paixaorpg | Needed Kindness [Complete]

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Needed Kindness [Complete]

Character(s): Yuna and the eleventh Doctor.
Content: Yuna stumbles upon a near-stranger who's very much in need of aid.
Setting: Clan Centurio headquarters.
Time: Night, Week 35, several days after the Doctor's capture and a few hours after this post.
Warnings: Past mentions of violence.

He didn't know how long he'd been lying there, bound and blindfolded. Honestly, there hadn't been any need of it; the Doctor was near death from starvation and dehydration as well as injury (though the new-fallen snow has helped his thirst a little), and even if he hadn't been, Kuja's magic was more powerful than anything he could bear. He supposed that it had been for the mage's amusement, more than anything else; Kuja had taken great delight in taunting him in everything from his weakness to his fashion sense to his apparently annoying non-sequiturs. Still, it seemed to have kept the Doctor alive that much longer, especially when they'd gotten to talking about theatre, brought on by an aside Kuja had made regarding the opera house before he'd blindfolded the Time Lord.

He wished, with ever-increasing resignation, that he'd managed to get ahold of his screwdriver before he'd weakened so much, but as it was, all he could do was focus on remaining conscious. Blimey, he'd forgotten how rubbish being a prisoner was; he needed to make a mental note not to do it again. Truthfully, at this rate, he wouldn't need to worry about it; it was obvious Kuja had left him to die, and he didn't have long before he succumbed to his heavy injuries as well as neglect (and hadn't Kuja made a snide remark about having to make sure the next prisoner bathed as he left?).

He hadn't even managed to get his journal out, secured as he was (though it didn't feel as though he were bound to anything, just something he couldn't wriggle out of in the sorry state he was in), and so he clung to the hope that someone, anyone, would find him.

Hopefully quickly. And he wouldn't say not to a nice cup of tea and a few biscuits, either.

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Yuna didn't normally spend much time in the area around Clan Centurio, mostly because she didn't know what it was. She'd never had any reason to come here until now and even so, she didn't exactly have the best reason for being there this time. Mostly, she was curious, curious about the place she'd spent so long in, curious as to what secrets it held that she hadn't yet discovered. Probably a lot. Also lack of sleep.

So that time, she headed inside, gun in hand, pointed at the sky in case of a misfire. What she found upon entering was a scene like nothing she'd thought of. It looked like a torture scene; the person tied up at the back looked like he'd been through madness and was severely hurt. Yuna didn't stop to think that this might be a trap, some trick of Hades'. She rushed forward, switching dresspheres in a flash of light to White Mage. Pushing her now-long sleeves up a bit to expose white gloves and better allow her to use her staff, she cast a couple of Curagas before she even managed to say anything, checking the man over to be sure he would live.

"What happened? Are you all right?" she managed to gasp out, setting her staff aside and beginning to work at the bonds holding him in place.

Edited 2011-09-27 20:18 (UTC)

He didn't hear Yuna come in, too busy wondering what his younger self was doing right now- no doubt searching for him, definitely. He'd likely pretend for awhile that he was fine, but if something happened to his present self, that meant his past self ultimately wasn't far behind. That, and he was passing out. Quickly passing out, which meant he likely wouldn't last more than a few more days, at best.

The healing waves which washed over him were refreshingly cool despite the snow, causing the Doctor to wake up fully, groaning. He recognized that voice, despite only having spoken to her once or twice over the journals. "Yuna?" he asked, holding still to allow her to untie him more easily. "No, I'm fine. Woke up in the morning and felt like a little torture. Perfectly normal."

Okay, so maybe that was a little much, but he obviously wasn't alright.

Yuna nodded to the question about her name, still working on the bonds holding him in place. Of course he wasn't okay. It had been a stupid question, but it was one she could never help asking. That was part of her nature.

"Just hold on a little longer..."

And with a little more work, she got him free, throwing out a few more Curagas just to be sure he would heal properly.

"I can't carry you, but I'll get you out of here." Even if she had to call Tidus to come help her, she'd manage somehow. And she vowed to watch over him just to be sure he would recover well, too.

Edited 2011-09-27 20:18 (UTC)

The Doctor opened his eyes and slowly got to his feet, swaying a bit. He looked over at Yuna, gratitude clearly written all over his face, and managed to lay a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Thank you." He looked about himself, his suspicions confirmed - the silver-haired man had moved him before abandoning him. Well, at least he knew where his new hideout would be, so hopefully he could warn everyone about him. If only the man had told him his name!

"I can walk," he reassured her, taking a shaky few shaky steps forward before stumbling and just about falling flat on his face. "Don't mind that," he mumbled weakly. "Happens all the time."

Yuna kept a close eye on the man anyway, ready to help steady him once he started moving. She knew how it felt to be disoriented, though she'd never gone through something of this magnitude. Frowning in concern, she moved closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist so she could help him walk.

"I'll take you to my apartment until you're well enough to leave."

And by that she meant until he was well enough for her practiced healer's opinion.

Although he was glad of Yuna's assistance, the Doctor tried to avoid leaning too much on Yuna as they walked. He smiled at her, however weakly, already feeling uplifted by the unexpected rescue. But then, that always seemed to happen for him, didn't it? When he needed it the most, in his darkest hours, help always came. And that, of course, meant that when others came to their darkest hours, he was able to try and help them, as he'd been helped.

"Thank you, Yuna," he told her gratefully. "I appreciate it." He was incredibly lucky it had been she who found him, and not someone like, say, the Master. Oh, no, that was a terrible thought. Go away, thought; you're not welcome here.

"You're welcome," she told him genuinely, smiling in return as she helped him out. "There was once a time when all I could do was heal... and help people. I guess it never really went away. Being a summoner... will always be part of me, even though it's been years since the summoner's way of life disappeared."

And it was because of her that it did so, oddly enough. But still, she would always have a heart for helping people, no matter what the situation was.

At least her place wasn't too far. It was far enough, though, and she'd take as much time as the Doctor needed, though if she could manage it, she'd have them take the streetcar system... Did those things even run at this hour?

"I know how you feel," came the gentle reply. Needless to say, the Doctor fully understood what Yuna was saying. Wanting to help people was why he'd become the Doctor, after all, and even countless centuries later, there he was, doing everything he could to help people. He always felt immensely grateful when he found others who felt the same, and Yuna was definitely one of them.

He did his best to move as quickly as he could without straining himself, though it wasn't easy, given his wounds, exhaustion and starvation. He was determined to make this as easy on Yuna as possible. Besides, although his muscles ached from being tied up for so long, it was good to be able to stretch them out again.

Yuna just nodded and continued helping the good Doctor. He seemed to need it after whatever had happened and she wouldn't rest until he was healed and okay again. So, she took him up to her place, offering the - rather comfortable - couch once they were up there.

"I'll get blankets in a minute. Do you want... anything else? Something to eat or drink?"

For all that he'd managed to enjoy the walk to Yuna's place (newly-regained freedom tended to do that to a person), the Doctor was thankful when he could lie down and have a rest again. He held still for a few minutes to allow his heart rates and breathing to settle before answering. "You know, that sounds good. Have you got any tea in? Maybe fish fingers and custard?" He probably shouldn't strain his stomach too much, after nearly a week with nothing to eat and almost nothing to drink, so he planned on taking it easy on himself for awhile.

He also wanted a good, long soak and fresh clothes, but he figured that could wait until he'd had a rest. Besides, Yuna was already doing her best to make him comfortable, and he appreciated it.

"Fish fingers?"

Yuna couldn't say she'd heard of those, but they did sound good. She'd figured out what custard was by living here for so long already, so she nodded at that. This man, the Doctor, was nice enough that she didn't feel any irritation at having to do anything for him. Plus he was still hurt. That always got her hero's instincts moving.

"I can make tea, though. That's not a problem."

She darted out of the room just long enough to get blankets and start the tea water going, but she wanted to make sure he could tell her how to make the fish fingers before she left to, well, make everything.

Usually, the Doctor would have gone on about how he couldn't believe Yuna hadn't heard of fish fingers (at least, going by her tone), but as it was, he settled for giving her a slightly incredulous look. "Fish fingers are processed fish that are breaded. They're quite good." He smiled at her, then, grateful for her gentle care. It had been a good long while since anyone had taken care of him instead of the other way around, and he'd forgotten what it felt like.

Which, of course, meant that he was already getting slightly restless, and as Yuna left the room, he shifted slightly with a wince. No, he still wasn't going anywhere. Even the healing spell hadn't cured his exhaustion and hunger, along with the lingering aches Kuja had left him with. He was still badly in need of rest.

Damn.

Yuna tilted her head at the explanation. No one had ever made those, but since she'd been raised on an island and loved anything related to the ocean, she thought they sounded good. "I don't have anything like that, but I could try to make them in the morning. They probably won't be as good as what you're used to."

Soon enough, at least the tea was ready, and she brought over a steaming mug, setting it on a small table within easy reach. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

The Doctor nodded, feeling much better already. He'd finally been forced to admit to himself after Kuja's assault that he hadn't the slightest idea of what he was doing and was likely to get himself killed (and the fact that he'd been attacked, seemingly at random, hadn't helped). Actually, he'd been forced to come to terms with the fact that he might even have died, if not for the fact that Yuna, for whatever reason, had decided to go exploring. But he was glad she had, and even gladder that, in the span of an hour, had helped to heal a good deal of the mental damage the silver-haired man's attack had done.

He accepted the mug with a smile. "No, thanks, I think I'm fine." Maybe even better than fine.

Yuna smiled in return, just thankful she'd managed to get to him in time. Maybe after this, she'd make more of an effort to go out and about at night. At least to just check things out. She couldn't have people dying just because no one was awake to look. That wouldn't do at all.

She didn't really want to leave him, no matter how tired she was. He was a friend and she wouldn't leave a friend in need. "I'm just... going to get a mug for myself."

And then she'd be right back. Maybe they could talk a little bit if he wasn't sleepy.

It was easy to see how exhausted Yuna was. "Don't worry about me," the Doctor told her. "If you're tired, get some rest. I'll be here in the morning." Morning. That was an odd term. Given the fact that he'd spent a good deal of his life traveling in the TARDIS, the Doctor had to admit to himself that the concept of time going in the right order was a rather boring concept, but he had to admit, he'd slowly been growing used to it (even if he still didn't like it).

He slowly sipped his tea, feeling much better almost instantly. If he'd held any doubt whatsoever that tea didn't have the potential to solve absolutely everything, it was pretty much gone now.

Yuna stopped halfway to the kitchen and turned back around, looking a little guilty. She felt bad leaving him alone, like she was supposed to sit there and watch him, care for him, to make sure he would be okay. Even as long as she'd been here in this new city, she didn't know what was expected of her here, what she should do. But he did seem better - he at least looked like he was feeling a little better. And he could call for her in the night if he needed something, right?

"Are you sure?" she asked hesitantly anyway, just to be sure. "I don't want to leave you alone if you need anything else." Not after the way he'd looked when she'd found him.

"Yuna," came the response, the Doctor looking the girl knowingly in the eye, "get some rest. I'm a lot better off now than I was when you found me. I'll still be here in the morning, and we can talk then." He shifted to make himself a little more comfortable, holding back a wince for Yuna's sake - he didn't want the poor woman driven to further worry, especially when she'd selflessly helped him when he'd been nearly dead.

"And if I need anything, I'll tell you. Alright?" Besides, he had the distinct feeling Yuna was the type to glare at him and scold him if she thought he would hold anything back on a matter such as this.

Yuna winced guiltily at his words, knowing he'd seen clear through her, and smiled at him. "All right. Please do... tell me. I'm right around the corner."

And she was well within earshot should he cry out or even knock on the door. Yuna wasn't the type to leave someone who was so clearly in need. She knew, despite what he said about being much better off now than earlier, she would still worry herself enough to wake up several times in the night and creep out to check on him just to be sure. She wouldn't rest easily until she was sure.

"I'm sorry I couldn't do more."

Honestly, she wasn't used to not being able to fix something immediately after she took it on as a project. Everything else she'd done at home, she'd managed to get fixed and straightened out almost immediately. Having someone healing up on her couch was a new experience, but she would deal with it.

If the good Doctor had nothing else to request of her, she would head back to her room then, to get as much rest as she could before morning called.

"I will," the Doctor reassured Yuna, already feeling much better due to her kindness. "Besides, I'm certain you'll just try to make sure I'm alright on your own, anyway." Yuna was kind and gentle, and determined enough that already it sounded like something she might do. "And you've done plenty." He held up his mug of tea, sipping it some more. He let Yuna head back to her room in order to rest, simply choosing to drink the rest of his mug in silence.

His face darkened once the former summoner was out of sight - he couldn't let the silver-haired man do this to anyone else, not if he could help it. The Doctor would throw himself in front of someone who was threatened, if it came to that. However, the Doctor's train of thought didn't last long due to a combination of his injuries, starvation and exhaustion, and it wasn't long before the Time Lord drifted off into a deep and troubled sleep.

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Needed Kindness [Complete]

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