recovery

[thirdarrow]

Who: Takakage and a couple of people. Semi-open; if you want to jump in, ping me on plurk first and we can arrange something.
Where: Leo Ward, in the hospital
Summary: Someone finally wakes up to 2085947585 COMP messages.


Regaining awareness was an unusual experience.

Takakage couldn't remember anything of the days before, save for a vague sensation of rising through deep water. The return to consciousness remaindd in his recollections, though - a sharp jolt of crisp images, as if breaching the ocean surface and up into air. It was disorienting, especially given that the medical staff responded very quickly - and also because it took him a few hours to remember what transpired just before he had blacked out.

Given that he was in the Leo Ward and not within the bowels of a giant demon, it ought to be safe to assume that things did turn out as planned.

A little inquiring provided him with the reassuring fact that both the two lords had survived unharmed. Though it would be a while before he was able to try and contact them again. The first day passed in a whirl of sound and movement, filled with myriads of tests and staff bustling about. At the end of the evening, the doctor had insisted that he rest - and it was a decision he was not allowed to refuse.

Sedation couldn't be bypassed, no matter how hard he tried to fight off its effects.

The second day fared better - the morning air cleared his head, and allowed him to think better. Time to check up on what's been happening -

- Taro, why did you send a hundred messages? The COMP was even starting to lag...

[ ooc: Takakage is going to send individual messages to people he knows, so there will be 'sub-threads' for each person. Ping me if you would like one! ]

Comments

[hachitaro]

Taro sighs briefly, and shakes his head. "If you were 'fine' you wouldn't be in the hospital." Honestly. He smiles a little bit at Takakage again, though.

"What are you reading now?"

[thirdarrow]

He smiles a little more, but that change is gone as quickly as it appeared.

"It covers the various hormonal systems of the human body. While it isn't exactly relevant to our current situation, I figured that such knowledge might be of use in the field."

Takakage you huge nerd.

[hachitaro]

... Yep giant nerd alert. That's okay, though. It's sort of endearing.

"Uh... maybe? I slept through a lot of biology class most of the time. I could probably pull together enough knowledge to come up with some science-based pickup lines but that's about it. I grabbed a couple of the genetics books lying around the house, though."

He pats the bag next to him. "I also brought some cookies and mixed nuts. I wasn't sure what sort of stuff you like to eat so I brought both. I know hospital food can suck sometimes."

[thirdarrow]

... science-related pickup lines.

There is a two-second pause as he tries to think of something to say, and fails.

"Well... genetics mostly affect basal cell metabolism, inheritance of alleles and the like, so in combat situations they won't be all that useful. Though it helps to understand why our bodies function in a certain way, and helps with management of diseases caused by defects in transcription templates. Hormonal things affect regulation of signaling so they are... sort of relevant? Except, again, better for long-term conditions. The only one of note in the field would be adrenaline, involved in the fight-or-flight response..."

He realizes that Taro is probably getting bored.

"Ah, my apologies. I've rambled on for too long." He smiles a little sheepishly. "Thank you for taking the effort to bring food along." Though he isn't very hungry, and the hospital things were... more bland...(?) than usual city food, which he actually found quite welcome. "The fare here is plain, but commendable, given the current situation."

[hachitaro]

It's okay, that's a normal reaction to Taro.

"If... you say so." He just smiles at Takakage. Whatever makes him happy. "Yeah. I've been lucky, most of the time - I know how to wrap up my own injuries but I don't normally get in the middle of fighting. So I haven't ended up here. I just know from my world that hospital food tends to be bad."

[thirdarrow]

Takakage looks thoughtful for a moment. "I... can see how that may be the case. There is some Visitor bias at work here... well. I can't complain, but it does feel a little strange to receive what is perhaps better treatment." Especially since there are civilians in need of care, too. But then again, he did just wake up from a coma...

He closes the book on his lap and sets it on the bedside table.

"But anyway. Did anything happen while I was out of commission?"

[hachitaro]

"Maybe..." It makes some sense, and he's not going to complain, but it's weird for him too.

"Not really. It's been pretty quiet, thankfully. So don't worry about it."

[thirdarrow]

"That is a good thing, then." He nods again, lapsing into silence for a few moments.

"Hinoto-Ri is relatively peaceful. It's... how shall I put it... rather refreshing, in fact."

He's tired. More so from all the work he has had to do. Even in a time without war, administrative tasks slowly wore him down.

[hachitaro]

"Yeah. It's nice. And you look like you could use a break, just in general."

He's quiet a little bit, before speaking up again. "I know it might not be your kind of thing to do... but really, if you ever need to talk to someone, I'm here. We may not be from the same time, but I've been around a long time and I really do want to help. I like you, Takakage. And I think of you as my friend. So please, just let me know if you need anything. You don't have to carry your load alone."

[thirdarrow]

... he's not quite sure what to say.

Part of him wants to do as Taro asks, but he's since locked that part away. It's not that he doesn't trust the tanuki enough, but sheer force of habit has honed his facade to near unbreakable. He has to be strong - not only for himself, but also for the people who rely on him. Lord Kobayakawa, always the voice of reason and serenity, the only sane man in many situations -

- people needed him to be unbreakable, even if it meant crumbling slowly from the inside.

"Thank you."

He closes his eyes briefly and sighs.

"I really appreciate your offer, Taro. I do trust you, but... it is very difficult for me to speak of such things. I hope you can understand."

Another pause.

"Perhaps next time. I... do not feel ready yet."

[hachitaro]

"I understand. I'm just... worried. You're way too young to have the weight of the world on your shoulders."

You are in the fusszone, Takakage. There is no escape.

[thirdarrow]

He smiles gently.

"Don't worry about me, Taro. I am stronger than I look."

A pause.

"And older, too."

[hachitaro]

"Yeah, I know. But I'm even older than you, so that means you have to listen to me, right?" He looks smug for just a moment before laughing. "Okay no, not really."

[thirdarrow]

"Wisdom does come with experience, that I cannot deny." Takakage nods.

"How old do you think I look?"

[hachitaro]

"Let's see... I'd say late teens, but from the way you carry yourself... maybe early twenties? Sorry if that's a little old..."

He's usually good at guessing ages, but Takakage please.

[thirdarrow]

"I will be twenty-seven years old in September."

He waits for Taro's reaction.

[hachitaro]

... Welp. He raises his eyebrows a bit but otherwise there's no dramatic reaction.

"You've aged really well, then. ... How old do you think I am? ... I know it's probably kind of a weird question since I don't really look any specific age in my natural form."

[thirdarrow]

Takakage tilts his head. "Physically, I would say around the twenties. Though of actual age... I cannot tell."

[hachitaro]

Taro lets out a little laugh at that. "Yeah, I usually end up blending in with people between the ages of about seventeen and twenty four. But I'm a hundred and forty one."

[thirdarrow]

There is a pause.

"Well, that is certainly impressive." He replies with a nod, somehow not surprised. Tanukis are known to live for very long - though Taro is the first one he has actually met in person. They remained as legends back in his homeland.

[hachitaro]

"I guess. Age doesn't really mean all that much, though. Sure, some people are older and wiser... but not everyone is. Experience helps but personality counts, too."

He's really not sure if his age is young or old for a tanuki. Considering most of them don't really have meetings or whatever it's hard to tell.

[thirdarrow]

"I am sure you are."

... well, there isn't really much to say.

"Given your experiences. You're very altruistic, Taro. And I'm sure we all appreciate that very much."

[hachitaro]

"... Thanks." He actually manages a little bit of a blush. "I just don't see the point in not helping other people."

[thirdarrow]

"Likewise." He leans back into the pillow.

"It is a gift to be able to hold power which can aid others. Then we are thus compelled to help."

[hachitaro]

... Well sure, that's a fancy way of putting it.

"I... to be honest, while I've helped a lot of people, I've also hurt people, too. At home when we couldn't make ends meet we stole - usually pieces of art or things from museums or private collections to sell. But I don't have to here. ... Sure, I kind of miss doing it, but it's better to be open about things, I think. No one here really cares what I am. It's a nice feeling."