Basic Wounds

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/11/2012, 11:00 pm

I smiled, regardless of whether Cynder could see it. I slid my arms under her and picked her up, and notsd that I'd probably be doing this with our baby. Hopefully, our baby didn't weight as kuch as Cynder. Babies were meant to be really small, after all. I wasn't in any way calling Cynder fat; she was only curvy in the right places. I carried Cynder out carefully, afraid that jostling her any would upset her stomach or something.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/12/2012, 1:31 am

I was picked up and carried out of the Infirmary, and during the journey back to the cabin, I fell asleep in Lee's arms.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/15/2012, 8:33 am

Rafael nudged the door open and slowly guided Ronnie into the building. So many other people were swarming around this place but he was only worried about the girl he was with. Rafael looked around and then walked over to a small cot and just stood there while he waited to aid Ronnie.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/15/2012, 1:29 pm

Ronnie entered the infirmary with Rafael, leaving his side quickly. "I got it," she indicated, and grabbed a bunch of supplies that she figured she'd need... gauze, tape, a wet cloth, the like. She stood before a mirror, grimacing as lifted her palm away from her head. It wasn't very pretty, though it definitely could have been worse. A small gash bled profusely, though this was solely because it was a head wound, and they tended to do that. It wasn't so large that she'd need stitches or something, and for that she was grateful. Not that she hadn't survived other wounds without getting stitches before. Carefully, Ronnie dabbed at it, cleaning away excess blood and washing her hands once she'd bandaged the wound taping an amount of gauze over its entirety. She grabbed a bag of ice from the freezer before finally slumping down on the cot, holding it to her head as she leaned back against the wall. She looked up at Rafael, thinking that he must feel pretty useless at this point, and she sighed, realizing that if they were ever going to become more than just awkward acquaintances she was going to have to tell him the truth.

"Listen, Rafael. I'm sorry for freaking out on you by the lake, when you hugged me. I shouldn't have done it, but you surprised me and it was just a natural reaction on my part. I was also kind of freaked out by the fact that you seemed to be so... in tune with what I was thinking at that moment, and I freaked out just a bit. I should have been a little more honest with you, but..." she trailed off nervously. "I have to be honest with you," she stated, almost trying to convince herself.

((Her dialogue at the end is weird but whateverrrr. xD))

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/15/2012, 1:57 pm

Rafael was really ackward in normal situations, but having Ronnie near him and injured, that made it far worse. Yet the whole mention of the incident at the lake was what truly made him blush. Finally Rafael took his head out of his hands and sank down to a croaching position. I didn't read your mind, that would be impossible for me. Instead I saw the numbers and remembered my lessons about the Holocaust. Yet I shouldn't have hugged you and I really feel stupid for doing that. Rafael looked back down, unable to look back at Ronnie. If this was how their friendship would be, Rafael was sure that it would be really difficult to not screw up again.

((Weird can't trump the ackward that is in effect right now.))

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/15/2012, 5:57 pm

Rafael crouched down to her level and Ronnie watched him as he began to speak. "I know you didn't read my mind," she stated afterwards, chuckling darkly. She turned over her wrist, the one embedded with numbers, and traced the numbers lightly with her index finger.

"It's fine that you hugged me, it's not like you could have anticipated my reaction," she absolved with a shrug, not meeting his eyes. She took a moment to consider her planned actions. If she told Rafael about her past, would he think of her differently? So many people did, even if she only told them a part of it. Ronnie hated that. But, why would it matter if he treated her differently? Would he even be worth hanging out with if he treated her in that manner...? No. Probably not, she decided. But she needed to tell him.

"When my father was killed, in the navy... I was there. He was working in Africa, to help control a particularly bloody civil war that had been going on in one of the countries located there, and my stepmother and I were going to be relocated from Europe to a naval base off of the African coast for safety. During transport, though, the ship was overtaken by a group of rebels. We thought they were only looking to loot, but instead, they took a bunch of us captive," Ronnie began, taking a breath. "My father, he was killed by one of them, and my stepmom managed to flee on an escape boat with a few other passengers and was rescued later on. I was, obviously, one of the captives. It turned out this rebel group had a camp, or rather a form of civilization on a different island, which basically consisted of a bunch of higher up rebels and a bunch of us captives who were expected to be their slaves... and that's why I have this," Ronnie flexed her wrist, "because they branded everybody so they could keep track of us. There weren't so many of us, but I think they did it to frighten us, as well as distinguish us from the rest of the population, since nobody really looked that wealthy in the first place, even if they were higher up on the food chain."

Ronnie paused then, looking to Rafael for a moment, almost measuring his reaction. She felt heavy, recalling the day her father was killed on the boat, but it didn't weigh her too much. It had been something she'd come to terms with in her years on the island, although she still didn't think it was right. How could it ever be?

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/16/2012, 11:18 am

Rafael listened to Ronnie's story as she told him what had happened to her when she was younger. When she was done with her history, Rafael stayed in concentrated thought for a few seconds and then started to reply. If she was expecting a reaction different from how he had already treated her, then she would be disappointed. I am sorry to hear that, but it is in the past. There is no reason to dwell upon things that cannot be changed or redone. And it changes nothing in my mind about you. You are still a beautiful girl who is my friend and that is never going to change. Rafael then closed his mouth and measured the time in the beats of his racing heart.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/16/2012, 1:26 pm

Ronnie exhaled, relieved as Rafael seemed unmoved by her story, but she knew that he didn't really understand. What he has said almost could have been interpreted as insensitive, but she knew that wasn't the case, at least with him. He didn't fully understand, though, not yet. She had told him barely anything, and even though he seemed so steady up until this point, Ronnie knew that that could change in an instant.

"I know that it's in the past, but... you don't understand. It was my whole life, my whole existence, for over five years. Do you realize what it's like, to have your childhood ripped away from you in a matter of seconds? It's kind of difficult not to dwell on something that was everything you had for that long." She looked at him for a second before she spoke again. She realized she was being a bit harsh, and she didn't really want him to feel sorry for her, but she needed him to understand.

"Anyway, we would work at least 18 hours out of the day or so, and when we weren't working we were starving or sleeping," Ronnie shrugged. "It's kind of something you get used to, after a while. But.. I got lucky, or so I thought. One of the dictator's head slaves took a liking to me, and I began to serve his family. I would get more rations than usual, and the labor wasn't as intensive as it was before... I was mostly assigned to his son, Samuel. I came to realize that Sam was a lot different than his father, and somehow we became friends, though this was kept under wraps since his father would have freaked out," she continued, thinking about this for a second. "Sam was kind to me, though he was pretty ignorant as to how we were living here. The time came when his father decided that he should be married, since he was to become a higher up official in the small hierarchy of the island, training to take over his father's spot was anything to happen to him. Sam was three years older than me, seventeen to my fourteen. The king had taken a particular liking to me, I guess since I was this quiet, pretty girl who would be perfect because I would never do anything against them because I was too scared... he was wrong, but whatever. So, I ended up betrothed to Samuel, with no say in the matter whatsoever. It wasn't that I didn't like him, it was just... I wanted nothing to do with them. It would've been so nice to hide in the shadows, left alone. But then I had to go to rebel events on the arm of my so-called fiancee, and it killed me to watch them discuss attacks, rules, the other slaves and their worth..." Ronnie grimaced, though she rolled her eyes at the mention of the word 'fiancee.'

"Samuel was mostly kind to me, and he kind of led me to believe that maybe, we would be okay. If I could show him how wrong this all was, maybe he would listen to me," Ronnie blushed lightly, refusing to meet Rafael's eyes. "But... things became different rather quickly. He immersed himself in his training, and when I would see him he'd barely even listen to me. He'd go out with friends and come back stumbling and drunk. One day, I tried to get through to him, but he was so far gone..." she trailed off, uncertain. This wasn't really something she ever relived, for she refused to allow herself to. But it was something she needed to do, if she was ever going to get over it. "I tried to stop him, tried to reach him somehow, but it was no use. He..." Ronnie faltered, trying to force the words to tumble out of her mouth. "He took advantage of me, and there was nothing I could do about it... he was so strong, and I was the opposite, and I couldn't control it and it all happened so quickly and I didn't want it to and-" her voice hitched, and she forced herself to look away, glancing out at the window as she took a deep breath, trying to control herself. She wasn't going to cry, not now.

"I loved him," she murmured almost imperceptibly, her voice extremely soft. She'd be very surprised if Rafael heard that. She almost didn't want him to, though she didn't really know why.

((long post wheeee but really morbid xP))

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/16/2012, 5:50 pm

Rafael listened and felt a deep pain in his chest. It wasn't because he felt sorry for Ronnie, but more because it was cruel of those people to do that and then have her friend take advantage of her. Yet he was certain that anyone else would have started feeling sorry and saying how it must have been terrible to be through that. I would never take advantage of you. That was all he said, since anything else would have sounded shallow or rude. Instead Rafael finally looked up and examined Ronnie. He was trying to figure out if she was upset with him or if things would be fine between the two of them.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/16/2012, 8:05 pm

Ronnie just nodded, swallowing down the horrible memories that threatened to bubble up over the top of her. She looked to him, only to realize he seemed to be analyzing her and she shifted uncomfortably, adjusting the ice pack on her head. He took this pretty well, considering, and it changed the way she viewed him. Most people would act horrified, make a big deal out of it, and while he did take it very seriously, he didn't make her more uncomfortable than she was already. She looked away, resting her head back against the wall of the infirmary tiredly. She had to continue, it didn't make sense not to.

"That was... right before I was supposed to marry him. I feigned sickness for a couple of days, pretending to be asleep most of the time. Samuel came to me, trying to apologize. I think he realized what he did, and he was disgusted with himself, but I couldn't forgive him, not after that..." she paused, considering this, her stomach twisting at the memory of her confliction. "Anyway, not that I think anything else is going to happen, but it kind of frightens me when people touch me when I'm not expecting it. It just... brings back memories. It's not that bad, but sometimes I overreact," she looked down at her toes, embarrassed.

"But that's besides the point. One of the dictator's servants managed to get some sense into me, and she helped me escape. I was supposed to be married the next day, but I knew that if I did... I just couldn't do it. I managed to hide in the back of a cargo ship that was taking supplies to the mainland, and from there I made it somehow to a US Embassy in Cairo. I was sent back to America, where I was kept in custody of the government for a good four months or so until I located my stepmother, who had managed to make it off of the boat. Everything was fine, except I was pregnant. I was that girl who was fifteen and pregnant, the one that looked like a stupid and got sideways glances from everyone who walked by. Everyone just assumed that I was this stupid, ignorant teenager that I wasn't, and I didn't know what to do... and when I finally had the baby, which was a girl, I didn't know what to do either. I couldn't take care of a kid while I was in school, and my stepmother worked full time and we still just didn't have the money to support her, and so I was forced to put her up for adoption," Ronnie concluded, guilt framing her face as she refused to meet Rafael's eyes. "I mean, I was way to young to take care of a baby, way too young to be a mother, and I know that she's in better hands with her new parents, or rather, I can hope that... but it's so weird, knowing that you have a daughter out there who you'll probably never see again, who doesn't even know you exist. It just makes me feel so horrible, that I could abandon my child like that," Ronnie wrung her hands together, uncomfortable. "I know it needed to happen, and I know she's in a better place, but that doesn't make it any less... guilt-inducing," Ronnie concluded.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/16/2012, 11:20 pm

I come in and turn to Veronica and said "Hey, I hope you don't think I'm being stalkerish and all becuase I'm not trying to! I just came to say thanks for helping me out and all" I was really being thankful now. I mean they helped me even though they only knew my name. Who in the dang camp would do that for you? Not many people. I just sat down on a bed to think. I had a father after all those years of wondering who he is. My mom alwys talked about him like he was some kind of god or something, but I really didn't buy it until I came here. But Triton? Doesn't seem like wa likely candidate for my dad, but I guess I'll take it. It's way better that ending up unclaimed

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/17/2012, 6:21 pm

After Ronnie started describing how she had escaped the island, Rafael realized that his life wasn't anywhere near as bad. Yet he still didn't want to treat Ronnie any different. Then she said that she had a daughter and that she had been forced to put her up for adoption. He was shocked but not because of the baby. No, he was shocked because Ronnie had made the little girl's life so much better. Most of the girls who got pregnant started drug dealing. You made her life better, guaranteed. At least that should make it better somehow. Yet I am sorry that you had those things happen. I will still be your friend and those things only make you stronger in the long run. Rafael was going to say some other things when the daughter of Triton walked in. She started thanking Ronnie and then sat down. You're welcome...but it was really just something that anyone should have done. Rafael turned back to his injured friend and then smiled sincerely. The fact that he knew why she had reacted like she did, Rafael wasn't focused on Ronnie getting hurt.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/17/2012, 8:18 pm

Ronnie finally looked up, watching Rafael as he processed what she had said to him. He seemed to have taken it well, for which she was grateful. So many people looked at her all horrified-like, and it bothered her. She nodded after he spoke, but another girl entered, which discomfited her. It seemed as if he had wanted to say more, but stopped himself upon her arrival. Ronnie mentally cursed the girl for interrupting them, but she forced a smile on her face anyway.

"Right," she agreed with Rafael. "Though it was no problem." Rafael turned back and shot her a smile, and she couldn't help but return one, albeit a smaller, brief smile. This one was more genuine than the one she'd given the girl before, though you couldn't really tell the difference unless you evaluated her closely. She pulled the slowly melting bag of ice off her head, for a moment, feeling it softly with her hand. It seemed some of the swelling had gone down, which was comforting. Plus, her face was beginning to become numb and her arm ached from holding the bag up for so long. Not that she was that weak, or anything. It was just annoying.

"Anyway, it's still weird just to know that you have a child running around somewhere, and you don't even know what they look like. I did what was best for her, I know, but that doesn't make it any less strange. I'm always going to be that little girl's mother, the one that had to give her away," Ronnie concluded, shrugging. "Sometimes it bothers me more than others, but hey, at least I'm alive, right?" she chuckled lightly, sighing tiredly. "Much thanks to many, many people and circumstances... and now I can add you to the list," Ronnie grinned. "Thanks to my klutziness."

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/18/2012, 7:29 pm

Rafael was kind of irritated that the girl had walked in to thank them but the smile that he had shown Ronnie was not about that. He was truly glad that they were friends and that she had told him the story of her past. Then Rafael heard her say that he was now on her list of people that had saved her life, and he was suddenly overcome and did something really idiotic. Ronnie, would you like to go somewhere for supper, instead of here at camp. After you feel better, of course. Rafael realized that he had said those words but there was no time travel spell that he knew, so he sat there and forced himself to accept anything that happened.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/18/2012, 8:18 pm

"Sure, I'd like to go somewhere," Ronnie said easily, shooting him a smile. "We could go soon, actually, if you want. I'll be fine, there's not really much else I can do to treat my head and I could really use some food," she continued, her expression softening when she saw that he seemed to stiffen, embarrassed. "Though I'd really like to shower and change, first... kind of still damp from falling into that lake." She chuckled, rising for a second and popping a Tylenol into her palm, downing it quickly with a sip of water.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/18/2012, 8:33 pm

Rafael exhaled as Ronnie said she would go. It was really strange because he didn't realize that he had stopped breathing but then Rafael stopped thinking about it and smiled again. He was suddenly very happy and shocked. Sure thing. I will meet you at the entrance to the camp. We can go eat where ever you want to. Rafael then stood up from his crouched position and stumbled as his legs woke up from the long time being there. Then the son of Hecate reached out and tentatively hugged Ronnie, afraid that she would spazz again.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/18/2012, 8:43 pm

"Okay," Ronnie agreed, surprised but not unpleasantly as Rafael hugged her once more. This time she hugged him back, leaning into his touch. "Thanks again for saving me, because I was stupid," she murmured, chuckling once more. "And... thanks for listening. It kind of means a lot," she pulled back, meeting his eyes, before making the impulsive decision to kiss him on the cheek, only half-realizing what kind of effect that would probably have on him and how he may interpret that. And then she left, turning back once with a quick "See you!" and a grin.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 9/18/2012, 9:08 pm

Rafael felt surprised when Ronnie hugged him back but then the real shock came when Ronnie kissed him on the cheek. Since he had felt the pain of being turned down, the fact that Ronnie had kissed him just then felt like a mixed signal. So Rafael did what he thought was best for the situation. Rafael fell on his face with complete surprise. The fall seemed to be an hour long when it was only a few seconds long in real life. Rafael laid there and felt the blood flow back to his brain and then he stood up and walked out with his hand pressed against his cheek where Ronnie had kissed him.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 12/26/2012, 6:33 pm

I rode the ridiculous horse up to the Infirmary. It had been a minute or two since we left the stables, and Xavier seemed to have not fallen asleep or fallen off in that time. Well, I could be wrong. He could be napping. Or dead. Or he could have fallen off a quarter of a mile back without me noticing. Who knew? Not me. And I lacked the sense to look around and see if he was still there, apparently.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 12/26/2012, 6:37 pm

Xavier manages to keep his eyes awake. Somehow. It's a miracle, he thinks bemusedly, considering he lost a considerable amount of blood and had used up a majority of his powers. "If you're wondering, I'm alive." He says, looking up at the infirmary. He sighs, and shakes his head.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 12/26/2012, 6:40 pm

"That's fortunate. Now go fix your shit." Should I go inside with him to make sure he didn't just pass out and die of blood loss? That was probably a good idea, even though I'd feel like some kind of weird stalker. A weird one, specifically, as opposed to your garden variety of stalker. Those ones grow in the shade. I seemed to be fine in partial or full sun.r full sun.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 12/26/2012, 6:49 pm

"Aw, I'm hurt." Xavier mutters sarcastically, and climbs off the horse, only to have his legs collapse underneath him like jello. "Son of a..." He swears, and picks himself up slowly. "Ugh." Xavier attempts to walk into the infirmary, and fails after falling over again. "Legs, don't fail me now..." He mutters, and stands up, and collapses on a bed in the infirmary. He groans, and let's his arms hang by his side for a moment before getting up and searching for a needle and thread. He eventually finds one, and starts sowing the wound shut, grunting in pain while doing so occasionally. He finally finishes, and falls back down onto the bed, and groans.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 12/26/2012, 6:59 pm

To help or not to help? I spent a fair bit of time just sitting there stupidly, trying to figure out what I should do. It would be sort of weird to go in there when I didn't need to, but it felt rude to not make sure everything was alright before I abandoned Xavier to his fate. But I didn't want to have to get down, get my crutches out and such, and then have to climb back onto the horse, which would be a huge ordeal. Ugh. I settled with yelling, "Everything alright in there?"

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 12/26/2012, 7:10 pm

Xavier replies with a muffled yes. He rolls over, and accidentally rolls onto the floor. Ow. He pushes himself up, and walks out. "I think I'll be fine." He says as he stands in the doorway of the Infirmary. He scowls at the stitches though. "This is a sloppy job. If I were more awake, I might have done better..." he trails off.

Subject: Re: Basic Wounds 12/26/2012, 7:19 pm

There was a loud thump, and Xavier exited the building shortly after. "I could hit you in the head and wake you up a bit," I suggested. Well, that wasn't very nice. I needed to work on being more polite.