Recovering from the Body Eccentric

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

~Snape returns to consciousness slowly. Unlike before, when he fell from the edge of Level 3, he's not sure whether he'd died. Everything is a bit fuzzy, and the pains he feels are mostly dull and throbbing, almost separate from him. But the most noticeable thing isn't what's happening, it's what isn't. He's lying completely still--no thrashing, no strangling, no unexpected, unplanned movements. Just the steady rise and fall of his chest as he lies on his back, breathing in shallow breaths. The cycle must have reached its end, and Snape reasons that he must have control again. Either that, or his neck is now truly broken and he's paralyzed to the point where not even his rebellious muscles can move him.

He takes a deep breath and instantly regrets the attempt; his throat is still too damaged to allow for much more than the shallow breaths he's been taking, and certainly not well enough to call out loudly for Wesley. So, he'll just have to find Wesley first, which turns out to be easier said than done, even for Snape.

It takes him a long time to coordinate and command enough muscles to roll him to his side, but even this small achievement feel wonderful, since he can confirm that he is indeed his body's master again. He sees Wesley now, further down the tunnel and lying as still as Snape had been. Slowly and carefully, Snape starts to try to get to his hands and knees, but finds that concentrating on moving legs and arms together is too much, especially when his legs in particular seem less willing to submit to his control again. In the end he drags himself laboriously, inch by inch, resting frequently when his struggles increase his breathing rate enough to bother his throat, to Wesley's side, where he promptly collapses. While resting his upper body, however, he practices exerting dominance over the lower, flexing ankles and knees until he feels them begin to respond as they should.

His neck is still relatively unresponsive; it lists to the left so that he feels like the RCA dog pictured on some of his muggle father's phonograph records. However, he feels compelled to check on Wesley, so he heaves himself up on one arm, head tipped to the side, and clumsily puts the other on Wesley's shoulder.~

Pryce? ~he queries, the name coming out hoarse and painful.~

Comments

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

*Wesley's eyes flutter, shut, then flutter again. His head pulses and his vision thrums along, as if to the slow, heavy rhythm of his stuttering heart. This is the first time he's "died" in Hell, and it's a peculiar sensation that somewhere in his scientific mind he feels the need to chronicle, but he doesn't feel altogether capable.

He tries to move his head, but nothing happens. Well, at least he's not moving at all; better that then being unable to control his actions, unable to prevent him killing himself, or killing-

He panicks, as much as his broken and shocked body will allow him.* SNAPE! *he cries desperately, and the explosion in his head renders him momentarily unconscious once more. When he reawakes, he takes note of the possibility he's suffering from a rather severe concussion. For some reason, the thought makes him smile. It certainly feels concussive, like Gunn's godawful attitude, music, whatever.* Gunn? *he calls weakly. No, not Gunn...* Snape? *this whispered a little uncertainly. He's beginning to feel very small...*

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

*Wesley's cry is so sudden and sharp that Snape winces and accidentally draws a quick and painful breath. He much prefers the weak, whispered calls that come later, even if Wesley didn't get his name right the first time. But Snape understands what it's like to die and reawaken confused in Hell; it is easy enough to overlook.*

Here *he replies from Wesley's side, as loudly as he can without straining his throat. He's grateful that Wesley is conscious and that, even if they don't talk, Snape has company.*

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

*Weslely's feeling numb and disoriented. He imagines he should be in a good deal of pain, but he only feels a sort of thrumming. He hears Snape's response loud in his head like thunder, and responds quietly and calmly.* You needn't shout. I'm fine. How are you?

*He tries to move again but his body is still nonresponsive.* Not a bad sort of place for a rest, eh?

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

*Snape is grateful that he can talk quietly--less strain on his throat.*

I'm more or less fine. But I think you ought to teach me self defense at least, when we get the chance.

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

*(very seriously)* yes, I think you're right. We should commence straight away. *tries desperately to sit up and only manages to rock a bit, looking very perplexed. The concussion has him extremely confused.* This is not a recommended defensive posture. Look how open I am. Someone could come along and disembowel me before I even realized it.

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, yes, I can see that. But I don't think you're ready to move yet. Wait a little bit longer.

*He struggles to prop himself up on his arms, finally manages, and looks down at Wesley. He pauses,then says,*

I think you may have a concussion.

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

That's ludi... ridi... I don't think so. I think it's safe to say I definitely have a concussion. I'm not feeling quite myself, and you won't stop spinning. I miss morphine sometimes.

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

I'm not spinning--it's your head that's spinning. I'd brew you a potion for that if I could. No raw ingredients, no cauldron...no luck.

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

That's terrible! Whatever will you- my head? Am I possessed?

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

I didn't mean that it's _literally_ spinning. You are _not_ possessed.

*Snape is half-amused, half-frustrated.*

Have you ever been possessed before?

*He is making progress in regaining control of his body, practicing small movements. He has managed to push and drag himself to a wall so that he can prop himself upright beside Wesley.*

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

No, I've never been possessed. But I've tried exorcism. I failed. I needed Angel. I always need Angel. I'm not worth much on my own, I'm afraid.

*He manages to roll onto his side and emits a hiss as his brain threatens to explode in his skull.*

How about you? *this uttered as if being polite.*

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

*Snape manages to pull his knees up, rest his arms across them, and let his head be supported by them. His neck is slowly healing but he guesses it will be awhile before he can hold it up straight again.*

About possession? No, I've never been possessed.

*He steers the conversation away from himself.*

Who's Angel?

*He's picturing Angel in his head and trying to decide if she might have looked anything like Lily.*

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

The greatest champion to ever exist.

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

*Snape, who has been resting with his eyes closed, opens one to look down at Wesley.*

Would you care to elaborate? Apparently, Angel isn't as well-known as Dumbledore.

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

Should be. He's prevented an apocalypse more times than I'd like to count.

*he retches from the vertigo of the concussioin*

... than I COULD count right now, actually.

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

*Ah, Snape thinks. Angel is a he, not a she. Immediately, he forgets about comparisons with Lily.*

Apocalypses, eh? You've led an interesting life, haven't you?

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

Until I died. No, that's not true. I spent my life stumbling about like a blind man. It's actually a little hard to see right now... Don't you think we had better... go... somewhere?

*He attempts to stand at once, but his knees seem unable to lock and his equilibrium is way out of whack. He scuffles about until his back is propped against the wall.*

This is horrible. I feel like a Kripthorian demon. Their dimension has utterly different physical laws from ours and so when they come here they resemble a strongly doped rhinocerous.

Did you know Dunblrdor?

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

*Snape sighs wearily. Though he has no concussion himself, his own head is beginning to hurt.*

Yes, I did know Dumbledore, remember? I was Potions Master at Hogwarts when he was Headmaster. I remember telling you back on Level 2.

And as far as going anywhere, you certainly can't walk, and I'm not sure that I could, either.

*Still, Snape uses the wall to help get himself upright, leaning heavily on it until he is indeed on his feet. His head still lists, but it's not as bad as it had been.*

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

That's funny, I usually have an excellent memory.

Are you going somewhere? You're on your feet, that's improvement. I don't think I'm trying that again too soon.

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

*Snape looks down at Wesley and softens a bit; after all, the man has a concussion and he can afford to be a bit lenient.*

Yes, well, concussions have a way of messing with your memory. And don't worry--I'm not going anywhere, I'm just practicing control over my limbs again.

Besides, if someone comes along and at least one of us is on our feet, we'll look more intimidating. But I don't think too many shades are up and about yet, anyway; I think it's safe to assume everyone is having some difficulties.

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

*Wesley seems relieved.*

This is terrible. I'm holding us back. Bloody stupid, really.

Is your neck broken or merely wrenched?

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

*Snape doesn't want to upset Wesley; he's already beating himself up for having beaten himself up. Besides, he's not a qualified healer or doctor, so he's not sure one way or the other. He's able to move his body, however reluctant it is to respond--that's a good sign in favor of "not broken". But it does hurt a lot, and he remembers the horrible popping sounds Wesley's hands caused. So instead of giving him a direct answer, he does what he does best. He sidesteps around the issue.*

Oh, it'll be fine.

*Then, to keep Wesley from continuing to fret over it, he asks,*

While we're resting, I suppose we ought to think about how to mark our trail. This place is probably a maze of tunnels.

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

Well, there are several options open to us. There's territorial urination, scent gland marking, or we could simply score a recognizable mark into the walls with a pickaxe stolen from some unsuspecting shade we're bound to encounter. Look, I can wiggle my toes.

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

Maybe the urination and scent gland marking is an option for _you_. I'm scoring the walls.

*Snape looks down at Wesley's feet which are, of course, in shoes. Snape can't really see his toes in action.*

Hooray for you.

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

*Wes looks pleased at your support.* Yes, I thought scoring was the way to go, too.

I think I can crawl now. Do you want to go? I'm beginning to feel a bit more like myself.

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

If you're certain you're ready. Once you're truly on your feet, I'd like to start learning some fighting techniques.