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[kendama_bro]

<sub>[Somewhere in the forest, along the path that leads from the village to the lake, lies a nondescript figure in faded blue clothes. Seems like he was just dumped there, really, as his right arm looks like it's bent at a weird angle. Anyway, Genis is unconscious, but not mortally wounded, as there don't seem to be any gaping wounds on him aside from a couple of cuts and scratches. Curiously, however, he's covered with quite a number of dark bruises.

He doesn't move, save for the occasional shiver from the cold, and the unsteady rise and fall of his chest in jagged, shallow breaths.]</sub>

Comments

[Action]

[kendama-pro.livejournal.com]

<sub>Right, okay.

[He looks away, a touch embarrassed.]

Um, thanks.</sub>

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine helps to keep him steady] One step at a time. You're going to need your rest, when we return.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Indeed. Professor, you may want to ride with him so he's secure on the horse. [He guides Astrid a little closer so Genis doesn't have to walk too far.]

[Action]

[kendama-pro.livejournal.com]

_{[He looks up at Astrid curiously] That's- how do I get up on it?}

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

Hmm... [Raine looks towards Albert] In his condition, it may be difficult for him to mount on his own...

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

I will help with that. You will have to mount first, Professor, so Genis doesn't fall right off the saddle. [He lifts a hand to pat Astrid's head, and the horse flicks her ears back and forth.]

[Action]

[kendama-pro.livejournal.com]

<sub>I-I'm not gonna fall off...

[He moves aside a little bit, so Raine has room to mount Astrid.]</sub>

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

Understood.

[She makes sure that Genis is steady before moving into position for Albert to boost her up. She's at least gotten a bit more accustomed to that part.]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert steps aside so the two siblings can move closer, crouching down and nodding to Raine.]

[Action]

[kendama-pro.livejournal.com]

_{[Genis stands back and watches as Albert helps Raine mount Astrid. Well, that didn't look too hard. He goes a bit closer to the horse and waits for Albert to give him a boost as well.]}

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[After Albert gives her the boost, Raine takes hold of the bridle and swings her right leg over the horse, and steadies herself.]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Ready, Genis? [Albert patiently crouches a little further so Genis has an easier time climbing up.] Right foot in my hands, left foot in the stirrup.

[Action]

[kendama-pro.livejournal.com]

_{Ah- right. [Genis does as instructed, mimicking Raine's actions from earlier. He gets it right, but is a little bit off-balance as he takes his place on the saddle. Trying not to fall off, now.]}

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert nods at each silver-haired Sage in turn, noting that Raine will have to keep her arms around Genis so he doesn't fall. He takes hold of Astrid's bridle, guiding the horse back to the trail.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine isn't about to let Genis fall, so she definitely keeps her arms protectively around her brother as they set off.]

[Action]

[kendama-pro.livejournal.com]

_{[He'd normally protest at all the fuss she seems to be making out of the situation, but he's too drained for that. So he's silent for most of the ride, trying not to doze off and possibly fall]}

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Thankfully, the trip back to the village is largely uneventful -- but quite long, since they had to cross through village to get back to their house. Albert doesn't speak much during the traveling, focusing on bringing everyone back to the house safely.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine isn't about to let Genis fall, so she definitely keeps her arms protectively around her brother as they set off. She keeps mostly quiet, herself, waiting for their house to come into view.]

[Action]

[kendama-pro.livejournal.com]

_{[He's probably fallen asleep, anyway. You better wake him when they all get there; he's exhausted.]}

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[As they arrive at the house, Albert glances back at the two siblings. He stops Astrid near the front door, patting her head before moving to help Raine with Genis.] He's asleep.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

Yes...

He's completely spent. I don't like the thought of having him wake up right now...

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

We'll bring him back to his room, then. Help me get him down from the horse, Professor. [He shifts position so he can better take hold of Genis. He'll need a little help to get Genis down without jarring him too much, though.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

Yes, of course. [She gently begins to shift his position, to make it easier, and shifts herself slightly as well to help better with the hand-off.]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert makes sure to lift the sleeping Genis by the torso, preparing himself for the extra weight as he steps away from Astrid and Raine. He checks to make sure Genis is still asleep, nodding to the professor.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[Once he safely has Genis, Raine carefully dismounts herself, stepping over to open the door for him]

Thank you... ah. Shall I take Astrid back to the stable?