[OPEN] Lost in paradise

[bowtography]

WHO: March 7th and anyone who wants to witness this
WHAT: Post-upgrade Problems...
WHERE: Around the base, around Japan
WHEN: April 12th and up to a week after that
WARNINGS: None so far!



A. Post-Surgery

[ Choices were made. March may or may not regret them a little, but upon remembering things like how badly injured so many of the Outsiders had been and Ishmael gritting her teeth while struggling to walk, she'd ultimately decided it was worth it.

Maybe not right now, though, not when she's kind of staggering around the base, looking very much Still In Pain and sheet-white. Of course, that's one thing. The other thing is that she looks completely disoriented and depending on where you find her, it's pretty obvious that it's not where she was trying to go. Maybe it's a non-Redemption wing. Maybe it's the cafeteria.

Maybe it's the rec room?? Maybe she's actually heading outside when she clearly shouldn't be??

If you're still not entirely sure what she's up to, she can be heard quietly muttering to herself in a shaky voice, definitely rattled-- ]

W-why is it so hard to find my room??

B. Compass Required

[ It's a day or so later! And she is.

... Not doing any better. Though at the very least, she's had some time to get the style upgrade implemented and is comfortably clothed in her much more familiar (to her) outfit from home.

But she hasn't actually been seen on the base all day, which probably isn't terribly strange, since March likes to go out and experience life, but at this point it's dark and if you're out at night, you might spot her. Talking to a few people who seem either amused or flummoxed by her current level of vexation. ]

No, sorry, I've definitely been to Shinjuku, and I know where it is on a map, I just--

I'm not drunk! Look, just tell me "this way" or "that way" and I'll figure it out from there!!

[ ... She has apparently been dealing with something similar for hours, given that she really does sound like she's on the verge of frustrated tears. ]

C. Bah Hummingbird

[ At this point, March has given up leaving the base on her own, so you can spot her in the greenhouse (though it's arguable whether she meant to be there or not), a cute little hummingbird perched on her shoulder. She's taking pictures of the plants, though she pauses to glance up when she realizes she's got company, offering a smile that is definitely a lot steadier than the mess she's been over the past few days. ]

These little guys are pretty cute, aren't they? I'm more of a dog person, but I gotta admit, they've got a lot of appeal!

[ OOC: Also fine with doing custom starters if nothing catches your interest! ]

Comments

[penaltypoints]

[ An hour of these difficulties navigating the base... No wonder March seems shaken in addition to the strain of her discomfort — the medical bay isn't far from the recreational area and the nearby flight of stairs or each housing wing. How frequent such side effects are after LILITH's procedures and how long they last are more questions to postpone for now. ]

...This way.

[ Yesod weighs their options: carrying March again would be easier, but he imagines that she would rather walk to her room as discreetly as possible to avoid drawing attention to herself. Even then, they won't go entirely unnoticed, moving about cautiously. Supporting March against his side, one arm curled around her, already makes it quite obvious that she must be unwell. ]

While I would offer to carry you there as well, I suspect that you hoped to keep this to yourself.

[ More than a handful of people would grow concerned, after all. March even appears to be reluctant to return to the medical bay for the time being instead. ]

[bowtography]

I didn't really feel like worrying anyone, when it's... something I chose to do myself.

[ And yet here she is, tucked against Yesod's side, bracing herself against a wave of pain for a few shaky seconds before moving forward again. So clearly it didn't work out as planned and maybe that would have gone differently if she'd been able to find her room on her own, but. She most certainly can't and there's no point lamenting it now. ]

But I still keep worrying you instead, huh? Sorry... about that.

[penaltypoints]

[ So it was by choice, which answers one question. That leaves what exactly the procedure's purpose was, but it hasn't escaped Yesod's notice that March needs a few moments before they resume walking, nor that speaking alone demands some effort on her part right now. He pauses, allowing March to set their pace.

Her apology meets with a shake of Yesod's head. ]

I won't deny that I have further questions, but I am certain that you had your reasons for choosing to undergo that procedure. If it was an informed decision and you can expect to recover soon, that will ease others' feelings of concern... including mine.

[ And unless March requests someone else's presence, he intends to stay awhile to keep watch, once they reach her room. Unsurprisingly, she didn't want her friends to worry, but it's a natural reaction that she would undoubtedly express for any of them herself. ]

[bowtography]

Yeah, I'll be fine.

[ And she smiles faintly, as reassuringly as she can. It's almost apologetic and she keeps walking, slowly. Yesod's following along with her pace; it's impossible not to notice how considerate he's being. ]

But I promise I decided to do it myself. I wanted to be able to do more...

[penaltypoints]

[ Their progress may be slow, but it's steady even if they make the occasional stop along the way, and it brings them closer to their destination with each step taken. In the meantime, Yesod accepts March's smile, faint though it is compared to what he has grown accustomed to seeing, and her assertions with it.

A clearer picture is forming, pieced together from March's admissions. Undergoing a certain procedure by choice in order to become more useful, in other words, indicates that she has opted for one of LILITH's cybernetic enhancements.

Yesod casts March a sidelong glance. ]

Do you consider your own abilities insufficient?

[ I wanted to be able to do more echoes something uncomfortably familiar, something from elsewhere. It reminds him of things that he has contemplated himself, too. ]

...Though I will admit to having similar thoughts.

[ Particularly after that mission. ]

[bowtography]

... [ March nudges him, lightly. ]

You know, I wouldn't have made it back on my own if it hadn't been for you. And here you are again, pretty much holding me up. You were a big help with the generators, too.

[ It's a little embarrassing, but she's not going to let him make light of his own contributions. ]

My shields can heal a little, but there were still a lot of injured people doing that mission... and I felt pretty awful, not being able to do more for them, especially when the medical staff seemed so short-staffed. So I figured I'd go for it.

[penaltypoints]

[ Mild surprise settles across Yesod's expression. He'd wanted to convey that March's feelings on the matter are understandable — not seek reassurance for his own. Then again, March offers it because she wants to, and because she means it sincerely, he supposes. ]

If our positions were reversed, I don't doubt that you would do the same for me.

[ Although he might be too heavy to carry. The ability to heal others, however, to make a significant difference... The pull of that notion is undeniable. ]

Ultimately, I understand your reasoning, March. For now, will you accept your friends' assistance while you recover?

[ And the concern that comes with it. ]

[bowtography]

Well, I don't think I'd be able to carry you. [ A little teasingly, but she manages a nod. ]

It's fine... I'm not too stubborn to say I don't need help when I do, believe me. I'll make it up to you guys later.

[ And then it will maybe feel less embarrassing? ]

[penaltypoints]

[ March's teasing voices one of his thoughts — this time, it prompts a small smile, faint amusement. The rest of her response is satisfactory, despite including her plans to ensure that any help given is repaid in some way. Since March expects that of herself, telling her that it's unnecessary won't change her mind. ]

It's highly likely that we will rely on you again as well, whether or not you carry any of us.

[ They reach the Redemption wing before long, at any rate, and Yesod guides March to her room's door. ]

Provided that you agree to it, I'll stay nearby, should you need anything.

[bowtography]

I'm not going to be very entertaining company.

[ She'll just point that out as the door slides open. ]

But yeah, if that's what you wanna do, I'm not going to stop you.

[penaltypoints]

I didn't realize that I came here seeking entertainment.

[ It's an attempt to tease her before he commences waiting on standby in silence. Once March is comfortable enough to rest, he means to give her the space and privacy to do so, without excessive hovering. ]