Entry 004

[chippedsoul]

Characters: Kazuma Asougi [Jekyll/Hyde]
Campaign: Break
Format: [ brackets ]
Open
Summary: Catch-All for the Break


A - The Doctor is out [Network]

I will not be meeting with clients in person until further notice. If you must make an inquiry for some medicine, use the journal to contact me. I will let you know when it's ready to be picked up.

-Disciple

B- A nightly stroll in the forest

[Anyone who happens to be wandering around or living in the forest, might hear a disturbance during the nighttime. It doesn't occur every night, but when it does, it sounded like someone was cutting down the trees. There's also a low rumbling like thunder that occasionally accompanied the sound afterwards, like a rhythmic thumping. Looking into the source, they will find themselves at the edge of the Index. The ground appeared unstable, with trees uprooted and large boulders that have been split into smaller pieces scattering about the area.

This warzone was only found along the edge of the Index, and every few nights, a new area would turn into a disaster area. If someone manages to catch the person in the act, it turns out to be the Disciple, or was it the Disciple? The low rumbling noise was from him ramming trees into the barrier or throwing boulders at it. Whatever he could pick up and throw, which was almost anything, he was directing them at the barrier. A few times he was crazy enough to punch the barrier.] I need...to go... [If you manage to get in close enough, you can hear him mumbling about going somewhere. It doesn't seem like he's quite all there himself. Are those pajamas he's wearing?]

C-Wildcard
[This post is for the entirety of the break, so feel free to poke me on Discord or silentdrifterz if there's something else you want to play out instead or make your own starter!]

Comments

[ricebird]

[Actually, their timing is actually pretty good. Kotori's used to late nights, given her study schedule back home, but here it's a little more lax, so she's just about ready to go to bed. Her slightly tattered peasant dress and bonnet (because that's what the clothing shops always give her) traded out for a still-slightly-tattered set of cotton pajamas and house slippers, her contacts taken out and replaced with her glasses, and her long black hair braided into two long pigtails.

She'd JUST stepped out of the bathroom when she hears the heavy knocks downstairs, jumping in place. What on Earth? Grabbing the rail so she doesn't trip over her pants cuffs, she dashes down the stairs, through the pub proper and to the front door to open it, one face registering immediately as she looks up--]

Shizu--

[Make that two faces... It's then that she sees the boy in his arms. One that's definitely in some sort of distress, but her brain's lagging behind and she can't see the injured arm yet.]

Roxas-kun...?!

[What's wrong. His home has access to clean, safe water, and he looks wet already, so it's not his essence. But he's in pain... What's wrong... Why does her stomach feel like it's sinking?]

[twilightskey]

[Even if the princess carry is awkward in any way, Roxas is in no position to protest even if he wanted to. Even when he dries off and his legs come back with a small flash of magic, he just clings to Shizuo as they ran.]

[Finally, they arrive at Kotori's house, and Roxas feels even more relief. He looks up when the door opens, and he winces as he sees her shocked face.]

...hey Kotori.

[SORRY TO BARGE IN LIKE THIS?]

[hatesviolence]

[Shizuo just gives Kotori a nod.]

Got a place I can put him down? He needs a healer, but I have to deal with something.

[ricebird]

I-I...

[She shakes herself awake, no, she can't panic now.]

Right, come inside, quickly. [She opens the door wider leading them over to one of the booths along the far wall.] What happened?

[twilightskey]

[Roxas can't do very much as he's brought in, other than look around at the interior of Kotori's home. He turns back to her when she asks her question, and his gaze lowers.]

I.. got in a fight with Disciple. He threw me into the barrier.

[hatesviolence]

[Just following after Kotori until he can carefully set Roxas down.]

From the sounds of it, he turned into Hyde again.

[An angry click of his tongue, already agitated enough to just want to leave right now, but he can spare a few moments to make sure he's not needed to help with Roxas.]

[ricebird]

[Her breath hitches and she freezes for a step at the name "Hyde." HE caused this? WHAT did he cause?]

Hyde...?

[Before Kotori thought that the only thing she was really scared of was knives, but... very slowly, Hyde is earning his spot in second place.

She doesn't even feel her feet moving again as she tries to focus on guiding them to a table that can be used as a makeshift bed. The wood is old but sturdy and well-polished, and Kotori has some blankets and pillows she can get... once her brain and heart start working again.]

H-how badly is Roxas injured? I... I don't know how to heal, or where to find a doctor at this time of night...

[twilightskey]

[Given Shizuo's words, and Kotori's reaction, he wondered just how often Hyde has reared his head. And given Kotori's expression, he wasn't the only one freaked out by Disciple's aspect.]

[He winces as he's set down, but doesn't let out any more cries of pain; Shizuo's work on his shoulder really did help, as painful as it was initially.]

Everything else is fine, but my arm...

[Even without him saying, it's clear the arm is broken.]

[hatesviolence]

I'd stay and help, but I have to go back and deal with Hyde before he hurts someone else.

[ricebird]

Wait, what? You're going back out there?!

[B-but Roxas is hurt, and what if HE gets hurt with no way to call for help?!]

[twilightskey]

[Roxas knows Shizuo is strong, and obviously knows what he's dealing with, but he doesn't like the idea of Shizuo going out on his own either. He frowns for a moment, then looks up at Shizuo.]

You know what Disciple's essence is like, right? Then you're the best one to stop him.

If we don't hear back from you in two hours, Kotori and I will contact everyone we know's journal and have them go out looking for you.

[He turns to Kotori.]

Right?

[ricebird]

I...

[Crap... she's outnumbered two to one but... that panic that's been building is starting to reach critical mass, and... and...

And Roxas is right... If Shizuo doesn't do this, Hyde stays out there and he might hurt more people. And neither of them can go... Crap...

Once she opens her eyes from squeezing them shut, she looks to Shizuo with desperate fear, eyes shining, whole frame tense.]

Just... Promise us you'll be careful, Shizuo-san. Please.

[And the "please" she uses in Japanese makes it clear she NEEDS that promise, NEEDS him to be careful. Is BEGGING for it. He's one of her best friends here, and she can't handle the idea of him being hurt any more than she can deal with Roxas hurting in front of her.]

[hatesviolence]

[Shizuo honestly didn't really think about how Kotori would react to his decision to go after Hyde. It wasn't out of lack of consideration for her at all, but more that he had been so focused on first helping Roxas and then in the idea of finding and punching that bastard's face in, he had little thought for anything else. Even before Kotori spoke he had been amped up and ready to go.

But when he does see the girl's face and hears her practically begging for him to be careful... Well two things strike him. The first is guilt because he's making her worry so much. The second is something deeper, a surprise and slow realization that at least one person cares about his well-being that much. Usually people don't since he can handle anything literally thrown at him, a kind of confidence (and fear) in his abilities. But what Kotori displays is different.

So he stands there a little dumbstruck before a small smile slowly forms and he reaches out to (mostly) gently lay a hand on her head, a gesture of reassurance.]

Promise. Won't be letting that bastard get to me that easily.

[With that he turns and waves as he leaves.]

I'll let you know what happens.

1/2

[ricebird]

[Oh. For a second Kotori is dumbstruck too, letting the words and the hand on her head wash over her. The pat isn't completely gentle, but what gentleness is there is palpable, something in its strength and weight makes the promise seem more real. It feels like... like her father's strength, in a way, back when he was still a part of her life. Large and even intimidating to people around him, but always with that kindness right under that surface, steady, protective.

Tears still fall as she tilts her head up under his hand, but the smile she tries to give is sincere.]

Thank you... I believe in you, Shizuo-san.

[Once he goes, she keeps watching the doorway even as she tries to sit down, breathe out all that tension. He promised... now she just needs to believe him.]

2/2

[ricebird]

[After a few seconds she turns to Roxas, face calmer and more serious.]

Sorry about almost falling apart, Roxas-kun. Do you think you can walk, or do you need to rest?

[twilightskey]

[Roxas knows this is probably their best bet to deal with Hyde without involving anyone else, but he hadn't anticipated how strongly Kotori would react to the news. Seeing her cry makes him want to say or do something to help, his chest tightening in a way he's never felt before. It's shocking on multiple levels for him, and for a moment he's struck silent, just watching the scene unfold. He does relax when Shizuo seems to calm her down, and he nods at Shizuo as he leaves.]

[Once the older blonde is gone, he turns to Kotori as she turns to him, looking more composed. He nods.]

I can walk... just gotta be careful with my arm.

[Still, he looks at her seriously.]

Are you going to be okay, though?

[ricebird]

[She lifts her glasses and tries to wipe some of the tears away as she nods.]

I'll try. I'm just... not used to people around me fighting and getting hurt, at least not like this. [She supposes it might have been as dangerous for her dad, but he'd quit the police force when she was still young, so she likely didn't understand the danger at the time.] And we're supposed to be allies, working together instead of fighting each other, right? Especially since... well, you and Shizuo-san are two of my best friends here. Seeing you hurt, or even thinking about it is going to upset me no matter what.

But... both of you seemed so determined, it's not like I could have stopped you even if I DID say no. And you're right that Shizuo-san needs to go, or Hyde might hurt more people. And if I'm panicking, it means I won't be able to help you.

[twilightskey]

[Roxas couldn't help the surprised look that briefly settles on his face. Given the type of life he's lead, it's easy to forget that there are others who haven't lived their lives fighting. Even without living a life of combat, though, he can understand being worried about those you care about getting hurt. But hearing that Kotori considers him and Shizuo to be her best friends, and showing such concern... it makes a feeling he's not quite sure how to describe bubble in his chest.]

I... I know. I'd rather not have anyone else get hurt either. I just know that if we didn't do something, others will get hurt. But, Shizuo is strong, and has a strong heart. If there's anyone who can stop Hyde and bring Disciple back safely, it's him. You just have to believe in him. And it's like you said; we have allies if we things go badly. We're not alone.

[He pauses after he says it, a wry smile coming to his face. Perhaps his time in Sora's heart has affected him, too.]

[ricebird]

[Kotori nods, her smile growing a little stronger and warmer.]

I know. Thank you, Roxas-kun...

[A deep breath and she tries to release some of the tension, even if it's not all, and then she stands up.]

Okay, let me get dressed again and then we can try to find a healer. I'll be right back.

[twilightskey]

Okay.

[He hates that this had made Kotori so distressed, but he's glad that she's at least somewhat calm now. He'll wait for her to go and get dressed, while he does his best to sit still and not agitate his broken arm. Although, he does slowly pull out his journal and keep it at his side, ready to receive any messages from Shizuo.]

[He was serious about that two-hour limit.]

[ricebird]

[So is Kotori. DON'T MAKE HER PANIC AGAIN, SHIZUO.

But it only takes a few minutes for Kotori to come back down from the apartment over the pub, hair still braided and still wearing her glasses but now sporting a tattered peasant dress and a slightly threadbare shawl over her shoulders. She also comes holding a few towels in her arms, one long and thin, the others still folded.]

Here. It'll probably help if you wear a sling while we walk around. The less you move your arm until it's looked at, the better.

[twilightskey]

[He looks up as Kotori comes back down in her new clothes. He's surprised at the state they're in, but right now he can't exactly comment on them. He nods to her mention of the sling.]

Okay. If you think it's best. [He would shrug, but even the slight movement of his shoulder makes him wince.] It's kind of weird. I've never had a wound that a Cure spell couldn't handle.

[He sounds rather sheepish as he says it.]

[ricebird]

[She nods as she stretches the long towel out, just testing if it can be knotted around Roxas's neck at the right length for now.]

We don't have any kind of magic in my world, just in fiction. It'd be nice if we had Cure spells there, though. [Like, you know, kitchen knife accidents.] Can anyone use magic like that in your world?

[twilightskey]

If they're good enough with magic, yeah. It's not very common, I guess; most people I knew who could do magic could only use one element. If you had a Keyblade to help, you can wield all kinds of magic, even if you couldn't do so before.

[ricebird]

A Keyblade?

[Okay, the length should work, especially once she puts the folded towels in there for padding.]