Another Log <3
erith is visited by two unique people in the church..A miracle occurs.
Midgar... egh. Under the plate, the place is still human-occupied landfill, no matter how long the place has been here or how many changes have taken place over the years. It's one of the last places in the world Ten Wulfe wants to be, and even a trip out to the middle of Corel sounds nice by comparison. She has exactly one-and-a-half reasons to be here... the one being to investigate the miracle she's heard people buzzing about, and the half to see Rude, since it's been a while, and their mutual business obligations don't usually enable them to cross paths. Fortunately, they've agreed to combine the two tasks and investigate the site of the miracle together.
No sign of angels. None. Not a stray feather, save for any left over from chocobos, or shredded, discarded pillows and furniture. And any puddles left by the mysterious rain have dried up by now. In seeking clues to miracles, a church is as good a place as any to look, and though she hasn't bothered to set foot in one for years, today's the day Ten urges herself to push one of the doors open on the front of the church. She stands there, pausing and looking in, smirking at the inward musing that she might get struck by lightning if she were to cross the threshold and enter.
No longer is it the sounds of gravel under foot step that accompanies rude these days. It's the sound of gravel under tire that seems to be a give away. Ten's skeptacism is shared in Rude as well. What is it about a church that could be the site of such 'miracles?' Especially in Midgar, where the man with the miracles is also the man with the money.
The man with the money. The man with the pay check. Hopefully there will be something worthwhile here.
However, something rings in the back of Rude's mind. Something that draws him to this site. Is it the promise of warding off this Geostigma? Is it his drive to ever persevere? One will never know. Will they?
And so Rude pushes forward. Right about 2 feet behind Ten. "Well...? It's a church. What's so special about a church?"
Just a simple, ordinary church. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Except that this church has had a large hole carved out of the rooftop, and a matching hole in the floor, filled with a mysterious sparkling water, and below that, beautiful water lilies. Flowers were always her trademark somehow, and it's probably not a big surprise to find her here, even at the end of the day, after everyone else has gone home. There were the usual crowds of course, and she was kept busy helping out the sick and wounded. Now it was time for her to get some rest, and with the cold weather and the time of night, she had collapsed exhausted on one of the pews near the front, covered by a woolen blanket that was the only thing that keeps her warm in the cold building. She's fast asleep it seems, and alone.
"Search me," replies Ten to the Turk. "People seem to think gods will hear them in a place like this. I suppose even a ruptured water pipe somewhere beneath the plate, the source of an artificial rain, could be perceived as a miracle by anyone dwelling in dust and shadows for too long." Ten reminds herself, next, that nothing in this world has managed to kill her, thus far. Far be it from someone with such an addled mind and careworn soul to expect a random act of some non-existant "all loving" deity to strike her dead where she stands. Quite the contrary. Out of arrogance or lack of faith, take your pick, the researcher strides into the church and looks around. Stained glass windows... check. Altar... check. Varying religious symbols... check. The hole in the roof, the flowers, and the pool are things which she finds unexpected, though it's the latter which fully draws her attention.
Ten moves down the center of the aisle, past row upon row of pews, past the homeless woman huddled under the woolen blanket near the front of these rows, only to kneel by the pool and lean down for a closer inspection. One glove is removed, and slender fingers dip into the water. It's almost warm. But to her eyes, there appears to be not much out of the ordinary by this alone.
"You know... this church was just rebuilt, if memory serves me." Rude says as he notes the hole in the ceiling. "In fact, I'm pretty sure the first burned down." Of course, witholding information, as usual. "You're talking about Midgar; the land the gods forgot. ...Unless you're Sephiroth." Rude weaves his way around the church slowly, taking in the various sites. The Altar, the windows, carved structures, whatever else. "You know, it kinda smells like summer rain in here. When was the last time there was a season other than death under Midgar?"
Aerith was certainly not homeless, as anyone might notice immediately once she pulls the blankets away from her face, a face that is clean of dirt or sweat, a pretty pink dress and matching jacket that are free of stains or raggedness. She is dressed as a gardener, though most people in the slums know her best as the 'flowergirl'. It was the footfalls that caused her to stir, and she seemed no longer in a deep and peaceful sleep, but seems almost confused at first, as she wakes up and realizes that she fell asleep in the church rather than going home. Aerith yawns softly, stretching her arms, still a little groggy from the nap, and the chill in the air. As she glances around the church, she spots the pair lurking in the semi-darkness, and realizes with a start that the flames from the candalabra over head had gone out.
Rising slowly from the cold wooden pew, she reaches for a nearby candle holder, striking a match and holding the flickering light out towards the altar. "Hmmm? Who's there?" she blinks, drawing nearer to the voices, her eyes only gradually adjusting to the evening light, "Oh...Rude? What are you doing here?" then, as she spots his bandaged figure in the moonlight, she gasps softly. Oh that's right, he was suffering from geostigma too, wasnt he? It is only then that she notices the other one with him, a stranger to her, and she focuses her attention upon the woman, unsure exactly who she is. "Hmm, and who is your friend, here?"
"You would be able to answer that better than I could. There are reasons I avoid Midgar." Seasons in Midgar. About as laughable an idea as surfing in Figaro desert. Ten lowers a satchel to the floor next to her and starts digging through it with one hand, while wiping the water off of her other hand and onto her leg. It has to go somewhere. The second hand soon joins the first in its search, and before long, the pale woman takes out a small, hard case. From this, she removes a vial containing something dark, and a dropper. The dropper is dunked into the pool, filled, and then gently held between her teeth as she carefully begins to open the vial.
She looks up at the sound of movement and a third voice in the hollow of the church. Oh, good. Someone with a light source. "Perfect," she mutters. "Stand right there, that angle of light should be just what I need to check this." Ten finishes opening the vial, only too careful not to spill a single drop of its contents anywhere, even on herself. The water sample in the dropper is applied, and she lifts it to eye level to watch. After a few seconds, the vial becomes clear, and a green-black curl of... -something- hisses away into the air.
"Well I'll be damned."
Again, that voice that seems to be nails on a chalkboard to Rude. How recognizable. "Ms. Gainsborough." Rude addresses. "Out a bit late, aren't you?" Before he gives her a chance to answer his attention is drawn to that hiss coming from Ten. "What in the high hell was that?" ...Note the disregard for being on 'holy' land? He's not a heretic. HONEST! Just... not a believer in your beliefs. Too many men and women have gone out of their way to do "God's" work for him to even begin to think that. And in many cases, "God's" work is just an excuse to kill anything and everthing that moves.
In the name of God. What a joke.
Aerith bites her lip, glancing back at Rude somewhat tiredly. What, again? Why's he always seem so...Tense around her? "Um..Yes, I guess I must have fallen asleep. I should get going, but.." Well, now that these two have arrived, she's feeling a bit paranoid, having them snoop around the church. She visibly flinches as Ten swears, and Rude swears even more, shooting them both accusing looks! Then, at Ten's request, she's caught off-guard again although stays where she is, offering the light Ten needs to do..Whatever it is that she is doing. "Umm, what are you doing, exactly?" though as she sees the water in the vial change color, she gasps. So, another scientist come to test the truth to the 'miracle?' she bites her lip, seeming to tense slightly at her appearance. "So, who are you, anyway?" please dont tell her he's another Hojo! She glances again questioningly at Rude for answers. What's the ShinRa up to now?
You hear faint clapping in the backgroud followed by footsteps. The combination begins to get louder as someone approached. "You know it is amazing. People barging in without knocking or caring about the fact that this place is church. It is very disappointing." He stops clapping and puts his hands in his pockets. When this person comes into light it is none other than Tseng. He is clean shavin, and wearing his usual suit. He walks up to Rude, "Going to blow up the church again?"
The vial in Ten's hand is quickly sealed and stashed back in the hard case. "That -was- a sample of the tainted cure Hojo came up with. If this is the real deal, then this water just completely obliterated any trace of infection. I won't know for sure until I can send it back to MIMIR for analysis, but if I'm right... not only is this a legitimate cure, but we might be able to use this against the Reaper."
Ten grins at Rude at the very thought of something which might be effective against that monster. Oh, the fun she could have with this. Water guns might just save the world. "Now all I want to know is how this happened. Something has apparently been successful where science - or Hojo's science, anyway - has failed, time and again."
Looking back to Aerith and then to Tseng, Ten snaps a quick and informal two-fingered salute from her brow. "Hey, thanks for the light. That was a huge help. Oh, uhh... Ten Wulfe, from the MIMIR observatory." Normally, an introduction from this woman would be more crisp and formal, but this is a unique situation. Finding something new and fascinating makes her giddy. Likewise, Ten smirks at Tseng's commentary regarding their arrival, "Far as I knew, a church is a public location. Anyway, now that I've seen what I came here to see, I can get back to work."
Rude shoots a look over to find out who and where the hand is coming from. "Evening, Tseng. Nice of you to join us. We're still cleaning up Dr. Hojo's disasterpeice." Of course, that's all Tseng gets at the moment. "Before you leave, Ten... Let me try something. I'm going to need a hand." The bit of information Ten leaked is enough to stir Rude's thoughts.
Oh no, not another person!? Who could it be, at this time of night? She glances back at the entrance, peering at Tseng, relaxing some. "Oh, Tseng, hey..Yeah, it's really great that they managed to rebuild the church again. ShinRa that is." she kinda expected them to leave it as it was. As Ten mentions MIRMIR however, her ears perk up, glancing back at the woman with renewed interest. "What? You work for MIRMIR? You're Ten! Aha! You're the one researching the convergence!" so, that's why she is here. She seems to regard her with more interest and respect now, stepping towards her, peering at her curiously, and arches a brow at the mention of Reaper. Ahh, him again, "Hmm, so you know about the Reaper then? But do you really think this will work?"
"I am Aerith by the way..I guess I kind of..Take care of this church. As for the healing pools.." She hesitates, wondering if she can trust this woman. but then, Mirror seemed to trust her so.."Miracles do occur, if you know where to look, and if you have enough faith. This healing pool cured everyone who came with the Geostigma, even those who were infliced with Hojo's bogus cure, but I cant guarantee that the spring will last much longer, or that more can be produced. At least not anytime soon.."
Tseng stares at Rude for a moment, several things go through his head at once, and none of them result in Rude walking away safely. However he does back away for a moment to see what happens. After Rude is done Tseng's attitude may change towards the Turk.
The vial in Ten's hand is quickly sealed and stashed back in the hard case. "That -was- a sample of the tainted cure Hojo came up with. If this is the real deal, then this water just completely obliterated any trace of infection. I won't know for sure until I can send it back to MIMIR for analysis, but if I'm right... not only is this a legitimate cure, but we might be able to use this against the Reaper."
Ten grins at Rude at the very thought of something which might be effective against that monster. Oh, the fun she could have with this. Water guns might just save the world. "Now all I want to know is how this happened. Something has apparently been successful where science - or Hojo's science, anyway - has failed, time and again."
Looking back to Aerith and then to Tseng, Ten snaps a quick and informal two-fingered salute from her brow. "Hey, thanks for the light. That was a huge help. Oh, uhh... Ten Wulfe, from the MIMIR observatory." Normally, an introduction from this woman would be more crisp and formal, but this is a unique situation. Finding something new and fascinating makes her giddy. Likewise, Ten smirks at Tseng's commentary regarding their arrival, "Far as I knew, a church is a public location. Anyway, now that I've seen what I came here to see, I can get back to work."
Rude shoots a look over to find out who and where the hand is coming from. "Evening, Tseng. Nice of you to join us. We're still cleaning up Dr. Hojo's disasterpeice." Of course, that's all Tseng gets at the moment. "Before you leave, Ten... Let me try something. I'm going to need a hand." The bit of information Ten leaked is enough to stir Rude's thoughts.
As Ten mentions MIRMIR however, Aerith's ears perk up, glancing back at the woman with renewed interest. "What? You work for MIRMIR? You're Ten! Aha! You're the one researching the convergence!" so, that's why she is here. She seems to regard her with more interest and respect now, stepping towards her, peering at her curiously, and arches a brow at the mention of Reaper. Ahh, him again, "Hmm, so you know about the Reaper then? But do you really think this will work?"
"I am Aerith by the way..I guess I kind of..Take care of this church. As for the healing pools.." She hesitates, wondering if she can trust this woman. but then, Mirror seemed to trust her so.."Miracles do occur, if you know where to look, and if you have enough faith. This healing pool cured everyone who came with the Geostigma, even those who were infliced with Hojo's bogus cure, but I cant guarantee that the spring will last much longer, or that more can be produced. At least not anytime soon.."
The researcher slowly inclines her head to Aerith at the girl's enthusiastic greeting, "That would be me. Glad to make your acquantance, Aerith." The case in her hand is stashed away and a larger container, a clear plastic cylinder with a lid, is brought out and used to collect some more of the water. She's listening, but she makes no reply to further talk of miracles or faith. They're two things which were lost on her years ago, and believed to be out of reach, like so many other things. "It sounds like you know something about where this came from then," Ten glances up at the girl, "I'd love to hear more. If this pool is about to lose its power, then we need to find another source, and quickly."
The container is placed in the satchel carefully once the lid is secured. This, too, has to get to the observatory so it can be tested on the Reaper tissue samples they got during his visit there. "Hmm?" Glowing eyes glance to Rude, "What did you have in mind? An impromptu dip, perhaps?" It'd make sense that he would think about it in his condition, she reminds herself, and part of her hopes that it does work on his injuries. She gets to her feet and moves toward the wheelchair-bound Turk.
"Given what it just did to that sample, it's not a hard bargain to bet it'll annihilate anything on the body." Rude pulls a small knife, which initially can be mistaken for a key, from his key ring. The device is unfolded, baring a short blade, just long enough to handle small jobs. With carefull consideration, Rude cuts the left leg of his slacks away, revealing not only Geostigma, but very advanced stages of it. "Ideas, Ms. Wulfe?" A small smile curls at the corner of one of his lips. Join him for a bath why don't ya? He's also open to other suggestions... like dumping a jar's worth of that water down his leg.
Aerith sighs a bit tiredly, nodding, "Yes..Well, it's kind of complicated." she seems to hesitate again, as if pondering if it is such a good idea to tell this woman everything about her. But perhaps a compromise would be safe enough. "It's not that it loses its power so much that it will dry up eventually. It's mixed with water afterall, and has been in that pond for nearly a month now. I'm not sure how much longer it will last, especially with so many people bathing in it everyday. Not only that, but I think we should save it for the victims of geostigma.." fortunately, it never really gets dirty. Magic's great like that.
The talk of Reaper however, piques her interest, and afterall, she would gladly help if she knew more about this creature. "Anyways, I guess you can say that I...Prayed for a miracle, and the planet answered." she shrugs, "I suppose it would be possible for me to..Cast the spell again sometime, as soon as I regain my strength. This is one of the reasons why I am curious to learn more about the convergence, it seems to have sapped a lot of my strength since I...Reconverged. I have forgotten most of my magic as well. I hope to find a way to relearn it, and quickly, if possible. And, if I can, I would like to help deal with this..Reaper crisis."
She chances a shy step towards the pair, regarding Ten thoughtfully now. Maybe science and magic CAN work together, side by side. "If it's true that my magic can help, then I'll do everything in my power to stop this..Reaper." finally, she glances towards Rude, gasping in surprise at the geostigma on his leg, but she wastes no more time gawking, moving to the opposite side of him, "Umm, do you need help getting into the pool?
Ten looks at the visible patch of infection and closes her eyes. She wants to ask why he never said anything about it, even though she's well aware that there's nothing she could have done about it, anyway. Thinking better of it, and Rude's other injuries, she lets out a sigh. "How bad is it? Is it just your leg, or anywhere else?" If it's just the leg, she'll grab the jar that she just put in the satchel. If the infection has spread over more of his body than just that, then she won't have much other choice than to climb into the pool and help him into it. Wandering around Midgar damp isn't exactly something she had planned on.
She smiles thinly to Aerith. She prays, the planet answers. Ten used to pray... a long time ago. A decade of one horror after another has left the woman blind to the workings of kindly gods. Really, Aerith seems like a nice, sweet person, and Ten would give anything to be so innocent again... it's the only thing keeping her from replying with something unpleasant. Besides, she might just need the girl's help.
"This world has left a lot of people weakened in magic and power. We don't know why. Perhaps, if we ever learn what caused the Convergences to occur to begin with, we may be able to answer that, as well." It may not be the answer Aerith is looking for, but it's the best that she has right now. At least she isn't alone in her weakened state.
Lucky day... or not so lucky day. You pick. "The infection is prety bad, Ten." Rude states, "It's covered from that knee, diagonally to my shoulder." Rude pulls at his collar to show a little bit of his shoulder, whatever his shirt will give. And if it comes to dip time, at the very least she'll get new clothing. Due compensation is in order. Besides, it's not like he can't help but think the Researcher wouldn't look good in a dress or a skirt... or even in some jeans and one of his button up shirts.
...Shush. The man's allowed to fantasize.
Wow, it's strange. This woman is almost like a total opposite to her. It is almost as if Aerith can sense the doubt and bitterness in Ten when she talks about 'praying' and 'miracles'. Though the same can be said of Aerith's doubt of science and hard cold fact. Afterall, she was only a lab rat for most of her childhood. Still, the woman seemed friendly enough and in fact Aerith seemed all the more interested in her work. She continues to smile at her, seeming all the more eager as she discusses the convergence, "I'm sorry, I am no scientist, but I can tell you a lot about the planet around us..I suppose it is difficult for most people to understand, but.." again she seems to hesitate, as if weighing the consequences. But really, she needs to know more about this strange new world too! Perhaps they can help each other.
"Well, I can kind of..Speak to the planet, I am connected to the lifestream of the world, and with its rythms and energies. I am only now beginning to learn the extent of my..Abilities, but I am sure we could help each other out, Miss Ten. I am also very interested in learning more about the convergences, as they have affected me directly in so many ways."
As for Rude, she cant help but hide a smile, and she moves back to one of the pews, where several towels have been folded and placed specifically for such a thing. "Umm, you can use this towel if you like. You can probably just get changed in one of the washrooms in the back." well, it's a lot better than getting his suit soaked at least.
"What were you waiting for to do something about it?" Ten finally asks with an edge in her voice. And why should it bother her so much? He does work for Shinra, doesn't he? It's not like she's his mother, either, but why he's waited this long when the pool has been here for a couple of weeks... she shakes her head. "Looks like you're getting a soak, then."
Ten sits down by the edge of the pool and begins undoing the buckles on her boots one by one. This is going to take her several minutes... just look at all those belts. So Rude has time to decide how he wants to go about this. She isn't so worried about the rest of her clothes, since some of it is armor over the actual cloth portions of it. The armor alone makes her glad that the pool isn't deep, because sinking and drowning in a "healing" pool would just suck, and it's just the kind of irony the world loves throwing at her.
The boots are pulled off and set aside, wrist plates, gloves, and gadgets are next to go. The gadgets, especially, would be hard to replace if they get damaged. And all this time, she's still listening to Aerith, nodding now and then and filing bits and pieces of information away. Something piques her curiosity, but she's not going to give voice to her guesses or give it a name while Rude's here. "Maybe once this Reaper is dealt with, Aerith, I can give you a tour of the observatory. If you want to know about this world, the archive might be of interest to you. You'll find plenty of books there about so many things relating to this world... different forms of magic, summons, even a book on all of the new races of people in this world."
Ready to see awkward? I bet you are!
The chair is spun around, and the locks enabled. Rude begins working at getting out of that chair, which involves knocking the thing backwards, as gracefully as a train wreck, and then hand walking his way out. He's not entirely useless. He's not expecting miracles. He is, however, hoping this pool will nuke the Geostigma in his body. ...AND HEY! He didn't know about the pool until Ten told him. So don't give me that tone.
Besides. If he had, he wouldn't have reason to be here right now. Now would he? Hmm?
If one could describe a summon to which Rude would resemble right now, it'd probably be Alexander, and his half a body. What with walking on his hands and all. ...Okay. So he's a Mecha Castle. You're killing the fun. As useful as walking on his hands is, it's painful in his lowerback, and he's more or less just dragging his legs along. Once out of the chair, and near the pool, he brings himself (quite forcefully) to a sitting position, with legs crossed by hand. "It's all fun and games..." he begins, trailing off into nothingness.
Aerith bites her lip. Hmm, looks like he's just gonna dunk right in then. She shrugs, leaving the towel where it is. He'll probably need it later, after he's soaking wet. Looks like he'll need a new suit too, but Turks are probably rich anyways, right? Again Aerith moves towards the pool, trying to steady Rude's chair, offering him a hand incase he falls and needs assistance. Though being the proud, stoic person he is, she is sure he will object. At least now, Ten can see the 'miracle' for herself!
As Ten speaks, she listens and nods eagerly, "Wow, that would be really great! I would be honoured to visit your observatory some day! As soon as we can figure out this Reaper problem.." she kneels next to the pool watching the two below. "Umm, so if this healing pool can really help fight the Reaper..Maybe there's a way we can just lure him here and.." throw him into the pool? Hmmmm. That might be tough. But not undoable. "I'm sure I could try something to make it last a little longer.."
"...Until someone loses an eye," Ten murmurs, finishing Rude's sentence with what she thinks the last part might be. That's the way she's always heard it, and some of her friends were known to raise some hell when they were kids. Lucky for them, she knew the man running the clinic in the village. With all the breakable stuff set aside, Ten swings her legs over and into the pool, and hops in. The water only comes up to her waist, so it won't be enough for Rude to get in over his head once he's in here with her.
"Arlight, uhmm..." Awkward is right. It's been a long time since she's had to deal with anyone in a wheelchair like with, so she's really not sure what to do, short of grabbing his ankles and dragging him in. At length, she decides a better way might just be to take his hand and guide him in. "The water's not bad," she smirks, lifting her hands toward Rude and seeming unconcerned about the extent of the infection, or that she might come into contact with it. "Aerith, if you want to give him a hand, too, just be careful of his lower back."
Rude pushes his feet over the edge, into the pool, where they dangle. "Slow and steady, I suppose." Rude says, as he inches himself forward with his hands. And yes. He's going to wear the sunglasses. Even if it is in the middle of the night. A quick toss of his head, and the neck gives way to some crackling, and then he's ready to do this. "Ready when you are, Ms. Gainsborough."
"Umm, yeah, okay.." without a second thought, she too, hops into the water, trying to take hold of his other arm, hooking it over her shoulder to offer as a kind of crutch as she carefully helps to lower him into the water. "Yeah, it's pretty warm..Here, just stay in here for a while and let it work its magic." it's kinda like being in a sauna, but with your clothes on. Aerith doesnt seem too concerned about 'catching' the illness from Rude, and she seems to show no akwardness in helping him either. Afterall, she's had to help several people in all shapes and conditions into the pool. It just comes rather naturally to her by now.
That wasn't exactly what she had in mind, but when Aerith jumps in, Ten gives a shrug. One way or another, as long as he gets into the pool, she's not going to be the one to complain... it's Rude she's concerned about. As Aerith hooks one arm over her shoulders, Ten does the same with the other. "Okay, ready? One... two... three..."
And in goes Rude. But not without feeling some initial pain. Pain derived from the shock of his body moving in different ways. His upper body is more than prepared to carry him around if necessary. It's the lower that has deteriorated from lack of use. Parts of his spine has fused, his muscles have gone through atrophy. Overall he's not a pretty picture. A grit of the teeth, and clenching of the eyes and fists indicate he's in a bit of pain. But once settled, the pain begins to lessen to nothing more than a dull throb.
As if nothing happened, "You're right. It is warm."
"Yeah, how do you feel now? Just try to relax, okay? It may take a while..." heh, easier said than done, she knows but. Aerith doesnt let go of him, trying to maintain a firm and steady grip. Afterall she doesnt want him to trip and fall. Or drown or something. That would really suck. Instead, she waits patiently for the pool to do its magic.
Ten watches carefully, just incase he does experience some adverse effect from the pool... such as pain. Pain's bad isn't it? Oh, wait, maybe not in this case, and seeing it subside so quickly is a relief, though probably not moreso than it is to him. As soon as it looks like he's starting to relax again, she loosens her grip but doesn't let go completely. It's just enough to keep his head up while the rest of his body is submerged.
As for herself, the most she notices is a faint, fleeting itch where a few scars from old wounds might be, but little else. The water won't do much for her mind, and she doubts it's going to do much for her own tired soul.
And in goes Rude. But not without feeling some initial pain. Pain derived from the shock of his body moving in different ways. His upper body is more than prepared to carry him around if necessary. It's the lower that has deteriorated from lack of use. Parts of his spine has fused, his muscles have gone through atrophy. Overall he's not a pretty picture. A grit of the teeth, and clenching of the eyes and fists indicate he's in a bit of pain. But once settled, the pain begins to lessen to nothing more than a dull throb. As if nothing happened, "You're right. It is warm."
"Yeah, how do you feel now? Just try to relax, okay? It may take a while..." heh, easier said than done, she knows but. Aerith doesnt let go of him, trying to maintain a firm and steady grip. Afterall she doesnt want him to trip and fall. Or drown or something. That would really suck. Instead, she waits patiently for the pool to do its magic.
Ten watches carefully, just incase he does experience some adverse effect from the pool... such as pain. Pain's bad isn't it? Oh, wait, maybe not in this case, and seeing it subside so quickly is a relief, though probably not moreso than it is to him. As soon as it looks like he's starting to relax again, she loosens her grip but doesn't let go completely. It's just enough to keep his head up while the rest of his body is submerged.
As for herself, the most she notices is a faint, fleeting itch where a few scars from old wounds might be, but little else. The water won't do much for her mind, and she doubts it's going to do much for her own tired soul.
How long does it take for the effects to begin? Rude has no way to tell. No way of benchmarking this pool of water. He knows it annihilated the Geostigma in the vial Ten had.
It isn't until then do things begin. A tingle here. A throb there. It's kinda like putting muscle relaxer on... without the horrible smell.
Sensation begins to return in some areas. This is a good sign. A very good sign. And then it dawns on him. "Ten..." he begins, as he looks down into the pool, "I can feel my toes." The sunglasses slide off his face and into the water. There's look of concern on his face now.
Aerith waits patiently, supporting Rude as best as she can despite the exhaustion she is feeling from that last couple of days' work. Still, she is determined to see this through to the end, and afterall, she couldnt help but feel just a little bit hopeful, despite Rude's doubts, that maybe..Just maybe he might get his legs back too..When he finally responds, a little smile appears on her face, although it's a cautious one. Let's not jump to conclusions just yet! "Hmm..Are you sure? Rude?" she glances down into the water curiously, "Can you..Wiggle your toe?"
"Are you sure?" Ten doesn't want to doubt him and dash his hopes, if this pool does provide some chance of him walking again, but having worked in the Mideel clinic when she was younger, the phenomenon of phantom pains isn't unheard of. It might just be that something about the water has triggered some sort of bio-feedback, making him think he's moving his toes.
"Shall we find out?" If so, she'll move enough to reach for one of Rude's shoes and remove it. His clothes are already soaked through, so it won't really matter.
He's had phantom pains before. This is something completely different. He can feel the pressure around his shoe. "I'm pretty sure I can feel it." Rude says, "There's a rock under my heel." The shoes are pretty flimsy. And ruined. But that's not the point. "I can't move it. But I can feel the rock. ...Just barely. But it's there." The sensation is barely there. Almost non-existant.
"You're the doctor on scene. If that's what you want to do, so be it." he replies. The water feels oh so good.
"Oh..Wow, Rude..That's great!" she laughs softly, though still keeping a firm grip on him. She glances back at Ten still smiling, a certain sparkle in her eye and a 'told-you-so' expression on her face. "Yes, I suppose after such immense damage on your body, we cant expect such a dramatic recovery in so little time. But I'm sure in time you may just be able to walk..I'm positive!" though she is no doctor, only a healer. She glances back at Ten again, "It's possible, right?"
The shoe comes off and is tosses up and out of the pool with a light, under-handed pitch. Ten is still not accepting the term "miracle", however, even if Aerith would rather have her believe it to be so. Anything, given enough time and study, can be explained in definite scientific terms, dissected, organized, and laid out on a page for all the world to understand. So she says nothing. One by one, she pokes at each toe, and then at the sole of his foot.
"Since it looks like he does have some feeling in his legs again, I would say the odds of him walking again are not against him. Still, it may take a while, but the good news is, this is half the battle right here."
Midgar... egh. Under the plate, the place is still human-occupied landfill, no matter how long the place has been here or how many changes have taken place over the years. It's one of the last places in the world Ten Wulfe wants to be, and even a trip out to the middle of Corel sounds nice by comparison. She has exactly one-and-a-half reasons to be here... the one being to investigate the miracle she's heard people buzzing about, and the half to see Rude, since it's been a while, and their mutual business obligations don't usually enable them to cross paths. Fortunately, they've agreed to combine the two tasks and investigate the site of the miracle together.
No sign of angels. None. Not a stray feather, save for any left over from chocobos, or shredded, discarded pillows and furniture. And any puddles left by the mysterious rain have dried up by now. In seeking clues to miracles, a church is as good a place as any to look, and though she hasn't bothered to set foot in one for years, today's the day Ten urges herself to push one of the doors open on the front of the church. She stands there, pausing and looking in, smirking at the inward musing that she might get struck by lightning if she were to cross the threshold and enter.
No longer is it the sounds of gravel under foot step that accompanies rude these days. It's the sound of gravel under tire that seems to be a give away. Ten's skeptacism is shared in Rude as well. What is it about a church that could be the site of such 'miracles?' Especially in Midgar, where the man with the miracles is also the man with the money.
The man with the money. The man with the pay check. Hopefully there will be something worthwhile here.
However, something rings in the back of Rude's mind. Something that draws him to this site. Is it the promise of warding off this Geostigma? Is it his drive to ever persevere? One will never know. Will they?
And so Rude pushes forward. Right about 2 feet behind Ten. "Well...? It's a church. What's so special about a church?"
Just a simple, ordinary church. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Except that this church has had a large hole carved out of the rooftop, and a matching hole in the floor, filled with a mysterious sparkling water, and below that, beautiful water lilies. Flowers were always her trademark somehow, and it's probably not a big surprise to find her here, even at the end of the day, after everyone else has gone home. There were the usual crowds of course, and she was kept busy helping out the sick and wounded. Now it was time for her to get some rest, and with the cold weather and the time of night, she had collapsed exhausted on one of the pews near the front, covered by a woolen blanket that was the only thing that keeps her warm in the cold building. She's fast asleep it seems, and alone.
"Search me," replies Ten to the Turk. "People seem to think gods will hear them in a place like this. I suppose even a ruptured water pipe somewhere beneath the plate, the source of an artificial rain, could be perceived as a miracle by anyone dwelling in dust and shadows for too long." Ten reminds herself, next, that nothing in this world has managed to kill her, thus far. Far be it from someone with such an addled mind and careworn soul to expect a random act of some non-existant "all loving" deity to strike her dead where she stands. Quite the contrary. Out of arrogance or lack of faith, take your pick, the researcher strides into the church and looks around. Stained glass windows... check. Altar... check. Varying religious symbols... check. The hole in the roof, the flowers, and the pool are things which she finds unexpected, though it's the latter which fully draws her attention.
Ten moves down the center of the aisle, past row upon row of pews, past the homeless woman huddled under the woolen blanket near the front of these rows, only to kneel by the pool and lean down for a closer inspection. One glove is removed, and slender fingers dip into the water. It's almost warm. But to her eyes, there appears to be not much out of the ordinary by this alone.
"You know... this church was just rebuilt, if memory serves me." Rude says as he notes the hole in the ceiling. "In fact, I'm pretty sure the first burned down." Of course, witholding information, as usual. "You're talking about Midgar; the land the gods forgot. ...Unless you're Sephiroth." Rude weaves his way around the church slowly, taking in the various sites. The Altar, the windows, carved structures, whatever else. "You know, it kinda smells like summer rain in here. When was the last time there was a season other than death under Midgar?"
Aerith was certainly not homeless, as anyone might notice immediately once she pulls the blankets away from her face, a face that is clean of dirt or sweat, a pretty pink dress and matching jacket that are free of stains or raggedness. She is dressed as a gardener, though most people in the slums know her best as the 'flowergirl'. It was the footfalls that caused her to stir, and she seemed no longer in a deep and peaceful sleep, but seems almost confused at first, as she wakes up and realizes that she fell asleep in the church rather than going home. Aerith yawns softly, stretching her arms, still a little groggy from the nap, and the chill in the air. As she glances around the church, she spots the pair lurking in the semi-darkness, and realizes with a start that the flames from the candalabra over head had gone out.
Rising slowly from the cold wooden pew, she reaches for a nearby candle holder, striking a match and holding the flickering light out towards the altar. "Hmmm? Who's there?" she blinks, drawing nearer to the voices, her eyes only gradually adjusting to the evening light, "Oh...Rude? What are you doing here?" then, as she spots his bandaged figure in the moonlight, she gasps softly. Oh that's right, he was suffering from geostigma too, wasnt he? It is only then that she notices the other one with him, a stranger to her, and she focuses her attention upon the woman, unsure exactly who she is. "Hmm, and who is your friend, here?"
"You would be able to answer that better than I could. There are reasons I avoid Midgar." Seasons in Midgar. About as laughable an idea as surfing in Figaro desert. Ten lowers a satchel to the floor next to her and starts digging through it with one hand, while wiping the water off of her other hand and onto her leg. It has to go somewhere. The second hand soon joins the first in its search, and before long, the pale woman takes out a small, hard case. From this, she removes a vial containing something dark, and a dropper. The dropper is dunked into the pool, filled, and then gently held between her teeth as she carefully begins to open the vial.
She looks up at the sound of movement and a third voice in the hollow of the church. Oh, good. Someone with a light source. "Perfect," she mutters. "Stand right there, that angle of light should be just what I need to check this." Ten finishes opening the vial, only too careful not to spill a single drop of its contents anywhere, even on herself. The water sample in the dropper is applied, and she lifts it to eye level to watch. After a few seconds, the vial becomes clear, and a green-black curl of... -something- hisses away into the air.
"Well I'll be damned."
Again, that voice that seems to be nails on a chalkboard to Rude. How recognizable. "Ms. Gainsborough." Rude addresses. "Out a bit late, aren't you?" Before he gives her a chance to answer his attention is drawn to that hiss coming from Ten. "What in the high hell was that?" ...Note the disregard for being on 'holy' land? He's not a heretic. HONEST! Just... not a believer in your beliefs. Too many men and women have gone out of their way to do "God's" work for him to even begin to think that. And in many cases, "God's" work is just an excuse to kill anything and everthing that moves.
In the name of God. What a joke.
Aerith bites her lip, glancing back at Rude somewhat tiredly. What, again? Why's he always seem so...Tense around her? "Um..Yes, I guess I must have fallen asleep. I should get going, but.." Well, now that these two have arrived, she's feeling a bit paranoid, having them snoop around the church. She visibly flinches as Ten swears, and Rude swears even more, shooting them both accusing looks! Then, at Ten's request, she's caught off-guard again although stays where she is, offering the light Ten needs to do..Whatever it is that she is doing. "Umm, what are you doing, exactly?" though as she sees the water in the vial change color, she gasps. So, another scientist come to test the truth to the 'miracle?' she bites her lip, seeming to tense slightly at her appearance. "So, who are you, anyway?" please dont tell her he's another Hojo! She glances again questioningly at Rude for answers. What's the ShinRa up to now?
You hear faint clapping in the backgroud followed by footsteps. The combination begins to get louder as someone approached. "You know it is amazing. People barging in without knocking or caring about the fact that this place is church. It is very disappointing." He stops clapping and puts his hands in his pockets. When this person comes into light it is none other than Tseng. He is clean shavin, and wearing his usual suit. He walks up to Rude, "Going to blow up the church again?"
The vial in Ten's hand is quickly sealed and stashed back in the hard case. "That -was- a sample of the tainted cure Hojo came up with. If this is the real deal, then this water just completely obliterated any trace of infection. I won't know for sure until I can send it back to MIMIR for analysis, but if I'm right... not only is this a legitimate cure, but we might be able to use this against the Reaper."
Ten grins at Rude at the very thought of something which might be effective against that monster. Oh, the fun she could have with this. Water guns might just save the world. "Now all I want to know is how this happened. Something has apparently been successful where science - or Hojo's science, anyway - has failed, time and again."
Looking back to Aerith and then to Tseng, Ten snaps a quick and informal two-fingered salute from her brow. "Hey, thanks for the light. That was a huge help. Oh, uhh... Ten Wulfe, from the MIMIR observatory." Normally, an introduction from this woman would be more crisp and formal, but this is a unique situation. Finding something new and fascinating makes her giddy. Likewise, Ten smirks at Tseng's commentary regarding their arrival, "Far as I knew, a church is a public location. Anyway, now that I've seen what I came here to see, I can get back to work."
Rude shoots a look over to find out who and where the hand is coming from. "Evening, Tseng. Nice of you to join us. We're still cleaning up Dr. Hojo's disasterpeice." Of course, that's all Tseng gets at the moment. "Before you leave, Ten... Let me try something. I'm going to need a hand." The bit of information Ten leaked is enough to stir Rude's thoughts.
Oh no, not another person!? Who could it be, at this time of night? She glances back at the entrance, peering at Tseng, relaxing some. "Oh, Tseng, hey..Yeah, it's really great that they managed to rebuild the church again. ShinRa that is." she kinda expected them to leave it as it was. As Ten mentions MIRMIR however, her ears perk up, glancing back at the woman with renewed interest. "What? You work for MIRMIR? You're Ten! Aha! You're the one researching the convergence!" so, that's why she is here. She seems to regard her with more interest and respect now, stepping towards her, peering at her curiously, and arches a brow at the mention of Reaper. Ahh, him again, "Hmm, so you know about the Reaper then? But do you really think this will work?"
"I am Aerith by the way..I guess I kind of..Take care of this church. As for the healing pools.." She hesitates, wondering if she can trust this woman. but then, Mirror seemed to trust her so.."Miracles do occur, if you know where to look, and if you have enough faith. This healing pool cured everyone who came with the Geostigma, even those who were infliced with Hojo's bogus cure, but I cant guarantee that the spring will last much longer, or that more can be produced. At least not anytime soon.."
Tseng stares at Rude for a moment, several things go through his head at once, and none of them result in Rude walking away safely. However he does back away for a moment to see what happens. After Rude is done Tseng's attitude may change towards the Turk.
The vial in Ten's hand is quickly sealed and stashed back in the hard case. "That -was- a sample of the tainted cure Hojo came up with. If this is the real deal, then this water just completely obliterated any trace of infection. I won't know for sure until I can send it back to MIMIR for analysis, but if I'm right... not only is this a legitimate cure, but we might be able to use this against the Reaper."
Ten grins at Rude at the very thought of something which might be effective against that monster. Oh, the fun she could have with this. Water guns might just save the world. "Now all I want to know is how this happened. Something has apparently been successful where science - or Hojo's science, anyway - has failed, time and again."
Looking back to Aerith and then to Tseng, Ten snaps a quick and informal two-fingered salute from her brow. "Hey, thanks for the light. That was a huge help. Oh, uhh... Ten Wulfe, from the MIMIR observatory." Normally, an introduction from this woman would be more crisp and formal, but this is a unique situation. Finding something new and fascinating makes her giddy. Likewise, Ten smirks at Tseng's commentary regarding their arrival, "Far as I knew, a church is a public location. Anyway, now that I've seen what I came here to see, I can get back to work."
Rude shoots a look over to find out who and where the hand is coming from. "Evening, Tseng. Nice of you to join us. We're still cleaning up Dr. Hojo's disasterpeice." Of course, that's all Tseng gets at the moment. "Before you leave, Ten... Let me try something. I'm going to need a hand." The bit of information Ten leaked is enough to stir Rude's thoughts.
As Ten mentions MIRMIR however, Aerith's ears perk up, glancing back at the woman with renewed interest. "What? You work for MIRMIR? You're Ten! Aha! You're the one researching the convergence!" so, that's why she is here. She seems to regard her with more interest and respect now, stepping towards her, peering at her curiously, and arches a brow at the mention of Reaper. Ahh, him again, "Hmm, so you know about the Reaper then? But do you really think this will work?"
"I am Aerith by the way..I guess I kind of..Take care of this church. As for the healing pools.." She hesitates, wondering if she can trust this woman. but then, Mirror seemed to trust her so.."Miracles do occur, if you know where to look, and if you have enough faith. This healing pool cured everyone who came with the Geostigma, even those who were infliced with Hojo's bogus cure, but I cant guarantee that the spring will last much longer, or that more can be produced. At least not anytime soon.."
The researcher slowly inclines her head to Aerith at the girl's enthusiastic greeting, "That would be me. Glad to make your acquantance, Aerith." The case in her hand is stashed away and a larger container, a clear plastic cylinder with a lid, is brought out and used to collect some more of the water. She's listening, but she makes no reply to further talk of miracles or faith. They're two things which were lost on her years ago, and believed to be out of reach, like so many other things. "It sounds like you know something about where this came from then," Ten glances up at the girl, "I'd love to hear more. If this pool is about to lose its power, then we need to find another source, and quickly."
The container is placed in the satchel carefully once the lid is secured. This, too, has to get to the observatory so it can be tested on the Reaper tissue samples they got during his visit there. "Hmm?" Glowing eyes glance to Rude, "What did you have in mind? An impromptu dip, perhaps?" It'd make sense that he would think about it in his condition, she reminds herself, and part of her hopes that it does work on his injuries. She gets to her feet and moves toward the wheelchair-bound Turk.
"Given what it just did to that sample, it's not a hard bargain to bet it'll annihilate anything on the body." Rude pulls a small knife, which initially can be mistaken for a key, from his key ring. The device is unfolded, baring a short blade, just long enough to handle small jobs. With carefull consideration, Rude cuts the left leg of his slacks away, revealing not only Geostigma, but very advanced stages of it. "Ideas, Ms. Wulfe?" A small smile curls at the corner of one of his lips. Join him for a bath why don't ya? He's also open to other suggestions... like dumping a jar's worth of that water down his leg.
Aerith sighs a bit tiredly, nodding, "Yes..Well, it's kind of complicated." she seems to hesitate again, as if pondering if it is such a good idea to tell this woman everything about her. But perhaps a compromise would be safe enough. "It's not that it loses its power so much that it will dry up eventually. It's mixed with water afterall, and has been in that pond for nearly a month now. I'm not sure how much longer it will last, especially with so many people bathing in it everyday. Not only that, but I think we should save it for the victims of geostigma.." fortunately, it never really gets dirty. Magic's great like that.
The talk of Reaper however, piques her interest, and afterall, she would gladly help if she knew more about this creature. "Anyways, I guess you can say that I...Prayed for a miracle, and the planet answered." she shrugs, "I suppose it would be possible for me to..Cast the spell again sometime, as soon as I regain my strength. This is one of the reasons why I am curious to learn more about the convergence, it seems to have sapped a lot of my strength since I...Reconverged. I have forgotten most of my magic as well. I hope to find a way to relearn it, and quickly, if possible. And, if I can, I would like to help deal with this..Reaper crisis."
She chances a shy step towards the pair, regarding Ten thoughtfully now. Maybe science and magic CAN work together, side by side. "If it's true that my magic can help, then I'll do everything in my power to stop this..Reaper." finally, she glances towards Rude, gasping in surprise at the geostigma on his leg, but she wastes no more time gawking, moving to the opposite side of him, "Umm, do you need help getting into the pool?
Ten looks at the visible patch of infection and closes her eyes. She wants to ask why he never said anything about it, even though she's well aware that there's nothing she could have done about it, anyway. Thinking better of it, and Rude's other injuries, she lets out a sigh. "How bad is it? Is it just your leg, or anywhere else?" If it's just the leg, she'll grab the jar that she just put in the satchel. If the infection has spread over more of his body than just that, then she won't have much other choice than to climb into the pool and help him into it. Wandering around Midgar damp isn't exactly something she had planned on.
She smiles thinly to Aerith. She prays, the planet answers. Ten used to pray... a long time ago. A decade of one horror after another has left the woman blind to the workings of kindly gods. Really, Aerith seems like a nice, sweet person, and Ten would give anything to be so innocent again... it's the only thing keeping her from replying with something unpleasant. Besides, she might just need the girl's help.
"This world has left a lot of people weakened in magic and power. We don't know why. Perhaps, if we ever learn what caused the Convergences to occur to begin with, we may be able to answer that, as well." It may not be the answer Aerith is looking for, but it's the best that she has right now. At least she isn't alone in her weakened state.
Lucky day... or not so lucky day. You pick. "The infection is prety bad, Ten." Rude states, "It's covered from that knee, diagonally to my shoulder." Rude pulls at his collar to show a little bit of his shoulder, whatever his shirt will give. And if it comes to dip time, at the very least she'll get new clothing. Due compensation is in order. Besides, it's not like he can't help but think the Researcher wouldn't look good in a dress or a skirt... or even in some jeans and one of his button up shirts.
...Shush. The man's allowed to fantasize.
Wow, it's strange. This woman is almost like a total opposite to her. It is almost as if Aerith can sense the doubt and bitterness in Ten when she talks about 'praying' and 'miracles'. Though the same can be said of Aerith's doubt of science and hard cold fact. Afterall, she was only a lab rat for most of her childhood. Still, the woman seemed friendly enough and in fact Aerith seemed all the more interested in her work. She continues to smile at her, seeming all the more eager as she discusses the convergence, "I'm sorry, I am no scientist, but I can tell you a lot about the planet around us..I suppose it is difficult for most people to understand, but.." again she seems to hesitate, as if weighing the consequences. But really, she needs to know more about this strange new world too! Perhaps they can help each other.
"Well, I can kind of..Speak to the planet, I am connected to the lifestream of the world, and with its rythms and energies. I am only now beginning to learn the extent of my..Abilities, but I am sure we could help each other out, Miss Ten. I am also very interested in learning more about the convergences, as they have affected me directly in so many ways."
As for Rude, she cant help but hide a smile, and she moves back to one of the pews, where several towels have been folded and placed specifically for such a thing. "Umm, you can use this towel if you like. You can probably just get changed in one of the washrooms in the back." well, it's a lot better than getting his suit soaked at least.
"What were you waiting for to do something about it?" Ten finally asks with an edge in her voice. And why should it bother her so much? He does work for Shinra, doesn't he? It's not like she's his mother, either, but why he's waited this long when the pool has been here for a couple of weeks... she shakes her head. "Looks like you're getting a soak, then."
Ten sits down by the edge of the pool and begins undoing the buckles on her boots one by one. This is going to take her several minutes... just look at all those belts. So Rude has time to decide how he wants to go about this. She isn't so worried about the rest of her clothes, since some of it is armor over the actual cloth portions of it. The armor alone makes her glad that the pool isn't deep, because sinking and drowning in a "healing" pool would just suck, and it's just the kind of irony the world loves throwing at her.
The boots are pulled off and set aside, wrist plates, gloves, and gadgets are next to go. The gadgets, especially, would be hard to replace if they get damaged. And all this time, she's still listening to Aerith, nodding now and then and filing bits and pieces of information away. Something piques her curiosity, but she's not going to give voice to her guesses or give it a name while Rude's here. "Maybe once this Reaper is dealt with, Aerith, I can give you a tour of the observatory. If you want to know about this world, the archive might be of interest to you. You'll find plenty of books there about so many things relating to this world... different forms of magic, summons, even a book on all of the new races of people in this world."
Ready to see awkward? I bet you are!
The chair is spun around, and the locks enabled. Rude begins working at getting out of that chair, which involves knocking the thing backwards, as gracefully as a train wreck, and then hand walking his way out. He's not entirely useless. He's not expecting miracles. He is, however, hoping this pool will nuke the Geostigma in his body. ...AND HEY! He didn't know about the pool until Ten told him. So don't give me that tone.
Besides. If he had, he wouldn't have reason to be here right now. Now would he? Hmm?
If one could describe a summon to which Rude would resemble right now, it'd probably be Alexander, and his half a body. What with walking on his hands and all. ...Okay. So he's a Mecha Castle. You're killing the fun. As useful as walking on his hands is, it's painful in his lowerback, and he's more or less just dragging his legs along. Once out of the chair, and near the pool, he brings himself (quite forcefully) to a sitting position, with legs crossed by hand. "It's all fun and games..." he begins, trailing off into nothingness.
Aerith bites her lip. Hmm, looks like he's just gonna dunk right in then. She shrugs, leaving the towel where it is. He'll probably need it later, after he's soaking wet. Looks like he'll need a new suit too, but Turks are probably rich anyways, right? Again Aerith moves towards the pool, trying to steady Rude's chair, offering him a hand incase he falls and needs assistance. Though being the proud, stoic person he is, she is sure he will object. At least now, Ten can see the 'miracle' for herself!
As Ten speaks, she listens and nods eagerly, "Wow, that would be really great! I would be honoured to visit your observatory some day! As soon as we can figure out this Reaper problem.." she kneels next to the pool watching the two below. "Umm, so if this healing pool can really help fight the Reaper..Maybe there's a way we can just lure him here and.." throw him into the pool? Hmmmm. That might be tough. But not undoable. "I'm sure I could try something to make it last a little longer.."
"...Until someone loses an eye," Ten murmurs, finishing Rude's sentence with what she thinks the last part might be. That's the way she's always heard it, and some of her friends were known to raise some hell when they were kids. Lucky for them, she knew the man running the clinic in the village. With all the breakable stuff set aside, Ten swings her legs over and into the pool, and hops in. The water only comes up to her waist, so it won't be enough for Rude to get in over his head once he's in here with her.
"Arlight, uhmm..." Awkward is right. It's been a long time since she's had to deal with anyone in a wheelchair like with, so she's really not sure what to do, short of grabbing his ankles and dragging him in. At length, she decides a better way might just be to take his hand and guide him in. "The water's not bad," she smirks, lifting her hands toward Rude and seeming unconcerned about the extent of the infection, or that she might come into contact with it. "Aerith, if you want to give him a hand, too, just be careful of his lower back."
Rude pushes his feet over the edge, into the pool, where they dangle. "Slow and steady, I suppose." Rude says, as he inches himself forward with his hands. And yes. He's going to wear the sunglasses. Even if it is in the middle of the night. A quick toss of his head, and the neck gives way to some crackling, and then he's ready to do this. "Ready when you are, Ms. Gainsborough."
"Umm, yeah, okay.." without a second thought, she too, hops into the water, trying to take hold of his other arm, hooking it over her shoulder to offer as a kind of crutch as she carefully helps to lower him into the water. "Yeah, it's pretty warm..Here, just stay in here for a while and let it work its magic." it's kinda like being in a sauna, but with your clothes on. Aerith doesnt seem too concerned about 'catching' the illness from Rude, and she seems to show no akwardness in helping him either. Afterall, she's had to help several people in all shapes and conditions into the pool. It just comes rather naturally to her by now.
That wasn't exactly what she had in mind, but when Aerith jumps in, Ten gives a shrug. One way or another, as long as he gets into the pool, she's not going to be the one to complain... it's Rude she's concerned about. As Aerith hooks one arm over her shoulders, Ten does the same with the other. "Okay, ready? One... two... three..."
And in goes Rude. But not without feeling some initial pain. Pain derived from the shock of his body moving in different ways. His upper body is more than prepared to carry him around if necessary. It's the lower that has deteriorated from lack of use. Parts of his spine has fused, his muscles have gone through atrophy. Overall he's not a pretty picture. A grit of the teeth, and clenching of the eyes and fists indicate he's in a bit of pain. But once settled, the pain begins to lessen to nothing more than a dull throb.
As if nothing happened, "You're right. It is warm."
"Yeah, how do you feel now? Just try to relax, okay? It may take a while..." heh, easier said than done, she knows but. Aerith doesnt let go of him, trying to maintain a firm and steady grip. Afterall she doesnt want him to trip and fall. Or drown or something. That would really suck. Instead, she waits patiently for the pool to do its magic.
Ten watches carefully, just incase he does experience some adverse effect from the pool... such as pain. Pain's bad isn't it? Oh, wait, maybe not in this case, and seeing it subside so quickly is a relief, though probably not moreso than it is to him. As soon as it looks like he's starting to relax again, she loosens her grip but doesn't let go completely. It's just enough to keep his head up while the rest of his body is submerged.
As for herself, the most she notices is a faint, fleeting itch where a few scars from old wounds might be, but little else. The water won't do much for her mind, and she doubts it's going to do much for her own tired soul.
And in goes Rude. But not without feeling some initial pain. Pain derived from the shock of his body moving in different ways. His upper body is more than prepared to carry him around if necessary. It's the lower that has deteriorated from lack of use. Parts of his spine has fused, his muscles have gone through atrophy. Overall he's not a pretty picture. A grit of the teeth, and clenching of the eyes and fists indicate he's in a bit of pain. But once settled, the pain begins to lessen to nothing more than a dull throb. As if nothing happened, "You're right. It is warm."
"Yeah, how do you feel now? Just try to relax, okay? It may take a while..." heh, easier said than done, she knows but. Aerith doesnt let go of him, trying to maintain a firm and steady grip. Afterall she doesnt want him to trip and fall. Or drown or something. That would really suck. Instead, she waits patiently for the pool to do its magic.
Ten watches carefully, just incase he does experience some adverse effect from the pool... such as pain. Pain's bad isn't it? Oh, wait, maybe not in this case, and seeing it subside so quickly is a relief, though probably not moreso than it is to him. As soon as it looks like he's starting to relax again, she loosens her grip but doesn't let go completely. It's just enough to keep his head up while the rest of his body is submerged.
As for herself, the most she notices is a faint, fleeting itch where a few scars from old wounds might be, but little else. The water won't do much for her mind, and she doubts it's going to do much for her own tired soul.
How long does it take for the effects to begin? Rude has no way to tell. No way of benchmarking this pool of water. He knows it annihilated the Geostigma in the vial Ten had.
It isn't until then do things begin. A tingle here. A throb there. It's kinda like putting muscle relaxer on... without the horrible smell.
Sensation begins to return in some areas. This is a good sign. A very good sign. And then it dawns on him. "Ten..." he begins, as he looks down into the pool, "I can feel my toes." The sunglasses slide off his face and into the water. There's look of concern on his face now.
Aerith waits patiently, supporting Rude as best as she can despite the exhaustion she is feeling from that last couple of days' work. Still, she is determined to see this through to the end, and afterall, she couldnt help but feel just a little bit hopeful, despite Rude's doubts, that maybe..Just maybe he might get his legs back too..When he finally responds, a little smile appears on her face, although it's a cautious one. Let's not jump to conclusions just yet! "Hmm..Are you sure? Rude?" she glances down into the water curiously, "Can you..Wiggle your toe?"
"Are you sure?" Ten doesn't want to doubt him and dash his hopes, if this pool does provide some chance of him walking again, but having worked in the Mideel clinic when she was younger, the phenomenon of phantom pains isn't unheard of. It might just be that something about the water has triggered some sort of bio-feedback, making him think he's moving his toes.
"Shall we find out?" If so, she'll move enough to reach for one of Rude's shoes and remove it. His clothes are already soaked through, so it won't really matter.
He's had phantom pains before. This is something completely different. He can feel the pressure around his shoe. "I'm pretty sure I can feel it." Rude says, "There's a rock under my heel." The shoes are pretty flimsy. And ruined. But that's not the point. "I can't move it. But I can feel the rock. ...Just barely. But it's there." The sensation is barely there. Almost non-existant.
"You're the doctor on scene. If that's what you want to do, so be it." he replies. The water feels oh so good.
"Oh..Wow, Rude..That's great!" she laughs softly, though still keeping a firm grip on him. She glances back at Ten still smiling, a certain sparkle in her eye and a 'told-you-so' expression on her face. "Yes, I suppose after such immense damage on your body, we cant expect such a dramatic recovery in so little time. But I'm sure in time you may just be able to walk..I'm positive!" though she is no doctor, only a healer. She glances back at Ten again, "It's possible, right?"
The shoe comes off and is tosses up and out of the pool with a light, under-handed pitch. Ten is still not accepting the term "miracle", however, even if Aerith would rather have her believe it to be so. Anything, given enough time and study, can be explained in definite scientific terms, dissected, organized, and laid out on a page for all the world to understand. So she says nothing. One by one, she pokes at each toe, and then at the sole of his foot.
"Since it looks like he does have some feeling in his legs again, I would say the odds of him walking again are not against him. Still, it may take a while, but the good news is, this is half the battle right here."