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WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Jeopardy -> Heropa
WHEN: Nov. 19
WHAT: A resolution and a swear-in
WARNINGS: Please label threads

Somewhere, in a place that is and is not Jeopardy, time has passed. To some, it may have felt like mere hours; to others, days. For time doesn't truly touch this place. Only fate exists here, for imPorts to change or allow to proceed as it will.

Somewhere, the sisters look into the hearts of those with the power to decide the fate of this entire world and know their choice. A blinding light grows, forcing even the strongest to close their eyes, and as they do so, a vision of what could have happened appears in their minds. A world wreathed in flames, fire and screams echoing ceaselessly as they depart; a peaceful world, healed and whole and well—and a certainty that another world has paid a heavy price.

And then there's the sensation of three powerful forces leaving, two taking an unwilling third with them to wherever they are going. This world will be left as it is now, and its future will be whatever the people here make of it.

MEANWHILE, IN HEROPA

One week into the mysterious storm that has enveloped much of Jeopardy, citizens across the nation are losing hope. The government continues to monitor the situation at a safe distance, but cannot enter the affected part of the city, though one SEAL team did make an attempt, only to become lost in the wind for hours before emerging without ever making it through. While the storm hasn't grown, neither has it shown any sign of changing.

The heroes who bravely charged into the storm have not officially been given up for lost, but with no news coming from Jeopardy, few believe they will emerge unscathed. To honor their sacrifice (?) and offer sorrowful natives a means of coping, a candlelight vigil kicks off outside Heropa City Hall at 4:30 PM EST.

Speeches are given. Commemorative t-shirts are sold. It is at this point that a large portal of light opens up in front of the building and deposits all imPorts who entered the storm, as well as a confused but unharmed Layla and Sally Clapp. A stunned silence falls over the crowd — followed shortly by an eruption of cheers.

Organized chaos quickly reigns over the occasion. Medical personnel are quickly called in to aid any imPorts who might need it, and government officials quickly descend, one thing on their mind: what the heck happened, heroes?! ImPorts are asked to state, for the record, exactly what they experienced — which leaves a lot of room open for the more creative among them. Just what each imPorts is willing to confess to or lie about is up to them, but there are other imPorts at hand to refute or support all statements.

While imPorts are technically free to go, all are encouraged to enter the building for a debriefing with government officials. Those who care to share their story begin to paint a picture of what happened, and a flurry of transportation begins to move between City Hall and the local porter outpost, as Jeopardy will certainly require some aid now that it is fully accessible. Reports begin to filter back that while there have been some casualties and collateral damage to the city, it is far less of a disaster than the government anticipated during the storm, no doubt due to imPorts' efforts. Additionally, news from other porter cities begins to arrive; with the dissipation of the Jeopardy storm, all dimensional anomalies elsewhere have ceased.

Following the briefings, ImPorts may go home and get some rest, although they may have trouble shaking off the crowds — which are largely ecstatic that the people who apparently saved the world are in front of them.

While imPorts were occupied with the post-disaster debriefings, locals have used the time to launch an impromptu celebration of their defense of this world. Local restaurants, breweries and nanas have hustled their finest wares over, and free food and drink are flowing for the homecoming heroes. A local party & events organizing company has strung up some lights and tents in the park across the street from City Hall, lending a festive atmosphere to the area. T-shirts being sold to honor the assumed-fallen heroes have been 'edited' with permanent marker, going from 'FALLED HEROES' (there was an error in the print run, given the notice of less than a week) to 'RISEN HEROES' and are, regretfully, being given away for free.

For those who stay, an impromptu party breaks out, and the occasion quickly becomes the latest swear-in, albeit with a more casual emphasis on the actual swearing-in than usual; a card table is set up with the usual seals and documents, but it's a bit haphazard.

Along with tasty libations, local musicians start jamming on acoustic guitars in the park's gazebo, setting up some cheerful background music—or maybe you're not too tired to dance? A local physical therapy school has rolled in multiple portable massage tables, with free sessions for sore heroes!

The locals who haven't dispersed yet are also around, likely to seek autographs from the world savers, while podcasters, BlueTubers and regular nosy nellies might lean in with a recording device, asking for the real story of what happened. For imPorts who become too intoxicated or exhausted to porter home, many locals are offering couches to crash on — although the pillows they use may later show up on ePay.

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Wh—no, no... Nah, it ain't too much...

[God she's cute, tucking away like that...like how he wishes he could right now! Well, maybe not in the same way she is, but he doesn't like how much he's showing off right now...even if he's not exactly worried that she'll hurt him in his vulnerability.

Well, in a way that matters to him, anyway.]

I'm glad I got you too, y'know? That we got this thing between us.

[His mouth quirks upward into a small smile, it's a tired one, even if the cold on his neck is making it hard to actually settle into sleep. Even though that's a good thing, he probably shouldn't be sleeping right now.]

That we got ourselves a future.

[hearing him say that fills her with such a wonderful mix of joy, relief, and gratitude that it actually overflows and makes her squirm a little, tickled down to her toes. it makes her want to hide utterly under the covers, but that'd mean losing sight of his smile -- something she wants to see and impress into her heart for good. she bites her lip to stifle her own smile, even as her thumb traces the corner of his.]

And the present! Even if...it's a little sore for you right now.

[Another throb of affection pulses through him watching her be so damn excited at that. Being valued like this, having such a positive effect on someone...it's not even something he got from Lusamine. She valued him (or so he believed), and he was assisting her, but...it was never like this.

As much as he can without hurting himself, he leans into her hand. Enjoying the tracing her thumb is doing at the corner of his mouth, just...enjoying the feel of her hand on him at all.]

Yeah, well...I'd deal with this and more for what we got right now.

[And he literally has. They both have!]

Ain't nothin' your boy can't handle, yo.

[it really is something else... Lucina has a lot of friends here -- some she even considers as close as family. but this is different. it's special. and he means to fight for it, same as she does. she hopes there'll be no need for more fighting of the kind they've had to put up with of late.

right now, though, the battle is more in...simpler things. mundane things. things like...listening to your man grumble and wince as he struggles to get clothes on again so they can go out to the emergency room late at night. there's nothing quite like being vividly aware of your accidental wrongdoing while trying to get changed and carry on with your day. night. whatever...!

as sensitive as his neck is, Lucina doesn't dare risk flying them -- not just because of the chill or the jostling, but because he'd probably get so fussy up there that they'd plummet barely a mile into the journey! so instead she calls a cab to convey them there -- something she still finds a bit novel, honestly; she doesn't do buses or cabs very often at all, even in the winter. she wonders why...

well, she wonders why until she sees the total fare when they get there. goodness. while Guzma climbs out, she fishes out payment, thanking the driver once more for their time before climbing out herself, sighing and bracing against the brisk, cold air.

moving to his side on their way to the entrance, she leans to a side to peer through the glass.]

It doesn't seem too crowded in there of yet...maybe it won't be so long at all!

[He's really trying not to be moody. Pain doesn't normally bother him so much, but maybe the location is what's getting to him. There's also the uncomfortable tingling that's made its appearance too, but he doesn't mention it to Lucina. She's already worried enough!!

But you know, strife like this is something he's fine with right now. It beats that whole fighting for the right to exist thing, and while that's far more epic of a story than a trip to the ER because of a sex-related injury, this is far more manageable. Besides, he doesn't have to worry about the fact Lucina could die or be lost in some other way...

His grumpiness, however, comes in full force once they're at the hospital. One part because of having to go back out into the could, but also because he just does not like places like this, doesn't like doctors or nurses...none of that. The fact it's not particularly crowded helps, but only so much. How his face scrunches looks more like he just bit into an unripe lemon than the agitation from his pain it was earlier.]

It better not be. Ain't fond of hospitals.

[He can probably count on one hand how many times he's been to one...his birth included in that list.]

I don't know anyone who really is...

[she tries to offer an encouraging look, but there's not much that holds up to that scowl Guzma's got going on. with a little wince in her eyes, she sighs, walking along with him inside, slowing her stride to let him take the lead. rather than hover around him signing in, she instead wanders off to sit down in one of the many lobby chairs, looking about and back toward him at the nurse's station. she can't help but strain to try and overhear, but the second she gets 'Purpose of visit?' she colors and looks pointedly elsewhere, crossing and then uncrossing her offending legs in her antsiness.]

[Guzma deals with all of that signing in business with the pleasantness of a cactus, but when that question arises, he glances at Lucina...it breeches that bad mood of his to think about that, but he also knows how embarrassed Lucina is about the whole thing. Were she someone else, he might not think twice about saying why, but instead he doesn't give any incriminating details beyond the fact that an accident happened involving his neck and the resulting pain.

Further details can be given to the doctor, and even then he's working on a story in his head to spare Lucina the shame she's already burdened herself with. After that's all taken care of, he walks over to join her, sitting down with a small grunt.]

Said to chill till they call me, but it shouldn't be too long.

[He glances at Lucina, since he can't really turn his head at this point.]

...So, what's our story, hm?

What? You mean-? [purpose...of visit...

right.

she tries not to look so embarrassed, but she's too honest in her expressions. rubbing her own neck, she bites on the inside of her lip, thinking it over.

wrestling...? that seems the closest one could imagine, logically, that could put his head in such a...um. precarious positioning.

but you're not supposed to lie to doctors. she's worked at O'Malley's clinic long enough to know what can happen if you do!

quietly, barely above a murmur:] You should...tell the doctor the truth. [even if she wants to get buried under the earth in shame.] Otherwise, they can't help you properly.

Y'sure?

[He raises his eyebrows at that. They could...come up with something that'd be close enough, he thinks. But if she's certain, then he'll be up front. He's got no shame attached to this at all, beyond the fact he got hurt this bad (still viewing it as his fault and not hers) and it's made Lucina feel like shit about it. Maybe in time she'll learn that him getting hurt is just a fact about him, and she'll realize worrying about it isn't necessary.

...Which is a horrible way to look at one's own injuries, but...]

If it makes y'feel any better, people come in for way more embarrassin' things. Bet the doctor won't even bat an eyelash at this.

I...I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. [her mouth twitches despite herself. honestly, the number of times kids have come with things up their nose or in their ears is understandable...but the number of time grown adults have come in with...other things in other places is...a lot, too.

she rubs her forehead and sighs, nodding. grow up, Lucina; you're not the one in pain here.]

But you're right, all the same. There's really no sense in fussing about it now. [easier said than done, as always.]

Good for us, bad for them.

[Now that he's come to accept the fact he's here and this is on it's way to being over, he's a little less moody. Still not in the best mood, but...he's got Lucina here with him, and he's here because she cares about him. That in itself makes it way less insufferable. The story might change when he deals with the doctor and whatever it is they want to do with him.

Ugh.]

Y'know, I ain't no optimist, but I'd rather be here 'cos of this than somethin' more serious. [Like the Nihilego possession...] It's better to get hurt doin' somethin' ya love, than somethin' ya hate, huh?

[Though Guzma does have a weird penchant for enjoying getting hurt when he's in a fight. It's cathartic in an odd way, but he doesn't need to say that.]

Yes.

[but she's more used to waving off injuries from a friendly spar than...y'know. this.

she sighs, some of her tense posture easing up a little as she brushes her fingers through her bangs.

peering sidelong past her fingers back at him:] ...If it's going to become something of a habit, all the more reason to consult a professional about...preventative measures.

[Guzma opens his mouth and then closes it. He was about to joke how there's plenty of ways to prevent this from happening, none of which a doctor might suggest—but then he stops himself because...well, maybe he shouldn't suggest something like bondage (EVEN IN JEST) to her right now. He's really not sure what the doctor is even going to suggest, it's not like most people have girlfriends with super strength, right??

Instead, he decides to focus on the former half of what she said.]

I'd like for it to become a habit. [Maybe not this result, but.] I'm sure we'll figure it out, dunno what the doctor will really say...our situation ain't what most would call normal.

[she starts to blush at the reiteration of habit, as if she wasn't the one who made mention of it first. she pointedly looks ahead, well aware of the look on his face without having to look. that alone makes her skin prickle.]

R-right... We can discuss that after--

[the nurse at the front calls his name, and that cuts Lucina off. she sits straighter, as if she was the one called, before sinking down a little.]

I...I'll wait here. Since we're not related...they won't let me go along...

[He perks when he hears his name, but then sinks again in his chair. He really doesn't want to deal with this. He glances to her when she speaks up again, and maybe it's better she doesn't come along...if only for the sake of her dignity.]

Yeah, forgot about that rule. It's pretty weird, but whatever—I'll manage.

[Gingerly he gets up, holding himself pretty rigidly, and if she watches, she might catch how he keeps flexing his fingers into a fist and out again. It could either be a nervous twitch, or it might be because his nerves are feeling a little weird right now...he doesn't clarify as he walks off to go meet with the doctor.

The whole thing takes...awhile. Beyond the explanation, there's also the fact they wanted an x-ray, and to babble at an impatient and moody Guzma about all the facts of his injury (an acute compression fracture to his C3—whatever that means), what to do, what not to do, and giving him a neck brace, a prescription for pain killers (a mistake, honestly), yadda yadda.

By the time he's back, he looks exhausted and no less irritated. but now he has a neck brace and a white little bag for said pain killers! While he'll find his amusement at the situation again once they leave the hospital, right now he's just tired, pissy, and ready to sleep.

It's incredible he didn't get into a fight with someone, but maybe the pain in his neck kept him under wraps...]

—Lets get the hell outta here.

Mmh...?

[upon his return, Lucina's slumped in the chair, her head propped up by her hand, dozing. what else was she supposed to do? chat with people? at three in the morning?! that would only invite questions...

when he shuffles up and speaks, she sits up, blinking blearily. it takes a beat of her squinting up at him to understand the neck brace.

was it...was it really that bad? gods...!]

R-right. I'll call for a cab...But let's get out of this building anyway.

[she gets up, rubbing her eye and yawning as they go.

once their outside, braced against the chill:] Was it...really that bad? How long do you have to have that on?

[He just gives an non-committal sound to that as he waits for her to get up so they can get outta there and wait for the cab. Granted, it sounded like a better idea than it actually was, seeing as outside is fucking cold, but somehow he's less irritated in the cold, than he was in the hospital.

At her question, he glances at her, and mulls on what to say. It'd be pointless to lie, and that's really not his style anyway. Looking out towards the parking lot, he forces a grin. A good enough compromise, he thinks.]

Just a small fracture, nothin' big. [You know, it's ONLY his neck.] They said about four to six weeks, but I'll take it off when I'm sick of it.

[...Which means probably earlier than that.]

...You really liked that, huh?

[a fracture...?! gods, she's a monster. an absolute--]

Hu-huh...?

[she flinches a little at the question, going red in the face. gluing her eyes back down on her phone to check the status of the incoming cab, she uses that as an excuse to avoid answering right away.]

I-I'll be more careful! In the future... And--ah! There's the cab! [hurry up!!!]

[It's fine, that was answer enough. Well, the fracture actually was, but still. Seeing her fluster like that was enough to melt away his annoyance, for it to be replaced with a lascivious pride.]

I ain't worried about it.

[He offers with an amused huff, but leaving it there as he waits for the cab, that is now in view, to pull up. Once it does, he'll try to stubbornly get in without assistance, and he basically succeeds. MAN, everything is harder when your neck can't move, something he wouldn't have really thought about before, but now he has to think about it almost too much!

The ride back he's mulling over the information that the doctor gave him, but honestly between how late it is, what all they've done in the last 24 hours, the pain meds he's now on, and the soothing sort of rhythm of the car he's almost asleep when they arrive.]

Hey. We're back.

[it's her turn to wake him up, giving him a gentle shake on the arm before popping the door open. after paying the fare, she catches up with him on the way to the house, opening it up and hurrying inside.

this is two times in not even a day...coming back here. she's more exhausted than before!]

Thank goodness... [she yawns, stretching.] I think I might sleep for days at this rate...!

Mmhg?

[Is the dignified response she gets when she wakes him, and then he looks about as dignified as he shambles his way to her door, and eventually inside.]

Yeah, no kiddin'. That was more exhaustin' than the mess in Jeopardy.

[Which...isn't actually an exaggeration, but that was more likely because of whatever it was that rejuvenated them when they were dumped in Heropa, versus how tired they should have been.

Kicking off his shoes, and working his hoodie off of himself with a little bit of a struggle, he's going to be making his way to her bed...and trying to figure out how to lay down while keeping his stupid spine and neck aligned...this neck brace is gonna be a fucking nightmare and he knows it.]

Ah, here-- [she hurries along after making a halfhearted attempt at hanging things up (they get dumped on the Laundry Chair in the end, as usual), climbing in after him.] Are you able to sleep on your back? Or, or did they say not to... [she grimaces, realizing she has no idea how to tend to something like this.]

Oh—uh.

[He pauses for a second trying to remember what they said...there was so much, and he was so annoyed and tired that he's struggling to remember some of the details.]

Yeah, I can sleep on my back...or my side. Just gotta make sure my neck stays straight, or somethin'.

[With her help, he gets himself into bed, laying on his back—since it's the least terrible with that brace. After a moment, his face scrunches again as he's peering at Lucina. There's something akin to guilt behind the way he looks at her, because he does feel guilty that this happened...]

...Sorry, uh. For this mess.

What's that, now-?

[her expression goes from confusion to something fonder, her mouth curving.

with a faint laugh in her voice:] Ah-- I thought I was the one keeping busy apologizing.

[she shifts out of view for a moment so she can pull the covers over him. instead of settling down herself, though, she stays sat up so they can see each other.]

...You weren't wrong, though. [her face reddens, and she glances away.] I...I did like that. A lot. [she smiles despite her embarrassment, peeking back his way. lifting a hand, she brushes some of his hair off his brow.]

So...so get better quickly, alright? I told you, I'd be more careful next time...

[The laugh makes him feel a little better, oddly enough. Most people don't feel great when someone laughs at their apology, even if only in their voice. But, she's been so embarrassed and stressed over this, the fact she can laugh in some capacity is a good sign to him.

A comfort, really.

His expression softens for it—that and the warmth of the blanket, and how she chooses to sit besides him so they can see each other. The gentle brush of hair from his brow doesn't hurt anything, either. He even grins when she confirms what he had asked earlier, not that he actually needed further confirmation. Not with how clearly into it she was.

Not when she came like she did...]

Heh, sure thing. Ain't wantin' to be holdin' out on you too long, y'know?

[With a little bit of shifting, he gets his arm free from the blanket and places his hand on her thigh, giving it a firm and emphatic squeeze, before rubbing his fingers at the spot... God, looking at her like this, with that gentle expression on her face, the pink of her cheeks, she's honestly so beautiful.

The affectionate warmth that throbs in his chest is almost alarming every time he feels it. Such a contrast to the usual cold and twisted discomfort that's there otherwise. Like a flame melting away the build up of frigid ice that, for a decade, served as walls to protect him, yet it chilled him to his core as a consequence. Yet here she is, looking at him with gentle and loving eyes, treating him with kindness he normally rebukes out of fear...

It's truly in this moment that he's confident he made the right choice. To stay here, to fight against the impossible so that he could be here...with her.]

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fauxmarth - 2019-11-26 19:12 (UTC) - Expand

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golisolation - 2019-11-26 21:10 (UTC) - Expand

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