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"I can't see."
The words coming out of Arlo's mouth weren't what anyone in Portia hoped to hear from the young man who ran the Civil Corps after a blow to the head. What everyone hoped for was a mere concussion, but that particular injury would result in the expectation Arlo would lay off duties for a few days while the doctor hounded him when he didn't. The loss of his sight was a completely different thing.
The doctor sat on a chair nearby while Remington watched Arlo's facial features contort upon realizing he said those words out loud. He remained silent as reality began sinking in. Xu cleared his throat. "Well, it might be temporary."
"Might be isn't a definite," Arlo muttered.
"You'll be fine," Remington said, yet there was the unsaid reality that going blind would prevent Arlo from eventually moving on to being a member of the Flying Pigs.
"You're right. I'll be fine," Arlo sighed, leaning back. "I guess I go and see Django about learning to fight blind while Remington..."
"Hold it!" Xu's voice strained. "I know that you want to return to your duties as soon as possible, but starting up training right away might actually hinder the return of your eyesight and shouldn't happen so soon after an injury. If you don't want to listen to the doctor's orders, well, I can very well give said orders to other people in town, including Remington here."
"Please don't," Remington muttered. "The last thing I want is to be the one keeping you in line for the time being because I know how much you value your freedom."
"My freedom," Arlo sighed, flopping back into the bed. "That's kind of been taken away right now, right?"
"You'll get through this. We'll get through this."
"I hope so."