InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "What is that card?!"

Akuba Maeko (giantfruitbyday) wrote in disappear_rpg,
@ 2009-12-21 03:01:00

Entry tags:

maeko, tom

Who: Maeko, Tom
What: Unprompted hostility, soup
Where: Dorms
When: During the dungeon break.
Why: Because I found the idea amusing.

Tom was going to drag the whole team down if he insisted on being sick and running off and being stubborn about coming back with the group and assorted other really stupid behaviours. This was about 1000% dumb if not more and needed to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

The soup was not specially made or thoughtful in any way. It was the kind that came in packets at the convenience store. With vegitables (they were good for colds, right?). She'd drawn frowning faces on the skins of the small bag of clementines she'd got while she'd waited for it to warm in the pan.

She had meant to just leave it there and knock on the door and leave. But Tom was, after all, at least 1000% dumb and might actually need to be told he was supposed to eat it.

And so she knocked on the door, bowl of soup balenced on a plate in one hand and small plastic bag of ANGRY VITAMIN C in the other.

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giantfruitbyday
2009-12-21 05:36 am UTC (link)

Maeko sat down on the bed and belly rubs were given. This felt like really too heavy a topic to be discussing while playing with a puppy. But then after some thought Maeko decided that playing with a puppy was an entirely appropriate thing to do while discussing anything.

"You should have. I'm not sure whether Ito-san'll be coming with us. If so we have to at least allow him to regain some strength. Have you been drinking enough water?"

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	ofmanydevices 2009-12-21 06:00 am UTC (link)
	Once the belly rubs were provided, Max rolled over, and moved forward, curling up next to Maeko's leg, and putting his head in her lap. Tom on the other hand looked away. His fingers flexed into a fist. "I... I should have stopped that. If I had... if I had been faster. I..." Before Tom could continue his rant Tom began coughing again. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

giantfruitbyday
2009-12-21 06:20 am UTC (link)

Puppy puppy puppy. Max was far easier top deal with than Tom. Maeko patted his head, shaking her own.

"You were waiting for us. What good would it have done if you'd gone faster? It could have been disasterous if you'd gone on into that maze alone." She said calmly, patting her pockets for a tissue or something. Nothing.

"Have you been drinking enough water or not?"

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ofmanydevices
2009-12-21 06:30 am UTC (link)

Tom frowned.

"Ito-san was ready to give up... he was on the verge of death. I mean... I know I couldn't have have saved him from the dungeon on my own, but if I had been paying attention I could have made sure he never went in there. And then we wouldn't have had to wait to save Sonozaki-san."

Tom looked away. He grabbed a tissue and blew his nose.

... But then I guess if I had just not said anything she wouldn't have gone in in the first place. I don't know... maybe it's good that this happened... I guess."

Tom let out a breath.

"I guess it doesn't matter. I can't change the past by wishing for it."

Tom looked at the soup again, and regarded it as still too hot.

"I do drink water on occasion when I'm thirsty. Why do you ask?"

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giantfruitbyday
2009-12-21 06:55 am UTC (link)

"He'll recover." Maeko shrugged. "And he isn't your sole responsibility. You could use that same logic to blame any of us for everything."

She was uncomfortable about the idea that it was somehow Tom's fault that Renju had gone. Too familiar.

"That's hardly your fault, either. If a confession at the wrong time could cause something like that then there's probably a lot else going on anyway. And we'll save her, so don't worry about that."

She paused to stroke Max's tiny paws with a finger.

"But we'll be able to save her much more efficiently if we're all at our best. So you have to get better fast." Another brief, puppy-related pause. "Drink more. You get dehydrated faster when you're sick and it'll help you recover quicker."

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ofmanydevices
2009-12-21 07:16 am UTC (link)

Tom sighed.

"Well I guess I learned my lesson about... feelings right?"

He took a spoonful of soup and brought it to his mouth. Then looked at Maeko.

"Well I guess I can drink some. I was going to make some tea as well it's usually helpful."

He shook his head.

"But there's no way I'm going to be better before we need to save Sonozaki-san. When i get a cold it usually lasts for two or three months at least."

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giantfruitbyday
2009-12-21 07:34 am UTC (link)

"Of course you can drink some." Maeko was meaning to stand up to find a glass and water but puppy on lap. Going nowhere.

"Your immune system's dumb. You should get a better one." She said, frowning at Tom's immune system. Which was, it seemed, as 1000% dumb as the rest of him. "Colds shouldn't last longer than a few days. Did you never think to see a doctor about that?"

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ofmanydevices
2009-12-21 07:51 am UTC (link)

Tom rolled his shoulders, and then had to blow his nose again.

"The thought had crossed my mind. When I was younger I didn't really have anyone to take me. Dad... I guess might have if I had asked but we never really talked much. So I guess... I just never got in the habit.
And why spend money when it goes away eventually."

Tom dipped a spoon into the soup and scooped it into his mouth.

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	giantfruitbyday 2009-12-21 08:13 am UTC (link)
	"The longer you have it the more likely you're going to pass it on to someone. It's inconsiderate not to get better as soon as possible." Maeko said, reminding herself to bring a treat for Max next time Tom needed yelling at. "You should at least be resting." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ofmanydevices
2009-12-21 05:34 pm UTC (link)

Max had decided that he liked Maeko, and she was now a confirmed friend. From his spot on the bed he looked back and fourth between them. He never actually lifted his head, just moved his eyes. He was bothered by Maeko's attitude toward Tom. It was unfortunate that he didn't realize she was giving good advice or he would have supported her more.

Tom meanwhile looked confused again.

"I'm doing what I can to get better as fast as I can. As far as resting, I've slept for a couple of hours. When I'm tired of course. But now I have work to do."

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	giantfruitbyday 2009-12-22 12:30 pm UTC (link)
	"You're clearly not doing enough. Colds shouldn't last that long if you're trying to get rid of them. Either you're not fighting off the infection hard enough or there's something seriously wrong with you that's more worrying than just a cold." Pause to confirm that puppy is still adorable. Confirmed! "How long is a couple of hours?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ofmanydevices
2009-12-23 04:02 am UTC (link)

Max was happy that he was still adorable. He twisted his head around to lick Maeko's fingers. Perhaps it was cause she had soup on them, or perhaps it was simply that Maeko was delicious.

Tom shrugged.

"Four or five depending on what needs done. The usual amount I sleep. I've been more tired since I got sick but I've ignored it to focus on the case."

He proclaimed this as if it was something she should be proud of him for.

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giantfruitbyday
2009-12-23 04:26 pm UTC (link)

Maeko wasn't quite sure whether to respond by yelling or to save the effort and throw her shoe at him. But she didn't want cold germs on her shoe.

"Idiot!" She snapped, waving one arm around (the other was still being used to pay attention to Max). "The case is important but so is everyone's health. You're probably wasting more time in the long run."

She stood, lifting Max, and inspected the soup bowl to see how much had been eaten. And then, feeling particularly confrantational, prodded Tom in the chest.

"Eight." She said, nodding. "Eight hours sleep at least and that's when you're healthy. More if you're ill."

She thought and then patted Max's head. "Hey dog, if you understand then it's your job to make sure he recovers. Yell at him for me or bark or whatever if he doesn't go to sleep on time. Then sit on him so he can't get up. Got it?"

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ofmanydevices
2009-12-23 04:39 pm UTC (link)

Tom gave Maeko a blank stare. But then this whole conversation seemed to be doing that. Admittedly most of what she said made sense. Tom just hadn't thought to do it.

Max on the other hand, wagged his tail as Maeko spoke to him, then barked happily at her when she finished. It seemed for a moment like he understood her, but then he tried to get closer to lick her face as well as her hands.

Tom nodded toward the puppy. Then coughed for a moment.

"His name is Max you know. And if it'll make you feel better, then fine. I'll eat the oranges, and get a whole bunch of sleep... As soon as Sonozaki-san is safe."

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giantfruitbyday
2009-12-23 04:49 pm UTC (link)

Puppies were so wriggly. And fuzzy. It was difficult to maintain a stern, dignified (she felt it was dignified) attitude when being climbed on and licked by a puppy. But Maeko didn't want to risk dropping Max.

"That's a stupid name. It's hard to say." She paused, more because puppy in face than because she was thinking. "But fine. Max-kun, you got all that? If you do it right then he'll get better."

She finally managed to get a firm enough hold on Max and returned him to the bed and pointed at him.

"Max-kun is king of this room now. You have to do what he says." She said, nodding.

She thought about the conditions and shook her head. "Eat the oranges now, at least. And get some sleep. I'll make sure you get a message once Ito-san's recovered enough to go in so turn yor phone up really really loud so it wakes you up."

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ofmanydevices
2009-12-23 05:32 pm UTC (link)

Tom quirked a brow, and crossed his arms.

"First of all I pretty much do whatever he says. And all that will accomplish is that I'll have to give him some of the soup before I'm allowed to eat it."

Max left off a tiny woof. It was unclear if he was agreeing with Maeko, agreeing with Tom, or exercising his new powers as King to order Tom to be quiet and make with the soup sharing.

Tom rolled his eyes.

"But I'll rest until we go back in. As long as you make sure everything is looked after."

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	giantfruitbyday 2009-12-23 05:39 pm UTC (link)
	"Well good." Maeko said, refusing to believe anything she said was stupid. "That way he won't be sick either. Dogs can catch colds too, you know. He's been in danger of being infected the whole time." She nodded. "Of course I will." (Reply to this) (Parent)

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