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[ Sooyoung, blissfully unaware of the reason behind Kaito's radio silence for the past few days, notices his broad back in one of the hallways of the main base and catches up to him.
Locking her elbow into his side is a form of greeting, right? Right. ]
Hey, about the story... I need some more time. My turnaround used to be better a few years ago.
[ That's a lie, actually. The story is mostly ready, but she's going through it again and again, rereading the words she wrote, looking for imperfections she could improve. ]
Locking her elbow into his side is a form of greeting, right? Right. ]
Hey, about the story... I need some more time. My turnaround used to be better a few years ago.
[ That's a lie, actually. The story is mostly ready, but she's going through it again and again, rereading the words she wrote, looking for imperfections she could improve. ]
Where is that stupid vending machine...
[ A dark aura shrouds Kaito as he stands in the middle of the cafeteria in his pajamas, trying to figure out where the hell the painkiller machine was located. They had a painkiller machine on base, right? ...Right?
Anyway, his irritated grumbling is cut painfully short as something hard jabs him a little too close to the stitches from his surgery. An uncharacteristically high-pitched howl precedes him falling to the floor, clutching his side and stomach. ]
Ugh... Who the fuck...
[ Glazed golds flit up to see Sooyoung's face. He squints. ]
...What are you going on about... idiot...
[ A dark aura shrouds Kaito as he stands in the middle of the cafeteria in his pajamas, trying to figure out where the hell the painkiller machine was located. They had a painkiller machine on base, right? ...Right?
Anyway, his irritated grumbling is cut painfully short as something hard jabs him a little too close to the stitches from his surgery. An uncharacteristically high-pitched howl precedes him falling to the floor, clutching his side and stomach. ]
Ugh... Who the fuck...
[ Glazed golds flit up to see Sooyoung's face. He squints. ]
...What are you going on about... idiot...
[ Kaito slaps his hand over his mouth for the umpteenth time, choking back his bile. He's fairly confident that his pain tolerance trumps a good majority of the other Outsiders (die enough times and you'll believe anything I guess), but echoes of the agony he felt during his recent surgery continue to return in sickening waves. He's been left wandering the base for the past few hours, fumbling his way through each of the other teams' dorms before finally remembering that his halls should have shades of yellow trim...
Despite reading the nameplates next to all of the dorm doors he's passed so far, he has yet to find his own. Frustratingly, he's already passed it three times—but he's either forgotten what he was doing or immediately forgotten the sight of his name under the number 9. They'd warned him that the memory loss would be troublesome, but, well. He either didn't realize just how troublesome... or he'd forgotten.
Eventually, he just starts walking laps up and down the Everlight hall, stopping only when he catches a mop of pink hair outside someone's (read: his) door. ]
Ah... March? Is that you?
[ At least he hasn't forgotten his friends.
Well, most of them. ]
Despite reading the nameplates next to all of the dorm doors he's passed so far, he has yet to find his own. Frustratingly, he's already passed it three times—but he's either forgotten what he was doing or immediately forgotten the sight of his name under the number 9. They'd warned him that the memory loss would be troublesome, but, well. He either didn't realize just how troublesome... or he'd forgotten.
Eventually, he just starts walking laps up and down the Everlight hall, stopping only when he catches a mop of pink hair outside someone's (read: his) door. ]
Ah... March? Is that you?
[ At least he hasn't forgotten his friends.
Well, most of them. ]
[ Since he asked, she's happy to provide an answer to that who the fuck. ]
Genius Beautiful Girl Writer, that's who.
[ Her smirk changes to a deep frown and that isn't because he seems to be in pain. ]
The story. Stop messing with me.
Genius Beautiful Girl Writer, that's who.
[ Her smirk changes to a deep frown and that isn't because he seems to be in pain. ]
The story. Stop messing with me.
[ Kaito groans as he pulls himself up, making particular note to grab Sooyoung's shoulder to help him on his way. But his brow lifts when her voice sharpens. ]
You're saying words alright, but I don't get it. Ngh...
[ He pauses to clutch the back of his head and screw his eyes shut. ]
Sorry. I might have... forgotten. The doctors said I'd be forgetting a lot of things.
You're saying words alright, but I don't get it. Ngh...
[ He pauses to clutch the back of his head and screw his eyes shut. ]
Sorry. I might have... forgotten. The doctors said I'd be forgetting a lot of things.
[ It's a good hour before dawn at base, and Kaito's sitting all by his lonesome at one of the cafeteria tables. You wouldn't be blamed for thinking he had company, though—because the whole surface is covered in trays of cafeteria faire. Miso soup, grilled fish, rice, pickled vegetables... He's got a good twenty servings of breakfast all to himself, and yet he hasn't touched a single thing on any of the trays.
Instead, he's clutching his forehead and glaring down at the singular empty tray that's sitting in front of him.
...What the hell is happening??? ]
Instead, he's clutching his forehead and glaring down at the singular empty tray that's sitting in front of him.
...What the hell is happening??? ]
Edited 2024-04-12 16:16 (UTC)
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. ]
[ 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. ]
[Vergilius wanders in. He almost wonders if he's still dreaming, because..]
[All this food, and one Kaito. And the man looks frustrated, an expression that's new to him. The Fixer moves in, glances over all the dishes...]
[Before he fixes his gaze on the man, a little curious, a little vaguely concerned.]
...
Indecisive morning, or what?
[All this food, and one Kaito. And the man looks frustrated, an expression that's new to him. The Fixer moves in, glances over all the dishes...]
[Before he fixes his gaze on the man, a little curious, a little vaguely concerned.]
...
Indecisive morning, or what?
[ 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. ]
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. ]
[ Kaito glances up at the sound of a familiar voice, and history is made as the first instance of him not greeting Verg with a smile is recorded. ]
Oh, fuck... Can you pretend you're not seeing this? I've been...
[ He looks down at the trays. Grimaces. And then... nothing. The empath just stares dully at his empty dishes.
After a beat, he looks up—and reels back a few inches, shocked. ]
Shit. How long have you been there, Boss? And how'd you sneak up on me...?
Oh, fuck... Can you pretend you're not seeing this? I've been...
[ He looks down at the trays. Grimaces. And then... nothing. The empath just stares dully at his empty dishes.
After a beat, he looks up—and reels back a few inches, shocked. ]
Shit. How long have you been there, Boss? And how'd you sneak up on me...?
....
[Okay, this is. Weird. it's weird. Vergilius blinks, eyebrows furrowed - this doesn't feel like he just got out of bed on the wrong side, here.]
I've been...standing here the whole time. What's going on?
[Okay, this is. Weird. it's weird. Vergilius blinks, eyebrows furrowed - this doesn't feel like he just got out of bed on the wrong side, here.]
I've been...standing here the whole time. What's going on?
Ah...
[ Kaito frowns, scar-riddled hand slipping over his mouth. He looks at all the trays and deflates a little further. ]
Short-term memory loss. They told me it'd potentially be... bad. Ugh.
[ That groan is followed by a flinch as he grips his head. When he looks up again, there's a foggy glaze over his eyes. ]
...Hi, Vergilius.
How many times have I greeted you today?
[ Kaito frowns, scar-riddled hand slipping over his mouth. He looks at all the trays and deflates a little further. ]
Short-term memory loss. They told me it'd potentially be... bad. Ugh.
[ That groan is followed by a flinch as he grips his head. When he looks up again, there's a foggy glaze over his eyes. ]
...Hi, Vergilius.
How many times have I greeted you today?
They...?
[And there he goes again. Saying hi.]
[There's something that tugs in his chest - a familiarity, digging a little close to home - before he addresses him again.]
Three times, now. What happened? Who did this to you?
[And there he goes again. Saying hi.]
[There's something that tugs in his chest - a familiarity, digging a little close to home - before he addresses him again.]
Three times, now. What happened? Who did this to you?
Three... That's better than yesterday...
[ Kaito closes his eyes, and for a moment it seems like he's about to factory reset again. But when he opens up, those golds are much clearer. He does wince, though. ]
Shit, I should lock my kryptos account so I don't keep buying food. [ This is the twelfth time he's said that. First time he's said it with another person around. ]
Er, sorry. I... had work done.
Healing. I wanted to be able to better heal... something. Someone...?
My memory's going to be shaky for the rest of the week. But I didn't make the decision lightly... I think.
[ Kaito closes his eyes, and for a moment it seems like he's about to factory reset again. But when he opens up, those golds are much clearer. He does wince, though. ]
Shit, I should lock my kryptos account so I don't keep buying food. [ This is the twelfth time he's said that. First time he's said it with another person around. ]
Er, sorry. I... had work done.
Healing. I wanted to be able to better heal... something. Someone...?
My memory's going to be shaky for the rest of the week. But I didn't make the decision lightly... I think.
Work done.
[He did hear of augmentation provided by LILITH - Rodya even mentioned something about being able to turn into a mermaid or whatever. Even in the City, augmentations could come with lingering side effects.]
[So he did something for...better healing?]
[Vergilius heaves a little sigh.]
Don't you have a notebook or something to keep on hand?
[He did hear of augmentation provided by LILITH - Rodya even mentioned something about being able to turn into a mermaid or whatever. Even in the City, augmentations could come with lingering side effects.]
[So he did something for...better healing?]
[Vergilius heaves a little sigh.]
Don't you have a notebook or something to keep on hand?
Hey, don't sound so disappointed. I did this for when I inevitably have to watch you get your ass kicked.
[ Kaito snickers, then groans, clutching his head again. He's...
Yup. Still smiling, but offering a blank look to go with it. ]
...
No, I didn't forget everything. I think this is the fourth time.
[ That beam turns apologetic. ]
Sorry, Boss. I should get out of your hair. This is going to be a pain in the ass to deal with...
[ Kaito snickers, then groans, clutching his head again. He's...
Yup. Still smiling, but offering a blank look to go with it. ]
...
No, I didn't forget everything. I think this is the fourth time.
[ That beam turns apologetic. ]
Sorry, Boss. I should get out of your hair. This is going to be a pain in the ass to deal with...
Oh yes. Because I'm so well known for that.
[He stares at him for a moment. Some kind of healing power....and now he's dealing with the consequences.]
[His red eyes flit over the food - again that familiar pang - before he's moving to Kaito and clasping a scarred hand over his shoulder.]
You and I. Let's go.
[He stares at him for a moment. Some kind of healing power....and now he's dealing with the consequences.]
[His red eyes flit over the food - again that familiar pang - before he's moving to Kaito and clasping a scarred hand over his shoulder.]
You and I. Let's go.
...Are you hurt?
[ The murmur slips past his lips before he can connect that it's a reaction based off his empathy, and not from any physical signs of pain from Verg. But the world moves quickly around him, and the next thing Kaito knows, the old man's hand is on his shoulder.
He actively resists the urge to tilt his head onto that scarred skin. This isn't Malkuth, quit messing. ]
Where are we going? What about all this food? It's gonna go to waste. [ A beat. ] Are you gonna take me back to the med bay? They won't entertain me. There are hardly enough cots for all the people who were affected by that rift.
[ Despite all his explaining, he does stand up. ]
[ The murmur slips past his lips before he can connect that it's a reaction based off his empathy, and not from any physical signs of pain from Verg. But the world moves quickly around him, and the next thing Kaito knows, the old man's hand is on his shoulder.
He actively resists the urge to tilt his head onto that scarred skin. This isn't Malkuth, quit messing. ]
Where are we going? What about all this food? It's gonna go to waste. [ A beat. ] Are you gonna take me back to the med bay? They won't entertain me. There are hardly enough cots for all the people who were affected by that rift.
[ Despite all his explaining, he does stand up. ]
...Huh? No.
[Not physically, no. Mentally? He would say no, too, but there's something here that tugs at a little knot of worry that's been there for a long time.]
[When the man stands up, he retracts his hand, but his expression is as stern as ever.]
I know it might go to waste, but let everyone else have the buffet. [And....hm. He doesn't like that. Well, they are sort of similar, he'd probably say the same thing...but.....] Why won't they entertain you? Augmentations can cause serious aftereffects. You could be bleeding in your brain for all I know.
[Not physically, no. Mentally? He would say no, too, but there's something here that tugs at a little knot of worry that's been there for a long time.]
[When the man stands up, he retracts his hand, but his expression is as stern as ever.]
I know it might go to waste, but let everyone else have the buffet. [And....hm. He doesn't like that. Well, they are sort of similar, he'd probably say the same thing...but.....] Why won't they entertain you? Augmentations can cause serious aftereffects. You could be bleeding in your brain for all I know.
[ 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? ]
... 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? ]
Surely you can fill in the blanks. [ Really funny choice of words considering your CONSTANT MEMORY BLUE SCREENING, Kaito. ] We're disposable, and the victims of the rift are good research material. Even at their most benevolent, there aren't enough hands and supplies to properly take care of us on top of everything else.
[ A hand lifts to tap and drag along the base of his skull. ] My implant will alert the medical staff if something more serious than these episodes comes up. Until then, I've gotta deal with it on my own. It should only last for a week.
[ After a few seconds, Kaito looks up and smiles. ] ...And sometimes I get to enjoy extended stretches of normalcy.
[ A hand lifts to tap and drag along the base of his skull. ] My implant will alert the medical staff if something more serious than these episodes comes up. Until then, I've gotta deal with it on my own. It should only last for a week.
[ After a few seconds, Kaito looks up and smiles. ] ...And sometimes I get to enjoy extended stretches of normalcy.
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?
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?
Tch. When everything changes...nothing changes.
[Same old City bullshit.]
[The simmering annoyance is tamped down into something a little exhausted, but he doesn't seem like he's ready to just up and leave, either.]
Coffee, then. Out in the city. Getting fresh air might stir up whatever brain cells you have.
[Same old City bullshit.]
[The simmering annoyance is tamped down into something a little exhausted, but he doesn't seem like he's ready to just up and leave, either.]
Coffee, then. Out in the city. Getting fresh air might stir up whatever brain cells you have.
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.
[ What is happening-- ]
Wait, did you also go to the medbay? Or do you... need to go? Something... seems off with your memory.
...You're gonna take an amnesiac on a date? Is this karma?
[ Kaito shakes his head. ] I'll go, but you're gonna have to pay. And maybe walk slowly. I'm in a lot of pain.
[ He's talking casually, as if he wasn't carved into without anesthesia the other day. ]
And it I keep forgetting everything, you have to remind me everytime.
[ Since when did you become so needy? ]
[ Kaito shakes his head. ] I'll go, but you're gonna have to pay. And maybe walk slowly. I'm in a lot of pain.
[ He's talking casually, as if he wasn't carved into without anesthesia the other day. ]
And it I keep forgetting everything, you have to remind me everytime.
[ Since when did you become so needy? ]
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