She guided him gently to walk a 180. Relieved that she suggested going to the hospital before they got any further down the road. There was a motel that was quite close by to her flat, so if he needed a place to stay for the night, and if he was uncomfortable sleeping on a spare futon, she’d just simply pay for a night there. It was much safer than outside, especially at night with creatures like the one she’d killed a little earlier.
Hearing what she had thought was Spike wheezing made her brows furrow in worry and a slight frown take to her features. Her instinctual query to ask if he was okay was held at bay, now not wanting to give him any redundant words, as his curt replies would hint at his annoyance of them. Of course though, if she was in the amount of pain Spike was in, she’d feel that way too. Maybe she’d be crying. She wasn’t sure. She’d never broken an extremity like that, but would like to hope she wouldn’t cry.
The silence wasn’t that uncomfortable, as her focus then honed in on getting him supplies that she knew she had, and making him, more namely his arm, as secure as possible. An arm bending like that was sure to make anyone cringe, and she was wondering how he wasn’t yowling in agony at this moment, even if it was at rest.
The weapon’s heart rate from that exciting, albeit battle had finally slowed to a much more normal humdrum. A deeper inhale, followed by exhale came from her, shoulders rising slightly and then falling. It reminded her she’d been successful in this fight, that she still lived, if the breeze that occasionally blew past her didn’t convince her enough.
A quiet hum of acknowledgement to his statement. Of course, a few things she was going to give him to use, to make sure his injuries would heal properly, at least, to the best of her abilities, maybe offer food and a place to sleep. Knowing not of any of the stranger’s needs besides the urgency of his damaged bone, she’d be sure to cover all bases before sending him on his way. He probably had places to go, people to see, a life to live outside of Death City, and she wanted to be sure he would be fine.
The man’s unfriendly tone didn’t offend her. In fact, she more ignored it. Maybe that’s how he was. Just a grumpy person like Ragnorak?
The answer to her question was met with a nod. She was glad the punishment for his ignorance wasn’t more severe, as she was sure she’d have to see the damage to whatever else besides Spike once she confirmed his safety and health. She didn’t have to think carefully about her next words, but wanted to make sure that the other knew.
“The creatures around here aren’t affected by those kinds of bullets. You’d need a firearm type weapon if you’re going to want to do some damage.”
Maybe he’d already figured that out for himself, but if not, clearing up some of the mysteries surrounding this area was something she was more than happy to do. His own question made a small smile come to her face.
“You’re in Death City, Nevada, United States. This city is in the middle of the desert, so it’s a little bit surprising that you don’t know where you are.”
Of course an outsider would find this area strange, and very dangerous. From the large castle-like building in the middle of the city to the grinning moon with blood running from in between its teeth. The city wasn’t an ordinary tourist destination with sights to see during nightfall. It was quiet, calm, but with silent dangers lurking.
Long discarding the soul and the leftovers from her friends’ apartment, they came to mind quickly, but were quickly cast out. They definitely weren’t important right now, and if Shinigami-sama or anyone else were to see what she’d did, she would get expelled, no doubt. To save a as far as she knew innocent life though, she’d risk it. He was in eminent danger, and she knew she needed to step in.
“I’m sorry that you had to go through what had happened tonight, but I can promise you that it’s safe during the day.”
She thought that was something that needed to be said. Having been tracked and your arm mangled by a monster is not how a first impression of a city, especially this enchanting, should go.
The return of his thoughts to the pain was inevitable. You never really felt bone until you broke it. Felt like something else had been forcibly inserted into you skin. What was an integral part of you wasn’t a part of you anymore. Gone. You wanted it all gone.
Spike forced his mind to wander – the broken arm guiding it like a gun pointed at the back. A reminder, ever present. Abandoned trying to surveil the concrete buildings that belonged to a different time – an older time, turning his attention to the fumes that was injected into the air with deliberate slowness.
Disorientation was inevitable- but even with the lack of awareness, he still knew.
For a minute, he found himself wondering if it was an open fracture after all. Meant trouble – he’d need professional attention. Couldn’t risk malalignment, given the dislocated elbow. Dislocated. Finally able to make much sense of what had happened.
Thoughts shifted. Tsubaki was still talking. Words were everywhere, humming, shifting in pitch and meaning before clearing themselves – flurrying into a state of being understood.
Ceased hearing further. Something he had already figured out. The latter half was unusual, but there were other things that weren’t clear. Not important. Move along. Move along.
The stones grinded beneath his feet, paving a dim grey that glistened, in an unblinking way. Slow movement. And if they didn’t hurry – even slower. Very easy targets then, and that was something he did not particularly look forward to. So much for a thrill.
Curious how this had made him reconsider things. Yes, he was in pain – but it was very easy to make the brain misinterpret it….nah, that wouldn’t work. Quacks were going to be quacks, and he didn’t trust a word of what they said.
Gaze wandered. He’d never heard of a place like that. Very fitting name.
Still very languid, though his lips were drawn. Strained. He’d heard that somewhere…
Eyes widened, muscle tautened. He could have turned around violently, but his arm prevented that. His tone was enough to indicate his incredulity. Jaws were a little slack when he spoke.
This was Old North America. Sure as hell didn’t look like that at all. He almost wanted to laugh. Laugh at the ridiculity of this. The compulsion rose to life within his throat, but it died a quiet death on the tip of his tongue.
The pain still persisted, cold metal pressed onto the back of his head, but he was facing something else altogether now.
If his speech had been curt before, it was not inhibited now.
Voice, then contained, control – now loud, jarring.
Regretted that the next second, but he bit back the wince from the sudden radiation that spread out from his arm. Almost successful, but it slipped through eventually. Bit into his tongue, trying not to get out the building curse. Not the time.
Earth? Couldn’t be. The moon didn’t look that. Didn’t look like anything. Caved in, splintered, just a source for ashen, fiery meteor showers…not this very literal face with a smile that seemed to replace one’s spine with static. Where? How?
Very dim possibility of a parallel world, but that was just a delirium induced thought. Part of a fabrication that made no sense. Genre-savvy, but it was something that could never physically happen. Not possible. Not yet.
Stupid thought. His head was starting to become more blurred by the second, he reckoned. Blamed the pain for that.
But if this was Earth – then there were bound to be communication towers. Satellites. Just had to get back to the Swordfish and -
- it couldn’t be that easy. The panels were still working, last he recalled, so communication wasn’t entirely non existent within the realm of possibility. But this was the sort of time where he would have to think of the likelihood of a catch existing. Lady Luck rarely indulged in the virtue of generosity.
Very fickle, like a few other people he knew – one woman in particular…
His face underwent a fleeting change of emotions, as did the way he held himself – colors taking the place of the other. Rigid, drawn to lax, resigned.
There was a touch of exhaustion, and he appeared to sag, droop a little, slouch becoming more pronounced. The cigarette hung in a less lazy manner, adding to the look of weary disbelief on his face.
A look that was directed at Tsubaki.
The sarcasm that laced his words was biting.
“Don’t plan on stickin’ around to find out.”
First thing in the morning would be to get the communication panel up and running. Hopefully the ship would be untouched. Unharmed.
