Post by Arianna Barrial on Jun 25, 2014 19:25:20 GMT -8
Arianna woke to the sweltering heat of the Brazilian rainforest. She frowned a little at the sweat trickling through her scalp, down her back. The blonde was not a prissy woman; she was used to working long hours with her hands bloody and inside people more often than not. But she did appreciate cleanliness. As the old saying went, it was next to godliness.
And it was extremely important for her profession, besides.
Her night had been rather restless, filled with small starts from the unfamiliar sounds. She supposed it was to be expected; after all, they had just spent weeks sleeping to the silence of the ship. Still, she carefully stretched against the warmth of the man that would be her husband in just a few short days before letting out a sigh, flopping temporarily into relaxed repose. Pale golden eyes closed for a few moments so she could listen to the thrum of his heart beneath her ear. The blonde smiled and slowly slunk her way up to press a kiss to his jaw, then his lips. It was light as she had no intent on waking him. She smiled and eased herself up with a whisper.
"Sleep a little longer, love. I really just want a bath~"
Bride, doctor, and young woman all tread lightly away in one body, back towards the entrance of the caves and the pods, first. She questioned whether they had anything that would suffice for a towel and was handed a length of material that was highly absorbent. She smiled and thanked Lilith before turning towards the entrance to Hyperion's cave, marking him for a man that - even if he didn't care if he bathed in the river - would care that he had something hot like underground springs. A spear was held in her path and she looked up, rather annoyed, but...smiling.
"Sorry, but, I was wondering if you have any bathing springs in these caves..? I'd be extremely grateful if I could use them."
The Titan's expression edged to amusement as he let out a chortle, then full-on grinned. "You'll have to use the river."
Arianna's expression turned incredulous and even indignant before she sighed. "Okay, fine. River it is. Do you at least have soap?"
His grin edged wider and she threw up her hands, turning to walk away with a huff of exasperation and frustration, but not truly anger. She turned when the voice called out a "Catch." behind her and scrambled to catch the sliver of packaged soap. Well. At least it was a fresh one. Her expression brightened and she nodded her thanks before turning. On the way out of the ring of torches, she grabbed one up to light her way...and to ward off any animals within the jungle. She skipped along, excitement and joy bubbling up.
'I'm going to have a bath~ Clean~ Even if it's a river, I don't care, it's going to feel so good~!'
It wasn't long before she figured she was far enough that, while still in shouting distance, she wouldn't have to worry about any peeping-Tom-Titans...and it seemed that it was a place they had used, as there was another path. The main 'road' seemed to follow the river, somewhat, so she had to wade through a swath of trees on the little footpath before she emerged on the bank. Biting her lip, she fanned the torch out over and down across the water, searching for anything lurking in the pool. Satisfied there was nothing, Arianna plunged the torch down into the soft earth, having it leaning out over the water. She let her hair loose from its bun and spent a few minutes combing her fingers through it before she was satisfied enough to strip and fold her clothes. While she might have been grumpy about having to go to the river to bathe...the water felt heavenly when she slipped inside. and she had to hand it to the Titans, because it seemed they dug this area out. There were steps of wood and a barrier that - while it allowed water to flow freely - kept out any unwanted creatures in the water itself.
And cleaning up and cooling off was sheer bliss.
It helped to wash away the terror from what should have been a fatal and fiery crash from Damien overriding the pod Liliel...and helped to wash away the sweat from the humid heat that made her want to crawl into a cool place and just collapse. She didn't do extremely well with hot temperatures, though dry heat was better. This humidity? It just exhausted her.
As she was finishing up, she sent her hand skimming over the surface to spray water before wading out to dry off. And it was then she heard voices.
It was then she heard the chanting.
It was low, by one voice only, not many like she thought. Arianna dressed in a rush, growing a bit curious and more than a little wary. And then concerned when she heard gasping. The blonde had the torch in her hand and picked up the towel - the soap wrapped inside - and moved back from the secluded little dig-out in the river back onto the road, stepping quickly. When she heard the dull thud of a body hitting the ground, however, she dropped the towel on the road and darted into trees on the opposite side of the Titan thoroughfare. Though she had the torch, she wasn't exactly sure where the sound's origin had come from. Despite the light from the torch, she nearly didn't see the body until she nearly tripped over it. The only visible thing on the body was the vivid white paint in a rather intricate design. Arianna cried out in surprise and alarm. But there was no movement. With a grunt, she staked the torch and immediately crouched and shook the man's shoulders, shouting at him and asking if he was okay. It was then she noticed she was essentially trying to move deadweight. Her nose wrinkled. And the smell... Urine and feces.
She moved quickly, tugging on his form so he would be laying flat on his back. He was completely naked, and she was thankful for the top half being bare. She placed the heel of her hand against the centre of his chest, not bothering to check his pulse because it was more likely she would only feel her own surging in her fingers, and it would waste precious time for the bone-limp man. Rising up, she straightened and locked her arms, then began compressions. Down two and a half to three inches, back up with the beginning of a count: "One, and..."
Counting let her keep track, with the additional words allowing time for his chest to rise so his heart chamber could fill with blood. She had to get through the first minute before she screamed out for help. Right now the most important thing in her mind was continuing to circulate the blood in this man's body. Whatever oxygen he had remaining in his veins would be used, then she could deal with artificial respiration.
She would have liked to have the comfort of the tools she might have before the bombs were dropped, but even out here...she had to do it the old-fashioned way. CPR was a brutal process, and already she felt a rib crack and give beneath the force she was exerting on his rib cage. This man wouldn't feel like walking or talking after she was through, and she needed to call for reinforcements, as the compressions took a lot out of the person performing them. The man seemed to gasp, but Arianna wasn't fooled. It was just air being forced from his lungs with the downward pumps, so she didn't stop.
So intent on keeping the jungle inhabitant alive by pumping his heart for him, the Doctor tunnel-visioned. She didn't see that someone was drawn back by the noise and was watching her with dark eyes that flickered in the torchlight. At first with curiosity, but then with anger. This one was no Giant, but she was doing wrong!
The woman flew from the trees with a yell and used the spear she clutched like a club to knock Arianna away. And Arianna...Arianna only noticed after the blow caught her full on her jaw. A shroud of light flared, then dispersed, the force of the blow shattering both it...and breaking her jaw. She started to cry out in pain as her vision went white and then she nearly blacked out. When she didn't lose consciousness - a blessing and a curse - her eyes jerked to the prone form of the man that would die if he didn't get air and the person - woman - that attacked her. What was she..?
She had a piece of tubing and a noise--?
She didn't understand until the sting of the dart sank into her arm, brief in comparison to the painful broken jaw she couldn't even move. She panted. She didn't know what it was. At best? Maybe the same that the male had been afflicted with. At worst?
The doctor didn't want to know.
Arianna tried to steady herself though her heart was racing, adrenaline pumping.
She would get up, still able to move despite the lances of pain that made her eyes blur. Her eyes went down to the man and she stepped forward, hands raised in a placating, peaceful gesture. She smothered a whimper...and found out that the step forward was a mistake. The woman gave a holler and advanced, using the spear as intended, now, aiming to stab and slice. Considering she was more familiar with the concept of reach and extensions - thanks to Damien's diligent care in training her - Arianna threw herself back a couple feet, unsteady on her own limbs and in pain. But she was starting to lose her head and panic. How long did he have before brain damage? Had she even been in time to stop it, before? Her inattentiveness had the woman scoring hits, the swipe causing blood to fly and splatter on the vegetation. Arianna backed off with a cry that was both pained and dismayed. Not loud enough to reach the camp. Not with her jaw a mess.
Maybe just loud enough to be heard on the edge of one's hearing, but she wasn't even thinking enough to scream. She could feel blood seeping from wounds she didn't want to look at. The man, though. She had to help him..! Why was she stopping her from helping!?
Arianna darted forward in an attempt to grab near the top of the spear.
Had she not been so strung out about the patient she was trying to save, it might have worked. But with a deft movement, the woman curved the spear down before cracking it against her elbow. The joint snapped, and this time, Arianna shrieked. The sound proved to be extremely short-lived as the side of the spear knocked into her head. She hit the ground, breathing hard and disoriented. Unable to orient herself - vision blurry for the pain and tears, both - she couldn't crawl to the man lying, still as death. Maybe he was dead, but she needed to know before she could give up. She wasn't going to lose him when she knew she could keep him alive! A hysterical sob bubbled in her throat, more for the pain and panic even as her eyes turned back to the woman that was advancing.
Arianna didn't understand why. And chances were likely she never would. The woman snapped at her, pointing to the man, then her, as she tried to push herself further away with her legs. Each time she shoved drew her broken bones to sharp and writhing agony, but she wasn't sure which was greater. The physical pain of the breaks or the mental anguish of having a life slip through her fingers when she was perfectly capable of helping him. Her body, though...was slowing. Sluggish. And she was gasping for what breath she could. It was harder to move. Her eyes, large, wide, and frightened, jerked to the woman as she moved closer, but when she raised the butt of her spear, Arianna's body no longer responded to her own will and she flopped, unable to move. Her last few breaths before that was lost to her, too, were floundering, panicked gasps. She couldn't move her eyes, couldn't blink, cry out, breathe--which meant her heart wasn't beating, either.
But pain?
That she could feel, all too well. The butt of the spear slammed into her kneecap, breaking it. Her vision wavered and she felt a hand close around her other ankle. From the edge of her vision she could see the woman look from the body to her, and something wet landed on her cheek before she felt the ground slide beneath her and agony shriek through her body. And the vision of foliage passing in and out of view was her other clue that she was being moved. She was despairing that she couldn't save him. She couldn't even fight well enough to save herself. But she had never fought Damien in such a way before, either. She should have been more aware, should have called out for help as she started the chest compressions...
She was aware that her leg hit the ground - a raised root - as it was dropped, and the world faded as the blonde lost consciousness with her eyes wide open and fear and pain and despair holding her.
And it was extremely important for her profession, besides.
Her night had been rather restless, filled with small starts from the unfamiliar sounds. She supposed it was to be expected; after all, they had just spent weeks sleeping to the silence of the ship. Still, she carefully stretched against the warmth of the man that would be her husband in just a few short days before letting out a sigh, flopping temporarily into relaxed repose. Pale golden eyes closed for a few moments so she could listen to the thrum of his heart beneath her ear. The blonde smiled and slowly slunk her way up to press a kiss to his jaw, then his lips. It was light as she had no intent on waking him. She smiled and eased herself up with a whisper.
"Sleep a little longer, love. I really just want a bath~"
Bride, doctor, and young woman all tread lightly away in one body, back towards the entrance of the caves and the pods, first. She questioned whether they had anything that would suffice for a towel and was handed a length of material that was highly absorbent. She smiled and thanked Lilith before turning towards the entrance to Hyperion's cave, marking him for a man that - even if he didn't care if he bathed in the river - would care that he had something hot like underground springs. A spear was held in her path and she looked up, rather annoyed, but...smiling.
"Sorry, but, I was wondering if you have any bathing springs in these caves..? I'd be extremely grateful if I could use them."
The Titan's expression edged to amusement as he let out a chortle, then full-on grinned. "You'll have to use the river."
Arianna's expression turned incredulous and even indignant before she sighed. "Okay, fine. River it is. Do you at least have soap?"
His grin edged wider and she threw up her hands, turning to walk away with a huff of exasperation and frustration, but not truly anger. She turned when the voice called out a "Catch." behind her and scrambled to catch the sliver of packaged soap. Well. At least it was a fresh one. Her expression brightened and she nodded her thanks before turning. On the way out of the ring of torches, she grabbed one up to light her way...and to ward off any animals within the jungle. She skipped along, excitement and joy bubbling up.
'I'm going to have a bath~ Clean~ Even if it's a river, I don't care, it's going to feel so good~!'
It wasn't long before she figured she was far enough that, while still in shouting distance, she wouldn't have to worry about any peeping-Tom-Titans...and it seemed that it was a place they had used, as there was another path. The main 'road' seemed to follow the river, somewhat, so she had to wade through a swath of trees on the little footpath before she emerged on the bank. Biting her lip, she fanned the torch out over and down across the water, searching for anything lurking in the pool. Satisfied there was nothing, Arianna plunged the torch down into the soft earth, having it leaning out over the water. She let her hair loose from its bun and spent a few minutes combing her fingers through it before she was satisfied enough to strip and fold her clothes. While she might have been grumpy about having to go to the river to bathe...the water felt heavenly when she slipped inside. and she had to hand it to the Titans, because it seemed they dug this area out. There were steps of wood and a barrier that - while it allowed water to flow freely - kept out any unwanted creatures in the water itself.
And cleaning up and cooling off was sheer bliss.
It helped to wash away the terror from what should have been a fatal and fiery crash from Damien overriding the pod Liliel...and helped to wash away the sweat from the humid heat that made her want to crawl into a cool place and just collapse. She didn't do extremely well with hot temperatures, though dry heat was better. This humidity? It just exhausted her.
As she was finishing up, she sent her hand skimming over the surface to spray water before wading out to dry off. And it was then she heard voices.
It was then she heard the chanting.
It was low, by one voice only, not many like she thought. Arianna dressed in a rush, growing a bit curious and more than a little wary. And then concerned when she heard gasping. The blonde had the torch in her hand and picked up the towel - the soap wrapped inside - and moved back from the secluded little dig-out in the river back onto the road, stepping quickly. When she heard the dull thud of a body hitting the ground, however, she dropped the towel on the road and darted into trees on the opposite side of the Titan thoroughfare. Though she had the torch, she wasn't exactly sure where the sound's origin had come from. Despite the light from the torch, she nearly didn't see the body until she nearly tripped over it. The only visible thing on the body was the vivid white paint in a rather intricate design. Arianna cried out in surprise and alarm. But there was no movement. With a grunt, she staked the torch and immediately crouched and shook the man's shoulders, shouting at him and asking if he was okay. It was then she noticed she was essentially trying to move deadweight. Her nose wrinkled. And the smell... Urine and feces.
She moved quickly, tugging on his form so he would be laying flat on his back. He was completely naked, and she was thankful for the top half being bare. She placed the heel of her hand against the centre of his chest, not bothering to check his pulse because it was more likely she would only feel her own surging in her fingers, and it would waste precious time for the bone-limp man. Rising up, she straightened and locked her arms, then began compressions. Down two and a half to three inches, back up with the beginning of a count: "One, and..."
Counting let her keep track, with the additional words allowing time for his chest to rise so his heart chamber could fill with blood. She had to get through the first minute before she screamed out for help. Right now the most important thing in her mind was continuing to circulate the blood in this man's body. Whatever oxygen he had remaining in his veins would be used, then she could deal with artificial respiration.
She would have liked to have the comfort of the tools she might have before the bombs were dropped, but even out here...she had to do it the old-fashioned way. CPR was a brutal process, and already she felt a rib crack and give beneath the force she was exerting on his rib cage. This man wouldn't feel like walking or talking after she was through, and she needed to call for reinforcements, as the compressions took a lot out of the person performing them. The man seemed to gasp, but Arianna wasn't fooled. It was just air being forced from his lungs with the downward pumps, so she didn't stop.
So intent on keeping the jungle inhabitant alive by pumping his heart for him, the Doctor tunnel-visioned. She didn't see that someone was drawn back by the noise and was watching her with dark eyes that flickered in the torchlight. At first with curiosity, but then with anger. This one was no Giant, but she was doing wrong!
The woman flew from the trees with a yell and used the spear she clutched like a club to knock Arianna away. And Arianna...Arianna only noticed after the blow caught her full on her jaw. A shroud of light flared, then dispersed, the force of the blow shattering both it...and breaking her jaw. She started to cry out in pain as her vision went white and then she nearly blacked out. When she didn't lose consciousness - a blessing and a curse - her eyes jerked to the prone form of the man that would die if he didn't get air and the person - woman - that attacked her. What was she..?
She had a piece of tubing and a noise--?
She didn't understand until the sting of the dart sank into her arm, brief in comparison to the painful broken jaw she couldn't even move. She panted. She didn't know what it was. At best? Maybe the same that the male had been afflicted with. At worst?
The doctor didn't want to know.
Arianna tried to steady herself though her heart was racing, adrenaline pumping.
She would get up, still able to move despite the lances of pain that made her eyes blur. Her eyes went down to the man and she stepped forward, hands raised in a placating, peaceful gesture. She smothered a whimper...and found out that the step forward was a mistake. The woman gave a holler and advanced, using the spear as intended, now, aiming to stab and slice. Considering she was more familiar with the concept of reach and extensions - thanks to Damien's diligent care in training her - Arianna threw herself back a couple feet, unsteady on her own limbs and in pain. But she was starting to lose her head and panic. How long did he have before brain damage? Had she even been in time to stop it, before? Her inattentiveness had the woman scoring hits, the swipe causing blood to fly and splatter on the vegetation. Arianna backed off with a cry that was both pained and dismayed. Not loud enough to reach the camp. Not with her jaw a mess.
Maybe just loud enough to be heard on the edge of one's hearing, but she wasn't even thinking enough to scream. She could feel blood seeping from wounds she didn't want to look at. The man, though. She had to help him..! Why was she stopping her from helping!?
Arianna darted forward in an attempt to grab near the top of the spear.
Had she not been so strung out about the patient she was trying to save, it might have worked. But with a deft movement, the woman curved the spear down before cracking it against her elbow. The joint snapped, and this time, Arianna shrieked. The sound proved to be extremely short-lived as the side of the spear knocked into her head. She hit the ground, breathing hard and disoriented. Unable to orient herself - vision blurry for the pain and tears, both - she couldn't crawl to the man lying, still as death. Maybe he was dead, but she needed to know before she could give up. She wasn't going to lose him when she knew she could keep him alive! A hysterical sob bubbled in her throat, more for the pain and panic even as her eyes turned back to the woman that was advancing.
Arianna didn't understand why. And chances were likely she never would. The woman snapped at her, pointing to the man, then her, as she tried to push herself further away with her legs. Each time she shoved drew her broken bones to sharp and writhing agony, but she wasn't sure which was greater. The physical pain of the breaks or the mental anguish of having a life slip through her fingers when she was perfectly capable of helping him. Her body, though...was slowing. Sluggish. And she was gasping for what breath she could. It was harder to move. Her eyes, large, wide, and frightened, jerked to the woman as she moved closer, but when she raised the butt of her spear, Arianna's body no longer responded to her own will and she flopped, unable to move. Her last few breaths before that was lost to her, too, were floundering, panicked gasps. She couldn't move her eyes, couldn't blink, cry out, breathe--which meant her heart wasn't beating, either.
But pain?
That she could feel, all too well. The butt of the spear slammed into her kneecap, breaking it. Her vision wavered and she felt a hand close around her other ankle. From the edge of her vision she could see the woman look from the body to her, and something wet landed on her cheek before she felt the ground slide beneath her and agony shriek through her body. And the vision of foliage passing in and out of view was her other clue that she was being moved. She was despairing that she couldn't save him. She couldn't even fight well enough to save herself. But she had never fought Damien in such a way before, either. She should have been more aware, should have called out for help as she started the chest compressions...
She was aware that her leg hit the ground - a raised root - as it was dropped, and the world faded as the blonde lost consciousness with her eyes wide open and fear and pain and despair holding her.
