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Tweak says, "omg! my butts gone!!"

Lacus Clyne (fields_of_hope) wrote in marinanova,
@ 2013-08-12 10:54:00

Entry tags:

lacus clyne, sam merlotte, sougo okita, tyki mikk

[Action/Voice]
((OOC: Otherwise entitled 'Sougo and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.' Anyone who notices Lacus' very conspicuous absence is welcome to call her or drop by her place in the afternoon, though they might have to contend with a grumpy roommate who's having the worst day ever!))
***

[Waking in an unfamiliar place isn't half as troubling as knowing that she can't, at the moment, leave under her own power. Gingerly, Lacus assesses herself, grateful for the bandages on her neck and less so for the tender side of her face that is doubtless an ugly, mottled purple. Even less encouraging is how weak those few moments of movement have left her. Coordinators are quick to heal, but still human.]

[A quick assessment of the morning's postings tells her that the visitors from yesterday were indeed temporary. If that's in any way a relief, it's tinged with bitterness nonetheless. Indignation for this place and its constant manipulations will have to wait, however, as she has calls to make. It won't do for people to worry that she too has vanished without a trace.]

[Voice/Private - Sougo Okita]
Sougo? [Immediately, she regrets making the call herself. Her voice is weak and thin, no way he won't worry. She hates to do this after he's lost his sister. But surely Data's close by, she trusts that he wouldn't leave her alone like this, so he can help her explain things.]

[Voice/Private - Sam Merlotte]
[She waits until afternoon to call Sam, when perhaps she could sound a bit less upsetting. Unfortunately she can't muster much more energy and so probably sounds just as worrying, but she can't wait any longer before she's late for her shift.] Sam? I'm sorry, but [she has to take a breath before she can go on] I won't be able to come to work for a few days.

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	action sadistfaction 2013-08-12 11:30 pm UTC (link)
	Like I'd let that happen. [He decided he wouldn't attempt anymore jokes, since he didn't like the way she sounded. Once he is out of that apartment, he speeds up his walking. He wanted to get her home and resting as soon as possible. As much as he wanted to keep talking to her to know that she was doing okay, he fell silent, focused only on getting her home.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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fields_of_hope
2013-08-12 11:36 pm UTC (link)

[Unfortunately, Lacus being silent is not in the cards, however much it would serve her own benefit. All she wants is to be of comfort, somehow, and so she's going to keep trying.]

I wouldn't either. I like you best the way you are. [Her fingers curl in the material of his shirt, just barely. As much clinging as she can realistically do.]

...I should have called you sooner. [So much for comfort, but she's not exactly thinking straight, and the words are out before she could stop them.]

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sadistfaction
2013-08-13 12:07 am UTC (link)

[Even in her terrible situation, she still did her best to pay him compliments. It wasn't unusual for him to disagree and to feel unworthy of her kind words, but he didn't even have it in him to protest.]

It's okay. Don't worry about it. [He would have liked it if she had called sooner had he known, but nothing could be done about that now. ]

When we get home, I'll stay with you and lie beside you if you want, okay? [Sharing a bed was something they had discussed before, and Sougo had originally turned it down due to his discomforts and insecurities. But this was a time where he felt he could use her comfort, and surely she would like his comfort as well.]

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fields_of_hope
2013-08-13 12:15 am UTC (link)

[Precious little chance of her not worrying, though she doesn't press the issue. It wasn't something she planned to say, just that right now she's saying whatever's in her head to say because she's in pain and lightheaded and miserable and desperately trying to make it better. She'd be a little more graceful in her attempts if she wasn't fighting to stay awake; her body just wants to shut down and conserve energy until it heals.]

[Sougo's offer catches her off-guard (also not a thing typically done, it's a testament to her condition that he's able), and for a long moment she can't decide whether she wants to smile or cry again. It's so unexpectedly sweet and caring and everything she needs right now.]

[She doesn't try to talk until she's sure she's not going to cry, which takes a moment. She spends the time nestling into his shoulder and evening out her shallow breathing.] If you want to, I'm sure it would bring me comfort to know you're close.

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	action sadistfaction 2013-08-13 12:38 am UTC (link)
	[He nods.] Yeah. I won't let anything else happen to you. [Not if he could help it, anyway. Even if that meant he needed to make someone bleed, he will. He falls silent again. The more he thought about everything, the more upset he felt, and the more he wanted to punch walls and cry and hurt someone.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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fields_of_hope
2013-08-13 12:47 am UTC (link)

[Lacus finds herself uneasy each time he goes quiet, unnerved by what she imagines must be going through his head. Sougo tends to blame himself for everything, and surely he'll find a way to do so this time. At least, she has to try and head that off before it becomes dangerous.]

I know. [That answer isn't to placate him or puff up his ego; she knows he wouldn't let anything happen to her. If she hadn't been avoiding their apartment to try and give him space with Mitsuba it wouldn't have happened.]

Do you want to know what happened? [Her breathing isn't getting better, she feels like she ran three marathons without even a drink of water, but this is important.] I'll tell you everything, if you do.

[She just wants to be clear that she's not hiding anything, or trying to protect him, or cover anything up. She doesn't want the general public knowing but Sougo is on a different level. She wouldn't lie to him to spare him from possibly getting hurt by hunting Spike down; it would only hurt him more if she tried to hide it because of course Sougo would take it badly. Either she trusts him or she doesn't, there's no halfway. And she most definitely does.]

[(It occurs to her that she couldn't do the same with Neil, that time she had a black eye and told him she'd be working overnight so he wouldn't see. She couldn't even be totally upfront with Kira either, since the timing was so strange. She's not so sure what to make of that.)]

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sadistfaction
2013-08-13 01:31 am UTC (link)

[He's glad she knows that at least, considering he wasn't sure he believed it himself.]

Yes, of course I want to know what happened. I really want to know, but... [He wanted to know right now, just so that something is cleared up. However, he was't sure the timing was appropriate.] You can... hold off until later, I guess, after you've rested, if that makes it easier.

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fields_of_hope
2013-08-13 06:56 am UTC (link)

[Grateful for the reprieve, since she's in no hurry to relive the whole thing. Each time she thinks back, it's all she can do not to shake and sob in post-traumatic reaction. For now, Lacus feels safe in his arms, as safe as she could feel just now, and she is loathe to ruin it.]

[Besides that, she's feeling sleepier and less focused by the moment. It's likely she won't be awake long after he's set her down in bed. ~~Which clearly means there should be a timeskip until she wakes up because she has things to say! THINGS!~~] Okay.

[However, she can guess at his possible train of thought, so there is one thing she must make clear immediately.] It wasn't Tyki. [Somehow, she thinks that would be his first thought, and it's not that she would blame him for the guess. Tyki is dangerous, and she well knows it. But if Tyki were to hurt her, it wouldn't be in this way. It would be far, far more profound. And, right now, Lacus truly doesn't believe Tyki would hurt her to begin with. Eventually, perhaps, but not now.]

[The thought flits through her mind to tell Sougo that Tyki found her and likely already went after the person responsible for her state, but explaining it would be too trying right now, and she doesn't want to give Sougo the impression that she called Tyki. It will be a difficult enough explanation why she called Data instead of Sougo. Her reasoning was based on caring, though she's not certain how much that might matter.]

[She knows all these things must be said, eventually. Not yet.]

[Lacus leans her cheek against him.] You're warm. [Which feels good considering how cold she is. Not a good sign, that.]

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sadistfaction
2013-08-13 08:00 pm UTC (link)

[It wasn't Tyki. Okay. Sure. He would still question Tyki, however, because he just doesn't trust the guy. He would question absolutely anyone, even if they weren't the types who would get involved in something like this. Perhaps it was the cop part of him who believed in questioning everyone. He felt it was his right to interrogate everyone.]

I would hope that I'm warm. I feel really hot, actually. [Due to his stresses, perhaps, but he was attempting to be comforting.] Hope you can hang on a little longer. We're getting closer.

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fields_of_hope
2013-08-13 08:24 pm UTC (link)

[Sougo's pool of suspects will likely drop dramatically once he sees what kind of wounds she's sporting under all that gauze. The idea of Sougo trying to fight a vampire isn't comforting, but Lacus already knows she won't even try to stop him. He doesn't like it when she interferes, and it won't do to convey a lack of trust. He'll be okay -- she'll just keep telling herself that.]

[She smiles faintly and shivers, suddenly conscious of how chill the air feels.] I should borrow some of your warmth for a while. I can't seem to make enough.

[Her voice gets shallow, almost hoarse now that she's drifting in half-consciousness and not trying as hard to maintain it. Too much hyperventilating, too little hydration.]

Could you... tell me everything's going to be okay? [It's the first time she's been out of it enough to be totally honest about how very, very scared she is. Her limp fingers make every effort to curl into the fabric of his shirt but end up just shaking.] Please?

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sadistfaction
2013-08-13 08:49 pm UTC (link)

[Sougo puts a hand on her cheek, trying to somehow hold her closer. There's not much he can do, but he wanted to try. The things she was saying were scaring him.]

You can have as much of my warmth as you want.

[He's not exactly sure how that would work, but if it would bring her an ounce of comfort, then it was for the best.]

Everything is going to be okay, Lacus. Everything will be just fine. You'll make it okay, because you top everything.

[His voice shaky, hating the fact that he had to tell her something he was uncertain about. Everything is shitty, was what he actually wanted to say. Everything sucks.]

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fields_of_hope
2013-08-13 09:04 pm UTC (link)

[Eyes closed, she leans heavily against him. Almost there, right? And she can rest for a while, and warm up under five blankets and fall asleep on her favorite pillow, and when she wakes up and reaches out he'll be right there. That's all she wants in the world.]

You always take care of me. [Lacus makes an attempt to reach her hand up toward his face, only making it a few inches.] I have to be okay. So one day I can take care of you.

[A long pause. She's shivering pretty steadily, now. The longer she's awake it's like her body just gives out little by little.] Almost there...

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sadistfaction
2013-08-13 10:08 pm UTC (link)

[He's not entirely sure that he always takes care of her, but it was nice to know that she felt that way.]

All right. Here we go.

[He enters their residential building and heads right on over to their apartment. For a moment he debated on trying to enter as quietly as possible, so as not to startle her, but being faster was far more important than being quiet.]

Just a little more.

[He opens the door, then kicks it in attempt to shut it, not that it was as effective as it could have been. It wasn't that important.

He makes his way over to her room, slowly and carefully placing her on her bed.]

There. In a second I'm going to get you more blankets and some water. Is there anything else you need?

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fields_of_hope
2013-08-13 10:28 pm UTC (link)

[Less careful with her expression now, Lacus winces as the scrapes down her back burn when she's laid down. Minor compared to her other problems, true, but not easily ignored when her focus is all but gone. She curls up on her side, as if in self protection, tries in vain to stop shivering.]

Just don't leave me alone. [That may be the only thing in the world she truly fears, and only when she's this far gone would she ever voice it.]

[Mercifully and despite her shaking, as he puts blankets over her she lapses into a fitful sleep, and for the next while the occasional urgent murmur is all she voices. Her breathing slowly evens out into a much more reassuring, normal sound.]

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sadistfaction
2013-08-13 11:31 pm UTC (link)

[He sits on her bed, taking a breather now that he has a chance.

When it sounded to him like she was finally falling asleep, he slowly makes his way to the edge of her bed, not wanting to disturb her. He had to leave her alone for a moment as he goes to the kitchen to fetch some water for her.

He places the glass on her nightstand, and seats himself nearby on the floor. While he wanted to sit by her on the bed, he felt like he could burst into tears at any moment. If there was anything he wanted now, it was to be comforted by his sister. It really, really hurt knowing that the only chance he would ever have to see her again is in this place. It had happened twice already. This could never, ever happen back home in his real world.

He understood that Lacus was injured pretty seriously. He understood that the events of yesterday were only temporary. Knowing all of that didn't matter because he still felt incredibly lonely and desperate for any sort of comfort.

Sougo opted for sitting there as the tears start to fall again, and waiting for Lacus to regain consciousness.]

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fields_of_hope
2013-08-13 11:51 pm UTC (link)

[The first hour is the worst, her body's search for equilibrium has her shaking and sweating, almost feverish, and she's constantly grabbing the water glass and downing it like she's near dead from thirst. Finally the brilliant design of her Coordinator's body kicks in and, having the necessary warmth and hydration, goes to work. She settles and sleeps soundly for a time as her core temperature stabilizes and her system starts making new blood cells at an impossible rate. Within two hours the blue tinge to her lips and fingernails is gone, in three she's looking significantly better.]

[Lacus finally becomes aware of herself again, much later. She sees an empty water glass on the bedside table and knows she must have drank it, but she doesn't recall it. In fact, she can't recall much of their arrival back home; a few blurry images here and there and that enveloping, all-over dread are all she can immediately remember.]

[Immediately, she looks around for Sougo and, seeing him seated on the floor, reaches to brush his cheek with her fingertips. The gesture is at once grateful and apologetic; she can only imagine what this day has been like for him. She's not in perfect shape but good enough that she wants to start making it up to him right away.]

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sadistfaction
2013-08-14 12:17 am UTC (link)

[He's not entirely sure how long it's been. It had to have been hours, though at the same time it seemed she was up sooner than he had anticipated. He thought it would be a day or two, at the very least.

Sougo looks up at her when he feels her touch, wiping his eyes as quickly as he can. He wasn't embarrassed about being in tears, it was more that he was hit with guilt.]

Hey...

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fields_of_hope
2013-08-14 12:25 am UTC (link)

[She won't be up and about for a day or two, however her eyes are much clearer. She wouldn't make Sougo wait days for the comfort he needs and deserves.]

[And just in case he needs to hear it,] I feel much better. [Not entirely better, not even mostly. Comparatively though, she's improved leaps and bounds.]

[She's unsurprised to find him upset, and so she smiles through it. A sad smile, heavy with regret and sorrow, but a smile. Her fingers gently brush through his hair, since that's all of him she can reach.] You didn't have to stay down there.

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	sadistfaction 2013-08-14 12:54 am UTC (link)
	[He gets on his knees for her to have a better reach, resting his head on her bed.] Sorry. [He puts his hand over his nose and sniffles.] Glad you're feeling better, Lacus. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fields_of_hope 2013-08-14 01:00 am UTC (link)
	[Oh Sougo, you hit all her grief and sadness buttons at once with that pose.] Don't apologize. [Lacus curls onto her side to face him and shifts closer, the movement halting though stronger. Her hand continues to stroke his hair, and her voice is almost back to its regular soothing tones.] Just tell me what I can do, if there's anything at all. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sadistfaction 2013-08-14 09:11 pm UTC (link)
	I should've insisted that my sister come to meet you. [He's really upset that he didn't think of it sooner.] Someone who can actually tolerate my bullshit... She would have been glad. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fields_of_hope
2013-08-14 09:11 pm UTC (link)

[Lacus smiles over at him, undeniably fond.] Tolerates isn't the word I would choose. I love you for who you are, not in spite of it.

I'm sure she wouldn't have been surprised. [She keeps stroking his hair, trying to get him to relax a little if possible. Poor thing's had a trying day to say the least.] She knows better than I do all the good things about you.

['Knew the good things' is probably the more accurate way to put it. Lacus chooses not to phrase it that way for reasons she doesn't care to tease apart just now.]

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	sadistfaction 2013-08-14 09:22 pm UTC (link)
	[He sniffles, putting his hands to his face.] But why can't they let visitors stay a little longer? Why? A day... It's just not enough time. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fields_of_hope
2013-08-14 09:27 pm UTC (link)

It isn't. [In this instance, anyway. Lacus is aware that Neil was here yesterday and between everything else she's trying not to think about how afraid she was to see him. She doesn't know whether she was more afraid that he wouldn't remember her, or that he would.]

[For Sougo though, he had nothing like that to fear, and a day, a week, months wouldn't be enough. Lacus would do anything to give his sister back to him now.] And it isn't fair. I'm so sorry, Sougo.

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	sadistfaction 2013-08-14 09:50 pm UTC (link)
	[He gets up off his knees and sits at the edge of her bed.] I hate knowing that this will never happen at home. I hate feeling like I never want to go back home because I won't ever have the chance to see her ever again. [Sougo wipes his eyes, trying to stop the tears from falling.] I hate that I'm not strong enough to be without her. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)