[Closed to Erwin]// backdated to the beginning of the month

[neverfeltthatway]

Commander Erwin, sir!

[Armin's voice rings out in Erwin's head, crisp and clear. He may not be able to salute - probably good, as he can't even stand right now - but he would do his best to show his commander what respect he could.]

I have something to report.

Comments

[civics]

[ The voice immediately gets Erwin's attention, and it takes a minute for him to adjust to the fact that the voice he's hearing is inside his own head. This will certainly take some getting used to, that's for sure. ]

Arlert, is everything okay? What do you need to report?

[ Erwin is impressed that Armin still reports to him as if he is acting as Commander while here. ]

[neverfeltthatway]

[His voice turns more subdued, though he tries to keep it military and professional, pushing the emotion out.] I've been injured. I don't know whether I can still use my 3-D maneuvering gear, but I'm unable to walk and I can't feel my legs.

This may or may not be permanent.

[civics]

[ This is certainly something a Commander never wants to hear, especially when it concerns a brilliant mind and talented soldier. He hesitates before responding, trying to formulate some kind of plan for helping Armin. ]

Tell me what happened, where you are, and if you can get yourself to safety before somebody arrives to help you.

[neverfeltthatway]

I'm not in any danger, sir. The damage wasn't malicious, or... well, intentional.

[He may be hesitant or uncertain on the last part, but he sounds confident when he says he isn't in danger.]

This place has... some sort of wild magic. Magic curses and blessings show up without warning - and there's no way I know to stop or reverse them.

I'm here with a friend of mine. We felt something that turned out to be some sort of surge of magic, though we didn't know it at the time. Well, it looks like it cursed her, and now whatever she touches... I don't know. As near as I can describe it, it simply starts to decay, only at incredible speed.

[civics]

[ He listens carefully as Armin describes what has happened, having a hard time believing the part about the magic (though, he's seen a human transform into a titan... things like this shouldn't surprise him). ]

What, exactly, has happened to you?

[neverfeltthatway]

Ah... I'm not exactly sure, sir.

I gave my friend a hug, and her hands touched my skin. All of a sudden, I felt weak - I couldn't move or speak, and I was struggling to breathe. She couldn't see me, so she didn't know anything was wrong.

My neck started to hurt where she was touching me, then the pain spread out and my neck went numb. It was all so fast, I couldn't think - she realized what was happening eventually, but by then I had passed out.

I woke several hours later. The skin where she had touched me on my neck and face are white, and smell decayed. I still feel incredibly weak. And... I can't feel my legs. [He's quiet a long moment.] That's all I know, sir. I'm not sure exactly what happened to me.

[civics]

[ Erwin doesn't know how to deal with this. He has never been in this situation before, and it's difficult. It's difficult because he wants to lead, he doesn't want to disappoint the young soldier, but he doesn't know what to do. Magic isn't something that he's had experience with, that's for sure, and even with experience something like this could easily catch a person off guard. ]

Do you need somebody to come get you? Is there a way to reverse any of those effects?

[neverfeltthatway]

...I don't know. My friend is still with me, but she can't help me directly without making it worse. I think I can manage to make a set of crutches before too long.

[Though how far he'd be able to travel in his condition, even then, is something he doesn't want to think about.]

I don't know enough about magic to know if it's possible to reverse it. But I know enough to know that healing is a lot more difficult than hurting. Unless one of the great mages shows up - one a lot better at healing than the one I know - I don't think it's likely.

[civics]

Unfortunately, your knowledge about magic may be more extensive than my own. I've had no experience with this before, Armin, but I thank you for reporting your injury to me.

[ He pauses, thinking about possible ways to handle the situation. ]

What is in your general vicinity that you can use to make a set of crutches? Anything that will make getting to a safe place until we can find somebody who can give you the help you'll need.

[neverfeltthatway]

Yes, sir.

Well, we're in a forest, so there's an excess of wood. And while titan-piercing blades aren't ideal for the task, that just means it'll take a little more time - which I have in great supply, at least until I finish them.

[civics]

Mm... And you don't know if this magic will wear off? Will this be permanent?

[ He pauses again, realizing that he could be making his way toward Armin to help him. Erwin is more than capable when it comes to treating a wounded soldier. ]

I apologize for all of these questions, but I'd like to learn as much as I can about the magic that's affecting you. If you need my assistance, I'm willing to offer it. I've seen enough death on the battlefield, and I'm normally not in a position where I can offer this sort of help.

[neverfeltthatway]

Ah... as far as I can tell, sir, the curse is magic but the damage caused by it is real, and physical. I don't think there's any reversing it, besides trying to let it heal naturally.

...I could be wrong, though.

A-are you certain, sir? I'm sure I c-can manage eventually without bothering you...

[civics]

Armin, if you need my assistance and I'm able to provide it, I'll gladly lend my hand. For the time being, try to get some more information about the curse you've been given. Any information may prove useful in the future, as well.

[ A sigh ]

And, if you're able, begin collecting materials that we can use to fashion you some sort of rudimentary crutches. Being in stuck the forest will do little for your current condition.