Video - End of Lasohm/start of Malom, about a day after the breach is resealed

[twistedempathy]

[The city is still in a state of disarray, though the fighting is over. Everyone will surely need to pitch in for some extensive repair work to make Havenwell what it once was. Will is sitting on a somewhat mangled chair on a cafe's patio, disheveled and powdered with stone dust, looking more exhausted and discouraged than most people here have ever seen him--unless, of course, they happened to help him endure the agony of the battle's psychic backlash.

He's doing his best to smile regardless, and holds up a slightly rumpled piece of paper to show the camera; on it are some surprisingly good line art head shots of Akira, Akechi, and Kei done in pen. They may not be exactly artistic, but they're at least faithful to their subject matter; he's even helpfully tagged each with hair and eye colors, since he could only work in monochrome.]

Has anyone seen these three recently? My roommates all vanished during the fighting. I figured they must have had their hands full, and maybe they got hurt and needed to stay with someone, but.....

They aren't answering their tablets, and they're not at any of the temples. I've been searching around town, but I haven't found them yet, and Arche can't pick up any scent trails, either. I'm starting to think maybe they got sick, and..... got worse.

[Anyone who's seen or experienced the strange illness that can grip the newcomers may understand what he's talking about, and why he's so worried--people fading out of existence entirely is a frightening prospect. His voice is quieter now, as he reaches out to end the recording and submit it to the network.]

.....I'm not sure I want to stay in my house anymore.

Comments

[whenyouneedme]

[Kai rolled his eyes a bit at that, but not unkindly.]

Ah-- yeah, she's Ainea too. [Which reminded him:] She'd been kinda sick before, too, last month. They'd cleared her to leave but... hmm.

[twistedempathy]

It's possible she could've backslid a little..... I can find out if our priests have her easily enough.

[Or maybe even a lot, if it's that same strange out of sync vanishing illness. Don't roll your eyes though, Kai, you might just anime it up yourself one of these days.]

[whenyouneedme]

[No, no, see. His thing is just reckless idiocy. Very different stuff here.]

Thanks. They're probably still sick of seeing me over there all the time, hah.

[twistedempathy]

[So instead of a lack of self-preservation instinct, it's just a lack of thinking ahead at all? That also sounds very anime, to be fair.]

Awwww, I bet they love seeing you there! Community is what Ainea's all about, you know? Something like coming together to care for sick friends is right up her alley.

[Don't make him shoujo at you, Kai. Their whole temple has the power of God and Anime on their side.]

[whenyouneedme]

[Well. When you put it that way. It's... BOTH. Maybe that's a bit anime. Maybe that's a recipe for death.]

Ah, well, they shoo'ed me out a few times. Something about needing to get sleep or some nonsense like that.

[twistedempathy]

Ahahaha! You don't like staying in bed when you're not feeling well? That's why hospitals have visiting hours, you know.

[whenyouneedme]

[He huffed a bit.]

I was just makin' sure she had somebody there, ok.

[twistedempathy]

[Excuse him if he giggles, that's just way too cute.]

You were being a good friend! But everyone needs a nap sometimes~

[whenyouneedme]

[Why giggles. Kai clicked his tongue.]

I was nappin' just fine right there, but no, had to go find a proper bed.

So they might just think I'm back for more hallway naps.

[Which, you know, this wasn't even the first time Kai had been catching naps at Ainea's place so m a y b e this chiding was warranted.]

[twistedempathy]

Sweet Cresselia, do I need to buy you a pillow and blanket, then come hand deliver them? Why would you prefer the hallway over your own bed?

At least cuddle up with them to help them feel better while you nap, I did that once or twice.

[Is sleeping with an infected person also reckless stupidity?]

[whenyouneedme]

Wow, you're judgey, huh.

[There's a beat.]

She felt bad that I was around so much, so she kicked me out too.

[twistedempathy]

Being judgey is acceptable when you're murdering your back and neck in cold blood, mister.

[Just gonna stick his tongue out at Kai like a mature adult. At least being dumb at Kai is distracting him from his own worry a little?]

I swear, not a single person in this town knows how to accept being taken care of..... People are supposed to come fuss over you when you're sick.

[whenyouneedme]

[... No? No. Incorrect.]

Huh. Whatever you say, guy.

[twistedempathy]

You're supposed to agree because that means you were right to keep her company.

[Gosh, Kai! Don't you know support when you see it?]

[whenyouneedme]

[No offense, Will, but his life lesson was that no one's going to look at you, so saying people are supposed to do anything for people is leaving a bad taste in his mouth. Not Will's fault, of course, but Kai Cannot Agree To This.]

Doesn't really matter if I was right or not.

Anyway, I'll keep an eye out.

[twistedempathy]

[What's this? Is his carefully constructed idea of what normal behavior should look like wrong? Perish the thought!]

Thanks, Kai. I'll let you know if I find anything, too.