(open) i will never find a way to heal my soul

[puzzlingly]

Who: Atem and peeps. Open mostly, specially to anyone in the in the clinic.
What: Atem finally comes to after being attacked by Yukari, spends some time at the clinic being a massive grump, then goes home to grump a little more.
Where: Clinic / house 6-1
When: November 3rd- 14th
Warnings: Mentions of stitches and wounds ew, torture and blood. Other possible warnings in comments.


november 3rd | clinic | open to one trafalgar law

「He wakes. He wakes and all his being pushes him to scream, it is not possible for someone to withstand so much pain, so much cold. But he does not utter a sound. His body shivers from the cold, and he frantically looks around trying to get his bearings, trying to locate him, Yukari. He doesn't remember anything, just pain, and so much red, and the need to hurt that man as much as he possibly could, to stop him from going after someone else, then nothing, just nothing. He tries to sit up, failing completely, the ache down his chest forcing him to fall back onto the mattress and finally making him blurt out a pained cry.

It's been so long since he's felt this torment, this body is was not designed to endure so much punishment, it was a temporal vessel for his wandering soul. Why must he go through it all over again? Wasn't he done? Wasn't his time up? Why have they abandoned here...? Was he never good enough to move on, to go back home? -- Why is he here?!

Please end it, anyone, please just, end him.」

november 3rd - 12th | clinic | ota

「He should probably be sleeping instead of forcing himself to stay awake and even more so, forcing his dominant hand to play chess on his phone, or even to reply a few messages. Hell, he can barely hold the stupid phone, but he needs the distraction. Every time he goes to sleep, he sees his face, and then he remembers how stupid he was to give his trust away, again.

Meh, just meh...」

november 13rd - 14th | imported house 6-1 | open to bakura and anyone who asks idk (someone bring food to this child omg)

「Not being able to stay at the clinic any longer, because it is so damn depressing, Atem finally convinces them to let him go home, under the solemn promise that he would not do anything stupid. Like going outside and look for Yukari.

Being drained from the past days, he often finds himself simply sleeping, indulging into tiredness and allowing his vessel to regain its strength (not that he has many options controlling that...). But more than once, he finds himself bored to death and trying to get a hold of his cards, he can't. Having sliced through his fingers, trying to avoid Yukari's blade to go any further into his shoulder has made it impossible for now. It is so frustrating, so painful! 」

Dammit!

「It wouldn't be the first nor the last time during these days that he's absolutely tempted to toss his deck of cards to a close wall due sheer resentment, but he doesn't... Picking them up would be yet another pain in the ass.」

Comments

teleports right on in

[hot_mes]

[it's been a while since he's had a critical patient, so Law hasn't gone anywhere quite literally. Equipment in the clinic is still lacking compared to his medical ship but eh, he's made do with the basics. The massive lacerations had to be stitched, the rest are tightly bandaged to allow constriction to knit the wounds naturally. He's concerned more about blood loss and muscle damage than infection this time, but after the little complication from the monsters last time, he's leaving nothing to chance.

The noise gets his attention immediately, and though he doesn't rush, Law slides off his chair and goes to the bedside to check Atem's vitals.]

Pain?

[he doesn't need verbs right now, that's all he has to ask]

[puzzlingly]

「Seriously? Seriously, Law? Yeah, that's pretty much what Atem's eyes say when they land on him. But merely seeing this guy triggers some more memories, he was there, wasn't he?

He breathes through the pain, being a little more aware of where he is and why, and gives him quick nod, he's not up for a conversation.」

'm cold...

「Okay, maybe a little.」

[hot_mes]

[Gotta verify before taking action, you know.

Law grasps his wrist to get a pulse and then turns away, going to get a whole bunch of things. Extra blanket, first, and then a smallish vial of pills and water]

I'm not surprised. You lost a lot of blood, your pressure is lower than I'd like.

[he unfolds the blanket but doesn't exactly tuck his patient in or anything. Getting him painkillers is more important. He's still wearing his goofy coffee shirt, stained with blood - he hasn't been home to change since the incident]

Take one of these. I concocted it myself, it's stronger than aspirin.

HELLO FRIEND

[fadeling]

[Cole tends to lurk around the clinic as it is--he can help people, even if they don't always see him. Leaving bandages within reach of the healers, helping someone else forget that it hurts--they may not always be able to see him, but he's there.

Usually it isn't people he recognizes, though. Cole watches him play with the phone for a moment in silence, before he comes over, curious, but a little worried too.]

Is it bad?

DUDEROONI

[puzzlingly]

「Atem lifts his stare from the phone, looking without much interest at this guy, but his voice is very familiar.」

Cole?

HI HOW ARE YOU

[fadeling]

Yes. I can leave.

8th

[drabsolutelynot]

[Rosen has been aware of Atem's presence in the clinic for the past few days but it had appeared to him as though Trafalgar Law had dominion over that case, so he's kept his distance. Lee's not the type to interfere on another doctor's work, though he might be nosy and keep his ear to the ground to try and figure out what happened.

And of course he'd be on hand were help needed. But again, to the outside observer it appeared as though this case was being given due attention.

However a good amount of time has passed now and he sees Atem struggling to entertain himself with the phone. Without getting up from his chair which is only a few paces away, Rosen turns in Atem's direction]

Is that app any good?

[puzzlingly]

「Being bedridden for so long now, Atem has maybe already seen most of the people working at the clinic, not that he paid too much attention to them nor wanted theirs. He had enough with Law looming over him every now and then to check on him. He hated being so useless, such a burden.

But he remembers Rosen, and he does appreciate a little that he's not asking him how he feels. It is so damn obvious he's not alright.

For the first time in days, Atem attempts a little smile. It is not that successful.」

Hmm... No.

「He's so sorry, Chris.」

But... it's better than Ms. Pacman or Pong.

「They are too... repetitive. He also beat them already.」

[drabsolutelynot]

[Rosen does feel for him. Item's the dangerous combo of small and young that tugs at Rosen's heart strings. Easing back in his chair he hums in thought]

I have some board games here and I'm not particularly busy at the moment if you'd feel up to playing

[His expression turns more grim as he tries to assess the current state of Atem's injuries]

Or if you aren't up to that yet, perhaps I can call a friend for you? Someone to keep you distracted?

[stealer_ofsouls]

It’s going to take time.

[Bakura comes into the room, using his foot to push open the door since his hands are occupied with a tray. How he got himself into this mess, he’s still not sure. Between the distress call from the Pharaoh, the empty streets when he’d arrived, and tracking the man down at the hospital he’s had a busy week and change, and he’s not certain of why he’s even bothering. Maybe it’s because Atem had actually reached out to him in need, and he hadn’t been able to make it there in time. Maybe it’s because of all the people here Atem is familiar and a part of him needs that. Maybe it’s because Atem is the only other person who can command a Shadow Game, and that makes him useful.

Maybe it’s that someone else had gotten to the Pharaoh first.

Whatever the case he’s Bakura’s problem now, not that there’s anything easy about that fact. The Pharaoh is a horrible patient, and Bakura wonders if he’s ever had to really deal with serious physical injury or pain. He doubts it, judging by the impatience the man shows. But he does set the tray on the table near the bed, a bowl of soup and warm bread its contents. It’s an easy meal, not fancy by any means.

Bending to pick up the two cards that had fallen to the floor, he places them on the tray and turns to leave.]

[puzzlingly]

「Atem is angry and it shows, he's even more angry (ashamed, suprised) that Bakura had to witness his little tantrum. He's not used to be like this, to show how useless he truly is, and granted that he always took the worst of any attack or injury that Yugi could have taken, it was different then. They were together, they were able to go through it together. He doesn't have that luxury now.

When Atem was brought home, there was but little talk and simply more staring, questions from both of them all over the place without being said. It was obvious what had happened. And the truth is, the Pharaoh is not sure what to make out of Bakura helping him through it.

He watches him move through the room from the corner of his eye, still surprised that he's there at all, bringing him food; he watches him bend and pick up his cards, and he watches him leave.

Almost.

Atem darts his good hand at him, curling his fingers around his clothes, it is nothing but a gentle tug before he gets too far, it hurts his shoulder to move his arm at all, he doesn't even try to pull him at all, so he lets go before too long.」

Don't...

[stealer_ofsouls]

You don’t want me here.

[ Though the words are hot on the tail of Atem’s reaching, they’re not filled with the vitriol Bakura normally uses with the former Pharaoh and he does pause in his movements. Taking a deep breath, he tries not to let it out as a sigh. What is he even doing here? He’s not sure.

But he does know a little bit of the injuries Atem has, what it is to hurt as he does. His own hand flexes into a fist, the scars still a lurid pinkish-white against the back of the palm. He remembers injuring his host body so, remembers the time Ryou spend working the limb to regain strength and movement in the fingers. Idly, he wonders if Atem has been given any of the same instructions.]

The 4th!

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance has, of course, been aware of Atem being here, but he's been allowing Law to handle him for the most part; Lance is not a medical doctor, for one thing, and for another he's just already very overwhelmed with everything else going on. But he really hates that someone has already been hurt, especially someone that Lance likes and, to be honest, seems like an unfairly easy target. It's pretty cowardly to go after a teenager, let alone a teenager that's barely five free tall.

But it's no shock that people here are cowards--he knew that already--and so he's tried to ignore that for now, taking care of other things going on at the Clinic, but it's a relief to hear that Atem seems like he's going to be okay physically. He decides not to talk to him the first day he's awake, wanting to give him some time, but the next day he approaches at some point in the afternoon.]

Hello, Atem. How are you doing?

[puzzlingly]

「It's all too recent still, Atem might distract himself with the phone, fake he's sleeping just to avoid eye contact with others, or just simply sleep for real. His body seemed to need a lot of that lately. At least it came with the usual dreams and not exhausting ones like those they had to deal with few days ago.

When Lance approaches, Atem merely looks up at him for a moment, piercing eyes analyzing rather than welcoming. Is he for real? Is he blind? Why must he ask something like that? And he notices he's getting bitter by the second.

He closes his eyes and gives a small sigh. Stop, self, it says. It will pass, it says.」

... What is it that you want to hear, Lance?

「That he's feeling absolutely dreadful, not only physically but down his heart? That Yukari had stepped on his pride and it felt in pieces, or that he was just hurt to the core from having given away his trust so easily, just to be betrayed again, without any regard? Really, who wants to hear that?」

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance is unbothered by the look Atem gives him, except for the fact that it's one Atem feels is necessary. Lance gets it, though; he's reacted similarly before himself, and it only makes him more sure that there may be things it would be best for Atem to talk about.

But at the question he offers a small shrug, not flippant but one that indicates there's no correct answer.]

Whatever you might want to tell me. 'Nothing' is an acceptable answer, too.

[He's not going to force Atem to talk, especially not so early on in recovering. But if he wants to, the earlier the better.]

November 3

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin stops into the clinic as he often does, just to catch up on the news and find out if there is anything he can do -- he is actually on the roster as part-time staff, though his function is mostly to be a sort of ambulance service. But he is in the habit of sharing the proceeds of the hunt with the clinic staff and patients, and since he's a craftsman with metals expertise, he's made a fair amount of equipment for the clinic. However, today he's here for more troubling reasons. Trafalgar has told him that Atem was hurt, that Yukari had attacked him. Curuifn asks the staff if he can visit Yukari's unfortunate target. He feels wretched that he was not able to stop Yukari, but this visit is important for other reasons, too. ]

Atem?

[puzzlingly]

「Atem, a little defeated by the fact that he cannot hold his phone for a long time, just kind of stares into the ceiling, maybe pondering if he should just let himself go and sleep all the time, maybe it might be the best — but he gets his musings distrated by someone he does not recognize right at first sight.

He blinks at the other, slowly.」

I know you...


(ooc: feel free to assume atem told/will tell curufin his (real) name in the dream!)

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin comes a little nearer and gazes down at the unhappy patient. His eyes glow with sympathy. ]

Yes. From the dream. In the gods' event, a couple of weeks ago.

I'm Curufin Fëanorion.


[ Sorry! I was assuming that in the dream, Curufin was living in Atem's time and would have known that the pharoah's name was Pharaoh Atem. Not actually familiar with his canon. But that would be cool, if Atem reveals his real name to Curufin in the dream! ]

around the 11th or so if that's cool!

[jocoeur]

( akira didn't really have much business at the clinic today, aside from picking up some supplies. gathering those, it's an unmistakable shock of hair that catches his attention in the rooms at the back.

glancing around to make sure that he wasn't spotted, on the off-chance he wasn't supposd to be back here, he knocks gently on a wall so as not to take the young man by surprise. )

Atem? ( he sticks his head in, something of a comforting smile forming on his lips. ) We really should stop meeting like this.

that's perf!

[puzzlingly]

「Atem, completely zombified by Pong, takes a moment to look up. But when he does he gives him a pained smirk, not at the fact that everything hurts, but at the fact that here yet comes another person he knows that he wouldn't have liked to worry at all. Oh well. He will not deny he's glad to see him anyway.」

Akira. What are you doing here?

[jocoeur]

( he takes note of that look, wondering for about a split-second about leaving atem to his own devices, but his concern for the little gamer wins out. and now he's approaching the beside. sorry, bro you just can't shake this glasses kid i guess. )

Just getting some supplies. ( he holds them up, shaking them to punctuate his honesty. ) You don't... um, ( how to word this nicely... ) live here, do you?

whoops meant to do this yesterday LET'S SAY THE 5TH

[aroundthecoroner]

[Michael shows up at the clinic mid-morning, as usual. The weird dreams/forced unconsciousness last month did not, in fact, fix his sleep schedule permanently, so he's back to being late for everything ever. Hooray.

Thankfully nobody really cares in Hadriel, at least when there aren't emergencies, and even then, he's not exactly the first one they call. Since there isn't much for him to do, he decides to put away some recently scavenged supplies.

It takes him like fifteen minutes to realize someone else is in the room with him. Has that kid been here all day? Has he been here for more than a day? Good Christ he is so bad at noticing things. After another ten minutes of warring with himself over it, he finally decides to approach.]

Hey, uh, is anyone... helping you? [???]

[puzzlingly]

「Don't worry man, no one notices. Or maybe they do, but not this one, not right now at least, even if any other day he would have. Between the pain and the sudden high that Law's painkillers would give him, he can only focus on one thing, himself. Though it's terrible and really wishes it wasn't that way, so what does he do? He plays on his phone while trying not to bother anyone else at the clinic if he can help it. I was for the best.

So when this guy comes over and Atem just looks at him because, well, what else can he do?」

... Helping me with what?

「He's good, well no, he's not, he looks terrible, but Law is been good to him, maybe too good, Lance too, oh man, he's that popular patient, huh? Not like are any others.」

14th Pls!

[imhisaunt]

[There hasn't been a day that Delmar hasn't dedicate a significant portion of his emotional energy to worrying about Atem. To horrible thoughts of how bad Atem's injuries might be. How much pain he might be in.

Wondering if he's scared.

But he had made a promise to his friend not to go to the clinic. And as distressing a promise as that was to keep, he did it. There were times he almost broke his resolve, a few times even beginning to walk in the direction of the clinic. But always he managed to stop himself with the thought that breaking his promise might hurt Atem more than it could help.

However, he has heard through people who work at the clinic that Atem is no longer there. That he has gone home. And the promise he had made Atem didn't say anything about his home, right?

Delmar's hoping that's the case as he timidly pokes his head in the door.]

Atem?

[He tries in a hushed voice, not wanting to startle anyone. He tries it again just a bit louder]

Atem?"

[When he doesn't hear any response he dares to venture further inside, making his way cautiously towards the pharaoh's bedroom and when he reaches the door he pushes it ever so gently, opening it just enough to look in.]

[puzzlingly]

「Said Pharaoh is only dozing, being a little tired from earlier — moving around, actually taking a shower, get a change of bandages, walking a little bit because he's been in bed for so long now, you know — but now he's back to his comfy bed in his room that does not smell like medicine.

He does not hear his name being called from downstairs, and when the door opens, he assumes it might be Bakura, so, instead of making any effort to even send a glare to that dirting, he actually fakes being truly asleep. Was it time to eat again? How many times must he do that a day? Ugh.」