savetheearth | [closed] some grocery store fun

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[closed] some grocery store fun

Who: Karl Aurion, Xander Jarle
When: 3/16
Where: Outside the grocery store where Xander works
What: A late trip to the store results in the two bumping into the other.

[The best things tend to happen in the evenings. Remembering that your kitten destroyed the last roll of toilet paper that morning? Also happens fairly late in the evening. Karl sighs as he gets out of his car after having found a spot in the parking lot and is grateful that this little fact got remembered before an unpleasant bathroom situation occurred. Bright as the kitten is, telling it to go buy more toilet paper likely won't go over too well.

Wishful thoughts of checking if anyone speaks cat on the Network cross his mind. Training a fluffball to go shopping for him might actually be possible. As he approaches the store entrance, Karl shakes off the unrealistic thought. With his luck, no one can nor ever will speak cat. Or if they do, they'll kindly tell the kitten to destroy the couch. Not buying a new couch if avoidable, nope.]

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[Xander was on his way out of the store, having finished work for the day and picked up some groceries while leaving. There were no plastic bags in his hands since he managed to stash it all in to his backpack. But, he was moving slower than usual and favoring one side over the other.

Once he was in clear of the doors and any customers, he pulls out a cigarette before lighting it with a cheap, plastic lighter. He takes a quick drag before courteously blowing it away from anyone, releasing an additional sigh after it. It had been a rough week with the destruction of the business district, dealing with his injury and avoiding being identified from an interview that was aired on tv.

Before he realized it, he had burned through his cigarette and quickly stuffed the butt in to a container that he carried with him. He quickly brushed his hands of any ash before noticing a familiar head of red hair approaching the building.]

[As he gets closer to the store, a familiar face catches his eye. Ah Xander. Long time no see. A nod in greeting gets sent Xander's way upon drawing closer. Only once a few feet away does Karl finally speak up.]

It's been a while. Have you been well?

[The question encompassing the whole Wise Snake ordeal the few days prior. Hopefully Xander had gotten out of it without too much damage. At first glance, nothing appears to be out of the ordinary about him, at least.]

It has.

[He returns the nod before shifting his weight with a slight grimace. Without looking, he moves a hand to his back and supports the backpack from resting on a sore spot.]

As well as one can be considering what has happened. What about yourself? I take it things have been very hectic for you.

[There's no hostility with his words.]

[The sudden grimace is worrisome. It gains the raising of an eyebrow from Karl, making it obvious the action hadn't gone unnoticed.]

Between the wise snake incident and the illicit sex scandal, I'm highly considered moving to Fiji at this point.

[It's a joke, if one highly tempting to make a reality. No more crazy, just sun and trees and water. Contemplating Fiji further can come after making sure Xander's okay, though.]

Are you all right?

That probably sounds a lot better than what's going on here.

[A weak chuckle follows his words before it is halted by the question from Richard. His hand is still holding up the bottom of his back pack.]

I've over-exerted myself from the crisis and still recovering from it.

[It was a partial lie, since he was hiding a deep injury that was being covered by a 'second skin' he got from a pulse. He did ask the network for some assistance, but he thought it was too soon after the attack and healers hadn't recovered yet. So now, he was playing a dangerous game by keeping that patch of black on his back hidden.]

[The answer relaxes Karl somewhat. Many people were likely in the same boat as Xander so need to for concern, right? Right.]

I wish you a speedy recovery, in that case. [Though, wait. A question comes to mind.] You're presently working despite the over-exertion?

Thanks. [He gives a small nod, despite the question that followed. A chuckle slips through his lips.] I wasn't able to get more days off, but I can handle it with some pain killers.

[There's a slight shift of weight before he gestures towards the store with his head.]

You should probably take care of your business before the store closes.

Another minute chatting won't make much difference.

[Or even shopping tomorrow if the place really DID close. Karl still has something to say before leaving.]

It may prove ineffective, but I can try healing you to alleviate some of the pain.

[Would his magic work as a pain killer? Who knows, but it's worth a try should Xander wish..]

[He's about to say something regarding how chatting wouldn't make a difference, but the offer of healing catches him by surprise. It doesn't take long for him to decide, after all he did make a post about needing help a few days ago.]

I'll take you up on it. Although we should probably move to somewhere a bit more private.

[There was no need to blow either of each others covers to the public.]

[Good idea, one that gets a nod from Karl. Best not to be seen using magic in public. People would talk and it could get them both a ticket to Sherman's office, something best avoided for more than just because that man is insufferably cocky.]

Agreed. Do you know of a suitable location or would my car suffice?

[Any good places around here are unknown to Karl. Occasional grocery trips aside, this location doesn't get frequented too often.]

I was thinking of an alleyway, but there's still a risk of someone witnessing it.

[He releases an exhale, using his other hand to rub his temples.]

Are the windows of your car tinted?

No, but I'd parked in a corner in the underground lot. Though not completely secure, it ought to be enough for our purposes.

[Not many people would just randomly look inside cars parked in corners. Healing doesn't draw that much attention, either, so it lowers the chance of being spotted even further.]

[It doesn't Xander very long to consider the idea. It was rather secluded and not many people would peer in to other cars unless they were a thief. He gives a nod to the other man.]

That'll do. Please, lead the way.

[A nod comes before Karl starts walking the way he had. True to his word, the car is parked in the very corner of a tightly packed parking garage. Not many people are down there despite the large number of vehicles, only increasing the likelihood of them not being seen.

Once close to the car, the doors get unlocked. Karl opens them before hopping inside on the driver's side. If nothing else, looking like they're just driving home will make them appear even less interesting and give no reason for anyone to bother watching.]

[He follows Richard down in to the underground parking lot and can't help but glance around slightly while keeping the other man in his sights. Once they arrive at the car, he moves to the passenger side and waits for the door to be unlocked. With a slight grunt, he slips off his backpack and tries his best to get in to the car without bending his back too much.]

So...

[He starts as he closes the door to the car and looks over, making sure the other is closed before he continues.]

What do you need me to do?

[Karl watches Xander get in, noting the awkward way he does so. Something's definitely hurting the guy if both the movements and the grunt are anything to go by. Hopefully, a bit of healing magic can help.]

Just tell me which area you require healing in.

[Very simple, no? Nothing better than being able to patch people up in this easy of a way. Granted, he can heal without being told where, but it's proven more effective when knowing exactly where to heal.]

My lower back.

[Although considering the current position he was in, it would make it difficult for him to turn in his seat to face his back to Karl.]

Do you need to touch the injury directly to heal it?

No, touching isn't necessary.

[Just proximity and knowing where exactly to heal is what counts. Karl shifts around a little until his hands hover at Xander's side, as close to the back without actually being the back.]

The closer I am to the injury, the most precise the healing is, however it ought to work well enough with how you're seated.

[Time to concentrate. Karl closes his eyes and focuses as he's done numerous times before. Soon enough, a greenish glow comes forth from those outstretched hands. Rather than it just healing in general, the knowledge of where to heal aids in the healing going more towards the back than anything else.]

Okay.

[He gives a quick nod before taking a breath and closing his eyes. A pained grunt escapes his lips as Karl heals him. This wasn't the first time that someone else's healing ability caused a great deal of discomfort, but now he could associate it with what he was becoming.]

...I'll be all right. Keep going.

[He couldn't stop the slight waver in his voice, but quickly silenced himself by gritting his teeth and balled his fists. At least the pain in his back was subsiding, little by little. Except, he couldn't see any effect the healing had on the 'skin' that was covering his injury.]

[The sudden grunt nearly gets Karl to stop until he gets told otherwise. Though frowning at both the noise and the wavering voice, Karl nods and continues the healing.]

Very well.

[If Xander wants it to continue then it will. Any further pained grunts may change Karl's thoughts on this if only to make sure everything really is all right with the other man. Why had he grunted to begin with? Healing ought to lessen the pain, right?]

[Xander gives a curt nod to Karl's compliance to continue healing him despite the sounds he makes. It wasn't the worst pain he's dealt with, but he would do his best to endure it. Even if that meant grinding his teeth and digging his fingernails in to the palm of his hands to keep himself quiet.

Occasionally, he would take a deep breath and release it. His frame was still tense with no signs of relaxing any time soon.]

[With no words telling him to stop, the healing continues for a while long. Occasional worried looks get directed at Xander at those deep breaths but nothing gets said. This is what the other man desires. Far be it for him to decide otherwise.

Only once Karl's strength begins to diminish from healing does he stop. The glow fades and he lowers his hands. Healing for that long may have been overdoing it a tad if the sudden tiredness is anything to go by. Oh well, as long as the magic helped even the slightest bit then the exhaustion is worth it. Though unlikely to be completely healed, hopefully the pain no longer remains as intense.]

This is the limit of my abilities.

[When Karl is done, he nods. In fact, felt a little guilty for making the other man expend his healing like that. But, his back ached less than it did before and that is a wonderful feeling.]

That's fine and thank you for healing me. Is... there anything I can do to repay you for your help?

Not at all.

[Suddenly needing to take a nap is worth relieving someone of their pain. A nice yawn comes along to emphasize that need for sleep.]

No need. I hadn't healed you out of a desire for reward.

[He was about to protest, but Karl reassures him that it isn't needed. The yawn also tells him that his injury took a lot out of the other man.]

All right. Well... Thank you again and I'll let you get back to what you were doing.

[There's a slight shift in his seat as he moves to open the car door. Before he makes his way out, he checks himself over that nothing was misplaced or fell out of his pockets.]

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[closed] some grocery store fun

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