not_meatbuns | Rebel 27 [Action

[Litchi is taking a rare day off from the clinic. Only it's not even really a full day; she's just stepping out for a while for some fresh air and a chance to actually check in on her housemates. Watching diligently over Tsubaki is still her top priority, of course, but she needs just a short break from the clinic.

So it's a quick trip back to House 48 first to look in on Tao and Thirteen and possibly get a bath. And some tea. It's been far too long since she was home long enough to really have a chance to sit with her "family" for a while.

Then from there, she'll be heading off to the library to grab some new reading material. There are several things she's been meaning to do some research on, and it's about time she got around to it. She'll be at the library for a few hours before heading back, pausing only to make a note in her journal:]

[Written | Locked 100% to McCoy and Kamui]

Could I speak with you two for a moment when I get back? Something has been brought to my attention that I think both of you need to be aware of as well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear, trying not to turn too much redder at that smile of his. Miraculously, it seems to be working.]

Well... to be honest, I'm being a little selfish, too. It's nice to know you care enough to worry. [It really shouldn't make her half as happy as it does.]

[He leans back into the couch again, and glances over to her, pinged by her tucking her hair behind her ear.]

Well, then we can both just be selfish, right? It all works out.

[...And he wants to say it's hard not to care about her, but for now he bites it back. He thinks it's obvious enough anyway...]

[It's obvious enough. At least, obvious enough now that she's able to sense any unspoken sentiment behind his words. Litchi can't help the sunny smile that spreads across her face.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, guilt is stirring a bit, but she's not terribly focused on it for now.]

...Yes, I suppose that's fair.

So that's settled. If you can get the time off, we'll head up... early next week? Probably should try to be back in time for Thanksgiving.

[Small nod.] That sounds like a great plan to me. We'll be home in time to have a nice meal ready for Tao and Tsubaki.

[Because seriously, Tsubaki deserves a nice welcome-home meal. ;_;]

...How's Tsubaki's recovery been? I visited her a couple of times, but you're the one who's really been looking after her.

[She's quiet for a moment, unconsciously hugging her arms to herself. There goes that sunny smile.]

She's certainly recovering just as she should but... [Good lord, this is hard to say. She struggles for a moment for the right words.] David, I... I think she...

[Her fingers tighten around her arms.] It seems she's lost her eyesight.

[He blinks at the change in Litchi's demeanor, and then at the news. He's quiet for a good moment.

...In a way, this was something of a sick joke by fate. Tsubaki was a woman so interested in justice and honor, so fascinated with the law and discipline. Her becoming as blind as the justice she so loved and sought was unbelievably cruel.]

[He can only really do one thing. He scoots over to Litchi and puts a hand on her shoulder and just looks at her.

His tone is firm, but neutral and comforting.]

...But she's alive. She may not be able to see now... but she's alive. She'll get through this, she'll find a way.

Tsubaki is strong. She's a lot stronger than I was at that age. And she won't be alone. We'll be there to help her every step of the way. No matter what.

[Litchi gives him a weak smile for the reassurance and nods once. He's right. Tsubaki is not alone in this. She has her friends and housemates to help her through it.

But it's still striking far too close to home for Litchi's comfort. Just how many people she cares strongly for will end up being corrupted by some kind of power from back home? First Lotte, then herself, then Carl, now Tsubaki...] I know we'll find a way to help her through this. I'm sure there must be a way, given how this place has given all of us a second chance. But...

[Slight fidget.] I'm fairly sure I know what caused the blindness. And even though I know perfectly well how dangerous it is, I also know it means a lot to her. I... haven't been able to bring myself to just take it away from her for her sake. [It's like Carl all over again.]

What caused it?

[He has a bad feeling it's going to be something he doesn't like the answer to.]

...The weapon she uses. It's a powerful Arma-- magical weapon known for stealing the light from its users. "Izayoi."

[Guilt. If only she had noticed sooner. She's absently toying with her hair again.] I had only ever heard of it before now.

[Yup. He was right. He did not like that answer. But he's not about to take it out on Litchi. It's not her fault and he doesn't want her to feel any worse about this.

Though it brings back a flashback from Halloween. I didn't think I used it that much. She couldn't see then. She thought it was Izayoi, not the hallucinations. Dammit!]

I said she was strong. ...I didn't say she was smart.

[That came out a good mix of angry and hurt, but he didn't raise his voice. But he calms down after a moment.]

...You leave talking to her to me. I'll see if I can't get that thing away from her. Maybe she'll come to her senses now. When she's able to fight again, we should find her a weapon to replace it. Preferably one that isn't cursed.

[Despite her inward wince -- after all, she too had messed with powers far beyond what she could handle -- Litchi nods. Thank heaven David is here for this, because she's not sure she could talk to Tsubaki about this without feeling like a total hypocrite.]

...Thank you. And yes, we'll have to find her something suitable that won't pose any danger to her. I'm sure we'll find something.

[Worse comes to worst, Tsubaki can always learn from the Filial spirits, too.]

[He just pinches the bridge of his nose for a moment, trying to think of what to do next. Dammit, Tsubaki. Of course, it's only at moments like these does he really realize how much he's come to care about her. He realized it before, but having something like this happen is an extremely sobering reminder.

But... at least, like he said, she's alive, and Litchi said she'll fully recover otherwise.]

...Still, that's not something we'll have to worry about just yet. For now, though... let's try not to worry any more. Everything in due time.

Ah... of course. [From somewhere below the thick guilt, hope is beginning to flicker. They can get through this, so long as they're all together. If the Halloween hallucinations taught her anything, that was it.

She gives him a weak smile.] I'm sure we'll all make it through this just fine.

[A weak smile is still a smile. And Litchi's vote of confidence really means something, given how much she tends to worry.]

We will. I know it.

Rebel 27 [Action | Written]

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