awashlogs | Event Nine.

[ It's simply too tiring to ask what he means by "bad for his heart" or "feeling sick", even if they'd also like a clarification on the looking awful comment. While he speaks, their eyelids are heavy, and not in the typically sleepy way that Lupin might have seen a few times by now— they really are struggling to stay conscious, brow furrowed more in focus than out of worry. ]

The rest of me should be at my house...in Flavo. [ They add, even though it seems like he must already know where they live. ] If the boats carrying those pieces have made it back, that is.

[ If they're remembering correctly, there should be five pieces total: two halves of each of their legs, and their left arm. It's possible some ships are taking longer to get back, or maybe they are worrying for nothing and all their parts are already home, but they have no way of knowing until they get there. When he moves to pick them up, they actually accommodate him (half because they really have no other choice and half because they really do want to hurry up and go home), leaning into him and moving their hand to grip his shoulder loosely. ]

...Just, don't drop me. [ They're almost mumbling while they close their eyes. ] It'll get complicated if I lose anything else.

As if I'd drop you. Just who do you think I am?

[ the great Arsène Lupin, shattering a jewel by accident? Unheard of! Despite still feeling a little under the weather - and disapproving of their current situation - he can't stop himself from flashing them a little reassuring smile before hefting them up.

And oof, they're still heavy. Why'd this have to happen right after he got sick? His brow furrows under the strain of picking them up, but he manages. His arms are going to be killing him after this. ]

It might... take a little while to get there. [ too polite to tell them they're heavy to their face, though!! He readjusts his grip carefully with a quiet grunt, then starts off towards Flavo, walking as fast as he can manage carrying a sapient rock in his arms. ] Hang on for a little bit longer, all right?

[ They hum, not particularly caring how long it's going to take since they have no say in the matter. ]

"Just who do I think you are"?

[ That, on the other hand, they can only find a dumb question to ask them, even rhetorically, when they're missing half of themself. If they had a free hand they'd be rubbing their temple or holding their face, but they don't, so they just sigh tiredly, doing whatever they can to not get in his way as he moves them around. ]

A human trying to carry something too heavy for him. [ A huff. ] But it does feel like I've heard you say that corny phrase before.

[ They don't know exactly when or if it was word for word, but something tells them this is definitely typical behavior of the other, so they shouldn't be worried. ]

[ this is gonna be a long walk. His back already aches a little bit just from walking this far with them. But he's endured worse before; as always, he bears it with a smile. Cairngorm's the one missing limbs right now. Even if they say it doesn't hurt, he can't rightly complain. ]

You don't remember who I am?

[ he sounds... faintly amused, faintly disturbed. Amused, because he knows this can happen, they told him before - but disturbed, because it's still alarming to have your friend not recognize you.

This better get fixed when they're put back together. ]

[ They're missing out on him smiling through the pain like a champ, but at least their features are slowly relaxing while they try to take this opportunity to rest. ]

...Not completely. Half my memories are gone, after all.

[ He looks familiar, and they can remember bits and pieces of interactions they've had, but what their overarching relationship is supposed to be? Acquaintances? Friends? Its hard to say. Even in their confusion, Cairngorm is taking a leap of faith trusting that their self from the island arranged things so that everything would make it back safely, that someone competent would be prepared to help repair them... and of course, that this mystery person is trustworthy.

They let their hand slip from holding onto his shoulder, pressing the pads of their fingers to their brow as if they had a headache. ]

I know we've met a few times. But I can't really remember your name.

[ ah... it is kind of sad, isn't it? It's fine, though - this'll be fixed soon. Getting upset about it wouldn't be worth the emotional effort. He's more mature than that. ]

It's Lupin. We're friends.

[ whether or not cairngorm would say it out loud - he's saying they're friends!! ]

You always give me a hard time for getting in trouble, but look at you now - you're literally falling to pieces! I'm gonna give you a right talking-to when you're back to normal.

[ it's a friendly jab, even if he also sort of means it....... ]

[ Someone who's case they get on a lot... yeah, he must be a reckless type. In that case, their anger was likely warranted every single time, at least from their perspective. His scolding annoys them, but currently they're a little more frustrated over 1) not having legs and 2) their own fault of getting dragged there in the first place, so they just keep their hand laying flat over their face, covering half of their frown. ]

Oh, that's rich. Why should I listen to a talking to from someone who gets in trouble constantly... I'm sure I had good reason to give you a hard time.

[ Getting taken to that island was a mistake in their judgment, sure, especially when they know this place plays with voices of those from home. But at least they're (semi) self-aware about their own dumbassery, and he probably isn't if they're always having to yell at him. ]

[ They might be missing memories, but that reaction clearly shows that they're not missing whatever makes them Cairngorm. He laughs - a little short and wheezy, but a laugh nonetheless. ]

Because you're a worrywart? I'm not sure that counts as a good reason.

[ they'll remain at odds on what counts as idiocy and what counts as bravery - as far as Lupin's concerned, his only mistake so far in all his time here has been getting bitten by that werewolf, and he's willing to admit that, at least. Anything else dangerous he's done? Calculated and successful, by virtue of him still standing here. The scenery begins to change as they pass into the more pastoral Flavo, but Cairn's house is still a ways off. ]

[ Their frown only deepens when he laughs, and normally they'd tense up and close themself off like they usually do, but they have a feeling moving at all will just make this harder for him. So they refrain, but only barely. ]

I'm not a worrywart. [ They just hate impulsive and reckless behavior!! Even though they also have very recently made an extremely impulsive decision that ended badly. ] You're the one worrying about someone immortal that can't feel pain. Even if I was worried about you at some point, at least that makes more logical sense than you worrying about me.

Edited 2018-08-17 11:35 (UTC)

[ Point one: he's pretty sure they aren't really immortal if they can be broken apart. Point two: even if they can't feel pain or death, there are worse things than that. Such as losing all your limbs and memories, for instance.

Just because you can't feel pain doesn't mean you're never in any danger. You're smart enough to know that, yourself, aren't you?

[ he knows they are... he also knows they're most likely just being difficult because they don't know how to respond to his caring about them, and so, his responses stay light. Lupin might have said he'd give them a hard time, but he doesn't sound the least bit critical - his voice is just teasing. Teasing, and beneath that, concerned, though he's good at hiding that. ]

Worrying doesn't need to be logical, anyway. Sorry to tell you this, but we humans are emotional creatures. You'll have to accept my concern comes from my heart, not my head.

From your "heart".

[ At least half their eye roll is concealed while their eyes are shut, before they open them half way and just stare at him, thoroughly unimpressed. They move their hand to rest against their chest, revealing their other pale quartz eye— a stark contrast against the black crystal of their face. ]

Saying you use your heart over your head doesn't make me feel like you should be commenting on how smart I am...

[ It's true that they don't know how to respond to someone worrying about them, especially for what they perceive as irrational reasons; they'd rather divert the conversation than wallow in it. They'll just close their eyes again. Like him, there isn't much maliciousness in their voice other than the expected grumpiness considering their condition; they're just too damn tired to come off as more aggressive. ]

Sometimes your heart knows better than your head does, you know.

[ they most likely do not know... but that's fine. He's sure they'll figure it out eventually. Lupin's arms are about ready to fall off, too, by this point, but fortunately, Cairn's house appears on the horizon, and he hurries towards it. ]

Almost there. Let's hope the rest of you made it back before I did.

[ if he has to do this again carrying their legs he'll probably pull something!! For now, though, the only thing he's pulling is the front door open. ]

[ No it literally does not, is what they want to say, but they're thankfully more interested in watching him open the door to their home. You know, because they actually are quite stressed out about not receiving all their limbs back— Cairngorm is notorious among gems for having an extremely hard time replacing parts of themself, so if something doesn't make it back, they'll be metaphorically up the creek without a paddle.

When he swings open the door, other than Cairngorm's neat and humble abode, he'll see that there are indeed crystal limbs out and about. On the table near the couch, the saturated black of their limbs sticks out from the monochrome of everything else. Their left arm is placed on the table such that the hand dangles off the edge limply, and the rest of both their legs broken into two pieces each: two pieces that run from the upper-mid thigh to right above the knee, and two pieces from their knee to the bottom of their tall heel. He might notice that their other arm is a slightly off-shade of black from their other limbs; black quartz, definitely, but different somehow from the rest of them, like it had been carved from a different stone entirely.

Seeing it all, they let out an audible sigh of relief, grateful both that their plan worked and that nothing looks particularly damaged, at least not from afar... ]

I thought they might have sunk.... [ Is all they can say in response to his musing, putting their hand on his shoulder so they can sit up a little in his arms to take stock of the room. Thankfully all their stuff was set right near the couch so he won't have to move them very far, he's already done a ton for arm day afterall. ] I guess whoever I asked did what they were told.

[ When they remember, they'll have to pay them back somehow... ]

[ take stock fast, Cairngorm, because Lupin only hesitates for a brief moment to confirm all their parts are here before tottering over to the aforementioned couch and setting them down there with perhaps a little less delicacy than usual; once they're settled, he straightens up, heaving a huge sigh before wiping a few beads of sweat from his forehead. Suffice to say the novelty of finally being able to pick up and carry them wore off within the first five spine-straining minutes - especially since Cairngorm was so out of it that they didn't have any chance to get all cute and fluttery about it. Very tragic.

But it's fine. There are more important things to do than try and charm his favorite rock at the moment - namely, putting all said rock's limbs back together. Once he's taken a moment to catch his breath, he rests his hands on his hips, looking at the pieces of them laying about. It's a sort of surreal scene - one that would probably be more alarming if he wasn't tentatively used to it already. ]

I'm glad they did. [ Lupin doesn't know who it was, either. ] So... Same as before?

[ he has a snappy memory, so he basically remembers the process they used to put the pieces of their face back on... unless they can do it themselves. Maybe they can. ]

...?

[ Unsurprisingly, they're momentarily confused by the question, not recalling what he's referring to in the slightest. It definitely takes a few moments for them to jump through the hoops of oh, he's saying he's helped do this before and this is probably why I set things up this way before cutting all my limbs off. ]

I don't remember before, but we'll have to repair the legs first before I put them on. That arm will likely be an issue, too... but maybe you already know that.

[ They'll have to see if it'll reattach correctly with their... admittedly not top-tier glue they made. They've never tried gluing back on pieces this big with it, so they look thoughtful for a brief moment, looking between the pieces on the table and their alleged friend, who looks way more tired than they were expecting. ]

There should be resin and brushes in my room— unless you are too tired to carry it.

[ yes this is an appropriate time for the dry comedy shtick ]

[ yeah he should have thought that question out more before he asked it but listen. he's tired now.

not so tired, however, that he can't help them with this! When Cairngorm makes that comment, he reaches over and gives them a solid poke to the forehead. ]

See? Worrywart. I can handle myself just fine.

[ Lupin then turns from them, heading towards their room to pick up the tools they need, as instructed. It doesn't take him long to come back with the same items Cairngorm had brought out last time they did this - the brushes, the resin, the powder. At this point, he's also wondering if the glue will really be enough for entire limbs, but... they did use it to stick their leg back on before, right? It has to be pretty strong. He sets the tray on the table, then moves over to that discolored arm. ]

How about the arm first? Then you might be able to help me out some more.

[ it does look a little strange - clearly a different stone, if not a different gem, to his practiced eye - and although he's curious, he's not going to ask. For now, he's focused on making sure they're going to be all right. ]

[ He can definitely expect a swatting at his hand at that forehead pock, even if it's slow and groggy. Unfortunately he's also gone before they can reiterate that they're not a worrywart, too, so they just wait there annoyed until he comes back. ]

Ugh... okay.

[ They sit up at his suggestion (extremely reluctantly), pressing the inner corner of their eye before rolling up the short black sleeve of their uniform, the open face of their wound a diagonal cut from slightly above their elbow on one side to past their bicep on the other. ]

Be careful when you pick it up. And use— [ They lean over to the table to pluck a flat brush from the ones sitting there, holding it out to him. ] This one. Just put the resin on the cut side first.

[ Don't mind them while they hunch over to hold up their head with their only hand and watch him like a hawk to make sure he doesn't accidentally break anything. ]

[ One day, Cairngorm will trust Lupin to not fumble anything and everything... That day is apparently not today, but maybe he can start changing their mind. He gingerly picks up the arm (once again noting how damn weird this is, but trying not to think about it) - which is heavy, but in comparison to their main body, feels light as a feather - and the brush before taking a seat next to them. The poor couch creaks under their combined weight, but it's fine. Probably. ]

... Do you really have so little faith in me? [ he comments ruefully, noting their cautious posture as he begins applying the resin. ] I know you don't really remember, but we've already come this far, haven't we? I'm not gonna break you.

[ normally, he'd make some cheesy comment about how the famous Arsène Lupin knows full well how to handle priceless treasures, but there's not really any point when A) Cairngorm doesn't even know his name and B) they always take his posturing as proof he's full of hot air, anyway. ]

This doesn't have anything to do with faith.

[ There's firm denial in their voice, their head shaking as they leer at him. Maybe their lack of memory of their interactions and general dynamic with Lupin is letting them be a bit more truthful than they would normally— generally at a comment like this they might roll their eyes and say something equivalent to yeah, right, instead of grumpily huffing out their true feelings. ]

It's just that I'm not used to letting anyone else do this other than myself or Rutile... of course I'm going to watch carefully. Besides— it's not like you would feel too great leaving yourself in my care, either.

[ his first instinct is to protest - of course he'd be okay being taken care of them! well, maybe it would be a little hairy, depending on how badly hurt he is in this hypothetical situation and considering Cairn's less-than-satisfactory understanding of how the human body works, but it's the principle of the thing! - but he keeps his lip buttoned, just smiling and shaking his head. He shouldn't be taking this so personally. It must be stress getting to him - definitely. Once they're put back together, he can stop worrying so much and take a nap... ]

Fair enough. Then I guess I'll just have to prove myself. Are you ready?

[ there's definitely something a little off about this arm, and Cairngorm mentioned that it could be a problem earlier. As far as he can tell, though, all he can do is stick it on and hope for the best. Once he's painted a generous coat of resin on, he hefts it up with a slight bit of effort, fitting the broken end against their shoulder as best he can. It takes two hands to lift it, for a human; he tries to use one to put some pressure on their disembodied upper arm, too, to help it stick, but he's hoping that they'll help him out with the limb they have left. ]

[ As soon as the flat edge of their arm makes contact with the rest of their body, they make an expression that is the closest one to pain that he’ll have seen on them. Turns out that even if gems don’t necessarily feel “pain”, reattaching limbs isn’t the most comfortable sensation, and it shows in the slight wince they make while they help to hold the arm in place.

After two or three seconds of both of them keeping the stiff limb steady, they slowly start to move the fingers of their newly attached arm, flexing their hand to test its movement. They’re being extremely gentle with the whole limb, though, as if any sudden movement of their shoulder could cause it to fall right off again— so they don’t pull out of his hold, just averting their eyes to the other pieces on the table so they don’t have to make eye contact. At least it’s not their face (now that they’re recalling that fun time), but its still... embarrassing, doubly so because he’s not even here out of obligation or because its his job. ]

There... [ They take away their right hand from where it was supporting their left arm, as if to prove to him that it doesn’t need to be held up anymore. ] It can move now, so— I can handle most of the rest.

[ They’ve already relied on him a lot, today. ]

[ he doesn't let up, but he does notice their change in expression, and a wrinkle forms in his brow - concerned, again. For all their talk of not feeling pain, they certainly looked pained for a second there. Even once they start moving the fingers, he doesn't quite let go until Cairngorm does, and not until he's sure it won't fall off without his support. (His own arm feels sort of like it might fall off after this heavy lifting, but he'll worry about that tomorrow morning when he's good and sore.) ]

... Guh. That looked less than comfortable. [ a pause. ] I didn't hurt you somehow, did I?

[ he's pretty sure he didn't, because he's Lupin, but even Lupin knows this isn't his area of expertise. Their embarrassment doesn't go unnoticed; for the moment, he's simply more worried about their wellbeing than whatever self-consciousness they might be feeling over this, and he stays put where he is. ]

Huh? No, it's not that.

[ They shake their head— explaining will take their mind off of their momentary vulnerability, at least. ]

I told you before that when we break, we can feel it, but nothing lingers, right? [ Bit by bit, their memory is becoming a little bit clearer. While they pause to make sure they're recalling correctly, they swap the pieces on the table such that the two left pieces are lined up and likewise for the right. ] It's like that for reattachment too. Getting a big piece back on is always uncomfortable, but it goes away.

[ They let out a little sigh, stealing a glance at his concerned expression before darting away. ]

It really isn't something to look so worried over. You're supposed to be proving to me you can handle this, anyway...

Handling it and worrying about it aren't mutually exclusive. I'm multitasking.

[ even the great Lupin worries about things sometimes...! He's glad he didn't screw anything up, though. While they rearrange the broken parts, he looks on, seeming to contemplate what to do next. (In reality, he's thinking about the propriety of helping reattach the next pieces... Sure, they're disembodied, but manhandling their thighs still feels a little... invasive. Then again, gems probably don't care about things like that. Do they?! Maybe he's overthinking this.) ]

But in that case, we should try and get this over with quickly.

Edited 2018-09-06 01:22 (UTC)

[ Actually, gems do kinda care about things like that. Which is why they make the motions to glue the upper half of their left leg to the lower half, taking a brush for themself and moving the jar of resin closer to their side. Not only do they vastly prefer it if it doesn't get pieced together backwards, but they'd also find it weirdly embarrassing for him to be handling their leg all over the place, so— it's back to the if you want a job done, do it yourself mindset. ]

That guy cut these pieces cleanly, so this won't take long. [ Yeah, "that guy", who's name is escaping them for the moment. ] It's still something I can fix myself. If a time comes in this place where I'm shattered into lots of pieces or to the point of unconsciousness, that would be the time to worry about it.

[ They trail off, sitting the chunk of crystal on what's left of their lap while they apply the resin to the cut side, focusing on their work instead of looking at him. ]

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