[The only place they know where to look for him is the campfire they'd seen on the first night. It's three miles of running, once they're out of eyeshot; three miles that have left them utterly red in the face and panting, left arm held awkwardly against their chest.
The child who bursts into the clearing looks nothing short of having been through the wringer, leaves still stuck in their hair and a scratch across one cheek.
[Tibia catches sight of them first, stumbling toward the campsite looking more disheveled than she's ever seen them. It reminds her of the time they had accompanied Wade into his room back in Sol Raveh, spattered with blood from an encounter Wade later spoke of with only vague allusions. Instinct tells her to do the same actions she had done back then, to rush over to them and make sure they're okay. But things are different between them now. She no longer knows where she stands with them, and so she merely hangs back uncertainly, grabbing at Wade to indicate that they have a visitor.
Wade turns his head in the direction that his little girl is pointing, and the smile he offers Chara in greeting drops sharply when he sees the expression on their face.]
[The fact that she doesn't rush over to them- it's another knife, to join the one in their side. It's too hot for this; running across the island like it's not blindingly hot, like their ability to walk for hours makes them an excellent sprinter.
Straightening, they put their hand behind their back. The blood soaking the lower part of their sleeve might be from a shallow wound, but they don't need to waste time in explaining that.
You okay, kiddo? Asks Wade.
That hurts too. But their expression remains as even as possible, voice a tad breathy.]
We ran into an issue further south. Everyone is fine, but Sans has collapsed. He won't make it back on his own.
[The child might be trying to put a brave face on things, but they look like they're close to collapse themselves. Wade rises to his feet and makes his way over to them, Tibia following closely and fretfully behind. When he's a few feet away from them he stops, kneeling down so that he's more or less at eye level with them.
As excruciating as it is to think of Sans out there needing his help, first things first. They haven't exactly answered his question, after all.]
[He disregards their information near immediately, and it's all they can do not to burst out laughing. Are you okay, he asks, again.] No they aren't. There is nothing he can do to fix that.
He's just making it worse.
Simply out of breath. If you would follow me, I'd like to return to Sans before he becomes endangered.
[It's not so much disregarding as it is being practical, and Wade doesn't move from where he's kneeling. Tibia peeks around his body at the small child standing before them, but she makes no move to approach them. It seems as though their appearance has shattered her earlier self-assurance.]
Not sure if my teleporter'll be able to get us there, and I don't wanna take that chance. You good to take me there on foot? 'Cause I can... um. I can carry you, if that's easier. I-if that's okay with you, I mean.
[Wade wasn't really expecting them to take him up on his offer. After all, getting piggyback rides from a total stranger kind of pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable physical contact. Moving quickly to disguise his embarrassment over that faux pas, Wade makes his way over to the coconut halves he'd set up to collect rainwater.]
Here ya go, kiddo. Have as much as you want. Hope it's cold enough.
[In the time it takes for him to turn back to them, only Tibia is witness to their expression. Something gentler- and far sadder.
He's too far out of their reach, now. They simply have to accept it, and focus upon Sans. The offered shell is taken with care, fingers avoiding his own.]
[What is it about this kid that seems so fragile? So... familiar? It reminds him of Jessica, the way she was so nervous around him at first until the day he saved her life. But there's no time to dwell on the past. Sans is here now, and needs his help.
He's just about to set off with the kid when a sudden sharp noise gets his attention. He turns to see Tibia, rapping on a large rock with her bone club. Once she's seen that he's looking at her, she moves her claws to sign an emphatic message.]
I'm coming with you.
[For a second or two, Wade is about to argue against it, but there's no time for a serious discussion right now. Digging into one of his pouches, he brings out a Pokeball, pressing the button at the base to enlarge it.]
Just this once. An' it's either in here or not at all, okay?
[Tibia nods eagerly, and Wade activates the ball, transporting the little Cubone inside it and once again placing it carefully into his pouch. He turns to the child with an awkward smile]
Sorry 'bout that. Too headstrong for her own good, this kid. I'm ready now.
[Their attention is averted to Tibia at the same time Wade turns his head towards her, lips thinning as they lift their own hands behind Wade's back.]
It's not safe-
[But Wade cuts them off. As it stands, they have no right to argue with him; the strange child who wouldn't know man nor Pokemon from any other stranger on this island. Faltering, their free arm drops back to their side, busying themself with gulping down liquid as Tibia goes back into her ball.
At least she'd be safe enough, in there.]
I understand.
[But...if that's the only interruption, they'll begin to lead the way, walking as quickly as they can whilst finishing off the remaining water collected.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Backdated to August 13th!
The child who bursts into the clearing looks nothing short of having been through the wringer, leaves still stuck in their hair and a scratch across one cheek.
But is Wade even there?]
no subject
Wade turns his head in the direction that his little girl is pointing, and the smile he offers Chara in greeting drops sharply when he sees the expression on their face.]
You okay, kiddo? What happened?
no subject
Straightening, they put their hand behind their back. The blood soaking the lower part of their sleeve might be from a shallow wound, but they don't need to waste time in explaining that.
You okay, kiddo? Asks Wade.
That hurts too. But their expression remains as even as possible, voice a tad breathy.]
We ran into an issue further south. Everyone is fine, but Sans has collapsed. He won't make it back on his own.
no subject
As excruciating as it is to think of Sans out there needing his help, first things first. They haven't exactly answered his question, after all.]
Are you okay?
no subject
No they aren't. There is nothing he can do to fix that.
He's just making it worse.
Simply out of breath. If you would follow me, I'd like to return to Sans before he becomes endangered.
no subject
Not sure if my teleporter'll be able to get us there, and I don't wanna take that chance. You good to take me there on foot? 'Cause I can... um. I can carry you, if that's easier. I-if that's okay with you, I mean.
no subject
They manage, at least, something akin to a smile. Even if it doesn't meet their eyes.]
If you could spare some water, then I am happy to continue on foot.
[It's one thing, to touch Tibia. It would be another entirely, to- allow.
Pretend. That he is someone they trust anymore.]
no subject
[Wade wasn't really expecting them to take him up on his offer. After all, getting piggyback rides from a total stranger kind of pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable physical contact. Moving quickly to disguise his embarrassment over that faux pas, Wade makes his way over to the coconut halves he'd set up to collect rainwater.]
Here ya go, kiddo. Have as much as you want. Hope it's cold enough.
no subject
He's too far out of their reach, now. They simply have to accept it, and focus upon Sans. The offered shell is taken with care, fingers avoiding his own.]
Thank you. Let us head off, then.
[They can walk and drink.]
no subject
[What is it about this kid that seems so fragile? So... familiar? It reminds him of Jessica, the way she was so nervous around him at first until the day he saved her life. But there's no time to dwell on the past. Sans is here now, and needs his help.
He's just about to set off with the kid when a sudden sharp noise gets his attention. He turns to see Tibia, rapping on a large rock with her bone club. Once she's seen that he's looking at her, she moves her claws to sign an emphatic message.]
I'm coming with you.
[For a second or two, Wade is about to argue against it, but there's no time for a serious discussion right now. Digging into one of his pouches, he brings out a Pokeball, pressing the button at the base to enlarge it.]
Just this once. An' it's either in here or not at all, okay?
[Tibia nods eagerly, and Wade activates the ball, transporting the little Cubone inside it and once again placing it carefully into his pouch. He turns to the child with an awkward smile]
Sorry 'bout that. Too headstrong for her own good, this kid. I'm ready now.
no subject
It's not safe-
[But Wade cuts them off. As it stands, they have no right to argue with him; the strange child who wouldn't know man nor Pokemon from any other stranger on this island. Faltering, their free arm drops back to their side, busying themself with gulping down liquid as Tibia goes back into her ball.
At least she'd be safe enough, in there.]
I understand.
[But...if that's the only interruption, they'll begin to lead the way, walking as quickly as they can whilst finishing off the remaining water collected.]