dis(arm)ament

[coordination]

CHARACTERS: Yzak and you!
LOCATION: Various.
DATE: Also various, post-mission.
CONTENT: SOMEONE made a(nother) deal with an orb. Now he's dealing with that.
WARNINGS: Mention of limb loss but we ain't getting too descriptive with it.

#0: Another Dash of Flavor | (not a prompt)

[ So that return to the station, huh?

One moment on Xrisora, Yzak is reaching for the orb, and the next they're back on the station, him on the ground, minus an arm (and more, but that isn't physically notable - if your character can sense that sort of thing, though, he was also minus roughly half of his own lifespan, however that would be picked up by anybody). Though even amongst the chaos and the blood from having a limb torn from him, said limb isn't ... there. But boy, that orb is sure glowing, isn't it? Ha ha! It's not hard to figure out what happened from Degar's words about share of bargains and bad ideas, but that's not the only way to infer what went down. Asking Sabriel or Peter about it will net someone an answer as they were aware of his plans, as well as Soldier Blue - who is also a visual answer as to why it happened, as he doesn't appear to be at death's door anymore. Still thin and frail, but upright, alert, and with a life in his eyes that he hadn't had before.

Yzak made a deal with one of the orbs. One independent of his reason for coming here to undo a regret.

And this was the cost for it. ]

---

#1: I Lived Bitch | (infirmary ; ota)

[ Losing an arm and a chunk of one's life takes a lot even out of a Coordinator as impressive as Yzak would surely boast that he is. So he's out of commission for the the first couple of days after their return, the Ximilia just a tad more quiet than it usually is. But stubborn as he is right down to the core of his soul, he does not let unconsciousness hold him for long.

He's alert after he wakes, though a little woozy from the energy drained from him on top of the painkillers (which may loosen his tongue some, but would anybody really take advantage of that right now? (please take advantage of that right now)). He's otherwise being a good patient, sticking to bed to rest even though he can walk just fine and will as soon as he starts to feel good enough to, thank you very much.

But in the meantime, drop by and say hi! Lavish him with get well gifts and attention! He's not averse to speaking of what went down, and surely some people are curious as to what the hell happened back there. ]

---

#2: Adapt | (various places, will note ; ota)

[ As established, Yzak can walk just fine. So when he actually is feeling up to it, he'll jump at the first opportunity as being stuck in one place with little to do for so long is maddening to him. Still, he's stubborn but not stupid, and isn't planning to overdo it because he'd rather move forward than backwards and wind up back in the infirmary.

Especially because the path ahead of him is a long, daunting one.

Healing aside, which itself is going to take a bit of time, it's the adjustment that's going to be a challenge. But Yzak is determined, regardless of whatever path lies ahead of him, so his eyes stay forward because he still has so much to do; that hasn't changed. ]

A. [ In the training room, he can be found focusing on his posture and balance. His movement is a bit stiff both from lack of mobility lately as well as care to not overdo it but still at least get a feel for what he can work on as time goes on. So he keeps it simple for now, small obstacles and the feel of weapons in his hand. First is a knife, which he turns as he rotates his wrist, seeming pleased with it. It's when Yzak gets to picking up his pistol that he makes a low, thoughtful sound. ]

I've got to figure out an efficient way to reload this thing...


B. [ In the kitchen is where some classic Yzak frustration comes out. Used to the speed at which he can usually do things, he ... can't! Not immediately, anyway, because he's used to two hands either doing two different things at once or quickly getting something aside for later. Now? He's got to take it slow or else he's going to overwhelm himself. And one thing Yzak hates is to feel like he's being too slow at something. ]

Aaaaaugh!

[ A clang can be heard by any passers-by. If inspected, thankfully there is no mess and nothing is on fire, but Yzak does look quite frazzled. ]


C. [ Within this new busy schedule of his, there are pockets of chill and rest. Sometimes in the sunlight room because after a whole mission under water, even artificial light is a welcome feeling, and it's relaxing on his injury. Sometimes he's reading, and sometimes he's nodded off in the sunlight like a cat, because he is still recovering.

And sometimes he's in his usual place of the hallways, sitting on the sill of one of the windows and looking out at the faint glimmers of light that the distant stars give off. ]

---

#3: Wildcard & OOC | (current and new cr welcome)

Feel free to tweak any prompt and I'll roll with whatever! Or just wildcard me, baby, I'm here for it. If we've already got a thread going, I'm more than happy to double up if you wanna tag here too! Poke me at gaignun, Tara#1768 or PM me here if you have any questions/want to kick around ideas if nothing stands out! The inbox is always open, too. ♥

Comments

1

[firstroar]

[from the moment Yzak is conveyed to the infirmary to be treated and stabilized, Blue is seldom far from his side. even with the assurance that he is out of danger, knowing he went through the trauma of having lost an entire limb is hardly something to sigh in relief over! and it's quite frightening in those hours where his psionics go silent, leaving him to wonder in the world alone, without the assurance of Yzak's ambient, unconscious thoughts at-hand.

there's much to be said about having suddenly been freed from the yoke of a rapidly dying body, and it'll be spoken of elsewhere. for now, Blue can rely on these new resources to better keep watch over Yzak's dreams - to assure a wandering, dreaming mind that he and all the others are safe.

all the ones still here.

grief is Blue's closest companion in his brief vigil, because Finn's disappearance has torn up Blue's heart in a way very difficult to describe. no others were as close to him in such a natural way - a kinship that was not unlike finding another Mu in another world, where so much could be spoken and unspoken and altogether understood in a resonance no human alone could provide. Blue loved him so dearly, loves him still in his loss...and quietly weeps alone knowing their bond was now half-forgotten.

he wouldn't be able to stand it, were he to look away too long and find Yzak gone, too; it would be quite in line with the quixotic way the orbs worked their deals, wouldn't it? but even with this new vitality, he's certain he wouldn't survive it. not the both of them all at once!

there may be a bit of hazy deja vu in those periodic moments of lucidity, when Yzak can breech the surface of a painkiller-fueled rest and see his lover sitting beside him with a sad but serene and loving smile on his face, eyes bright and wet, pallor healthier than it had been in a long time. Blue will answer whatever nonsense spills out of his addled mind, kiss him and assure him to rest, and still be there when his body finally decides it's time to properly wake.]

[coordination]

[ It is a lot like deja vu, the way where he catches glimpses of Blue's form sitting beside him. He can hardly really tell how he looks in those moments, whether or not it's real that he sits up straighter or that his face and hair look a little more lively, or if it's just Yzak dreaming it like he's so often done before. In those moments his mind fights, desperate to know, desperate to clear itself from this unstable consciousness and wake up because this isn't the time to be sleeping! Not when he needs to know if he's truly succeeded. He needs to know...

He needs to know...

But he won't know for a couple of days, because despite his mind's struggle, his body doesn't allow it. The times Blue is there to soothe him and kiss him help his body in that regard, easing his mind if only for those moments before sleep consumes him again.

When it is finally time for him to really wake up, he sees and feels everything just a little more clearly. He's not quite in pain because the painkillers are doing their job to numb it, yet he knows he's fucked up enough that he needs to be wary of it. But the lights above him now are clearer when he blinks his eyes open and gazes at the ceiling to focus them. The last times this happened still don't feel like they were real. But this time it does, so now he can know. He turns his head to Blue, his form coming into better focus. ]

Blue...

[ He's still a little loopy, but clearly awake now. And as his mental focus returns, it's all on him, taking every little detail of him in, looking for his answer. ]

[firstroar]

Hello, dear.

[Blue scoots in as Yzak's focus sharpens, and he brings a hand and sweeps some of Yzak's bangs from his face.]

You're in the infirmary. Back on the station. You're out of danger... Everyone is.

[coordination]

[ Danger. But there was no immediate danger when they were leaving Xrisora. Only... ]

The orb—

[ He chokes it out, those final moments coming back to him clearly. Xephia holding out the 'wishing pearl' after all was said and done, Yzak reaching for it, feeling himself physically be drawn back to the station while his mind reached out elsewhere.

It's as if Blue's touch activates him. He bends his knees, pushing against the mattress with his heels to slide himself upward to sit up. His left hand braces him as he does so and he automatically assumes his right does - but then he groggily looks to his right, sees the sleeve of his infirmary gown droop, empty. ]

What happened, [ He breathes out, head turning back to Blue as those memories between their exit and return to the station flood in, his mind racing. He remembers what he asked, he remembers what he gave, even if in his hazy half-panic it's not fully, really set in yet. ] did it work?

#1

[spacedisaster]

[ Peter doesn't have to drop by the infirmary because he's been here since they came back to the station. He had only left Yzak's side to let those with medical knowledge tend to his wound, using the opportunity to shower and change his clothes quickly. They were stained with his friend's blood after the man made it to the station with one less arm, and Peter helped to urge him into the medical area.

He is both skittish but quiet as he waits for Yzak to come back to the world of the living, keeping Blue and other possible visitors company, but also leaving the room if the two loverbirds might need time alone.

Today, Peter is sprawled in a chair with one leg over the armrest, and his earphones on. As soon as Yzak rouses from sleep, and then looks adorably confused due to being drugged up to his gills, Peter turns his Zune off and his full attention to him. ]

Wakey wakey, sunshine. How you feeling? Says the word and we can get you more of the good drugs.

[coordination]

[ Drugged up to the gills but thank goodness they're not literal gills anymore. Being in this sort of state and in a form not truly his would have been that much more difficult to deal with.

How are you feeling, Peter asks? The low groan that Yzak lets out is answer enough to that. He's groggy, confused, still recovering and thankfully numbed to the pain right now, but clearly angry about all of these facts. Because they're all things stopping him from just hopping out of bed that he usually opts to upon waking.

He brings a hand - his only hand, now, huh, up to his head, shutting his eyes as he pulls in a slow breath, answering as he lets it back out. ]

I think I'm fine on that for now... [ For now. He'll see how these next few hours go.

He cracks open a blue eye that meets Peter's gaze. ]

Hello, Peter.

[spacedisaster]

Ey, take it easy, Yzak.

[ Peter sits properly, reaching out to place a hand on Yzak's left shoulder and give him a squeeze. He's trying to sound comforting, but there's a badly hidden concern in his voice. They both knew that repercussions were inevitable when dealing with the orbs, but that didn't make the situation any easier to handle. ]

Hi. Are you feeling dizzy? You lost a lot of blood. Most of it has been replaced, but you'll still have to rebuild your blood supply by drinking a lot of water and eating meat.[ He drops his hand to the matress, taking a deep breath and waiting for Yzak's reaction before mentioning the elephant in the room. ] So you did it. The deal.

[coordination]

I'm...

[ Honestly, he knows he isn't okay and these painkillers are the only thing keeping him from wanting to force himself into unconsciousness to escape the pain. They're doing their job for sure.

And though he's not okay in that manner of speaking, he's still alive. And that's honestly all he could ask for here, because it's what he wanted out of this when it could have gone so much worse. The pain he'll feel once these drugs wear off will be nothing compared to these last few months of anticipating and constantly thinking about the sort of pain he'd be feeling had this failed.

He did tell Peter it would be worth it. And it is. It will be. Even if he might be a little optimistic about recovery right now since he's pretty numbed up. But he'll deal with that later. ]

That's right. [ He swallows, throat dry, and then squirms some, pushing himself to half sit up by scooting with his legs and bracing himself with his hand. ] I did it.

I did it. [ He has to say it twice, as if he needs that extra bit of assurance. ] He's okay. [ Blue is okay and they're both still alive. That sword that's been hanging over his head, that clock that's been ticking down in his ears, they're both gone now. ]

2b (or not 2b)

[aurable]

[ For obvious reasons, Drift doesn't make regular appearances in the kitchen. Today was purely coincidental that he was there checking to make sure no one mistakenly stocked the fridge with Energon (again) when he heard a frustrated shout. When he poked his head around the corner, whatever had clattered to the floor was a dull echo ringing in his ears. ]

Are you alright?

[coordination]

I'm fine!

[ The frustrated response comes quickly, defensively, as Yzak spins around to face whoever's addressing him. ]

—Drift. [ A beat, an exhale, but that only drains so much of his current tension. Still, when he repeats I'm fine, it's a little less aggressive than the first retort.

He speaks nothing of his current state or condition - it's known by now among the crew what happened to Yzak between recovering the orb and returning to the station. ]

I just - grabbed for something too fast. That's all! [ And by "too fast," he means he moved to reach with an arm that wasn't there out of reflex, half lost his balance and quickly moved his left hand to brace the edge of the counter, smacking one of the pots that hasn't yet been used. ]

[aurable]

[ Drift's hands go up the moment Yzak redirects his frustration at him in the universal 'hey man, no worries' gesture. ]

I heard. [ He aid mildly, hands going to his side as he acted like Yzak adjusting to his condition was an everyday occurrence. Walking into the kitchen, Drift picked up the pot that had been dropped before moving to the sink. As the water started running, Drift attempted conversation. ]

Suffering — what's the human term, the 'munchies'?

[coordination]

I just want some lunch.

[ Yzak is a sophisticated man who doesn't use words like munchies. But you know what, even though he's up and about, he's still on a low dose of painkillers so his appetite is a little higher than it usually is. So he absolutely has the munchies, yes. ]

And I prefer to make it for myself when I can. Unless it comes from someone who I know can actually cook.

1

[bindsthedead]

Feeling better?

[Guess who's been spending much of her time in the infirmary, fretting over Yzak- making sure the healing spell she applied to stop the bleeding is still there, and reinforcing the initial casting.

Sabriel might not be able to regrow limbs, but she can and will do everything in her power to help someone who's effectively her brother. She's got snacks ready by his bedside, along with an insulated mug of that tea she knows he likes.]

Whatever power the orb holds, it's not interfering with the healing spell.

[coordination]

And I'm not keen on testing those limits. [ Because he'd like to not set himself back and wind up staying in the infirmary for even longer, thank you very much! It's already agonizing enough for him to be here for as long as he has. ]

Thank you. [ He says, shifting himself to sit up properly - this is going to be one of the first things he's going to need to adjust to one-armed. But he's not doing a bad job of it, so far. ]

I'm feeling... [ He takes the cup, bringing it up to his lips but pausing before he takes a sip, considering his answer. ] Fine, I guess.

[ It's a vague answer, because he's not in constant pain due to the painkillers, he's ... happy because what he sought out to do actually worked, but he knows that he's going to have to do a lot of extra work once he's up and about again to get used to his body like this. ] There doesn't seem to be any interference, maybe because it got what it asked for, as opposed to having something taken away from it. [ Because that was the case when Sabriel used to her resurrection magic, wasn't it? ]

[bindsthedead]

Good. Let me know if the healing spell needs renewing.

[Hopefully by the time the mission starts, it will be healed enough that there's no worry of reopening or infection. But Yzak telling her that he's all right, that there's been no hidden costs... it eases some of Sabriel's fears.]

I- I'm glad it worked. For both your sakes.

#1: I Lived Bitch

[groupiedrifter]

Well, if it isn't another stupid bastard from a line-up of stupid bastards!

[Granted, the voice that announces that a decibel too loudly doesn't sound angry per se; if anything, it's a light round of bullying from a worried, exasperated party. Newt could've been angry about it, once upon a time. Worried and angry and all of those things, rolled up into a towel of words he could whip Yzak across the ass with. But... that was once upon a time, when Newton hadn't already made his own bargain.

He's just relieved he's not dealing with his own side-effects right now, so he can properly lambast Yzak and feed him. Yeah, he's got a plate of what they'd served at movie night — grilled fish and rice and those flaky nice sweets that Joe likes so much... all of that. As he sits down backwards in the nearest chair, he looks Yzak over with a slight frown.]

Jeez, dude. Warn a guy before you freak him out...

How're you feeling?

[Beyond the fucking obvious, which is a big deal.]

[coordination]

[ Damn Newton, you're just out here taking Yzak's job of calling other people stupid bastards!

He's lucky Yzak is a little sedated right now, otherwise he would have gotten a very loud, biting retort to that! Instead, he still does get a very glary Yzak look at daring to use his favorite phrases on him. ]

Hey—!

[ But that's all Newton gets, as he comes over to take a seat near him with his offering. ]

I could be feeling a hell of a lot worse. [ He settles on those words, because they're not untrue, but he knows he's feeling a bit like hot garbage right now, even if his pain is currently subdued.

He meets the other man's gaze. ]

I would have warned you, at least, had it come up. But... [ One of his fingers rubs idly at the fabric of the covers beneath where it's rested. ] I also didn't want to deal with questions and bullshit after what happened on E-23b if I didn't have to. Not when my mind was long made up.

[groupiedrifter]

Yeah, well!

You shouldn't be making deals outside of the station; these orbs are too freaking unpredictable when they're all apart like that. [... But. After a moment, he sighs — one of those obnoxious sighs that says he knows there's not much that needs to be said there.] So? What was the request?

[He knows the cost, but y'know, it'd be nice to know the reason.]

#1 crawls here after 84 years... if this is too late pls dismiss :sob:

[naloxone]

[ yzak's stay at the infirmary isn't a lonesome one, for sure. even the hours where visitors are strongly encouraged to depart there'll be someone there from the unofficial medical team, looking him over and making sure he's well tended to. even if he doesn't need it, because he's the picture perfect patient (obviously!) it's still part of the job.

marta happens to be one of those who make the rounds, looking over his charts and the readings on the machines that inform her how well he's getting on. the loss of one of the infirmary's heavier hitters is an absence easily felt, but they're all managing as best they can. as it stands, the aftermath of a mission always happens to be the busiest for those who haunt the infirmary, so if she seems more tired than usual please ignore it. ]

Your vitals are looking well, Yzak. How are you feeling?

[ it's a little later in the evening when she checks on him, just a little after dinner time so a few visitors may still drop in before she'll kindly shoo them away. ]

it is neVER TOO LATE

[coordination]

I'm feeling fine, of course.

[ His default answer, and it's not a lie. The painkillers are doing their job and he's actually sticking to bed to recover. Even if he has made it abundantly clear that both of his legs are perfectly intact, so once he's good enough to move about, he has every intention to not spend more time here than necessary! ]

And I'll likely recover faster than the average Natural would. So you'll have a little less work on your end of things, too.

You look like you could use that.

🥺🥺🥺

[naloxone]

[ to yzak's credit, he's always been a pretty model patient whenever he's had the misfortune of ending up in it. certain levels of crankiness aside, he actually listens to his orders, thus making everyone else's job in the infirmary that much easier.

so when he says he's feeling fine, she believes him. at least physically, the readings would all support it. ]

Don't worry too much about that.

[ she moves to take the empty seat by the bed, smiling sincerely even if it is a little tired. she recalls their time in e-23b, the night before the big fight. her guilt over choosing to stay behind, and kovacs' gentle but firm reassurance that, due to the nature of her skillset, her real work almost always happens when they return to the station and everyone else gets to rest.

her eyes drift over yzak's features, quietly formulating her words. ]

...Did you want to talk about it?

3

[firstroar]

Welcome back.

[Blue turns his head and smiles at Yzak as the door opens, having felt him on his way back. the Mu himself has been finishing up moving his room's important contents to theirs - decorating a part of one bare wall with the paper stars Finn and James made for him.

the chimes tinkle gently with the small gust of air of the door opening.]

How did cooking go?

[coordination]

[ The small scowl is all the answer Blue needs. ]

Fine! It went fine!

[ He huffs. It did not, in fact, go fine. The way Blue's voice mingles with the soft chime that echoes through the room, though, washes over him instantly to calm him a little bit. ]

It just took - longer than necessary.

[firstroar]

[he turns his gaze before sympathy can paint his expression too much and hurt Yzak's poor prickly pride.]

You'll only get better with time. It's inevitable. [he moves away from the wall, gesturing to it.]

I finished. They all fit on this part of the wall together. [as opposed to how they'd been scattered all throughout his old quarters.]

#1 - Infirmary

[unclesam]

[ Sam's treated wounds like this before. With terrifying regularity in Afghanistan during his two combat tours as a pararescue, and once here on the Ximilia when he was forced to amputate Tony's arm. Dealt with a lot of vets who'd lost limbs, too.

So Sam's good at not pushing too hard, not treating Yzak like this loss makes him less - same time his position in the infirmary offers him the unique ability to actually be of some assistance - both for the physical side of the recovery, as well whatever might be nagging on Yzak's mind. They might not be the closest, but for situations like this, Sam knows that can be easier to bear.

They're over the very rough first moments, some time into Yzak's stay in the infirmary but before he starts making all that use of his legs again. ]

Ready to let me check on that bandage?