[He's so warm--no, hot, way too hot, like he's been literally burning--and she starts to feel almost nauseous with worry. Medicine doesn't work on him, and even if it did, that glowing can't be anything normal--
It's a good thing he asks to finish talking first, because she was definitely already opening her mouth to demand who did this to him, but she instead clamps her lips shut and lets him continue.
Only for the culprit to be...himself. Rita's head lowers as he haltingly explains, angry red flushing her cheeks.]
You... [A hand fists in his bedcovers. Oh, she's mad at him, but even she isn't so heartless as to smack him when he's in this state.] You idiot! How is that getting rid of anything?! Did you even know what was inside, or how to deal with it?!
Idiot! There were other options! [It feels pointless to go over what they are now, though. What's more important-] And what about how dangerous it is for you?! We don't even know if this can be fixed! I thought you-
[She halts for a moment, bites her lip, twists the bedcovers some more. She's still angry--upset, really, because as angry as she is, she's also really worried--even though she lowers her volume a little.] I thought you said you were going to try valuing yourself more.
[Here comes the guilt, twisting his stomach right on cue. Natsuno had known this would happen, could write it down like a damn script, because Rita is right to be upset and his recklessness hurt her again.]
I did. I want to. Trying. [Another pause to phrase his thoughts. He's trying not to sound like he's making excuses.] But... when someone I care about is going to get hurt. I stop thinking.
["I need to stay safe so my friends won't be upset" is somehow rendered moot when said friends are in obvious danger.]
Clearly. [It's obvious he wasn't thinking--and this sure is a reversal of the time he was scolding her for not thinking, when she went to the bridge. Except nothing happened to her, whereas Natsuno...
She sighs, her heart twisting at the way he's been struggling to speak.]
Geez...how am I even supposed to scold you properly when you're like this? [She's already told him he was an idiot; there's probably no need to further detail exactly how stupid he was for injecting any unknown substance, let alone a suspiciously-glowing one that belonged to Ebalon. Not when he's so clearly suffering even worse consequences.
So. She turns her focus to something hopefully more productive.]
...Should I try getting Palamedes? [He's rarely Rita's first choice for anything, but medicine isn't going to work on Natsuno, so even something gross-sounding like flesh magic might be their next best bet...if Clarke didn't already try that.]
[She can scold him as much as she needs - he certainly deserves it. However Natsuno recognizes she's trying to rein back her temper and help, and he's grateful. If Rita wants to put the scolding on hold and punch him later, that's also fine and he won't avoid it.
For now, they can be productive. Considering the next step is certainly better than focusing on the pain or the guilt he feels.]
...worth a shot. It was worse before, so. My body's fighting it. Maybe he can make it faster.
[Her gaze keeps flicking over his blood vessels, pulsing with light through his skin. She also can't scold him because...she really is worried. She doesn't know what it's doing to him (besides causing pain).
It was worse before. She bites her lip--how the hell is this better?!--but pulls her phone from her pocket and texts Palamedes.]
Alright--he'd better be able to do something with that freaky magic of his, or else...
[Or else...what else would they be able to do for him? Just because he's improved a little doesn't mean it'll continue, or that it won't get worse again...
Waiting is so hard, and worry is making her restless. She straightens, then leans over again to lightly touch his forehead, then stands again.]
You're way too warm... Is this stuff--burning you?
[He sighs softly at her touch. At his state even normally-warm human hands feel cool.]
Yeah. [No point in withholding anything. She's already worried and only facts may help.] Like... liquid fire.
[Natsuno closes his eyes, concentrating on NOT throwing up more sunslime when Rita's around. When Pal knocks on the door, he rasps out another:] It's unlocked.
[Natsuno sounds so strange, so dreadfully unlike himself, that for a second Palamedes doesn’t even recognize his voice. He throws open the door, and though he believes himself steeled for whatever he might find inside, but the scene still stops him in his tracks.
Natsuno is glowing. And not in a fun way.
Pal rushes to his friend’s bedside, automatically picking up his too-hot wrist to check his pulse.] What the hell happened? [The question is somehow simultaneously directed at Natsuno, Rita, and the universe at large.]
[Liquid fire. She wonders what the hell was in that vial, but doesn't ask out loud, just shakes her head in worry. He's suffering...he's so warm to the touch, and if that bucket is anything to go by, he's been sick...]
Maybe...something to cool--
[That's when Palamedes knocks, and Rita turns to him. Mild surprise mingles with the concern in her expression--yeah, she told him to come, but he actually got here quickly. Which is good, of course, but anyway-
Since speaking causes Natsuno pain, Rita answers the question.]
He injected himself with a mystery fluid to stop Clarke from doing the same. [And, yes, it's clear in the way she crosses her arms that she still thinks it was colossally stupid of both of them. However, with a painful twinge in her chest, she adds-] It seems to be burning him up from the inside...
...Can you do anything to help him? [This is the most important part. She never thought she'd be hoping for anything from Palamedes, yet here it is--a sincere request, almost pleading. Please tell me you can do something.]
[Thank you Rita for saving him the explanation. Natsuno's eyes flutter open to acknowledge Palamedes and he nods weakly. His pulse is fast, his burning wrist limp in Pal's grasp.
Should Palamedes inspect him in more detail, there's definitely a foreign substance coursing through Natsuno's body, though whether he can identify it as liquid sun element is debatable. It is indeed burning him up from the inside, though the damage is constantly being healed. Natsuno's blood is going wild, almost like a living creature fighting the intruder. If it can't devour the sun el like human blood, or reject it like it rejects any poison or disease - it will make the glowing substance its own, mutate and absorb it cell by cell.]
[If Pal were not already convinced of the seriousness of the situation, Rita’s utter terror would do the trick. She’s begging for his help, and that’s not something she would ever do lightly. Hell, he never expected to see her turn to him for help at all.
He isn’t about to gloat, though. Not when things are so dire. Something flashes in his eyes at Rita’s explanation, and when he speaks his voice is deadly calm] What kind of mystery fluid? [He doesn’t wait to hear her answer to continue his examination, carefully palpitating Natsuno’s belly and chest, doing his best to make a note of his blood pressure, the state of his lungs.]
Natsuno, I’m going to try to bring down your temperature, all right? [He can’t tell what Natsuno’s body is trying to fight, but he sure as hell can help him do it.]
[Under different circumstances, she'd be turning to Palamedes with a lot more reluctance, much like the way she finally let him fix her arm after the diner.
But this is far from normal, and all Rita cares about is that Natsuno needs help, and there's no room to be so caught up in her pride here.]
No idea what it was or what it was supposed to be for, just that it was apparently Ebalon's. [Which would be enough cause for concern, even if Natsuno wasn't already suffering so much.
She watches Palamedes intently. Yes, bringing down his temperature seems necessary to helping him, and it's what she would've tried to do as well. If he can do it with his magic, then all the better...]
[Natsuno is so sick he doesn't even tell Pal to stop calling him by his first name. He simply nods when Palamedes mentions bringing his temperature down. His blood pressure is high and his lungs are quite literally on fire. In fact, he seemed to have stopped breathing altogether, absorbing oxygen through the skin like an undead shiki. Seems like his body is shutting down anything not necessary to keeping him alive.]
[Palamedes repeats this point flatly, his lips pressing into a thin line. This really isn’t the time, but Emperor almighty, he would very much like to knock Natsuno and Clarke’s heads together.
And the worst part? He isn’t even that surprised.
Natsuno’s biology is absolutely wild; Pal has studied his blood enough to understand the basics, but this is a whole other level. He just has to hope that he can apply the same kind of pressure to his immune system that he would to a person to give his body the extra protection it needs to survive this.]
[It sure was Ebalon's, and Rita's determined to have some words with Clarke about this.
Later, though, because despite her words, she's concerned about Natsuno's state first and foremost, and so she hovers close by, her foot starting to tap with worry and impatience. Can anything be done to help him?]
[His friends are absolutely dunking on him over his sick bed and Natsuno agrees. He would honestly prefer Rita to hit him because that would mean he's recovering.
Luckily, Pal's efforts are successful. Natsuno's body reacts to necromancy like it did to the sun el, and the magical wine from months ago. He takes a deep breath - just one, to get the air he needs to speak.]
[The glowing doesn’t dissipate, but it seems to dim. Palamedes can feel Natsuno’s temperature dropping, fraction of a degree by fraction of a degree, but stopping it from going back up still takes effort. Like Natsuno’s body, Palamedes’ necromancy is fighting a tide that hasn’t given up yet.]
Good. You’re doing an excellent job, Yuuki. Keep up the slow breaths.
[Better. That one simple word brings some relief to her anxiety, and her foot stops tapping as she glances between Natsuno and Palamedes. Although impatient for details, she doesn't ask Pal anything that could interrupt his concentration. No, better to let him keep doing whatever it is he's doing.
She'd touch Natsuno, smooth his hair away from his face, if only she was certain it wouldn't affect Palamedes' magic. And since she isn't certain, she instead just leans a little closer to talk to him.]
Hang in there. I know it hurts, but keep telling us if you feel any different, okay?
Hey- [So much for not interrupting Pal, but as soon as the thought enters her mind, she has to ask-] He's in a lot of pain. Can't you...I don't know, do something for his nerves, or...?
[He obediently keeps up the slow breaths, not because he needs them but because it might help ease a fraction of Rita and Pal's concern, and because it makes Natsuno feel less of a freak.
He looks up at Rita and nods. Yeah, he'll tell them. When she suggests Pal does something for his nerves, he manages:]
[Maybe Natsuno doesn’t need to breathe, but taking breaths gives him something to focus on—and yes, it makes both Pal and Rita feel a hell of a lot better about the situation. He keeps his voice low as he answers Rita.]
Pain receptors are difficult. But I can try.
[As he continues to concentrate, he can feel blood sweat prickling along his hairline, and eventually a nosebleed start up. That isn’t ideal, but it also isn’t unprecedented. It also gives Palamedes an idea.]
Yuuki, would blood help? A donation, let’s say. [Half to himself, he adds] If I’m going to be losing it anyway, it may as well go to some use.
[Both his continued slow breaths and the nod do bring Rita some relief, small as it is. He's responding and he's moving. He's alive. Her fidgeting is small but clear, fingers curling and uncurling for lack of anything else to do but watch and worry.
At the mention of blood, though, she glances to Palamedes--she hasn't typically watching him in action, considering how she's felt about his magic up until now, after all.]
[His nostrils flare at the scent of Pal's blood. Natsuno is getting hungry burning his body's resources to fight off the sun El's effects. Blood would help a lot, but...]
...Coffee machine. Not yours.
[He's not going to feed on a human, even if they are willing. He won't act like a rabid monster.]
[Sometimes Palamedes forgets just how little Rita knows about his abilities, particularly compared to the other people in their shared tight-knit circle. The girl doesn’t always pay the best attention.] I’ll explain later.
[He considers arguing with Natsuno, but in the end decides they don’t have the time.] Rita, would you mind?
[She can surmise that it has to do with his powers, at least--boy, they just get freakier the more she hears about them, don't they? But it's also whatever right now, because Natsuno would be her priority over Palamedes' weird death stuff even at the best of times, but especially now.
And oh, Natsuno... She's already straightening up even before Palamedes asks.]
Geez, you're so stubborn... [She says it softly to Natsuno, even as she gets why. She can only hope that one day, they'll get him to see that his well-being matters way more to them than what he eats.] Alright, I'll be back as soon as I can. Hang in there, okay?
[Her gaze lingers on him a moment longer before she glances to Pal and gives him an awkward nod. They may not get along all that well, but at least...she doesn't have any worries about leaving Natsuno to him. So, with that, she's out the door--and dashing for the buffet.]
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neverleave) wrote2022-03-03 11:35 pm
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It's a good thing he asks to finish talking first, because she was definitely already opening her mouth to demand who did this to him, but she instead clamps her lips shut and lets him continue.
Only for the culprit to be...himself. Rita's head lowers as he haltingly explains, angry red flushing her cheeks.]
You... [A hand fists in his bedcovers. Oh, she's mad at him, but even she isn't so heartless as to smack him when he's in this state.] You idiot! How is that getting rid of anything?! Did you even know what was inside, or how to deal with it?!
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[At least she doesn't hit him, though even the slight shift of fabric caused by her fist is enough to irritate.]
If I spilled it... or tossed overboard. She'd try to get it back. Scrape remains from the floor. I wanted to show... how dangerous it was.
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[She halts for a moment, bites her lip, twists the bedcovers some more. She's still angry--upset, really, because as angry as she is, she's also really worried--even though she lowers her volume a little.] I thought you said you were going to try valuing yourself more.
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I did. I want to. Trying. [Another pause to phrase his thoughts. He's trying not to sound like he's making excuses.] But... when someone I care about is going to get hurt. I stop thinking.
["I need to stay safe so my friends won't be upset" is somehow rendered moot when said friends are in obvious danger.]
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She sighs, her heart twisting at the way he's been struggling to speak.]
Geez...how am I even supposed to scold you properly when you're like this? [She's already told him he was an idiot; there's probably no need to further detail exactly how stupid he was for injecting any unknown substance, let alone a suspiciously-glowing one that belonged to Ebalon. Not when he's so clearly suffering even worse consequences.
So. She turns her focus to something hopefully more productive.]
...Should I try getting Palamedes? [He's rarely Rita's first choice for anything, but medicine isn't going to work on Natsuno, so even something gross-sounding like flesh magic might be their next best bet...if Clarke didn't already try that.]
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For now, they can be productive. Considering the next step is certainly better than focusing on the pain or the guilt he feels.]
...worth a shot. It was worse before, so. My body's fighting it. Maybe he can make it faster.
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It was worse before. She bites her lip--how the hell is this better?!--but pulls her phone from her pocket and texts Palamedes.]
Alright--he'd better be able to do something with that freaky magic of his, or else...
[Or else...what else would they be able to do for him? Just because he's improved a little doesn't mean it'll continue, or that it won't get worse again...
Waiting is so hard, and worry is making her restless. She straightens, then leans over again to lightly touch his forehead, then stands again.]
You're way too warm... Is this stuff--burning you?
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Yeah. [No point in withholding anything. She's already worried and only facts may help.] Like... liquid fire.
[Natsuno closes his eyes, concentrating on NOT throwing up more sunslime when Rita's around. When Pal knocks on the door, he rasps out another:] It's unlocked.
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Natsuno is glowing. And not in a fun way.
Pal rushes to his friend’s bedside, automatically picking up his too-hot wrist to check his pulse.] What the hell happened? [The question is somehow simultaneously directed at Natsuno, Rita, and the universe at large.]
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Maybe...something to cool--
[That's when Palamedes knocks, and Rita turns to him. Mild surprise mingles with the concern in her expression--yeah, she told him to come, but he actually got here quickly. Which is good, of course, but anyway-
Since speaking causes Natsuno pain, Rita answers the question.]
He injected himself with a mystery fluid to stop Clarke from doing the same. [And, yes, it's clear in the way she crosses her arms that she still thinks it was colossally stupid of both of them. However, with a painful twinge in her chest, she adds-] It seems to be burning him up from the inside...
...Can you do anything to help him? [This is the most important part. She never thought she'd be hoping for anything from Palamedes, yet here it is--a sincere request, almost pleading. Please tell me you can do something.]
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Should Palamedes inspect him in more detail, there's definitely a foreign substance coursing through Natsuno's body, though whether he can identify it as liquid sun element is debatable. It is indeed burning him up from the inside, though the damage is constantly being healed. Natsuno's blood is going wild, almost like a living creature fighting the intruder. If it can't devour the sun el like human blood, or reject it like it rejects any poison or disease - it will make the glowing substance its own, mutate and absorb it cell by cell.]
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He isn’t about to gloat, though. Not when things are so dire. Something flashes in his eyes at Rita’s explanation, and when he speaks his voice is deadly calm] What kind of mystery fluid? [He doesn’t wait to hear her answer to continue his examination, carefully palpitating Natsuno’s belly and chest, doing his best to make a note of his blood pressure, the state of his lungs.]
Natsuno, I’m going to try to bring down your temperature, all right? [He can’t tell what Natsuno’s body is trying to fight, but he sure as hell can help him do it.]
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But this is far from normal, and all Rita cares about is that Natsuno needs help, and there's no room to be so caught up in her pride here.]
No idea what it was or what it was supposed to be for, just that it was apparently Ebalon's. [Which would be enough cause for concern, even if Natsuno wasn't already suffering so much.
She watches Palamedes intently. Yes, bringing down his temperature seems necessary to helping him, and it's what she would've tried to do as well. If he can do it with his magic, then all the better...]
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[Palamedes repeats this point flatly, his lips pressing into a thin line. This really isn’t the time, but Emperor almighty, he would very much like to knock Natsuno and Clarke’s heads together.
And the worst part? He isn’t even that surprised.
Natsuno’s biology is absolutely wild; Pal has studied his blood enough to understand the basics, but this is a whole other level. He just has to hope that he can apply the same kind of pressure to his immune system that he would to a person to give his body the extra protection it needs to survive this.]
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[It sure was Ebalon's, and Rita's determined to have some words with Clarke about this.
Later, though, because despite her words, she's concerned about Natsuno's state first and foremost, and so she hovers close by, her foot starting to tap with worry and impatience. Can anything be done to help him?]
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Luckily, Pal's efforts are successful. Natsuno's body reacts to necromancy like it did to the sun el, and the magical wine from months ago. He takes a deep breath - just one, to get the air he needs to speak.]
Better.
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Good. You’re doing an excellent job, Yuuki. Keep up the slow breaths.
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She'd touch Natsuno, smooth his hair away from his face, if only she was certain it wouldn't affect Palamedes' magic. And since she isn't certain, she instead just leans a little closer to talk to him.]
Hang in there. I know it hurts, but keep telling us if you feel any different, okay?
Hey- [So much for not interrupting Pal, but as soon as the thought enters her mind, she has to ask-] He's in a lot of pain. Can't you...I don't know, do something for his nerves, or...?
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He looks up at Rita and nods. Yeah, he'll tell them. When she suggests Pal does something for his nerves, he manages:]
Colder. Nothing permanent.
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Pain receptors are difficult. But I can try.
[As he continues to concentrate, he can feel blood sweat prickling along his hairline, and eventually a nosebleed start up. That isn’t ideal, but it also isn’t unprecedented. It also gives Palamedes an idea.]
Yuuki, would blood help? A donation, let’s say. [Half to himself, he adds] If I’m going to be losing it anyway, it may as well go to some use.
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At the mention of blood, though, she glances to Palamedes--she hasn't typically watching him in action, considering how she's felt about his magic up until now, after all.]
If it helps, I--wait, why are you losing blood?
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...Coffee machine. Not yours.
[He's not going to feed on a human, even if they are willing. He won't act like a rabid monster.]
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[He considers arguing with Natsuno, but in the end decides they don’t have the time.] Rita, would you mind?
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And oh, Natsuno... She's already straightening up even before Palamedes asks.]
Geez, you're so stubborn... [She says it softly to Natsuno, even as she gets why. She can only hope that one day, they'll get him to see that his well-being matters way more to them than what he eats.] Alright, I'll be back as soon as I can. Hang in there, okay?
[Her gaze lingers on him a moment longer before she glances to Pal and gives him an awkward nod. They may not get along all that well, but at least...she doesn't have any worries about leaving Natsuno to him. So, with that, she's out the door--and dashing for the buffet.]
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