Michael [Van Helsing] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
i_vanquish_evil) wrote2004-11-25 09:50 pm
i_vanquish_evil) wrote2004-11-25 09:50 pm
~ TM - VH & Anna - search for the Wendigo ~
Carl: *running into the pub; spots VH* Oh, Van Helsing... *turns to the lady* Hello, Miss... *back to VH* I have your new... *turns to the lady a second, then back to VH again* assignment. You have to go into the mountains of... *he turns to the lady again and blinks - a lot* Anna? *his voice squeaks*
VH: Carl... *tries to get the friar's attention*
Anna: *merely nodds to Carl*
Carl: But... Van Helsing...
VH: Not now, Carl. Where do I have to go?
Carl: Ummmm... *looks at Anna, back to VH* Mountains. Way up. There's a cave. Something called a Wendigo. *he turns and squints at Anna as though he's not sure what he's seeing* Van Helsing, I thought she was... dead.
VH: Carl...
Anna: "Carl," Anna speaks up, "I know about as much as you do at this point." She pauses. "The mountains, you say?"
Carl: Um, yes. Mountains. *blinks* Sorry. A village, near Prague. People are disappearing. The reports have said it's a Wendigo.
VH: Fine. How do I kill it?
Carl: Er... Well, I don't know, exactly. *he cringes a little*
Anna: *looks at Van Helsing, a little amused* "You were serious when you said normally you only ask two questions."
VH: *looks to Anna, then back to Carl* I need more information than that. What can I use to fight it? And how do I track it? If I can't find it, I can't kill it.
Carl: Um, well, I have a sketch... *reaches into his cloak and pulls out a parchment* This is what it looks like, only it's mostly white and has very large teeth. The stories say that most weapons will do nothing against it. *he shrugs* The shotgun might work.
VH: Might work?
Carl: I... I didn't have much time to do research...
Anna: *looks up at Carl* What works against it, other than weapons? Spells?
VH: Spells?
Carl: Uh, well... I don't know. *to Anna*
Anna: Surely there must be some sort of legend to the....being.
Carl: *a little annoyed* Yes, well, if I'd been given more time, I might have been able to come up with something. But all i've found so far are legends telling that no weapon can defeat the Wendigo.
VH: Carl, how old are these legends?
Carl: Um... well... *mumbles* couple hundred years...
Anna: The shotgun might work.
VH: Yes. Anything else I have that might work? *he eyes Carl*
Carl: *shuffles a bit - he's very out of his element - he's more comfy in the lab* Well, I suppose anything better than the old wooden bow and arrow. Like the shotgun. Pistols maybe. I really don't know…
VH: And we'll be out of cable range. Yes, I know.
Carl: *frightened look* We?
Anna: *looks to VH a little questioningly* Myself and Mr. Van Helsing.
Carl: *sighs with relief* Oh.
VH: What can you find for me before we have to go?
Carl: Probably not much more, I'm afraid. You'll need to get going soon. It's almost time for the Wendigo's next feeding cycle.
VH: *sighs and growls a little* Carl, is there anything else you haven't told me?
Carl: No. Just that the Wendigo is most active at dusk and pre-dawn. And it's cold in the cave. Just… just be careful, Van Helsing.
VH: Aren't I always?
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VH: Anna... *he waits for her to turn around*
Anna: *turns toward him, tilting her head slightly*
VH: Something on your mind?
Anna: *nods*
VH: What?
Anna: Many things.
VH: Want to talk about any of them? All of them?
Anna: *hesitates* Perhaps.
VH: Here, or would you rather go someplace a little less public?
((this is assuming they're in a main passenger area, but have a place where they can sleep also - b/c - long trip, no sleep = grumpy grumpy VH))
Anna: *looks surprised as she notices the other passengers for the first time* Yes.
VH: *smiles a little and rises from his seat* Come on. *he holds an arm out to her*
Anna: *allows him to accompany her*
VH: *pushes the door to their compartment open - the Order doesn't know that Anna's along, so they have to share quarters; he waits for her to enter, enters behind her and closes the door* Anna, *he puts a hand on her shoulder to turn her to him* talk to me, if you want.
Anna: *closes her eyes a moment, takes a deep breath, and sighs as she opens them* I want to. *She pauses* But I don't have the words.
VH: *brushes a strand of hair away from her face, his hand settles against her cheek* Whatever it is... family, death, this Wendigo thing... you can tell me. *spoken softly*
Anna: *covers his hand with hers, and leans into teh touch* I know. *she begins to speak, her voice a little stronger* I'm not... myself anymore...
VH: *he's confused* Not yourself?
Anna: Not the way I was before.
VH: How do you mean?
Anna: *begins to speak faster with every word* I don't have a place here anymore; not since everything I sought to acomplish has been done. I don't understand anything, and-...I feel so lost, Gabriel.
VH: *removes hat, tosses it onto the bunk behind them* You have a place, it's just not the one you knew. *tilts her chin so she's looking at him* Maybe God has something else He needs you to do.
Anna: *searches his expression* As in, killing the...thing?
VH: *shakes his head* No. Well, maybe that's part of it. Something... bigger. *a pensive expression crosses his face* Maybe your return is a reward for fullfilling your last goal. You're needed for something more.
Anna: And what of Velkan? Does he not deserve-...*she breaks off, unable to continue*
VH: *soft sigh* Perhaps his reward was something else. Or maybe there is something else you wanted, something you weren't able to do while you were here. Anna, I don't know. But I can help you figure it out. *kisses her forehead softly*
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VH: *closes his eyes - he knows what she was going to say* No. There really wasn't time. *not that he has the first clue about it anyway - w/ only 7 yrs worth of memories*
Anna: *nods, and looks to the floor*
VH: Were you expecting something else? *a beat and he frowns a little* Do you not remember what happened at Dracula's castle? *he never thought to ask if she actually remembered everything prior to her death*
Anna: *looks up sharply* I expected nothing other than an honest answer, whatever that may have been. *She carefully dodges his inquiry as to the events at Dracula's castle.*
VH: *steps back a bit - which is about one step in the tiny compartment* My answer was honest. But, what do you remember? Anything?
Anna: *quietly* Everything.
VH: *nods, then lightly* You're still steps ahead of me then. *leans against the opposite wall, arms crossed over his chest casually*
Anna: *smiles slightly* Always.
VH: *mocking offense* Hey. *but there's a bit of a smile in it*
Anna: *quirks an eyebrow*
VH: *lowers head, shoulders drop* I'm sorry.
Anna: *takes a step forward, and lays a hand gently on his shoulder*
VH: *doesn't move, but notices the weight of her hand*
Anna: *is at a loss for words. She can only wrap her arms around him, in an attempt to show that she has offered forgiveness.*
VH: *uncrosses his arms when she moves closer, then, after a moment, returns the embrace; but can say nothing. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath* *softly, he says* Thank you *though he's not sure she can hear him*
Anna: *She does not let go, but simply rests her head on his shoulder. With his words, she feels a fresh wave of tears begin to build behind her eyes. This time, she blinks them back with ease. She repeats an earlier remark, though this time her manner matched the gentleness of his own.* Always.
VH: *he doesn't want to let go, but there is work they must do; he leans his head against hers a bit* We should probably get some sleep. *he says softly*
Anna: *nods, and pulls away*
*NEXT MORNING*
VH: *is not in the compartment - he's off somewhere*
Anna: *wakes up, and sits upright, looking around guardedly. She is disoriented. After a moment, she remembers the events of the previous day, and rises. After preparing for the day ahead, she leavs the compartment, in search of Van Helsing.*
VH: *returns to the compartment with a bag of rolls and coffee, but Anna is no longer there. He pushes the door closed and leans against one wall, coffee in hand and tosses the bag of rolls onto her bunk. The other coffee he - has to hold in his other hand - as there is no table.*
Anna: *After several minutes of unsucessful searching, she returns back to the compartment, and is both surprised and relieved to find him there*. Good morning.
VH: Coffee? *he holds the cup out to her*
Anna: *accepts it gratefully* Thank you. *she sits down onto her bunk*
VH: Sleep well?
Anna: Surprisingly. And yourself?
VH: *shakes his head* Not any better than usual. *sips his coffee*
Anna: Oh. *takes a sip of her own*
VH: I'm used to it, after seven years.
Anna: *Only nods--she hasn't completely woken up just yet*
VH: There're rolls in the bag. *points*
((con't next post))
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Anna: *glances over to her side, and picks up the bag, helping herself to a roll. She then tosses the bag to him*.
VH: *he's drinking coffee when she tosses the bag and completely misses it - actually, he doesn't even try to catch it, as he doesn't notice she's thrown it until it lands at his feet* Thanks. *bends to retrieve the bag*
Anna: *smirks* You're welcome.
VH: *quirks an eyebrow at her as he stands* That enough for you, or you need something else? *he indicates the roll and coffee*
Anna: *shakes her head* I am fine.
VH: *nods and drinks coffee* *tosses the bag back to the bed*
Anna: *takes another roll from the bag* I lied.
VH: Go ahead. I'm not hungry.
Anna: *conversationally* I haven't eaten in...*thinks* Actually, I have no idea.
VH: Yeah. I've been awake for a while. Ate already. I'd've brought something else, but wasn't sure what you'd like. *finishes coffee*
Anna: Thank you.
VH: *nods* So, what do we do all day on a train through Europe?
Anna: *blinks* We still have a whole day?
VH: Think so. Conductor said it'd be dark when we get to Prague. Still have to ride to the village after that.
Anna: Is it strange that I am looking forward to this?
VH: To the fight with the Wendigo or the train ride?
Anna: *simply* Wendigo
VH: It's only strange if you're not also a little scared, I think.
Anna: I'm not, actually.
VH: From what Carl says about the beast, you should be.
Anna: I know.
VH: So why aren't you scared?
Anna: What's the worst that could happen?
VH: *eyebrows shoot up* Do you really need to ask that question?
Anna: Exactly.
VH: Exactly what? Do you think you cannot die again? *there's a bit of anger in his voice* That since you've died already that's it?
Anna: *looks up at him with wounded eyes* No.
VH: *shatters the coffee cup with his right hand* Anna... *he manages through clenched teeth*
Anna: No...you misunderstand.
VH: *breathing heavily* Then explain it to me. *ignores the cuts to his hand*
Anna: I don't want to die again. *shakes her head* It's strange, is it not? Yesterday, I would have- *stops, takes a breath and continues* But when it comes down to that, it does nothing to frighten me. I know what will happen.
VH: And you assume that if you die, it will be like before? You'll be with your family again?
Anna: If. And I have no intentions of dying this time.
VH: *confused* You had intentions of dying the last time?
Anna: *perplexed* No....I said that wrongly. I apologize.
VH: *opens hand and drops the broken pieces of the cup to the floor, watches them fall and doesn't look up when he speaks* What are you intentions this time?
Anna: *stands up, and takes a step toward him* To help to rid the world of another evil? To stay here...with you.
VH: *raises his head, slowly, to look at her* Here... *he doesn't mean 'here' - he means 'with me', but he can't make his voice say it*
Anna: *takes his hand in hers gently, palm facing the ceiling. She studies the wound for a moment, before looking up to meet his eyes.* Here.
VH: *he follows her eyes to his hand, then back, but says nothing*
Anna: *looks back down to the floor, cheeks slightly flushed.*
VH: Anna... *is all he can say; then there's a slight wince at pain in his hand*
Anna: *looks back up* Your hand will need mending before you will be fighting against anything, Mr. Van Helsing.
VH: *tugs the small scarf from his neck - the one with the blue eye design - and wraps it around his hand* It'll heal. *all done/said w/o looking away from her*
Anna: *nods, without breaking eyecontact*
VH: *brushes a hand over her hair; his hand settles against the back of her neck. He draws her closer and leans down to brush his lips against hers - testing*
Anna: *tilts her head back, and presses her lips to his*
VH: *gently pulls his wounded hand free of hers and presses it against her back, holding her against him*
Anna: *Wraps her arms around his neck*
VH: *pulls away suddenly when he hears a loud scream reverberate down the corridor outside*
Anna: *raises her eyebrows, and looks at Van Helsing.* That's not good. *said quickly, before she bolts toward the compartment door.*
((con't next post))
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Anna: *Quickly fastens the hankerchief about his right hand*
VH: Thanks. *listens* We can't go out there.
Anna: And why not? There are innocent people in danger!
VH: *shakes his head* No. There is a mouse scaring one of the female passengers. I heard a trap snap closed while you were bandaging my hand.
Anna: *begins to laugh--she cannot help it*
VH: *sighs and leans against the compartment door* I'm sure the Order would be pleased to learn that we saved a woman from a harmless mouse. *he blinks and straightens - he did *not* just tell Anna the name of his employer who does not exist*
Anna: *looks at him questioningly, but does not inquire. If he wants to tell her what he means, he will.*
VH: *leans against the door again, trying to find a creative way to change the subject*
Anna: *looks away, also mentally interviewing possible conversation topics*
VH: *his hand begins to throb and he realizes he had been clenching it in a fist* Ow. *he says quietly and inspects the wrapping on his hand*
Anna: *turns back to him, concerned.* Let me see that.
VH: *stares at his hand* It's fine. *looks up at her* Anna... *his breath catches in his throat*
Anna: *her expression melts, as does her heart.*
VH: *he spends several moments just concentrating on breathing and the feel of his hand in hers*
Anna: *smiles, and pulls him toward her. She embraces him once more, still marveling at the fact that this is real--that she is here. For the first time, she honestly look upon this as a blessing.*
VH: What are you thinking? *he rests his chin atop her head lightly*
Anna: I am thinking that maybe you are right.
VH: About what?
Anna: About a reward.
VH: *smiles - for her, on the outside; on the inside, for himself, there is no smile* Yeah?
Anna: *teases* No.
VH: *a little distant* Huh?
Anna: I was kidding you. Don't think too hard, you'll hurt yourself.
VH: *blinks and leans back a bit* What? I'm sorry, I don't think I was paying attention.
Anna: *rests her head against his chest* Don't worry about it. *falls silent*
VH: Were we going to do something to pass the time?
Anna: I think we were going to attempt to make conversation.
VH: *quirks an eyebrow* That seems to have gone well. *he shifts a little and pushes her away gently, then removes his coat and tosses it onto his bunk, the longer scarf as well. He then steps to the window and gazes out at the passing scenery.*
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VH: *notices the extended silence, but for a pen scritching on paper* Anna... *he waits for a response*
Anna: *looks back up* Gabriel.
VH: *turns around* Nothing. Nevermind. *turns back to the window; obviously concerned about something*
Anna: *rises to her feet, and approaches him from behind* It is something.
VH: *still facing the window, but he can *feel* her closer to him* I don't know if I can do this.
Anna: *tilts her head in question*
VH: *sees, reflected in the window, the tilt of her head, then turns to face her, placing a hand on her cheek* No, I don't mean this... us. *he takes a breath* I meant this mission.
Anna: *covers his hand with her own, and looks up at him with a slight shake of her head* Why do you question yourself?
VH: It's not myself I'm questioning. It's the purpose. Why am I being sent to deal with this monster? How am I to be sure that what I've been told is true? Sure, I can see it and what it does, but how am I to know that the people of this village did not provoke the beast and it isn't simply defending itself?
Anna: *marvels* Like the Frankenstein monster.
VH: Yes.
Anna: I don't know what to say on that account.
VH: *lowers his head and sighs*
Anna: Somebody saw fit to send you there.
VH: And who saw fit to send the Wendigo? *he asks, head still low*
Anna: I have no answers. I am sorry.
VH: *shakes his head* What do I do now?
Anna: What does your heart tell you to do?
VH: *raises his head* I don't know.
Anna: *kisses him softly on the cheek, before pressing her lips to his.*
VH: *closes his eyes and leans into the kiss, putting his arms around her*
((FTB))
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VH: So, this is a Wendigo cave. *looks at Anna* You wanna go first?
Anna: Why not. *enters, not making a sound*
VH: *thinking-> Didn't expect that.* *adjusts his hat and follows*
Anna: *continues walking, holding her torch in front of her, grateful for its light as she enters the cave further*
VH: *whispers* Can you see anything up ahead? *he's not wanting a snarky answer - he's knows there's more rocks*
Anna: *as though reading his mind* Yes. Whole lot of rocks.
VH: Thank you. Anything useful?
Anna: No.
VH: *follows and hits head on a stalagtite he didn't see Anna duck to miss* Ow! *it's whispered, but audible*
Anna: *spins around quickly* Are you all right?
VH: *winces and rubs at his head through his hat, then, teeth clenched:* Yes. Just warn me about the really low ones, huh?
Anna: *looks up* They're still all over my head.
VH: *sighs* *reaches out and grabs her arm before she steps over the edge of... something* Careful.
Anna: *gasps* Thanks.
VH: *steps up and looks over the edge, holding torch out to get a good look around* That could have been... bad. *looks at Anna, then indicates a very narrow ledge on one side that they'll have to clide across to get to the other side of the wide gap* *b/c he can't see the other side, so can't tell if there's anything for the grappling gun to latch onto*
Anna: *nods, still slightly shaken, and begins to walksideways across the ledge, her back against the wall of the cave*
VH: *watches her move across, then follows, close enough to see her in the shallow light, but not so close that he impairs her progress*
Anna: *Reaches the end of the ledge without further incident, and steps onto the other side. She waits for him to do the same.*
VH: *also reaches the other side w/o incident* Let's not have any more of those, shall we?
Anna: Please.
VH: Hold on. Before we go any farther, Anna, *puts a hand on her arm*
Anna: *turns to him*
VH: *moves his hand to her face and leans in to kiss her, torch held way away from their heads*
Anna: *Is slightly surprised; it takes a moment for her to respond. She holds him close.*
VH: *pulls away, slowly* Probably not the best time for that, but, better now than in the middle of the fight.
Anna: *bluntly* You mean, in the case that was our last chance?
((next post))
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Anna: *She nods, understanding.* Shall we continue?
VH: *extends an arm indicating she may still lead if she wants*
Anna: *turns back around, one hand still holding the torch, the other guiding her steps from the inside wall. She moves with a new caution, not wanting to risk slipping off of another cliff*.
VH: *follows, just as carefully*
((Wendigo in big open space w/ stalag's kinda around the perimeter, until it gets mad and starts pounding the ground making the 'tites fall and be obstacles in the ground))
Anna: *Eventually reaches a narrow passageway, which she slides through.*
VH: Perfect. *turns sideways and slides through, torch arm first, shotgun arm behind, but has to shift A LOT to get through - weapons in the way under the coat* *muffled* Dammit.
Anna: *reaches the other side and waits for VH*
VH: *manages to get through* We're finding a different way out of here. *muttered*
Anna: *nods in agreement*
VH: *walks across the small 'room' they've entered and spots some kind of ramp* I think we'll find it up there. *points up the ramp*
Anna: *looks to the ramp, then back to VH. She's beginning to get nervous.*
VH: Scared?
Anna: *quietly* Yes.
VH: Good. *he knows she thinks he's crazy* Really. Means you're not over-confident. Less likely to make stupid cocky mistakes. *moves up the ramp*
Anna: *follows*
VH: *slides along the wall, stealth-like, until he reaches an opening that appears to be better-lit than the passages they've been through so far; tosses his torch aside - won't do him any good in the fight anyway - and looks around - there are large gaps in the ceiling of the cave; he taps Anna's shoulder and points to the gaps, indicating that as an alternative means of exit*
Anna: *nods her understanding, and studies the environment*
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Anna: *murmurs* Right. *She takes the guns.*
VH: *looks around and frowns* You see the thing anywhere? *leans out and peers around corner - still nothing*
Anna: *turns around in a circle, slowly* No..
Wendigo: GRRRRRwendigooooGRRRRR! *leaps from a hidden indentation in wall of cave, lands in middle and shakes the ground a bit; a few 'tites fall from the ceiling and crash to the floor, some shatter, some stuck*
Anna: *gasps, taking several unsteady steps backward, but regaining her balance.*
VH: *only does a quick glance to make sure she's okay as he steps a foot back to balance himself, then settles the shotgun against his shoulder and fires once - it does little to affect the Wendigo*
Wendigo: *plants front paws, then readies to charge*
VH: *eyes widen and he leaps to one side, behind one of the stalagmites protruding from the ground, and keeps an eye on the Wendigo - currently unable to see where Anna is*
Anna: *Attacks the Wendigo from behind, firing two shots, she dives back out of its sight, behind a rock.*
Wendigo: *not loving being shot in the ass, wheels around to find the attacker*
VH: *steps from behind the rock and fires several shots as he moves across the cave to another rock*
Wendigo: *enraged; rears up, growls and slams paws into ground, shaking cavern, more 'tites fall to the ground*
((next post))
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Anna:* jumps to her feet when a 'tite lands hardly half a foot next to her, and springs back into action, firing three more shots.*
VH: *wincing against the pain, gets the shotgun up and another shot off as the Wendigo wheels around and slams a paw into him, sending him flying across the cavern. He hits the wall and falls to the ground, momentarily stunned.*
Wendigo: GRRRRRwendigooooGRRRRR! *slaps several rocks, then charges through three toward Anna*
Anna: *attempts to dive out of the way before the Wendigo reaches her, without luck. She is knocked with force from her center of balance, and sent forewards into the face of a jagged rock-flesh wound to forehead. She grips the side of the rock for support, feeling very lightheaded.*
VH: *slowly gets to his knees, clutches head for a moment before getting his bearings again and sees the Wendigo going after an unstable Anna; fires the shotgun at the Wendigo's back*
Wendigo: *rears and crashes through a rock; stops in the center of the cavern, panting - for now*
Anna: *turns toward the Wendigo shakily, trying to ignore her slightly blurred vision and the throbbing pain in her forehead. She senses that the Wendigo might be experiencing some vulnerability, and raises the pistol in her right hand to fire another shot.*
VH: *stalks to the Wendigo, shoves shotgun in its chest and fires four shots*
Wendigo: GROWL! *throws a paw at VH, but only grazes his chest* growl-wimper~
Anna: *Circles about the Wendigo, and fires three shots into its neck*.
Wendigo: growlgrowlgrowl-ufff *falls to the ground*
VH: Anna! *fires grappling gun toward one of the openings and hears the grapple catch securely on a rock* Let's go!
Anna: *Moves to make her escape*
VH: Hold on. *looks up and lets the grapple start pulling them*
((next post))
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VH: *howls in pain and fires the shotgun at the Wendigo's head and hopes Anna's a better shot b/c he knows he didn't get a good shot off*
Anna: *impulsively fires her last two shots into the Wendigos head*
VH: *has no way to recock the shotgun one-handed, so slams it into the Wendigo's head*
Wendigo: gr...wimper *slides to the ground, tearing gashes in VH's leg and dies*
Anna: *taking several shallow, deep breaths* Is it-..?
VH: *clenches teeth and closes eyes tight for a moment; opens eyes and looks up at where they're going - ignoring Anna's question for the moment; he throws the shotgun through the opening and grabs the ledge with his, now, free hand* Grab... *all he can manage at the moment*
Anna: *obeys, and pulls herself onto the ledge*
VH: *breathing hard; pulls himself up, shoves the grapple-gun away so he can use his other hand and gets himself through the opening, he sits with his legs hanging over the edge and looks at three long gashes just above his right knee*
Anna:*She nearly passes out when she reaches the safety of the ledge, and covers the gash in her forehead with her hand, inspecting the blood on her hand. She tries to concentrate on one wound at a time, in this case, the most dangerous.*
VH *tugs the long scarf from his neck, with a bit of difficulty as his shoulder is still throbbing a bit, and wraps it securely around his leg* Anna... *breath* you all right?
Anna: I'll be fine. Yourself?
VH: *breathing begins to even* Just don't ask me to run.
Anna: *takes a deep breath, trying to steady the pace of her heart. She then shakes her head.*
VH: We should probably find - civilization. *looks around to see if there's a way down/out/something*
Anna: *Also begins to look around.* Yeah...
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VH: *winces as he sits on the bed, he would have been more gentlemanly and offered it to Anna, but he really didn't think he could stand any longer* Anna - is there any water?
Anna: *disappears for several moments, and reenters the room with a small basin of water and several strips of cloth* Anyone asks, we were in a carriage accident.
VH: *he nods, not really having the energy to snark; in fact, he falls back on the bed* OW!
Anna: *She places the things in her hands on the floor gently, before kneeling at his side.* Are you all right?
VH: Sure. Except for the screaming pain in my shoulder and leg. *starts kind of rambling a bit* Can't bandage my leg with pants and boots on, but I'm not sitting back up to take 'em off. And there's a Tojo blade poking me in the back. *frowns*
Anna: *slides a hand behind his back in an attemt to move the blade* Better?
VH: *nods and reaches for the blade, holds it up and casually drops it to the floor* How's your head? *lazily points toward the mark on her forehead*
Anna: *blinks* Kind of numb.
VH: I think I win with heavy bleeding and throbbing. I need to get my coat off. *starts trying to pull arms free - fails*
Anna: *gently tugs on the right sleeve until she frees him, and does the same for the left.*
VH: Ow. Easy. Shoulder. *winces*
Anna: *also winces* Sorry.
VH: *sighs and groans a bit as he stands long enough to tug his coat out of the way. Looks down at his leather vest and sees a row of slash marks. Twitches an eyebrow and starts pulling at the fastenings with his right hand* Anna... *plants left foot firmly to keep from falling as he gets the last of the buckles undone* ...little help.
Anna: *bites her lip in concentration, as she works to remove the vest--a difficult task, when the world before her was swimming.*
VH: *once his right arm is free, he puts it around her to steady her* You okay?
Anna: *sits down, lowering him with her* My head...
VH: It's still attached, if you were curious. *he winces as the gashes in his leg are stretched beneath the scarf-bandage*
Anna: That's always good to know. *looks over at him* It would appear I got away easily.
VH: *peers over the edge of the bed at her legs* You'll need new pants. Wendigo took a bit out of those. *reaches down with right hand and plucks at the fabric around a tear in her pantsleg*
Anna: At least I do not need a new leg. *lays back, folding her hands over her stomach*
VH: Maybe. *looks at her* Wanna help me properly bandage this one?
((TBC in next post))
((muns working on next bit))
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VH: Thanks. I'd take my boots off if I could bend that way just now. *sighs*
Anna: *for a moment she looked like she is either going to burst into a fit or laughter or, perhaps, tears at their situation. She quickly recovers.* Is anything broken?
VH: *shakes head* Don't think so, my shoulder just hurts like the devil when I move.
Anna: *slightly overwhelmed* Do you need assistance with your leg or shoulder first?
VH: Leg. Bleeding. Shoulder's just surface wound, mostly. Just hurts.
Anna: *slides to the floor with her back against the bed, and locates the water and cloth.* Here...
VH: Yeah. *indicates right leg and reaches a little to tug at the buckle on his knee-high boots*
Anna: *shakes her head* Hold still. *proceesd to remove the boot*
VH: *winces as his leg is moved, then hisses as it hits the floor harder than he'd intended*
Anna: *looks up* I understand this is not your idea of a good time, but you're going to have to help me...help you. *she pauses, trying to determine if that comment made any logical sense.*
VH: *through clenched teeth* I know. Wasn't paying attention.
Anna: *tugs on his pantsleg*
VH: Um, other boot, dear.
Anna: *stares at the boot a moment with distaste, before trying her luck on the buckles*
VH: *manages to lift his foot up enough that she can get this boot off too*
Anna: *pushes the boot off to the side*
VH: *doesn't look at her* Pants.
Anna: *looks up* Get those yourself.
VH: Help me stand, then? *pushes a bit to get to his feet, all weight on his left leg*
Anna: *stands up, and puts an arm around his middle to help steady him.*
VH: *looks down* Uh, maybe we should get the shirt first?
Anna: *the same laugh/cry expression crosses her expression* Are you always this torn apart after a fight? *inquired gently, with a slightly teasing lilt.*
VH: Ummm. *tugs at shirt sleeve w/ uninjured arm* Depends on the fight. Ow.
Anna: *assists him in the task of pulling the sweater over his head, with as little incident as possible*
VH: *winces, but bears the pain* *blinks and looks at her* You're wearin' more clothes than me. *that smack into the wall might've been harder than they thought*
Anna: Lets just worry about you for now, Mr. Van Helsing.
VH: Yeah. Uh, what were we doing next? *rubs his head with one hand - the bad arm - and winces hard at the sudden pain*
Anna: *slowly unbuttons his undershirt, and tugs it cautiosly from his shoulder so that he can easily shrug it off*
VH: Thank you. And, uh, you said I had to... *doesn't finish, just unfastens pants and pushes them to the floor - sort of*
Anna: Yes. Thank you. *waits for him to sit back down*
VH: *sits* I'm sorry I got you into this, Anna.
Anna: *looks up sharply* I'm not sorry. Why are you sorry? *pulls the pants from his feet, removes his socks, and begins dressing his wounds.*
VH: *reaches out with good hand and strokes her hair, but says nothing*
Anna: *feels his hand against her hair, and looks up with a smile smile a brief second before returning to her task. She finishes on his right leg, and moves to the lesser wounds on the left*
VH: You need bandaging? *hand still in her hair*
Anna: Not as badly as you do.
VH: How's your head? *focusing on talking to her is keeping his head a bit clearer than before*
Anna: It will heal. *though just the thought of the open cut makes her wince...more so than the pain itself*
VH: *shifts his hand around and tilts her head up to face him for a moment* Can't tell if it's still bleeding. Doesn't appear to be. Finish my leg and I'll take a better look. *his tone is not quite flat, but almost; business-like*
Anna: *begins to protest, then turns her attention back to his leg, quickly finishing the wrapping*
VH: Done?
Anna: Yes.
VH: Rag. *holds out his hand*
Anna: *reluctantly hands one over*
VH: *gently uses the cloth to wipe at the wound on Anna's head* It's closed, or mostly there. Not bleeding anymore. Anything else?
Anna: Thank you *then, simply* Shoulderblade. *persistantly* I am fine, though.
VH: Yours or mine? *in ref to shoulderblade*
Anna: Both.
VH: Bleeding or just hurts? Yours, I mean.
Anna: It only hurts.
((con't next post))
((muns still working))
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Anna: *glances to his shoulder* No. You're right. *moves to clean the surrounding area of the slightly-healed gash*
VH: *winces a bit, but the warm water is nice*
Anna: *finishes, then carefully wraps her arms around him, laying her head delicately on his good shoulder*
VH: *puts his good arm around her* Tired?
Anna: Perhaps.
VH: Cold?
Anna: A bit.
VH: Uh, if you get up, we can lay down on the bed and go to sleep. *meaning - it'd be a really good idea if you got up and helped me lay down, or I might pass out*
Anna: *moves over, and rises to her feet*
VH: *gets to his feet long enough to yank the blankets down the bed, then nearly collapses onto the remarkably uncomfortable bed, he would have let her lay down first, but the whole sore leg bit made that tough* Okay, this is quite unusual, but the circumstances are not in our favor, but we'll both fit. *and yeah, he rambles when he's exhausted - that or he just grunts and mumbles*
Anna: *kicks off her boots, and lays down as well, the result of her own exhaustion listlessness, rather than rambling*
VH: *shifts so he's on his back and Anna's head is resting on his left shoulder; it hurts, but not nearly as bad as if she were to kick his right leg; he turns his head and kisses her forehead - b/c it's what he can reach from where he is* Thanks. *muttered, softly*
Anna: *smiles softly* What for?
VH: Helping. Being here. All of it.
Anna: I wouldn't have it any other way. Not now.
VH: *tilts her head toward his and kisses her - long, slow, deep, a bit needy*
Anna: *is lost in the kiss for a long moment, before she pulls away gently, turning her head* Would things be different between us..in any way...had I not died? *She feels awkward bringing the subject up, but she needs an honest answer.*
VH: What? *he's not sure he understands her question*
Anna: If I had not died...would we still be...*she trails off, unsure how to label their relationship*
VH: *looks to the ceiling* I... I don't know.
Anna: *thoughtfully* And that's alright. *she answers her own question, in a way.* Not knowing..
VH: I wish I could tell you, but *he shakes his head* it wasn't something I had much time to think about.
Anna: *can only nod sleepily*
VH: Get some rest. We can talk in the morning. *reaches down and grabs the blankets, pulling them up to cover Anna and himself*
Anna: *nestles closer to him, quickly drifting off into sleep*
VH: *kisses the top of her head and settles back to go to sleep*
((end of scene – next part will begin in a new post))