ϡ - Chapter Forty-Five; an aliment [action|voice|written]

[folklorist]

[ When the feed initially comes on there’s merely the sound of pained labored breathing. It’s clear that whoever it on the other end is trying desperately to breathe, but it hardly seems to be working well. There’s another pause as the sound of feet crunching through the snow stops. A deep breath filters through followed by a very agonized, wet, and pained cough, which sounds a bit distant as the afflicted turns away. The voice that comes out is slightly Romanian in accent when the person finally speaks. It's shaky and pained despite the attempts to not sound too much so, as if Helios doesn't want anyone to know his aliment at the moment.]

Ah. It’s snowing. R-Reminds me of when I first arrived here. [ A few moments of soft coughing as he continues to walk through the snow. He isn’t really enjoying the snow as much this time around. ]

I’m s-sorry for taking so long to comeback, they k-kept me a bit longer then expected. [ Helios would be one to apologize amidst having something like this. Another few coughs before there’s some stumbling. His voice is soft and if it wasn’t so quiet out he probably wouldn’t even be heard. But talking loudly is just really far too much for him right how. ] Ah. How long was I away for, exactly? Did we g-get more new arrivals yet? If-if we have I-I suppose a welcome is in o-order. [ Another cough or two as he tries to clear his throat. ] W-Welcome to Luceti, if-if you have just arrived. I hope you g-get...get situated nicely.

[ He sounds out of breath as he tries to get it back. But his chest and lungs just are not cooperating. His panic is thinly masked, because he knows that something is terrible wrong. ]

I’ll be home- [ Another fit of coughing as he tries to steady himself against that tree. Each one sends a tremendous amount of pain through his chest that he really just can’t talk anymore. He’ll switch to writing then instead so as to not worry too many people. ]

[ Written ]

I’ll be home shortly. Raine. I. I don’t think I’ll be able teach at the school for the next few days. [ And with that nothing else comes from him. He would ask for assistance but he doesn't want anyone else to get sick, if they even can. He’s missed so much but it was probably best that he didn’t go to school like this. He’s barely able to stand as is and his chest hurts quite a bit too. If you couldn’t tell Helios is a bit under the weather one look at his pale, slightly damp face will show you everything you need to know. And should you happen across him making his way back through the village from the woods behind C2 you will notice how tired and utterly miserable he looks in that snow. Coughing fits will overtake him slowing his progress back to house 44. ]

((ooc; Helios has come back with TB. It's not contagious (ICly though that won't be known) or able to be cured. But it won't get any better or worse for the week or so that he has it. It's in a fixed state of the later stages of the disease. ))

Comments

[Action]

[abjurer]

[It's only chance that he ends up catching Helios's post. He almost misses it, skims over it, but no... that's him. The post shakes him badly, because he looks... he looks terrible, sounds terrible. He sounds sick.

Once he sees it, it takes him only a minute to grab his coat and a spare jacket and head out.

He finds Helios a little way out from the village and he blanches at how terrible he looks. That cough...]

Helios!

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios will startle even as he recognizes the voice belonging to Max. He turns away with a rather pained look on his face as he coughs into his shoulder. He doesn't mention the blood that comes with that cough, but his pale expression might give the notion towards the fact that something is obviously wrong. ]

M-Max? What are you d-doing out here? [ The snow makes it a bit hard to see but he can tell that Max is all too aware of his aliment. He'll cough again bending over slightly with the pain that courses through his chest. ] I-I'm sorry. I'm not in th-the best of...of states right now.

[Action]

[abjurer]

[He actually looks worse up close. Genuinely ill. Max is pretty sure just by looking that this isn't some kind of normal winter bug that's going around. What have the Malnosso done to him?]

I came to find you. Did they...

[He moves forward quickly when Helios doubles over, resting a hand on his back to rub gently.]

Yeah, no kidding. Don't- don't apologise.

Brought you a coat.

[Action] Lessay...just outside town?

[lostherway]

[Saori immediately heads towards the familiar presence of her Ban on the man, floating on the wind towards her erstwhile housemate. The goddess isn't sure whether to be furious or relieved at his presence. He'd been taken first, and been the reason she hadn't been able to fight back effectively. But he was a dear friend. Someone...that side of her cared for.

The divine side, however, was in control now. And it descends from the sky with a rumble of thunder to land in front of him.]

Helios. You have returned.

[Her eyes flash yellow...watching]

Are you unhurt?

[Action] Just outside it is!

[folklorist]

[ Helios backs away just a little with that clap of thunder and Saori's descent in front of him. A light wince flickers across his features as he looks a bit worriedly at the storm goddess. ] S-Saori? Oh thank goodness you're alright.

[ Though Helios will cough and cover his mouth while turned away it's obvious that the cough hurts more than light bruises or cuts on his body. ]

I-I'm fine. Just-just a little under the weather is all.

[Action] yay

[lostherway]

[She gives him a level look and hold out a hand. For an instant, her eyes go from that golden yellow to their usual brown, concern almost touching her features.]

How else would I be? The scientists...released me for the moment.

[The comment draws a wry, but mirthless smile]

Under the weather. Strange choice of words.

[written]

[wise_maiden]

Professor Layton and I will continue to take care of the school. Don't worry about that.

If there's anything you need, you only have to ask.

[Even though she already knows he won't. He's like that. If he doesn't reply, she'll just have to find out for herself whether or not he's really made it to his house safely. At the very least he's more than likely to have housemates who are attentive.]

[written]

[folklorist]

Alright. Thank you for understanding. I know how busy it must be for you both, especially with the magic classes. I'll try to recover as soon as possible. [ But at the moment he's not sure how soon that is going to be honestly. ]

[written]

[wise_maiden]

It's been easier with the way we revised the system, so you don't need to worry about that. [Having the classes all be one group instead of several helped cut down on a lot of extra work.] Besides, it's not as if you haven't had to manage a lot of it on your own before, so you can take as much time as you need to recover.

[action]

[fleurdesel]

[When the broadcast wraps up and he starts on his way home, Adele busies herself with arranging for a hot bath and hot meal upon his arrival. He sounds awful and truly, she'd rather see him to the clinic than their home but Helios always seemed a little uneasy with the clinics. Worst comes to worst she can treat him in the house. As soon as he reaches the door she's hurrying him inside to the bathroom, tub steaming and ready.]

Helios- I've the hearth fired up for you and soup on the stove.

[action]

[folklorist]

[ The warmth of the house and the bath proves true at being very accommodating in helping Helios' cough. The steam from the tub makes the ache in his chest less prominent, and instead of being sharp, extremely painful, and constricting it turns into more of a dull but persistent background pain. But Helios can breathe much easier than before. The clinics probably would've been better, but that would have caused more problems and questions that he did not want to answer at the moment. In combination with his scars and cold skin is probably best that he didn't venture to the clinics to seek aid when all was said and done. He manages to take a deep breath with only a slight cough following afterwards as he steps into the bathroom. Helios will give Adele a warm smile as he steps inside the bathroom.]

Th-thank you Adele. I-I'm feeling much better already. [ Despite the severity of his ailment his words have a tone of truthfulness to them. ]

[Voice]

[lostinmyway]

[Okay, so Grune might be super-optimistic and tends not to notice dreadful situations even when they're right on top of her, but this? Not even she can miss this.

And now she's worried.]

Helios? What's wrong?

[Written]

[folklorist]

[ He hates not being able to speak at the moment. Poor Grune. If there's one thing he doesn't like it's making her worried about his condition. He would speak to her but at the moment it's hard to catch his breath, and he sounds absolutely dreadful despite trying to retain some of his composure. And so he takes up writing, hands shaky from the cold just as much as his ailment's effect on his tired body. ]

I'm just a little sick, Grune. Nothing...to worry about. I'll be alright.

[ Or so he hopes. But if there's one thing in Luceti that can be taken care of it's definitely illnesses. Helios knows he'll be in good hands, so he doesn't worry too much about his current state. He does worry however about transferring this disease, or whatever it is, to someone else. Keeping minimum contact with people is probably the best solution at the moment. ]

[voice]

[not_a_troll]

[Loki frowns when hearing Helios' harsh breathing over his journal.]

First question: what is your exact location? Second question: shall I come for you? It might be easier that way, you see?

[written]

[folklorist]

[ Helios has taken up writing instead of speaking at the moment. The fact that he can't catch his breath long enough to speak might be the reason why. No hard feelings Loki, it's probably for the best as he sounds absolutely dreadful at the moment. ]

I'm just outside community house two. [ There's a lengthy pause as he considers the offer. On one hand he's not sure he can make it back to the house alone. But on the other hand he's probably being difficult for a bunch of people. Not to mention that he has no idea if this illness is contagious or not. ]

I'm not sure that's a good idea, Loki. I don't know if this illness is contagious or not. You might...get sick from me. [ And he's not sure if he could live with himself if that happened. Especially since how terrible this certain illness seems to be affecting him. ]

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

[It's not until he catches the voice he realises just who appears to be so unwell. That coughing and troubled breathing were not good signs...]

Helios? Are you all right?

[Written]

[folklorist]

Eleytheria? [ His voice sounds uncertain as he tries to hear over the howling wind of the minor snowstorm around him. ]

Oh. I could be better, really. I'm feeling a bit sick, but nothing that some rest can't make better. I'm sorry if my transmission alarmed you. [ Then again with how terrible he sounded he probably shouldn't have said anything at all. He did ever so hate making people worry about him. ]

[Video]

[z_jay]

[Genuinely he's concerned with a cough like that, though his initial reflex is to back away from those coughing so vehemently, deep down he wasn't heartless...]

Hey, there. Are you conscious? I'm not sure home is the best idea right now...

Maybe a doctor?

[A doctor who he would quickly inform of his worries, though prayed wasn't existent in Luceti. But that cough... it was too similar, too familiar...]

[Written]

[folklorist]

[ It wasn't Helios' intention to worry anyone with his transmission. Now that he realizes just how bad he sounds he's switched from using voice to written for the sake of making people less worried about him. Though he doesn't know if that is going to do what he intends for it to do. ]

Oh yes I am. I'm sorry for worrying you. [ because he can't honestly remember if he's ever encountered this man before. ]

There's a doctor that lives with me. I'm sure she'll be able to tell me what it is that I have. [ He rather not go to the clinic if possible. You just raised too many questions about other things, such as scars and cold skin. Two subjects that he rather not discuss while in such a state. ]

I'll be all right. Nothing to worry about. [ or so he hopes. Optimism is one of his greatest assets, that even as he is now he manages to have just a little bit despite the circumstances his faced with. ]

[Action]

[de_bel_survivor]

[Another day of walking. Kouki's journal is on him, but it's closed. That's why the young demon overlord was unaware of Helios's return.

Until he was surprised when he saw a familiar figure.]

...Mister Helios? [Wait, his movements...Kouki quickly runs over to Helios.] Mister Helios!

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios is still bent over when he hears that familiar voice call out to him. He'll look up from his position the faint tinges of pain in his chest receding for but a moment. His green eyes will widen as he finally realizes that it's Kouki who has called out to him. His voice is raw and shaky when he finally manages to reply. ]

K-Kouki? What-what are you doing out here? You should get back inside before you get sick. [ So says the man who was utterly sick and miserable at the moment. Another fit of coughing overtakes him as he lurches forward, the tree he's up against giving the support he needs to remain standing. If that tree hadn't been there he probably would've fallen into the lightly snowy ground. ]

[Action]

[averybadfeeling]

[Oh, that didn't sound good. That didn't sound good at all.

Obi-Wan quickly dons his cloak, grabs an extra one for Helios in case the cold is as bad for him as it sounds, and heads out to find him.]

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ That's because it wasn't good, it wasn't good at all. Obi-Wan will run across Helios just outside of town. Helios could be seen leaning up against one of the walls of the library. His breathing obviously labored and heavy as the snow falls around him. He's not exactly aware of anyone coming to his aid especially not someone like Obi-Wan. Given how their past experiences have gone Helios would never have expected the other man to go out looking for him. ]

written; locked

[ahappylie]

[....

Helios. Giles' friend, almost like his brother. Someone Souji knows, even if they didn't talk often, and someone he shouldn't feel so heartbroken over hearing from, and yet he is. The sound, familiar and dreaded and something he has only recently gotten used to no longer hearing himself, strikes like a knife to the gut and Souji is compelled to answer. He chooses writing, knowing that speaking can be a laborious task when the cough is so bad.]

Helios-san, this is Okita Souji. Do you remember me?

written; locked

[folklorist]

[ Okita Souji. It's been a while since they last spoke and admittedly Helios feels a bit bad about that. Okita was a very good friend of Giles and you can't honestly say they had a reason to not stand contact the other. So when that message is written across his journal his almost surprised that a bit more sad than anything else. He knew history and he knew Okita, he knew with the other had gone through because he was one of the more famous of the Shinsengumi. Helios' ailment must have been a jarring reminder of his own illness, and he feels somewhat guilty for having presumably stirred up memories of it. ]

Okita? Yes I do. It's been a while hasn't it? I'm sorry that we haven't spoken recently. You'll have to excuse me, I'm a bit out of sorts today.