abyssdressing | Alive and kicking, I see

We had just delivered Dist's belongings to your home. Shortly afer we left, you were attacked and Dist's things were stolen. You advised us to go to Grand Chokmah to learn more.

...Yes. There had been inquiries...

[Fool her twice, shame on her - she's not going to shake her head again. Instead she puts a hand carefully against the side of it.]

Was anyone else hurt?

From what I remember, no. [He frowns when he notices Nephry's gesture.] Try not to aggravate the wound.

[At that, her hand drops to her lap again pretty much instantly. The expression she fixes Jade with is still serious, however.]

How bad is it, Jade?

Head wounds are always serious. It's not too bad, but you still need to be careful.

[Hm. If she really needed to worry, doubtless they wouldn't be in this house on the couch.]

That's almost not an answer. [Was that a smile? Just for a moment?] ...I appreciate your help.

I can hardly leave you to bleed to death on the street.

[She thought it wasn't that serious?]

Is this...your home here?

[It was an exaggeration. Really. 8D ]

No. It's merely another unoccupied house among many. My home is a little ways from here.

Should we go there, instead? I don't want to keep you from...anything you need to do.

No, I'm fine. Luke should be all right by himself for a few days. I don't want you moving long distances.

Luke? ...You are talking about the Luke we both know?

[Only explaining for you.] In a way. He's...sick, you could say. After sacrificing the replicas on the Tower of Rem to clear away the miasma, his fonons started separating far more rapidly than they did in the Luke of my world. Theoretically, he should be dead by now, but it seems arriving onto this world halted his fonon separation.

[Did she even know Luke's fonons were separating? Probably not, unless Jade chose to tell her. Which is doubtful. But she's nothing if not good at saving her incessant questions for later.]

At least...he's had some good news here, then.

[Wait waitwaitwait. Back up. Does Jade intend to stay here? With her?

He is doing all sorts of unexpected things today. ...But she likes them. This is a side of her brother she really hasn't seen that often. Perhaps his journeying changed something after all. Without an explanation of her own, Nephry smiles.]

Yes. This is a strange world, but not an unpleasant one. [He notices the smile, but doesn't comment.] Right now, the most important thing is for you to get some more rest and recover quickly.

Of course. You're right. [As usual.] ...But I'll be fine, Jade. Unless you're lying about the severity of my injuries.

[Oh this is for real a smile.]

I wasn't. [He's actually somewhat surprised by the amount of concern he's feeling.] But I'm not sure where we can locate a Seventh Fonist right now. It's better to be careful.

The others...aren't here? Tear, or the Princess?

[All of that aside, she is tired. It shows in the slump of her shoulders, and the drawn and pale look on her face.]

Some of them should be, but I'm not sure where they live, or if they were transported back to their own world. [He shakes his head slightly.] There'll be enough to discuss this tomorrow. The bedrooms are upstairs. Pick whichever one you want.

[Nephry nods slowly, using the couch to brace herself while she stands. ...She has no nightclothes to speak of, but right now it doesn't matter that much.

She does stop when she reaches the stairs.]

I'm glad you were here, Jade.

[and then slowly ascends them.]

[Jade stares at her, bemused. Fortunately, he's spared the trouble of needing to come up with a reply. He watches without comment as she disappears from view. After awhile, he'll get up from the couch to search through the house, seeing if there's anything he needs to buy.]

[He'll check on Nephry once before going to bed himself.]

[He wakes up early next morning and quickly prepares some food before heading upstairs to check on Nephry again, frowning at her wounds. If you're still asleep, he'll reach out to give you a gentle shake on the shoulder.]

[Both times he checks on her, he'll find a sound-asleep governor. In the morning, though, that shake gets a definite reaction. Nephry opens her eyes and half-sits quickly, looking around the room]

Did something happen?

Calm down. Everything is fine. [Jade keeps his voice calm and soothing, as if he's talking to a skittish lab animal. Although that might not be the best comparison.]

[Did he really talk that way to the animals and monsters he experimented on? If Nephry knew that she would probably be afraid, right now. A gentle Jade is still unnerving on some level.

But for the most part? It does calm her down, and when her rational mind catches up, she holds her head in her hand for a moment.]

My apologies, Jade. I suppose I overslept?

It's perfectly fine. You needed the rest. How are you feeling today?

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