savetheearth | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Jacuzzi and Russel
What: SOS
When: Thursday evening
Where: Nearby Isaac and Miria's shop.
Warnings: Gum monsters. Asthma attacks.

[Jacuzzi Splot runs away from things. He turns on his heel. And goes the completely opposite direction when danger approaches. When he's confronted by fear, he backs off immediately (unless Isaac and Miria are in the crossfire, in which case then he just. Cries a lot).

The problem today is that he literally cannot run. He can't even move. He is stuck in giant gum and he is completely trapped. And that on its own is bad enough. It caused a lot of tears and a lot of yelling for help, but that wasn't any good. And after a few minutes of useless yelling, Jacuzzi's panic really set in. Oh god, he was going to die here, stuck to a wall. He was going to starve. Or monsters were going to come along and get him--he's heard about pyromaniac lighters, already. He tries to comfort himself with thinking Isaac and Miria would notice he was missing, but--what if they didn't?

That's when he started to feel like he was choking. His chest tightened, his breath got short. And Jacuzzi really panicked--without the use of his arms, he can't get to his inhaler. Without his inhaler, he can't do anything to help himself. He struggles to swallow tears and tries for larger breaths but it just leaves him coughing.]

S-somebody help! Please? A-anybody?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[YOU ARE IN LUCK JACUZZI. or maybe not as in luck as you could be. but either way, there is help for you on the way!]

[which is to say that Russel was out in the city today and happened to be in the area, and close enough to hear Jacuzzi's pathetic cries for help. Since the monsters had started showing up on the streets, he'd taken to carrying the keyboard whenever he left the house, because he could never tell when he might need it, and so he was properly equipped to handle cries for distress.]

[he hears the shouts and goes running for their source, and finds this guy...stuck to a wall... uh.]

[but the dude looks like he is seriously freaking out and that is enough to kick Russel into action]

Hey, it's okay, I'm here to help! Just calm down and we'll figure out a way out of this!

[Poor Russel. He doesn't even get to gradually get the Jacuzzi experience. He's seeing Jacuzzi at his absolute worst for the first time. As it is, he could cry from relief. He is crying, but he's not sure if it's from fear or exhaustion or relief or what. Because he's experiencing all of these things.]

C-can--you gotta help me--I can't--I've been stuck here--

[No he cannot finish any of his sentences.]

Don't worry, I'll get you out, okay?

[but how... he regards the gum for a moment, puzzling over what to do. how do you get gum off of things? peanut butter? he doesn't exactly have that much peanut butter lying around...]

[well, when all you have is a Firebird...]

I'm gonna summon something, alright? Don't freak out, it won't hurt you!

[he hopes... plz don't set this dude on fire, Firebird. he backs away a bit and unslings the keyboard from his shoulder. Tchaikovsky drifts through the air and suddenly there is a giant Firebird in the alley with them. it cocks its head at Russel and then turns to Jacuzzi]

Can you help him?

[Firebird seems to be puzzling over the gum the same way Russel just was a few seconds ago...]

[>Don't freak out.
>proceeds to summon bird of fire

Jacuzzi is trying not to freak out. Very, very hard, but one choked back whimper leads to several shaking sobs because there is a bird of fire and not only is he going to die stuck in gum, but he is going to burn to death stuck in gum!!! Needless to say, he doesn't have a lot of intelligent words.]

W-what is that?! What is it doing?!

It's Firebird! It's helping!

[and hopefully not setting you on fire. PLEASE DON'T SET HIM ON FIRE.]

[Firebird turns to Russel and motions to the gum with a wing and seems to be trying to nonverbally communicate...something...]

[but Russel...cannot...speak Firebird, so uhhh. He just stares back at the spirit.]

[Firebird huffs and gestures again more forcefully this time, like that will get him to understand.]

[Russel gives a slow, hapless shrug.... What are you even trying to say, Firebird...]

[OMG RUSSEL YOU ARE IMPOSSIBLE. but Firebird, though irritated, turns and pecks at the gum several inches to Jacuzzi's left. The spirit is radiating warmth, perhaps uncomfortably so, but not enough to be harmful or dangerous. it keeps pecking, starts clawing, basically carving an outline around Jacuzzi.]

[the gum melts where Firebird touches it, making it goopy and significantly more gross, but also significantly less restrictive. Jacuzzi will actually be able to pull away, though he will still be covered in gum.]

[Jacuzzi grimaces, holding his breath. This is widely considered a bad idea when you're already having trouble breathing, but there is a bird of fire that is very close to him. With tears running down his face he waits for the bird to not be close enough to set him on fire before even attempting to pull away, stumbling and gasping for air.]

[THANK GOODNESS IT WORKED. Russel stops playing--and Firebird fades back into thin air, looking exasperated--and shoves the keyboard aside to run to Jacuzzi's aid]

[...that is...really gross... but he hovers hesitantly for only a moment before putting a hand on his shoulder to steady him and guide him away from the wall]

See? I told you it would help! Are you okay?

[He nods!! And then shakes his head, scrambling to get his inhaler from his pocket and gasp down the breaths he needs and-- His shoulders sag with relief. Give him a few seconds to take his breath back in his body.]

T-t-thank you...

[OH WAS HE HAVING AN ASTHMA ATTACK suddenly the panic makes so much more sense and also suddenly everything seems a million times worse. even though the situation is already handled this is the part where Russel retroactively starts freaking out]

A-are you sure you're okay? I can take you to the hospital if you need it, or--?!

Oh god I bet summoning Firebird only made it worse I'M REALLY SORRY!

[Oh no, two freaking out people, this can't be good. Jacuzzi shakes his head violently, and almost tips over because he's a little dizzy--

But he makes it!]

N-no it's okay, I get it, you were just trying to help and--And I'm okay now, so don't worry or anything, this happens a lot--!

[No he's freaking out too now but at least he doesn't feel like he's suffocating, and it's easier to breathe???]

[automatically catches when jacuzzi tips]

[and regrets it because melted gum, gross. he pulls his hand away with a brief look of "eugh" but immediately shifts back to concern]

Are you sure? I can help you-- Uh. [wait, 'this happens a lot'?] ...You get stuck to walls a lot??

[He shakes his head again. He can do this he can function he just wants to go home...]

T-the asthma attacks--they happen a lot. I'll be okay, you don't have to worry...

[he considers trying to use his other hand to peel the gum off]

[this goes predictably poorly]

[his life. his choices.]

Are you sure? I can, uh, walk you home? Just to make sure you get there safely, you know?

You don't have to go out of your way or anything--! [Oh no Jacuzzi feels bad. Then again, he already feels bad because this kid took time out of his day to rescue him.]

D-don't worry, really. I'll be fine.

No way!! Let me help you out, it's the least I could do!

[like he didn't already save the guy's life or anything]

Besides if you run into another monster like that it's definitely better to have someone who can handle it with you!

[He freezes, and the tears start again.]

You think there's more?!

[OH NO HE FUCKED IT UP]

H-hey, don't--! It's okay--!

There's definitely more of them but I'll protect you, so don't cry!!

Yeah but if you get stuck, I can't do anything!

If I get stuck you can still get away and that's good enough for me!

[claps a hand on Jacuzzi's back, trying to be encouraging]

As the Hero of Love, it's my sworn duty to help anyone in need, for no greater reward than the knowledge of having spread kindness! If anything should happen to me, it is but a small price to pay to ensure your safety!

[aaand sparkles off.]

Besides, I'm pretty sure you'd run for help if that happened, right?

[pulls his hand away, trailing gum from Jacuzzi's shoulder. cringes] AUGH WHY DO I KEEP DOING THAT

[Oh jesus he's yelling.] I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you sticky or anything it's just...

I-I should probably get back and... wear something not covered in gum...

Wh--no it's not your fault, I'm the idiot who keeps touching it! [jeez this guy's pretty sensitive, isn't he? better be more careful around him...]

Just let me walk you home, alright? I just want to make sure you don't run into any more trouble.

I-If you're really sure... [He doesn't have it in him to argue further.] Y-you can probably wash the gum off, too. Isaac and Miria wouldn't mind or anythin'--

[okay good! no more arguing, he has successfully bludgeoned his way into helping out!]

Lead the way!

[... hang on a second]

[those names. why are those names familiar...]

W...wait... Isaac and Miria?

[those weirdoes who somehow came to the conclusion that he's an awful person for replacing his electronics every 5 years or so?!]

Yeah, the Dians. They're really good people. They let me stay with them after my parents kicked me out and everything.

[Let's just walk he is 2sticky.]

Oh... Yeah, I've...met them, before.

[and then wait a second did this dude just say his parents kicked him out? WOW that sounds pretty rough! ...and considering the way he's been acting so far, Russel isn't sure it's a good idea to press that point.]

[it's also not a good idea to bring up his own conflict with the Dians if they saved this dude from the streets. despite his personal feelings about them, he can say what he does next with perfect sincerity]

They are really good people. I'm glad to hear they were there to help you out when you needed it. It takes a special kind of person to do something like that for someone, you know?

I know. I don't know what would've happened if they hadn't. I mean--there were a lot of people who offered to help, but...

I don't know anybody that well. Isaac and Miria kinda just feel like home anyway. [He has a lot of emotions about them okay?!]

[wow Jacuzzi that is so heartwarming! he is genuinely touched by that sentiment and there is a brightness to him upon hearing it]

I think it's great that found someone like that, then! Having somewhere you feel like you belong, with people who care about you--that's really important, you know? I don't know if anybody can be truly happy unless they have that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(no subject)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject