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 Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 10:11 pm
The walk back was quiet. Mali for the most part didn't look as if he was bleeding as much anymore and the cuts had seemed to have clot and dried. The discoloration however was only getting worse. Vit made a note that it would need to visit the kitchen to get some ice for that.
Carrying the other back was a bit awkward considering their size difference but they made it and entered the barracks with no issue. Once there, Vit made for its room and opened the door. It wasn't until they were there that he remembered the state of its room. There was nothing it could do about it now, but it wasn't how it wanted anyone to see it. Then again, it never expected company.
"They don't keep spare rooms and the infirmary doesn't let beds for minor injuries. You can just rest in my room until your general can fetch you." It said as it pushed open the door.
Vitriol's room was standard issue aside from the furnishing that Faustite had paid for in making it just livable. It had a small desk and table and one chair. There was a shelf with only one book. A dresser with almost nothing in it aside from the one set of clothes it had corrupted in and a few shirts it found in the lost and found to sleep in at night. On the table was a glass of water and tabs of allergy medication that it picked up at the Infirmary for when it associated with cats.
The bed had one blanket and one pillow, both chewed on the corners with various holes from either teeth or claws.
It moved Mali to the bed and set it down upon it. "I'll go get some ice."
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 10:29 pm
Pain was something Mali could deal with reasonably well, he told himself. His face throbbed, but the swelling honestly wasn’t too bad. With his arm about Vivre, the walk back to the barracks could have almost been considered pleasant if it wasn’t for the nausea.
A minute or two without his glasses were fine. The longer that time stretched out, the dizzier he became. With that dizziness came the urge to bend over and hurl. The world shifted around them constantly, to the point where for minutes at a time, Mali was reduced to walking with his eyes squeezed shut, solely depending on Vivre’s guidance not to stumble and fall to some sort of early demise.
“Nnng... It’s fine, anything’s fine.” While he would have liked for his words to be kinder, the sooner he could sit down the better.
Any other time, he would have been quietly delighted to look about the bedroom that Vivre called home. It would have been a perfect moment to learn more about him, what he liked, what sort of design skills he had, had Mali been able to see anything.
The focus was turned to the bed that he was set down on, and in the next moment, he flopped over, holding his gut most likely more dramatically than intended.
“Thank you... I’ll be better in a moment, take your time I just.. Ugh... I just need to let my stomach settle...” There was something strange about this bed, that was for certain, but none of it properly mattered. First things first, fight back any thoughts or feelings of a desire to wretch.
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 10:38 pm
It stared back at him. "I'll see if they have any crackers too." It said and left Mali alone. There was nothing in it's room to worry about but it paused for just a moment to pick up a ring from the desk and slide it into the desk drawer.
Moving away, it waked out and softly shut the door behind it.
After a while of finding a ziplock bag to put ice in, finding ice, then getting a cup for more ice for itself to eat, and then finding a handful of individually wrapped crackers they typically had out when serving soup, it came back.
Arms full, it dumped it on the bed. "Uh, they had some crackers but they are all wrapped. I don't know how old they are." It admitted. It then set the bag of ziplocked ice gently on his lap as to not scare or startle the man. "For your face."
It then set a bottle of water beside it and a cup. "I can't open bottles." It admitted. The hands had many issues.
Slowly, it sat down by the side of the bed on the floor with it's own cup of ice. It would help to have something to drink and chew on to help it's restlessness. It was tired too but there was only one bed and it was just big enough for one person. The little room didn't fit much else and any bigger bed was a luxury the barracks didn't afford.
"You can lay down and sleep if you need to." It said.
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 10:52 pm
For the entirety of the time Vivre was away, Mali did not move. The nausea faded with time, and as he pressed his cheek into the softness of the pillow he noticed a few things about the room by touch alone.
The pillow was stiff. Not damp, or hard, or anything of a liquid he was somewhat familiar with. Just crinkled and bizarre. Feeling about the blankets and sheets, they were torn in a few places, which he simply assumed came from having claws... And there was a sweet smell coming from the bed as well. Not terribly sweet, of course, but reminded him of an ice cream bar he ate as a child... No, something less sweet than that.. A bear claw maybe? It was pleasant, either way, earthy and familiar, and an excellent distraction to the pain in his face and the gurgle in his belly.
Upon Vivre’s return, Mali sat back up, though opted to keep his eyes closed for the time being, causing him to jump at the surprise coldness on his thigh.
“Ice... Right, thank you.” The bed shifted, and Mali gave in, opening his eyes and squinting at whatever was brought over..
“You sure went out of your way for this... Thank you.” It would be rude to simply not use anything that was offered, so a pack and a half of somewhat stale crackers and a deep drink of the water later, Mali began to feel a little better.
“I’m not just going to take your bed, Vivre... But can I ask, why does it smell so sweet?” A moment later, he slid off the bed, taking seat on the floor beside Vivre and pressing the ice to his sore and aching eyes.
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Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 11:05 pm
"I was the one that punched you. It's going to be hard explaining to people why your face looks beat up." Mali had a human life to live and most normal people didn't get punched in the face. Bruises on the face were very noticeable things and it assumed people would want to know what happened. Nubi sure would. Maybe it was good that Mali liked to stay inside a lot at home.
"Uh, you can stay on the bed. It's worse if no one is using it. The floor is worse, and it's small. You should lay down." It said as it watched with surprise as Mali slid down to the floor beside him.
The smell was not something he'd think Mali would notice and one that Vive itself had become blind to until it was pointed out. "Uh....that is....just me." Though that made it seem like it had weird BO. Then Mali really wouldn't want to sleep on the bed, but then admitting poison and drool might be on the bed didn't make it an inviting place to sleep either. In fact, it made it seem disgusting.
And that just made its room seem even worse. Mali might wonder why on earth it thought this was a good place to put it to rest and think making it sleep on a smelling bed as a punishment out of spite.
"I clean my bed things often. Just so you know." It wasn't a unhygienic person. "It's just - I kinda drool a bit in my sleep." Among other things.
"I can try to see if there is another blanket and pillow somewhere else. If you wanna wait a bit."
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 8:24 am
"We can explain it that I tumbled down a cliff while in the Rift, and you so valiantly saved me from being eaten by something due to my own neglect. It may not reflect well on me, but they could always just chalk it up to me being a senshi." There wasn't any maliciousness on his own part, just a poke at himself with a smile as he made himself comfortable besides Vivire on the floor. "Besides, despite everything, I want to be close to you. I think maybe now, after the talking, and the fighting, I feel an even stronger desire to know you better. Especially now that I know you aren't just Cuteness, fluff, and eagerness."
The coolness of the ice soothed the bruising, and with a small wiggle of it, he determined that his nose was just fine as well. The glasses breaking did more damage than the punch itself. It would certainly heal in no time.
"It's fine, really, it is. We all have habits in our sleep we can't control. The idea of you curled up on the bed and drooling is actually a pretty adorable one, I have to say. I didn't mean to make you self conscious, I had honestly thought it was a shampoo or a soap of some sort, but that makes more sense. With your fur and your paws, I would have thought the smell of any sort of soap would cling to you better, and the smell wasn't the same." ... That was too personal, wasn't it..? Now Vivre would think he was actively smelling him...
... Ah well, Mali didn't care right now. After what happened in the Hall of Shadows, anything else he could have said, short of actively wanting to purify, would just be icing on the cake of horrible thoughts he made out loud.
"Just stay with me for a while, I'm fine here without anything more. Unless you'd be alright if me leaning against you, or putting my head on your leg."
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 9:17 am
It stared back at him, debating if it should say anything about being called cute all the time. It wasn't just a one time occurrence now, and chalked it up to the fact that, regardless of his claws, he was still a young-looking, short man with animal features. Animal features that could be mistaken for a domesticated animal.
Cuteness, fluff, and eagerness.
Mali had no idea what it was all about, but maybe that was for the best now.
"I think its the poison that smells." It admitted, and guessed that Mali didn't want to go on the bed because of that. Chewing on another bit of ice, it lifted a claw and smelled it. "The soap really doesn't cover anything long. It still smells like animal fur most of the time." Like wet dog every time it took a shower.
"You can do whatever you want. I don't mind." It said, letting the ice melt in its' mouth.
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:07 am
Poison? Was that the smell...? A sweet smell covering something vicious... Made sense. And certainly fascinating.
"You don't smell horrible, so don't think too much of it... I am surprised about the poison though. What does it do? I assume it doesn't hurt you, since you make it.." Given permission, he shifted on the small space on the floor, getting comfortable and placing his head on Vivre's thigh.
Curse his damned hair though. It wasn't a tail, it couldn't be controlled, so it just piled up beside them in a coiled pile.
"... Tell me, Vivre.. I need to know now... What are you thinking? I want you to be honest with me. It will make everything easier this way."
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:58 am
"It burns you. I liked my claws so that when I cut someone, the wound hurts even more. At least until the air hits it and it dies out. The feeling doesn't last long. I tried it on myself a few times to test it. Maybe when I grow strong, it can become stronger too." It mused out loud as it leaned it's head back against the side of the bed and closed its eyes.
It set the cup down beside it to then let its hands settled on either side of it.
"What am I thinking? I'm thinking I've very tired." It said, not knowing what Mali wanted to know about what it was thinking.
"And that I want a steak. A very raw steak."
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 11:33 am
"That's very cleaver of you, and far more hygienic as well. Who knows the places some of these people have been. It'd worry me to know you're going about biting random strangers..." While one hand held the ice in place, the other sought out Vivre's paw, finding it empty and choosing, instead to hold onto it loosely.
... Why couldn't it have been like this to begin with?
"Me too... I'd love a muffin... or a couple of cookies or something... If I'm feeling better by the time I go home, maybe I'll bake something... But that's not what I meant... I meant, what do you think of me.. Of this? Of what we've done so far?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 11:52 am
It felt its hand taken and did no motion to return it back to its previous place. Right now, there was no point in moving. If this is what Mali wanted till his general came, then that was fine.
"I think..." It paused, debating with itself a moment and deciding to think of this moment as if he was writing a report into a database. "..that you are confusing. You love your family. You envy freedom. You like being at home. You like being a brother. You want to serve but not just anyone. You compare your life to your sister. You worry about her a lot. You don't worry enough about yourself."
It paused a moment more.
"You have a problem with authority. You don't want to die alone. You don't want to be forgotten."
It tried to think of something else.
"You also like touching people." It continued.
"And all we've done is nearly die in the Rift because I don't know how to talk right and I'm not going to be a good soldier if I don't keep myself in line."
It opened its eyes to stare at the ceiling. "Or is this all assumptions. If it is, I can't help it. Thinking makes you want to assume things. To paint an idea to predict a person."
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 12:20 pm
Mali took the ice from his eyes to look up questioningly at the purple blur that was above him. It was a shame he couldn't see anything, he would have liked to see the expression that Vivre had as he recounted what was found out about Mali. was it fond? Sad? Confused?
Most likely confused or worried.
"Most of that is true, I can't deny that. Though I have to say, I hate personal contact. It makes my skin squirm, and it's pretty much a knee-jerk reaction to slap a hand away when it comes too close. I tend to have a rule of wanting people to stay atleast an arms length away from me..." His head tilted back just a little bit, a small smile resting on his lips.
"You are an exception. I like holding your hand, and being close to you. I suppose there's a reason as to why I was so click to open up and ask so much from you after we've only known each other for a short time. I don't have a word for it, but most of your assumptions aren't wrong in this case." He'd have to talk Nubi about most of these thoughts. Emotions other than negative ones were something he wasn't exactly familiar with. But being around Vivre left him... Confused.
"I know you said you'd keep my words to yourself, but you have your own goals and missions to accomplish. I asked for too much so soon... I said too much and made you worry... So I want you to know, if it can further your goals and make you happy by reporting me, you can, and I'll understand."
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 12:29 pm
It turned its head down and was surprised to find, despite what Mali said, the man smiling back.
"There you are again. Not worrying about yourself. Putting yourself in danger. You know what you did wrong, but you are even giving me permission to throw you to the wolves. Its like you want to have them do something. To know what you think of them. You could file the report against yourself. Go to your superior and turn yourself in. Let them decide your fate. I have done just that before. To lay yourself at the feet of those with the power to destroy you."
And it felt good when it was given salvation. When it was given a chance.
"And if I reported you, then what? Will you listen to them when they come to reprimand you? Or will it change nothing in your world? Your mortality is in jeopardy, Mali."
It reached over with its other hand and with the backside of one claw, brushed it over its brow. "Should I ask them that I should kill you if it suits my goals? Would you allow me to tear your starseed out so easily just to make me happy?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 8:07 pm
"That's your job though, isn't it? The utmost loyalty to your 'queen' and your leaders. You said you couldn't just ignore that... And let's be honest, I'm really nothing to you, just a stranger who seems far too curious and open for his own good." The ice was returned to his eyes, not wanting to give too honest of a gaze back at Vivre.
Part of him truly wanted to be honest about everything, to keep having those feelings about the world they were in out there in the open... So far it wasn't a good idea.
He had more than a couple of bruises on his person proving that fact so far.
"They can't read my thoughts, can they? My actions and the performance of my duties hardly reflect what I've said to you. They can scour my records and notice that I've met all quotes, gone above them at times, and that I'm doing what I'm told. Maybe I could be stronger, but everyone grows at their own pace, some stay Lieutenants for years on end. So... No. Nothing in my world would change." It was true though, no one could read minds... Could a youma?
Was there a youma out there that could attach to his head and make him speak the truth? Likely not.
Mali pressed the ice harder against his face, taking that pain in slowly and hiding the almost stressed expression he had.
"... I wish there was a different way to make you happy. You were very specific about what would bring you joy, but It's not something I can do, not as I am now. So if the only other way to make you happy was to tear out my starseed, hmm... Ask them, give me time to say my goodbyes and ensure my sister and Obie away, then use me to further those goals you had for yourself. Just because my traitorous inclinations would lead to my own ruin, I wouldn't want that to ruin your future. You are happy were you are, you said, and I have no right to have you jeopardize that."
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Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 8:28 pm
Viv knew that it had been rather emotional and irreational when it was a knight, but had it been this bad when it was fully human. Would Viv judge Mali the same way as it did now if it wasn't somehow removed from that world? Then again, did it not offer it's own life to Faustite and the Queen to make use of it in whatever way pleased them if it brought them any use.
It was just strange that Mali, a senshi, would do that for someone he just met and not even a normal officer. But a half-youma lieutenant. It was like tossing pearls at strays. There were better uses for it and the strays had no use for finer things that a real mater could make use of. Masters like Faustsite and the Queen. Like the General Kings and Queens. They could make a corrupt senshi and forge them into a weapon. In some time maybe Viv could do just that, but right now it was nothing more than crude ore itself.
"Who knows. Metallia is a strange being. It knows more than most and has powers probably beyond what we know. A little bit of Chaos connects all of us to its web. But if it knew everything, then we wouldn't have defectors and purified senshi and knights. Maybe some things pass through the net."
But it didn't want to test that luck.
Viv glanced down at Mali as it spoke of self-sacrifice with the same somber, heavy look he had for a few minutes now. A woeful surrender to unwanted but unavoidable fates. Reaching back, a large paw grabbed its pillow and planted it over the other's face.
"That is not the answer I like. There is nothing sadder than a life given so freely before it can even realize it's own potential. If we are just strangers, then maybe work on fixing that and maybe be careful on who you are open to. If you really are worried, talk to your superior to see if they might have an answer to your feelings as a agent. I'm not fit to direct senshi. I cannot fully understand you. Like I said. You're confusing to me."
It lifted the pillow up to look at the senshi in it's lap. "You ask me what makes me happy. I do not know. I know what might. My list is short. I do not remember enough to have a longer list. Just as I don't remember what baked foods I like the most. Of my name. Of what brought joy to me."
"I remember my oath and the goals I have now. I will not change them. I cannot. But maybe - if you don't think of it as servitude to me, instead work alongside me. Not as pledge or oath or me as your superior. We have our superiors. But as a comrade. A friend. A corrector if I run my mouth. In battle, fill in the gaps in what I lack and keep pace with me. Does that make you happy because I do not get what else to offer when I have little of my own to give."
It set the pillow against its chest and lean its head back again, closing its eyes. "Maybe your answer is in the name. Vive. In hopes of joy. If all else fails, you can take it back. Vitriol might just be the most fitting."
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