[She sounds awful, like a combination of an intense cry and a bad cold. The scents are stronger inside - dry blood and antiseptic - but it's the sight that shocks him and overrides anything else.
Rita's face is swollen and bruised, and it's clear from her puffy, red-rimmed eyes that she's been crying. The dim lights do nothing to hide the damage - not with his shiki eyes. Someone (Clarke? Why didn't she say anything?) applied first aid, but it still looks bad.
She tries to turn her face away, but Natsuno is having none of that. He turns and holds out hand to brush the hair off her face - gentle and careful, worried he might hurt her. In stark contrast to the softness of the touch, his voice is ice cold.]
[It is like a bad cold--the worst one ever, in fact--with the way she couldn't breathe through her nose earlier because of the break and swelling, and now because of all the gauze Clarke stuffed inside it to try and reshape it (she's going to kill Darcy if her nose is permanently crooked after this, she swears-)
She blinks, broken from her thoughts at Natsuno's featherlight, gentle touch--completely at odds with his sharp tone.]
Darcy. [She doesn't hesitate to tell him. But maybe because she doesn't want to be seen as weak or cowardly for losing the fight and running, she continues in a rush-] Oh, but she's going to get what's coming to her--I'm not letting her get away with this!
[It's sure to be threatening with her nasally voice and red eyes.]
[Darcy? Natsuno scowls, having not expected that. First thing first, though...]
You're in no condition to come at anyone.
[Darcy, though... he knows the two of them don't get along, considering their respective temper and that face they're on opposite sides in regards to the captain (and Skulduggery), and he knows Clarke was this close to throwing hands. Still, he though Darcy and Rita are just two passengers who dislike each other - exchanging some verbal barbs, sure, but this violent altercation.]
I didn't know things were that bad.
[He shoves the kindling anger at his oversight - as well as the alarming new urge to shove Darcy's face down a toilet and flush - aside. He needs to understand the details first.]
[So much for bluster. She drops the fist she'd clenched. It's...not like she can give Darcy any payback right now, it's true...
As usual, Natsuno prioritizes, and Rita's head is a bit clearer for trying to explain--not as much of a messy and emotional rant as she would've given Clarke earlier. She crosses her arms, purses her lips with distaste, because it's still impossible not to when considering anything Darcy-related.]
...I don't even think it mattered, to her. She was just looking for any excuse to throw down, and apparently stepping into her sacred kitchen was it.
[Okay, so maybe she didn't quite get rid of all the bitterness in her earlier vent...]
So you entered the kitchen, she didn't want you there and it came to this?
[Natsuno's expression darkens as the sharp thing inside him settles colder and heavier. He can't help but think of Jinx - Darcy isn't an unhinged sadist, of course, but the last thing he wants is for Rita to be sucked into a stupid, violent feud.]
[She's not even being cagey. That is essentially what happened, even if it wasn't necessarily about the kitchen. Rita lets out a sharp, irritated breath.]
Months ago. [She doesn't exactly recall that it started over a game of Uno. Just that it started a while ago.] She's taken everything I've said the wrong way since the beginning. She's so--she's such an oversensitive baby, all I'd have to do is look at her and she'd be threatening to stab me.
[Darcy threatened violence so often, Rita didn't bat an eye. Until now, that she followed through when nobody was there to break up the fight. Rita gingerly touches the dressing over her nose--still aching, even with the medication Clarke gave her (right, she's supposed to be icing it).]
Whether it was over ghosts or anything--she flips out and blames me! She's so...infuriating!
[She hates this so, so much, hates Darcy, hates that she had to run, hates that there's no avoiding her on this damn ship-]
[He listens quietly, still wearing that scowl. Natsuno is still angry with himself for not realizing it was this long and this bad, but he can't exactly say he's surprised.]
She definitely has a temper.
[Him and Darcy are cordial enough, but then again they've never talked about the real volatile stuff. They both know where each other stands and Natsuno doesn't want to get into arguments that won't change anyone's mind.
It's much easier for him to walk away than it is to Rita, though. Natsuno loves her, knows that she's kind and sweet and protective, but he has no illusions regarding her temper. He knows that she's stubborn as hell and all her brilliant intellect won't stop her from dying on some truly outrageous hills - the fire safety argument at the trial comes to mind.]
...You won't like what I'm about to say. [He looks into her eyes, serious.] You shouldn't try to get back at her.
[Considering Natsuno wasn't present for the most heated arguments--especially the ones that had required intervention, during the lobby or back in October when he must have already been possessed--it's not like she can blame him for not knowing. If anything, she at least feels momentarily vindicated when he agrees on Darcy's anger issue...
But he's right. She doesn't like hearing that right now. She meets his gaze angrily--not at him, of course she'll listen to what he has to say, but everytime she thinks of Darcy she feels like boiling over-]
Why not?! There's no way I'm just--letting her think she can beat me into submission!
[Rita's reaction is expected, yet he already feels the frustration threatening to well up. It's been over a year and yet people keep doing that, waste their time on petty quarrels instead of focusing on what's important. He doesn't want someone he loves to get sucked into it.]
Let's say you do get back at her. What's next? She tries to get back at you and you keep fighting until one of you is maimed or dead? Until the rest of us get involved? Walking away isn't submission, Rita. It just means you refuse to keep playing stupid games.
[In a kneejerk reaction, Rita almost retorts that she doesn't care what Darcy thinks, even as it's clear that's only partially true. Natsuno keeps going, though, so even though Rita opens her mouth, she closes it again to let him finish.
He's right, of course. Her mouth works a moment, struggling to formulate a response. Of course she knows that there'd be no end to it here, where death isn't even permanent so there's no way for this to ever work out. But...it doesn't erase her own frustration.]
I know--I know, she just--then what am I supposed to do?! It's kind of impossible not to run into someone around here.
I know. I'm not saying you can completely avoid her. But just because you run into her, doesn't mean you have to engage. If she insists on picking a fight, tell her you're not interested. And yeah, maybe sometimes you will walk away and if Darcy keeps tallying some imaginary score, that's her problem. You know what you're worth.
[He reaches for her hand, lacing their fingers.]
If she insists on being a jerk anyway, we'll figure out how to deal with it then.
[She's quiet for a few long moments, letting her gaze drop but automatically lacing fingers with Natsuno. Eventually...she lets out a long sigh. Who cares what she thinks? You know what you're worth--it's like he knows just what to say to cut through the anger and bitterness.]
...You make it sound awfully simple.
[Because it is, the more rational part of her brain reminds her as she cools down. Or it should be, and only time's going to tell what works. Not that she's in any hurry to see Darcy's face again anytime soon...
She glances back up to Natsuno again, her previous angry scowl closer to a pout now.]
And if my nose is permanently crooked after this?
[Is this actually where part of her upset's coming from, underneath the more obvious got in a fight and lost? Yes, maybe. Look, even Rita Mordio has her moments of vanity...]
[He does hope the damage isn't permanent, because rational course of action or not, he doesn't want Rita to carry around a reminder of her humiliation. But all he says (very seriously) is:]
Then you'll still be beautiful.
[A kiss on the lips is probably out of the question, so he brings up their joint hands to kiss Rita's knuckles.]
I know it's not simple.
[Certainly not for someone as hot tempered and proud like Rita. Under his level-headed and direct demeanor, Natsuno is furious at Darcy, but she's not important. Rita's energies, safety, her everything is what matters.]
[It might not be very visible under the dressing and dark bruising, but heat immediately floods her cheeks.]
...You're a pretty smooth talker, Natsuno. [But...she nods. He's almost always an island of calm no matter how stormy her mood, and...she's grateful to have him, really.] I...I'll give it a try.
...Hey, can I ask you a favour? [A beat, and she quickly adds-] I promise it's nothing to do with revenge, or anything like that.
[He smiles, a little bashfully. He doesn't think he was trying to be smooth in particular, but... as long as it works. He's glad that she's willing to try.]
[It's a testament to just how much she respects and cares for him...and is maybe just a little whipped. He could lay out a thoughtful argument sprinkled with praise for why she should give up ice cream and she'd probably try it. That little smile of his, too... It's washing away the bitterness, and she manages a small one in return. What would she do without him? (She doesn't want to even imagine it, even as it's never a worry that's all that far away...)]
Well... [And now her smile fades as she glances off to the side awkwardly.] Can you...keep this a secret from Jade?
[...oh. Natsuno wasn't around to witness Jade scolding her in the lobby, but he can still understand wanting to keep it secret from him. He will fuss over her for sure... and his disappointment is hard to stomach, as Natsuno remembers vividly from October.]
I won't say anything, but... you really plan to avoid him until it heals?
You know it won't be just a few days, right? A bruise this big will take at least 10 days.
[Or so he thinks. He really has no idea how long it takes for serious bruises to heal. It's been over a year since he had to worry about something like that...]
[Even if it's not the sort of thing he's had to deal with personally in recent memory, it's not like she doubts him... The prospect of trying to keep this from Jade for over a week, though... She groans.]
Ugh... Well...I'll come up with something. It's not like he needs to see our faces every day, or anything...
[...She appreciates that he'd offer to do something like that, but... No, she doesn't want to pretend they had a fight. It would make her seem pretty immature! Plus...there are other reasons. Faking an aspect of their relationship doesn't sit well.]
My roommate's gone again. [Which might've been sad if Yakko hadn't been so annoying. Yeah, she's not actually sorry to see that one go.] So it's not like there's any reason for us not to hang out in my cabin instead of yours.
[They could never dare to make out in here with a menace like Yakko around. Now? The room's finally all hers--theirs, even. She glances down at his hand, can't help herself from leaning towards him even as she speaks up-]
Well...Clarke said I should put ice on it...
[It's just that Natsuno has a way of becoming her priority.]
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neverleave) wrote2022-03-03 11:35 pm
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Rita's face is swollen and bruised, and it's clear from her puffy, red-rimmed eyes that she's been crying. The dim lights do nothing to hide the damage - not with his shiki eyes. Someone (Clarke? Why didn't she say anything?) applied first aid, but it still looks bad.
She tries to turn her face away, but Natsuno is having none of that. He turns and holds out hand to brush the hair off her face - gentle and careful, worried he might hurt her. In stark contrast to the softness of the touch, his voice is ice cold.]
Who did this.
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She blinks, broken from her thoughts at Natsuno's featherlight, gentle touch--completely at odds with his sharp tone.]
Darcy. [She doesn't hesitate to tell him. But maybe because she doesn't want to be seen as weak or cowardly for losing the fight and running, she continues in a rush-] Oh, but she's going to get what's coming to her--I'm not letting her get away with this!
[It's sure to be threatening with her nasally voice and red eyes.]
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You're in no condition to come at anyone.
[Darcy, though... he knows the two of them don't get along, considering their respective temper and that face they're on opposite sides in regards to the captain (and Skulduggery), and he knows Clarke was this close to throwing hands. Still, he though Darcy and Rita are just two passengers who dislike each other - exchanging some verbal barbs, sure, but this violent altercation.]
I didn't know things were that bad.
[He shoves the kindling anger at his oversight - as well as the alarming new urge to shove Darcy's face down a toilet and flush - aside. He needs to understand the details first.]
What happened?
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As usual, Natsuno prioritizes, and Rita's head is a bit clearer for trying to explain--not as much of a messy and emotional rant as she would've given Clarke earlier. She crosses her arms, purses her lips with distaste, because it's still impossible not to when considering anything Darcy-related.]
...I don't even think it mattered, to her. She was just looking for any excuse to throw down, and apparently stepping into her sacred kitchen was it.
[Okay, so maybe she didn't quite get rid of all the bitterness in her earlier vent...]
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[Natsuno's expression darkens as the sharp thing inside him settles colder and heavier. He can't help but think of Jinx - Darcy isn't an unhinged sadist, of course, but the last thing he wants is for Rita to be sucked into a stupid, violent feud.]
When did it all start?
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[She's not even being cagey. That is essentially what happened, even if it wasn't necessarily about the kitchen. Rita lets out a sharp, irritated breath.]
Months ago. [She doesn't exactly recall that it started over a game of Uno. Just that it started a while ago.] She's taken everything I've said the wrong way since the beginning. She's so--she's such an oversensitive baby, all I'd have to do is look at her and she'd be threatening to stab me.
[Darcy threatened violence so often, Rita didn't bat an eye. Until now, that she followed through when nobody was there to break up the fight. Rita gingerly touches the dressing over her nose--still aching, even with the medication Clarke gave her (right, she's supposed to be icing it).]
Whether it was over ghosts or anything--she flips out and blames me! She's so...infuriating!
[She hates this so, so much, hates Darcy, hates that she had to run, hates that there's no avoiding her on this damn ship-]
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She definitely has a temper.
[Him and Darcy are cordial enough, but then again they've never talked about the real volatile stuff. They both know where each other stands and Natsuno doesn't want to get into arguments that won't change anyone's mind.
It's much easier for him to walk away than it is to Rita, though. Natsuno loves her, knows that she's kind and sweet and protective, but he has no illusions regarding her temper. He knows that she's stubborn as hell and all her brilliant intellect won't stop her from dying on some truly outrageous hills - the fire safety argument at the trial comes to mind.]
...You won't like what I'm about to say. [He looks into her eyes, serious.] You shouldn't try to get back at her.
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But he's right. She doesn't like hearing that right now. She meets his gaze angrily--not at him, of course she'll listen to what he has to say, but everytime she thinks of Darcy she feels like boiling over-]
Why not?! There's no way I'm just--letting her think she can beat me into submission!
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[Rita's reaction is expected, yet he already feels the frustration threatening to well up. It's been over a year and yet people keep doing that, waste their time on petty quarrels instead of focusing on what's important. He doesn't want someone he loves to get sucked into it.]
Let's say you do get back at her. What's next? She tries to get back at you and you keep fighting until one of you is maimed or dead? Until the rest of us get involved? Walking away isn't submission, Rita. It just means you refuse to keep playing stupid games.
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He's right, of course. Her mouth works a moment, struggling to formulate a response. Of course she knows that there'd be no end to it here, where death isn't even permanent so there's no way for this to ever work out. But...it doesn't erase her own frustration.]
I know--I know, she just--then what am I supposed to do?! It's kind of impossible not to run into someone around here.
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[He reaches for her hand, lacing their fingers.]
If she insists on being a jerk anyway, we'll figure out how to deal with it then.
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...You make it sound awfully simple.
[Because it is, the more rational part of her brain reminds her as she cools down. Or it should be, and only time's going to tell what works. Not that she's in any hurry to see Darcy's face again anytime soon...
She glances back up to Natsuno again, her previous angry scowl closer to a pout now.]
And if my nose is permanently crooked after this?
[Is this actually where part of her upset's coming from, underneath the more obvious got in a fight and lost? Yes, maybe. Look, even Rita Mordio has her moments of vanity...]
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Then you'll still be beautiful.
[A kiss on the lips is probably out of the question, so he brings up their joint hands to kiss Rita's knuckles.]
I know it's not simple.
[Certainly not for someone as hot tempered and proud like Rita. Under his level-headed and direct demeanor, Natsuno is furious at Darcy, but she's not important. Rita's energies, safety, her everything is what matters.]
But you can at least try.
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...You're a pretty smooth talker, Natsuno. [But...she nods. He's almost always an island of calm no matter how stormy her mood, and...she's grateful to have him, really.] I...I'll give it a try.
...Hey, can I ask you a favour? [A beat, and she quickly adds-] I promise it's nothing to do with revenge, or anything like that.
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Sure. What is it?
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Well... [And now her smile fades as she glances off to the side awkwardly.] Can you...keep this a secret from Jade?
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I won't say anything, but... you really plan to avoid him until it heals?
[Because that might. Take a while.]
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I mean...it shouldn't take that long... Once the bruising's gone, he won't be able to tell.
[Unless her nose really is permanently crooked...]
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You know it won't be just a few days, right? A bruise this big will take at least 10 days.
[Or so he thinks. He really has no idea how long it takes for serious bruises to heal. It's been over a year since he had to worry about something like that...]
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[Even if it's not the sort of thing he's had to deal with personally in recent memory, it's not like she doubts him... The prospect of trying to keep this from Jade for over a week, though... She groans.]
Ugh... Well...I'll come up with something. It's not like he needs to see our faces every day, or anything...
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[It's going to look weird if Rita doesn't hang out in 109 like she used to, but Natsuno keeps his promises.]
We can pretend we had a fight and you're too angry to come out, or something.
[He doesn't like the idea, but he'll do that for her!!]
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[...She appreciates that he'd offer to do something like that, but... No, she doesn't want to pretend they had a fight. It would make her seem pretty immature! Plus...there are other reasons. Faking an aspect of their relationship doesn't sit well.]
My roommate's gone again. [Which might've been sad if Yakko hadn't been so annoying. Yeah, she's not actually sorry to see that one go.] So it's not like there's any reason for us not to hang out in my cabin instead of yours.
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[Nope, he isn't sorry about that one either. Rita's roommates never seem to last for too long - she must as well have the cabin to herself!]
It'll be nice to have somewhere to hang out without worrying about weirdos walking it.
[He rests a hand on her knee. Obviously they're not gonna make out right now with Rita still in pain and all, but... you know!]
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Well...Clarke said I should put ice on it...
[It's just that Natsuno has a way of becoming her priority.]
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I bet there's some in the mini-fridge...
[The hand on her knee slides up toward her waist. The other brushes a lock of hair behind he ear. What are they talking about again?]
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