candybox | OPEN POST: V - Devil May Cry

[V glances over his shoulder to see Otome helping the other boy onto her back. Not for the first time and not for the last, he has to curse his own uselessness, but for now, he has to focus on doing the best with what he has. If he goes first unburdened, he can focus on staving off any attacks that might block their path.]

Yes. [His voice is definitely hoarser now, but he turns to lead them back down the stairs with renewed determination, using the railings to avoid stumbling down. It feels like an eternity passes by the time they reach the doors, and once they're outside into the (slightly more) fresh air, he sags and drops to his knees, coughing and wheezing as he glances over his shoulder.]

The children... Are they safe...?

[ One is still clinging to her side like a koala bear, and she can feel the rapid heartbeat against her back from the other and the sniffling from both, prompting a sigh of relief as Otome's own legs wobble and threaten to follow V's stellar example. ]

... Yes, thanks to you. I need to... take them a little further away, get them seen to...

[ Of course it's now, once they're free from the building, that her steps forward are more like staggering movements, but she's trying. ]

[Seeing that Otome is struggling, and now that he's had a chance to get his breath back, he uses his cane to push himself back to his feet despite his body's protests. He helps the child clinging to her back to climb off, taking his hand once more. Most importantly, he does what he can to stop the child from looking back at the burning building.

The less he sees now, the less will be burned into his memory for later. V understands that all too well.]

Where? [As in-- where is the closest place to get them treated? She seems to know the area far better than he does, and her knowledge about how to treat the children hadn't escaped his notice back in the apartment.]

Not far. [ Otome coughs again, resting her hand on the second boy's head as she forces her tired legs to stiffen up and keep moving. It's so much easier with just one kid, at least. ]

There was a makeshift medical tent set up for civilians... I'd like to examine you, as well.

[ This is not a pick-up line. ]

[He'll follow her lead this time, trusting she knows the way, leading the boy along with him.]

Focus on the civilians first. [Examining him is a waste of time. Or so he wants to say, but he doubts she'll stand for that, if she really is some kind of doctor or nurse.]

Don't worry, everyone will get my very diligent attention.

[ It's still very chipper, even with how raspy she sounds at the moment. But, as she'd promised, it's not long at all before they reach a medical station with people in black-and-yellow uniforms hurrying around tending to the civilians they'd evacuated earlier. Otome lets her passenger down, and then once she straightens up, a worker glances up and gasps.

"Doctor Yanagiya, you-- I didn't know you'd gone yourself! We should have--" ]

No, it's fine. I've brought two more, but I'm glad to see that most of the injuries weren't too critical. These boys need to be treated for smoke inhalation and burns, as well as my companion here.

[ She's already moving as she speaks, checking a patient's pulse, grabbing a roll of bandages as someone calls out in complaint, and gesturing towards V and the boys as people scramble to get them seated. ]

[As ever when he's around ordinary humans, V can't help but feel out of place, like he belongs more in the burning building amongst the demons and corpses than out here. And yet here he is, allowing himself to be seated, resting his cane across his knees and watching 'Doctor Yanagiya' and the rest with a slightly bewildered expression.

He doesn't see the point in having an examination, and with the state of his body, they'll no doubt find more than they were bargaining for, but it seems like he's stuck here now. Perhaps if he can slink off while everyone is busy...]

[ He can certainly try-- but it's not long before Otome, in all of her smoke-tinged glory, returns after making sure the boys are properly tended to. Despite looking a little more tired, she's still smiling warmly-- and recognizing that the doctor herself will be dealing with V, the rest of the staff move on to other patients. ]

So we meet again. Will it be too much of a problem if I put my hands on you for a bit?

[ OTOME... ]

[He raises his eyebrows at the phrasing, wondering if that was intentional, then shrugs.]

As long as they don't stray too far, you may.

[He pulls off his jacket, so she can have a better look for any potential burns or injuries-- though it might be a little trickier given the intricate tattoos covering his body from the neck down.]

I don't make a habit of getting too intimate with people whose names I don't even know yet.

[ She's clearly joking, though-- as true as that statement is. But there's a professional, practiced way that she presses her fingers across his skin, searching for marks and weaknesses that those tattoos might be hiding.

They're beautiful, though, swirling and intricate, and Otome only really pauses to let her more spiritual senses seep through, just to make sure that it's not just fatigue and fire damage ailing him.

What she encounters is-- heavier, than all of that. Some great, massive pressure, but also something... incomplete. He's missing something, something vital, and Otome's brow furrows, even as she calls on a Prayer spell to let golden light seep into V's skin.

Energy, she can restore. Burns and wounds will close and be soothed. But that pressure... ]

... You're rather interesting, aren't you?

[V sits perfectly still as he's examined. He's uncomfortable and clearly not enjoying the scrutiny, but if it will give her peace of mind after what they went through back there, he decides he does not mind enduring it.

The Prayer spell is soothing, even if it can do little for the way his body is wasting away. He looks up at her, and quirks a small smile.]

Well. "Interesting" is one way of putting it.

I'll stand by it.

[ Otome straightens up, still pensive, but offering up her usual smile. ]

Let's start small. My name is Otome Yanagiya-- I'm a doctor assisting with the protection of civilians, through a variety of methods.

It's a pleasure to meet you, despite the circumstances. [Assuming she's finished examining him, he pulls his jacket back on.]

You can call me V. I... could be considered a devil hunter, I suppose.

A devil hunter... well! That's an occupation that happens to be extremely useful lately. You wouldn't happen to be for hire, would you?

[ Yamato would have words for Otome just blithely inviting anyone along on demon-fighting missions, but Yamato's not here right now. ]

I have no need for money. [Is the immediate answer, though he stops to consider. On the one hand, he's never considered devil hunting an actual profession of his in the way Dante and Nero do, and much of his existence has been spent stealing and scavenging in order to get by.

Yet if it brings him closer to his goal, then...]

...If you are in need of further assistance, I wouldn't be opposed.

We can always use more help.

[ No denial there. ]

In return, I can try to see what I can do to stabilize your body.

If you were an average doctor, I would doubt that. But seeing your command of demons and magic... perhaps you can help.

[He offers her a hand to shake. It would be foolish to decline, at least for now.]

Very well. I accept your offer.

[ Otome grasps his hand, warm and firm, as she shakes it. ]

I do see some unusual cases from time to time. You may have to tell me a little more about your affliction, but as you're my patient now... what you say remains between us.

[He lets go of her hand, picking up his cane and struggling to his feet once more.]

Unfortunately, there's only so much I can tell you. I'm sure if I told you my full story, you would refuse to help me.

[The Hippocratic oath only extends so far, after all. It shouldn't extend to... a entity like him.]

... I'm not so certain. But there's no obligation... I'll just do what I can.

[ But-- ]

For now, please rest... if just for a bit.

There are still demons out there that need to be contained.

[He still looks exhausted, but it bothers him that there could still be survivors they left behind. Is anyone else going out to save them?]

You're not fighting alone anymore. Several jp's agents should already be on the case-- and I can vouch for their fighting abilities.

[He pinches the bridge of his nose, and sits back down.] Very well. I will stay a while longer. If there is a way I can help, please tell me.

Take a nap, for starters. When you're feeling better, you can help me take an inventory on supplies.

[ And only then. ]

Is there anywhere to rest with a little more privacy than here?

[Preferably somewhere he can call on Shadow to keep watch on him while causing minimal fuss, but he won't be overly picky under the circumstances.]

OPEN POST: V - Devil May Cry

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