19 - [Video] - Backdated to Thurs 9th Jan

[winds_voice]

[Whoever's watching the feed right now can probably tell that something's not quite right. Not only does Eley look blackened and sore as if he had been scorched somehow, but the tree behind him also looks as though it has met a similar fate, with shattered branches and charred bark.

And in his hands, he's holding some remnant of what might have been a scarf at one time, though right now it looks like nothing more than a rag.]

Why would anyone do this? How could they... enjoy such a thing?

[He sounds tired, disappointed, though that quickly turns to bitter anger.]

Edmundo the Blade has made an enemy of me. He has shown nothing but disrespect. I should not have let him get this far. If only I was not so complacent, so tied to the path of peace, this would not have happened. My tree...

[Yes, he's more concerned about the tree than he is about himself right now.]

If anyone knows a way to repair the damage, I would be grateful to you.

Comments

[reviling]

[So the tree was a connection, a reminder. It's something Levi can understand - all too well, for his own reasons. He doesn't question its value.

Still, it wouldn't do any good for this person to waste time answering his questions if he needs medical help, so Levi moves on.]

...can you move on your own?

[winds_voice]

[Honestly, Eley couldn't answer that question yet. He hadn't tried to move far at all since the attack, but now he'll give it a try. He can't sit here forever after all.

The Spirit pushes himself up from where he's sitting, trying to get onto his feet, though his skin burns even more from the motion and he finds that it's too much to bear for the time being. Wincing noticeably from the pain he slumps back down and gives a light shake of his head.]

I am afraid I will need time to heal before I can move elsewhere. It... hurts too much.

[reviling]

[it's obvious just how much pain he's in, but as bad as the injuries are, if he can move that much they likely aren't life-threatening. Levi's been at the side of too many soldiers as they've died, and he's never keen to repeat that experience. He stays where he is for now, not moving forward or extending a hand quite yet.]

I can carry you. Burns this bad aren't something I know how to treat.

[everything else, though, he's had some amount of experience with.]

[winds_voice]

[Eley seems to hesitate at the offer. Medical attention would speed his recovery, but at the same time, his sense of duty is leading him to want to remain where he is to protect what was left of this tree.]

I appreciate your concern. We have only just met and... already you seem to want to help me.

[He would normally question why, but for now he's thankful for the attention. He doesn't seem to have any malicious intent at least.]

But... I am hesitant to leave this place. If Edmundo were to return, I want to be here to confront him. I will not allow him to do any more damage here.

[reviling]

I don't like watching people die pointless deaths, which is what will happen to you if this creep comes back to finish you off.

[His voice is flat, on the edge of irritation, but Levi's not going to expend energy to help someone who doesn't want it. Needless and unprovoked suffering is something he hates seeing, but it will also be good to have someone whom he might be able to call in a favor on later. So his motivations aren't entirely charitable.]

And if he kills you, no one will be around to protect your tree, and there will be nothing left of those precious memories you have.

So what'll it be?

[winds_voice]

...

[Eley is silent as he mulls over those words. Though he hates to admit it, he's probably right that he wouldn't be able to fight back the way he wanted to, should Edmundo reappear. He needed to expend a great deal of energy to assume the form of the dragon, something he wasn't sure he could muster in his current state. And like this... well, if it hurt just to move, what use would he be trying to fight?

He needed to recover and return here as quickly as he could. Though he knew that death was only temporary in Luceti, that could be time enough for the whole area to be destroyed.

Finally, he gives a nod of approval to Levi.]

You are right... I should focus on my own recovery, so that I may return to protect what is still here.

Though... I should ask your name if you are intending to help me like this.

[reviling]

It's Levi. Yours?

[Levi doesn't quite wait for an answer, unfastening his cloak so that he can carefully drape over Eleytheria's burns. It's wool, a little rough, but perhaps better than leaving them out in the open as he carries him. Eleytheria is taller (most people are), but Levi's sure he can carry him just fine on his back. It takes a minute or two to carefully maneuver him without agitating his injuries too much, but eventually Levi gets him settled securely. He remembers where he'd spotted a clinic before, but he may as well ask:]

I'm taking you to the clinic, unless there's somewhere else you'd rather go.

[winds_voice]

I am Eleytheria.

[He responds as Levi drapes the cloak over him, causing him to shudder slightly at the feel of the rough fabric on the wounds. Once it had settled though, it wasn't so bad. At least not until he moves again, allowing Levi to pull him into a suitable position whilst trying to support himself as best as he could. Still, he couldn't hide the gasps of pain in the moments before he found himself settled on his back. It could have been far worse though, and Eley has to wonder if Levi had perhaps done this before...

But never mind that for now. He can't think of anywhere better to go at this time. It's not as though he has a room of his own and he certainly didn't want to impose on his friends like this.]

The clinic will be fine... thank you. Do you know the way?

[reviling]

[ He tries to be as careful as possible with his movements so as not to cause any unnecessary pain. But yes - Levi has carried many wounded soldiers (and dead, even, should collecting bodies be a possibility) on his back. For better or worse, he's had quite a bit of practice. ]

Yeah, just hold on if you can.

[ He walks carefully, trying not to jostle too much, though the previous injury in his left ankle begins to act up about halfway there. Thankfully it's not so painful that he's limping, or has to stop. ]

[winds_voice]

[Eley remains as still as he can, despite the strangeness of the situation to him. He never usually came this close humans... to be carried on the back of one in such a vulnerable state was almost embarrassing to him.

If he had noticed that injury he might have told him to stop regardless, but as it was, the Spirit was oblivious to anything Levi might be suffering himself.

As they move on, he finds his curiosity overtaking the darker thoughts for a moment.]

I do not recall seeing you here before... are you perhaps a New Feather?

[reviling]

[he's been through worse, honestly. The exertion might cause a little extra strain, but it seems like he'll have less to worry about in the immediate future here. He should get back to training, soon, but he can't without the gear yet, and Erwin still might not let him.]

Yeah. I just arrived in this creepy-ass place a few days ago.

[He's still getting used to it. A few more steps.]

What about you? Been here long?

[winds_voice]

Mmm... I believe it has been over a year now. A year and a half.

[He had to think about that one... He hadn't paid much attention to the passing of time, but saying it out loud made him realise how long he had been here already. Soon two years would have passed. He really hoped that it was true time had stopped in his world, or things really would be in disarray by now.]

For you to have only been here a few days, I would not expect you to be so... willing to help a stranger. It is rare to see such kindness from humans...

[reviling]

[ so many people have been here more than a year. Levi can't fathom it - probably won't be able to fathom it until he reaches that point himself...if he does.]

[he carefully shifts Eleytheria, his arm getting a little stiff, but he can see the clinic not far off.]

I told you earlier. I hate pointless death and suffering.

[winds_voice]

[Eley winced a little as Levi shifted him, but he's more interested in the person carrying him than his own injuries at this moment. He knew he shouldn't pry... but sometimes his curiosity got the better of him.]

A sentiment that I wish more of your kind would share. To harbour such hatred... perhaps it is not wrong to assume you must have seen much of it firsthand?

[reviling]

...no, it's not.

[He's seen a lot of death. Horrifying, gruesome, undignified death. There's been so much of it that he hates seeing any of it be in vain. He's seen people marched to death to save the rest of the population from utter starvation, seen overly privileged pigs try to sacrifice people just to save their money and cushioned lifestyle.]

[winds_voice]

Mmm... then I am sorry for what you must have been through. As troublesome as humans are, I strive for peace. Nobody should have to suffer...

[It always saddened him to hear that it was so prevalent even in other worlds he never knew existed before. It was difficult enough - some would say impossible - to make progress in order to save Aether from its own suffering. Knowing there were so many other worlds who needed help was terrible.]

I have great respect for those who would seek to aid others however, especially my own kind.

[reviling]

What are you?

[Obviously it doesn't make any difference to him - he's already helping, the clinic drawing nearer. There are so many different kinds of people...different kinds of beings...in this place. Levi wants to be aware of as many of them as possible.]

[winds_voice]

...I am a Spirit. Though upon arriving here, it seems the Malnosso willed me to live in a human body. That is why I appear as I do.

[He hoped he wouldn't suddenly turn on him upon knowing that, but somehow he doesn't see why he would since they're drawing so close.]

[reviling]

I see.

[Levi has the urge to twist to see him again, but doesn't.]

More spirits, huh...suppose you can do that magic stuff, too?

[apparently the place he comes from seems especially devoid of spiritual power.]

[they arrive at the clinic, and he carries Eleytheria right into an examination room, settling him down carefully.]

[winds_voice]

I do have the ability to manipulate wind, yes... While I do not usually know it as magic, it is the name that humans give to our powers.

[It was always interesting to Eley how clear a divide there was between those who knew of magic and those who did not. To some people here it was natural, to others it was unheard of, even in dreams.

Soon they reach their destination though, and as much as he appreciated Levi's help, he was rather glad to be still again and safe...]

I will be all right now... thank you again. Perhaps I will return the favour one day.

[reviling]

Yes, I'll keep that in mind.

[it never hurts to have someone who owes you a favor, after all. Levi doesn't ask for the cloak back. If this place is as generous as people say, another one will likely turn up. And if not, he can always get it back later.]

Be careful.