First… Glow? [Video]

[heartofalioness]

[So… you know Route 31, right? Nice quiet forest path, cute little pond, entrance to Dark Cave… way too many ledges?

A couple of days after the Snorunt leave their blessings (or “blessings,” in some cases…), the PokéGear feed will open up to… a yelp! A young, very feminine, oh-so dignified yelp, and a camera showing lots of rolling dirt, grass, trees, a rock or two, flashes of the winter noon sky, and occasionally a ball of pink coat and LONG moon white curls! (Hopefully no one in the audience has a fear of heights or vertigo.)

Thankfully, the fall only lasts a few seconds, and the audio of a groan after a few seconds lets everyone know both the PokéGear and its owner still function. Well, at least the camera does. The bad news… well, when Allura attempts to inspect device, everyone gets a good look at her mud-splattered face, AND at least three small branches jammed into her hair!]

Oh no, please don’t be broken!

Comments

[tempredmental]

Hey... [Keith put his hand on her shoulder.] It's not that bad. We can stay in town. [She was worried about being mobile, right? That was it? He was clueless.]

[heartofalioness]

Well, yes, of course we are.

[Bless Keith, she knows he's trying.]

I'm just frustrated. It would have been nice to not twist my ankle just before we're supposed to prepare for the Gym, or get covered in mud and have my hair turned into a nightmare for the whole network to see. And I know it's such a small thing to be frustrated about...

[She's had a long day and she's tired and it's a REALLY good thing Alteans don't have shark weeks, so there's no way this could get worse.]

[tempredmental]

[But, poor Allura... you're human now...

Still, that wasn't something Keith would even consider. And he really didn't understand worrying about her appearance so much. She'd just fallen down a ledge. She wasn't going to look like she just walked out of a salon. He wasn't sure what she expected there. But being tired and frustrated over being injured and laid up? Yeah. He definitely got that. His expression was completely sympathetic.]

Yeah. I know. It stinks to be stuck like that. [He gave her a small smile.] We'll figure it out. Once we're out of here, we'll get a place to stay, and then get you cleaned up, okay?

[heartofalioness]

[Even Arceus isn't THAT cruel.

Still, her expression does soften just a hair.]

Thank you. For all of this, really.

[Sure, if she'd been alone, she would've at least been able to call for help, but it was good, not being stranded there for too long. And seriously, carrying her all the way here was impressive.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded.]

Of course. [Then he smirked a little.] You were right. We take care of each other. Payback for the soup while I was sick. We're even.

[Not that he considered something like this to be a competition or keeping track of who owes who. But, he was teasing her just a little to hopefully lift her spirits a bit.]

You um... [He looked up where there were a few small twigs and leaves still stuck in her hair after the initial rough clean up on arrival while waiting for someone to check out her ankle.] ...want some help?

[heartofalioness]

[Awww... well, finally a real smile starts to bloom.]

Yes, please.

[She adjusts herself as much as she can- stupid ankle- to give him better access. Just don't cut it, Keith...]

[tempredmental]

[Well, that was better. Keith couldn't help but smile a little in return. He also shifted his position along with her so she didn't have to adjust too much. He didn't want to her put pressure on that ankle if she didn't have to.

His touch was gentle, and he certainly wasn't going to cut anything without at least asking first if he had a lot of trouble untangling some of the forest debris. But, for someone who was so rough around the edges with his fighting and use of strength in day-to-day things, his touch was light as he did his best to avoid pulling her hair as he worked.]

[heartofalioness]

[Oh... that... that actually feels very pleasant. Really nice. So much so that her smile relaxes and every once a while she lets out a soft, pleased hum.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith almost stopped at the first hum, wondering if it was okay, but she didn't seem to be in distress or anything, so he kept going, carefully untangling any of the left over bits and pieces of foresty things while they waited for her paperwork to come back for release. He was not, however, good at actually styling hair, so, until she could fix it herself, her ponytail had a lot of loose pieces.]

There... Looks like I got it all.

[He gently ran his fingers through the ponytail to just lightly comb it out a bit. Just... being helpful...]

[heartofalioness]

[Ohhh boy, that hand through her hair should not send sparks up and down her spine, but it absolutely is.]

I-I um... thank you, Keith. I appreciate that.

[She appreciates it a LOT.]

[tempredmental]

[Right. Don't make it awkward, Keith. He pulled his hand back, dumping what he'd freed from her hair into the trash.]

Sure. Not a problem.

[Not that he liked it or anything...]

Think they're almost done?

[He glanced over towards the desk. He'd personally be jumping out of his skin to leave if he were in her spot right now.]

[heartofalioness]

[Speak of the Grimmsnarl, there's the Nurse.... Judy with the paperwork. Thankfully, all the paperwork (and the fees) are rather painless, and they're out in two Tail Whips. And even better, the hotel is only a block or two away from the the little hotel, so it's not long before Allura gets to sit and then flop onto a nice, soft, clean bed. She'd probably be this relieved even if she wasn't nursing an ankle injury.]

Ancients, this day has been far too long.

[tempredmental]

[Keith, of course, made sure she was okay getting to the hotel. Being on crutches wasn't easy if one wasn't used to it. He pocketed the key to his room and helped her to hers.]

Well, I uh... I can let you get cleaned up. Did you want me to get ice for you? [Though, she had Coressa to help with that, soo...]

[heartofalioness]

Thank you, but I think Coressa and I will manage.

[Coressa gives a soft, sure bark. She's got this~]

Besides, you've already helped so much today, you should rest too.

[tempredmental]

Um... right. [Was he a little reluctant to leave? Maybe...] So, uh... I'll come back and check in tomorrow, then? [She'd probably need some help getting around for a couple of days, but he wanted to make sure it was okay before assuming anything.

Go drop your stuff in your own room, Keith...]

[heartofalioness]

[A light nod.]

That would be welcome. And I'll let you know if I do need anything else. [Yeah, she senses that reluctance at least.] Thank you very much, Keith.

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded. He didn't want to admit it, especially in front of Allura right now because he didn't want her to feel bad, but he was pretty darn tired after everything, too. He'd been pushing through for her sake, honestly, but he was definitely feeling it more than usual. Human limits, Keith. He had to keep reminding himself of that. It was hard because he'd lived most of his life thinking he was human anyway...]

Okay. See you in the morning then. Have a good night.

[And he quietly closed the door behind him as he headed out.]