[semi-open] did u hear the joke about the dragon

[perfectstrike]

Who: perfectstrike & anyone who might have cause to try to call Peko to check up on her after the CERESTour!
When: just after the CERESTour into the next day (ic: 1/26-1/27)
Where: CERES Hospital
What: Peko got herself injured during the CERESTour and is patently confused as to why people keep visiting her.
Rating/Warning: Warning for blood and talk about injuries, but nothing gorey or gruesome.

---

[Immediately following the tour, Mosley had kindly ushered group three to the hospital for their sustained injuries. Peko, having gotten herself hit with the sharp end of a not-so-virtual dragon's claw, had needed to be rushed to get several nasty-looking gashes cleaned and stitched, along with some smaller burns treated. Swords aren't much good against things that can fly and breathe fire, after all.

Some time later, she can be found in the wing tended to by human and humanoid doctors (no androids here, please), seated quietly in one of the beds with her eyes closed as if she's asleep. The heart rate monitor is beeping quietly and steadily, and there's an IV hooked to her right arm to replenish some of the fluid she'd lost from bleeding everywhere earlier. All in all, though, she looks fine! If the ripped and bloody sailor suit in the corner and the fresh white bandages covering her left bicep and peeking out from above the cut of her hospital gown over her chest are any indication. At least the gown is cute, with happy little robots printed in a pattern along the fabric. To promote organic healing, of course!

Before the Cerevice goes down, though, she'll be answering calls with voice and just generally trying to rest and recover in the hospital. She's fine, though, really--!]

Comments

[niceguypose]

[He gives a sad smile as he finishes clambering into the room and approaches her bedside.]

That is true. I am here to visit a very dear friend of mine. Someone whom... it hurts to see in such a condition! Right now, her speedy and youthful recovery is one of my fondest dreams! If you wonder this person's name, I shall tell you!! It is...

[He rolls along the floor to her bedside, then he stands up proudly.]

Peko-san!!

[perfectstrike]

[??? Who is he talking about?? It's kind of sad that Peko literally has no idea, watching him enter the room, and then roll with some bemusement.

...And then actual surprise as she stares up at him, a little uncertain.]

...Me?

[What...? Really...?]

[niceguypose]

You! [He smiles more fondly, but there's some tears in his eyes as well. As he speaks, he slowly erects a jungle of bouquets around her bed.]

Peko-san, don't you know that I care about you? I am here for you!

[perfectstrike]

[What the-- what is he doing. Lee no. That can't be sterile. Lee. Lee...

Peko's just kind of watching him open-mouthed, not really sure how to respond to any of this. Maybe she's hallucinating from painkillers...?]

Is this... all for me? I... you do not need to do something like this.

[niceguypose]

[What is sterility. These are flowers of youthly goodwill! Hopefully they won't completely block her view of everything around her.]

Perhaps it is not needed. But it is what I want to do! Peko-san, as I have stated, my mission is to bring you good will! If any of this can help you recover even a little faster... I can't tell how happy that would make me!!

[perfectstrike]

This is...

[She's actually starting to blush a little. This feels really surprisingly nice, having someone visibly care for her like this.]

I, um... t-thank you. I... gratefully accept your kind gift, and will do my best to recover as quickly as possible!

[niceguypose]

You are very welcome, Peko-san! I'm going to cheer you on!! [He flashes her a smile and gives her a thumbs up.]

Do you know how long it will be?

[perfectstrike]

...

[She doesn't have an answer for that. Being cheered for...]

Ah, that is... [Trying to get back on track even as she's still looking at all the flowers. They're so pretty--!] They want me to stay at least overnight to ensure that the stitches set properly and my fluids are replenished.

...Were you on the tour, earlier?

[niceguypose]

I see. It is fortunate that you will be free so soon! [He's a little happier at that. But he's still glad to be there for her. He knows what it's like to be stuck in a hospital bed. And how uplifting every last visitor, every last gesture can feel.]

I did not attend any tour, however... I was too focused on my training and missed an opportunity!

[perfectstrike]

Whether they release me or not, I do not have time to waste in the hospital.

[Peko please. She was content to get treatment, but all this sitting around? She can do this at home.]

I see. That may be for the best. The amount of information we gained... I do not believe to have been worth the risk we were subjected to.

[It is so much easier to talk about this stuff than it is about Lee's good-natured gesture. It's confusing to her!]

[niceguypose]

Hmmm... I appreciate your conviction, Peko-san. And I will honor your best judgement!

[Peko is Lee's approval really an encouraging thing in this situation.]

Ah... But what sort of risks did you find? And what did you discover...?

[perfectstrike]

Mm.

[No Peko, this is exactly what you were scolding Lee for before... don't be a hypocrite. But if she sees the irony, she doesn't comment, instead pausing and wrapping a stray bit of hair around one finger as she tries to decide how to phrase it.]

Myself and four others -- Kirkland, Yang, Arc, and Kamishiro, if you know them -- were able to investigate three "virtual diary" entries... somewhat like ViViD, but a recording by an intern of Vincere founding this city. The so-called 'virtual' monsters, however, were more than real.

[niceguypose]

Ah... I know of Yang-san. And Arc... is that Jaune-kun? Are they alright...?

[He looks over as he pats at some of the flowers, looking more serious and business-like.]

But, ah, I see! So you learned more about the past of this city... but such monsters of the past attacked you?!

[perfectstrike]

Yang I believe only suffered minor wounds, while Arc was burned in the same fight I was injured. [She's very matter-of-fact about their injuries, though she doesn't seem concerned about either of them, hinting that they're probably fine?] Of us, I am almost glad to be the one who sustained the more serious injury.

In any case, that... is correct. After a fashion. It seems Vincere attempted to bargain with some of the natives of this planet to purchase this area for the city, but I do not think... that ended very peacefully. It is hard to say.

As for the rest... I will have to speak with some others to try to make sense of. If nothing else, it did make clear that Vincere thought little of us beyond simply being code... not people.

[niceguypose]

Mm, I see. I will check to see if they are here later... [More window-jumping to come.] B-but, I apologize that I do not think such an injury is something that should inspire gladness.

Er... Ah... But that is very interesting to know! Perhaps later... everyone should pool what was learned together. Maybe that will help us piece together new discoveries, Peko-san!

...It is unfortunate that he thinks of us in such a way, however.

[perfectstrike]

Hm.

[Peko thinks she's perfectly capable of handling it--! Better her than someone who's maybe not used to getting hurt.]

I think you are correct... but in any case, Vincere is dead. My only concern is how deeply his views have penetrated, and what we can do to ensure they do not continue attempting to toy with our lives.

[While her voice remains low and steady as always, the beeping of the heart rate monitor is starting to get a little faster the more she speaks. This is Very Important To Her, apparently.]

[niceguypose]

[Maybe she can handle it. But Lee still doesn't feel right about a friend of his being glad for being hurt like this!!

But he listens to her and he nods.]

Ah...! I see. That does sound like a valid concern. Now that you have detailed it, I find myself feeling this concern as well! Have you seen any signs... that others within CERES may think this of us?!

[His eyes do dart towards the heart monitor as it rises, then back at Peko, as if wondering the cause. You alright Peko???]

[perfectstrike]

Nothing that I can point to definitively, but when one looks at the "glitches"... the dangerous attractions at the carnival, that Santa-san monster that attacked us, what I heard of the occurrances at the mall... and that is only what happened last month. Even if we are to consider the monsters natural disasters and unpreventable -- which I do not think to be the case -- the carnival itself should be the most damning piece of evidence.

No one who considers their residents people would allow such dangerous rides to be ridden.

[She has to sink back against the pillow for a moment though, closing her eyes against a wave of dizziness. She's still trying to make up for blood she'd lost during the fight, and her heart beating faster isn't really helping with that effort.]

[niceguypose]

A-ah. Yes, that is true. But that is all from the time of Vincere... Now that management has changed...

[But he looks concerned as he sees her sink into the pillow; things are starting to piece together. He hesitantly reaches a hand towards her to make a calming motion.]

Peko-san, I think that you need to calm down.

[perfectstrike]

It's fine.

[Her automatic response to anything, when it comes to her personally. She does take a few deep breaths through her nose, though, working to try to relax.]

Anyway, that may be so. But I still do not trust Recreare until proven otherwise.

[niceguypose]

I am here for you, Peko-san. [He says softly as he considers her words.]

And I respect your judgement. We will have to be alert... for any signs that indicate either direction.

[perfectstrike]

...Thank you.

[Another few breathes, and she seems to be relaxing a bit more until she can open her eyes and shift to sit up more again.]

If we have to fight... I will be glad to know I can fight beside you. Perhaps I am wrong about Recreare, but... there are too many people here for me to protect here, to be complacent.

[niceguypose]

[Rock Lee watches over her vigilantly! Her safety is Important.]

Peko-san, that is one of the most honorable offers I have ever received. I would also gladly fight by your side and do anything to protect you!

I... understand your feelings. Even if I feel unsure myself, I know that I do not intend to let my guard down! I will do what I can to find answers myself... for the sake of protecting so many!

[perfectstrike]

Thank you.

[That, at least, she has no problem accepting... and then she's looking around at the flowers again, and she still can't believe something so nice and girly is really okay for someone like her.]

A-and, um... I truly do appreciate your gift. I am... not certain how to repay you.

[Able to take promises to fight alongside her? That's fine. Accepting perfectly normal(ish) gifts? Not even once.]

[niceguypose]

[Lee really does appreciate such feedback. But then he closes his eyes in seemingly serious thought.]

I can think of only one proper method of repayment.

[Then he opens his eyes and flashes her a thumbs up.]

Make sure that you take good care of yourself!