distressedude | 027 ~ [Action]

[The past few days have been rather strange for Ion. Between all the problems stemming off of what happened on Christmas eve and the incident with Kohan, something new has started happening. Something he can't quite explain.]

[It started out of nowhere. Just like that day when he was returned from the malnosso, he awoke with a sharp pain running down his arms and legs. But this time it felt different -- stronger. And it took more than a few minutes before he finally felt stable enough to move out of bed. For awhile, he thought perhaps it was nothing. Maybe he was just feeling a little sore from all the stress? It wouldn't be the first time stress had affected his health, after all.]

[But then it happened again at the library. And that was only a few hours after a rather nasty fall while walking around the village, scraping the palms of his hands and his knees. He's lucky it was snowing earlier that day, or it might have been even worse! But in the library, all he had been doing was sitting and reading. And then, once he tried to move again to find another book, his legs prickled with pain, pulling him back down where he'd been sitting.]

[Something was wrong. But what should he do? Would it be right to bring this up, knowing it might be nothing? Especially if it does turn out to be nothing, in which case he'd just be causing undue stress for the others. And he can't help but think back to that last conversation with Nephry...]

[Which is why he'll be popping over to go visit a certain friend, without notice -- rather unlike him, but he didn't exactly want to make the trek back home to fetch his journal. He'll just have to hope he's home...]

[After that, he'll be making his way home. But given the snow still falling and covering the ground, he won't be having a very easy time of it. At least the snow will provide a soft landing for when he trips over his own feet.]

--

((ooc: Hey guys! So this post is basically the starting point for a little plot I've got going for Ion. Feel free to catch him anywhere around the village, including: the plaza, Seventh Heaven, the library, walking towards C4, or making his way back to House 1.))

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[He looks up the moment she calls out to him, despite appearing to be rather out of it. Though at the same time, as if becoming aware that he must not look very well, he straightens up and smiles. It's not a very believable one, though.]

A-Ah, yes, I'm all right. I must have been sitting for too long and my legs fell asleep. It surprised me a bit when I tried standing a moment ago...

[His legs fell asleep? ...Really? And he's going to really stick with that, hm? Perona frowns, deeply and puts her hands on her hips. Does this child really think she was born yesterday or something?! What kind of lie is that - it's terrible!]

That was a little extreme for just surprise...and you're still in pain. [She tips her head, her frown becoming a scowl. Perona doesn't like being lied to.] It wouldn't be so painful if your legs merely fell asleep. Uncomfortable, but not that painful. Not unless you twisted something when you stood or sat back down. I'd offer my help, but if you're going to continue with your story, then I'll continue with my reading.

[...]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be dishonest... but I don't know what else could have happened. It started to hurt when I stood up, so I sat back down. This happened earlier, but now it's... not going away.

[Ion's kindness makes Perona raise her head a little bit - she's always a bit surprised when young males, even those in their teens, act so kind and polite. She's just been conditioned to expect the majority of them to be bratty little shits. So she feels a little guilty for what she said. A little.]

...Mm. How serious was it the first time, and how long ago did it happen? And has this happened before, in the past? [Sorry, Ion, Perona's nurse-ly instincts are kicking in. Blame Zoro for that, he gave her a lot of practice.]

It's been happening for a few days now, but today is the only day it's been this bad. It was only happening after I woke up, so I though perhaps I had just turned wrong in my sleep, but...

[He tries to move his leg again -- winces -- and then seems to relax a bit. The pain was dulling but still definitely there.]

...this is the first time it's happened during the day. I tripped in the snow earlier, but I don't think I hit the ground hard enough to cause this.

Weeh, it's been happening for that long and you haven't done a thing about it?! Stupid boy.

[Perona grumbles, as she remembers another stupid male she knows, who doesn't seem to ever heed her warning about going out to train or practice when he was still injured and needed to rest. Though Zoro's endurance was probably a hundredfold what this child's was. Sigh, and she can't turn down someone who's honestly hurt.]

Come on, I'll help you to the hospital, to have it checked. You can ride on Cerberus so you don't strain yourself, but you'll have to drag yourself up and out right now.

[Clearly Ion must just have selective hearing or something, because that insult doesn't phase him in the slightest. Instead he smiles, in spite of the pain, and nods. Maybe a check up at the clinic wouldn't be such a bad idea?]

Oh, that's very kind of you! Thank you. I should be able to stand in a moment or two...

...who's Cerberus?

[...Well, all right then. The lack of a snarky comeback is bizarre to say the least, but whatever, it just makes this easier on her. Perona can get right to business without much interference. That's definitely a pro she can roll with easily. Offering her hand for the boy when he's ready, she answers with a very small smile.]

Cerberus is my dog. [Her three-headed zombie dog.] He's a good boy, so if I tell him to, he can easily carry you!

[He reaches out to take her hand and stands, though not without a small wince as he does. His legs still ached, but not quite to the degree they had before, and it seems to pass in a few moments.]

Your dog...? Are you sure that would be all right?

[If it's anything like the puppy Tear got for Christmas, then it'd be pretty small, right?]

[Perona's grips is strong and firm, though not hurtful. In fact, she's going to be rather gentle with him once he's up, waiting for however long it may take him to get his bearings before attempting a few steps toward the outside. She'll have to abandon her books, sadly, but such materials can be fetched again later. Priorities are elsewhere right now.]

Yes, of course it is! I've already said he can do it if I tell him to! He's very strong, and could carry us both on his back, I think. But I'll have to lead him, and you'll need your space...so you can ride him by yourself once we get outside. Eeeh...you're not afraid of being up a little high, are you?

[Or, y'know...three-headed zombie canines.]

[How big of a big--]

[Oh.]

...er, how high up, exactly?

Eh...about as big as a horse? I think? [Halting their slow walk to the entrance of the library, Perona holds up her arm, hand about near her nose.] I think this is where his back usually is when I go up to him for a ride. Maybe a little less...I never really gave it much thought. He can bed down for you, though. And I can help you up.

[Perona herself is rather tall, so a dog being that big on her...yeah/ Have fun with the mental image.]

When we get outside, you can see for yourself.