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.

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.

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]

[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.

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.

[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. ]

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?

[truthdecided]

Extremely competitive. And, since I'm his rival, and I'm so highly ranked, that only fans the flames of his competitive spirit.

[There's a slight tinge of admiration, however subdued.]

Not that I intend to abandon missions in his absence. It's simply unfortunate that he's unable to participate.

[truthdecided]

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

Where would you like to meet, then?

[dripdrive]

Fair enough. And here I thought you were upset with him because he couldn't keep up, not that he's going to go back to overworking himself as soon as he's back up. But clearly, you care about him a lot.

I do shifts at the clinic. I'll keep another eye on him whenever I clock in.

[truthdecided]

I appreciate it.

[...]

That being said, I seem to have a sort of... soothing aura. I can't quite explain why, but I've tried to convince the clinic staff to let me stay after visiting hours for that purpose.

[Understandably, they have concerns. However, Akechi can be rather stubborn in his own right.]

[outbounds]

[ Just that Emmet figures Akechi probably doesn't want anything even remotely more personal than surface-level 'how do you do's aired out in what's effectively the middle of town square, if just the few of them involved in the get-along bundle incident the other month was already pushing it. Different subject, same idea. ]

Wherever is fine. I can get around town pretty quickly. Are you at the clinic?

[truthdecided]

I am.

[He pauses.]

I can meet outside.

[He'll wait for Emmet to confirm, of course, but otherwise, he'll reluctantly make his way out there.

Very reluctantly.]

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.

-> action;

[outbounds]

Okay. Destination set. I will be there soon.

[ With that, Emmet's end of the telepathic link cuts off. True to his word, Akechi won't have to wait too long after that exchange before a white fox comes trotting towards the clinic on all fours, scenting the air as he approaches before looking up. Hopefully the Rookidee hasn't spent the time stewing in his thoughts, but... ]

Huh. You look terrible.

[ So Akechi really is worried. Hmm. ]

[bladeofnymeia]

Of course. I understand.

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

Any preferences?

[truthdecided]

Well, this entire situation is terrible, to say the least.

[He huffs, though less at Emmet and more at the situation. There's a slight fluffiness to his feathers, further proof of his agitation.]

[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.]

[outbounds]

Better be careful. You do not want to go into a stress molt and start dropping feathers. Could affect your flight.

But that is not what I came here to say. [ says Emmet, dropping into a very feline-looking stretch to work the lingering wispiness out of him (it is still strange, sometimes, going back and forth between mostly solid, and mostly not) before sitting himself down somewhere out of the way and cocking his head. A situation indeed. ]

You say you told him not to overdo it. But really. What did you expect to happen?

[truthdecided]

It is in Ren's nature.

[He nearly grumbles out his words, an odd mix of exasperation and unease.]

He's driven, competitive, and puts others first. I've tried to get him to pace himself and actually take time for himself, but he kept insisting he was fine.

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?