[An extremely appropriate and thoughtful reply. Nathan thinks rapidly. He's trying, trying to find some solution for her, because what else is he supposed to do? What else can he do but panic?]
Okay, listen, you're not alone right? I know I'm the one you're asking for help right now, love, but I'm on the other goddamn side of the city! Maybe one of them has a bandage for...all of your face.
[It almost sounds crass, but the distressed, frightened look on his face makes the sincerity clear.]
[Of course, again, all Tifa's offered is the same alarming lack of character. He rolls over onto his side--if you can call it a roll, the way his arms flop as if they don't contain bones. He's still facing Tifa, but his eyes are lost as he stares at her. His mouth hangs partially open, and the frothy saliva begins to pool against the ground.]
[She doesn't know what to do. She's helpless in all of this, like with Nibelheim, like with Aerith, and she feels sick with it. But... if he can hear her, if that movement was a response to her voice... Maybe she should just talk to him? It's something, even if it's wholly inadequate and desperate. If he hears her voice, there's a chance it might comfort him, right? She sighs shakily, trying to keep her voice low and comforting, although the tremble in it betrays her.]
Nathan, you can hear me, can't you? Everything will be okay.
[It's a lie, and she feels worse for telling it. Tifa hesitates for a moment before forcing herself on.]
I'm sorry we... we haven't been getting along.
[Sincere or not, Tifa apparently takes it the opposite way, because she looks stricken for a moment before her shoulders begin to shake again. This time, though, the reason is more obvious -- a choked sob escapes her, and tears begin to cut grisly tracks through the blood on her face.]
There's no one else here! I'm asking you! I knew you didn't care about anyone but yourself. You've just been lying this whole time to make yourself look better!
[There is no response aside from tears beginning to roll from Nathan's eyes down his face. Is it a direct reply? Is it an automatic bodily function? Hard to say, since he doesn't seem to be able to speak. Doesn't seem to be able to do anything.]
Holy shit. Look, I'm trying my best, okay? I'm not there. I'm not a goddamn doctor! I'm the opposite of an expert at fixing problems I literally only ever make them worse it's like a special talent of mine. Where the fuck is this coming from? How can you fucking look at me right now and tell me I'm being selfish?!
[He honestly doesn't know how to feel. The whiplash between distress and insult is astounding and leaves him stuck somewhere in the middle.]
[Are those tears? They're definitely tears, and suddenly Tifa is finding it hard to breathe, like there's something sitting on her chest. She's still not sure if that's a direct response. Is he in pain? What can she even do if he is?]
I'll figure out a way to help you, I promise.
[They're under lockdown, though, and even if she could get a message through to someone, no one is getting to him until morning, at least.]
Hold on, okay? Just a little bit longer.
[She wipes the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand, or tries to, at least, although all she really accomplishes is a smear. There's pain entering her voice, making it strained and rasping.]
You're right. You do make things worse. I thought-- I thought I could count on you, but I can't. Do you make everyone this miserable? Why do you even bother?
Jesus Fucking Christ! I want to help you! What the fuck do you expect me to do when I'm behind a goddamn metal wall halfway across the town? Give me a fucking break, would you? I don't want you to--you're--if you're gone, who else do I even have in this fucking hellhole keeping me halfway sane?
[His voice breaks, just for a second. Just for an instant. He wants to be mad, be furious, but how can he when she's looking at him with that accusing, desperate face? Nathan knows he did nothing wrong but fuck if he doesn't feel like complete scum right now.]
You have to tell me. You have to tell me what to do!
[Nathan gives no response, and the life does not return to his eyes, but he continues breathing. Sometimes he makes a weak noise in the back of his throat, but otherwise his state remains unchanged.]
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no subject
[An extremely appropriate and thoughtful reply. Nathan thinks rapidly. He's trying, trying to find some solution for her, because what else is he supposed to do? What else can he do but panic?]
Okay, listen, you're not alone right? I know I'm the one you're asking for help right now, love, but I'm on the other goddamn side of the city! Maybe one of them has a bandage for...all of your face.
[It almost sounds crass, but the distressed, frightened look on his face makes the sincerity clear.]
[Of course, again, all Tifa's offered is the same alarming lack of character. He rolls over onto his side--if you can call it a roll, the way his arms flop as if they don't contain bones. He's still facing Tifa, but his eyes are lost as he stares at her. His mouth hangs partially open, and the frothy saliva begins to pool against the ground.]
no subject
Nathan, you can hear me, can't you? Everything will be okay.
[It's a lie, and she feels worse for telling it. Tifa hesitates for a moment before forcing herself on.]
I'm sorry we... we haven't been getting along.
[Sincere or not, Tifa apparently takes it the opposite way, because she looks stricken for a moment before her shoulders begin to shake again. This time, though, the reason is more obvious -- a choked sob escapes her, and tears begin to cut grisly tracks through the blood on her face.]
There's no one else here! I'm asking you! I knew you didn't care about anyone but yourself. You've just been lying this whole time to make yourself look better!
no subject
Holy shit. Look, I'm trying my best, okay? I'm not there. I'm not a goddamn doctor! I'm the opposite of an expert at fixing problems I literally only ever make them worse it's like a special talent of mine. Where the fuck is this coming from? How can you fucking look at me right now and tell me I'm being selfish?!
[He honestly doesn't know how to feel. The whiplash between distress and insult is astounding and leaves him stuck somewhere in the middle.]
no subject
I'll figure out a way to help you, I promise.
[They're under lockdown, though, and even if she could get a message through to someone, no one is getting to him until morning, at least.]
Hold on, okay? Just a little bit longer.
[She wipes the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand, or tries to, at least, although all she really accomplishes is a smear. There's pain entering her voice, making it strained and rasping.]
You're right. You do make things worse. I thought-- I thought I could count on you, but I can't. Do you make everyone this miserable? Why do you even bother?
no subject
[His voice breaks, just for a second. Just for an instant. He wants to be mad, be furious, but how can he when she's looking at him with that accusing, desperate face? Nathan knows he did nothing wrong but fuck if he doesn't feel like complete scum right now.]
You have to tell me. You have to tell me what to do!
[Nathan gives no response, and the life does not return to his eyes, but he continues breathing. Sometimes he makes a weak noise in the back of his throat, but otherwise his state remains unchanged.]