synflux | [ closed ] simmer for seven days

Kaito?

[ The look she gives him is one of relief but also she's not looking any better than he is. Rather, her pain tolerance is much lower, most likely, so she looks like she should have been off her feet like three hours ago. She's not really managing to stand up straight, kind of leaning off to one side. ]

... Wait, that means I got the wrong wing again--

[ Chagrined, even though. It's yellow-ish. She should have realized that. ]

[ Kaito immediately takes note of her physical state. She looks a bit like he did after the battle against those Yamadenki. Worse, maybe. Without giving it much thought, he hobbles over to her and hovers his hand near her weak side shoulder in a silent invitation to lean. ]

Yeah, this is Everlight's wing. Were you looking for someone? Malkuth's not...

[ Malkuth... Her name brings up a foggy, blurry memory that prompts a frown. He looks around, trying to find her door in the hall. After a few seconds of counting doors, he gives up—and notices March standing right in front of him, near his outstretched hand. ]

Ah... March. Looking for Malkuth? She's...

[ He trails off again, and the process begins its second loop. If she doesn't stop him, he will repeat himself. ]

[ She doesn't stop him at first, a little confused but also having taken his silent invitation to lean by now, and when he repeats-- ]

... Ah, no, I'm trying to find my room. Are you... okay?

[ he'd been hobbling too, she'd seen that. And what's with his... distracted-ness? ]

I've been better, and you're in the opposite wing. You're Redemption, remember? [ A beat. Kaito squints. ]

Say, you didn't happen to take a trip to the medbay recently, did you? You look paler than a...

A...

[ He trails off, unable to find the word he wants to deliver. Seconds later, there's a bleary blink accompanied by cloudy golds. ]

Hm?

Have you... been here this whole time, March? Or did I wander my way into Redemption's wing?

No, this is Everlight.

[ What is happening-- ]

Wait, did you also go to the medbay? Or do you... need to go? Something... seems off with your memory.

[ Kaito remains silent after her reply. The color eventually drains from his face. ]

Hahah... Shit...

How many times have we started a conversation?

I... went in for an augmentation. They told me I'd suffer from, uh... From...

[ He withers even further. The hand supporting March tugs back, but he manages to stop himself from accidentally letting her go. ]

What... was I talking about...

[ There's a not-so-small tremble in his voice. ]

...

Hey. [ She is not doing so hot, but apparently neither is he, and it's no real effort to reach up, to put both (cool) palms to his face. Because if anyone can understand how actually terrifying it is to realize you can't get a solid grasp of your memories, she'd consider herself a pretty good candidate. ]

Look at me.

[ No, no, no. This isn't supposed to happen. This isn't him. Nevermind what the doctors said. Kaito doesn't forget. He's not allowed to forget.

But he's forgetting. He can hardly remember what they were talking about before the panic started creeping into his head. He has to go. He has to get out of here, so no one sees his meltdown. He has to find Ma—

March's hands are cold. They're the softest he's felt so far. The sensation is just strong enough to tear him out of his spiraling thoughts, before golds became blues and he teleported himself away. The daze in his gaze gradually settles as he focuses on her. Her voice, her hands, her eyes.

He's grounded again. ]

I'm looking, [ he finally whispers, barely audible above the drums beating in his mind. ]

...All things honest, I could look forever.

[ ...Hm! That's interesting to know, Kaito. Yup. Mhm. ]

[ ... Wow! Sure hope that's one of the things he forgets in like five seconds, including the slightest bit of color in March's face right now, because she's not immune to an attractive guy whispering that he could look at her forever and.

No. Nope. Not doing this. More important things right now. She keeps her hands where they are, for now. ]

That wouldn't really do us any good right now. [ With a soft, shaky huff. ]

You're gonna be okay, though. I'll help you. It's probably only temporary, but either way, you're not alone. Okay?

...Heheh. [ Something tells me he's not forgetting any of that any time soon.

Fortunately for everyone except all of our friends reading this with vested interest, the pair find it in themselves to focus. Kaito stoops down a little to better facilitate Face Holding, though his gaze has stayed away in no small amount of embarrassment. ]

Sorry, March. I should be helping you get back to your room. [ Blink, blink. Looks like some of the pieces didn't get completely forgotten after all.

Then, softer—and with a level stare into those chromatic pools: ] ...Thank you. I guess if anyone's going to know how to stay cool in this situation, it's you. [ That might have been a pun, but Kaito's a little too busy adding the #bishounen tag to his gratitude to pay it any mind. ]

It's only for a week, they said. I just have to survive without forgetting who I am for a week.

[ That sure felt like a pun, and March swallows a sigh, lowering her hands after another minute once she's sure Kaito's not about to undergo a hyperventilating session. ]

Then it's a good thing you've got me and Malkuth and probably a bunch of other people who know who you are.

[ She says it lightly. Even though she thinks, very briefly, that forgetting who you are for a week is rough, but sometimes you're so solidly blocked from that knowledge for months and no one can actually tell you anything about yourself and you just have to hope the "you that you are now" is worth remembering to everyone else. ]

And a bunch of other stuff. But since we're in front of your room, you should probably at least go in and lie down.

[ Kaito's no mind reader, but he's gotten pretty close with how strong his intuition combined with his empathy have made his guesses. He lifts a scarred, callused and wraps his fingers around one of March's wrists. A gentle squeeze follows, emphasizing his gratitude.

He's quick to let go and straighten up afterward. ]

How fortunate I am. [ If only memory loss was the only avenue which led down to forgetting oneself. Kaito shakes his head at the offer. ]

My room is, like. ...Somewhere close over here. Yours is on the other side of base. And...

We didn't really resolve that question. At least, my version of it. Were you also in the medbay earlier? I thought I sensed your presence before the doctors put me on the operating table.

[ It's a comforting squeeze and even through the haze of pain, March is able to process it for what it is and relax slightly before he releases her. ]

... I'm not sure what you mean by "sensed", but... Yeah, I was in there to get a procedure done. I wanted to be able to help more with the healing.

[ And now everything hurts and she's lost. ]

After that, I just... my sense of direction's completely gone. No matter where I try to go, even if I can picture it, I end up in the wrong place.

[ He will not be elaborating, and it's only a forty percent chance that he forgot that part of her reply immediately after hearing it. ]

...You too, huh? [ Kaito taps the scar over his pancreas. ] It must have been an awful experience, without any anesthesia. No wonder you're white as a sheet.

[ The concern reads clear on his features. He's forgotten (hah) his episode by now, and scoots in to offer her his arm. ]

Let me help you back. It's the least I can do. ...You'll just have to remind me where I'm going every few minutes.

And if you're feeling especially weak, I can carry you.

It definitely wasn't a good time...

[ But she frowns, shaking her head carefully. ]

Walking me back is fine-- [ And, honestly, she's already taking his arm for support because she is very much not terribly okay right now. ]

But if you had it too, you're not in any position to be carrying anybody. Not even someone's who's as light as me.

[ okay, March. ]

[ Kaito smiles, though worry continues to thrum in his gaze. ] I'm sorry. But I have an idea, once we get to your room.

[ So he takes off at a slow pace. Well, it's definitely slow for him. His gait is a bit steadier now, but that might be him grinning and bearing it. ]

Also, let the record state that I could carry you like a plastic chair. [ Kaito glances down, winks, but thankfully (for their heart rates, not our entertainment) doesn't demonstrate. ]

...Is it too much to ask why you opted into the augmentation?

[ She takes a deep breath, some confusion rippling over her face (and definitely in her mind) over what being carried like a plastic chair would look like, but she doesn't actually want to ask? It's fine. ]

... It's not too big of a deal. I'd heard it was an option before and...

[ Her steps slow, for a few reasons. ]

Ishmael... really needed a healer and there wasn't much I could do for her. And it kind of stuck with me, that I wanted to be able to do more for everyone.

A pretty earnest reason. [ Kaito nods along as they waddle their way along the halls. ] My reasoning's basically the same. Be a little less useless when people are hurt. I have a bit of healing magic in my power set, but it's meant to bolster natural healing rather than fix things immediately.

[ Kaito looks down, watching their feet lift and step and lift and step. ] It's not enough for this harsh world, so I have to keep getting stronger.

[ He eventually turns his gaze back to March. Smiles. ]

I know we don't feel great right now, but I'm kinda glad we both went in for the upgrade at the same time. Makes for a little stronger solidarity, yeah?

[ And she smiles back, patting his arm carefully. ]

Well, you know. Misery loves company and all that? I didn't want you to have to go through this, but I've gotta say, I'm a little glad I'm not going through it alone.

So it does.

[ Kaito's smile brightens, and he tugs March in just a little closer with his arm. A very faint pulse of energy seeps into her from the point of contact. Judging by the raised brow, he noticed. ]

Whoops. I didn't realize the term "embrace" was that loose...

Oh.

[ Yeah, she felt that, drawing in a short and surprised breath. ]

... I guess this means technically we can heal each other from the worst of this?

[ Well, the pain. The rest of it is going to be... something they'll have to contend with throughout the week. ]

Technically, yes. [ Kaito brightens. ] That was my plan, by the way. I figured once we got you safely to your room, we could test out the healing powers...

And then we don't have to look for painkillers. Win-win, right?

[ Close your eyes and don't worry about the rest. It will not hurt either of you. It especially won't hurt Verg. ]

Sounds like a plan to me.

... Since between the two of us, I think if we went on a hunt for painkillers, it wouldn't go well.

[ This is not pessimistic, this is someone who has been made to be directionally-impaired, paired with a friend who is suffering from short-term memory loss. This is almost like the plot of a sitcom. ]

[ Kaito barks a laugh. Luckily, he also sees this as a not-so-terrible situation. ]

Life would be so much easier if they just put vending machines in every dorm hall, y'know?

[ Snicker, snicker.

The halls lose their yellow trim... in favor of red.

He's wandered them into Brimstone. ]

...

[ She glances up, to note the walls. ]

I think this is Brimstone.

[ Are we gonna be okay-- ]

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