hit the ground, there was a boom and something grazed his shoulder... almost like a bullet, in fact. Simon's hand went up for his shoulder, and he completely forgot that he seemed to have been remotely controlled or somesuch. He'd just been SHOT... at. But still, it brought back bad memories of Jubal Early. Also known as 'the psychopath bounty hunter that tried to kidnap River'.
--
Mal noticed, in a few seconds, that Zero was no longer beside him. And then he heard a gun fire, and looked over to see Zero with his arm hooked around Jayne. He assumed Jayne had pulled a stupid and facepalmed. Not before making sure the doctor was okay, however. He'd seen him duck pretty sporadically, but he could still have been grazed... or injured himself in his epic duck/fall combo.
Jayne... had to struggle a bit more against Zero than he felt he should have. Chalk it up to still being tired from his massive blood loss earlier. In any case, he couldn't quite shake the virus off...
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 7, 2010 4:57:01 GMT -5
As soon as Simon hit the ground, Makoto's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he passed clean out. He still clutched the bit of food he'd been holding during the entire chaos.
-----
Zero hissed at the pain. Not just from the ribs, although they hurt like hell. No, Jayne was pretty throughly thrashing. The sentient virus didn't seem all that concerned with keeping Jayne under decent control. He finally just released the man and ducked down, kicking Vera at least five feet away. He was wide open for a retaliation from Jayne, but at least the gun didn't go off when it landed. Was out of easy reach of Jayne, in any case...
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Post by Jilak on Apr 12, 2010 18:35:47 GMT -5
Simon was a bit shell shocked for a few moments, grasping his shoulder and looking around sporadically. Had Jayne... had Jayne actually shot him? He'd known the man disliked him. Hell, Jayne had once sold Simon and River out for a few credits. It had failed, horridly, of course, but still. Had Jayne... did he really dislike Simon that much? He couldn't figure out WHY the man would shoot him, at least with the captain watching... unless Simon's suspicions were right? What exactly... what was Jayne's role in all of this?
Simon wasn't given long to ponder, however, as he noticed Makoto. Boy had passed out again. Fantastic. This, of course, sent Simon into panic mode. He might have been a bit calmer had it not been for the fact that he'd just been shot at. Kinda makes a man less rational, really.
Simon rolled off his back and crawled to the boy, remaining low. No need to give Jayne another perfect shot, after all. He cradled the boy's head a bit, looking him over. Didn't seem to have scraped himself in the fall, at least. It helped that he was already on the ground, covering his head, Simon surmised. And then Mal approached.
"Doctor, what-"
"I'll be fine, just give Makoto some air. But it would be much appreciated if you could go check on the gun-wielding LUNATIC." Simon finished. Mal gave one last look in Makoto's direction, noticing how injured and just generally... corpsified he looked, before running off to Jayne's direction. Man had some explaining to do.
--
Jayne probably could've taken Zero in a fair fist fight, he assumed. But this was nowhere near fair. All the man had was a few broken ribs, but Jayne? Jayne had totally lost a hell of a lot of blood. No, he needed to grab Vera. Maybe he could shoot faster than Zero could fuck reality over...
The man dove for his gun, grabbing it and spinning in one fell swoop. Zero would probably be on him by now, but it didn't matter, he had Vera, and... who did the hand grabbing his shirt belong to?
Why, the man that spun him around and socked him one good punch to the jaw, Captain Malcolm Reynolds. The man fell like a sack of bricks.
"Jayne Cobb... guh jun duh hwoon dahn." Mal stated, shaking his hand.
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Post by mugenginga on Apr 12, 2010 18:51:59 GMT -5
It really could only be chalked up to the combination of Jayne's bloodloss and Zero's ribs. The virus was anything but a brawler, having a dislike for "messy" human methods of fighting. While he often spoke of his dislike for guns, he disliked all weapons and wouldn't have hesitated to delete the larger man's gun had he had the ability. Why use a sword when you can throw a fireball, same basic principle. In any case, the fact that Zero didn't have the advantage considering all of the many issues spoke for how poor he tended to be in direct combat.
In any case, he would have been perfectly happy to go into viral form had he felt the ability remained. He wasn't used to this kind of pain and he didn't want to fight anymore. So when Jayne dove for his gun, Zero snarled and turned to find some kind of cover. Leave this hell to Mal, he seemed used to it.
When he heard the grunt Jayne gave as a result of being hit, he turned back to the situation as Mal gave his expletives and shook his hand. It was quite possible he'd hurt himself. No compassion was to be had though. He turned to Mal and spoke in a flat (and notedly pained when you considered he wasn't human) voice. His breaths seemed a bit troubled as well. His breaths.
"I don't know what... kind of history you... have," Zero stated, "But I wouldn't... let this shining example of... human stupidity of his leash."
Makoto remained out. There wasn't much chance of him contributing to the scene for a while.
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