Complete Vintergard Directive: Heal

[Kyanna Wynne]

This thread occurs between Directive: Propagate and Frontline: Forward events​

After a straining chase for her friend, it was of great relief to finally have her close, safe and sound... Kyanna struggled slightly, not being exactly the strongest one to carry a magia on her back, but making sure that effort would be hers. She didn't let anyone else touch the magia, Kyanna was naive at most of times, but she wasn't going to risk someone with ill feelings toward that race to perhaps pretend they meant to help only to make things even worse on purpose.

As they neared a wagon, one that would go to Vintergard, she carefully bent to allow @MAI to sit on the wagon, just as she sighed, with her muscles relieving after the weight was taken away.

Kyanna casted a brief glance at her, offering a smile as she already knew what MAI would think or say, being typically concerned as usual. The last thing she was caring, however, was about her own. How she could care about herself, when MAI was in such conditions? After everything her friend went through, she could only imagine how bad she could be feeling... But perhaps, that was just her overthinking and making assumptions. Regardless of the case, Kyanna wasn't ready to take risks, not when MAI was at the stakes.

Excusing herself for a moment, she hurried to the suppliers, taking a couple of packages for herself and MAI, before rushing back to the wagon and giving one last talk to the rider, confirming their destination before she finally climbed the vehicle. "Sorry, MAI, there is so much happening-" Kyanna said, looking at her for a moment, forcing a smile to mask her worries. The fact she couldn't access her UI, the fact Tick Tock were still in danger... A lot of facts, all of them, unbearable to keep up without feeling like her stomach wanted to cramp.

She scooted closer to MAI, resting the packages next to them. "I had to pick up some stuff for us to eat, and to prepare too, but... I think first we need to treat your wounds..." She pursed her lips, nodding briefly as she opened the package, that had a small separated container filled with First Aid apparatuses. "Where..." Kyanna glanced over. "Where does it hurt?"

 

[MAI]

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The healing process was lengthy. Even though MAI was practically not even injured by the rescue crew, that didn't mean she wasn't attacked prior to returning to Finweald. Before she could accumulate enough converted magia players to protect her, there were some that tried to stop her, and others who tried to resist the lullaby and managed to get a small hit in before they succumbed. Still, none of these were particularly worrisome. It was the Handler's power itself. It appeared to be far too much for a single individual to handle like this. The power of that accursed melody was fearsome indeed.

MAI felt her eyes heavy, fighting to keep them open several times as she leaned against the comfort of Kyanna's back. Thankfully, she wasn't particularly heavy, as one might have assumed, given that she was metal and oil rather than flesh and blood. Despite that, she did not weigh more than a normal girl of her age and built would. Even then, she hoped that she wasn't too heavy for the witch... her friend was adept in casting rather than physical feats of strength, after all. She didn't want to assume that Kyanna was weak, but... well, it was a trait of most witches, was it not?

Once seated at the edge of the wagon, with her company gone for a brief moment, the magia took all her strength to scoot herself further, a bit afraid that her current state would allow her to fall down once they started moving. With her legs to the side, she pressed her back against the wagon's side instead, fairly close to the back wall. She always felt more comfortable in corners or other more cramped spaces. Especially in states of distress, such as right now. She was... rather shaken by the whole experience.

"Is... okay. More people... need help."

With Kyanna, MAI felt far more peaceful. Though, she feared that her current state made the girl worry far more than she needed to. Despite the outer appearances, she was not in any immediate danger... it was her voice that suffered the most. The lullaby had made her sung her heart out, even if that was something she would have never done out of her own free will. And as she saw the witch take out a first aid package, she couldn't help but smile.

"That... for humans."

It was a bit amusing. But to ensure that Kyanna didn't feel like she picked up something that would be useless to them, she rolled up one of her sleeves, stained black. Below it, her skin was ruptured, a clean gash across most of her forearm big enough to show the machinery inside. It didn't seem like any of the internal parts were damaged, but the artificial skin was leaking that black oily liquid, as if bleeding.

"Here."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

"Everyone needs help right now-" Kyanna said, feeling hurt that she couldn't help every single one. But it was fine. "- And you are one of them." Her eyes shifted to look at @MAI. "I won't leave you." She said, resolute as she continued to pick up some of the aid tools, mostly bandages and pastes, ignoring things like herbs and medicines for organics.

"I know-" Kyanna responded. "But I need to use everything I can, I am not a tinkerer..." She sighed, gently taking a hold of MAI's arm, and wincing seeing how deep some wounds were.

Kyanna took the paste, being quick to use it as a cleaning liquid, hoping to clean up the excess of oil, while Kyanna wrapped the bandage around the arm, making it loose for now, until it was time for her to use her spell to tighten it, and maybe she could bend things together, and... and...

Before she could bring her spell forth, her vision blurred, with a brim swirling in her eyes as tears began forming again.

She gritted her teeth, rubbing her forearm on her face, to try to wipe them up.

The brave facade she was trying to put after the initial breakdown when she had found MAI couldn't last much longer, and she hated it.

 

[MAI]

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Yes, everyone did need help. And in no small part because of MAI herself. As much as she tried to not think about it, the possibility that she caused a death of another magia player kept on lingering in her mind. Thankfully, looking at Kyanna right in front of her helped clear her mind of those things and focus on the person helping her. It was also because of that attention that she could easily notice just how the witch was faring... or not faring.

"That'll do. Can repair rest later."

With her raspy voice, she placed her other hand on Kyanna's own to indicate she didn't need to do anything more with the bandaged arm. It was beyond obvious that the witch was not taking this well, either... and no surprise. The scene around them was more akin to a city destroyed during an active war than a peaceful game meant to be enjoyed. Perhaps this was the moment that MAI fully began to understand why many would abandoned this place.

But they couldn't. Right now, it was borderline impossible to even log off with the UI glitched and all over the place. They were effectively stranded here, in this horrible situation. And while they could have tried to flee elsewhere, in the opposite direction of these attacks... that sense of empathy and justice did not allow them. Or at least it did not allow Kyanna to leave those who were suffering where there was even just a small possibility that she could help.

MAI's free arm winced. She didn't want to see the other girl cry, but she didn't know if she could even hug her. 'I've ever only hugged a friend once... and it was them who started it. What if I make it worse..?' Drowning in doubt, she instead opted for a verbal reassurance instead. She could only hope that she had any power at all in this situation, any ability to help.

"Thank you for... coming here to save me. Dunno what would have happened without you."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna's hands began trembling, with her mind finally allowing everything to sink in. So many people were dying, so much destruction was happening, and there was little to nothing she could do. Her only relief, was that she managed to save her friend, but even then, she was so hurt...

The witch shook her head. "N-No, this much... This much I must do..." She protested, sniffing while being mentally overwhelmed by everythinf that had piled up so far.

She appreciated the touch of MAI's hand, but she continued to work on it, mustering spells out of her veins, forcing the bandage to squeeze and try to keep the arm tight, just while Kyanna's magic tried to bend MAI's structure, hoping to fix it while the bandage darkened with the 'blood' that tried to escape.

The sight only made Kyanna's emotions quiver more, and when MAI thanked her, Kyanna paused, looking at her when she pointed out the fact it was unknown... what could have happened to her.

"Mai... I... I don't... I don't even want to think about it..." The tears that were forming in her eyes finally escaped, rolling down. "If I had..." Her chest tightened. "... If I had lost you... I don't know what I would do... I would be alone, I would have to find Eva by myself, and... I..."

Kyanna felt her head heavy, with her gaze lowering along with it.

"We... I don't even know if we can escape this place anymore..."

And I didn't even find my mother.

"So many people to save... Still..."

Everything felt heavy, even as she stared at MAI's healed arm, or the minor wounds she still had to treat.

"... I didn't even actually save you yet... If you are still stuck in here..."

Her tone was almost apologetic.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Watching someone break down right in front of her was incredibly difficult and something MAI never thought would happen. She knew not how to react, how to tell Kyanna that she was fine, or how to reassure her that she would be fine as well. They were all here of their own free will... and ultimately, they have all accepted the risk that something like this could and would happen eventually. Still, it felt surreal. Almost as if she was not fully here. Was it because her pain limiters were turned on? Even with such suffering, she barely felt any pain even once her body was torn and tattered... why did people allow themselves to feel the pain of this world?

But once Kyanna's tears began flowing and her fear of remaining trapped here showed, the magia just couldn't take it. Biting into her own lip, she caused it to rupture and black blood to spill out, wrenching her hand out of the witch's grasp. Instead, she would embrace her with both her arms and try to pull her into a warm embrace. Her body might have been synthetic, made of fake skin and metal, but it could still be soft and warm.

"Yes, don't think about it... because you're not alone. We will be able to leave and help others. You saved me and I am choosing to be here."

If Kyanna couldn't, then MAI would push ahead. She might have been the kind of person to always be afraid of everything that waited ahead, but in the past, as long as she did her best, she always managed to push through and succeed. This time... this time would be no different. They'd solve this crisis, bid each other a see you, and once back in the physical world, she'd make herself some hot chocolate as a reward.

"Don't know Eva... but will help you find her, no matter what. After a bit... and after gathering some mana... will be back in shape!"

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna's breakdown was partially interrupted by MAI's embrace, that while unexpected in Kyanna's mind, was welcomed almost immediately. She took a hold of her friend, wrapping her arms around her tightly as she buried her face against her shoulder, releasing every tear and sob she had holding in her chest, ever since the start of that chaotic incident.

The fear of losing someone once again was fought off against the reality that the she was in the arms of someone that she hoped she wouldn't lose.

She was there. MAI was there.

"M-Maaai..." She whinned, unable to hold her emotions, sobbing a bit more, before leaning her face away to look at MAI, albeit not letting her go from the hug. "Th-Thank you for staying with me..." Kyanna sniffed, pursing her lips.

"I saved you, I will always do it... If necessary." Kyanna said, wiping a tear. "But please... Please don't get in so much trouble ever again..." She pleaded, closing her eyes before she opened once again.

Her breathing quivered for a moment, and she slowly nodded. "E-Eva... She is a friend of mine. She saved me when I-I first got into the game..." She said. "T-Tick Tock... She is like... U-Uhm, their mom? A-And they are Magias, so maybe... Maybe she needs our help..."

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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MAI remained mostly motionless, simply allowing Kyanna to cry her heart out, if she so desired. It was a good thing to do, let all of those emotions out, so they didn't weigh on both her mind and her heart. And while she didn't know what to say or do to truly comfort the witch, she at least knew that staying in an embrace like this was some form of help that she could provide, despite being utterly hopeless herself.

"Shouldn't... I be the one saying that? Thank you for coming for me and staying with me... even after being freed from that seeping melody."

Kyanna could have run off to help others, but she didn't. She stayed with MAI, and the girl was ever so grateful for that, more than she could express in mere words. She, too, didn't want to let go of the hug, so she made no effort to break it until they had to. But even after that, she would pat the spot right next to her, so Kyanna could scoot over, and the two could lean against each other.

She listened intently and silently as the raven-haired girl explained who Eva and Tick Tock were. A motherly figure that cared for a pair of magia... that did sound rather bad, given the circumstances. If they were not converted by MAI herself, then there was a chance they heard the melody directly from Szofrit, too. There was only one way to really find out, and that was to ask around when they had the chance.

"Understood... we'll look for them... and we'll find them, okay?"

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna kept the hug for a long, long moment, only really letting it go because at some moment it would feel like she was being too much of a burden for @MAI.

It didn't seem like this should have been a problem, however, because as soon as their hug had parted, the girl immediately invited Kyanna to take a seat next to her. Kyanna scooted closer, taking a moment for her to half-close her eyes before leaning on MAI's shoulder, gently wrapping an arm around the magia girl.

"Of course I would stay with you..." She muttered. "... So many are angry at the magia right now... And you are hurt... I will stay with you until you are feeling better..."

Kyanna explained, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.

"Like I said... I don't want to lose you." She said, squeezing MAI closer and softly around her arm.

With the reassurance, Kyanna smiled faintly, nodding. "We will... We will find them for sure..." She said, happy for having the magia around, even if it came at the cost of so much effort.

 

[MAI]

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As Kyanna got into positioned and leaned against MAI's shoulder, the magia smiled and looked up a bit, one hand raising and gently sliding the witch's hat to the side so she herself could rest her own head against Kyanna's. It was incredibly comfy, especially right now when the world seemed like such a rough place. And, quite unfortunately, her friend was right. The hatred toward those of the machine race would only rise after this incident.

Even though MAI tried to not think about it, she was already somewhat cautious before, often wearing clothes that would completely hide away her form. As she started hanging out around more and more Starcalled, that fear slowly peeled away and she became far more comfortable in her own skin. But now? She herself was forced to join the enemy's side briefly, her free will shackled and nullified. And she could not even begin to imagine an end to this conflict after which the Landers would accept magia rather than being hostile toward them.

"Thank you. I didn't think... everything would escalate this much..."

Her golden eyes closed as well. As the cart moved, the sounds of flames and suffering would be slowly left behind, a momentary peace earned through sweat and blood. The two girls were sure to savor it...

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

"Me neither..." Kyanna muttered, feeling her tears trying to return, but the closed eyes made it impossible for them to escape.

Having @MAI there for her, close and safe was a relief Kyanna couldn't put into words. And when the magia leaned on Kyanna's head with her own, a faint smile crossed the witch's lips. The warmth of her friend was still there, her mechanisms clicking, that was the closest thing to a heart beat, could be felt with the closeness.

Kyanna rubbed her arm gently, while she had MAI wrapped in her arm, while her free hand neared to rest over MAI's free hand, interlocking their fingers for a moment.

Her eyes vaguely opened, and she turned her face, momentarily interrupting their comfortable position, gently sealing her lips on MAI's cheek, letting it linger for a second while her hand gently squeezed MAI's, and her arm briefly brought her closer.

Almost mixing MAI into her own personal space, Kyanna released her cheek, keeping the magia girl close and closing her eyes once again while leaning on MAI's head, letting that small happiness to shield her from the chaos that surrounded them.