☈ strike #19 (action)

[thestormishere]

[ It's absolutely freezing and the village is covered in snow, but although Lightning would usually be all for avoiding that kind of weather like the beach-town native from Cocoon she is, today she's out anyway... and accompanying Baldr, who has definitely been inside way too much lately.

Hard to believe that a year ago saw her struggling with what to do with the little puppy she suddenly found herself saddled with, but now? That little black fluffball is a full-grown dog: long-haired, well-muscled... and currently bounding about, snuffling through the white covering, and chatting back to his pink-haired human about his various findings. Still a puppy at heart sometimes, that's for sure.

And while he doesn't run up to just anyone and bowl them over or anything - look at who his trainer is, come on - he does pay special attention to anyone else who happens to be out as well, ears perked forward, snow in his ruff, and a hearty Hello! to most who cross their path.

As for Lightning herself, she's... a noticeable contrast, solemn and distracted as she keeps an eye on the dog, making her way slowly into the middle of town. A visit to the flowershop later, and she's carrying something pretty unusual: a small bunch of pale pink crysanthemums. Where she's heading after that, however, remains to be seen. ]

Comments

[presumablyalone]

[This was a bad idea. Definitely a bad idea.

Going out when you're vision is so bad you can't make out anything or anyone and you keep tripping over yourself, you shouldn't be outside in the freezing cold. He's lucky he even managed to get on his coat and zip it up right. But Seto being Seto, he hates being trapped inside his apartment, especially when he's alone in said apartment. Why did Firo have to go out? Sigh.

But did you hear that yelp and thud coming from behind you Lightning? Because that was just Seto faceplanting into the snow]

[thestormishere]

[ Lightning's fast, slightly paranoid, and has reflexes on a hair-trigger, so... yes, yes she does hear Seto diving involuntarily into the snow, and turns around just in time to see the dust settle, as it were.

... Baldr lets out a soft whine, but stays put, as does Lightning. She doesn't recognize the kid from the back of his coat and hair. ]

[presumablyalone]

[For a minute or two, Seto just... stays like that before finally letting out a groan and he presses against the ground with his hands to get himself back up. But actually getting back up on his feet is even more difficult than walking itself.

First he just gets on his knees, leaned forward with both hands on the ground and very slowly he starts to rise, flailing a little as he tries to find something to grab onto but since there's nothing close enough to him... he ends up losing his balance and falling back on his butt. Damn it all] I should've grabbed a walking stick or something...

[Then he looks up and stares right at Lightning, not registering that she's there since he can't see her clearly. He has no idea if he's looking at a bush with pink on it or what] Hello?

[thestormishere]

[ Obviously whoever this is is having issues, so Lightning does take a step or two closer, until-- oh! Not only does she actually recognize him, but it's someone she's vaguely familiar with! ]

Seto...

[ And Baldr knows him too!! The fluffy dog perks up suddenly and rushes closer ahead of Lightning, stopping a few feet away to leeeaaan forward, sniffing the air right above the ground audibly.

Lightning's not far behind, however, trudging up with confusion wrinkling her brow. Something is definitely off here- not just in the way he's struggling to stay upright, but in the way he's looking at her. ]

[presumablyalone]

[The bush spoke! He can't help but smile now, especially since the voice is recognizable.] Lightning! I-Is that really you?

[Once he notices the black mass slowly getting closer, he just stares at it for a minute then reaches out to try and touch it. What is that thing?]

[thestormishere]

[ And just as Lightning reaches him, Seto will be finding a palm full of cold nose and fuzzy doggy lips... plus whatever it feels like to have a talking dog laugh into your hand. ]

What happened?

[presumablyalone]

[Uwah--what a weird feeling. Is this her dog? The last time it had a cold nose so it must be him. So Seto smiles and tries to pet him]

What do you mean? [Because the whole him being severely blind isn't something]

[thestormishere]

[ While Baldr lowers his head for lettings, Lightning goes down to one knee beside Seto, peering at his face carefully as she hooks a hand on the curve of his elbow. ]

Why can't you see?

[presumablyalone]

[He jumps a little when she touches his arm, looking over to the side at her but not really at her. It's more like he's looking right through her.

A frown tugs at his lips and he just let's his hand rest on the top of Baldr's head] ...It's my penalty for dying... A-At least that's what Giles told me.

[thestormishere]

[ Penalty--

Lightning freezes, her heart skipping a beat as her hand grips tighter onto the teen's arm. A death penalty... which beyond the obvious, also means that whatever this is, it's permanent. Like her magic's control being affected, or Aerith's inability to feel hot and cold. ]

What happened?

[ Same question, totally different tone. ]

[presumablyalone]

[He stays still for a moment, just trying to make out the look on Lightning's face (which is impossible) before moving his gaze down to the ground]

I was trying to protect Fuuko and Yui on the draft and I... [With the hand that Lightning isn't holding in place, he puts it over his stomach and cringes just a little. Even though the wound is gone he can still remember how it felt.]

...I got hurt... really badly.

[thestormishere]

[ Frowning. So, so much frowning. It's not like Lightning's unfamiliar with death, but after all the crap that's gone down in Luceti specifically....

Dammit...

She doesn't say anything more, but moves to stand, pulling up on Seto's arm to both urge him up with her and to steady. Baldr gets pushed away slightly with her free hand, just to give enough room to rise. ]

[presumablyalone]

[--Oh, you're going to help him up? He didn't expect her to be moving so soon but once she pulls on his arm, he obeys. Grabbing onto her arm to help keep himself steady, he slowly gets back up onto his feet.

He's a little wobbly though... ]

[thestormishere]

[ Hopefully it helps more than it harms that Lightning's a lot stronger than she looks. If nothing else, she's plenty steady on her feet enough for two people too, so unless Seto manages to slip with both feet flying out from underneath him... chances are there won't be much issue. ]

... You're out here by yourself?

[ Which isn't much of a question considering just how obvious the answer is, but... Lightning's practically obligated to ask it anyway. ]

[presumablyalone]

Y-Yeah!

[Ah--that looks kinda bad doesn't it? He smiles sheepishly and scratches his cheek]

Firo went out to the store and I got bored so I thought I could go for a walk on my own... I guess I can't. [Call him foolish. He just doesn't like to be trapped inside one place, alone, for too long]

[thestormishere]

[ ... What in the heck. You can barely see and seem to have major issues navigating in the snow in the first place, Seto. This is so not a smart decision to make at all, when there's-- danger of your extremities turning blue and stuff. ]

You should have at least stayed close to your building.

[presumablyalone]

I-I tried but I couldn't really... see it.

[Insert sheepish laugh here. And it's the truth! He would have just stood outside the building and waited for Firo there but... he ended up walking too far and couldn't find his way back. In fact, he has no idea where he is right now]

[thestormishere]

But then you just kept walking.

[ .... 8| ]

[presumablyalone]

Y-Yeah...

[Flustering forever sob]

[thestormishere]

... I'll lead you back.

[ Well, I = her and Baldr, of course. If that's what Seto wants, anyway. Before he freezes to death and all. ]

[presumablyalone]

You'd really do that??

[He's back to smiling now. In the back of his head, he's telling himself to just let her go on with her day since he doesn't want to be a burden or stop her from whatever she was doing... but he really wants her company.]

[thestormishere]

Yeah.

[ Though she doesn't sound all that excited about it. She motions with her free hand to Baldr, who takes it as signal to move away and does just that, going out in an arc to go back to his exploring.

Not that Seto will probably even notice; Lightning sneaks another look at the young man's eyes as she tugs him towards a way a little more worn down in the snow. ]

... Where is it?

[presumablyalone]

[Seto just moves with Lightning, glancing around at everything to try and get a good idea of where he is. Which is of course impossible with his vision, so he just looks back at where he thinks Lightning is again.]

Building three.

[thestormishere]

[ Lightning breathes in and out- a long sigh for the distinct lack of the sort of humility she'd expect if Seto had been a resident of Cocoon rather than someone she'd met in Luceti. A year later, and it's still difficult to believe just how odd some people can be here. ]

Got it.

[ She just pulls him in that direction, her gaze and thoughts drifting. ]

[presumablyalone]

[Seto just lets Lightning pull him and he stays quiet for a minute or two, just thinking to himself. Eventually, he starts moving his arm around to get it out of her grasp and once he does, he grabs her hand.

It isn't that he wasn't comfortable or anything, but he just wanted to see something. He can't help but smile now that he's confirmed it]

You're warm, Lightning.