fourteen | oo10 [ action ]

[ It is a dizzy, sick, and weak Xion that finally manages to make her way back into town after having been dropped off at the outskirts by her generous mallynappers. She'd so rather much not be out in the open right now, but she needs help and she knows it. The farthest she can make it is the fountain in the center of the village. That's where she collapses, curling up in a ball on the ground, leaning back against it.

For the first time in months, she's in full Organization regalia. She'd started to leave off the gloves and the dark cloak, just opting for the plain black uniform underneath and a different coat. But now it's all back, and the hood is up, the cowl hiding her hair and eyes in its shadow. Considering she never has her face covered these days, it's pretty obvious she's hiding for a reason.

She's shivering. Maybe if she curls up in a tiny enough ball and keeps her hands pressed down over her head -- maybe if she hides well enough -- no one will see her before she can gather up the strength to get the hell out of here. ]

(ooc; oh christ. I love you all but BED. tags tomorrow.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Don't be. It's not your fault.

[He's half tempted to remove her hood, actually. Hmm...]

[ well. he'd have to be sneaky about it, because she won't do it voluntarily. she does give a little nod, though, no longer trying to move away or leave. ]

[Well, he's going to do it quickly and quietly, before she has much time to react.]

[ OH GOD WHY WOULD YOU EVER. she actually cries out, recoiling from him, turning white as a sheet. ]

Don't-- please--

[ ... but there's nothing wrong. at all. it's just xion sitting there, looking stricken. ]

... Relax, Xion. It's okay.

[He shakes his head, patting her shoulder in hopes of some reassurance.]

... I ...

[ he's not. freaking out. slowly she reaches a hand up to touch her hair, which makes her realize. she's normal. ]

Oh.

[ well. hell. all the tension goes out of her in such a rush she slumps, burying her face in her hands. can has a hug nao please. ]

[Can has indeed! Here, he'll pull her into a hug right now.]

[ far from pulling away this time, she leans right into it, pressing against him and shutting her eyes. Rikuuuu ;~; ]

[That's good! And he'll remain right where he's at, since she looked pretty tired.]

I'm sorry, Riku. Really. The Malnosso were awful, and I feel so weak, and... I was scared. I didn't mean to react like ... that.

Xion, it's not your fault. If anything, it's theirs.

[He sighs.]

Anyway, we should probably head somewhere else, don't you think?

Yeah, you're right. But I...

[ ... am still not feeling well enough to stand, though she doesn't know how to say that. one of her hands finds his and she laces their fingers together, though. ]

[That's okay. Riku understands, and in return he'll give her hand a light squeeze.]

Need some help?

[ just nods, a little sheepish. ]

C'mon. I'll help you up.

[He gets up slowly, making sure she has room to stand. Heck, he'll be a walking crutch if he has to.]

[ she keeps a grip on his hand, so she can use the leverage he gives her to pull herself up, a bit. she still looks sheepish, but grateful, too. ]

Where to?

[That's fine. He'll take this one step at a time, for her sake.]

Your call. There anywhere you'd like to go right now?

Anywhere I can rest. I'm still really tired.

Want to head back to my place?

[It's her call, really. He just wants to spend time with her.]

[ ... well. she's going to go a tiny bit pink now, remembering what they did last time they, er, went back to his place. but it's as good as any to rest, so ... ]

Okay.

[And with that he'll nod and...start leading the way!]

[ keeps their hands together, because, well ... it's sorta helping her stay upright right now. ]

How long was I gone?

About two weeks.

[Which is what he intended, anyway. Riku's taking it slow for her sake, since he knows she's exhausted. Good thing his room's nice and cozy.]