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re_alignment_logs2013-01-19 11:35 pm
charm_of_23) wrote in re_alignment_logs2013-01-19 11:35 pm
Entry tags:
A Second Crossing of Paths
Who: X-23 and Shattered Glass Megatron
What: X-23 brought down a pair of small centipedelike invaders and Megatron locates her before more find her in her wounded state
When: Night of January 19th/Morning of the 20th
Where: Border between the junkpile and Prima’s quadrant
Warnings: Graphic wound description, mild profanity
“Raaaahhhah!”
Her last angry howl carries into the air only to be covered by the horrible shriek of the monster as X-23 drags her claws through the scored metal over the topmost front of the creature, slicing through the internal mess encased within the head. The multitude of legs kick and twist in a flurry of movement as the body drops with the female still digging her claws deeper into the inside with swipe after swipe. Collapsing on the ground with a thud, it writhes, and the flailing motion is soon enough to finally dislodge the wounded mutant, effectively tossing her up onto the slope of the junk pile there at the edge of the quadrant belonging to Prima.
Managing to brace for the impact with the slope, X-23 channels the force through an arm and leg, then allows herself to slide and roll to the bottom of the pile under the pull of gravity. Slamming both hands down to the ground to stop her momentum, she halts her motion in a ready crouch. As her breath comes fast and heavy through her mouth, she lifts her head just enough to peer through the mussed strands of her chocolate colored hair to watch the two bodies under furrowed brows. One has been still for a short time now as it lies draped against the junkpile, and the other is slowly beginning to wind down, but she refuses to look away until the motion ceases entirely.
The damn things had risen from beneath the junk, and although she had escaped the jaws of the first, the second had managed to catch her by the foot. The first moments of confrontation had put her at a disadvantage, but not enough of one to keep her from slaying the pair.
Slowly but surely, the body of the second becomes as still and lifeless as the first, yet her breath still comes hard and fast. Closing her eyes as a cough breaks the cycle of breathing, X-23 can feel the hot liquid hit her throat and the roof of her mouth as the coppery taste breaches her senses. With her arms shaking, X-23 shifts her weight to lay herself onto her side, where she can rest with her head propped against the discards with claws still extended at the ready.
Turning her head as she allows it head to sink against the unsteady support, she looks up into the sky towards the beacon of light that shines from the top of the enormous mountain. She had come here for a reason, but that matter would have to wait until she had healed, and for the next few minutes, she has no intention of moving another inch. Still, the light provides her with something to focus on as her vision begins to falter with her eyes failing to focus consistently. The loss of blood is neither desired, nor a surprise after the damage the creatures had managed to do.
Being slammed repeatedly had left numerous deep bruises, internal bleeding, and a deep gash through her scalp, the blood from which has run down along one side of her face and colored some of her hair crimson. Most startling however is the layer of muscle torn from the outer side of her thigh, leaving the deeper layers of muscle tissue exposed with blood pooling in the pockets between muscles with strings of connective tissue pulled by the blood draining at the edge of the wound.
Given a little longer, the bleeding will cease, and keeping her hip turned to keep the wound above the level of her heart, that time will come sooner.
What: X-23 brought down a pair of small centipedelike invaders and Megatron locates her before more find her in her wounded state
When: Night of January 19th/Morning of the 20th
Where: Border between the junkpile and Prima’s quadrant
Warnings: Graphic wound description, mild profanity
“Raaaahhhah!”
Her last angry howl carries into the air only to be covered by the horrible shriek of the monster as X-23 drags her claws through the scored metal over the topmost front of the creature, slicing through the internal mess encased within the head. The multitude of legs kick and twist in a flurry of movement as the body drops with the female still digging her claws deeper into the inside with swipe after swipe. Collapsing on the ground with a thud, it writhes, and the flailing motion is soon enough to finally dislodge the wounded mutant, effectively tossing her up onto the slope of the junk pile there at the edge of the quadrant belonging to Prima.
Managing to brace for the impact with the slope, X-23 channels the force through an arm and leg, then allows herself to slide and roll to the bottom of the pile under the pull of gravity. Slamming both hands down to the ground to stop her momentum, she halts her motion in a ready crouch. As her breath comes fast and heavy through her mouth, she lifts her head just enough to peer through the mussed strands of her chocolate colored hair to watch the two bodies under furrowed brows. One has been still for a short time now as it lies draped against the junkpile, and the other is slowly beginning to wind down, but she refuses to look away until the motion ceases entirely.
The damn things had risen from beneath the junk, and although she had escaped the jaws of the first, the second had managed to catch her by the foot. The first moments of confrontation had put her at a disadvantage, but not enough of one to keep her from slaying the pair.
Slowly but surely, the body of the second becomes as still and lifeless as the first, yet her breath still comes hard and fast. Closing her eyes as a cough breaks the cycle of breathing, X-23 can feel the hot liquid hit her throat and the roof of her mouth as the coppery taste breaches her senses. With her arms shaking, X-23 shifts her weight to lay herself onto her side, where she can rest with her head propped against the discards with claws still extended at the ready.
Turning her head as she allows it head to sink against the unsteady support, she looks up into the sky towards the beacon of light that shines from the top of the enormous mountain. She had come here for a reason, but that matter would have to wait until she had healed, and for the next few minutes, she has no intention of moving another inch. Still, the light provides her with something to focus on as her vision begins to falter with her eyes failing to focus consistently. The loss of blood is neither desired, nor a surprise after the damage the creatures had managed to do.
Being slammed repeatedly had left numerous deep bruises, internal bleeding, and a deep gash through her scalp, the blood from which has run down along one side of her face and colored some of her hair crimson. Most startling however is the layer of muscle torn from the outer side of her thigh, leaving the deeper layers of muscle tissue exposed with blood pooling in the pockets between muscles with strings of connective tissue pulled by the blood draining at the edge of the wound.
Given a little longer, the bleeding will cease, and keeping her hip turned to keep the wound above the level of her heart, that time will come sooner.
no subject
He recognized the girl from before, and while he worried about scaring her again he could tell that she wasn't in good shape, even with his lack of experience with humans. He stopped and crouched low far enough out of reach that it didn't seem like she could get to him quickly with her wounds. "You are injured little one, can I help you? I mean you no harm."
He hoped he didn't scare her again like he had the first time, but if he did he could only hope she couldn't get far and he could call for the aid of someone a more reasonable size to her, and possibly even an organic.
no subject
Initially, X-23 pays no mind to the approaching footsteps, but as the sound becomes louder and the vibrations through the ground more intense, she pulls her half-open eyes away from the light to look around. It doesn't take long for her to spot the robot coming nearer given his size, but her eyes are still having trouble focusing. Closing them tight, she opens them again after he has crouched down a comfortable distance from her to listen to him speak.
Tightening her lips together, X-23 looks silently up towards the one she had previously injured, then shuts her eyes as she retracts all of her claws. The motion of the blades is painful, but she does not show outward sign of it beyond a twitch of a couple fingers. Looking to him once more, she swallows before speaking with a weakened voice, "...I remember you. I'm sorry."
no subject
He shifted himself closer, careful not to unsettle her as he did so, before reaching a hand close to her. He stopped before touching her, worried that it would still be too much for her, but wanting to offer some comfort.
"Is there something I can do to help you?"
no subject
That calm remains as he shifts in closer to her, but she becomes aware of his hand coming near a little late. More reflexive than anything, she jerks as if to draw her knees up towards herself as her torso tightens, but the motion causes the muscles in her wounded leg to contract, and in turn, to push the pooled blood out of her leg in a small surge.
With her frame easing down through conscious effort while maintaining control of her pain, she answers him after a couple of deeper breaths, "Once the bleeding stops, I just need time to heal."
no subject
"Out here is not a safe place for you to stay. There is no telling when more of those may appear." He looked over to the two dead creatures. "While you look to be able to hold your own, you are injured now and that could make you an easy target for them."
He considered his options but disliked even the idea of leaving her out here for any longer than he had to. "Would you permit me to move you up to Prima's temple, where you will be safe?"
no subject
There is no denying the truth that remaining where she is currently would allow for others like the two she fought to find her and attack before she could fully heal. Finding shelter, even just temporarily, would give her that chance to recover.
Silent, the girl glances away as she considers her options through the haze of blood loss. Uncertain, she looks back to him to ask, "...where is it?"
The last place she wants to end up is back at the fortress where she initially woke. After all, she had taken the head off that bot covered in the cloak immediately after coming around.
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X-23 watches him shift and follows the direction of where he points to look towards the temple within range of sight. Relieved that it is not the one she did not wish to return to, and also glad to have the destination close, she shakes her head softly, "No. It should be fine."
Intending to prepare herself for the move, X-23 tightens her jaw and rolls over onto her back with her knees bent. Moving with care, she brings herself up to prop on her elbows, so as not elevate her heart too high, and works to remove her jacket, one sleeve at a time. Once she has the jacket off, she lays herself back down, and drags her jacket up and drapes it over the top of her wounded thigh, then sets to tying it around her leg using the sleeves.
At least this way she won't bleed too much on him.
no subject
"Once you are ready, do you mind if I carry you in my hand? It will be safe there and I will be able to make sure to keep the movement more smooth that way." He decided instead of wasting time waiting for her to be ready he would make sure he knows what he is going to do for her.
no subject
Although she is trying to keep from expressing her pain, her hands are shaking as she makes the last knot with her sleeves, and her face has gone rather pale. Dropping heavily back as soon as she has her jacket secure around her leg, she closes her eyes and furrows her brow as she tries to fight off the woozy feeling washing over her.
Her voice, weak before, is very quiet as she answers even as her chest rises and falls more visibly, "...no I...I don't mind."
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For someone that had been repeatedly instructed to keep training, to keep fighting, even with broken bones, it is hard to understand the concern this stranger that she had already hurt has for her. Despite the fact she had assured him that she merely needs time to recooperate, he seems determined to help her further...even despite the fact the safety he is granting her is more than she would ever ask for.
As color starts to return to her face, she looks up to him with confusion. Lost as she is, she at least understands that right now he needs something else.
Raising a hand, she reaches up to sweep the hair stuck to her blood off from her face, and ignores the ache in her middle as she pushes to strengthen her voice, "...k-keep me talking. Until we're somewhere safe."
no subject
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Reaching with her arm across her torso to touch the side of his hand to give herself the tactile information of how high she needs to transition to get onto his hand, she hesitates to move long enough to answer him, "I wasn't given a name...but I was called X-23."
Not waiting for a response after giving her designation, X-23 pushes with her intact leg and her second arm as she pulls with the first. Letting her wounded leg drag, she gets her torso up onto his hand in one swift motion before kicking that lingering leg straight to swing up onto his hand with her breath held fast. Once on, she lets out the air in heavy exhale and sinks against the black metal.
no subject
"I think the first time we interacted you were quite new here, am I right?" He asked, giving her something to respond to that would keep her talking.
no subject
Too tired to think clearly, she decides to allow the topic of her designation to pass without further comment. It isn't something a human would be called, but she would be able to address that matter another time. For now, she'll merely nod to show understanding once more.
As he starts to move her, she reaches to grasp at the side of his hand to hold as she tenses somewhat to guard against pain with any shifting.
"Yes, I was..." then with little pause, she asks a question of her own, "Do you have a name?"
no subject
"My name is Megatron, though I am not the only one to use that name." It's not something that he will explain at the moment, since her talking, not him talking, was the key at the moment.
no subject
Really it doesn't seem so strange for more than one robot to have the same name. After all, there are common names shared by thousands of humans within the same geographical region.
"Megatron..." she repeats quietly, trying to force her mind to function in a better state than it is currently capable of. Every part of her is trying to lull her into sleep so that her energy can be focused towards the healing process. Just keeping her eyes open is slowly becoming a struggle as she continues to focus on the one carrying her so carefully.
no subject
True to his word he is careful as he carries her, keeping his steps smooth and the gentle up and down not jarring at either extreme.
no subject
Her eyes close for a pause of a couple seconds before she processes the question, and she brings herself back awake. Furrowing her brow in thought, she considers how she might answer. This new place is so very different from what she had known, and thus far, it has not been an easy place to live. Nothing ever was though.
"It's quiet...and the lake is nice."
The smoothness of the ride allows X-23 to lighten her grip on the edge of his hand and to relax her muscles slowly, which in turn eases her pain.
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"Yes... But not silence," she states simply. The sound of wind is all she needs to keep the silence at bay.
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The rather poetic clarification of her preferences is rather unexpected, and for her, quite unusual, "...I suppose."
After a moment of thought she adds, "I miss the birds."
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A hum is the only audible response from X-23 as her eyes slip closed and remain so. Her exhaustion is catching up with her as the last of the adrenaline from the fight is fading, and with it, her ability to hang onto consciousness.
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With no fear of the one carrying her or of the new location he is taking her, X-23 allows the lapse in what would be her usual judgment of the situation in favor of rest. Murmuring, she turns her head to the side to rest her cheek against his palm.
"...sleep now."
no subject
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A mere handful of hours have passed since X-23 had slipped into a resting state. At the time, her breathing had been more shallow and rapid, and over the course of time since has steadied and slowed into a much deeper, relaxed rhythm. Sleeping heavily, her body has mended the damage both internally and externally, with bruises vanishing from the top of her skin and cuts sealing away seamlessly.
No change in her state comes until all at once, she snaps out of the restorative state into a fully alert, if mildly disoriented, awareness. Her muscles fire collectively, causing her whole form to jerk as her eyes snap open with a gasp of breath. Immediately, she sits up where she had been laying for the last hours with her arms coming up defensively and the muscles within her forearms ready to push the blades out.
Initially, what she sees is an open chamber, a large one by her standards. Scanning at the distance reveals no other presence, and drawing her attention back, her focus turns to her resting place and the one holding her.
"...huh?"
no subject
"Are you feeling better now?" he questioned when her focus turned back toward him, hoping that what Rocket had said was true and by expressing emotions and caring he could remind her that he wasn't an enemy.
no subject
At best, X-23 had held the expectation that he would have indeed taken her into the temple and placed her someplace out of the way where no others would disturb her. To wake and find Megatron still with her, let alone holding her, is far beyond that. Even on their kindest days, the scientists and trainers at Hydra had placed her back into her holding cell to wake up alone after receiving training injuries.
The pallid coloring of her skin had been replaced by its natural tan tone, and her focus returns in full as the mild disorientation dissipates. Giving her that chance to settle while speaking to her certainly seems effective as X-23 lowers her arms down to rest once more by her sides with a visible drop in her shoulders. She offers a single nod as she answers him, “Yes.”
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As he begins to move her, X-23 quickly plants her hands down against his palm as she draws her knees up together in a smooth transition despite having the jacket still tied about her thigh. Remaining still and steady until he has stopped moving his hand, she glances up to his face briefly before she scoots to the edge. Swinging her legs over the side, she places her feet down, and without hesitation, moves to stand. With no more than a thoughtful glance down towards her feet, she looks back up over her shoulder to him to respond, "None."
While she is in desperate need of a bath, with clotted blood and dried goo from the monsters clinging to her hair, clothes, and skin, she has fully recovered otherwise from the encounter. Turning as she starts to move, X-23 walks backwards a fair distance from Megatron, intending to give him enough space to move and shift without her getting in the way.
Once far enough back, she takes to kneeling on one knee there on the berth, and with her previously injured leg up, she works to untie the jacket from around it. Peeling it away with care, she folds the jacket to catch the blood to prevent from making too much of a mess, and holds it in one hand as she runs her fingertips over the now smooth skin beneath the hole in her pant's leg.
Not a scratch.
no subject
With a safe space around him, which he appreciates, he shifts to sit up and stretch himself out, his wings creaking slightly from the awkward position against the wall they had been in. Even as he loosens his joints he keeps an eye on her, not wanting to risk her acting strong around him while still being badly hurt.
Seeing the coat come away and the healed flesh underneath he couldn't help but make a small sound of surprise followed by a comment. "You heal very quickly, I've only known mechs to be well that soon after having seen the best medics."
no subject
As Megatron begins his stretches, X-23 glances up while her hands continue to move the jacket away from her leg carefully. The movement on such a large scale is not entirely unfamiliar, yet, she has never felt unthreatened by it until now. All it really rouses is a silent musing. It is logical that a robot would need to move and loosen joints after a period of disuse, but at the same time, it is rather odd for her to see something so natural to her from a robot.
With the jacket off her leg and her fingers confirming that everything has healed properly as the nerve endings in the new skin react to the light pressure sensory, X-23 lifts her head to look up at Megatron fully as he expresses his surprise. Her brow furrows faintly as a subtle tension returns, but even as she looks away from him into the space in the room she answers, “I always have.”
X-23 shifts to stand with a push from her newly healed leg, keeping the jacket in her hand held close. Even as her gaze remains averted from him, she speaks a second time to ask, “…was your joint fully repaired?” There is an obvious discomfort in her voice as well as in her expression as she asks, gripped by a sense of guilt over harming him during their first fleeting encounter.
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"Yes, it was, the repairs weren't big." he answered, his tone kind and soft.
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While it assuages her guilt to know that the repairs required were not intensive, X-23 finds herself still struggling to understand the situation. Despite her attempt to cripple him, he had not taken advantage of finding her lying in that weakened state. With only direct experiences with Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. to rely on as reference, the obvious assumption is for there to be some sort of motive behind his kindness towards her.
Yet...he doesn't act like anyone from Hydra or S.H.I.E.L.D. He acts more like those parents she saw at the playground.
Her green eyes turn back to Megatron, almost reluctantly, and with her voice quieter, she asks straight out, "...why did you help me after I hurt you?"
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"When you hurt me you seemed scared and unsure, it is no fault of yours that you were not prepared to arrive here. I see no reason for your action of what seemed to be intended as self defense to work as a difficulty in our relation.
Additionally I would like to get to know you more, and that can not happen with an origin of animosity between us."
no subject
As she listens to his answer, some of the tension in her expression eases. Whether she would admit it or not, he was correct that she had acted in self-defense out of fear.
X-23 is silent as she looks at Megatron a little longer, then with her voice steady and calm as she raises her chin, she asks, "...what do you want to know?"
While being raised and controlled by Hyrda, she had come to understand just how powerful information could be; how one could take even a fraction of data and manage great gains from it. Despite this, and despite the fact she is proof of the use of information, X-23 does not feel the need to be on guard at the moment. She is simply listening to her instincts.
no subject