Need More Apples {OPEN}

[Jasmine Krisp]

Jasmine couldn't help but feel saddened, and a little vulnerable, as Shaehern began to stand as if he were going to depart. She could understand he would want to get the Iugo-blood off of himself as quickly as he could, but did he have to go now? Leaving her alone with Iugo in such a state? Sure Hades could probably carry him down to the lab if need be, but what could she do if he was injured somewhere else? Then what would she do? She wasn't the one with medical know-how! It was her friends who were the surgeons and doctors and...well...disecters.

...I seem to be developing a type...

If there was one other emotion Shae sparked with leaving, it was embarrassment. Did he HAVE to say that?! 'Have fun'?! Oh, real subtle, asshole!! The plum woman threw her fruit basket's back a nice ice-hot glare as he walked off, leaving her alone with a bird-brain and the 'good' doctor. Hades seemed to be picking up on her suddenly horrid nerves because he seemed absolutely elated. Oh brother.

Jazz turned back to face the doctor as he let a slightly-snarky comment go. She smiled that little mature smile she so often wore. "Maybe next year we can skip out together. Except for one little dance number...it was quite boring." The little Boogie laughed softly, reaching to pat Iugo gently on the shoulder. "And I warned you, didn't I? That the rebels were going to do something." she rested the hand not on his shoulder on her cheek and sighed dramatically, watching from the corner of her eye as Hades actually mimicked her motions. How silly.

"You wouldn't be hurt if you had listen to little old me. And now that you're un-earthed...I think you could use something..." ...or someone... "...to eat?"

[Doctor Nationis]

"Hmph," Iugo started quietly, forcing himself not to flinch as she touched him. It wasn't an unwelcomed touch, just most living beings in Wonderland would never touch the doctor just to be kind. It was usually a touch of great force with a clenched fist or heavy boot. Or recently, with a sharp object! Nevertheless, he managed to keep his composure and subdued the reflexive twitch and went on. "I do not envy that idea, Jasmine." An old, familiar, and oh-so evil gleam twinkled in his brown eyes for a moment. "Oh, there are many things we could do to show our disdain to them and their parties..." Oh the things they could do... The choices were so varied and great that the real problem would be selecting only one.

Snapping back to the present, Iugo's eyes focused best they could on Jasmine again, watching as her familiar copied her movements. "Well, I did manage to catch some bre--" Pausing, he saw that the sky was dark beyond the broken stain glass windows. "Hm... quite. I caught dinner," He corrected, nodding over to the two dead children. At the same moment a low, growling noise echoed around them. Iugo actually looked around for a moment, half-expecting to see the large cat that had taken to following him padding up to the two, his tail swishing behind his sleek, graceful legs...

Another low growl directed him to his stomach, roaring in protest from lack of food for nearly a month. A small frown spread across his face as his stomach let out a third growl. "...yes, I think I am hungry. My leg distracted me from continuing my meal. Crazy, no?"

[Jasmine Krisp]

"I see you got your motivation..." the Boogie woman snickered, lowering the hand at her cheek, at that evil glimmer in Iugo's eyes. Compared to the dull, blood-lust-less ones she'd seen in the garden Meier weeks ago, it was a breath of fresh air. The old Iugo. It brought an even brighter, if not more deviant smile to her childish face. "All you needed was a nap and you're back to your old self. Guess sleep really is the best medicine..." Hades poked Jasmine in the back of the head. She groaned.

"Fine, Hades. Second best medicine."

Narcissist.

Jazz glanced over at the two unfortunate children her friend motioned to. Though her initial reaction was pity for the death of ones so young, she decided just to view it as the food-chain. Bug ate grass, snake ate bug, bird ate snake...blood thirsty psycho killer doctor ate human. The circle of life? "I'd consider that a snack. You only ate the parts at easiest access..." the roar cut her off, bringing a little laugh to Jasmine's lips, "...I think your stomach wants seconds."

With a fluid motion the plum woman had jumped to her feet, not even three inches over the sitting Iugo. Her hand still on his shoulder moved to rest on her hip, holding out the other to Iugo. "C'mon. I'll help you reach the dinner floor."

[Doctor Nationis]

Motivation was hardly the word for it. A rebirth, more like it! Iugo felt, besides for the broken bone, great! His eyes were alert and cunning, scanning things like he used to. Including the self absorbed bird. Perhaps Jasmine did not know that a familiar could be taught it's place in this society? Something he and Agony could demonstrate on another time. Placing a hand on his stomach, he smirked. "I cannot say that truly filled me. Then again, I was under a few tons of stone. I chose not to wait for the meatiest parts." Iugo even laughed at that. Not an insane one, just a delighted, happy to be back kind. Jasmine's movement left Iugo to turn and see his friend offering a small, pale hand toward him.

"The dinning hall?" Iugo repeated, taking her hand in his and slowly easing himself up without bending his newly done leg. "That is not a fun trek, I imagine..." He grumbled, heaving until he balanced on one foot. A moment before he began levitating, he shifted his weight as he stood in a puddle purplish blood, a mixture of his own and the humans. Iugo's eyes went wide as he twisted his body so he would land on his good leg, taking Jasmine down with him. Seeing that her small frame would be beneath him, both hands raced to meet the floor, landing on either side of Jasmine's child-like head. One hand even instinctively shot under the woman's head, cupping it from the dangerous stone floor.Planting his left knee down, he minimized the jarring to his right leg, but still he hissed in pain. The wound was still tender within his leg and caused him to wonder what internal damages were persisting. Thankfully, it was much better with the help of those magical tears.

Looking down, he saw Jasmine's sweet fa-Sweet?-ce beneath him, her body sprawled out under him, his good knee in between her legs, her dress having become raised slightly in the fall. His bad leg was held straight be hind him, helping him straddle the boogie's leg. "Are you alright?" He asked, seeing no wounds from his perspective. Hopefully the worst she would've suffered was a knock to the head from the impact of his hand, which throbbed the very slightest. "I am terribly sorry for this," He added after a moment's pause. Still, for all his wit and knowledge, he forgot to move out of this meticulous position.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

A speedy retreat was quickly met with a hasty return. After all, he told Jasmine to 'have fun', but he hardly expected her to do so. It gave him something to tease her about once he returned. Now that he had scrubbed his hands clean he was in significantly better spirits. There was no doubts in this Boogie's mind that he would be more than enough to grind on the healing doctor's nerves. With Jasmine around he might even dare to say that he'd get away with it for a little while. Certainly more than he could ever hope to without his best friend about.

He rounded the corner back to the room. There was a spring in his leather-wearing step once again. "Baaaack. You wouldn't believe how many times I've had to get rid of incriminating 'evidence' from... my... wow." Whatever train of thought Shaehern was intending to use to induce reddened ears was quickly met with the sight of Iugo straddling Jasmine.

Shaehern's bluish face turned a darker shade. Perhaps it looked violet or maybe even black? It was hard to say without staring in a mirror and Shaehern was almost certain that it was a color that rarely, if ever, cropped up on his face. "How scandalous!" He suddenly said with a bit of cheer. From a pocket he managed to pull out a small paper fan. He unfolded it with a quick flick of his wrist before beating it furiously in front of his face. "Simply wonderful. I had no idea that you'd take my advice so literally!"

He bounced a little forward and a little back. The blue-toned man could not seem to decide which direction to move. It would hardly be appropriate to stay, but leaving such a tantalizing moment was out of the question. "Don't mind me. I'll be quiet! I promise!"

[Jasmine Krisp]

Well, this is a compromising position.

Already wide gold eyes widened even larger as he injured friend began to fall. At first it was the 'Oh CRAP he's going to hurt himself even more' sort of surprise, but that was quickly replaced with the 'Oh FUCK he's gonna land on me' sort of shock. Unfortunatly...or fortunately, depending on which side of the spectrum you're on...Jasmine wasn't quick enough to catch either Iugo or herself and fell back with a sort of squeak, expecting to hit the hard ballroom floor. She was, to say the least, even more surprised when something caught her before she hit it.

Iugo caught her. Iugo was right. Over. Her. Face. So close she could feel his breath on her pale skin. It was amazing it was still its normal shade, considering he was basically straddling her and was close enough that if she just...leaned...up...

Jazz turned the shade of human blood in less than five seconds.

Hades looked like he was about to keel over in caw-like laughter.

"I-It's okay...th-thanks for the catch..."

Then, as if the moment couldn't get even more awkward and horrifying, Shaehern decided to have a horribly timed return and sudden fanboy(?) session. Where he managed to spring that fan from was beyond her, but the look on her face was that of utterly priceless OH SHIT. "Sh-Shae!!!" The little woman flailed a little, but seeing that some of her dress-fabric was caught under Iugo's knee, she was pinned. "Th-This isn't...he fell--slipped--and I was just--GET THOSE FANTASIES OUT OF YOUR HEAD!!!"

Jasmine may have looked like a child, but she had the composition of an adult. Until now. Now she really was as flustered and panicked and blushed-up as an innocent school-girl.

[Doctor Nationis]

Iugo never noticed what a striking hue Jasmine's iris was before. This thought wandered in and out idly as he watched her face suddenly change colors. The crimson shade did remind him of human blood, which also reminded him of how hungry he was. Then Shaehern was there... "Hm?" Iugo looked up at the man, curious as to what was going on. Advice? He hadn't heard any advice. Then again, most of what was said after his surgery wasn't coming to mind. Scandalous? None of it made any sense... "What are you blabbering about, Azhrarn?" Iugo asked in a low voice, already annoyed with his bouncing.

Looking down he saw that Jasmine was pinned under his knee, meaning he would have to move first. "Oh, sorry once again, Jasmine," He offered before leaning forward, their faces getting closer and closer... And then Iugo phased through Jasmine and the ground, leaving a chill in his wake. It was a regrettable move, but he didn't have near enough strength to raise himself with only one leg. A moment later, his head poked above the ground at Shaehern's feet, anything below his nose still within the earth. He may have looked angry, but that was just his hungry face. Both hands came up in a moment, slowly lifting him back up. He ended in a sitting position with his good leg pulled up to his chest and his bad leg still hanging down. "Perchance you have a cane to go along with that fan?" Iugo asked quietly, not really one to ask for help directly.

His tummy let out another low growl, warning them that it was not to be forgotten.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

Such a delicious little secret Shaehern had stumbled across. Of course, Jasmine would deny it. And from the doctor's response he wasn't even certain what it was that he did wrong. Then again, it might just be that he was a far better actor than Shaehern ever had given him credit for. Whatever the reason, Shaehern would let it be. Oh, but he had been blushing so furiously over the scene.

Childish antics aside, he was almost certain that Jasmine had enjoyed the position, however brief. And Iugo moving through her? Chills down her spine and tingles in her bones, if Shae was to make any guesses at all. Simply delightful.

Watching the doctor phase through the floor was a bit peculiar, but one grew accustomed to most peculiar sights in such a place as this. Shaehern could almost classify this as commonplace, except for the simple fact that he had never witnesses such a thing before. Really, Iugo should have been able to phase through the falling rubble entirely. "What keeps you from falling down and never being able to pull yourself back up like that?" It was an odd sort of musing. Wondering why Iugo just didn't fall through the floor and keep on falling. Such were the types of things Shaehern would muse about in his spare time. There were no answers.

"And as for the cane... I do believe I foresaw this possibility." Almost as though on cue a plucky dark bird nudged an equally dark cane through the door. Shaehern leaned down and grasped at it. The cane was a hollow construction of metal that was cool to the touch. Dark in color, as though it were painted black. The handle was silvered and engraved with a raven pattern. It might have very well been Shae's personal cane should he ever don a man's formalwear. "It'll do in a pinch," he offered while also offering the cane.

"Just don't eat it. There are more delightful things to munch on about." Oh dear, there went his mind again flying on fancies that Jazz warned him to stay away from. He really just couldn't help it.

[Jasmine Krisp]

It way Iugo was looking right at her wasn't helping to pale Jasmine's rosy-red face. She wasn't even looking back up at him, she was still flailing and giving Shaehern a glare, but she could almost feel his eyes on her...GAAAH!! I need to get out from under him!! The heat in her cheeks just increased. AND NOT THINK THINGS LIKE THAT!!! Jazz whimpered a little and looked up at the man holding her captive, accident or no, and to her extreme confusion and embarrassment saw him getting closer.

What, what, WHAT?! Holy FUCK!!!

Just when, for a second, the little-looking Boogie thought Iugo was about to...I can't say it!!...the man simply phased right past her and into the floor. The plum woman could almost feel him going through her skin, causing her to shudder from the chilled air and something not so cold that gave her heart a jolt. That was way too close. Much, much, much too close. But now that Iugo had ghost-ed his way across the room to Shae, still having a ball with this scene, she felt disappointed.

She must have been blushing like a cherry! Her heart even skipped!

Is he really that...dense?

Of course Shaehern made another lewd comment, and Jazz was all too thankful she was a ways off from the two men. It gave her a chance to swear sharp and softly before rolling up and back to her feet, though her knees seemed to be giving her more than a little trouble. "Sh-Shae, cut it out," fricken' stutter made her sound even younger, "Let's get you something to...eat...preferably fresh..."

And not me.

[Doctor Nationis]

Iugo took the cane from Shae in more of a snatching motion, using it to slowly get to his good foot. "There are many mysteries in Wonderland," He said slowly, turning his body toward the door, his head slightly turned to help Shaehern hear his speech. "To answer this one, you have to understand gravity does not influence me within a solid object. Why, I do not know, but when I become solid I fall as physics takes hold once more. Thus, the ridiculous exits." Closing his eyes, Iugo rubbed his forehead with his free hand, leaning heavily on his good leg and new cane. He was tired and hungry and this Shaehern was someone who would not allow him to relax, would he? "But yes, I am hungry, Shaehern. Very."

Testing his leg, he found that he could put some of his weight down without much effort, but anymore would cause a flash of pain. Taking a few moments to find the sweet spot, he looked over at the red Jasmine, wondering what had put her in such a shape. Wobbling knees and a stutter were unlike her. "You must forgive me. In my current state getting up from that position would have been a disaster." Click. Click. Click. Iugo moved toward the door now, his slow hobble a pitiful sight to behold. Being immobile for three weeks was enough to make his legs stiff to follow his commands entirely paired up with his inexperienced use of a cane, despite his previous uses. "I am going to the dining hall," He announced, loud enough that he would no have to turn around to be heard.

Food, he thought wearily, taking little heed as to whether the two joined him or not.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

Ah, poor Jasmine. Perhaps Iugo was not the only one in need of a cane at this particular moment. Given the jelly-like state of the girl's legs it would be a wonder if Shae's mind couldn't find ways to turn it towards the perverse. If she complained about thighs, calves or any part of her abdominal region for the next few days, then Shaehern would be certain to have a field day with it. Ah yes... the torments of friendship. And after all, Shae and Jazz were as the best of friends.

He was left to wonder a little bit about Iugo needing help versus helping out Jasmine. Trying to offer more aid than the doctor had already received might be taken badly, so Shaehern situated his mind to check and make sure that Jasmine would not, for whatever reason, need help walking.

The man in leather pants was quick to move. It was always odd how much differently your muscles felt when moving under pressure. At the very least he felt energetic as he moved to Jasmine's side. "Sure you don't need some more help dear? Don't want to let the man with a cane beat us to the food." After weeks without a proper meal Shaehern partially expected the doctor to eat like a wolf. Or maybe a murder of crows that just found a weak fox out in the midst of nowhere.

In a slightly lower voice he whispered into the tiny woman's ear. "Need to borrow my fan? Your face looks more of cherry than plum." Part of him wanted to just squeeze her tight and carry her off. Something about the stumbling, stuttering, and blushing just made the little woman seem more like a sweet child in need of assistance. Irony, considering how much older she was. How much older was she? Shaehern had never asked. After all... that would be rude.

Another irony.

[Jasmine Krisp]

The way Iugo manged to completely miss the point of Shaehern's comment made Jasmine want to face palm. He was past the point of 'dense' and was entering the 'are you kidding me' level of stupid. It was actually rather impressive how anybody could take such a horribly perverse comment and end up thinking only about food...how is that possible? Still, she didn't miss the jest, and just thinking about it was causing her legs to jello-up even worse.

God, Shaehern! D-Don't...just...GAH!!

The very thought of that made her breathing and blush worsen, though her legs were seeming to get a little stronger. She turned slowly to see Iugo walking away, all she could muster was a little wave in his direction, and Shae walking closer. "I'm f-fine...really." Jasmine mumbled, taking a deep breath. She was offered a fan, and she took it, holding it tight in her little hands. And of course the pokes just kept coming.

Jazz's eye actually twitched at that cherry comment. "By and by..."

With enough force to probably break a nose, though it didn't hurt as much with a paper fan, the plum whacked down on the fruit basket's head. Her blush was horribly bright, and her eyes a glowing flustered fury. "Don't!! Ever!! Say!! Things!! Like!! THAT!!!" With each word she slammed the fan up and down again into his face. "Keep!! Your!! Mouth!! SHUT!!!" Hades caw-laughed, wings flapping in time like a clap.

Such a jerk! Such a flamboyant prick!

Shoving the fan back into the younger man's chest, Jazz turned on her heel and walked away in a huff towards Iugo. Hades hopped along behind her. Of course, half-way to the door, she turned around and mouthed 'Are you coming or not' in Shae's direction. After all, he was her best-est friend in the whole world.

Prick? Yes. Jerk? Sure. Embarrassing in front of my crush...?

It's his job.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

With what Shaehern did give, he did also receive. Perhaps Jasmine's blows would have hurt more if she just slugged him, but there was a certain comical effect to her beating him with his own paper fan. Granted, it still smarted something fierce and she was having quite a field day with it. And yet, Shaehern's greatest concern was that she was going to break his fan. There was much less concern for her splitting his head open somehow, though he did grow horrified at the idea of bruises dotting his skin.

Eventually, the little tirade stopped and Jasmine walked off, but not before shoving the fan into his chest. He managed to grab it, somehow, while backing up a little bit. That had been an interesting experience. He restrained the temptation to tell her how cute she was when she got flustered, but that was not nearly so difficult as restraining the urge to tackle her and give her a hug. He wasn't certain if he would make like he was hurt and crying, or if he'd just nuzzle her for being so damn adorable.

Neither ended well in his mind.

Instead he just smiled and gave a little skip to follow her. "Of course I'm coming along!" After all, it really wasn't a party until you brought along a third wheel. As far as tricycles went, this would probably be one of the more hilariously dysfunctional tricycles in Wonderland.

No hard feelings yet. After all, Shaehern saw those little outbursts as reminders that he was behaving exactly as he should. Jasmine would find these torments hilarious if she watched Shae doing them to somebody else. And as her best friend, didn't he owe it to her to include her in those particular festivities?

It could certainly be no other way.