voidseeing | [Accidental Voice/Action]

[The journal pops open as it hits the ground, the camera pointed straight upwards into the trees. There's nothing to be seen other than branches and leaves, and at first it may seem like just an accident... but the sounds that it picks up make it very clear this isn't just someone being careless and letting their journal fall out of a bag. In fact, the very first thing that anyone will hear is the sharp report of a gunshot, followed immediately by yelling.]

Law! Behind you!

On it. Room. [There’s a flash and the branches and leaves are now washed out by a blue glow. There’s the sound of a growl, the snap of electricity, and then an explosion.] Watch out! They’re swarming!

[Two more gunshots echo over the journals.]

Damn it... how many of them are there?

Can’t tell yet, Gai. [More explosions, and the crack of wood being torn apart. Then the groan and thud of trees crashing down.] They’re still coming out of the woodwork.

[Another shot.]

Guess we should be honored they felt we needed this much of a welcoming committee.

Goodness knows I’m flattered. [Metal clanging.] Perhaps this is what they think consists of therapy. [A crack.] Ugh. Well, if they’re offering, who am I to refuse? I’ve got a few issues to work out…

Too bad I prefer my therapy to be one on one.

[Another clang, then a thud. There's another wash of light, this time silver rather than blue-- a light that should be very familiar to a certain Shu Ouma if he happens to be looking into the journal while all of this is going down.

The sounds of combat continue for a while longer, at last dwindling down to an almost painful silence. This silence lingers for a long moment, heavy, until Gai's voice finally breaks it, exhausted yet triumphant.]

... they'd better not charge us for that session.

[Anyone who happens by the Battle Dome after this little spectacle will be treated to the sight of a battered and exhausted Gai and Law surrounded by droid fragments and damaged trees. They're in surprisingly good spirits considering what just happened, though some healing would be very much appreciated right about now.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Slowly, gradually, the recognition returns to Gai's eyes as Elizabeth sings. He's still shaken, to be sure, but he's no longer lost in his own mind and seeing something that isn't there, whatever that something might be.

He shuts his eyes and takes a few deep breaths in an attempt to ground himself. There's a part of him that's embarrassed over having so little control over something he thought he'd managed to put behind him years ago, and he almost doesn't want to open his eyes and see the looks on Elizabeth and Law's faces.]

[Elizabeth can actually sing past the first two lines this time--she learned all the words after that afternoon. She keeps on it until Gai closes his eyes. Then she reaches for Gai's hair again.]

Ibuprofen, wouldn't you say Mr. Law?

Ibuprofen will work perfectly, Miss Elizabeth.

[Carrying on as normal. If Gai wants to acknowledge what happened, Law for his part will allow him to bring it up on his own terms. Otherwise it's business as usual.]

[Although the contact with his hair causes a slight flinch, this time he doesn't shrink away from her touch and instead just focuses on his breathing. In, out, in, out, nice and steady and even.

He doesn't want to address it, honestly. He'd rather act like it never happened, but at the same time, he feels guilty for no doubt upsetting them both.]

... sorry about that.

There's nothing to apologize for, it's alright. [Elizabeth smiles and tries to match her stroking to Gai's breathing.]

I'll just go get something for you to swallow these pills with. [She stands up so she can head to the Battle Dome's vending machines.]

Don't worry about it. [Law's voice is quiet as he takes his hand off his ribs.]

When you're ready, I can take care of your ribs if you want.

[At last Gai opens his eyes and manages a shaky little smile at them. He still looks pale and shaken, but at least he's aware of his surroundings now.]

The sooner the better.

...oh, right. Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Law. [Elizabeth settles back down onto the ground, out of the way so Law can work. She seems eager enough to see Gai returned to health, but... well...]

[Some medical help she turned out to be.]

Don't blame yourself. You didn't know.

[This is directed at Elizabeth. It isn't hard to tell that she's feeling guilty over this, even if she won't say anything about it.]

I didn't know.

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