003 // You Might Have Some Bruises And A Few Scars, But You Know You're Gonna Be Okay

[twilightskey]

Characters: Roxas [The Little Mermaid] and YOU!
Campaign: May break
Format: I will match!
Open
Summary: Roxas doing Roxas things while he recovers from a broken arm

A - A Real Page-Turner

[Roxas has never been so injured to the point that a quick healing spell wasn't enough to mend his ailments. But that was before he picked a fight with an enemy he didn't understand while severely lacking in a means to fight back, and here he was with his arm firmly wrapped in a cast. It didn't restrict his movements or anything, but it couldn't get wet and he couldn't lift anything or really use his arm, meaning he was at a severe lack of activities to spend his time on.]

[Eventually, he decides to make his way to the library, and read up on a few of the stories he was unfamiliar with. A few people here seemed familiar with the Essences here, his own included, and he wanted to learn more about them. So for the time being he can often be found at the library, sitting in a plush chair with a book leaning against his cast arm and his good arm turning the page every so often. Come by and say hello; he might have a few questions about the stories he's reading.]

B - Possible Side-Effects Include...

[The witch who had agreed to fix Roxas's arm was a nice old lady, and has been very helpful in setting the broken bones in his arm. When she deems it ready for the cast to be removed, she instructs him to drink a potion. She insists that though the bones are healing nice enough to no longer need a cast, the potion will help make the bones as solid as they were before. However, it will have a few 'side-effects' that should go away on their own once the bones are solid once more. He hadn't known what the side-effects were (and it seemed as if the witch didn't, either), but he was eager to get his arm healed as soon as he could.]

[The side-effect, it seemed, would be random hot flashes, followed by a patch of emerald-green scales popping up on random parts of his body. Sometimes it was just on his arm, other times he had patches up his neck and across his chest, and so on. Those who know him well might be surprised to see him suddenly looking more reptile than not, especially if the scales crawl up his neck and frame his face.]

C - Right Back In The Water

[When the random hot flashes and scaly patches finally stop, Roxas is given a clean bill of health by the witch. He's more than pleased with the news, especially since this means he can do all the things he couldn't do properly before.]

[One of the first things he does is follow the river out into the sea. He hadn't been able to do more than sit in the shallows of the lake with his cast, and his scaly hot-flashes made transforming feel too strange, so he takes advantage of being able to properly swim again. He's gotten used to his mermaid form, and dare he say it, has fun swimming in the rougher currents the ocean kicks up. If anyone joins him at the beach, he's more than happy to come up and say hello, or go swimming with them.]

[Around town, Roxas has decided to be a bit more active as well. When he's not busy in the story drafts, Roxas has decided to help out a few people around town with what he can. Now that he's been given it by the Storyteller he can be found riding around on his skateboard, making some quick mail deliveries for some of the residents, or occasionally helping out with the tailor's shop. He also does still make occasional trips to the library, to read a bit more on the different stories within. Who knew they'd be so intriguing?]

Comments

[chippedsoul]

[Since those "night terrors", the Disciple has been keeping to himself, away from others and working in his lab to find a better solution to his essence side effects. The few times he has left his home, was to gather some quick materials, maybe a few books from the library or just something as simple as getting the mail.

He tries to be discreet about his movements, but sometimes, you can't always avoid everyone. Perhaps he was just too exhausted to hear the sound of someone skateboarding down the streets. If he actually knew what a skateboard was anyway, but basically someone on some wheels. So as he goes to collect his mail, he's startled when Roxas comes blazing by.]

[twilightskey]

[Today was a pretty good day. Only a few packages to deliver, and he's down to his last one; no name, just an address. It's one he doesn't immediately recognize, but as he rounds the bend, he suddenly realizes he's been to this building before. And before he can stop himself, he sees a familiar sight waiting at the front of the building.]

[Roxas nearly stumbles off his skateboard in his shock, and it's by sheer miracle that he doesn't drop the parcel in his hands. But once he does come to a stop, he straightens, package held before him and eyes a little wide.]

...

[...well. This was awkward.]

[chippedsoul]

. . . [The awkward silence persist a moment longer. For Roxas to be able to go around town and work, he's clearly doing much better now. That's good. He lets out a sigh, breaking the silence.]

Is that for me? [One of them had to break the ice. At least if that is his package, Roxas can deliver it to him and be on his way.]

[twilightskey]

[The question jolts Roxas from his stupor, and he looks at the package in his hand before looking back at the Disciple. He nods wordlessly, offering the package to him.]

[The air is tense, he can feel it. And though a strong sense of wariness persists within Roxas, he can't help but look the Disciple over. As calm and polite as he is now, it's hard to imagine him and the wild madman Hyde as being the same person. He also notes that despite the violent change, he doesn't look worse for wear.]

...you're looking better.

[chippedsoul]

[The staring doesn't bother him too much. It's to be expected at this point. He just has to look pass it when it happens.] I should be saying that to you.

[He accepts the package from Roxas.] I'm sorry...for what happened.

[twilightskey]

[The comment makes Roxas glance down at his arm, flexing his fingers briefly before lowering it back down to his side. He'd just finished dealing with the side-effects of that witch's healing potion, so he's definitely doing better. But still, despite the apology, he can't help the frown that forms on his face.]

Did you know about... that part of your Essence?

[His tone might sound a little accusatory, but he wants to know. He knows that Shizuo was familiar with Hyde, and that's about it; he wants to know more so he knows how to deal with Hyde in the future.]

[chippedsoul]

[He can hear it in his tone and honestly, he can't blame him for feeling that way.] I did. [There's no hesitation in his response, his expression gone rigid.]

[twilightskey]

And you thought it would be better to surprise us all, rather than try and tell people about it?

[His fist clenches at his side, and there's some anger in his tone now. As far as he knew, only Shizuo and Kotori knew about Hyde aside from him. How often has Hyde surfaced? And he had to wonder what could have happened had he been someone who couldn't get away or trick Hyde the way he had, or had someone else been there instead of him.]

[But rather than raise his voice or throw accusations at the Disciple, Roxas takes a slow breath and fixes him with a hard look.]

Who else knows about Hyde?

[chippedsoul]

[He lets him say his piece, being stoic as ever.]

I've warned people when there's a chance of a fight breaking out. Hyde has only ever shown himself when there's a battle to be fought. [At least up until recently. It might have been an oversight on his part, to believe he'd just behave and stick to the same pattern. Or at least, he thought he had more time before things would escalate.]

[twilightskey]

Well, I don't think that attacking the barrier counts as a battle.

[So either the Disciple was lying about the amount of control he had over his Essence, or Hyde had developed further. Which, in a way, made sense; his own Essence powers had developed after coming back from their latest Draft repair.]

Are you getting anyone to help you with this? With controlling Hyde?

[chippedsoul]

I've been working on it, since the moment I became aware of his presence. [That doesn't really answer the question.]

[twilightskey]

That doesn't answer my question.

[Which means... the Disciple's probably doing this on his own. He remembers something Kotori said, the night he broke his arm.]

We're supposed to be allies, aren't we? All of us Aspects are working towards the same goal. So why are you doing things on your own? Do you not trust us to help you?

[chippedsoul]

[He stiffens at the idea of working with others, nearly scowling at the suggestion.]

We may share a common goal, but I trust no one but myself. This is my problem and I'll find the solution myself. [By the finality in his tone, it doesn't sound it'll be easy to persuade him away from this mindset.] I shouldn't keep you much longer.

[twilightskey]

So you don't trust us, but still expect us to just trust your word?? Explain to me how I'm supposed to do that when trusting you led to my arm getting broken.

[He scowls right back at Disciple, not ready to just take that dismissal.]

I'm not saying you have to be friends with everyone, but at least accept help when it's being offered. If only to make sure what happened to me doesn't happen to anyone else.

[chippedsoul]

I don't expect anything from anyone. [They mind their business, he minds his own. Still...Roxas admittedly has a point, that someone else could get hurt.]

You can help, by staying out of my way.

[twilightskey]

And leave you to rampage on your own if it happens again?

[He shakes his head.]

You're either too stubborn or too stupid if you think that's a good idea.

[chippedsoul]

From what I've been told, you barely did anything to him. What makes your decision to pursue me any less stupid?

[twilightskey]

[Roxas actually grits his teeth at the reminder. If I had my full powers, he keeps thinking, but that's not the point he's trying to make.]

Because your stupid stunt got my friends involved, and I want to make sure you don't try and hurt them if this happens again. Because I actually care if people get hurt, rather than blame them for not staying away.

[chippedsoul]

[His eyes narrow. Of course he doesn't want others to get hurt, it gets his blood boiling that this child wouldn't think he be worried. But there's help and then there's recklessness.]

And just what exactly are you going to do? You're more of a liability than actual help.

[twilightskey]

I was caught off-guard. It won't happen again.

[And he says it with conviction. He won't be that vulnerable again.]

Besides, I know my way around dealing with the darkness in people's hearts. [And beating it into submission.]

[chippedsoul]

Darkness? That thing was forced onto me, not from me. [There's a difference.]

You talk a lot. Until you can prove your words, I would stay cautious.

[twilightskey]

[He clenches his fists, and he frowns.]

Fine. If that's what it'll take, then I'll show you next time.