[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[It's the rain that finally pulls Richard back to consciousness from where he's lying on the forest floor amidst the new greenery. He blinks his eyes open and tries to lift his head to see where he is, memories of the past week filtering slowly back to him as his grip on consciousness gradually grows more firm. He's about to move to attempt to sit up when a sudden stabbing pain in his abdomen causes him to double up with a sharp gasp, and as he does so, he chokes on an all-too-familiar coppery taste and panic floods his mind in turn, because it's just like--

It's a long moment before he's able to calm down enough to think rationally. He's not going to die. The Malnosso didn't want to kill him. But he needs to get home somehow and get help. A nearby tree works well enough to help get him upright (albeit with considerable effort); after another moment to steady himself, he sets out in what he hopes is the direction of the village.

He can be found making his unsteady way towards House 28, pale and leaning on nearby objects to help him remain upright, one arm wrapped gingerly around his stomach. It's pretty clear that he's not in the best shape, though he's determined not to ask for any assistance. Once he finally makes it to the house, it takes the last of his energy to open the door. That's all he can manage-- he staggers a few paces inside, then collapses on the floor, too tired to go any further.

'Sup housemates, he's home.]

Comments

[musubi]

[When Isamu hears the door open, he's already moving for it, hopeful.

Seeing his friend in that condition doesn't assuage any fears. He dashes toward Richard's fallen form, cursing and checking him over for injuries.]

Shit, man. You conscious?

[ledbythewind]

[Oddly enough, there don't seem to be any visible injuries at all. He's in perfect shape outwardly-- or, at least, what passes for perfect shape for him.

He makes a slight sound, though whether that was a response to what Isamu said or just a noise of pain is hard to tell.]

[musubi]

Come on. Stick with me.

[He'd dragged himself this far, so he can only assume nothing is broken too badly. There's no blood, so that's a good sign.

Bending down, he makes to carefully get Richard's arms over his shoulders. If he can get him on his back he should be able to bring him up to the bed.]

[ledbythewind]

[It's probably a good thing for Isamu that Richard doesn't weigh that much, so lifting him shouldn't be that difficult.

... at least, until jostling him around like that triggers a sharp cry of pain and causes him to choke again; he claws at Isamu's shoulders in a desperate attempt to signal the other to put him back down, still coughing.]

[musubi]

Shit.

[Isamu sets him back down gently.]

Shit, I'm sorry. No more moving you.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard just slumps over, arms wrapped around his stomach as he continues to cough. And that's... definitely a mouthful of blood he just coughed up onto the floor there, and he's still choking too...]

[musubi]

Shit.

Shit shit shit.

What can I get for you? How do I fix this?

[He sits down beside him, rubbing the blond's back. He's at a loss.]

[ledbythewind]

[At last Richard manages to get the coughing under enough control for him to get a few words out.]

You... can't. Not... an injury.

[musubi]

Goddammit.

Don't talk then, just. I dunno, just rest a little.

[Meanwhile, he continues with the back rubbing.]

oh uh early-game Graces spoilers for this now

[ledbythewind]

[It's a lot less frightening this time knowing that he isn't going to die and having someone with him, but there are still a lot of bad memories associated with this.]

... it's poison. It's all right... I've been through this before.

[temzan]

[Halfway to town herself when she spots him, hard to make out much between the rain and the gray. But she sees a man doubled over and regardless of specifics, Judith hurries to catch up and make sure he won't drop dead on the side of the road.]

[ledbythewind]

[Fortunately he still seems to be very much alive when she gets there, as is evidenced by his coughing. But he doesn't seem to be in good shape, and in fact he doesn't even notice her approaching at first, so distracted is he by said coughing. If she wants to get his attention, she's going to have to say something or otherwise alert him to her presence.]

[temzan]

...

[The coughing's a good sign. Not the best, but alright in determining life. Judith bends down and tries to meet his gaze under matted wet bangs.] How bad does it hurt? [No need to dispense with pleasantries.]

[ledbythewind]

[He jerks his head up at the sound of her voice and looks for a moment as if he's about to scramble away; then, realizing she isn't a threat, he tries to get the coughing under control enough to be able to speak.]

It's... it's all right. I'm not injured.

[temzan]

Then you do a good job of looking the part.

[She offers him a hand, still trying to make a consistent eye contact. Judith stays steady, balanced on the balls of her feet, listening to the wheeze in his breath.] Can you stand?

[ledbythewind]

[That's enough to get a tiny, wry smile out of him as he reaches out to take that hand, using his other hand to balance himself by resting it on the ground as he attempts to push himself up slightly.]

I can certainly try.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[Cheria doesn't return to house 28 until an hour or so after Richard stumbled over the doorstep. She'd been out volunteering at the clinic and remained blissfully unaware that someone at her very own house needs medical attention as well. When she finally enters the hallway, her eyes are immediately drawn to a small puddle of blood on the floor. Blood that, unbeknownst to her, had been coughed up by none other than Richard.]

T-that's...! [Did Tiger Festival carry a dead animal inside the house?! Oh no...! What if she hid it under a piece of furniture?! Now Cheria's going to have to check the entire house.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Cheria's more than free to check Richard's room... in fact, Isamu has oh-so-kindly left the door open so that he can peek in on him every so often to make sure he's all right.

Right now he's just sort of dozing, though he'll cough every so often and end up partially waking up before shifting around and trying to fall asleep again. It shouldn't be hard to hear those coughs if she passes by, either.]

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[By the time Richard coughs, Cheria's already crouching down, her face pressed against the ground to peer carefully underneath the couch. The sound makes her look up again, straining her ears to hear better. Is that Isamu? No... But if it's not Isamu, that means-]

Richard? [She pushes herself to her feet and hurries down the hall towards his room.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[The sound is indeed coming from his room, but as he's half-asleep, he isn't aware of her presence just yet. She's going to have to wake him up if she wants him to realize that she's there... although from the way he seems to be thrashing around, it likely won't be long until he wakes up on his own.]

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

R-Richard! [Cheria won't intentionally wake him, but even if her startled cry wasn't enough, she rushes to his side immediately, placing a hand on his shoulder. She can tell from a single glance that he isn't in such good shape, but until she knows what the problem is, it may be best not to use healing artes.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[The lack of bandages or any other visible injuries should be at least somewhat reassuring, though the sheen of sweat on his skin from fever probably isn't.

When she touches his shoulder, he jerks awake with a startled cry, eyes darting wildly around the room in search of his mysterious attacker... until at last they fall on Cheria and he blinks as his fevered mind tries to process what's going on.]

... Cheria?

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[Startling him was definitely not Cheria's intention. She'll try to correct her mistake immediately by kneeling down beside the bed, her hand gently petting Richard's arm.]

It's all right, Richard. I'm here. You're going to be fine.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Slowly he relaxes and sinks back against the pillows, bringing a hand up to brush his bangs out of his eyes. He's calmer now, at least, but he still seems somewhat out of it.]

And Asbel...?

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

He's still on his mission... [She slowly moves a hand to Richard's forehead, confirming her suspicions of a fever. However, she assumes it's caused by illness, rather than poison.]

You're burning up. I'll go get you a wet cloth, all right?