jigokucho | text; un: didnot / backdated to mini-event

( It's kind of impressive how deep a teenager's glare can go, because Kate's already displeased expression deepens at the question.

Y'know talking hurts with these ribs, right? )

Host— ( ah, sharp breath. That stings. ) Hostess duties. ( Eyeroll. ) And some Shuten bastard.

Ah, sorry!

[ these things you sometimes forget when you heal magically ~~or your wife never lets anything get that close.~~ ]

If it were up to me, this conflict would have been over by now.

[ not that that would stop shuten and tamamo from brawling in the street because clan rivalry will never die, but it might stop the frequency of this sort of thing happening, at least.

he's also not entirely without manners ~~otome would kill him~~ and as he kneels next to her, he takes his jacket off to carefully put it around her. maybe the maid outfit will look a little less maid outfit without all the frills showing? ]

I know a place I can take you, but it's over on my side of town. I'm sure there's a cab to catch once we get out to the street. ... You're not gonna hit me if I try and pick you up, are you?

[ look, he knows enough people who would... ]

( This is wholly embarrassing and the next time she sees that bird brain, she's gonna make sure she can poison his drink.

And honestly, he's right to ask because if he tried it any other time, Kate would have hit him for even asking. But right now the thought of lifting her arm just sounds like inviting more pain, so she doesn't. )

... No.

( But given the scowl on her face, she hates the fact that she has to allow it. )

Good! Just checking!

[ it's not like it's a struggle to pick her up or anything, so he tries to do so as carefully as he can without hurting her because that's what's important now. ]

That alright?

[ he doesn't expect to talk again, just give him a sign; he's not trying to make this worse than it is. ]

( Being picked up like this, it's hard to hide the way she stiffens, or the grimace doing so draws from her. Like a stray animal realising its only option is to allow a human to handle it, she consciously forces herself to stay still, hands balling into fists and her head nodding once, sharp and rushed before she takes it back.

God, she hates people touching her. It used to be okay. But she doesn't know how to get back to the version of herself that felt that way.

The version of herself that was a better person all round. Who didn't get her ribs broken by getting into fights with dumb Shutens, who didn't feel all the ways she was wrong when someone else's hand brushed against her skin. That slimy, horrible feeling that never seems to wash off.

She exhales, loudly, through her nose and digs her fingernails into her palm until the pain from that and her ribs quiets the disgust inside her. )

[ ryouma recognises her tension and discomfort that has nothing to do with her injury. he doesn't presume to know the cause but sympathises anyway; he has different reasons to be evasive in his own way. ]

Look at it this way... now we're even from the other day. I don't like needing help from anyone either, but everyone needs a little at some point.

[ but since neither of them really had a choice, they just have to deal with it! ]

( Those words break the stupor of thought paralysing her, and Kate blinks, trying to process the words he's saying and the meaning behind them.

The other... Oh. Right. That. )

Weren't a big deal.

( Her voice is a mumble and shrugging is out of the question like this, but the message is obvious enough: She doesn't know what to do with any of this. What to do with the thought that her actions were remembered or that he's helping her with this shit.

So, instead, Kate turns her attention to looking for a taxi they can use. )

Right. And neither is this. I'm hoping this war won't go on much longer anyway...

[ he shouldn't take it personally when people get hurt because of a dispute that isn't his fault but he does because he feels he should have found a way to end it sooner.

once ryouma gets onto the street he has to walk up a block or so before he finds a cab he doesn't have to try and wave down — seeing as his hands are full — and walks up to the car parked by the curb. he's not concerned about the price and in fact, implies that if they get there faster he's willing to tip generously.

now it's just a matter of helping kate into the vehicle and they can be on their way. ]

( Well, if it helps, Ryouma, this probably would have happened even if the war wasn't on because she can't help herself when it comes to antagonising the local birdbrain.

She's glad to be in a seat instead of his arms, but the bracing awareness of the pain that comes with riding in the cab sobers, tamps the relief down to nothingness.

It'd be a quiet ride, but that tipping comment gets a raised eyebrow and a question; )

You rich?

( Look, he bought her pizza without complaint and now is offering to tip this driver to get them there quicker. )

[ considering she's in pain, he's surprised to hear her speak up to ask. not an unreasonable question at all, especially since some people are reasonably concerned about owing actual money instead of favours. ryouma doesn't expect payback anyway, which is the good news? ]

Ah, not exactly...

[ he does pretty well for himself, actually, but he's not one to brag about money even if it's true. maybe not rich, but he does alright on a lieutenant's pay. ]

But I rarely spend any money on myself, so I have plenty left over to use on whatever I really need it for!

( Trust her, she pays for it, though not as much as she pays for the way the driver blazes over a pothole, gritting her teeth and sucking in a breath to stop herself from swearing.

She's gonna kill that birdbrained bastard. Or at least make his life very uncomfortable in the future.

But that will have to wait. For now, she simply nods in acknowledgement that she's heard and understood what Ryouma says, filing it away in the back of her mind under Weird Pizza Guy. Which she might have to rename Kind Pizza Guy at some point. But not yet.

Not while the chance he'll turn around and show another side of himself is still a very real option in Kate's mind. )

[ there's nothing he can do for the state of the roads, which he weirdly would've thought might actually be better in hell, but clearly that's not the case. at least they'll be there sooner! at least they won't sit in silence because ryouma finds a way to fill it. ]

If you ever need anything in the future, you can always call, by the way.

[ since he doesn't expect her to know this unless he explicitly makes the offer here. ]

I'll send you an address later too. It's where I keep an office. Never know when you or somebody you know needs someplace to go, right? I work for the Alliance, but we're all Lost Souls and we oughta look out for each other. Otherwise, I intend to work with all the clans in the future, so it's just good business.

( It's hell, of course the roads would suck. But they're surprisingly clear, or at least, everyone's scared enough of this cabbie that they move out of the way of his car when he comes blaring down the road.

Looks like you're giving a hell of a tip, Ryouma.

Kate, meanwhile, gingerly pulls her phone out of her apron, deciding that it's probably easier to type a reply to what he's saying than risk the sharp pain that comes with speaking. Though, there's a moment before that where she rolls her eyes and fires off a snarky comment to a certain manslayer trolling her post.

Then she types out her reply and carefully leans it over to him so he can read it. )

there's a restaurant in tam district
fancy shit
lmk if you ever need a table
i'll hook you up

( She means: thanks. Not fully sure if you're genuine, and thus you get an offer to come to a place she can keep an eye on you, but thanks. )

[ ryouma can't complain — everything he's been saying about his strategy revolves around people being motivated by money. the cabbie is just being a great example~

he looks at the message when she holds it over for him to read, and he beams at her, happy to see it. ]

Might take you up on that. I've been trying to get a good idea of what Tamamo has to offer — especially the "fancy shit".

[ so thanks for the useful hookup, kate! he'll still send the location over anyway, but since it's up to other people to come to him, he doesn't expect anyone to show up if they don't trust him or don't have a reason to be there anyway. ]

( Ugh, if she didn't have to deal with this twinge, she'd smush your face into the window, Ryouma. Stop smiling like that. All she's doing is making sure she isn't owing a favour further down the line, clearly.

Though that cabbie is definitely earning his tip, screeching to a halt at the location Ryouma requested in possibly record time, with a less than elegant ending that has Kate swearing under her breath and clutching her side.

But this is it, huh? The answer to her broken ribs? )

[ too bad! you're just going to have to deal with it, kate~ ~~she can go commiserate about it with izō later.~~ it's also an apologetic smile given the abrupt ending to their ride. and now he pays his pricey cab fare and thanks the cabbie profusely before opening the door. ]

Alright! Just once more and then this problem'll all be over, yeah?

[ meaning as soon as she's ready, he'll go ahead and carry her inside. ]

( Here we go again. There's a single, stiff nod from Kate before she's hauled out of the cab and those thoughts once again twitch and stir, the itch to just get this over and done with loud and incessant.

She feels like a child. Perhaps that's true, in some ways, but it doesn't make it any more palatable a realisation. She can't get caught out like this again, because sucking at this means she might never get her contract fulfilled.

She doesn't want to go back to the reality she left.

So, for the remainder of this lift, Kate concentrates on that. On the things she needs to change, rather than the thoughts which seek to pull her back into memories she can't cut out of herself. )

[thankfully for them, the clinic is slower right now - always a relief to Emily, to see less people in need of help, for it means they're well. so she's at the front, doing paperwork, which means she sees Ryouma bringing in the girl, and stands up immediately. no visible blood, but that doesn't mean things are fine. no obvious broken limbs, either, but perhaps a fracture. there are just too many ways that someone could wind up carried in here.

to Kate, she'll see a woman that looks entirely unassuming, brown hair pulled back in a bun. no white coat of a doctor, but she talks like her word is law here, even with a kinder tone.]

Mr. Sakamoto - goodness, you better come to the exam room. Can you tell me what the matter is?

[as she turns away to gather something, there they are, the black wings folded snug to her back, as if they wanted to take up as little space as possible.]

Broken ribs. And that's about all I know right now.

[ because it's not his story to tell so he's only going to relay the most pertinent information. and since ryouma takes emily's word as law because it's not his place, he's just going to follow her right into wherever she wants them. ]

Bit of a trek getting over here, but I knew she'd be in good hands.

[ because, like it or not, you are a friend now, kate. ]

( The weirdest thing about hell, sometimes, is how normal it looks. This place? This is no exception. It's just a bog standard clinic with a bog standard medical professional (wings aside, and Kate does blink at them at least once, but it's starting to sink in that shit like that is probably more normal here than looking completely human), so normal you could mistake it for a place from home.

Of course, the bloom of pain at her side is a pretty damn good reminder that none of this is normal. Or even close to it.

Kate's decided that typing on her phone jostles stuff less than all the movement associated with talking, so there's a quick moment's silence as she hammers out a message before showing it to the woman in charge; )

what he said
got hit with a bat

( She'll leave the cursing his fluffy birdbrained head part of it until she's been treated. Or mostly treated. Instead quickly adding another sentence to her message; )

do i have to rest this shit off?

( Please say no. The thought of being stuck in her shitty starter flat, unable to do anything, sounds worse than the pain. )

[she has Ryouma lay the young woman down on the table - it's sturdier, and there is a pillow, a true one there. looking her over, Emily frowns, glad she can breathe but thinking about how to proceed.]

That's unlikely. However, I'd like to see the injury before I make my final judgements.

[looking back to Ryouma, she indicates with her head that he should leave, and close the door behind him - he can wait in the front, if he'd like.]

...Of course, that's by your leave, miss.

[her eyes take in the dress, but there's not a trace of judgement - just a simple analysis since she can't see the extent of the bruising without permission. it won't be hard to examine her, but she's in the habit of asking instead of being grabby.

if it's mild, she can simply rely on one of the concoctions - if it's deeper, she'll know that she should use her own power for it.]

Edited 2022-06-07 10:36 (UTC)

( Ugh. The dress really is the worst part of this whole thing, isn't it? Kate looks down at the mess of frills, considering just how to do this. There's a great big bow on the apron at the back, and a zipper on the side where Izō whacked her, neither of which make for an easy time removing this by herself.

Which means, when Ryouma's gone, there's a sharp hiss of pain and several swear words as Kate rolls herself to one side. )

Give me a hand.

( The bow is probably the bigger pain in the ass if she had to pick. )

Don't worry, I've got you. Just relax.

[true to her words, she does, and her hands are steady, gentle. if Kate goes along with her, she'll hardly have to lift a finger - Emily will do the work of getting the dress out of the way herself. she stays calm, and it's only when the bruising is exposed that her expression shifts into something that's a mix of concern and sympathy.]

That must feel ghastly. I'll have to ask you some particulars later, but for now...let's get this taken care of, hm?

( She's not going to complain, in this instance, about someone else doing a task that should be easy. That means less jostling about, which is fine by Kate. )

Shit— ( Though, she did shift a bit too much as the dress pulls away from her body. That fucking smarts. ) Gonna kill that bastard.

( Well. She's gonna fantasise about it, at least. )

... Go for it.

( She's reasonably sure Ryouma wouldn't take her to someone who'd make this worse. And hell, maybe if he did, she wouldn't be so bothered by the pain in her ribs, so win-win? )

[taking in a breath, she reaches for the power inside of her, and lays her hands on Kate's injury. a soft light blooms from them, and though they're inside, it feels like a light breeze is coming by, bringing fresh air through, wind that gathers to them. a warmth will spread through Kate - the pain erased with it, filling her up, and if she's watching she'll see the bruises lessen and disappear. her ribs, in Emily's mind, being brought back to alignment, reconnecting, growing strong again. things that are broken to be mended, back to how they would be with time, in proper places.

when she senses it's enough, she pulls back. the light and the breeze die down, and the warmth of the healing is left to dissipate. blinking, she removes her hands, studying where the injury was.]

That should do it. Good as new.

[not a trace it was ever there, except in her memory. no need to have to lay in bed in her apartment for any reason other than sleeping in.]

text; un: didnot / backdated to mini-event

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