Well It's About Time

Wuffy

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Feb 16, 2018
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After several weeks to make sure he had healed, hadn't acquired any illnesses or infections, no more internal damage, and getting a concrete plan for the foreseeable future, Liun was finally out of the hospital. With his healing, he should've been able to leave within a week but since it took a little while for it to return to regular regeneration plus the fact the injury he had sustained wasn't exactly just a flesh wound meant he had to stay a bit longer. Then the withdrawals from his lack of shifting hit... Basically it just meant he stayed longer than he would usually.

But even then, he still wasn't exactly free. For a little while, he'd be staying at the Rukt'In mansion with some of his relatives. His powers were still in a bit of flux, and it shouldn't be a concern for other people but if there was an issue and he was on his own, it wouldn't be the most ideal situation. He had already been there for a few hours, getting himself comfortable, but he decided to sit out in the backyard.

Well, he hadn't just spontaneously decided to sit out there. Liun had thought about doing this a few days ago, but he changed his mind. He hadn't exactly explained what he wanted to do yet, but he'd asked Fweiu if she was available to come to the back yard around this time... plus Liun had sent Shul a text. There were a few others he could've asked for this, but he didn't want to cause Thiul anymore grief than he already had and Quie always seemed busy with something. Besides, he kinda preferred if it was Fweiu or Shul there for what Liun wanted to try and do.

He already knew he couldn't shift into his dragon form, not anymore... If he could, he wouldn't have the headaches. During his capture, his own shifting was heavily controlled, which has lead to this current situation. But it did inform Liun of something, albeit not the way he imagined or hoped he would've found out. He was able to be forced to partial shift, although his memory of whenever it occurred was hazy. Since he arrived back to the island, he had only attempted to shift into his dragon form but hasn't attempted a partial shift yet. That was why he had asked Fweiu and Shul to meet him in the back yard, to try and get himself to partial shift. Although he hated the thought he needed supervision, he did feel it would be better if a couple others who had partial shifted before were there to make sure he didn't injure himself or anything...

@Kait @EmiRose
 

EmiRose

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To say Shul had been worried about Liun would've been the greatest understatement ever made. He had been so worried he hadn't been able to eat, sleep or focus on his studies properly, and if Sark had any hair Shul would've probably caused him to have some grey ones with how much Shul lost weight during the time Liun had been missing. For the first time in decades Shul had felt genuine bloodlust and urge for violence when he had learned of the people who had kidnapped and tortured his family member, and he had been genuinely disappointed when he had learned he could not avenge Liun.

But now Liun was back with them, as healthy as he could be in this situation. And although Shul was still worried he was able to eat and sleep again, and the end of his scout training was approaching the end. Soon Shul would be able to work in the field, and help any young creatures and families living in the Narrow Reality.
Shul could hardly wait.
Liun had sent Shul a text, asking him to meet in the backyard of the Rukt'In house. And naturally Shul dropped his textbook and left almost immediately. He did leave a note for Sark in case this took long, since he'd return from work pretty soon.

Shul didn't live that far from the house, and it only took him about 15 minutes to get there. He didn't bother knocking and just circled around the house to the backyard. And what do you know, there Liun was, sitting and looking distracted. Shul smiled a bit, and tried to walk as quietly as possible and surprised Liun.
 

Kait

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Shul wouldn't get far.

"SHUL!" Fweiu would hold her arms out as she drew closer, making her demands for a hug very clear. "How is my studious little brother doing? Get over here!"

Despite the circumstances, Fweiu wanted to catch up with Shul, just a little bit. They hadn't had many opportunities to make social calls, with how busy both of their schedules were becoming. Fweiu was getting much more involved in the businesses the Akt'Anir were operating in the narrow reality, which left even less time for family. Between that and Shul's studies, they hardly saw each other.

In fact... the last time Shul and Fweiu had properly spoken to each other, Liun was still missing, and they were talking about that. So they had to make up for it.

She had it all worked out in her head. Liun would successfully shift, and the headaches would stop, and they would all fly a victory lap and go feast and be merry somewhere. They could all use that right about now. It had been a trying time.
 

Wuffy

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Liun had been distracted. Too busy as he thought to himself, about how he would do this, to notice Shul. He felt comfortable. Until Fweiu very suddenly shouted while he was still lost in thought. His reaction seemed to show that maybe it was a good thing that Shul wasn't able to get close enough to surprise Liun. The moment he even heard Fweiu's voice, he jumped and snapped his attention towards them. His entire body had tensed up, and he looked ready to get up from his seat. His arm was pulled back the slightest bit, with his entire demeanour being ready to fight. But likely the most jarring thing for his relatives to see would be how he looked at them for the briefest moment. His eyes narrowed, and only showed aggression. Thankfully, it only lasted for a moment, and as soon as he realised it was Shul and Fweiu, he visibly relaxed.

He sighed, putting his hand on his chest for a second. He could feel his heart pound. Liun hadn't reacted like that just because he suddenly disliked his relatives. It was just, he didn't exactly like unexpected things anymore. Someone suddenly appearing and touching him... The last time something unexpected happened, he got tortured for a month.

He rubbed the back of his neck, his face shifted to a more guilty expression. "Sorry about that." He laughed a little bit, lightly. He couldn't shake unease though. Liun stood up from where he sat, and pulled his usual smile at his cousins. There could be no denying there was trauma, that he would've had to change somehow from what he experienced. But Liun just wanted his life to go back to normal, so he acted like he was fine. He had already gotten nagged by Thiul that he should do therapy, and Liun couldn't disagree even before he was told he should.

Liun walked over to Shul and Fweiu, his arms crossed. "What? No hug for me? I see how it is." He puffed out his chest a bit as he looked away from them, a pout on his face. Eventually he laughed, turning back to them. "So, I best explain why I asked you both to come here, right?" He looked at them both, and spoke like he knew exactly what he was supposed to say next. But that would be a lie, since he still worked on it in his mind.
 

EmiRose

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Shul's scare was foiled by Fweiu, but he didn't really mind. After all, hugging Liun had been his ultimate goal of the scare, now he just got to hug a different person. Although it would probably take Shul multiple centuries before he got used to this huggy Fweiu that was far away from the hard cold older sister he had had decades ago.
"Not going to be studious for much longer, soon you'll have a scout as a little brother."
Shul answered with a smile and happily received and returned the hug.

As he hugged Fweiu Shul looked at Liun, and saw his reaction just before he relaxed again. Shul frowned a bit and after he and Fweiu were done with their hug he crossed his arms and directed a lopsided smile at Liun.
"Be grateful I didn't get the chance to spook you, you might've jumped out of your skin."
Yes, Shul knew that Liun definitely had trauma and was not okay. But he also knew that many people had probably already told him that, and Thiul probably had nagged at him. Shul wanted to try and hold up this mood for a while longer, for Liun. If he wanted to act like he was fine then Shul was going to allow it this one time. Hopefully Fweiu was going to do so as well.

Shul laughed, when Liun put on his pouting act. Those acts never worked on him, and as soon as Liun turned back to face them Shul spread his arms and gave Liun a big, firm hug.
"You wanted hugs so you can explain after getting them."
 

Kait

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"Aww, poor Liun, he thinks I'm neglecting him." Fweiu would give him a hug right after Shul had his turn.

She noticed his reaction. It reminded her of those who survived close encounters with the enemy at Antarctica. She hid her grimace. She had noticed a lot of similarities there, steadily building up. But for now, she wouldn't say anything about it. It just strengthened her resolve to put her plan into action, later.

"But yes, all that aside. What did you want to show us, Liun?"

She knew in her heart that he was going to shift into a dragon again today, but she would act surprised.
 

Wuffy

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Liun would gladly give both of his cousins a hug, a smile on his face the entire time. Albeit he did hug a little tighter than he would in the past. Sometimes he felt like his return to the island was the dream, and the nightmares he had was the reality he would have to wake up to. Things like this reminded him that this was indeed reality, a fact he greatly appreciated.

But even in this reality he appreciated, parts were not fair. After he finished hugging his cousins, his face turned to a more serious one. He could crack jokes and grin once he knew whether this was possible, but right now he felt this was needed a little more. "So... You both know I have been having some difficulty managing the pain from having not shifted in a while." He wasn't entirely sure how much all of his relatives knew about his condition, so he didn't want to immediately dump it in case they didn't know.

"Well, I still can't shift. I've tried since I was allowed to start walking around some more, and there's a block. I... and, well, I don't think it's coming back." Liun continued. Fweiu, he could guess knew some of it. But it not coming back? No one would know that yet. Liun could feel it. It felt like that maybe he could shift someday, but for the foreseeable future, it was no longer possible. He still struggled to wrap his head around this fact. A dragon not even able to shift into their true form... Liun had been having a bit of an existential crisis, even if he had always preferred his human form to his dragon form.

Liun allowed a pause to let it sink in, or for them to ask any questions, then he continued. "But, I haven't attempted to partial shift." He shouldn't need to explain much further to the pair on what he thought of doing. "I figured since you two are kinda the... partial shifting experts for our clan on the island, I'd have you... ya know, just be here." Liun rubbed the back of his neck as he spoke, and he looked a bit off to the side. It wouldn't be a bad guess to say he found it slightly embarrassing to be supervised. But it was the best choice.
 

EmiRose

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As Liun turned more serious and began explaining, why he had called the two of them here Shul listened quietly, letting Liun say what he had to say. But it became hard, when Liun revealed that he probably couldn't shift into a dragon anymore. Shul frowned and his expression turned into confusion. And during the pause Shul opened and closed his mouth couple of times, trying to find the right questions, words, anything.
"W-what do you mean a block? Have you talked to professionals about this? Did they say it's not coming back?"

Shul had a lot more to say, definitely, but Liun explained further that he had not attempted partial shifting, and Shul left it for another time. But he still had the frown on his face, he was still confused and worried and honestly, very angry. Not at Liun, but at this situation. Why did this have to happen?
But all of that Shul kept as hidden as possible, and nodded as Liun said he just wanted him and Fweiu to be there.
"You do realize Thiul is going to skin you if she finds out you did this without her presence, right? Even if nothing happens."
Thiul was probably the most aggressive out of all of them when it came to worry.
 

Kait

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Fweiu had a grim look on her face. She couldn't imagine the pain that realization must have been giving Liun. Even if he liked being in human form, to be trapped in that form all the time... it seemed so claustrophobic. She was almost overwhelmed, just trying to imagine it happening to her.

Shul started talking about Thiul, and how she would want to be here, and Fweiu just put her hand on Shul's shoulder. He needed to stop, and he needed to calm down. Liun's dignity and pride had already taken so much damage, it must have been wearing away at his soul. Fweiu couldn't bear to see Thiul baby him now. She wouldn't allow it.

"Thiul is a busy woman, and medical science won't help us here." For spiritual and practical reasons, they could do without. Most of their people were older than modern medical science; they knew more of their own bodies than a doctor ever could. "We're the experts."

She turned to Liun. "I would be honored to help you."
 

Wuffy

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Feb 16, 2018
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As Shul spoke, it only made Liun grimace a little. He couldn't say he had spoken to professionals, but a gut feeling just told him that even if he decided to speak to them, they would say the same thing. Liun didn't need a professional to tell him when he felt so deeply that he couldn't shift anymore.

Bringing up Thiul only made Liun flinch slightly. He of all people knew that she would want to be there. But, a part of him felt defiant. Although he partially did not want Thiul there because of the trouble he has already caused her, Liun also felt a bit stubborn. "Well, I don't think Thiul was there for when you two partially shifted. Why should it be different for me?" As he spoke, he crossed his arms. Liun so desperately wanted to return to how life was before he had been kidnapped. Frankly, he would've loved to have done it alone but even he knew that was idiotic. But, he at least wanted to do it without being babysat by his younger cousin just because she was a doctor.

Liun smiled a bit when Fweiu spoke. It seemed she understood a little of what Liun felt. It didn't surprise him, since he was closer in age to Fweiu than many of his other cousins. "Thanks, Fweiu." His tone was a bit softer than it had been just a moment ago.

Now came the next issue. Liun had absolutely not idea how to partial shift. He knew he could be forced to partial shift, but he wasn't able to remember how that worked. There was always a chance that was the only way he could partially shift as well... "Well, next is the roadblock in that I don't know where to go next with this..." He laughed a little in an attempt to be lighthearted.
 
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