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]

... 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."

[thirdarrow]

Takakage closes his eyes, listening intently. After Taro finishes, it is a while before he speaks.

"... I don't blame you for having to resort to less than honourable deeds." A pause. "But you're safer here. And you won't have to do that anymore."

Right, Taro?

"I hope this makes things easier for you."

[hachitaro]

"Yeah."

He reaches over carefully to put a hand on Takakage's arm for a moment before drawing back. He's here, he's a friend, and he's glad they have a connection.

[thirdarrow]

Taro probably won't be able to notice it, but he flinches very slightly. Almost imperceptibly - he has had lots of practice tempering his reactions.

(Despite their friendship, he still isn't very used to physical contact.)

"Thank you."

[hachitaro]

... Oh. He makes a mental note of it - he's used to checking body language.

"You're welcome. Anything else you need before I stop bugging you and let you rest?"

[thirdarrow]

"No, I'm fine. Your thoughtfulness means everything."

Takakage smiles a little more, and closes his eyes. (He's getting tired.)