estoria | [CLOSED] So you had a bad day

Entry tags:

[CLOSED] So you had a bad day

Who:

discard
When: Backdated to IC 7/15; late morning/early afternoon
Where: Stahn and Leon's apartment
What: Otome returns from the interlude and might need a little help
Rating/Warning: None! Hopefully.

[ She's had better days. The vertigo and nausea aren't so bad, except when they are, and the train ride had definitely prompted another round of losing what very little her stomach had (nothing, at this point). By the time Leon gets her into his apartment, all she can really do is greet Stahn with a very faint rasp and try not to just... collapse on the couch.

But Otome is doing faintly better at this point. Slightly. The blindness in one eye is still concerning, but she hasn't mentioned that, instead doing her best to stay upright and awake while she waits for Leon to return from checking her apartment for any sign of Lili. To Stahn, she'll say quietly: ]

I'm sorry to put you through this.

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[it seems completely absurd to him that otome would even worry about something like that—especially not with the circumstances.

he'd woken to an empty apartment, with the only indication of what had happened being from dymlos—that leon had gone to check on otome because something had happened. it was a little frightening (it was a lot frightening), but the fact that she's safe, even if a little off-kilter... it counts.

of course, he's worried as all hell about lili too, but all they can do is wait on that. stahn himself is trying not to fret too much, and he's also trying not to ask too many questions and push otome too hard.]

I'm just glad you're safe. [he responds with a firm shake of the head before offering her fresh glass of water to sip on.]

We have crackers too, if you want to try and eat something. [he's no medical expert, but gramps had always insisted on it; naturally, he'll do the same for otome because it's all he knows.] Just let me know if you need anything, or if you feel sicker.

[he wants to help her however he can right now, just as she'd done for him so many times before.]

[ She's still worrying him, she knows, but all she can do at this point is just be a proper patient, which means doing everything in her power to not make that concern worse for either him or Leon.

Otome reaches out to take that water, waiting about ten seconds between sips to make sure the water stays where it belongs. ]

It seems to fluctuate... but I think I'll try crackers a little later. [ Staying hydrated should help, if nothing else. She'll have to check on the others later, to see if this is a persisting symptom for them; Viridi had already been a mess before they'd been thrown back out. ] And thank you, Stahn.

I can bring them over and you can take them when you want.

[this way the crackers are just there. it would be good if she could get something in her stomach, but he can also understand her not wanting to until she feels like she'll actually be able to hold it down.]

It's okay, Otome. I just want to help. You're always there when we need you, so... we just want to do the same for you too. [that's what it boils down to, really. and stahn has no problem speaking on leon's behalf, because he's positive leon agrees.

(even if he doesn't say it.)]

[ Leon will probably never say it, and that's fine, because Leon coming out to find her and bring her back says more than enough. It's nice to hear, though, and Otome manages a smile. A tired one, but at least it's there. ]

I feel plenty helped, believe me...

[it's good—relieving at least—to see even that sort of a smile. he knows she'll be okay, but she's otome and she's strong that way. but having that kind of confirmation will help him worry just a little less about her.]

Good... good. Let us help like this when things are tough for you.

[Here Leon comes, the bearer of bad news!!!

He steps into the apartment quietly, closing the door behind him quietly as well, and when he sees her on the couch and Stahn there beside her, he doesn't even really have to question it. That's why he'd brought her here, after all. Obviously Stahn would take care of her.

Still....... he has to share the bad news, he can't hide it from her.]

Otome. [...] Lili was not there. [unsurprising, but also not good.]

[ She's expected it, mostly. Despite always wanting to think the best, Otome's seen too much loss to know that things don't always turn out the way you'd like them to. But a very small part of her had hoped that this sinking feeling, at least, would be wrong. She can't reach Lili, and she's not at the apartment, and Otome would like to think that she would contact her if she'd left voluntarily, which means...

Otome releases a shuddering breath, closing her eyes tightly as she clasps her hands together and presses them to her forehead. Simultaneously sick and sorrowful, it's an aggravating sensation. ]

Thank you... for checking.

[ She sounds as though she really might cry. ]

[it's the sort of news that stahn had been worried could come their way, and naturally... he's not happy about either. how could he be, when lili is a friend and there's just so much they don't know right now? he's worried, because she's someone they all care about, and seeing the condition otome is in right now...

well, it seems bad.

but this time, stahn is the one who steels himself. even if the worry is plastered on his face, he'll turn his head away so only leon can see it before he scoots a little closer to otome. the only thing he can think to do to help is just be there. there probably aren't any words he could come up with that are going to make her feel better.

just spouting vague platitudes about keeping her hopes up when things have already been difficult doesn't seem right to stahn. so instead, he wraps his arm around her back to touch the opposite shoulder and nudges him towards her; it's an offer for her to lean against him, or to cry against him with no questions asked if she feels it necessary.

it's the least he can do—or maybe it's all he can do. he's not too sure.]

[He doesn't really know what to do with Otome reacting like this, as always; displays of emotion aren't easy for him to deal with, not when he's so bad at even understanding his own. He stands there awkwardly, shifting in place, before he just awkwardly glances away. It's unsurprising that she's upset, he supposes--she must have been close to Lili.

So it's a good thing there's Stahn there to comfort her and help her, because Leon really doesn't know what to do. If nothing else, he almost feels the need to retreat, if only to get out of this awkward atmosphere, and because he's pretty sure he's only making the situation worse by...being there...

Comfort is hard.]

[ Leon, please, you're hardly making it worse, even if you're standing there like a mannequin from Medieval Hot Topic.

Otome's just... having difficulties. Normally, she's able to hold herself together, much more than this, but she's seen Edna get dragged through the floor, and heard Naki crumble to nothing behind her. She'd caught Viridi's limp body and done her utmost to keep the rest of the group together and alive, and they had survived, but not without side effects. She's also exhausted, unable to let herself sleep when her body won't allow it, and neither will the twisted complexity of her thoughts.

So when Stahn coaxes her to lean, she does. She doesn't cry, because crying will possibly trigger another bout with nausea, and also because she's worried them enough. And her soft, shaky breaths? An attempt to keep that nausea at bay. Mostly.

There's nothing she can do right now. ]

[there's that strange feeling that washes over stahn—after feeling so weak and so helpless for so long, it's finally come the time once again where he feels like he can do at least a little something.

maybe not much, because there isn't anything he can do about the situation with lili. but if he can provide otome a little comfort, it's something. but his eyes catch the way leon doesn't seem to know what to do and he elects to just take things into his own hands.

it's what he should do, right? this... this is the kind of thing he would be doing for his friends back home, too.]

Leon... could you get some more water? [he's not trying to send leon away, but include him in helping without forcing him to have to provide any direct comfort. he knows it's not easy—even for stahn, it's not an easy thing. he can only pull through like this because of how much he wants to try and help otome right. she's helped them both so much, so this is the least they can do, right.]

We'll figure everything out.. [somehow. it's not like stahn is really going to accept the worst until he has to.] Just take your time.

[Honestly, even if he still feels pretty useless, it's a relief to have something to do at least. He has no issues with putting this situation in Stahn's hands; Stahn's far more capable at this than he is. So all he does is turn on his heel to go fetch that water, leaving Stahn and Otome alone.]

[ Otome will use that time to continue to try and compose herself. She's clearly not used to being a mess, not when she's one of the more soothing members of JP's and also one of their top physicians. She knew how to remain calm and steady, even when it felt like her chest is twisting with grief. Much like now, but she reminds herself... there's no guarantee that the worst has happened. Lili might still be okay, wherever she is.

And like this, she's only making these two worry.

So she selfishly takes a moment to just... stay there, before there's a deep breath. ]

... I know. I shouldn't give up.

[ She sounds so tired. ]

Right. We don't know what happened yet... she may come back just fine.

[after all, otome did. even if she's a bit under the weather, she's still healthy and unharmed otherwise. but stahn still understands how he feels.

he knows what it's like to have a precious friend be missing, to not know what happened or why, and to feel sick with worry just thanks to being so helpless. when he'd gotten word of leon stealing a flying dragon, it had been much the same... even if it ultimately all came to light because he was aggressive in trying to find a solution.

but he understands the feeling, so that's why he doesn't press that topic harder.] It's okay to be worried, though. Lili's... important to all of us. We're all going to be worried until we hear from her.

[ At that, Otome sucks in another shaky, shuddering breath and shifts, as though she's debating standing up (because she is). Stahn's right. She's not really going to be able to breathe easy until she knows where Lili is, and if she's all right. If she got hauled into this mess, she could be thrown out of it at any minute and-- ]

... I shouldn't be sitting here.

[ Otome you haven't slept in close to twenty-four hours. ]

Do not even attempt to get up.

[There's Leon's contribution, even as he finally returns from the kitchen +1 glass of water. He huffs shortly, handing it over.]

If you fall on your face due to your ridiculous need to do everything on your own, I will not help you up.

[whatever leon]

Leon.

[stahn will hiss at him a little for that. it's too harsh after what otome's been through and how worried she is.

but he'll turn his attention back to otome to say what he thinks.] He's right, though. We can check your place later again, but running all over the city isn't going to help you or her. We'll figure everything out... we will.

[ It's true; normally she'd take that sort of comment without even blinking, but given the strain and the nature of the situation, Otome actually flinches a bit, fingers pressing marks on the glass through the condensation.

She hates sitting here, not knowing where Lili could possibly be, and what state-- and she hates that they're both right, that she's not in the right condition herself to be running around, but if she doesn't even try...

Don't mind her, she'll just kind of look silently devastated. ]

[... Oops.

Leon hadn't intended to actually...hurt Otome. She's usually so good with rolling with the punches, and Leon is also worried about Lili, making him sharper than usual--

But Stahn makes it clear that he crossed a line, and Leon flinches back as if burned, fumbling for a way to fix things. It doesn't come naturally to him, though, and he doesn't really know what to do, aside from removing himself from the situation so that he doesn't hurt Otome anymore--which might be something he needs to do. Stahn is better at this sort of thing. She'd be better off with Stahn.]

That is, I--

[...]

I will... go check the typical places she would be. I am unharmed, so... it is not as though it will be as difficult for me.

[And then...Stahn can help Otome feel better.]

[this isn't the idea option either. he'll pull otome a little closer to him, but the way leon flinches really and honestly makes stahn feel awful.

it's a trying time for all of them, being so unsure of the circumstances. and while leon was definitely wrong to say what he did, stahn can recognize his reaction was probably equally harsh. so his expression softens, and stahn shakes his head.]

I think we all should just... take a few minutes. All of us. [it's a surprisingly rational sentiment coming from stahn, and maybe the fact that he's had to lead the party so many times through awful situations in leon's absence has had something to do with this.]

We're all getting worked up, so let's just give it a few before we make the next plan.

[ ... Stahn's not wrong. Everyone's clearly on edge, and Otome can't muster her usual soft smile and reassuring comments-- not right now, after everything that's happened, everything that's yet to happen. She's not going to help either of them, or Lili, while she's like this, and she forces herself to take a slow sip of water before she nods in acquiescence. ]

I'm sorry.

[ She's well aware she's not helping. ]

[Leon doesn't move away from where hovers, tense and uncertain, a few paces away. It's... not easy to see Otome like this, after all. And even if Stahn's words are sensible, Leon's not sure that a few minutes is going to allow him to be any more helpful than he has been.

(He hasn't been.)

So he just pauses, uncertain.]

... If I am going to search-- [He should just go.]

Don't be.

[stahn will say it quietly to otome, attempting to reassure her that it's fine. he understands why she reacted the way she did. but all the same, he doesn't want her to get herself hurt in this condition.

...and it's not any better for leon, and that's why he looks to leon and shakes his head.]

Leon... stay for now. Please. [it's almost pleading, because he doesn't want leon to act rashly either. stahn is worried; he's worried about lili, but he's worried about otome and leon too.]

Leon...

[ Yeah, no. She'll let him go soon enough, probably. But where Stahn's voice is almost pleading, Otome's voice is pleading. Stay. Just long enough to let her remember how to be a composed adult again, that's all she needs. ]

[... He doesn't want to stay.

The thought is a little stifling, because honestly? He's sincerely concerned he'll say the wrong thing again and hurt Otome again. Even Stahn had seemed pretty upset at that one, and Leon should know--that's not easy to do. He's gotten used to Stahn's wells of patience over his time with him.

But... like this, he's making even more of a fuss, and like this, the focus is on him and not Otome, and that's not right either. Otome is the one who's hurting right now.

So he just subsides with a quiet, almost inaudible sigh, though he's going to sit in one of the chairs off to the side, instead of on the couch with them. He'll stay. He'll just...stay silent, that way he won't interrupt when Stahn's helping Otome, finally, since at least one of them can do it.]

[he'll take what he can get.

there will likely be an apology that comes later for snapping at leon—he knows that he was harsh about things in an immediate rush to get through to him. but for now, he'll over an appreciative glance.

he knows leon is uncomfortable and stifled, and he knows that he probably needs to sit in that other chair in order to feel anything resembling okay. so he won't force anything, he won't tell leon to move and anything else.]

Thank you. [he means that.]

Mm. [ Otome will also nod gratefully, finally managing a thin smile before she slumps a little more against Stahn. The water will go on the closest flat surface for now, because beyond finding Lili, all she really wants to do is rest. ... Rather, it's all her body wants, but Otome's been stubborn enough to fight it off.

But she's exhausted, and if her reaction to Leon's words hadn't shown that, the way the tension just sort of... drains out of her is additional proof. ]

[He's just going to remain silent at that, looking away after a moment to hide his face with his bangs.

He still doesn't think he has a place in this conversation, so he'll keep himself removed from it--he might just make things worse, otherwise.]

...Just try to relax.

[stahn's doing his best here. he's doing his best for them both, because he feels like he has to be the strong one here. for both of them, he'll be the one to hold on to his composure.

so he'll shift slightly to pull otome into a proper hug, because he doesn't know much else he can do. he doesn't know what he can say or do for leon either, even though he wants to help.]

It'll be easier if you rest for a bit.

...

[ She doesn't know about "easier", but keeping her eyes closed and focusing on the warmth of Stahn and the presence of the both of them does help a little.

Or, at least, enough for her to finally lose her grip on consciousness, although it's hard to tell whether she legit just passed out or fell asleep. It's been a long night. ]

[It's clear when Otome's breathing evens out, and despite himself, Leon sighs a little in relief. She needed the rest, even if he still doesn't really know what to make of this, and... he's not actually going to hesitate to get up and leave the room.

Thankfully, though, he's not leaving for good.

He just goes to get a blanket, because he's not totally incompetent. Always.]

[whether or not she's passed out or fallen asleep, stahn will take is as a good thing that she's able to rest.

and when leon returns with a blanket, he'll get a small, appreciative smile from leon for being that considerate. he mouths a "thank you" before shifting, trying to move gently so she can rest more comfortably for the time being. she needs it right now.]

[Leon just glances away vaguely when Stahn mouths that thanks--Leon knows he still doesn't deserve it, and this hardly makes up for anything.

But at the very least, he'll dump the blanket over both of them and then step away.

A moment's hesitation, and then, softly--]

I will go look. If someone, at least, is searching then perhaps... she will not do anything so foolhardy as trying to herself.

Mm.

[even though he wants to fight it because he's worried, he knows leon is right about this.]

I'll stay with her. Be careful, and if anything dangerous comes up... please, tell me. [he doesn't care, even if he can't get there right away, the idea of leon walking into danger is scary to him right now when everything is fragile.

he opens his mouth to say something else—to apologize for the way he scolded leon earlier, but he just shakes his head.]

... Of course.

[He won't argue that this time, not now. That would be far too much for the both of them after everything that happened.

So he'll just agree. If anything happens, he'll tell Stahn.]

I do not believe there will be any sort of trouble, but if there will be, you will know.

[With that... he glances over the both of them once more before he turns and goes.]

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[CLOSED] So you had a bad day

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