calmbeforethe | 03 . written + action

[It had been midmorning when Ororo woke up and found herself propped up against a tree, forest all around her. She was slow in waking, blinking tiredly up at the trees, wondering briefly where she was and what had just happened and thinking how nice it was that all was quiet; noise would have only served to make the throbbing in her head worse... It takes a few moments for her to realize that there was something wrong.

She tries to sit up - failing that, she looks around hurriedly. Nature was rarely, truly quiet, she knew. She was in a forest - she should be hearing something, anything - the rustle of leaves, snatches of birdsong, or even a whisper of wind. Panicking a little, she raises a hand to call forth a breeze, relaxing only when she feels a wind blow through her hair immediately. She closes her eyes in relief; if they'd taken her powers from her, she wasn't sure what she would have done.

She gives herself a moment to breathe before looking around - and finds her journal with a pen conveniently tucked in sitting beside her. She could hardly call her teammates right now, but at least she could leave them a written note:]

[written; filtered to Logan, Rogue and Mia]

Good morning. [Of course she's going to be polite about this!]
I hate to interrupt your morning routines, but [a pause here, because anyone who knew Ororo would know that she wasn't always comfortable with asking for help,] I may need some assistance in returning to the house.

[action]

[For anyone else: If you happen to be wandering the forested area behind the Barracks, you might spy one mutant weather witch slowly, carefully drifting through the trees - because of course she is going to try and make it on her own, anyway. Walking would aggravate the sprain in her ankle that she'd discovered when she tried standing - and she didn't have the energy to fly. Hovering was her next best bet, even if it took a lot out of her and meant taking frequent rest stops every few meters!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I can't come to help you, but I will meet you here at the clinic or at home. Please be careful.

That's all right. Thank you, Mia. I hope to see you soon?

[Ororo has such elegant handwriting.]

So do I. Do you know how far away you are?

I'm afraid not. All I see are trees. I will try to get a better bearing in a moment.

[If only she were at full strength. Flying would make this a lot easier.]

Trees mean you are in the forest, though, not the mountains. It's a start.

Did something happen to your voice?

I'm not certain. But I am having trouble hearing.

[That's concerning.]

How much can you hear?

[A long pause, as though Ororo doesn't want to admit it,]

Very little.

[The pause means something different to Mia: that Ororo was trying to listen to the things around her and gauge an answer.]

Don't strain yourself trying. Has anyone contacted you about coming to help? [If not, she may skip out on her work after all because she shouldn't be alone, mostly-deaf, and injured out there.]

[Well, that does earn a little smile at least.] Yes. Rogue. I will be fine; please do not worry about me.

I'm sorry but you will just have to accept that I'm worried.

[No arguments. And no gentle teasing tone, because it's hard to do that with a pen.]

That's fair, I suppose.

[Tap tap tap goes the pen.]

Can you tell me how long I was gone, Mia?

About a week and a half. Do you know if Rogue is taking you home, or to the clinic?

I'm afraid she did not mention anything.

[probably because it's a little harder to remember to say things when they're relying of writing things down.]

That's fine, just tell me when she does. It shouldn't make a difference if you have no serious injuries.

All right. I will inform Rogue, when we are together.

Are you able to talk about your injuries?

[She wants to know what to prepare for.]

A sprained ankle (perhaps it is twisted? I do not know); some bruising around the body. A minor headache, nothing more.

[Those sound tame enough. Unusual for the Malnosso, but a relief.]

I'm glad it isn't more serious.

[To be honest, Ororo had a moment of panic when she realized she couldn't hear - it definitely counted as serious in her book. But, there was need to to worry Mia any more than she should.] Yes, as am I.

[Oh, of course not hearing is serious. It isn't something Mia thinks she can repair, unless she finds some injury to Ororo's ears too.]

I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Of course. I have faith in your abilities, Mia.

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