dialetheism | ❧ ic inbox. (RYSLIG)

I would not ask you to rob a person.

[ Rude???? Her morals are fine??? It's worth the extra effort to type properly. Downside: gives Lion more time to talk. ]

yes
ran out of methadone

"Steal something" leaves a lot of room to be desired on that front, Nogi-san.

[ -is what they lead with, because genuinely, what the fuck. They don't have the medical knowledge to know exactly what that is, but one doesn't grow up with an in-island doctor without learning enough to guess. ]

Painkillers for a *severe* injury, then.
I wish you'd just lead with that.
I'll see what I can find that's an equivalent.
How urgently do you need it, and where can I find you?

how
i said an address

[ bluh bluh i'm lion ushiromiya and i'm getting pedantic for no reason. In black and white morals, it is Right And Just to rob clinics that hike up the prices to fleece the poor.

Ugh, she'll deal with that in person. Next time, ask Niina. ]

immediately
but youll have issues getting anything similar
good luck

[ On one hand, it is genuinely wishing them good luck finding something. Who knows, maybe they'll pull off a miracle. On the other hand, there is no follow-up for a "where". Just a UJIMASA is now IDLE. after a few minutes. Couldn't even hang up on them properly. ]

Yes, and people live at addresses, Nogi-san.
It's a reasonable assumption to make.
For instance: I still need yours.

[ This, and many other increasingly less subtle pings for where to bloody find her happen over the course of the next hour or so. In between these exasperated jabs, they get to work.

The medicine cabinet Beatrice so carefully stocked for their oncoming transformation that never came is empty. Picked clean by Oskar, and he is blameless for the theft given the circumstances - hopefully it all went to other monsters who needed it sooner rather then later. But it leaves them in a bit of a pickle. He has no leads on anything of monster-level strength. The Lighthouse has some, but nothing in quantities beyond the usual "welcome to Ryslig, sorry for what's next" care packages. There's others they could ask, but figuring out who is still on the other side and who isn't would be an... ordeal.

The Lighthouse it is. And maybe they'll find a human clinic along the way that's sympathetic to monsters still. They have no doubt that the one they'd found prior has long since closed. ]

Did you know it's incredibly rude to ask for someone's help and then change your mind at the last possible moment?
Because it is.
It's rude, Nogi-san.

[ This is still a thing that is happening, by the way. ]

[ Somewhen, much later from now, Wakaba will feel way worse about this and owe them A Favor. But today that's too much effort. Typing is too much effort. Just close your eyes for a minute, and the occasional noise in the far distance is a comforting white noise.

To her, it's just blinking. In practice... huh. That timestamp feels later than it should be. ]

sorrry
floras

[ Which means she actually has to get ready, huh. Impromptu visitors probably won't be let on the campus. Stupid. Stupid. The laptop gets shut.

And now Lion has another reason to be mad. ]

[ The migraine beginning to haunt their skull is familiar. Too familiar. It brings to mind flashes of nostalgic blue and an antisocial stranger bitching about the total absence of a corpse.

They'd almost smile, if the very thought didn't fill them with murderous rage. ]

Floras?
What's a Floras?

Nogi Wakaba, that is **NOT** a useful address! Do you know how big Bavan is??

[ The narrative finds this hilarious and it's mildly sorry for this. Very mildly. Okay, it's not sorry at all.

In practice, Lion is left unread for a much longer period. Probably how long it takes, hypothetically, to get help from one of your dormmates, get into a huge verbal fight with them, and end up getting press ganged by them into suffering proper manners in exchange for their help. ]

My apologies.
I am not doing well.
Saint Floras Academy.

[ Despite how short the three lines are, the wait time between each message is way too long. Assume it takes ten minutes before the actual address is sent. ]

[ Well. That's something.

The sudden snap to perfect grammar is concerning, but they're annoyed enough to not dig into it too deeply over text. Any muttered complaints are kept, ultimately, to themself as they pack up their things and hustle to the listed address. Now that they, y'know, have it. After what felt like pulling out every single one of their teeth with a rusty set of pliers.

Ahem.

What Wakaba likely sees after another nebulous period of time is this: a very frazzled Lion Ushiromiya, clutching an overstuffed tote bag of Items, making their very frazzled way towards the gates of Saint Floras. It seems that once again, the miracle did what they do best. It would be worth celebrating if they weren't also likely to claim her head as tribute.

Fortunately for her, the guard currently on duty is doing his job to the best of his ability. Unfortunately for him, he's in the way. ]

-Yes, I have sufficient reason to be on the school grounds. These are for one of your students, at her request- yes, I understand that this is rather strange, but if you'd just let me-

[ An eye twitches again. Might wanna step in, o blessed Hero. ]

[ Two schoolgirls advance, having a casual conversation. One seems to be leaning on the other, but that's normal right? Two heads turn at the noise - a bobbed cut brunette, and a long mussed blonde, and both advance out of... probably curiosity? It's fine. Lion's too busy being in a fight anyway. The blonde separates, staggers once, but recovers. Momentum takes hold, wound up in that intrinsic need to never falter, and by the last few steps it's a burn-covered wraith in a black sweater looming from behind.

It is with the echoing scrape of metal on concrete, impossibly loud, that interrupts their conversation. There is a demon trying to escape its cage, bodily leaning on the gate, fingers knotted around metal and strangling. She's shorter than both of them, but from this angle it's a threat. ]

Hey. They're here for me.

[ For a second, the guard is clearly about to shoo off whoever it is. There's even a slight turn, meeting violet eyes and- Oh dear. Lion can watch in real time as realization hits and his blood drains away, as if staring into the face of his demise. Or getting their paycheck slashed by their boss. Same thing.

He barely mutters out a 'sure, okay, visitor's pass' and the monster leaves. He wheezes out an apology, and Lion is never looked at again.

Weird.

Meanwhile, the other girl is desperately hissing a conversation that gets blown off immediately. "I'm serious. I'll be okay now. Come back in an hour." "But what if-" "If she asks, I'm in the gardens." And the other girl does not look pleased, brown eyes darting between the two of them, then sighs. Fine. Lion gets the points-at-eyes-points-at-you motion on the way out though. Wakaba waves as she leaves and it's immediately obvious why typing was hard. ]

Sorry. Guard's new here. Extra precautions.

[ There is no blessed Hero. There is a corpse. So pale she's almost ashen, wearing a sweater that hangs way too loose - clearly borrowed - and even with her hair free and wild, there's clear burn scars wrapping around her neck in furious reds and blacks. One in particular snakes up her face, aiming for one eye but not quite making it. Said eyes are clearly not in this reality At All.

God, walking sucks. Just a bit longer. The hand loosely takes Lion's free one and half-heartedly tugs in a direction. In the buildings isn't okay but at least there's a bunch of benches near the flowerbeds. ]

Aside from my ineptitude, was it too hard to get here?

[ A merciful intervention. The guard's miserable life is saved as a new distraction is presented in full.

Or rather, that's how they want to feel. It's one thing to be righteously angry at being treated in such a manner over emotionless text, when they have no evidence beyond their own feelings to present an opposing argument. It's another entirely to see the injuries in person, be confronted by crusty burnt patches of skin and measure how she wavers while standing still. It's horrifying. What did she even do?

The other girl might as well not exist. Her silent threat is ignored by way of Lion not even noticing her presence.

Wakaba is not given a chance to pull away after directing them towards where she wants to go. They fall naturally into place in support, mechanically, one arm braced lightly against her shoulders, the other resting at her side for her to hold onto. ]

It's understandable. I imagine he's only nervous, what with the sudden onset of peaceful weather and all. It's making everyone rather... antsy.

[ Despite the sudden pang of regret, the words still come out clipped. They Understand now, certainly, but that doesn't mean it doesn't still hurt. ]

But no, it was simple enough, once I stopped going in circles while waiting for an address. [ Exhibit a: that. ] Where did you want to sit while we discuss this...?

[ Because there will be a discussion, like it or not. This is the price for asking for their help. ]

[ Judging by how that faint grip immediately turns into a death vice: shoulders bad. Even the lightest touch is too much, every nerve misfiring at once, but the world doesn't white out entirely. Probably. When she blinks back to herself, she is still standing and Lion is still there, partway through saying... words. Something about the weather? Everyone is antsy- oh. The fog. Right. ]

That's why I hired him. Everyone here is worried. And... the one who defends this place is unable to. [ Take that how you will. ] But he needs to get better at identifying threats.

[ At least she can negotiate the debt she owes. Sigh.

The 'going in circles' gets a quiet, rueful laugh. There are no apologies strong enough to fit into a sentence. After a certain point, Sorry is just an Excuse, right? Small windows of lucidity aren't nearly good enough. Maybe she can get away with dropping it?

She will not get away with dropping it. At the mention of discussion, the exhaustion warps into a sort of grimace. It's the face of I Do NOT Wish To Discuss This that the Ushiromiya family knows so well, but it smooths over and eyes narrow in determination after a moment. Loathe she is to admit it aloud, she has finally found her limit. If words are the price Lion asks for, then so they shall be.

A wince, initially, trying to move a limb that's no longer there; opting to rolling her head to the right side. ] Gardens are that way. They're visible from the dormitories.

[ To their credit and for her mercy, they adjust the supportive grip the moment she whites out from pain. Misjudged, should've expected that the shoulders would be bad too, ugh. They're rusty at this. The Head would be lecturing them by now-

-the thought is carefully killed before it can finish, the corpse packed back away. Not today. ]

You chose well then, Nogi-san. He can refine his technique over time, but something like that cannot be taught. I hope it keeps your people safe.

[ And they mean that, more then they can put into simple platitudes, even as they escort Wakaba in the chosen direction. Their frustration extends to her and her alone; this place deserves whatever safety it can claim in such a tumultuous time. A sanctuary like this is a precious thing, wonderful and so painfully rare.

The grimace, however, is ignored with a lifetime's worth of practice. It's familiar, all right. That's why it won't work on them.

But nothing can prepare them for the sight of said gardens, and it's the first thing to stop Lion dead in their tracks since arriving. Something about the near-endless beds of roses is too raw on their heart, right now. ]

A-ah. Is there anywhere shaded, out here? The sunlight is, um, rather strong without the fog.

[ What a heartfelt response. Mentioning he's a temporary rental for peace of mind would harsh the vibe, so it's dropped. This is the only reason, and definitely not because she's reaching the point where fighting the pain off is erasing her awareness. The one time a heavy fog would have been useful. Another reason to hate that terrible god.

Two steps later and movement stops. Or. Not two steps. They're at the corner that turns to the gardens. Wakaba is not so stupid as to turn her neck, but hollowed eyes dart to stare at Lion's face. Sunlight, they say, on a still-overcast day. To call this sunlight means they live in cave. But fine, sure, the vampire is afraid of clouds. Locations still nearby, but won't make her impossible to find if someone needs to know her location. ]

Next time, just say you're allergic. The dorms have a lounge. But... [ A moment of Visible Anxiety, picking words delicately out of a minefield. ] ...If the Principal wakes up, we're both in trouble.

[ Hm. Ominous. ]

Otherwise, there's an arbor further out. ...I think.

I'm not. It's...

[ Soft. Automatic. An open wound, straight to the heart, that they have no intention of showing to anyone, let alone this frustrating, equally-wounded person.

And yet, they can't tear their gaze away, even as their eyes begin to sting. ]

...I-it just reminded me of something for a moment. That's all.

[ The roses aren't even the right colour. There is no faint trace of salt on the air, only the omnipresent oil and dirt tang of Bavan. The comparison of their heart is, in a word, pointless.

They swallow past the unwelcome lump in their throat, and fix the polite mask back into place. Not now, not here, not ever. ]

There's no need to risk that sort of danger for something like this. The arbor is fine.

[ And that's all there is to it, because there's no room to complain about this, either, before they take off in a brisk but supportive hobble. ]

[ In no way does Wakaba understand the reaction. From Lion's words, she's not supposed to. This is being witness to something she's not supposed to see. And... that's okay. The violet eyes boring a hole into Lion's face look away back to stare off at nothing. Their hand is squeezed once. It's okay. ]

If there's a next time, say you're allergic.

[ No one questions eyes stinging or the occasional inability to breathe. Lion's already off at a faster pace, but there's still one attempt to give an escape route. Kind of. Dangerous is... right, but wrong. ]

She's not that dangerous. She just doesn't want me outside.

[ Honestly? Understandable and every day we appreciate Niina's functioning brain cells. ]

[ The reassuring squeeze is registered with sudden, startled surprise. For a moment, the gaze that snaps across goes too high, searching for something that is not, will never be there, before drifting back down with faint embarrassment.

The kindness is noted, but ignored with a wry sigh. ]

Mm, maybe. But I refuse to lie, even about something like this.

[ Little lies build to big ones. Even deflecting it feels wrong, but it's a wrongness they'll gladly stomach rather then explain why the sight of an endless field of roses hurts so much. Priorities are a hell of a thing, huh?

The rest, however, earns her an exasperated quirk of an eyebrow as they shuffle their way to the promised destination. ]

... And you don't think that was for good reason, given your current condition? [ Given the hellburns and all. ] Though I suppose I would've been stuck outside the gates, without your explicit permission to enter.

[ That sounds like something to poke at, but not today. Lion radiates the energy of do not ask me anything and they are left to their quiet musing. For once the questionable priorities are allowed to remain intact.

More importantly, it's not even the snipe attempt that gets a response. It's that comment about being stuck at the gates. Should have left them out there longer, fff- ]

Why do you think I'm out here?

[ Followed by one short exhale. Too rude, bad Nogi. ] Of course it's a good reason, but she was not an option for this. The fog was too thin to heal me completely. I need to get used to it.

[ One of their hands twitches. But pinching her would be bad, when they're actually trying to help her to somewhere safe. Not to mention how rude it would be, to do that to someone you barely know.

But they can entertain the thought in the privacy of their own mind regardless. Ffff. ]

You could've sent someone to come fetch me, you know. That girl did help you get to the gate. She could've acted in your stead.

[ Picking apart the excuses is perhaps also rude, but it's a distraction from their own hurt. And it helps get the gears turning just in time to catch that last part. ]

...Wait, 'completely'? You were worse?

[ Oops. ]

[ >The Narration will remember that. ]

We all decided no strangers on campus until it's safe. It wouldn't be right if only I was allowed exceptions. Even this I had to be talked into.

[ Alternate reality where Lion never got the address and had to wander for an eternity, until being told they just couldn't enter the premises. They'd be way more pissed. But distraction aside, it's not seen as picking apart excuses. It is a valid question and Lion is not aware of The Rules. Now they are. Simple problem solved.

Unfortunately, it's followed up by the worst problem. The threat is all too familiar and it makes her heart twist in ways she quickly shoves out of mind. Focus on the threat. She has one chance to get away with a reasonable lecture, and if she fails she dies. ]

Yes, I was worse. This is the first time I've been out of my room since the seventeenth. I have no intention of leaving without good reason.

[ she has been a good invalid and properly recovering without any escape attempts please dont kill her ]

[ There is a heavy lull in the conversation as the pair continue their shuffle towards the promised arbor. Nogi Wakaba is left to stew in her fear and worry for a time as her words are weighed and measured, examined from all angles for any hint of a flaw.

It isn't until the gazebo is in sight that the silence is broken. Admittedly, it's with another of those soft gasps of salt-in-a-wound, but they push past it without allowing comment. ]

Good. Pushing yourself will only make the process of recovery worse in the end.

[ Said with all the trite hypocrisy of someone who very definitely isn't making it worse right now by demanding she let them inside the school. It's fine. It's fine. ]

.... But honestly, "no strangers on campus" is a good rule to keep even at normal times, as frustrating as it might be for circumstances like these. You could always come up with a system to vet specific people you know are safe, and it stops...

[ A pause. There's no polite, Successorly way to phrase "random monsters coming in and eating kids" that doesn't sound like an insult. ]

Accidents. From occurring, when things like this month happen.

[ #nailed it. ]

[ hell yes she lives another day

At least the gazebo is different enough to break the illusion. It's this large stone structure that's less "tea spot" and more "mausoleum". When they get close enough is when Wakaba breaks off to take a seat on one of the benches. Not having to force herself upright anymore is wonderful, slowly stretching the one arm out and forward until she's just face-down in the stone table. Nails scrape on the surface, loosen with one long exhale.

Much better. When she speaks again it's infinitely less strained in comparison. ] I know. I've had enough physical therapy to know all the lectures. And the 'accidents' are the reason for the rule. We'll have a proper system by November.

[ When her eyes bleed and the minotaur strength comes back. When Niina heals enough to be able to face threats. But until then, neither are in any state to do anything. Any bit that helps quell the anxiety of those that live here is more than worth it.

Which on that note: the head finally turns to See them properly for the first time. ]

So. What'd you bring.

[ It's just different enough that their skin won't crawl off their body for daring to sit and rest in such a place. That's good enough for now.

While Wakaba melts and tries to absorb the cool stone into her skin, Lion just... perches on one of the benches, awkwardly, like that one friend who's been invited over to your house after school but doesn't want to cause trouble by existing in the wrong place. Reflexively, they start adjusting and fiddling with their ring - and thank god, whichever one cares to intervene in these small prayers, that Beato thought to stash everything away before she left, because they don't know what they'd do otherwise.

Breathe. One step at a time. Her explanation is taken at face value, as the overburdened tote bag is relieved of it's service and gently plonked next to her head. ]

I'm glad you and your Principal are planning ahead. This sort of storm will only get worse from here.

[ But it's a clear day-- oh.

Morbid sighs aside, they start unpacking the bag. The boxes are grubby and battered, but clearly medication. ]

Not what you're expecting, so please don't get your hopes up. [ She's given another Look. ] I'm not the type to break into a hospital on a whim. But thankfully, not all of what we collected in preparation for my inevitable transformation went missing in my absence.

[ Meaning it's questionable boxes of The Good Shit, hoarded by a madwoman in expectation of some truly gruesome body horror. Knock yourself out, Nogi. ]

Please take whatever you think will help. I'll keep the rest, though hopefully I won't need it quite yet.

Edited 2022-10-26 07:59 (UTC)

[There's not a lot of people on campus. There's a small core group of 'students' with a few of their close friends mingling in school uniforms around the school. The uniforms were a formality that came up when Niina was found unconscious; better for outsiders to think this was just a normal school.

There's a few open windows in the main building, though. A loud voice, distant but definitely angry drifts on the wind.]

Wakaaaaba! Where are you?! I told you to stay in your room!

[Then there's silence. Then: is that a fight in the school building now?

The Principal has found out.]

[ The storm is assumed to be a metaphor and left at that. Because they are correct - once everyone returns from Felfri, be it by dying or that portal the network talked about, the hunts will resume in earnest. ]

It wasn't a hospital, it was a clinic. [ Wakaba is immune to their Looks. ] It was wise to prepare in advance. When I refill my prescriptions I'll pick up replacements.

[ Someday, Beatrice will get a handwritten thank you letter. For now, leaves are quietly hovered over. Three bottles taken out to read over the backs. Whichever one is enough to take the worst edges off will be fine. Which one functions as a nerve blocker- And the thoughts derail at the sound of that robotic shriek. Oh. Oh no, she woke up early. That's actually a good thing, and one bit of anxiety unwinds. Niina's recovering. Thank god.

Downside: Niina's recovering. And went to check on her room first.

You know what. Never mind the above consideration. She's grabbing the one with the strongest dosage, already a professional at getting the lid off with one hand. Max three per day? Sure. Take them dry like always. ]

...She's honestly very nice. But, um, now's your best chance to escape.

[ Ever the martyr. ]

I'm going to assume for the sake of your long-term wellbeing and safety that you're referring to a normal clinic, and not the other one.

[ That's all they can say on that topic, really, before all hell breaks loose.

The robotic shriek gets a startled flinch as Lion all but jumps in their chair. Whatever that was - no, whoever, the speaker knew Wakaba's name - is on the warpath and woe betide any who get in their way. Wakaba is given the solemn, if slightly amused, stare of a mourner stuck at a funeral for a corpse they barely know. ]

The 'Principal' you mentioned earlier, I take it? [ Sounds young, too. But it makes sense in a world of monsters. ] And you don't think it would be worse for you to be found on your own...?

[ They make no move to stand up, nor show any sign of fear beyond the initial alarm. Sorry, Nogi. ]

Edited 2022-10-26 10:04 (UTC)

< ujimasa >

<goldenthread>

< ujimasa >

<goldenthread> -> action pchooooo

< ujimasa >

<goldenthread>

< ujimasa >

action from here on out

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