now that you are not around, my world fades to a dull, lifeless grey

[ratherdoweddings]

[Rukia will come around to everyone's rooms later, with bunny-laden notes inviting them up to the diner. When they arrive, they'll find that one of the tables in the back has been covered over with a length of fabric from the sewing room and is serving as a makeshift altar, with rosemary and, for some reason, a bottle of whiskey sitting on it alongside cutesy drawings of all the dead thus far. (Just like last time, Seth gets a spiteful no symbol across his face.)

Yurika's there too, and she speaks first:]

Thank you. I... I'm sorry for suspecting some of you a little. I was worried no matter what happened, and I knew it would be hard, but you were all innocent. If anybody wants to talk, we can.

Comments

[tasteslikesurvival]

[Kurumi raises her head. She's not even trying to read this time. A brief scan of the library tells her it's safe and--]

It's the infection.

[voltrounds]

[Well, if there had been any cheer left in her after that trial, it would be gone now.]

What is it?

[tasteslikesurvival]

The cure only slowed it down. In my dream--my memory--...my eyesight was fading. I could hear but only loud sounds.

[She's not even looking at Ricky. Her face rests in her hands.] I'm going to die once I get off this ship, Ricky.

[voltrounds]

[It's as much of a shock as if Kurumi had suddenly punched her in the face.]

N-no.

[tasteslikesurvival]

I'm...I'm fine here. I get some of the medicine in the dumbwaiter occasionally to counterbalance it.

[She just sinks further against the table.]

...I'm sorry.

[voltrounds]

Then... that means they have a supply, right? Maybe we can get to it somehow. Maybe enough to keep you alive for... for a long time!

[She's saying this half for her own benefit, half for Kurumi's, and none because she thinks it's a likely outcome. It shows.]

[tasteslikesurvival]

It's experimental and if the disease is getting worse, I'd have to keep taking it almost every day if not every other day.

[She just sounds tired as she looks up to look at her.] I can't do that.

[voltrounds]

Kurumi...

[She takes her hand. She wants to say something, but... what can she say? That it'll be fine? It obviously isn't.]

[tasteslikesurvival]

Ricky.

[She gives her hand a squeeze.]

Can you promise me something?

[voltrounds]

What is it?

[She has the absolute worst feeling.]

[tasteslikesurvival]

Can you not tell any of the others? I'm probably going to have to tell Lightning but the others... I don't want them to know.

[Bet you weren't expecting that.]

[voltrounds]

[She sure wasn't.]

They won't hear it from me.

...it's not the worst thing I've kept from people.

[tasteslikesurvival]

[She's not going to ask that particular thing of anyone. That would be her own problem. She gives Ricky's hand a squeeze.]

...Thanks. Sorry you had to hear it, though.

[God. What are they even going to do?]

[voltrounds]

...no, thank you for telling me.

[It can't be an easy thing to share, after all.]

But... don't start thinking it's fine for you to die now. You're important.

[tasteslikesurvival]

I'm not going to kick it right now, anyway.

[Don't say that!]

[voltrounds]

[That was not very reassuring and Ricky is not reassured.]

I mean it.

[tasteslikesurvival]

So do I. I'm not going to leave you here.

[voltrounds]

I... I want to be with you as long as I can.

[tasteslikesurvival]

So do I, Ricky. You're like a member of the Club now.

1/2

[voltrounds]

[She has to smile at that. At least for a moment.]

2/2

[voltrounds]

[But she can't forget the context of that comment.]

If you start feeling like that again, tell me, okay? Or, it doesn't have to be me, but someone.

[tasteslikesurvival]

Right. I know... I should talk about my feelings, right?

[She scoots her chair back with a long sigh. Then glancing at Ricky,]

Come here.

[voltrounds]

Okay...

[She moves closer, not really sure what to expect.]

[tasteslikesurvival]

[How about pulling her onto her lap for a large bear hug? Because that's what happening.]

[voltrounds]

[This? This is a good happening, if a little unexpected. Hugs from Kurumi will always be welcome.]