5 - [voice] Mai, I'm sorry...

[forged_anew]

[Zuko's voice is soft, and for once there is no emotion in it. Blankly, he just states facts]

For anyone who was worrying, Mai and I are in the hospital now. I should be home soon, but... I don't know about Mai. We were attacked by something humanoid with long silver hair.

[There is a long pause, and it seems he forgot to turn the communicator off. When he continues, it's apparant he's talking to himself, tone pained]

Mai... She was right in front of me, less than a block away, just around the corner... Why couldn't I stop it? If I'd gone in front, or if I'd even had time to jump in front of her...

Dammmit all! If I had my Firebending, I might have at least had a chance to fight! But I couldn't do anything... Useless. So damn useless!

[He stops suddenly, coughing, and his voice sounds ragged and breathless, still thinking aloud] 

Why... couldn't I...do anything? I couldn't even get her to the hospital myself. She could have died and I couldn't do anything. I hate this place. I can't even protect the people I love.

[There is another pause, the sound of shifting blankets, quiet footsteps, and then a soft involuntary groan of pain before Zuko's voice is heard again, farther away (by Mai's bedside, actually)]

Mai... Mai, please... I'm sorry...


((OOC: For anyone who cares, Zuko's injuries, though they're all bandaged up now:  His left arm is pretty torn up and basically useless right now, there is a large gash across his back, and more minor claw wounds pretty much everywhere. ))

Comments

[voice] because it's hard to text one-handed

[forged_anew]

Dr. Muraki, right?

[a pause, and then his voice is hard steel]

I want my chip out. I'm stuck in the hospital anyway. You're here, aren't you? Take it out.

{ text }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

It can have unpleasant side-effects. With the high concentration of ash in the air, I can't guarantee you'll be safe as well, Mr. Zuko.

[voice]

[forged_anew]

Just Zuko. And can't you just talk to me? Reading the little writing is kind of annoying.

What kind of side-effects are we talking about?

{ voice ; english }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Very well.

Side effects would include sickness... I honestly believe the effects differ between people. Our bodies are built differently; DNA, subtle differences in molecular level...

I cannot say I know what will happen to you.

{ voice ; english }

[forged_anew]

That's fine. I'll risk it.

I need my Firebending back.

{ voice; english }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

I understand.

If you would like to talk about it in more detail, I'm available for a short moment.

{ voice; english }

[forged_anew]

That would be good. Can you come to my room?

{ action }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

[ Muraki makes a quick response to Zuko, then asks the young man for his room number. It takes him a few minutes to find Zuko's room - he had been in the floor above only - and when he arrives, he knocks several times before entering in. ]

I can spare a few minutes. [ he smiled softly at first, but that smile turns into an understanding frown as he approaches. ]

That is some injury you have there. [ he glances at the unconscious young woman on the next bed and seems to shake his head. But he says nothing else. ]

{ action }

[forged_anew]

[Zuko looks up when the doctor enters, eyeing him a little suspiciously at first. Silver hair... but he looked young. Well, people from different worlds were bound to look different.

He looks away, expression pained, when Muraki turns toward Mai, and answers emotionlessly.]

I'm fine. Thanks for coming.

{ action }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

[ The doctor comes closer, coming to stand next the injured young man's bed. He sighs, like a father would when he sees a predictable expression from his child. ]

Someone said just as much when I noticed their injury. I will have to trust your judgment then, won't I?

[ he pauses ]

Your injury however is no mere scratch on a shoulder or arm. I'm afraid I might have to wait until you've healed considerably. It is too fresh now, not to mention, the darkness and the high amounts of ash in the air might not be altogether good for an operation... even in an enclosed facility.

{ action }

[forged_anew]

[He looks up at the doctor, frowning a little and unsure whether he is being mocked or not]

Yeah, my arm's out of commission for now, but I will be fine. I'm not worried about myself.

[Zuko's voice is stubborn, but his eyes betray a hint of insecurity]

So do it as soon as you can. I can deal with the side-effects. I need my Firebending back.

{ action }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

[ He listens quietly, until Zuko finishes talking, and then politely speaks. ]

It will serve your purpose little if you rush things. I'm sure I will not be the first, or last, person to say that.

[ pause ]

A few days. Can you wait three days, at least?

{action }

[forged_anew]

[Golden eyes flicker toward the doctor in mild surprise. Dammit, did he have to sound just like his uncle? But... Zuko hates to admit it when others are right, but he gives a slow, grudging nod]

Three days. I'll wait.

[Not like Mai was going to be awake in-- he cuts off the stray thought, shoving it away quickly, but not before it has a chance to register, along with the feel of icy tendrils squeezing his chest. His gaze shifts involuntarily to Mai, pain in his eyes]

{action }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

[ Muraki notices, of course. ]

You wish to protect her? Is that the reason you want to remove your chip so hastily?

{action }

[forged_anew]

[There's no reason to hide it. Zuko nods, still staring at Mai, voice hard.] If I'd had my Bending, I might have at least had a chance to.... I need to keep this from happening again. I'll take the risks.

[He pauses, gaze dropping to his lap]

I couldn't do anything. I can't stand feeling this way... I can't even protect myself let alone those I care about.

[His voice is rising steadily, the fingers of his good hand clenching the blanket until the knuckles stand out white against his skin]

She was right in front of me and I didn't have the power to help her. Right. There. Just a few steps away, and I couldn't reach her! I-- [He cuts off suddenly with a hiss of pain, gripping his chest]

{action }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

[ Muraki leans close, as if suddenly concerned; and he is in the sense that he is a doctor. ]

Breathe slowly. Calm down. Deep breaths, Mr. Zuko.

{action }

[forged_anew]

[Tries to comply, but manages to growl through clenched teeth] Just...Zuko...

[Still fighting for breath, he clutches the material of his shirt and curls forward, knees drawn up. Dammit all! He was too weak to even raise his voice! So goddamn pathetic.]

{action }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

[ The doctor reaches forward to place a hand on Zuko's back, rubbing the area with the palm of his hand to calm the young man. ]

Breathe slowly. If you do not, you will aggravate your wounds.

[ he says firmly, but his voice takes a gentler tone afterwards ]

You can do this.

{action } - AHA! I found/made an icon!

[forged_anew]

[Winces, taking the doctor's advice and trying to take deep breaths, eyes shut tightly against the pain. It takes a few moments, but he finally manages to calm down, sagging backwards against the pillows and Muraki's arm]

I-I'm...fine... [he mumbles unconvicingly]

{action }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Slow, deep breaths.

[ He breathes just as slowly to demonstrate. ]

Follow my lead.

{action }

[forged_anew]

[Does so, hating the fact he can barely breathe by himself but not strong enough to muster any real feelings of resentment, much less a glare]

It's ok... [he mutters after a while, in a less labored tone, but still leaning back listlessly] I'm fine now.

But... Mai... can you do anything for her?

{action }

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

[ Muraki spares a glance at the young lady in the room and shakes his head. ]

Nothing that has not been done. What she requires now is rest; and her own will to survive.

{action } - OOC: I won't be around too much tomorrow, just so you know. : (

[forged_anew]

[Looks down. So the other doctors weren't just incompetents, then.]

I see... Then, if it's up to her will, she's strong.

[sighs, looking back up at Muraki, intending to sound resolute but not doing much of a convincing job it, considering his voice is still rather breathy and he's being propped up only by pillows]

I'll wait your three days, but can you at least tell me what to expect? I might get sick, you said. Anything else I need to know about?

{action } 8'D

[freundlichertod.livejournal.com]

Only to expect the unexpected.

[ One cannot expect to have all the answers at once, after all. ]

{action } 8'D

[forged_anew]

[Zuko nods slowly, closing his eyes for a moment. It was still worth the risk of course... and this guy seemed like he knew what he was doing. He couldn't afford to be patient right now.]

Three days. [he repeats quietly, raising determined golden eyes toward the doctor]

[Another pause, and this time he looks thoughtful] What is the customary method of payment here? I don't have this world's currency.