Week 3

[airlockedmods]

[It takes a disturbingly short amount of time for the status quo to be restored. PAL still makes the morning and night time announcements through the PIP on each Champion's arm, and still the Champion unitards are freshly laundered and re-hung each morning in their closets.

There's a new floor to explore, a perverse reward for a trial well done.]

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday



[ooc: Don't forget to to turn in your AC for week 2 and submit your threads for the Benefactors!]

Comments

[tacomeme]

... mine was someone important to me too.

They... they're... not going to be there, when I get back. I couldn't stop it.

[everylittlesecret]

.... Family?

[This is asked softly. She... She knows pushing people to talk can backfire badly. He can choose to walk away right now if he wants to.]

[tacomeme]

...

My mother.

[His voice breaks again, that rage under the grief breaking free, though not at her]

That traitor bastard got her killed-! She died protecting him I don't... I don't understand why....

Must... have been because he's her real son. Even though WE still... still needed her too...

[everylittlesecret]

[Oh...

Oh no.

Why... why did she ask? Why was she curious enough to know about this?

She bites the corner of her lip hard enough to make her taste blood as she tries to think about what to say. But... is there even anything to say? She doesn't know this kind of loss at all.]

... mothers do strange things for the people they love. Even if we never understand the reasons...

[tacomeme]

[He can tell he's made her uncomfortable. And it makes him want to pull away and hide. But... he can't stand the idea of being alone right now. So he nods. Mothers are certainly strange, even with children that weren't even theirs]

It's... we're in a war. Things happen. But I swear, if Corrin, my brother [Said with such utter hate and contempt it shouldn't be possible in such a young person] was actually involved in setting this up. I'll...

I'll kill him myself. So I can't die here.

[everylittlesecret]

[All that hatred... Nari pulls him back into a hug, tighter this time. She's trying so hard to be strong right now. Takumi needs it. Needs so much more support and kindness than she thinks she's capable of giving him.]

Then... let's make sure you survive this place. So you can get your answer.

[tacomeme]

I'm sorry... I dumped a lot on you. That's why... I didn't come out yesterday. I didn't want anyone to see that.

[everylittlesecret]

Its. Well, no, I can't say it's fine. It's not. Not really... but I'm glad you feel you can trust me enough to share something like this with me. I won't tell anyone what you told me... it's not my story.

[It's not like she'll share even her own story, so you're good, Takumi.]

Now... let's do something about your hair. I can't believe you let it get so oily. Come on, there's a bathroom on this floor. I'll show you a neat trick I learned.

[tacomeme]

...trick?

Queenie's been helping me with it but she's... you know.

[everylittlesecret]

Something only I can do but I don't mind doing for you. [She laughs softly, taking his hand and leading him to the bathroom.] Indisposed? That she is. But in a good way.

[tacomeme]

[He follows along like a lost child]

She deserves the chance to relax...

[everylittlesecret]

She does. She works too hard.

[Nari, so do you, shut up.

Once they are in, she turns to Takumi.] Take your hair down.

[tacomeme]

Oh.. right.

[He only has the one ribbon to sleep in usually, so his tail isn't bound up as tight and high as usual. But even so, once it's untied it just cascades. ]

That good?

[everylittlesecret]

Yup.

[Okay, so this is going to be weird. She turns the water on till it runs as hot as it can, then turns it down a bit. She adjusts Takumi so he's standing with his back to her.] This is going to feel very weird, but don't panic.

[Takumi won't be able to see it, but Nari sticks her hands under the water and somehow... the water covers them? Next she places her hands on his head. He'll be able to feel the water against his scalp and hair, yet it doesn't seem to drip or run. Slowly, Nari gently drags her hands down his hair to wet it down a bit before shaking the now oily water off of her hands in the sink.] It's been a long time since I've had to touch hair this greasy...

[tacomeme]

[He gasps at the strange sensation, back going stiff- but he doesn't pull away]

W-whoa... that feels... kinda neat?

I... usually take better care of it.

[everylittlesecret]

My sister freaked out the first time I did this to her. She's not a big water fan.

[She'll keep repeating this till all of Takumi's hair is damp and the water is clear.]

I can tell. You take a lot of pride in it... but I would stop taking care of myself too after what you told me. No one will fault you for that.