[AQ] These Jagged Roads (Shun/Ji-Yoo/Yukiya/Demi)

[Ji Yoo]

After taking a few moments to steady herself, Ji-Yoo finally felt prepared to get back to the others. Apparently Shun had triggered his character change and she could kind of understand why. From what she knew, Shun got easily scared, so it was natural that a dangerous event like this would make him want to run and hide, not literally. Or, well, at least so she thought. And then, there was Yuki who had gotten hurt. His knee was bleeding pretty badly and he seemed in pain. Ji-Yoo shook her head, she should stay out of it, she shouldn’t care. Besides, he had said those horrible things to her…

Meanwhile, Demi seemed to have everything under control. In Ji-Yoo’s eyes, she was a really admirable person : she was able to act quickly and save all of them, and even kept her calm during stressful moments. Ji-Yoo wished she could be like her, but instead she was sensitive to danger and often chickened out. If she could become someone whom people could rely on, that would be great.

Kong-Ji hugged her friend Encore, just so she would feel safe. “Ahhhh It’s better now!” It was fine since she was there with all her friends, their mere presence giving her strength. “ Yeah, everyone, we’ll be fine! We’ll get through this together for sure!” She announced, then went to check on Yuki. His condition worried her. “Yuki-chan, you’re bleeding! Let Kong-Ji help with applying the medicine! My hands are small so I’ll do better, right?” She took the disinfectant from Shun and started applying it. “Tell Kong-Ji if it hurts too bad!”

Between the awkwardness with the others and Kong-Ji’s rambling about friendship, Ji-Yoo felt rather out of place. She wanted to leave right now and look for the rangers, or else the tense atmosphere in the cave would suffocate her. Maybe if she went alone and was really careful, the cave won’t collapse on her. “You guys stay here and I’ll go check if the entrance is safe.” Without saying another word or waiting to be acknowledged, the first year headed with small and secure footsteps towards the mouth of the cave.

[Demi]

Encore wanted to help, too! But she knew she was no nurse character, so she let Kong-Ji help instead. She sat upon Demi's shoulder, not sure what to do from here. And oh man, there goes Ji-Yoo.

Demi was about to say something, but then Ji-Yoo took off. "Hey- we have to stick together-- at least in pairs." She grabbed Ji-Yoo's wrist. "Even if it's just checking the entrance... so I'll go with you." She glanced to the boys. "I don't think it's a good idea for either of you to go...." She nodded to Yuki's wound. "You're hurt, and Iwajima-kun is-- well... Iwajima-kun." She glanced to Ji-Yoo. "I think Ji-Yoo and I should go and find out if the entrance is safe, then we can go find the rangers together.... if you're willing, Ji-Yoo." She glanced to Ji-Yoo now, to see if she had a reaction.

She just knew it'd be a really really bad thing if they went alone. What if something fell on them? Going in singles just wasn't an option. Not when things like this were happening... and Demi would be damned if she let Ji-Yoo just go off on her own. So, she was stuck with either Demi, Shun, or Yukiya and that was that.

[Deleted]

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea. I'll stay here and monitor Minamoto Yukiya's condition." Deep down inside, the informal nature of Shun really cringed at calling Yuki by his full name like that, but what can you do. He agreed with the character change at least, that staying in here would be better than going out and looking for people. He isn't the most athletic, so he might just hinder the group if they are going to go look for help. "Unfortunately for you, you will be doing what you call 'sitting around'. Having all four trying to clear debris would make collapse imminent. Please be aware that the speed in which you traverse the natural incline is dependent on the stability of the ground underneath you. But I assume you already know that. Just reminding you of common sense." If only he had glasses on, he'd be pushing it up right now or something.

"I would suggest taking your time while looking for the rangers. Time isn't necessarily of the essence here. Although a collapse could possibly yield about 75% chance of killing us who stick around in here." To talk about death so casually. At this point, Shun just goes along with it. At least this rambling and character change is really calming him down. "Do not worry, Minamoto Yukiya. I will transform if I must. The chance of survival from falling debris would at least skyrocket. We are not normal human beings, lest you forget. It doesn't make logical sense, but it does give us an advantage."

"I cannot stress enough that traversing the incline to meet the rangers can be just as dangerous. Always firmly plant your feet on the ground and slowly make your way up or down. It could cause another landslide if you move too quickly. You can fall. And you can break your limbs. But it's better than nothing." He would applaud their bravery. "Best to do so before it gets dark, yes? I shall be here with this injured man." Shun's cold gaze and point at Yuki should really make him wonder if it's a good idea to stay in here with him.

[Yukiya]

Listening to Leo!Shun was kind of like listening to a doctor after a physical mixed in with robot. Although he had a point, Yuki's leg wasn't all that bad. Really, it was just a cut. Once he dabbed some disinfectant and wiped away the excess blood and put a bandaid on it, he felt fine. Actually, he felt a bit better with Ji-Yoo and Demi away - well, more like Ji-Yoo. Probably just needed the space away to just gather his thoughts.

"...thanks for the...common sense reminder," he replied. "Kind of sad when the girls are stronger than the guys, but what can you do."

He moved his leg a bit, just to test the pain. It stung a bit, but he was fine. If he just stayed here until the girls got back, he would be back in shape. A cave was really uncomfortable to sit in, and he kept adjusting his spot when dirt would give way after every movement.

"If someone saw a man flying out carrying an other man, they might think they're watching a superhero movie," Yuki mentioned, "We wouldn't want people to faint from shock and believe fantasy has become reality now, would you?"

He laughed, although it was stilted. A few moments passed in the stagnating air of the cave. Yuki kept looking at the place where Demi and Ji-Yoo headed, although he kept fearing that they could hear them easily. In the end he resorted to whispering to the other guy.

"... do you think being compared to a grizzly bear is a bad thing?" he asked. So random.

[Ji Yoo]

Ji-Yoo didn’t know how to feel when Demi grabbed her wrist, insisting to accompany her to check on the cave entrance. But if she had to go with someone at all costs, the girl was glad it was Demi. She didn’t want to be around any of the two guys. Not for now. “I guess you’re … probably right.” It would be more safe if they stuck together and helped each other. Ji-Yoo was thinking too quickly based on personal feelings when she set out on her own.

Upon seeing Ji-Yoo leave with Demi, Kong-ji hurried to follow after them. Sure, yuki was a very good friend and he was hurt, but Ji-Yoo was still her human, as sour as she was. “ Are we going to get out of here, Ji-Yoo chan? Kong-Ji is scared, Kong-Ji doesn’t like this dark place…” She whined, clinging to Ji-Yoo’s shirt. The girl just shook her off and told her to get a hold of herself. She didn’t need someone ELSE to ruin her mood too.

[Demi]

Demi hurried with Ji-Yoo over to the entrance... not sure what to say for a few moments. Once they were far enough away from the boys, she kind of leaned over toward Ji-Yoo to talk in a low voice. "You should ignore them... they're idiots." She didn't really take what Shun said seriously anyway... and she had a feeling she wouldn't be taking Yuki seriously any time soon, either... what with the way he laughed when Shun character changed. She found it in distaste that he did that... though... she had to admit, it was kind of funny... weirdly enough.

Encore flew toward Kong-Ji. "It's okay Kong-Ji, Demi and Ji-Yoo will get us out." Encore nodded firmly a few times. She was a firm believer in her human, even if Demi wanted to be a different person... and had lots and lots of flaws... and didn't even believe in herself... but it's okay! Because Encore believed in her! And she wanted Kong-Ji to believe in her, too... that way Kong-Ji wouldn't be so scared! Encore had no doubt that they'd get out of the caves... that they'd find a ranger and be all saved... and nobody else would get hurt.

[Deleted]

"It is not sad, Minamoto Yukiya. Strength is not defined by the content of your pants." But the way he said it with such a flat out poker face just made the joke die on itself. If that could be called a joke. "I for one do not mind being carried bridal style by a stronger human being of any pants content." A little bit of Shun is showing up. But that face. Gods. That poker face. Guess the discomfort level would have to be ramped up for the injured one.

"Are you saying you do not wished to be carried romantically into the sunset by a non-human?" Oh man, Shun is laughing internally at this, but his expression didn't change. "That is understandable. The screams of fear and faint of shock is not good during a landslide. Not at all." He sat, so rigidly on a large rock. Placed his hands neatly on his lap and stared at Yuki. FOr a while, he is unblinking. Until the other asked a question.

"Depends on the context. The female populous often associate it with decreased beauty and being less feminine. The males however, see it as a sign of strength. It might be different with those who identify as something else entirely, but this has been the case. Psychologically speaking." He provided a long winded explanation to the question. "I did not know Yoon Ji Yoo cared about such things. She always seemed rather detached. If my unchanged conterpart understood the logic, he too would probably take it back. My apologies. It all started because I said Yoon Ji Yoo looked like a grizzly bear. Somehow, she seems to resent you more than she does with me. My analysis says, it's more because I don't quite understand anything. I might be wrong." He looked down at the ground. But his lack of expression won't let him show any type of regret. "If you ask my unchanged counterpart, can I just say me? I, at that state, don't find it unappealing. He will probably say 'what is so bad about a grizzly bear', or something of that manner."

[Yukiya]

"...I have to tell you, that can be taken so many ways that you might not realize..." Yuki said, but this was Leo he was dealing with. He probably didn't care if it sounded weird or not. "And well, I don't want to be romantically carried by anyone! I want to be the one carrying someone! Preferably a cute girl! But...But I mean if I ever had to do it, I'd do it for you too. Only if it was needed though."

He rubbed his forehead and just calmed down a bit. He had to. If the girls weren't successful who knows how long they'd be in here.

"...right, that is a bit...rude, huh," Yuki said, scratching his head. "I just...most girls are usually just cute to me. But Ji-Yoo's strong and cute. Isn't that a good combination? I mean, she's scary to but, she's a good person. We both think that...but I wonder if we even tell her that, if she'd believe us. Or at least me."

He kicked a pebble off the ground. "I just don't want to stop being her friend. You don't either, do you?"