#⁜tximidity

“Ah. Road.” Here he had thought it was some random thugs. Truly, the realization that it was the Noah girl was a million times worse. Immediately, Sullivan had pulled himself up onto his feet once more, bag gripped tightly, ready to sling over his shoulder as needed. Though…he was all too aware that running would be as useless an endeavor as fighting. Trying to locate her, it was to no avail in the darkness of the woods.

At the very least, he was alone. There was a comfort to be found in knowing that she wouldn’t be injuring anyone else today (he couldn’t imagine her intent anything more tame; especially after her retort to him mentioning that he was alone and had no valuables on him).

“T-there’s nothing to gain from coming after a finder, is there? Why are you following me?”

     “ You’re right ~ . NORMAL finders are useless. ”

Settled on a branch behind him, hand pushing off the thick oak trunk as she all but hopped from tree to tree. Missteps hidden by passing through doors of her own creation. Roads between worlds bridged in seconds - all while a sickly sweet tone of laughter filled the air about him. Stopping with a tap in the tree just in front. Looking down at him while candles burst from the ether. Lit with candle flame, face washed in hues of burning orange and crimson as she grinned down at her prey. 

     “ But you’re NOT. I can sense it, you know.      Did you really think you could hide your      weapon away? ”

“I-It’s not stupid…” Sullivan strained, pain beginning to note itself in his vocal cords, tightening to raise his pitch. Breathing was an effort for him at this moment; what should be autonomic now requiring active thoughts. Feeling his grip slacken around the woman in his arms, he forced himself to tighten it, shielding her helplessly while praying she would open her eyes soon.

He was pushing himself, he understood that. To try and balance defense and healing all at once was something unfamiliar to him–going beyond anything he had ever forced himself to do before. He had never wanted to draw attention to his ability, focusing on simple healing that could be dismissed at some skill and luck at best. But when it was life or death, what was he to do?

He’d never forgive himself if his own timidity brought harm to another person. More over…he was a far cry from combative. It was the one his arms that could handle fighting. He needed them up, up and alert, at the very least capable of retreating with him. Another step from the young woman caused his body to jump, his fatigue dulling none of the fear that he had as he took heed of her smile.

“Don’t. Y-you got what you wanted.” Get up. Please. Open your eyes. He healed their wounds, gave them every bit of energy he could spare. Why wouldn’t they wake? “There isn’t anything else you need.”

     “ Don’t bother helping her. She won’t be      waking up ~ . ”

Limp form of a woman cloaked in tan, chestnut hair falling about with the occasional twitch. The throes of a dream. Throes of a nightmare. ( What was the difference when you controlled the stage? ) A familiar sight to the Noah, though one she was not expecting to see again. No matter. Continuing to stride forward, agile step brushing against the ground with such calm certainty one would think she was taking a simple stroll. 

     A mouse was not the meal this lion had her eyes set on. 

     “ I do need something, though ~ . Something      you have. ”

Voice carefree, a cheery quality to words so cruel. Grin that mismatched the ice reflected in golden hues. Brushing a hand along the air as if to pet a figure that did not stand in front of her. And yet it did. 

Walking the line of dream and reality. 

     “ You want to save her, don’t you? Then how     about we strike a deal? ”

She was standing in front of him now. Reaching out a hand to pet the face of a figure far past feeling anything physical. A single digit tapping the edge of a scar. How fun it was to test her claws on someone weak enough to take it. How fun it was to use those claws to use that very one as BAIT. 

     “ Take her place.  ”

“Come on now. It will make you feel better…” Still offering the tablespoon to her, he was giving a gentle frown at her denial. She was just a kid, so he wasn’t really shocked about it. However, there had to be a way to get her to take it. “How about I make you a treat if you take it? Anything you want to eat, I can cook for you.”

     “ But it tastes so bad!! It’ll just - ”

Hefty whines enticed a fresh bout of wet coughs, cheeks flushing red as she tried to get her breathing back under control. Eyes scrunched tight caused her to only be able to make a blind push to move the spoon away from her mouth. Clutching onto a doll she had just finished the week prior - a bell-like dog in a secretary’s outfit all but squished against her chest. Gasps settling down to a rattle, tired eyes pressing back open to a half mast glare - as much as she could muster while in the throws of her flu.