Audio;

[truthdecided]

Ren is in the clinic.

[Akechi's words are blunt, monotone, and he tries desperately to not any ripples of worry or distress slip through his thoughts.

Still, those focusing closely may still feel it. A tingling feeling like ants skittering across one's brain.]

I will be doing what I can to care for him. Obviously, I'm not clinic staff, but I owe him as much.

[Something like irritation starts to flare, but it fizzles out fast.]

I told him not to overdo it. Now he's going to fall even further behind.

Comments

[Audio]

[bladeofnymeia]

[Oh Gods Akechi I'm sorry

Firoza doesn't do emotion in halves

There is a settling blanket of concern that comes through as she asks,] What happened? Do - do either of you need anything? I'm getting quite adept at delivering snacks.

[truthdecided]

[It's a lot to bear, especially secondhand. The concern prompts an uncomfortable, shifting sort of feeling, as if Akechi isn't sure how to respond in kind.]

I suppose it wouldn't hurt. I'd rather not leave his side at the moment.

[bladeofnymeia]

Of course. I understand.

[She has the sense to clamp down on memories when others refused to leave her side...]

Any preferences?

[truthdecided]

It's difficult to say. A change of blankets, perhaps. I can't imagine he'll be eating much while he's unconscious.

[Which is worrisome, but nothing he can do about it. That's perhaps the most frustrating part.]

video

[hundredeyesoni]

Don't worry! Your little cat friend's getting the best treatment he can.

I can show you how to help, if you'd like~ I'm sure he'll be happy to hear you've been visiting, once he wakes up.

Re: video

[truthdecided]

He's my partner.

[There's a lot of weight to the word partner. A necessary correction in his mind, especially now...

Still, there's no need for hostility.]

But I wouldn't mind. As I said, I owe him a great deal.

[hundredeyesoni]

Oh? Are you lovers that aren't friends?

[With the innocent curiosity in how it's asked, at least it should be clear he hadn't noticed any irritation. A correction's only a new piece of information, after all, and Akira's as happy as ever to have received it.]

It's okay, hospitals get all kinds of visitors. But if you two fight once he's back up, I'll put you both under.

[truthdecided]

...I was inferring that we weren't merely friends. That our relationship goes beyond the platonic.

[They weren't always... friends, per se, but there was always a bond. A connection. Circumstances simply...

Well, that's beside the point. Best to stay on track.]

Regardless, I emit a comforting aura that has proven to alleviate his symptoms. Ergo, I should think I warrant extended visiting hours.

voice;

[outbounds]

[ Hmmm, there's something he might want to say, but first he has to check... ]

You did mean to address all of us with this, correct?

[ This was not a telepathic accident because he was worried? ]

[truthdecided]

I thought it pertinent to share. Ren would want you all to know.

[There's still an uneasiness that accompanies his words.

Wrong. Wrong. All of this is very wrong.]

[outbounds]

[ Announcing that someone is in a coma is Ren would want? Well, it means they don't have to realize by noticing at night that someone hasn't made it back to whatever quarters they're sharing in Oran, but... ]

Juuuust checking. I would like to say something, is all. Or ask something. Maybe both.

But I do not think you would want it to be done in public.

[ Especially not after the sweater incident. ]

[truthdecided]

[Well, that's slightly ominous. Whatever could he be implying?]

Where would you like to meet, then?

Audio

[dripdrive]

[The anxiety that comes with your beloved being in danger is something incredibly familiar to Anasui. However, instead of coming with condolences, Anasui comes with a question.]

...What do you mean further behind?

[truthdecided]

Points. Ren would like to rank higher, especially since I've taken the top spot in the guild. I believe that's part of why he exerted himself so much.

[Granted, they both did after the failure in the Northern Forest, but Akechi isn't the one with chronic pain.]

[dripdrive]

... That's stupid. The points really don't matter. [That's objectively not true, Anasui...] Is he really that competitive?

Video;

[quirkynote]

I don't think it was particularly wise to announce that he's been incapacitated... Alongside his location. Now all his enemies will know he's ripe for the tanking...

[You know, Ren's vast amount of enemies.]

[truthdecided]

[...A.B.A.

Akechi cocks his head to the side, staring at his pearl.]

While I appreciate the concern, I'm the closest thing Ren has to an enemy here, and we're dating. Naturally, any hypothetical threats would have to go through me.

1/2

[quirkynote]

[The closest thing to an enemy...? But they're dating...? A.B.A's eyes shift back and forth as she tries to puzzle out how that could even work. An enemy... He is...an enemy...?]

!!

[quirkynote]

[How utterly cruel! He's been using love as a tool to get closer to his enemy?! Waiting for the moment to strike?! Here A.B.A was worried about Ren being an easy target, when his enemy is already right beside him! Her fur bristles.]

YOU!!!

audio

[telewarped]

[There's a pang of shock and worry. Shoka just got out of the clinic herself, but this is the first she's hearing about Ren being there; she must have just missed him. Then, an uncharitable thought that she tries and fails to keep to herself: So you, the chronic overachiever, told him not to overdo it, and he didn't buy it? Shocker.]

What happened?

[truthdecided]

[Oh, that thought does not help. There's a jolt of irritation, a pang of guilt.

Damn it.]

Ren overexerted himself, and now he's bedridden for his troubles. Presently, he's unconscious.

[telewarped]

So... what, he just passed out? Or... is it like what happened with A.B.A and Dark Heart?

[offtracks]

Oh - I'm terribly sorry to hear that! Do you need anything? Perhaps a meal?

[His earnestness is, as ever, painfully obvious through the pearl.]

[truthdecided]

Admittedly, I have neglected to eat.

[The words come reluctantly. He hates being so vulnerable, but he'd be a hypocrite if he didn't admit that much.]

Ren is strong. I'm sure he'll pull through, but that hardly makes it any less frustrating.

[offtracks]

I am sure he will!

[No one has had a lethal case of this illness yet, as far as he knows. That does not make the symptoms much less disturbing...]

I will bring you something! Is there anything you cannot eat, or do not want?