{Video; UN: gambler}

[thescorpionking]

{He is alive. He thinks? The hospital is too white around him - too like the snow and each time he wakes from a small nap, he panics. When that happens for a fourth time, he figures out how to work the network, gritting his teeth against the pain movement causes.

When he realizes he is being recorded, bruised face and all, he clears his throat.}

Must I stay here?

Comments

[Video] un: fated

[fated_dance]

[ This...is rather not fair, Zishu decides. But maybe... ]

That would depend upon what you remember. Do you remember Nippon?

[Video]

[thescorpionking]

{What in life is fair, Zhou Zishu? Xie tries to sit up, his eyes widening in...shock? Fear? Maybe both.}

I remember...a mountain and an avalanche.

[Video]

[fated_dance]

[ Well. He knows those walls. And how horribly trapped he'd felt when he'd first woken surrounded by them. So already he's making his way there. ]

Then darkness, I expect, from the state of you.

[ Darkness and death. ]

Video | un: runaway

[hideawayparadise]

[He doesn't even know this guy but he can't help but worry.]

I'd ask if you're okay but I guess that's pretty obvious... So I guess can I get you something? I know I'm a stranger but...

[He just wants to help.]

[Video]

[thescorpionking]

How did you guess? {A failure. Everything he had tried to achieve had remained stubbornly out of his reach.} I'm not sure I can walk. If you're coming here to fight, you won't have much difficulty.

Video

[thescorpionking]

{Random kindness. Xie closes his eyes, almost chuckling.}

Let's start with the basics. Where am I? Nippon?

[hideawayparadise]

Yeah. And you're in a hospital here.

[Poor guy...]

My name is Riley by the way.

[Video]

[fated_dance]

Does it matter?

[ So it seems Xie'er has forgotten a second time. He has thin hope for a better outcome than the most recent failure. ]

You would have to start the fight anew.

I can at least get you away from those horrible walls. There are some places you can heal away from them.

[ Such as with Ye Baiyi. The immortal has been rather beside himself since the latest disappearance. ]

[thescorpionking]

A hospital... A place of healing, I'm guessing?

{Xie lets down his guard a little.}

I'm Xie. I hope I haven't given you a bad impression.

[hideawayparadise]

Yeah. Because you look really beat up.

[He offers him a little smile.]

Nah. You're doing pretty good. I'm still chatting with you, right?

[Video]

[thescorpionking]

{Don't give up on him. He needs someone to believe in him.}

How pitiful would that be? {With one decent arm - the other is broken. He is pretty sure his legs are in the same state.}

Why? {Why help him? After all he did?}

[thescorpionking]

I was hit by an avalanche.

{Those tend to be...bruising.}

I sense that you are kind. I don't want to take advantage of someone kind.

[hideawayparadise]

That would really beat you up, yeah.

[Riley gives a bit of a shrug.]

Thanks. But you're not really taking advantage of me when I offered first. Besides, you could always pay me back later if it'll help you feel better.

[thescorpionking]

{Will he be here that long? Xie glances around the room, clearly panicked.}

This place is different from what I am accustomed to. The noises are strange. I've heard rumbling outside too.

[Video-->Action]

[fated_dance]

[ Not easily. He remembers how Xie'er had helped him the first time, more than once.

He can't quite help the flash of a grin. ]

Pretty pitiful. [ Which is precisely why he'd said it.

He sobers at the question, knowing what the other speaks of. ]

Why? Why not? I know what you've done.

I'm almost there.

[ Sure enough, a few more minutes pass before Zishu steps into the room where the scorpion is being cared for. He gives the staff a sharp look. ]

I'm taking him away from here. Get one of those...wheelchairs. He'll manage the journey just fine.

[hideawayparadise]

I could come keep you company. Hospitals are pretty scary when you're not used to them.

[He's honestly already heading there now but that's not the point.]

[Action]

[thescorpionking]

{He has a debt to repay where Zhou Zishu is concerned. If Wen Kexing is here, the same applies. Only greater. It might be insane for him to try, but they survived; he didn't. He knows how to kneel.

Metaphorically speaking. Kneeling would be agony at the moment.

Why? Why not? I know what you've done.

His stomach twists and aches while he waits, his face pale save for his bruises. Then Zishu enters the room and he accepts his fate with a small, tired smile.}

You look good.

[thescorpionking]

Would that be too much to ask? {Company would be nice.}

[hideawayparadise]

Not at all. I'll be there soon and I can stay on here so you'll have someone to talk to.

[He gives him a smile.] So are you new here, Xie?

[Action]

[fated_dance]

[ The staff know Zishu by this point and hurry to do as he's ordered. He moves to Xie'er's bedside, looking him over with a little sigh.

The comment has the corner of his lips quirk. ]

How much do you want to know on why?

[ That face...the way this man feels...is closer to the one he'd known before. Who had fussed over him when his injuries had nearly overcome him. ]

[Action]

[thescorpionking]

{He watches Zishu, wondering if his death will be repeated. It wouldn't surprise him. Maybe Zishu wants him to understand the depths of his sins before that moment?

Very well.}

Tell me everything.

[thescorpionking]

Thank you. {His head bows as he considers the question.}

I think so. {...} I don't have any memory of being here. Is that normal? I mean, if you have been here before, do you forget?

[hideawayparadise]

Ummm...I'm not sure. You'd be the first person I've met who I guess has been here before.

[He's still pretty new here himself.] Did someone say you were here before?

[thescorpionking]

I get this feeling... Someone from my world contacted me. I don't see why he would with how things ended.

[hideawayparadise]

That bad? [He winces a little and then turns down a street so he can take a shortcut he's learned.] I guess if they contacted you maybe you could try a fresh start.